by R N Skye
The generals and the Admiral looked at each other and then to Ari. “What about it,” asked Admiral Cyrado, “Do you think the leader of the mages in Coholo would agree?”
Ari turned to Shane with raised eyebrows.
Shane took a deep breath and was about to speak when a picture filled his mind showing the entire world of Eliom. He saw a great separation that ran the length of the great western continent that ranged from three to fifty milos where the countries of Infin and Luion had once ben joined. He saw magic being taught at levels never before seen in the pristine cities of Coholo. He saw travelers from magical places as well as from the stars visiting the world of Eliom. Each visitor finding comfort in each of the three locations; those seeking higher learning seeking out residence in Coholo, those seeking knowledge of how to become glyph mages to Luion, and those just arriving and not aware of the worlds and magic beyond finding a comfortable existence in a country to be called Début where the former land of Infin used to be. Shane exhaled his indrawn breath, “For now there should remain three countries. Coholo, Luion, and what used to be Infin will be called Début. I can offer no more than that until I have completed fortifying the world of Eliom. At that time, I will then begin the ordering of this world as it was designed to be; making it a place with appropriate for those that will dwell here.
Monsieur on Golan stood a look of justified anger on his face. “Now wait a minute, I agree that you are a bright young man…”
Shew nudged Ari with a grin, “He has no idea how bright.”
“…and that you have undoubtedly made the difference in repulsing the Infin army but that doesn’t give you the right to speak for the entire world let alone Luion. I think it is time that I address the Leadership of Coholo,” demanded the statesman with folded arms across his chest.
Shane cocked his head and smiled as if making a decision. “I am the leadership and I have all authority to repair this world. What do you want to say?”
Golan huffed and said, “I find that hard to believe. I have never heard of you before recently except for your sports career. What makes you think that I would allow an untrained warball player to assume leadership of an entire world when you are at the most a well-trained magetech?”
Shane stood and looked within himself. The incredible amounts of magic that he had been using the last several weeks had increased his capacity to the point that it would soon be a conscious effort to hide the immense aura of lumen that he held. Sighing once more not sure if he was going to regret making known his calling as Dernier Chanson, he relaxed the outer shield that hid away his lumen aura.
The canvas covered pavilion lit like a second sun. Shane spoke with authority. “I am the Dernier Chanson of Eliom. I will restore and protect this would within the guidelines of the Laws of Elios and anyone that choses to not abide by those laws will leave. That is who I am and why you will do what I say.” Shane reapplied his shield and while everyone was rubbing their eyes to see normally once again he glanced around the room. Noting that Shew was all but laughing out loud, and hadn’t seemed to have been effected by the brilliance Shane wondered who the old man and anticipated what he was going to do and if he had covered his eyes.
“Right now we need to continue with the healing and providing for those that are injured,” Shane spoke as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred. In the meantime operate with existing Luion law with Admiral Cyrado as the temporary head of state and General D’Mere and Monsieur Golan as his advisors. When I have the world secure from the return of the Allyant I’ll begin working with you on setting up the three continents.
Chapter XIII
The winter morning sky was clear, the sun was projecting sparkling beams among the crystals of the newly fallen snow that covered the entirety of the floor of Valee Loi. A newly erected wide cream colored marble platform had been erected in front of the golden glyph covered Arc in preparation for the days ceremonies. There were comfortable chairs and beautiful fountains that should not have been able to exist in the wintertime but they bubbled away merrily none the less. An orchestra played unobtrusively, music that had not been heard on the world of Eliom since the gathering so many years previously. In front of the Arc was a large blue circular carpet, with a white alter in the center.
Shane quietly walked up and stood beside Ava his eyes roving the area. It had been three days since the battle at Lu Y Onton and he still worried about the final threats that the Allyant had made. He and Ari had planned all that they could; he hoped that it would be enough. Shane shuddered with an unwelcome chill as he thought about the deaths, the quakes, and the destruction from the flooding. He was still having trouble wrapping his mind around the senselessness of it; it had been more than he could have ever imagined. If not for the healing magic that had been discovered and employed by Ava’s mother and the other mages the death tolls would have been immeasurably higher. He inwardly sighed, if a bright side could be found it was that because of the mages of Yllyan many lives were saved and no amputations so far had been necessary. Many were still in stasis and it would be months before all could be attended to but at least there was the hope that most of the lives of those that had been injured would be saved. His mind still wondered at why the Allyant had so coldly thrown away life after life. The number had been so great that Shane still had yet to wrap his mind around the fact that he had been witness to nearly a million deaths.
As guests began to arrive and greet one another Shane brought his mind back into the moment; standing closer to Ava Shane absently placed his arm around her shoulders and gave her a gentle squeeze.
“Hey you,” Shane said, “Can you believe all of this?”
“Ava smiled and stood on her toes and gave her fiancé a quick kiss in reply. “It is perfect. Everything is so beautiful. It almost makes you forget the last few days.”
Shane could see in Ava’s eyes that she, like him, had been pondering the recent events. “Let’s put that behind us for today, dear. Tomorrow is another day and we can begin the rebuilding. “Changing the subject back to the present Shane said, “While I don’t know everything I believe that the events happening today are pretty significant. The fact that we are able to get married as a part of it is amazing. It’s not every day you can say that you saw the joining of two stars”
“You are right.” Ava laughed he bubbly laugh. “Thank you for reminding me that this is supposed to be a happy day.” Ava held his hand and tip-toed another quick peck. “People are arriving let’s move closer to the family.” Together with their parents Shane and Ava stood near the large portal that had been set to allow access to the pristine valley; they smiled at one another as familiar faces began to fill the platform. Standing next to Laura and Soaris stood Gerard and Louisa; both couples smiling proudly at their grown children with Ari and Leslie standing next to them.
The first to step up and greet the soon to be married couple was Roger and a beautiful and somewhat familiar woman whom he introduced as Liana Arvada. “Lieutenant Arvada - Liana,” Roger corrected with a smile, “is the niece of Admiral Cyrado. She was kind enough to accompany me to your wedding,” Spoke Roger added with a slight blush.
Shane and Ari looked at each other knowingly finally Ari said, “Glad you could make it Rodge. It wouldn’t have been the same without you.”
“Glad you could come, Liana,” chimed in Shane. “It’s good to see that Roger has someone to keep him out of trouble. The Stories we could tell you.”
“Wait a minute,” stammered the former tavern keeper and intelligence officer. “If anyone is going to tell stories, it’s going to be me.”
“Yes, do tell us some of those stories, Monsieur Oiseau,” Added Ava joining the banter
“Nothing to tell here,” interjected Ari diplomatically. “Other guests are waiting.”
Roger gave Ari and Shane companionable smile and a brisk hand shake and Ava a warm hug. “Good luck, I’m happy for you both,” he said.
Others continued to arrive and tak
e their chairs when Leo, arm in arm with a fully recovered Kaysee arrived, followed by Ahhan and his wife J’erine with Shane’s grandparents Jahnon and his wife L’Tricia. Shane and Ava greeted the two with emotional hugs. Ava looked Kaysee in the eye. “How are you doing,” referring to her mental healing as well as the physical well-being?”
“I’ll be fine,” the brunette answered quietly. “Leo has been very kind and patient with me. I’m sure that in a few weeks I’ll have it all behind me.”
“I’m sorry to appear to be eavesdropping,” interrupted Ahhan with his ever humorous expression. “May I introduce you to my lovely wife J’erine? You two have a few things in common.” He added indicating Kaysee.
A tall beautiful woman with honey colored hair and copper colored eyes with a dazzling smile stepped up to Kaysee and greeted her with a hug. Everything about J’erine radiated confidence and kindness. She would have easily been the loveliest person Kaysee had ever seen except for a purple jagged scar that ran from the right side of her forehead across her left eye and down her cheek to just below her left ear. Noting Kaysee’s glance at the scar J’erine smiled, “It’s something I keep as a reminder of my youth.” The woman said with a sad smile and a shake of her head. “I was tricked into using Allyant magic once myself. I won’t go into the details, but I went through a very self-destructive period until Ahhan finally found me and talked some sense into me. Let’s get together and talk. Having someone to talk to that has worn your shoes is a big help. Trust me, I know.” J’erine gave the speechless Kaysee a gentle squeeze on the shoulder and turned to the betrothed couple. “Finally I get to meet you Ava. I have heard so much about you…”
Ahhan and J’erine had scarcely moved on when the crowd grew noticeably louder. Shane looked around and saw the entire D’roe clan taking seats; all but Ren, his wife Chy’nette, Oscaar Senior and his wife Suzette and the gregarious Oscaar junior who was holding hands with a very attractive and by contrast to his height a very short Ann’n G’well’n; behind her trailed her two brothers Rogg and Edgar.
Finally as if he had been waiting to be the last visitor Shew walked up to the couple with a grey haired woman on his arm. “Sorry I was waiting for someone to get ready,” he nodded his head slightly in the direction of his wife; who in return rewarded him with a scowl. “It was worth every moment, too,” he quickly added with a grin. “This is my dear wife, Martha. Martha this is Shane and Ava that I have told you so much about”
“It’s so nice to meet you both,” greeted the matronly and pleasant companion to the cantankerous Shew.” What a beautiful wedding, Ava, I’m incredibly happy for the both of you. We should have tea some time. I feel like the world passes me by some times and what he tells me hardly does justice to your obvious beauty and talents.”
Ava smiled at the Martha’s candor. “I know how you feel - what they feel explains everything - wouldn’t fill a thimble. Definitely, let’s get together for tea.”
Shane hugged each of them and said to Martha, “I’m sorry for taking your husband away from you for the last few months. We couldn’t have managed without him.”
The women beamed with pride at her husband. “I should be thanking you. The old battle axe was practically bouncing off the walls until he heard from Stafford or is it Ari? I’m so bad with names. Whatever the case he’s the happiest I’ve seen him in a long time and I’m pretty sure it’s because of you and your friends allowing him to feel useful.” Turning to Shew she said with a content expression. “Come along, Enos, we’re holding up the wedding,” as she grasped Shew’s arm and began walking to their chairs.
Ari and Shane turned and looked at each other. “Enos!” they echoed each other with smiles a mile wide. Shew turned and looked at them with a look that guaranteed pain and anguish if they didn’t drop the subject immediately.
Everyone was either seated or milling about greeting friends old and new when Ahhan spoke loudly to the crowd. If I may have your attention please; it’s time to begin if you will all please take your seats.
The crowd hushed and soon was seated; their attention directed to the right side of the alter where Ahhan stood. “The first order of business is the formality of the Dernier Chanson to formally accept the appointment and powers of the Last Singer of the Transitional World Eliom. Shane if you would please come forward.
~~~~~
The starblade had come to a halt in the middle of nowhere. It had taken quite some time for him to be able to negate the spinning and tumbling that the massive spell had caused when he had been hurled away from Eliom. In his anger he had used significant lumen to create one final super soldier through the influence of a wristband but the cost had been for nothing. The lumen mage and his soldiers had been too many and too strong.
The onboard star mapping enchantments were hard at work locating where Pechor had ended up. Pechor thought in frustration. Who is the Lumen Mage that had in a single morning destroyed hundreds of years of planning?
While the location devices were calculating Pechor concentrated on his last remaining host; the youth called Nuekirk. The youthful host had been digging frantically through the ruins of the magetech manufactory. His clothes were shredded and dirty. His fingers were nearly raw from moving the rough stones and wood that had blocked his way. He finally had reached the vault area where the activator had been stored and like an automaton stood motionless waiting for his next instructions.
Pechor pulled lumen from the storage on the starblade and put it into the youth increasing his strength. Within moments he had the vault door torn from its hinges and was setting up the lumen activator. Removing the ring from his finger and holding to it tightly he placed it in the artifact area of the activator - a moment later the ring activated – nothing happened. Pulling the ring from the activation area he saw the lumen leave the device. “This has to work,” Pechor mumbled to himself. “Something isn’t right.” Reexamining the ring he reread the glyphs and saw his mistake. The Ring was meant to be worn when activated; evidentially that activation source was meant to have been something portable. Placing the ring back on its original finger Pechor placed the bloody hand into the activator.
In a flash Pechor was standing beside the Lumen mage surrounded by many people on a large blue carpet next to an altar.
~~~~~
Shane turned and saw the filthy youth and immediately threw up a shield that enclosed the guests.
The moment the shield was in place three beautiful gryphons appeared standing next to Shane.
The raggedly dress young man laughed with glee. “I win, stupid Lumen Mage. The Ceremony has not begun and the lumen of the star seeds is mine for the taking!”
The crowd was on their feet ready to charge the Allyant. Shane raised his hands and spoke. “Please remain seated. This is for the Dernier Chanson and the Sicam to accomplish.” The crowd restrained themselves but none of them sat.
“You realize that I can’t let you do that,” Shane said openly. “This world was made to serve others not to be exploited; you have stolen enough. I am afraid that I must slay you here so that the lumen contained in your slave will be dissipated back into nature were it came from.”
“You can’t stop me I have the power of my starblade and the power of millions that I have siphoned away while in domination your world. I am unstoppable,” ranted the Allyant.
Shane Nodded to the side of the large blue carpet. “Ari will you take position as Sicam while I contain the Allyant?”
Ari nodded and walked to stand at Shane’s right suddenly holding a large flaming blue sword with a defensive posture.
“Go ahead and do your best Allyant, but I’m afraid with all of your planning and scheming you continued to overlook something I call the Stafford variable.” With a thought Shane covered the Allyant in a cocoon of gold and silver light. The Allyant screamed and called down the stored power from the starblade that was across the galaxy. Shane felt the increase in the pressure against his containment and he calmly dipped hid hand int
o the bag of small blue dots and as needed recalled the lumen back into himself increasing his strength.
The Allyant reached for the three gryphons and drew upon their massive amounts of lumen and with a fluorescent pulse the blue carpet reacted and neutralized the attempt; returning the lumen as fast as it was taken.
Pechor was at a loss. What was happening? He should be invincible. He tried to flee but the containment of the Lumen Mage was too strong.
Shane saw the Allyant begin to weaken as he used up the last of the stored power and fuel in the space craft that was impossibly far away. “Ok Ari, do what you have to do.”
Like a combination of both shadow and lightning Ari penetrated the golden cocoon and severed the Allyant in half. Instead of the body coming apart it burst in to flames and after a moment became nothing.
Shane held the shield a few moments longer checking for residue then he let it go.
Shane and Ari paused looking at each other, finally Shane nodded and they patted each other on their backs. Sword sheathed Ari returned to his seat.
Turning to the Crowd he smiled. “Never a dull moment around the Chason family,” Shane smiled with a wink to Ava he said, “Any second thoughts?”
“Ahhan if you would please continue.”
~~~~~
The Ceremony that officially made Shane the Last Singer was short and magically simple. The pathway making him the Dernier Chanson was a simple matter of him swearing to protect Eliom and teach and honor the Laws of Elios, after which he drank a magical goblet of water; the taste of which reminding him of spring.
The next was the sealing of the star seeds. The moment the seal glyphs were bonded the Arc glowed forming a rainbow in all directions and the Lumen that had been stored with in it for the event in which Eliom, would have its own heart was released. A voice rumbled like thunder and announced that the lumen contained herein is ever after the dowry of the star Kolaria to use or give as she chooses. For a moment the Gryphon Kolaria glowed, a blinding white in the form of a women in front of the golden pyramid of the Arc, until she subdued it with her outer shield. “Who was that,” she asked.
