Part XII

His breath came in huge gulps, sucking in the stale rotten air from the lower levels as he tried to gather his composure. Each tile covering the dimly lit floor had been hand crafted to depict a different symbol or scene that Etian did not recognize but as the days, hours and minutes passed his brain slowly began to try and make some sense of them. He lay motionless. Studying the tile closest he committed it to memory wanting to describe it in full detail to Anu’Lian later if they both survived.

Across the sea of blood-stained flooring three creatures stood together caught up in tense conversation pausing only briefly to look over Etian before returning to their argument. He could not understand any of the words they used but he knew the looks they gave were to size him up for some kind of combat.

‘Auglshah bibv nglooozzss.’ One of the three shouted pointing towards Etian.

Two large humanoids covered in crudely fashioned armor shuffled through the dust and drops of blood gathering him between them before carrying him back to the prison level. Draped over one of the large men Etian could see through the small viewing slats cut into the doors of each cell. He counted at least twenty-five sets of eyes before the guard tossed him to the floor of his own cell slamming the door shut behind.

Anu’Lian let out a long sigh watching as Etian rolled from the floor to the bunch of straw and mud he called a bed.

‘I see they let you live another day.’ He said sitting up to look over Etian’s wounds.

‘They are testing me for… something.’ Etian replied exhaling loudly. ‘We should discuss the tile while it is fresh in my mind.’

Anu’Lian watched him draw every detail he could remember into the dirt covering the cell floor and then they sat in silence for a long time while he considered what it could mean.

When Etian felt he could wait no longer he broke the silence between them. ‘What do you think it means?’

Anu’Lian slowly opened his eyes and began to explain. ‘The tile is made up of three main symbols. The first symbol is the blue star.’

Etian interrupted him. ‘Do you mean the circle with the small splashing wave in it?’

Anu’Lian nodded and continued. ‘The second symbol is that of… destiny is the best word I know to describe it, a crossing of paths or ways; a union of opposing sides possibly. This is represented with the overlapping triangles. The third symbol is most perplexing.’

‘You do not know this one?’ Etian pondered aloud, his head tilted in question.

‘I recognize it is in the pattern of a symbol but it is not one I know. I do not speak these creatures language nor understand their script. They have never taken me to one such a room as you speak but I believe it is not of their invention and actually one of our creations.’ Anu’Lian answered coldly.

He cleared his throat before continuing. ‘Your uncle may have only known wanderers but the builders are just as strong and wise as any of those who seek to understand the depths of our world through the eyes of journey and knowledge. Our creations have powered this system for centuries and have upheld the fragment of reality you all believe to be so important.’

‘What would a floor like this be used for? What is the purpose of carving all of the tiles?’ Etian asked through the dim light of the cell.

‘We are not to give details of such things to outsiders… but under the circumstances I see no reason to keep our secrets any longer.  The same silver metal that is broken into tiny slivers beneath your skin can be used in ways you have never imagined. Right now it flows through your veins pooling at the connection tips awaiting something new to bond with and I do mean waiting. It may not be able to speak but it does have a presence.’ Anu’Lian bowed his head as he paused to take a breath.

‘I believe this room is made from a solid block of Allon. I… thought it was just legend… but I believe you have been taken these few days to the room of telling. What that means is if I am right we are somewhere very few people know exist; a place as old as the life on our planet.’ Anu’Lian finished speaking and closed his eyes to think.

‘Where are we then, Anu’Lian?’ Etian cautiously asked.

‘You have spoken of the events at Genoha.’ He began. ‘Genoha serves as a pivot point of sorts for many different energies flowing through our world and I believe we are at the polar opposite. Try not to see it all as good or evil but as two necessary sides constantly pushing against each other to maintain the required motion for life.’

‘What of the last symbol?’ Etian posed to Anu’Lian.

‘A large disc encompassing a man wielding two blades with three distinct markings covering his face set center in the tile larger than the others; is this what you saw exactly?’ Anu’Lian replied and awaited his answer.

‘Yes, exactly what I saw. I know it.’

‘The message I decode from this… It is you, Etian. I see you standing atop our world on a course for the blue star.’ Anu’Lian said concentrating on the image in his mind.

‘Why would anything related to me be down here? Why is that the tile I would find? This is all leaning towards some kind of lunacy.’ He declared as frustration began to show on his orange skin.

‘The room is made to show you what you need to see. Each viewer sees something different. That is why you see them arguing each day. They are trying to predict something.’ Anu’Lian said soothing the scruffy beard covering his chin.

‘What does it mean?’

‘I can only interoperate the visuals. I cannot do anything more.’ Anu’Lian lay back onto his make-shift sleeping pad. ‘We need to rest. They will return soon.’

Etian nodded and tried to sleep but thoughts raced through his mind in wonderment at all he had heard.

Outside of the cell door, down the hall and across the way through another of the slats Tosh whispered to Talin. ‘That was him. I know it.’

‘Be quiet, boy. Piet will find him if he is here. Just be glad they have left us alone in this cage so far. If that is Etian I worry we will not get to him in time.’ Talin responded sitting up to survey the passage through the small opening.

He watched as Tosh eagerly devoured the bread scraps the beasts had thrown in for the two of them and suppressed a slight chuckle at the grumbling in his own stomach. He focused his mind on the task at hand and quieted the emptiness inside his gut as he channeled warming energy out through his extremities. Talin peered through the darkness of the hall wondering who else might be locked up down here in this dungeon of death and dampness. From around the corner Piet stalked between the slivers of light cast by torches from above slinking through the shadows towards the holding cell.

‘He is here.’ Piet whispered through the slat. ‘He is on a level below us under heavy guard.’

‘I knew it! I saw him earlier!’ Tosh exclaimed before Talin could quiet him with a glare.

‘Sorry.’ He said apologizing before Talin responded to Piet. ‘We need our weapons and a plan.’

‘Give me until the next guard change.’ He replied disappearing around the corner once more.

Tosh gently unwrapped the torn sleeve covering the large gash on his right arm and thought back to the day previous when the three of them came bursting through the teleport pad. He recalled the slow white and green flux of energy that surrounded him like millions of twinkling stars as he stretched through time and space. He burst through the other side into a large room of fighting men, massive barbed clubs swinging at Talin and Piet as he stumbled to clear his eyes of the cascading dots that clouded his vision. The barb tore through his arm so easily and retracted back into the abdomen of what looked like a club before he fell, Talin rushing in to protect him as Piet smashed through the barricade of flesh and armor into the dank prison surrounding them. The cut in his pale skin burned as he drained some of the fluid from it and wrapped it tightly again.

‘Get some rest while Piet works.’ Talin commanded Tosh before lying back onto the bundle of old rags beneath him.

Within moments Tosh drifted off to slumber as Talin watched over them preparing for the fight to come. He closed his eyes and concentrated on rebuilding the layout of the many different passages they had been brought down visualizing each guard post and choke-point.

Part XI

Lyla awoke blinking the sleep from her eyes as she found herself fastened securely in a large seat on the massive airship Talin and his companions had arrived with just hours earlier.

‘Try to move as little as possible.’ Shari said placing a cool towel onto Lyla’s forehead. ‘They got you pretty good.’

As she lay there silently watching the strange girl care for her she began to feel a throbbing pain in her legs and a grimace washed over her delicate features.

‘I know it hurts, dear.’ Shari said resting her head onto Nhari’s shoulder as her sister continued. ‘We must put her out again, Shari.’

Shari frowned before nodding and bringing up her left hand to gently soothe the side of Lyla’s face. ‘Sleep now.’

She tried to fight against the overwhelming compulsion to drift off into sleep but in the end it was too strong and the darkness took her.

As the twins stood watching Lyla go back to stillness they turned in unison and quickly returned to a large plush swiveling chair near Sumas. His massive thick fingers gracefully manipulated the various controls for the airship as he maintained a heading towards their destination.

‘I will need your help with the… subject when we arrive, girls.’ He said without looking up from the display. ‘We land in ten.’

They both nodded as Shari subconsciously twirled a silver-white locket of hair between her pale fingers. She watched as the tree tops rushed along below the triangular airship as Sumas called out to begin the final approach. Leaning over the edge of the chair she could see a large empty clearing in the ground cover slowly opening as two large doors slid apart revealing the passage beneath. Once inside the large hexagonal passage Sumas guided the airship straight down past massive Allon beams that checkered the chamber gradually decelerating before setting them down atop a landing pad and switching the craft off.

Nhari stood dragging Shari in her wake as the pair hustled off of the ship towards one of the many stations assembled around the room and withdrew a large flat metallic slab. With a brief combination of buttons on the keypad a low bass sound began to emit from the device as it rose and stabilized floating a few feet off the ground. The girls easily pushed it to the airship and secured the snout-faced corpse before relocating it to a laboratory down the western passage away from the landing pad.

Sumas still sat at the controls of the airship watching as the girls disappeared around a corner when he heard the final hiss of the compression chamber give way. The massive triangular ship shuddered beneath his girth as Sumas climbed from the control seat and onto the dense stone floor of the expansive landing bay.

‘Welcome, Sumas. Facility schedule resumed. Structure restored briefly.’ A voice echoed from above him.

‘Yes and bring the heat up.’ He replied withdrawing the cloak from around his shoulders before placing it on the side of the airship. ‘Illumination as well, Control.’

Instantly an array of blue crystal began to warm and fill the room with light as the temperature slowly rose to a more comfortable level.  Sumas made a quick pace away from the ship on his long bulging legs bolstered by the metal framework and tubing that covered the colossal exoskeleton supporting him. His mind raced with thoughts of the corpse the twin girls had escorted from the room and the many questions it could present.

‘Greetings, Sumas.’ An icy voice split through his day dreaming cutting his ego to the core.

He did not need to see through the darkness to know who spoke but still he looked deeply into the inky black of the hallway trying to perceive a form. Sumas tried to hold his tongue but the compulsion was too great and suddenly he realized he was on his knees bowing to the floor before he could stop himself.

‘We have much to discuss.’ The sickly sweet sound interrupted his thoughts once more.

‘There is something wrong.’ Shari said closing her eyes to concentrate as her sister looked at her blankly.

‘There are many things wrong, sister.’ Nhari replied touching her forehead to Shari’s. ‘What ails you this minute?’

Shari let out a low gasp shifting her head quickly to the left and then the right before going into a violent shaking motion as if trying to escape something or someone. Beside her Nhari held her breath for what felt an eternity all the while feeling bits and pieces of her sister’s fear flowing between the hands they constantly held clasped. Her eyes went wide in wonder as the images flooding Shari’s mind were transferred to her own.

‘He is here?’ She said between gasps for air as she watched Shari nod in agreement.

‘Cont…’ She began but her voice trailed off as if hoarse before Shari finished for her. ‘Control lock down table one. Initialize viewer main panel.’

The girls stepped back from the polished metal slab as a dense green crystal shield came down from the ceiling to surround it. They watched as the northern wall began to change and a large image detailing the layout of the complex was drawn on it revealing the location of Sumas and the one they feared beyond anything else they had ever known.

‘There.’ Nhari said pointing at the two icons as Shari gathered her composure.

With their hands still joined together the girls moved as if one and quickly made a pace for the exit of the room. The sound of air escaping the mechanisms manipulating the door was the only thing they could hear as the darkness of the passage opened up before them. Nhari instinctively began to squint to clear the shadows before relaxing and waiting for her sister to work out what lay unseen. Shari already had her eyes closed feeling outwards toward the empty space comprising the passage before leading her sister into the unknown. From ahead they heard a deep guttural sound escape Sumas as his bulging form collapsed against the floor.

‘Sumas.’ They both whispered in unison carefully moving closer as they surveyed the darkness for the intruder.

‘How long was I gone?’ He raggedly asked pushing himself to his feet.

‘You never left.’ They answered as confusion cloudy their pretty features.

‘The maker…’ Sumas began seeing them both visibly tremble at his words. ‘I was somewhere else. Something bad…’ His eyes suddenly rolled back in his head as darkness took him.

‘Sumas?! Sumas?!’ Shari pleaded shaking his massive form the best she could. ‘Nhari what is happening?’ She began again but the look on her sister’s face silenced her. ‘What? Nha…’

The eerie silence covering the chamber hung over them like thick chains as she tugged at her sister trying to bring her back to the present.

‘Disturbance to electro-magnetic shields – Danger – All occupants seek cover.’ Echoed through the passage as red crystal indicators began to strobe.

The ground beneath the girls began to tremble violently as the first waves of impact rocked through the station sending them both hurling through the air while Sumas tumbled lifeless like a rag doll. The polished silver Allon beams creaked under the strain of the rippling forces tearing through the layers of rock and dirt surrounding the complex and began to splinter into beautiful silver shards as they collapsed. Shari gripped her sister’s hand so tightly she could barely feel her pale fingers as they ricocheted off broken metal and stone and began to scream in fear as panic overtook her. With one last quake the trio was thrown into a large chamber as it crumbled around them gradually going quiet until sand showering down in streams off the side of the broken stone was the only sound.

Shari was not sure how long she had been unconscious when her sister woke her but that quickly faded from her mind as she realized the terrible destruction she had witnessed had not been a dream.

‘Wha… What happened?’ She said raising a hand to rub her temples.

‘Begin again so Shari can hear.’ Nhari instructed while gently squeezing her sister’s fingers between her own.

Sumas let out an obvious grunt and began to recount his encounter once again.

‘I watched the two of you leave for observation with the body. I made sure the ship was locked down and refueling and then I headed towards control. The next thing I remember I was… somewhere else is all I know and… he was there.’ His words began to falter briefly before regaining his composure. ‘He said he wanted to help and that he had been… watching us all along.’

The girls visibly shook at the realization of his words but Sumas continued before they could interrupt.

‘No. There is no time for argument. This.’ He began before pointing at the debris surrounding them. ‘This is all caused by the orb. It is no longer orbiting our little planet. It has landed or I guess I should say crashed but the objective is the same. The orb is down and so is whatever is inside of it.’ His words trailed off in silence as the girls contemplated all of the things to come.

‘First, he has the capability to teleport matter from one destination to another and second did he show you that too?’ Shari asked with one eyebrow raised.

‘I was somewhere else that much I am sure of. He only showed me the projected impact site according to his calculations.’ Sumas replied slumping forward as he moved his neck side to side trying to stretch it out.

‘Then he has another play, Sumas.’ Nhari said coldly.

Shari gasped suddenly bringing her free hand up to cover her mouth as tears began to well up in her eyes.

‘What?’ Sumas asked her.

‘Lyla.’ Nhari said in a low voice.

Sumas stood from the broken stone and began to adjust the valves covering the control box at his hip bolstering the liquids coursing through the many tubes connected to his exoskeleton. With a guttural roar he began to push away the busted rock and Allon clearing a path towards the exit of the room. As time passed the complex remained still save for a few small aftershocks and Sumas pushed through layers of fallen rock back towards the main landing bay of the massive underground complex as the girls followed behind his hulking form watching for broken bits of razor sharp Allon.

Lyla was perfectly still as she lay in the floor of the airship she had arrived on listening to the sounds of rocks settling in the darkness all around her. Far above her she could see a crack in the ceiling where the massive doors that usually sealed the shaft had been dislodged in the tremendous shaking that had awoken her before everything came rushing down. A large silver beam of Allon lay across the airship effectively pinning Lyla in place as she gathered the strength to try and push to freedom. She grunted loudly pressing her palms against the Allon surface using all of her might to try and kick out from underneath the toppled column.  Between the silver pathways tracing along her palms and the metallic beam a small light began to emit as she pressed harder and harder trying to break free. Energy began to cascade through her fingertips in waves as the massive beam began to change in composition right before her eyes as if under her command.

The colossal support that had once held up hundreds of tons of stone and steel became what seemed to Lyla a metallic liquid that parted between her hands and fell to either side of the ship in a loud splash of reflecting chrome before solidifying as it crashed against the floor. She sat quietly wondering in disbelief at what had just happened when she heard the first sounds of her would-be rescuers and began to notice the rocks trembling from the northern passage.

‘Are you alive in there?’ She could barely make the words through the fallen debris.

‘Yes but it is a mess in here.’ Lyla called back to them as she saw the last pile of rock give way and an opening clear as Sumas stepped through it.

Lyla sat patiently waiting as instructed by Shari as the girls carefully walked a path through the fallen rock and metal fragments that cluttered the devastated landing pad while Sumas began to survey the airship.

‘Do you hurt anywhere?’ Shari asked while gently checking her injuries. ‘You seem to be in working condition.’

‘What happened?’ Lyla asked standing gingerly among the rubble.

‘The red orb is not what we believed and has crashed into the planet.’ Nhari said flatly as Lyla’s eyes went wide. ‘I also find it very unsettling.’

‘Repairing this will take time we do not have.’ Sumas sighed pointing towards the smashed parts of the airship. ‘The four of us will have to make due in one of the pods. Gather up what you can girls. We need to get out from under these broken ceilings with haste.’

Part X

Piet used the confusion brought on by the explosion as a perfect opportunity to strike and quickly dashed through the broken stone gate into the massive chamber behind. Silently Talin fell in behind him surveying the room as he gracefully avoided the crumbling rubble underfoot. As the dust began to clear he could see the forms of six stocky humanoids angrily gathering themselves and preparing to charge while a lone white faced creature stood behind them barking loudly in a foreign tongue.

‘Get the platform. I will handle the others.’ Piet said coldly as he pointed in the direction of the control panel.

Talin watched as Piet pulled up the hood of his cloak further obscuring his features and began to move towards the lumbering group of snout-faced men. A frown passed over his lips as the first creature fell but he put it out of his mind and turned his back on Piet advancing for the controls. As he approached the largest of the strange men Talin waited until the last possible second to draw his blades looking for any sign they could come to a peaceful arrangement.

‘We seek only the boy.’ He called with one arm outstretched in a defensive posture. ‘If you have not harmed him we will forget all of this.’

The large white-faced creature snarled and grunted at him before struggling to speak in a language he could understand.

‘ALL… WILL… END…’

‘What?’ Talin questioned as one of his eyebrows raised.

The large creature did not answer as it retrieved two small mallets from behind the control panel and moved closer.

‘SKAR… KILL’

‘We just want the boy.’ Talin said placing his hands on both hilts preparing for the worst.

He watched as Skar twirled the matching hammers between his thick short fingers while rhythmically advancing towards him. He unsheathed both blades from his shoulders and felt the Allon surging between them as they flared to life with a pale magenta glow. From below the control panel Piet watched as Talin engaged the large creature while still fighting off his own attackers.

His shifting cloak flourished as Piet spun into a roundhouse kick sending one of the snout-faced humanoids to the ground before leaping over the fallen man and engaging another. His twisted blades sliced through the air in numerous feints and counter attacks as Piet fought mercilessly with the four still standing. He focused every muscle in his body as he snapped out a quick front kick sending a reverberating crack through the chamber as the plated armor covering his opponent’s torso broke into pieces sending him stumbling backwards. Without pause he spun his leg sidelong into another of them knocking the oxygen from his lungs as the creature fell in a heap grasping its stomach and retching violently as Piet stood above him. The remaining three put up little fight against just a skilled adversary and before long all six of the snout-faced creatures lay motionless on the stone floor.

Standing still for a moment to catch his breath Piet noticed Tosh restrained behind a strange device and quickly moved to free him.

‘Are you hurt?’ He asked but got not reply.

‘Tosh De’Larus, can you hear me?’ He asked more formally.

‘They…’ Tosh began but trailed off.

‘Is he dead, boy? Where is the other? Get your wits about you!’ Piet grasped Tosh by the shoulders shaking him.

‘They used that device to transport him somewhere.’ Tosh said pointing in the direction of Talin.

The shock going through Piet’s mind was obvious by the expression on his face as he stood up and began to rush towards the white-faced creature still engaged in combat with his friend.

‘We need him alive. Talin.’ Piet called approaching the rear flank of his target.

Skar snorted his disapproval and doubled his attacks swinging the hammers wildly against the magenta glowing blades that arced before him as Piet looked for an opening in his defenses. He slid in beneath the flailing attacks and drove both palms into the creatures’ lower back focusing all of his energy and sending Skar reeling in pain.

A guttural cry rang out through the chamber as Skar clutched at his abdomen and slowly backed towards the control panel with both men advancing hands outstretched instructing him to stop.

‘Talin we must not let him get to the controls.’ Piet whispered keeping both eyes fixed on his prey.

‘Easy, Piet we need a chance at questioning him.’

Skar continued slowly retreating towards the controls growling under his breath as he felt a dizziness passing over him. He stumbled and reached for something to support himself with before collapsing in a heap near the controls.

‘You poisoned him?’ Piet asked chuckling as he walked closer to the snout-faced man.

‘I was not sure if it would work on them but it appears they metabolize the blue tear at the same rate we do.’ Talin said kneeling to check on the odd humanoid.

‘De’Larus, come tell Talin what you told me.’ Piet said moving to the control panel to study the strange markings covering the various keys.

‘I am glad you are not hurt. What is this Piet is talking about?’ Talin asked watching as Tosh gingerly crossed the chamber to sit nearby.

Blue scampered from beneath the prison she had been hiding under and quickly caught up to Tosh barking quietly as she nuzzled up to his back. He reached around and scratched the rough blue fur covering her chin before responding to Talin.

‘They brought us down here in some kind of box and Blue managed to get us out but we were already inside of this chamber. We fought the best we could but before long they subdued us and moved Etian to that platform.’ He said pointing at the platform.

‘They charged it up somehow and then in a flash, just like all their supplies, he was gone.’ He finished before lowering his head.

Talin stood quiet for a long time caught up in his own thoughts before Piet interrupted bringing him back to the present.

‘Where could it go? Why would they want the boy?’

‘I have absolutely no inclination as to where it could go. The only thing it said to me was that all would end.’ Talin responded before the room settled back to silence.

After a few moments it was Tosh that spoke. ‘Why do you want Etian?’

Talin cleared his throat as he watched Piet binding the wrists of the odd creatures together assuring when they wake they would still be restrained.

‘That answer is far too complex for a time like this.’ Piet snapped back before Talin could begin to speak.

Tosh stood abruptly and walked back to the collapsed prison he had been transported here in and began to search for his belongings. In the rear of the box he found a container holding both blades, bucklers and his pack and after a moment had it all secured on his person.

‘I have to go after him.’ He said grasping the hilt between his fingers as it flared with energy.

‘No.’ Talin dismissed him with a waved hand as he looked over the device.

‘I will not stand by while he is in danger that I helped put him in.’ Tosh said trying to muster all of his courage to deepen his voice.

‘The danger that surrounds us all is so much more than any of you understand.’ Talin said still trying to deduce the working order of the machinery behind him. ‘Be quiet for a few moments.’

Tosh grumbled as he sat back down on the cold stone floor with Blue nuzzling up beside him. He sat and watched as Piet and Talin worked over the large device helping them with the order the colors changed and his best idea of which buttons were pressed. Before long Piet believed he knew the firing order and was ready to power up the machine.

‘We should all go through together.’

‘We have no idea what is going to happen.’ Piet barked arguing with Talin behind a furrowed brow. ‘I should go through then you and the boy can follow.’

As they sat debating the best possible solution Etian awoke in a small dark cell with shackles bound to his wrists and ankles. Above him an air vent let in a small sliver of light that carried down through the center of the cell pooling on the floor at his feet.

‘Will nothing go in my favor?’ He mused aloud while checking the integrity of his bindings.

‘Things could be worse. You could be dead.’ A somber voice cut through the small chamber.

‘Who is there?’ Etian demanded against the darkness.

He heard the old man grunt lifting himself to lean forward as the beam of light caught his features washing him with pale luminance as Etian squinted looking over him. His dark ebony skin appeared to glow with a soft radiance as the light trickled over his bushy eyebrows and tightly knotted beard. Etian watched as his large dark eyelids slowly slid open revealing the dull grey pupils beneath and he wondered if the man was blind.

‘You are a wanderer? Where are we?’ Etian asked pondering what he knew of wanderers.

His uncle had told him about the Ilumina men that spent their lives wandering the world in an attempt to seek out untold secrets and wonders. So many adventures the story tellers had chronicled and retold throughout the war-torn south his uncle had said. 'A man needs something to find a little peace now and again.'

‘My name is Anu’Lian. I am no wanderer. I was a trader like my father and his father and where we are I do not know. They speak little to me and even less that I can understand.’ The old man responded coughing into his torn burgundy robe. ‘You should get some rest while you can. They like to get an early start with us.’

Etian wanted to ask what the old man meant but he thought it might be best he did not know and kept silent as he lay down on the cold stone floor and patiently tried to rest while his mind raced with possibilities.

Part IX

The grass surrounding Etian felt soft and healthy as he twirled one of the long green blades between his orange fingers. The scent of freshly cooked agavu berries drifted from a nearby window drawing his attention and reminding him of how hungry he was. He abruptly awoke from the dream and tried to sit up banging his head against cold metal in the darkness surrounding him.

‘We are inside of something.’ He heard tosh say in the inky black.

‘What happened?’ Etian asked bringing his hand up to rub the sore spot on his forehead.

‘We got one of them but I saw Lyla fall and then things just went dark.’ Tosh answered him in a whisper.

‘Is she with us, Tosh?’

‘Not that I can tell.’ He answered and the pair went silent.

As Tosh turned back onto his side he could again see out one of the tiny air holes in the massive container and he watched as the strange snout-faced men walked beside it. Thick black matted hair that more closely resembled fur hung in shoulder-length braids on each that passed through his vantage point. Tosh could see that one of the creatures stood a bit taller than the others and had a white stripe splitting the center of his face making his large black eyes stand out even more than his companions.

‘They appear to be taking us somewhere.’ Tosh whispered turning away so his voice would carry less. ‘I have no idea how we will get out of this.’

‘Get some rest, Tosh. There is nothing to be done from inside this box.’ Etian said still rubbing his temples.

Further behind them in the tunnels left by the lumbering group Blue darted from rock to rock still trailing them diligently. Her little black nose sniffed furiously at the air as she drew in the boys scent before pushing further after their captors. The only sounds she made were the tiny clicks her claws left against the broken rock beneath them.

As the time slowly passed Etian let his thoughts drift to just days before when the worst part of the day had been cleaning up animal dung in the stables out back and he let out a tired sigh.

‘We can get out of this.’ Tosh whispered reassuringly as if knowing what burdened him.

‘I wonder if Lyla is still alive. Do you think, Tosh?’

‘She managed to defeat that Piet fellow so I want to believe she is. Etian what happened on the platform?’ Tosh asked still peering through the air vent.

‘All I remember is bringing up the blade and feeling it contact with the protector before being flooded with energy and feeling my face burning so badly I think I blacked out.’ Etian responded while subconsciously tracing his fingers along the silver markings dotting his face. ‘I really hope Lyla is okay.’

‘I do too, Etian.’

Her dense fur that normally hung loose was laid back tight as Blue stalked past one of the large captors trying to get closer to the lingering scent coming off of the large cube one of them guided through the tunnel. Beneath the polished metal box she uncoiled her tail from the tight wrap she had kept it in while stealthily approaching and pulled herself up onto one of the supports before taking in a large whiff of the air and allowing herself to rest a minute secure in knowing the boys were just above her.

‘Did you hear that?’ Etian quietly asked.

Through the small opening in the polishing steel container Tosh could see the rough rock passageway begin to look more refined as if the stones were cut and placed intentionally and he wondered how deep into the planet they had descended. Abruptly the caravan came to a halt after passing through what appeared to be a massive set of stone gates that the creatures had somehow easily manipulated before slamming them shut with a trembling roar through the metal prison the boys were locked inside of.

‘We are some…where, be ready.’ Tosh said beginning to flex his hands and feet trying to stretch his muscles after being confined for so long.

The sound of metal on metal rang through the box with an echo sending both boys to grab for their ears in a frantic rush to shield from the blasting pain. After what felt like an eternity Etian slowly allowed himself to withdraw both palms from the side of his head and he waited with every heartbeat for the cascading audible barrage to begin again.

‘I think they have completed the task that caused for all of the banging.’ Tosh said watching as Etian waited in fear.

Etian nodded at his friend in the darkness and laid his head back against the metal to rest before again hearing the scratching beneath him.

‘I hear it again.’ He said into the darkness.

‘I hear it too.’ Tosh replied with a hint of curiosity in his voice.

The bottom of the container was lined with support beams that Blue easily used to transverse it while she looked for a way inside still occasionally sniffing the air for the scent of the boys. On the beam below the left side of the box a blinking crystal caught her attention and she rushed to inspect it. From behind onyx black eyes a hint of much greater intelligence flashed as she studied the locking mechanism that held Etian and Tosh captive. Wrapping her paws around it she clicked the device into the unlocked position and heard the release pop above her as the cube began to open and separate.

The sound of tiny turning gears flooded through the interior of the container as it opened and the darkness suddenly gave way to light from the cave beyond as Etian and Tosh tried to quickly acclimate themselves to the change in luminosity.

‘Arrgghhnnsccccccc scnsssss!’ Squealing sounds of outrage poured from the creature with a white stripe marking the center of his strange features as Etian watched him angrily gesture towards them.

With one eye still squinted he called towards Tosh. ‘This is bad.’

Tosh stood beside him turning in all directions as he tried to assess the situation at hand and quantify the numbers of their attackers.

‘I count ten of them.’ He said quickly jumping down to the rock floor below as Etian followed.

From behind them Etian heard a low chirping bark as Blue rushed out from beneath the still transforming container and stood beside him growling at the approaching beasts.

‘Do you see our weapons?’ Etian asked both of them as he surveyed the massive chamber they stood in.

Above them a massive dome carved from the rock ceiling had been etched to appear like the night sky with beautiful sparkling stones in place of the stars. He could make out no exit from the room other than the large stone gates that were closed tightly behind them and he wondered what they had planned to do with him from here. At the far end of the room a strange device built from polished metal that appeared to him to be Allon pumped and hissed as two reservoirs filled with alternating liquids slowly poured into a mixing chamber.

‘Focus, Etian.’ Tosh whispered sliding his feet apart as he moved into a defending stance and prepared for combat.

With a last guttural roar the largest one charged headlong through the chamber directly at Tosh as Etian slid to the side allowing his friend a bit more room to maneuver. Tosh stepped back with a feint and whipped his right foot around to connect solidly with the skull of his attacker sending him flying past into the container and down in a heap before centering both palms at his hips and driving upwards and out of his chest into another attacker. Beside him Etian was caught in his own dance for survival swinging wildly at a pair of the creatures before sending one of them to the ground with a resounding clunk against his snout.

‘That one is going to be a problem! Blue, you get under the box and stay there!’ Etian called out as the white faced beast began a grumbling roar of commands for his troops.

The creatures had massively sculpted arms stretched too long as if they could touch the ground while still standing upright with thick stocky legs and hips and each stood as if with a hump in his back bent backwards puffing out his chest. They all were covered with short mottled fur that grew long and hung in braids and thick locks where they chose to groom it and each of them had plates of armor fitted to his own body and marked with various symbols and designs neither boy could begin to articulate.

‘They are so strong.’ Tosh said coldly as gracefully moved through the many styles he had learned trying to frantically hold off his attackers.

As Tosh brought his hardened fists together hammering down into the kneecap of an opponent he heard Etian cry out from behind and quickly turned to help defend his friend. He watched as a massive gauntlet made contact with Etian sending him hurling backwards into the container as Tosh took a couple of quick steps and launched himself into a flying kick that crumpled his target.

‘Get up Etian!’ He yelled as he tried to regain his positioning but it was too late.

The remaining captors surrounded them and easily subdued the pair as Blue dashed beneath the unfolded metal prison behind. Tosh struggled in vein to free himself from the stone like grip of the massive hand clamped down on his wrists but he could not budge him and felt confined to saving his energy as he watched them drag Etian towards a small platform connected to the strange device.

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Outside the massive stone gates Piet stalked silently up to them and began to look for a weakness in the structure he could exploit as Talin prepared a small amount of the grey beads to be used as an explosive.

‘We must be sure we do not kill us all.’ He whispered watching Piet survey the cracks in the stone.

‘I wish not to die also, Talin. Be quiet and let me work I think I see a fault we can use.’

Talin gently smashed the beads into a paste with a small rock before applying it to a hair thin piece of silver filament he attached to the fault line Piet had pointed out in the stone. With the explosive secured the pair withdrew to a safe distance and prepared to set the charges.

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Tosh stood patiently trying to understand the foreign gestures and language of the odd creatures that held him captive but next to nothing made sense to him as he watched them unload the rest of their cargo. The device that had held him and Etian captive for their short journey appeared to also have been host to additional prisoners making him wonder just how that had all folded into such a small space. From within the metal container they unloaded many different items that Tosh could not recognize but the strangest of them all was a large silver block of metal that appeared to hang suspended in the air as they moved it across the chamber and onto the round platform near Etian.

The rods connecting the different pieces of the strange device all fluxed with energy as the mixing chamber color changed to the deepest black Tosh had ever seen before erupting into a burst of blinding white light the flowed into the tubes surrounding the platform as the air above it began to shimmer and crackle. From the controls of the device the massive creature with the white stripe began to bark out orders again as his minions moved each component of their cargo onto the metal slab before he manipulated the small levers and switches. Again and again he charging the device and unleashed it as the platform became so bright Tosh had to look away and each time when the light faded the metal base was again empty.

‘They are transporting it all somewhere else but I have no inclination as to how.’ Tosh whispered as he watched in awe of the technology he witnessed.

With all of the cargo sent through the device the creature restraining Etian moved him closer before striking him hard in the temple and leaving him unconscious on the metal slab.

‘No! No!’ Tosh shouted again and again as he watched the device charge before his friend disappeared in a white flash leaving him to whisper at the empty platform. ‘No.’

His head hung low as pain racked his thoughts wondering where they had sent Etian and what they now planned to do with him as Tosh slumped against the firm grip on his wrists. As he silently raced through the possibility of escape the chamber around him was suddenly filled with the reverberating sound of an explosion as rock fragments landed all around Tosh.

Part VIII

Lyla watched Etian hobble onto the stone platform and subconsciously ran her pale fingers along the band of the sepulca resting on her neck. The polished metal felt freezing cold against the silver Allon pooled at her fingertips.

‘Etian we cannot just leave them here.’ She said looking to Tosh for assurance.

Tosh cleared his throat and began to speak but Etian interrupted. ‘I know she is right, Tosh.’

They all patiently waited, silently watching as the massive red orb passed over the horizon and out of view. As the moments passed Etian’s vision slowly returned and he began to study the tiny markings covering the edge of the hatch. From behind him he could hear Lyla moving to each of their pursuers checking to make sure none were seriously injured as Tosh gathered their remaining equipment and prepared to breach the site. Etian felt a strange tug as his hands passed over a symbol resembling a small fork and suddenly the hatch came to life as cascading patterns illuminated the cover.

‘What is that?’ Tosh asked his eyes going wide in wonder.

‘I think he is opening it.’ Lyla responded as her jaw slacked.

The top of the hatch vibrated in his hands as Etian traced his fingers in the same patterns as the cascading lights before it clicked loudly and popped open spewing out stale rancid air. He gasped and barely kept himself from retching up the little food he had eaten before retreating to the grass of the mound.

‘That is a horrible smell.’ Lyla said turning to gather a piece of cloth from her bag.

She also retrieved a handful of small berries and mashed them into a pulp slowly ringing them inside the cloth before wrapping it tightly over her nose.

‘Smash some of the agavu berries and cover your noses. It helps.’ Lyla said handing them both a few berries.

‘We should try to find out what is in there. They will be waking up soon.’ Etian called moving into the hatch.

Beneath he could see a large room still illuminated by blue crystal as he slowly climbed down the ladder to the floor. Etian felt uneasy waiting for his companions as he peered down each of the four long hallways exiting the room.

‘We look to be the first here in a very long time.’ Tosh said stepping down from the ladder behind Lyla.

‘Why would they send us here if they are not here?’ She pondered aloud looking at the thick layer of dust covering the room.

‘We will have to answer that for ourselves. We may not have much time so we should get moving.’ Etian said before turning to walk down the southern corridor. ‘We can try this one first.’

Blue chirped from above before climbing down the ladder hanging onto the rungs with short black claws before landing gently on the tile floor.

‘Stop messing around.’ Lyla said pointing at the darting blue fur that shot past her feet down the hall.

The passage stretched out as far as they could see when they began moving quietly down the length of it but before long they reached the end and stood atop a large stone platform overlooking a massive room. The floor of the room below them was littered with strange devices that appeared to Tosh to be full of materials not found in the lands of the empire.

‘My father spoke of things such as this but I never believed it.’ Tosh whispered scanning the floor below. ‘Do either of you see a way down?’

Etian helped Lyla onto the ladder and soon they were all safely on the floor below. He watched as Tosh tried to manipulate one of the devices while Lyla propped herself up with the dull Mishun staff.

‘I have never seen anything like this.’ Tosh said trying many different combinations of the strangely coded keys covering the control panel.

‘Are you sure that is such a good idea?’ Lyla asked watching him begin to smash his hands against the pad depressing multiple keys at once.

‘No but it is something.’ He answered as frustration covered his face before smashing the panel once more and walking away from it. ‘Etian you try it. The door opened for you.’

Etian stood silently for a moment wondering what had changed inside of him. It felt like forever since just days before when everything came crashing down. It started in his stomach as a growing bubble of fear and quickly expanded upwards through his shoulders like a stampede of anguish rushing past his arms drawing in electric sparks from the air around him. As it reached his hands the silver tracing pathways along his palms began to glow a burning white and he reached for the control panel before him. The air between his fingers and the softly glowing keypad hissed and crackled with electricity as he brought them together in a roar of knowledge that flowed up his arms and into his subconscious. Instinctively he clicked the correct keys and sent the device into motion releasing the object trapped inside.

‘Can you understand all of that?’ Tosh asked him watching as Etian worked on the strange control panel.

‘No not exactly.’ He answered as the crystal tank shuddered before releasing a hiss of air and then slowly retracting.

Etian reached into the machine and withdrew the small metallic fragment from the green gelatinous goo that held it in stasis.

‘What is it?’ Lyla asked him looking at the small shard he held between his dusky orange fingers.

‘It feels warm in my hands.’ He said looking at her with question clouding his eyes.

He wrapped the small piece of metal in cloth and placed it gently inside his pack while Tosh and Lyla looked over some of the remaining devices.

‘We need to check the other passages while we have time.’ Etian called to them beginning to climb the ladder.

They followed him up the cold dusty rungs and onto the platform above silently moving through the long passage as Blue slalomed between their feet. Without notice the roar of an eruption flooded the chamber pounding against their ear drums and sending them all crumpling to the ground beneath. It felt like an eternity that Tosh knelt against the tile as dust and small pieces of debris harmlessly fell around him. Placing his hand down on Etian’s shoulder Tosh nodded and they all began moving back to the center. The central chamber was still in one piece when they stalked through the square cut opening that led down the passage.

Ahead in the northern hall Etian saw a strange form moving through a large cloud of dust and motioned for the others to look that direction. Tosh and Lyla watched as the stocky creature gathered large pieces of stone and easily cleared a path through the newly formed destruction.

‘What is that?’ She whispered.

Above them the grass was still littered with broken protectors and the fallen forms of Talin and his crew. He lay motionless on his back slowly opening his eyes to see the afternoon sky above and no sign of the red pulsating orb. As he sat up Talin realized all of his companions were still slumbering around him and he began cautiously trying to wake them.

‘Shari, Nhari, wake up girls.’ He called watching to make sure they both responded before continuing. ‘Piet, Sumas. The event has passed.’

Piet stood trying to maintain his mask of icy calm but inside his fear of the orb still resonated as he struggled with the dark images flashing past his subconscious. He quickly pulled his hood up to cover the shiver trickling up his spine.

‘You look like out of sorts.’ Sumas said adjusting the main flow value on the control panel mounted to his belt.

Piet watched as glowing green liquid flowed through the tubing connected from small tanks on Sumas’s back to the polished joints at his hips. A low groan escaped Sumas as his massive leg muscles rippled and increased in girth empowered by the liquid.

‘We must find them now Talin.’ Piet said watching as Sumas finished recharging himself.

‘Boys, what is that?’ Shari asked pointing in the direction of a large column of smoke.

Just a few meters north of them a large sinkhole pouring smoke tore the ground wide open between two of the pillars.

‘How long could we have been out…’ Nhari began before Piet interrupted.

‘There is no time!’ He shouted stalking to the top of the platform.

Standing atop the dais Piet could see the hatch had been opened and quickly rushed to hurry down the ladder calling to his companions to follow.

‘What has happened down here?’ Talin asked covering his mouth to block some of the smoke.

Seeing Lyla lay motionless against the tile Shari tugged at his sister’s hand and began pulling her towards the pale form. As they reached her Lyla coughed up a mouthful of dust and tried to clear her throat.

‘They have them.’ She managed between quick coughs.

‘Who has them?’ Nhari demanded with anger obviously covering her features.

Lyla coughed loudly and Nhari watched as she pointed towards a broken opening in the passage. Inside the fragment chamber she saw what Lyla drew her to. Crumpled against the tile floor a stocky snout faced creature lay lifeless in a pool of black blood.

‘Oh my, that is quite peculiar.’ Shari said tilting her head to one side as she studied the scene.

Piet slammed his black glove against the wall of the passage sending out an echoing thud as a snarl passed over his lips.

‘Sumas, take the girls and this… thing and figure out what the council has neglected to tell us.’ Talin said before continuing. ‘Piet you come with me.’

Sumas opened his mouth in protest but seeing the look on Talin’s face he kept quiet and gathered the disgusting corpse in his arms.

‘The transceivers will not work down here without modification, Talin. You two may be on your own until we can find answers.’ Sumas grumbled looking back over his shoulder.

Behind him Nhari and Shari followed as they gingerly helped Lyla stand and supported her uneasy steps back to the ladder.

‘You just worry about getting communication restored and finding answers. Contact us as soon as you can.’ Talin called following Piet into the opening as he withdrew both of his blades preparing for an ambush.

Part VII

From high above Genoha Piet could barely make out the stone columns extending from the site towards him but the defined shape was still clear at this altitude.

‘The site is below us, Talin.’ He said pointing towards the mark.

‘Yes, I see it. Sumas lessen the acceleration and prepare to bring us down.’ Talin barked out from the control pod.

Sumas nodded his massive chin before shifting levers that set clicking gears into motion as the large gyros began slowing the descent of the airship.

‘There is something happening down there.’ Shari said lifting her head from Nhari’s shoulder. ‘It looks exciting.’ Nhari finished.

‘If those are protectors we may be too late. Sumas, full power!’ Talin commanded steering hard for the ground below.

‘Hold onto something ladies.’ Sumas boomed from behind them.

From above Piet watched as the six protectors moved in around his quarry and a sneer passed over his pale sunken lips. The shifting cloak engulfing him obscured his features as he brought black gloved hands up to secure his hood in place preparing for the combat waiting on the ground below. Suddenly a bright ring of white-blue light erupted from the center of the clearing sending a shock wave in all directions as the forms crowded onto a large dais collapsed in a heap.

‘By the Order what was that?’ Talin questioned watching in disbelief.

‘Get me down there now!’ Piet demanded stepping up onto the edge of the massive airship ready to leap at any second.

‘We should all go in together just give me…’ Talin began but trailed off as he saw Piet jump over the side and shouted.  ‘Girls follow him!’

Nhari smiled as she watched a frown crease her sister’s perfect alabaster face. Beneath the airship Piet fell with both arms wrapped tightly around him accelerating to max velocity. His stoic expression masked all emotion as the massive column tops whipped past quickly engulfing him inside their circle. Three protectors lay smashed and broken around the dais below him as he watched the remaining easily subdue Lyla and Tosh before moving towards Etian.

‘How is he going to land?’ Shari asked nervously watching Piet plummet towards the ground. ‘You should not ask what you do not want to know, sister.’ Nhari answered her giggling.

Shari squeezed her eyes shut and let the Allon carry her sister’s thoughts through the connection on their palms. Images drifted through her mind as her sister watched the events play out below them. Reaching into the folds of his shifting cloak Piet withdrew a handful of dull gray spheres and began rolling them against the black leather covering his palms before smashing both hands together. From the ship above Nhari could only make out tiny popping sounds at first but they rapidly became a roar as the explosions chained off one another still wrapped firmly between Piet’s gloves. Just meters from the ground his fingers split open as he focused both arms firmly in front of him locking his muscles in place. A liquid hot beam of yellow plasma fired forth directly into the terrain below slowing his fall and searing the black leather covering his pale white hands. Shari gasped opening her eyes to look for herself before covering them in fear.

‘Sumas take the controls!’ Talin shouted throwing his cloak back as he leapt over the side of the ship.

‘No! Wait until we land Nhari!’ Shari shouted as she was unwillingly pulled overboard with her sister.

‘This is not a part of the plan!’ Sumas bellowed frantically taking control of the ship as his companions all bailed overboard.

Piet still felt the burning pain in his hands as he gripped the hilts of his twin Shiarja blades between them. Under his breath he whispered a curse as the tiny spikes along the handles slid easily through his charred leather gloves and into the tender flesh below. The connection flared to life as Piet felt the dense blades bend to his will and begin to draw in the surrounding light displacing his movements to any viewer.

‘Get down!’ Piet commanded as he went to work on the closest protector.

The bent Shiarja blade was thin and short but in his expert hands the diminished reach was not a disadvantage. He easily closed the distance on his opponent and moved into its guard ducking as a massive mallet shaped hand swiped harmlessly overhead. From behind him the sounds of another conflict waged on as he doubled his efforts trying to make a dent in his attacker.

‘Have you lost all intelligence, Piet?’ Talin barked withdrawing his blades to engage the closest opponent.

Landing near the stone dais Nhari and Shari gathered themselves and quickly escorted Etian down the winding path away from danger.

‘Your face…’ Nhari began with Shari finishing her thoughts. ‘What has happened?’

Etian heard the sickly-sweet voices mingling in his ears but all he managed to produce in response was mumbling nonsense.

‘I think he may need a moment.’ Nhari said behind pouting features.

Shari nodded and brought up her left hand holding it parallel to the ground below them as Nhari joined in with her right. All around them the air began to chill as living metal flowed between their palms still intertwined beneath the pale robe.

‘It feels different here…’ Shari began. ‘Very different.’ Nhari continued.

Across from the girls two of the large protectors began circling Talin as he neared the downed form of Lyla to check for her vitals. As he bent closer the ground trembled violently under his attackers sending flecks of silver metal to the surface of the broken landscape. Concentrating on the metal as it pooled the girls focused and watched as it began to climb the protectors like overgrowing vines choking the life from nearby foliage. As they slowly fought against the hardening metal that bound them Talin swept up Lyla and hastily deposited her next to Etian.

‘Nice work ladies.’ He said bowing his head at his sisters.

From above the clearing Sumas brought the airship down between the lumbering columns to hover just meters from the ground as he stood from the controls throwing back his cloak to reveal the enormous girth below. Fingers the size of Shari’s wrist deftly adjusted various gauges and knobs covering a box secured to his thick leather belt as a pink concoction began to flow through the tubes connected at his neck.

‘Let the waters of judgment flow like justice through these veins!’ Sumas shouted leaping from the ship.

Piet watched as the airship buckled beneath the tremendous force and began systematically guiding his prey into the projected path of his falling friend. His Shiarja blades dug into the flowing form of the protector but did little to slow it in any way as he prepared for impact. Above him Sumas outstretched his bulging arms as if to flap them to slow his fall but Piet knew that was not the case and quickly ducked into a roll kicking away from the spot he had been standing in.

Hands the size of small boulders came together in a rush sending out a ringing shock wave of energy in all directions throwing the protector to the ground as Sumas landed atop it. Again and again he brought his hands down crashing into the metal making up his opponent as he sent small chunks of debris cluttering the ground around them. Piet raised an eyebrow as the pieces seemed to melt and reform between each of the devastating blows Sumas landed on the protector.

‘Talin we may have a problem.’ He shouted pointing at Sumas.

Lyla shook her head trying to blink away the dancing stars that clouded her vision as she awoke next to Etian’s huddled form. She watched in awe as the group tried frantically to subdue the massive metallic forms that had defeated her.

‘Etian are you hurt?’ She questioned trying to stand as Blue came rushing from behind the dais to join them.

‘Stay down!’ The twins shouted at her still concentrating on the protectors sluggishly trying to break free of their bonds.

Lyla smiled at Blue before looking over Etian to search for injuries as he mumbled something about Genoha she could not understand.

‘What was that about Genoha? Can you understand any of it Blue?’ She asked with a look of worry passing over her delicate features.

Lyla sighed and gently took both of his hands in her own lining up the silver pathways and evoking the connection between them with a rush. As the images of her life churned the waters connecting them Etian felt something pull him back to the present and out of the daze he had been trapped in. He lurched back away from her severing the flood of thoughts blinking rapidly as the raised terrain slowly came into view around him. Blue watched as he tried to clear the grogginess from his head and let out a low bark before nuzzling against his leg.

‘We need to get inside.’ He said reaching down to scratch against rough blue fur.

‘Get inside of Genoha? Have you lost all sense? What if there are more of these inside?’ Lyla asked watching as her rescuers continued pressing the guardians.

‘That is not the purpose of this place. I can feel something…’ Etian began before Nhari interrupted him.

‘Quickly, both of you gather your friend while we hold off the protectors.’ Nhari commanded them as a single bead of sweat passed over her perfect face.

Talin moved with a grace not many fighters could duplicate as he transitioned through the many different styles he had long studied but his opponent matched him move for move. The massive stone columns surrounding them rang out with the echoes of combat as his Khaari blades slashed against the living metal cleaving away tiny fragments with each swipe. He stepped with deadly precision calculating his every move as he worked a small circle around his attacker striking out with both of his Khaari blades against the dark metal. Talin watched as Piet moved in and took the flank of the second protector as he gracefully continued avoiding their attacks.

‘I am open to suggestion!’ Talin called parrying a large blade shaped appendage.

Tosh woke abruptly searching the ground for his weapon as he watched the melee unfold around him. With his blade in hand he felt the energy passing between them as it synced to his ego and eagerly awaited another chance at the conflict. Tosh waited only a second before joining in on the opposite flank as they all circled the only protectors to remain standing.

‘I have an idea.’ Piet said withdrawing a handful of the dull grey spheres.

Talin knew he had only seconds to react and quickly sprung into action flinging himself towards Tosh. They both slid easily down the hillside as Piet peppered the protectors with grey spheres before joining them as an eruption of tiny explosions echoed throughout the complex. Crouched beside Lyla Etian watched the large metal forms ripple with force before shattering and raining down over the green earthen mound of dirt and grass.

‘Something tells me we have little time.’ Talin said stoically as he watched the metal fragments attempting to reform.

‘Lyla Jan’Dior. Initiate of the Third Sphere.’ Piet began. ‘Tosh De’Larus, Son of the Watchers, it is good to finally meet you both.’

‘Is this the subject?’ Nhari asked looking over Etian.

‘What?’ Etian asked but was ignored entirely.

The runes marking the band at his neck began to grow cold tingling against his dusky orange skin as Lyla and Tosh turned to look at him before they all nodded in understanding.

‘Quickly we must get everyone out of here.’ Talin commanded sending them all into motion.

‘My father sent for me to meet him here. I am going no where.’ Tosh said before Lyla joined in. ‘Yes, My mother as well.’

‘Sumas, bring them all.’ Talin called nonchalantly as the large man moved closer to gather them against their will.

Nhari grimaced as Shari began to speak. ‘I do not feel so well.’

Shari suddenly cried out clutching herself closer to her sister as the massive red ball of energy came into view over the northern horizon.

‘No! Not again!’ Nhari yelled as the pair collapsed into a heap of pale colored robe and flesh.

Talin watched in horror as the red bulb fluxed and rippled against the afternoon sky sending out cascading waves of dark energy in every direction before his eyes rolled back and darkness washed over him. Across the clearing Sumas grunted propping up on his arms but he soon lost the battle and toppled onto the protector below him.

‘We need to try and get inside the hatch now.’ Etian said gingerly moving onto the dais.