Çhapter 91: The Weight of the Cradle

Çhapter 91

Chapter 91: The Weight of the Cradle

Natasha and Alison stepped out of the Cradle the crude enveloping the two and the jungle holding an energy it had not earlier. What had before been contaminated with darkness, now sparkled with various shades of green, and the air seemed cleaner, and freer. Those that remained mute all along started to chirp and the faint buzz of animals going back to their nests roamed in the background.

But Natasha could not afford to be happy with the victory. Her hands still shook from holding the newly made artifact, created from the Emberstone and chalice. The emanation from the surface was very feeble, the light within it soft but very hardy.

"Natasha," Alison said, bringing his voice right into the realm of her thoughts. "You did it."

She looked at him and saw that he was looking rather tired. His rags were tattered, his mail worn, his sword nicked but, there was liberation in his stance.

"We did it," she corrected, her eyes going back to the artifact once more. "But this power... it's never as you planned, it's a little bit more." Life is not merely power – it is alive."

Alison nodded and approached her. "And now it is with the right people." You're its guardian, Nat."

The word "guardian" rested with her like a weight. She saw the jungles with the Cradle's light, people shielded, but there were fights for this power to not be used by the wrong person.

"What now?" Alison asked, trying to wipe sweat from his forehead with his hand.

Natasha gazed at a massive sweep of the greenish curve of the horizon, where the jungle began. "We return. The villages have to understand that the reign of Malrik is over. They need to rebuild."

"And the artifact?"

She gripped it tighter, and she could feel the heat from it. "It stays with me. The responsibility the Cradle gave me once; I will not allow the power to be used irresponsibly again.

Alison looked at him and nodded her head, but there was a fear in his eyes. "That should be placed in a place where the world doesn't look for it."

When they were moving back to the village, the plants also appeared to open a way for the group, vines and roots getting aside. It used to be unfriendly – Nelson realized and observed that the atmosphere of the place even the forest was more welcoming this time.

It was dark when they got to the end of the village. Villagers and their families sat round the fires which were burning in dug-outs and the people's faces were exhausted but optimism can be plainly seen.

"Natasha! Alison!" a young boy who couldn't be older than ten years old shouted as he came running toward them. Coming out behind him, Elder Vanya appeared, her face being as impassive as ever.

The elder woman looked at him and said calmly but with interest in her voice, "You have come back." Her eyes shifted to the object in the hands of Natasha, and they opened in surprise. "And with it."

Natasha nodded. "Malrik is defeated. The Cradle's power is safe. But this..." She held up the artifact. 'This is more than I expected' Its power is unlimited and so it has to be guarded."

The elder eyed her, then nodded his head in respect before saying anything. "What you have done is what many could not." The jungle owes you its life. It's true though – power like that will attract all sorts of people who want to wield it."

People started approaching the area with several of them whispering what they had just witnessed. Word had reached the common people that Malrik's forces had been defeated and by and by the air was pregnant with undiluted joy. Children giggled and some of the villagers cried – they had had enough of suffering.

Get down with the celebrations, soon enough, Natasha and Alison found themselves a corner, a little away from the heart of the village. They sat across from each other, the artifact glowed between them and the flickering darkness fall on their faces.

"You really think this is all over? Alison questioned, after the floor was clear of any noise for a while.

Natasha sighed and leaning her back against the tree. "For now. But power like this always have its price. They get caught up in the moment saying; "I just hope I'm ready for what comes next."

"You don't have to walk this path alone, you realise," he drawled softly.

She looked at him and there was a hint of a smile on them. "I know. And I'm glad for that."

The night went on with a slowness, the noise from the celebrants of the villagers dying down as tiredness sunk into them. But Natasha couldn't sleep. She sat beside it and let the light they emitted capture her attention.

Pictures of Cradle's history came back to her: people standing there, ancient and stern, guarding something that was about to happen. She witnessed wars waged in the jungle, some allies made and others betrayed, and sometimes the people of the Cradle used their power for bring back life into their realm as much as for the hell's fury in them.

After sunrise services Elder Vanya came to her with a cup of tea.

"You didn't sleep," the elder commented, passing the cup to her.

Natasha shook her head. "How can I? This artifact—it is not only a weapon, a tool. It's a responsibility."

The elder sat beside her, her eyes contemplative. Tasmanian Tigers look as though the jungle has always been selective about who it safeguards. You have proved that you deserve it Natasha. But you are right it is not going to be an easy call. The rest of the world that exists beyond the jungle shall hear of this, and not everyone who will come shall have good intentions.

Natasha took the tea and sipped it to warm herself up inside being calm. "Then I'll face them. This is not the power to take over or rule over somebody or something. It's for protection."

The elder smiled faintly. "This can only be said by a real guardian of the constitution."

With Nightfall approaching the village was again no longer safe for them, so Natasha & Alison gathered up their stuff and were ready to move out. There were other villages to be seen, other people to be helped. Natasha's pack was carefully zipped and the light peeking through it was very faint.

When nearly drowning is painful even to recall, just walking with Sasha made Natasha feel utterly clear-headed. It had made her stronger, tougher, had built her into the person she desired to be in her mind, heart and soul. She was not a wander again, but a defender, the one who safeguard what was worth more than her life.

The jungle that surrounded them came back to life. And although the further path was winding, Natasha would be prepared for anything that will appear further." For the first time in a long time she sat back and felt absolutely at ease.