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.

Part VI

The night sky above Genoha was full of tiny twinkling lights as massive swarms of glowing insects writhed in vibrant patterns above the large clearing. Thirteen black columns stood in stark contrast against the violet hue of the atmosphere as Morak walked along a path between two of them. Once inside the large ring of stone he could see thirteen smaller pale columns making up the interior and a large mound of earth at the very center. He paused briefly to crouch beside the crushed white stone making up the winding path and allowed his shifting cloak to obscure his slender form. Seconds bleed into minutes as Morak patiently allowed his hearing to become the predominant sense.

‘The stones give off such energy. It is no wonder the council seeks control.’ He thought pushing back his shifting hood.

As Morak surveyed the complex his pointed ears twitched beneath straight ebony hair held clinched tight behind his head. Silently he retrieved a small transceiver from a leather pouch on his belt and aligned the delicate circuits covering the handle with the silver Allon pathways tracing through the pale young flesh of his fingers. He shivered slightly as he felt energy leak out of his fingertips and into the device he held as the Allon made contact on both sides. Squeezing gently he heard a low pricking sound from inside the casing of the transceiver and he began to whisper softly into it.

‘All clear Gehse.’

He patiently waited as Gehse quietly stalked across the open clearing towards him and spoke only when the two were reunited.

‘I have seen nothing but glow bugs up here but the stones, can you feel the power coming off of them?’ Morak asked watching Gehse unroll a sheer piece of translucent.

As Gehse touched the edge of the sheer film a blue glowing ripple formed and washed across the surface revealing an intricately drawn map. The brothers crouched quietly as he manipulated the translucent beneath his fingers pausing to highlight the spot they stood in at present before tracing what he believed to be the best course of action. Morak ran a finger down the length of his jaw watching as Gehse carefully plotted before nodding in agreement.

The pair moved through the open complex as Gehse had suggested and kept their visibility to a minimum. They carefully approached the center of Genoha ascending through the low grass covering the central mound and stood atop the apex. Moving past his brother Morak quickly motioned for him to stop as he walked up the stairs onto a small dais. In the center of the stone platform stood an octagonal base carved with symbols neither of them had ever seen.

‘Morak what is that?’ Gehse asked from the grass below the dais. ‘The council said nothing of this.’

Morak gestured for silence looking nervously at his brother and again the clearing became quiet. As he moved closer to the pedestal the markings covering it began to glow with a dull white luminance highlighting them against the carved stone.

‘There is some kind of door on top of the pedestal Gehse.’ Morak called to his brother.

Between his fingers the hatch easily slid open revealing a short ladder leading to the floor below. Once inside Morak made his way down the ladder hearing his brother protesting quietly from above. Beneath the pedestal he stood in a small room with exits leading in each direction and contemplated where they could lead peering down each he watched as the steps passed down and out of sight. Each passage reverberated with the sound of machinery so Morak did his best to determine which one went north and began quietly stalking through it. As he neared the end of the long passage he wondered how deep in the rock he had traveled.

The walls surrounding him opened into an expansive cavern carved from white stone and Morak found himself standing atop another massive staircase leading down to the floor below. From the top of the towering stairs he could see many machines made from the same shining silver metal that speckled his palms.

‘What is this?’ He pondered aloud breaking the monotonous groan of the pumping levers and values of the machines below. ‘What can all of this be?’

Morak turned from the chamber and made his way back up the passage to the small room beneath Genoha climbing the short ladder to the dais above. As he stepped onto the cold stone floor of the platform he heard a strange metallic sound from the grass below and quickly turned withdrawing dull hilts from his belt. On the hillside below Morak saw five hulking protectors surrounding the collapsed form of his brother.

Etian and Lyla sat quietly in the saddle as Tosh recounted the story his father told him long ago. Above them the wispy gray clouds gave way to the massive triangular form of an airship as it broke through to survey the ground below.

‘It must be the man from the city!’ Lyla shouted interrupting Tosh.

‘How can we outrun that?’ Etian asked his eyes wide with fear.

‘We must get into the trees, hurry!’ Tosh kicked his heels sending the gelding into a run.

Before the airship could descend on top of them they burst into the tree line dodging the dense branches as they quickly slowed both horses.

‘We have to keep moving. Genoha should be this way.’ Tosh called through the foliage.

‘I can see one of the spires north of us through the trees.’ Lyla replied pushing branches away from her face.

‘We should tie the horses and continue on foot.’ Etian said helping Lyla down from the saddle before dismounting himself.

‘I concur.’ Tosh replied joining them on the ground.

With the horses tied to a tree branch the trio began quietly moving through the thick brush towards Genoha. Passing through low hanging branches Etian motioned for Lyla to hold before he and Tosh spread out to check for danger. She waited a few tense moments before they both returned and assured her it was safe to proceed deeper into the forest. Inside the canopy of trees beams of golden light broke through casting shadows across the moist ground beneath their feet as they traveled.

'Where has the red orb been? Could it all be returning to normal?'  Etian absently asked pushing a large branch from his path.

'If I never see it again it will be too soon.' Tosh replied motioning Etian to checkout some noises ahead of them while he waited with Lyla.

The two stood silent as Blue picked at the seed pod of a fallen plant.

‘You must be hungry little one.’ Lyla said reaching into her satchel for a strip of dried meat.

She took a large bite from half of it before playfully tossing it to the furry blue creature dancing excitedly at her feet. Tosh turned a stoic gaze towards them both as the clearing became silent once again. Lyla stifled a gasp as Etian burst from the lush green branches and rushed towards them waving his hands low informing of what lay ahead.

Without hesitation Tosh moved gracefully into a crouching stance sliding the dark blade from his side as the pair motioned symbols in the air between them. Count of two on foot aggressive. Tosh nodded and motioned for Lyla to follow. With the polished alloy staff in hand she quietly brushed aside the hanging leaves and kept step with them both.

The gently swaying leaves burst to tiny pieces as the black metallic shaft of a projectile sliced through the foliage on a path directly aimed for Tosh. With a resounding snap he quickly flexed the shield into solid form and deflected the arrow down into the ground.

‘We must get out of the trees!’ Tosh shouted deflecting another of the bolts into a tree trunk near Lyla as she frantically dodged.

The turf below foot broke and splintered as they ran at full pace through the dense cover of the trees. On his left Tosh saw their pursuers moving like water over the rough terrain rapidly making up the distance to their prey.

'They are too fast!' Lyla called over her pounding heart as they ran through the trees.

Outside of the tree line a large clearing opened up surrounding Genoha as the massive black and white stones towered towards the sky. They quickly spread out with Tosh at the point and Etian and Lyla filed in at his flanks proceeding towards the center of the site. Lyla began slowly twirling her staff between her palms evoking a gentle cyan glow as Etian gripped the hilt of his blade and felt the tiny sparks of power surging between them as it hissed to life. From behind them Blue came rushing out of the thick cover chirping twice before crouching next to Tosh.

‘In your story you left out how they defeated these things.’ Etian said watching the tree line.

‘I left it out because he claimed it was impossible. Where are they?’ He answered nervously posing his own question.

‘We should run for the center.’ Lyla said and without waiting for either of them she did so.

Etian replaced the blade at his side and began following her while Tosh stood still watching the edge of the trees.

‘Come on before they catch us.’ He called back over his shoulder seeing Tosh turn to follow them.

Around them the once polished well kept stones looked worn with age and lack of care since last his father had described them. The power still rung out strong from the chipped and cracked surfaces covering the towering stonework but somehow things felt diminished as they found the white stone path Morak had also walked.

‘I can see the dais ahead.’ Lyla called back to them as she continued pushing forward.

Etian watched as she rushed up the mound over the long unkempt grass covering the hillside making her way up the steps onto the stone platform. As he and Tosh reached the dais they heard a quiet gasp escape her lips and both turned to look in her direction. The forms of dark alloy protectors stood silhouetted against the green horizon of trees behind them as they briskly journeyed over the open field towards the central mound.

‘Can you open it?’ Etian asked watching Tosh fiddle with the hatch at the top of the pedestal.

‘It appears rusted shut.’ He barked back furiously yanking on the metal lid.

‘We have no time for that.’ Lyla assured them both flowing into a liquid stance as the Mishun staff twirled in a cyan arc before her.

They both nodded and withdrew their dull blades sending sparks of color cascading off their hilts as the circuits flared connecting each to his armament. The three brought their weapons together in a flurry of light as energy fluxed off of them hissing and crackling through the silence covering the stone platform.

‘Two here.’ Etian called pointing his direction.

‘I have two here also.’ Lyla said putting her back against Etian as Tosh moved to join them.

‘The same on all sides it appears. Stay together as long as possible.’ Tosh commanded preparing for battle.

Around them the protectors quickly made up the distance to the worked stone platform atop the mound and moved in from every direction. Each protector was made from a dark alloy that shined so deeply it appeared wet as they gracefully flowed like liquid metal through each precise movement. Etian found himself in awe of the creatures as one of them slowly molded its forearms into massive hammers and began swinging wildly at him. His eyes went wide as he dodged each swing from the first protector watching as the second began to replace its hands with bolt launchers.

‘How are we supposed to fight this?’ He shouted at Tosh still dodging the swinging hammers.

Tosh had no time to answer as his own quarry had formed massive shields and were preparing to crush him against the stone platform. The silver metal dotting his face began to burn beneath his skin as Etian let out a scream with the protectors almost on top of him. Something inside called out from the depths as the metal sizzled on his orange cheeks blinding him and leaving him defenseless.

Lyla saw Etian’s blade come up to meet the hammer as it thrust down towards his crumpled form watching as it erupted into a violent cloud of sparks before sending a shock wave hurling through the hillside. The ring of white energy rippled through them as the force of the explosion knocked out their hearing sending them all to the ground and the protectors with them.

Tosh grabbed his head with his ears still ringing as he tried to make sense of the scene around him. Three of the protectors lay motionless on the grass their metal forms broken into pieces like shattered stone littering the green overgrown grass covering the dirt. He coughed up little drops of blood as he felt the bruise from the shock wave forming on his abdomen. Lyla slowly stood helping Etian to his feet as she gathered her staff and prepared for another round.

‘What was that?’ She asked loudly still unable to hear from the explosion.

Before anyone could attempt an answer the remaining protectors began advancing as Blue huddled behind Tosh barking nervously. Still blinded by the burning pain and deafened by the explosion Etian stood still clinging to both of his companions hoping they could pull him through. The clouds above parted as the massive airship came into view once more sending the sound of the three massive gyros echoing against the columns surrounding them.

‘He is persistent.’ Lyla said pointing upwards.

Cyan traced through the air as she spun the staff between her twirling fingers attempting to keep the colossal metal creatures at bay as one of them moved in to flank her.

‘Lyla watch out!’ Tosh exclaimed a second too late.

From behind her a large shield sent Lyla to the ground leaving her in a heap as the Mishun staff fell lifeless at her side crackling against the grass. In his distraction Tosh was easily overtaken by his own protector when it quickly rushed into him its arms made into huge wedges of metal that pinned him to the ground beneath it.

‘Etian run!’ He shouted from below the massive metallic form as he watched his friend blindly stumbling nearby.

Part V

Piet reached beneath his shifting cloak and retrieved a small transceiver as he watched them disappear over the horizon.

‘I was unable to complete the objective.' He said depressing the trigger.

‘Talin will not be pleased Piet.’ Sumas responded.

‘I know where they are going. Extract me at the southeast landing pad.’

Piet turned stalking from the landing pad as the door slammed behind him.

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Away from the city the geldings flew gracefully above the tree line as Lyla watched the forest floor rush along below them.

'Tosh what about the village, what about Hept?’ Etian asked worry clouding his face.

'I think our salvation comes in staying on course.’ Tosh said looking back in the direction of home. ‘The fires must be out Etian. Hept is probably helping out already.’

‘I hope you are right.’

'How did things get to this point?' Tosh pondered aloud.

Caught up in her own thoughts Lyla said. ‘I worry more about whoever the man on the deck was. I barely got away from him before finding the two of you under the shield.’

Both boys turned to look at her as Etian spoke. ‘How did you escape?’

Lyla nodded as her pale features reddened with embarrassment. ‘I got a lucky hit in.’

‘No need to be so modest. Perhaps you can protect us instead of the other way around.’ Tosh said with a grin splitting his face.

As the hours passed the ground below moved at a brisk steady pace and Lyla drifted off to sleep clinging to Etian.

'We should stop and rest.' Etian said to Tosh motioning towards a clearing ahead of them.

Tosh nodded and began slowly descending towards the calf high grass of the plain below. Suddenly steam burst from the harness surrounding Tosh’s horse sending it slamming into Etian as Lyla slid from the saddle with a yelp. Etian dug his legs in hard for support and lunged for Lyla's outstretched arm as she slowly fell away from him. Catching her hand he quickly pulled her up as she grabbed for the saddle.

'We are almost down Lyla. Hold on!’ Etian shouted over the frantic buffeting wings.

As Etian took control of Tal again steam erupted with a roar from the remaining tanks on Tosh’s mount. Ears still rung from the first steam blast as Etian tried to make out Lyla shouting directions at him.

Etian tried to read his lips as Tosh spoke silently. ‘Genoha stones get Lyla find father.’

‘WHAT?’ Etian shouted bringing both hands up to cup his mouth.

The last group of trees before the clearing passed beneath as Lyla clung tightly to the saddle. Tal still frantically kicked at the empty air beneath her hooves. Across from her Tosh fought to keep a steady decent as steam hoses twisted and buckled with pressure. Lyla watched as bright light surrounded Tosh sending a grimace over his face as the sound of an explosion echoed through her. Etian pulled hard on Tal sending her banking away as fragments of silver washed over them burning into their skin. Lyla saw Tosh close his eyes and hammer down on the emergency release as Blue jumped.

'Etian, Blue!’ She shouted before losing her grip and tumbling the short fall back to the surface.

As Lyla landed she tucked into a roll and came up running to catch Blue in her arms.

Blinded by the pressure break in the left high flow chamber Tosh knew his only shot was to cut the tanks. He quickly felt around for the release.

‘Where is it?’ He said pleading.

Tosh locked his thumbs pressing hard on the switch but nothing happened.

'Come on!' He shouted hammering down with both fists.

The release immediately snapped into place sending the tanks hurling into the night air and Tosh found himself in a blind dive for the ground. Lyla watched as he violently crashed into the plain and rolled from the saddle stopping motionless. She hurried to his side checking for injuries.

'Tosh can you hear me?' Lyla asked nervously looking down at him. 'Are you okay?'

Blue nervously paced behind Lyla as she spoke. 'Tosh will be okay. We can fix him up.'

Tal glided down gently coming to a brisk trot as Etian jumped from the saddle. Blinking the sweat and blood from his eyes he brought his hand up to wipe his face. Bits of Allon covered his orange skin and felt warm as it quickly passed beneath the surface leaving a ghostly silver pattern on his face.

'Etian we are over here.' Lyla called out from his left side.

He stumbled through blurred vision towards the sound of her voice as Lyla guided him.

'That looks painful.' She said looking up at Etian.

'Does he seem to be injured?' He asked Lyla.

‘He seems fine for now. Sit down so I can look at you.’ Lyla commanded Etian.

She produced a small cloth from an inside pocket of her robe and carefully cleaned some of the bits of silver covering him.  Lyla watched in wonder as the Allon receded into lines cutting through his orange features.

‘Why are you looking at me like that?’

‘I have never seen it react with anyone like this. The Allon is soaking into you from contact.’ She answered him moving to look over Tosh once more.

'He appears unharmed but we should let him rest.' She said retrieving a wrap from her pack. 'Help me get him into this so we can move him.'

Once wrapped tightly in the isobaric blanket they carefully moved Tosh to the edge of the clearing beneath a large tree and secured Tal to one of the lower branches.

‘Are you okay too girl?’ Etian asked Lovictus as she limped in the clearing.

The harness attaching her wings still hissed with escaping steam as one of the hoses whipped violently through the air.

‘Careful.’ He said to her slowly approaching.

With one hand outstretched Etian quickly grabbed the hose and began twisting the release values as steam rushed from the tanks. With the steam pressure normalized he led her over to the trees and secured her next to Tal.

Lyla shook her head and muttered. 'My training does not include such things. I was instructed in ways to help advance the villages. Clean water and good health for the villagers and things of that nature. What about you, Etian?'

‘I worked with my uncle Hept as a blacksmith making parts for the saddles on the horses. We had to leave him in our village after being injured when the shop collapsed.'

'How serious were the injuries?' Lyla asked propping herself up against a tree trunk.

'The healer only assured me she would do her best and then we left.’ Etian answered before continuing. ‘Are you hungry?'

Lyla opened her mouth to speak but Blue interrupted with a quick bark sending both of them into tired laughter. Etian brought out a small bag of dried meat and divided out a serving for each of them before quickly devouring his own.

'I hope he wakes up soon.' Etian said stretching against the tree trunk. 'We should try to rest before the day begins. You go ahead and...’ Etian was asleep before he finished speaking.

Lyla smiled to herself and assumed a meditative position to watch over the camp as the hours passed. Abruptly jolting from sleep Etian looked over the makeshift camp checking for his friends. Lyla still sat legs folded with palms resting face up on her knees snoring softly as Tosh lay peacefully with Blue curled up against him. Stifling a yawn Etian moved quietly beside Lyla to wake her.

'The sun will be up soon.’ He said gently nudging her. 

'Tosh can you hear me? Lyla do you have any...' Etian asked before Tosh interrupted.

'Not the stink berries. I can hear you. Did the horse fall on me? It feels like the horse fell on me.’

They both laughed as Etian answered him. 'She did not fall on you but you had a close call for sure. Try to stand.'

His first steps came tentatively but soon Tosh was moving at a brisk pace helping them secure the gear to the horses.

'We should reach the Genoha stones in a few hours.' Tosh said looking to the horizon.

Lyla watched as Etian removed the winged harness from Tal before asking. ‘Do you think that man is still following us?’

‘I hope not but if we stay far enough head then let him chase all he wants. Lovictus has been through enough for now. A lightened load will do her good.’ Etian replied setting about collecting the packs.

The two finished securing the remaining gear to Tal and took their places in the saddle. Trotting up along side Tosh he motioned for them to follow as they rode through the open plain heading south towards the tree cover.

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The sound of leather boots rang through the spiraling stairs as Piet stalked back to the surface of the city headed for the inner sanctum. He walked along the empty streets encompassed in his thoughts still wondering how he had been defeated so easily. She fought with such skill and passion as he had not seen in so long of a time that it captivated him.

‘One to be kept in mind I have no doubt.’ He said aloud to the city.

Ahead of Piet the Council dwelling stood enormous flanked on both sides by massive crystal statues. The statues were carved from deep blue gemstone both frozen in the moment of action blades drawn ready to defend the city. Piet suppressed a chuckle thinking of how quickly the Council had given up their defenses and run.

Once inside he quietly ascended a long ornate staircase to the main chamber of the complex. Thirteen chairs covered a large dais that stood slightly elevated in the center of the room. The primary chair was by far the largest and most adorned of them all and Piet walked directly for it. He sat down in the beautifully woven seat and removed his leather gloves exposing pale flesh dissected with silver.

The connection flared to life as Piet brought both hands down to rest on the polished Allon arms of the Council chair. Images rushed by as his ego came into balance with the source as it flowed past his consciousness and gradually slowed.

‘Finally something that is unable to lie to me.’ Piet said flatly.

He thought back to the days before the massive red star had begun tormenting his dreams as the images transitioned. In his mind it felt like files lying on top of each other as he flipped through them while the images changed like headers before his eyes. Council entry – process seven - sparked his curiosity and the images abruptly stopped.

‘Council entry – process seven – queued - accepted.’ The source boomed through his intellect.

‘Record one - An anomaly has been detected in the thirty-third quadrant and all remaining observers are ordered to focus attention there. – end record one.’

‘Record two – Anomaly observed and confirmed by all remaining sources time frame unknown at current for intersection. – end record two.’

‘Record three – Intersection imminent all agents to be recalled as efforts to date prove failures against anomaly. – end record three.’

‘Record four – Anomaly identified as p… - early termination of record four – deleting all records please wait.’

‘No. No.’ Piet frantically tried to sync his ego with the source and take control but the records were already gone.

He slammed his boots into the stone beneath them shouting. ‘No!’

Piet snatched both hands free sending images racing through his mind as the connection was severed. His head bowed as a loud sigh escaped his lips wallowing in failure. The silence broke suddenly as the transceiver squelched to life carrying Talin’s voice over the chamber.

‘How did they escape you, Piet?’

He sat quietly for a moment before Talin spoke again. ‘No matter we will be there shortly head for the landing pad.’

‘I am on my way.’ Piet responded gathering himself as he replaced his gloves.

‘None shall slip through the cracks.’ He said raising his chin beneath the shifting hood.

Above the landing pad a triangular airship came into view as Piet watched patiently. Each point was powered by a large gyro with the command pod making up the center of the craft. As it came to a halt near the pad a small plank slid out to meet Piet and he easily climbed aboard.

‘They go to Genoha, Talin.’ He said above the humming engines. ‘There is more to all of this that much I am sure of.’

Talin nodded. ‘I am forced to agree.’