“Are you speaking as a servant of Captain Valis or as a Terran?” Trai Gor asked.
“Both,” Brian responded. “I was sent by Captain Valis as a representative of the Kein family but I’m also the first of my people to visit your world Trai Gor. And from what I’ve seen it’s quite impressive.”
“On behalf of my people I accept your kindness.” He called off his guards. “Now, let’s get to the matter at hand,” the Shandi lord turned to Shiken Ka, “In the message you sent me you told me this man here is the Knight of Aquarius, a figure long forgotten since the rulership of the priesthood,” he turned to Brian, “Do you know anything about this Maigar?”
“No, I know nothing about this,” Brian answered.
Shiken moved forward. “There’s a place I need to take all of you. When I was young I entered a temple of the ancients on the edge of the old city. There, buried in the sands of time is the secret of Brian.”
“How is that even possible?” Mira asked.
Trai Gor turned to Mira. “Long ago, around the same time the Teacher came to your world, a being of similar nature appeared on our world. Most of our race knows little about it, largely because the secrets of the priesthood died when they fell from power. The legends say a two tailed being came from the sky. The two tails signify legs like yours,” Trai Gor explained as he pointed to Brian’s legs. “Kalaidians have the closest figure in their religious texts to this mythical being.”
“But we have given up all the old ways, have we not?” Miv Daek asked. “Are we to take the words of false prophets so literally?”
“True,” Trai Gor responded. “To take the words of the ancients at face value is a blunder.”
Shiken motioned to speak. “I know it’s hard to believe,” He looked at Brian with scrutinizing eyes, “And memories are fleeting at best. But you must trust what I’ve seen has proven to me all that I need. For confirmation I’ll take you to the ruins.”
“What’s there?” Miv Daek asked.
“Something that will prove beyond a doubt what I’m saying is the truth.”
* * *
Shiken checked his scanner a few times to make sure the temple was still there. He turned to Brian. “Please blow away the sand. Below it is the temple I want everyone to see.”
Mira stepped back to allow Brian the room to draw his rakna. With a few spins over his head he slashed forward and blew away the sand. Just below where they stood was the entrance to an ancient temple. Trai Gor moved signaled for the others to follow.
“Is this the place you spoke of?” Trai Gor asked Shiken.
“Yes. It’ll take us a few hours to reach the room in question,” Shiken said as he took the lead. Behind him followed Brian. Mira clasped his arm while the rest followed cautiously. For what felt like eternity the group moved through the ancient temple, marveling at its preservation, as well as the stories held within the murals.
Shiken put his hand up to stop the group following him and pointed to a narrow hallway. “At the other end of this hall is the place I saw the statue of Brian all those years ago.”
He moved into the hallway as the others followed. After a few minutes the hall opened up into a massive chamber. When Brian and Mira stepped inside, the floor started glowing in a pattern. The light originated at the statue at the center and moved towards each of the side walls. Brian and Mira stood near the center, transfixed on the statue at the center. The nobles followed in with shocked looks on their faces as they saw a statue resembling Brian at the center.
“Two thousand years ago the Teacher visited our world,” Shiken Ka said. “And he left this as his beacon to the future.” he moved next to Brian and placed a hand on the human’s shoulder, “How he knew a man looking like you was to come to us is beyond me.”
Mira walked over to the statue. She turned around, looking Brian up and down. “It matches everything.” She brushed away at the inscription and read it as best she could, “The Knight of Aquarius.”
“Aquarius is my birth sign from Earth,” Brian said. He stared at the statue. “I have no explanation for this.”
“Is it the will of Kali?” Mira asked
Shiken moved forward. “In the days of old we believed in gods. But today we’re different. It’s my belief that the Teacher was a Terran who transcended his nature and became something far greater than a mortal.”
“There are a number of people from my world who’ve been said to have done that in history. But still…” Brian paused and placed a hand on the inscribed plaque. At that moment the eyes on the statue began glowing blue and a strange blue aura covered Brian. Mira held him tight. Shiken backed away and saw their eyes glowing with the light of the berserk. Around them the light flowed down eight paths to a panel in the stone walls opening at each point.
“What is this?” Trai Gor asked.
Shiken looked at each of the eight points and found an inscribed panel at the base of each. “The Teacher left behind a message before leaving our planet.”
Chapter 33 - Message of the Teacher
What is this place? Brian thought as he opened his eyes to see a vast sea of fuzzy blue and green. Turning, he saw Mira holding his arm.
“Where are we?” she asked.
“I don’t know,” he answered.
Mira pointed to lights floating off in the distance. “Brian, look!”
Far away on Kalaidia Prime, Celestia sat at her desk enjoying a glass wine when her eyes began glowing blue. She dropped her glass and looked into the mirror, seeing Myden standing behind her. His black eyes started glowing blue as well.
“What’s happening?” she asked.
“The Warrior is calling to the Maidens. I’ve only seen this place once before. Myden closed his eyes and took her hands with his. “This is where he’ll learn the truth.”
Valis, Kivi, and Zae stood around the battle planning table discussing their next move when their eyes began glowing blue.
“Captain,” Zae said with confusion in her voice.
“It’s the berserk state,” Kivi said.
Valis narrowed her eyes, searching. “I can hear his voice calling to me.”
Zae pointed to the stars in the sky above them. “It’s coming from here.”
“Shandi Prime,” Kivi said.
Seles sat up from her bed as a strange wave of energy entered her. Looking into the mirror she saw that her eyes were glowing.
“Seles,” Baed said with fear in her voice.
Seles pushed aside her curtain to see her cousin’s eyes were glowing.
“I hear a voice in my head,” Baed said. “I think its Brian.”
Seles hugged her as each closed their eyes. “I can hear him as well. He’s calling for us, just relax and let it happen.”
“Thanks Seles.”
Celi stood in the medical lab alone when she felt a strange surge fill her body. Rubbing her eyes, she saw a strange blue glow emerging from her eyes. She knelt down, holding her head in her hands. Suddenly she snapped back up and faced the ceiling.
“I can hear you Brian. I’m coming.”
As the strange glowing lights approached Brian and Mira they began making out that they were their crewmates, along with Celestia and Myden. Each stood perplexed in a circle when Myden made his way to the middle.
“It looks like you found the power spot Brian,” Myden said.
“Yes,” Brian said before looking at all the others. He saw confusion on all their faces. “Where is this place?”
“There are many names for what this place is, but I believe the closest term for this from Earth is the Akashic Records, or Universal Database,” Myden explained. “Everything that ever was and exists now is recorded her.” He turned to the Kalaidians next to him, “I believe your people would refer to this place as the Recorder of the Grand Stage. If Kali exists she watches from this place and sees everything.”
“If this place is a database for knowledge then why don’t we see any of it right now?” Valis asked.
; Brian looked around and then closed his eyes. “This is only the entry point. To find knowledge we must travel deeper into the sea.” He opened his eyes and saw a path open up before him. “We must be careful to not lose ourselves in this place because we might not be able to return.”
“Why are we here?” Seles asked.
“The Teacher left behind a message for all the older races before he departed the existence we all know,” Myden said. “Of the Great Dragon three will come, the Teacher who will show the Path, then will come the Warrior, who will lead them upon the Path, and finally the Goddess, who will open the door to paradise.” He turned to Brian. “The specific message left by the Teacher was that the Warrior would call for the Five Maidens, the Three Wisemen, and the twenty seven stars.”
“Did you say five maidens?” Celi asked. “I say that because there are eight of us here.”
Myden nodded. “The Teacher was not a fool when he left the marks on your ancestors. He intended for more than five for a simple reason.”
“If one of us died another could take our place,” Mira said.
“Yes,” Myden said. “For example, your younger sister no doubt carries the same mark as you Celi.”
“If that’s true then why isn’t she here?” Celi asked.
“She is, it just took her a little longer to get here,” Brian said. He looked down at his left side and saw the cute little Kalaidian girl he met on Kalaidia Prime. She looked around, confused. Seeing her big sister, the little girl ran over to Celi.
“Sis, what’s happening?” the little girl asked.
Celi knelt down and hugged her little sister, “Don’t worry Kyli, everything’s alright. Just stay next to me and nothing will happen to you.”
“The Teacher’s plan was to be executed without issue,” Myden explained. “Even if one or all of you fall another waits to take your place. The same pertains to me, Brian, and the others who aren’t here at the moment.”
“What others?” Valis asked.
“As you can see, I’m the only one of the three wise ones here at the moment,” Myden answered. “There are two others who may show themselves as of yet.”
Before them a vortex started to clear away a path, seeming to go on for eternity.
Myden pointed to the path. “Now go Brian, and see why you’re coming wasn’t by chance.”
Brian started down the path tentatively before looking back at the whole group. “I’ll be back in a little while,” he said as the vortex disappeared around him.
“Why can only he go?” Kivi asked.
“Worry not Maiden of War. If he should die in battle or elsewhere it will likely fall next to you,” Myden turned to Seles, “Or maybe you Lady Seles.”
“What do you mean by that?” Valis asked.
Myden closed his eyes. “Should the Warrior fall another must take his place. If no Terran is present then it naturally falls to a Kalaidian, and Commander Kivi or Lady Seles have the proper qualifications. The message the Teacher left to us was the path to eternal happiness.”
“How is that possible?” Celestia asked.
“Unification,” Valis said. “The only way I can think of is for the Confederation of Alden to unify, thus ending disputes between peoples.”
“That’s part of it Lady Valis.” Myden paced about in a circle around the group. “The other goals are prosperity for everyone and demilitarization. We’re entering stage five of the Teacher’s original plan, the creation of the Degan State.”
* * *
As Brian walked forward through the strange ocean the sea began to get darker and darker around him. Suddenly, a bright orb floated towards him. As the orb closed he saw images of Earth, Kalaidia, Shandi, and Malcov. He reached his hand up to block the light.
“I have waited for so long,” said a strange voice from the orb.
“Who are you?” Brian asked.
The orb shifted into the rough outline of a man. “I’m the one who’s carried the burden of light for so long, the remaining thoughts of the Teacher. I know what his wishes for us all were. And now…” The glowing image moved forward and embraced Brian tightly, “It’s time to pass on the knowledge I carry to you. When the time comes you’ll do the same for the Goddess, the lady who’ll open the path to Eden once and for all.”
* * *
“What is happening to them?” Trai Gor asked.
Shiken looked closely at Brian and Mira. “Other than their eyes it appears nothing.”
“Are they communing with the spirit of the Teacher?” Miv Daek asked.
Shiken shook Brian violently and noticed the blue glow turning red. After a moment Brian began convulsing and fell to the floor unconscious. Mira fell to the floor asleep a moment later. After a minute she sat up and rubbed her eyes.
“Where am I?” she asked weakly before looking over at Brian. “Brian!” She shouted as she moved over to wake him up. Another minute passed before Brian began to wake.
“What happened?” he asked, looking at everyone as he stood up.
“You and Mira stood still and gazed at the statue as your eyes glowed blue,” Shiken said.
“I remember seeing a lot of others, like Seles, Valis, Kivi, and a few more,” Mira said. She turned to the statue.
“What did you see Brian?” Shiken asked.
“I remember a bright light, a strange voice, and meeting the others like Mira said. What the voice told me I can’t recall, but I know it was something important.” Brian turned to the other Shandi nobles. “I can’t give you the answer you seek. But I can offer you this.” He dropped his rakna blade to the ground and deactivated his armor before walking forward, kneeling on one knee. He bowed his head. “If you truly believe I’m a threat, then I give you this.”
“You’re offering us your life?” Trai Gor asked.
“Even if I die another will take my place,” Brian said. “Each being is special, unique, but none of us are irreplaceable. The one you seek, the Knight of Aquarius could be I or anyone else capable of leading your people into the new era.”
Miv Daek drew her sword. “You’ve bled with our kind and are the brother of Shiken Ka. Even if I should be proven wrong in the end I choose to believe in you Brian Peterson.” Miv placed her sword on the ground and joined Shiken.
Trai Gor smiled. “For a hundred years our kind has warred with the people of Kali,” he looked at Mira, “I believe it’s time we finally end it. Brian may not be the knight you spoke of but I can see he has a power we thought impossible.” Trai Gor threw his sword to the ground. “Your power is the ability to bring others together.” Trai Gor moved behind Brian and turned to the five others. “Choose what path you may my friends but I choose the path of peace. I’ve lived a long life and all I’ve seen is sorrow, bitterness, and hatred. It’s time we end it.”
The others nodded and one by one each did the same, surrendering their blade and moving behind Brian.
Chapter 34 - Dreka’s Triumph
The combined fleets of Malcovin and Ick-Tckt surrounded a Kalaidian asteroid base orbiting Dega Six. Dreka stood by in his Talon. Waiting for the order to launch the black bird closed his eyes, thinking. What the hell was that place? And why did I see those Kalaidians and that strange being? And why did I hear grandfather’s voice telling me to follow him? He opened his eyes and looked angrily at the monitor. He banged his fist against the arm of the chair.
“I’ll never trust a thief like that Terran,” he said.
Captain Riga appeared on his monitor. “Is everything ready to go Dreka?”
“Yes captain,” he answered. He activated his com between Talons. “Alright men, it’s time to get going.”
“Take formation Z-11,” Riga commanded.
“Looks like you’re really relying on me,” Dreka said sarcastically.
“Our enemy is outnumbered four to one. I’m counting on you because if we don’t beat them quickly.”
“I understand,” Dreka said. He flew his Talon outside and took formation with the o
ther Talons and Claws. They moved into a cone shaped formation with his suit at the tip. Flipping the switch to go to full power, Dreka’s mobile suit gave off an eerie red glow. A mass of Novaguards and a quartet of Avoni class ships launched from the base. With a blazing charge Dreka’s Talon cut down six Novaguards in an instant.
“The rest of you work on the smaller ships, I’m going after the base itself,” Dreka commanded. He flew past the other ships as he charged the main dock while cutting down Novaguards with ease. Behind Dreka the heavier ships started exchanging fire. Pulling out the pulse rifle, he aimed at the dock entrance and shot a beam of red energy, smashing through everything. Flying the Talon in quickly, Dreka aimed the rifle and fired in every direction, blasting the base apart from the inside. Looking to his side, he saw two of the Kalaidian ships explode. Over the com came a message of surrender. The Kalaidians stopped firing. As Dreka flew back to his ship he noticed the Ick-Tckt open fire on those surrendering.
“No!” Dreka shouted. He turned his Talon to intercept the incoming Ick-Tckt forces. “I will not be a part of something so cruel!” He aimed his weapon at the front Jckta class ship. A number of Talons closed in to restrain him.
“What are you doing!?” Dreka shouted. “This isn’t war, its murder!”
Riga appeared on Dreka’s monitor. “I’m sorry, but our orders are to eliminate all our enemies. The Duchess ordered no surrender and no mercy.”
“I don’t care what her orders were,” Dreka said before his eyes starting glowing blue. “All I know is this isn’t justice.” He turned off Riga and opened a com line with the Ick-Tckt. With a motion swifter than the eye could see the birdman freed his mobile suit and flew towards the Ick-Tckt ship. With a single shot he blasted the shields off the front ship and damaged its weapons system. “Are you listening to me now? The Kein forces have surrendered and under interstellar law what you are engaging in is unlawful mass murder. Should you fire upon another Kalaidian that’s surrendered I will consider you my enemy.” The Ick-Tckt stopped firing. Dreka turned his Talon back towards his ship. “Please take on all the Kalaidian prisoners; I don’t trust those vicious bugs.”
Heaven Saga 2: Sands of Aquarius Page 17