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Chapter I

Worlds Apart

~

Like needle-sharp spears the majestic towers pierced the horizon. The air was fresh and the chirping of birds could be heard in the serene morning dew. Rays of sunlight brightly burned through the cathedrals multicolored windows, painting the stone-made interior with rainbow-like patterns. Yakiv stretched his broad shoulders with a deep breath, as if to take in the revitalizing morning in all its glory. The grounds before him were filled with carriages. And further away, a gargantuan red dragon, utilized to carry travelers from the further reaches of the kingdom. It was a rare sight for the tall equine who had left his life of adventuring behind him a long ago.

He could barely recall how he came to stand by the front gates, but one thing was for certain, love was in the air. It was as close to a tangible feeling as he'd ever been. From inside he was treated to a female voice, just as soft on the ears as against his body when she embraced Yakiv from behind. "Everyone seems to be here, let's step inside", were the words that Verena whispered as she led him in.

The heat of the sun bade its farewells as the cool shade welcomed him inside the building. He turned and rested his gaze on his wife, just as beautiful as the rainy day they had married. Today however had very different weather and events in store, smaller in size but just as significant. "Time to get his soul registered I guess", he said through a playful grin. As a consequence he took Verena's signature poke in the stomach.

"Don't describe it like that", were the only words he could make out through her goofy smile, he had grown to worship that laugh like a piece of art.

The priest, affluently clad with a funny arch-shaped hat on top, richly decorated with white and golden embroidery, made sure to intrude on them in the most careful manner possible. "Excuse me, if I may? Would you like to begin?" His name was Levant, a respected name by most in the area. He was an old moth, an old face perfectly shaped to scare little children, but with a hint of wisdom and devotion. In his aged but firm hands he held the proof of creating a life together, Yakiv and Verena's baby boy. The happy mare held out her arms and took the young one in her arms.

"It is indeed time to baptize the little guy." Yakiv nodded in unison with his love. They steered their steps up towards the front.

Suddenly, as if struck by lightning he almost stopped dead in his tracks, something unknown had entered his eyesight. Something resembling a bull stood on the deck in front of all the spectators. Like an arrow the horned figure cast its long shadow towards him. As he came closer it became evident that it was a metal statue of a minotaur.

He got in position in front of all friends, family and new family who had patiently waited for this moment. One after another they quieted down, realizing the ceremony was about to begin. The old moth scanned the room with all his senses, like a bitter teacher making sure everyone in class was paying attention before speaking. By his side, Yakiv felt his wife's arm entwine itself with his, smoothly touching his dark auburn fur. It helped his mind push aside any notion of the cold silence that currently filled the chamber.

"­My dear parish, we are gathered here today to witness the ceremony that brings our children into the loving embrace of the almighty and powerful", the moth exclaimed with a booming voice.

Yakiv couldn't help but admire his child who slept undisturbed in his sweetheart's other arm. Yet through some strange instinct his eyes wandered away, something seemed off. He observed the podium that Levant stood behind. Engraved into the old wooden material, there existed but one large symbol on it, one that Yakiv recognized as the insignia of an ancient myth. "The God of Flames".

A sense of dread came over him, clouding over his mind with uneasiness. He was barely able to finish his thoughts before a hissing noise made itself known. His ears twitched in pain, the sound originated from the iron bull, like steam from a smithy. No one besides him showed any signs of frustration, he wondered if it was just he who'd lost his senses for a moment. The priest approached the couple and picked up the child once again, giving them a kind bow before turning away. By invisible means, the bull slowly split open before them. A wall of hot air flushed out and forced Yakiv to turn and cough, the burning sensation slipping into his lungs was nearly unbearable.

"That's..." an indescribable feeling washed over him as he looked on. The insides of the bull had been set ablaze.

"We shall baptize the child," the insect-man proudly declared, "in the warm embrace of the fire god!"

Yakiv began to tremble. Everywhere he looked the world just offered him thoughts of doubt. "Is this how it's supposed to be?" he asked, his wife merely responded with the smile of an angel. The priest gracefully approached the burning iron maiden, holding the child out with his arms stretched out. Yakiv watched as the hungry flames came near enough to lick the calm and innocent face of his child.

"No!" Yakiv could barely think, his mind was on fire and he feared that his reasoning might just burn away along with it. He discarded those thoughts at the blink of an eye, everyone else could feign ignorance but something was terribly wrong. He grabbed ahold of Levant's wrist, leaving his son only a hair's width from the jaws of the iron maiden.

The insect-man looked at him in surprise, unable to free himself from the strong hand that now restricted him. "Please, would you allow me to bless the child?" His words were polite, but his tone was one of irritation, showing frustration over being obstructed in his duties. Yakiv snatched away his boy. The people of the cathedral were quickly thrown into confusion, noblemen and farmers alike, the whole mass stood up and approached him with angry questions. They all followed and encircled him like predators as he strode toward the gates.

As Yakiv pulled on the heavy handle he realized the doors were stuck. No amount of strength could ever open them. To no avail he started to pull and bang on the immovable obstacles. Panic had sunk its petrifying claws into Yakiv's very soul. Against his chest he could feel his second heart beating, he must protect it at all costs. He felt the burning iron bull stand behind him, like a demon lusting for the taste of flesh, growing ever stronger in its presence. He turned and stared down the mob as they closed in on him, and soon, all he could see was hands.

~

"No!" Yakiv shouted at the top of his lungs to the clear blue sky. The demons had been replaced with nature's flora, surrounding him from every direction. Above him was the wind-shelter he had built the night before. He could hear his own voice echo and it finally registered that it was all a nightmare, or rather an ill reminder, it was however the first time he had experienced the feeling of despair so strongly. He calmed his breath and cleaned off some sweat running down his strained forehead. He spaced out for a second, the bark-clad kings in their emerald crowns of leaves swayed in the breeze. It was however too silent, Yakiv pounced up on his hooves and scanned the area. He couldn't see anyone close by. "Janos!" The thick forest offered no response. "Can you hear me!? Janos! Answer me!" The continued silence created a gaping hole in his chest, slowly filling up with fear. He started to run with his stallion-like speed, scouting every corner of the area.

"Dad!" A shout filled with childlike enthusiasm broke through. Behind a small hill Janos stood up and ran over to Yakiv. It was if the father had been shot with pure relief. He fell on his knees and hugged his dear six-year-old as hard as possible, just to make sure he was really there.

"Thank the Gods. Don't you ever go too far away from me like that!"

"I-I didn't," Janos responded in a meek manner, "I only went over here." A slim finger pointed just around the bend, not too far at all.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to shout. I just... had a rough awakening."

Fortunately Janos mood shifted for the better in mere seconds. He tugged on his father, leading him up beyond the hill. "Come dad, you have to see! I found a ship!" He dragged him along,

Yakiv was tired, but not enough to be fooled that easily. "What are you talking about? Ships? Where?" He threw his arms out, nothing around them for miles except acre after acre of woodlands.

At the hills summit Janos galloped down to a big stump of a fallen tree, he stood on it and held out a twig like a sword. "Get out of the water dad, you'll get eaten by sea serpents!"

Yakiv catched on quick and pretended to drown in the sea of moss. "Oh no! Save me captain, get me on your boat!" He held out his hand and allowed Janos to pull him aboard.

They played for a while, showing bravado as they saved the tree-stump from pirate-attacks and other imaginary foes. Yakiv couldn't help but wish they could have lived like this back home.

Janos' fur had a shining yellow tint that stood in stark contrast to his father's darker shade. It was also clear who Janos got his energy from. Yakiv knew he got tired too quickly for his liking, but he would rather spend his energy on their journey than on games. After convincing the little one, they helped each other pack up their supplies into the trusty cart, and then kept on heading south-east.

"I wonder how mom's doing." Janos was always worried about her these days.

The image of Verena appeared in Yakiv's head. It felt like a life-time ago. The thought of her had lost its luster. Nothing more than an ill reminder, just like that dream. "I'm sure she's doing alright little rascal."

"How long till we get there? I don't wanna walk forever."

"Me neither. That's exactly why we're going there", Yakiv's expression clouded over. "When we get there, we never have to walk like this again."

"Why does it have to be there? Why can't we stay somewhere close?" Janos was at that age, absorbing knowledge like a sponge. It was a strain sometimes and required Yakiv to make up stuff that he had no idea about, but it definitely gave him new things to talk about every day.

"Because it's a place that accepts everyone, no matter who they are or who they used to be. It's a safe haven for all. I promise Janos, Hedona will be our last stop. Hedona will become our new home." The lost city was truly his last hope of escaping his past, Yakiv repeated these words in his mind for every heavy step along the way. Hedona was the one place that would prove safe for him and his son.