The Heroes Fall -1- When War Calls

by Zy J. Rykoa

  Chapter Twenty

  How far must we travel before all is right?

  February 5, 997 R.E.

  As Adonis had said, Jaden’s training started the very next day. They did exercises as they walked, creating light and fire to begin with, and then moving currents of air like the wind and pushing large boulders around later. They allowed him a chance to help them heal Alyssa’s wounds, including softening the hurt she felt over losing her father. The shock had begun to wear off, and now she had started to feel the full scope of grief for what had happened. It had made Jaden nervous to use the essence on her, as he did not want to harm her, so he allowed Adonis to do most of the work. Jaden was learning quickly with the help of the crystal given to him by Raquel, but he did not tell either of the Daijuar what it was. He now knew they conversed regularly about him, so he was careful what he told them and allowed them to come to their own conclusions on his successes and failures.

  He had joined in conversations between Tarsha and Alyssa, and was surprised to hear what Tarsha had learned while eavesdropping on the Daijuar. He felt resentment for some of the things they had said about him. He questioned what had really happened with the flood, how it had happened at all, but decided as long as they were now helping him and no one was seriously injured, all could be forgiven.

  When he wasn’t training or conversing with Tarsha, he and Alyssa would often walk up ahead so that they could be alone together. They were growing fonder of one another by the day, their embrace seeming to be the last piece of home they could find. Jaden tried not to think about it too much. He was simply happy that she was now with him and everything was going well.

  Their travelling had been almost constant for the previous four days. The Daijuar were now stopping briefly at certain points, indicating they were getting closer to their destination. At each place, they would combine their abilities to make the land grow dark for a moment and the air to burn with light shooting high into the air. So close to Ceahlin, they no longer worried about Alliance scouts trailing them. The need to signal any Daijuar in the area was far more important than a potential confrontation with a few men.

  As they progressed over the miles, the trees about them became fewer, and soon all that was around them was grassland. The grassland soon turned into fields of crops and fruit trees as a city came into sight. Jaden did not recognise it at first, but then remembered the stories he had heard about Ceahlin. Now before him were the white buildings two and three storeys in height, surrounded by gardens and with blue glass domes in the centre of each. Several grand buildings were scattered around the city, looking like factories rather than buildings used for religious or residential purposes, and in the centre of the city, there was nothing of significance that could be seen over the houses.

  The Daijuar walked on up ahead and Tarsha came to speak with Jaden and Alyssa, Elijenda walking beside them on the other side.

  ‘You have never been to Ceahlin,’ said Tarsha, ‘is that right?’

  ‘I’ve heard about it,’ said Jaden.

  ‘I see. Well, I have stayed here only a few nights, but I know the people are friendly. It would be good for you two to speak with some while we stay.’

  ‘I don’t feel like talking today,’ said Alyssa softly.

  ‘I understand,’ said Tarsha sympathetically. ‘If I might say something, there is one thing I have learned over the last decades. We cannot dwell on what has come to pass. Your loss will hurt, but you cannot allow it to overcome you. I was older than you are now when I lost my family, and to this day it still pains me. But I will not let their murders defeat me as they did my family.’

  Alyssa nodded, but did not say anything. Jaden did the same, remembering how he had almost taken his own life after his family had been killed. If he had died then, Alyssa would have been raped and killed by the Alliance scout. No one would have been there to save her. He made a promise to himself then that he would never think of suicide again, not when someone so vulnerable could be in danger and be in need of his help. The thought of losing Alyssa in such a horrific way was as terrifying as what had happened to his family. He had not been able to save them, but with the help of the Daijuar, perhaps one day he would be able to make sure she was safe.

  All three had become silent as the two Daijuar approached a man sitting in a great machine that worked the land.

  ‘We seek the leaders of this city,’ said Adonis. ‘Where would we find them?’

  The man stood up from his seat and jumped the six feet down from his machine, landing with a thud but remaining upright. His hair was scruffy, black with grey throughout it, and he looked not to have shaved in several days. His appearance was made worse by the dust and muck all over his face as the sweat held it in place. His clothing was just as dirty, dark blue that seemed almost black and brown with the amount of mud over it. His nose was pointed and his eyelids were exposed underneath a stern brow, making him seem like a poor man who had spent too much time without shelter, but his smile was bright and his eyes seemed to tell that he possessed a gentle and kind nature.

  ‘You already have,’ he said in a husky voice. ‘I am Lendon Ode, the Kayde of Ceahlin.’

  Blair looked at him questioningly. ‘Why do you work the fields?’ he asked.

  Lendon turned to him with a look of surprise, as if the question had been ridiculous. ‘We have little need for politics, Sentinel. I am but a humble man that serves as the city’s spokesperson. It is best this way.’

  Blair was satisfied with the answer.

  ‘We wish to make our presence known in this city,’ said Adonis.

  ‘For what reason?’ asked Lendon, using a cloth to wipe his hands clean of dirt and grease.

  ‘Our presence alone will deliver our message. If you would be so kind as to see to it that we are known here, we would be very grateful.’

  After a moment, Lendon shrugged and tossed away the cloth. ‘I will not attempt to understand you, but so be it. If that is all?’ he said, readying to climb back up into the great machine.

  ‘No,’ said Blair. ‘We bring warning of an Alliance force heading this way.’

  ‘What?’ asked Lendon, stepping back down from the first step and walking back toward them.

  As Blair relayed the events of the previous weeks and told of the new threats from the west and the south, a crowd gathered around them, young and old of the city coming to see the Daijuar up close. All stood in disbelief as they heard what Blair had to say, but there was nothing new to Jaden. He already knew of the Alliance movements, so he began to look around what little of the city he could see from where he stood. Separating the city from the crops there was a high wall made of concrete, interrupted at various points by large areas surmounted by strange machines. The machines looked similar to those the Alliance used, instruments of war, but made to protect the city, not to attack others. He wondered if this was the technology his father had hoped to bring back to Callibra but never could, and so had settled on bringing an army instead. The machines did not look as if they could defend the city forever, but they would at least allow its people time to flee.

  Jaden came out of his thoughts when he felt a light tug on his vest, which Alyssa had given back to him as she no longer needed it.

  ‘Excuse me, Daijuar,’ came a small boy’s voice next to him, ‘are the Alliance really coming here?’

  Jaden stared for a second. He almost thought it was Tommy asking him a question, as the child possessed similar features and the same shadowed blonde hair. Coming to his senses, he answered, ‘I think so.’

  He then noticed that a lot of the children had come to stand near him. Some were petting Alyssa’s horse and asking her questions, while others just stood patiently waiting to hear what he had to say. They were all dressed in similar garments to those Lendon wore, while the younger children dressed in similar clothing to what was worn in Callibra. Jaden realised then that much of the clothing from his village must have come from this city.

  ‘Are you
going to protect us?’ asked the boy.

  ‘I don’t know,’ said Jaden earnestly.

  ‘Afraid you’re not good enough?’

  Jaden looked up in surprise. The tone of voice had been resentful, even menacing, and it had come from a girl no older than thirteen. She was tall and slender, with black hair and eyes that seemed almost just as dark. She was a pretty girl, but there was something more about her that made Jaden feel uneasy.

  ‘I am still training,’ he said.

  ‘What about them?’ The girl inclined her head toward Adonis and Blair. ‘If they’re so powerful, why do they wear those funny looking things on their arms?’

  Jaden fought the idea to glance at the endobraces on his own arms. What did this girl have against the Daijuar? He couldn’t understand why she had barely said a word and then began instantly challenging them. Jaden had hated the Daijuar only briefly when he had passed the blame for the attack on Callibra from the Alliance to them. But now he knew they were not at fault. What reason could this girl have? Her home was still intact, her family most likely still alive.

  ‘They allow the Daijuar to be as powerful as they are,’ he answered unsurely.

  The girl laughed a little as she looked at Adonis and Blair another time.

  ‘What is your name?’ asked Jaden, wanting her to stop her sniggering.

  The girl turned back to him. ‘Skye,’ she said, ‘what’s yours?’

  Before Jaden could answer, Adonis called for him to come forward and speak with Lendon.

  ‘Lendon has agreed to help us,’ said Adonis. ‘But now the Daijuar must call upon you to aid them.’

  Jaden nodded. ‘What do I have to do?’

  ‘The terms agreed upon with Lendon are that in exchange for his service, we must ensure that his people are protected from the Alliance.’

  ‘I’m not yet powerful enough,’ said Jaden.

  ‘That is why you have been chosen to spread our message while we remain here. There are two more cities that we must warn from here—Waikor and Corsec. They will fly you there, so you need not walk any further.’

  ‘I understand,’ said Jaden.

  ‘You will leave at once.’

  Jaden nodded and turned, ‘Alyssa,’ he said, and motioned for her to come forward.

  ‘She will remain here with us,’ said Blair.

  Jaden spun around quickly to face him. ‘What?’ he asked.

  ‘There is no need for her to go.’

  ‘I’m not leaving her,’ said Jaden sharply.

  ‘It will only be for a matter of days,’ assured Adonis. ‘She will be safe with us.’

  ‘She needs rest, food and water, and new clothes,’ added Blair. ‘It is better that you go alone to Corsec and then return to us once the message has been spread.’

  ‘What about the signals to the others? I thought one of you needed to do that.’ said Jaden desperately.

  ‘No,’ said Blair.

  Adonis explained, ‘All that remain are in Waikor. You will be taken directly to a man named Multias in the city’s centre. Then you will be taken to Corsec city. Inform the leaders of the Resistance of Alliance movements and then return.’

  Jaden was silent. There was nothing more he could say, and he knew he had given up his right to freedom when he had accepted the Daijuarn training.

  ‘I’ll be all right,’ comforted Alyssa. ‘Go. I should stay with Elijenda anyway.’

  Jaden nodded. ‘When do I leave?’

  ‘The sooner you go, the sooner you may return,’ said Blair.

  ‘Then I will go now.’

  ‘Come with me,’ said Lendon. ‘I will take you where you need to go.’

  Jaden hugged Alyssa. ‘I’ll be back soon,’ he said.

  ‘I know,’ she whispered, holding his hand until he had walked too far from her when they both had to let go, their farewell said with a touch.

  Jaden followed Lendon with a sense of urgency. For every second he was away from Alyssa, he felt she was in danger. He tried to ease his thoughts knowing that she was being taken care of by the Daijuar, but he still felt restless. He passed buildings with people staring at him from each, but he didn’t notice. All he wanted was to get to Waikor and then to Corsec so he could get back to Alyssa again.

  After five minutes’ walk, Lendon requested that Jaden jump into the back of a vehicle. They were then driven to an airfield at the other end of the city. There, Jaden was taken out onto the runway. Lendon had used a radio device in the vehicle to have an aircraft waiting for them. Jaden did not recognise the craft. It was unlike anything that the Alliance had used. He thought it resembled the black helicopter he had seen patrolling Callibra before flying east, but this was larger and green, with twin engines on either side as well as a propeller on its top. With Lendon’s help, Jaden stepped inside, finding a fairly spacious cabin with three seats on either side, as well as two in the front. Two pilots were in the cockpit, but they paid him no attention.

  ‘Sentinel,’ said Lendon, ‘from what they have told me, this force coming will be too powerful for us to stop alone. I need you to ask if the people of Ceahlin might ally with those in Waikor so that we can stand a chance. Can you do that for us?’

  Jaden nodded to him, and the Kayde seemed to relax a little as his people’s future seemed to brighten with the prospect.

  ‘Good fortune to you, Sentinel,’ said Lendon, and he closed the cabin’s door, locking Jaden inside.

  Jaden sat back in his seat as the pilots were given clearance to take off. He would have felt nervous flying for the first time, but his heart was already pounding. All he could think of was Alyssa.

  The aircraft lifted high into the air before one of the pilots turned to shout at Jaden. ‘Make sure you put on a harness,’ he called, and Jaden did his best to do as instructed.

  After some fiddling around with the buckles, he was strapped in tightly, and the twin engines on either side of the craft were activated. It moved slowly forward for a while and then began to pick up more speed. Without windows in the cabin Jaden could see nothing, and was forced to look into the cockpit to see anything outside. He knew they were extremely high up when all he could see was cloud and blue sky, but it didn’t matter. The anxiety was becoming too strong for him to bear.

  ‘How long until we reach Waikor?’ he shouted to the pilots.

  ‘Conditions look good. Two or three hours at most.’

  Jaden sat back again. It wasn’t too long, but he wasn’t going to sit and do nothing. With the free time, he lifted the crystal Raquel had given him from around his neck and was instantly transported to the broken city. He ran quickly into the one door where he found another staircase that hadn’t been there before, leading down again but to a room with two separate doors. He stepped through the one on the left and found himself in darkness. This was where he was able to see what he wished to see. Beautiful scenery soon appeared, of Callibra and the places Raquel had shown him. He was trying to settle his thoughts in any way that he could. When that failed, he tried to call out to Raquel, hoping that she might appear next to him as before, but Raquel did not respond. She was not with him. It seemed she was only able to enter the crystal’s realm while she was able to hold it herself. He then tried to train a little, getting used to feeling the energy around him and knowing its capabilities, combining what Raquel had taught him with what the Daijuar had, and then finding a balance between the two.

  He began to wonder at how Raquel knew so much when she was not of their kind. She did not have endobraces or Daijuarn garments. She was still a mystery to him and knew similar things to what the Daijuar spoke about. She was an enigma, and one he would attempt to understand someday, if he were ever to see her again. He would confront her somehow, in a way that would not cause her to simply ignore him. He knew there must have been a reason for why she neglected his questions or walked away every time he tried to gather his thoughts, but still he couldn’t understand.

  He then tried to imagine something in his futur
e that he could test, to see if his reactions to problems would be right or wrong as Raquel had seemed to show him, to help him speed up his path. Minutes past as he thought hard, but as nothing more than wanting to be with Alyssa again filled his mind, he exited the crystal’s realm with a sigh. It was hopeless. He just had to get this over with.

  He put his head back in the seat for the remainder of the flight, drifting in and out of an uncomfortable sleep before being woken entirely by the same pilot shouting back to him.

  ‘We’ll be landing in ten minutes.’

  Jaden quickly made sure that he was alert and awake, running over all the things he would have to say to the heads of the city to make his visit as quick as possible.

  The aircraft gave a small jolt as it landed and Jaden was allowed out.

  ‘Welcome to Waikor, Sentinel,’ said a man standing outside. ‘I am Regustus, I will be your guide.’

  Jaden nodded and then looked around him. It was dusk, and he was on the side of a black rocky mountain, its tip illuminated in white light. The runway he had expected to be standing on was actually a landing pad that had been carved into the mountain’s jagged surface, high above the city. All around him he could see the many ring sections of Waikor. The city was one of the most renowned in the entire continent. Between each ring was a canal that glistened with blue lights, and the city’s structures increased gradually in height from the outer reaches to the centre, so that the entire city seemed part of the mountain in all directions. The buildings were white like those in Ceahlin in the outer layers, but slowly became black and dark grey closer toward the mountain’s base.

  Behind him, there were four polished grey marble columns, rising thirty feet up into the mountain and marking the entrance to a great hall. Inside, a black carpet laced with golden thread stretched from one end of the hall to the other, and was lined on either side by the same grey marble columns as from outside. Hundreds of people moved about the various rooms behind the columns, and although they shared many similar features, they seemed almost entirely different to the people of Ceahlin. The Waikorian clothing was grey and perfectly fitted, on both men and women, and the way in which they carried themselves seemed to reveal a sense of greatness about them. They were an accomplished people, with technology that both awed and confused Jaden. He didn’t even begin to guess what use the black devices they carried with them had.

  Regustus led Jaden to the end of the hall where he found the strangest technology yet. Along the wall were half-cylinders made of black metal that rose higher than even the ceiling. The bottom of the cylinders was lit with blue and strange dials and lights were placed all the way up. Regustus motioned for Jaden to continue following him down a flight of stairs to reach the platform below. They then approached one of the half-cylinders and stood on another platform, which was shaped to fit perfectly into the half-cylinder and hovered just above the ground below. There was a railing at the back of the platform that Regustus told Jaden to hold onto, and after he had keyed in the right code on the wall, the platform rose up almost as if by magic high into the air. Jaden held on tightly as he was sent up into the mountain.

  ‘What is this?’ he asked.

  ‘Electromagnetic elevator,’ answered Regustus, who walked off the platform as soon as it had stopped. ‘This way.’ He led Jaden down another hall.

  This hall was a lot smaller than the great hall out front, but still possessed a ceiling twelve feet above and columns to mark its doorways. At the end were two silver doors guarded by a man on either side.

  ‘The Sentinel wishes to see Multias Waidusk,’ said Regustus, and the men on either side opened the doors for them.

  Inside were seven men, most twice Jaden’s size in shoulder width, seated comfortably around a black oval table, pointed toward the door. As Jaden entered, he saw that the walls had been left intact and were of the actual mountain’s rock still, rather than the polished marble he had seen in the other rooms, and the lights were similar to those he had seen in the Daijuarn Monastery. He quickly scanned all of the faces staring at him, looking to find if any of them were Daijuarn. Nearest to him was a dark-haired man dressed in maroon garb. The next was a man with short sun-bleached hair wearing brown. Neither seemed to possess any Daijuarn-like features, and the same was true for those on the opposite side of the table.

  The two that caught his attention most were the only ones dressed in white. Jaden thought he had seen the markings of the endobraces on one, but both kept their hands hidden. The one on the left had short dark hair in what seemed to be the typical Waikorian fashion, and the other in the centre had long black hair that was now heavily streaked with grey. Despite his hair, he seemed sixty to seventy years old, but with very few wrinkles and he held himself upright as if he were no older than thirty. He was the first to speak, but Jaden was now looking at the one man that had refused to acknowledge his arrival. The man sat on the right-hand side next to the man in the centre and had black hair hanging in front of his eyes. His clothing was dark grey and his eyes were sunken from what appeared to be poor health. His posture was slumped and he continually fidgeted with a small black rectangle in his hands.

  ‘Allow me to introduce my associates,’ said the man in the middle, and he pointed with an open hand to each, moving up to himself and starting with the man in maroon garb on Jaden’s left. ‘This is Anthon, caretaker of the west.’ He then pointed to the man across from Anthon. ‘Tony, caretaker of the south.’ His hand wandered back to the other side of the table to the man sitting next to Anthon. ‘Hayden, caretaker of the north.’ He then pointed to the man opposite Hayden, the smallest and thinnest of the group. ‘Yahtai, caretaker of the east. They look after the major districts of our great city. This is Owen, our leading technology master and overseer,’ he said, pointing to the man who allowed his black hair to hang loosely in front of his eyes. ‘And finally, this is my right hand man, Quian, and I am Multias. What brings you here, Sentinel?’

  Jaden acknowledged all who were bowing slightly to him in the same manner, took a breath and began his message.

  ‘My name is Jaden Daiyus. I have been sent to bring you warning. The Alliance has entered these lands. They’re on their way here. The village of Callibra has been destroyed and used as a base for the past weeks, but they will soon be on their way.’

  ‘The Alliance,’ repeated Hayden, the second man on Jaden’s left, though he did not sound convincingly surprised. ‘In Aurialis?’

  ‘It is not impossible,’ said Yahtai, the man opposite Hayden.

  Hayden rolled his eyes. ‘I know it’s not impossible, but is hardly expected at this time. How did they get here without going through Corsec?’

  ‘It is not yet known,’ said Jaden. ‘We believe they have allied with the nations of the west.’

  ‘Lassah?’ asked Hayden.

  Jaden nodded, ‘And maybe Hawan.’

  ‘Shame. I thought they were good people.’

  ‘They have never been good people, you just love wine,’ said Yahtai, who received a fierce glare from Hayden.

  ‘What does this mean to us?’ asked Anthon. ‘Surely we are able to defend against whatever they are able to bring here.’

  ‘Do not doubt their cunning,’ said Multias. ‘They have taken more than half of the world. That may not necessarily be worthy of our fear, perhaps, but surely it is worthy of some respect.’

  ‘Half the world doesn’t have our capabilities,’ said Anthon.

  ‘I believe we should fight,’ said Tony.

  ‘As do I,’ said Hayden.

  ‘There was never a question in my mind about it,’ said Multias. ‘We will defend this great city so long as it can protect us.’

  ‘I have also been given word that the Kayde of Ceahlin wishes to ally with you,’ Jaden continued. ‘They seek protection in exchange for their services.’

  ‘They are a good people,’ said Multias. ‘Take word back to them that we accept and will be gladdened by their being here.’

  J
aden bowed and turned to exit.

  ‘One moment, Sentinel,’ said Multias, and then he turned to the men around the table. ‘That is all for tonight. Go home to your families.’

  All of the men except the two dressed in white stood up from the table and left, moving past Jaden with brief nods as they did.

  ‘Now, what else have you been sent to tell us?’ asked Multias, revealing the endobraces on his arms.

  ‘We are to meet in Corsec,’ said Jaden. ‘Gather all that you can. We will make a stand against the Alliance there.’

  Multias was thoughtful. ‘Then they have already abandoned the idea of saving Waikor?’

  ‘I do not know,’ said Jaden.

  ‘If we are to meet in Corsec, then I would assume so, but I refuse to allow my city to be harmed in my absence.’

  Jaden stood waiting, unsure of what to say.

  Multias continued. ‘Tell them that I will not be joining them in Corsec. My duties lie with my city and my people for now. If the Alliance manages to defeat us here, we will come to Corsec. Until then, we will do our part by holding them back from here.’

  Jaden bowed.

  ‘You are Noviahn’s grandson,’ said Multias suddenly.

  ‘I am,’ said Jaden.

  ‘Give him my regards. He is a good man and a better friend. Tell him that I regret that I will not be there, but hope all the best for him. And I’m sorry to hear that your people did not make it here.

  ‘It was a pleasure meeting you, Jaden. I will not keep you here any longer when there are messages to deliver.’

  Jaden bowed a final time before leaving through the two silver doors. Regustus was waiting for him outside.

  ‘This way,’ he said, and they returned to the landing pad outside by the same route they had come.

  Night had set over Waikor as Jaden was helped into the aircraft. The stars were shining brightly, the sky free of cloud save for in the north, where a thick band of storm clouds hovered.

  ‘This ride might get a little bumpy,’ said the pilot on the right. ‘Strap in tight.’

  Jaden again made sure that he was locked into the harness, and after a minute’s warm-up of the engines, they were flying north again, this time to Corsec.

  ‘How long will this flight be?’ he called out.

  ‘At this pace … six to eight hours.’

  Jaden threw his head back into the seat, wondering how he was going to pass the time for the next hours. He didn’t feel tired. He had already slept enough to last him well into the night. He had only had one source of entertainment at his disposal, even if it did seem boring to him for some reason. A place where dreams could come true should have been the most amazing thing he had ever witnessed, but it was dark in there, a gateway to hidden problems, and a constant reminder that he was away from Alyssa. Still, with little else to do, he picked up the crystal and placed it between his eyes. He had decided if he was going to be stuck in the aircraft for so long, he should at least attempt to use the time wisely.

  He stood upon the ledge underneath the greyed sky as before and then looked out over the broken city that was his mind. He wondered at what lay down there in the ruins, among the many jagged structures that may have once been beautiful homes. He thought to jump from the ledge, to explore them, but somehow felt that anything that happened in this part of the crystal’s realm might have some sort of repercussions in the real world. This ledge overlooking the broken city seemed all too real. He would need to ask Raquel before he tried anything daring, so until then, he would visit the rooms of which he already knew.

  He wandered back through the single door and then down the stairway, this time entering the door on the right. Darkness surrounded him in this one as it had through the left door, and he quickly created the scenes he wished to see, of the man in black uniform that had ordered his people killed, of the Alliance soldiers who had chased after him, and even the fighter jets that had first attacked his home. As each came, he did his best to fight against them, using the techniques he had learned to best combat the situations. He felt his power growing inside the crystal’s realm, and felt that he was starting to understand what they had been trying to explain to him. He had to feel the energy, not simply think of it being there. He had to know what it was to have it become a part of him, only then could he truly be able to command it as his own.

  Hours passed as he was locked inside his imagination. He had become tired and resorted to a more peaceful scene, where he conjured Alyssa and Elijenda by a lake. The people he created in this realm had very few reactions of their own, but for lying in the sun in Alyssa’s lap and allowing the gentle breeze to cool them down, it suited him well enough. It helped put his mind to rest a little, making him almost believe she was really there.

  But his fantasy came to an abrupt end as he was wrenched upright in his seat and the crystal fell away. He heard many clangs of steel, and then there was an explosion that caused the entire craft to shake out of control. The air screamed by as their craft began to lose altitude.

  ‘What’s happening?’ he shouted.

  ‘We’ve been hit!’ said the pilot, picking up a radio device. ‘This is Ceahlin Glide X17A, can anyone acknowledge? Location details are being broadcast now. We request immediate assistance!’

  The pilot’s yells over the radio were in vain as no reply came and he turned to shout over his shoulder. ‘Hold on tight, Sentinel.’

  Jaden nodded and closed his eyes as the craft plummeted toward the ground. He didn’t know what else he could do.

  The craft jolted heavily, this time as it crashed and bounced from giant tree branches, tearing through vines and leaves and anything else that was in its way. The pilots did their best to stabilise the craft, but it was out of their control. Their speed was decreased a little by some of the smaller branches they passed through and then again as they hit the lower sections of the forest. They came to a complete stop as they slammed into a hill of dirt and rock, the engines falling silent as the dust cleared, and everything in the forest returned to quiet for the coming hours.

  Jaden woke inside the crashed craft, but he was not sure how long he had been unconscious. For a moment, he couldn’t remember anything, but was soon reminded of falling violently through the trees as he recognised where he was. He was up on an angle, lifted in the air as the craft tilted to its left. He unbuckled the harness and fell to the other side of the craft with a thud. In a daze, he moved to the front of the cabin.

  ‘What happened?’ he asked the pilots. ‘Where are we?’

  No reply came, and Jaden pushed both of them gently. But their heads were slumped low and neither of them moved at all. Jaden checked for signs of life, but as he used an endobrace for light, he soon saw the blood on their faces and retreated back into the cabin.

  They were dead.

  He tried to take in a deep breath, but the air was stale and filled with fumes. He had to get out, but the door was jammed against the rocks outside. Using the endobraces, he tried to push the door open but was without success each time. It wouldn’t budge. He then tried to exert so much force that the wall of the cabin would tear open, but all that he could manage was a small dint.

  He had almost begun to panic when he ran to the back of the craft and found no opening there either, but soon remembered he had seen the pilots use their own doors to get inside. Running back to the front, he was able to climb over the pilot on the right and unlatch the door. He had to kick it open, as it too was jammed from the impact, but through it he had gained his freedom.

  Outside there was a low-lying mist in the air, and it seemed chillier than in Waikor and Ceahlin. As his attention was on his surroundings as he got out of the aircraft, he didn’t notice a vine lying across its side until he tripped and fell hard onto the ground, hitting his head on the dirt. After a few seconds he managed to stand up where he was but almost lost his balance straight away. Dazed, he could no longer remember where he was or what he was meant to be doing. The last thing that came t
o mind was that he was on his way to Corsec, and that’s where he planned on going.

  He dodged around the aircraft and began stumbling down the hill. The ringing in his ears muffled any sounds that may have been nearby. He was barely able to hear his own footsteps as the sticks and leaves cracked underneath his weight. He assured himself that Corsec was just past the next gully, or over the next hill, but no matter how far he wandered, he found nothing but ferns and trees.

  After another hundred yards, he came to the first sign of civilisation—an old stone road six feet high. He climbed up onto it with his last bit of strength, and then collapsed.

  ‘Corsec,’ he said, and then lying down on the smooth stones, the last thing he remembered was a strange fragrance filling his lungs.