by Jeremy Dwyer
“Can we proceed now? Will they be bothered?” Tomiko asked.
“They won’t be bothered, but I don’t think we should proceed,” Yared said.
“What do you mean?” Tomiko asked.
“Some of the new people who arrived. There’s something not right. There’s something dangerous…about more than one of them,” Yared said. He sensed some negative thoughts from a distance. He drank anew of the waters of the Elanatin Ocean from his vial and was energized again. He walked toward where the water fountain was and Caemgen followed him.
Yared followed the negative thoughts and walked toward them. From behind, he approached and saw a man who looked to be beaten down and who was being carried by another man and a woman, both of whom looked combat trained. He read the minds of the men: one had the name Lavakara and the other was Xal’Kativok. Both were ruthless killers, and the one was not from this place, and he planned to use poisons to kill at the moment he got the chance. Yared then tried to read the woman but saw that she was another telepath.
Claudia instantly felt herself being read and allowed it, because she did not want to break her concentration on the mind of Xal’Kativok.
“He’s going to kill you both if you blink. You know that, Claudia. You can’t time your reactions perfectly enough. His poison is too fast-acting. His broken bones will not stop him,” Yared said.
Lavakara heard what was said, understood enough to believe it to be true, and he threw Xal’Kativok forward with great force until he fell to the ground and broke ribs. Lavakara then moved forward but Xal’Kativok managed to use his hands to release a packet of poison from his belt and spray it. Having both of his arms broken did not stop Xal’Kativok from articulating his shoulders and wrists to execute the maneuver.
Nearby were Renato and Genevieve, as well as Danek, Tofa and Caemgen.
Renato moved to protect Genevieve, as he still had a sense of duty to the former countess.
The poison spray hit Renato and began dissolving his flesh immediately. He was dead within three (3) minutes and Genevieve screamed as she watched the hideous process of dissolution. Tofa and Caemgen were likewise disgusted – inwardly – but they only made records into their books.
Lavakara was too fast to be hit by the poison spray because the Nabavodel Ocean waters gave him great speed.
Xal’Kativok then took another packet of poison and sprayed it again, creating a visible green toxic mist, and he hobbled away from them, and was out of sight before anyone could act.
“That could have been you, Claudia,” Yared said.
“Why did you get involved?!” Claudia screamed.
“We had him under control, noble fool,” Lavakara said.
“He’s not from here! He’s a scout from another world, trying to invade and take the oceans! We had to put an end to this,” Claudia said.
This was news to Caemgen and Genevieve, but Yared had already read Xal’Kativok’s mind.
“I read his thoughts, so I know where he’s from, and what you were planning. It would have failed…his reaction speed is too fast. And you can’t work against him if you’re dead,” Yared said.
“So you’re here to save us? Our hero, right?” Claudia asked.
“Calm your thoughts. You need to learn to control your own emotions, or anger will impede your effectiveness. You’re finely trained, but not a match for his speed. Lavakara is, but he can’t read thoughts, despite having both powers of spirit and strong speed. Most ingenious of you; or, should I say, of whoever gave the gift to you,” Yared said.
Lavakara realized that this telepath was astute, and he might have also saved Claudia’s life. Not that Lavakara cared about her – he most certainly did not – but it was clear that this male telepath was trying to ingratiate himself to bargain for something. The spirit of chaos which he had summoned earlier was still with him, but it was apparently not perfect in protecting his thoughts, and it was possible that this other telepath was simply superior in his abilities or drank a higher purity of Elanatin Ocean water. Lavakara was unsure, and greatly concerned by the breach of his private thoughts.
“How can a person have more than one (1) power?” Genevieve asked. Yared’s claim was extraordinary, and of great interest to her.
“What is it you want, telepath? What will it profit you?” Lavakara asked, not wishing to continue that discussion or spread the knowledge.
Caemgen and Tofa merely recorded their words and actions, and Danek did too, though he was no longer a Chronicler.
Tomiko, Alistair, Tristan, Carter, Nina and Stephan all approached them, having heard the commotion and wondered what was going on.
“What happened? He looks terrible,” Alistair asked, pointing at the shriveled corpse.
“He’s dead! Flesh-eating poison was used against him!” Genevieve said, clearly disturbed.
“Yared, what are you doing? We have to fulfill our contract,” Tomiko asked.
“I’m trying to prevent significant loss. We cannot continue our assignment at the moment, Tomiko. There is a greater concern,” Yared said.
“Continue your assignment. Please. We don’t need you,” Claudia said.
“Please explain why we cannot continue our work, Yared,” Tomiko said.
“There was a man here. He was scouting from another world. They know something of our oceans, and have designs on the powers within them. Yet, they cannot bring their fleets of ships here. They travel on roads of fire, and the heat of our many suns would scatter their pathways and make their voyage unsafe,” Yared said.
“Maybe not! Maybe the suns aren’t in the way,” Nina said, suddenly afraid.
“Do you mean the darkness? You think that the darkness in the skies means the stars are not going to interfere with their travels?” Tomiko asked.
“Is the darkness upon the suns greater now?” Danek asked.
“Yes. I can feel it. I listened to the stars just a few hours ago. They’re all darker, now. There’s another presence among them. It was painful to hear. I thought it was going to kill me,” Nina said.
“What are we supposed to do against them? That one killed Renato with his poison and then disappeared. Does anyone see where he went?” Genevieve asked.
“End the darkness, as logic would have it, so as to restore the obstruction to their travel, as well as making star-sensitive navigation possible again,” Tomiko said.
“Well, I’m waiting for some useful suggestions on how to do that,” Nina said.
~~~
In his hidden chamber beneath the City of Thalkalana, listening through many passages by which sound could travel, Serfex could hear what was being said, and he had heard enough. He was now aware that yet more outsiders had set their sights on Thalariveth and had come to scout the oceans. Nov’Talod was with him – in his cage – and he heard these things, as well.
In the room were the seven (7) great colossal warrior statues – each over one hundred (100) feet tall – which Serfex had set aside.
“You look troubled, old friend. Do you have yet another device by which to cure the world’s ills? Another device which will bring more ill than it removes?” Nov’Talod asked from inside his cage, mocking Serfex.
“The tiara brought great ruin, this I know. I was wrong to construct such a dangerous device, but I found no other way to locate this city. Still, the source of the darkness is one for which I have no mechanism to halt,” Serfex said.
“I’m certain you’ll think of something. Your engineering genius far exceeds your feeble skills at archeology. Even your former apprentice – thirsting for blood more than knowledge – found this place without the use of such a device. Send him to find the answer to the darkness. I trust he will succeed far more quickly than will you. Though, perhaps, not as quickly as the outsiders. They are coming, you realize. You don’t know how to stop them, do you?” Nov’Talod said.
“Nor do you. You know how to kill the innocent in the name of your selfish philosophies, but that doesn’t make you capabl
e or willing to end a threat to this world,” Serfex said.
“I thought you said this world was indestructible,” Nov’Talod said.
“The circumstances in the world have changed,” Serfex said.
“If the world circumstances have changed, perhaps I have changed, as well,” Nov’Talod said.
“For the worse, no doubt,” Serfex said.
“Indirectly, you are responsible for far more deaths than I am. This is fact, and you know what the Ahitan woman did with the tiara, and what her young friend did with her song in the storm,” Nov’Talod said.
“Yes. I have visited the surface and learned of the recent horrors. I will not add to the pain of the world by releasing you,” Serfex said.
“What will you do to stop the outsiders? The world is darker now, and they are going to strike in the darkness. It cannot be stopped while I am here, old friend,” Nov’Talod said, taunting him further.
“The colossal statues may still be of use. They were strong at one time, and will be strong again,” Serfex said.
“If they have any power, they will certainly bring ruin. All that you have made has brought disaster, and they will be no different,” Nov’Talod said.
“I did not make them – and I do not know who did. I only caused them to become like stone, so that they could not wage their war and bring ruin,” Serfex said.
“Then you admit that your plan to awaken them again will only lead to ruin!” Nov’Talod said, gleefully.
“When faced with a great enemy, unleashing another great enemy with which to confront it may be the way to destroy both,” Serfex said.
“That is a dubious plan, and you know it. Still, I would like to see the results,” Nov’Talod said.
“I have little doubt that you will witness many dreadful things in a short time,” Serfex said.
“If your plan fails – or the dangers add, rather than canceling out one another – then what are your alternatives? You must analyze and plan for each case,” Nov’Talod said.
“I do not yet have the answer,” Serfex said.
“Nor will you have an answer in time,” Nov’Talod said.
CHAPTER 47: Battle for the Darkness in the Shadows
Once Blazer Endrit and Haltavna were back on the ship on which they had arrived, they both saw that the stars had been further obscured, with larger slivers of darkness over each of the suns.
“The dark has intensified. The enemy may have found and lit even more of the luminaries of which the spirit told us,” Haltavna said.
Blazer Endrit then said to her: “I have trust in your intentions to serve the light of the suns. Yet, I have no use for your feeble abilities against those who would bring darkness. I must seize these cursed objects quickly.” He then drank anew of the waters of the Atrejan Ocean from his vial and was energized. After this, he held out his hands and drew a stream of water up from the Trerada Ocean on which the ship was traveling. The water poured into his hands, wherein he transformed it into fire. Using the flames, he thereby took flight toward the northwest.
Haltavna then drank anew of the waters of the Atrejan Ocean from her own vial and was energized. She listened for the sounds of the stars and she found only pain so extreme that she fell to her knees, screaming in agony and holding her head in her hands. One of the crewmembers of the ship approached her to see what was troubling her, but she was in too much pain to speak.
~~~
Pandaros, Abrax, Hesperos and Telamon waited in their cave – which was hidden in the mountains of the Colossal March Warpath land bridge – where they watched as the skies darkened. Each was anticipating the approach of the Quiet, as brought on by the darkness. In the Quiet, they would find peace and knowledge.
“The Quiet approaches, yet it is still far away,” Pandaros said.
“How many more luminaries must be found before the darkness is complete?” Abrax asked.
“How many more luminaries even exist?” Telamon asked.
“Their number is not known; yet, it would be insufficient for there to be so few, given that the eyes can still plainly see. It is not even as dark as twilight, so what we have achieved is hardly a thing of worth. It would be better for us to extinguish the few dark flames we have lit if there are no more, for then we could profit by the greater light, and seek other paths to the Quiet,” Pandaros said.
“Partial success is worse than none?” Hesperos asked.
“Did you read my thoughts or actually have one of your own, Hesperos?” Pandaros asked.
“I’m beginning to understand the darkness candles,” Hesperos said.
“By understand, do you mean that you have an insight as to their number or location?” Pandaros asked.
“Someone hid them far from each other,” Hesperos said.
“More than one did this; what is your point?” Pandaros asked.
“Where better to hide them than in the Wandering of Shadows?” Hesperos asked.
“An original thought? Or did you steal that notion from the mind of Abrax?” Pandaros asked.
“Is it not a likely choice, given that the intent was to thoroughly conceal them?” Hesperos asked.
“It is plausible. Yet, where would we search? We need a specific place to look, for that land is aptly named, and finding anyone – or anything – therein is no simple matter. Preparation – which is the rule for every Explorer – is essential,” Pandaros said.
“Can you not seek the knowledge from the spirits?” Hesperos asked.
“Some have the knowledge we seek, others do not. The risk is great, and not always of worth,” Pandaros said.
“Are the spirits not your servants when you call to them?” Hesperos asked.
“You understand so little, Hesperos. It is dangerous to deal with spirits, much as taking a diamond held in the fangs of a snake. The venom is close, and the snake must be charmed,” Pandaros said.
“He may be correct, Pandaros. The Wandering of Shadows is where I would hide a thing, even if others knew to seek it there, for the darkness envelops all, and the light misleads,” Abrax said.
“You have the powers of darkness, but not of light, so how could you see our prize? Certainly not by adding more darkness to that already there,” Pandaros said.
“We would not see by light. Hesperos could read the thoughts of those who hold the luminaries,” Abrax said.
“If they are held by a thinking being, then he could. Yet, if they are hidden away by themselves in a lifeless container having no mind to be read, then this tactic will be of no use, and waste our time,” Pandaros said.
“We would benefit from the cover of the darkness of that land. While hidden in the shadows, we could travel together safely and conceal the luminaries – and ourselves – more easily,” Abrax said.
“You are suggesting a foolish risk, Abrax. We remain separate so as to protect that which we already have if a mission to obtain the next should fail. If a guardian of one luminary learned where we kept the others, we risk losing that which we have found. How do you not understand this?” Pandaros asked.
“Is this cave not safe?” Telamon asked.
“It is…for a time,” Pandaros said.
“Would Abrax – using his powers of darkness and remaining here alone – be a sufficient guard for the luminaries which we have, while the rest of us seek more?” Telamon asked.
“You believe it to be necessary for three (3) of us to go. Do you anticipate a struggle, then?” Pandaros asked.
“Some of those who hide in the Wandering of Shadows are dangerously violent, and are wanted for great offenses, so we must prepare for possible confrontations…even chance ones, unrelated to our pursuits. My strength and speed will far exceed that of many,” Telamon said.
Pandaros considered this and said: “Abrax: You are to stand guard over the luminaries. Remain quiet and aware…and hidden. Leave not this place except under duress, and not without a proper sign of where to find you next.”
“Indeed,” Abrax said. He
drank anew of the waters of the Ikkith Tar Ocean from his vial and was energized. He descended into the darkness and waited in the cave, keeping the candelabra – and the eight (8) luminaries which it held – under the same cloak of darkness.
Pandaros, Hesperos and Telamon left the cave and made their way down the mountain toward the coast where the villages and the seaport were. There, they booked passage on a ship heading towards the northwest, paying twelve (12) platinum coins to cover for the three (3) of them.
They traveled for five (5) days, owing to the crew’s difficulties of navigating the slow way without consulting the stars, which also accounted for the increased cost of travel. The ship sailed west over the Medathero Ocean, then converted to its airship configuration, ascended to one hundred twenty (120) feet of altitude and passed over the Glivoran Trail land bridge. On the other side of the land bridge, the ship returned to sea level in the Kazofen Ocean and continued its westward course. The ship briefly returned to the air, passed over the Road of Kovoxotu land bridge and then returned to sea level in the Zovvin Ocean, staying close to the southwestern coast of the continent of Revod. After this, they sailed northwest toward the Jeshirinko Barrier land bridge, then passed over that while again traveling as an airship, returning to sea level in the Lujladia Ocean. Next, they sailed north until reaching the southern tip of the Wandering of Shadows land bridge. Finally, they sailed northeast along its western coast until reaching a seaport near the land bridge’s midpoint. There, they set foot on land, and found it to be variously cold and hot, and light and dark, depending on where they stood.
Pandaros, Hesperos and Telamon walked inland and found the environment to be colder and darker, until it became unpassable. A blizzard was ahead of them and they could not proceed.
“This is not a viable path. The storm ahead will quickly prove fatal. We must leave and seek answers elsewhere,” Pandaros said.
Hesperos drank anew of the waters of the Elanatin Ocean from his vial and was energized. He reached out with his mind and probed the area. He sensed the thoughts of people moving in the storm, thereby knowing that it was possible to move about.