"Stolen?" Kresi grimaces at Raye. "Who stole them?"
"I don't know." Raye lowers his head. "When I looked back, they were gone."
"We didn't feel anyone's presence," Gabriel says to her. On their way to the Dark Castle, everything was stolen. The culprit didn't leave any traces. "I think it was someone powerful."
Kresi crosses her arms. What is going on here? The ingredients were stolen. Is it related to Renasir Ari's disappearance? "Have you heard something on your way here?"
"About what?" Raye raises his brows.
"About the Renasir," She tells him.
"We didn't hear anything about her," Raye replies with a frown. "But we heard something about the gods returning to the world. I didn't even notice that they were gone."
"Did something happen, Kresi?" Gabriel leans forward, creasing his forehead. "You know that you don't have to bear everything alone."
"Renasir Ari left the world with Little Ai," Kresi reveals it to him. Since he's Little Ai's father, he deserves to know. "The Dark God went after her. I have to take care of the dark realm until he comes back. I don't know anything else."
For some reasons, God Adira was acting strange. She doesn't know whom to ask about this. The spirit beasts of this castle won't talk to her. They hate her for sure.
"What?" Raye exclaims. "Dark Realm is so big. How would you take care of it?"
She doesn't even want to take care of it. Kresi sighs. This is an unwanted responsibility. When people die, all of their ties die with the body. Why is she still called his ex-wife? She shouldn't have taken that vial of Amara's memories.
Gabriel holds his head, taking deep breaths. His son is gone again. The Renasir must have done this to protect his son. The nameless creatures are extremely dangerous. Drawing a true name is too difficult. The gods were reluctant to give her the chance.
"She must have taken the ingredients." Kresi has some grasp of the situation. "Gabriel, I think that the Renasir will not stop until Little Ai receives a true name. She will come back with him."
"I hope that they are fine." Gabriel closes his eyes, entwining his fingers together. The Renasir will be in danger if she fails to draw a true name. If the gods aren't around her to protect her, she could lose her true name to Little Ai.
"I am sure that there's a god with her." Kresi places her hand over Gabriel's hands. "Gabriel, she's the one who saved the world. I am sure that she can save Little Ai."
***
Cina wipes his sweat and resumes working on the gate. He's been trying hard for days. The magic in this world is different. He draws a circle with an arrow on the stone. The source is drawn, but the destination is missing. What is the name of that world?
"Earth," Ril'Yah reminds him again. After bringing them here, God Cina is already on his limit. But he's working hard to create another gate. She's been healing him continuously. Meanwhile, the Renasir hasn't left the hut.
The gods of this world are not bothered about them. Civilization is too far from this place in the mountains. Since this world is far from Iravan, it will take some time for the Dark God to find them. The estimated time is a few weeks, but he might find them in two weeks if he travels through the universes without a stop.
"That is not that world's true name." Cina scratches his head. "Should I make a seeker gate?"
"Seeker gate?" Ril'Yah moves closer, curious to listen. "What type of gates are those?"
"It opens to the world where the passenger wants to go." Cina glances at her, wondering how does he know that. He continues with a quiet voice, "The seeker has to think of the place and the gate to that place will open, but this gate only works once."
It will also take most of his magic. He would be sleepy when he arrives in that world.
"Do it." Ril'Yah says to him, "I am going to check on the Renasir. You should quickly finish it."
Ril'Yah walks back to the hut. She knocks on the door a few times before opening the door. Little Ai sits up on the bed, drowsy. In the last few days, he's always been sleepy. He is starting to forget things. There are moments when he can't hear his sisters. He closes his eyes again, too sleepy to stay awake.
"Renasir, he might be able to make the gate by tomorrow morning." She bends down on her knees. "How long will you take?"
"I will draw the true name tonight." The Renasir stares at the combination runes that she had drawn on the floor. She picks up the book. "It has to be done in the woods."
For the last few days, she's been reading the book that Ril'Yah brought. Drawing a true name requires an understanding. Every living being in this world has a true name. A true name represents the essence of a creature. It is similar to identity. Just like a person is lost without a name, creatures without true names are often lost.
At the beginning of everything, the supreme one gave name to everything. All the gods in different universes are born from that supreme one. Even humans, spirit beasts, or magic are born out of the one. That's how everything is the same and yet, everyone has grown into their own being.
Iravan is the only world where true names can be erased. Little Ai can't have the same true name that he had when he was born. After his true name was gone, Little Ai had changed. He has grown into a different person. The old name won't suit him anymore. It would twist his soul.
To shape a true name for someone who has lost it, she must understand that person.
"This book doesn't say how to shape a true name." Ari smiles at Ril'Yah. "In fact, the ingredients aren't required for the naming."
"We don't?" Ril'Yah looks at the black bags in the corner of the hut. "Then, why did she collect them?"
"Those are used for creating a barrier around the nameless creature." Ari traces the rune drawn on the floor with a quiet gaze. "Little Ai is losing his senses. It won't be long before he starts attacking people."
Maybe they only have days in their hands.
"I will start the preparation." Ril'Yah looks at the bed where Little Ai is sleeping. "Renasir, if it doesn't work…"
"It will work." Ari's voice is clear and stubborn. "Have some faith in me."
.
"Just in case," Ril'Yah continues, "Give my name to him."
"I don't think that your mother would like that." Ari chuckles. "I think that this is too much, even if he is going to be your future husband."
"How did you know?" Ril'Yah questions her loudly, awakening Little Ai again. The boy inhales sharply, annoyed. However, he can't seem to stay awake to listen to the conversation.
"I had my doubts." Ari opens the book and turns the pages. "Why would a god go this far for a nameless child? I am sure that the gods won't do anything without a good reason. So, I tried the rune to see your future and guess what I found? There is a good chance that you will have a green-haired husband in the future."
"You were practising the art of predicting the future." Ril'Yah scowls at her. "You should be focussing on drawing a true name for him."
Ari laughs. Blushing hard, the third moon glares at the Renasir.
"How did you know that he was going to be your husband?" Ari inquires curiously. "His true name was gone before you woke up."