by Drew Smith
“We all have the same mission then, to save Twilight from Lears.” Lumus smiled, then turned around.
“We stick together then, all of us have lost friends, family, and our homes because of Lears. To me all of you are my family, since the moment I met every one of you, you have all been there for me. So let me be there for you. If you all will let me I would like to lead you in this adventure.” Lumus yelled out. Scarlette giggled.
“Lumus I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say this, but you already are our leader. From Twilight prison to Nuran it was you who brought us all here together, without you Lumus I don’t know where any of us would be.” Scarlette interrupted. Lumus took a minute to look over to the others. He noticed they were all looking at him.
“I see, so then I won’t let any of you down.” Lumus smiled once again.
The group made their way down Librine’s main path, the people celebrated for them as they left. People threw rice into the streets as they cheered, and clapped. Lumus looked back one last time, and waved to them giving hope back to the people as they have giving to him. Light glistened off the water from the river just west of town. Scarlette admired its beauty as she walked by. Zelkem and Orson walked ahead with Lumus unaware that Scarlette was slowing down.
“Scarlette! Hey Scarlette. ” Zephry shouted back. Lumus turned to see what was happening.
“Is everything okay? You look distracted Scarlette.” Lumus said abruptly. Scarlette looked ahead to everyone staring at her. She began to go red in the face.
“No it’s nothing, it’s just everything seems so peaceful that’s all.” Lumus smiled. Frostear sighed as he passed by Lumus. Orson and Zelkem continued with Frostear. Dyne walked by with Zynx, and as they passed by he looked over to Zynx.
“Hey buddy you think these guys are going to be this dramatic about everything that happens?” Zynx grunted.
“Yeah I thought so too.” Dyne replied.
“Scarlette we should keep going, we can’t stop now, and we’ve barely even left Librine.” Lumus laughed. Scarlette laughed too.
“Your right Lumus, I’m sorry. It’s just… we haven’t had many peaceful moments lately.” Scarlette replied as her smile faded. Lumus turned to the group walking off.
“I know Scarlette, but that’s why we can’t stop. I don’t want just moments. I want it to be peaceful all the time. I don’t remember a time when we weren’t fighting…even when I lived in Dystopia. I fought all the time, sometimes it was life or death there. So I know what I need to do, and I know with all your help I can do it. I don’t want to fight anymore, but until this is all over I have no choice, and it is you, Scarlette… I fight because of you. Even though I was just born from the planet I heard your wish. I heard that you wanted someone to protect you. A warrior pure and strong to defeat the monster from my nightmares. That was your wish, right?” Lumus said softly Scarlette was speechless.
“Scarlette I will fulfill your wish, it’s what drives me each day.” Lumus turned back to Scarlette to smile, and then continued to follow the others. Scarlette stared as Lumus walked away.
“Lumus…” She looked once more to the light glistening off the river, and then followed behind Lumus.
“Hey Orson, What are we going to Sagnet for anyway?” Zelkem was eager to hear his answer. Brinx shifted his eyes over to see Orson’s response.
“Well, Sagnet is a respectable town, but its slums have some pretty bad pubs. The plan is to get some information on anything we can about Lears whereabouts. I’m certain someone there would work for Lears, but we are mainly going to make sure that councillor Cinnus is okay.” Orson replied. Brinx Looked away from Orson, and back at Dyne.
“I may have an idea Orson.” Brinx interrupted.
“An idea? What do you have in mind?” Orson asked eagerly. Brinx sped up to Orson’s side.
“Lears knows us all this is obvious. Yet he does not know of Dyne, and his beast companion.” Dyne clenched his fists.
“What did you say green man?” Dyne shouted. Orson’s spoke as if he didn’t hear Dyne. “I see so you think we could send them into the slums to gather information?” Brinx nodded.
“It’s brilliant, if they are willing to do this then we have a plan.” Orson turned his head to Dyne walking behind him.
“So what do you think Dyne?” Dyne laughed.
“So the plan is to send me, and my buddy here into the pub, and have a few drinks to listen to a few drunks talk? I’d be a fool to object to such a mission wouldn’t you say buddy?” Zynx grunted. Dyne smiled at Zynx then looked back to Orson.
“Yeah we’re in.” Dyne finished with a smile.
Lumus looked around then to the sky, he noticed the day was slipping away, soon night would take over. Scarlette trailed behind with Zephry. Brinx was now leading the group with Frostear at his side. Orson, Zelkem, Dyne, and Zynx made the body of the group with Lumus just behind them. Lumus began to speed up to the middle of the group, as he approached Orson’s side he began to power himself up emitting a dim blue glow.
“I’m starting to understand how to use my powers. I think I can keep this up for a while, at least for most of the night. We can make good time as long as we can see.” Lumus said with excitement. “You’re like a little night light, it’s beautiful.” Zephry smiled with her eyes locked on Lumus. Up ahead Brinx stopped walking, and began to look around. Frostear stopped too, he looked back at Brinx with a look of concern on his face, and no one could see his face, but everyone stopped.
“Brinx what is it?” Orson said quietly. Brinx looked to his right, then to his left.
“We are not alone. Something is watching us.” Zynx ran to the front of the group drawing his spear to his hands.
“I feel an evil presence too.” Frostear drew his sword.
Lumus clenched his fist as he began to power himself up. His dim glow grew brighter revealing hundreds of Krotin’s all around them.
“Everyone listen up, Frostear and Zynx take the front, Zelkem, Orson to the rear. Zephry Dyne take the sides, Scarlette with me in the middle.” Everyone ran into Lumus’ formation. Scarlette drew her bow, and readied an arrow. Lumus noticed Brinx jump off into the darkness, but Lumus quickly ignored it.
“Take them out! Watch your flank!” Orson drew his blade, and swung his sword as Zelkem ran out to his side.
Lumus clenched even harder as he drew in star energy. Scarlette shot arrow after arrow trying to stop the Krotin’s from getting close to Lumus. Scarlette almost dances around Lumus, her movements were swift, and she was almost touching Lumus with every move. The horde of Krotin’s seemed endless. Dyne sliced quick as he dove out of the way of two Krotin rushing him. Brinx came crashing down on them as Dyne passed them by, he turned quickly to barely see him jump off again. Frostear’s sword shined as clear as day, as he swung a red glow of his blade followed, making it almost impossible to track where he’s attacking.
“Lumus, what are you doing? If you do what I think you’re going to do then we will all go down in the attack.” Frostear shouted out. Lumus was curling his body as he began bending his knees, his glow started to brighten around his hands, but faded around his body.
“Scarlette, I can control it… I won’t hurt you.” Lumus seemed out of breath. Scarlette lost focus of the battle as she worried for Lumus. A pair of Krotin dashed at Scarlette without her noticing. As they drew closer Zynx appeared from behind them slashing one from the side, the power of the attack ripped the Krotin clean in half. The other Krotin kept going toward Scarlette, Zynx jumped forward with his massive paws, and grabbed it by its head right out of the air. Quickly he twisted his wrists until Scarlette turned around to a loud snapping sound. As she looked Zynx threw the Krotin’s body to the ground.
“Zynx…” Scarlette said with nod. Lumus let out a monstrous roar then shot his hands out toward his sides, he opened his hands, and twisted his body. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, as he closed his eyes he spun around like a twister shooting beams of energy. Sca
rlette dove to the ground, the others just stood looking back at Lumus. After a moment Lumus came to a stop. Scarlette looked up at him, but to her surprise he looked fine.
“Lumus…? How did you do that? You beat them all!” Orson said with disbelief. Brinx came crashing down behind Lumus.
“Lumus we made too much noise, If you are fine I suggest we move, and quickly.” Lumus nodded.
“There is no point sticking around, everyone collect your selves, we need to get going.” Orson demanded. Lumus’ glow faded. The Red moon lit the way for the others to follow.
The group made haste as the day was rising behind them as they followed one another. Rain picked up lightly as they scurried by the city walls of Capaz. Scarlette turned her head to lay eyes upon her home once again, thinking she may not returned again for some time. Lumus led the group, everyone kept pace until Lumus stopped without a word. Everyone slowed down wondering what happened.
“Lumus, are there more Krotin’s?” Zephry asked with a hint of worry in her voice. Lumus hesitated before he turned around.
“It’s nothing I just thought I heard something. That’s all, it’s nothing. Frostear, Brinx, take the lead, we are getting close. The two ran off with the others behind, Orson walked over to Lumus slowly making sure everyone left.
“It’s not nothing is it?” Orson seemed sure Lumus was hiding something from the others. “I heard the planet again, this was different though, and it didn’t speak this time. I just heard something…something else. I could almost see it from its vibration. Whatever it is, it’s big.” Lumus replied. Orson put his hand on Lumus’ shoulder.
“Whatever is out there I know we can handle it together. Truth is we need to tell the others, if this thing was to attack us they should know to be prepared rather then caught off guard. We can’t let this distract us now. We can tell everyone in Sagnet. For now we need to save our energy for the rest of the trip. Let’s get going.” Orson walked ahead, but stopped to look at Lumus once more to see him staring at nothing. Orson continued behind the others.
Lumus turned to Twilight Lake, just west of the city of Capaz. He paused to search the area for movement hoping to see what he had sensed. After a moment Lumus followed behind Orson.
Everyone ran with all their strength, they all knew they would have plenty of time to rest when they reached Sagnet. Lumus caught up to Orson, but as he did Zephry reached a little hill just a bit ahead. She slowly climbed up to take a look.
“Look there it is! There’s Sagnet just beyond the river!” Frostear climbed up beside her as the others kept pace South.
“Yes there it is, but we still have another day trip around the bend, and through Valley Cove Region. Sagnet is a big city, easy to see, but still far from this distance” Frostear smiled.
“Don’t feel too bad about it, if we can see it, then we can make it.” Frostear added. Zephry groaned.
“You say that like it will be easy…Aren’t you tired?” Zephry replied. Frostear jumped from the small hill. Then he turned his head back to Zephry. He laughed once more.
“I’ve lived through worse.” Frostear barked. Zephry groaned once more.
“What does that even mean?” Zephry said in confusion. Frostear laughed, and then he made his way south to the others.
“Hey don’t leave me here! I know were in a rush, but come on!” Zephry scurried behind trying to catch up. She leapt off the small hill, but slipped on her way down. As she got up she noticed the Red moon had not moved.
“Strange I thought it would be early morning by this time, maybe we are making better time to Sagnet then we thought.” Zephry brushed herself off as she rose to her feet. She glanced once more to the sky then ahead at the group slowly making their way out of sight.
“Guys! Hey wait for me!” Zephry called out.
Zephry ran off to catch up with everyone. She made her way to the back of the group. Her face was slightly dirty, and her cloths scuffed, but still a smile found its way to her face. Lumus turned back to see Zephry in good spirits. Scarlette locked eyes with Lumus, and smiled. As he turned back a smile appeared on his face too.
Chapter Eleven: Twilights Cry
Light showered the Nuran Mountains as the new day crept over the Mountains. Librine slowly repopulated as the villagers made their way back to their broken homes, often in tears and disbelief as they passed Dyne and Scarlette.
“Dyne, Lumus could be hurt. I can’t bear to see him like that again.” Dyne stood still watching as people slowly passed him by.
“I will find out what’s going on. Head back to the city and regroup at my inn. I’ll let the others know to meet there.” Dyne said before racing off from Scarlette’s side.
“(Lumus why do you keep pushing yourself to your limit? If you die you’re just hurting more people than you would save. We still need you.)” Scarlette’s eyes began to tear up.
“Zynx grab Lumus’ feet we have to get him some help.” Frostear was in panic, Lumus wasn’t breathing, and he was scared Lumus may have pushed himself too far this time. A few moments passed as Frostear and Zynx carried Lumus into town.
“Hahaha, (Lumus you did just as I had hoped and now you have sealed your fate.) I Prince Lears can now take this world fully. My grasp on this planet will crush the life from all those that stand in my way. I will rule as king when the dust settles.” Lear’s laughter scared even his minions. Ged, you and Coldblood worked the distraction beautifully.” Lears added. Ged, Coldblood and Tigra all stood smiling behind Lears as he laughed a cold humorless laugh.
“My prince what will you have us do now?” Ged bowed as he spoke, waiting for Lears to respond before he stood up again.
“Gather all of the Lords. I am certain Lumus’ followers are feeling the burn of their loss. We will strike at once. Scarlette will be yours, Ged. Coldblood your father awaits your return I imagine. Go now, and do not disappoint me. I will not accept failure.
Ged and Coldblood marched off with their orders in mind, both left grinning knowing their orders were the ones they both wanted the most.
“Tigra did you complete the mission I asked of you?”
“Yes My Lord, without failure as you commanded.”
“Good, wait for your new orders I will have something for you soon, my friend.” Tigra left after a short bow to Lears. Lears stood alone in the misty mountains staring at the core of Twilight.
“(This is where it all began. This core gave birth to us both, and in that time we were born we were linked as brothers. Lumus, I may be a copy of you, but I have evolved to be much stronger than even I could imagine. The link between us is broken now, so you are either dead or have found a way to hide your energy from me. Either way I will still be the victor of the two princes. You so-called Prince of Light and I the Prince of Darkness.)” Lears laughed aloud as his dark mind was occupied with even darker thoughts.
Zelkem ran swiftly toward Dynes inn, Zephry trailed behind him slowly. She was worn out as she struggled to keep pace with Zelkem. Suddenly, as Zelkem had predicted, Frostear and Zynx came from the North Gate holding Lumus in their arms. Dyne appeared from the east entrance that Lumus had blown open earlier with his fight with Ged. Zelkem quickly noticed Scarlette was nowhere to be found.
“Dyne?” Zelkem said faintly. For a moment he paused wondering what Zelkem wanted, then as Zelkem looked back to the east wall Dyne realized he was looking for Scarlette. “She is fine; she is helping people back into the city.” He reassured.
Everyone gathered at the inn with concerns for Lumus, town’s people began to gather outside hoping that Lumus was okay. Even with the rain pouring down they stood quietly with hope for his safety. Frostear laid Lumus upon a bed in the room beside the entrance of the inn, everyone waited outside his room in the lobby while Orson and Frostear stood watch in the room with Lumus.
“Zelkem, did Orson say anything to you about Lumus? Is he going to be okay?” Zephry whispered. Zelkem was leaning on the front desk looking out toward the front door with his head
down.
“Zephry I know as much as you do, and from what I saw he didn’t look good.” Zelkem didn’t look up as he answered her. She took no comfort from his answer.
“Dyne, did Scarlette tell you when she was coming back? I’m worried about Brinx too, he didn’t return to the inn so he must be with her.” Zephry whispered again. Dyne and Zynx were behind Zelkem also looking out toward the front door.
“Scarlette just told me to check on Lumus. I think she is too scared to find out if he is okay. It doesn’t take a genius to realize she cares for him.” Dyne replied. Orson stepped out of Lumus’ room with a smile. Everyone looked up at simultaneously.
“How is he?” Zelkem said as he rushed over.
“Look we have a few problems. I think it’s in our best interest to have everyone present. Zelkem I need you to find Scarlette, and Brinx too, he seems to be missing. Gather them, and we can start.” Orson demanded. Dyne stepped forward.
“I’ll go, I know the short cuts in this town better then Zelkem plus I know where Scarlette is. I’ll try to find Brinx before I return too.” Dyne interrupted. Orson nodded.
“Agreed, Zephry could you calm the people outside. Let them know Lumus is alive and he will be on his feet in no time.” Zephry shot up to her feet. Instantly, with a perky smile.
“You got it, I’ll tell them right away.” Zephry smiled. Zelkem was restless.
“Well what can I do? I feel useless.” Zelkem grumbled. Orson put his hand on Zelkem’s shoulder.
“Well I was going to do this myself, but I still fear for Lumus. He should be fine, but I do not want to leave his side. I want you to find Lady Tilza. I don’t think she is in danger, but I still need to know she is okay. Losing a Councillor would cause problems we don’t have time for.” Orson proposed. Zelkem was confused.