The Lost Boys(Kubashan Naidoo) When dreams collide with poems, when the words punch into reality. Formulas brought into a system with no pattern. A sense of belonging to a world that can neither accept your being. Your presence could alter a pattern, a destructive one. You would be a cure for a lethal virus out to destroy every existing thought. Is there such a being?

ORIGIN

The deep goes into distances uncalculated and lands back at one. There is no beginning or end. In this vast ocean of nothingness one stood, a mind with no pattern or trace of time. Billions of thoughts moving around like flames created to light up the deep. Every name facing each other, complementing each other. Time etched on every creative concept as the mind spoke. Out of the mind came forth four beings, everything foretold. These beings would enter the realm of time and space to protect the thoughts of the mind making sure that all thoughts return fulfilled and not corrupted which would ultimately create true peace. These four beings would inherit an unlimited source of power to fulfill their existence, they are known as the lost boys.

Every thousand years a lost boy is deployed into the world to protect a single thought that carries a string of words attached to it. Protecting the person until it is time to return to the mind with the thought completely fulfilled. They walk the earth as strangers with a cause, as Gods on a mission. A pattern has developed in the world, a pattern that threatens to make every thought from the mind defective. Total destruction waits unless a cure arrives. There it was, creation. Paths now exploded upon the earth becoming so populated forming a cloud above their heads making them forget their purpose. Mirrors remind them of nothing but emptiness.

KADRO

I am Pastelo, friend and confidant of a boy named Kadro. Kadro seemed to be just some ordinary sixteen year old boy, long curly dark brown hair that stopped just before his shoulders. His eyes a light brown that glowed yellow in the sun, he wore clothes that always looked like they were soaked in the dust of the earth. Gentle, quiet, always to himself, but when he spoke he commanded the attention of those he spoke to. Kadro and I are from a village that has isolated itself from the outside world to avoid corruption from technology or anything that would lead them to impurity. We are from the village called Qurakiah which has been removed from the map. We are small with a population of five hundred and fifty six people. All the ingredients for the word insignificant, but truly far from it. Kadro, a name destined for nothing people would have thought, would soon be on everybody’s lips.

It was two nights before the feast of terbanorah when Kadros voice could be heard screaming out for me. I awoke to find him by my window and I would never forget the look on his face. His eyes seemed darkened, almost as if he never slept for days, and when I looked into them all I saw was pain! "Pastelo! Pastelo!" He shouted. "What's wrong Kadro?" I replied. He just stared at me, almost as if he was lost, and then I ran out the door to him. "She passed me several times, but this time I looked at her and she smiled, she smiled Pastelo" Kadro said softly. "Who? Who are you talking about?" I asked him. And then he whispered her name,
"Ellafarhood". A huge grin made its way upon my face. "She is beautiful Kadro, but not in your league" I laughed. "No! She's dieing!" He screamed. Instantly the grin on my face vanished and I said, "dieing? What do you mean dieing?" Kadro’s head slowly bowed down, "she’s got a disease that will finally end in her death and there’s nothing anyone can do about it", Kadro replied. A disturbing silence entered the air. Kadro ran back to his home looking broken and I didn’t have a clue on how to console him.

The day of the feast had arrived and was grand as usual, mother waking up at three in the morning to make the food while dad went to the altar of eltardor to pray. The children ran in the streets singing the songs of terbanorah. Everybody was in a cheerful mood as the time of celebration had come, but Kadro was nowhere to be found. I searched everywhere only to find him at his home in his room seated on his bed. His back faced me while his head was bowed. I let myself in, "your mother says you won’t come out", I said. "I’ve been on the outskirts of Qurakiah many times, I found a cell phone, but an elder found me with it and he took it away", said Kadro. "Damn those elders, ha-ha, they always gotta take everything away", I replied. "Nah he was just doing what he thought was right, but the cell phone was not the only thing I found Pastelo". At that moment I looked over Kadro’s shoulder and I saw that he was holding a broken piece of a mirror, I could see the reflection of Kadro’s face. "A mirror, Kadro you know you can get into a whole lot of trouble if someone found out you have that", but Kadro seemed to ignore what I said. He looked at me and in a gentle voice he said, "who? Who am I? I see the reflection but I don’t see myself, it doesn’t tell me who I am. I can’t look inside, the mirror is empty. A fire is seen for what it is and so is a flowing stream of water, but I am hidden by an image given to all of us". "Kadro is this about Ellafarhood?" I asked. Kadro’s head turned quickly towards me and in a stern voice he said, "No Pastelo it’s about all of us!".


THE COMING OF RAHAM

Have I lost a friend? Did his heart crack from the smell of death? These questions lingered in my mind as I left Kadro’s home. The streets became silent and the children began to dream. I layed in my bed, eye’s wide open thinking about the awesome banner’s the woman made to honor the feast and a cold breeze swept into the house at that very moment. My mind instantly wandered back to Kadro. What was Kadro actually talking about? Suddenly a bright light emitted from the window and I shot up only to be welcomed by the ear hurting thunder. I noticed someone walking in the darkness of the street and at once I looked closer and I saw that it was Kadro himself.

Kadro walked slowly as it began to rain. His face lit up every time the lightning surged through the sky and when he looked up he saw something spectacular. There was not a cloud in sight and the stars were visible as the rain poured down from nothingness. When he looked toward the end of the street he saw there standing a person who was at least two meters tall covered in the shadow, outlined by the lights of the street. Kadro made his way toward the person. He noticed that the fall of the rain slowed down as he walked closer and closer until the rain seemed suspended in motion. Now he was just a few steps away, Kadro was now looking up for his head only reached the persons stomach. The person started to become smaller in height as his body shrunk until he was just slightly taller than Kadro. Kadro looked at him in amazement. In moments the lightning revealed the persons face and body. The person opened his mouth and in a rigid yet smooth scruffy voice he said "I AM RAHAM". His voice seemed to echo all over the village. "You, you’ve come for me haven’t you", said Kadro as he gazed upon Raham. "WHY SHOULD A HUMAN HAVE SUCH KNOWLEDGE", said Raham. "I am ready, let’s not waste any time", replied Kadro. "I DID NOT KNOW IT WAS POSSIBLE FOR A HUMAN TO BE AWARE OF THEIR REAL PURPOSE AND FORETOLD DESTINY, DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?" "Yes I do, the elders told us the great legend of the lost boys when I was just a little boy", replied Kadro. "THEN WE MUST LEAVE AT ONCE!"

I saw them leaving. I could hear my heart beat faster and I felt that if I did not run out to Kadro I was never going to see him again. Raham and Kadro walked pass the marked boundaries leaving Qurakiah and so I followed from a distance. My hood was on but it made no difference for I was already soaked in the rain. When I had entered the path called Felmore the rain instantly stopped. What in the world was happening? At this point nothing really made sense but my gut was telling me I was probing into something huge.


THE DREAM

Every droplet had a name, in the air they stood motionless. Every droplet reflected my face. The lightning exploded its glow through every droplet. Tiny blue rays shone into my face as my eyes reflected millions of sharp blue dots. My muscles ready to scream as if a yoke had been broken. Washed eyes now able to see further. Engulfed in darkness I ascend multiplying myself over and over. "AWAKEN!" Kadro’s eyes break open at the sound of Raham’s voice. "YOUR REST IS OVER, GET UP!" At once Kadro got up from the ground. Raham looked toward the sky, the sun started to arise from its hiding place. Shimmering glows of yellow swept over Raham’s face as he looked toward the dark orange sky. "I HAVE RECEIVED WORD, WE MUST JOURNEY TO THE MOUNTAIN CALLED CEDAR WHICH IS THREE DAYS AWAY". Raham and Kadro left the vicinity of Felmore and headed north toward the mount Cedar. While on their way Kadro stared at Raham, "how do you distinguish reality from a dream Raham?" Kadro asked. "DREAMS ARE WITHOUT TIME, AND REALITY IS BOUND BY TIME".


DAY 1

The journey had begun. Raham and Kadro walked into the valley of Lokshiren. "WHY DOES HE FOLLOW US?" "Who?" Asked Kadro. "LOOK FOR YOURSELF". Kadro then noticed me and called me forth. Most of my body was hid by a large rock. I walked out fearlessly yet really afraid. My palms were sweaty. I was quite comfortable behind that rock. I look toward Kadro and my eyes moved over to Raham and stayed fixed on him. Dressed in black, his muscles bulging forth as the wind left his clothes flowing, looking almost as if it were alive. I grabbed Kadro and with my head over his shoulder I still kept an eye on Raham. "Kadro, Kadro are you okay?" I whispered. Kadro stepped back and looked me in my eyes. "I’m okay Pastelo, remember the stories the elders told us when we were little boys? The lost boys whom existed from the beginning of time." "Yeah, but your mum is probably going crazy at this point, and what about my mother?" I replied. "They won’t understand now and neither will you, but it has to be this way for what was foretold must be fulfilled" said Kadro. Raham looked at me and my knees began to shake as I stepped backward. "Wait a minute, he’s a lost boy!" I shouted. "That’s impossible! It’s supposed to be just stories." "No Pastelo, this is as real as it gets" said Kadro. Scared and confused I questioned Kadro on what was happening and Raham intervened. "WE MUST BE ON OUR WAY NOW. TELL YOUR FRIEND TO GO HOME NOW FOR THIS MISSION IS DANGEROUS!" "I’m not going anywhere without Kadro, I’m not!" "He will come with us" said Kadro. "MY MISSION IS TO PROTECT YOU, I CANNOT GUARANTEE HIS SAFETY." "He stays" said Kadro. "VERY WELL, WE’VE GOT TO KEEP MOVING!"

Raham continued to walk into the valley which was densely populated with pine trees. Kadro and I followed from a few steps behind. "You really are stubborn, Pastelo" said Kadro with a smirk on his face. Well let's look at it, shall we, am I the one who just takes off mysteriously leaving everything behind? If I’m stubborn then you’re crazy" I replied.
"Everything will make complete sense to you very soon, I promise" said Kadro. The sun glittered through the trees as sudden gushes of wind swished by. Deeper we got into the valley and the further away from home I was. "Hungry?" Kadro asked. "I’m starving" I gasped. Kadro then pointed to a tree just about a stones throw away and said that the fruit on it is good. Twigs break under my feet as I walk toward the tree, my attention draws to the unusual amber red fruit. Tempting, I reach out to feel its surface when Raham screams out, NO! I turn to look back and in the distance I see Kadro in front of Raham. COME BACK AT ONCE! Raham commanded. I stood there with a confused look upon my face. Kadro looks up toward the trees and seems somewhat afraid. I carefully turn my head up toward the trees and there it was!

Upon a branch was a child, the child’s body seemed covered in black ink. She looked as if she were almost hovering upon that branch. A shiver ran up my spine as I stepped back. The child jumped off the branch and landed in front of me. My body became frozen. Suddenly Raham was beside me in an instant and he pushed me behind him. The child shrieked at the sight of Raham. "WHY ARE YOU HERE?" Raham asked sternly. The child looked at Raham with her pitch black eyes and in a little voice she said, "you protect for nothing, this world already belongs to us! We will hail the coming of the dark messiah and no more will we be afraid of extinction. Leave us while you can for destruction is imminent". "NO! RIGHT NOW IM GIVING YOU A CHANCE TO LEAVE IN ONE PIECE" Raham replied, as he lifted his right hand toward the child. The child jumped up back into the tree and then jumped onto another tree and did so until she was no more visible. Raham turned and looked at me and I then stared at the ground. "THE BEASTS ARE WAITING, WAITING TO DEVOUR, SO WE MUST ALWAYS BE ON OUR GUARD!" Oh this was too much to take in. I ran up to Kadro as we continued to press on through the valley. "Maybe it's time to head back home now" I said. "I know you're afraid, but Raham leads and protects us", Kadro replied. "I’ve never seen anything like that Kadro, this place gives me the creeps", I said. "Look, I see the end of Lokshiren", Kadro shouted.

We reached the end of the valley but we were just at the beginning of our journey. The sun began to escape us and the sky darkened before our eyes. Did I really know my best friend or was I just seeing another side of him? Just outside the valley we found an open space where Raham decided we rest until dawn. I couldn’t sleep that night, I layed on the dust wide awake. Raham just sat on the ground much further from Kadro and I with his legs folded looking up at the stars. Never had I seen so many stars, they looked as if I could almost touch them. Raham seemed to never rest at all, it was like he was waiting for something. Kadro woke up and walked over to Raham. "What was that child talking about?" Kadro asked. Raham turned his head toward Kadro and Replied, "THAT WAS NOT A CHILD, THAT WAS OF THE KIND KNOWN AS THE DEMONS. YOU SHOULD BE RESTING WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO TOMMOROW". "I’m not tired, tell me more please", Kadro whispered. Raham turned his head toward the stars once again. "BEFORE TIME AND SPACE THERE WAS FOUR OF US, THE FIRST OF OUR KIND WAS KNOWN AS SAREM. HIS MISSION WAS TO MAINTAIN PEACE AMONG THE TRIBES OF THE EARTH. HE FELL IN LOVE WITH A WOMAN OF THE TRIBE CALLED EDENDURE. WAR BROKE OUT, AS SAREM FAVOURED EDENDURE ABOVE ALL TRIBES, AND SAREM'S LOVE FELL VICTIM TO THE BATTLE AS SHE WAS MURDERED BY ANOTHER TRIBE. SAREM BEGAN AN ALL ON ASSAULT ON EVERY TRIBE TO SATISFY HIS ANGER. THE MIND SUMMONED HIM TO RETURN TO HIM BUT HE DISOBEYED. HE BROUGHT UPON CORRUPTION WHERE EVER HE WENT AND TRIED TO MAKE SURE NO LIVING BEING RETURNS TO THE MIND. THE SECOND OF MY KIND WAS SENT TO STOP HIM FROM COVERING THE EARTH IN DARKNESS. MICOR ENTERED THE EARTH AND DESTROYED HIM. SAREM'S BODY OF POWER SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. IT LANDED ON EVERY BEING WHICH NOW HOLDS THE HUMAN RACE IN BONDAGE AND BLINDNESS. NO PERSON CAN RETURN TO THE MIND UNLESS THIS CURSE OF SAREM'S DARK POWER IS FINALLY LIFTED. THERE ARE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE BORN WITHOUT THE CURSE OF SAREM UPON THEM LIKE YOURSELF KADRO." "But why Raham? why only certain people?" Kadro asked. "THAT I DO NOT KNOW, I SUPPOSE IT IS IN THE MIND’S GREAT PLAN TO SAVE THE HUMAN RACE FROM TOTAL DEATH. IF THEY DON’T RETURN TO THE MIND AT THE END, THEY WILL DIE." From a distance I could see Kadro’s face, he seemed deeply troubled. I didn’t know what to make of Raham’s story. Everything scared the hell out of me. "GO NOW KADRO, GET SOME REST. I KNOW YOU HAVE MANY QUESTIONS BUT IT CAN WAIT FOR TOMMOROW." Kadro left Raham to be alone but layed on the ground staring at the stars for quiet awhile before he fell asleep.


DAY 2

Kadro woke me up the next morning. "Come on Pastelo, otherwise you're gonna be left behind", Kadro laughed. I got up and as I was trying to gather myself I noticed Raham standing there with his eyes closed. The next thing I know Raham opens his eyes and walks forth. Kadro runs after Raham. "Raham it's ironic isn’t it?", said Kadro. "WHAT IS?" Raham asked. The fact that you're called a lost boy but you know exactly where you're going, you come into earth, into unfamiliar ground, a place you no nothing about, yet it seems as if you’ve been here before and you're not really lost at all", replied Kadro. "YOUR PEOPLE CALL US THE LOST BOYS BECAUSE WE DON’T BELONG TO THE EARTH. WE KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THIS PLACE." "Then how do you know exactly where to go?" Kadro asked. "WE DON’T, WE WAIT TO RECEIVE WORD FROM THE MIND, HE HIS THE ONE WHO ULTIMATELY GUIDES US." Kadro and Raham continue to walk forth and I follow them closely from behind. The grey clouds above move swiftly covering the sun. As everything takes on a new shade, so does my body with pains that came from lying on the hard ground for an entire night.

Mountainous terrain to the left of us and just over it the ground comes to an end leaving a huge gap that separates us from a land that is home to mount Cedar. "TOWARD THE END OF THIS PATH WE WILL FIND A BRIDGE TO CROSS OVER ONTO THE OTHER SIDE." "Why do we have to go to the mount Cedar Raham?" Kadro asked. "I THINK IT IS THE PLACE FROM WHICH YOU WOULD RETURN." "Return?" I shouted. "I knew it, you're an alien, Kadro, isn’t it." "Calm down Pastelo, an alien? You've got to be kidding me", Kadro replied. "Why Kadro? Why do you do this?" I asked. "Have you ever had anything that was so close to you that you couldn’t bare the thought of losing it?" Kadro asked. "Yes I have", in a quiet still voice I replied. "I am on the brink of losing something that I hold dear to my heart and I will stop at nothing to save it", said Kadro. "I don’t quiet understand what you mean", I replied. "I don’t expect you to understand now, but this Journey is not an easy one and I need you to focus Pastelo." I was afraid but I cared for Kadro and I didn’t want to let him down, he seemed to be putting his everything into this journey. So I agreed to keep focused on what lied ahead. I couldn’t believe I was walking along side a real life lost boy. These are things I heard about when I was just a little boy. I knew that I was now part of something bigger than I could imagine. The stories I heard about them were amazing and always talked about peace for all humans, but at this point I couldn’t quiet figure out what part my friend Kadro played in it.

Voices from a distance call out, coming from the other side. "What are you doing with the boy?" They screamed out. Kadro ran up the hill to see who they were but Raham warned him not to. When he could see the other side he noticed two men just standing there, they seemed quite ordinary. "Who are you?" Kadro asked. "COME DOWN AT ONCE!" Raham screamed out to Kadro. "We would love to come over and talk with you", said the elderly man, while the younger man stood there with a silly smile upon his face. Kadro looked at them as they gazed upon him. Raham quickly got to Kadro and as soon as they saw Raham they screamed out, "Give us the boy Raham!" "GO DOWN, NOW!" "Why Raham? What do they want?" Kadro asked. Raham pushes Kadro down. Rolling down as the dust rises, Kadro finally comes to an halt as he tries to get up from the ground. His body sways as he gets up, he lifts his head to look at Raham and all he could see is a silhouette of Raham upon the hill walking slowly looking onto the other side. The sun that peeped from behind the grey clouds shined brightly behind Raham. Raham continued to walk along side the edge as he fixed his eyes upon the men. This strange feeling began to run through my body, it felt almost as if my stomach was collapsing inside of me. It was the fear of the unknown that grabbed me. "Kadro are you okay?" I asked. He didn’t answer me and so I ran to him. When I had reached Kadro, Raham made his way down to us. "YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO TRUST ME KADRO." "I do, it's just that I was curious to know who they were", replied Kadro.

While Kadro was still speaking we heard a loud shriek, we all looked quickly toward the hill and we saw the young man spring up into the air coming over to us. This didn’t seem possible, he looked almost if he was flying. While still in the air his body started to get bigger and his skin color got absolutely pale. He plummeted into the ground on our side. I felt the earth tremble beneath me. Pieces of rock flew into the air. Once the dust cleared we could see his body transforming into something hideous. Dark black patches formed all over his huge deformed body until he was completely black, Horns broke forth from his head. My mouth was left open as I looked on with great terror. The arms of the man kept growing insanely huge. Raham stared at him valiantly and walked toward him. He got within a reaching distance of the man and suddenly the man swung his gargantuan arms into the air and then brought them swiftly down targeting Raham. My racing heart had nearly stopped when Raham caught both the hands of the man in a blink of an eye. Something was wrong, Raham seemed to struggle to keep hold of the hands. The man was using his unusual strength to overpower Raham. Pushing down upon Raham’s hands, Raham’s hands got lower and lower, almost in retreat. Kadro just watched from behind. In that moment when all hope had seemed lost Raham looked into the eyes of the man, his arms trembling. Right before my eyes Raham ripped out both the hands of the man. The man screamed out with a deep loud voice. All of this time it was Raham pulling down on the mans hands instead of the man pushing down. Raham flung one of the hands over the hill and used the other hand to smash into the mans face bringing him down to the ground. Kadro stared with amazement, he looked at me but didn’t say a word. Raham turned away from the man and began to walk toward us when the man began to get up from the ground. Raham stood still facing us as the man arose to his feet. To our surprise his hands began to grow back. The man growled at Raham. Raham turned around rapidly as the man rushed toward him. In a flash Raham drove both his fists into the large torso of the man and paused for a moment. Suddenly bright white light began to shoot out from within the man. A million rays broke out from every spot on his body until the man was completely incinerated by the powerful light that emitted forth from Raham’s hands. The explosion of light had completely destroyed the man.

Raham’s hands continued to glow with a white light for a short while. I fell to my knees and closed my eyes, "please let this be a dream" I murmured. I opened my right eye and I saw both Raham and Kadro standing there and just watching me. I quickly got up to my feet and walked over to them. "I’ve never seen a power of such magnitude before", I said. Raham turned and looked ahead. "What was he?" Kadro asked. There was an uncomfortable silence for a moment. "THAT WAS A DEMON!" "A demon, where do demons fall in all of this?" Kadro asked. THEY ARE OF THE ANCIENT TIMES, THEY ARE THE OFFSPRING OF SAREM." "What do they want Raham?" Kadro asked. "THEY ARE BEINGS WITHOUT ORDER OR CAUSE. THESE DEMONS BREATHE DESTRUCTION WHEREEVER THEY GO. THEY OPPOSE EVERY PLAN OF THE MIND AND BELIEVE THAT SAREM WILL COME BACK ONE DAY TO LEAD THEM." "So these demons are actually going against the mind by trying to stop us from continuing this mission", I said. "THE DEMONS ARE AFRAID AND WILL DO ANYTHING TO STOP ME FROM CARRYING OUT THIS MISSION, EVEN IF THEY HAVE TO FACE ME." "Wow! From what I’ve seen these demons are frightening." "I DID WARN YOU THAT THIS MISSION WOULD BE A DANGEROUS ONE. FOLLOW ME, THE BRIDGE IS AHEAD OF US."

Kadro and I walked side by side as Raham led us to the bridge. "Will you be able to do this?" Kadro asked in a quiet voice. "What do you mean Kadro?" I asked. "You and your history with bridges", Kadro replied. "That was a long time ago Kadro, things have surely changed", I said boldly. "Oh, then all is well", said Kadro with a smile upon his face. We had arrived at the bridge. Darkness came without a warning. A mysterious thick fog crept in as it devoured the bridge piece by piece. Unable to see the end of the bridge my mind wandered, what was on the other side? The decayed wooden pieces that the bridge was made out of looked as if ready to fall apart. I walked over to the side of the bridge and below it the depths of this huge crack in the earth could be seen. It felt like another world existed below. One wrong move would send me falling from such a great height to my death. There would be nothing to stop you from falling off the edge. Raham walks upon the bridge as the fog advances toward us. Kadro sets foot on the bridge, following Raham. I slowly walk to the bridge and feelings of doubt start to cloud my mind. Thoughts of death start to overwhelm me. I could feel my heart pounding within my chest. My body would not allow me to walk further as fear began to cripple me. Kadro had just then noticed that I had not set foot on the bridge. "Pastello!" Kadro called out. I did not answer him. "Are you okay?" Kadro asked. I began to breathe heavily. "I, I can’t do this", I murmured. Kadro got off the bridge and came to me while Raham waited for us. "What's wrong Pastello?" Kadro asked. "I can’t cross this bridge. I won’t make it" I replied. Kadro stared at me for a brisk moment and then he reminded me of Calim Oor, a ceremony by which the first born male child of every family, once come of age, would have to cross the famous old bridge of Qurakiah, which led to the well where they would fill up a clay pot with water and bring it back and this would serve as a symbol of them entering manhood. When my time had come I had pleaded with my father to let me be exempt from the ceremony for I was afraid of heights and the thought of crossing a bridge of a great height made me sick with fear. But my father, being a man who is highly respected in our village, felt if I did not go through with it, it would bring shame upon our family. I was left with no choice and the traditional walls had now closed in on me. Kadro, who stood by at a distance on the bumpy and muddy ground, realized what was going on inside of me. He ran over to me and he said that he would walk the bridge with me, but still I said I couldn’t do it. So he took a piece of cloth that he had over his shoulder and then he asked me if I trusted him, and I said yes I do, like the breath in me were being squeezed out. Suddenly before I could say another word he took the cloth and blindfolded me. "What are you doing?" I shouted. "If you can’t see what makes you afraid then there’s nothing to be afraid of" replied Kadro. He held my shoulders from behind and then he whispered in my ear saying ‘Now walk’. I stepped onto the bridge and at that exact moment I exhaled. "I’m with you" said Kadro. I continued to walk as he was with me every step of the way and the walls that were in my way came crumbling down. I had brought honor to my family with the help of Kadro. And so now at this present time, as I stood before another bridge that threatens my life, Kadro reassures me that he was with me then and is still with me now. "Just like old times", said Kadro, with a more than evident illumination upon his face. He looked to the sleeve of his golden brown garment, which was quite worn out, and tore it out. He placed it over my eyes and tied it gently but firm at the back of my head. "Okay then, when you're ready" whispered Kadro. With his hands upon my shoulders I stepped onto the bridge and it creaked the moment I did and so I gasped. "It’s okay Pastello, I won’t let you go", said Kadro. I stretched out my hands forth into the unknown as I walked slowly. Raham had disappeared into the thick fog. The beautiful hills that surrounded Qurakiah were envisioned in my mind and the dusty paths between the homes seemed to bring a warm feeling inside. "Almost there", murmured Kadro. The bridge began to sway, "what is happening?" I frantically shouted. "If fear be your master then you will fall under it, but if you be its master then it will fall under you", said Kadro with much authority in his voice. I grabbed his hand which was upon my right shoulder and then from within I mustered enough courage and furiously proclaimed "I am fears master and it will obey, now flee!" and continued to walk while the bridge swayed, finally stepping onto the other side.

A certain weight had been lifted off my body and yet again I conquered through the help of Kadro. There was hardly time to celebrate my victory as Kadro rushed toward Raham and so I followed. Raham looked ahead and so did Kadro. I wondered what they were looking at and when I got closer I noticed a man standing by an outrageously vast bush. Suddenly it hit me, I had recognized the man. He was the elderly man who stood by the demon that attempted to attack us, but now the question that lingered in my mind was, what is he? "If this place does not devour you then the fire demons of old will" said the elderly man. Raham looked around for a moment and then said, "are you going to let us by or am I going to have you destroyed in order to let us pass?" The elderly man had a sinister smile upon his face as he looked down to the ground beside him. The sand on the ground began to strangely move and then what seemed to be large black claws began to reach out from beneath the ground. Some sort of ghastly creature was making its way out onto the surface. It had many horns breaking out of its massive skull covered in some hideous black liquid that dripped everywhere. Once completely out into the open it roared, parts of its body seemed skeletal while other parts were fleshy and well formed. Its feet were enormous with two large claws at the front and two smaller claws at the back. "My word, it's disgusting" I said under my breath, obviously. Kadro turned his attention to Raham. "A MEMPHOHITE, A DEMON THAT CARRIES THE FIRE OF HELL IN ITS EMBODIMENT, AROUND FOR ONLY ONE REASON." Kadro, a little anxious asked, "What reason?" "SEARCH AND DESTROY" replied Raham. "Maybe we should turn the other way around", I said. The Memphohite tilted its head to the right, directly looking at Kadro. Kadro stared into its eyes as it began to glow a daunting red.

The Memphohite lowered itself by bending its knees and then it sprung up far above the ground into the air and then it seemed as if it were falling fast toward Kadro. I just stood there looking at the Memphohite rapidly making its way down to Kadro, not knowing what to do. Raham jumped up into the air at a supernatural speed colliding with the demon and instantly the demon exploded with what seemed to be a small fiery furnace. Out from the fire in the air Raham descended and landed safely onto the ground near Kadro. "IF THAT DEMON HAD LANDED ON YOU IT WOULD HAVE EXPLODED THE WAY YOU HAVE SEEN AND YOU WOULD HAVE DIED", Said Raham while still kneeling on the ground. "Thank you Raham, your abilities are truly something to marvel at, but we must continue this journey tomorrow", said Kadro. "The elderly man! He’s gone", I shouted. "LEAVE HIM, HE IS OF NO THREAT TO US. LOOK IN THE DISTANCE, I SEE MOUNT CEDAR. WE WILL SET UP CAMP FOR TONIGHT HERE AND GET SOME REST FOR TOMORROW WE HEAD DIRECTLY TO MOUNT CEDAR." "Very well", said Kadro. Raham, Kadro and I set up camp near the vast bush and rested for the night. Exhausted from the journey thus far, I laid on the ground and before I knew it I fell into a deep sleep. This journey so far is one that I cannot fully understand, but I follow Kadro for I know he leads me unto some truth that I haven’t discovered as yet.


DAY 3

Daybreak. The sun arrived with great force lighting up this wilderness set before us. The land was desolate. A strange calmness settled upon us as we walked on toward the huge mountain in the distance. The heat of the day was getting to us as we became weary. All of a sudden Kadro fell to the ground from walking under the scorching sun. "Water!" He exclaimed. I myself felt weak and drained out and fell to my knees next to Kadro. I looked at Raham and said "do something" in great anxiety. Raham looked at a rock nearby and placed his right hand on it and closed his eyes for a moment and then walked away. To my surprise water came gushing out of the rock. We all had a drink of water and were revived, and then we rested for awhile before we continued the journey.

The dust lifted off the ground. Were the curtains closing? Was this the end of the road? The forces of darkness were furious because of this journey and now home was slowly becoming just a memory. Kadro walked on courageously as the wind ran by swiftly. Never had I seen him so focused, his eyes fixed on mount cedar. Although the physical strain on his body from the journey was taking its toll he still persevered. He was on a mission and nothing could stop him. At the foot of the mountain Raham came to a halt. He looked up and said "WE HAVE ARRIVED" and then he closed his eyes and was still for a moment. "WE MUST GO TO THE VERY TOP OF THIS MOUNTAIN TO FULLY CARRY OUT THE MINDS COMMAND", said Raham after opening his eyes. So we began to make our way up the mountain through a rocky path. We got up very high and were upon a more level surface of the mountain where Kadro decided to have a small rest.

Entering into the hiding place, hidden by the showers of a nearly fulfilled destiny, Chaos blinded Kadros with strange calmness. Looking into Kadros eyes Raham searched for him. The billows of dust settle as the silent wind escapes, as if it knew about the coming disaster. Seconds run by and anxiety surrounds the heart of a hero. One, just one person can make a difference. One person that connects the rest of us. The impact causes serious damage and priceless items are taken away before the blink of an eye. The impact leaves families in despair and grown men suddenly become lost. Going nowhere slowly, empty bells bring no joy. Joy has left them, and now there’s nothing to look forward to. One had brought upon this suffering and only one can end it.

Kadro gets up to his feet and looks toward Qurakiah. I lay on the ground watching Kadro and Raham by his side. "Ellafarhood, I love her", said Kadro in a still voice. Raham looks at Kadro as gushes of wind swish by, causing Kadro’s hair to wave back and forth. "A dark cloud hovers above her, she is no more a well watered plant. She withers away rapidly and so death wants to snatch her", said Kadro to Raham. "ELLAFARHOOD COMES FROM THE LANGUAGE OF THE HEAVENLYS, I KNOW IT BECAUSE MY KIND SPEAKS IT, AND WE OFTEN USE THE WORD ELLAFARHOOD TO BEST DESCRIBE MANKIND." Kadro slowly looks toward Raham. "You are correct in saying this, peace comes to those who search for it and I must complete this journey to find peace for Ellafarhood", said Kadro. Raham looked toward the top of the mountain and began walking forth and so did Kadro in a rather militant way.

My body was aching, it felt as if my legs were about to give in. I struggled to keep up with them upon the rocky path up the mountain. It seemed as if it were taking forever to reach the top when suddenly Raham paused in his tracks. He looked down at the surface of the mountain and at that moment I noticed at a glimpse a few rocks moving vaguely. Kadro looked at me as I was confused about what I just saw. Raham continued to search the rocky facade with his eyes. There it was again to my left, a few rocks shifted speedily. "KEEP WALKING!" Ordered Raham and so we continued. Strange sounds emitted from beneath the mountain and faded off into the air. Suddenly a huge Memphohite emerged, breaking out from the loosely placed rocks and quickly ran toward Kadro, but in an instant Raham ran in front of Kadro to protect him and the Mephohite exploded upon Raham as the clouds of fire and ash swiveled around Kadro, not even touching a hair on his head. Raham was completely unharmed by the explosive fire of hell. I had lost my balance and fell to the ground, frantically trying to get up. Raham looked down as more rocks started to move out of place. "RUN KADRO! YOU MUST REACH THE TOP, I'LL HOLD THESE DEMONS OFF", shouted Raham. Kadro just stared at Raham. "GO NOW!" Exclaimed Raham.

Kadro turned around to run up the mountain, but paused and looked back at me struggling to get to him. With a gloomy look upon his face he turned around and began running, and just then as I looked around me, my fear encompassed me as I saw Memphohites in all directions rising from beneath the mountain. There it was before my eyes, hundreds of them with a dark mission to break forth and seep into the skin of a mortal with the wings of destiny that will hold all into place. Never had I felt this alone before. Why did he leave me to fall in a dark and deathly hallow? Hope had been snatched away from me and the sting of the deadly serpent called pain had reached the inner depths of my heart. From behind me a gruesome looking Memphohite broke out from the huge rocks and growled. I looked into its eyes as it jumped up coming toward me. This was it. I took my last breath and inhaled the smell of death. This was how my life had come to end as I was killed by the fire of Hell.


WHEN THE WORDS PUNCH INTO REALITY

The weight had now increased upon his shoulder. He looked up to the sky as dark clouds clashed together forming a covering above the mountain. The sweat upon his brow dripped down his face has he ran forcefully up the mountain. Raham began to destroy each Memphohite one by one as he furiously jumped upon them causing them to explode which catapulted him to the next Memphohite as the carnage of the Memphohites was blown out of proportion by the strange dark orange smoke that hovered over Mount Cedar as they were being destroyed.

Almost there, every step taken for Ellarfarhood. Only his breath walking before him, a frosty cold began to hold his body. Finally stepping into the courts of fate, reaching the top of the mountain. He fell to his knees fatigued from his plight. His hand quivered from the strain on his body. Raham emerged from the dark orange smoke and looked up to find Kadro at the top of the mountain. Kadro arose from being on his knees. Raham smiled and at that moment he saw a few rocks that surrounded Kadro move. In a frenzied scream Raham began running up to Kadro. Three very large Memphohites broke out from the rocks and jumped up toward Kadro. Raham took an insanely huge jump in an attempt to reach Kadro before they did. Strangely the Memphohites began to burst out into flames before they even touched Kadro engulfing him in a tornado of fire. Kadro’s eyes looks on as flames begin to scream out to him. Raham manages to reach the top of the mountain just before the walls of the fiery tornado close in and then he noticed he couldn’t move any further. Raham screamed out ‘YOU MUST RETURN TO THE MIND’ as he struggled to move he seemed to be held in the air by some sort of force. Kadro looked at Raham and said ‘Do not fight it Raham this is what you were supposed to do’. I CANNOT LET YOU GO UNTIL YOU RETURN TO THE MIND, exclaimed Raham. The fire illuminated Kadro’s face as he said ‘I am the mind’. Immediately Raham was pushed away and the fiery walls came closing in. Every droplet had a name, in the air they stood motionless. Every droplet reflected my face. The lightning exploded its glow through every droplet. Tiny blue rays shone into my face as my eyes reflected millions of sharp blue dots. My muscles ready to scream as if a yoke had been broken. Washed eyes now able to see further. Engulfed in darkness I ascend multiplying myself over and over.

The fiery tornado at the top of Mount Cedar lit up the sky, were as people from far as Qurakiah could notice the light up in the sky. The fiery tornado began to cave in and suddenly it went out with a huge explosion that shook the mountain and a wave of white light spread across the sky as far as the eye could see. Covered in dust Raham lays on the rocky terrain. He gets up and dusts his body, his eyes brimming with tears. What was this? A deep emotion stirred within a lost boy, was this real? Raham with a loud shout said WHY? WHY DID YOU ALLOW ME TO BRING YOU HERE TO DIE? He then fell to the ground and slammed both his hands into face of the mountain. It got really windy at that moment. Suddenly he arose and looked up in the sky and took off with great velocity somehow soaring into the sky. Afterwhile he seemed to have vanished.

Streams of light moving in every direction. No more uncertainty, peace surrounded me. Like the sound of many waters. A multitude of voices. Beauty as I have never seen. I no more felt alone. Suddenly I hear a voice that sounds like thunder, I recognize it as everything in me shouted Kadro. Everything made sense to me. He began to tell me that he was going to send me back but I must make an account of all the things I witnessed to show them the way of the mind and before I know it I was travelling at the speed of light re-entering the realm of time and space. I walk the earth once again. It was him from the beginning that had the power to release all of mankind from the grip of Darkness. Only his life could alter the destructive pattern that was leading all of us unto death and with his life he finally broke the curse of Sarem. Who knew that the mind himself was among us, he knew us and loved us and valued us more than his very own life. Now Kadros name will live forever, etched in my heart as I let everyone know that they are now free.

I am Pastello friend and confidant of Kadro the one who held my destiny in his hands all along, who taught me how to be stronger, who made me who I am, who set me free. Now to let you know that I have so much to tell you more than you could bare now for this was just the beginning.

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