I looked at her in mild dismay as she stared deeply at me in shock. Her blue eyes glistened in the dark room, and her lips expanded apart. She raised her hands and covered her mouth, her eyes tearing up. She fell to her knees.
"Seer?!", she said, chocking on her tears. Her body shook violently.
I stared at her in profound dismay. I had no idea on what I had done, or what I was to do. I awkwardly moved my hands around, not sure if I was to console her. Touching her could worsen matters, I thought.
"I failed you!.... I.. fa..i..led. Youuuu!".
She vibrated like a struck rod, shaking profusely admist deafening tears.
"No. No, you didn't."
I didn't know what it was that had made her feel she had failed me.
"Yes! Yes, I did! It was my job to guide you, and instead, my incompetence led you straight to the enemy's paws!"
I stood still, my eyes widening in sudden apprehension. What did she mean by the enemy's paws? I looked at her, the frown deepening on my forehead.
"Wh..at? What. Do. You... Mean?"
She cried the more. Anger coursed through my veins as I watched in frustrating disgust, her relentless display of crying. She gave me no tangible response other than the sound of her tears.
"WHAT DID YOU MEAN?!"
The building shook violently like there had just been an earthquake. The walls rattled and the sound of birds scurrying away filled the afternoon air.
"I am sorry to have offended you, my Lord!", she screamed, bowing to the ground in utmost terror.
In my burst of anger, I had felt a tremendous flow of energy course through me. For a brief moment, I saw the world at my fingertips. I fell to the bed, the realization that I could have caused great havoc settling in on me.
"Egbami...", I whispered in a hush.
"Ejor, what just happened? Why did the building shake?"
The Elf Queen, whose eyes glistened with fear, looked up slowly at me. Her expression was one of surprise.
"You shook the foundation of the building in your anger, my Lord."
She spoke in a hushed tone, careful not to offend.
"How is that possible?", I asked, running my hands through my hair in horror.
Whatever power it was that I had, it was too much. I could hurt someone.
She smiled in understanding.
"You are the most powerful being to have ever walked on the surface of this world, my Lord. There is nothing impossible for you."
"How?... Why?... I did not ask for any of this."
"It is the destiny of my race to guide you on your path, my Lord... I am sorry we had failed to do so. I will not fail you again.", she said.
She rose to her feet, her head bowed deeply. Her aura seemed to hang on the thread of evolution.
"My Lord, if you permit me, I shall take you to the great kingdom of knowledge where the Elves had once lived...away from the claws of the witch."
Could she be referring to France-lyse? What did she know about France-lyse? And most importantly, what was this kingdom she spoke about?
I simply nodded my head, enjoying vaguely yet briefly, the feeling of authority that had now engulfed me. I had no idea what lay ahead, but whatever it was, it was surely not going to be boring.
"Thank you, my Lord!", she said in joyous exclamation.
"Please, my name is Tobi.", I said in an embarrassed tone.
With purpose in her eyes, she transformed her torn garments to a long flowing gown, adorned with flowers and pearls. Her hair lay elegantly, and her eyes shone brightly. She was indeed royalty.
"Lord Tobi, I am Queen Sylvia! Ruler and Guardian of the Kingdom of Knowledge! It is my greatest honour to serve you!"
I stood as she stretched out her hand towards me, her head bowed in respect. I held her hands, enjoying deeply, the gentle rush of bliss her aura brought. She pulled me to herself, engulfing me in her warm embrace. Her body tightly wrapped mine, swallowing up my essence.
I felt a gnaw in my belly. A presence approaching the building.
France-lyse.
The world went blank for a split second. And like the gushing shore, I was hit by an entirely different scenery. We were surrounded by grasses that had overgrown, trees intertwined with buildings, and nothingness. It appeared to be a jungle but I knew we were no longer in Senegal.
I looked at Sylvia, whose blue eyes teared up at the sight. I watched as she crumbled to ground, crying out her heart. I could feel the sorrow in her soul, the death and pain that had befallen her people.
"Forgive me, my Lord.", she said, wiping away her tears as she cleaned up herself. She stood, joining her palms together as if in prayer.
With her eyes lifted up to the Heavens, she chanted a few inaudible words. The clouds gathered, forming a storm without a downpour of rain. Just wind.
She sang with a voice like I have never heard before. It's texture was as silk, I could feel it rub against my ears. It's sharp notes pierced my soul as it's guttural low tones held my flesh apart.
The intertwined branches came alive, dancing back in slow, eerie rhythm as the wind hovered violently around us. The burnt down bricks restored their colour, rising erect as the grasses shrunk in size. Specs of light, like tiny dust, fluttered about, springing rapidly from the ground.
And with a whoosh, the land came to life. Trees and streams lay abundantly, with the influx of life blooming rapidly. I saw butterflies, and birds in the sky. The buildings stood erect, with people roaming the streets.
Sylvia fell to the ground.
"What? What's wrong with you? Are you feeling Ok?", I said as I rushed to her side, lifting her up gently.
She smiled weakly.
"My Lord. Thank you. I have restored my people because of you."
I had a feeling it was not all roses and bunnies. Something was gravely amiss.
"What really happened, Sylvia?"
She averted her eyes, hiding a sob.
"Sylvia.... What did you do?"
"It is my destiny."
Like the flash of lightning, I saw what she meant. She had restored the mystic home of the Elves together with the spirits of it's inhabitants- temporarily. It's longevity was tied to her life force....and she didn't have enough of that anymore. In order to prepare me for what was to come, she had to sacrifice her life to restore the Kingdom that contained all the knowledge in the world.
"Why was I able to see that?"
"You shall learn to master all your abilities, Lord Tobi. The knowledge contained in this kingdom has been restored.... It is my honour to die serving you, Seer."