Slaves of Dardekum: The Lightbringer, Book 1

by Jake Stone

  Now that he’s gone, I can see the relief in their wide grins, their excessive clapping. It’s sad, though. In our attempt to fight evil, we’ve, unfortunately, protected it.

  “Thank you for coming,” the gaideck says, a fatherly smile gracing his lips as he gazes down upon us. He acts as if we’re precious to him, agents of light that have traveled into the darkness of the Frontier, only to return victorious. But we’re not. We’re nothing but tools to the old man, weapons that are easily disposed of.

  “People of Dardekum,” he begins in a solemn voice, taking on the role of a reluctant politician. “Brothers and sisters, friends from other worlds, I’m saddened to inform you that we live in dark times again. For the demons of the Dark Horizon, those vile monsters whom we banished so proudly ages ago, have once again returned.”

  There’s a collective groan amidst the chamber, a pained sound as grown men and women shake their heads in wary displeasure.

  The news is true, though. After the demon escaped, the Republic began to receive sightings of new tears throughout the galaxy—tiny black holes where fleets of demons have started to pour forth into this world again. The war has returned. And with it, a need to refill the ranks of those who protect this very republic.

  “But worry not,” the gaideck assures us. “We will meet this new challenge as we’ve done before, with blade and plasma, with strength and will. For at this very moment, the greatest of us, warriors of incomparable might, demigods in armor, the Battle Saints, are readying to lead the armies of the Republic to defeat them once more.

  “But do not rest easy brothers and sisters. For we must stay forever vigilant in our cause. Faith…” he says, punctuating the word with a raised finger, “…is our greatest weapon. Without it, we are defenseless.”

  My mind drifts as the gaideck continues. I don’t care what he’s saying. It’s nothing but words to me. The only thing I care about is long gone from here, stolen in a matter of seconds by a demon from hell. Is this what the demon had meant when he spoke of fate? That my life would be nothing but a series of painful events and regret? The possibility leaves me hollow, and I do my best not to cry.

  “And let the Republic remember,” the gaideck continues proudly, “that when the war first started, when the fires of hell poured forth mercilessly from the accursed abyss and ignited our world, burning those putrid souls too weak to resist, that it was our very own Purifier, Captain Atia Valora and her faithful warriors who—under my direct edict I remind you—led the charge and extinguished the fires of hell!”

  I remain still as the chamber erupts into applause, a strange cold feeling dawning over me in this supposed moment of triumph.

  The Gaideck raises his hand, and the crowd instantly quiets.

  “And it is because of this, that I’ve decided to reward these fine Purifiers by presenting them with The Kiss of Steel.”

  Atia’s head lifts at the announcement, her eyes alighting with shock. While Zorel and Petronelous exchange glances, their hands rising to cover their mouths. Behind them, Chun Hei remains still, though a hint of a smile touches her lips. They’re all going to the Forge, the home of the Battle Saints, where they’ll be trained to enter the ranks of the fabled warriors.

  I’m happy for them. I really am. They’ve proven to be good warriors, and more importantly, good friends. My only hope is that they don’t die too soon in the coming war. I’d hate to think of their light being extinguished from this world.

  When the gaideck finally finishes his speech, he graces us with a prayer, and everyone bows their heads, as they begin to thank the heavens for their lives, while I, still hurting from my loss, dwell in silence, wishing I’d saved her.

  After the gaideck departs from the chamber, taking with him the rest of the clergy, the crowd splits apart into their respective groups. Businessmen linger along the side, worried about how the war will affect commerce, while politicians and diplomats begin discussing the decisions of the Republic. Eligor himself, starts to hand out white envelopes with red seals to my friends, reluctant as he congratulates them with stiff nods.

  I wander away, wanting to be alone. My steps lead me to one of the larger balconies overlooking the city. Soft, red curtains sway lazily in the desert wind, while sounds of the busy street rise into the palace. Everything looks so quaint, so peaceful.

  “It doesn’t look as bad from up here, does it?”

  I turn to find Sister Elandra, her hair hid under her tan ceremonial hijab. Dressed in simple clothing, there’s a smile on her face as she looks out at the people beneath her, a look of contentment, of hope, and it makes me feel good, at least for a moment, to know that such a caring woman exists in this world.

  “You love this place, don’t you?” I ask.

  “The war I fight is here,” she says, “protecting the people from the daily pain of little food and little water.”

  “That’s a noble war,” I say, knowing that her valor will never be rewarded with any medals or parades. Protecting the poor isn’t as exciting as slaying a demon, but it’s just as worthy. “One without much hope, I’m afraid.”

  She smiles. “There’s always hope.”

  I want to tell her that she’s wrong. That whatever hope was in the universe at one point is now gone, that everything about this world sucks and that all we have to look forward to is pain and loneliness. But I don’t. Instead, I say, “If only that were true.”

  “It is.”

  The sternness of her words catches my attention. “What are you talking about?”

  “Do you know why I left the church?”

  I shake my head.

  “Every sister who enlists with the faith is taught about the prophecy. We learn of the Appearance in the Night, the dark journey into hell and the Light Bringer, who’ll push back the darkness and right the wrongs of the galaxy. But what we don’t learn is that there is another part of the story.”

  “What part?” I ask.

  “During my last years in the church, I came across a set of ancient texts hidden within the bowels of the palace. In it, lies the description of a planet with an ancient artifact, a weapon whose power is such that it can kill a demon with a single blow. The Light Bringer will need this weapon if they are to defeat the darkness.”

  “Why are you telling me this?” I ask.

  “Because, Xander,” she says, her voice shaky, her eyes on the verge of tears. “I believe that it is you who is this champion, the one who’ll defeat the enemies of the world and bring peace to the realm.”

  I snort. “Even if that were true, why should I care? Rachel’s dead, and my world is probably somewhere on the other side of the universe. Fighting to have a mere existence isn’t what I want to do with my life.”

  “Then don’t,” she says.

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Because you do not listen. Xander, for all your genius, you’re still very stubborn. You see, for Zendal’s ritual to have worked, the two of you would’ve had to have died at the same time. In other words—”

  “Rachel’s still alive…”

  “You must find the rest of the text. Doing so will lead you to her.”

  “But how?” I ask. “I’m stuck here on this planet. How am I going to go search the galaxy for it?”

  “With this.”

  I look down at her hand to find one of the same sealed letters that Eligor was handing out to my friends after the ceremony. Taking it from her, I remove the red ribbon and snap the seal. Inside, I find my name with the gaideck’s signature. “He’s allowing me to enlist with the Battle Saints?”

  “No doubt to rid you from his planet,” she says with the hint of a grin.

  “But…” I say, confused, “How’s this possible?”

  Before the sister can answer, I see Atia, Petronelous, Zorel, and Chun Hei standing in the archway of the balcony, arrayed in their majestic, ceremonial armor.

  “Easy,” Zorel says. “You were the one who drove the demon back to hell and saved us.�
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  “Rachel did,” I say. “Not me.”

  “And now you must save her in return,” Elandra says. “For what I can tell, she’s as much a key to ending this war as are you.”

  “She’s right,” Petronelous says, resting a hand on my shoulder. “If she’s out there, we can still find her.”

  “Or at least we can try,” Zorel says, patting me on the ass.

  I glance at Atia. She has a measured look to her face. “Our allegiance is to the Republic,” she reveals begrudgingly. “I for one don’t believe in prophecies. But, if there’s a chance we may save Rachel’s soul from the demon’s clutches, I’ll do what I can.”

  “I thought your days of sacrifice were over,” I say.

  “Perhaps not,” she answers.

  I stare at them, unsure of what to say. I don’t feel so alone anymore. Instead, I feel whole, as if I’m a part of something greater. But still, I have a hard decision to make. Accepting The Kiss of Steel would send me into the ranks of the Battle Saints, the most fearsome warriors in the galaxy. I’d be faced with horrors on a daily basis—and that’s if I survive the training!

  But still, there’s hope, more than I’ve had in a long time. And if I’m to keep going, I must make the most of it, for Rachel. Folding the letter, I hold it tight in my hands, my head tilting back as I glare up at the sky, whose light, amazingly, is still shinning.

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