BDS: Chapter Twenty-Eight

The warriors entered Gawl Forest before the day stars set for the second time that week.

"She is still here," Jarek said from inside the main compartment of the Xita-8. "I'm not sure of her exact location though. I think it may be near the main clearing."

"Then let's start there," stated Kesól.

The halo in Hoshi's eyes swirled with a yellow glow. "I will tell you what I see when I get outside."

"It could be that she is baiting us, Sir Malik," said Jabari.

"I am quite certain she is," Malik replied. He looked around at the entire team packed in the main compartment. "But, this team is well prepared. I daresay that I am very proud of those in this ship with me. There has never been a more powerful or unified group in all of those I have instructed across time. I am truly honored to fight alongside you all for the light of this realm."

"Sir Malik," Hoshi breathed as her eyes shone with tears.

"Don't talk like you're not coming back with us, old star wizard," Jarek said with a look of annoyance.

Malik smiled. "Although I do not plan on going out by the hand of Akila or Drasúl, it is always a possibility, Master Jarek…for any of us. I just wanted to make sure you understood how I felt. It's an important thing to say to those you care for."

"In that case, I love you all, small people," said Brogan.

The emotional tension within the group eased as everyone laughed.

Malik approached Sufina and Tarak. He handed them each a large alneil arrow. "I created these using Lumanthrú this morning. Moonfire is infused within the design. Touching it will not harm you as I have placed a protective enchantment to block the moonfire from all those except Akila. It will take the entire amount in both arrows to kill her. The moonfire will release and spread through her body once it contacts her blood."

The two nodded.

"Is there any left to use on Drasúl, Sir Malik?" asked Valora.

He shook his head. "A solution will arise for that when that time comes."

"Let's go catch a star witch, shall we?" Kesól stated as he squeezed Malik's shoulder.

The door to the Xita-8lowered.

"Sade, are you and the other pilots in position?" Jalena asked from inside the control room of the ship.

"Yes, Master."

"How does Fane's new fighter feel to you?"

"A little touchy, but it's supposed to hold up better against fire power. Intel from the Inala has revealed that the Avehkal ships are designed to shift course faster, but with Fane's innovations we should match them in speed and agility."

"Then, I'll leave you to work with Master Jabari and King Garsaun. You know what to do when the Avehkal appear."

"Affirmed."

Jalena joined the rest of her team in filing out of the ship. Keep your energy suppressed until we know where they are hiding, she said to the others.

Sufina met with Tarak at the edge of the clearing. She handed him her moonfire arrow. "Tarak, I don't know if your, I mean, our old bow, is strong enough to withstand the power of this arrow. I fear it may shatter the bow."

Tarak unsheathed his gladaé, which instantly glowed green. His eyes lit up as he opened his other palm out next to the sword. Silver light spun around the sword at the base of the blade until it turned into a silver liquid. Tarak tilted the sword so that the liquid poured into his open palm.

"It's alneil," he explained as he re-sheathed his sword. "Hand me the bow."

He took the bow from Sufina's outstretched hand and allowed the liquid to seep from his fist into the grip. The light in Tarak's eyes brightened. The liquid spread from the grip outward, solidifying into streams of silver that swirled within the wood and ran to the edges of the bow.

"Show off," she whispered with a smile.

He smiled as his eyes returned to normal and he handed the bow back to Sufina. "It is ready."

"But, I don't know if I am," she said quietly. "This responsibility is…"

"Do not forget who you are," he replied simply. He smiled in reassurance as he put both of his hands on her shoulders. "You are a great arkaí already, Sufina. But, your power will sharpen this skill even more as it ignites within you from purpose, granting you power at the moment it is needed. Do not doubt the gifts you have."

She nodded.

"Be ready to shoot on command as soon as I signal you. You will know what to do by how you feel here," he tapped his chest, "not here." He pointed to his head.

Sufina nudged him with her shoulder and the two moved to join the others and spread through the forest trees.

The screech of the gawl filled the air as a multitude flew overhead.

I thought they only come out at night, Jarek said as he glanced up.

They do in general unless I call for one, Valora said. I warned them of the battle, so they are flying their young higher up into the mountains.

Call them back, Jarek replied. We could use them to fight for us. Besides, I wanna ride one.

That's not how it works, Jarek. This isn't their battle.

Uh Valora, did you warn all the animals? Danika said as a snake slithered across her path and continued toward the mountains. She looked around as more animals scurried through the bushes.

Yes.

Where is Eclipse, Jalena? We could sure use that gigantic scary cat on our side right now, said Lorcan.

I actually cannot find her. Ever since the night after Mordán's meeting at the palace, she has not come when I have called.

Do you think something is wrong—that she is sick or something? Hoshi asked.

Jalena shook her head. I would know.

The animals say she is okay, but they won't say where she is, Valora said.

That will have to do for now, replied Jalena. I know she is a Sheba, but I prefer her to be away from the fighting rather than in the middle of it.

Jalena split off to the west side of the woods with Marcile, Gyan, and Kesól. Lorcan moved nearer the middle edge of the clearing as Tikana, Danika, and Valora swiftly crossed to the other side. Shamira and Asia moved to the far side of the clearing near where Sufina was climbing high into a tree, at the eastern clearing at the edge of the mountains.

Hoshi jogged to catch up to Tikana, who was dressed in navy clothing similar to the warrior's black attire. She eyed the thin silver rod Tikana carried. "What kind of weapon is that?"

Tikana smiled and flicked the rod, which expanded and flashed a silver gleam. "The shundril. It emits a signal to shock, but it is sharp also. You see these ridges here?" She pointed to the edge of the rod. "My favorite for hand-to-hand combat."

"Nice," Hoshi responded. She narrowed her focus. Her glowing markings appeared on her face as she scanned the trees around her. Sir Malik, I detect a shadowed energy near a cabin at the eastern clearing.

I found her, Malik replied. Thank you, Master Hoshi. Be prepared,he told the rest of the team. I am sure Drasúl is near. He nodded to his team, and Brogan and Tarak quickly moved to position in the eastern clearing.

Akila stood with her back against a tree, as if she were patiently waiting for a friend to meet her for a walk. Malik approached her cautiously from behind. "I was just thinking of Marcile and the first time he escaped me in the forest," she said without turning around. "I was surprised to hear the magic of the Mysteis fall from his lips." She turned to Malik with a smirk. "Tell me, has he recovered?" She looked away when Malik didn't answer. "Still giving our secrets away to other races—you really have no family honor."

"Sharing to benefit others is honorable, Akila. It is your choices that fail to reflect it. I learned a long time ago that evil lingers more within my bloodline rather than outside of it. My family is determined by choice, not blood."

She sneered. "Obviously."

Malik gave her a sorrowful look. "Akila, I will grant you one last option to save your spirit from the Judgment of Seven as I did your father. As it is taught to our race from the time we incarnate, it is forbidden to abuse the power of the stars as you have. If you return to the light of the stars voluntarily, you will be spared the repeated incarnation of the lives you have taken without cause or care."

Akila's chrome eyes filled with light as a blue glow brightened her tribal markings. She smirked as she moved to face him. "Don't throw your manipulative words at me or speak to me of my father, Malik. I was there when you trapped his soul, so I know it was a spell of illusion and not that of the ancestors. You have no idea what is to come for me beyond my death in this realm."

Malik's voice boomed across the clearing as if he was scolding a child. "Akila! The binding of the ancestors is a component of my power!"

"You might have been granted that gift during the time of my father, but they would never entrust that amount of power to a vessel as weak as you are now."

"While it is true that I am weary, it has nothing to do with the state of my vessel." His eyes lit up with a silver-white glow as his anger emanated from him. "It is simply because I am tired of carrying the burden of atoning for the destructive tendencies of my own bloodline!"

He spun his staff rapidly as he advanced. Spheres of blazing silver light shot out in every direction and circled around the clearing like ignited fireworks. The spheres raced to Akila as if she were a magnet to their energy.

Akila teleported to different locations, but the blazing spheres continued to follow her, gaining momentum as they twirled around her. She cried out in pain as they repeatedly grazed her skin. The stone of her staff brightened and formed a shield around her. The spheres disintegrated as they slammed into it.

"It doesn't matter what new magic you bring to battle, Malik," she spat. "You will never defeat me alone."

"I do not intend to do it alone, Akila," he replied as he sent a blaze of white fire her way. Nearby warriors turned in awe as the energy of Malik's fury spread across the field. "Although I can assure you, there is no force in the world that would stop me until I see that you harm no other soul."

Malik moved to reveal Tarak behind him, his alneil bow in hand.

Tarak reached into a quiver at his side and pulled the moonfire arrow out, keeping his eyes on Akila. He slowly loaded his bow.

"You and the Vaznaun warrior?" Akila smiled as she moved forward. "I know there are more that linger near even though their energy is suppressed, but even that is not enough. You may succeed in your attempts to injure me," she said as her burns from Malik's sphere attack healed, "but you misjudge my abilities."

"No, Akila. It is you that arrogantly misjudges the power of those other than the Mysteis, just as Nemerus did, and that is precisely the reason you will lose."

Akila's smile faded. "Do not speak of him!"

Remain alert, Malik told the warriors.

The warriors nearby initiated Relasu.

"You revealed your pawns—," she looked at Tarak, "—well, just one so far although I know another is there," Akila pointed in Brogan's direction, "so, now I'll reveal some of mine."

The warriors looked up as small gold and black Avehkal fighter discs de-cloaked to reveal their presence above the forest trees.

"Here we go," Jabari said as his eyes lit up. He piloted the Xita-8 into the air. Sade and the other Order pilots followed, and light flashed through the sky as the battle above the forest began.

Small Alpherian ships gathering at the edge of the forest formed a united moving barrier, their side wings twirling and folding like the wings of a hummingbird. Some lowered into the forest trees, using them as camouflage to cover attacks from below.

As more ships flew into the battle, an Avehkal disc dropped and fired directly into the clearing at Malik and Tarak. The two teleported as the ship's piercing beam of blue light hit the ground.

Valora joined Brogan from the other side of the clearing in returning the ship's fire, both shooting a thick beam of light from their hands. The ship dodged their attack just in time but suddenly jerked to a stop in midair as if held tight by an invisible force. The pilot looked down to see Tarak extending one arm, his eyes alight, holding the Avehkal disc in place with his charisma. The twins' next attack hit the back of the disc just as Jabari's fire from his Xita-8 slammed into the top. The three teleported away from the wreckage.

Tarak—Brogan! Do not lose focus! Malik said. Akila is your target!

Tarak turned to find Akila gone. He whipped around as she appeared behind him and thrust her staff out. Malik teleported nearby and cast a blaze of silver-white light at Akila just as Tarak dodged her blow. She disappeared again before he could retaliate.

Jabari radioed the rest of his pilots. "Remember, the goal is to provide Sir Malik and the others an uninterrupted space to fight Akila. Do not allow the enemy to lead you from the central and eastern regions of the forest. King Garsaun and his men will handle the perimeter."

"Affirmed, Master," Sade replied as he raced after an Avehkal ship.

Brogan took several deep breaths as he focused on the clearing. Green light swirled through the halo of his eyes as glowing thorn markings spread across his face and hands. I'm ready for her, Sir Malik.

"I know where you are, warrior," Akila's voice echoed throughout the area.

Brogan spun.

Akila appeared in a flash behind him. "Looking for me?"

Brogan bent over and shot a beam of light out the bottom of his foot as he delivered a backkick to Akila's face. She teleported out of the way just in time and the light from his foot slammed into a tree behind him. Akila reappeared in front of him and whipped a ray of violet-red light at his head. Eyes alight, Brogan disappeared.

Tarak's eyes remained lit as he followed Akila's movements steadily with his bow, the moonfire arrow drawn and ready.

Keep finding ways to surprise her, Malik said. Push her until you get familiar with her moves.

She isn't emotionally stable, Brogan said as he dodged another attack. Her energy fluctuates constantly.

If she gets too much I will step in, Malik said, but considering the degree of magic I must wield, I will preserve my energy until the timing is right.

Tarak suddenly put the moonfire arrow back in his quiver and pulled another one. When Akila came within range, he used his charisma to yank her staff from her hands. She turned in surprise as her staff went sailing high across the grounds. Tarak immediately loaded and released an arrow. The arrow slammed into the stem of the staff, pinning it against a tree.

Brogan shot a stream of light at the staff. The staff's blue stone lit up and Brogan's light dispersed harmlessly around it.

A spell is the only thing that can destroy the staff completely, Malik informed.

Tarak smiled as Brogan chuckled at Akila's furious expression.

Malik gave the two a nod of approval. Keep it up.

Here she comes,Brogan said quickly as Akila teleported near the tree. Her staff dislodged from the tree and sailed into her grasp. The whites of her eyes transformed to black along with the stone in her staff, and her skin took on a gray-black hue. She struck the bottom of her staff to the ground.

Watch your feet, Tarak! Brogan warned.

Violet-black streaks shot along the ground and wrapped around Tarak's ankles, yanking him off his feet before he could teleport. His bow fell from his hand as Akila reappeared next to him—he dodged as she attempted to slam the tip of her staff into his head.

She glanced up as a blaze of light shot over her shoulder. Brogan bolted toward her, shooting light repeatedly from his hands. She teleported, then returned his fire from a different vantage point by shooting a stream of light at his chest. Brogan vanished just in time.

Tarak sat up and slammed the blade of his gladaé into the streams of light along the ground, but the binding light remained. He winced as the light burned into his skin.

Alter the frequency within your sword, Tarak, Brogan said.I can give you some time.

Thorn markings reappeared on his skin as he dropped into a squat and slammed his hand against the ground just as Akila rounded on Tarak again. The ground shook violently, causing her to stumble off balance. She teleported as Brogan ran to her, maneuvering skillfully so that he remained unaffected by the unstable terrain.

Violet-black specks of light swirled within the glow of Tarak's sword. Found the frequency,he said, his eyes alight. He brought the gladaé down across the threads of light again, shattering them completely. Thanks, Brogan. Tarak teleported out of the way just in time to avoid Akila's next attack.

I will occupy her now so you two can recover your energy, Malik said calmly as he moved forward. Observe the vibrations, Master Brogan, and then you will be able to detect her patterns.

Brogan exhaled and the ground calmed. The green in his halo continued to swirl as he dropped his gaze to the area around Akila's feet and placed his palm flat against the ground.

Tarak appeared next to him in a flash.

The two watched in admiration as Malik and Akila fought.

After several moments, Malik paused in his attack. Akila, he began softly.

Her eyes narrowed. Don't even bother.

***

Further into the clearing, Drasúl emerged through the trees. He smiled as he observed Malik and Akila battling in the distance.

Kesól instantly appeared in front of him with Marcile at his side. "You want her gone. That's why you haven't interfered," Kesól said.

Drasúl smirked. "He's just saving me time and trouble," he said as he sized up Kesól and Marcile.

A group of Avehkal warriors joined Drasúl's side and spread through the clearing. Gold sparks of light spun around the black swords and other weapons they carried.

Wow, they're shiny, Jarek said as he observed the Avehkals' copper skin and the gold in their markings. Easy to detect for target practice, but it's kind of cool. I wish I glowed in the dark.

That's a scary thought, Lorcan said as he joined his side.

Not for the girls,replied Jarek.

Yes, Jarek—for the girls too, said Hoshi.

Jarek grinned. You wouldn't think that if you saw me—

Okay, will everyone focus, please? Danika interrupted. These guys are—

—strange, finished Lorcan.

I was going to say fierce-looking, replied Danika, but yes, strange.

The warriors unsheathed their gladaés.

Then, let's see how these strangelings fight, said Gyan.

The clearing lit up with a bright array of light as the warriors engaged the rushing Avehkal.

***