As one, the three Dracs suddenly turned and looked back up the valley.
Ash bent and picked up the two Draconian swords that lay on the ground. “So—the second-string team is about to arrive.” Jamming the hilt of each sword into the holes she’d dug, she pointed the tip of each sword toward the top of the cliff opposite her, where the Dracs stood. “Still want to jump? Be my guest.”
The Dracs growled with unease, staring at the swords that waited to greet them like staked spears.
“Your friends won’t be happy to see you standing there like cowards.” Ash put her arms out, “So much for Draconian honor.”
Pulling her sword from the ground, Ash put it into her sheath. “See you fellas later.” She thrust her fist into the air and shouted, “Baetylus.”
She had taken but a single step down the trail, when her goading words struck home, getting the desired result. The Drac nearest the edge jumped.
He landed squarely upon the ledge. Looking down he saw blood streaming down the blade from where the sword had caught his upper right thigh. Craning his neck, he saw the tip of the blade sticking out the back of his leg. With a loud shriek to subdue the pain, he swung his sword, swatting the second planted sword away. With the path cleared, the other two warriors took a step back and jumped.
In that brief instant, when the two warriors had committed themselves to the jump, Ash had returned, pulled her sword from the sheath and raised it. She brought it down, splitting the wounded warrior’s head open. With a quick spin, she caught the other two warriors across the throat as they landed, side-by-side. With an awkward tumble, one fell off the edge. The other fell forward, landing on the ground by her feet.
Splitting his belly open, Ash jammed his sword inside his abdomen, the blade again pointing upward. She did the same to the other Drac that she’d struck in the head.
She hoped the precariously placed bodies and waiting swords would hinder the next arriving team from making an easy jump to the ledge. All she wanted was a bit of a head start.
Sheathing her own sword, Ash picked up the last Draconian sword, lying on the ground, and started running down the trail.
She’d gone two miles when she heard the shrill piercing cry of the hunting party. There was no doubt but that they had discovered the bodies of the first group of fallen warriors.
Chapter 13
Antares
A mile later, the valley ended—the trail leading her to a narrow, volcanic tunnel. Inside, it was dark, only a few of the illuminating vines surviving the hot, dry air blasting through the tunnel. Ash dripped with sweat, the heat growing hotter with each step.
The trail through the lava tube ended at an overlook. In front of her were dozens of tall stone pillars, carved out by an eons old lava flow, thirty feet below. The slow-moving lava spilled over a cliff-like waterfall a hundred yards to her left. The only way across the flow was to jump from pillar to pillar. The gaps between them were long—too long for her to make the jump.
Ash turned and looked back into the tunnel behind her. She knew it wouldn’t be long before the warriors arrived. Unable to move forward, she truly felt stuck between a rock and a hard place. The sheer wall above her led nowhere, offering no concealment or place to make a stand. And even if she won, where could she go?
The heat rising from below was intense. Her skin tingled, the gift keeping her skin from burning. “Now I know why they call this the crucible.” Ash grimaced, her mind wishing for a burst of wind or cooling rain.
Almost instantly, a droplet of cooling water fell upon her shoulder. Another large drop splattered on the rock in front of her. Her heart sped, hopeful that more would fall. Her eyes narrowed in disappointment as no more drops followed.
Focusing hard, Ash reached deep inside, trying to draw upon the ability to summon the rain. Nothing. Yet, she was sure the drops had come in response to her thoughts.
Recalling Steven’s Draconian words, he’d said she had no powers because ‘the stones would not allow it.’ She couldn’t help but wonder if the stones might have a limited range.
Ash touched the locket, hoping to activate the rain with the Star of Elements. Again nothing. Frustrated, she tried each of the other elements in turn. “Dammit.”
Momentarily, she considered trying to shift form. Ash pictured herself turning into a puddle of mush, unable to complete the shift to a new form. “Nope, not going there.
“I wonder.” Ash pushed the center of the locket’s stone. Her armor instantly encapsulated her. “Yes!” she screamed, throwing her fist into the air and jumping in excitement. The instant coolness within felt wondrous. Ash shivered as a small, circulating breeze kicked in, bringing her body temperature back to normal.
The small victory was quickly followed by a scowl, as she realized she’d made a mistake in not having tried it sooner. She now wondered if the nano-technology had always been resistant to the stone’s dampening field.
Pulling her sword, she tightened her grip on the hilt, seeing if it too might work. “Erg. Better luck next time, Charlie Brown.” Swapping the heftier Drac sword to her dominant right hand, Ash made a series of circular, double bladed swings, getting used to the feel. Her motions were swift, precise, and without hesitation. The Keeper’s training aboard Pegasus had served her well.
Concerned as to where the location of the next group of pursuing Dracs were, Ash reached inside and projected her consciousness outward. Excited to find the ability working, she sent her consciousness into the lava tube behind her. Guiding it along, a mile later, she found them. Six warriors were moving quickly, their long strides taking advantage of the tunnel’s long straightaways.
Seeing the opportunity afforded by the narrowness of the tunnel, Ash decided to take the battle to the Dracs. Ash ran into the tunnel, the sound of her armored feet reverberating loudly off the stone floor. Not three-hundred yards in, she rounded a bend in the tunnel to find the Dracs waiting for her.
They’d come to a stop and stood with their weapons raised, prepared to do battle.
“You looking for me,” said Ash, with a playful swagger of her head and shoulders. She stood before them, boldly daring them to attack.
Surprised at her bravado and the fact that she now wore armor that she’d not possessed earlier, “Sorcerer,” said the closest Drac, speaking the words aloud for the others behind him to hear.
“Transor,” corrected Ash. “Easy mistake though, especially when your belly is bigger than your brain.”
Angered, the lead Drac rushed her. Whirling around, Ash dodged the thrust of his sword and parried with her own, thrusting it upwards through his skull.
The five others came at her together. Ash dipped below the slashing sword of one Drac—and with the hefty Drac sword in her right hand, cut both his legs off as she swept by him.
Deflecting the downward swing of the third Drac’s sword with her own, she spun and slashed his neck open with the other sword in her hand. “Three down, three to go.”
Whirling, Ash dropped to both knees and leaned back. The thrusting sword of the next warrior passed above her, striking nothing but the air above her left shoulder. With his miss, he’d left himself open to a counterattack, and Ash seized upon the opportunity with her own stabbing thrust to his abdomen. The sword came out his back, covered in blue blood.
Ash flipped from her backward lean into a full upright stance, and in a blur of motion—she simultaneously swung both swords. The crossing blows sliced the next Drac’s head into three different pieces.
A snarling growl accompanied the downward striking blow of the last warrior.
Ashlyn countered, her crossed swords halting the Drac warrior’s downward strike. Pushing him back, her strength surprising him—Ash stood before him, her squared stance and lowered weapons brazenly daring him to attack.
Raising the blade back of his shoulder, the Drac brought it down, chopping at the base of her neck. Ash never moved to defend herself.
The blade clanged loudly, the powerful
blow not even making her waver. Ash casually shook her head. “The hand of Ra has not blessed you this day.”
The Drac took a staggering step backward unsure of what to do against such a strong enemy. The sword fell from his hand.
Looking down, she saw a gaping wound in the Drac’s lower abdomen. His blood trickled to the ground. “So, they made you jump to the ledge first? Only a warrior who is brave and honorable would follow such an order.”
The Drac growled.
“I offer you your life in exchange for the answer to a single question,” said Ash. “What is the stone of Baetylus?”
The Drac’s eyes tightened, his lips curling into a frown.
Ash raised her sword. “Your choice? Answer or die. I’m not asking you to betray your people. It’s a simple question.”
After giving a guttural purr-like growl and a short pause, he said, “Baetylus stone at end of crucible.”
“I didn’t ask where. I asked what is it?” said Ash.
“It takes those who touch to world above,” he answered, his gaze veering aside.
Ash cocked her head questioningly as she sensed his apprehension. “You’re hiding something?”
“No hide,” said the Drac. He raised his head proudly. “Me answer question. Me honor agreement.
“Me now see if you honorable.” The Drac kicked his sword away, making it clear he was no threat to her.
With a lunging thrust, Ash put her sword into him.
The Drac dropped to his knees and doubled over, grabbing his side. Blood gushed from between his fingers. He growled, his deep-set eyes full of hate. “You have no honor.”
“I just saved your life, Drac,” said Ashlyn. “Your wound will heal, but if your friends had found you alive and still capable of fighting, they would have killed you.”
The Drac’s brows furrowed as he considered her explanation.
As Ash turned to leave, the Drac growled, begging her attention. “Hmmmgg—you touch stone, you die. Only Drac may touch. Stone listen heart.”
Ash gave a tiny nod of acknowledgement, thanking him and turned away, leaving him behind.
At the overlook, Ash flung the two swords to the far side of the lava flow, to where the trail continued. The perfectly weighted Sword of Truth landed point first in the dirt, as if it were waiting for her to retrieve it.
“Go-go, Gadget—legs.” Ash laughed, thinking back to her watching old cartoons with the kids. She sighed, her heart aching. Knowing the armor would enhance her speed, Ash took four steps back and broke into a full run. Without breaking her stride, she jumped from pedestal to pedestal in long leaps until she reached the far landing.
Looking back, she studied the lava flow. “Time to do a little remodeling.” Activating her armor’s laser, she set the power to maximum and began to cut an angled slice through the base of nearest pillar. It was easier than she expected. The pillar slid away, toppling explosively into the lava flow. The splash sent rippling waves of lava and flashes of fiery bursts of flame in all directions. Sparks filtered upwards, carried by the eruptions of rising heat.
As she watched the pillar disappear beneath the surface, This is fun, like swinging a baseball bat in a glass store.
One by one, she continued to cut the pillars down. Only one remained when the next team of Dracs arrived atop the cliff opposite her.
The one whose life she’d saved, stood among them. Ash could sense his nervousness. He was afraid that she might reveal the warning he’d given her.
Activating the laser, she felled the last pillar. The heat, sparks and flame that erupted near them forced them to take a step back, and shield their eyes.
Seeing that their path to reach her was gone, the lead Drac roared in protest. He exchanged disgruntled glances with those beside him, looking for suggestions on how to cross.
“Hasta la vista, baby,” said Ash. Giving them an informal salute, she bent, retrieved the swords, and started up the path.
The trail led upwards to a cliff that followed the flow of lava far below. She’d traveled six miles before the trail finally diverted away, taking her to an ancient underground city.
The stone buildings were covered in twisted, dead vines. Only a scant few, thin and scraggly, had managed to survive.
In the ultra-low light, the city looked haunted, as though inhabited by thousands of ghosts. A chill went up her spine, inspired by the memory of the ghostly apparitions that had attacked her aboard Destiny. And though the cold chill was only in her imagination, her skin tightened, pebbling with a thousand goosebumps. She crossed her arms, rubbing them as though she were warming herself. She half expected to hear the rumble of thunder and the caw of a crow. Get a grip, Ash. It’s just an old city, she thought.
And yet, something did feel amiss. Perhaps it was the locket or maybe her own heightened senses, but the sensation of fear felt warranted. Her eyes were roving from window to window, from doorway to doorway, the shadows within concealing what lay beyond.
She’d not gone more than a few paces, before the source of her fear revealed itself. Dark-skinned snakes began to slither out of the doorways and windows. Thousands were intertwined inside the dead vines, their bodies blending perfectly with the gnarled and twisted, leafless twigs. They began dropping to the ground, their predatory instinct driving them to be the first to claim her.
Wondering if she had now gotten out of range of the stones, she again tried the sword. It came to life in her hand, sizzling with energy.
Ash powered down the sword and tried activating the energy bubble around her. As it encompassed her, ecstatic that she had her powers back, a broad smile creased her lips. Ash raised the bubble from the floor, so that she was floating high above the ground. She had no desire to hurt the snakes; it was their home.
“Sorry, fellas—but you’ll have to settle for the house special today, lizard snacks,” said Ash. She then called upon the orbs of fire to provide light to her surroundings.
The snakes, afraid of the bright light and fire, returned to their hiding places—preferring the comfort of darkness.
Tapping the center of the locket, Ash turned off the armor around her and took a cross-legged seat within the bubble. “Flying is still the safest way to travel,” said Ash in jest as she guided the bubble down the city thoroughfare. While old and decayed, the size and scope of the city was impressive, especially for a world built below ground.
Ash saw a definitive similarity to the structures of ancient Egypt. Beneath all the trepidation of the city, she felt a strong sense of nostalgia in the architecture. It was almost like she was home. The sensation struck her as odd, without explanation. It was intangible, like a feeling of déjà vu.
Even the lettering and the hieroglyphs hidden beneath the creeping vines held a sense of familiarity. Ash stopped the bubble, studying one such inscription written atop a doorway, the meaning of which alluded her.
She stopped again at a columned support that depicted human looking people, animals and events of importance. So, familiar.
Her journey through the city led to a large square. Around the perimeter were a dozen statues of men in armor, and women wearing togas. The statues, like much of the courtyard floor were thinly covered in dead vines. In the middle of the courtyard stood a large ornamental fountain which commanded attention. Its centerpiece, a man riding atop a large fearsome creature. Both man and beast wore armor. It was large, impressive, a ceremonious tribute to man and animal.
Looking down upon the courtyard were homes layered all the way to the cavern’s ceiling. Narrow, vine overgrown stairways wound between them. Each had a balcony that provided a view of the courtyard below. Condos, thought Ashlyn. Probably timeshares. The thought brought a smile to her face. The city was an archeologist’s dream.
Between two of the statues to her right, a broad walkway led to a large, columned, gable-roofed building. Its size gave it a prominence above all the others in the city. She felt a pull to investigate. In some mysterious way, it was calling to he
r. The necklace, it must be the necklace.
Directing the gravity field to carry her inside the building, she entered into a grand hall. In its center was a single pedestal with a large crystal atop it. Oddly, the room was devoid of vines—devoid of snakes. Almost pristine.
She came to a stop and collapsed the gravity bubble. The twin flames above her were reflected in the crystal’s hundreds of facets, giving the walls in the room a soft warm glow.
Without warning, a beam of light shot from the crystal and connected with Ashlyn’s forehead. Her body went limp and began to lift. Encased in a field that had no gravity, her hair splayed freely out in all directions, her arms and legs floating.
“Thg, wef, lim, bng, fuy, sac, svn, eig, nn, ten,” spoke the crystal as it established a base mathematical dialog.
Pictures pulled from Ashlyn’s memory appeared above the crystal. The face of Tynabo, Steven, her children and hundreds more began to flash by—moving faster and faster. She saw Novacek, Tomlinson, Jackson, everyone she had ever known.
Eventually, the pictures slowed—changing to parts of the human anatomy. The first to appear was eyes. “Eyes,” spoke the crystal. The picture changed. “Mouth.” It changed again. “Hand.”
The next was a picture of Phillip. “Son,” said the crystal. “Daughters,” it said as it displayed an image of her two daughters playing together.
It then displayed a picture of Steven. “Husband.”
The beam emanating from the crystal lowered her to the ground and disappeared. Weakened, Ashlyn slumped to the floor. With a large gasping inhale, she filled her empty lungs. Her eyes fluttered open.
2289 A.D. - Arcane Darkness: A Paranormal Fantasy Adventure Saga (The Ashlyn Chronicles - Book 3) Page 12
