Chapter 3

Even there Your hand will guide me…

Muddy water kicked up from behind the heels of the horses as they dragged the wagon through the streets of Rabawithe. Sherwoode watched from one of the stalls, aware of every moment in the crowded roadway. She looked cautiously to the cloudy sky, afraid of anything that would wing its way into the busy market city.

"Do you think the blue or the purple looks better?" Liline broke Sherwoode's silence. She held a aquamarine shirt against a maroon shirt - trying to decide what to buy.

Sherwoode shrugged her shoulders, "It depends on what you wear it with. Anyway, I would chose something less bright. There aren't going to be any washers on Sherwoode Island and any stain would show up on either one of those."

She picked up a chartreuse shirt. "Something like this."

"Aren't you going to get that?"

Before Sherwoode could answer, a scream came up from the crowd. One by one people collapsed to the dirty road as if killed by some unseen hand. A single audible cry came from a young woman running for her life.

"The Evils! They've arrived!" Her voice cracked in panic - the invisible hand was close behind. Sherwoode ran across the clear market place, motioning for Liline to follow. They stopped next to a cart carrying bruised produce for distributation.

"What are we going to do?" Liline gasped, trying to calm her heart.

Sherwoode pushed a stray lock of hair away from her face, "We can't fight them."

"You fought the Darkness!"

"This is different - these evils feed off the Chaos they cause. All we can do it create a shield. That's the only thing that will work." Sherwoode took a deep breath. She had seen Raen make a shield millions of times. Yet, seeing something was always different than actually doing it.

"How do you make a shield?"

Sherwoode closed her eyes. Behind her mind she drew out images - images of peace and safety. Everything that Serenity stood for. The barrier would be within these mazes of memories and existences. It was up to her to find it.

The existences stood in front of her numbered and labeled - in lines. She looked to each one, one was of peace - the other of happiness. Many others stood for joy in life. What had Leowa said to Witha once? Sherwoode searched her memory for it. Something - something about the hidden order in the universe. The pattern behind every mistake and problem, the weaving of every right and goodness in the world. The plan was the missing link that made one turn to evil. Joy.

Sherwoode let the awakening run over her. Joy could protect them from Evil.

Away from the expanse of space, Liline huddled - very nervous - against the cart. The shrieking of the people in Rabawithe continued like a clock's chime - constant. Maybe the next time , Liline contemplated, the screamer would be her. Sherwoode sat meditatively beside her, not knowing of the dire circumstances. The Evil grew nearer, much nearer.

Amid the connection of Joy and Protection, Sherwoode felt confused. How could such an unsubstantial feeling become a stable shield? She saw -coming much closer to her than she liked - a void of emptiness. Evil emptiness - not filled with anything - yet filled. Sherwoode knew - no, she discerned - that the nothingness represented the Evil. It must be nearing them!

Sherwoode's mind buzzed, so confused, so confused. She cried out endlessly - knowing she couldn't - but that she must. Drawing out of recollection the emotion of Joy, she tried as hard as she could to remember the memory - to make it happen again. She tried incredibly, to feel Joy. Joy in the sun, Joy in the stars that gleamed every night, Joy in Friendship.

Liline sensed a field of something begin to grow around the both of them, seemingly harmonizing and peaceful. Waves of Joy washed over her, surprising the deepest sense in her psyche. Joy as she had never experienced before - full and meaningful. She knew joy in everything around her - the trees, the soil, the water, and even the puffy clouds in the sky. Songs flowed around her, complete in Joy and Happiness.

This was the true Joy of living.

Sherwoode grasped the Joy too. It wasn't a non concrete emotion - it was tangible and so existent. The Sun sang of Joy in Living. In joy of prayer and harmony.

The Evil came.

The Joy threw itself against the nothingness, filling it. The void -empty - achieved its occupancy. The Evil struggled against the Joy, trying not to perceive the harmony of it. Light and Harmony filled the world it sought to destroy - light so pure and beautiful. Light came against the Darkness - and the Light won.

*

Hours, if not days, passed for Sherwoode. She felt nothing, no Joy, no anger, no emotion whatsoever. There was, amazingly, a knowledge of inner harmony without feelings. A harmony so powerful , it left her in awe. Everything - she saw for the first time - worked together in the universe for good or evil. There was one outcome to be achieved, but many ways to achieve. Evil and good cooperated in this harmony, this harmony she wanted so much to be real.

"Wake up, Sherwoode." Liline spoke blandly. "Whatever it was is gone."

Sherwoode jolted out of the harmony and peace, blinked her eyes. They were still sitting behind the fruit cart in the market, Liline having a dazed look on her face.

"Everything - was so clear," Sherwoode whispered. "I knew everything, and yet nothing."

Liline shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know - there was alot of Joy there for a second. It was very strange."

"You weren't there...you couldn't understand," Sherwoode told her friend - startling Liline.

Liline looked aghast, "I can understand everything in the universe to be understood."

"Not this...it was different." Sherwoode replied. She picked herself off the dirty roadside, heading toward the Clothing Stall to get her shopping bag. Liline followed her, wishing to explain something she didn't know about.

"How was it different?"

"You can't explain it - there was more perceived than known, more sensed than acknowledged. Everything on the other side is so peaceful."

Liline wrinkled her nose, "What other side?"

"The other Realms. Not the one of Chaos, the one of Immortals. I believe I went there."

Liline shuffled through the shirts she had already bought. "How? That's impossible."

Sherwoode watched the sun in the sapphire sky, remembering the Joy she had felt in it. "No it wasn't."

*

The Dark One threw his sceptre across the Throne Room. "What do you mean it was destroyed? I created it! That's not possible."

His simple Darkened slave retrieved the scepter from the corners of the musty room. The Darkened slave handed the ruby edged staff back to his master with an answer, "They fought against the Darkness."

"No one can fight the darkness! It is powerful - omnipotent! Unless..." he turned the scepter over in his hands, letting the darkness shine on the golden staff. "Joy can conquer Evil...it is the hidden plan in the Universe."

"There was more Spirit-Force than Joy used, your benign highness."

"This, problem, angers me deeply. We shall postpone - until further notice - the attack on Napolo. If Serenians have found this hidden secret, than we must find something to over power it."

*

Sherwoode Island, nestled comfortably in the Golden Sea, usually appeared to be a irregular plate of shimmering green and aqua blue. With the storming coming, Sherwoode Island was obscured from normal view ; now a smudge on the deep prussian sea.

"Do you think we'll make it before the storm?" Liline conspicuously questioned one of the sailors. He shrugged his shoulders climbing up the mast to adjust the rigging on the small ship.

Sherwoode smiled, "Don't ask. In the Golden Sea anything could happen. We might be eaten by a sea monster for all I know."

Liline let the sea spray whip her dark hair around her face, rejoicing in the foreboding of the Sea. The tiny salty droplets of water decked the railing of the First Deck like pearls on a necklace - perfect. Sherwoode Island appeared to her, about two miles away. In this ship, it would take about half hour to reach the Island. That was enough time for anything to brew up and throw them off course.

For Sherwoode, everything was different. This was her home, her birthplace. Peace and calm radiated from the Island in the distance - a tranquility known only in the deepest tropical waters. She remembered everything, the cliff between two sections of Island, the rich fruit to be plucked from tree branches. For the first time in her life, she felt like she was going home.

*

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"So beautiful -" Liline gasped as they approached the sand bar of Sherwoode Island. The dark clouds had passed, leaving the island glowing in the pale morning light. Ivory sand glittered on the beaches. Along the shore, dolphins called out to one another. Being of the water, Liline strained to pick up their messages. They spoke, she deciphered, of the Chaos that had come. So, she thought, the Darkness even attacks a breathtaking island.

Only Sherwoode stood silent, gazing at what had been her home so many years ago. Her eyes crossed the shore, sadly - picking up memories of the sand, waves and tides.

The boards of the hull grated against the shell strewn sand bar. With a single command from the captain, a small oars boat plunged into the crystal water. He motioned to the four friends to climb over to the boat.

A oars cut through the azure waters, shooting off streams of translucent drops. Witha guided the boat carefully around the sand bar, skitting it over the cresting waves. All Sherwoode could do was to recollect her previous years on the island, Joy being completely hers.

The tranquil waters provided no challenge, and the boat grazed the sandy shore of the beach swiftly. A radiation of Joy and Happiness came from the island, leaving

Witha astounded. This was the only true paradise left in the World of Elric. Sherwoode smiled blissfully, and jumped out of the boat.

She ran up to the rainforest, kicking up sands behind her. A the brink of the emerald forest, Sherwoode sent a mind - pense to her rain forest friends. The pense swam in the space around the trees, reaching the mind of the Eldest Panther. He sniffed the air, pleased. The Child had returned.

"Well?" Liline asked impatiently. She scooped up a shell from the sand, turning it over. The pale pink gleamed under the golden sun light. "Now what?"

Sherwoode faced her friends, "We must wait. I sent a mind - pense to the Eldest Panther - he will soon come."

"An animal that can talk?" Witha laughed. "I've seen all." He chuckled to himself, sitting down on the burning sand.

Sherwoode crossed her arms defiantly. "He can't talk. The Eldest can only mind - pense. There."

Illiad frowned, "But then we won't be able to talk to him. That'll be great."

"Yeah, a best friend we can't even speak to. I'll feel left out." Witha sighed sarcastically.

"If you're not going to take the Eldest seriously..then leave!" Sherwoode snapped.

Sherwoode! That's no way to talk to a friend. Sherwoode spun around at the strong mind voice.

"Eldest!" Sherwoode cried out. She ran to hug the old panther, happily reunited with her only true family.

Witha looked strangely puzzled, "I heard that."

"Of course you did - I said it out loud."

Witha shook his head. "No...I heard the animal."

The Eldest's eyes brightened. Can you hear this, Earther? Our people are close in spirit...and blood - us being both of Mother Earth.

"See!" Witha yelled. "I heard that too!" He grabbed his head in both hands and ran from the beach.

Why does being of the spirit bother him? It is a gift given to few..

Sherwoode sighed, "He's spent his whole life staying away from Spirit- Force... now only to find he's connected to it."

The Eldest nodded knowingly, As many dislike the burden of a crown - he dislikes the bearing of Spirit-Force. Go talk with him, Child. Make him fear nothing.

*

Witha reposed on a flower studded boulder, gazing out over the endless sea. His mind fought with itself, nothing clear - everything obscured from common view. He tried to shake off the Spirit, but it wouldn't leave him.

Back farther up the shore, Sherwoode left after him. Liline and Illiad began to follow, but the Eldest drew himself between them and Sherwoode. His eyes spoke, even when his mouth could not. The deep soulful eyes told them that they would only make accepting the Spirit harder.

Sherwoode slowly approached the boulder Witha was leaning on, hesitant. "Witha?"

He turned, sharply, toward her. "What? Did that Eldest - guy send you here?"

"That doesn't matter.." she walked up to him. "Why did you leave?"

Witha glowered. "I will leave all in Spirit Force. I don't want anything to do with it."

Sherwoode blinked her eyes, not believing his words. "Then .." she said softly. "you will leave me too?"

Witha looked confused, "Never..that's different."

"And how is it?"

Witha looked at the expanse of water before him. He could explain anything - no.

"I don't know."

"How can you fear Spirit-Force when it is only used in good?"

"Anything," Witha spoke slowly and deliberately, "that can defy the laws of nature is bad."

"Nature is not defied in Spirit Force!" Sherwoode exclaimed. "It is only magnified!"

"Everything around us is in Spirit Force - that is how this world was created. Remember how everyone used to be able to use Universal Force? It is only the nature of this world to be in Spirit."

"Then.." Witha questioned. "Why can we not use Universal Force now?"

"The Spirit Force in this place has weakened. It is only the Spirit Force in us that magnifies it to its original power."

"So, you're saying, no one really needed the Spirit Force they possessed? Everything was just in the Earth?"

Sherwoode nodded. "It is not bad...you will be able to do stuff others cannot. You can already talk with the Eldest. Illiad and Liline can't. Isn' that nice?"

"Why would I care to talk to some old panther?"

Sherwoode grinned. "Let me put this another way. We can talk and no one can hear us."

"Let me try that.." Witha's eyes glittered mischievously. Sherwoode, can you hear me?

Yes.

Then, let me say this. I ...

"Sherwoode! Witha come on!" Liline shrieked madly. "Hurry or else I'll die!"

Sherwoode groaned. "What were you going to say?"

"Later." Witha started up the beach, an ominous feeling going with him.

*

They sat around a small feast table in the Panther den, eating fruit and honey the Panthers had collected. Small, sleek cubs frolicked in the darkness of the den - light only by the light of a firefly lamp. Sherwoode had caught the fireflies earlier, so that they might the den at dusk.

Why do you return? The Eldest asked. He licked up a spot of honey on the ground of the den and lay by the glowing light.

Sherwoode reached for a piece of orange as she spoke. "I want to know my heritage..who my parents were."

The Eldest smiled and slowly closed his eyes. They were wonderful beings. Your father - called Laetre- was ship-wrecked here..and we took him in. A Sorcerer, he was. He taught us all how to mind-pense.

As you may know, the Realms were fearful at this time. Wars between the High One and Chaos were prominent. Years before your father was ship-wrecked, Mother Earth and Father Sky had a daughter. They feared for her life in the Realms of the Immortals, being just a tiny infant. In the middle of a dark night, Mother Earth brought the child down here - to leave in our care. They kissed their daughter one last time and went back to Realms - giving us only her name. A beautiful name - Esteria, meaning Earth -Sky.

The Sorcerer and her fell in love. They were married by Spirit Force and Immortals. A year after you were born, Darkness came to this Island. Your parents hid you, hoping you would be safe. They were taken by the Darkness- never to see the Light again. Again, we raised an orphaned child. You stayed with us until you were about four.

Sherwoode, now enlightened, hated the darkness more then ever. It had taken her parents, leaving only her behind.

"So, Sherwoode- you're half Immortal and half Earther. A strange combination.. for a strange person." Illiad laughed. Witha had been translating to them to whole time.

Sherwoode glared at him, then looking at the Eldest, she asked, "It was Raen who named me after the Island..Sherwoode. And you called me Child. What did my parents name me?"

The Eldest's eyes softened, in recalling a beloved memory. They called you Iphigenia. After the Earth Goddess.

*

She was floating in the expanse of universe. Before her, memories of childhood swam - mazing together in a fabricated work. She tried to grasp them, singularly - one by one. The memories drew farther away, with hidden voices singing a song. She couldn't tell whether the song came from the memories - or from her mind.

We call

upon the Elements

on the fire with its burningness

the earth with its coldness

the air with its emptiness

the water with its infintiness

We ask

the Nature

the river with its swiftness

the sun with its warmingness

the trees with their greenness

the oceans with their joinedness

We use

the Spirit -Force

the gift with all its mystery

the power with all the might

the talent with all its force

the soul with all its mercy

All these

we put between ourselves

and the powers of Darkness.

From those words, there was peace. A sereneness filled the entirety of space - and reached toward the spinning globe of Elric. She felt drawn to the cold, unpredictable recesses of space - the corners in which the answer would be found.

*

"What are we going to do today?" Liline complained. She slumped down onto the ground brush, very uncontented. "We can't return to Serenity until the ship returns...and that isn't for another couple days."

"We'll do the obvious..explore." Witha informed her matter of factly. The island teemed with mysterious, untrodden paths just waiting to be discovered. And he was the one to discover them.

*

The lucid pond rippled slightly as Liline jumped over it. The three others followed close behind, walking around the pond. This tiny pool was hidden in the secludes of the forest, surrounded by tiny waterfalls and pure white tiger lilies. Small horseflies buzzed over the water, splashing into the tiny ripple pools she had made.

Only when Liline bent down to drink the cold water, she noticed the strangeness of it. The water wasn't clear at all...it wasn't even blue. A silvery film covered the pond, giving it a pale metallic veneer.

"Sherwoode..what's this?"

Sherwoode gazed down at the water, a look of enlightenment crossing her face. "Chaos pools." she whispered.

"Chaos whats?" Liline laughed.

Sherwoode raised an eyebrow at Liline's naiveness. "Chaos pools .. pools that trap Chaos. I guess, there isn't many books on them. Chaos isn't a very proper subject to study you know."

"Aren't these supposed to be vents into the world of Chaos?" Witha asked. He glanced down at the shimmering water, filled with horror.

Liline looked down closer to the pool. The water rymatically swayed in the wind. Chanting. It compelled her closer. The music of the water was eliciting, drawing her nearer to the source. She didn't seem to hear Sherwoode yelling at her not to look at the pool. The pool had her.

*

Liline fell through the pool of Chaos into darkness - screaming in terror. As the darkness cleared, she realized where she had fallen. The Realm of Chaos.

Buzzing from cloud to cloud in the underground Realm of Chaos, were messages of evil and destruction. They shrieked and swore, voices growing higher and more rapid. Liline covered her ears to shield from the raucous noise.

She became aware that she was kneeling on a damp ground, soggy to the touch - however rather stable. Trees, if you could call them trees, rose from the bog- knobby and withering. The sky glowed, dark and foreboding.

Not far beyond her eyesight towered a large fortress - iron and stone. The evil came directly from this castle, she perceived, an evil as frightful as the world she had stumbled on.

"Liline!" a voice called to her. She spun around to see Sherwoode, plunging from a shimmering porthole in the sky. "High One, you're al-right."

"Sherwoode, what are you doing here?" Liline questioned. "Did you come through the Chaos Pool?"

As Sherwoode landed beside Liline, she shook her head. "I never would. See, there's something about Chaos Pools...whenever you travel through the Darkness to get here, you lose a little bit of yourself to the Darkness - to Chaos. I came through a rip in the dimensional fabric."

Liline bit her lip so hard drops of crimson blood formed. "You mean..I'm of the Chaos now?"

Sherwoode shrugged her shoulders. "All humans are already half-Chaos. Its their nature. I just think that now instead of being four eighths Chaos, you're five eighths Chaos. I suppose it wouldn't make that much difference."

"Then why did you ask if I'm alright?"

"When you're more Chaos, its easier to be Taken. I just thought maybe someone or something was waiting for you - to take you. If they sensed you coming." Sherwoode spoke with a certainty. She looked toward the dark horizon, to the castle. "And if that's what I think it is, we're in big trouble."

Liline knew that if Sherwoode was worried, there was something wrong. "What do you think it is?"

"The Dark One's place,I guess, I'm not sure."

"Where else would he have it?"

Sherwoode frowned. "I don't know. We should be getting back.. The less time we spend here, the better."

"Wait! We're here! We're at the Castle of Darkness! We can save the whole world!" Liline cried exuberantly. "We could be heroes!" Thoughts of glory and fame filled Liline's mind. To be a hero in the eyes of Elric would be fathoms more than she had ever dreamed of.

"NO!" Sherwoode snapped. "We could get ourselves killed...we don't know how to fight the Darkness -yet at least. It's not the right time."

Liline groaned. "Then what now?"

Sherwoode pointed skyward. "Find another rip in the dimensional fabric, I suppose."

The two girls gazed skyward, and detected a removal of themselves from the Realm. Someone - or something - was drawing them out of the Realms. They fell strangely upside down, toward another gap in the dimension.

*

"We've had some visitors," the Dark One hissed. He pushed a small vine table over, spilling an oil lamp. The oil stained the rich, velvet of the rug - causing the Dark One to feel more anger. "Two girls."

His Shadow nodded, agreeing with the Master of Darkness. "An Elrician and a human. Very interesting."

"They are foiling my plans. Especially the Elrician. I have discovered something, my friend. The Elrician is one my closest enemies, half Immortal and half Earther - to races vowing to destroy me. But the Human - already more than half Chaos - could provide a sufficient trap."

"One of the oldest tricks in the book, sir."

"A different kind of trap, Laetre. A more, shall I say, evil one." The Dark One cackled, turning away from the Shadow.