When Shakka had been flying for about an hour, he realized he had not yet flown this far. He began to wonder if he could fly the whole way. Swimming would give his wings a rest if he needed it but after seeing those large, gull-eating fish from earlier, he was a little apprehensive about swimming.

Shakka’s last view of Castelios was engrained in his memory. He had thought it would be the last time he would see the Island, at least for a while. So he had made sure to remember it well since it played such a pivotal role in his life. He had been sailing away, his ship in front of the several others that followed. Behind the empty city of Amthestys stood silently. The violet crystal castle off to the north. Atop its tallest tower Zell stood, watching them sail away.

Shakka still wondered why Zell had not pursued them that day. Though now with his current heading it was obvious; Zell was waiting for Shakka to leave so he could move against the Great Spirit. Shakka had stopped him once from taking the Great Spirit, Aetherea, from the Great Forest on Ivor. He had failed on Verdanos, though what Zell gained from it was not apparent. Shakka was determined not to let Zell get his hands on this Spirit.

Filled with determination Shakka pushed faster to the west toward from the setting sun. He flew on through the night using the stars to guide him. Just as the sun began rising behind him, Shakka could see land on the horizon. He knew flying was faster than sailing but he did not until now know just how much faster it was.

In just half a day Shakka had flown the distance it took his fleet two days to sail. He was getting sore from the long flight and tired from not having slept. A glint of violet light caught his eye on the northern end of the island and Shakka knew he was close to Kanchet.

Shakka, come to my forest! the Spirit’s desperate voice echoed in Shakka’s mind again.

I am close, Great Spirit! he responded, still not knowing if she could hear his reply.

* * *

Realizing he did not have any idea where the Great Forest was on this Castelios, Shakka decided to search the castle for a map. He turned northward and stayed low to water, just incase Zell was still in the city. As Shakka flew over Grey Town it looked oddly still compared to what he had grown accustomed to. There was smoke rising from some of the huts indicating that some people had stayed behind. Either that or outsiders had moved to the city.

Continuing to stay low, just over the rooftops, Shakka made his way toward the Castle. He had to pull up to get over the dividing wall, but it was a short straight shot from there to the castle doors. Shakka landed clumsily in the castle courtyard. There were still bodies from the battle only days prior; mostly Grey, though some were Majiq. The hole he had made the Royal Guard fall into was still there near the main doors.

Shakka approached the hole and peered into it. When he had made the hole, his intention was not to kill those that fell into it, only to stop them from attacking him. There were four men still inside sitting against the walls. Two of them had bandages around their arms and legs. One had a makeshift splint made from his armor on his leg. It must have been broken when he fell.

Seeing a shift in he light, one of the men stirred and looked up at Shakka.

“Water…” he said weakly. Shakka had just refilled his water skin with water that he had filtered with magic from the sea. He tossed his water skin to the man who had asked for it. Then he bent down and made a ramp into the wall of the hole so the men could get out.

“Da’Ulla is dead. Berikk is dead. The fight is over. Get out and find food and shelter for yourselves,” Shakka said, then turned toward the main castle doors.

“Wait!” the man said, “Why are you sparing us?”

Without turning back, Shakka replied, “I told you, the fight is over,” then he started toward the castle and entered through the front doors.

I’m surprised Zell didn’t drain those four. Shakka thought to himself as he entered the castle.

The main hall was exactly as he had left it. It was a little banged up from his fight with Azaella. Her body was still there in a pool of blood where he had left her. Turning away from the sight and trying to ignore the smell, Shakka made his way toward the library.

When he entered he was startled to see the Librarian was still there. Though with the high amount of pride the man had shown for his library, Shakka was not really surprised. In fact, the man’s presence was somewhat of a blessing. The library was enormous and Shakka didn’t know where to find a map of Castelios.

“I need a map of Castelios,” Shakka said, not asking, but telling the man.

The librarian had not seen or heard Shakka enter and he jumped when Shakka spoke. After seeing who had done the speaking, the librarian backed away in fear.

“Where are the maps?” Shakka asked a little more patiently, “and, is Zell still in the Castle?”

“Zell?” The librarian said confused, “Everyone left with you, I thought,” Zell most likely never came to the library. What use did Zell have with a books after all?

Seeing that the man was not going to help him find a map, Shakka stepped forward, drawing his sword threateningly saying, “Map of Castelios, NOW!”

The librarian shrieked and ran off into the library. He came back shortly after and tossed a scroll at Shakka. Opening the scroll, Shakka saw that it was what he had asked for, a map of Castelios. If the map was to scale, then the Great Forest lies far to the southeast. It was almost as far as he had already come since leaving his fleet.

Not wanting to waste any time Shakka quickly made his way to the kitchens and found a water skin, since he had recently given his up. He found some stale bread, packed it away and opened the door to where the chickens were kept. Drekk launched himself forward easily catching one of the larger chickens. Shakka studied the map while Drekk ate his meal.

It had been a long time since the Spirit last called out to him. Realizing this, Shakka began to worry, “Come Drekk, I fear we are running out of time!”

With a mouth full of chicken meat, Drekk followed Shakka running down the hall toward the main entrance of the Castle. Shakka burst through the front doors, startling the soldiers who had only just gotten themselves out of the hole in the ground. As soon as he was clear of the door way Shakka took off into the air. The audible reactions from the soldiers told Shakka that they had not seem him landing in the courtyard on the day of the battle.

Shakka turned southeast and flew as fast as he could. The map showed a small village on the way from Amthestys to the Great Forest. He would stop there for a quick rest before continuing on. The landscape was beautiful and Shakka wished he had more time to enjoy the view.

Forests dotted the countryside. A river meandered through many of them and led straight into the side of Amthestys where it disappeared. Shakka guessed this was the underground river he had discovered in the cave. The river stretched out farther than Shakka could see. It appeared to feed from a small lake between Amthestys and the mountains that were just barely visible in the distance.

Shakka quickly passed over the forests. Beyond them were open fields as far as the eye can see. The small lake that fed the river was now beneath him. Shakka dove down to fill his water skin in the river. Guessing at the distance and suspecting the village was getting close, Shakka decided to stay close to the ground until he could see the village.

It was no time at all before the village came into view. Not wanting to startle anyone, Shakka landed and began jogging the rest of the way to the little village. As he drew closer, it became obvious just how small the village was. It had only about fifty houses. They were nothing compared to the lavish homes of the Majiq in Amthestys, though much nicer than the shacks in Grey Town. It reminded him of his home village, Gri.

The village was strangely quiet. Shakka cautiously approached the southern entrance. He passed by the first few houses without seeing any inhabitants at all. As he passed another house, he was met with a spear held up to his throat. A pitch fork pinned Drekk to the ground.

“Stop there!” a woman’s voice commanded, “What business do you have here!?” Her voice was shaky, obviously afraid.

Drekk snarled at the pitch fork holding him down.

“We mean you no harm,” Shakka said calmly, “we have traveled far. I only stopped here for some provisions.”

Not removing the spear from Shakka’s throat the woman asked, “How were you planning to pay? I see no coin purse.”

She had a point, Shakka had no coin to his name. He had not thought about how he might pay for any provisions he was hoping to acquire.

“Be that as it may, is this how you treat all of your guests?” Shakka asked pointing at the spear still resting against his throat, “As I said, I mean you no harm. My name is Shakka.”

Hesitantly the woman offered her own name, “I’m Kkava.”

“Kkava, why are you so afraid? Did something happen here?” Shakka asked trying to figure out a way to not get stabbed in the throat that did not involve hurting anyone.

“A man named Zell came through just an hour earlier. My husband showed him kindness and was met with a sword across the chest,” she said, still not lowering the spear.

“Is your husband alright?” Shakka asked sincerely.

“No,” she said sadly, “he is dying.”

Shakka suddenly realized how he would pay for his provisions. He had been instructed on healing just such a wound by Pella on the ship.

“Let me take a look at him, I may be able to save him,” Shakka offered. He felt the spear slowly lower from his throat. Feeling it was now safe to do so, he looked around. There were several villagers gathered, watching him. They were all either women or old men. Kkava still held the spear out toward him. She and the rest of the villagers, were Grey.

“Try any funny business and I’ll run you through,” Shakka believed she would do just that, “My husband, Garekk, is this way,” she said gesturing with her head and waiting for Shakka to walk in front of her. “Don’t know what a Grey can do for such a wound. But I’ll try anything to save him,” Shakka could tell Kkava was beginning to cry.

“Through there,” she said gesturing toward the nearest hut with her spear. Shakka mentally noted that if he had been intending to harm her or force his way out this situation, that would have been his opportunity.

Shakka stepped through the opening and let his eyes adjust to the dark interior. On a cot lay a man with a very large gash from shoulder to hip. He was bleeding profusely despite the bandages that had been applied. His breathing was short and labored.

Shakka knelt beside the man and put his hand over the center of the wound. Picturing the wound closing from the inside first as Pella had told him to do, Shakka summoned his magic and commanded the wound to heal. Healing it from the inside first prevented any internal organs from being left out of the healing process.

Kkava gasped as Shakka’s eyes glowed red and her husbands wound closed before her eyes. She dropped the spear and collapsed to her knees at her husbands side, sobbing with relief.

“He’ll still need to rest and get plenty of water and food. But he should live,” Shakka told her, resting his hand on her shoulder. Without warning she turned and hugged Shakka.

“Thank you!” she sobbed into his shoulder.

“I would have helped you anyway, but I do need some provisions. I was hoping that could be my payment?” Shakka asked pointing at the man laying on the cot.

Wiping her eyes, Kkava got to her feet saying, “Of course, of course! Come with me!”

Shakka followed her out of the hut. There were several villagers gathered, waiting. The look on Kkava’s face must have been indication enough for them. They all began thanking Shakka and offering him various things. Some offered him strange looking talismans, others offered fruits an vegetables. Shakka took only what he needed and thanked them.

As Shakka prepared to continue toward the Great Forest, Kkava stopped him, grabbing his arm and saying, “Wait, please stay a while.”

Shakka looked her in the eye and said, “I wish I could. But I must get to where Zell is going before he does. I cannot wait a second longer. Thank you again for the supplies.”

“But how will you ever catch up to him, he had a horse?” Kkava asked. Shakka smiled at her.

Shakka, he is getting close! The Spirit’s voice was almost panicking now.

Then, no longer caring if he startled the villagers, he and Drekk ran forward and took off into the air. Shakka looked back and saw the small village quickly fade from view. He climbed higher into the air to try and see if the forest. However, it was still too far to see, so he pressed on as fast as he could.

Shakka thought back to his first time seeing Aetherea’s Forest. There were many Pale Guardians patrolling the outlying fields around the forest and Shakka hoped this Spirit’s Forest was the same. If it was, they would at least slow Zell down though Shakka doubted they would be able to stop him.

I shouldn’t have to worry about them this high in the air, Shakka thought.

Finally as the sun was peeking in the sky, the Great Forest came into view. It was still glowing white with it’s host Spirit’s energy. Shakka quickly closed the gap and as he drew closer to the forest he scanned the ground for Zell. Shakka’s hopes of the Pale Guardians slowing down Zell were short lived. Shakka spotted Zell on horseback. Just as Zell entered the forest he quickly glanced up at Shakka, worry evident on his face. The forest began to darken as soon as Zell entered it. It was the same as when Zell was in Aetherea’s forest.

Shakka! He is here! Hurry! The Spirit begged.

Shakka saw a small clearing far ahead in the center of the forest. Hoping that was where the Spirit resides, he sped toward it. He felt something sharp cut his face and spun out of the way a second too late. He glanced down and saw branches flying up at him like spears. Zell was no doubt launching them at Shakka to either slow him or stop him.

Drekk, proving once more his level of intelligence, dove beneath Shakka and began intercepting the spears. He broke them by either biting them or swatting at them with his razor sharp claws. Placing all his trust in his friends ability to block the spears, Shakka concentrated on moving forward and getting to the clearing. Below him the forest continued to slowly fade to black from the direction Zell was riding.

It was going to be close. Shakka had no idea how Zell was able to move so quickly through the thickly wooded forest, but he was almost keeping pace with Shakka. Looking up at the clearing Shakka was relieved to see the beautiful Spirit reaching up toward the sky, ready for Shakka to grab her hand.

The trees around the clearing began to darken before Shakka was over them. It seemed Zell had somehow sped up. Shakka was tired and sore. He had not slept in a day and a half and he had been speeding across Kalset during that time. He couldn’t fly any faster than he was currently flying and he feared he wouldn’t make it in time.

Shakka watched as the clearing began to darken, followed by the Spirits body. Zell was reaching out toward the Spirit, diving forward. The darkness slowly crept up the Spirits body. Shakka reached out with his right hand for the Spirit’s outstretched arm. Just as the darkness reached the Spirits palm, Shakka finally made contact with the still glowing part if the Spirit’s hand. As he made contact he felt Her energy rush through him, and Her presence enter his consciousness. This and Her relieved, Thank you, confirmed he had made it, just in time.