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As he entered his quarters, he shut the door behind him. For several moments he stood in silence, pondering, processing, his frustration brewing. A good length of time went by without movement, he simply stared at the broken mask in his hand. Suddenly, his anger came to a head. With a furious cry, he chucked the stone mask at the wall, causing it to shatter apart upon impact.
This was the worst possible outcome. How could this have happened?
What went wrong?
He could only hypothesize now, for the damage was already done.
Santana’s condition worsened by the day.
Wamuu had donned the mask that same day without issue. So why? Was it by fault of the mask’s design? Or was it an issue of the wearer?
Kars ran his hands down his face, exhausted. He’d hoped that despite the complications on that day, Santana would still somehow be granted the same power as the rest of them. But he didn’t seem to recover. This was evident during his training sessions. In areas where Wamuu had excelled after wearing the mask, Santana did so to either a much lesser degree, or he did not at all.
Compared with the three of them, his cognitive and physical abilities were strikingly inferior.
It made Kars’ skin crawl.
His ego was his downfall in this scenario. The anguish he felt was primarily a product of shame. Each time he saw Santana struggle, it was a glaring reminder of his own failures.
It was because of the mask of his own making that Santana had been reduced to this pathetic state.
But it was because of his aforementioned ego that he refused to acknowledge the deeper reason for his upset.
He refused to acknowledge his grief.
~
“You’re certain that this is what you want? You’ve mulled it over much, I presume?”
“Yes. You’ve seen the decline in his performance as of late, and you know as well as I that our mission leaves no room for mistakes.”
Esidisi sighed. “I will go along with whatever you believe is best, Kars.”
Just then, a knock sounded at the door. Kars responded.
“Come in, Wamuu.”
He entered, promptly shutting the door and kneeling before his masters. “You requested my presence, lord Kars. Is something the matter?”
Kars crossed his arms authoritatively. “Wamuu, as you know, we will soon be departing on our search for the red stone of Aja.”
Wamuu nodded in understanding. The elder continued.
“Santana will not be accompanying us.”
The blonde’s head snapped up to look at his superior, eyes widened in surprise.
“...Why not?” Was the only response that came to mind.
Kars maintained his cold exterior, adamancy in his position remaining steadfast. “You’ve experienced it firsthand, Wamuu. Due to the unprecedented damage caused to his brain, he is unable to keep up with us. He will only weigh us down, and our quest for the red stone is all-important. He has no place on our journey.”
Wamuu didn’t notice, but Esidisi did.
There was a flicker of remorse deep in Kars’ crimson eyes.
He would never show it, but he was reluctant in his decision. Esidisi had known his partner for more than long enough to pick up on that fact.
Meanwhile, Wamuu’s head lowered once more. He refused to reveal his dismay for this course of action, to go against his lord’s notions. To do so would be despicable and unforgivable.
Even so, the idea of leaving Santana behind put a displeasing, bitter taste on his tongue. But for the sake of his guardians, he put on a brave front. His feelings on the matter were inconsequential.
“....Let it be so if that is what you wish, my lord.”
Kars rested his arms back at his sides, his stance displaying confidence. “We depart tomorrow, at sundown. Make sure you are both prepared.”
“Yes, my lord Kars.”
With that, Wamuu rose to his feet and offered a polite bow to his elders one final time before exiting. He still kept his eyes cast downward. They betrayed the pain he felt in his heart, and he couldn’t allude to weakness, no matter what.
Once Wamuu was absent, Esidisi rested a hand on Kars’ shoulder.
“Tomorrow, then. Let us prepare for the journey ahead. We both have much to do.”
With one last reassuring pat to his partner’s shoulder, he exited shortly after Wamuu, leaving Kars alone to contemplate.
The meaning of Esidisi’s words on the surface were much different than what he was truly intending to convey. Kars knew it to be so, but did not address it verbally.
He was suggesting that he think this over. Esidisi knew that this hurt Kars more than anyone, that he never planned for this. And although he would never berate him or protest against the choices he made, and would do his utmost to support him in all his ventures, Esidisi had his own way giving his two cents.
“We both have much to do.”
“There is still time to change your mind.”
That was what he really meant.
But Kars cared not. He had already made up his mind.
He would conquer the sun, no matter the cost. It was inevitable that some sacrifices would have to be made.
This is just how things had to be.
~
Four figures stood in the twilight soaked temple. The sun was well into its descent.
At that moment, Kars’ plan had already gone into effect.
“There is a task the three of us must attend to. As we do so, you are to remain here and await our return. Am I understood?”
Santana was a bit bewildered, something about this scenario seemed odd. But he knew better than to question or refuse orders.
“Yes, my lord.”
Kars looked to Esidisi and Wamuu. They exchanged grim, knowing glances.
“Very good,” Kars spoke, a barely noticeable hint of sorrow lacing his tone. “Then...farewell.”
He turned around swiftly and started away. He couldn’t bear to look at the youngest any longer.
Esidisi simply shot Santana a vaguely apologetic, yet impassive look before he followed after his partner.
The last to set off was Wamuu.
For several moments, he simply stared at the other, more emotion in his expression than either of his compatriots. There was notable grief in his emerald gaze. It was hard to muster the strength to speak or move knowing that this may very well be the last he saw of his brethren.
“.....Farewell…” He muttered before hastily turning away and trailing after his masters.
He wanted to look back, but he did not.
And so there Santana was left, alone. Alone and unbeknownst of his fate.
Neither Esidisi or Wamuu were certain of whether Kars’ promise to return was simply an empty lie for the sake of convenience, or if there was some truth in it. Perhaps he hoped to return one day.
Not even he himself knew.
The pillar man, Santana, was abandoned in that place as thousands of years passed by.
In the end, his masters never returned.
But he never gave up hope.
He never stopped waiting.
Until he was forced to.