The Altar of the Five Mountains

title: The Altar of the Five Mountains

author: K.W. Andri

translated by Evlampia Tsireli

ebook edition: December 2016

isbn: 978-618-5218-49-2

website: www.iWrite.gr

contact us: 2311 27 28 03 | info@iWrite.gr

book’s artwork, layout, cover design & book curation was done by iWrite.gr publishing atelier

iWrite.gr Publications

http://www.iWrite.gr

Copyright © by K.W.Andri & iWrite.gr Publications. Unauthorized reproduction of this ebook is prohibited under the Copyright law of the European Union and the international Intellectual property law schemes.

Author’s bio

K.W. Andri comes from Kastoria, Greece. She was born on 12 June 1991. The novel The Altar of the Five Mountains is her first book and also the first of the series Twin Flames.

To Paul Walker, this magnificent man.

I thank my family and friends for believing in me. You are the most important people in my life and I am so thankful for supporting me all those times I was lost in myself to write this book. Regards to the iWrite publications team for believing in my book as much as I did and for helping me make this big dream come true!

I loved the pictorial writing as if a beautiful movie unfolds in front of you as you read… as if reading with eyes closed, widely opening the eyes of your soul, imagination and dreams. And there it is. Everything is given to you generously… a treasure form the elf’s pot. Coquetries, deep emotions and inner turbulence for two eyes of deep blue or just two deep eyes delivering you in the throes of love, just as it describes; a love that paralyzes you and makes your limbs brittle and unstable, enchanting you, making you frantic but... complete!

A literary attempt doomed to succeed...

Proud

- Despina Spyropoulou

Teacher & Andri’s Teacher

Well done! Anxiety, excitement and tears were some of the strong emotions I had while reading it! I expect anxiously the second one!

- Efthymia Theodoridou

Many congratulations to the young author of the book The Altar of the Five Mountains. I thank her for when reading it captivated me so much since it transferred me to another completely different dimension, making me feel brand new emotions. I kept reading with great curiosity and interest, so I didn’t want to stop reading and continue the next day. Thumbs up for the good expression and unbridled imagination!

- Georgia Melikiotou

The book is wonderful! All details and descriptions became at once images in my mind! I liked the story and the idea is rare and amazing! I couldn’t stop reading! This book is wonderful! It is something different and different is perfect!

- Christiana Terzidou

Yes... We fear Love, Kindness, Faith. We’re afraid to live Beautifully. In the way we want. We can, but we don’t. And when we have something really beautiful in our lives... we don’t let it in, we don’t fight to keep it in our lives. So we just turn away... without realizing it. And this... this is because we are afraid that this beautiful new possibility might hurt us one way or another. K.W. ANDRI The Altar of the Five Mountains.

And you are only 24 years old Andri. Keep looking for the beauty in life because it exists. Good luck in your first attempt! We, your teachers feel proud!

- Alexandros Makridis

An amazing book that makes you part of its fantastic world. Nicely written, simple and understandable with lots of imagination thanks to its author. We look forward to your second book, hopefully soon. And the author is Greek!

- Ioanna Marini

chapter one

Black, dark, cold, wet, mouldy; are some of the few words to describe the cave where the witch of the kingdom resides. Four royal warriors have come to visit her. They peer into the cave. Up, cold drops from the ceiling are following gravity’s law and drip on their faces. Down, on the ground. It’s so cold and wet that even their leather boots are not enough to keep their feet warm and protected. Left, right, the walls are so dark, almost black. The corridors are so narrow that the warriors are forced to walk in pairs since it’s impossible for all of them to walk one next to the other. Behind them, the only way out, the only opening, is so far away from the point they have reached now. Its light is so weak and distant to illuminate the dark cave. Behind them. The only way out. Ahead. Ahead, she is.

An old woman with long, gray and obviously unkempt and unwashed hair. Wrinkled, white, but obviously de-grated face. Her eyes... hollow; black, no distinguishable iris, pupil or sclera. One would think she is blind or that her eyes are missing; but no. She walks around a small altar at the end of the cave. Her footsteps are heavy and slow. She gives the feeling of swaying in every step, because of her hump that forces her body to bend forward. Her hands, weak and wrinkled similar to the rest of her body, move cyclical, almost like dancing, following her slow steps. They come out through the large and wide sleeves of her black robe, like aged branches within the foliage of the trees.

She murmurs. She mutters strange words in a low, shaking and distorted voice, through her carious and dirty teeth. Men are the only contrast between this death image, as their clothes are brown and gray, not bright colors, though the darkness of the cave prevailing, makes them appear happy. They stare at her and look forward for the oracle.

Black hair; green eyes; white, pale skin. The words that come out of her half-open lips sound like a mournful roar. Anastasia! she finally says and immediately the flames inside the altar, flickering throughout the duration of her spell whispering, suddenly become a big, loud scarlet fire as red as blood. Flames light up the whole cave, but there’s no heat. The woman initially touches the flames, slowly and reluctantly. But then enters completely in it and comes out on the other side of the big fire; on the side where the warriors stand. They take a step back, but their eyes are locked on her. Her. That girl has the light. She is the only one that can destroy us all. She must die!

One of the warriors, tall enough, with a strong body, steps forward. The flames make his deep blue eyes glisten and the blond-brown color of his hair become gold.

Tell us, then, witch. Where can we find her? he asks in a deep low voice staring fearlessly straight into her eyes.

A smirk appears on her face.

§

In Crete;

The king’s voice sounded like a slam, when the four men delivered the news.

And how exactly are we supposed to go there? he asks the warriors, as he gets up from his throne and walks towards them.

Anger is strongly perceptible in the tone of his voice. The kneeling men remain silent for a minute, until one of them in the one who talked to the witch- first raises his head and then the rest of his body in front of the king.

We know the way to travel there, my lord he declares with a deep low voice, while a smug smile appears on his lips. The king raises his eyebrow, obviously interested in the young warrior’s words.

I am listening, young man. What is the way?

§

Beyond the horizon, beyond all the known territories you walk, beyond all the rivers that satisfy your thirst, beyond the trees which give you wood... the old witch paces slowly to the opening of the cave, stretching her right hand and pointing to the distant high mountains. All four men stand behind, a few steps away, with their eyes fixed right where the woman points.

The Gate of the Unexplained is situated on the highest top. It is the only place where you can find all the answers you need. It is the only place you can wish whatever you desire; anything. But beware! And while saying those words, she stares straight into the eyes of each guard. They too stare insistently, scared, but also with bravery into her deep, dark eyes.

Be careful with what you wish for, are the only words she speaks while she returns back to the darkness of the cave, on the altar, where she disappears into a cloud of dust.

The men look at her until she disappears. Then, they look at each other. Now they know what to do.

§

What are you waiting for. Go ahead! the king’s command is clear. The men get up and prepare to leave.

Rut. The king stops one of them; the most loyal, the most decisive, the most dynamic, the most courageous, the youngest of the four.

The man stops and turns to confront the king. Yes, Your Majesty, says in heavy voice, standing directly opposite him.

Βring her straight into me, Colin. Don’t kill her. I want het alive! He commands in heavy voice. He walks towards the determined warrior and puts his hand on his shoulder.

Bring her alive to me, he repeats το Colin making explicit his intention to torture and kill her with his own hands.

Colin nods affirmative. I will. I won’t disappoint you! The young warrior’s voice, stable, sharp, is evident of his confidence.

If your dream is to sit on my throne at my place, yes, you will do it. And no, you won’t disappoint me. The king’s voice was low and serious, hiding a threatening message.

As I’ve already told you, I won’t disappoint you... father! the young man answers briskly, giving the king the message that the conversation has reached its end. He bows and exits from the same gate the three warriors had entered. The king watches him until he closes the door behind him, and then leaves the room through a second smaller door, with four guards accompanying him.

Colin, walks to the three warriors. Get up! We’re leaving immediately! The sooner we finish with her, the better for us, he says in heavy voice, commanding them like a leader.

They immediately get up and follow him with no objection or second thought. They direct fast to their horses. They ride faster than the wind in the place shown by the witch.

They know it’s a long journey, tiring and difficult, but nothing is going to stop them. They pause only to water and feed their horses. And then continue with the same speedy and relentless pace. The trip takes two nights and three days. It would be more distant with constant stops to rest. Colin knew this, so every time someone asked to stop, he just ignored him and went his way.

The only thing dominating his mind is to prove his father who he really is; how great his power and strength is; that he is worth to take his place one day. His lust for the throne blurs his mind. He has reached the point of hating the girl and wanting to find her caring about the impact of this act to the others or even to himself. His eyes are half-open, while his thoughts run again to the witch and her words. Some words that only he is aware of.

You’re the only one who can kill her. You’re the only one who can make it. I saw this from the very beginning. You, my young man, you have the evil within you. You are full of pure darkness. Anything kind and bright within you has been dead and destroyed, said the witch to the young man, while the other warriors had already left the cave. Although he was not sure what she meant by these words, he had simply left without asking her anything, without a single comment, without looking behind him.

Even now that his mind cannot forget her words, even now that his mind is trying to understand what she meant, he wouldn’t ask. He‘d leave the cave again with the same arrogant attitude.

chapter two

I open my eyes dazed, after the ball hit my head. All the children around me ask me if I am in pain. My look is dazed but I am smiling. I’m fine, I respond after a while.

One of them reaches out his hand to help me get up. I look at him. He is covered in mud from the game. His is dressed in light colors so the mud is easily distinct on him. I stretch my hand. He helps me to get up. I look at him and smile. Ryan. Yes, Ryan, that’s his name. I remember. He is the child that accidentally hit me with the ball. We played volleyball in opponent teams. He tried to score and in my attempt to block him, the ball found me on the head so strong that I immediately fell unconscious. Besides, I am only nine years old. I was in pain but I didn’t care. I was happy to be with my friends and had such a great time, even if we had some accidents. They were not important. We looked at each other for some seconds, smiling and then I took the ball in my hands.

Shall we finish the game? I asked.

Everyone looked at me smiling and took positions for one more game. We play, we laugh, loudly… we laugh… used to laugh…

§

I open my eyes and I’m still dazed by the blow of brass knuckles on my head. Nobody is around me to help me get up. I am all alone, with a huge scar on my forehead and blood on my right eye. He is facing me. I look at him. He is covered in blood from the battle. The blood comes in sharp contrast with his black tunic. A black mask is covering his entire face, leaving only his red eyes uncovered. But I know he is smiling devilish looking at me fallen and exhausted from the battle; I have become an easy target after an eighteen years obstacle. The tunic billows with malice in the cold wind.

I notice behind him that everything is destroyed because of the battle; corpses everywhere; dead, opponents and allies. Nothing matters anymore. They are all dead. Now they were allied with death.

I look at him, holding his sword. Black and filled with blood, after killing so many innocent people. And now... now is about to kill me. He prepares to finish me with a single blow. I feel weak. I’m weak. I do anything. I know I will die. Or maybe not…

Well? Shall we continue the game?

The god damn alarm clock poles my ears! But I am grateful I wake up. Those crazy dreams won’t let my sleep calmly. Most of the times I wake up tired, not being able to rest because of them.

But today I notice that I stretch by body with a big smile on my lips. Why? Why today? Oh! Today is my graduation day. I’m incredibly excited for the huge party that is about to follow the graduation ceremony. I have chosen my dress a long time ago, with the help of my best friend, Liana. I may wear dresses extremely rarely, as I prefer a more casual outfit, but today I’ll make an exception. But first I must get ready for the ceremony at school.

I run to the bathroom, do a quick shower and wear my jeans with a white shirt and the blue school uniform. Then I put only some mascara, as I don’t like to make-up much for school. I gently comb my long black hair and carefully collect a low braid. Finally, I am wearing my black snickers and the funny, in my opinion, hat that fits my uniform. Ready! I run down the stairs and see my father and Maria, his girlfriend, which I somehow consider my mother, as I’ve ever met my real mother. They both look at me smiling and obviously excited.

Beautiful as always, Maria says, approaching me, and gives me two kisses, one on each cheek. I respond both in her compliment and kisses, with a big smile.

Thank you.

Now it’s my father’s turn, who comes towards me smiling. Your graduation, honey. The day has arrived… he says really moved and proud.

I smile and hug him.

This won’t change a thing, father, I appease him.

Yes… Nothing changes… nothing, he sighs and I notice a different tone in his voice. I am overwhelmed by a mystery.

I nod and kiss him on the cheeks.

We better leave, says Maria, who had enough time to talk. You don’t want to be late on your graduation, she smiles.

Within five minutes we all sit in my father’s car; a four-seat small but convenient red car. I sit at the back and look at the trees, which seem to run in the opposite direction, without even noticing us. I feel my eyes confused with that image until... Until within seconds between some trees I notice a weird shadow, which doesn’t disappear neither run’ in the other direction, as the rest of the trees. The opposite. She remains in the same place. It seems like she bows her head and looks at her feet. Or is it his? I cannot be sure. I rub my eyes to make sure that it’s not just an illusion. And it’s not…

I try focusing my eyes better on the figure, until it raises its head and a pair of yellow eyes, as it seems to me, are looking at me straight in the eye. Or rather, not just in the eyes, but deep inside me. As if it has seen in my soul. Without realizing it I scream, and then notice Maria looking at me, while my father is shouting my name.

Anya?... Anya!... Anastasia! Are you ok?

I see him looking at me through the mirror, but always paying attention on the road. As for me, I’m still bad tempered as all that have left in my mind is the eyes. The slit yellow eyes. Soon I get over the first shock and note the concern that captured Mary, and, especially my father. Fortunately I need only a few seconds to find a good excuse to calm them.

I pricked my finger. There was a pin on my outfit they forgot to take off. I am such a good actor and a liar that at the end of my sentence I pretend to slightly bite my finger to get through the pain.

Oh, such careless people, says Maria laughing. They believed it.

A few minutes later I chat with my friend Liana, and she informs me that she and Alexander, the boy with whom I am in love the last three years, have already arrived at the high school,

I am so absorbed by the message that I don’t even notice that my father has cut speed. We have arrived. We are all getting off the car.

All parents and families have to wait in the conference room. Go to the front entrance and you’ll be informed when your seats are ready I say and talk fast with the words running like water from my lips. I am obviously excited and quite nervous.

My girl, can you please calm down a bit? my father and laughs slightly.

You don’t need to worry about us. We will reach our seats. Go to your friends now, Maria comforts me. I can only smile gratefully.

I’ll see you later, then. I give them both a hug and within seconds I run to find Liana.

I see her waiting in the backyard of the school with the rest of the children. There is Alexander too. Once I see him, I feel my legs shaking and my stomach churn.

Isn’t he wonderful? I whisper to Liana, without taking my eyes off him.

Come on Anya, snap out, she says with a smile, turning my head to her side. I look at her and sigh with my mind still in Alexander, who looks gorgeous even in the blue uniform of the graduation.

Believe me, I want to snap out, I am trying... I say.

…in the past three years, she completes my sentence in laughs. I laugh with her tapping her lightly on the shoulder with the back of my hand.

Cut it out! It’s not like that! I say jokingly, having the knowledge that things are exactly as she says. She prepares to answer, but then the bell rings.

It saved you she says and points me with her finger.

Some teachers start to call us to take our positions. Everyone’s parents are seated, ready to gloating for their children. The teachers prepare for their long speech -boring in my opinion- and then call the names of the children in alphabetical order. I admit this will take a long time. Luckily I am one of the first and will get it over with soon, although this won’t make it less torturous.

Soon my eyes are stuck upon Alexander who stands opposite me, waiting to hear his name. And yes, now that I think of it twice, maybe the whole thing isn’t that torturous at all. My eyes are stuck on him for several seconds. And I realized it now that he has turned. He is looking back at me! He obviously noticed I was staring at him. My smiles at me! I’m ready to lose it but I finally smile back. I am sure that I have blushed, and my face has changed in all the colors of the rainbow in those few seconds. No matter how spirited I am –I always confront even the most robust type in school, even if I know that I will end up in hospital – when I see Alexander, I feel so weak, like I just want to let myself in his hands to protect me.

 I am so lost in his gaze until I hear his name. Ηe slowly proceeds with beautiful smile. With my eyes constantly on him I feel so proud and happy watching him receiving his school graduation certificate. I applaud as loud as I can so the rest of the people in the hall. While he gets off the stage, he casts me a very sweet look, something I don’t expect, however, although unprepared, I don’t take my eyes off him. Instead, I smile back warmly.

The names in between his and mine, are not many.

Anastasia Angelopoulos…

That’s my name! My heart beats like crazy. Not because I am stressed or scared, but because I am so excited. With this certificate I am officially ready to leave home and live on my own, something I always wanted. I take a deep breath and wearing my wider smile, I go up on stage. I walk towards the director of the school who awards me and thank him with a handshake and two kisses, one on each cheek, like everyone did before me. Then I smile to the camera for a commemorative photo. My eyes scan the crowded hall. I see my father and Maria cheering and applauding with pride. I smile and then move to the stairs when I suddenly see her again. The same shadow I saw before, in the car. I feel dazed and scared as I realize that it’s not my imagination. She isn’t looking at me. Her eyes are on the ground.

I am getting dizzy…

Suddenly I feel someone holding my hand, something that makes me take my eyes off the shadow. I look forward really startled. My mind comes back to reality when Liana anxiously grasps my hand.

Are you okay? she asks me looking into my eyes. I am not answering right away, I just nod affirmative.

I focus my eyes on the corner, where I saw the shadow. But as