by Zy J. Rykoa
Chapter Twenty-Five
When one path ends, find another.
March 7, 997 R.E.
There were lights ahead. Jaden slowed his run in the darkness, trying to see the source of the lights. After two weeks of travel, he had left Raquel far behind. Part of him wanted to remain with her, to learn more about her and her ways, but he couldn’t wait any longer to return to Alyssa. He had spent most of the time running without rest, stopping only to rejuvenate within the crystal’s realm and practise what Raquel had taught him. He could feel the power available to him growing, allowing him to run for longer periods without his breath quickening or his muscles seizing up.
The essence was becoming a part of him. He knew he was now reliant upon it. It didn’t matter to him, though. He welcomed it. It helped him travel faster and would one day allow him to protect Alyssa. Without avalanches or training sessions from Raquel, he had trouble finding ways of testing his abilities, but he knew Alyssa would be safe with him now. Even if he were not able to defeat his opponents, he would surely be able to counter them enough so that he and anyone near could flee to safety. This was why he showed no fear as he walked along the mountainside toward the lights as two heavily armed soldiers approached him.
Jaden glanced up at the rings in the clear night sky as spotlights were directed down at him, and then he proceeded toward the two soldiers.
‘Who approaches?’
A third man became apparent, pushing through the two soldiers. Jaden said nothing as the man walked up to him, his silhouette revealing little more than a slim frame and short hair. His voice had been harsh and raspy, as if he had been continually choking on dust for most of his life.
There were no trees here, Jaden now saw, and there were large machines stationed in every direction. They reminded him briefly of what the Alliance had used, and for a moment he became sceptical, thinking that he had just stumbled upon an Alliance unit, but dismissed the possibility of being overtaken by them so quickly. Whoever was in charge must have been from the Resistance.
‘Speak. Who are you?’ said the man.
When Jaden failed to reply a second time, the man clumsily fumbled for something on his belt.
‘Where is a torch?’ he asked the soldiers. ‘Give me yours!’
Before the man was able to turn the torch on, white light engulfed them, Jaden raising one of his hands to aid the man’s eyes. Jaden could now see them all clearly. Helmets hid the faces of the two soldiers, their visors too dark to see through. Jaden wondered at how they were able to see, but they had managed to navigate the area and even see him perfectly through them.
The man between them was just past his midyears, with wrinkles under his eyes and a sharp straight-bridged nose. He was regarding Jaden with curiosity as well as surprise, and then his nose began to crease upward and his eyes moved up and down quickly.
‘A Sentinel,’ said the man. ‘I should have known. What do you want?’
Jaden now studied the man in return, wondering at the resentful tone he used.
‘I bring news from Callibra. Is this Corsec?’ asked Jaden.
‘No, this is not Corsec,’ snapped the man, as if the question had been childish and stupid. ‘Corsec is an hour’s flight from here. Don’t they teach you anything before giving you those ...’ the man paused and looked briefly at the endobraces, and then he withdrew slightly in fear, ‘things?’
Confused, Jaden ignored the man’s question. ‘Where am I?’
‘Alenda, United Resistance Mining Zone.’
‘And you are?’
‘Lieutenant Ian Lawson. Any news you bring can be given to me.’
‘I would prefer to speak with the one in charge.’
Ian almost seemed ready to lash out and scold Jaden, but thought better of it after taking a second look at the lit-up endobrace.
‘The commanders are in Corsec. I am in charge for now. What news do you bring?’
Jaden repeated the message he had given at Waikor, but instead of understanding nods, he now received furrowed brows and a sneering lip.
‘This is not news!’ said Ian. ‘We have known this for weeks. We have no need of you, Sentinel, you may go back to wherever you came from.’
Ian quickly turned and walked away, the two soldiers following shortly after, leaving Jaden on his own.
But Corsec was still miles away. It would take him at least another week to get there. He would be away from Alyssa for that time and more if he were unable to get transport back to Waikor.
Quickly, Jaden raced after the three men, catching up to them as Ian entered a small building and the two soldiers stood on either side of the door. Jaden looked to each of them, unable to see anymore than their jaws as they both nodded and allowed him access to the small building.
Jaden let the endobrace go dim as the first room of the building had a warm light inside. On either side of the door were chest-high plants, followed by two brown-cushioned couches and then a high desk at the end where Ian now sat, reading over some documents with a pen in hand. Jaden knew Ian had heard him enter, but he showed no sign of it.
Jaden approached the desk. ‘How did you know the Alliance was coming?’ he asked.
Ian failed to lift his eyes from his work. Jaden first thought he would be ignored, or scolded again for asking such questions, but behind his desk, the grey-haired man seemed more at ease.
‘Since they attacked Ceahlin, we have had reports from all minor villages.’
‘Ceahlin was attacked?’
‘Destroyed.’
‘And Waikor?’ asked Jaden anxiously.
‘Our last report was that they were attacked almost two weeks ago.’
Jaden felt his heart race, afraid to hear what would be said next.
Ian continued, ‘The Alliance was sent running with their tails between their legs. We haven’t heard anything since.’
Jaden relaxed. Waikor was safe. Alyssa should be safe, so long as she was taken there. He could still return to her.
‘I need transport to Corsec,’ he said.
Ian lifted his head from his work and looked at Jaden with wide eyes. ‘Then you’d best be looking elsewhere, Sentinel, you won’t find it here.’
‘I have to get to Corsec. Please, you have to help me.’
‘Have to? I am obliged to do nothing, Sentinel. You have already overstayed your welcome here. If that is all, you would do well to leave at once.’
Jaden felt his anger rise as the man continually spoke with resentment at him. The endobraces by his sides became alight with a fiery glow, but before Ian had looked up, a booming deep voice came from behind Jaden.
‘Sentinel, it is an honour.’
The endobraces faded as Jaden turned quickly to see a man an entire head taller than he was. His skin was dark and his scalp completely shaven while his body, perhaps slightly enlarged by the blue overalls, was almost three times the width of Jaden’s. He was the biggest man Jaden had ever seen, making even the Alliance soldiers seem small. The man’s hand was outstretched, and Jaden took it as the man bowed to him.
‘I am Oldenwa. What service do you require?’
Jaden was stunned. This man seemed Ian’s complete opposite in every possible way. It took Jaden a moment to calm himself and speak in a tone as friendly as this giant now spoke to him in.
‘I am Jaden,’ he began. ‘I need to get to Corsec.’
‘We are not in debt to him, Oldenwa,’ said Ian.
Oldenwa seemed thoughtful. ‘No one is leaving tonight?’
‘All are to remain here until base gives further notice.’
‘This Sentinel requires our assistance,’ Oldenwa reasoned.
‘And he will not get any. The orders are clear. You are both dismissed.’
Jaden lowered his head, staring at the floor as he wondered at how he was going to get to Corsec. He couldn’t be away from Alyssa for another week, he just couldn’t. The calm that Raquel had settled over his heart was disappearing fast, and all he cou
ld now think of was making sure she was safe.
‘This way, Sentinel,’ said Oldenwa, showing him the door.
Jaden looked up, ready to defy the big man and force Ian to allow him transport, but he held his tongue as he saw Oldenwa wink at him and indicate the way outside. Jaden followed him into the cool fresh air and after Oldenwa had slapped both soldiers on the back in a friendly gesture, they continued down and then around the hill.
‘Where are we going?’ asked Jaden.
‘Corsec,’ said Oldenwa.
‘But Ian said…’
Jaden could see Oldenwa’s smile even in the darkness. ‘I am a volunteer. His command does not extend to my freedom.’
‘How are we going to get to Corsec?’
Oldenwa indicated a truck up ahead that was so big that it made even him seem minute. ‘She’s mine,’ he said.
Jaden laughed as they reached the truck and he stood next to a wheel almost twice his height. Oldenwa lowered a ladder and helped him into the passenger side, following closely behind him to take the driver’s side. The great machine roared into life under Oldenwa’s manipulations, and soon they were steering their way out of the mining area and onto a flat open road, the smell of fuel and dust filling their lungs along the way.
‘I am in your debt,’ said Jaden, speaking easily as the insulated compartment softened the loud vibration of the engine. ‘What do you want in return?’
‘Nothing is necessary,’ said Oldenwa.
‘The lieutenant did not seem so friendly.’
‘He is bitter toward the Daijuar. They have not been kind to him in the past. He blames them, I think.’
Jaden paused. ‘I can relate,’ he said.
Oldenwa turned to him questioningly, but said nothing as they continued along the open road.
‘How long will the journey take?’ asked Jaden.
Oldenwa chuckled. ‘I have not known many Sentinels to be impatient.’
‘I don’t mean to offend you, but I need to see someone as soon as I can.’
‘Then it sounds like you need rest,’ said Oldenwa.
‘Why?’
‘Your mind travels faster than your body. You stress, but there is nothing you can do. It is part of your training, is it not?’ Oldenwa looked at Jaden curiously, his big, dark eyes seeming to probe for answers before Jaden could respond. ‘You must only use emotions when they can be used,’ he continued, turning back to the road. ‘If you cannot do anything about a situation, then you must let them go until you can. It is a basic principle that ensures good action.’
‘I ... I must have missed that one,’ said Jaden unsurely. ‘But I don’t think I can sleep.’
‘Put your head against the window. There is padding there.’
‘I have not slept in days,’ explained Jaden.
‘Then I will help you.’
Jaden felt the warmth of the large hand as it moved over to between his eyes, and then with a flash of light, the compartment disappeared with the road ahead, and he fell into nothingness.