TBC: Chapter Fifty-Nine

The Order fighter pilots hovered close to the Alsar borders, awaiting orders from Master Jabari. The night sky was peaceful once more as what was left of the Kraundor pilots retreated. The Xita-8 quickly dropped into the clearing of the forest, and the rest of the warriors ran to its open doors.

Gyan sighed, relieved that the fight in the forest had been relatively short. Now they could concentrate solely on rescuing Aderes. He gathered with the other warriors, who were all completely soaked and dripping water on the ship's main compartment floor. "How is Lesiana doing?" He asked Valora as he wiped water off his face.

"She's resting now," Valora replied as Jabari steered the ship back into the air. "She said that Aderes is being held in the cave cells."

"Mordán will know Lesiana has escaped, so we will have to hurry and get Aderes out of—" Gyan stopped talking and grabbed his chest. His breath escaped him as the sound of a heartbeat pulsed loudly in his ears. "—What?"

Bright silver light suddenly filled the inside of the entire ship, causing some of the warriors to shield their eyes.

Gyan turned sharply to his comrades, but his movements felt slow as if his body was restricted by a heavy force or weight. By the shocked look on their faces, he knew that they were experiencing the same feeling. His chest constricted tighter and his strength slipped from him. He dropped to his knees. All sounds around him were silenced except for one voice.

I love you, brother. Thank you.

An enormous warm wave of love surged through Gyan's body. He released a held breath as his hearing returned to normal.

"No…" he whispered, "Aderes…" His voice rose into a hoarse scream. "No!" Gyan's throat squeezed as a painful sob erupted from inside of him. "Aderes!"

Jalena's arms instantly appeared around him as grief overtook him. Her tears joined his. "Gyan," she whispered as she squeezed him tighter. He turned and buried his face against her.

Brogan dropped to the floor next to Gyan, bowed his head, wrapped his arms around his knees, and sobbed. Valora leaned over her brother, her head resting on his upper back. Tears streamed down her face and onto his shirt.

Danika buried her face in Tarak's chest. He held her tightly to him as she shook against him, his large hand stroking her hair as a look of sorrow filled his view.

Lorcan stood alone, staring out a small window of the ship with his arms crossed. Tears flowed freely down his face, dripping from his nose and sliding off his chin.

Hoshi grabbed Jarek around the neck into a tight embrace, her face twisted in grief. Her shoulders shook as she cried loudly. Jarek repeatedly took deep breaths as his tears dropped into her hair.

One by one, a soft blue glow appeared beneath the Lumsigne marking on the warriors' necks.

From the cockpit of the Xita-8, Jabari accelerated the ship in the direction of headquarters. Tears slipped from the corner of his eyes. He took a deep breath and pressed a light on the ship's panel. "Sade, return to headquarters. We're going home."

"At once, Master," Sade responded.

"Aderes," Jabari whispered. "What have you done?"