“D’abar said not to touch anything else,” Mencari reminded Speru. He reflected on the melted crystal and rock types they’d seen on the way in. A theory came to mind. “D’abar said this was an ancient ruin—clearly D’mar. My guess is, it was lost when the volcano erupted long ago.”
“But how did D’abar find this here? And then there’s a tunnel here too,” Speru said, continuing his search.
“You’re assuming he was the first to find it.” Mencari motioned to the way they came in. “Remember that wooden barrier that was broken through? Someone else made that. D’abar wouldn’t have broken through his own barrier like that.”
Moving deeper, the dust thickened, tickling his nose. There certainly is a smell of ancients in the air—
“Over here!” Speru said. “I found it! I think.”
The cavern was much larger than Mencari realized. Turning a corner, they found it actually was a huge “L” shape. The far wing looked more like a theater, with stone benches lined in rows, still mostly intact. At the far end was a large pedestal in the middle of a long table. Two sets of orange and yellow crystals sat carefully positioned atop a thick, cream-colored cloth.
“That looks right,” Mencari agreed.
As they moved toward the crystal, an object on the floor caused Mencari to hold his arm out, stopping the cadet. He concentrated his power and illuminated the space farther with his golden aura.
A robed skeleton, clad in a similar garment to the ones hanging in the outer room, lay sprawled between two stony rows. Even petrified, he could see what looked like scorch marks across the bones.
“He’s been gone a long time,” Mencari said, leaning over to examine the body from a distance. “Whatever happened must have been unexpected. Looks like he was killed on the spot.”
Continuing up to the table, he gently lifted one of the spheres. It looked exactly like Seigie’s Tertrn crystal, and the one from Allia’s world.
“D’abar said to review the crystals.”
“Yes,” Mencari said, already positioning it into an indention at the top of the pedestal. The smell of static permeated the dusty air, moments before crackles and zaps of energy reached like fingers above the pedestal. Moving images began to take shape.
“That’s the same building as the picture back there,” Speru said, pointing.
Indeed, the structure, appearing as a crystal glacier with mighty spires protracting into the sky, appeared before them. Audio began to play, but then, with a squeal, it went silent, while the camera view panned over the mighty construct.
“Where is this?” Mencari wondered aloud.
As the perspective quickly moved skyward, they saw a fleet of ships launching into space. Following the ascent of the ships into orbit, the crafts appeared to enter hyperspace travel. The next instant showed them approaching a lush planet.
A chill of familiarity ran through Mencari as he recognized the world. “That’s what Alo looks like from space. Or, at least a younger version of your world.”
Fragmented reports showed the construction and establishment on Alo. The audio was choppy and plagued by glitches. The final scenes showed people waving as the original ships departed the new world.
“So, this is how you got here,” Mencari said. “I wonder if the other location was D’mar itself then?”
“What about the others?” Speru said, lifting a yellow crystal. “We haven’t seen anything with the D’mar seal—or even the Nukari one. I wonder what that looks like.”
“I know it all too well,” Mencari said, swapping the active crystal for the cadet’s.
A new projection showed a man speaking the same broken language. A second man appeared and directly addressed the camera with a serious expression.
The cadet scratched his head. “What’s this?”
A third man appeared, showing diagrams and symbols. An emblem flashed before them, one that put a knot into Mencari’s stomach.
Speru asked, “What’s wrong?”
“That’s the Nukari symbol. They’re talking about the Nukari there.”
The aliens huddled at the crest of a mountain. One of the men activated a handheld device that suddenly obscured his image. Eventually he completely disappeared, followed by cheers and clapping from the others. All that was left where the man stood was a somewhat hazy, distorted column of air.
“And that’s the distortion field around your world,” Mencari said.
“Around the whole planet?”
“And your moons. This is showing us how it came about and why … the Nukari,” Mencari added.
“So this is the correct set of crystals, D’abar needs,” Speru said, gently scooping the others up. “I wonder what’s on the others.”
“I’m curious too, but he said not to disturb anything else,” Mencari said. “Let’s get back.”
But getting back to D’abar wasn’t Mencari’s only interest. No doubt Osuto had taken note of his absence and begun to worry. For the moment, there was little choice but to stay focused on the task at hand and press on.
* * * * *
“He’s waiting for you,” the guard said, lowering the shield with a wave.
“D’abar’s back?” Speru said. “Already?”
“For some time now.”
A concerned and anxious look crossed the cadet’s face, but he led Mencari down the same hall as before, reaching out to activate the door sensor. It whipped open and the old man stood there, saying, “Welcome!”
“You always do that!” Speru said, frustrated.
“And you always say that. Please come in and take a seat. We have much to discuss.”
He motioned them to enter. A slight tension hung in the air.
“Aren’t you back early?” Speru asked.
D’abar said, “The council has already made their decision.”
“What? But we just brought back the crystals you asked for.” Speru took the yellow and orange crystals from his pocket.
“Ah you found them.” The old man took them from the boy’s hands. He opened an ornate box on the counter. Inside was velvety cloth, displaying three other blue-and-purple crystals. After stowing the additions away, he continued.
“My nemesis, D’gorra, has convinced the others you should be escorted from our space and told never to return—”
“But we have proof now,” Speru interrupted. “Proof that Rhysus is connected to us—that the Nukari threat holds meaning.”
Mencari added, “It shows everything from the original colonization of Alo, to the Nukari threat, and the foundation of the shield around your world. In fact, it looks like it was in response to the Nukari.”
“So we should be able to bring these to the council and show them,” the boy said, emphatic.
D’abar began to pace. “They’ve broken session for the day—to attend the games. I’ll need a way to reconvene them to present this information. We might need to wait until tomorrow to plead our case.”
Silence filled the room. Only the patter of the old man’s feet on the hard floor echoed.
“No,” Speru said. “We can get their attention another way today.”
D’abar raised a single eyebrow, intrigued.
The boy turned to Mencari. “We’re going to enter the competition.”
“Enter the competition?” D’abar said in disbelief. “I appreciate the gesture, and certainly they’d take notice, but are you ready for something like that?”
“That doesn’t matter. We need their attention, and that would do it.”
“I don’t mean to sound paranoid,” Mencari said, “but what are you not telling me?”
D’abar smiled yet spoke firmly. “The boy has come up with a plan that will do what we need. Beyond that, it’s not important. It was his decision. I’ll make the proper arrangements. You won’t have much time, but you should visit R’oden.”
CHAPTER 3:
The Coliseum
“It will just take a second,” Speru said, leading Mencari down a brigh
tly lit, dorm-like corridor. “I can’t participate in this uniform.”
The guards’ barracks were far simpler in design than High Dome. Walls of dark stone, and glowing inset lights, were the extent of the utilitarian decor.
“This is where all the lower-ranking staff stay,” the cadet said. “Those who don’t have spouses or children, that is— Here we are.”
Speru ran his hand over a green disc, opening the door.
Inside, the walls were papered in inked sketches. Mencari looked across the many cartoonlike characters. “You’re really good. How long have you been drawing these?”
“For years,” Speru said, embarrassed. “My father and I were in an imaging class years ago. They thought it would help me focus, help manifest my abilities. This is what it turned into. There’s nothing like it on Alo. I’ve checked.”
“I see a few characters that keep showing up in most of the cartoons,” Mencari said.
“I have two that I like the best,” Speru said proudly. “I even have a story worked out for them.”
The cadet rifled through his closet and pulled out another outfit, one far less ornate than his cadet uniform. After disappearing briefly into an adjoining bathroom, he emerged in a tight-fitting, white jumpsuit. The shiny leather material was sectioned like a stained glass window, each panel accentuating an athletic form previous hidden by his uniform.
“R’oden’s facility is connected to the coliseum,” Speru said. “We should head over there now.”
* * * * *
A hulk of a man juggled boulders of stone before tossing them into the air, summoning his abilities, and blasting them into dust.
“R’oden?” Speru said respectfully.
“Ah, good, you’ve arrived,” the man said, turning toward them. R’oden’s scraggily beard and bulk of sandy-gold hair made it look like he sported a lion’s mane. The gleam in his eye made him look just as ferocious. “D’abar gave me the news just a bit ago.”
R’oden leaned down, looking the cadet square in the eyes and said, “You really doing this?”
Speru nodded. With a jolly laugh, the man whapped the cadet on the back, sending him flying forward.
“You’ve come a long way, my boy.” He turned his attention back to Mencari. “But you, I know nothing about you.”
“I’m Rhysus Mencari,” Mencari said cordially.
“He’s a cosmic,” Speru said, gloating.
The trainer looked curiously at Mencari, then grinned. “A cosmic, eh?”
He walked over to his desk and waved his hand over a sensor. A beam from the far wall shot at Mencari. Instantly a mini-Skill Tree appeared before him.
R’oden said, “I’ll be. A cosmic!” His wide eyes narrowed. “Plenty of latent skills. Not many manifested though. You’ll definitely be quite a contender down the road. But you’re not ready for solo competition—not by far.”
“We’re only going to be in the team competition,” Speru said.
“So I’ve heard. Just, you know, giving some advice.”
“I was told you have ways to help manifest latent powers,” Mencari said.
“I do.”
“He’s still new to his abilities,” Speru added.
The man scowled. “At his age?”
“So, imagine this is someone’s first time with a trainer,” Speru said. “Explain like you did to me way back about what you do.”
With a roll of his eyes, he grabbed a device from his workbench. “Okay … I have the training paths for every skill category.”
“Even Greater Than?” Mencari interjected.
With a firm shake of his head, R’oden said, “No, ’course not. No one does.”
After a moment, his face scrunched in annoyance. “I’m gonna make a sign and put it on my back when I give this presentation. All the kids ask that.”
He blew out a puff of air, then continued.
“The scan showed me all your existing powers, and latent abilities. We can’t easily jump to more advanced abilities until you’ve built up your base. So, don’t ask me to teach you the Internal Fire Obliteration technique. You can’t handle it yet.”
Mencari didn’t understand the reference, but kept listening intently.
“I see you have down the Star Fire attack. I might be able to teach you the Nova Burst technique before your competition. It’s the next logical power rating after Star Fire. But no promises!”
Mencari nodded.
“As for you, my young friend …” R’oden disappeared through a nearby door and returned with two ornately decorated hilts. Speru’s eyes grew wide with excitement.
“New sabers?” Speru asked.
“I’ve been waiting for a special time to give these to you. I figured maybe when you graduated.” R’oden spoke matter-of-factly. “But this—entering the games—my boy, you’ve left me speechless. Something I’m not known for.”
He gave a warm pat to the boy’s back. “Now these are the real thing, used by masters of the past. Used by one Tiero Chew.”
“My ancestor?” Speru said in awe. “I’ll make her proud.”
“You already have, my boy. Me too! Now then, we’re losing time. We have half a day before you’re on the field.”
He waved in four young men. Mencari noted that each wore a similar uniform, which accentuated their muscular, tank-like builds. There wasn’t an ugly one among them; each was classically handsome with squared jaws, strong chins, and high cheekbones.
“They’ll be your sparring partners,” R’oden said to Speru.
The tallest of the boys, the one with scarlet-orange locks and an articulate crew-cut style, blurted, “No way.”
“Hey, Raitr,” Speru said shyly.
“We were told some late entrants into the games needed some extra training,” Raitr said, shaking his head. “Last person on Alo I thought I’d see was you.”
“His warrior spirit is calling!” R’oden bellowed.
Mencari noticed Raitr’s glance toward him.
“He have something to do with this decision?” Raitr asked.
“Something,” Speru said.
Raitr’s grin was dubious. “Always a sucker for the warriors.”
“Raitr, take him to the lower training area,” R’oden said. “Use half force so you don’t impede their performance later. As for you, Rhysus, you will train with me.”
* * * * *
“This won’t hurt a bit,” R’oden said as he pulled a small device from his belt, aimed, and then fired. A yellow beam struck Mencari, sending warm waves ripping throughout his body. His eyelids became heavy, so heavy he couldn’t help but close them. Images formed in his mind.
R’oden’s voice also filled his mind. Can you see it?
Yes, he thought in return. He imagined himself walking up to a sand-covered shoreline. Gentle waves lapped at the beach, and an island floated in the water meters away. A sphere, similar to the one in the Ability Tree, hovered above it.
R’oden, mind-speaking, said, You must create a bridge to the other side.
How do I? Mencari thought.
The warmth faded, and he opened his eyes.
“I will teach you,” R’oden said confidently. “But first you must raise the level of your Star Fire attack. When the time is right, you will hear my voice again. Follow my directions, regardless of the images that might fill your mind.”
“Is this how all training is done?” Mencari asked.
“This has been the most efficient way of training for centuries. By the way, no use of your other weapons while we train. So whatever tricks you have, keep them for the games.”
Mencari nodded.
“Good,” R’oden said. “Now focus. Show me what you got.”
Mencari summoned his power, his body washing with a golden glow.
“Good. We’ll start with some physical action. You ready?”
To Mencari’s nod R’oden yelled, “Here I come!”
The trainer charged forward, fists flying, legs sweeping, body twi
sting. The two moved evenly matched around the ring. Mencari managed to take R’oden off-guard, and grappled him. With a menacing grin, the trainer twisted and broke Mencari’s grip, flinging his former captor to the ground.
The longer they battled, the brighter R’oden’s own aura grew. Mencari didn’t notice it initially, but it grew into a radiant white. Hits became harder; the alien’s speed became faster. Mencari recognized techniques his muscle-headed warrior Naijen applied regularly. Fortunately, he too had picked them up.
The pair moved faster and faster. There was a beauty to their movements, fluid yet succinct, in tandem, yet deadly. But he knew he couldn’t keep the pace for much longer. Sometimes he wished for Naijen’s stamina.
Perhaps sensing his faltering, R’oden backed off and said, “Well done!”
Happily accepting the break, Mencari panted, trying to catch his breath.
“What a fine warm-up!”
Warm-up? A sickly pain of shock ran through Mencari.
“Find it in you,” R’oden said. “Or you’ll never get to the next level.”
Mencari’s head bobbed, acquiescing. His teeth gritted, and he blew out the remaining pangs of exhaustion.
“There you go,” R’oden said.
Mencari looked him in the eyes a split-second before R’oden yelled, “Break’s over!”
The radiant white glow surged around the trainer’s hands. Was he going to use an energy attack? Instinct caused his protective golden aura to extend beyond his body.
“Ah, just like a cosmic!” R’oden chortled. “Now let’s see what you can take!”
Tiny balls of plasma streaked toward him with amazing speed. Despite the number, they deflected harmlessly off his shield. R’oden easily continued, a steady stream flowing at Mencari as they slowly circled the ring.
“Let me guess, you can’t even attack while holding your shield,” R’oden taunted.
D'mok Revival: The Nukari Invasion Anthology Page 68