BDS: Chapter Thirty-Seven

From his position above ground, Gyan smiled to himself as he felt Lesiana release some of the power he infused into Aderes's sword. "Good job, Lesi," he whispered.

He looked around at the fallen Avehkal around him and shook his head. Why would they even fight for Drasúl?

They've been deprived of their home, Jalena said. It is how we would feel about Yevani after years of being gone. We would do whatever it took to return.

Looks like the Vaznaun are here, Hoshi told the warriors. Some of them have taken Akila's potion, but others have not.

They probably ran out since she's no longer around to make any, said Lorcan.

I still don't see Ralian or Drasúl.

None over here have either, Kesól replied. I'm sure they are waiting for the right time to appear, so remain alert.

Vaznaun carrying long spears and electrical rods ran at the warriors from the eastern edge of the forest. The Kolar and Feyla warriors attacked the Vaznaun from behind.

Tarak jerked two spears from a Vaznaun's grasp using his charisma and sent them into the air with a flick of his wrist. Hoshi teleported and reappeared in the air, grabbed the spears, and threw them hard at the Vaznaun. The Vaznaun dodged out of harm's way but the spears stopped in midair as Danika, while invisible, caught them. She released her charisma, appearing visible, and flipped both spears to ram them into the ribs of the Vaznaun near her. Tarak continued to direct more flying spears into incoming Avehkal.

Tarak send me some, Valora said. Brogan, help me.

Tarak ripped another two spears from a Vaznaun's grasp and redirected them to Valora. She caught both and turned to launch them at the group. As she released them, Brogan grazed her shoulder for added power. The spears bolted with a surge of light through half a dozen enemies at once.

The twins teleported as a group of Avehkal turned their blasters on them at the same time.

Jalena held two Vaznaun in place with her charisma as Hoshi's throwing blades struck just above their collarbone. The two stumbled into Gyan's piercing ray of blue light.

Brogan laid his palm flat on the ground and smiled as the ground shook, the tremors causing nearby Avehkal and Vaznaun to lose their footing.

Lorcan moved in a flash through the stumbling troops. He swept up a multitude of weapons and dropped them together in a pile. He stabbed his gladaé down into the bulk, melting them with the touch of his sword.

A Vaznaun trying to scramble up from the ground shouted out an angry protest and threw a long electrical rod as hard as he could at Lorcan's back. Hoshi teleported in front of Lorcan, caught the rod with ease, and threw it back at the Vaznaun. The Vaznaun cried out as the rod hit him across the chest. His look of fury changed to surprise as tree roots exploded from the ground beneath the Vaznaun and wrapped themselves around his legs.

Nice, Valora. Gyan said.

She smiled and shrugged. They wanted to help.

Other Vaznaun hacked at the tree roots in frustration with their weapons while other Avehkal shot at the roots yanking him away.

They are getting increasingly frustrated, Gyan said as the movements of their enemies slowed. Their energy is becoming unstable.

Well their numbers certainly make up for their lack of focus, said Valora.

The Maveik are here, Gyan said as he spotted Gyasi leading a group of men out from the northeast part of the forest and across the clearing. He smiled as he took in the jeweled, torn hem of Gyasi's long coat billowing out behind him and the worn hat pulled low over his head.

So are the Spear warriors,Brogan said as the Spear warriors joined the other tribal warriors and spread to engage the Vaznaun from the edge of the forest.

Good, I need a nap, Jarek said.

"Heard you warriors needed a little help," Gyasi called out as he approached.

"Gyasi!" called Jarek. "I thought you were done harassing us, especially since we haven't seen you since you locked us up in your old simulation room."

Gyasi pushed his hat up off his forehead and smiled. "Not a chance, Master Jarek." He looked at a group of Avehkal running his way and aimed his gun. A blast of fire streamed from the gun. The Avehkal dodged to the side and quickly returned fire. He threw himself to the ground as Gyan deflected the incoming rays away with a small shield.

He looked down at Gyasi. "You certainly look more like a rebel now," he said as he scanned Gyasi's rough appearance.

"Yeah, no time to shave or wash clothes when we're always following you around." He smiled. "We don't rest unless you do."

Gyan grinned and helped him to his feet.

"Not two minutes on the field and you're already harassing my son, Gyasi," Eamonn called from behind Gyan.

Gyan's eyes widened as he gazed at his father, who was followed by a large group of men with faces painted as black as the clothes they wore and the weapons they carried.

Eamonn's appearance reflected that of a warrior even more than the others. With straps of weapons hanging from his broad shoulders and around his waist, Eamonn looked larger than life itself, just like Gyan's childhood memory of him.

"I take it from your expression, Master Gyan, that you've never seen your father look this scary," stated Gyasi. "—the most dangerous man I know."

"Please stop, Gyasi," replied Eamonn, "You know your terms of endearment always make me cry." He dropped to his knee and whipped the large gun he carried up to his shoulder as an Avehkal readied his weapon. A green flaming ball of fire shot from the barrel and sailed directly into the Avehkal's gun, exploding it on contact.

"Elder Master Faelán was providing us with the data to create the right frequency within the bullets. It's what took us so long or we would have been here sooner," he explained to Gyan.

"I'm glad you made it," said Gyan. He raised an eyebrow. "I think."

Eamonn moved past Gyan and gestured for the rest of the men to move closer to the forest.

Gyasi peered at the trees as he moved alongside Eamonn. "Are there more Vaznaun hiding in there?"

"Not for long," said Valora. "Now that you're here to help, we should expose the rest of them." She stood facing Ceiabré Forest as her halo swirled green and the leaf markings across her face formed.

The trees began to sway and turn. Deep cries from the Vaznaun hiding in the forest rang out as the trees attempted to crush the intruders.

What of the others in the forest, Valora? asked Tarak.

The trees will only target the Vaznaun.

Gyan's eyes narrowed as Craenal moved out of the forest behind the rest of his men, calming breaking a small branch that reached for him as he stepped into the clearing.

"We meet again," he called to the warriors. He looked at the Maveik now running after his men and continued forward with a grin. "With Akila gone, now there will be no interruption."

Gyan's heart jumped as he saw his father engage one of the large Vaznaun near Craenal.

You have to stay focused, Gyan, said Jalena. I feel the same way when I see my father fight. That's why I'm glad he is across town right now.

You felt what I did just now?

Yes.

Gyan grinned. I'm starting to like this Shanlo connection more and more, despite what I went through.

I think it is more than that, Jalena replied as she rammed her gladaé straight into an Avehkal's weapon and spun to kick another.

Why do you say that?

Just something Sir Malik said. I'll tell you later.

Gyan slammed his hand into the chest of an Avehkal and released the light of his charisma through his palm. The light soared out through the Avehkal's back and then continued around the clearing. Jalena held several Avehkal in place as Gyan's light pierced them through.

Getting better at holding more of their energy, he said.

She nodded. Ten is my max for now.

Near the edge of the forest, Gyasi immediately brought his gun up and shot the Vaznaun on Eamonn's left with a flaming ball of light. The Vaznaun fell backward off his feet.

Craenal advanced on Gyasi just as Tarak arrived in a flash by Gyasi's side.

***

High above the grounds, Ralian and Drasúl stood staring down at the battle below from the window of a cloaked Vestian.

"Malik has yet to appear," Ralian said as he adjusted the straps of the two guns hanging from his shoulders.

Drasúl, looking annoyed, said, "We can wait no longer. Let's go." He disappeared in a flash of light.

Ralian motioned for the pilot to lower the Vestian to the ground near the south river. Groups of Avehkal filed out of the ship.

Drasúl reappeared next to Ralian. "I cannot detect Malik's presence," he said.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean he is hidden or—" Drasúl suddenly grinned. He looked down at the stones in his staff and muttered an inaudible spell. The stones lit with the same light of his eyes as he brought his staff up and gazed closely at the top stone. "He is already dead," he said as the stone dimmed.

"You know this for sure?"

Drasúl nodded. "This just got easier." He extended his arms before him, palms facing out. "Ak aim el seld mi seis," he said. The light from his chrome eyes brightened and seeped into his Mysteis markings, causing them to glow a bright blue. Light extended from his fingertips and swirled before him until another Drasúl appeared within the light. Drasúl smirked. "One for those in the north, and one for those in the south."

His twin opened his eyes and nodded, then disappeared in a flash of light.

Drasúl turned to Ralian. "The south then," he said as he faded into starlight.

The Vestianvanished from view again as it lifted back into the sky.

Ralian approached the edge of the trees where Drasúl waited for him. The silver band around Ralian's throat lit up as he spoke. "Round two," he told his pilots. He hoisted the large gun onto his shoulder and moved forward alongside the surge of Avehkal that exited the Vestian just moments before.

"I'll be along shortly," said Drasúl. He looked to the sky. "First, I want to watch it rain."

***