Waking

Tygra and Talitha stood on the steps of Cats' Lair, and watched the asira'savi with wariness. The being had banished Dah'ri, the man who had entered their life unexpectedly. On this morning, it had insisted that the other Thunderans stay in the fortress until it had completed its work. The cooling winds had risen slightly giving the air an electricity that hinted at the power soon to manifest. The tigers had dressed identically in white linen robes to avoid distraction. Although their coverings and fur warmed them, their disquiet chilled them.

"For this to be a success, you must trust me," the glittering creature commanded, it's musical voice penetrating them.

Tygra's left hand tightened around Talitha's right. "We must, dear one," the white tigress whispered to her mate. "For the sake of our people, we must let go of all that we fear."

"I know," Tygra answered, unconvinced of his courage.

A strong gust of wind shook the trees beyond the plain. It sounded distressingly like a howl of pain. "Let's get this done," Tygra growled to the creature whose cryptic gaze unnerved him.

"Face each other. Lock your hands on each others arms. Lower the walls that separate you," the alien ordered.

"Draw your strength from me, dear one," Talitha said. "I will not fail you."

"Pray only that I do not fail you," Tygra said weakly, as he let his mind relax and open to the comfort of his mate.

The cold and the wind disappeared. Her dark blue eyes became his amber ones. Reality lost its edge. Life became an infinite possibility.

The intrusion began at his back. The asira'savi melted into his body. Tygra dug his claws Talitha's arms. Her gasp of pain threatened to undo their blending as he fought the unexpected manner in which the creature managed the merger.

*Release your fear, or we will not succeed!* Talitha cried with her mind.

*I cannot,* Tygra protested, the violation to his body making him shake.

*Send your fear to me.* The calm statement had not come from the asira'savi or Talitha.

*Dah'ri!* the tiger pair called in recognition.

*Spiral into me and you will be safe.*

They put Dah'ri in their thoughts with their unanswered questions. The world vanished, devoured by blackness. Suddenly, he appeared. The man, robed and illuminated with golden light, sat calmly floating in the void. His hands, palms open, rested on his crossed legs. Although his eyes were closed, they knew he sensed their presence. *Sit by me and wait.*

*Mumm-Ra!* they chimed.

*He is not a problem, for now. Trust me. That is why I left.*

*The city?*

*Rises. While you rest within me, the asira'savi can tap into your quiet mind. The city can take form.*

*I sense it not!* The angry flame had burned from Tygra. The colors of their radiant bodies switched to violet fury. Talitha gasped with his intensity.

*It cannot do what it must if you interfere!* Dah'ri snapped, also a victim of the tiger's hostility. *Not feeling is what it intended. It can pull the knowledge it needs from you without the barrier of your emotions. They must stay here in this safe place.* He extended his arms. *A circle.*

The three joined hands. A sigh of green soothed their union. *That is better. Rest. Clear yourselves of yourselves. Become one with the nothingness that contains everything.*

A streak of blue raced through them. *How long?* asked Tygra.

*Time has no meaning here,* Dah'ri answered. A flicker of yellow. He continued with amusement. *But since you insist, I can state that it will not be long.*

A ring of silver. *Good, let go of self,* Dah'ri praised and soothed.

Indigo trailed their forms. Their radiance began to fade into the eternal blackness and clear nothingness.

Suddenly rainbows returned. *Goodbye,* said Dah'ri.

The circle dissolved with the blackness. The reality of a late afternoon enveloped them. A ghostly, golden figure walked toward the west. Tygra broke free of Talitha. "Wait!" he cried.

"It is too late, dear one," Talitha murmured.

Tygra turned back to his mate. Tears streaked her face. "He is dead," Tygra croaked, the knowledge knotting his stomach.

"But he has left his mark on your city," the asira'savi remarked. "Search for it, and understand."

Talitha put her hand to her mouth in surprise. Tygra followed her eyes. What lay before them was truly a king's city, just as he had imagined it. The mystic temple to the east would surely match its beauty.

"We will send your people swiftly to their new home. Prepare. Farewell, tiger lord," the asira'savi said with a finality that suggested that this time its departure was permanent.

Fatigue. The architect locked eyes with his mate, and saw the same exhaustion there, but he pointed to the east. "We have time. Let us find Dah'ri before it grows dark," Tygra said somberly.

*****

With dusk rapidly approaching, the three Thunderans finally found the man at a place between the cottage of the starborn and the River. The architect knelt beside the fallen stranger. He held the man's hand. He had expected the cold, stiff, flesh of the dead. What troubled him was the appearance of the corpse. Dah'ri's blonde hair had turned white. His body had lost mass, and fine lines creased his pale, bluish skin. He had transformed from a man of middle seasons to one who had become old.

"What in the names of all the saints of Thundera happened here!" Panthro muttered, scouring the site for clues.

"Mumm-Ra," Talitha stated. "Mark the trails of ichor. Here, and here." The mystic pointed to a scrap of fabric and bandage, and warned Panthro away with her hands. "Don't touch them. It is probably imbued with disease. We must burn them."

"Beloved, are you suggesting that Dah'ri destroyed Mumm-Ra?" Tygra asked with incredulity.

"Possibly," she assented. "He certainly wounded him. That is why we now have a city."

Panthro whistled softly. "Damn."

"This man deserves a hero's funeral," Talitha remarked. "He gave his life for the sake of our people."

"That will be done without question," Tygra said sadly as he stood. He gestured for his companions. "Talitha, gather water from the River in the vessel we brought. Panthro and I will set lanterns. Then he and I will bathe Dah'ri before we shroud him in linen."

The mystic who had listened to him intently suddenly averted her eyes. "That may be unnecessary dear one. Look behind you."

The dead man vanished in a haze of silver light as night fell.

*****

"A memorial to Dah'ri within the city would show the proper respect," Tygra declared.

From the council room Lion-o looked out upon the darkness and the shadowed city. "It seems fitting," he replied.

"Mumm-Ra could not generate such a pure light," Talitha added. "It was Irri'in that called him to the mountain, and He most likely took him when he had accomplished his task."

"Have we truly seen the last of this man?" Panthro asked.

"Only the gods may know," Tygra answered.

"Well, he must have damaged Mumm-Ra. Hopefully we will have some peace for awhile. I'll take the Thundertank and check his pyramid tomorrow. If its evil glow has dimmed, that will be a good sign."

"What of Dah'ri's mark upon the city?" Talitha mused.

Tygra sighed with weariness. "That puzzle too can wait until morning."