TCO: Chapter Eight

"Go to the ship; I will join you momentarily," Syam said as he opened the foyer doors for the warriors.

The wind, which was blowing even more fiercely than minutes before, carried a large crack of thunder through the sky seconds before the thick drops of rain fell. The warriors hurried across the chinálei. By the time they had reached the ship, they were drenched from head to toe. A door lowered for them on the underside of the ship, and warm, dry air greeted the warriors. As Gyan strode up the steps of the ship, he looked up right into Jalena's violet, red-haloed eyes.

"Better hurry in." She smiled. "Getting nasty out."

Gyan's breath caught. He cleared his throat and dropped his gaze as the other warriors filed into the ship behind him.

"Welcome to the Tritum," introduced Jalena, "one of the fastest ships in our collection. It will not be long before each of you will learn how to fly her."

"I knew it," said Valora, glancing at Brogan.

All the light warriors looked around excitedly, except for Danika.

"I told you were we going to learn how to fly," said Jarek.

"I think I'm gonna be sick," Danika said as she pushed her wet, ruby-red hair out of her eyes and dropped into the nearest seat.

"I know," said Hoshi. "Jarek's voice makes me a little nauseous too."

Jarek grinned and playfully shoved Hoshi aside. "You love it."

"No...the flying." Danika frowned.

"Hell no, Dani," said Brogan. "This is the best news I've heard all day." He pushed past the rest of the group and began exploring the ship.

Valora rolled her eyes. "He's made every toy he has ever owned into a ship since he was a child, no matter what it was."

"The Tritum is one of our larger ships, but still small enough to maneuver easily," said Jalena. "Come. I will show you around while we wait for Elder Master Syam."

The warriors followed Jalena as she led them on a quick tour. The main compartment was the largest. Its black seats were spaciously situated in a circle, facing inward. A silver Lumsigne was inscribed on the upper front part of each seat. The back compartments of the ship were cooler than the main compartment but were stocked with all the essentials necessary for a trip lasting several weeks. Holographic screens lit up the internal structure of the ship.

Other than what he had glimpsed in the Thesarei, it was the most advanced technology Gyan had ever seen.

Master Syam lowered the hood of his robe and entered the ship gracefully through the doors, soaked from head to toe like the rest of the team.

Jalena moved to the front of the ship. "We are ready. San Brogan, you're in front with us."

"Yes!" Brogan exclaimed. He grabbed Valora's shoulders from the back and shook her excitedly before moving past the others. Valora rolled her eyes again as Brogan followed Syam and Jalena to the front of the ship.

"Everyone else, find a seat," Jalena commanded.

Gyan took the seat next to Aderes and buckled the straps around him. Jalena guided the ship into the air and the warriors soon relaxed in their new surroundings. The smoothness of the ride made it seem as if they were hardly moving at all, despite the fierceness of the surrounding storm. Gyan's thoughts drifted until he drifted in and out of sleep.

Midway through their journey, Gyan' nap was interrupted when, without warning, the ship jolted and threw the group forward in their seats. Jarek, who had just stood to stretch, was thrown off-balance. He hit the floor with a loud thud.

"Jarek!" Danika exclaimed as the others looked around in alarm.

As Jarek attempted to stand, the ship turned sharply to the right, and he fell back hard against the door of the main compartment.

The pilot chamber door burst open.

"We're being attacked!" Brogan shouted. He crossed the compartment aisle in two strides, lifted Jarek up with one arm, and slammed him back into a seat before dropping into an empty seat next to Hoshi and buckling his straps.

Gyan gazed wide-eyed at the flashes of red light shown on the surrounding monitors just as the ship turned upside down. Jalena increased the Tritum'sspeed and spun several times to avoid another attack.

Hoshi gasped. Danika covered her mouth and closed her eyes.

The thrilling pull in Gyan's stomach from the ship's speed mixed with the sudden increase in adrenaline felt exhilarating. His body began to respond, heating instantly as his heart rate increased dramatically. He looked at the other warriors, his expression changing from one of concern to surprise. Bright blue-white light began to form in the eyes of each warrior.

Syam's voice filled Gyan's mind. "Concentrate on managing your breath. It will allow you to control the heat from the light you are feeling inside."

With effort, Gyan forced himself to focus on his breathing. The intensity of heat he felt building inside of him reduced some in response.

Another sharp turn threw the warriors hard against their seat straps. Gyan met Aderes's worried gaze.

"Do not waiver in your focus," said Syam calmly. "Extend your arm to the person next to you and concentrate only on expanding the heat you feel inside. Do not let fear override your thoughts. Breathe steadily and deeply."

Gyan closed his eyes and did his best to do as Syam commanded. He immediately felt a pulse of energy course through him in waves. The energy throughout the cabin began to intensify as the light warriors instinctively began to breathe in unison.

"Good," said Syam. "Now let the energy overtake you."

Gyan instantly surrendered to the energy in relief, believing he wouldn't be able to keep it at bay any longer. As a result, enormous pressure built inside him. Just when Gyan thought he would explode from the intensity of light, his eyes were forced open by a pressure coming from within him.

The cabin filled with blue-white light as a powerful explosion of energy burst from the warriors. A circular wave of light shot outward, transferring from inside the ship to the outer barriers and beyond. As the light emerged from the warriors, Gyan felt his body cool.

A loud explosion resounded outside of the ship and the Tritum instantly leveled and flew smoothly once more.

Gyan, who seconds before felt alive with adrenaline, was suddenly exhausted. He looked at the others. Brogan and Aderes were already unconscious in their seats.

Hoshi met Gyan's gaze. "What just happen—?" She never finished her question before her eyes closed.

Gyan's mind struggled to reason over the current events, but his thoughts quickly faded as his mind went dark.