Encounter with the Carthae

The inky expanse of night reluctantly surrendered to the burgeoning dawn, as the sun's radiant arrival infused the world with a jubilant burst of color, transforming the sorrowful shroud of darkness into a bittersweet recollection of tragedy.

Resounding footfalls echoed in tandem with the lady's leisurely, rustling steps through the underbrush. With a solemn introduction, she declared herself one of the appointed sentinels tasked with safeguarding our realm, as she had so elegantly phrased it.

"Where are we headed?" Alex inquired.

"Towards death," Rabi responded solemnly.

A wave of confusion washed over the students' faces.

"You can't be serious," Gloyd exclaimed incredulously.

"Well, not exactly joking. The place we're heading to is where death resides. Those creatures there, known as the Carthae or the scavengers of death, are responsible for every demise in the marshland."

"Are they like the gods of this world?" Alex wondered aloud.

"According to legend, they were the original inhabitants of this world, not us, but them. We're going there because they hold the knowledge about whether your friend is still among the living." Rabi's steps came to a halt.

As Alex surveyed the landscape, all that met his eyes were the familiar trees and marshy terrain of the marshland.

Alex glanced around, stating, "There's nothing here."

Rabi began, "The Carthae can't be seen by those--" but was interrupted by Kent.

"I see it," Kent exclaimed.

A smile graced Rabi's lips. "Only those who've unlocked extraordinary power can perceive the Carthae."

Kent came to a standstill, her eyes fixated on the sky. To Alex and his friends, the scene remained unremarkable, just trees and swamps. But for Kent and Rabi, there was far more than met the ordinary eye.

Kent spoke in hushed tones, "It appears to be a primitive village."

Rabi nodded and signaled for everyone to halt, advising them to remain hidden, as the Carthae were not fond of uninvited guests.

Curiosity getting the best of him, Alex joined Kent's side, asking, "What's happening, Kent? What do you see?" His gaze was fixed on Rabi, who had just entered the village gate.

"Rabi is inside the gate," Kent responded quietly.

The others clustered around, eager to understand what the village looked like, hoping to gain insight into what the Carthae's dwelling might be like.

"Bird skulls – perched atop the village posts flanking the gate," Kent whispered, her attention fixed on the plant lady as she ventured deeper into the village.

The inquisitive minds of the others, unable to see the village themselves, persisted with their questions.

"Can you see the Carthae now?" Ivan inquired, now standing alongside Kent.

"Not y---. Wait, yes!" Kent's response shifted abruptly as she beheld hooded figures materializing above the village's rooftops.

The wind picked up its pace, and ominous, heavy clouds swiftly congregated, as though a force capable of altering the weather had materialized.

The dense cloud cover obscured the sun's cheerful rays, plunging the day into an abrupt twilight.

"What's going on?" Alex inquired.

"It's the Carthae. They've arrived," Kent replied, her gaze still fixed on Rabi.

Rabi came to a halt, and Kent understood why.

"The Carthae, everyone. They don't appear solid. You can still see things behind them. It's as if they're..." Kent trailed off, unable to finish her sentence.

"Transparent?" Alex ventured.

Kent nodded in confirmation.

"Can you tell us more about them, Kent?" Darline implored.

Kent's brows furrowed as she strained to get a clearer view of the creatures. She could see them, but describing them was proving difficult. It was as though they defied description, appearing as black, hooded figures that were almost transparent.

"They're dark, like they're draped in hooded cloaks, perched atop the village houses, observing Rabi's movements," Kent attempted to convey her visual impression.

"What's going on now? I see Rabi coming our way," Alex remarked.

"I'm not sure. I can't hear them, but it seems like she's communicating with the Carthae," Kent responded.

As Rabi approached, they gathered around her, anxious to know if Christian was safe.

"How did it go?" Alex inquired of Rabi, who had just arrived.

"I told them you had a question. I didn't specify the question, but they've granted you an audience to ask whatever you wish," Rabi explained.

Rabi led the way, urging the others to follow. They ventured into a woody marshland, an unusual sight in the region.

The students hesitated, unable to see anything but the forest and muddy ground. However, their uncertainty turned to astonishment as the trees and swamps suddenly gave way to tiny houses – dwellings they had only encountered in books. These homes weren't constructed of concrete or hardwood but comprised of mere sticks and leaves.

Except for Rabi and Kent, the students were left in wonder. Their eyes widened as they witnessed a place materialize before them, seemingly out of thin air. It was like magic, a scene straight out of children's books and movies.

Before long, black-hooded figures materialized above the leafy houses, their presence looming as they observed the newcomers. As Kent had described earlier, these figures appeared almost transparent, allowing glimpses of the surroundings behind them.

Alex's mind raced back to the legend Rabi had shared earlier—the Carthae, the world's original inhabitants. In their previous existence, they had been a cooperative cell, evolving into a unique life form in this world, embodied by these hooded figures.

Rabi pressed on, and the students followed her lead. She guided them toward the village's center. The place they now stood was devoid of structures, with only the earth beneath their feet. The village houses encircled this central area, their facades all directed toward the heart of their community.

Surrounded by the hooded figures, they felt like they were in the center of a tribunal, being scrutinized as though they were criminals awaiting execution in their former world.

"Speak," the creatures intoned in unison. Their voices carried various pitches and tones, an overwhelming cacophony that caused Alex and his friends to instinctively cover their ears. Amidst the chaos, Kent remained composed, marveling at her friends' reactions and her own lack of it.

Rabi glanced at Kent and explained, "Unlike us, humans lack the capacity to hear the Carthae's voices."

Rabi then requested the Carthae to communicate in a manner comprehensible to humans. The hooded figures obliged, altering their speech to a form that Alex and his friends could hear without discomfort.

One by one, the hooded figures leaped forward, their nearly transparent forms gradually solidifying as black feathers emerged. Their hoods gave way to heads, and pointed beaks protruded.

Before the students, these once-hooded figures transformed into a six-foot-tall bird, leaving the students struggling to contain their astonishment. Its mouth hung slightly ajar, taken aback by the remarkable metamorphosis.

The black bird advanced toward them, declaring, "The Carthae greets Rabi of the marshland and her guests." Its deep voice conveyed a commanding presence, leaving those who heard it with a profound sense of authority.

The Carthae regarded Rabi, a smile gracing her face. "It's an honor to see the guardian of the marshland, Rabi."

Rabi bowed respectfully, treating the Carthae as an old acquaintance. "These humans here have some questions for you."

The bird, displaying a keen interest, inquired, "What might those questions be?"

"It's about our friend," Alex replied.

The bird leaned in, eagerly awaiting more information.

"We're wondering if he's still alive," Alex added, voicing their collective concern.

The bird nodded and gracefully stepped back, unfurling its wings until they stretched so wide they nearly engulfed the entire group. With a powerful flap, it ascended above them, fragmenting into an almost-transparent form.

Swift as the wind, it swiftly entered the village houses, vanishing from sight. Just as abruptly, it returned overhead, morphing back into a massive black bird. The bird descended and confronted Rabi and the students, who anxiously sought reassurance about their friend's fate. Its colossal wings folded, and it addressed the people before it.

"Alive," the bird uttered, delivering the long-awaited news.

Overwhelmed by the weight of the news, the students sank to the ground, their bodies unable to bear the sudden rush of emotions. The words spoken by the Carthae carried a profound sense of relief and joy.

Kent's eyes brimmed with tears, happiness flooding her as she heard about her classmate's safety. They embraced one another, sharing in the immense relief, while Rabi watched over them, her smile radiant.

"Thank you, Carthae," Alex choked out through tears, expressing his gratitude to the creature.

The creature nodded in acknowledgment of their gratitude but then adopted a somber tone. "However," it continued, "he's not out of danger."

Tears were hastily wiped away as the students listened with growing concern.

"He's a captive, held by a being in this realm," the creature explained.

Alex's voice trembled as he shared, "The Eartheaters attacked him while we were on a mission. We thought he was dead."

"He will be, unless you intervene," the creature warned.

Rabi stepped forward, her voice steady. "The Eartheaters are creatures my sister has control over."

Alex's disbelief was palpable as he asked, "So, your sister is the one who took Christian from us?"

"That's precisely why I'm confused. My sister doesn't employ Eartheaters in this manner. She deploys them solely when there are incursions into her domain, like those who threaten my vines here in the marshland," Rabi explained.

"Wait a minute. You mentioned being one of the Eight. Does that mean Eartheaters originate not from the marshland but from the land your sister protects?" Alex inquired.

Rabi confirmed with a nod. "Yes."

Alex pressed further, "So, where is she from?"

"The Void. Her name is Ranthi."

Bewildered by the increasingly bizarre turn of events, Alex attempted to make sense of the situation. "Can't you reach out to your sister and ask why she took Christian captive?"

Rabi shook her head slightly. "I can't. Upon our birth, we were assigned to our respective lands to guard, and that meant severing the connections between the eight of us. We cannot enter the territories we do not protect."

Kent couldn't help but express her sympathy. "That's quite isolating."

Rabi offered a slightly awkward smile. "Not really. In my tribe, our sole purpose was to safeguard the world, and we all understood and accepted that."

Alex, deep in thought, tried to piece together the puzzle, searching for possible reasons why Ranthi had used her creatures to capture Christian when it wasn't her usual practice.

Alex directed his question to Rabi, who appeared somewhat concerned as well. "Do you trust your sister?"

Rabi contemplated for a moment before responding, "Yes, which is why coming here raises questions for me too."

Alex concentrated, addressing the bird that stood before them. "You mentioned earlier that Christian is being held by one of the creatures 'here' in the marshland, correct?"

The Carthae nodded in confirmation.

"That implies that after being attacked by the Eartheaters, Christian was somehow returned to the marshland. The challenge now is to locate him," Alex deduced.

The students put their heads together, trying to offer suggestions and make sense of the situation with their eager minds.

Gloyd turned to the Carthae, asking, "Do you know which creature took Christian?"

The Carthae chuckled cryptically, "Death is peace, and peace is death."

Alex remained silent, and Kent probed further, "What do you mean by that?"

The Carthae's smile held an eerie quality as it elaborated, "We, the Carthae, believe that true peace can only be experienced after death. As those who yearn for the demise of others, we indeed desire your friend's passing."

Alex was taken aback. This creature's mentality was reminiscent of the queen bee's. They seemed to derive pleasure from death itself. However, Alex refused to succumb to powerlessness. He resolved to acquire the strength to defy the laws of nature, vowing to transform this world into a better one—one where everyone could revel in its abundance, nurture it, and eschew pollution.

The Carthae's chuckles persisted, and it added, "Nevertheless, since I derive some amusement from you youngsters inching closer to your potential demise, I shall provide you with a clue regarding your friend's whereabouts."

Alex ceased his contemplation and focused intently on the ominous bird.

"Leisurely but extremely mighty, I cudgel with a stick to beat. Beware the earth that is soft. My house isn't worth to carry," he recited to his fellow students.

As Alex spoke the words, the colossal black bird fragmented into shadowy forms, their laughter echoing through the sky. They soon dissolved into obscurity and disappeared.

The thick, foreboding clouds in the sky evaporated in an instant, as if they had never existed, and the sun's rays once again bathed the marshland in light. The Carthae's village vanished as swiftly as it had appeared, leaving behind the trees and swamps that had initially greeted their view before they were granted the ability to perceive the hidden realm of the scavengers of death.

Standing amidst the spot where the village had existed just moments ago, Alex pondered the cryptic clue. "I never knew a bird could be so poetic," he quipped, eliciting laughter from his classmates. Despite the mixed emotions they felt about Christian's situation, their spirits seemed to lift as they engaged in this puzzle.

"The Carthae, huh?" Alex murmured to himself. "Scavengers of death," he repeated, contemplating their description. "They seem to live up to that name – scavengers."

Dark thoughts crept into Alex's mind as he weighed his options. Slaying the bird wouldn't be a straightforward task. However, bolstered by newfound determination, he realized they could navigate this realm, especially now that they understood more about their adversary.

With a sly grin, Alex mused, "A vulture, in the end."