Terabi Timeline

A Brief History of Terabi Tana

• Jinjo and Cocolee sent down to be the parents of Keva, along with the Neutral Prime Race.
• Jinjo creates a Realm for the purpose of those with god power to meet up no matter how far away.
• Rancem and Rinniken are born and grow to maturity.
• Rancem and Rinniken are initiated as the fathers of the first two countries of Keva.
• The Neutral Prime Land begins to divide; Rancem's people take on doglike characteristics and Rinniken's people take on a catlike nature.
• Jinjo and Cocolee return to the Realm of Gods to preside from afar.
• Rinniken becomes the first King of the Land Rinniken; as his country diverges from Rancem's, the name of the country shifts to Catarika.
• Catarika stops moving and fully matures as a country. Rinniken rules for thousands of years as legends and traditions establish themselves.

Rinniken establishes the Circle of Mages to harness and organize the god power that many possessed. They use the Realm of Traversing to communicate with their Rakian (Rancem) counterparts.

Rinniken marries Aisa Tala and they begin their reign as King and Queen.

A Mage, Vallon-Irrim, becomes corrupted with evil magic and takes the Realm of Traversing for his own, turning it into a place of demons, curses, and chaos. The Mages, powerless against him, seal the Realm by destroying the knowledge of how to enter and refusing to speak of it or teach it to the next generation. Vallon-Irrim, called the False King, causes havoc in all of the countries of the world, trying to capture the souls of the weak to become his minions. Over time, the knowledge of the Realm as anything other than evil is lost and it becomes a thing of legend.

Rinniken and Aisa give birth to their first child, Osai, who is set to be Rinniken's successor. He has a lot of god power but is classified as a demigod. They go on to have several more children.

Osai is initiated and crowned the next King of Catarika.

Osai establishes his kingdom in Rihanu in order to be equidistant from the biggest cities.

Rinniken and Aisa leave Keva to preside from the Realm of Gods.

Osai marries Airi Sanveda and rule as King and Queen.

Osai establishes Osai Naori, his Gift, and bestows it upon three of his brothers, a nephew, and his brother in law, with the intention of helping them to rise above mortal limits in order to guard their dominions better.

Rinniken's second son, Seranu, becomes a Head Mage in the Circle of Mages.

Kiillaana is created by the hands of Rinniken, Aisa, and others.

In the Realm of Gods, Jinjo's youngest son, Terabi, volunteers to sacrifice romantic love to conquer the Realm of Traversing and turn it back to good, becoming the God of Compassion and Aura. Jinjo agrees, sending Terabi to Catarika in the form of a man to experience mortal life. He also assigns him to answer to Rinniken since he is so much younger than Rinniken's line.

Terabi takes his first breaths of life as a man on earth in the middle of Das Verdin, just outside of the Circle of Mages. He appears as an adult with no memory of anything before his awakening, no parents, and no navel.

Terabi is led by instinct to the Circle of Mages where he meets Seranu, by then a Man of Osai. They talk for hours and Terabi is discovered to be a Mage almost immediately.

Terabi and Seranu walk together to Rihanu to meet King Osai. Osai knows exactly who this man is but is forbidden from Jinjo to say, instead sending him back to the Circle of Mages to harness his abundance of god power.

Terabi graduates through the circles of ranks faster than anyone had ever seen. He quickly becomes a master of Kalotano but turns down the position of Head Mage.

Terabi finds an ancient mages' book and discovers a tiny mention of the true Realm of Traversing. The more he studies it, the stronger his memories become until he makes it his life's quest to find a way into the Realm.

Terabi and Osai become great friends, sharing in their life's journeys. Terabi is almost always present at royal dinners and events. He is well known as a Mage and enjoys helping people through his almost otherwordly abilities.

Osai returns to the Realm of Gods where he sits as the God of Vision, leaving Catarika to a succession of mortal kings.

Terabi spends hundreds of years becoming strong in his power and trying to find the tear in the Realm.

Terabi sets foot in Kiillaana where he remains for the rest of his mortal life, meeting a family of quiet warriors which he befriends. He watches their generations go by and becomes a guardian of the family.

Terabi finds the tear in the Realm and spends another century perfecting the magic and power required to open in and go inside.

Terabi finally masters the forgotten spell and opens the tear in the Realm, entering. Immediately, all of his memories are restored and he is transformed into the deity he always was. Using his own crafted magic, he wields a staff of Lovelight, unbreakable by any force of evil, and seeks out the False King.

Terabi and the False King battle for three days and three nights; Terabi essentially waits for the False King's energy to strip down to his bare and mortal soul and finally utterly destroys him. He claims the Realm as his own and builds an indestructible and safe palace by his hand, causing things of value destroyed on earth to appear in the Realm, especially artwork and books.

Terabi begins to summon his chosen to be warriors of the demons that still lurked all around. The first man initiated as a Man of Terabi was Lukas Luun-Fortress, the oldest son of the newest generation of the family he befriended. He gives his men each a blade of Lovelight that takes on form and shape depending on the aura of the holder, stored away in the soul when not in use. He takes command of blessings and curses and causes the world to be aware of the auras that all souls possess.

950??- Terabi teams up with Osai and saves Jeneiyl Alihi, the last of her race, by hiding her behind trees. She becomes the future Queen of Kiillaana.

1019/1020- Terabi and Osai are granted the right to create a country of their own, forged in their friendship, by Jinjo and Rinniken. They gather 13 specific people and transform them, resetting their genes and giving them a unique appearance and skill set. They call their country Jadali and the people Jadali-Kiillra, a blend of Catarika and Kiillaana. Osai promises one of his men to lead them, guided by Osai himself, and Terabi gives the Jadali-Kiillra his blood. Though the country was forged from both of their hands and has an Osanokai to lead them, the symbols on their flag are those of Terabi since Osai had already been worshipped and followed for thousands of years in Catarika. They, along with Terabi, take on a new language called Keòen.

The Queen of Kiillaana's first daughter becomes one of the Original 13 of Jadali, taking on the name Tania Balthòr.

 1125- Mera Visi, the first Terabikai of Jadali, is born and, upon his initiation, admonished to keep a details record of all of his daily events including those of the Realm.

Aranel Balthòr becomes cursed in death due to a failed deal between herself, Terabi, and Jinjo.

 The strong demons of the Realm still run rampant, throwing curses on the weak, but are controlled by the Terabikai.

The now-vacant Circle of Mages is reclaimed by Jadali soldiers and is the base of the Jadali Quarters in Catarika, known as Andaradd.

1357-1360- Terabi's War breaks out in Kiillaana when three men armed with a lesser skill given of Terabi abuse their power and become evil overlords. Terabi initiates and sends Slade Burke to Tevernid to be a double agent in order to reach the first of the three leaders in a weak spot and slay him. As battles progress, Terabi himself fights alongside Jadali, killing the second enemy leader and helping to kill the third. Kiillaana emerges victorious and resumes a reverence for Terabi.

1358- Terabi curses Alles with a defect in the weather, due to the actions of its mayor. The city's weather becomes impossible to forecast and drastic on all fronts.

Terabi continues to appear all over the Rinniken World saving people and providing anonymous comfort to those in dire need. Sightings pop up in journals, records, and other writings.

• 1949- Silanu Ravosilu Sorela, the first and only man with both Terabi and Osai's gifts, is born. He fits most of the criteria for the long suspected Man of Both Gifts but he lives his childhood with the Curse of the Realm, cursed by the strongest demon.
• 1963- S.R. Sorela is driven to near total exhaustion and breaking of his soul in the Realm before Terabi arrives with a blade of Lovelight. His initiation, totally unforeseen, is complete and Sorela becomes the only man other than Terabi to destroy a demon.
• Sorela defeats the demon of chaos and by doing so causes curses to no longer be permanent.

Slade Burke: An Intro to his Story

This is the story of Kiillaana's greatest double agent. He has been revered as the Dragon Dodger of his time and, at times, the Man who Saved Kiillaana. Most of what people knew of him were direct observations, in fact, it seemed that he was so withdrawn that nary a soul knew him personally. He had no favorites and he played none either.

His closest associate was his younger brother, Blaise, who was left sickly and stumbling; presumably by the crimson mark that ran across his face. Though he seemed cold and uncaring, Professor Slade Burke had a very close and protective relationship with his only living relative. He never raised his voice at his invalid brother and treated him with a sort of dark dignity that nobody could duplicate. Many thought Blaise was simply an orphan, pulled from the streets to evade a life of misery and woe; only a handful knew that Blaise and Slade were actually related. Word eventually got out as Blaise became a more prominent figure on the Tevernid Secondary School campus and by the time the war ripped through the heart of Kiillaana near everyone knew of their kinship.

Professor Burke was a fellow of good height; tall and very thin. His skin was pale, almost white, as if he had never seen the light of day (and there was some truth in that!). His face was thin and pinched; large, dark eyes sat deep in shadowed, hollow orbs. His nose was slightly hooked, though the bridge straight, accentuating his dark visage. His thin lips lay etched in frown, never smiling. His countenance was bitter and tense, slightly sad and burdened. He was cold and seemingly uncaring although it was clear that he cared deeply about his study and knowledge of history and the education of his students.

Anything known about Professor Burke was not spoken by him directly. He rarely got close enough to people to divulge any personal information. Those that were lucky enough to learn about him slowly told others until it was just understood as fact. Still, Professor Burke was quick to correct any myths, misinformation, and false stories. His parents had both died while Slade and Blaise were quite young and apart from a quick stay by a strict grandmother until her health forced her away, Slade was left alone with the duty and obligation to raise his handicapped brother. It was understood by all that Professor Burke joined the military through Tevernid Royal University at the age of 15 where he went through basic training and was also tutored. Through this time his brother Blaise was taken in and cared for by both novice and veteran doctors resident on the grounds. Though he could not fight Blaise was put to use, painting banners and helping to clean and paint various fixtures throughout the campus.

 For reasons not known by a single person, Professor Burke became highly interested in Terabi and spent so much time studying the subject and Kiillaana's involvement that he was excused from the army and delegated as a history professor. What he lacked in sociability he made up for in his studies. He took his newly instated position seriously and became the history professor at Tevernid Secondary School in 1343. Since that time he was known for his cold ways and his ability to hold the attention of any group of students that came his way. He was an excellent teacher, demanding accuracy and excellence from his students.

When it came time to lecture on Terabi, it was as if something in him had changed. He was no longer speaking from the general memories that he was required to instill in his students. It was as if he was speaking directly from his heart. If there was something to be known about Terabi, Professor Burke knew about it and made sure everyone else knew about it too. It was odd that he had chosen someone of such love, compassion, and stature as his focus of study for it seemed that he lacked them all himself. Even still, nobody dare question him.

During class, of which he taught several per day, he held total attention with nary more than his eyes. He spoke sharply but clearly in a growling voice, clinging on every word, expecting his students to follow along with total attention. When he paused he pursed his lips into a thin line, his nostrils flaring as he inhaled sharply, staring at the class with his sunken and piercing eyes. Any deviation of total attention was met with few but harsh words that carried so much power behind them that nobody could turn them against him. He invited discussion but moderated it intensely. Though intimidating, his lectures were inviting and though he never smiled or had any ray of lightness about him at any time, nobody ever felt worried to speak. Class ended when he was done lecturing, oft accompanied by a written assignment that dealt with the day's material. On occasion, class ended abruptly with Professor Burke throwing books off his desk and kicking the tables, eager to be alone.

Professor Burke was an introvert in every sense of the word. He despised small talk and would never be caught at any sort of party or event that he was not absolutely required to attend. He rarely spoke outside of class and walked tall but solemnly everywhere he went, always wearing a fitted black outfit accented with dark green. He rarely left the school grounds, spending the majority of his time in his office down the hall from his history classroom. It was a dark and shadowed place and hardly a soul was quick enough to get a glimpse of what was contained inside. There was a door on the opposite side that led to the back fields that Professor Burke would leave to walk with Blaise through the grounds, taking him to a small hut along the rampart where his caregivers lived and provided him with activities. There was a small pond nearby, as well as a post box that Professor Burke checked daily. Other than this brief time outdoors he stayed in silence in a comfort only he could enjoy inside his office. He was diligent in grading the papers he assigned his students and did always leave comments, though most were worded to cause doubt and lower self-confidence. He was a master of conveying precise emotion in few words and all who knew him both liked and hated him.

He grew older and as he did so the country of Kiillaana was changing. A group of three evil men, all armed with the Gift of Swaying, had taken over much of the mid-eastern part of the country. They had been raising up an army to try and overthrow Tevernid and by 1358 the school had been disrupted and it was time for Kiillaana to come together as one to fight for their freedom. Many knew of his dealings with the enemy, as he made no effort to keep it secret, and nobody was really sure whose side he was on. He made it clear he would not fight for either side unless he himself was affected. He was noted as saying often "I will teach until I must raise my blade."

 However, nobody could have predicted or even conceived the thoughts of what would transpire in the year 1358, when Professor Burke would finally be able to remove the walls from his very guarded personal life. This is his story.

A Terabikai Called Rhasìr

A Spotlight with a new name!

Full Name: Rhasìr San Isao Montàlo
Birthday: June 9, 1988
Method of Creation: #2- he's based off of a collection of sources!

Creation Story:
It all started when I looked at the list of Terabikai and realized that I had just one in Jadali. Whoops, that's got to change, especially since there are more Terabikai in Jadali (population wise) than anywhere else. I had to give some Terabian souls younger than Sorela fresh life and surely enough new auras formed and took shape. Little bits and details of his personality came about first followed by his looks.

Since I'm in geology right now, naturally Rhasìr is a geologist. He's very loosely based off my professor in the fact that he is outgoing and loves rocks... and has a young daughter. Other than that he's kind of his own guy. The first thing that came to me, besides his name (which I've apparently used more than once already as a Catin name- who knew!), was the fact that he hates shoes. When I say he hates shoes I mean he kicks those suckers off within minutes of them going on. His feet are very tough and he needs wants the feeling of his sole on the ground. This is especially odd considering he is from Rengoll, which lies in the glacier-carved valleys of Montàlo (translation: he lives in the mountains and it looks like the Alps). When he's busy climbing jagged or gravely terrain so that he can chart the faults and layers of the beautiful gray stone that Jadali is so famous for, he ties strips of canvas around his heels for good measure, unaffected by the snow all around.

Rhasìr is also very fond of traveling and enjoys doing presentations at the Rengoll secondary school as part of his Double Mastery. He also loves to just go on adventures trading goods, chatting with locals, and enjoying the scenery. He often travels to Kiillaana to give lectures and do studies there and loves making use of photography.

Rhasìr lives in the capital of Montàlo in a small stone house with a spacious, wet, green field for a yard. His wife, Vani Lochgren, is also a geologist and specializes in the caves and quarries of the area. Together they have a 4 year old little girl, born on Leap Day, named Sienna. Though she is young she is already a world traveler and loves to go on "adventures" with her daddy where they "sneak" out of the house and travel to one of the sides of the valley to camp and visit the hot springs. In addition, Rhasìr also lives next door to his cousin Petèro who is also full of energy and eager for a road trip. Being a master of Falconry, Petèro travels often and most of the time the two of them travel together.

Obviously, Rhasìr is a Man of Terabi and as such is able to traverse the Realm to talk with past figures, ponder his work, and learn of others. He quite often meets up with Sochne Hieldin, a Terabikai from the other side of the mountains, for a game of cards and a quick evening chat. While he technically doesn't need to travel by horse for anything, he chooses to because "traversing everywhere would take away the beauty of the countryside." He wields a 2-handed sword, one of the rarer Lovelight weapons, and though he hasn't come across nearly the things that someone like Meiro Freloch has, he is still always there to give comfort with his undeniable aura.

I can't wait to see what else becomes of him!

Spotlight on: Rodney Savage

Full Name: Rodney James Savage
Birthday: November 5, 1987
Method of Creation: #2- He's a meld of several people meant to stereotype how I was feeling at the time of his creation.

Creation Story:
Rodney is a special guy. He's one of the first people I created in high school and one of the only to be a physical representation of how I was feeling. In fact, it's because of Rodney that I wear baggy clothing (though not so much anymore).

I remember it clearly. I was a sophomore in high school, right around the time basketball season started. I was at a point in my life where I still desperately wanted to fit in and was trying to make myself known. I went to my first ever "pep band game" (that's what we call it when we as a pep band plays at basketball games) and was extremely frustrated at the deep friendships and general good time going on around me while I was stuck outside of every single friend circle. I was also a little jealous at the fact that the guy I had a crush on had a girlfriend and they were having such a good time. I left that game raging and depressed and I remember the exact moment when I was waiting for my dad to get me (I couldn't drive yet) and the emotions inside me changed in an instant. It was like a switch had been flipped- one that would remain flipped forever after: I became quiet. I still had my moments but at that moment, I had suddenly mellowed out and refused to speak.

I began thinking of a sort of idealized guy that I could narrate my feelings through and sketched a scowling boy with a pointed face laying apathetically on the hall floor, his crew cut and spiked bangs covered by the hood of his sweatshirt at least 5 times too big. In his ears, though hidden by his hood, were earbuds which led to the iPod in his kangaroo pocket. One leg was stretched out, the other bent, and he seemed to have sort of fallen against the wall and called it good. He had on baggy pants and skate shoes- it seemed he wanted comfort over anything else. His hands were hidden inside his kangaroo pocket and he just sat there and stared, his eyes filled with teenage angst. He never spoke and was considered selective mute. It wasn't that he was afraid to speak, he just saw no reason to and was perfectly content with being silent. His introvertedness was so overpowering that it seemed as if any hint of socialization within five feet was sucked into his soul.

Rodney, Abstract in a Cloud...

From that moment, Rodney was born. His name--both first and last--comes from people I knew at the time and he took little bits of their personality and others. Being antisocial, Rodney was mostly left alone and never bothered because he was notoriously cranky. At times, it seemed like his scowl would eat up his eyes. He was known mostly for being a gamer and somehow he had three friends who had managed to break through his walls and keep the embers of socialness lit. His friends, all named after people I knew at the time, were Jayce Richlin, William Ritter, and Steven "Ghost" Jones. Each had their own distinct traits: Jayce was an outgoing archer who played drums, William could solve a 4x4 Rubik's Cube in lightning speeds, and Ghost was a laid-back dude who clicked with all of them really well.

Now that Rodney had some friends, it was time to think about the kinds of things that he did. With a group of four, it became obvious that they were in an amateur garage band called the No-Namers (in the same vein as ILEN) that actually played in the school talent shows. Rodney was a saxophone-player who, although he discontinued band in high school, still played and was quite musical, picking up the guitar instead. He had a low but light voice and was quite a good ballad-singer. While it seemed that he and his three friends didn't interact much at school they always hung out together in the halls and outside of school they were all quite animated.

Later on, Rodney would become my idealized boyfriend and I began to look for his traits in others (my next boyfriend, who became my husband, is actually nothing like Rodney, lol) and even went as far as to perpetuate Rodney's personality by sort of becoming him myself. I bought myself some huge skate shoes, baggy jeans, and huge sweatshirts and suddenly felt like I had found the real me for the moment. I loved when that happened! I created my own role models!

Keep in mind that I had a "twin" back then, none other than Avicile Mohaili. With Rodney being my idealized boyfriend, I thought "why not have them date!" Date they did up until Rodney left for college. The only reason they didn't pursue something beyond high school was really because her initials would have been a naughty word indeed (Put two and two together. Her name woulda been Avicile Star Savage.)! Also, by that point, I felt like Rodney was heading down a different path than Avicile Mohaili and she ended up dating and marrying the other idealized guy I was so happy with, Lesko Diamond.

Rodney's big claim to fame was his gaming ability. Being a loner has its advantages in that regard and he became a time prodigy. He could own the toughest DDR and Guitar Hero songs like they were nothing and won a lot of competitions. After he began dating Avicile Mohaili she was able to break through his barrier and he began to be more social and even nice to people! He also opened his home a few nights a week to gaming parties which he became quite popular for.

Rodney changed slightly from my original vision as he evolved as a teen. He used to be quite gruff and had kind of a mouth on him. He was always yelling at his mom but she always responded back with love and kindness. He began to emit this strong aura of peace whenever he walked into a room once he broke from his shell and years later when Terabi entered my mind I immediately knew in my heart that Rodney was a Terabikai, hidden by his mask of angst. Now in college and beyond, Rodney is more social than he was before and doesn't mind the fact that people are drawn to him because of his aura.

Rodney's Simple Blade of Lovelight

Five Fun Facts
1. Rodney has an older brother named Joel.
2. Rodney is ripped underneath his baggy clothes!
3. Rodney marched tenor sax in college at UBT.
4. Rodney drives an old Toyotavan, my idealized car, lol
5. Rodney is a Terabikai!

From the Pen of Mera Visi {A Night in the Realm}

Translated from Keòen to Kevian by Lore Hieldin

One October the 14th, in the 41st year of the reign of Kalo Freloch [1161]

Today, as I sit in my house, my young son sleeping in the bed within my view, I recollect the events of the night past. Today was mostly uneventful. Iaso is feeling much better and I saw him in the Law Hall this morning with sweet young Aio sitting in his arms and Akèli—her tired eyes the only sign of the previous night’s struggles—sitting with her head on her husband’s shoulder. It’s times like these when I realize how close we come to losing Iaso and how grateful we are that he escapes from the clouded nightmares hidden in his mind to return to us with a smiling face.

I looked over at him sitting there with his wife and son and our eyes met. He put his hand to his heart and bowed his head as a symbol of his eternal gratitude for my efforts to help him. As I look at him, a fresh and deep cut glistening red on the left side of his cheek near his eye, his eyes sunken and vacant, his expression blank, I can’t help but wonder how many can see past his appearance and feel of his dominating aura of good. What he lacks in physical appearance he negates with his ingenious ideas, quick wit, and charming friendliness. He is a good man, one with a great talent oft overshadowed by his cursed and imperfect body. I cherish my deep friendship with such a wonderful soul.

Last night, after a trying and frustrating evening, I retired to my house in the late hours; long after the sun had set. In a mindset of frustration, my soul ached for my dear Iaso who was struggling yet again with the ailment that stole away much of his judgment and mind. He fell yet again into another nightmarish vision of spectacular thought and image and had been anticipating it all day long. My latest potion is no doubt working but cannot stop everything, much like the stopper to the pipe that supplies water to the greenhouse on campus cannot stop all of the water that rushes forth with all its might. The aura of this one was very dark and fearful indeed. As he tried to describe to us what he was seeing he couldn’t get the words out so he feverishly grabbed at a pen and tried to sketch some sort of representation of the nightmare unfolding in his mind. We all stood by, recording as much as we could of his state of being, some growing fearful and others standing stone-faced, conditioned to his bizarre display. I was so hoping it wouldn’t turn to the loss of control that seemed to come so often now and he seemed to be coming back to us but then his burdened body was forced to surrender to that greater ailment and with a cry he was thrown back, his entire being like a stone. We were too late to reach him and the side of his head once again brushed forcefully against the shelving against the wall, creating a fresh new wound to add to his scarred appearance.

Those not used to this frightful scene ran out of the room while others looked on, their mouths covered with their hands in horror, as those conditioned to Iaso’s ailment ran forth to protect him from his surroundings. Being near the door, I kicked the threshold in anger and frustration. I truly hate seeing my good friend being stolen by something so evasive to help. No longer does this horrific scene shock me; it only angers me and pushes me to do more to find a potion that will cure him. Patience is the only aura that can make this terrible scene bearable and just my presence is enough to invite the aura of comfort into the room. After what feels like an eternity, Iaso is finally and eerily still and he is taken out in the arms of Eolan to my house where we quietly lay him on the cot and work to bandage his bleeding temple. I skillfully and carefully apply a numbing ointment to the deep wound which instantly stops the bleeding and will take away a lot of the sting when he awakens. While he sleeps here we also bundle him in blankets to prepare him for the cart ride back to his house. With his wife walking at my side, everyone is solemn and blank; we look like a dark procession of death underneath the starry night as Iaso lies on the cart, not moving a muscle. We carefully lay him on his bed and Aio, just a year old, sleeps nearby, watched by his grandmother who eyes us with pity, a look of earnest well-wishing on her face. As we turn to leave, I hand Akèli a small bottle with a new potion I have made to have him try the next morning. She manages a small smile as we retire into the night and I return home unhappy.

As I prepare myself for sleep, I walk out into the moonlit night, my dearest Naidel sleeping peacefully; Jeffrey asleep on his bed, unaware of what has just taken place earlier in the medicinal room of our house, being conditioned to all manner of people from Aranel to Iaso and beyond to anyone needing aid and barely opening an eye to the commotion. My soul is rent with anguish and I need to talk to someone specific.

Looking into the twinkling stars in the cold October night, I close my eyes and slip into the Realm, an immediate wave of warmth and peace overcoming my tired and burdened body. Opening my eyes, I am greeted by the familiar blue-lit cobblestone floors that stretch out in every direction. The aura of this place is one of warmth and peace and I head straight for the Gatherer’s Hall.

Upon arriving, I am greeted by the familiar alley of tall buildings alive with souls of living Terabikai and of all souls past. I make my way down the lovely avenue towards the majestic castle upon which Terabi resides. Entering the palace gates I stop to admire the lovely gardens aglow in many colors; the familiar blue glow radiating from all around. I slowly ascend the marble steps to the tall doors and with a wave of my hand they slowly open, exposing a very long hallway with a massive, vaulted ceiling. Ornate statues line the walls, alternating with pillars, and square windows the size and shapes of various portraits line both walls. This is a place I have been before; it is called by us the Hall of Windows. Here, we can communicate to anyone in Osai’s Realm of Vision. This place is especially made good use of by those who have died who have promised loved ones that they will always be in their dreams. It is also the place for those departed, as well as living Terabikai, to give counsel or warnings to those they love. As I look around I see a number of people looking through one of the many windows, quietly conversing with an ethereal face on the other side of the glass.

I continue onward, down the Hall of Windows, until at last I reach the clear door made of bright blue power that leads to the throne room. All initiates visit this room in their youth as it is here where they are given their weapon of Lovelight and taught in the ways of its use. Today I am in pressing need to talk to a powerful friend, my master himself. I stand tall at these double doors, glowing and almost alive, and kneel, bowing my head and placing my right hand over my glowing heart. As I do so, I feel an aura of great warmth and love and the doors slowly open. As I walk through, there in the middle of the room is the man I seek. He stands tall, his long, black hair framing his Catin face. His dark eyes glow white with his mark and his white robes emit a blue glow that carries the aura of his soft smile far beyond his physical being. In his right hand he holds a tall staff made of the same blue Lovelight that composes all of our weapons used to fight the cursebearers of the Realm.

As I walk closer to him, he lowers his chin as a sign of compassion and humility. Stopping a few paces from him, I draw my blade and take my stance, as is the ritualistic greeting of Terabikai in the Realm. He pulls his staff from the ground and holds it in both hands releasing a small flash of light with which I block skillfully with my sword. With this, he smiles and says, in a clear voice, “Mera Visi!” and returns his staff to the glowing blue of his chest. I do the same with my blade and, my hands together, whisper, “Terabi…”

“What brings you to my Realm this night?” he asked me.
I couldn’t hold it back and as I stood, looking into his eyes glowing with perfect and eternal compassion, I told him everything that had transpired from early morning until the moment I could finally go to the Realm. The whole time, Terabi didn’t move a muscle, waiting for me to finish. When at last I concluded my thoughts he simply nodded and held out his hands. Nothing was more inviting and I meekly walked up to him, embracing him. As soon as our beings connected I felt an immense power greater than my own which gave me newfound strength and comfort instantly.

After that, I asked him what I could do in my eternal quest to find the right combination of herbs that could possibly help Iaso and so many out there like him. We talked for hours within the walls of his throne room as we discussed my findings so far and things I could try and do. The most welcome thing that he did was give me comfort and strength with renewed patience to face the terrible affliction that my dear friend was born with. He suggested an area in Ardin that I have not yet visited which was home to some unique flora I would likely find useful. As our much needed and appreciated meeting drew to a close, I thanked him again for his love and for choosing me to be his servant in the lands of Jadali who would help shine a clear light on the lives of the Terabikai. Thank you, Terabi, for everything.

I am thankful tonight is of a completely different mood. As I conclude this journal covering the past two days I am in awe at how fast things change and how much people strengthen through their trials. May life go on in celebration of all things—good and bad—that shape us. I bid thee Nos Wha [good night].

From my pen,
Mera Visi

The Osai and Terabi Forums

Since the introduction of the internet, there have been official international forums established to help quickly spread ideas, news, and questions among those of the Great Catin Gifts. Both are set up in the same format and style and were created by Ari Salo, who has enlisted the help of the ministry to maintain them.

Features
Both forums provide, above all else, a place for those possessing one of the two Great Catin Gifts to talk to each other. This is a great way for them to meet others with the same gift and to discuss happenings. It is also a place for those who are in the know, curious, or scholars of these gifts to discuss and receive news. Both forums have three levels of membership.

Three Levels of Membership
Level 1 of membership is restricted to those who possess either Osai Naori or Terabi Tana. Members can discuss in private threads not visible to anyone else and have full moderation capabilities.

Level 2 of membership is for siblings, parents, relatives, scholars, and experts on the Great Catin Gifts. Also included in this level are news reporters, government officials, those of the other gift (if they so choose), and those with the knowledge, capacity, worth, and desire to have high level discussions. Someone is appointed to level 2 by invitation after an interview by a level 1 member.

Level 3 of membership is open to all who want to learn more about the Great Catin Gifts and post questions, comments, and stories. Any news that is permissible to tell to the general population is visible to all members and many check often for anything noteworthy that they find interesting.

The Osai Forums
This forum is for those with Osai Naori and those interested in learning about the Gift of Osai. Its level 1 circle contains 26 members (two are too young to have an account thus far) and has quite an extensive base. The most common and obvious topic restricted to level 1 members is that of visions which are not to be shared openly until a further time, if at all. Since the level 1 is so small, it is fairly easy to get into an actual discussion with a Man of Osai and to learn about them firsthand. The most popular feature of the Osai Forums is the Genealogy Wall which traces every Osanokai on record back to the original 6. The official language of the Osai Forums is Catin, but plenty of posts are made in Kevian as well. As the forum is international, posts can be translated into every major language.

The Terabi Forums
More commonly known as the Teracor Forums, this is the place for those with Terabi Tana and those interested in learning about the Strength of Terabi. There are well over 500 members in the level 1 circle with an also quite extensive base. The most common topics restricted to level 1 members are Realm meetings and Realm happenings. Since Terabi Tana is more universal than Osai Naori, it is much bigger. The most popular feature of the Teracor Forums has proven to be the Terabi Sightings page which lists the firsthand and secondhand accounts of times Terabi has visited people on the earth (obviously verified by a moderator). The official languages of the Teracor Forums are Catin, Keòen, and Kevian with posts able to be translated into every major language.

Who is Lunfort?

Most of the things I write are things that are already set, or mostly set, in my mind. The things that aren't circulate inside my endless mind, waiting until another piece of the puzzle is written or discovered further down the line. Usually, my inspiration comes in a dream or through an experience and then things fall into place.

Right now I'm stuck on a big idea that seems, right now, to be floating in blackness, not really connecting to anything. In typical RCT fashion, I go about naming random peeps that I want to track throughout the park and I always write them down, conducting various experiments (usually to see how long guests of a certain energy level or ride preference "survive" inside a mature park). While at the time the names seem something of little interest, when I look back at them they suddenly take on greater form. This has happened with a guy that I randomly tagged who I named Daniel Lunfort.

I have certain go-to names for different situations and one random one in particular for RCT involves guests who are, fortunately or unfortunately, wearing a tan shirt and tan pants. Combined with the skin tone that every RCT peep has, this unfortunate choice of clothing makes the guess look.... naked. This was a special circumstance (though it's way more common in RCT2) and, for whatever reason, the go-to name for these special guests is Daniel. One walked into my park when I happened to be tagging people so he got a quick name and off he went.

A few days later, the name on paper stood out at me, loudly screaming that there was a story underneath that name. So far, the name Lunfort has become a crest of interest and I've used it twice already in other RCT parks. I made a park that had an extensive train system and named one of the tracks the Lunfort track, so I know there's one of those somewhere in Kiillaana. In another, I called the whole park County Lunfort in an effort to try and build a city, though it ended up veering off from my original vision so it hasn't shed too much light on it yet.

All I know right now about Lunfort is that it's a really strong crest somewhere in the Tensk-Kiishla region. Daniel Lunfort is a Terabikai and the more I thought about it the idea that this is a line of Terabikai took root. This would be very odd and interesting, as Terabi doesn't choose his men by family, and hardly any Terabikai is directly related to another. I don't really know any more than this right now so it will be fun to see what becomes of this in the upcoming times.

For now, here are some questions that will eventually be answered:

• What is so special about Daniel Lunfort? (He's listed as a cursethrower for his claim to fame)
• How closely related are the Terabikai in the Lunfort line? One per generation, one per 100 years? Straight line (grandfather, son) or indirect (uncles, cousins)?
• What has made their line so favored by Terabi?
• When did this start?
• Where does the Lunfort line originate?
• How big is this line? (It's pretty big)
• Do these men have any other special abilities that unify them?
• What is the Lunfort crest known for?
• Is their weapon the same?

Just some things to think about. It'll all fall into place soon!

Slade Burke

Probably one of the most well-known Terabikai behind Mera Visi, Slade Burke is definitely the Kiillaanian equivalent. His dark life set the stage for one of the most amazing secrets in Kiillra history and one of the best masks in the world. For someone with an aura so strong to convince the world he was on evil's side right up until the last possible moment is nothing short of incredible. For 37 long years, Slade Burke hid behind a mask of bitterness until his shining moment when he would finally reveal his true allegiance.

First draft sketch of Slade Burke

Childhood
Slade Burke was born on 4 August, 1321, in the Tevernid suburb of Farringway. Living next to the capital of Kiillaana, he was exposed to all of the political news as it happened and had an early knowledge of the methods of war. His whole young life was peppered with tragedies, including the deaths of several friends and close relatives due to sickness and battles that were starting to come about. When he was five years old, his brother and only sibling, Blaise Burke, was born (5 November, 1326). From an early age Blaise showed signs of the illness that plagued so many and was extremely hard to manage, leading to many dark times.

First draft sketch of Blaise Burke

The family tragedies continued with the death of Slade's mother, Adele Law, in 1329 leaving Slade motherless at the age of seven. By now Slade was darkened by death, afraid to invest in close relationships for fear of loss which would translate into a lifetime of seemingly cold and uncaring ways. The loss of Slade's father, Arthur Burke, in 1335, left Slade an orphan at the age of 13 and fully responsible for then 8-year-old Blaise. After this, Blaise and Slade lived alone, supported by the town. Many would stop by and bring meals or volunteer to watch Blaise so that Slade could go to school. They were left with a healthy sum of money that would continue to support the brothers for a few years. Their mean grandmother moved in with them for a few months but her own bad health forced her to leave and she died when Slade was 15.

Initiation
Apart from S. R. Sorela, who was initiated at 14, Slade is the oldest person to receive initiation as a Terabikai just a few months shy of his 14th birthday. Exactly four weeks after the death of his father, Slade was gently taken into the Realm where he was given his Blade of Lovelight and taught in the Realm's ways. He humbly questioned his ability as a Terabikai, given his rough nature, but Terabi smiled and explained that he chose him precisely because he had this angry aura about him. Slade had been chosen as a Terabikai because he was to fulfill a special mission, one that had never been given to a Terabikai before.

Terabi explained that Slade was to be a double agent. Osai and Terabi had long foreseen a great battle that would commence starting just north of Farringway involving three corrupted and powerful enemies that had used their Gift of Swaying to manipulate others to help ascend them to power. Slade's job was to pretend to be on the enemy's side- to the point of being hated by others and almost sending Kiillaana to destruction. However, when the time was right, he would find out the information he needed to defeat this enemy and redeem the area north of Tensk. He was to tell nobody of his Great Catin Gift and to keep it totally hidden.

Slade could do this easily as he had been doing it for most of his life. He didn't care what others thought of him and was very distant; the only person he was very close to was his brother. While he came off as hardened, dark, cold, blunt, and uncaring to almost everyone, his first request after his initiation was to see his parents. They were all reunited in the Realm and Slade would turn to them for advice time and time again, as he pretended to sleep, and was thus effectively raised into a good man by dead parents.

Armed with this information, he found it somewhat difficult at first to keep from melting into compassion but his set ways made it easy for him to hide behind a mask. The only person that knew of his deep secret was Blaise, who was also the only one who demanded Slade's company. Many didn't know they were related after they grew to adulthood and wondered why on earth of all people Blaise would always call for Slade to be at his side in times of distress. Of course, only Slade knew why- because he was a Terabikai after all and had the aura of comforting and peace.

Military School
Upon the death of his grandmother, Slade and Blaise moved south to the capital city of Tevernid. Slade enrolled himself in the military and was taught classes through Tevernid Royal University. Though Blaise could never be in the military due to his extreme medical issues, he was still encouraged to contribute and helped to design and implement decorations on armour, shields, and banners. While Slade learned and mastered the art of the sword (something he was naturally good at because he had a blade of Lovelight) many wonderfully kind people volunteered to watch Blaise and teach him as best they could. Slade would go through this program for 7 years, being silently admired by many and feared by most. He lived in a nice house away from the dormitories with his brother and would watch over him with all of his spare time.

History Career
Slade found that he was naturally talented and interested in History- so much so that he caught most of the teachers' attention. He excelled through the history courses faster than they could be taught and was approached by the headmaster of the Tevernid Secondary School and asked if he would be the new history professor. Slade agreed and began command of a lecture-classroom in September of 1344 at the age of just 22. He was again provided with a lovely, although dark, living quarters that was big enough to accommodate Blaise, who was by now about to turn 18. During the day, when Slade was busy lecturing, many wonderful people agreed to take Blaise out into the city to enjoy it and find inspiration for artwork.

Blaise Burke, portrayed as a young adult

Professor Burke was known for his strict and foreboding classes. Everyone had to take from him and although he was feared for being so cold, he was an excellent teacher and his students learned a lot. Having the power to know the true intents of his students helped as well and he was able to tailor each lecture to get through to everyone. Many people commented on his incredibly detailed knowledge of Terabi, of which he always spoke very highly. Everyone assumed that this was his field of study; nobody ever suspected that he could be a Man of Terabi. Even the fact that he spoke fluent Keòen didn't catch their attention. This was the way Slade wanted it and the way Terabi had intended it to be. Despite his mask of coldness, Slade was a good man and would often use the Realm to do random acts of kindness to students and staff, always anonymous, to brighten their day. Nobody figured out who was doing this but certainly nobody expected it to be Slade.

Slade Burke as a history teacher

Slade would go on teaching under this dark mask for almost 15 years until the spring of 1359 when he would leave along with most of the school to fight in the war that had been raging since 1354.

Terabi's War
Being cold and uncaring, Slade was able to put on another show that he was out to get gain. This helped get him deeply acquainted with the three leaders of the opposition that had grown so big. He pretended to be in their side, committing bad acts (that he would later sneak up and undo, if possible). He was one of the few people that weren't manipulated by the enemies' misuse of the Gift of Swaying, although he pretended that he was. They never suspected he was a Terabikai at all, too blinded by their own corruption.

Five years into the uprising and battles, it was time for Kiillaana to assemble and fight against this corruption and greed for power. By this point, many hated Slade, thinking he was on the enemy's side. While the Kiillaanian army assembled, Slade was nowhere to be found. His room would be deserted and nobody would see him for days. In reality he was in the Realm, getting special instructions of Terabi and was preparing for the day when he would be betrayed by the enemy and turn the tables for good.

The Mask Removed
(written in narrative form)
It was a cold night that night. Blaise was safe at Professor Rysco's house and the war in the city of Raanlen had commenced. While everyone thought that Professor Burke had fled once again to give aid to the enemy, he was in reality hiding in a very dark corner of the woods, Terabi standing right in front of him, and had just had an icy purple aura thrown at him. As the disc hit him in the chest, his whole body glowed brightly for a moment before sinking back to almost total darkness.

"This will protect you," Terabi whispered. "You know what you have to do now."

"I will bring you honor, Master," Slade whispered so softly that his lips barely moved.
He then turned on his heels and began walking towards a tower; he had arranged to meet with the chief enemy to discuss some information he had discovered about the military's strategy, information that would be deadly should the enemy learn about it. Terabi looked at him for a moment, fading into the background until he disappeared completely.

As Slade walked quickly, his stride quite large, his dark and sunken eyes wide with the fear that someone would see him (really he was worried about the death he would shortly endure), he thought over the recent events in his head. In fact, he could even begin to see his life flash before his eyes. It wasn't particularly happy- he could see his whole family dying and his brother twisted and screaming from the effects of the illness that wreaked havoc on his thin body. He silently made his way to a tower that was a stronghold of food and supplies for the enemy's army and walked around to the door hidden by trees.

However, he had been spotted by two of his former students who had broken away from the main army in order to pursue Slade and see if he really would leak valuable information to the enemies. Sorrell Montalo and Alain Arthur Knightsword were on his tail and managed to quietly creep into the room. Slade knew of their presence, of course, but realized that they were likely sent there because of Osai to create a diversion and knew that they would be ok- if he acted fast.

The two students watched through a small window as Slade passed four guards and went up a small flight of stairs where the corrupt and bend figure of the enemy leader was standing, the light in his eyes totally gone and replaced with stony greed. They exchanged greetings and as they talked, Slade and the two students could see the large sword that the enemy was holding- stroking its hilt even then. Finally, the topic turned to the war and Slade quietly and emotionlessly divulged everything that all those on the good side of this battle feared he would tell. Sorrell and Alain looked at each other with wide eyes, sick with shock that Slade would commit such a betrayal. They did not know what to do but knew that they couldn't move. They had no idea what would happen when they were found but were too shocked to care.

After he finished, the enemy smiled.
"Your move now," Slade said flatly, aware that these two students were watching and had no idea that he was a double agent, "Your move."

"All right, here's our little move..." cackled the enemy as he too divulged in great detail all of his plans for this battle. Sorrell and Alain felt even sicker as they literally saw their world collapse. Maybe death would be better than anything. Fearing the worst, they looked on, but the couple of events that happened next were completely unexpected.

"And," said the enemy, "now that I've told you all of that, it's time your little story ends. You've been a great help, Slade, but I just can't keep you around anymore. I've used you for what I needed and you're no use to me now."

With that, Slade's eyes grew wide with fear and although he said nothing, he bit his lower lip, knowing what would happen. As the enemy said this (and whether it was Slade's doing or the enemy nobody knows) the two of them backed into a corner, Slade defenseless. In a flash faster than light, the enemy turned and with a sickening crunch plunged his long sword into Slade's unarmoured sternum.

Sorrell and Alain were now even more sickened. Even though Slade had betrayed them they couldn't help but feel a serious blow when he was so unfairly and unjustly killed, all because the enemy had no more need of him! What treachery!

Slade's mouth opened as he attempted to yell but no sound came out. "This is the way the world goes now!" laughed the enemy as Slade fell, shaking, to his knees, still choking for air as life was sliced from him. He weakly lifted his head a bit and then with total calmness lifted his eyes until they met with the enemy's. After a half a second that seemed an eternity he spoke, clear as day, a smile coming to his face, "You're wrong!"

With that, he disappeared, leaving the enemy holding a bloodless sword to the wall. He knew the moment the enemy had spoken that the aura of protection would work and never doubted it; most of his fear was what it was going to feel like (it turned out to feel like a cold object in a powerful forcefield- no pain at all!). Sorrell and Alain let out an audible gasp! They could hardly believe their eyes! Slade was a Terabikai! He was on their side! However, that was as far as they got because their gasps were loud and easily audible to the still bewildered enemy who had only just begun to realize what had just happened.

"YOU! Intruders! How dare you enter this forbidden place!" the enemy screamed at them, his face red with fury, as he charged at them with his large sword raised high above his head, ready to slit both of their necks. They hadn't thought that part through and realized now that death would likely come. They backed in a corner, Sorrell covering Alain, as the enemy drew nearer. Sorrell figured that the enemy would have to kill him first and maybe Alain could escape somehow. Time seemed to slow down as the enemy sped closer, ready to strike at any second.

"DO YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENS TO INTRUDERS!" the enemy shouted, milliseconds away from striking. Suddenly, there was another loud cracking sound as a long, thin blade shot through the enemy's chest, hitting Sorrell fairly hard in the sternum enough to cut his skin but not enough to pierce through to his heart. As quickly as the enemy had shouted, he was now silent, his mouth still open as if to say something more as he would kill these two young students. Just like that, he fell over sideways, exposing the tall, thin, dark figure of Slade Burke, their professor, the man who had just "betrayed" them, the man who had just stuck his sword through the back of the enemy, all the way to the hilt, and had saved their lives. His eyes were glowing with the mark of Terabi and he was looking directly at them, his thin mouth in a straight line as always.

The two students were dumbfounded. "How did you-- When were you-- You're... GOOD?"

"No time to explain!" shouted Slade, "Kill the guards!" He threw his sword, one he had found in the storehouse, at Alain and removed the one from the enemy's hand and gave it to Sorrell. "I have the key to this storehouse now. This battle belongs to us!"

With that they all easily killed the four totally unsuspecting guards that were standing around the entrance, effectively claiming the storehouse for themselves. Mere hours later, the army leader of Kiillaana charged into the battle, Slade Burke riding ahead, to announce their victory. The first enemy had been destroyed and Slade's secret was finally going to be revealed.

Later Life
After Slade's victory over the enemy, he was quickly crowned a hero. Finally able to remove his mask and be known as a true Terabikai, he was forgiven by his people and crowned as a national hero, someone of the same caliber as Dragon Dodger and his four friends. He went on to fight in the other two great enemy battles, emerging victorious. After the war ended on 29 March, 1360, Slade returned to teaching, this time at Tevernid Royal University, where he was received with great admiration.

Slade, portrayed as a dark man.

Slade married a longtime friend, Leial Ried, in 1362. Though they were older parents (he was 40, she was 38), they had three children: Sloan, Sidonie, and Bryon. Blaise lived with Slade and his family until his death in 1388 (age 61). The whole family cared for him until his last breath and he was a treasured uncle to Slade’s three children.

Slade lived the remainder of his life in Tevernid and went back to the Realm at the age of 74 in 1396. Many of his descendants live in Tevernid today under the crests of Burke, Carrow, Corund, and Machey. He has left a lasting mark as being the Dark Terabikai or the Double Agent. Those two students became famous for their personal firsthand accounts of the moment that mast was removed and he was found to be an actual Terabikai.

Nathan in the Realm

It had grown very quiet in the house. Aslan and Nathan had carried Severin to his bed where he was now sleeping and were sitting on the couches in the living room, their faces weary as the heaviness of what had just transpired settled upon their minds. Neither of them spoke but rested their heads on their hands, their elbows on their legs. Moira was sitting in the armchair, her brow furrowed, a tear rolling down her cheek as she felt the years of pain and struggle show itself. However, it was also of relief as now two of her closest friends, one a Terabikai, understood and could now carry that burden with him.

A long time went by and Aslan excused himself and went downstairs. Suddenly Nathan stood and spoke to Moira.

“I need to know the name of the man who gave you that power,” he whispered quickly.

“How come?”

“I would like to visit with him in the Realm; get his thoughts. I also want to ask him something. Can you tell me about him?”

Moira sighed and then spoke flatly but with care in her voice.

“Severin… told us what had happened. About the cold feeling he had, I mean. We didn’t really know what had really happened so we thought it was one of those things that people hang onto and refuse to let go so it festers and infects them. We were all affected by what happened but none so badly as him. He almost immediately had a terrible aversion to fire, even the word would set him off. He refused to leave his room when the lanterns were lit or when dinner was being made. We had no idea at all that he was cursed...

"We said the word to him- shouted it at him. We made him say it. My parents wouldn’t leave until he said fire 5 times. They held torches towards him. Of course he screamed but we thought that he would soon get over it when he heard it enough, but he just got worse. One day, about a year later, our dad cornered him and held him down, screaming the word over and over again. He began to act as he did tonight, screaming a horrible tortured scream, and then we saw the mark in his eyes and immediately we stopped. We didn’t know what to do but realized right then that this was more than some bad experience. This was a curse. There was nothing Severin could do to stop it. Saying the word or seeing a flame only activated the curse embedded in his Teracor that day, calling the monster to his presence.

"My father, being a ship captain, knew of a man who was a double master of Astronomy and also a local Terabikai so right away we contacted him. He came to our house immediately, rushing into the Realm to stop the attack before it consumed him but it had been lodged even deeper into him. He returned after a long fight, bringing Severin back to us. He couldn’t remove the curse but confirmed our suddenly realized fears- that he did indeed have a curse through no fault of his own. He then disappeared and reappeared, turning to me and telling me I was a very good soul and that Terabi had given him permission to bestow upon me an aura that would keep the beast away when Severin was in my presence. He also placed an aura shield upon our house so that he would always feel safe there. The only place he can be in the presence of an open flame and not be thrown into the curse is our home. This is why Severin is always at my side.

"People may think it’s odd but they don’t understand what could happen should you or I leave him alone. It strikes the most at night, when he is the most vulnerable. His first year of college was very unsettling for him and he spent most of his time in two buildings. I was not there but somehow he managed to go the whole year without an open attack… Anyway, the very kind man who gave me that aura was an older man. He died at the end of 2008 so he’ll definitely be in the Realm. We were all there for his ceremony of leaving. The man which you seek is named Rupert Freloch.”

Nathan looked at Moira, his blue eyes glowing briefly with the mark of Terabi.

“Thank you, Moira. I shall speak with him when I return home,” he said gently, shaking her hand and turning to leave. "I shall see you tomorrow. Severin should be fully recovered by then."

Nathan arrived back at his apartment about half an hour later and quietly went to his room. He knew he would need to take his whole body with him and not just his spirit so he made sure nobody would disturb him and turned off his light. Looking around at the walls, covered with pictures of friends, family, and serene scenes of nature, he took a deep breath and fell backwards. He did not fear as he began to race closer to the ground, and as he was about to land on the white carpet he heard the familiar whooshing sound, falling right through the floor, not feeling anything except warm energy. He was now appearing to fall upwards, as if he had fallen forward but in reverse, and stopped just as his body was once again level.

He now found himself in the peace and serenity of the Realm, swirling blue energy surrounding him. Everything was perfectly in order, the soft, blue light twinkling as it illuminated the otherwise sunless and shadowed place. Beneath his feet, the neat cobblestone floor stretched endlessly in every direction, not entirely even as it expanded almost like water on the surface of a lake. A low resonance hummed, the pitch changing slightly up and down, exactly in time with the flickering of the low light. The Realm stretched infinitely for miles and miles, the cobblestones finally meeting with darkness at the horizon. Every so often a small set of pillars- meeting ports- stood tall, made of white stone. Far off in the distance Nathan could see the blue-tinted shapes of Terabikai walking from place to place slowly, some with no urgency while others glided along with a destination in mind. Out of the corner of his eye he saw someone appear, walk a few paces, and then disappear, knowing that they had just used the Realm to traverse.

Nathan stood for a moment, taking a deep breath as he marveled the simplicity yet power of the Realm that he was so privileged to enter in his own timing. He was no longer wearing the clothing he had on but was instead wearing long flowing black robes. His chest now glowed bright blue and this radiance illuminated his whole body. Turning his head slowly in either direction, he saw nobody nearby and held his hands over his heart. A moment later, a bright white and blue orb had appeared in the space. It grew larger as he slowly moved his hands apart and white light swirled around quickly in the center. Once it was no bigger than a large citrus fruit, he gingerly brought the sphere to his lips, closed his eyes, and whispered, as articulate as he could, “Rupert Freloch.”

The whisper echoed louder and louder and he threw the sphere gently into the air where it shot off a circular wave of blue light and then disappeared. Nathan watched as it disappeared, knowing what would shortly follow. A moment later the figure of a man standing tall appeared from the horizon and flew quickly towards him, trailing a tail of blue light. He came stiffly to a halt with a loud WHOOSH a few feet away from Nathan. Rupert Freloch looked as Jadali as they came: he had dark, wavy hair slightly less than shoulder length, large smiling eyes, a broad and square face, and a darker left eye. He was surprisingly muscular and stood about Nathan’s height and had a look of compassion on his face. He looked surprised that he had been summoned and, looking up at Nathan, drew his blade of Lovelight, a marvelous scimitar heavily ornamented asymmetrically with bites and flares, and assumed a stance of duel. Nathan responded to this normal ritualistic greeting by drawing his own weapon, a bow.

“Oh wow! You’re one of the rare ones with a bow!” exclaimed Rupert with a smile. Nathan pointed his bow upwards and fired an arrow straight up, catching the returning light nimbly on his fingertips before it jumped back into his bow. He returned his weapon to his chest and Rupert did the same.

“It’s not often that someone calls for me,” Rupert began, “in fact, you’re the first!” Nathan could see that Rupert was apparently not very famous as a Terabikai, probably overshadowed by the more widely-known Meiro Freloch that was present in Dr. Sorela’s young and cursed youth. “You obviously know my name, but who are you?”

“I am Nathan Surcaston of Sunway, but currently residing in Kennywood. Have you heard of it?”

Rupert looked slightly puzzled so Nathan swept his right arm out, causing a map of the world to form in the air next to him. He repeated the name of his hometown and pointed it out on the map. Rupert smiled and nodded.

“Wow, that’s really far away! Forgive me, for my sense of landlocked places escapes me. Who do I know who lives there?”

“Well he wasn’t born there but he moved there for school. I hope you find his name and the name of his sister familiar because they are why I’m here.”

“Hmm… who is it then?”

“Severin Lochgren. And his sister Moira.”

“Oh wow! Yes, Severin and his family… What’s he doing there?”

Nathan smiled and calmly went on, raising his eyebrows, hinting in his voice. “There’s an important Terabikai that resides in this area that you’re missing. Can you think of who that might be?”

Rupert thought for a minute before suddenly realizing who Nathan was talking about. His eyes widened as the excitement came upon him. “Oh yes, of course! How could I have forgotten! Our own Sorela is there! The man who has both gifts and who slew the greatest threat behind the false king!”

“Yes, that’s exactly right,” said Nathan, noticing that Rupert took a minute to remember things, “Can you think of what they might be doing so far away?”

This time Rupert had an answer as the details of his doings had finally come back to mind. “He thinks that Sorela can help him and protect him from his curse!”

“Yes, that’s right. You remember!”

“Ah yes, sorry about being slow to recall. You see, nobody ever talks to me here. Most people go to Meiro Freloch with questions. When I entered here for good I went right to the Realm of Spirits and only so rarely pop in Terabi’s Realm so I am not as sharp and up to date on these things as him. I just spend lots of time with my lovely wife and other members of my family and only come here when summoned, really. Come, let’s talk at the Gatherer’s Hall. Take my hand.”

With these last words he withdrew a small blue orb and held it out for Nathan to touch. “This will take us there quickly. I bet you’ve only seen this place a handful of times.”

Nathan put his left hand on the orb and was gently but quickly thrust with Rupert through the vast space of the Realm, coming lightly to a halt at the entrance of what appeared to be a long alleyway in front of a massive castle. Nathan knew this place from his initiation so many years ago but had never been to this part of it looking for people to talk to. Where there was usually a vast and endless open space, here stood several tall buildings, looking as if they had fallen through the earth to the Realm just as he had. He knew that this was the main city that enclosed and surrounded Terabi's throne where important meetings and initiations took place. There were people all around, both men and women, those that had died long ago as well as living Terabikai who were there as their bodies slept, having some alone time or talking with friends.

Nathan followed Rupert as he held out his arm, opening a wooden door without touching it. Like everything else in the Realm, all of the structures had a glowing blue appearance, illuminated not from lights but solely from this glow of energy. They both stepped in and Rupert undid the claps of his cloak. They had entered a sort of pub- quiet, solitary men sat alone, sipping figuratively on beverages composed of different auras and emotions while fingering through the pages of old books copied from the world into the spirit matter of the Realm. A bit ahead, a man was floating in the air reading and studying some written newspaper in a language Nathan could not read. A man and woman sat at a small table engaged in flirtatious conversation, a spot on their ring fingers both glowing the same color of white signifying their bond of marriage. In the corner, eight men- two Terabikai and six the souls of those who had died and were visiting from the Realm of Spirits- were playing cards, laughing and enjoying their time together. Finally Rupert led Nathan to an open table and they sat facing each other.

"What is this place?" Nathan asked, marveling at all of the people around him.

"Ah! This is the City of Terabi's Palace. Those who have died are permitted to come here if they so choose from one of the four doorways nearby. Of course Terabikai always come here too. This is where they talk to the dead. They can also go to the Hall of Windows where they can speak to the dead and contact those through Osai's Realm. You'll find lots of men and women here. Every book of record, journalism, story, and history is copied here, free for us to read. Whenever a work gets destroyed, it becomes more solidified here, where it rests forever. Every painting in here is one that was lost on earth. Lots of people prefer this Realm to the Realm of Spirits and are known as regulars. We're at the local pub where people can order drinks meant to give the feeling of their favorites back on the earth. It's also a very popular spot for conversing as you can see. So what is it you want to ask of me?”

"What I want to know is simple. I understand that it was you that used your powers of Aikada to know for certain that Severin had the curse. You gave a protecting aura to his sister and to his household. He is fine in both of our presence. All I ask is if there is a way to remove a curse completely."

Rupert's eyes grew wide as he heard this and excitement filled his face for a moment. He leaned over the table and in a low voice began to whisper.

"When Sorela killed the demon of highest power almost fifty years ago, he caused many things to happen. Sure, everyone knows that he completely obliterated it, being left with its dormant soul fragment in him, and freeing all from its grasp, but the one thing he did that is so overlooked, and in my eyes the greatest act of all, was he forged the ability for Terabikai to remove curses completely. It's rarely been done because a bond of pure friendship must be forged in order to have enough power to do it, but it has been done. You seek to relieve Severin from his fear of fire. It will take great study to master this high-level art but I am willing to teach you. Just be aware that it causes great physical harm, just like killing that demon has scarred Sorela's body and slipped a rock into his wheel, if you will. Is this what you want?"

Nathan, his wide eyes shining brightly with the mark, looked at Rupert and nodded. "Yes. I sense you have studied this skill and this is what has moved me to seek you out."

"Very well then! I shall meet you soon again! Fare thee well, Nathan Surcaston, your heart is pure and you are strong. Come here any time to talk with any of the dead and all of the Terabikai."

With those words, Rupert pulled another orb out of his chest, whispered into it, and was drawn into the orb which then dispersed. Nathan was very happy to hear these words and as he made his way back to his room on the earth he knew that he had just made a very good friend who would prove to be a wonderful teacher.

Severin's Secret

It was a rainy morning, the kind of rain known in Keòen as Ⱥmèo iach. Moira, Severin, and Aslan were by now very used to their trek towards campus and, upon recent discovery of the campus shuttle, began taking advantage of that free service to arrive at the music building even faster. Today they were extra grateful for the shuttle's existence as the chilly rain turned everything vibrant but damp. Umbrellas of all different personalities- colors and shapes, bloomed on the sidewalks along the street and could easily be seen deeper into campus between buildings.

As the bell signaled a stop inside the trolley, the three of them got out and began trudging along towards the music building a short distance away. Moira had brought an umbrella from home on the return trip and was now very grateful that she had as the three of them huddled tightly together underneath the tightly woven, waxed canvas fabric and wooden mechanisms. It was barely big enough for them but they managed to make it work as they approached their destination. Both Moira and Severin had on traveler's cloaks that sheltered their hair from the rain and Aslan had on the sweatshirt he could be known, without a doubt, to be wearing or carrying close to him.

"Hah, it's only 7:50!" Moira said as she gently shook the raindrops from her umbrella.

"Yeah, record timing! We totally intercepted that trolley!" replied Aslan, cheerfully. "I love this weather! Nothing like good ol Autumn rain; reminds me of back home."

"Oh right! You're from the jungle too!" Severin replied, realizing that he was almost as close to the Kiillaanian jungle as Aslan was. "It rains a lot like this in Jadali too, but mostly in the forests near the mountains."

"And Rengoll!" Moira added.

"Hah, yeah, and Rengoll..." Severin added, "It's always raining there!"

"Wait, where's Rengoll?" asked Aslan, as they entered the warmth and dryness of the music building.

"Montàlo," Moira and Severin said together.

"Oh duh, I knew that... I think..." Aslan muttered as he headed for the lockers to store his bassoon before heading upstairs, Severin by his side.

"You two go ahead, I've got something to do upstairs," said Moira. She had gotten a message from Nathan Surcaston the night before and was expecting him, knowing full well what he was going to talk to her about. As the figures of her flatmates disappeared from view she opened the door to the stairs and headed to the top floor, passing Carey in the stairwell.

"Ohai, Carey! What are you doing?" she said cheerfully.

"Oh, just heading for my reed-making class. Starts in 2 minutes!" he replied, full of energy and slightly out of breath from running around.

"Sounds like fun, you better hurry up!" she replied, smiling. She could tell that Carey loved this class and was picking up his enthusiasm, becoming suddenly more energetic. It was a lovely gift that Carey had and one that Moira loved.

"Haha, I love this class! All 6 of us + Dr. Sorela telling us stories for an hour = fun! Best hour ever!"

They climbed to the top floor together. He opened the door for her and they walked in together. With a wave Carey gleefully skipped away and disappeared down the dark hallway that led to Dr. Sorela's office, leaving Moira alone, heading for the lounge. She hadn't been there much but had heard loads of stories that were spoken, created, or retold there- mostly from Declan but also from the upperclassmen who had some classics. She made her way to the old, dusty couches and knew that Nathan was there waiting for her. She could feel his aura long before she saw him.

Sure enough he was sitting alone on a couch along the back wall, wearing a nice collared shirt and tie, a blue vested sweater over it. He was sitting tall, his wide eyes almost glowing, a soft smile on his face. His hands were folded neatly in his lap and he appeared motionless and almost ethereal. He turned his head when he heard her footsteps and once he saw it was her he quickly stood and glided his hand forward.

"Hello, Moira! I'm glad you got my message," Nathan said in a soft voice.

"Good morning, Nathan!" Moira replied, shaking his hand. "You know, you're more like Dr. Sorela than you think!"

Nathan smiled and looked at her, his big blue eyes masking the obvious scars that covered his face from his accident two years earlier. "Oh yes, we are much alike. We must have come from the same aural plane."

Moira knew that he wanted to talk to her alone and away from anyone who might hear and made her way to the couch in the corner, sitting down. Nathan joined her at the other side, still sitting totally upright, a feeling of serenity surrounding him.

"Do you know why you are here?" he asked, lowering his voice even more, his eyes locked with hers.

"Yes. You've sensed it. Dr. Sorela told us and so I assumed you'd know too. He knows that you know," Moira replied, a tone of seriousness in her voice. "I'll answer all you need to know."

Nathan turned his head slowly, looking at Moira out of the corner of his eyes. After a pause he spoke. "How does it present itself?"

"Fear," Moira answered, her expression not changing.

"...and the word too?" Nathan continued.

"Yes, and all the words possibly relating to it."

"How common is it?"

"It's recognized but uncommon."

"Am I in danger of saying it?" Nathan asked earnestly.

Moira took in a slow breath before she spoke. "Yes, but we all are, but with you here I think he'll be all right. You're drawn to stay by him and protect him, aren't you?"

"Yes. Terabi has told me to watch him so I know it's real. It's not an... insect... or reptile, is it?"

"No, it's not any sort of animal. I don't have his permission so I don't want to say in case someone hears us," Moira whispered, barely audible.

"That's fine. I respect his business and your loyalty," Nathan replied, his eyes filled with trust. Moira knew that it wouldn't be long before he, and Aslan, would discover that Severin was deeply cursed. The imminence of his curse coming out was looming ever closer, she could feel it.

"I just hope that when it comes out you'll be nearby and that nobody sees it. I've heard the word a few times but Severin wasn't around. Just know that Severin knows that you know that he's cursed, but he doesn't know if you know by which and what it is."

"Worry not. I know when to act and how. I have a feeling it won't be far from now."

They stood up to leave but before they headed for the stairs Moira stopped him.

"Nathan?" she asked.

"Yes?"

"Stay close to Severin today. The beast is coming. I can feel it in his countenance."

"Fear not, I will. I plan to spend the evening at your house. This premonition is so great that you and I can both feel it. Enjoy your day, Moira."

*****

Their worry that Severin's secret would be revealed came faster than they both thought.

The room was dark like usual. A complete opposite from the usually intense sunlight outside ("Hey, it's easier to see today since it's cloudy out!"), Severin and Aslan fumbled around, clumsily squeezing past the people getting out of the class before who were heading the opposite way in huge packs. Finally they found their way to where Nathan Surcaston was sitting, a backpack on one chair and a small book on the chair on the other side of him. He greeted them with a smile and scooted over so that Severin was now in the middle with Nathan to his left and Aslan to his right. They watched, their eyes getting used to the darkness, as the large auditorium room, the kind used for large class lectures, slowly filled up. People of every kind were milling in, climbing around others as they made their way to their seats. They could hear tiny snippets of conversations and smirked at a few of them ("Oh my GAWSH this yoga class is like... soooo awesomeeeee!") but otherwise remained quiet and still. Soon the room was mostly full and buzzing with hushed voices as they waited. Finally a door opened and their teacher, a tall man with a neat moustache and short, brown hair came strolling in.

"All right class. Today, we're going to talk about behavior modification therapy. I told you last time that we were going to watch a video so if you're afraid of spiders I would advise you to leave the room and have a friend take notes for you."

At this, several people snickered, and looked around waiting for someone to stand up. Nobody did so and after a couple more tense seconds the psychology professor continued on. In the darkness of the room none of them saw Severin begin chewing on his lip and wringing his hands, knowing that what they would watch was something very real and personal to him.

"We will be watching a video about someone with Arachnophobia who is learning to overcome that fear. The attempt of the researcher is to separate the anxiety from the object. If nobody has any questions we shall begin. It will take most of the hour."

The movie clip began. It was about a college-age girl who was deathly afraid of spiders in a completely irrational way. Her fear had no known roots, she explained, and she was willing to subject herself to major discomfort for the sake of information that could possibly be used to help others. The clip went on to show her getting hooked up to some machines that would read her blood pressure, heartrate, breathing, and temperature. Some of the class snickered, others looked bored, but the three best friends in the back of the room were watching with total attention, getting annoyed at all the texters and whispers of conversation going on around them.

The film was surprisingly intense, even for many who had appeared to be bored. It was as if the class could feel her aura of profound fear as she was very slowly confronted with a harmless spider. She was hysterical- panic, crying, hyperventilating at times. She looked absolutely miserable and it became hard for her to think, although despite all that she was able to narrate her feelings and thoughts rather well. Most of the room was now silent as they watched on as, near the end of it, she actually held the spider in her hand. A short followup signified the end of the film, with her a month later saying that her nightmares of spiders had gone down a lot and that she felt slightly better about the whole thing. She ended saying that it would take time to get over completely but after the first step it was much easier to do.

In the row in front of the three, a bored-looking boy was laughing to his friend, going on about how absurd phobias were and how they should be able to "just suck it up." Just then an angry voice interrupted him and he realized he should not have said that.

"You don't know what it's like! None of you! Nobody knows unless they have it. It's a very real thing and you better be grateful it's not affecting you!"

It was then that both Nathan and Aslan suddenly realized that Severin had been unusually quiet, and had now burst forth, vouching for this girl. The boy opened his mouth to say something but, after seeing the angry and serious look on Severin's face, knew that it was not highly advised so he simply yet truthfully said "I'm sorry" (Nathan, a Terabikai, confirmed he was being honest) and grew quiet, walking with his friends out the door. Aslan looked at Severin with a look of surprise, for he had never seen him defend someone other than his sister so fiercely.

"Severin... I noticed that you know an awful lot about the Realm. How do you know so much about uh... about phobias? You don't have one, do you?" he asked, lowering his voice so that only Nathan could hear them.

"I- ...I'll tell you later. It's a... long story..." Severin trailed off as we said these words, with a definite shakiness to his voice. "Just know that... well, I trust you guys."

With this, he sped off for his next class leaving Nathan and Aslan alone, heading the opposite way. Nathan turned a warm, caring eye towards Aslan and whispered in his ever so soft and Keoen-hinted voice,

"He felt her anxiety as much as I did, Aslan. I have a feeling he's about to tell us something that he's never told anyone before and it's important that we listen."

"Of course I will. I never knew that- someone so strong willed as him... would have a secret like that to try and hide..." Aslan's voice trailed off as he walked with wonder and slight guilt in his heart. What if I made fun of the thing that is his very fear? he thought. What could he possibly have been hinting at? What if it wasn't him who had this, but a relative?

Late that afternoon, after the late classes ended, Moira and Aslan returned to their rental home, followed soon after by Severin and Nathan. Severin was fumbling for the keys, deep in conversation with Nathan, having gone to the local tea house for hot chocolate on this cold and rainy day. They entered, drying off in the entryway, before joining Aslan and Moira on the couch, talking about their day.

Before long, but not in too big of a hurry (none had forgotten what Severin had said), the topic turned to psychology and what had happened in class. They (mostly Aslan) relayed everything to Moira, telling her about the movie clip that was played. Instead of looking confused or shocked, like Aslan expected, she kept stealing wide-eyed glances at her brother, as if expecting him to say something awful. Severin kept quiet and the color began to drain from his face. He nodded blankly as the story was retold. Nathan and Moira shared a look confirming what they had felt all day and both shared a reassuring look with Severin. Not forgetting his promise, Severin took a deep breath once the story had ended and opened his mouth to speak.

"I- ..." his once strong voice had suddenly gone weak. He opened his mouth to say something but he found it difficult to speak and so he closed it again. The three others were looking at him, Moira feeling a knot of dread at what would likely happen, Nathan looking as poised as ever, and Aslan slightly confused by everything.

"T-there's something I have to tell you," he began. They realized with a pang of horror that Severin had begun shaking, and sweat was forming on his face. He stood for a moment and it was clear that all color had gone from his face again and he sank back down, his legs shaking too much to support his weight. Moira got up and walked over to him, putting her hand on his arm, kneeling beside him.

"I'm right here Severin. You know you'll be safe with me here, and both of them as well. If you need me to talk for you just let me know." She spoke this in a very sweet and strong voice, and it took a moment for any of them to realize that she had said this in Keòen. It didn't matter, for all four of them spoke it, and Moira looked up at Severin, her eyes filled with compassion and encouragement.

"Yeah..." he replied, looking at his feet. "I trust them. I am going to tell them! Nathan's a Terabikai and would understand everything as it is, and Aslan has proved himself trustworthy."

Severin took a shaky breath and told Nathan and Aslan to sit on the opposite couch so he could face them. "I want you two to face me," he said, "and gather close. It will help."

Both of them, though Aslan more than Nathan, were a bit scared at how he was acting. They had never seen him like this before. They had seen him angry and certainly strong, but never reduced to such a feeble and anxious state. Nathan, of course, knew what he was about to say but Aslan really had no idea. Both of them felt and knew that he had something to hide; little subtle hints were dropped by Severin himself, but now they were going to hear just what that secret was.

"Draw that curtain behind you," he said, and Nathan sprang to his feet, blocking the small rays from outside with the beautiful butterfly tapestry that graced their large window. The room was now much darker, but this seemed to bring peace and comfort to Severin and Moira. Nathan returned to his seat and, moving the other couch closer, leaned in along with Aslan, their wide eyes glowing with trust, as they wondered what on earth he was going to tell them. They knew that it wasn't going to be easy and were prepared for anything that may happen.

"You must promise not to tell ANYONE of what I am about to say," Severin said, his voice slightly calmer now that Aslan and Nathan were so close. Moira had taken a seat right next to him, knowing that her presence brought him calm.

"We wouldn't dare," Aslan whispered. Nathan did not need to speak. By simply being a Man of Terabi he was bound to trust and would never dare mention a stray word. Severin knew this, and as he looked in Nathan's large blue eyes, he thought for a moment that he saw the defining mark glow briefly across them.

"What I am about to tell you is something that I have never told ANYONE. The only people that know are Moira and the rest of my family. I have gotten very good at hiding this and it's easily my weakest point. Watching that video today and as we've been studying this kind of thing has really set off this spot in my heart. Yes, I have a phobia. Mine is rational in its nature although it has gotten out of hand and has run away from me. I guess I should-"

His voice trailed off, as the realization of what he was about to do suddenly hit him. He tried desperately to stall his confession, to help his anxiety go down. He was quiet for a moment and nobody spoke. Then suddenly he began talking, a little too fast, and all at once.

"You know, this is kind of like jumping into a cold lake. If you hesitate at all you get more anxious and then you chicken out and it becomes unbearable. I just have to go right out and say it. I heard somewhere that by avoiding straight talking about it, it makes that fear unnecessarily worse..."

Once again he stopped, contemplating what to say first. Moira was looking up at him, his left arm in her hands, and she was rubbing it in a motherly sort of way. She was looking at him with a mix of worry and amazement now, as it was clearly evident that he had told nobody of this dark secret.

"I... I guess I'd b-better give a... back...ground..." by now he was shaking visibly. "You know... talk my way up to it...

"When I was five years old..."

At these words he made a sort of shuddering jump, as if he had said something awful. Beads of sweat were forming on his face more readily now and with a very shaky hand he wiped them on his sweatshirt. Breathing hard and fast he paused for a long time before speaking suddenly.

"I have the curse," he said quickly, eyes wide, "...the Curse of the Realm. The worst one out there since Sorela killed the next in line. I got it when I was five years old."

Nathan looked at him knowingly but this was all news to Aslan, who sat wide-eyed and silent.

"I- uh... we- we had this house along the coast you see... it was made of.... w-wood." The words gradually got faster until he was talking much too fast again. He began stuttering and his eyes grew wide again.

"...and it was owned b-by not just my mom but her brothers and sisters... I remember it like yesterday. It was small, but it had two floors. It was just... just a few of us. My aunt was there, and t-two of my older cousins... and Moira of course... We were downstairs on the ground floor and -"

His voice trailed off even more now and he looked like he was going to be sick. Moira looked at him and started rubbing his back, saying nothing. Finally, after collecting his wits, he continued, even more shakily than before.

"The word. I can't say it... But I must! I trust you... I'm going to say it... I have the protection of two of you and trust from all... We were p-playing outside... W-we were j-just h-having some f-fun... And then.... It j-just happened....."

At this it seemed that fear had gotten hold of him. He let out a scream and curled into a ball, shaking so badly it seemed like he would fall over. He was now crying out, as the memory of what had happened, one that he had suppressed for so long, was now fresh and in the air. Nathan and Aslan said nothing, but they both were feeling the immense aura that was present, even stronger than the girl in the video. Moira looked at him, ready to continue the story if he could not. Finally, Severin seemed to have found his wits once more and sat up, continuing his story.

"You don't have to say it if you think it will call the demon," Moira said, calmly.

"I can say it... I'm going to say it. Yes. Easy now... Then..... t-the house... there was a f-flash... it... it..... it c-caught... h-..... f-..... v-.... Oh Word, it c-caught F-F-FIRE!"

That last word that erupted from his mouth sounded like it didn't even come from him. It sounded so foreign that it was if someone inside him had said it. Upon saying this, hot tears of panic and nearly 15 years of suppressed anxiety had suddenly come out. Severin was now sprawled across the couch, his head in his hands, screaming and crying as if his whole body were on fire. He was digging at his face and it was Moira who gently took his hands away before he hurt himself.

He had done it. Tried only a handful of times, he actually named his own Unmentionable. Everyone in that room knew that he would only say that in front of people he truly trusted. He could barely even talk about it in front of his own family. As if a floodgate was open, crying uncontrollably, Severin began to howl out the rest of his story and many things after it. It became easier to tell the rest now that he had seemingly gotten the worst part over with.

"They became consumed! I was outside but they were in there! They perished! My aunt and two cousins gone! I watched as you-know-what engulfed that house and took it to the ground! We all were there and witnessed it! I stepped closer and was hit with a feeling of ice. I stepped closer though I was warned not to! It was caused by the beast who was after my aunt but it hit me instead! The cries! The anguish! It haunts my sleep! It haunts my days! It infects my mind and I can't stop hearing their cries or seeing people- everyone! Everyone engulfed in f-f-flames!!! I'm the toughest person anyone knows and I can't even say a four letter word!

"Nobody understands unless they witness it or have it themselves! It's a curse I would not wish on anybody but I know far more have it than let on! People think it's so easy to get rid of! They have no idea what desperate and great lengths they will go to... to dispel any mention of the word! They laugh when they hear people can't even mention certain words! They think it's some big joke! I've been carrying this burden for FIFTEEN YEARS! Don't tell ME it's a joke! This is REAL! I know because I LIVE WITH IT EVERY DAY OF MY LIFE! I may be good at hiding it but don't tell me it doesn't exist! I've tried to live with it but it takes so much more time than a day- a month- a year! I AM A CURSED MAN"

Suddenly, at the conclusion of these words, something happened that was not expected but prepared for anyway. Neither Nathan nor Moira thought that the demon would be daft enough to attack in both of their presence but they knew as soon as he hit the floor that they were wrong. Severin let out a tortured scream, his body jumping out suddenly, violently meeting the floor. His arms and legs flailing, his back arching, they could just make out the mark of the curse shining red in his eyes.

"HE'S GOT THE CURSE!" shouted Aslan in horror. "HE'S UNDER ATTACK!"

Nathan had already reacted and dove right at Severin's twisted body, moving faster than they had seen before. As he made contact with the floor he disappeared from view, leaving Moira and Aslan to look on with horrific awe as Nathan would demonstrate the power of a Terabikai 'most famous; the one they wish they never had to use but were grateful to possess.' All they could do were hold each other tightly and look away as bright light filled their living room.

"GET BACK, YOU UTTER FOOL!"

Severin, though barely able to control any part of his body, fully aware of where he was, could see the majestic figure of Nathan wielding a bow that glowed brightly blue. The curse imbedded in his chest stung him, pain and despair shooting in all directions, the nasty and twisted form of the demon that had captured him pinning him down.

"HOW DARE YOU TRY AND ATTACK HIM WHEN A TERABIKAI AND AN AURA OF PROTECTION ARE IN THE SAME ROOM!"

Nathan's normally timid voice was now loud as thunder, his eyes shining brightly, the mark of Terabi so visible in his large eyes that it seemed to cast its own light. He was poised, ready to fire an arrow of pure Lovelight straight at the demon.

"LEAVE HIM BE! RETURN TO YOUR FOUL WASTE OF FALSE DOMINION!"

He hissed and lunged forward, letting his arrow loose a second later. It pierced through the darkness of the Realm and as it hit the beast it shattered into lightning, spreading all over in small pathways along the beast's exterior, before collecting again, the mass of light flying back into Nathan's upheld bow. The beast, realizing that he could not cause more harm, let off a scream and retreated, leaving Severin in a diminished heap on the cobblestone floor.

He was totally exhausted mentally and physically collapsed in a shaking heap. Nathan approached Severin and silently placed his hand on his arm. On the other side, Moira and Aslan knew that the beast had left him because his screams were silenced and the mark of the curse no longer glowed in his eyes. They knew that Nathan was successful.

It was with a soft voice of deep love that Nathan spoke.

"Severin, what you have told us was very brave. We cannot possibly fully understand but we are honored that you trust us enough to help us carry your burden, and carry it we will. It is not a sign of weakness at all and I know that you know that. Our understanding has deepened and I can sense that some of that burden has been lifted off your heart. Your sister and I felt this coming but we did not expect that he would attack with both of us here."

Nathan stowed his bow of Lovelight back into his chest and with a final deep breath, closed his eyes and whispered Terabi's creed. Almost instantly, a feeling of warm peace came over Severin and he knew that Nathan had placed in him a calming aura. He felt immensely better at confessing his secret and knowing that he had two more people to help him carry this meant the world to him.

"A bow..." Severin whispered with awe before falling still. He was too exhausted to say more and watched with heavy eyes as Nathan knelt beside him and cradled him in his arms. They remained for a moment before Nathan whispered once more and fell back through the floor of Terabi's Realm, his body and Severin's soul appearing in the rental house once more. The horrors of that night were great and all of them were exhausted. Aslan and Nathan carried the barely-conscious body of Severin to his room where they laid him down in his bed. He promptly fell asleep and for the first time in his life slept soundly, too exhausted to let the bad thoughts of people and places on fire to further poison his soul. Even in as miserable a state as he was, he could hardly remember any days that he felt happier.