“I am Erio, first of the ten,” said the figure.
Snow caught his breath and returned the bow, his jaw tight. He absorbed one of the tambo, freeing his hand. He began tracing glyphs in the air.
“You know who I am?” asked Erio.
“I have read of you and the ten,” Snow said, finishing the glyphs and opening a portal. Sweat glistened across his brow.
“That is pointless, warrior,” said Erio, resting his scythe on his shoulder. “There is no place you can go that I cannot follow. Why prolong the inevitable? You cannot escape death, only delay it.”
“Then I will delay it for as long as possible,” said Snow, and entered the portal, disappearing from sight.
“Why didn’t you finish him?” A female entered the temple and walked up behind Erio. She rested both hands on Erio’s shoulders. Her pale skin shone with a dull light and contrasted with her black dress. Her hair, long and black, flowed behind her, moving of its own volition. She stood slightly taller and looked at Erio, a small smile playing on her lips.
Erio turned to face her, his scythe evaporating as he exited the temple.
“Iza, the outcome has been determined,” he said. “He has the Fangs, but is not the bearer.”
“All the more reason to strip the Fangs from him,” she said.
“There is no honor in that battle,” he said.
“The cat does not ask the mouse for a battle worthy of honor. It crushes and devours its prey.”
“We can locate the Fangs at any time. Better to let him pass them on to the rightful warrior,” said Erio as he opened a portal. “Then we can strip the Fangs in proper battle. I will let the mouse run for a bit longer. Let us see where he takes us.”
He turned to look at the temple as several Reapers entered the portal he had formed.
“We still have time, Iza. Let us enjoy this while we can. Come; the Rah Ven wait.”
She entered the portal and he followed.
FOUR
RAJA APPEARED BEFORE Sylk, who was standing alone observing the staircases, which changed and shifted every few seconds. Some led to doors ornate in design and covered with glyphs. Others led nowhere and doubled back on themselves, an endless loop. Samir, Ferra and Kal were off to the side, eating.
“You knew about his lineage,” said Raja.
“No. I had my suspicions, but they were only confirmed recently.”
“Before you came here looking for the third focus.”
Sylk nodded.
“And yet you kept this information from him. Why?”
“It would only serve to distract him. I take it you told him?” said Sylk. “Where is he?”
“I gave him the ritual of summoning and it has begun,” said Raja. “He must make the rest of this journey alone.”
“What have you done?” said Sylk, the anger evident in his voice.
“What you would not and could not do,” Raja answered as he stepped closer to Sylk. “I gave him a choice.”
“You have sentenced him to death,” said Sylk. “He cannot complete this ritual on his own. Shadowstrike is too powerful.”
“He can and he must,” said Raja, adjusting his glasses. “The ritual demands it. These events have been set in motion partly by your hand. Their fulfillment must come from his. Unlike the first time he manifested a weapon.”
“I had no idea he would bond to the first focus.”
“The fact is that he bonded and wielded Maelstrom, first of the foci,” said Raja. “Now you ask him to wield Shadowstrike, easily the most potent weapon of the three. He survived a searing and managed to undo it. These acts have only served to reaffirm his path and should have given you sufficient information to determine his lineage.”
“The third focus is too powerful for him, Raja. If the ritual doesn’t kill him, it will.”
“Yet you chose to keep this from him. Perhaps you envy him?”
“I expected to be there with him!” said Sylk, raising his voice. “I could have kept him safe. At least I could get him through the ritual.”
“By safe, you mean until the moment where he had to risk his life facing Maelstrom,” said Raja.
“One life is everything and nothing where this threat is concerned,” whispered Sylk. “Lucius will use Maelstrom to destroy everything in his twisted desire for vengeance.”
The others looked up from where they sat. Ferra stood but remained where she was when Sylk motioned to her to sit down.
“You have greater concerns to address in this moment,” said Raja, moving to a wall. He touched it and it became translucent, showing a temple. “Dante will succeed or fail and he will have to do so without your assistance.”
“He must succeed or everything will have been for nothing,” said Sylk, looking at the wall. “What is this?”
“Look carefully,” said Raja, pointing with his cane. “This is the final resting place of Master Wei, one of the bearers of the second focus: the Fangs of Gren. It was recently visited by his disciple, Snow, who now holds the Fangs.”
“Is he the new bearer of the Fangs?”
“No, he is merely the repository until a new bearer can be found,” said Raja, while shifting his hand near the wall. Another figure came into focus, dressed in black and holding a scythe. “He was confronted by this entity. Do you know what that is?”
Sylk’s face hardened as he inhaled. “Yes. A Reaper.”
“Out of all the beings that exist across the known planes, there is only one race that can manipulate time with ease. There is only one race that can stand effectively against them,” said Raja, waving his hand and turning the wall opaque. “This ability to time skip as they call it makes them a powerful ally or a fearsome enemy.”
“The Rah Ven,” said Sylk with sudden realization.
“The Reapers are tasked with eliminating that threat.”
“By whom? Who is controlling them?”
“You know the answer to that. The same group that called them forth has given them free will.”
“Free will? Gyrevex cannot operate freely, not even Reapers,” said Sylk. “They depend on the summoner or they cease to exist. How many have been called forth?”
“Ten of them. They have been fused with their weapons,” answered Raja. “Unlike typical Gyrevex, Reapers can function without a summoner. It was done once before with catastrophic results.”
Two hands; only a Samadhi can call forth that many. To fuse their weapons and set them loose? This is madness, thought Sylk. “They will destroy the Rah Ven.”
“I believe that is one of their goals. It would seem that whoever gave them free reign also desires the Fangs.”
Sylk turned to the table where the others sat. They had finished their meal and were looking in his direction, questions on their faces. Raja came up and stood next to him, resting both hands on his cane as he looked at the group. After a moment, they approached the table.
“You will need assistance, and I know of one powerful enough to stand against the Reapers and succeed in defeating them,” said Raja.
“No. There must be another way,” Sylk said as he looked at his group. “Together we can face this threat. I will enlist others who wield power. Unleashing him would destroy us all.” I will not be responsible for the destruction of everything.
“Unleashing who?” said Kal.
“Perhaps it will,” said Raja. “Consider that you will have to stand against him in time. This situation is merely a precursor to that time.”
“He is secure where he is,” said Sylk. “I would prefer he remain that way indefinitely.”
“No prison contains a prisoner forever,” Raja said, looking at Sylk. “You cannot run from this, only prolong it. When you are ready to reform the bridge, I can provide the method, for a cost.”
“We must go,” said Sylk to the group. “The Rah Ven are in danger.”
“What about Dante? I thought we needed to wait for him?” said Kal.
“I will inform you of the warrior’s outcom
e. You cannot help him where he is now,” said Raja.
“Sylk—” started Kal, looking at him.
“He’s right, we can’t help Dante, but we can help the Rah Ven,” said Sylk, looking at them. “Someone has summoned Reapers and set them free.”
Samir gave a sharp intake of breath and visibly blanched.
“I have studied these creatures, Karashihan,” said Samir. “We are no match for their power. We cannot stand against them.”
“We are not,” said Sylk. “Someone must remain behind to wait for Dante. You are his syllabist and would best serve him here.”
“I don’t think—” began Samir.
“Come, let me show you the glyphs to where we will be once you have Dante,” said Sylk.
He pulled Samir to the side and spoke in a low voice as he began to trace glyphs in the air.
“It would seem Raja has plans of his own, especially when it concerns Dante,” he whispered. “I want you to stay here and see if you can find out what those plans are.”
Samir nodded. “I understand,” he said in a low voice.
“Right now we are the Rah Ven’s only hope,” said Sylk, this time out loud. “Ferra, Kal and I will return to the Rah Ven. You stay here and learn what you can about the third focus. Wait for Dante and join us when you can.”
Samir bowed and stepped back. “I will make sure he is ready when the time comes.”
Ferra and Kal entered the portal. Sylk turned to Raja.
“The First Karashihan was able to repel the Reapers with the Rah Ven’s help,” said Raja matter-of-factly. “You should consider enlisting his assistance.”
“I’ll take my chance with the Reapers,” said Sylk and entered the portal.
FIVE
I OPENED MY eyes and regretted it immediately. My head felt three times its size and pulsed with a dull throbbing. A blazing sun shone in my eyes. I focused and looked around. I sat in a large circle. Around me, etched into the stone, were several glyphs. Some I recognized, but most of them I found indecipherable. On a small stone bench just outside the circle was a young woman I didn’t recognize, sitting cross-legged.
She was dressed simply in a white dress. Flaming red hair cascaded from her head and framed her face. She was beautiful in a way that stole your breath and made you self-conscious. Her piercing blue eyes rested on me, her gaze showing no fear. I could feel her power from where I lay and it was staggering.
Where am I? I thought as I sat up. I looked around and saw that the circle I was in resided in a large stone courtyard. The courtyard was surrounded by several squat buildings. At the far end was a large structure that resembled a Watch but was unlike any Watch I had visited.
“You summoned me?” she asked. “How did you summon me? You lack the power to wield me.”
Her voice was melodious and tinged with disbelief.
“I was given the ritual and it sort of happened,” I said. “What is this place?”
“Sort of happened?” she said, mostly to herself. She unfolded her long legs and walked into the circle. Her steps were slow and measured. It reminded me of a lioness stalking prey. “This place is the East Watch; who gave you this ritual?”
I saw no need to lie. Somehow, I thought she would know if I did.
“Raja, in the Akashic Records,” I answered. “He told me I met the criteria.”
She squatted down next to me and placed her face next to mine. For a second I thought she was going to kiss me—she was that close.
“For the summoning, yes you do,” she whispered as she sniffed the air around me. “But you cannot wield me. I would kill you. Your chi is not sufficient. Surely Raja told you of this.”
“He did. I wielded Maelstrom and survived,” I said and knew it was bad idea the moment the words escaped my lips.
She narrowed her eyes. A look of anger crossed her face and I felt an energy spike within her. The next second it passed like a wave receding from the shore. She laughed then and sat down in the circle opposite me.
“You did not wield Maelstrom,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “It wielded you.”
“Yes, that is what it felt like most of the time,” I agreed.
“I can see the traces it left in you,” she said, pointing at my chest. “You were fortunate to escape with your life. How did you do it?”
“It was removed, by the shadow of Lucius Iman. He seared me and took it back.”
The energy spike returned. This time it was stronger. She moved faster than my eyes could register and slapped me across the face. I flew back several feet and rolled out of the circle. The glyphs in the circle flared to life. I could taste the blood inside my mouth. My face was on fire from the impact and my jaw ached. And that was only a slap. I made my way back into the circle and sat across from her.
“Never mention that name in my presence again if you value your life,” she said.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”
“Clearly,” she answered. “Now I can see why you were sent here. The situation must be dire if they sent you.”
“I have to stop him. He has Maelstrom and he is going to destroy everything. Can you help me?” I asked.
“He is still the same. After all this time nothing has changed,” she replied. “Let me see your arms.”
She extended both hands and motioned me forward. I extended my arms and she grabbed them, turning them to expose the glyphs on my forearms.
“I am still too much for you and your current level of chi,” she began. “However, these can help.” She traced some glyphs with her fingers.
“How?” I asked.
“You will not be able to wield me completely,” she said. “I am not Maelstrom and do not wish you dead. It is not my purpose. With these”—she touched the glyphs on my arms—“you will be able to manifest me in weapon form and have limited access to certain abilities without dying instantly.”
“Will it be enough?”
“To face Maelstrom and his master? Not at first, no,” she answered. “You have potential, but it will require time and training. Two things it seems that are in short supply.”
“I have a syllabist who is willing to train me.”
She smiled and shook her head, giving me a look reserved for those with no hope.
“The training you require goes beyond what a syllabist can offer you.”
“I see. Will you help me? Can you?”
“I can, but there are conditions you should be aware of,” she said. “Attempting to complete the ritual has proven fatal in the past. The pain you will experience will surpass anything you have encountered thus far. It has killed many stronger than you. Once bonded, if we bond, there will be no separation. To remove me is to remove your life.”
She stood and looked down at me.
“Doesn’t seem like I have much of a choice,” I said.
“Incorrect. You must always remember that you have a choice,” she replied with an edge in her voice. “You can walk away from this and let another carry this burden. Surely, there are others who can meet the criteria. Others of the lineage.”
“I wish I could just go back to my old life,” I answered. “Ever since Sensei Wei sent me to that promotion—”
“Stop making excuses,” she interrupted. “You have not been forced into this. Even now you waver. That wavering will kill you. What was your old life?”
“It was simpler,” I said. “I didn’t have to worry about warriors or guardians or keeping this plane or any other plane safe. I didn’t even know of any other plane but my own.”
“A life of ignorance is no life at all, warrior,” she said.
“I don’t know what to do,” I said. “How can I walk away? Everything is at stake. They depend on me to do this and I don’t know what it is I’m supposed to do!”
“Now you are being honest,” she whispered. “There is only one thing you will be required to do, warrior. You must not allow Maelstrom and his master to undo all that is, even if the cost is your
life.”
I was about to answer when a tremor shook the ground. A crack formed and ran through the circle. The glyphs flared to life and then went black.
“The ritual has been disrupted,” she said and turned her head to the side. “It would seem someone with considerable power does not want you to succeed. You must return or risk being lost here.”
I looked around and saw the squat buildings begin to fade. Shadowstrike began walking back to the main structure and then stopped. She turned to look at me, her expression serious.
“Find an active circle of reflection,” she said. “The last known functioning circle lies at the North Watch.”
“Can I start it anywhere else?” I asked. I wanted to know if I had more options.
“Yes, but you risk alerting Watchers if you attempt it outside a circle,” she answered. “Form a portal and return. Your companions are in danger. Here, take this.”
She extended her hand and formed a straight, doubled-edged sword about three feet long. The blade was transparent. She handed it to me hilt first.
“Is this…?”
“A sliver of who and what I am,” she answered. “It will act like any sword, though with some additional properties that will reveal themselves to you as you grow in strength.”
I took the sword and it vanished in my hand. I felt its presence within me.
“I am with you as you are with me,” she said, touching my chest lightly. “Do not delay the ritual too long or that sliver will end your life.”
“How long before that happens?” I said.
“That would depend entirely on you,” she answered, which was no answer at all.
I traced the glyphs in the air and formed a portal. I stepped through to find myself in the reflection room. There was a crater where the circle of reflection once was. The door leading back to the Akashic Records was charred, but intact.
“Hello, Dante. You have been busy, I see,” said a voice behind me.
I froze in place.
It was the Harbinger.
SIX
THE SUN CAUSED the image of the Watch in the distance to shimmer. Tetra soaked in the latent energy of the plane.
Warriors of the Way-Pentalogy Page 56
