Spirits of Alaruk

Chapter 7: Nakuka

The Temple of Nakuka's interior yawned before Treke as she set foot inside its walls. Rows of sconces illuminated the sandstone brick hallways, revealing several woven tapestries that decorated the walls with depictions of fuglan spirits. Red, brown, and yellow dyed threads were intricately woven together to depict their serpentine forms. As a fuglan who was skilled in the craft of weaving, Treke admired the craftsmanship.

“Klaiune, do you suppose these are ancestral spirits?”

“It appears so. This temple honors Nakuka, but I would not doubt it houses the shrines of many other ancestral spirits.”

Treke could not imagine how the fuglans of Hulerin could construct such a massive structure, but it was apparent how important the ancestral spirit Nakuka was to the Naku clan to have such an extravagant monument built in its honor at the center of Hulerin.

“I wonder how they built all this? This temple is far bigger than any building I’ve encountered.”

While pondering the mysteries of the Naku clan, she ventured further into the temple with her new kikri companion perched on her shoulder. The rranha thickened like a dense fog the deeper she went. Her limbs grew heavy and sluggish, making it difficult to carry Lasranu’s precious cargo of fish. She let out a heavy sigh, her energy draining away.

“I am so tired…” she murmured, readjusting the weight of the fish basket. “I shall need a good rest after this.”

The voice of Klaiune echoed in her head. "Be careful, Treke. I sense tukran in this temple.”

Tukran. She should have suspected as much. Just like the last encounter with the one in the lagoon, they were producing rranha to disrupt life in the area.

“How many?” she asked, setting down the basket.

"Several. I suggest you create a ward to protect yourself."

"How do I create a ward?”

"Surround yourself with kenha. It may temporarily shield you from the effects of the tukran, but be warned that it will quickly drain my energy."

Treke resisted the intense hopelessness that overcame her and concentrated. She would need to create a barrier around her to repel the negative energy. For a moment, she imagined a clear bubble forming around her body–protective, calm, and soothing. With invigorating energy rushing back to her, she sighed with relief realizing the spell was successful.

"The tukran have blocked any natural light from entering the temple, so I can only provide kenha for a limited time here. There is also the possibility that you may fail doing this... The rranha is much stronger here."

“So then I will have to use the spell strategically… I understand, Klaiune. I still have to try or it may only get worse."

"With speed, my child."

Now with enough energy to carry the basket, she hurried down the corridor. It was a race against time now that she was using Klaiune’s limited energy instead.

Treke pondered how the fuglans of Hulerin could tolerate such a high concentration of rranha in one place, but it was possible that they weren't aware of its presence in the first place. She understood she was more sensitive to spiritual energies, but it still left a palpable tension in the air. The desert fuglans were likely too afraid to leave their homes from the fear-inducing effects of the rranha alone.

"Taksue! Get up, Taksue! The temple isn't safe anymore, we have to leave!"

The sound of a distressed voice further down the corridor caught Treke's attention. She promptly picked up her pace, frantically hobbling on two legs towards the source as she clutched the basket. An antechamber was up ahead occupied by two desert fuglans. A bulky orange female dressed in a teal silk dress stood over the prone figure of a lanky red male dressed in cream and white robes. The female looked highly distressed.

“What’s going on?” Treke asked as she rushed towards the two.

"I don't know! He just passed out suddenly," said the female, wringing her massive hands. "Oh, but you really shouldn't be here, dear! There's something strange going on in the temple and I fear for everyone who stays within its walls."

"It's all right, I'm a healer. Let me check him,” said Treke, setting down the basket. Crouching down on her haunches, she checked the male’s vitals to make sure he was stable and noticed a sun emblem necklace around his neck. The male was breathing, but unconscious. Just like the giant fish from the day before, she could feel the presence of a tukra.

"How long has he been like this?"

"Not long. I've been trying to convince him to leave the temple all day." She shook her head with disapproval. "Kalagala, Taksue is so stubborn!"

"You should wait outside. I need to deal with something.”

"By Nakuka... What will you do?"

"There are malevolent spirits in this temple, and one has possessed him. I'm going to purge it, find the other spirits, then cleanse the temple of negative energy. Go quickly now, I don't have much time."

The female hesitated, glancing towards the hallway and back at Treke with concern. Not wanting to leave her friend at first, she decided not to argue. "All right..."

"Take the fish with you. I don't know how long this will take."

"May Nakuka's light guide you, kind stranger."

As the female left, the rranha already began to close in around Treke. She needed to hurry. Beginning with the thickened rranha, she purged the surrounding area to give her some more time. But the more energy she spent, the more her protective ward waned. Taking a deep breath, she concentrated on locating the tukra that possessed Taksue, digging deep within his mind like a surgeon rooting out a tumor.

There it was. Bitter and corrupted, it was holding Taksue’s mind hostage. Treke was about to purge the wretched thing before her presence began to awaken it. Darkness quickly overwhelmed her as it ripped away her ward. This was not like the tukra in the lagoon. Now fully aware of her presence, the tukra lunged at Treke like a ravenous rak pouncing on its prey.

Unable to defend herself, the temple disappeared as the world around Treke transformed, warping into an ethereal landscape of wonders and horrors. Shadows danced around, both bewildering and fascinating, while vibrant colors mixed and swirled like water and oil.

“Kalagala… This must be the spirit world,” she whispered.

"Who are you, drekaire?!" A raspy disembodied voice startled Treke, demanding her attention.

Drekaire. It was a form of address that only spirits used towards the living. Unable to pinpoint the source of the voice, Treke remained calm to not let the rranha overwhelm her.

"I am Treke of the Neuk clan, and you are disturbing the Temple of Nakuka. Leave this place at once, spirit."

The tukra laughed bitterly. "What makes Nakuka so important that they should have their own temple?"

“This temple appears to be for many spirits, but it is not for you, tukra.”

"Pah! We have the right to be here just as equally!"

"But your presence disturbs the living. I cannot allow that.”

"We refuse to leave!” the tukra snarled. “We have no obligation to drekairen."

Treke cringed as a sharp pain pounded her head. This spirit was stubborn indeed. Without being able to discern its location, it would be impossible to banish it. Perhaps with enough talk, she could coax it out of hiding. "You entered this temple for a reason. Why?"

"Nakuka disgusts us with their glorification of the sun. We aim to remove them."

"Who is 'we'?"

"Ludaru and their followers, you fool."

The mention of Ludaru sent shivers down Treke's spine. At least she was on the right track. "But why, spirit? Surely you would rather find peace than torment the living?"

"There has never been peace for us! We are tukran. Still, it would delight us to see Nakuka snuffed out. Ludaru deserves Hulerin more than them! This temple is ours now.”

Another wave of pain seized Treke as the tukra attacked her. "S-stop this!"

The tukra laughed again, this time with more malice. "Do you not enjoy our rranha that we emit? The negative energy that we surround ourselves with?”

“You are toxic and corrupt,” Treke huffed.

“And you are resistant and stubborn.”

“I could say the same about you.”

“Despite knowing of our presence, you choose to enter and face us. Foolish!”

"Unesudratan protect the living, not harm them! Ludaru's twisted lies have misled you."

"No! We will not know peace until the sun is gone!"

Treke sighed, struggling against the rranha. "This is madness. How can a tree grow without the sun to give it light? How can a fuglan warm themselves without its warmth?"

These questions did not sway the tukra. "The sun blinds our eyes, burns our flesh, and takes our water. Have you traversed the heat of the desert during the day, drekaire? Have you felt its searing pain?”

"I have not, spirit. But the sun gives as much as it takes. Such is the balance of life and death.”

"You may think differently if you die from its cruelty. We will make sure that never happens!"

There was no reasoning with hatred, it seemed. "Where is Nakuka? I do not see them here."

"Hiding like a coward. They have no intention of facing us."

How curious it was that even the tukran could not find Nakuka. “And yet you also hide in the shadows. Do you have no intention to face me?”

"You insinuate that we are cowards? How dare you!!" the voice shrieked, sending another painful wave of rranha.

Despite the bombardment, Treke couldn't help but smile a little. Arrogance was this tukra's weakness. “I am merely stating the facts. Why do you hide if not out of cowardice?”

"Foolish drekaire!" the spirit hissed in offense. "We'll make you regret your words!"

The hot-headed assailant wasted no time revealing itself. By its side, three more tukran appeared to join in the attack. Treke's head pounded in agony. Together, the tukran were far too powerful for her to take on her own, but at least now they were out in the open. Expending the last of Klaiune's kenha, she cast a spell of ensnarement to prevent them from escaping into the ether.

"What have you done, drekaire?! How can this be?!”

The spell was enough to keep them in place, but would not protect her from their rranha. "Surely you're not afraid of a fuglan who has only been a ruksala for two days?"

"You tricked us! Release your spell!"

"I will not. You will stay here until dawn.”

"If you will not release your spell, then we will continue to torment you until you do!"

Treke braced herself as her head exploded with pain again before dropping to her haunches. She could not give in to their relentless agony.

“Treke! What’s going on in there?” The voice of Siku echoed from across the corridor. She was concerned for her friend.

"Don't enter the temple! It's not safe!" Treke cried out. The spirit world still overtaking her vision, she would not be able to help her friend should she get attacked as well.

"You can't keep them safe and take us on at the same time. Give up already,” said the tukra.

This was true, but Treke refused to let the tukran win and take control of the temple. So long as she was conscious, she could fight, but she could not do it alone. "Ancestor Klaiune, help me... Help me so that we can banish these lost spirits."

The gentle voice of her ancestor echoed, "I have no kenha left, my child. I am sorry."

Despair overcame Treke, closing in and suffocating like the waves of a tenacious sea. With a heaviness in her chest, she sank further to the ground. "No... please... I cannot fail."

"So much for Treke! You'll be a bastion of hope no more!" the tukran jeered. They circled around Treke, dancing impishly as she lay helplessly on the ground.

Ready to pass out, Treke closed her eyes. She’d done her best, but it was not enough. “My friends, forgive me… I was not prepared.”

“Don’t be sorry!”

Several hands grabbed Treke, startling her at first. Unlike the intangible tukran, these hands felt solid. “Who..? Who’s there?”

"We shouldn't have left you alone in the temple all by yourself," said a familiar chipper voice as Treke felt her body lifted up. "We're getting you out of here!"

"Siku?"

Siku chuckled with affection. "Your little kikri friend wouldn't stop bugging us until we helped you!"

Treke hadn’t even noticed that the kikri had gone missing. Apparently it knew she’d been in danger and went for help.

"Ancestors, this place feels unnerving," said a soft and silky voice she recognized as Lasranu.

Another voice spoke up, the female desert fuglan from before, “Quickly, we need to leave! I will carry Taksue.”

The group of fuglans worked quickly to get Treke and Taksue out of the temple, carrying their bodies down the hallway until they were outside. Exposed to the starlight once more, Treke could cast her magic again. Her vision still overtaken by the spirit world, she purged the rranha around her until she could see again. Laying on her back, she was grateful to see the stars glittering down at her.

“Iatak… Thank you, my friends,” she sighed, watching her kikri zipping around above them. “And thank you, little kikri friend.”

But the tukran were still not done. Following her outside, they circled around her in frustration, unable to leave. "No, we will not let you win!" they cried out. "You and your friends will suffer!"

“Treke, the tukran!” Klaiune warned. “Cast a ward, quickly!”

Now with more energy, Treke promptly channeled a ward to protect her friends, but left herself open. “Forgive me, friends, but we must stay here awhile longer. The tukran are still about.”

“Foolish drekaire!” Becoming more desperate by the moment and unable to escape into the ether, they had little choice but to target Treke.

While Treke endured the attack, her head throbbing, Taksue stirred awake. He sat up, bewildered, before looking to the orange desert fuglan by his side. “Kvati…? Why am I outside?”

“Taksue, you thick-headed fool!” Kvati scolded. “You got attacked by tukran in the temple!”

“I did?” The red fuglan seemed no less confused, but Kvati was at least relieved to see him safe.

"What will I do with you?" Kvati sighed.

On the eastern horizon, the stars began to fade under the twilight of dawn. Treke was unsure what would happen with no starlight. She was still not strong enough to banish the tukran on her own. "Friends… I am... still trying to contain the tukran." Her voice was sluggish and faint, drained from exertion.

"The tukran are here?!" Taksue stood up abruptly as he looked about in alarm.

Treke’s head pounded at the slightest disturbance in sound. “Yes, they are here right now. I've cast a ward to protect you all so they will target me instead."

“Treke, be careful!” Siku said in a concerned hush. “You’ve already put yourself through a lot of stress by crossing the sea.”

"It's all right... I don't plan on keeping them here much longer. My magic fades by dawn.”

As the stars faded into the coming of dawn, her powers did indeed wane. Her ward, previously so steadfast in protecting her companions, weakened until she could barely channel any magic at all. But as the blinding flare of sunlight pierced the edge of the sea to the east, the suffocating rranha waned as well. It did not not grow stronger with her weakening ward, to Treke's surprise. The tukran grew more agitated by the moment as golden rays poured across the desert landscape.

"Release us! Release us now, shenvrak drekaire!" they cursed at Treke.

Treke sat up and shielded her eyes, her energy oddly renewed. The morning was still too early to warm her cold blood, yet an inner warmth invigorated her.

“Treke?” Siku noticed it too.

“Something has changed,” said Treke, ignoring the tukran's shrieking insults. “I think I feel Nakuka's presence.”

“I feel it, too!” said Taksue. “By Nakuka's light!”

With one last attempt to banish the tukran, Treke closed her eyes and channeled. The sunlight's warmth was welcoming. Negative emotions melted away, allowing her to focus. Her mind was clearer now, almost vividly, and a new voice, vigorous but kind, echoed in her head.

“Kind drekaire, I thank you for expelling these tukran from my temple.”

“Are you Nakuka?”

“I am.” A flaming ethereal form appeared before her, bright and warm. “I see that you are strong, young ruksala, but lack experience. For this morning only, I shall aid you with my kenha. Please use it to your fullest ability and be rid of these intruders.”

"I will. Thank you, unesudrat."

It was clear to her why the desert fuglans revered this ancestral spirit so. Powered by the light of the sun, its magic was potent. The tukran, cowering in fear, could only protest in vain as Treke channeled her banishing spell. In a nigh instant, they were gone forever, returned to pure ethereal essence to be dispersed throughout the universe.

And just like that, Nakuka was gone as well, their pact completed. The temple was clean of rranha, purged during the banishment. Nakuka's magic truly was powerful, but even their kenha was limited. Like a flash of flame, it was all over.

"It is done,” said Treke, standing up and dusting her robes.

Taksue, who had been waiting with bated breath, jumped to his feet with excitement. “Wait, you got rid of them??”

Treke nodded. "Nakuka helped me."

The desert fuglan's jaw dropping with astonishment, Taksue's curiosity grew by the minute. "I've spent so many seasons inside that temple and never once have I seen Nakuka with my own eyes... How did you do it?”

"Ah, w-well… I am a ruksala. We speak with spirits.”

Before Treke could explain more, Siku interrupted with her own concern. "I think we can talk about all that later, yes? Treke must be very tired from that encounter.”

“Y-yes…” Filled with adrenaline, she had barely noticed how fatigued she was until now. “I think resting would be wise. My head still hurts.”

“Oh, you poor dear!” Kvati gave Treke a comforting hug with her massive arms. “Why don't you all come to my place for a meal and some rest?”

“Are you sure?”

“I insist! I'm an excellent cook,” she giggled. “I'll cook up those fish you brought for everyone. Oh! That reminds me. Taksue, have you eaten recently?”

Taksue scratched the spines on his chin. "Uhhh... Maybe?"

Kvati shook her head knowingly, as if she was used to this response. "I'll take that as a ‘no’. You need to remember to eat more or you won't survive the dry season. Anyway, come over, all of you!”

“I would very much like to try your cooking,” said Treke with a shy smile. “We should discuss Nakuka and the tukran while we're there.”

Kvati's eyes lit up with excitement. “Wonderful! I will cook up the tastiest seared fish in Hulerin.”

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