“Depending on how the trial proceeds, perhaps the elder may have an answer as to what happened to his memory,” Birchet said.

  “Really, that’s great! Hey Rai, they might be able to help with your condition,” Lily said.

  “It’s not a condition, and stop telling other people my business,” Rai said.

  “Hm, fine,” Lily said, crossing her arms and looking away.

  “Ah come on, what’s so hard to believe?” Eiji said.

  “You can tell me the story all you want, but I’m not buying it,” Rai said.

  “Okay, it was a troll, not an ogre,” Eiji said.

  A plant nearby produced a puff of cinnamon.

  Lily’s sense of smell kicked in and her stomach growled as she imagined a favorite dish her parents often cooked for breakfast, cinnamon waffles. “I shouldn’t have skipped breakfast... Who knows when I’ll get my next decent meal.”

  “How about goblins, let’s go with that,” Eiji said, pressing Rai to agree.

  “Will you cut it,” Rai said, walking away.

  “Oh, come on, a lot of stories have some stretch to the truth,” Eiji said, walking over to another Nefarian. “Hey, did you hear about the forest silver serpent?”

  “The what serpent?”

  “I think he’s talking about the mud serpent,” another Nefarian said.

  “The ones that live on the outskirts of Kalumi?”

  Eiji swung around, wrapping his bound hands around another Nefarian. “I heard it was Birchet and Acoro who took it down.”

  “I hear it was Pinet and Daisen,” another said.

  “I heard it was a giant wood arachnid, not a serpent at all.”

  As the rumors spread like wildfire, changing with each addition, Eiji slipped by Rai, flicking his eyebrows up. “See?”

  Ignoring him, Rai said, “What’s the point of a secret village anyways if you’re walking everyone right up to it?”

  “That won’t be necessary,” Birchet said, and a fog soon arrived, blinding them all.

  “What’s going on?” Rai said

  “I can barely see a thing,” Lily said.

  “It’ll pass,” Eiji said.

  “Does fog normally pick up this fast around here?” Lily said.

  “No one knows where this fog comes from, but nefarians who’ve been here before can normally find their way back using their sense of smell,” Eiji said.

  “It is a blessing from Yaitweh,” Birchet said, correcting Eiji.

  “Yaitweh?” Rai said.

  “Get a move on,” Daisen said, pushing Rai forward.

  “Sorry, my nose doesn’t work like yours,” Rai said.

  “Wait a sec, I think I’ve heard about this fog before... In a book written by the Kallod brothers,” Lily said.

  “Who’re they?” Rai said.

  “Human brothers who spent years in search of the hidden village. No matter how far they traversed the fog, each time they’d return to the same starting point. Their obsession grew, but on their final attempt they wound up lost with no way out, bordering on madness,” Lily said.

  “But that’s when a Nefarian found them!” Eiji said.

  “Hey,” Lily said, in response to Eiji interrupting her story.

  “Big whoop, they failed and were escorted out. Something I could use right now…” Rai said.

  Birchet shook his head. “That’s not why the story’s famous.”

  Rai raised an eyebrow. “What made it famous?”

  “The brothers betrayed and captured their rescuer, selling them off during the Jade Wars,” Lily said.

  “Their skin, decorated in diamond scales, became a prized possession for human royalty,” Birchet said.

  Daisen leaned over Rai’s shoulder, his saber tooth inches away from his neck. “It wasn’t long before someone came up with the rich idea of descaling every inch of his body before selling him to the circus.

  “Soon after, our people discovered him and his sons in one of many dangerous mines, harvesting luminites… Had he not been the father of Fury, their story, like many others, would have been lost forever,” Birchet said.

  The words weighed heavily on Rai.

  After some time, Lily muttered, “My legs are killing me…”

  “We’ve been walking for days,” Rai said.

  “It’s only been a couple of hours,” Birchet said.

  “Hours?! How’s that possible?” With no response, Rai marched toward where he thought Birchet might be. “Are you even listening—” The ground gave way, and he plummeted, but a hand snatched his wrist.

  “Must we assign a babysitter for you as we do with Eiji?” Birchet said.

  “What do you mean?” Eiji said, pressing forward. “I know this fog is like the back of my hand—” Eiji also dropped unexpectedly, but Daisen caught him.

  Tossing Eiji aside, Daisen scoffed, continuing forward.

  “Stay close,” Birchet said, lifting Rai and setting him down.

  “Follow me,” Lily said, appearing by Rai’s side. “I’ve got their scent.”

  “Wait for me,” Eiji said, rushing to join them.

  Once the fog lifted, after what seemed like forever, glowing plants were visible all around.

  Rai went to some particularly captivating leaves, which turned into enormous butterfly creatures, soaring away to reveal a hidden village.

  “Welcome to Kalumi,” Eiji announced, dramatically raising his tied hands.

  “So many...” Lily began, referring to the numerous Nefarians she saw in the distance. Excitement gleamed in her eyes as she put a hand to her chest.

  “This is Kalumi?” Rai said, surveying the village, only to have his vision obscured by a sudden bag over his head. “Hey, what’s the big deal!?”

  “Your trial will begin tomorrow,” Birchet said.

  “I don’t want to go to jail,” Lily cried, clutching Birchet’s leg and causing a struggle among the guards as they tried to separate her.

  “Is a bag really necessary? I already saw the damn place,” Rai said.

  That night, while in his cell, Rai kept trying to solve the mystery of his past. “Still no good...” he said.

  “Life behind bars,” Lily whimpered, rocking back and forth.

  “Relax, we’ll be fine. Besides, I’m the human here. If anyone’s got to worry, it’s me,” Rai said, folding his arms behind his head. The skull in the next cell brought Eiji’s earlier words to mind, making him gulp.

  From the other side of the cell walls, a female voice said, “Steady now.”

  “Who’s there?” Rai said, peering out of the small hole carved in the backside of the cell when antlers unexpectedly came into view!

  “Hey, it’s Pinet,” she said, her antlers swaying. “Would you stand still?!”

  “I’m trying…”

  “Pinet?” Rai said.

  “Rai! Boo, you suck. I knew it was you before I even got here. I smelled your scent on the way. Eiji told me you may not remember, and speaking of Eiji, he sent me if you were wondering! He’s fine, just a good ol’ lecture from Birchet. I heard you’re all grown up now. I bet you’re a real cutie now, hm, wish I could see,” Pinet pouted from the other end, barely giving Rai time to respond.

  Lily, now intrigued, said, “She seems nice.”

  “It’s not like that at all,” Rai responded bluntly.

  “Anyway, Rai, I came by to let you know that Rosa, Acoro, myself, and believe it or not, even Birchet, will all be there for your trial. You and your friend are going to be just fine,” Pinet said, giving Rai a thumbs up.

  “Wow, that’s great news!” Rai said.

  “I can’t wait to hear about all your adventures. See you later,” Pinet said, before leaving.

  “Looks like Eiji came through after all,” Rai said.

  “That’s a relief,” Lily said, letting out a deep sigh.

  Rai felt something move in his jacket; Plu emerged, tossing dirt onto the floor.

  Lily’s head perked up at the sight of Plu snuggling back into Rai’s inner pocket of his coat. “The thing!” she pointed out. “What is it?”

  “Plu? Your guess is as good as mine,” Rai said, rolling over in his cell, preparing to sleep. “I’ll explain on the way back home,” he yawned.

  Lily stayed awake while Rai slept. The torchlight down the hall revealed a subtle glow upon her; her eyes containing a hint of sorrow.

  A Nefarian council awaited Rai and Lily the following morning for the start of their trial.

  While the other Nefarians settled in the space of the large tent, Rai said, “Well, ain’t this cozy? Whole zoo’s here to judge us—hope they don’t start flinging anything.”

  “Maybe keep the zoo part on the low,” Lily said nervously as she witnessed some nefarian scowl at the comment.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  “Hey!” Pinet hollered from beside Acoro, Birchet, and Rosa, rallying support.

  A sharp squeal announced the Kalumi Clan elder’s arrival, silencing the chattering crowd.

  A pig carrying the Elder on its back trotted forward until it was right in front of Rai and Lily.

  “You yatty-wa?” Rai said.

  “Yaitweh,” Lily said, correcting him.

  Zinnica, the elder, chuckled. “I’m old, but not that old,” she replied before turning to the crowd. “Let us proceed.”

  The pig trotted up to Rai, stopping just close enough for her to take his chin.

  “H-hey,” Rai muttered. She studied his face, shook her head in disapproval, then moved on to Lily.

  After a gentle examination, Zinnica gave a nod of approval. “Mhm, I see.”

  Rai slumped, his chin tucking into his chest. “Why’d you shake your head at me?”

  “Move aside for the moment,” Zinnica instructed Lily, guiding her to Pinet’s previous position before resuming her duties. “You’re about to be judged by the Mother, Yaitweh.”

  “Fine, let her wait in line with the rest back home,” Rai said.

  A Nefarian walked by, leaving behind a Lotus on the stand, its petals woven with intricate shades of orange, black, and white.

  The elder pig squealed again, prompting Zinnica to say, “Judgment time,” and everyone stamped the floor with one foot.

  Amidst the crowd, Eiji quietly squeezed to the front, standing beside Lily.

  “You made it. Everything okay?” Lily said.

  “We’ll see soon enough,” Eiji said, eyes fixed on Rai.

  “What’s this?” Rai said, eyeing the lotus in front of him.

  “Reaper’s Lotus. By concentrating flux into the lotus, it’ll change colors, helping determine the outcome of your trial,” Zinnica said.

  “Okay, that seems easy enough,” Rai said, reaching for the flower. “But I still don’t see what this has to do with my trial.”

  “It’s important that you know, once you start, you cannot stop the process,” Zinnica said.

  “Yeah, I get it,” Rai said, pouring his flux into the Lotus.

  The colors twisted and turned, sometimes one overtaking the other.

  “I forgot to mention, should the color land on black, it’ll turn into a raging monster and eat you alive,” Zinnica casually added.

  “You should have started with that!” Rai blurted out, focusing on the flower much harder than before.

  A sequence of shifting colors culminated in a gentle landing on… Black?! The lotus exploded, expanding into a blanket that consumed him!

  Rai shrieked, yet the lotus delicately concealed him.

  Moments later laughter erupted.

  Removing the black sheeted lotus, Rai noticed everyone holding each other, tears streaming from their eyes—even the old lady was rolling on the pigs back in fits of laughter.

  Eiji was slapping his head on the railing, meanwhile Birchet had his eyes closed, faintly smiling.

  “Did I miss something?” Rai said.

  Having composed herself, Elder Zinnica addressed Rai, “Young man, while you may have forgotten us, we certainly haven’t forgotten you. When Birchet brought you in, Eiji came up with this little prank.”

  “But the skull in the cell?” Lily said.

  “Fake,” Eiji said, pointing and laughing at Rai.

  “What you hold before you is a Lotus Pop. They’re quite popular with the children,” the elder said.

  Frustration built in Rai as Eiji continued to bawl his eyes out. “Get over here!” Rai said, attempting to strangle him.

  “I was told the woods around here are sacred. Permission is required for entry, no exceptions, even for the illuminus elite,” Lily said.

  “We take our border security seriously, but he’s an exception,” Eiji said, as an angered Rai was forcefully positioned back at the podium.

  “Rai?” Lily eyed him, pondering what made him so special.

  Rosa, Acoro, and a couple of children near his sister’s age, left the crowd to stand before Rai. They each tilted their heads toward the ground in grattitude.

  “Years ago, you saved our children from the orphanage,” Acoro said gratefully.

  “They were taken from us...” Rosa began to choke up, tears falling from her eyes onto the floor. “Thank you,” she said.

  “Don’t mention it,” Rai said, gazing at Eiji. He thought, according to Eiji, it took us both to break out of there. “So, all the kids are alright.” He noticed a group of slightly older children waving enthusiatiaclly at him.

  “Normally outsiders, especially those who aren’t nefarian, are turned around by the fog, however, pecurarily Eiji was instead guided to our doorstep. He is only the second half-breed ever to be accepted into our clan because of it,” Zinnica said.

  “That’s right,” Eiji said, nodding happily.

  “I thought you didn’t like being stuck here?” Lily said.

  “That’s also right,” Eiji said, now slouching over the post fencing them in.

  Once the family before Rai returned to their seats, Zinnica announced, “I believe it’s under the consensus that Rai and his companions intrusion can be overlooked, given what he has done for us, who are we to turn away such a guest?”

  Everyone nodded in agreement, allowing the elder to continue.

  “Looks like everything’s going to be okay,” Lily said.

  “All he has to do is stand there and wait for Elder Zinnica’s judgment,” Birchet said.

  But just as the elder was about to pass her verdict, Rai’s coat gave a slight shuffle. Plu’s stuffed arms suddenly flung out more dirt—along with the Lumi’s—sending them tumbling onto the podium for all to see.

  The crowd gasped. Even the pig.

  “Oh boy,” Pinet said, placing her fist to her cheek.

  “He’s screwed,” Birchet bluntly remarked.

  Back in the cell, Rai yelled at the top of his lungs, “This is stupid! It’s just a flower!”

  Later that night, Lily and Eiji came to visit.

  “Hey,” Lily said.

  “Hey,” Rai said, crunched up in the corner.

  “Can’t believe it ended with a split-even count,” Lily said, frustration etched on her face as Eiji nodded in agreement.

  “Yeah, just my luck,” Rai said.

  “I’m still surprised you even came across the flower. I’ve never seen one in the wild, only in the areas we nurture them,” Eiji said.

  “What’s the big deal with these flowers anyway?” Rai said.

  “To Kalumi, they’re sacred, but they also function as a filter for negative flux force. Helps prevent flux storms, among other benefits, but that’s about all I remember from the teachings,” Eiji said.

  “But,” Lily chimed in, “we found another way to free you.”

  “How’s that?” Rai said.

  “I spoke with Zinnica, and joining the Kalumi clan would let me secure your freedom. As long as I do before the end of the next day, or the current vote stands.”

  “No way, you’ll be stuck here like Eiji. That can’t be an option,” Rai said.

  “We don’t have a choice,” Lily said.

  “I’ve been hearing chatter about others looking to side against you in the next hearing a month from now. This may be your only chance,” Eiji said.

  “Unfortunately, it seems some Nefarian still carry animosity towards humans,” Lily said.

  “Are you really okay with this? What about your parents?” Rai said.

  “Well…” Lily swayed back and forth, eagerly awaiting the exciting news.

  “What, spit it out already?” Rai said.

  “I get my legacies tomorrow,” Lily said, jumping with joy.

  “Legacies? What’s that?”

  “It’s a two-step ritual that unlocks nefarian’s hidden power in those of the Kalumi lineage. All clan members have the option to participate in it,” Eiji said.

  “Wow, that’s great!” Rai said, getting to his feet before Lily.

  “Right?! I asked Zinnica if you could be there, and she said it was fine. We leave tomorrow, so make sure to rest up.”

  “Can’t do much else in here now, can I?” Rai said, kicking back on the floor, when a golden notepad slapped against his chest.

  “You can write” Lily said joyfully.

  “My finitypad,” Rai said. Wasn’t sure if I’d be getting this back.

  “See you tomorrow!” Eiji said, waving goodbye.

  Plu’s steadily climbed out of Rai’s coat, before resting on his stomach, glaring at him.

  “Nice going pal,” Rai said, opening his finitypad.

  Plu’s gaze remained glued on Rai as he scribbled away.

  “So, are you and Rai like a thing, or…” Eiji said as they exited the building.

  “Rai? Not at all, I just met him a few days ago, I think?” Lily said, pondering how much time had lapsed since her capture.

  “Oh,” Eiji said, straightening up and combing his hair back.

  “Night,” Lily said, deep in thought as she left, unbeknown to his actions.

  “G-goodnight... Meh,” Eiji mumbled, curled over in defeat.

  On her walk home, Lily couldn’t shake her conversation with Zinnica.

  “Once you begin the ritual to awaken your powers and inheritances, there’s no going back,” Zinnica told Lily.

  Despite Lily’s hesitation, she nodded in agreement. “I want nothing but to see my parents again, and I’m sure I’ll miss them, but I owe Rai for rescuing me from the bandits.”

  “In the initial stage, you will attain your legacies,” Zinnica said.

  “Legacies? I’m not familiar with them.”

  Lady Zinnica turned away momentarily, the walls of her chambers providing a private setting for their conversation. The kimono fell from her shoulders, unveiling intricate markings on her back.

  Lily couldn’t help but blush, caught between embarrassment and intrigue.

  “Legacies are the essence of our existence,” Zinnica said. She had six of them, layered in a complex tribal pattern. Every mark symbolizes an ancestor who lived and died honorably, passing their will onto the next generation.”

  “I’m lost,” Lily confessed, scratching her head.

  As Zinnica put her outfit back on, she turned to face Lily once more. “The marks entail the start of the journey. But acquiring a mark is a formidable feat in itself, something we train our children for since they were kids. Are you certain you’re prepared?”

  Lily, stiffening with determination, nodded, “I am.”

  Before leaving, Zinnica imparted one final piece of information. “Should you proceed with the second part of the ritual, you’ll gain the freedom to come and go from the village at will.”

  “Really?!” Lily said.

  “But beware, many Nefarians choose not to complete it.”

  “Why’s that?” Lily said.

  As Zinnica’s hand swept across a tree rising from the room’s floor, she sadly stated, “Over half have returned to our Mother’s embrace.”

  Lily gulped. “Returned?”

  The following day, Lily and Rai were guided out of the village by two guards; one happened to be Daisen.

  Noticing every Nefarian wearing red, Rai stated, “Seems to be an ongoing theme going on.”

  “The people of Kalumi wear red to remember the blood shed before us to get to this point,” Daisen said.

  They continued deeper into the woods, eventually arriving at a gaping, dark abyss.

  A colossal waterfall cascading from an even significantly larger tree hole towered over them.

  “Look at that,” Lily said, staring up in amazement.

  “I’m guessing this is a dead end,” Rai said, examining the vast hole where the water had disappeared.

  Nearby, the other guard pointed to several large, brown, oval shapes within the ground—each big enough for multiple people.

  After positioning themselves on one, Rai tapped it with his foot. “Hard as a shell of a turtle.”

  “Somethings off,” Lily said. It looks like bark, but the smell its giving off is completely different than some plant.

  The ground began to quiver beneath them.

  “Whoa, what’s happening?” Rai said, his voice vibrating with from the shaking spot, when two large dorsal fins emerged from the dirt, circling them like an umbrella.

  A long slender tentacle with a suction cup at its end swiveled around, examining those present.

  “Ew, get it away!” Lily swerved between everyone, but the suction side persisted after her. “Rai, help!” she said, hiding behind him.

  “Why are you hiding behind me?!” Rai said as the tentacle sucked around his face before attempting to pass through his legs. “I don’t think so!” Yanking the tentacle out from under him, he struggled to keep it at arms length.

  Daisen snatched the tentacle from them, before attaching the suctioned end to his arm.

  It began siphoning flux force from him, causing the shell they stood on to hover slightly above the ground.

  With each breath, the creature’s body glowed red, expanding with the influx of power before shrinking back.

  “Minus!” Rai tensed up, recognizing the red glow, but the other nefarian guard instructed him not to intervene. “Don’t you realize what this is?!”

  “I thought you lost your memory,” Daisen said.

  “Memories of others? Yeah, it’s like math class all over again—can’t remember a thing. Luckily, I’ve had some time to read a book or two while I’ve been on vacation,” Rai said, sarcasm lingering in his voice.

  Daisen flicked his tail, watching the creature siphon energy from his arm. “And that taught you something useful?”

  “They feed on flux force, attacking anyone with it. If they get enough, they’ll drain you dry without a second thought,” Rai said.

  “But without flux force…” Lily said.

  “You die,” Rai said.

  “All Minus seek positive flux force as a means to survive, but not all Minus are inherently evil, let alone dangerous,” Daisen said as the creature glided to the edge of the abyss.

  Gracefully soaring into the dark, falling towards the waterfall, Lily yelped, swiftly closing her eyes.

  Just as the waterfall was about to engulf them, the Nefarian, who wasn’t piloting the Minus, created a nearly invisible shield of energy to deflect the water’s force.

  Their descent slowed as they passed through the falls.

  Lily clung to Rai, keeping her eyes shut the entire way.

  A maze of tunnels opened before them, easily navigated thanks togiant luminites imbedded into the caves walls; their glow created a daunting yet mesmerizing scenery.

  “Well, it’s no magic carpet, but I guess you’re alright,” Rai said of the Minus who calmly traversed through the tunnels. “Aren’t you going to open your eyes?”

  “Nope,” Lily said.

  “Suit yourself.” Not long after the tunnel they traversed opened into a expansive room. “This place is unbelievable.”

  “Our Mother bestows purpose upon all things, even Minus. In her design, there are no wrongs, for she makes all things beautiful in time,” the other guard spoke.

  The panoramic view displayed waterfalls and crystal-reflecting pearl walls. Small critters roamed across a floor glittering with silver vines, creating a stunning scene.

  Overcome by curiosity, Lily cautiously opened her eyes. “Wow...” The creature they were riding howled, seeming to speak to Lily. “Thanks for the ride,” she said, gently touching the Minus. In the distance, she saw a captivating plant, then pointed and asked, “What’s that?””

  Across the expansive underground cavern, the Kalumi clan awaited atop the center of a colossal blue sunflower.

  “Try sticking that in a pot,” Rai said.

  “Welcome, Lily, Rai,” Elder Zinnica said.

  “What is this place?” Rai said.

  “The ritual grounds. You should count yourself lucky. You’re the first human to ever set eyes on it.”

  Just as Rai was about to set foot on the surface of the flower, Daisen firmly placed his hand on his shoulder, preventing him from doing so.

  “Not you,” Daisen said.

  “I’m afraid you’ll have to wait below while the ritual commences,” the elder said.

  While everyone else got off the Minus, Rai returned with the Minus to ground level, away from the flower.

  “I can’t see a thing from here,” Rai said, struggling to search for better vantage points. With a low screech from the creature, a tentacle appeared by Rai’s side. “Not happening,” Rai said, slapping it away.

  “Please make your way to the center,” Zinnica requested of Lily.

  Each nefarian group nestled in a widened petal, hands clasped in prayer, eyes closed, heads bowed.

  Though Eiji began weaving hand signs instead, until Birchet swiftly reprimanded him with a smack to the back of the head.

  Lily sat cross-legged in the flower’s center, focusing on the surrounding flux force.

  As the ritual commenced, droplets of water along the flower’s base began to rise, suspended mid-air, twinkling like stardust.

  Rai had been climbing the edge of a cliff to get a better view when he noticed the rising water around him. “What the heck?” He found himself drawn into the captivating spectacle.

  The cavern’s enchanting scene was filled with a gentle breeze that lifted the silver pollen from the roots, and an aura of postive flux force emitted from the large flower.

  “Are you prepared to recieved your legacies?” Elder Zinnica said.

  “I am,” Lily said, confidently.

  “Then, let us begin.”