5 Chapter Four

"How's she doing?" Talis asked.

The two healers stood over the asleep Sida who was laid out on a small bed. The healers were both wearing their green lightweight coats full of herbs and tools in the pockets that Talis couldn't begin to understand.

"She's lost a lot of blood." One of the healers began. He was holding a green leaf which he crumbled into pieces and placed in a dish with some liquid. "She should be fine, however."

"Her Tatu protected her." The other said.

"Her Tatu?" Talis questioned. She stood over Sida on the other side, brushing the girl's hair with her palm.

"I've never seen it before. She made some sort of bandage which stopped the bleeding, albeit momentarily." The female healer grabbed a pair of metallic scissors and cut the bandage which now covered Sida's left hand and forearm. "We won't know the full extent of her injuries until she's more stable."

"We predict she will lose the Tatu, however." The first healer stated.

Talis shot the man a look. "The Tatu is on the soul not the skin, why would she lose the ability to use it?"

The healer sighed. "You walkers are often too devout in your beliefs. There's no evidence the Tatu is on the soul. When a Netsu's Tatu is damaged, the Netsu cannot use it further."

"That is a mental condition, not a spiritual one." Talis countered.

"You can believe as you wish, Misia Walker, I can only relate what I have seen in my years."

"Yet you cannot find a reason why her Dark Tatu protected her, am I right?" Talis walked around the bed to talk more to the healers.

"That is true. There is much about the Tatu we still do not know or at least know how to explain." The female healer remarked.

"It's faith that you all lack. If you had just a small seed of faith in the Forgotten God-"

"Now is not the time, Talis."

Talis looked to the tent's opening and saw Natia standing in the aperture. Talis put her hand in a fist over her chest in a salute.

"Misia. Are you ready for my report?" Talis asked.

"Relax, Talis. I'm more curious about that beast outside." Natia smirked as she spoke. The two healers perked up as if noticing the stalking shadow just outside their tent for the first time.

"I see you met Hansu!"

"Hansu?" Natia looked over her shoulder at the shadow.

"Named him after-"

"I get it, Talis."

"I have him under control, I promise."

Are you planning on keeping that creature on Erridium?"

"Only until we go back to his planet. I'm hoping there are more of his kind I can reunite him with."

"We need to talk about that; the council has sent for you, Talis."

"For me?" Talis's eyes widened.

Finally.

"One hundred walks is quite an achievement. They want to congratulate you, I imagine."

"One can hope." Talis put a hand on Sida.

"She'll be alright. Trust in the healers." Natia indicated to the other two who bowed their heads to her. "Come with me, Talis, we should ride to Vuna. They're expecting you."

"Already?"

"I sent a messenger with the news of your arrival hours ago. I assume you are rested enough for a boat ride?"

Talis bit her lip in thought. Natia smiled crookedly at the girl's expression. She had known the girl long enough to know when she didn't want to do something.

"I suppose, but what about Hansu?" Talis indicated outside.

"Will he stay under your control if you leave?" Natia asked.

Talis shrugged her shoulders. "I've never tried anything like this before. I assume so."

Natia had heard of Inspirers who were able to influence the minds of lesser creatures. There had been some who kept animal companions, though they were usually birds or small forest creatures from the island of Matao. Never before had a walker brought back a creature from another plane to keep as a companion.

"Times are changing, Maesa. If you trust your beast will remain under your influence, I see no reason for it to stay behind."

Talis giggled slightly.

There is still so much youth in the girl. Natia thought.

Talis opened the tent flap where Hansu stood up on all fours, walking over to her and nuzzling her side. Its third eye shining a light behind itself as though still at watch for predators.

An hour later, Talis and Natia met Kloe and boarded an outrigger docked on the south side of the island.

"So, the thing's going to be your constant, eh?" Kloe asked. She was keeping her Strength Tatu burning on a low simmer while she pulled the oars at the front of the boat, propelling them through the water. Night had come upon them and Watu, the moon shone a light casting shadows against the currents. The waters were still, save for the outrigger cutting across the ocean and Watu's strange patterns reflecting against the water casting the shapes that inspired the Tatu worn by the Netsu.

Talis looked to her side where the large beast sat panting, saliva dripping from its open maw. "I guess. I hadn't thought to have one before, but-"

"What will it eat?" Natia interrupted.

"It does look like a carnivore." Kloe added.

"Judging by the way it attacked Sida, that would make sense." Talis groaned.

The Netsu, for the most part subsided on a diet of fruits and vegetables that they grew on the islands of Tethi and Matao. Matao was abundant in fruits that grew on the trees while Tethi was the an island where stood an active volcano. The volcano had not erupted since Kutune's last return. The Netsu would often say that where On takes, The Forgotten God gives. In the case of the island of Tethi what was given was rich and fertile soil where vegetables were harvested.

Talis put her hand on Hansu and stroked the large beasts mane. It lowered its head and put it atop her lap while she stroked. "We can try giving him some fruits and vegetables and see how he takes to them. No promises, but our people used to eat meat when it was plentiful."

Natia grimaced at the sight of the creature. "If the plan is to return to his plane, perhaps you can find food for him there. Chances are he will lead you to what he eats."

"Just keep him under control in the city." Kloe added. She pointed her hand in the distance and the lights of Vuna appeared on the horizon. "We're nearly there."

"It will be close to midnight when we arrive, are we finding a place to sleep first?" Talis asked.

"No, the council requested to see you right away." Natia answered.

Talis yawned and laid her head down on Hansu's furry side. The beast shifted and got comfortable as well. "Wake me when we get there."

The Netsu were not a people of sunlight and did their work during the night. The islands on which they chose to, or rather were forced to reside were located along the equator of the planet Erridium. The sunlight from On was intense and burned bright during the day, however the light when reflected off of Watu, the moon was bright enough to see even at what should have been the darkest of hours. Where On takes, The Forgotten God gives.

The three and their animal companion docked the outrigger on the North side of the island where immediately the crowds parted when seeing Talis siding astride Hansu. Talis smiled as the beam of light from her familiar's third eye shone on the faces of the most noble of Netsu and the workers alike.

Natia shook her head at the sight of Talis. The girl was getting quite the reputation. Some thought her a savior, the one who was sure to find the Netsu a new home, while others still looked to her as a leader. It was because Talis work tank tops and cargo shorts on her excursions that the rest of the Portal Walkers did the same. It was because Talis started drying fruits to bring them on walks that the others followed her lead. If nothing else could be said of the girl, at least she was a trendsetter. Natia smiled silently thinking about how others would now seek out beasts to ride as Talis did.

A tall thin man with a wispy mustache and thinning hairline stood at the end of the pier. He wore a long black robe that frilled at the top and looked to Talis as though he stepped out of an ancient play.

"Greetings, Misia Natia, Misia Kloe, and Misia Walker Talis." The man said.

Oh a new title, I could get used to this. Talis thought. She dismounted Hansu and approached the dignitary with her hand placed in a fist over her heart. "Tausi."

The lean man returned the gesture. "You honor me, Misia, for I have not yet earned that rank. I am Syme, a mea, a lesser servant to the council."

"I thank you nonetheless." Talis bowed again.

The man smiled curtly and gestured toward the city. "If you would follow me."

The city of Vuna took up the entire northern part of the island which bore the same name. Vuna was the largest city of the Netsu and the seat of power for the Netsuian council, a group of dignitaries and supposed noble born whose ancestors fought against Kutune and were granted their status from Vuna, the leader of the Netsu army who captured Kutune in the Last War.

The three Walkers followed the servant as he lead them down the paved streets to the capital chambers. One of the last standing buildings of what was once the Netsuian empire. Talis had kept her boots on which stomped hard against the rocky surface, purposefully laid those centuries ago to accommodate the traffic of animals and vehicles.

As the group walked past shops and market stalls where Netsu sold their wares and foods many heads turned to look at the approaching group. Most stared at Hansu, of course, and Talis pat the beasts head as though attempting to show everyone that he was a friendly creature.

What must that have been like back then, before Kutune destroyed our world so many times. Talis thought. Perhaps it was much like me now, riding an animal on the road?

"Mea Syme, what can you tell me about Vuna? I've only been here a handful of times." Talis asked.

"Where to begin?" The man seemed giddy at the thought of sharing his knowledge. "Vuna as well as the rest of the islands were once part of a larger continent before Kutune's ascension. Not much remains of the empire from those days, yet our capital still stands." He indicated forward where in front of the group and at the end of the road stood a large building with golden columns standing at its facade.

"The capital is the last seat of power for the Netsu and the council within are in charge of making decisions for us all. They lead by the commands of the Forgotten God."

Natia scoffed and Syme turned his head to look at her.

"A skeptic, I see." Syme commented.

Natia pushed her hair out of her eyes and tucked the long bangs behind her right ear before retorting. "In the days when this capital had any real meaning I would have been called a heretic."

"And hanged in the streets. Those days are past, though you may find that those inside will not take too kindly to your sentiments." Syme faked a smile as he gestured forward again. "Misia Talis, might you leave your familiar outside?"

Talis dismounted Hansu and scratched behind the beast's ear. "Stay, Hansu."

The wolf like creature whimpered slightly as Talis and the group walked up the steps and to the front entrance of the building. The giant doors stood over five bodies tall and were made of wood painted crimson red with ornate handles. Syme grasped the handle and pulled, opening the way into the large hallway. Talis marveled as she entered the building and saw the paintings along the hallway depicting scenes throughout the history of the Netsu people and their wars with the Oni.

Talis walked up to the first painting which was labeled "The First Union". It portrayed the three daughters of Kougan, an Oni whose children all married a Netsu. In the painting stood the three daughters with their Netsu husbands burning under the direct light of On while Kougan prayed to the God with hands extended to the sun.

"Why would the council keep paintings like this?" Kloe questioned as she took Talis's side to look at the painting.

Syme chimed in. "We keep our history, both good and bad to teach us lessons in the present."

"And what lesson can we learn from this?" Natia exclaimed. "Don't marry an Oni or the sun will burn you?"

Syme shook his head. "If that is what you gleam, Misia, then you do not closely follow the teachings of the Forgotten God."

"Have you ever walked, Mea Syme?" Natia turned on him.

"Misia?"

"Have you ever gone through a portal and walked on another world?" Natia stood her ground though her hands trembled slightly.

"I have not."

"When you go to a foreign plane you can see how the laws of sciences, the rules that we believe govern the universe are far from universal. I am a first, Mea. The last of the firsts who still survives. All my friends have died on other worlds where gravity changed in a heartbeat. Where the oceans were made of acid instead of water. Don't talk to me about the teachings of the Forgotten God when they hold no power in the grand schemes of the universe."

The servant cowered slightly as a brilliant white shone from Natia's chest. Her Tatu flared with a supernatural energy and the room went silent for a moment. A set of footsteps entered the foyer and an elderly woman with white hair cut to her shoulders and a white robe entered.

"Mea Syme." The woman began. "I will take it from here."

Natia's Tatu faded as her emotions calmed. Syme bowed to Natia and the group and exited past the woman down the hall.

"Natia, are we going to have another outburst?" The elder walked to Natia and placed a hand on her shoulder.

Natia extinguished her Tatu. "No, Misia."

"Then come, the council is waiting for you."

The woman gestured to a set of doors at the end of the hall which were painted purple with golden leaves decorating the frame. Along the walls Talis looked at the rest of the paintings as she passed. She saw depictions of the creation of the Oni people by On. The creation of the Netsu by a shadowy figure which they called the Forgotten God. The last painting was "The Ascension of Kutune" it showed the transformation of the tied up Oni transforming into a shining ball of metal and the planet Erridium breaking apart as she ascended and became what the Oni called Godmade.

Syme opened the door and ushered the group in. The elderly woman continued to walk across the carpeted floor laid in patterns of purple blooming flowers and took her place on a chair in the chamber behind a large podium on an elevated stage. The podium ran along one side of the chamber while curved around the rest of the room were series of benches. Some people sat along the different sides of the round room, most dressed like Syme wearing the long robes. Talis assumed them to be servants like the tall man who led them in the building, though there were others sitting on the benches dressed in less regal clothes, looking more like field workers or merchants.

Talis eyed the long podium as she walked to the center of the round room where a pedestal was placed and a series of chairs were fastened to the floor. Kloe and Natia sat down on the end chairs leaving room for Talis. For some reason the pedestal upon which they sat did not allow them to see the council which Talis found odd. She had never met the council before, at least not in person. There had been rumors that some members of the elite group of Netsu leaders would come and watch the walks from time to time on the island of Hunei where the portals were opened, though she had never seen one as far as she could remember.

"Please sit, Maesa Talis." A voice echoed through the chamber from someone who was sitting at the podium. The voice was old. Older than she'd heard before. Most who worked on Hunei were young. The Portal Walkers recruited children from a young age. Talis was just eight when Natia came to Matao, the island where most were fruit pickers. Talis had taken the tests, just like all the other children and had shown an aptitude for leadership. Though only twenty one, Talis lead teams with Netsu like Kloe who was almost fifteen years the young woman's superior. To be as old as the man who spoke to Talis now meant that a Netsu had to have lived a life of privilege, or just be plain lucky.

Talis did as she was directed and sat down on the dark wooden chair, noting the comfortable padding of the seat. She adjusted, her body uncomfortable with worldly comforts.

"Talis, Portal Walker." The voice continued. "You are to be congratulated. One hundred walks is quite an achievement."

"Thank you, Mithia." Talis gave herself a little courage, burning her inspire Tatu just slightly as she spoke.

"However," Another voice came from the podium, just as old but female this time. "We do question your desires."

"I'm sorry?" Talis's Tatu extinguished involuntarily leaving a touch of fear in her voice.

"In all of these walks, Maesa, why have you yet to find a suitable world for the Netsu people?" The female voice was stern yet without animosity.

"Misia, not all worlds are habitable." Talis started. "Some don't have breathable air. We've taken to placing plants in the world first to see how they react to the atmosphere before going in ourselves. We've lost some of our people simply for want of oxygen."

"How many worlds would you say have sufficient oxygen?" A third voice came, this time from a different end of the podium.

"If I may," Natia sat up straighter to answer the question. "Our scientists are researching new techniques to ensure that our portals are only opening to oxygenated worlds. Though even that is not enough to make a world inhabitable. We need water, fertile land, we need to ensure that wherever we go that we would be the dominant life on that planet."

"What do you mean by that, Natia?" Talis recognized this voice to come from the older woman who led them into the chamber.

"I don't speak of it often, as you all may know, but I went on the first walk." As Natia spoke she shifted her gaze to where Syme sat on a bench near others dressed like himself. Syme seemed to shift slightly as she continued. "The world we entered was beautiful. Shining oceans, fertile grounds, frequent rainfall. The world was also inhabited by large beasts that roamed the fields by day. These creatures were terrible to behold, like large insects with a hundred legs and large gaping jaws lined with rows of terrible teeth that dripped with green liquids that would burn a man alive with one drop.

"We were a team of forty. We came back… I came back alone." Natia pulled her coat off her left shoulder revealing a large scar with lines where stitches were used. "The creatures devoured us, hunting us for days as we tried to escape. One of them bit down into my arm, severing the nerves. I can barely move my fingers." She demonstrated. "I managed to kill the beast with the help of a few frost bringers, though when one fell more would take its place.

"I have strived for years now to train our people not engage in conflict with creatures that are the dominant life on the planet as those Centikillers were."

"Love the name." Kloe elbowed Talis with a grin.

Natia shot a look at Kloe who straightened back up in her seat. Natia continued. "I must request that we double the production of portals."

There was a murmur among the crowd. Talis looked around confused. She stood up. "What's wrong? Wouldn't more portals mean more chances to save our people?"

Syme stood up from the crowd. "If I may, the people are restless, Misia Talis. There have been took many portals already opened with no success."

"And if I may, Mea Syme, the walkers and I-" Natia began.

Syme stood up a little straighter, cutting her off. "Furthermore, the Oni prosolates have been teaching that the portals are dangerous, potentially to all of Erridium. We may not survive before Kutune returns."

Many of the crowd seemed to agree with Syme. Talis was baffled, since when did the Netsu listen to the Oni's religious dogma?

Talis stood up to be heard over the din of the crowd. "As it has been mentioned, Mea Syme. I have been on one hundred of these walks now. I've seen a hundred different worlds. The danger we face in each world pales in comparison to the world threatening danger posed by Kutune's eventual descent."

"Kutune will not return for another two years." Syme countered. "But if we tear this world apart with these portals before she returns, there will be nothing left for her to destroy."

"There is no evidence that the portals are tearing Erridium apart, Mea Syme." The elder woman from before stood up and Talis could see her face over the podium. "Do not seek to confound our ways with the zealots of On. They will teach lies to incite animosity. The Forgotten God will guide us to a new world."

The crowd seemed divided between those who believed the councilwoman and those who believed as Syme did. Why hadn't she noticed it before? The group on the left of the council was made up of those that seemed to agree with the the elder, while those on the right were with Syme and his ilk. The younger generation of servants, the Mea were untouched by the blessings of the Forgotten God, they bore no Tatu. Talis wondered why that was as Syme and his group sat down and the room grew more quiet as though… Talis looked up at the elder woman once more and saw a Tatu shining on her face. She was calming their emotions. Talis had never felt it so powerful. Only when she was in great danger did Talis seem to be able to shine her Tatu so bright.

"Misia Talis, I assume there is an account of each world visited, correct?" The woman asked.

Talis nodded. "Yes. We appoint a scribe on each walk."

"Natia, I would like a record of all those walks to me by morning." The woman looked to Natia and once again Talis noticed something strange between them; a kind of animosity that seemed to breed from familiarity. Their eyes. They have the same eyes. The woman sat back down. Natia retreated to her seat as well.

"Mea Syme is right about one thing, however." The elder began. "We may not survive before Kutune returns, but we will sure as sin try. You are all dismissed."

The crowds stood up to leave, their conversations divided into two different groups, two different ideologies, even two different religions. The world was growing more divided.

The elders must know this, otherwise they wouldn't have taken such a hard stance against Syme.

Another thought came to Talis and she spoke up. "Excuse me, Misia councilor, but there was another question of my third Tatu?"

The council's panel was silent. Had they left already? Wasn't there more to discuss? Finally a voice spoke out, an elder man who had spoken previously. "You will wait, Talis. You are not yet ready."

Not yet ready? Wasn't she Talis? The only Netsu to have accomplished one hundred portal walks?

"May I have some clarification, please? Have I not done enough?"

The panel was silent, and so she continued. "I have seen one hundred worlds. I have face one hundred dangers. Surely I am worthy. What else do I have to do?"

"You are too young." An unfamiliar voice came.

A group of the crowd was now listening as others exited the chamber. Talis stood up and walked to the podium's base, the top of which still stood another ten feet above her. "Too young? Do you not see that by the time I would be old enough in your eyes our world may be destroyed? When will be the right time? After Kutune kills us all?"

"Why do you seek a third, Maesa Talis, for power? No, we will not grant this to you only to see you become one of the ruptured."

The group began to murmur as they had before. Talis felt anger swelling within her which inadvertently burned her Inspire Tatu. A wave of fury swept across the chamber. "You would sooner see us die than reach your status, admit it! You look down on us, but we are your salvation, and one day we will be all that is left to save you."

The crowd's emotions rioted, they stormed up beside Talis chanting.

"Walker! Walker!"

Kloe took Talis's side and spoke to the crowd. "Who will lead us to another world if not the walkers? You?"

The elder woman's touch was so fierce that Talis felt as though her head was full of air. She fell to the ground holding her head. "You will not disrespect the council, Maesa. You prove by your actions your ability to lead, yet you use it to stir contention against your elders?"

Talis looked around noticing the rest of the people in the chamber, including Kloe and Natia all feeling the same excruciating pain she felt. It was as if the words were echoing through her head.

"You are insubordinate. Such is the way of youth. If you continue your disrespect, however, you will not only find yourself ruptured, but we may simply close a portal behind you and leave you on the next world you visit. Now go. We will not speak of this further."

Talis sank to the ground. How could one be so powerful? Kloe extended a hand to Talis. The larger woman getting to her feet and burning her Strength Tatu to help Talis up.

"I need those reports tonight, Natia." The woman called out as the three of them along with the rest of the crowd made their way out of the chambers.

"Yes, mother." Natia muttered.