BDS: Chapter Forty-One

The master warriors reluctantly shuffled out of the forest the next morning and entered the domusé. One after the other, they slowly climbed the stairs to shower and change for Council. Each avoided looking at Aderes's and Gyan's room, which now seemed like a large gaping hole in the line of rooms at the top of the stairs.

Hoshi stopped at Gyan's door and leaned against it, then slid to the ground. "I don't think I can do this," she whispered as fresh tears slipped down her face.

Brogan sat down next to her. "I don't think any of us can, sister." He put a large hand across her shoulders and pulled her closer to him.

"A part of me doesn't even think it happened and when I do think it, I can hardly breathe."

"Yeah." He exhaled audibly as a tear leaked from the corner of his eye. "You don't have to go to Council, you know? None of us do."

"No." She sniffed and stood up again, a determined expression set in her teary gaze. "I want to. I have to make sure that Ralian and Drasúl are gone. Because if not, then Gyan ended his life here without finishing the job, and the thought of that just makes me furious."

Brogan nodded and smiled. "That's what I thought."

A somber air lingered through the temple as the master warriors made their way into the Thesarei.

"How is Master Tarak?" Danika asked Asia while the group waited for the other members to arrive.

"He is still unconscious," she said as the masters gathered around her. "Given the number of blasters that hit him at once, I am unsure of what his state will be when he wakes. However," she added when she saw Danika's worried expression, "it shouldn't be too much longer before we know more."

"And what of Master Jalena?" asked Brogan.

"She is awake and should be here soon."

Syam entered with the other elder masters. Kesól, Marcile, Aeolus, Nafín, and Garsaun followed.

"We will go ahead and get started," Syam said. "I do not want to keep you long because I know your hearts are heavy. There will be a ceremony to honor the memory of Master Gyan, the rest of the Order members, and citizens we have lost over the past month. A private ceremony will precede the other for Sir Malik." He turned and gave Nafín a nod.

"We have decoded Ralian's cloaking frequency and are searching the atmosphere for him and any surviving Avehkal," Nafín stated. "Although there have been signs of recent activity in Elsaria's atmosphere, we have not been able to locate any sign of Drasúl or Ralian."

"And you won't either," a gentle voice said from the doorway of the Thesarei. "He is no longer here—none are that survived."

The warriors turned to see Lunara enter, cloaked in white. Her silver eyes and pale skin were glowing with a light similar to Malik's. The browband across her head glittered with a silver light from where it rested over her shimmering white hair.

"What do you mean?" Jabari asked as his gaze narrowed suspiciously.

"And how do you know?" added Zareb. "Based on reading your energy alone, I feel you mean no harm, but it is logical to assume that only an ally of the Avehkal would know of Drasúl's and Ralian's location. Perhaps your energy is masked by deceptive magic."

"I cannot see any information about your future or past," added Nyhra.

Lunara smiled patiently as she moved further into the room. "All will be revealed in the moments that follow. You cannot see my past or future, elder master, because I have none that would reveal a specific life path. I am but an embodiment of a Goddess—the Moon Goddess of Galinia to be more specific."

"The home of the Avehkal," said Kesól.

"Yes. I know that Drasúl has accompanied Ralian and the rest of his warriors into the portal of the Hidden Realms because I have seen the event occur. I am here by the request of the high priestesses and the dwellers within the inner realms of Galinia as escort for the light warriors.

"Long ago, the guarding forces decided that we would request the light warriors' assistance in defeating Ralian should he escape this realm, as he so has. If the light warriors of Elsaria do not help, then our world risks being purged into more darkness than it has already endured. His return and Drasúl's entrance to the Hidden Realms is likely to cause devastation to ours as well as other societies across the galaxy."

Jalena slipped unnoticed into the side door of the Thesarei, the hood of her cloak pulled low over her eyes. She remained at the back of the room as Lunara continued.

"Galinia is Elsaria's sister planet. The high priestesses connected the two realms long ago when they traveled from Galinia to Elsaria." She met Nyhra's eye. "It is where those with the fire of gold within their gaze originated. Your origins are Avehkal."

"Why did Kya and Nysa fail to mention this to the warriors long ago?" asked Asia.

"There was no need at the time. They were permitted by the guarding forces to travel from the interdimensional realms of Galinia in search of a planet that was evolved in thought and behavior—one in which peace was dominant among the lands—so that they may share the knowledge and philosophy they gathered in their travels with the Avehkal.

"Once they arrived here, Elsaria welcomed them openly. They returned to Galinia and shared what they had learned, helping to evolve their kind. As a result of their efforts, they were gifted with the opportunity to return to Elsaria at any time. Doing so would connect the core of the two planets. Therefore, as Elsaria evolves, the evolution of the Galinia follows.

"When the twins returned to Elsaria, this was when Kya fell in love with a light warrior by the name of Master Aku. Meanwhile, on Galinia, the race of the Avehkal split as old means of governance were overridden by the knowledge the twins shared. Disputes arose between the Avehkal leaders—two brothers, Tau and Ralian. Ralian preferred the old methods while Tau began to practice the views of the Elsarians.

"A civil war began in their realm as a result. Ralian was defeated and then banished by the guarding forces to Suál with the permission of the Mandopa elders." Lunara gestured to Aeolus. "The Mandopa have kept watch over the Avehkal up until this point."

Aeolus squared his shoulders. "Even so, he outwitted me in many ways. My warriors only discovered his underwater base off the coast of the Drykvar Mountains after he and his entire fleet left Suál's atmosphere."

Lunara turned her kind gaze upon Aeolus. "The job of the Mandopa was to make sure Ralian kept to the land that was provided for him. Anything else would have been too much for the Mandopa to manage. This task was done exceptionally well for much longer than expected. More importantly, it has served its purpose.

She readdressed the group. "Although the evolution of Galinia has been a slow process due to the resistance of the dark forces that desire control of Galinia's surface walkers, the planet has evolved dramatically as a result of the priestesses' efforts. The collective consciousness of the surface walkers still remains unevolved and limited in many ways. As such, the inhabitants of Elsaria are much more advanced as a population. However, Galinia's inner structures, and the hearts of the people that dwell there, mimic that of Elsaria more than ever before.

"Kya and Nysa took on the task of monitoring Ralian's actions during their time on Elsaria. As they accepted their position as high priestesses, they continued their watch over the Avehkal in Rastar. To ensure that Ralian could not escape and easily return to Galinia, the priestesses sealed the portals to the Hidden Realms and created three keys—the Keys of Alendrial. Each key was hidden on the three planets within the Vejar star system. Maps leading to the location of the keys and the portals were granted to the elders of the Mysteis.

"Before his time ended, Nemerus learned of the existence of the Hidden Realms and searched for the keys. His desire to rule extended even beyond that of Elsaria. At the time, Nemerus did not know that all knowledge concerning the location of the keys had been passed from the elders to Malik. Nemerus believed that there was only one Mysteis elder alive who held any knowledge of the keys. He employed the use of dark magic on the elder and learned the location of the map and key hidden on Tridaun before the elder died. However, Nemerus never made it to Tridaun to retrieve the key before Malik killed him. That mission was accomplished by his daughter, Akila.

"She hid the key in Mordán's vault beneath the Sul Fire River until it was recently taken by Drasúl and given to Ralian. They entered through the portal early this morning."

A thick silence filled the room.

Lunara met Nyhra's eye. "The Avehkal of the inner realms have shared their most recent prophecy with you. It appears in a book that Malik possessed. Their descendants are the only ones that can decipher the prophecies."

Syam opened the Libran, which sat before him on the Council table, to the latest entry.

"I have never learned of the Avehkal language, despite your claim of my connection to them," replied Nyhra.

"It is not a language to learn or memorize," said Lunara. "You will know what the message states by simply looking at the symbols. Your ability to understand the symbols will also serve as partial proof that I am speaking honestly for any in the room who remain skeptical of my words."

Nyhra gave Syam a nod, and he slid the Libran to her. She stared at the message for several moments. A flicker of gold light flashed across her gaze. Her eyes widened with surprise as she spoke aloud.

"A queen of light reveals the blood marking of soul power beneath the light of Lun. With revelation of identity, worlds shall bridge, and the light of dormant fire surfaces while darkness spreads across a sister dimension."

Jalena shifted uncomfortably as she listened to Nyhra's words. She knew the prophecy was about her despite her continual arguments with Malik that she was not a light key or who the Libran claimed she was. She had run out of excuses as to why it wouldn't be her. Besides, she had always felt the flow of the heightened power running through her that the title alluded to but dismissed the importance of it. She was often accused by Shamira of just being too modest to accept it. In the present moment, she didn't feel she wanted to be any sort of queen or key, much less lead a search for a tyrant on another planet, despite what the Goddess wished.

Nyhra glanced at Lunara. "I am able to translate it as you said, but I am unsure of the meaning."

"The light of Lun is the light I carry within me—the moonlight of Galinia," said Lunara.

"What does it mean by the queen of light reveals the blood marking of core power?"

Lunara turned to the back of the room as Jalena lowered her gaze.

Those in the room followed Lunara's stare.

"Master Jalena," Brogan said in surprise.

"It means that within my light, blood markings will appear on the skin of one who carries the internal power that is connected to the planet's core—the power granted by the priestesses." Lunara smiled at Jalena. "This is done to rid the carrier of any doubt that may arise about who they are."

"Master Jalena, please approach Lunara," said Syam.

Jalena lowered her hood and lifted her eyes to her father's. Some of the warriors gasped.

"Master Jalena, your eyes have changed!" remarked Hoshi.

"Yes," Jalena replied without further explanation. She held her breath for several minutes to control the swell of mixed emotions that arose within her as she approached Lunara.

She had woken in her old bed that morning to find that she no longer felt like herself—not as if something was missing from her, but like there was more of her—if such a thing were even possible.

She couldn't stare into her reflection for long as she dressed because of how much the change in her eyes reminded her of Gyan. They still held their violet color at the center, but now the violet blended into a light brown as it neared the red-haloed outline of her iris, appearing like a violet starburst that bled into the brown of Gyan's eyes. She knew it was because of what happened when she had reached for his gladaé, but she didn't have an answer as to why yet, no matter how much she had mentally searched for one.

"If you will remove your cloak, Master Jalena," Lunara said gently.

Jalena removed her cloak. Lunara extended her arm up diagonally, her palm just above Jalena's forehead. White light spilled from the silver in Lunara's eyes as her skin brightened. A soft light emerged from her palm and spread over Jalena.

Glowing red sigils appeared across Jalena's bare arms and face. Jalena lifted her arms as she studied the markings. "What do they mean?"

"They are ancient blessings embodied within the spirit of the one who carries a Light Key of Galinia."

"Things just keep getting weirder," Jarek said with a shake of his head.

The surrounding masters nodded in agreement.

"I will explain," Lunara said as she lowered her hand. "There is a defense that lies within the planet core of Galinia that will activate only with the presence of the carrier of a Light Key. The carrier is summoned if too much darkness spreads as revealed in the prophecy of your Libran. The prophecies of the Avehkal claim that the carrier will return to help guide the defeat of any dark spirit entering Galinia.

"Drasúl's arrival is enough of a threat to Galinia to summon the Key. He will set a course of action that will lead to the rise of dark forces that, up until now, have been fairly contained by both the Avehkal in the inner realms and members of the guarding forces also known as the Galactic Federation."

"Even if Master Jalena has the assistance of other warriors, we still need moonfire to kill Drasúl," stated Jabari.

"As the Key, she already carries the light of a fire equivalent to the power of the stars within her. It lies dormant within her at this time. This is one reason Sir Malik remained longer than he wished in this realm to guide and train her. He sensed who she was even though he did not understand fully until after his departure. And I possess the light of the moon, which I will grant to you, Master Jalena before we part ways. The two will activate at the appropriate time to kill the Javen."

"Why would the carrier of a key, belonging to another planet, not be birthed on the planet she is to protect?" asked Zenobia.

"For several reasons," Lunara replied. "One is for the carrier's protection. In the past, the assassins of the dark forces of Galinia would learn of and attempt to hunt the incarnation of a carrier soon after they were born and kill them. The assassins that seek the key carriers now believe that they have killed all of them since no trace of the carrier has been found for centuries.

"Another reason the carrier is not born on Galinia is because of the training they must undergo to manage the power of the planet's core should the need arise. This is something not many Galinians know of or practice, so the places to receive this sort of training are rare within that realm. However, on Elsaria, it is a natural course for a light warrior to master the balance of masculine and feminine energy within their being and train in the energy arts. The ability to manipulate light is an added asset for the task at hand. Living here also provides a way for the carrier to live a more normal life, meaning one away from heightened risk of death or captivity.

"The high priestesses approached you, Master Jalena, before your birth on Elsaria and asked you to carry a Light Key for Galinia. It was a promise made even if you do not remember it at this time. You are one who bridges the two worlds. The influence that you carry within your spirit as a leader of your team is what naturally draws the power of the light warriors to surface around you. It will also be the same for the Galinian warriors and their allies."

"So, the Galinian warriors are not prepared at this time for what lies ahead?" asked Zareb.

"Those in the inner realms are, but not those of the surface, and their power is needed if ever the key is to be activated. Given the conditioning they have been exposed to and the density of the darkness that has spread through Galinia, their truth lies buried within them. Up until this point, their amnesia has also served to protect them from those more powerful, but in order to activate their power they must believe in who they are."

"So, there is a chance that Master Jalena could be gone a long time before Drasúl is even defeated?" asked Jabari.

"There is always that possibility, as is the one that she will not be gone long. With her presence in Galinia, a longing for the surface warriors to fulfill their mission will begin to stir within them.

"Galinia holds a lower dimensional state than Elsaria, so the perception of time is slower than here. For Master Jalena, it will seem as if she is gone longer than for you all here. It will be as if she is going back in time in a way with things moving slower, given the differences in dimensionality."

"I will retrieve Elsaria's Key of Alendrial and return with you to Galinia, Goddess Lunara," Jalena said in a flat tone as if none of what Lunara revealed surprised her. She met Shamira's eye. "But, I request that Master Shamira accompany me and that no one treat me any differently than they already do." She grabbed her cloak and returned to stand against the back wall.

"I propose we all go with Master Jalena," said Brogan. "I want to help ensure Drasúl's end."

"You and the other masters are to be on standby once the mission to Galinia transpires, Master Brogan," said Syam. He looked in turn at the master warriors' uncommonly dreary expressions. "There is a different mission you must undertake.

"We do not know the details of the races or lands of Galinia, so we will update everyone with Master Jalena's reports after she and Master Shamira arrive. Sir Kesól and Nafín will work with Sir Fane to alter the communication system in the Vorclánso that it allows smooth communication across dimensions."

"The more of you that travel to Galinia, the more challenging it will be to mask your arrival," added Lunara. "The less Drasúl suspects that you will come after him, the easier your mission to find him will be and locate the other warriors."

"I am unsure if this is a wise time for Master Jalena's departure," said Asia. "We still don't know the complete effects of what occurred with Master Gyan's gladaé or if what happened has stabilized within her."

At the mention of Gyan's name, Jalena stiffened.

"She will not be without the care of an elder master," Lunara said as she met Nyhra's gaze. "Along with Master Shamira should she choose to go, it is requested by your high priestesses that Elder Master Nyhra return to visit the land of her ancestors. She will be needed to decipher the symbols of entry to the inner realms of the planet and notify the Avehkal there."

"I will go," Nyhra said.

"What exactly did happen, Master Jalena?" Danika asked softly as she turned to look at Jalena. "I mean, what did Gyan's gladaé do? Was it just your eye color that changed?"

Jalena shook her head. She held up her palm to Danika as her eyes lit up. A blue sheet of light moved gently from her palm and swirled around Danika.

"He gave you his charisma!" Danika exclaimed. Her eyes shone with tears as she gave Jalena a small smile.

"And his Shanlo strength." Jalena held both hands out to the side as the shield around Danika dissipated. Her eyes lit up even more as gold and violet swirled around both of her palms. "And his gladaé," she added, her voice barely above a whisper. The light faded. She closed her fingers around the hilt of her own gladaé in one hand and the hilt of Gyan's in the other.

Sharp inhales were heard around the room. Brogan let out a low whistle.

"Has this ever happened before between warriors?" asked Hoshi.

The gladaés in Jalena's grasp slowly faded.

"Not that we are aware of," replied Syam.

Kesól stepped forward. "I have a theory of what has happened. Although it could be just a gift that was passed to Master Jalena, it may also be more. The Krystalians have a belief that there are cosmic twin souls or counterparts that split themselves and incarnate separately for the perspective and evolvement that occurs as a result. As one expands, so also does the other even if one remains unaware. There is great power and wisdom that is rapidly gained from doing this. However, many souls do not do this for the simple reason that there can be a haunting or incompleteness felt within until the two are reunited.

"Although a twin soul can live a balanced, happy life separate from its counterpart, there generally remains a gap—a longing not understood— that is unfulfilled until the two are reunited. If the two come together and then are separated somehow within the same lifetime, the results can be devastating for the one that remains. There have been times when an abandoned twin soul has become lost within themselves, completely withdrawing from the outside world.

"If Master Gyan is Master Jalena's twin counterpart, this could be one reason why Gyan gifted her with his abilities—not only to grant her his power but to intend to help her manage the pain of losing him somehow."

The warriors glanced at the door of the Thesarei as it softly slid to a close… Jalena was gone.

"Elder Master Syam, do you honestly believe Master Jalena is stable enough for the mission to train the warriors in another realm and defeat Drasúl after all that has happened?" asked Zenobia. "This feels very challenging at this time. She has had no time to grieve."

Syam nodded. "Though I feel the same, Elder Master, before his transition, Sir Malik announced that no other Mysteis should be allowed to remain on Elsaria and although none now do, the threat of the Javen's rule has extended to other realms. To honor Sir Malik's wishes, she would cross the galaxy with or without approval." He sighed as his expression turned grave. "Besides, there is no doubt in her capability to defeat Drasúl no matter the sorrow she carries within. If there is anyone that can overcome any force, including heartache, it is my daughter."

***