10
WITH EVERY RISE AND DIP, Cyrus’ stomach performed gymnastics. It was the first time Cyrus had been on a boat. They had been sailing for two days and Cyrus still hadn’t adjusted. Kimo and Auli’i seemed to soak up every movement, every spray of the sea and every word Maurício spoke.
Bessy … That was what Maurício had named his boat. Cyrus had laughed out loud when Maurício told them, to which Maurício shot him a dirty look.
Bessy … What a funny name.
Cyrus thought of cow on a farm.
Good ol’ Bessy.
It didn’t get old.
Bessy was a sailboat that also had a pretty hefty engine. Sailboat wasn’t even the correct name for the boat. “Bavarian Yacht,” according to Maurício. It seemed nicer than what he should have had. After the stories Maurício had been telling, it became apparent that obtaining this yacht had been his sole mission in life. All of his money and time went into maintaining her. Maurício had no children or family. His love was traveling and sailing. That was it.
Maurício was proud of Bessy. She was the equivalent to his child. A 65-foot Bavarian yacht with a comfortable cabin and a meticulously cared for exterior. The boat was all white with a deep blue trim that looked worn but clean—like a pair of leather shoes that were worn every day and shined every night. The boat was sturdy, and you could tell its captain knew its every detail.
The past couple days had been just as informative for Maurício. He asked Cyrus question after question about his wings, how they felt and if he could fly. Not only that, but also about the Lumens and what Cyrus was called since he had black on the other side of his wings. Cyrus, with the help of the twins, was able to answer all of his questions and fill him in. Explaining ‘Lumen Caligo’ to Maurício had been humorous because of the way he said it with that deep voice. After Maurício learned those words, he almost exclusively called Cyrus ‘Lumen Caligo’ after that.
Cyrus had called Ms. P and Kamalani the night before they had set sail with Maurício. Ms. P hated everything about the idea of them journeying into the Bermuda Triangle with someone they had just met and tirelessly tried to convince them to wait. Cyrus had his mind made up though. All was quiet from Martin still. In the end, Ms. P and Kamalani wished them luck and sent their love along with a laundry list of ‘be carefuls’.
The sun dipped just above the horizon. There were minutes left in the day. A thin haze began to form as the sun said its final farewell.
“We are getting close to the center of the triangle,” said Maurício.
“Anything wrong with the instruments?” asked Kimo.
“Nothing yet. This haze though … It has me worried. Never underestimate the ocean. It could be the start of something. Guards up. Eyes peeled.”
The twins gathered with Cyrus on the starboard side of the bow to enjoy the sunset. With the encroaching haze, the water seemed to be on fire. It looked like lava on the bottom with a layer of fresh snow on top. The ocean never ceased to amaze Cyrus. The sun slowly faded over the horizon ... the wet fire subsided. Darkness began creeping into the world.
“OK. Now, the instruments are glitching,” said Maurício with a tinge of worry.
“The current is slightly picking up, too,” said Kimo, peering over the railing.
“You sure about this, Cyrus? It’s not too late to turn around,” said Maurício with all seriousness.
Cyrus looked at the glitching instruments, the thickening haze and the darkening sky. He thought of only one thing … meeting his mother.
“We stay on course. I’ll stay in the cabin with you,” said Cyrus with conviction.
Maurício nodded and returned his attention back to the controls.
“Expect the unexpected. Here we go.”
Maurício hit the flood light at the front of the yacht and tightly gripped the helm.
“Current is still steady in a southwest direction,” yelled Kimo.
Auli’i joined Maurício and Cyrus in the cabin. She seemed worried. A stark contrast to the joy she had displayed the past two days at sea.
“Do you think the Lumens will attack us once they spot us?” asked Auli’i.
Probably.
“I think we’ll be fine,” said Cyrus. “If they revere the Lumen Caligo as much as you’ve told me, they’ll welcome us rather than attack.”
“This fear I have … It’s just like when we fled from Ni’ihau. I feel on high alert. Every splash of a wave I think someone is coming for me.”
With considerable effort, Cyrus extended his arm and his wing and put them over Auli’i’s shoulder.
“You’re under the Lumen Caligo’s protection, miss. There is nothing to fear,” said Cyrus in his best British accent.
Auli’i cracked a smile, shook her head and then leaned into Cyrus for comfort. Cyrus felt his cheeks go hot.
“The instruments are useless now. Even the compass is going in circles. We’re getting some intense electromagnetic interference. Kimo! Keep a close eye on the current! That’s what we’re using to stay on course now!”
“Aye aye, captain!”
“The haze is now a full-blown fog,” said Cyrus.
“A keen observation, Mr. Lumen Caligo. I couldn’t help but overhear Auli’i’s question, but I would like a straight answer. Will we be attacked when we get close enough?” asked Maurício.
Cyrus looked up and shrugged. “This is just as new for me as it is for you. Like I said though, if they hold me in such high regard because I am the ‘Lumen Caligo’, then no.”
“Current is picking up!” Kimo yelled.
“By Saint John, he’s right,” said Maurício.
Cyrus felt the increase in speed. Auli’i looked up with worry. Kimo went back and forth from the port to the starboard, constantly leaning over to see the water. The fog was growing increasingly thick. The instruments were going haywire. Maurício turned on the engine and turned off the flood light. All of the sudden, a voice split through the eerie night.
“TURN BACK IMMEDIATELY. YOU HAVE VENTURED INTO SACRED WATERS.”
They froze. They couldn’t pinpoint where the voice was coming from. Maurício looked at Cyrus with a look of surprise like he hadn’t actually expected to find something out there. He shifted the controls and kept going forward.
“I SAY AGAIN, TURN BACK. THIS IS YOUR FINAL WARNING.”
“Into the unknown?” asked Maurício.
“Into the unknown,” responded Cyrus.
“Kimo, tell them we’re here on purpose,” said Auli’i.
“We seek Aeolia!” said Kimo.
Silence. The current splashed against the boat. The wind whistled.
“I say again, we seek A—”
THUD!
Something landed on the roof of the cabin. Kimo froze in his tracks and slowly backed up.
THUD! THUD!
Two more. Auli’i’s eyes widened and Maurício grabbed a handgun from behind the helm.
“If they dented Bessy, there will be hell to pay,” muttered Maurício.
The strangers voice spoke, “You have ventured too far. State your purpose before we commandeer this ship.”
“Oh, hell no. Auli’i take the helm. Cyrus, with me.” Mauricio stepped outside of the cabin. Cyrus slipped on a jacket and followed Maurício. As Maurício took his first step, an arrow struck where his next step was going to be.
“YOU STAY THERE!”
There was a blur of motion, and then three Lumens surrounded them. One was in front of Kimo, the second was by Auli’i and the third stood before Maurício and Cyrus at the entrance of the cabin. Dark cloaks covered them from head-to-toe, their wings folded behind them. All were pointing nocked arrows.
“You were given fair warning,” said the mysterious voice. It wasn’t coming from the three in front of them but seemed to come from above.
Cyrus looked up. A slow flapping sound became louder and louder. Then, like a phantom, he saw it. Huge white wings attached to a man who descended gradually until he landed in the middle of Bessy.
“I am Ori, son of Lucius. Why did you not turn back? How do you know about Aeolia? Speak quickly.”
“We have business in Aeolia. We seek Marcella,” said Cyrus.
“Lady Marcella. You must not know her well if you chose to forgo her title. Your insolence is not helping your case. What business do you have with her?”
“A personal one. She is not expecting us. However, I assure you our business with her is of the utmost importance!”
“Do you take me as a fool? What kind of guard would I be if I were to waltz a bunch of strangers into the presence of Lumen royalty? You could be assassins. You could be diseased. There are standards to entry.”
Maurício sighed loudly. “He is the Lumen Caligo! Can we skip the formalities and get this show on the road. I feel Bessy picking up speed and with no bearing of where we are, I don’t want to sink her.”
The waves quieted. The wind itself seemed to stop.
“It can’t be … ” whispered the Lumen guard closest to Cyrus.
All eyes were on him. The leader flapped his wings erratically, breaking the silence. Up and down his eyes scanned.
“The penalty for impersonating the Lumen Caligo is death. Is what he says true? Are you the Lumen Caligo?”
The ship lurched forward. The current was growing faster and the fog thickened.
Cyrus removed his jacket and let his wings unfurl. The wind had just enough bite to make him shiver. All four of the Lumens gasped and approached Cyrus in awe. They circled him, reaching out their hands to stroke his wings softly. They whispered, “It can’t be,” and “I never thought it would happen in my lifetime.” Then, after they had walked a couple circles around him, they turned to each other and began whispering in an impromptu meeting. Cyrus took a moment to rest his wings.
He couldn’t see the bow of the ship anymore. The fog and the speed at which they traveled had increased. Maurício had snuck back into the cabin and was furiously banging on the equipment, trying to will it back to life. Kimo and Auli’i were staring at the Lumens. Their wings poked out slightly just behind their necks. The white wings almost had a glow to them, even in the pale fog. Looking at his own wings, Cyrus noticed that they glowed a little bit more. He peered over his shoulder, and to his surprise, it was somewhat difficult to see the dark side of his wings. They seemed to absorb any and all light. Had they not been attached to him and three inches away from his face, he might have missed them.
“It is decided,” began Ori. “We will guide this ship to our port island Luna, and then we will escort you … ” Ori pointed at Cyrus. “ … before the high council on Aeolia. The rest of you will remain on Luna until you have been assigned a labor task.”
Dread crept into Cyrus. He looked over to Auli’i and Kimo who both mirrored the anxiety Cyrus felt.
Auli’i stepped forward with a fierce look in her eye.
“We will accompany the Lumen Caligo to Aeolia.
Ori circled Auli’i, his eyes inspecting her back. Once satisfied, he returned to the forefront of the other Lumens.
“No Terram has set foot in Aeolia for over 300 years. The last one was Sir Kaimana and he was—”
“The Virtus Lator to the Lumen Caligo? Yes, we know. Now, who do you think we are?” Auli’i gestured between herself and Kimo.
“Just you or the woman?” said Ori to Kimo.
“Both of us,” interjected Auli’i. “Virtus means strength and virtue. We both have the mantle of Virtus Lator appointed to us from the Lumen Caligo. A mantle we ask that you honor and respect!”
“You must hail from Akhet,” said Ori, looking at Kimo more closely now. The guards behind Ori sneered.
Ori looked to Cyrus for confirmation, to which he gave a nod.
“What about the commander of this vessel? Is he also a Virtus Lator?” asked one of the guards. There was obvious irony in his voice. The other guards snickered. Ori remained unchanged but allowed the question to hang in the air. This time it was Cyrus who spoke up.
“No. He is a sailor and our guide. He volunteered his time and vessel to escort the Lumen Caligo to Aeolia. I ask that he be treated with respect and allowed to return back to Bermuda when he pleases.”
“I can only promise he will be treated with respect. Our laws prohibit leaving once you arrive. If you hadn’t noticed, the current is too strong now. He couldn’t get out even if he tried. He is caught in the swirling eye. Now, let’s be quick. We don’t have much time. Have your captain follow my lieutenants lead. I will fly ahead to scout a path.”
With that, Ori and two of the Lumens whooshed off the ship and disappeared into the night. The third guard flew ahead of the ship in view. His wings acted as a beacon to follow as shimmers of light reflected off of them with each flap.
Maurício kicked everyone out of the cabin ‘to concentrate’. It reminded Cyrus of how Martin would turn down the music when they were driving and got closer to a new location. It helped him ‘see better’. Cyrus wondered where he was at that moment.
The current continued to speed up. They followed the Lumen guard for what seemed an eternity. All three of them stay glued to the constant flapping of his wings. Seeing a Lumen in action was something that excited Cyrus.
I’ll learn how to run first before I learn how to fly … I still haven’t mastered walking.
The current carried them faster and faster until the four Lumens made a reverse letter ‘r,’ curving them to the left. Maurício upped the engines power.
“Interesting … ” said Cyrus.
“What?” asked Kimo.
“They were in a line. One could see the other just in front of them, kind of like an assembly line.”
“Impressive.”
“Smart,” said Auli’i.
“Common sense,” said Maurício, overhearing them.
‘Common sense isn’t so common’. That was one of Martian’s favorite sayings.
The fog began to thin. At the same time, the sound of moving water grew louder. Then, like pulling back a curtain, the fog cleared. Cyrus, Auli’i and Kimo audibly gasped. All around them, islands flickered with lights from torches. Like Christmas lights from afar, the lights danced with the wind. The most eye catching of them all was the biggest island in the middle. It towered above them. They arched their necks upward to take it all in. It was like a giant wall, blocking everything behind it. Cyrus shivered.
Ori and his three guards continued to guide the boat to the left as the current picked up speed. The Lumens guided them closer and closer until they reached a nearby island with flickering lights. Two of the Lumens landed on the island in a narrow strip between more shadows. The closer they drew to the island, the more the shadows became shapes. Then, the shapes became distinguishable. Auli’i gasped.
“Ships … ” said Kimo.
Abandoned ships across the beach as far as they could see in the light of a crescent moon. No dock. No people. Just ships of all sizes. Cyrus felt like he had just entered a scene from a horror movie.
“I’m not stranding my boat here. Kids, jump off and ask them if there is a dock on the island. I don’t want to scratch Bessy up,” barked Maurício.
Kimo and Auli’i immediately moved toward Cyrus and the edge. Cyrus froze in fear. He had ‘swam’ in the ocean during the day but jumping into the ocean in the dark night … that was terrifying.
Without a word, Kimo jumped into the ocean, completely vanishing under the water. He reappeared and beckoned for Cyrus to jump. Cyrus looked at Auli’i in terror. Auli’i clasped hands with Cyrus, and before he could think about it, Auli’i tugged Cyrus over the edge. The water was warm. Cyrus lost sight of everything in the darkness. Fear pumped through his very being. Then, a split second after he’d landed into the water, Kimo’s strong hands caught him.
“Sole! That’s bright!” said Kimo.
A light encircled the water around them. Cyrus looked up at the ship but noticed it wasn’t the flood light. The light was coming from Cyrus. Cyrus looked at his drenched wings. The white side of his feathers pulsed a soft warm light. The water seemed to react with the light Cyrus emulated and spread out in an expanding circle. Auli’i and Kimo’s faces were easily visible with this newly ignited source of light. They looked at Cyrus with surprise and awe.
Kimo and Auli’i swam to shore, dragging Cyrus with them. Cyrus had tried to be useful and paddle but quickly tired out. The high from his adrenaline was ebbing away.
Was the light taking up some of his energy, too?
The twins helped Cyrus get to his feet as they reached the sand. Cyrus rubbed his eyes clear and looked up to see the four Lumens looking at him with absolute awe. They slowly approached him as if he were a sleeping baby. Ori spoke first.
“Although there are still tests to verify your claim as the Lumen Caligo, I, for one, believe you without a shadow of a doubt.” Ori clasped his hands together and bowed with the same strange gesture Auli’i and Kimo’s father had done—ring fingers bent together, the rest outstretched. It was very peculiar.
Cyrus nodded, too tired and wet to attempt the gesture. Kimo stepped forward.
“Do you have a dock? Maurício is asking.”
“He’ll have to anchor here. We don’t have any docks and as you can see in the moonlight, we don’t have much space. We have already started sending a couple of the wooden ships into the eye to make space.”
What the heck is this eye Ori keeps talking about?
Kimo turned to leave.
“I wouldn’t try to swim, if I were you. You’re lucky enough that you made it when you jumped off the boat. I’ll send one of my lieutenants.”
He motioned to one of the Lumens who whooshed towards Maurício. Watching Ori and the guards fly had been fascinating. The control they had over their bodies was something else. When they flew forward, they assumed a superman-like position. When they hovered in the air, they went into a vertical position like they were about to stand. Standing … something Cyrus still had difficulty with. Flying seemed like a far away dream. His body was so weak and frail, it was hard to imagine getting to the point where his wings weren’t glorified ankle weights attached to his back.
The floodlight got closer and closer to shore until the boat ran aground. Maurício cut the engines and then hopped off his beloved Bessy. He must have misjudged the distance in the darkness because as he hit the ground he went headfirst into knee-high water. Spitting and cursing, he quickly got up and made his way to the group, wide-eyed and on edge.
“This current is unnatural. What is causing it?” asked Maurício.
Ori looked annoyed. “The great eye, as I have been saying. You cannot see it very well during the nighttime, but during the day … it will all make sense. Now, more guards are on the way to fly you three up to Aeolia. While we wait, whatever possessions you two bare from the outside world, I ask you to give to me,” said Ori looking only at Auli’i and Kimo.
“Why not me?” asked Cyrus.
“You are the Lumen Caligo. You are the exception to the rule. After all, you were the one who made it.”
Auli’i and Kimo complied without question. This surprised Cyrus. All Auli’i had on her person was a bracelet and some sea shells she’d collected in Bermuda. Kimo pulled out some sand and a banana peel. The rest of their stuff, including Cyrus’, was on the boat.
“What about me? When will I get my transport to this Aeolia?” asked Maurício.
Ori gave a sideways glance to the guards. “You will remain here. I will only bring the Lumen Caligo and the two Terrams who invoked the Virtus Lator. If Cyrus’ claim turns out to be true, all Latores bound to the Lumen Caligo have an exemption to certain laws prohibiting entrance to our citadel.”
“So, I’m just going to sit around twiddling my thumbs until you get back?”
“No,” said one of the guards with a smirk. “You will be assigned work from one of our taskmasters until we decide what to do with you.”
Cyrus really didn’t like the sound of that. Maurício backed away slowly.
“The guards are arriving. Do you need anything? Once we go to Aeolia, you may be there awhile,” said Ori.
In the dark sky, Cyrus could see four more Lumens coming from above.
“I do, actually. Will you be flying me to the city?” asked Cyrus.
“Would you like me to?”
“Yes. But first, could you please take me back to the boat. I want to grab some things.”
The air suddenly turned colder. Ori perked up and inhaled deeply.
“Let’s be quick. Rain is coming. Flying will be difficult enough carrying you. No need to add more weight.”
With that, Ori spread his wings open, startling everyone, and rushed forward, grabbing Cyrus away from Auli’i.
“Cyrus!” she shouted.
“I’m all good! I’ll see you in Aeolia!”
The twins vanished in the dark. In quick succession, Ori leveled out and lowered onto Bessy.
What a rush.
“What do you need, Lumen Caligo? Point and I will retrieve it.”
“Green … backpack … cabin,” panted Cyrus.
Ori was almost as fast on foot as he was in the air. In a flash, he went into the cabin, grabbed the bag and handed it to Cyrus.
“A word of caution, if I may, Lumen Caligo?”
Cyrus nodded.
“You are the bridge between many things. One of them is light and darkness. In our culture, we associate light and darkness with knowledge and wisdom. We have kept ourselves in the dark since the Isolation Order was made. We have had no advancements come from the outside world that we haven’t immediately disposed of. In these past 300 years or so, we have grown accustomed to being in darkness …”
Cyrus nodded his head, intrigued.
“My point is this … Don’t shine a light so bright that it blinds those living in the dark … Take it slow—a little bit at a time. People are naturally resistant to change.”
Cyrus put the backpack on and nodded.
“Make sure you hang on … We’re going up.”
Aeolia … Mother … Here I come.
