BDS: Chapter Thirty-Two

Malik leaned against a boulder from where he sat along the cliffs, admiring the spread of land before him. The moons of Elsaria highlighted the trees and ground, accenting the surrounding shadows. A floral fragrance moved through the air as the breeze picked up. He glanced to his side as a flash of gold appeared nearby.

Affera stepped from the light and approached Malik's side. She lowered her hood.

"I will miss seeing the land from the vantage point I have now," he said. "Aside from the destruction of my race through past wars, I can say that I truly have enjoyed my time here."

"You will still be able to take form if circumstances are needed," she replied.

"How so?"

"You have done great deeds for these lands, Malik. Upon your exit, you have been offered a position of advisement with the guardian forces should you choose to take it. It will give the ones you wish to watch over a clear channel to the guidance you offer them." She pointed to the stone at the top of his staff. "Use the Spell of Echoes on your stone and leave it for her."

Malik nodded.

"There is one other matter while you are here that I wish to discuss with you," Affera continued. "The remaining maps leading to the Keys of Alendrial and the location of the portals are to be transferred to Master Jalena as well."

Malik turned to look at Affera fully. "Why would she need a key to the Hidden Realms? Does this have something to do with Ralian?"

"Yes, in the case the team does not defeat him."

"If he has returned to his home, then Elsaria will be safe."

"The reasons go beyond just the safety of one planet. I cannot reveal everything just yet."

Malik's eyes narrowed.

"You must trust in the synchronicity of events, Malik. You will understand after you transition."

"So, Drasúl has the third key as I suspected?"

"Yes. Akila stole it from the Jamboar while in Tridaun long ago. A new source of information will arrive to guide the warriors of what is to come." Affera's form began to fade as Malik stood. "She will appear beneath the light of the full moons."

"You mean now?" He whipped around. "Affera!"

Affera smiled as the last of her form disappeared. Her voice echoed across the clearing. "All is well, Mysteis. A celebration awaits your return."

"Blasted priestess," he mumbled. "Hmph."

He smiled and shook his head as he made his way across the cliffs. As he moved to enter a grove of trees, a bright light, larger than that of a normal star, shot across the sky and rapidly descended. He hurried from the grove to gain a better view.

Malik's eyes sharpened as the light disappeared from view. "Sir Fane," he whispered as he noted the approximate location of the fallen light, "I will need one last favor from you."

***

Beneath Malik in the depths of the bunkers, Fane hovered over a set of blueprints, his eyes narrowed in concentration.

"Are you ever going to sleep?" Shamira said from behind him as she handed him a steaming mug.

"Not until I figure this out," he replied. He scratched his head and took the drink. "Thanks. The Avehkal pulled one over on me, so I need to come up with a new strategy." He shook his head. "Their leader…this Ralian, is surprisingly clever."

"So are you," she said. "You always figure it out." She placed a hand on his shoulder. "Suni and Ronúl just left. I am going, too."

Fane nodded and turned back to his prints.

"Uh, Sir Fane?" Jarek peaked around the edge of the doorway as Shamira disappeared. Brogan's face appeared above Jarek's.

"Yes, Master Jarek. What is it?"

The two shuffled into the room.

"Er, the pilots managed to salvage a couple of parts from the ships that were," Jarek cleared his throat, "damaged—" he broke off as he caught Fane's stare.

"Let me see."

Brogan swallowed and pulled his hands from behind his back to reveal a variety of small pieces. "These are from the Avehkal ships."

"Maybe you can get clues from it." Jarek nodded encouragingly. "More parts are in the main bunker if you need it."

Fane took the parts from Brogan. He turned to Jarek. "Did you blow up one of my ships, Master Jarek?"

Jarek backed away. "No…it wasn't me."

Fane raised an eyebrow. "You, Master Brogan?"

Brogan shook his head quickly.

Fane stepped forward. He glanced back and forth between the two. "Then why do you look so guilty?"

The two took more steps back. "We just know how you get when—"

"Thanks," Fane interrupted with a smirk as he stepped closer. He lowered his voice. "Now, get out."

"We didn't do it."

"Out!"

The two bolted out of sight.

Fane gave a short chuckle and returned to his work, pausing as he glanced down at the parts in his hands. He ran his thumb against a green gooey substance surrounded by a chalky residue. He lifted his thumb to study the substance. "Hmmm." He sighed and placed the parts on his table. "Enough with these space mysteries. Where is that star wizard when you need him?"

A bright burst of light suddenly flooded the room. Malik stepped out. "Here…for a couple of more moments at least."

"Doesn't anyone sleep anymore?" Fane grumbled.

Malik chuckled. "Apparently not."

Fane approached him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I am happy to see that you arrived for one last visit before you zoomed back into the stars," he said. "My work would never have been as masterful without your assistance. I will not forget, and you will forever have my gratitude."

"Oh, I have no doubt that your work would have excelled to the level it is now even without my help. However, a little starlight can certainly speed progression along." He sighed. "It is only with the help of the Three Songs elixir that Master Jalena and Master Gyan retrieved for me that I am walking at all. I'm afraid its effect will be short-lived, however."

"Well, since you're here and if you have the energy, I wanted to go over some thoughts with you about the frequencies the Avehkal used to destroy our ships, and how to counter it." He looked away. "I don't mean to talk about these things with you having so little time left, I just want to figure this out, so I don't lose any more pilots. Even losing one is one too many."

"I already have your answer, Sir Fane, which we will get to in a moment. However, after I leave, I will encourage you to seek the assistance of Sir Kesól if ever needed. He is much cleverer than I. In return, I'd like you to do something for me."

"You want a parting gift, huh?"

Malik smiled. "Something like that."

"Deal."

"Good. We leave now."

Fane looked at his blueprints and then back to Malik who was already striding out the door. He shook his head and hurried after him.

"Do you even know where we are going?" Fane asked as he flew a Xita-8 slowly over Relis Forest hours later.

Malik, his eyes alight, studied the terrain below. "Not really. Just keep heading east."

"You going to tell me what this is about?"

"A star fell… or rather something like it."

"A star?" Fane raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, okay. Do star wizards lose it near the end? You haven't talked me into chasing a fantasy, have you?"

Malik smiled. "Chasing fantasy is never a waste of time for it is the story of the soul. However, I assure you this is quite real. We're almost there." He looked at the morning light lingering on the horizon. "Speed up and search near the banks of the Uthandrial River after we enter Eltia. I have already contacted the Inala."

Fane nodded. He quickly covered the rest of Relis Forest and moved across the border into Eltia, then dipped the ship lower. The gold light emerging from the canopy of the forest reflected off the sides of the ship as the day stars of Elsaria broke above the horizon.

"There!" Malik pointed as they neared the Uthandrial River.

Fane landed the ship, and Malik hurried out of the lowering ramp. He slowed his pace as he approached an area where thick glittering mist lingered between the trees. His eyes widened as he spotted a silver pulsing light resting near the trunk of a large tree. The gold minerals within the forest floor swirled along the ground near the light, healing any damage the light had caused when it crashed.

Fane appeared behind Malik. "What is it?"

"I'm not sure." Malik approached slowly. Flecks of glittering silver floated above the pulsing light and spread throughout the area. "It is a female!" he exclaimed as he gazed through the light.

The tall female with long white hair and pale skin lay sleeping beneath a blue cocoon of light. The pulsing white light Malik had previously noted came from her skin. A glittering white garment clothed her body, matching the silver and white browband that adorned her forehead.

A voice spoke from behind Fane and Malik. "She is more than that, Mysteis."

"Priestess Ayuvana." Malik turned and greeted the Inala priestess properly.

Ayuvana glanced at Fane, who winced as she scanned his mind. "Sir Fane of the Order."

Fane's eyes widened as she spoke his name. "Priestess," he replied gruffly and inclined his head.

She smiled politely as she approached him, her ice-blue eyes lingering on his face. "There is greatness in your deeds…" she looked down at his chest, "…and within your heart."

Fane cleared his throat and scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, well..."

"A little rest may do that brilliant mind of yours some good, however, and," a teasing glint appeared in her eyes, "perhaps it's time for a shower."

Fane laughed out loud. "I agree, Priestess."

"Priestess." Malik sighed. "Could you cease flirting with my pilot and focus on what's before us."

Ayuvana gave Malik a small amused smile. "The lady carries Goddess energy within her. However, she is not from this realm. You are to take her back to headquarters, for the reason she has arrived is to request the assistance of the Order—one warrior in particular."

"Jalena," Malik whispered.

Ayuvana nodded. "The Goddess's power will not let me see beyond that."

"You do not know where she is from?"

"Somewhere within the Hidden Realms, but I cannot see the specifics."

Ayuvana walked over to the cocoon. "She is powerful, but also loving. While in this realm, her power will be somewhat suppressed because she resides in a different dimensional density. Her stay here will not be long." She placed a hand on the top of the cocoon and the dome disappeared.

The woman stirred and looked at Malik with silver eyes.

Malik knelt beside her. "What is your name?"

"Lunara," the woman whispered as she searched Malik's face. "I need—" Her eyes closed again.

"She is very weak, Malik. Take her to the healing chambers and allow her to recover. She will reveal her mission after she has awakened."

Malik nodded as Fane bent to lift Lunara. He hesitated. "Her Goddess energy isn't going to burn me up or something is it?"

Ayuvana smiled. "No…It is quite safe."

Lunara's skin continued to pulse with light as Fane carried her into the ship.

Malik moved to follow but stopped abruptly when Ayuvana grabbed his forearm. "Milady." He swallowed, and his voice lowered. "You know I cannot say goodbye to—"

Ayuvana threw her arms around Malik, her reserved nature faltering as she hugged him tightly to her. Malik exhaled and allowed tears to fall from his eyes.

She pulled back and looked up at him through a teary gaze. "I know I will have access to communicating with you as you take your next quest, Malik. And yet, I would be lying if I claimed that your physical presence upon this land will not be missed severely."

Malik chuckled. "In all our long years here together, you still never fail to surprise me, Priestess. Despite the strength and disposition of a fierce ruler, there is still a bright-eyed spirit full of delight and excitement beneath." He took both of her hands in his and brought them to his lips. His skin and tribal markings began to glow brightly. "Such is the beautiful mystery of an Inala Priestess," he whispered as an aura of light surrounded him. "I am forever with you."

Ayuvana's teary-eyed smile lit her face as she saw Malik's markings glow. Her airy laugh became absorbed in his light as it slowly brightened, and he disappeared within it.

Malik appeared within the confines of the ship and dropped into the seat next to Fane.

"You alright?" Fane asked as he guided the ship into the air.

He nodded in reassurance.

"That glowing lady—Lunara—is asleep in the healing chamber."

"Good," Malik replied, his eyes closed. "The sooner she wakes, the sooner we learn exactly why she is here."

***