by Katie Pottle
“Here,” Bart said as he held a canister of water to his lips.
The water seemed to bring him to as he blinked furiously. He rolled back, in a panic.
“It’s okay! We caught you,” Cadin said.
“I…what happened?” He grunted as he sat up. He winced as he tried to raise his wings.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Bart said calmly. “Your feathers are a bit messed up from this.” He held out the band.
The angel gazed at large band with a strange expression. “What’s that doing here?” He squinted towards the sun. “Is my shift over?”
They exchanged puzzled looks. “You don’t recall what happened?” Sun asked.
The man shook his head. “I was changing the shifter when I heard a shout. I went to check it out…and then…” He reached his hand to the back of his head and recoiled as he touched it. Cadin peered over to see a large bump extended below his hair. The man stared at his fingers, which glistened with a touch of blood. His eyes rolled and Cadin caught him as he passed out.
“There!” Lep shouted in the distance. Cadin glanced up as Lep landed with the school healer and a fourth-year teacher not far behind.
“He was awake, but passed out again.” Cadin explained as they approached. “He bumped his head while working in the Thunder Channel.”
His friends wore confused gazes at his lack of detail but kept their mouths shut.
“And how did he get here? What happened to his wings?” the instructor asked.
“Master Sanjen brought him up and asked us to get you. His wings got caught in this.” Cadin held up the band.
“Must have been an accident involving the mechanism. We need to bring him to the Treatment Center in Town Hall. Was anyone else hurt?”
“Not that I know of, but you should have more healers at the ready…just in case.”
The healer nodded as they picked the man up.
Cadin nodded as they flew off.
“Why didn’t you tell them what happened?” Lep asked.
“Because we don’t know what happened for sure. And if it is what we think, then I am not sure Master Sanjen would want us blabbing about it.”
“I guess,” Lep conceded.
A cry came from below.
Lep, Bart, and Sun were in the air in a moment. Cadin hesitated, a wave of fear rolling across his body. He reined the terror in and jumped up behind Sun, his right shoulder twitching in remembered pain. He glanced at his medallion, and took a steadying breath.
They dove for the entrance and Cadin paused as he crossed the threshold of the Thunder Channel. The temperature dropped as the clouds swirled around the cylindrical pass that led into the depths of Glade.
Cadin shivered as muted echoes of clashing weapons and shouted commands surrounded them.
“There!” Lep said as they rounded a corner, and the tunnel opened into the belly of the cloud. The Thunder Channel had a marked floor with some machinery and no walls—just angry cloud with warriors engaging each other in the air and on the Thunder Channel floor. A sound like a ripe sunfruit being ripped open echoed above them. He glanced up to see the cloud-land gradually closing and knitting together what must have been a massive split.
“We have to help!” Cadin shouted to be heard over the wind whipping past them.
“How?” Lep shouted back. “The Core is winning.”
The Core warriors were meticulous in their fighting, flying together against the unorganized, but many Tlalocs. Flashes of the purple littered the Auras of the Tlalocs and their muscles bulged far larger than most angels. Several Tlalocs heaved up a net bulging with a large concealed object and headed for the exit.
“No, they’re not! Come on!” Cadin pulled out Tsuyo and flew towards the backs of several Tlalocs who were engaging the main Core formation.
They took advantage of the element of surprise and Cadin disarmed one man from behind, while Sun shot three well placed arrows. A Tlaloc screamed in rage and turned on Sun as he pulled an arrow out of his back. Sun fumbled with another arrow as the man charged her. Cadin sent his slice gins after the man and clipped the tip of his right wing off. Before reaching Sun, the man barreled out of control and landed hard on the floor of the Thunder Channel.
Master Sanjen flew in front of the group carrying the bulging net, and held his spear at the ready. Cadin called to Sun and pointed her towards the conflict where she let loose a couple of arrows, distracting two of the four Tlalocs who were now attempting to surround Master Sanjen. Cadin took off to help. A Core warrior joined Master Sanjen for a moment before two Tlalocs disarmed her and launched her into the dark cloud.
Master Sanjen spun his spear with incredible speed, striking only when the timing was perfect to keep his attackers from either surrounding him or exiting through the tunnel. Cadin wondered why they didn’t fly through the cloud. Several looked around as if they were considering it, until the Core woman that they had been thrown in moments before whipped through the air and crumpled onto the Thunder Channel floor. Her hair and wings hung wet and ragged, and she weakly lifted herself up on her forearms until a Tlaloc flew by her, bashing her head with the hilt of his sword before joining the battle against Master Sanjen.
Cadin quivered with rage. He landed to check on the woman, now sprawled on the ground. Cadin recognized her as one of the angels who had been manning the outpost over the year. Blood was oozing from her forehead. Cadin reached for her neck. A weak pulse thrummed under his finger. Sun landed next him, wielding a small knife. Sun’s quiver was empty. Master Sanjen shouted as he was finally overtaken.
“Go!” Sun yelled to Cadin. “I’ll take care of her.”
Cadin’s vision took on a red tint as Master Sanjen raised a bloodied arm to block an incoming axe. His armguard deflected the blow, but he stumbled back. Cadin’s Aura pulsed, and the cloud danced around him. Without thinking, he released his energy and felt rather than saw a ripple of energy radiate out from him—clearing clouds, and knocking both Tlaloc and Core angels back several feet. It upended the Tlalocs carrying the net which landed on the floor with dull thud. The ripple had also knocked Master Sanjen’s attacker straight into his spear, which now stuck through the Tlaloc’s shoulder.
“Red formation!” Master Sanjen called, the first to recover from the blow. Several Core solders re-grouped and flew to Master Sanjen’s side to take back control of the battle. Cadin shook off the vertigo that had followed his energy release. He took off to aid in the fight and was hardly there when a wild looking Tlaloc broke free of the two angels trying to contain him. He yelled, “For freedom!” as his Aura flared and he threw his slightly bent axe into one of the large Thunder Channel machines. The floor groaned as the machine began to light up and spew sparks.
“Take cover!” Master Sanjen shouted as he grabbed Cadin mid-air and threw him into the swirling hall. Sun landed on her butt not far from him, holding onto the now conscious Core woman. Cadin heard an explosion followed by loud sucking noises.
“Lep! Bart!” Cadin crawled back towards the action and saw Bart, Lep and Instructor Kade crouched behind a cloud-wall as the cloud swelled and contracted as lightning, water and wind sputtered out of the massive machine where one end had burst open. Both Core and Tlalocs flew over Cadin, trying to escape the maelstrom.
Cadin crawled into the room, shifting small cloud-walls to keep the elements from striking him. Master Sanjen and another Core angel took cover behind the abandoned bulky net. They were shouting at each other, gesturing towards the now vibrating machine. Master Sanjen nodded and folded his wings tight against his back as he headed toward the gaping hole that was whipping out lighting and ice.
“No!” Cadin called, the plea lost in the wind. A Core soldier dragged a large tube behind him as he joined Master Sanjen who was nearly to the machine, cloud-shifting lighting-rods as he gradually progressed.
“They need to re-direct the elements back into the floor of the Thunder Channel!” Instructor Kade shouted from behind Cad
in. He turned to find Instructor Kade and Bart utilizing one of his tiny cloud-walls to keep from being pelted by the lose elements.
Chunks of hail blasted into Master Sanjen as he attempted to cover the hole with the large metal L-shaped tube. The other core angel was attempting to meld it, but the elements kept pushing them back.
“They’re not going to make it,” Instructor Kade said. The cloud groaned underneath them. The color drained from his face as he turned to them. “You have to get out of here now!” Instructor Kade started toward Master Sanjen.
“You can’t go, you’ll die!” Cadin knew that whatever was happening was wreaking havoc on the cloud-land.”
“If I don’t try, they’ll die!”
Master Sanjen sank to his knees. He was almost out of energy.
“Isn’t there a shut-off?” Bart asked.
Instructor Kade shook his head. “The Tlalocs disabled the main shut-off!”
The wind was building and Cadin felt lightning rolling their way. He looked at Bart and a crazy idea popped into his head. “Bart, we need a cyclone!”
Bart’s mouth popped open as he looked at Cadin like he was a crazed wrath. “A cyclone would make things twice as chaotic in here!”
“No, I mean a mini cyclone around the hole in the machine to suck the elements back into the cloud!”
“I can’t make one unless it is centered on me.” Bart said.
“Just connect to the cloud and start the cyclone in front of the hole!”
Instructor Kade froze and turned to Cadin. “You mean like a cloud-trap?”
Cadin nodded and ducked as a bolt of lightning zinged by.
Bart shook his head as he bent down and touched the cloud. “There is too much confusion within the cloud. I…I…don’t think I can do it.”
“Just help me! We can do it together! Clockwise!” Instructor Kade said. He reached into the cloud and closed his eyes.
Bart tentatively connected to assist Instructor Kade.
Cadin didn’t think he would be of much help with the cyclone, so instead he cloud-shifting walls around Instructor Kade and Bart as they concentrated. Cadin caught the look of surprise on Master Sanjen’s face as a tiny cyclone emerged near his feet. Cadin waved to catch his attention, and when their eyes met, Cadin motioned for him to step back.
Master Sanjen nodded and grabbed the other Core soldier who was lying near his feet and retreated as the cyclone rose out of the ground of the Thunder Channel. The lightning and ice that were escaping the hole in the machine now got sucked into the cyclone.
“It’s working!” Cadin shouted. “You have to seal the top to the hole.”
Instructor Kade gave the smallest of nods as the sweat rolled down his face.
“Lep, Bart, come on!” Cadin ran to help the few remaining angels pull the injured and unconscious to the exit. Cadin didn’t know how long the mini cyclone would last without Instructor Kade actively cloud-shifting.
When they reached the landing that jutted out the side of the cloud-land, Master Sanjen reached under the other arm of the man Cadin was attempting to support. Cadin took a deep breath of fresh air. Two Core solders flew down to meet them.
Master Sanjen removed a bloodied man’s arm from around his shoulder and handed him over as Cadin did the same. “Take him into containment.”
“Yes, sir!” The soldiers flew away with the man. Cadin hadn’t even realized that he was a Tlaloc until that moment.
“You need to head up to the surface.” Master Sanjen included Bart and Lep in the statement as they handed over the injured.
“But Instructor Kade is still in there,” Cadin said, his voice too dry to raise above a whisper.
“I’m here,” Instructor Kade said as he rounded the curve of the hall and sat down on the small landing.
Relief flushed Master Sanjen’s face even as he tensed when he peered into the swirling hallway. Cadin expected to hear an explosion any second, and squatted to take off.
“I think it’s going to be okay until we can get a technician here to fix it; the cyclone is feeding off the elemental energy. But we should head up anyway. Everyone is clear, sir.”
Master Sanjen nodded, and they all took off with the last of their energy to fly back to the surface of Glade.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Aftermath
The moments following the Thunder Channel incident were almost as confusing and chaotic as the battle itself. The Core had set up a limited access tent and perimeter where all the wounded could be treated. Cadin hadn’t seen any of the Tlaloc prisoners in the tent, and when he asked how many had been captured, Master Sanjen gathered up him and his team.
They sat in a corner of the tent that housed the meticulously arranged Core boxes. Cadin stacked two small boxes and gestured for Sun to sit before he leaned on an empty cart. He gave his full attention to the looming Master of the Core.
“Your help is more appreciated than you can imagine; however, your silence on the matter is now required.” Master Sanjen was still covered in his own blood and bruises, having refused medical attention until everyone else was treated; however, his eyes were focused and his Aura flared brighter than Cadin had ever seen the green glow.
“So, we can’t tell anyone?” Cadin asked, wondering how he could keep things from his parents.
“There will be a public version of the events you must keep to in general; however, as you are all minors, you may talk to your parents about what took place. They are currently being briefed on what happened and the importance of the restrictions now.” Master Sanjen turned to Cadin. “You may also speak freely with Master Emilio.”
Cadin nodded, feeling better. He surveyed the hustle and bustle of the tent where several healers ran back and forth between patients.
“Will everyone be okay?”
Master Sanjen took a deep breath as he too observed the organized chaos within the tent. “No. We lost two officers.” Master Sanjen’s face contorted as he said the words. “We don’t know how many Tlalocs died or fell to Earth for sure. There are also several serious injuries; however, these healers are some of the best in the Core.”
Cadin’s heart dropped. Angels died…and for what?
“That’s terrible,” Sun said. She was plucking the string of her bow. She looked up at Master Sanjen who appeared ready to leave and go check in with his subordinates. “Sir, I know we are only students, but I think we deserve to know why this happened.”
Cadin sucked in his breath. He couldn’t believe Sun had been so blunt with the Head of the Core.
He eyed her for a long moment and then looked at each of them in turn, his gaze lingering for an extra moment above Cadin’s head. Master Sanjen sighed. “You are right, of course. I will tell you what I can, as long as you all agree to sign the non-disclosure document.”
They all read and handed around the standard Core agreement and turned their attention to Master Sanjen.
“Where to begin?” He stood and ran his hand through his cropped hair. “The peace the Calvarian System has been enjoying over the last several years is being threatened. There are some who are starting to challenge the Core and our authority.”
Cadin took a breath to ask the half-dozen questions on his mind, but stopped after the laser-gaze that Master Sanjen directed at him. This was obviously not going to be a question and answer session.
“The Tlalocs are stealthy and do not challenge us outright—yet. That is why we set a trap on the outpost. We identified a discrete raiding pattern throughout the cloud-lands. Glade was likely the next target. It is now clear the Tlalocs knew of our plan and used it as a diversion. Those who attempted to raid Glade’s outpost were no more than common thieves hired by the Tlalocs. Thanks to you, we put a damper in their true plan, though the damage to the Glade Thunder Channel is going to take some time to recover from.”
“What were the Tlalocs after?” Bart asked. Cadin was grateful he was not the only one dying to ask questions.
Bart squirmed unde
r Master Sanjen’s glare.
Master Sanjen chose to continue without answering. “We have more insights into the Tlaloc’s plans now, and some leverage to work with.”
“The Core will be able to handle things from here. You all should feel proud you helped to make the System a safer place.” Master Sanjen turned to go, but stopped to look back at them. “Thank you for your selfless bravery.”
That evening was a blur, mostly consumed by his mom hovering over his every move. Cadin was relieved to step into school the following day only to be bombarded by being congratulated on the Qualifiers and asked about the Thunder Channel.
“Uh, I already told you!” Cadin huffed as they sat down with their lunches. “One of the big machines in the Thunder Channel exploded. When we went to check out what made the sound, we saw the worker fall out of the tunnel. We caught him and went to find a healer. Master Sanjen overheard us and brought his team to go take care of the machine before it busted everything up.” It had taken Cadin a while to repeat the public story back to the Core officer accurately enough that she released them from the tent.
“It is so cool you saved a guy and got to see the Thunder Channel,” Vincent said. “Was it amazing?”
“I guess. It was difficult to see much of anything with all of the elements escaping the hole.” Cadin gulped as Sun gave him a warning look. Better change the subject. He was drawing a blank, so Lep stepped in.
“Hey, are you done with your apprenticeship yet?”
Cadin smiled as Lep winked.
“Today is my last day.”
Vincent turned on his superior attitude as soon as Jade joined them. “It is so lame you kept up with community service after Glade Palace.”
“Well, I learned last week that I get a badge because of it…”
“What, really?” Vincent interrupted, forgetting his attitude. “You are so lucky!”
“And I just caught up to you in badges,” Sun said with a smile. “Which one is it?”
Vincent jumped in, “A Level 1 Toilet Cleaning badge perhaps?”
