TBC: Chapter Forty-One

Sorda led the warriors from the Thesarei to a glass elevator that carried the group to the top levels of headquarters, where the chambers were located. The layout of each room was similar to those at the Celestine Temple, except that the male and female wings shared the same common room.

The walls of the common room were made entirely of clear glass, providing a stunning view of the mountainous area. The long, front window of the common room faced southwest and wound with the curvature of the mountain. Mist and drops from the surrounding waterfalls speckled and created small streams of water along the window borders.

A refreshment area was stationed at one side of the common room. Near this area, a rectangular table surrounded by royal-blue cushioned chairs sat near the stretched window providing a mesmerizing view of the Green Sea. Large reclining chairs and comfortable sofas were centered before a large fireplace that separated the two hallways leading to the warriors' rooms. The hallways joined at the end of the two wings to form a complete circle at the top of the mountain.

"Clean uniforms are available for each of you in your rooms," Sorda stated. "The dining hall is on the floor beneath the Thesarei and other offices. If you will meet me at the Thesarei in one hour, I will lead you there."

The warriors thanked Sorda before he left the group to explore their new chambers.

"This place is amazing," said Hoshi as the group looked around the common room.

The warriors agreed, each commenting about their new view waters below.

"I'm sorry, Brogan," Jarek suddenly stated quietly from where he stood by the fireplace with his arms crossed.

Everyone quietened as they turned to Jarek.

"I'm sorry," he repeated, his expression a mixture of concern and guilt. "Had I teleported from the ship and been clear in my mind, I think we may have been able to get there before Akila took Valora."

"You can't control when the visions come, Jarek," Brogan said. "It's not your fault. Had you not had the vision at all, I could be dead right now."

"While it is true that Master Lorcan and I were already on our way to Lundar Mountains, Master Brogan is right," Jalena said. "I would have never reached him in time had Sir Malik not contacted the pilot and told us the exact location of Brogan's team that you provided him."

"Your foresight is a gift, Master Jarek," said Shamira as she approached Jarek and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Skills take time to develop so do not think otherwise."

Brogan moved quickly to grab Jarek in for a tight hug. He smiled. "So, I should thank you, too." He pushed Jarek playfully. "Now, get to work and use that gift to find the specifics of her location."

Jalena looked at Brogan thoughtfully for several seconds before speaking. "You are right, Brogan. Master Jarek, have you tried to concentrate on a place to see if you can deliberately gain additional information?"

Jarek shook his head. "I tried to after the lessons on expanding our charismas but so far, the visions just come without my control. I haven't had time to try and direct them since."

"Something to practice on then," Shamira said.

"Since you haven't personally seen Mordán's palace yet, you may just try to concentrate on Master Valora and see if any information comes," Jalena finished. "It may expand if you concentrate on the pieces of a dynamic you are familiar with."

Jarek nodded.

"We have to change now," Shamira said. "There is not much time before we meet Sorda again."

The team broke apart to search for their rooms.

With you being so close at night, I do not think I will ever sleep, Gyan told Jalena. She chuckled softly as she rounded the corner to her chambers.

Aderes and Gyan made small talk about the events that had transpired on their separate journeys while they walked to their room, which was located at the end of the hallway. Gyan held his hand up to the scanner next to their door. The door slid into the wall and out of sight. The two entered and observed their new surroundings.

Although the room could still be considered plain like the rooms at the domusé in Yevani and the Celestine Temple, it was much more spacious. The accompanying furniture in the room was larger, as well. In the far corner of each side of the room sat two long desks and shelves of books to assist the warriors in research and homework. Their beds, also much larger than those of the past, faced each other from across the room. Their closets were stocked with multiple upgraded versions of their warriors' uniforms. A door next to each closet led to a private bathroom. As told previously, the warriors' belongings had been brought over and stacked neatly on both beds.

Gyan smiled. "Now I don't have to wait on your long showers anymore, Aderes."

Aderes gave Gyan a quick smile as he explored his closet. "And I don't have to hurry them either." Aderes touched his old san training uniform lightly where it hung beside his master uniforms in the closet, a look of sadness in his gaze.

"Gyan," Aderes said.

"Yeah," Gyan called from inside his bathroom.

"I just want you to know that no matter what happens in the future, it was only because of you that my childhood wasn't miserable."

Gyan appeared in his bathroom doorway. "We've had some great times." He narrowed his eyes. "Why are you saying this?"

Aderes pointed to his old training uniform and shrugged. "Memories getting to me, I guess."

"You okay?"

"Sure," Aderes said nonchalantly, "I just sometimes wish it had been simpler is all."

"I do too…sometimes, but then I think that if it was too simple, we may have felt it was boring."

"Not me."

Gyan narrowed his eyes again as he studied Aderes. "What is it that you're not telling me?"

"Nothing worth talking about," said Aderes. "I'm gonna get cleaned up. We better hurry." He disappeared into his bathroom.

Gyan stood for several more seconds in silence, gazing at the space Aderes had previously stood. He reluctantly returned to his own bathroom to finish getting ready.

A short time later, the two joined the group outside the Thesarei to meet Sorda. They followed him down the hallway and through thick, double doors to a set of winding stairs that led to the dining hall.

The warriors ate quickly and then joined Jabari to make their way to the bunkers.

Fane stood waiting beside the Tritum-X as the team approached. A grave expression haunted his features as the transport carrier housing the warriors slowed to a stop nearby.

"Oh no," Jarek said to Gyan under his breath.

An image of the Xita-8swallowed in flames at the base of the Blue Star Mountains flashed through Gyan's mind.

Fane gazed at the group with a disapproving glare as they approached. "It's ready for flight again. Let's try and not destroy this one, shall we?"

Jalena and Shamira both suppressed a smile, but Fane did not miss the gleam in their eyes. "Go on and smirk, but I'm holding you two responsible if you let any of these," he gestured to the other warriors with his hand, "mess up my ship."

Shamira burst out laughing. "S-sorry, Sir Fane," she said. "I just had a flashback."

Fane rolled his eyes and scowled lightly at Shamira, who rushed past the others and onto the lowered ramp of the ship, still smiling.

"And you two," he called out to Jarek and Gyan. Both froze in their steps. "It better be the wizard that was responsible for crashing that last Xita."

"It was," Malik said from behind Fane.

Fane whipped around to gaze up at Malik, who stood at least a foot taller. He grimaced. "You owe me one, wizard," he said bluntly.

"You know I always pay my dues, Sir Fane," Malik said teasingly as he brushed past Fane and onto the ramp of the Tritum-X.

Fane sighed and wiggled a pointed finger at the sky as he strode away.

The group strapped themselves in, and Malik joined Jabari in the cockpit. "Head to the northern region of Gawl Forest. There is a clearing near Marcile's father's old cabin that will be sufficient for us to store the ship."

Jabari nodded as the circular passageway opened before them, and the Tritum-X swiftly flew out of the bunker and through the Ira Aug falls.