The Sword of Elseerian: The White Mage Saga #2 (The Chronicles of Lumineia)

by Ben Hale

  Tess suppressed the burst of laughter as her roommate argued with Brokins students to get out. Even as she spoke Iris tightened her fist at torpedo after torpedo, destroying them with barely a thought.

  Shorn caught Iris's eye as the last was destroyed. "What did you mean about the planes?"

  Iris stabbed a finger toward the surface above the submarines. "It's a carrier group. In this case we have an aircraft carrier, three cruisers, and five destroyers—in addition to the subs. Look at their hulls, they are moving toward us."

  "What do they intend to do?" Tess asked.

  "They are going to bomb us, of course." Iris grunted in annoyance. "Am I supposed to know everything?"

  A loud crack caused them all to turn toward the plug. Water burst from a thin gap that now stretched around the frozen coral, and it was spreading. In seconds another crack appeared, and then another.

  Tess's stomach went rigid with fear. The seal wasn't going to last long, and neither was the dome. The damage was too widespread. She cursed herself for not thinking of Iris before, but how was she supposed to know that the auren weapons had a self-destruct? Unbidden, Hawk's words came to her.

  You must learn now, so you are ready when the time comes.

  Guilt assaulted her for not learning techno magic earlier, and for not bringing her roommate with her. She clenched her jaw and thrust it aside. She could dwell on her mistakes later—if she survived. For now she needed to deal with what was happening.

  "Anything we can do?" a voice asked.

  She turned to find a mass of flyers soaring toward them. Dressed in blue and white, they banked their boards to a stop beside the three of them. The captain of the Brokins team jumped down and pulled off his helmet to reveal his Japanese heritage.

  "Katsuo," he said, and offered his hand. "Kyle said you could use some help."

  "And your professors let you come?"

  Katsuo coughed and shifted. "We didn't exactly ask. Besides, they're so overwhelmed they can hardly move."

  Lisa flipped her black hair. "They should be able to help—even if they are Brokins flyers."

  The teasing in her tone caused Katsuo to grin, but Shorn cut in. "Anyone with fire magic, get up to the dome and draw the heat from it. The ice will seal the cracks before they spread further. The rest of you try to get ahead of them and find the holes. Show them where to go. Tryton's take the northwest quadrant, Brokins the southwest."

  Katsuo donned his helmet, and barked, "Do what he says. Don't forget there are a lot of people depending on us."

  Taking his own advice, he leapt onto his board. As his team scattered, he curved back to them. "I'll reseal the hole. We don't want a sloppy Tryton's job now do we?" He laughed and sent a burst of speed into his board, sending him to the break. Then he set to work strengthening Tess's handiwork.

  A sheet of ice spread across the aquaglass as the Tempest players worked. Bubbling and spurting leaks were frozen and left encased in white. The water running down the aquaglass ebbed as its source was cut off.

  "Well that worked fast," Iris said.

  Tess turned as panicked footfalls sounded behind her. A knot of city officials and Brokins professors raced down a path accompanied by a trio of flyers above them. The man in the lead stopped at the water's edge, keeping his feet clear of the water.

  "What happened here?" he demanded. "Who did this?"

  "An auren torpedo broke through," Shorn said, "but Tess managed to seal it before it could do too much damage."

  The man dismissed his comment with a wave. "Whatever you have done, it is outside your authority. Get to the evacuation with the others. We will handle it from here."

  "Director Souta," the woman at his side said, "perhaps they can help. They are quite skilled with—"

  "No," Souta barked. "Get them out of here before they get themselves killed."Thompson, take over for the students on the dome. Rita, lead these kids to the rest of the students in the lower cavern. Shinobu, go with them. Make sure they get there."

  Tess felt a surge of anger, but Shorn caught her arm. "Most of it's done already," he murmured. "Leave it to them to wrap up."

  His quiet murmur was sufficient to still her tongue, so she joined the other students—who were complaining loudly—as they gathered next to the woman. One of the flying professors remained behind with her, and he descended to greet Tess.

  "Oracle," Shinobu said, and inclined his head to her. "On behalf of our city, I would like to thank you for your quick actions." His accent was Japanese, and his tone conveyed respect and gratitude.

  "I didn't do it alone," Tess replied.

  "So I hear," he said. "And they deserve praise as well." Then he raised his voice to address the grumbling Tempest players. "If you will accompany us, we will take you to the terra train below."

  "And hurry, please," Rita said. Worry lined her features as she glanced up at the damaged dome.

  "But we can help," Katsuo called.

  "Why put us underground?" another Brokins player yelled.

  There was a chorus of agreements. Ignoring the complaints, Shinobu turned on his heel and led the way up into the city. Iris badgered people that were not present, and Shorn's attention was on quieting his team. Tess couldn't stop looking behind her. Would the ice hold? Had they done enough? Had she done enough? Guilt seeped into her heart. Then Shinobu came to a halt in front of a tunnel.

  Hundreds of families were being guided into it by harried officials and teachers. Children cried in fear, echoing the terror on their parents’ faces. A professor of sound magic bellowed at them to slow down. His magically amplified voice barely kept the crowd contained.

  For the first time Tess felt the sense of dread and panic, and realized that these people were fleeing their city and leaving their lives behind. They were desperate to escape the imminent destruction of their homes. Then the first bomb fell.

  And the city trembled.

  Chapter 30: Ice

  Cushioned by a hundred feet of water, the explosion rattled the top of the aquaglass dome. Every face lifted upward, their expressions tight with fear. An unnatural stillness swept the crowd as the salty rain began to fall.

  They screamed when the next bomb hit. This time a brick sized piece of aquaglass broke free. It disintegrated into mist, allowing a thin waterfall to plummet into the city. A heartbeat later another bomb exploded, causing two more waterfalls to appear.

  The crowd panicked and surged forward, carrying the officials with them. Rita and Shinobu backed away, their expressions shocked. Neither of them moved as the crowd forced their way into the tunnel, rushing for the safety below.

  Tess's gaze never left the top of the dome. A chill swept across her skin and she knew there was not enough time. A few more bombs and the dome would burst like a bubble, allowing the sea's might to collapse onto the city. A handful with the right magic would survive.

  Thousands would not.

  She delved into her farsight, hoping to see them survive, but her whole frame shuddered at what she witnessed in the next few minutes. The city would be crushed, and the bodies of mages would float away. She saw her teammates and Iris among them, their faces still and relaxed, their arms listless at their sides.

  Tess gasped and snapped back to the present. She still couldn't go beyond a few minutes with her farsight, but for once she didn't want to see any more. Desperation and fear washed over her as she witnessed the dome crack further, and the thousands of people pushing to get into the caverns.

  The men in the crowd exchanged a long look. Fear, understanding, and then regret passed over their features. Then they nodded to each other. One by one they stepped out of line, allowing their wives and children to proceed without them. She knew by the knots on their shoulders that only a handful of them were water mages. Their expressions sober, they stood aside and waited for the end.

  Mothers clasped their hands before gathering their children and departing. Kids began to sob, perhaps understanding the sacrifice being made. Many of t
he teenage boys voluntarily remained behind with their fathers. They stood mutely, their bravery and courage warring with their terror. One boy couldn't have been older than fourteen. He stood by his father, his eyes on his feet. His shoulders flinched every time the ground quivered.

  The next bomb struck, and a piece the size of a truck disintegrated. A rising roar swept the city as the great cascade in the center doubled in size. It struck the peak of the city, furious and punishing. Tess knew others would join it, until the entire dome lost integrity. The water would strike with more force than any bomb. Buildings, people, and everything else would be crushed and tossed like leaves in a hurricane.

  Nothing would remain.

  Tess looked at the resignation on the faces of her teammates, at the fearful acceptance of what they could not control. Their bravery brought tears to her eyes as they allowed the families of Brokins to escape, knowing they would not. Then she spotted an object on the ground. Discarded and torn, a sign from the Tempest game lay in the dirt, half buried in water. Its flickering text was still readable.

  The Oracle fights for us.

  The sight turned her fear into rage. Coursing and hot, it flooded her with a will to do something—anything to stave off the slaughter. Her gaze rose to the top of the city. Shaped like a gigantic cone, the buildings of Brokins rose to a point several hundred feet above her. A great waterfall fell from the top of the crumbling dome and split as it struck the peak. Through the torrent Tess noticed that the top of pinnacle had snapped off from the mounting force. The stunted piece was flat, and perhaps just large enough for a person to stand on . . .

  The idea formed in her mind, and in the same instant she kicked off the ground. As soon as she was clear she placed her board under her feet and launched herself forward. Ignoring the protests from below, she weaved through smaller waterfalls on her way upward, gathering her magic as she went.

  Another bomb stuck, and she dodged the trio of waterfalls that appeared. Alone, she angled her path to the tower at the center of Brokins. She kicked off her board and dived into the main column of water, using her magic to bend it around her. Landing in the center of the torrent, she rose to her feet and plunged her hands into the water falling at her sides. The force of the cascade nearly brought her to her knees, but she cast a strength spell on herself and stood her ground. Then she closed her eyes and summoned her power.

  The waterfall began to freeze. Shards of ice slammed into the ground and spread. Then it exploded upward. Streaking up the waterfall, the ice froze every inch of the falling water, turning it into a massive icicle.

  Her magic reached the dome and expanded. The transparent aquaglass faded to white as it froze solid, hardening like concrete. Sweat blossomed across her frame as the heat was funneled through her, and turned into tongues of flame off her shoulders. Feverish from using too much magic, she fought to defy her mounting weakness.

  She knew it was not enough, but she refused to allow doubt to overcome her. Then she felt another touch of magic on the column of ice—and then another. She'd practiced enough with them to recognize them by their magic. Parker and Lisa were first, but in seconds several more joined them. Then the Brokins Tempest team arrived. Collectively they pulled the heat from the dome.

  Tess felt a surge of pride and gratitude that threatened to overwhelm her, and she fought to contain it. Despite the assistance, she knew that it was her magic that anchored the rising ice. Without her the cold would recede, and the city would be swept away. Pouring her emotions into her magic, she strove to greater effort.

  A muffled thump indicated that another bomb had landed, but it sounded distant and weak. Tess heard the sound and pushed harder, snarling as her body threatened to quit. Crystals of ice bonded and swelled, devouring the surface of the dome, driven by her will.

  Brokins darkened as the ambient light was cut off, casting long shadows behind every building. Another bomb struck, but its impact was barely measureable. A moment later the ice touched the base of the city and solidified into place.

  Darkness crowded her vision, but she refused to stop. Still she poured her magic into the column of ice, and the dome gradually thickened. One foot, and then two, she forced the water to harden and fill every vulnerability, until the city of Brokins had gone dim and her strength failed her.

  The ice in her hands was as white as pure snow when she broke them free. A wave of nausea washed over her, causing her to collapse to her knees. Shorn and Parker caught her shoulders and pulled her out of the column of frost. A faint smile creased her features as she dimly saw her handiwork.

  The pillar and dome resembled a giant white umbrella. The ice was over two feet thick and as strong as reinforced concrete. It was even more dense at the top, where the ice pillar had first touched it—and where the bombs impact would be greatest. As if it came from a great distance, she heard a dull rumble as another bomb exploded above the city. It wouldn't hold forever, but it would hold long enough for the people to escape. She released a great sigh of relief.

  This Oracle does fight for you.

  Chapter 31: Leaders of Light

  Hawk descended a long spiral staircase into the depths of the Guildhall. Turning onto an unobtrusive corridor, he strode to the end. He came to a halt before an ancient statue of a man bearing a shimmering white staff. Regal and proud, he was dressed in simple garb from a simpler time. Carved with great care without chisel or hammer, the piercing eyes, sharp nose, and flowing beard conveyed a sense of strength, wisdom, and unflinching resolve.

  "The way is clear to those who seek peace," Hawk said quietly.

  The rasp of grinding stone sounded loud as the statue inclined its head, and then slid to the side, revealing a secret tunnel behind him. Hawk slipped into the new corridor and followed it to the spacious chamber at its end. Other statues of former guild members lined the walls of the room, but Hawk only had eyes for the four men and women sitting at the oval table.

  Hawk nodded to each of the guild leaders in turn. "It was good of you to come on such short notice," he said.

  The black haired man, Janson, gave a curt nod. "How could we not? After what happened at Brokins it's clear the situation is deteriorating." He released a troubled sigh. "Do you know more about the attack?"

  "There are others things we need to discuss first," Hawk said.

  Hawk flashed a weary smile at the man. Tall and sleek, Janson was the strongest of the bunch, and had been appointed a captain of the Rayths before the Harbingers had taken over. Many within the battlemages considered him the greatest water mage in centuries, but he was also quite skilled with air magic.

  Leah leaned in. "Then it's true? Gerik responded?"

  "It is," Hawk replied.

  Leah sat back with a sigh of relief. As one of the few healers within the guild, she was also the best, and the oldest. At fifty-three she still looked young. Her talent had only solidified with time.

  "So where did Gerik say the Sword is?"

  Ritsu was straight to the point, as usual. Born and raised in Japan, she had developed a great love for her more ancient elvish ancestry. She was unmatched with traditional blades in the guild but she favored the katana, the evolved version of the elvish katsana. She was also extremely talented with light and fire magics. Hawk had wondered before who would be victorious in battle between Ritsu and the Swordsman. Perhaps it was best that he didn't find out.

  The last member of the guild leaders remained quiet. Not young or old, Zephanik, or Zeph as he was known, was a native South African. Talented with both plant and animal magics, a rare combination, he supervised research in the African jungles. He was known to be soft spoken and reserved, and huge. Standing at well over six feet in height, he was the largest human member of the Guild.

  With their gaze on him, Hawk withdrew an origami crane from inside his cloak and released it into the air. It flapped its wings and soared around the gathered members. Ritsu gestured to it.

  "Clever to use the crane," Ritsu said. "In this age
it would be much harder to track."

  "As I'd hoped," Hawk said.

  "Quit stalling, Hawk," Janson said. "Where's the Sword?"

  Hawk gave a troubled sigh. "Gerik's message is short, but to the point. He overheard Ranson speaking with Drake, and they mentioned the lowest levels of the Spirus."

  "The Vaults?" Zeph's eyebrows shot up. "That's bold of him to place it there."

  "Perhaps not," Janson said. His expression had shifted to thoughtful. "The Harbingers took control within days of stealing the Sword, and the Vaults are the most secure place in the world."

  "Do you have the authority to go down there?" Ritsu asked Janson.

  Janson jerked his head. "I have clearance in the first three subterranean floors. Below them, a special contingent of battlemages guard the Vaults."

  "Could you confirm it's there?" Leah asked. "Or where it's located?"

  Janson frowned. "I doubt they recorded it anywhere. If they did, it would have been immediately recognized. The Sword of Elseerian is not just any artifact."

  "Tell us about the Vaults," Hawk said.

  Janson nodded, and didn't hesitate to divulge information that would lead to his exile if discovered.

  "There are six floors below the Spirus. The first contains the bulk of the battlemage corps and is dedicated to training, offices, and barracks. The second is the headquarters for the Rayths, while the third houses the office that protects Auroraq. The next three are known as the Vaults. It's commonly accepted that security increases the further down you go, but I have never been below the third floor."

  "Even as a captain?" Zeph's rumbling voice was curious.

  Janson nodded. "The Vaults are guarded more than anything else in our world, and contain artifacts and relics from throughout our history. Some are quite powerful, and dangerous. I am not even privy to all of the defenses placed down there."