TBC: Chapter Forty-Four

The only sound heard as Gyan and the others moved through the forest were from the gawls flying overhead. Their sharp cries pierced the night air, causing some of the warriors to cringe.

Gyan remembered the first time he heard the birds cry. It was on the mission with Jalena and Valora to rescue Tarak from the cave cells in the Ice Mountains. He shook his head and quickened his pace. Lucky we don't have to worry about avoiding the gawls since Mersán is here, he told the others.

Their shrieks are still horrible, replied Hoshi. They go right through you.

We are close to the palace now, Jalena said. Trust your senses and remember to use Chiséi and Relasu to expand your abilities.

The ring around Hoshi's irises flashed yellow. Yellow-glowing, double vertical and horizontal stripes appeared over her eyes to form two crosses down her face. The trees are too thick for me to see anything clearly, she said. But, I see movement among the trees closest to the palace. She exhaled and the marks on her face disappeared.

Gyan smiled as he observed the effect of Hoshi's newly discovered gift. The rate of expansion he witnessed in his teammates fascinated him. He took a deep breath and released the bounds of his sight perception, reaching beyond the limitations of the darkness around them. As he did so, he watched Jalena as she walked ahead and allowed himself to study the light flowing along the meridians within her. His chest twisted as he thought about her decision to remain distant from him for now. He sighed and shook away his thoughts so he could remain focused.

Why are the castle grounds so dark? Danika asked as the group neared the edge of the forest.

They are expecting us,Jalena said. It looks like the outside entrance to the dungeons is next to the gate of the bridge extending over the lake. Malik should be inside by now.

He is, Mersán stated.

The group stopped before an enormous garden of shrubs and flowers that separated the forest from the outer palace grounds. A row of large trees grew along a wide walkway leading up to the back-palace entrance. A variety of garden fountains and stone sculptures decorated the paths leading through the garden. The silhouette of Mordán's castle loomed behind the palace walls a short distance away.

Leaders of Kraundor are anything but modest when it comes to surrounding themselves in luxury,Brogan observed.

Something that Lord Mohan and Mordán share, Tarak replied.

Gyan opened his senses further and invoked Relasu again. He let out a slow breath as he observed the meridian glow of the numerous Vaznaun waiting for them at both corners of the palace wall. It looks like most of the Vaznaun are dominant in masculine energy,he told the others as he noted the high level of gold light within the darkened aura around their opponents. The feminine energy within them is suppressed, so expect direct and brute attacks as usual.

The group nodded their agreement.

There is an upper level that surrounds outer palace wall, so beware of the Vaznaun above us as well, Danika said.

The shrubs and trees will help provide some cover but remember that the Vaznaun have sharp vision even at night, so do not rely on it too much, Jalena added.

Kar is in the middle of the upper tier, Tarak said.

A large Vaznaun was perched like a hawk directly above the gate to the bridge.

Gyan looked up and saw more Vaznaun warriors standing in formation along the upper wall. Tarak,he said. Do you think you could guide the light energy from my shield in the same way you do an object?

Tarak was silent for several seconds before answering. Yes, I think so.

Lorcan, I will need you too, Gyan stated.

Of course, Lorcan responded.

Master Lorcan, Master Tarak, and I will cover the upper wall and then return to help below, Gyan revealed to the others.

Mersán stood still at the edge of the forest before the palace grounds, observing the scene before him. Akila is not present, but she knows I am here now, so I will observe from here until she appears.

Jalena nodded and the warriors split into two teams. One group—Danika, Hoshi, Brogan, and Aderes—went right, near where the secret entrance to the dungeons was located. The other group—Gyan, Jalena, Tarak, Jarek, and Lorcan—made their way left of the gate.

The warriors crept low and moved as quickly as possible through the garden brush. Both teams neared the palace walls without issue.

"Did you really think we wouldn't sense you, warrior filth?" Kar's voice boomed from the top tier as he stood from his crouched position. "We can smell your foul scent from miles away."

The Vaznaun standing near Kar laughed.

Gyan looked up. He sensed the tension in the air before the attack came. He instantly cast a shield around both groups to block the surge of incoming arrows.

Each master unsheathed their gladaé.

As light flooded the outside garden, Vaznaun from both sides of the palace swarmed the warriors.

Danika, use your charisma to find the dungeon entrance. Brogan, you both must go now, Jalena said. We will cover you.

Danika's eyes lit just before she turned invisible. Brogan sprinted toward the right side of the palace bridge.

Hoshi looked sharply at the Vaznaun flooding in from both sides, sheathed her gladaé, and reached for her blades. She ran away from the group, down the center of the grounds towards a large fountain.

"Look, one is running already," a Vaznaun called out.

More laughter rang out as two Vaznaun ran after Hoshi.

Hoshi smiled as her eyes lit up brightly. She stepped onto the edge of the fountain's stone base for leverage and leaped high into the air. She twisted to face the rows of Vaznaun charging her teammates. She released two tri-bladed boomerangs straight out before her. The Vaznauns' eyes widened as the boomerangs, surrounded in blue-white light, sailed outward in a rounded arc formation and sliced through a dozen enemies. Hoshi pulled her gladaé and a long dagger out from a small sheath at her hip with her other hand before her feet touched the ground again. She dropped low and smoothly twirled into the moves of Chiséi as she engaged two more oncoming Vaznaun.

The rest of the group, eyes alight, engaged the Vaznaun without hesitation. A myriad of colorful blades danced through the air as gladaés blocked enemy swords and flying arrows.

Gyan looked to the top tier of the palace wall where Kar stood unmoving, his arms crossed, as if waiting for the perfect time to strike. You ready, Tarak? he said.

Yes.

Lorcan?

Just say when.

When, Gyan stated simply. Kar seems to be waiting for us to bring the party to him.

Then let's not keep him any longer, Lorcan said as he sprinted toward the stone wall, eyes alight. He jumped, the charisma at his feet propelling him to the top.

Tarak and Gyan followed. Tarak guided the energy surrounding Gyan with his charisma so that he easily reached the top of the wall. After, he used his charisma to lighten his own quick climb up.

The three warriors immediately engaged the Vaznaun standing along the wall.

Kar quickly advanced toward the three of them with a new sword, much longer than his last. "Get out of my way," he yelled to several Vaznaun soldiers as he shoved past them.

Gyan looked quickly from left to right. Tarak, face the gardens and stand with your back to mine. I will release my shield directly out to both sides. Try to guide it so that it follows the wall…Lorcan, cover us.

Lorcan nodded and swung his gladaé to block two oncoming arrows. Tarak moved so that he stood with his back to Gyan's.

Okay, now, Gyan said.

Tarak's and Gyan's eyes lit up simultaneously as they extended their arms out to the side. A block of light shot out to each side from Gyan's hands and expanded along the top of the wall. Tarak, his eyes narrowed in concentration, bent Gyan's shield around the curvature of the wall as it expanded. The shield surrounded Lorcan as Gyan's light reached him. The blue outlined his skin as the rest of the light sailed by.

Kar, his eyes wide, jumped from the wall before Gyan's shield reached him. He hit the ground and rolled several feet. A flash of fury shadowed his features as he looked back at the three warriors.

Gyan's shield collided with each of the Vaznaun arkaí that failed to jump from the tier. The light sent numerous Vaznaun flying off the wall as the beam slammed into them.

Tarak narrowed the energy above and below the shield so that it compacted into a sharp point, transforming it into a piercing ray as it flew around the wall of the palace. The energy gained momentum, slicing through any remaining Vaznaun as they screamed and fell from the wall.

Gyan and Tarak lowered their hands and looked around. The entire top tier was now clear of arkaí. Gyan nodded in appreciation and placed a hand on Tarak's shoulder. The two jumped from the tier with Lorcan and rejoined the others. Before they reached the ground, Kar was already striding toward Tarak.

"I can handle him," Tarak told Gyan.

Gyan nodded and ran in the opposite direction to Jalena and Hoshi as Lorcan moved to assist Jarek.

Tarak and Kar collided like two fighting bears. Tarak's green-glowing gladaé flashed as it smashed into Kar's long, thick sword. Although the two were similar in size, Tarak was the more skilled warrior, his movements calculated and fluid as he intertwined his knowledge of Chiséi in comparison to Kar's brute blows. Three more Vaznaun rushed to Kar's side and surrounded Tarak.

Kar grinned. "I won't be so lenient on you this time, son," he said in between strikes with his sword.

"Now this doesn't seem fair," Jarek said boldly from behind Kar.

The Vaznaun turned to lunge at Jarek, but in a flash, Jarek had already moved to Tarak's side. "A little more even now, don't you think, Master Tarak?"

Tarak narrowed his eyes and lowered his stance

"Did he tell you, Kar," Jarek smiled, "about how much he's trained since the first time you met?"

Kar didn't reply as he and the other Vaznaun crept closer.

Jarek smirked and continued his taunting. "He's even learned to dance so I don't think you have a chance now."

Kar looked at Jarek with malice. "Kill him already," he told the others.

Two Vaznaun surged forward and engaged Jarek as Kar and another Vaznaun advanced on Tarak.

Nearby, a young Vaznaun arkaí, who had been knocked from the wall with Gyan's shield, lay motionless on his back—his bow and arrows scattered several feet from him. He slowly reached for his bow, his injuries preventing any sudden movement. Anger flashed in his eyes as he observed the fallen Vaznaun around him. "Traitor," he muttered under his breath as his eyes fell on Tarak. His fist closed around the limb of his bow. His face twisted and he groaned in pain as pushed himself up onto his elbow and grabbed an arrow. He coughed and blood spewed across his hands as he stretched to ready his bow. He inhaled sharply and aimed his arrow at Tarak's back. "Father—!" he shouted.

Kar suddenly backed away from Tarak as his partner continued the fight. He looked in the direction of the Vaznaun. "Cifa? Is that you? Kar squinted. "What are you doing here?" he shouted.

"This one is for you, father!" Cifa drew his bowstring further back, but his fingers never released his arrow. His eyes widened as the sharp point of a dagger smashed into his temple. He fell back to the ground as his bow dropped to the side.

Hoshi strode quickly toward Cifa to retrieve her weapon from his skull.

"No!" Kar screamed and ran at Hoshi, swinging his sword wildly.

Hoshi dodged his blow and jumped back to create distance between herself and Kar. Kar's chest heaved, the struggle between grief and hate surfacing within him.

Hoshi's eyes flashed. "Careful," she said. Like a cat studying her prey, she paced back and forth in front of Kar—her bloody dagger in one hand and her gladaé in the other.

A bright light flashed several yards behind Hoshi. The light disappeared and Akila stood in its place, cloaked in black with her hood pulled low over her forehead. The blue stone at the top of her staff shone brightly. "I see you've underestimated them, Kar."

Kar ignored Akila and continued to stare at Hoshi, a murderous look swallowing his features as he sought an opening to attack.

Go," Akila told him. "Stop the twin before he gets to his sister."

Kar looked at the palace gates where Brogan was fighting and then back to Hoshi.

"Go," repeated Akila. "I will take care of her."

Kar frowned and ran to Brogan. His face took on a deeper look of hatred as he glanced around at his fallen comrades, who were now either too injured to fight or dead. A few scattered groups were all that remained.

Hoshi's gaze turned from Kar to Akila. She tightened her grip on her gladaé and prepared her stance.

Akila calmly pointed the tip of her staff at Hoshi. "Your gladaé will do no good here, dear." She smiled. Her eyes flashed silver just before a thin, violet-red beam of light shot from her staff.

Hoshi dove out of the way but wasn't quick enough. Her eyes widened as Akila's light reached her. She gasped as she observed a blue ball of light form inches from her ribs and spread outward, stopping Akila's attack. She glanced at Gyan, who continued to exchange blows with another Vaznaun. Thank you, Gyan, she said.

Anytime, he replied as his opponent dropped.

Akila's expression registered a brief moment of shock as she realized who had protected Hoshi from her attack. She turned to Gyan with a smirk, who was now striding toward her with a determined look on his face. "An invitation to play?" she said. She laughed as she pointed her staff at him.

Gyan's charisma ignited a shield around him as her beam of light soared in his direction.

"Good defense, but how are you when the heat is turned up?" Akila's eyes flashed again and the light from her staff turned into thick, violet-red and white flames.

Akila's attack caused Gyan to stumble back several feet. The light in his eyes brightened as the force of the fire slowed his advance. The density of Gyan's shield decreased, but he kept moving forward slowly, pushing against the violent wind of fire, to distract Akila.

Hoshi took several long steps to lunge at Akila with her gladaé from the other side.

With her staff still pouring fire, Akila cocked her head in Hoshi's direction. She extended her other arm with her fingers spread wide. Threads of light protruded from Akila's fingers before Hoshi reached her. Hoshi eyes flashed as she swung her gladaé in front of the attack to block Akila's light. Her gladaé dropped to the ground, however, as the threads of light moved past the sword and wound around Hoshi's throat. Akila lifted her arm, and Hoshi rose into the air, grasping at the light around her throat.

Akila shook her head and smirked. "I repeat—your sword is no good with me, warrior."

"Hoshi!" Gyan shouted. Sweat dripped from his face as he slowly continued toward Akila.

Teleport, Gyan, so you can take a break. Jalena's voice entered his mind. I can help now.

Gyan released his shield and teleported before Akila's flames could swallow him.

A surprised frown appeared on Akila's face as the fire from her staff and light from her fingers ceased.

Hoshi fell to the ground, coughing hard.

Gyan appeared near a large brush, out of harm's way. He dropped to one knee, weakened some by the extended use of his charisma.

Akila's gaze moved to where Jalena stood at a distance.

Jalena's eyes were alight as she stared at Akila, an intense look of concentration on her face.

"Yes," Akila said in a low voice. "Of course, it is you. I have wanted to meet you for some time now." She attempted to step forward.

Jalena narrowed her gaze even more, and Akila's foot stopped.

Akila raised an eyebrow and stopped struggling against Jalena's hold. "Your attempt to control the energy inside of me will only last briefly. It may have saved your friend from my attack, but here is a lesson for you about the Mysteis, my dear. Starlight heals. Even against barriers on the inside. Besides, my power will not dissipate as soon as yours will. The use of your charisma will drain you before my resistance depletes." She smiled. "Unless, of course, you reach into your Reserve. If you have learned to control that amount of power, then I certainly will be impressed…so, let's test it."

Akila's eyes lit up again brightly and a blue glow emerged along the tribal markings beneath her eyes and her collarbone, arms, and hands. She extended her arms before her. A violet-red and white beam of fire surged out from Akila's entire body and staff and bulleted through the air.

Jalena jumped back and held her gladaé steadily in front of her. Suddenly, a deep violet glow from her irises leaked into the blue-white shine of her eyes. A glowing violet mark appeared at her hairline in the top middle of her forehead and formed a diamond shape across the span of her forehead. The lower point of the diamond joined between Jalena's eyes, then continued down across her cheeks to the back of her jaw. A glowing spiral appeared in the middle of the diamond. The violet light of her gladaé surged outward in a diamond-shaped shield before her. Extended beams of light from the shield surrounded Jalena, forming a protective arc around her.

Akila's blazing beam never reached Jalena's shield, however, but was redirected to the right at the last minute. The beam of fire slammed into the outside palace wall, causing stone debris to fly in all directions. Akila turned her sharp gaze to the source of the interference. Tarak was striding quickly toward Jalena, his eyes alight and focused on Akila's fire.

Irritation flashed through Akila's expression as she glanced back at the enormous hole in the palace wall. She immediately turned her staff on Tarak and shot a beam of fire at him.

Jarek bolted in front of Tarak without hesitation.

"Jarek!" Hoshi yelled.

As the flames reached Jarek, an orange glow in the shape of two flames appeared around each of his eyes. Akila's fire slowed before him and began to churn around him aggressively until it narrowed into three rings of swirling fire—one around his head, waist, and knees. The ring of color around Jarek's irises swirled violet-red.

He took a deep breath and stretched his arms out, his fingers spread wide. The ring in the center of his waist split apart and formed a ring around each of his arms.

He grinned. "Thanks for the fire, Akila." Short spears of fire formed from the swirling rings and darted from Jarek's fingers at Akila, who slid back several feet as she absorbed them with her staff.

A blinding blue-white light suddenly shone before Akila, separating her from the rest of the warriors. It disappeared and Mersán stood in its place. He smiled politely. "Hello, granddaughter. Looks like you've started your party without me."

***