Vhadrah- Evolution of HiSkale

by Ambear Shellea

  “But don't snakes lay in the sun to gather warmth? These are created from snakes.”

  “No, they are created by already magical beings. They mimic snakes, but they are not snakes. The snakes the priest have, that they use to create these beings, do not rely on the sun for anything.

  In fact, they hide from it. Those snakes were punished by Odin, therefore tossed into Mhores Isle. A place where the sun does not shine. It sometimes gets mild sunlight, but only enough to decipher night from day. The snakes from that place, live in murky water, that creates a poison mist that is harmful to humans and animals alike.”

  “Then how did the priest acquire them in the first place?”

  “That is the question I have been pondering since the cave. Once I realized what it was and where it came from...I cannot fathom how such a creature could make it here. Mhores Isle is surrounded by the Malkinway Sea. A vast spread of water that dies about two miles from Mhores Isle to repel other life from making landfall.”

  “It sounds like a pretty nasty place to be.” She stated.

  “It is." I said nodding, "You must be purposed to go there, to even find it. I do not want to know what you have to do to actually get there.”

  I jumped a bit when she slapped my thigh out of excitement. She was one of those humans who got excited when they figured something out. As if they were surprised, they would find and answer. She seemed surprised, and excited.

  “But we do!” she said flatly.

  I voiced my confusion. “We do, what?”

  “Have to know.” she answered. “We do have to know what it actually takes to reach that isle. I'm sure that is a key piece of this puzzle.”

  “Yes, I know that. When I said, I didn't want to know, it was a figure of speech but yes, that is something we will need to figure out.”

  I got from the ground and offered her a hand, “Speaking of figuring things out, we need to keep moving. I think I know where we can get some answers and it's not far from here.”

  An Old Friend

  The events of last night and this morning, had taken its toll. Lalynn needed to rest. I had pushed her too far and had been carrying her for the last hour. We were close and mid-day was approaching fast. I didn't want to stop until we reached the destination.

  Lalynn, now awake, couldn't keep quiet any longer.

  “Where are we going?”

  "A hidden place. A holy place, where the HiSkale and that Priest cannot reach us.”

  “We're going to hide out?” Her tone was one of disapproval.

  I sighed.

  “Only for a moment. We are going to Nhir Vallahon”

  She got so excited, I almost dropped her.

  “I have always wanted to visit the Holy City. I heard it is beautiful there.”

  “You heard correc...Since you have gotten your spark back, can you walk? We will get there much faster.”

  “Um...Yes...” She dropped onto her feet and took pace with my stride. “Thank you. The nap did me well.”

  “No problem." I replied, stretching my tense muscles, "I hated to be harsh by pushing so hard, but I just want to be sure we reach it before nightfall. I'm willing to bet that the Priest will have already figured out where we are headed. However, I can assure you, he doesn't know why.”

  “He won't guess we're going to seek safety?”

  “That is exactly what he will assume. Exactly what I want him to assume but that is not why I am taking us there.”

  “Oh...Then why are we going then?” I never noticed, until now, how deep her lines seemed to go when she furrowed her brows. Seemed a bit odd for a woman.

  I continued to explain.

  “For one, we are going to the Hall of Vallahon.”

  She gasped and I smiled. That was the usual human reaction when it was mentioned.

  “The Holy Library? It is said that place is miles long and just as high.”

  “It is." I nodded. "I have been there.”

  Her excitement was infectious, and I found myself smiling with her.

  Lalynn prattled on about stories she had heard, dreams of that place and the folklore from her village as we cntinued to trek across the flat land. She started to say something else, but I stopped her.

  I had been only half listening to her for about a mile now. The fine hairs on the back of my neck, had warned me we were being followed. I hadn't figured out if this was a danger or not. They had stopped when we stopped. They kept pace, but never emerged.

  Something was different.

  Something had changed.

  I listened to the world around us, trying to figure it out. Was it the same thing following us, or had something or someone switched out?

  The footfalls and pace were entirely different. Before they were light and soft and now...they seemed quicker but harder.

  Was it a woman and now it's a man?

  I drew my sword and placed myself between Lalynn and the disturbance. I waited. Whatever it was, was getting closer. Hidden just behind the small row of trees. It wouldn't be long now.

  They were coming.

  It was two, not one. The heavier steps had joined with the lighter ones. The heavier steps had taken the lead, and the advance.

  Any second now.

  Three.

  Two.

  What the Hell?

  I almost dropped my sword I was so surprised. There before me stood a lightweight version of myself with a pixie cut of brown hair and dark violet eyes. I would always know that face. The face of my sister.

  “Vhaneal? What are you doing out here? I was ready to kill you and... Who is this?” I asked.

  Him, I didn't know. Tall, with a head full of shaggy blonde hair and heavy-set frame covered by simple brown leather. If I had to wager a guess, I'd say maybe a protector but...my sister can handle her own. So, I stared at her, with that authoritative, 'answer me' gaze until she did. Being a big sister had its perks.

  “I was waiting for you...” she replied.

  Waiting for me?

  That threw me off.

  “Waiting for me? How did you know I was coming? I didn't even know I was coming.”

  “I forsaw it in the Crystal F...”

  I waved my hand at her, cutting her off before she spoke the name of our sacred home.

  “I understand, but let's not give away too much...out in the open.”

  She shrugged, “Ok. Then let's just say I saw it. “

  “Fine...and this guy?” I asked, pointing to her travel buddy, whose introduction she had already ignored.

  “This...” she explained.

  I watched her place a hand on his chest, and an arm around his waist with a dewey eyed look upon her face. I had to admit, I didn't like where this was going.

  “...Is Humberland. He's my aid when I travel.”

  Himberland tapped his sword, stating the obvious, “That's what this is for...To help protect her when she is traveling and collecting.”

  Traveling and collecting?

  “Ah- huh...” was all I managed.

  Something was off, and my sister was going to make sense of it before I left her. For now, I had other things to accomplish. She was lucky...for now.

  With that in mind, I ushered all of us out of the open and back into motion. We could chat later. I didn't want to run into trouble this close to my destination. I hated fighting this close to the Holy City, even to defend it, or myself. It was too sacred of a place to bring such horror to. Bringing darkness among the light. It just didn't seem right.

  “Hi, I am Lalynn, nice to meet you Vhaneal. How long have you known Vhadrah?"

  Vhaneal laughed, "My whole life."

  When I saw confusion cross Lalynn's face, i answered. "She is my sister."

  "Wow!" Lalynn exclaimed excited, "Her sister?”

  My sister, always the chatter box, felt obliged to engage.

  “Nice to meet you Lalynn. I was curious who you were... but didn't get a chance to ask. Yes, I am her sister.”

  �
�Nice to meet you, Vhaneal.”

  I always loved the cute little laugh of my sister, but not today. Her voice always carried when she was excited. My eyes scanned the area around us as we walked.

  There was that feeling again.

  I let them chat, mainly because I knew it would serve no purpose to ask them to stop but also because it gave the illusion, we were not paying attention. Glancing to my left, I noticed that Himberand was doing the same. I spotted his gaze scanning the surroundings as well, while he chimed into the conversation when needed.

  It was nice to see, though he looked a few blades shy of an army, he was indeed smart enough for the task at hand. When my fine hairs were at full salute, I was glad for another swordhand. I just hoped he was well versed in the art of sword fight.

  The Glow of Ivory

  We were so close. I could see the windows in the Tower of Wings and Steel. The light of sun bouncing off the ivory walls, casting a glow onto the lower part of Warriors Keep. Though I couldn't quite see it yet, I knew it sat atop of the mountain as a beacon of hope and protection to traveling visitors and townsfolk alike. It was the place I grew up. The place I had trained. The place I first felt my connection to Odin, thus taking my life in a much different direction. One of purpose and strength. One I will die trying to fulfill.

  The sun was high as Mid-day had arrived, but the sneaky followers had yet to emerge. What were they waiting on? The closer we got to the city, the less likely they were to defeat us. Once within the half mile diameter of the city, the Valhallon Guards, here were high in numbers and, big in form, stood as sentinels and protectors.

  Anything and anyone not wanted in the city, would be cleaved down in a matter of seconds. They were fierce and without fear. Trained by heathens and hellions, from a young age, they were an unmatched force, yet to ever be defeated.

  They master the art of war before they ever reach manhood. From there, they train harder and with real weapons. It is at that point, the strong and more strategic make it. Those who are less die during training exercises and war games. If they cannot beat themselves, how will they defeat the enemy?

  I pulled my thoughts from the warriors who were too far away to help and back to the here and now.

  I nudged Humberland, “Do you know what is stalking us like prey?

  His eye never strayed from the area around us, but his voice was loud enough for me to hear.

  “No! To be perfectly honest, this stalling is making me jumpy. I wish they would make a move already.”

  “I feel the same.” I muttered back. “How about we announce what we know?” I asked.

  “What did you have in mind?” He asked.

  I drew my sword, and noticed he followed. “Let's let them know we are aware of them and are prepared for their advance.”

  Without me having to advise him, we both corralled the other two in between us and stood as a moving guard, watching each side for any movement. I had spotted Lalynn nodding when she caught on but kept walking and chatting with my sister as if she hadn't noticed. She had changed her stance, so her hand was closer to her sword, should she need it. It was slight, so I figured, and hoped that whoever was stalking us didn't see it.

  My nerves drew tighter than bow strings and my anxiety was high. My eyes hurt from the strain of staring into the trees and my muscles ached due to being locked into place as we walked. Ahead, Lalynn and my sister kept chatting, as if it were any other day and there was nothing to fear.

  I was almost jealous. It didn't last long before it was covered with a new feeling. Satisfied. If my sister could walk with a new friend, just talking away, with no worry of attack, the rest of us were doing our jobs. If she felt safe, I felt better.

  We were in sight of the holy city's guard. We were almost there. If we reached them before something attacked, we would have a bit of help, should we need it. This far away...I wasn't sure. I knew they could see us approaching, I just didn't know if they were close enough to assist. I shook my head, I guess we would find out soon enough.

  They were coming.

  I felt the shift in the air. What was first only recon, had now switched to something else. Humberland, felt it too. We both walked carefully toward the girls in the front. He stepped closer to my sister to protect her, I however, made sure I was close to Lalynn but seeing how she fought, also made sure to give her room to swing.

  I counted and took small breaths, preparing for the battle. I was unsure what we were about to face but I knew we had to win. Small animals and birds were the first to announce the oncoming force as they fled the safety of their holes and nests. The birds loudly protesting such a foul interruption.

  I stood, my sword locked in my hands, ready to slash the first thing that got close. To my left, Humberland was doing the same.

  Out of nowehere, the air sizzled. The fine hours upon my skin stood at attention, a flash of blinding light forced me to turn away and shield my eyes. When it stopped and I could right myself, cofusion was the first emotion to surface.

  There, above us and around us, was a dome. We were trapped, encased in a living cage that pulsed and swam around us. I had witnessed many things in my endeavors for Odin, but this was something all together new to me. I dropped my sword arm, the tip, touching the ground at my feet and stared at the enclosure.

  It was then I noticed them. The HiSkale. It was a small detachment, but they were too many for the four of us. At a quick count there were at least fifty of them, give or take a few. The field around us made it a bit hard to be accurate.

  It was the look on their faces that had me scratching my head the most. All those dark menacing eyes that I saw in my nightmares, were now curious and confused. They were as shocked as we were. One brave HiSkale, his eyes almost aflame with a sense of wonder, stepped forward, looking the shimmering shield that stood between us.

  Nobody moved, on either side, as this evil snake couldn't stop itself from reaching out and touching it. It seemed as if everyone held their breath as we watched.

  This would be telling for sure.

  Was it safe to touch? Was it really going to save us? And the one question, that had my mind racing, if they touch it, will it dissolve and disappear?

  As much as I didn't understand this thing around us, there was one thing I couldn't dispute. At this very moment, it was the one thing protecting us from them. My small group was not equipped to handle fifty HiSkale.

  Lalynn and I barely survived the mountain. It was mid-day, there would be no sunrise to save us now. Our only hope was that the city's guard intervened. Being this far from the city, I was sure they would watch but they would offer no help so far from their post.

  I quickly glanced to my party, they were all just as mesmerized and curious about the enclosure. Their eyes were stuck on the creature about to answer many questions. The answer would decide how the time that followed, would play out.

  The shaky skeletal green hand was almost there, touching the prism. It paused for a moment, staring back the small army waiting behind him. For a moment, no one moved or made a sound. Everything was still. It was as if, even the wind was holding its breath, just waiting.

  It was only a moment.

  The HiSkale, standing up front, made a sound, nudging his friend to get on with it. I was dumbfounded. I had never witnessed any brain like activity out these creatures before. I had never saw them stop and “think” about anything. They moved, like drones, doing what they had been created to do-Kill.

  These...These stopped and were thinking about this. The one closest to me and the barrier was thinking about it. The barrier had intially stopped their advance, but why? What's different about this group? Was this a different batch of them? HiSkale, the next generation? Would this be the enemy we fought from now on?

  They were a fromidable force just being empty skulled drones. If they could now think, they could learn. If they could learn, that changed this whole game. It would make destroying them much harder and more advanced in training and skil
l.

  My thughts and concerns were dislodged as the barrier exploded and I was tossed to the ground a few feet away. I quicky and roughly scrubbed my eyes, trying to bring back the clear sight the bright flash had removed. I rolled to my side, searching the ground for my sword. It too, had been thrust away.

  I forced myself to move, though my back and shoulders didn't want to cooperate. I could feel the wind whip across my exposed flesh. Fresh scrapes and cuts burned as the dust carried on the breeze brushed acrossed it. I gritted my teeth against it, trying to move. It was then I noticed. I could feel the wind, but I could not hear it.

  I froze.

  I called for my sister, for Lalynn...nothing. My head began to throb, and nausea was hitting like a battering ram. My chest hurt from screaming, and my heart was attempting to break trough the cage it happily resided behind. I had to calm down. I was trained for this. I was chosen for this. I dropped my head and whispered a preayer to Odin.

  The answer was one that surprised me.

  The answer was heartbreaking.

  My answer was a dark oblivion that would consume me.

  Vanishing Act

  I awoke to feel tears in my eyes, hands on my skin and a bravado voice in my ear.

  “Are you okay? Can you hear me?” it asked, persistently, multiple times.

  My head lulled about for a few moments while I worked to regain my composure. The insistent shaking from the one who held me, didn't help but I finally came to.

  I opened my eyes and stared into the darkest gray eyes I have ever imagined. They were dark and intense, promising refuge and possibly revenge.

  Again, the words, “Are you okay? Can you hear me?” the voice demanded.

  I blinked, finally back into the now.

  “Ye- yes, I think so. “

  I sat up with dark eye's help. I rubbed my face and cradled my throbbing head. Bravado in my ear once more, softer this time.

  “Can you stand?” he asked.

  I shook my head, “No.” I opened my eyes, “What happened? Who are you?”

  He didn't have to answer. Once my eyes began to work, the uniform was enough to answer my question. It was a solider of the holy city's force.