Part II

Inside the room lavishly carved stone tile covered the walls. The floor became a black sea that spilled out beneath them marked off into smaller sections with detailed etchings of men performing feats of legend. Awe passed over Etian as he wondered what this room had been witness to over years of use.

'Tosh, what is this place?'  Etian asked quietly.

'One of the many armories stationed under the city floor. They are used for training and administration by our guardsman.’  Tosh idly answered his friend while gathering objects from one of the tables. ‘I’m going to connect you to the sepulca to establish your link but it might hurt a little at first.’

‘Is this a good idea? What if something goes wrong?’ Etian questioned with concern covering his orange features.

‘This is the only way to tap in. We have to try.’ Tosh fastened a burnished golden band around the wrist of his friend.

‘What lin…’ Etian began a question but lost his train of thought.

The burning sensation grew as a tickle flickering under Etian’s skin. A slight scratch of claw against flesh swam just below the surface. Pushing out to test the infinite void he knew something else was with him. A presence rolled through his mind like a mist blanketing the ground enveloping everything around him.

‘What has Tosh done to me?’’ Etian thought to himself before pain wracked his mind obliterating his consciousness.

Tosh connected a small tube of silver liquid to the sepulca and knelt over his friend subduing Etian as he writhed in pain. ‘I know you cannot hear me but hold on Etian.’

Etian tried to open his mouth and scream but he heard nothing reverberate from the inky black surrounding him. Stomach and intestines burned with acid while his arms churned in fear a howl breaking his lips as the layer of sludge burst free. His body shattered into thousands of burning embers as he climbed higher through the void. He accelerated upwards racing through silver rings of flowing liquid light towards a single bright point. In a rush the darkness gave way to the white ceiling above him as reality phased back into being. Tosh stood above Etian his hand reaching to help his friend stand.

'Come with me. We must get topside.'

Etian's feet still burned as he gingerly put his weight down but a soothing chill trickled into them from the floor below. Shaking his head Etian surveyed his surroundings and began to follow Tosh towards a large doorway. With each step he felt lighter as the tile seemingly pushed back against him propelling his walking steps to the speed of a light jog.

‘The thing you put on my wrist and the… Tosh it feels like something is… What is happening to me?’ Etian scratched at the pale silver lines surfacing like little pathways along his forearm and palm.

‘Things work differently here Etian. When I put the sepulca on your wrist it merged with your core and activated something most of your people hold in slumber. And before you say it, Etian, no it is not magic.'

Around a corner they found chiseled stone markings of the sun adorning another large doorway and inside of it a final staircase spiraling upwards. Splinters of light began to dance around their feet and soon they were running to break free and taste the scorched air.

As Tosh surveyed the streets he looked back at Etian. 'My father's alhova is close. We should begin our search there.'

They moved further into the city past markings and symbols Etian could not understand. Even with the power restored the city felt huge and foreboding as he studied the strange architecture.  Etian stopped abruptly as a strange creature peered out at him from behind a large crystal window.

'Tosh what is that!?' Etian asked pointing to the strange blue furry animal before them. 'We can't just leave it to starve if it's friendly, Tosh.'

Tosh turned looking back at Etian. ‘We can rescue it on the way out. We need to keep moving.’

Etian nodded. ‘Be back soon whatever you are.’

The two boys carefully made their way across the street avoiding fallen debris and a toppled spire from one of the large buildings before ducking into one of the structures. Stretching beneath them a red polished floor met white walls that pulsed and flowed with electricity under a vaulted blue crystal ceiling. Energy rapidly fluxed and crackled in the air around them as Etian felt a gnawing grow from his stomach.

Her hand felt so soft against his. Ever pale white skin mingling with dusted orange flesh. Lost silver eyes reflected back in her crystal blue unwavering gaze. Purpose brings us together. My mind keeps this open to you. Engulfing darkness waits for all.

'Are you okay?' Tosh said looking down at Etian nervously.

Etian sat up with the help of his friend. ‘That one was quick.’

‘It was only you this time Etian. Sit and rest a moment so you can help me with this calibration device. It's quite heavy.'

The two boys lifted a large black box carved with a winding maze and moved it into place where Tosh directed. In a few minutes the two had assembled a small ring of stone and gently seated a turquoise capstone into the largest pillar.

'Step inside Etian.' Tosh said motioning Etian to move into the circle.

Etian stood centered between the stones as Tosh pushed the blue crystal at the center of the capstone and took a step back. The stones surrounding Etian began to slowly rotate as the world behind washed away. Visions of the past raced through his mind as the silver liquid coursed through his veins brought closer to the surface by the spiraling stones. Looking down at his palms he could see the metal bursting through to the surface pooling at the end of pathways. Tosh waited patiently as the stones slowly came to a rest revealing Etian still standing between them.

'Welcome, brother. Do you see as I see?’ Tosh asked palm reaching towards Etian.

Etian studied the silver lines running through his own hand before bringing it up to meet Tosh. A flash of memories and emotion danced between them as Etian let out a gasp and drew back his hand.

‘It can be a lot to handle.’ Tosh assured Etian seeing the fear in his eyes. ‘It will get easier once you learn to listen to the voice. We should hurry. Can you walk?’

Etian nodded still looking over the changes to his dermis. As the boys made their way back into the streets he began to understand how much things had changed. The signs marking buildings started to make themselves out in his mind like something translated the strange symbols for him. A large auroch broken in two marked a butcher’s shop as they strode down the cold streets.

'Quickly we need to find out where my father has gone.’ Tosh said while motioning Etian up closer behind him. 'Wait here a second and I'll go retrieve that Jibrec you were so worried about.’

Etian watched Tosh through the large crystal window as he freed the small blue creature and brought it out to greet him.

'Don’t be afraid.' Etian said as he bent down to pet the soft blue fur. 'What is it? Boy or girl?'

'How should I know I’m not its’ mother. You figure it out.' Tosh quipped back.

'I'm going to respect its’ privacy so for now we should call it Blue. Blue can be either and it suits you.' Etian gently scratched the creature’s chin speaking softly to it.

Blue looked up at him with large red quizzical eyes and emitted a low purring sound before settling at his feet.

'Looks like you made a friend after all. Now to find out what has become of my father.' Tosh commanded striding off at a brisk pace.

'You heard him.’ Etian signaled Blue to follow.

The city street stood untouched by the violence of the previous days as they walked the lonely corridors. Eerily quiet homes waited for inhabitants on either side as Etian scanned the shadows of a dark alleyway. Silhouetted in the darkness he could see the form of a slender humanoid watching them.

‘Hello?’ Etian yelled at the form. ‘Tosh I think I saw someone. Is there someone there?’

‘I think we are the only ones still here Etian. Are you sure you saw someone?’

Etian ran towards the shadows with his companions behind him but they found no one.

‘I know I saw someone there.’ Etian assured himself still checking the alleyway.

‘Come on. Around another corner and we should be there.’ Tosh motioned Etian to follow him.

'We are here. I need you to go and scavenge some supplies. Food and anything else you can find of value. I'm going to gather some clothes and then we will try to make contact. Hurry, Etian.' Tosh commanded before the boys made haste of gathering what they needed.

In the cook room Etian found a small bag and filled it with some crusted breads and cheeses. On a rack lay cured meat he did not recognize but with a couple of nudges from Blue it soon made way into the bag as well. Searching through one of the cabinets revealed wine skins Etian could empty and refill with some of the crystal clear water from the basin in the corner. Confident in his scavenging abilities Etian set out to find Tosh and Blue filed in behind him.

Upstairs Tosh gathered his belongings and an extra cloak for Etian. The cloaks made from the spinning silver link thread felt feather light in his hand but were as strong as anything he had ever seen. A gently pulsing amethyst strung up on a milky chain caught his eye and he muttered a curse at himself for almost forgetting it for the second time. As he strung the stone around his neck it flared up briefly before going back to the rhythmic grind.

We should be prepared for the worst he thought glancing over to the rack holding a pair of lifeless black blades offset by polished steel link shields. Tosh pulled the items down one by one and secured his own sword and shield before pushing back down the stairs and into the greeting room. So much lost time, father. I shouldn't have gone. An amber flash caught his eye then from the greeting pane. Father must have left a message before leaving.

The button depressed with a click as the greeting pane sprung to life. A large crest appeared first on the pane; a shield flanked by a large trident and net with a single star in the left corner.

WELCOME TO HOUSE DE’LARUS - WE GREET YOU WITH THE... The sound of feedback came through then before his father's voice broke free. SON I HOPE YOU'VE MADE IT BACK BEFORE THE EVENTS MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE. WE HAVE FAILED IN OUR ATTEMPTS TO STOP THEM. THE VOICE HAS TAKEN STEPS TO REMAIN CLOSE BUT OUR HOLD HERE IS AT AN END. THE CITIES ARE SHUT DOWN AND AS OF THIS MESSAGE THE WORLD HAS DAYS LEFT. PLEASE GET TO THE GENOHA STONES, SON… ASE MAKE YOURSELF COMFORTABLE. YOUR HOST WILL BE WITH YOU DIRECTLY. A final pop and the recording stopped. For the first time in his life Tosh had heard his father use the word failure describing his own actions. Why didn't I come back when it started?

‘I should have come back sooner.’ Tosh whispered as Etian came around the corner with Blue.

'I heard the message. Tosh… De’larus? I think I like you better without the formality. The Genoha stones will not be an easy venture. Blue looks ready to get out of here and so am I.' Etian said to Tosh. 'That blade and guard for me?'

'They are. I know you can fight but do you know how to use these? Is it taking effect already?' Tosh said handing the items to Etian.

Etian slid his arms through the straps and into the hand grip behind the shining silver shield. Quickly thrusting his arm outward while gripping the handle caused tightly woven links to click into place forming a solid barrier and Tosh nodded in understanding.

'So it did work. Show me the blade then.'

Etian gently took the hilt against his palm letting his thumb come to rest on the hidden switch. His finger slid into place locking his grip on the hilt as the circuit roared up his arm burning the blade into his consciousness like an extension of the limb. The dull metal crackled to life as his energy flowed into the blade feeding a violet glow that illuminated the greeting room.

'From the look of things maybe the Genoha protectors should be afraid of us.’ Tosh said and Etian nodded at him. 'We should go.'

Etian and Blue cautiously proceeded into the streets as Tosh secured the doors behind them with a loud thunk. He stood before the family crest momentarily wondering if he would ever see his father again. Tosh brought the dull blade around fastening it at his waist and quickly caught up to Etian. As they journeyed through the city towards the landing pad a deafening cry broke the silence.

'What is that, Tosh?' Etian shouted between the echoing blasts.

'It must be some kind of warning.' Tosh replied as they exchanged a quizzical look.

'We can try going down one of the trash chutes but only as a last resort.’ Tosh pointed at one of the fountains slightly toppled over in the center of on intersection of roads. 'For now make haste above ground.' Tosh said disappearing around a corner.

Etian motioned Blue and hurried after Tosh as the second siren screamed overhead. 'I feel sick, Tosh. I need to stop a second.’ Etian panted leaning against the wall.

'Tosh.', Etian said forcing a hand towards the sky.

Above them the city walls stretched high in all directions framing the pale blue of the sky against glimmering white stone. The red mass blocked out the horizon beginning the slow path through the clear atmosphere overhead.

‘Oh no.’ Tosh whispered seeing Etian blindly stagger ahead of him.

The tiles rippled like water as shock waves rushed through the floor. Etian’s feet were lost beneath him as he felt the ground tremble and spasm before darkness. Tosh clung to the rock wall watching in awe to the forces unraveling before his eyes. Unfastening his cloak he slung it over the three of them and snapped it into action. Like a shining pane of steel the small pieces of stone and crystal shattered off harmlessly as the city swayed around them.

'Etian wake up! I can not hold this shield around us forever. Blue, bite him or something.'