Thirty-Five- The Kingdom of Ela

Morning fell around the Cosmics; the sun filtered through the trees, flirting with their eyes and leaving them disgruntled. 

“Your lot cannot stand this little sunlight; how would they survive heaven?” 

Abu asked no one in particular, to the annoyed hiss of the people around him. Eligwe gave him an amused look that he returned with a shrug. 

“Maybe your sleep last night has left you feeling refreshed enough to antagonise a whole herd of cosmics. Keep at it, good luck.” 

Asiya came as if out of nowhere, said. She turned to Abali, who was still sulking, gesturing for him to come down to her level. She asked; 

“So what now?” 

With a head gesture towards the realm still keeping them out, he looked expectantly at Abali, who shook his head petulantly. 

“I am guessing we wait.” 

He replied. 

“Guessing? Are you serious?” 

She said to him. But Eligwe stepped in before she could rain down her irritation on him. 

“They will not keep us waiting much longer. You are all children of Death’s realm; the brothers, from the realm of Dragons; and I, a heavenly, am from three powerful realms. A realm as insignificant as theirs will not disrespect us by leaving us waiting much longer.” 

Even before Eligwe finished, a gap was forming behind him. A woman with painted lady butterfly-like wings stepped out from the widening gap. 

“Insignificant, you say.” 

She repeated, her wings fluttered as she spoke. She wore her hair in two short braids that met in the middle of her head; a string of beads extended down from where the braids met, like low-hanging trees. She glittered, twinkling in the sunlight, her ankle-length dress changing colours whenever it was observed. 

“Eligwe, you are always so kind with your praise.” 

The lady said. Her large lips were turned up in a smile, even though she looked more like she was grimacing than smiling. Her beady, huge black eyes stared openly at Eligwe, with poorly concealed hatred. 

“You know each other?” 

Asi asked, taking the question right out of Uloma’s mouth, and she noted out of the querying eyes of all the other cosmics. The lady moved her head slightly; the act looked regal and dignified. 

“Eligwe has not told you then?” 

She asked, and a look of enjoyment flashed through her beady eyes. It was there for only a moment before they returned to their pleasantly unconcealed hostility. Uloma looked from her to Eligwe, but it was impossible to tell what Eligwe was thinking. He watched the lady back with a look of disinterest and slight boredom; his head was cocked to the side as he observed her. 

“Oh, Eligwe here is a royal delegate. He is sent wherever he needs to keep the peace. However, he has to enforce it.” 

Cocking her head at Eligwe, she smirked wryly at him. 

“You will forgive us if the Queen cannot receive you. You know, seeing as you left her heart in shambles the last time you were here. But you did get the cooperation out of her and our realm, didn’t you? The heavens always get what they want. Selfish as the lizard basking in the sun.” 

“What is she talking about?” 

Asiya asked Eligwe, once again taking the question right out of Uloma’s mouth. But Eligwe did not spare her a look. His eyes searched for Uloma’s, and when he found her, he held her eyes, but she could not bear to look at him. Not with her heart beating out of her ears, begging, begging for this woman to be a liar.  

“Our insignificant realm bids you pass. We are nothing to stand in the way of three powerful realms such as yours. But pass quickly, we beg. Do not bring us any more pain.” 

The lady stepped aside, giving them passage, but it was a second before anyone would move. 

“I like you. But hurt my sister, and my sisters and I will ensure that the last thing you see is us as you sizzle out of existence.” 

Asiya said to Eligwe. She barely came past his chest, but her threat was potent, and Eligwe knew it, Uloma thought, even though he barely reacted to her; all his attention was on Uloma. Asiya marched into the realm of Ela, Temi, and Teni behind her. 

“Deaths will not have anything of you to hurt if you hurt Ulom.” 

Ekama threatened, dragging Uloma behind her. 

“Wait.” 

Eligwe said breathily to Uloma as she passed him. He reached for her free hand, but Ekama tugged her away. 

“Let her go. And stay away.” 

Abali growled, hurrying to Uloma. Uloma wanted to tell them to cut the drama, but she was worried it would lead to more public confrontation, and the cosmics knew enough of her business as it was. There was still a tiny part of her right where, herself, who reacted to the news about the queen of Ela, would live forever. But now, looking at the smugness on the face of the bug-resembling lady, with her thin frame and her large everything else, she knew that this was the reaction the lady had intended. But why? Were they all playing into her hands because she wanted to hurt Eligwe? Or did Eligwe truly do the terrible things she was accusing him of? A small voice in her head asked ‘Or are you defending him, because you like him and you do not want any of it to be true? There was that, she agreed with the small voice, suddenly feeling tired. 

“You watched us last night, didn’t you?” 

Ogba asked the lady and walked off, not waiting for a reply. Over her shoulder, Uloma saw Abu wiggle his fingers at the lady who appeared unbothered. 

“Spying. On friends and potential allies, nonetheless. I don’t know how you do things here, but where I am from, that is how you lose allyship.” 

He said to the lady, shaking his head in disappointment. They filed through the gap, passing into the realm of Ela, but no more people came out to meet them. Uloma felt slightly disappointed about this. She had heard so much about the Elas, and their magical appearance; they were one of the only realms like the realm of Death, where no one person was quite like the other. They were as unique as the spots and colours on their wings. 

When they had all made it into the realm, the lady walked over to stand before them, giving them an insincere smile. 

“I will now open our realm to you. Let it not be said of Ela that we hold a grudge. I bid you pass, but do not stray from the path.” 

Uloma hated the grimace on the lady's face that she was trying to pass off as a smile; she glared at the lady. She was openly disrespecting them. If they were not waging war against something that they could barely contain, the realm of Ela would treat them with more fear. But these things were causing other realms to look down on them, Uloma thought, and she could see on the faces of the other cosmics that they were all thinking the same thing. 

“We will return your hospitality soon.” 

Asiya said sweetly to the lady, but the lady reacted as if she had found her match. Pursing her lips, she flicked her wrists and the green trees vanished, revealing a thriving civilisation. The realm was filled entirely with water. Buildings shot out of the water, connected and attached to the water by vines and nothing else. A paved path appeared over the water, its length spanning as far as the eyes could see. 

The lady waved goodbye to them, as cosmics, levitated and flew onto the path. 

“Gracious as ever, Vineesa.” 

Eligwe said, smiling at the lady, Uloma felt herself shiver. There had been threats flying around since this Vineesa lady started talking, but Eligwe had not made a threat, and yet his tone was chilling. 

“I am not afraid of you.” 

Vineesa told him, her voice faltering. She did appear visibly shaken, which made Uloma think that Vineesa must have felt the chill as well. Eligwe walked away from her, not sparing her another look. 

“Come on. Let's go.” 

Ekama said soothingly to Uloma, motioning to the path floating above them. 

“Uh, no way, Kams.” 

You almost electrocuted me the last time you held me above ground level. I am not taking the chance with all this water around. No, thank you.” 

Uloma told her. 

“Stop overreacting. The earth conducts charges, but you let me walk around holding your hands.” 

Ekama scolded her, and Uloma guffawed. 

“Kams, you are not making the point that you think you are.” 

“I will take her.” 

Eligwe offered, coming over to them. Ekama eyed him, her eyes sparking. 

“You are still in the red. You have yet to explain yourself.” 

“It's okay, Kams. Abali and Asi are busy helping the others, and I will not be leaving this ground with you, no matter what you say.” 

“Fine. Suit yourself. See if I care when he drops you.” 

She said and floated away. Uloma watched her go before turning to Eligwe. 

“May I?” 

He asked and wrapped his hand around her waist when she nodded. Uloma felt her breath come quickly as he held her close, her heartbeat quickening, racing, where to? She had no idea. 

“You have questions.” 

Such a simple statement. He was sometimes infuriating, yet even at his worst, she could not imagine him intentionally causing harm. He was a heavenly after all; it was not in his nature. Heavens were more into rescuing and saving. So, why wasn’t she saying something? Why wasn’t she asking the questions he expected? What was she so afraid of? 

“Uloma...” 

He breathed. It sounded as if he put so much of his heart into the way he said her name, making her name sound more loaded than she had ever heard him say it, but she could not face whatever this was. Not now, and certainly not with these many eyes watching them. 

“We are here. I can walk now.” 

She told him before he could say anything else. He sighed, looking defeated as he placed her gently on the path. 

~ 

The paved road through Ela was winding and never-ending. Uloma chatted with Ekama and Abali, who was grudgingly walking beside them. She was doing everything in her power to keep the thought of Eligwe out of her mind; it was not a very successful venture. They locked eyes every time she unintentionally looked his way. Below them, the aqua green of the water sparkled, affected by the sun. The vines sprouting from them grew red flowers, their long columns and bright stigmas standing out in the sunlight. A soft breeze carried the scent of flowers and greens with it, scattering pollen into the air around them. Even though they had received a poor reception from the realm of Elas, the marching youths were sorry to leave the realm behind; with its houses completely shrouded in vines and flowers, and eyes peeping out of the windows but darting away behind flowing curtains each time they felt caught. 

The hovering path ended in a slope that the travelling caravan levitated off, as they glided into shallow waters. Uloma heard Echi ask to help her, reaching her before Eligwe could; she was happy for the excuse not to be in proximity with Eligwe, with barely any space existing between them. Ela and the road through it vanished as the last cosmic glided into the water. The travellers waddled into dry land, grateful no longer to be suspended in the air. 

“I miss being so far above the ground already.” 

Ogba said, flexing his muscles in a stretching manner. 

“Makes one of us.” 

Uloma told him, causing Ekama to snicker. 

“You two know how weird you are, right? A cosmic that does not float or fly or even levitate, and a dragon born to the realm of stones and earth. I attract the weird ones, oh, Death, save me.” 

Uloma lunged at her, and Ekama sidled away, causing Uloma to trip in the water. Echi, taking a firmer form in water, roared. 

“I cannot warm you up, Ulo, so be careful.” 

He winked at her as he spoke. 

“Case in point, a being of fire that takes a firmer form in water.” 

Ekama said, safely away from Uloma’s reach. 

“Now, you have done it. I am coming for you, as well.” 

Echi said, roaring and running after Ekama. In the distance, Abali, who was making a plan with Eligwe, Abu, and Asi, was distracted by their loud laughter. Abali looked over at them and shook his head. Uloma could almost hear the disappointment in that headshake. She grinned at him, waving her arms, an invitation for him to join in. Abali shook his head again, this time to say no, and returned to his deliberations. 

“Wait for me. I was insulted as well.” 

Ogba boomed, giving chase. His running girlfriend zigzagged around, easily evading them. Uloma scooped a handful of water and released it in the direction of Ekama, who, without pausing, suspended the water in the air and redirected it at Uloma, pelting her and the cosmics near her with water droplets. 

“Sore loser.” 

Ekama sang jeeringly, laughing at Uloma. The cosmics that had been pelted joined in, splashing and spraying water at Ekama, missing her completely, but getting the attention of other cosmics caught in the crossfire. Before long, cosmics were splashing water at each other, and high-pitched cries resounded in the air around them. Cosmics who did not join in cheered their friends on, shouting out the weak points and blind spots of the others to them. 

“We are moving on.” 

Abali shouted over his shoulder to his traveling companions. Cosmics capable of being wet, dripped with water as they milled over to Abali, high-spirited, teasing each other, sniggering and chuckling. Ogba wrapped his wings around Ekama, and Uloma wondered why, as Ekama was incapable of catching a cold. Ekama was only soaking and dripping because she wanted to stay that way, Uloma thought, shooting her a look. 

“Agatha is a mile from this point; you can appear there if you want to, or you could walk if that is what pleases you. If walking is your choice, I will see you in Agatha.” 

Abali told them. He reached out to Uloma. 

“You can travel with me.” 

He said to her, but if Uloma hated levitating with Ekama, she hated vanishing to distances with Abali even more. He was the embodiment of darkness; he seemed to forget that going into nothing with him feels like diving into the sea blindfolded. She could not say no to him, though; their relationship was too strained at the moment, and declining might be perceived by him as rejection. He watched her patiently, his hands still extended towards her. 

“Sure.” 

She said at last, smiling wearily as she reached out for his hand. She could vanish on her own; there was absolutely no good reason why he should be offering to vanish with her. He must be doing it to take her away from Eligwe, she thought, before darkness completely enveloped her.