“With the wild nature as ally and teacher we see not through two eyes but through the many eyes of intuition. With intuition we are like the starry night, we gaze at the world through a thousand eyes.” — Clarissa E.

At midnight, River and Lei’la marched at the empty streets of the avenue, heading towards the hills outside dark tribe city where the thick of the forest waited.

“Are you not afraid of the forest at dark?” Lei’la asked, carrying a bundle of blankets over her shoulder while shrugging off the lingering gazes of people who stopped in their tracks to stare at them.

I used to. She said wistfully, holding a heavy basket with both arms. I got over it though. Aren’t you the least bit worried about people staring at us?

“Don’t mind them. They get curious and they’re off to wherever.”

Is there anyone who is guarding the boundaries of the city? I don’t think I remember ever having seen a guard for that matter. The streets look so empty like the first night I came here.

“Guard for what?”

You know to keep the peace.

“Why?”

Back in my world, we have guards to deal with our problems so that people stay in their lane where they should be.

“Oh. That actually reminds me of the snow tribe. Although we don’t have that here. If anyone has got a problem, we’re pretty much well-equiped to handle it. The forest at night is a different story though. Wild beasts and dangerous predators that can eat you whole. Beasts that move faster than us, stronger. We’re told they have all been successfully fenced in the wildlands, however, these beasts are eternal. We can never be sure about it so we never venture outside the city at night.”

I’ve seen you move. Aren’t tribespeople faster enough to run away?

“There are some who are exceptional with their speed but these beasts have a way..“ she trailed off “Whatever. You’ll see when we get there.”

Hold on. Is this going to be dangerous for you? For us? I was just hoping for a night off, relaxing. You know away from the buzz of tribespeople business. Come out and get some fresh air.

“Of course it’s dangerous.”

And you’re not scared?

“It thrills me, actually. Oh don’t give me that look. Have you seen my house? There is barely anything back there to live for. This is the only exciting thing that has ever happened to me. Ever.”

Will you at least tell me about these dangerous predators in the forest before we get there? Just so, I’ll know what to prepare for.

She cast her an amused glance “Slim chances of them happening. We stay in the city for precautions only. Don’t worry about it.”

That doesn’t exactly inspire confidence.

“Come on, you’re a—“ she leaned down for a furtive whisper “..behagthi. You’re supposed to be doing your strange and mysterious ways. You won’t be finding a happier host of your eccentricities than me.”

I don’t know if I should be delighted or anxious for us.

”Please, River. I implore you. Let’s go out in the night and bathe under the stars like they say on the scrolls. No one in this shithole has got the balls to run up the dark hills for fear of monsters. No one.”

River felt the winds rushing past by as plenty tribespeople moved at a high speed movement that her eyes can’t track. I’m not exactly sure if you will be any safer with me.

Her face brightened, “Don’t be silly. Divinity has chosen you. They walk along your path. They won’t let you tread so close to anything so harmful. You are precious. Menumere. That makes me, by extension, safer with you.”

River can’t resist being affected by her optimism. Can’t argue with that logic.

Moments later, they passed through the city’s boundaries marked by the end of cemented stone on pavement. Rolling grass hills drew upwards to a treeline made of shadows. The skies were dim with barely a star present but the strange moon shone brighter than any full moon River has ever seen. Its glowing ring sparkled purple, and its surface was spotted with blue glittering dots.

Thankfully, she was well-rested enough to follow along Lei’la as they fell right into pace next to each other climbing up. I apologize if I’m slowing you down. Know that I’m very grateful for you having me.

“Are you kidding me?” The cool air brushed her yellow hair back, the moonlight spilling on her face as she grinned.

I’m not. she thought to her as the hill upwards grew steeper.

“I’ll give you everything I have. Just show me something wonderful.”

She frowned at that. Why can’t you get everything you need? Surely, there must be something worth living for back there. How are you so eager to turn your back to it?

It took her a long moment, but she finally said “Heartbreak. Disappointment. Disillusionment.”

Let me guess. You pinned your hopes on someone?

She nodded shyly, “Yeah”

Aren’t you doing the same thing with me?

She huffed. “This is different. You’re a behagthi. You’re supposed to be doing something monumental. The very gods called you here for us.”

Last I heard about behagthis in this world. They got killed.

Lei’la sputtered into laughter. The sudden sound ignited hundreds of fireflies into startlement, awakening the night alive.

Pink fireflies, River gasped.

As though prompted by a music conducter, dozens of crickets began humming their haunting symphony breathing life into the cold dark of the night.

“Killing behagthis? Bull-headed tribal talk,” she marched off, disappearing into a treeline with no hesitation.

River had to run after her as she got stalled by the sight of pink floating fireflies in the air.

“This has the god tribe written all over it. They’re the only ones powerful enough to persuade an entire continent of tribes to crown a single monarch to rule us all. If you ask me, no behagthis have ever been killed. Those pesky god tribe bastards have a way of making up stories to armies and poor civilians like us to keep the faith alive, and more importantly, so their plans can go exactly how they wanted.”

River grabbed her by the elbow. Won’t you get in trouble for saying that? Lei’la you’re opposing a consolidated power. Saying these things out loud—

“I don’t care! Let them hear it. Let anyone hear what load of bullshit they’ve been feeding us.” The winds grew stronger around her, carrying notes of wild spices and cool humid air. “Contrary to popular belief, I actually learned a hell of a lot from my elder weavers. And you know what they taught me? They taught me about the all-encompassing myths around the god tribe. The secrecy behind them, their tricks and the stories they spin for us.”

River peered around in every direction, discovering bright glowing embers blinking like a pair of eyes. She quickly rummaged around her basket and lit a fire to her torch. They were in a clearing and several shadows flashed between the trees, leaves rustling as some of the unknown curious beasts left in a hurry. We should—

She twisted to see Lei’la appearing in dizzying blur next to her, holding tons of twigs and dry branches in her arms. “You were saying?” she said, putting a campfire together with nothing but a few seconds. A real smile bloomed across her face as she watched the flames grow with a flick of her hand in the air.

Are you sure nobody will disturb us here?

“No one will be brave enough to step into the forest in this time of night.”

And you are?

“I’m with you, aren’t I?”

She chuckled, looking around the quiet clearing. Lei'la's cavalier attitude somehow easing River's nerves. I didn’t know you could control fire like that.

The gril spread out a blanket next to the fire and sat on it, inviting River to sit next to her with a pat. “By Brumcia.” she murmured, leaning back on her elbows and watched the few stars above. “We used to make whole spectacles out of it, you know. Our tribe used to rely on each other based on our strengths in fire. And by strengths, we mean by how creative we can use it.”

What happened?

“Eternal sunlight.” She murmured softly, watching the stars twinkle for a few moments before continuing, “It was an invention of our sun prince, that’s how this started. The dark tribe took notice and we began trading in massive bulk of resources. Before then, we only ever traded them with seeds and fruits they didn’t already have available in their region. But when eternal sunlight came in lamps and strings, the dark tribe pulled out their biggest resources for trade. It was good, life was even more efficient, more effective, and faster for us in the sun tribe. Dark tribe has their own way of making things just for ease and comfort. And I thought our sun tribe thrived, and happier even. Until it didn’t.”

Let me guess. Someone sold out?

“Yeah,” she drawled in a dry tone “My sun tribe couldn’t keep up with the dark tribe’s demands for more eternal sunlight so what happened in the end is the sun prince finally caved and sold its blueprints to them.”

River made a sympathetic noise behind her throat, That’s not good.

She shrugged, “We thought we made a pretty good deal at the time. A bargain, even. Rich resources the size of mountains were exchanged from that single blueprint. But by the time it dwindled down to nothing, the dark tribe no longer wanted to engage with further trading. They got what they wanted so they stopped. Blocked all trades and even refused to do small exchanges. By then, the sun tribe was already dependent on dark tribe resources so we travelled to their lands. Leaving behind our tribe that was already unravelling from scarcity and poverty. I tried to hold it out and keep it together back there in the southern sun tribe. Then I realized I wouldn’t be able to help anyone I cared for if I didn’t get myself fixed first. That’s why I came here for a better life. As you can tell, it’s not. Not by a long shot. They lied to us. I don’t know who or why but I got a pretty good guess about who prompted it."

What made you stop using your fire powers? Is it because of dark tribe’s advancing technology?

She snorted. “Yeah. Technology and science accessed by any and all. We no longer depend on each other for support. It’s to each their own around here. Every tribespeople for themselves. The price it costs is too high but it’s essential. That’s why controlling fire is an ability that no one bothers to learn anymore. Our sun prince used to be the elder who teaches us but since his duties is now obsolete and the skill is pretty much a waste compared to dark tribe tech. The generational skill of the ancients just disappeared completely.”

Not with you, though. You controlled the fire. I saw it.

She nodded, rummaging around the basket for bread and cheese before handing it to River “I can move fire around. I taught myself but that’s about it. It’s nothing compared to what an elder can do. But there hasn’t been an elder like that for centuries. Not since the sun prince.”

You know it’s funny. I’ve been to the sun tribe before. And no one did that to a fire like you did.

“It’s an ancient outdated skill. Futile. I would be surprised if anyone born in this generation would know it.”

Of course you should know it. You’re special. She threw up her palms in surrender. Don’t look at me. I heard U’tu say it. He says you’re a special weaver who knows myths and legends. Including history?

A furious blush bloomed across her cheeks “History is for the bearded elders in the museum library. Not much inspiration there. With myths I can color the tales with threads and shapes.”

Any of them ring true?

“All myths ring some truths in it if you looked hard enough. That’s the beauty of it. The truths are only given to those who cared enough to find it.”

Old news. River shifted around to full-on face her with an excited grin, What about that fire spectacle you were saying? I wanna see one. Here try this rock. She planted a tiny pebble in Lie’la’s palm.

“You do know that rocks can’t catch fire, right?”

She placed a palm over hers, what comes into your mind when you influence the fire?

Pouting, “I thought we were going to burn some things. Raise hell, paint the town red. You’re a behagthi, shouldn’t you be like making a riot out of something? You’re the Great World’s disruptive vehicle to some semblance of balance in our ordered world. You make a fire.”

River smirked, unperturbed. Will you be thinking of U’tu when you get to do the fire thing?

Red colors blazed on her skin up to her ears “No!”

I have powers too, you know.

She ranted, “Why would I be even thinking of that weasel? I mean by Brumcia, he is the last thing I will ever be thinking of.“ she sputtered “He even has a girlfriend and she’s amazing.”

She held her cheeks with both hands, grabbing her attention. Look, Lei’la. It’s fine if you don’t think of U’tu at all. What I’m saying is I have powers, too. Like you. And I have this strange way of empowering it. I was just wondering if we have the same way of calling it out to the fore.

Lei’la grew chastened, nodding mutely.

So this apparently ancient power. Is it tied to your emotions?

A nod. “What is it you do? To empower it?” she asked, her nails scratching again on the blanket.

Is singing and dancing a thing here in this universe?

She shook her head.

One last question.

Lei’la peered up at her, her glasses glinting in the fire. “What?”

Do you have all night to learn two skills at once?

She rolled her eyes “I once had to learn a language in half a day. Two skills is nothing.”

No shit? she said, raising both of her brows.

Lei’la looked up to the stars before answering, “Contrary to popular belief, I happen to be the best. Don’t let anyone tell you any different.”