The moment I took to acknowledge this gave him the opening he needed. A fist slammed into my solar plexus followed by several strikes to the rest of my body. I crumpled to the floor, in shock at the ferocity of the attack. Gasping for air, and finding none I folded into a fetal position. The first wave of pain crashed into my body. I gritted my teeth until I felt one of them crack.
This is how it ends, I thought as I started to lose consciousness.
“You don’t get to die here, today.”
The words washed over me and I felt the pain subside. Kenji reached down and brought me to my feet. He massaged my arm for a few seconds and I felt my hand again, the numbness gone. He placed a hand on the side of my face and it was instantly warm. There was no trace of any pain in my body.
“What happened? I felt you. I could sense where you were.”
“And then instead of focusing on me, you focused on the feeling of sensing me,” he said.
I nodded. “Is the searing undone? Does this mean I can access my chi?”
He smiled at me and shook his head.
“This means that there is hope. The searing wasn’t complete. If I had to guess, I would say Owl preserved you somehow. It means we can undo what was done to you.”
“You mean more sessions like this?”
“No, not like this, warrior,” he said and placed a hand on my shoulder.
I sighed in relief—I hadn’t been looking forward to going through that again.
“Today was just to determine what lay ahead. The next sessions will be much worse,” he said, smiling. “I will tell Aurora not to kill you today. In the meantime you will have to accept being a fallen warrior.”
“I don’t know if I can. Without access to my chi, how can I stand against Lucius, or protect the ascendants?” I said.
“You can’t. Still you must learn to reconnect with your chi in another way. The energy hasn’t disappeared, just your method of connecting to it. You must find a different way,” he said and touched me on the forehead again.
Another flash of white and we left the mirror. When I was able to see clearly we were back in the healing tré.
“How did we do that, travel to the mirror without a reflective surface?”
“One path, different ways. Just like you must find a different way to access your chi, I had to find a different way to access the mirror,” he said. “Right now you are using anger and rage. Effective, not efficient. We need to shift that to something less destructive.”
He stood gracefully from the lotus position and extended a hand. I took it and he lifted me up from a seated position without apparent effort.
“Let’s go see Aurora. She will want to know if we made any progress,” he said and left the room.
The healing tré hummed around us and I could feel the energy. This time it felt closer, almost in my grasp.
SEVEN
“WE CAN’T APPROACH this directly,” said Sylk. “If we do, we risk revealing ourselves before we can find out who is giving the orders.”
“If we kill or capture enough of them that will lead us to the same person or group,” said Luna.
“You saw how well that went last time. They won’t be captured. Dead Mikai give us no answers.”
“The only Mikai I want to discuss are dead Mikai. They are taking my people, our people. Alpha,” she said pointing to the pendant around his neck, “we do not have the luxury of time. We need to be more direct,” said Luna.
Mara stood off to the side and watched the exchange. They sat in the blood healer’s home. It was where Sylk usually stayed when in the Rah Ven plane. He declined the option of going to the ancestral pack leader home, looking to prevent more friction with some of the members of the pack. It was bad enough that he wasn’t a Rah Ven. To take the home of the Rah Ven leader would be seen as an insult. Cane’s faction within the pack would use it as an excuse for violence, no matter how proper it was.
“The last Mikai said something about the Order. Let’s pursue that. Instead of going after the foot soldiers, let’s find out who the general is,” said Sylk.
“How are you going to do that?” said Luna. “You can’t get near the hub plane without having the Order after you. The Black Lotus never forgets and never forgives.”
“He can’t, but maybe I can,” said a figure in the doorway.
“Kal!” said Mara hugging her. “It is so good to see you.”
“That’s brave of you, Kalysta,” said Sylk. “But it won’t work. They know what you look like. Besides, I thought you had to wait a year before your complete transition?”
“That was Zen. I wasn’t injured like he was. My transition is happening much faster than his. Plus, I can do this now,” she said and camouflaged out of sight.
“How did you do that?” said Mara, looking around for Kal.
Kal came back into sight.
“That’s not all. I can also do this,” she said, closing her eyes for a moment.
When she opened them again, her hair began to grow longer and change color, going from black to gray to white with streaks of brown. Her eyes went from brown to hazel to blue. As Kal finished her transformation, the healer walked in.
Sylk turned to the healer. “How is this possible? She isn’t even Rah Ven. She shouldn’t be able to control her body this way.”
The healer shook her head.
“I don’t right know, Alpha. Many Rah Ven can’t do what she can. I did give her the old blood though—I think that be the reason.”
Luna gasped in surprise. “You gave her the old blood, Grandmother?”
The healer waved the question away. She began fixing and rearranging her vials and jars which occupied every flat surface in the home.
“Old blood? What does that mean?” said Sylk.
“The blood of the house of Winter Wolf is in her. That’s what it means,” said the healer.
“Grandmother…” whispered Luna.
Sylk looked at Luna for an explanation.
“The house of the Winter Wolf is one of the oldest lineages of Rah Ven. I don’t even know how she still has their blood,” said Luna. “Did you give this blood to Zen as well?”
“Don’t be a thick pup. This one”—she pointed at Kal—”made her choice free and clear and I made mine. Things will be hard enough for them, not born Rah Ven. Made her strong, stronger than most. Stronger than all but the oldest. The other was ill and on his death bed. This blood is too strong for him. The blood I gave him is special, rarer still.”
“This is forbidden, Grandmother! If they are discovered they will kill them.”
The healer laughed at Luna’s concern and fixed some more of her vials.
“They can try, won’t be too easy. Cane’s pack is still running wild. They be quiet now, but I can smell the plotting,” said the healer.
“That is exactly what I mean. How could you do this?” said Luna, throwing her arms in the air.
The healer narrowed her eyes and stopped arranging her vials.
“When your father was a wet-behind-the-ears pup, I was old. I did this because no one gives me commands. Not even the Alpha— those be more like suggestions, which I heed out of respect for your father. But no one in this pack has the right to question me. You heed?” said the healer.
Her eyes bore into Luna, who stood transfixed and silent. After a few moments, Luna cast her eyes downward.
“I’m sorry, Grandmother, I didn’t mean…” began Luna.
“I know what you meant, now hush.” She turned to Sylk. “Can this one help or not?”
Sylk looked at the transformed Kal, who was unrecognizable from a few moments before.
“Will she attain any new abilities?” said Sylk.
“I don’t right know. She should be dead right now, as potent as that blood is. I can’t right tell you but we will know in the next few days.”
“Why in the next few days?” said Mara.
“She will go through the blood moon in two days. Then we will see what we
can see.”
“Blood moon?” said Mara.
“In two days there will be a full moon, and Kal will go through her first real transformation since her transfusion. We call it the blood moon because—well, you’ll see in two days,” said Luna.
The healer began to sniff the air.
“We may not have that long,” said the healer.
“What is it, Grandmother?”
“Cane’s pack is done waiting. They come looking for blood.”
EIGHT
“HOW MUCH LONGER can we keep the ascendants out of the hub?” said Aurora.
Roman looked down at the stack of papers. He knew the answer. It wasn’t good. They needed more time.
“Two weeks, three on the outside before the barrier fails completely and we have a very pissed-off relative on our hands. Yours, not mine,” he said.
“Yes, I am aware of whose relative it is, thank you.”
Roman nodded but remained silent.
“Let’s say two weeks. Are we keeping an eye on the Harbinger? The Order has no idea what they have in that box.”
“We get occasional flare-ups of energy. My guess is that he is there because he wants to be. It’s the perfect place if you are hunting”—the door burst open and one of Aurora’s assistants ran in— “ascendants,” said Roman, facing the assistant.
“Sir, the ascendants…” the assistant, red-faced and short of breath, tried to speak but couldn’t form the words.
“What is it?” Roman grabbed the handle of his hammer. He knew the answer before the assistant spoke and he headed out the door, followed by Aurora.
“They’re gone. All of the ascendants are gone.”
***********
Rael sensed their arrival the moment it occurred. The ascendants had been returned to the hub.
This is earlier than anticipated. Seems like more players than I have been made aware of. Typical Lucius. No matter. It only means I can end all of this sooner.
He held the suppressors and watched them turn to dust in his hands. He manifested his swords, electricity crackled around his body. With a sharp intake of breath he absorbed them. Sitting in the center of the room, he closed his eyes and waited. It was almost time for his manar.
***********
“Was this the most prudent course of action, Master? They are the key to keeping the barrier in place,” said the young man.
Wei looked at the young man. He reminds me of myself at that age. Full of idealism and innocence.
“They are one of the keys, Snow,” said Wei. “If they should fall, there are other fail-safes, other methods to keep the barrier in place.” Other more dangerous and risky methods.
The boat docked and Wei disembarked. He looked around the Gantry Plaza Park and expanded his chi, making sure it was deserted. When he was certain they were alone he gave the signal to the boat’s captain and headed to the nearest gantry.
A group of people numbering close to fifty followed Wei. They entered the restored gantry and settled in. Most of them moved with purpose. Some looked tired but no one complained. Inside the gantry waited another group of armed men and women. Wei looked at the armed group and spoke.
“You are my shield and now you are theirs,” he said as he motioned to the ascendants. “They must be kept safe. Take them and go. Arrangements have been made for them to disappear. Do not leave the hub plane, but spread out. You are to keep them safe at all costs, even if the price is your life. There are two of you for every ascendant here. I will wait here for the Harbinger. You must not be here when he arrives.”
He turned to the ascendants, clasping his hands before him.
“I know you are tired, and now I am asking you to continue moving. All of you know what is in the balance. Do not use any ability that will call attention to you. Do not visit family or friends or make any calls. Now go.”
They began to disperse, whispering words of thanks as they passed Wei.
“Master, must you do this?” asked Snow as the group began to leave. “Why will you face the Harbinger alone? I will remain here with you.”
“No, Snow. You must go and make sure they are safe. I am counting on you to keep the shield intact. The Harbinger is the least of our concerns. Tetra has been unleashed and he will be coming for me,” said Wei.
“Kriyas? Weren’t the ascendants safer with Aurora?” said Snow.
“She would have held them longer, thinking she had enough time,” said Wei. “Once they returned to this plane the barrier would be too weak. Even now I fear it may be too late. The ascendants cannot be kept in proximity for an extended period of time. Their energy fields would merge, weakening the very barrier we seek to protect. Aurora would have kept them together. It would have made sense to her, easier to protect them in one place.”
“But the Kriyas?”
“Tetra will come for the Fangs, and for me. He will want his revenge. No, if the Kriyas have been set free in this plane then the ascendants must be scattered. It’s their only chance at survival. That and you, Snow.”
“The last triads are getting ready now,” said Snow.
“Good. Go make sure they leave right away and then keep them safe. I will deal with the Harbinger and the Kriyas,” said Wei as he left the gantry.
**********
“Who could have done this? Who has the ability?” said Roman as he kept pace behind Aurora.
“I only know of a few beings powerful or capable enough to do this. Only one would dare to do this in my own complex without me noticing. The prime ascendant.”
“Wei?” said Roman.
“Find him now. Bring him to me alive,” said Aurora.
NINE
THE PORTAL OPENED and several monitors stepped in. As usual, they had their swords drawn. Sitting in lotus position, Rael kept his hands folded in his robe and looked at the group as they entered.
He counted ten in total. He looked around and didn’t see Raquel. He turned to the monitor that seemed to be in charge of the group.
“Where’s the gunslinger?” said Rael.
“She had important business to attend to,” answered the leader.
“More important than me? Impossible, we have a date I’m dying to keep. What’s your name?”
“That information is not pertinent to my duty here.”
“I’m going to take that as the ‘I have a hideous name and I do not wish to share it and shame myself or the parents who named me’ answer.” said Rael. “Now I’m curious.”
The leader of the group remained silent and signaled the reader holding the manar. Readers always made up part of the group in the event the prisoner began to manifest a surge of power.
The reader came forward and poured the manar. “That was funny,” he whispered. “He does have an ugly name, too.”
The group leader backhanded the reader, causing the manar to spill. The reader fell to the side, grunting in pain and surprise. The rest of the monitors laughed at him.
“You will not speak with the prisoner. He is not your friend, he is not an ally. He is a coldhearted killer whose only purpose is to kill so that a greater threat can enter our plane. Is that understood?”
The reader rubbed the side of his face and remained silent.
“Is that understood?” said the group leader.
“Yes, sir. Understood, sir,” said the reader as he began to pour more manar.
“They say you can tell a lot about a person from their name. You hear that names have power. You know what I have learned over the many years I have lived? Actions. It is the actions we take that reveal so much more than names,” said Rael.
The reader finished pouring the manar and placed it in front of Rael. He quickly stepped back to join the rest of the group.
“Drink it. All. Now,” said the group leader, pointing at the cup.
“I may be a coldhearted killer, the Harbinger. A monster to some, the stuff of nightmares. This was not by choice. That one”—he pointed his chin at the reader—”treated me lik
e a person. This is why he will survive today. The rest of you”—he shook his head from side to side—”not so lucky.”
“Stop talking and drink,” said the group leader.
Rael bent forward and picked up the cup before him and drank the manar slowly.
“Sir,” said the reader.
“What is it now?”
“The suppressors…” said the reader as he pointed at Rael’s wrists.
“Oh, you noticed that, did you? Sharp, that one. I really wish the gunslinger were here,” said Rael as he manifested his swords. “She would have made this interesting.”
Electricity arced between both swords and around his body.
“Close the portal!” yelled the leader. The portal behind them disappeared.
“What do you think is going to happen when you don’t return?” said Rael.
“They flood the box with toxins, enough to stop even you,” said the leader.
“Unlikely, but don’t worry, you won’t be here to find out,” said Rael as he stepped forward.
The group leader lunged forward with a thrust. Rael parried the lunge and ducked avoiding a swipe from behind. Thrusting behind, he impaled one of the monitors while kicking the leader in the midsection.
“I’m going to leave you for last,” he said to the leader as he jumped back.
Two monitors closed on him, attacking simultaneously. He spun into the attack of the one on the right, avoiding the left attack. Embracing the attacker on the right he let the energy in his swords envelop them both. One monitor fell lifeless to the ground. The remaining attacker slashed down. Rael lifted the lifeless body of the monitor and flung it. The monitor caught the body before he realized his error. Rael ran him through with his sword.
The group leader advanced again, locking swords with Rael. In melee distance, the group leader punched Rael in the face several times. Rael began to bleed from his nose and cheek.
Warriors of the Way-Pentalogy Page 40
