Sanctum of Thyr Vael
Morning light shone across Krythmoor as Doya and I prepared to leave. I packed my things in silence, my thoughts tangled in fragments from the night before — the music, the laughter, the firelight... and the kiss.
The memory of it sent an unwelcome flutter through my chest. I had not seen Kumbuye that morning, and perhaps that was for the best. Doya had not spoken to me since dawn, and I blamed myself for it.
Stepping outside the hut, my bag slung over my shoulder and my sword secured at my side, I paused. Around the village, people practised their magic openly; hands glowing, symbols forming in the air, power moving freely through their bodies. Different abilities. Different strengths.
Here, in the Labyrinth, magic was alive and very normal.
On Earth, true power was rare. Only a select few were chosen — Gifted Children accepted into the Orialis Coven, trained carefully at the School of Witchery, yet still limited to basic channeling. Magic there was controlled and hidden.
But here, it thrived.
Not everyone possessed magic in the Labyrinth, of course, but everyone knew of it, and it was practised without fear.
"So great," I muttered bitterly, "to lose such an amazing ability in the one place where it's considered normal."
"Are you ready?"
Doya's voice pulled me back. My heart jumped. He finally spoke to me.
"Um… yeah," I replied. "I'm ready."
We had barely taken a few steps when a voice rang out behind us.
"Hey, wait up!"
I turned.
Kumbuye.
Doya stiffened beside me. I caught it from the corner of my eye.
"I'm coming with you," Kumbuye announced, jogging toward us with a bag slung over his shoulder and a spear in his hand — clearly his weapon of choice.
"What?!" I blurted, caught off guard.
"I could be useful," he said, that familiar smirk tugging at his lips. "And honestly, there's not much keeping me here."
"We don't need your help," Doya snapped.
Kumbuye's gaze slid to me. "I think Dana might."
I choked on my breath, and coughed out awkwardly.
What did he mean by that?
Before I could speak, Kumbuye added quietly, "I know you lost your powers. And I know you're the new Guardian. Let me help you. I'd be honoured."
My blood ran cold.
How did he know that? Did I say anything last night unknowingly?
"You didn't say anything last night," Kumbuye said, answering my unspoken thought. "You don't have to worry."
I stared at him.
Was he—
"That's not possible," I whispered.
"It kind of is," he replied.
"What?!"
Doya stepped forward, his posture turning rigid. "How do you know about her powers?"
Kumbuye lifted his hands in mock surrender. "Relax. You're practically vibrating with rage." He paused, as if choosing his words carefully. "I have the gift of mind-hearing. I hear thoughts as clearly as spoken words."
"That's forbidden!" Doya snapped.
Kumbuye's expression sobered. "Mind-thralling is forbidden. Not mind-hearing. I can hear thoughts, yes but I cannot control anyone."
Confusion churned inside me. On Earth, power did not work this way. Channelers shared similar abilities, some stronger than others, but this, this was something entirely different.
"What's mind-thralling?" I asked.
"It's rare," Doya answered grimly. "The ability to hear thoughts, speak into the mind, and bend another's will. To control them."
I swallowed hard, unease creeping up my spine. How much had Kumbuye heard?
"You can trust me, Dana," Kumbuye said gently.
I didn't like this. I didn't like my thoughts being exposed.
"I'm sorry," I said firmly. "You can't come with us."
I turned away, reaching for Doya, but Kumbuye's voice stopped us again.
"Please. Just give me a chance."
"We cannot trust someone with the power to manipulate minds," Doya said.
"I don't have that power," Kumbuye insisted. "I told you the truth."
I studied his face. There was sincerity there, no mockery or deception that I could see. And somehow, against my better judgement, I believed him.
I looked at Doya and silently begged him to reconsider.
After a long moment, he exhaled. "Fine. But we stay cautious."
Kumbuye's grin returned as he followed behind us.
We walked to the open ground where the dark, narrow passage was in view. We went into the passage, Doya mummered a spell that brought fire to his hands as a form of light. After a few minutes of walk in silence, we got to the deadend — the doorway back to the cliff's edge.
Kumbuye muttered the spell:
"Helka galia halium sekaras."
Immediately, the wall tore open, revealing the cliff's edge where we had first entered days ago.
We stepped into the open air. I rushed to Bali, tears stinging my eyes as she neighed softly at my touch.
"Bali..." I cried, reaching her and wrapping my arms around her sides. I hadn't realised how much I had missed her.
"How long will it take to get to your Temple?" I asked, turning to Doya as I untied the rope from the tree where I had left her.
"The Temple is in the East. It could take us a few days to get there," Doya replied.
We were deep in the South of the Labyrinth. Doya was injured, so he could not veil-walk us to his temple. This was going to be a long journey.
---
We had been on the road for days. Nights came and went, and still we had not reached Doya's temple. Along the way, we managed to get two horses for Doya and Kumbuye, though "get" was a generous word. We had stolen them.
The wound on Doya's stomach had still not healed. I suspected it had become infected. Kumbuye offered more than once to change the dressing, but Doya refused every time, insisting I do it instead. He did not like Kumbuye. He even warned him never to enter our minds. Kumbuye agreed easily, though none of us could ever be entirely sure.
Hunger became our companion. We survived on fruits and fish we caught, roasting them over the fire each night we made camp. Kumbuye proved skilled at hunting and helped us secure fresh meat whenever he could. He and I never spoke about the kiss. Perhaps, he thought it was a mistake. I, for one, believed it was a mistake that should have never happened.
At last, after a long and exhausting journey, the temple came into view. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. Finally.
The gates rose slowly before us. The guards recognized Doya and dipped their heads in greeting. He, in turn, gave them a single nod. We stepped inside the Temple and my eyes went wide. This was no ordinary Temple. I had expected a Temple in the truest sense, but what stood before me was something else entirely.
Stone buildings lined the streets, packed with people going about their day. Merchants called out from stalls full of fruit, cloth, and trinkets, and the smell of baked bread and spices filled the air. Children ran between the crowds, laughing, and carts rattled over the cobblestones. This place was beautiful and really busy. It seemed like a city.
At the heart of it all, rising above the rooftops, stood the Sanctum of Thyr Vael. Its walls were smooth and golden, I couldn't believe my eyes. Even from a distance, I could feel it. I was so drawn to that place. We moved through the crowd, my eyes fixed on the Sanctum. With every step closer, I longed to arrive there. It started to become familiar like I had been there before, until my mind finally caught up.
This was the place my dreams in the Labyrinth always led me to. This city. This Temple. This peace.
This was where I was loved. Where I was accepted. Where I had sought solace since I was ten, whenever my world made me feel condemned.
I glanced at Doya, and when our eyes met, he smiled, as if he already knew what this place meant to me.
Kumbuye was behind us, taking in the surroundings. The look on his face told me he was awestruck by this place too.
When we arrived at the Sanctum grounds, several people stepped forward to welcome us. They bowed their heads as we approached.
"Sacuum rael Koliasis," one of them said, bowing to me as I got down from my horse. I didn't understand the words but he said 'Koliasis', so I knew he was referring to me. I looked at Doya as he also Dismounted his horse.
"They greet and welcome you," he explained.
Unsure of how to respond, I simply nodded.
Reading my hesitation, Doya added, "You reply with Sacuum nolar."
I bowed slightly and repeated the phrase, "Sacuum nolar," letting the words fall from my lips as best I could.
They led us into the Sanctum grounds. The place was breathtaking just as I had seen it in my dreams. We entered a massive hall with a high ceiling above, and at the front sat seven golden, throne-like seats. The largest of them rested in the center, radiating authority and power.
"You will meet Ascend Kaelric. He has been awaiting your presence," one of the attendants said.
Doya turned to me, his expression serious. "Ascend Kaelric is one of the oldest Bound in this temple, a powerful sorcerer and a leader. He may have a solution for you."
Before long, an old man — really old — entered the room through a door near the thrones. He moved surprisingly well for a man his age and settled into the largest seat at the center. Then he spoke.
"Koliasis..." His voice carried through the hall. "I am honored to meet you."
As he spoke, two of the attendants who had welcomed us earlier brought a chair for me and quietly left the room.
"Please, sit, great Guardian," he continued.
I took my seat, while Doya and Kumbuye remained standing.
"Your presence has brought great joy to the temple. Tonight, we shall hold a feast in your honor. Please, feel free to move about the temple, we are your family," he concluded.
But I wasn't here to feast. I had only one goal: to reclaim my power. I spoke boldly.
"Thank you for having me, but I have a request."
"Please, go ahead," he said.
"My powers have been taken from me. I've lost the ability to channel, and I wish to get them back," I said firmly, without a stutter.
Ascend Kaelric's eyes flickered with confusion. "And how did this happen?"
I hesitated, searching for the best way to explain, then finally said, "Balshak... he took them from me."
At the mention of his name, Kaelric's expression changed, a mixture of anger and disbelief.
"This information stays within these walls. Only the likes of us will know. Understood?"
I blinked, I wasn't sure if he had a solution or was merely making a warning. The only thing I cared about was getting my power back. I felt almost like a fraud, the way they welcomed and treated me, but if keeping this secret would help restore me, then so be it.
"Understood," I blurted. Doya and Kumbuye nodded in agreement.
"Good. We feast tonight. On the morrow, we shall return to this matter. Freshen up; anything you need will be made available," he concluded, rising from the throne-like seat and walking out through the same door.
Almost immediately, the door behind us swung open, and the attendants of the Sanctum guided us to our rooms to prepare for the feast.