by D N Meinster
Doren raised his shield just in time to protect his cheeks. But Donic had made a mistake by using both blades at the same time. Doren drove his shield into Donic's stomach, and finally, the Hunter was propelled backward.
"I like you," Donic said, holding a blade out so Doren wouldn't try to get closer. "Let's chat."
"You work for Kahar?" Doren asked.
Donic answered affirmatively.
"Then let's not." Doren tossed his shield at the Hunter.
Donic easily knocked it from its course, but Doren followed up the attack with beams shooting from his armor.
Donic was dumbfounded as the light consumed him and left him blistered and on his back.
Doren swiped up his shield and stood triumphantly over the Hunter. "Do you yield?"
Donic cackled. "If we can only talk while you stand over me, I can accept that."
Doren wanted to knock his opponent unconscious, but he held off the urge. "What are you doing out here?"
"Hunting Revolutionaries."
Doren could've guessed that. "Why'd you attack me?"
"You outsiders have allied yourselves with them. King Kahar cannot tolerate that."
"I have a deal to make with your king," Doren said. "Relinquish the Key to us, and we shall leave your kingdom at once."
"What Key?" Donic replied.
"The Key that locked the Door and sealed away the Beast." Was Donic being facetious or did he truly not know?
"Never heard of it," Donic said. He sprung from his position and took Doren to the ground with him.
Donic was crouched on top of Doren, his arms locked to his sides while the katars closed in on his exposed neck. "Here's my deal. Take me to the Revolutionaries and I allow you to continue existing."
Doren squirmed but had no idea how to escape from his position. He couldn't accept Donic's bargain, but it seemed as if not taking it would cost him his life.
No. Rikki needed him. And he needed her. His journey was not about to end here.
While Donic stared him down, a blade burst through his shoulder, mere inches from his heart.
Donic hopped off him and engaged his new opponent.
Doren was so relieved to be out of that predicament that he didn't notice who had saved him until he was standing back up.
Slythe was wielding his double-bladed sword, twirling it around as he parried Donic's attacks. When it seemed the elongated hilt was slowing his responses down, Slythe pulled his weapon apart, taking a blade in each hand. Subsequently, every time Donic lashed out with his katar, it was instantly blocked by Slythe.
Doren watched the two battle to a stalemate. He wasn't sure if he wanted to interrupt, but as the fight continued without a victor, he felt compelled to aid the Roamer who had saved him.
He waited for the two to locked their blades against each other's before he jumped in. With a smack of his shield, Doren knocked Donic off balance and enabled Slythe to nick his wrists.
"Took you long enough," Slythe commented, locking his swords back together.
"Just be grateful," Doren replied.
"Excuse me?" Slythe said.
Donic slashed both katars wide, though instead of backing away, both of his opponents deflected the attack.
"You're on the losing side," Slythe warned.
Donic's hesitation made it seem like he agreed. But this hunter was no coward. Instead of running, he kicked out at Doren before leaping at Slythe blades-first.
Slythe held out the hilt of his double-bladed sword and absorbed the hit, leaving time for Doren to recoup from his stumble.
Donic swung his elbow into Slythe's face, which caused the Roamer to drop back while Doren was charging forth.
Instead of trying to draw blood, Donic side-stepped Doren and tripped him, and he pushed him into Slythe while he was falling.
Doren's shield rammed into Slythe before the two fell to the ground.
Though they were momentarily vulnerable, Donic didn't continue the assault. "I'm sure I'll run into you two again." And he fled from the scene before Doren had even rolled off of Slythe.
"He knew he was going to lose," Slythe said as he pushed himself up.
Doren was less certain that was to be the outcome. Donic had nearly defeated him one-on-one, and he'd been able to take on both of them while he was injured. These Hunters were not to be underestimated.
"Are you just going to lie there?" Slythe said, standing over him.
He wasn't exactly in a rush to get back on his feet. That battle had sapped what little energy he had left. Between getting little sleep in Belliore and getting no sleep in Terrastream, Doren was approaching a breaking point. He needed a cozy bed and fresh-cooked meal before he'd even be capable of aiding Rikki.
"Can you shift me somewhere with a bed?" Doren whined.
Slythe shook his head in disappointment. "That bastard's still bleeding. We can follow his trail if we don't dawdle."
Doren let out a moan before he heaved himself up. Before he started complaining some more, a more important question sprang to his mind. "What are you doing here?"
"Your friends thought it wise someone check up on you. Good thing, huh?"
Doren looked into Slythe's all-too-familiar eyes, unsure if that was the whole story. "And you volunteered?"
"We don't have time for this," Slythe stated impatiently, and he sped off in the direction Donic had run.
Doren took in a deep breath before following. His whole body was reluctant to keep going, and the armor seemed to get tighter and heavier with every step. "I didn't leave all of you to chase Hunters," he called out.
Slythe bent down, examining a few flecks of blood among the grass. "You won't make it back to Valiant Keep if we let him go."
Doren knew he wouldn't make it back to the keep if he didn't get some rest. And he had to get some soon because Rikki needed him. Or maybe he could ask Slythe to check on her. He could get there faster.
"Maybe you should go check on someone else," Doren began to suggest.
Slythe evidently knew what Doren was about to propose. "Okay, I didn't volunteer to find you. I left because those Revolutionaries wouldn't stop pestering me with questions."
Doren would've been enraged if that had been even a mild surprise. "That doesn't prevent you from going after Rikki. You can shift to her."
"You're the one that wants to go after her," Slythe replied. "She didn't want any of us to follow."
"Please." Doren was on the verge of getting on his knees and begging. "I won't be able to make it much farther. It could be another day before I get there. You can get there now."
Slythe's sympathetic gaze hinted that he might answer affirmatively, but an airborne katar cut short the conversation.
The blade embedded itself in Slythe's upper arm, though with a hurried wag of the sleeve of his cloak, the katar fell off without him having to touch it.
Both he and Doren searched the vicinity for any sign of Donic, but all they saw was the discarded weapon.
"He's here," Slythe said, his duel blades descending from the arms of his cloak.
"Are you hurt?" Doren asked, concerned that his exhaustion and Slythe's injury might give the Hunter an edge.
"It was nothing," Slythe replied.
Doren didn't catch sight of Donic, seeing only brush and trees amongst the plethora of green around them. All that stuck out was the occasional wildflower amongst the tall grass. There was no indication of any animal, human or otherwise, lurking nearby.
At least, that's what he assumed until he heard Ji-Ji's whistle.
Doren faced the direction it'd come from just as he saw a katar soaring at him. He dropped down before taking off toward where it'd originated. "This way!" he called to Slythe.
He found Ji-Ji circling a particular tree, his head poking out from the grass as he let loose whistles. Doren looked up and spotted Donic spread out amongst the branches. He was down two katars, now. He was vulnerable, except that they'd have to climb up to get at him.
"You should've ke
pt your weapons," Slythe taunted him as he took a place at Doren's side.
"It was worth the risk," Donic replied.
With a spin, Slythe shifted into the tree above. Though he ended up adjacent to Donic, the branches gave him little room with which to strike with his blade.
Doren considered tossing his shield at the Hunter but realized that would be repeating the mistake he'd just witnessed. Instead, Doren swiped on his arm and began letting loose beams in Donic's direction. His aim was off thanks to the tree's labyrinth of branches, but he kept trying to hit his target.
Slythe tried to maneuver close to Donic, but the Hunter climbed higher into the tree. When Slythe attempted to find a better angle to monitor his opponent, he wound up with Donic's foot slamming into his forehead.
Slythe fell back but was caught by the tree's branch.
"I don't like being hunted!" Donic shouted before hopping to a neighboring tree.
Doren let loose more beams from his armor, but none made contact with the Hunter.
Ji-Ji let out multiple whistles, indicating he wanted Doren's attention.
"And what are you going to do?" he asked the denhare.
Ji-Ji bared his sharpened teeth for Doren to see.
"Right, then." Doren lowered his shield and the denhare hopped onto it. "Rikki will kill me if something happens to you," he warned before taking careful aim. As Ji-Ji responded with a reassuring whistle, Doren flung his shield in Donic's direction.
While the shield was still in midair, Ji-Ji launched himself at Donic and sunk his teeth into the Hunter's shoulder.
Donic yelped and fell from the tree.
Doren rushed to get to the Hunter, but he was already back on his feet and on the move.
Ji-Ji dropped from his shoulder and scampered back to Doren, his white fur stained with Donic's blood.
Doren watched as the Hunter retreated, relieved that he wouldn't have to spar with him again this day.
"Some help!" Slythe called out.
Doren scooped up his shield while making his way back to the tree. "Can't you shift down?"
"I'm stuck," Slythe moaned. "Can't spin."
"Why do you have to spin to shift?" Doren asked, figuring this was the perfect time to get Slythe to answer some questions.
"Are you serious?" Slythe replied. "Just shoot at this branch with your light weapon."
Doren didn't lift his arm. "It's time we got some answers from you."
"Fine," Slythe sighed. "But get me down from here, first."
Doren reluctantly pointed his weapon. He had doubts that Slythe would follow through with his pledge. Aros believed he'd be getting answers and never did. Doren didn't want to fall for another Roamer trick. "Do I have your word?"
Slythe shook the entire tree as he squirmed amongst the leaves. "Yes, Prince Doren. On my honor, I shall answer your questions."
Doren didn't appreciate the way he'd called him Prince, but he figured that was as close to a confirmation of intent that he'd receive. "Hold still!" He aligned his arm with the target and then pressed down on the lit-up grid on his arm. The white beam emerged from the armor and burned through a troublesome branch.
Slythe slid out of the tree and down the main trunk before hitting the ground.
Doren didn't even wait to help the Roamer back up. "Now, here are my questions."
Chapter Sixteen
Nightmare
Aros would not let Loraya out of his arms until she opened her eyes. As she lay there motionless, his mind transported him away from Fusion Forest. The burning trees were no longer in sight, taking with them the smoke and acrid air. The night sky was replaced by a midday sun, and the tall grass was exchanged for an ocean of sand.
Aros gawked at his new surroundings, but it was the Door that took his full attention. His eyes could not leave the abominable monument. It was as mundane and horrific as ever, the solid white marked by vertical carvings. The more he stared, the more he got the sense that it was looking right back at him.
Though he was back in the Absentia Desert, he still felt Loraya in his arms. He glanced down to check if she was with him, but he did not find her there. Instead, he saw Leidess' body draped across his helpless limbs.
When he peered back up, the Door had become brighter than the electric lights of Belliore. It was a struggle to look at, made all the more strenuous by the fresh tears in his eyes. But he knew what was happening. The Door was opening.
"Noooo!" Aros screamed, and he looked back down at Leidess, whose eyes were open but had been substituted out for the same excruciating light.
"Leidess!"
As soon as Aros made to stand, he was instantaneously returned to Terrastream.
"Leidess?" Loraya mumbled from his arms.
Aros' arms trembled, and, afraid he might drop her, he tightened his hold on Loraya. He gazed at her, his eyes moist and his head more confused than ever. What had he just witnessed? Was it a dream? Or a memory? It couldn't have been more than that because Leidess had been there with him, and she was in the Bastion now.
While he ogled Loraya's face, he noticed how her skin was layered with ash and her hair darkened by soot. She'd acted incredibly rash, running into the fire without plan or purpose. It would've been a one-way trip if Aros hadn't been wearing Bellish armor. They didn't have a mage with them to put it out and rescue her. It had been up to him. And he wasn't about to let another friend die while it was still possible to save them.
Loraya stared back at him, as dazed by the rescue as she was by the inferno. "Leidess?" she repeated. "I'm Loraya."
Aros flashed her a weak smile. "I know that."
She tried smiling back but wound up coughing and heaving while he held her. Loraya pushed herself up from his arms and spat out black mucus onto the grass.
Aros watched with concern as she ejected the soiled phlegm from her lungs. "What can I do?" he asked as her brothers ran over to her.
Yayne lifted her straight from Aros' grasp and began pounding on her back. Eventually, she tapped on his arm and he stopped.
"What were you thinking?" Kyer reprimanded her. "We did not need to lose another member of our family tonight."
Yayne was much more sympathetic. "Did you see anyone in there?"
Loraya took deep breaths before she was able to squeak out some words. "There were bodies."
"Whose?" Kyer replied, his tone still rough.
Loraya shook her head.
Kyer turned Mr. Kwee back over to Aros before walking away, but Yayne stayed close. "Our family owes you," he said to Aros.
"You don't owe me a thing," Aros replied. "It was my choice."
"You're both foolish," M'dalla said, shifting to their side.
"Didn't you go in there, too?" Aros asked, waving a hand toward the flames.
"I have this," M'dalla replied, pulling at her cloak.
"And I have this." Aros tapped on the chest of his armor.
"And if I didn't show you how to put that helmet back on, that's all you'd have."
Aros sheepishly looked away. M'dalla was right. He'd run into the fire without protecting his head and probably would've been burned alive if he hadn't run into her. She'd swiftly enabled the helmet when she saw him, exactly as she'd done before he jumped into the oceanic zone in Belliore. She saved his life, again, and then he saved Loraya's.
"You can take all the credit you want, though," M'dalla smirked before spinning and shifting away again.
Yayne held his hands on Loraya's waist, keeping her upright as she tried to regain her composure. She'd cough, clear her throat, and then cough again, until finally there seemed to be no more matter to spit up.
Though he kept his eye on her, Aros couldn't erase the images he'd seen of Leidess from his mind. He kept going back there, that horrible vision haunting him almost as much as the actual memories of her death had. As he gaped at Loraya, he was almost certain he saw her eyes take on the same electrical energy that he'd seen emerge from the Door. But after a few blinks, it'd disappe
ar.
Aros closed his eyes and held a palm to his face. What was happening? Why was he seeing these things?
He needed sleep. Maybe it'd just been too long since he'd gotten a full night's rest. They went through most of their time in Belliore without taking a break, and it hadn't gotten any easier in Terrastream. These waking dreams could be a result of exhaustion and have no extra meaning.
It felt heartless to ask Yayne where they could make camp. His home was being incinerated as they watched, as were the remains of whatever family had been trapped within Fusion Forest. But they couldn't stand around all night. They needed to find someplace safe and get some rest. It was urgent.
Before Aros could open his mouth, Loraya spoke.
"Who's Leidess?"
Aros didn't want to answer the question. Loraya would never know her; never see her. But he'd accidently called her by her name, so perhaps she deserved some explanation.
"She was my girlfriend," Aros softly divulged. "And she was killed by Hatswick as he attempted to release Neanthal." There was no hiding his bitterness. "He failed, but I couldn't save her."
Loraya pushed herself away from Yayne and grabbed onto Aros' arm. "You saved me."
Aros gazed into Loraya's deep orange eyes, and there they stayed as his own moistened. He couldn't break away from her, and part of him didn't want to. Loraya hadn't left his side since they'd arrived in Terrastream, and he was glad to find her there. Rikki and Doren had gone off on their own, and M'dalla was always a spin away from disappearing. Without her, he'd feel completely alone in this foreign land.
As he considered how empty he'd feel without her, he realized how empty Terrastream was in general. They hadn't run into anyone on their whole journey to the forest. Where were the people? Where were the villages?
"What's wrong?" Loraya asked, as if she could sense the preponderance of inquisitive thoughts forming in his mind.
"We've crossed so much of Terrastream," Aros stated. "But we never ran into another soul." When he was in Faunli, he'd often be able to spot people or homes in the distance. But not here.
Loraya finally looked away. "In the old days, Terrastream was filled with tribes to occupy the lands. But there are only two now. Most Streamers congregate close to Kahar. The Revolutionaries stay as far from him as we can."
