Chapter 2 Mah’Keht

Oh, I’ve got it bad. This is bad. How could I allow this to happen? Love is such a new and unpredictable thing for our kind. I mean I barely spoke to her during the wars, but everything about her being has haunted me ever since. Those dark eyes that seem to hold an entire galaxy. That olive iridescent skin. And while she seemed more reserved in our intimate company, I know she’s a warrior through and through. Dai’Ahnah. Just thinking of her name sets my soul ablaze. Hopefully, it’ll give me enough strength to be apart from her until I tie up a few loose ends.

The rainbow-colored light waves of the Keh’Li’O Kauswai glow in the endless Void Between Rehlms as I follow the path toward the portal to Seh’Fahrait. Before the war, this place was empty and sad. Like an unfinished canvas, the original dimension was dotted with only a handful of portals and rainbow bridges leading to the three main Rehlms. But ever since the four of us were gifted our Rehlms with new portals and connections, the Void Between Rehlms seems more alive than ever.

I wave at a few of Fae’s Elders flying towards Brae’Yah for the after-party as I phase through the portal to Seh’Fahrait. The Tree of Laif is abuzz with the chitters of various light beings running around the place. Most of them steer clear of my dark form as I walk through the center of the main hall and descend the stairs leading to Fae’s domain. Soon the chitters subside to a whisper and only the crackle of Fae’s guardian, Flaem, can be heard. The first time I saw the immense glow of Flaem’s power, I felt like an ember in comparison. Now they sit dormant in quiet observance as I throw open the ornate wooden door with authority.

“Oh, Momma Fae?” I call.

The room is a mosaic of jewels and windchimes reflecting Fae’s ethereal, old rose glow. As one of the most elite Di’Ehtis in the Universe, her pure essence fuels the entire Rehlm of Seh’Fahrait and the beings she breathes into life. And yet she still has enough energy to scowl at me while molding another wind chime into a butterfly.

“What does my most ungrateful child want now?” she mumbles, flitting her eyes to her work.

“Ungrateful?” I scoff. “To what do I owe this affection?”

“The Sacred Four have informed me that you have yet to take them to visit the Rehlm I so tediously made for you. I expect there to be a good reason.”

“Is falling in love a good enough reason?”

Her brows shoot up in surprise. “You weren’t even in Eh’Fi for a full day and you already caught their disease?”

“It’s not a disease,” I snap. “It’s different-”

“It’s unheard of. Leave it to big sister Gai’Ah to make a group of beings so dysfunctional that they need companionship to survive.”

“I don’t need Dai’Ahnah.”

“Is that who you caught it from?” Fae shakes her head in disapproval, her light pink wings fluttering around her slender frame in frustration. “I hope the twins were more careful.”

I think of Mahn’Ji’s drunken state earlier with a chuckle. “I fear those two are immune to the intricacies that love requires.”

“Well, thank the light for miracles.”

Her bright green eyes scan me with mild curiosity before returning to her work, a small smile playing at the edge of her lips.

“What?” I ask.

“Nothing. I’ve just never seen you look so light before.”

“Light?” I scoff. “Is your sense fading with age? I’m a pure creature of darkness and flame.”

“Mah’Keht, the next time you decide to barge in here for something, use a mirror first.”

I glance down to find the entire front of my cloak covered in stardust. Even my skin sparkles with the iridescent powder. I rub a bit of it tenderly between my fingers. It’s like she’s here with me. Even feeling a little of her essence against my being is pure bliss.

“So, what is it you want?” Fae sighs, fusing bits of colored glass into the wings of the metallic butterfly. “The sooner I can refocus on this little one, the better.”

“Dai’Ahnah is a being that cannot leave her Rehlm. I was hoping to show her visions of what lies beyond her reach. Is it possible?”

Fae glances at me with a stern look. “Anything is possible, Mah’Keht. Never forget that.”

“So how do I do it?”

“If Dai’Ahnah is an apparition, she can appear anywhere she is allowed within the Rehlm of Eh’Fi. You should be able to guide her into your mind's eye as long as you are connected to her physical form.”

“And once she’s there, then what? I just imagine the entire Rehlm of Seh’Fahrait?”

“She will see what you allow her to see. No more. No less. Now escort your main court to their new Rehlm before I destroy it.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I bow, blowing a kiss as tribute before flying out of the room.

I know that I should be more excited to gather my court and get them settled into our new home, but there’s one more place I have to visit first.

The woodsy mix of trees and Mithri engulfs me as I step out of the Tree of Laif. I’ve spent more time in this Rehlm than any other, the glowing vines and sparkling air slowly becoming the symbols I associate with home. I’m sure the other court members must feel the same way now that I’ve removed the darkness from their hearts. The last time I checked on them, the edges of their forms still glittered with a golden glow. I blame this place for turning them into beings of light. But, no matter. Once I escort them to Dai’Maunt, I’m sure their edges will fray with mischief and mayhem soon enough.

The thick cluster of trees finally opens up to the massive stone walls of the coliseum. Even this early in the day I can hear warriors inside fighting for a chance to move up in rank and status. The idea of sparing once for nostalgia’s sake entices me. But I need to find Isla before-

“Master!”

Too late. Ridah leaps onto my back like an overgrown tree frog, his thick black locks draping over my horns as he tries to hitch a ride. I flair out my wings and he leaps over me to block my path with his large arms outstretched.

“Where have you been?” Ridah pouts. “We were starting to get worried.”

I clamp a firm hand on his shoulder. “I have a meeting with Isla, and then we’re going home, so gather the others and meet me at the portal.”

Ridah’s brown eyes light up with excitement, and he quickly bows before running off to find the rest of his siblings. That should keep them busy long enough for me to speak without interruption. The familiar forge of the Maker’s Guild comes into view, and I breathe a sigh of relief when I see Isla sitting on a nearby tabletop. Good. I thought I’d have to waste time hunting her down. Her eyes immediately land on my cloak covered in stardust.

“I take it the wedding went well?” she muses.

“I’ll tell you all about it in your office.”

Isla’s eyebrows shoot up in curiosity, but she only nods before hopping off the table and leading me further inside.  A few guild members are hard at work crafting new weapons and gear, the heat of their kilns overpowering the air. I twirl the smoke around my finger and slurp it up with glee. A few of them thank me for the relief before we round the corner to the safety of Isla’s office. Her steel-toed boots crunch over shards of metal littering the ground as she walks across the room and hops onto her desk.

“This better be good,” she grunts. “I doubt you’ve come here to waste my time on frilly tales.”

“I’ve come to ask for a favor.”

Isla’s eyes glint with interest. “Oh? What’s the occasion?”

“No occasion.”

“Bullshit. I’ve been waiting for you to strike a deal with me for over a decade, and you never caved. Why now?”

“Well,” I scratch at my flames and tug at my horn a little. “I may have fallen in love with an apparition.”

Isla’s laughter fills the room as she falls back into a pile of gems and orbs. “Oh, that’s rich. You? Catching love? Get outa here!”

“I’m serious, Isla.”

“And what does that have to do with me?”

“You’re the best crafter in the universe. I need you to help me make something I can present to Dai’Ahnah. It has to be special and made of light energy.”

“Oh, you’re serious,” Isla sits up and studies me. “Define special?”

“Something to profess my eternal love.”

“I don’t even know what love is, Mah’Kaht.”

“It’s-” I sigh, searching for the right words. “It’s like- adoration blended in with excitement. It calms you to be near them, and you feel scattered when you’re apart for too long.”

“I’m guessing a sword isn’t going to be the kinda gesture you’re looking for?”

“I mean Dai’Ahnah’s a warrior, sure. But she’s more at home crafting among the stars. Watching those delicate hands glow with such raw power just-”

“Alright, enough,” Isla shakes her head.. “ I don’t need a monologue about this apparition. It sounds like what you need is something dainty yet sturdy.”

“Can you do it?”

Isla scoffs and hops off her table. “Naturally, with my eyes closed. Give me till sundown and I’ll have it ready. Maybe check out your Rehlm before Momma Fae takes it away from ya.”

“You heard about that?”

“Everyone’s heard about it,” she sighs, eying my cloak. “Can I take some of that off your hands?”

“Please. I’m sure I’ll have stardust to spare once I’m done visiting-”

“Alright, alright. I get it. Just give me the dust and leave.”

I laugh as she gets to work collecting each grain with tender precision. As soon as it’s done, I’ll return to Eh’Fi and claim Dai’Ahnah as my own. I can only hope that she’ll accept me in return.