“My child, the Presence does not forsake us.”
“I-I wish that were true, my Lord. But I fear that for my sins, I am being punished.”
“What is your name, sister?”
She kept her head down. “Reyche. Reyche Estry.”
“You’ve come a long way, have you not?”
She nodded.
Vortai smiled. “Then you see, you are being led here by Him. The Presence does not want you to live in the darkness. He never provides us with burdens we cannot bear. All that happens to us is part of His Divine Plan, so that we may find the path to true illumination. That is the purpose He laid out for us in the scriptures.”
“Even when...what we’ve become is somehow...impure?”
“Especially then.”
“My Lord?”
A new voice interrupted them. Vortai turned away from Reyche. A tall, slender man, his face concealed by his robes, emerged from a side entrance near the altar. “It is time, my Lord.”
“Thank you, I will be right there,” said Vortai. The robed man bowed and retreated into the door he came from. Vortai looked at the young woman with a warm smile. “I promise you, my child. The Presence is simply testing your faith. It is entirely up to you whether or not you pass.”
“Th-thank you, my Lord. I’ll try to remember that.”
“Good child. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some business I must attend to.”
Vortai left her side. She watched him go back into the same entrance the robed man came from. She walked back down the aisle, approaching the tall, slender doors of the chapel. Once she reached them, she felt dread in the pit of her stomach. Something about Vortai seemed to create a fog in her mind, a fog that slowly lifted with him gone. She felt like there was something...wrong about this place. And there was a scent in the air, one that disturbed her.
Reyche retraced her steps, and then passed to the side entrance by the altar. She slowly pushed the door open. It led into a long arched corridor. Creeping down it at some length, she saw a door at the end close. Reyche continued her trek, unsure of why she let her curiosity take her into the inner sanctums of the temple, when it might be considered sacrilege. Her movements seemed involuntary, as if they were not her own, and when she opened the door, she saw a long, spiral staircase descending a stone column.
The air in the stairwell was marked with a strange chill, and darkened except for an eerie green light at the foot of the steps. Slowly, Reyche moved down those steps. A heavy wooden door impeded her progress. She gave the handle a little jiggle that told her it was locked. The green light that had guided her way, exuded from the cracks in the wood. She pushed her ear against the surface of the door, capable of hearing everything that transpired on the other side.
“Finally, after all this time, they have reappeared.” The voice belonged to Lord Vortai. “Have you discovered the location of the others?”
“There is one we know of for sure, my Lord.” The man who interrupted Reyche’s conversation with the old priest. “Word has come from Corvil, it’s been discovered in the mineral mines. And we have leads on others we are looking into. Shall I dispatch a Dreadnought squad to Corvil? Or perhaps the Trinity?”
What were they talking about? Reyche’s brow crinkled as she tried to make sense of their conversation. Some sort of...discovery?
“No, not yet,” said Vortai. “We can’t risk making Ra’kad suspicious. That pampered moron could ruin everything if we aren’t careful.”
Ra’kad? The Emperor? What did he have to do with this?
“Send a freelance agent,” said Vortai.
“Very well, my Lord. I have just the man.”
“Is my lunch prepared?”
“Yes, sire.”
“Good, then leave me.”
Reyche moved past the door quickly, ducking into the shadows. She kept her body absolutely still and the door opened. The man in the robes emerged and shut the door. He locked it behind him and proceeded down the corridor and up the staircase. Reyche waited until his footsteps trailed off and she went back to the door. She heard a faint sound, almost like a whimper or a cry. Then she heard Vortai’s soft voice.
“Shhh, it’s okay, my child.”
The energy emerging from beneath the door grew brighter. Reyche’s fingers wrapped around the handle and she tested it again. Locked, but this time she applied more pressure, and the handle broke right off. She pushed the door open and saw Vortai, his eyes wide and seemingly possessed of some kind of madness. Green energy swirled around his entire body, but where it was brightest was in the form of a young boy who sat strapped to a gurney. The boy’s eyes suggested he was in some sort of trance. Vortai’s grin grew wider and more grotesque, the green energy swirled from the boy’s comatose body and into the old man’s, causing the boy to convulse as if he were having a seizure. Reyche gasped in horror at what she was witnessing. She jumped between the two, breaking the chain of energy. Now the energy circled her and Vortai screamed and the boy went limp, eyes shut.
The light died down, the room returning to normal. Vortai lay huddled on the ground and Reyche focused on the boy. She gripped a leather belt restraining his wrist and tugged, tearing it from the gurney. Quickly, she did the same to the belt on his other wrist and around his ankles. Laying her hand against the boy’s cheek, she rubbed it carefully. She could hear the blood pumping through his body and the faint heartbeat gave her hope that he yet lived. The boy’s head stirred and his eyelids slowly opened. Once he caught sight of Reyche, he gasped.
Reyche turned away. She had forgotten about her eyes and fangs, and how the sight of them sometimes affected people. The boy scrambled off the gurney, backing up against the wall. He was terrified of her, and she couldn’t find cause to blame him. Rather, she decided to use it to her advantage. She bared her fangs and hissed. “Go! Get out of here!”
The boy didn’t waste another second, running out the door and up the steps. Reyche was about to follow hard on his heels, but when she glanced back she saw that Vortai was gone, no longer lying upon the floor. She sniffed the air, but she couldn’t sense him at all.
Before she could do anything else, an invisible force slammed her against the gurney, pinning her to it. Vortai emerged from the shadows, his hand outstretched and his fingers tensed. His eyes were glowing bright red.
“You made a grave mistake, little vampire,” he hissed. “A monster such as you has no business on this hallowed ground.”
“What are you? What were you doing to that child?”
“Silence.” Vortai closed his fist and Reyche’s mouth clamped shut. She tried to speak, but her mouth would not open, as if it were sewn shut. He moved closer to her, his soulless eyes teeming with rage. “Now, let us see how we can resolve this situation?”
CHAPTER 6
The purple-spired city of Xanadar sat on the continent northwest of Rolyeh. In an extremely mountainous region, this city was left to its own devices by the forces of Ra’kad’s empire. Xanadar remained a neutral place, and the mountains provided a natural barrier that made it very difficult for invading forces to conquer. The lands surrounding Xanadar were frigid, but steady breezes from the South-East funneled up through the natural configuration of the mountains, so that the city itself was situated in a warm pocket, which was conducive to growing fruits, and the vines and trees of their terraced fields dripped with fruit.
The Excalibur rose over the craggy mountains and began its descent. A small field served as a port of entry for airships bringing supplies. Sometimes, the Excalibur served Xanadar in just such a purpose, but today, they carried cargo of a decidedly different nature. The solar sails folded back and down, and the rear hatch opened, allowing the crew to emerge.
A pair of monks were waiting at the airfield and they bowed with their hands clasped together. Zarim returned the bow, Ekala tipped her hat, and Swul offered a half-hearted salute, the Soulstone held in one of his hands.
“Welcome back to our shores, Brother Zarim,”
said one of the monks.
“Good to be back, fellas,” said Zarim with a smile. He signaled to Swul, who tossed the Soulstone. The monks gasped, but Zarim simply caught it without the slightest effort or concern. He noticed the looks on the monks’ faces. “Guys, relax. This thing was on Rolyeh. In a pterosaur’s nest. You think it hasn’t been knocked around a bit?”
One of the monks swallowed. “Yes, well...come on. Master Quand is waiting to speak with you.”
Once leaving the airfield, they entered the city of Xanadar. The roads were mostly cobblestone, and only walkways at that. Vehicles were not used within the city, and kept at the airfield for transportation to the outside world. Within Xanadar, foot was the only method of travel. Simple temples and homes dotted the landscape, with a large fountain in the center of city. Some farmland lay on the outskirts and the monks lived in a communal society, each of them alternating between the different jobs that needed doing.
Not far from the fountain was the largest temple in the Xanadar. The trio of pirates and their monk escorts ascended the steps to the temple and passed under the archway. The two monks opened the large doors and allowed the quintet to enter, yet they did not go inside themselves. Once inside, a young monk, scarcely into his teens, met them with a bow. “I’ll go inform Master Quand you’ve arrived. Please, wait here.”
He bowed yet again and went deeper into the temple, leaving the three members of the Excalibur on their own. The foyer was a large room with cushions lining the walls and a small shrine at the front. A golden statue stood there. It was a human figure, with both masculine and feminine features but no face. Ekala walked over, inspecting it.
“That thing always weirds me out,” she said. “What’s it mean?”
“It represents humanity,” said Zarim.
“You ask me, it represents creepiness,” said Ekala.
“No one asked you,” said Zarim.
“C’mon, damn thing’s totally faceless.”
“Y’always were a spiritual girl,” said Swul.
“Oh, and you are?” asked Ekala. “Thought you left all that bunk behind when you joined us?”
“Just givin’ you a hard time, sister.”
The door the monk left through opened once more. A large, bald man in a robe and with a long beard and mustache stepped towards them. Deep wrinkles lined his tanned face and his beard had turned as white as the snow long ago. “Greetings, my friends. It’s good to see you again.”
“Master Quand,” said Zarim with a smile. He stepped forward, holding the stone under his arm, then clasped his hands and bowed, the same way he had done with the monks at the airfield. Quand returned the gesture.
“Hello Zarim, welcome back. I understand you found what I sent you for?”
“Yes.” Zarim handed the Soulstone to his former mentor. “You were right, once we got to Rolyeh, I could...sense it.”
Master Quand took the Soulstone and examined it. He turned it over and over in his hands, running his fingers over the smooth, emerald surface. “You’ve experienced its power, haven’t you?”
Zarim nodded.
“Yeah, what’s the deal with that?” asked Swul. “I mean, I’ve heard a lot of things—seen a lot, too—but never somethin’ like this. What could give Zarim the strength to slice right through a full-grown pterosaur in one swipe?”
“Come, follow me. I’ll tell you all you wish to know,” said Master Quand.
He went back for the door and the group followed him. They went down a narrow staircase into the basement, where they found themselves in yet another chapel. At the head of the room rested an altar over which hung a large, metal star with four points. Master Quand approached and placed the Soulstone in the top slot. As he stared at it, he began speaking.
“You know of the creation myth, I’m sure?”
“You mean the Illuminists?” asked Zarim. “They say it was made by the Presence.”
“True, but what is not discussed in many legends is exactly how this was done,” said Quand.
“What do you mean?” asked Zarim. “The Presence is omnipotent, He can do anything.”
Master Quand slowly turned to the group. “Not quite. Something was needed to focus that energy and channel it into this once-lifeless rock. And so the Presence did, focusing His life force, His very soul, into five stones, each one bringing life to the planet.”
“Five stones?” asked Swul. “You mean like—?”
Quand nodded. “Indeed, the five gems on the Illuminist star. The legends have faded into obscurity over time, but one of the oldest legends states that if the five Soulstones are discovered and brought together, the wielder will possess the very power of the Presence Himself.”
“The power of a god?” asked Zarim.
“Wait, I don’t get it,” said Ekala with her arms akimbo. “If these things have been around since the beginning of time, how come no one’s snatched them up before now? An’ why exactly do you want ‘em?”
Master Quand smiled at her. “Very good points, Ms. Cosari. Centuries ago, the world was engulfed in endless wars, with different factions trying to obtain all five stones. But a wise man, a very powerful wizard, poured all his power into plunging the Soulstones into obscurity, leaving them masked in a deep slumber for what he hoped would be forever. As time passed, the Soulstones became something of myth and legend, and eventually became clouded in obscurity.”
“So what happened?” asked Ekala.
“Guess they woke up,” said Swul.
“An apt description,” said Quand. “The spell weakened over the centuries and now it has faded completely. The Soulstones must be gathered before other, more dangerous forces are alerted to their presence. And for that, I need your help.”
Ekala laughed. All faced turned to her. “Is something amusing?”
“Yeah, you might say that,” she said. “These magic rocks, they give whoever has them the power of a god, right? An’ you want us to just hand ‘em over to you? Call me crazy, but isn’t that kinda like lightin’ a cigarette over an oil spill?”
“Ekala!” Zarim’s voice was firm, but hushed, his glare fixed on his lover.
“What?” She held her hands out defensively. “It’s a legit question! If these things are so dangerous, why don’t we just find ‘em an’ destroy ‘em before they can do any damage?”
“Master Quand isn’t going to use them himself, he—”
“Please, Zarim, I can explain myself.” Master Quand stepped closer to Ekala. “You are right to be suspicious. The power contained within the Soulstones, especially when brought together, can be apocalyptic. And if they could be destroyed, I would encourage you to do just that. Unfortunately, they can only be hidden. I can repair the spell, return the Soulstones to their slumber, but I need all six in order to do it. To do that, I need your help. You and your crew.”
“So we find these things, you do yer hocus-pocus thing, an’ we get what in return?” asked Swul.
Zarim groaned and placed his hand over his face.
“Shouldn’t we do this just so the world doesn’t...y’know...end?”
“It’s a big risk, why should it fall on our heads?” asked Swul.
“We are not very wealthy, but we’ll provide you with whatever compensation we can. And of course, anything you discover on your journey will be yours to keep, so long as the Soulstones are brought here.” Master Quand took a breath before continuing. “Of course, I understand how dangerous this is. And that it may limit your current...activities. So I understand if you decline.”
“If we say no, what will you do?” asked Zarim.
“We will send messengers out into the world, try and find others to complete this task,” said Master Quand. “Although, if we do not have your aid in this situation, you will also no longer have ours.”
“What’s that mean?”
“You will not be welcome in Xanadar again,” said Master Quand. “We have harbored you many times over the years following your heists. It is a risk we t
ake and one we will cease to accept, unless you help us.”
Zarim studied the faces of his crew. “Could you give us a few minutes, sir?”
Master Quand nodded. “Take your time. I will be upstairs.”
Zarim escorted him to the door and once he stepped out, Zarim closed and locked it behind the old guru. He exhaled deeply as he leaned against the doors, looking at his first mate.
“Don’t look at me like that. This is nuts,” said Ekala. “More charity work, an’ this ain’t somethin’ small we’re talkin’ about. This could be a long job, one that takes us a while to complete. We do this, we have to turn down lots of other paying gigs in the meantime.”
“Lady’s got a point,” said Swul.
“If these things fall into the wrong hands, then there won’t be much work to be had if the planet’s gone,” said Zarim. “And let’s face it, Quand does take a risk every time he shelters us after a heist. If he’s not gonna do that anymore, it limits our options. Think of survival instead of just the bottom line.”
“Man’s got a point,” said Swul.
Ekala and Zarim looked at each other, then quizzically at Swul, who was in the process of rolling a cigar. “What? Yer both right. If the stakes are high as Quand says, then Zarim’s right, we’ve gotta think about our own survival. But Ekala’s also right—this could cost us some other jobs.
“An’ who says we can’t have it both ways? Quand did say that a person needs all five to get that power, right? So maybe we could take jobs on the side? Y’know, find a stone, then make some money, rinse and repeat.”
The two considered their friend’s suggestion. Zarim nodded. “That actually sounds like it could work, doesn’t it?”
Ekala shrugged. “I suppose we could offset a real job with one of these fake ones.”
Swul struck the match, grinning with the cigar pinned between his teeth. “See? Man’s got a point.”
The two humans chuckled at their faerie companion. Zarim shook his head. “You’re not as dumb as you look, my friend.”
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