TCO: Chapter Forty-Four

As Sinu uttered his last words, the warriors turned to the temple and heard a distant low rumble followed by a loud explosion. The largest black airship Gyan had ever seen was hovering above the Celestine Temple.

Form the Lumfáinne! Jalena shouted. We must get to the temple!

Danika and Lorcan jumped from the building rooftops to the street below as Jalena told the villagers to get low to the ground. The warriors immediately ran to the middle of the street. The remaining Vaznaun bolted through the marketplace alleys to the temple.

As Gyan and the rest of the warriors met together, he felt the heat within spread to connect to the other warriors. Seconds later, the vacuum of light pulled the warriors inward. They disappeared before the remaining villagers as remnants of energy from the circle blasted out several windows in nearby buildings.

Gyan could hardly believe the scene before him as his feet landed on the temple grounds. The large black ship cast a shadow over the entire area. Residents ran in all directions, seeking shelter from the swarm of attacking Vaznaun. Sorda and the temple instructors guided residents to safety as the masters fought the Vaznaun that swarmed the temple.

Cahira, her pink-glowing gladaé drawn, narrowed her fierce gaze as she encountered swarming Vaznaun. She lowered her stance and turned, her hair spreading wildly, and caught a second sword Asia had tossed her by the hilt. She brought both swords up into the chest of two Vaznaun on each side of her.

Syam's silver hair and beard reflected the blue-white light flowing from his eyes. White light spread around him as he effortlessly dodged the blows of the Vaznaun around him without drawing a weapon. He repeatedly teleported as Vaznaun reached for him, eventually drawing his violet-glowing gladaé to take on more.

Gyan joined the other sans running at the group of Vaznaun that had just barged onto the temple grounds.

Syam mentally told Jalena and the others to separate and surround the outer walls of the temple.

Keep an eye out for Mordán, Syam told the warriors. I feel he is here.

Do you think he has come for Tarak? asked Jalena.

I do not know.

We need to radio for backup. Have you tried to contact Malik? Jalena questioned as she ran forward.

If you can get to the Tritum, do it. The temple Thesarei has already been destroyed…Malik is still too fa—

Syam stopped abruptly as the black ship above them emitted a low-pitched hum that increased in volume. The hum turned into a vibrating pulse and seconds later, the front west side of the temple began to crack and crumble, partially caving in on one side.

Gyan and the warriors watched in shock as the ship moved forward until it hovered over the part of the temple roof directly above the sanctuary and dining hall. At least a dozen Vaznaun jumped from an open chute at the bottom of the ship onto the roof. Just as in the marketplace, the arkaí drew back bows and released arrows into the scattering temple residents below.

I'm going after the ship, Jalena told the others. She sprinted to the edge of the temple, where the warriors had left the Tritum. She stopped short, however, as a large ball of fire flew directly into the Tritum, causing it to explode before her.

The blast ripped surrounding trees. Nearby temple residents, along with Danika, were sent flying back. Tarak dropped his sword and raised both hands to the group, his brow furrowed in concentration. The residents and Danika slowed in their descent just before crashing into the ground. Danika, attempting to catch her breath, lay motionless on the ground for several moments before extending an arm straight up in the air and catching a thick broken tree branch flying overhead.

Tarak started toward Danika but halted abruptly when a Vaznaun struck him in the head with an electrical rod. Tarak dropped to his knees, bringing up a hand to instinctively cover the electrical burn on the side of his head. The Vaznaun immediately reached behind him with his other hand and drew a sword from the sheath at his back. He smiled and swung the sword. but let out of grunt of surprise, however, as his blow stopped in midair, blocked by an invisible force. The Vaznaun yanked his sword back and extended it above him a second time. With a loud shout, he brought his weapon down again. The sword halted in midair again, several feet above Tarak. The Vaznaun shouted in frustration as he sword remained stuck.

Danika, who was bent down on one knee, instantly became visible before the Vaznaun in the space between the Vaznaun and Tarak. Danika's arms were extended fully above her with the broken tree branch she had just caught stretched horizontally between her hands. The blade of the Vaznaun's sword was stuck in the middle of the branch.

Danika, her eyes alight, stared unwaveringly at the Vaznaun. "You won't touch him," she said fiercely.

The Vaznaun jerked his sword out of the tree branch and swung it around at Danika. She dropped forward, flat to the ground as the sword swung over her head and immediately flipped over onto her back and swept her right leg out to the side. Her leg slammed into the Vaznaun's legs and he fell back to the ground. Danika turned invisible again and jumped to her feet, her eyes alight. The Vaznaun attempted to stand but never made it. His head jerked to the side and he fell over, unconscious, after Danika cracked the tree branch against his skull.

She turned and offered a hand to help Tarak stand. He gave her a short nod of gratitude as she smiled at him, holding his gaze for several moments before they turned and ran in opposite directions to help the others.

At the north side of the temple ruins, Hoshi and Valora stood in opposite directions, shoulder-to-shoulder, surrounded by another group of Vaznaun, who sneered and waved their electrical rods and swords menacingly at the two as they enclosed the circle around them.

Valora tightened her grip on the hilt of her sword at the same time Hoshi laced her fingers through the rings of several kunai hanging on her hip next to her bladed boomerangs, both reflecting on the best possible strategy.

On my say, Val, make sure you drop low, Hoshi told Valora.

Leave at least one for me, Valora replied as she turned her head to catch Hoshi's eye.

Hoshi smiled and winked. Now!

Hoshi, eyes alight, thrust six blades out at once. Six Vaznaun in the circle fell to the ground with a look of surprise, their hands around the blade sticking deep into each chest. Hoshi brought her hand around to her opposite hip and grabbed her boomerang. She spun, releasing the tri-blade around the circle.

Valora bent backward, out of the range of Hoshi's blade, and flung her sword behind her. The sword struck the chest of one in the group, who fell over dead at the same moment the remaining Vaznaun fell to the ground, the boomerang cutting across each chest or throat. Hoshi raised her hand to catch the returning blade. Valora retrieved her sword from the chest of the fallen Vaznaun, and she and Hoshi ran further into the temple courtyard.

Gyan, who had been searching for the source of the fire that destroyed the Tritum, turned his attention to some residents near the temple as they cried out in alarm. A horde of arrows flew at them from the temple roof. He threw himself in front of the group, using his charisma to shield them from the arrows and yelled for them to seek shelter away from the temple grounds. At the same time, he noted a group of Vaznaun reach Jabari.

"Jalena!"Gyan yelled and pointed across the courtyard. "Master Jabari!"

Jalena instantly bolted to Jabari, who had just drawn his blue-glowing gladaé from his hip as he was swallowed by the group. The violet light of Jalena's gladaé burst through the back of one Vaznaun after the other. Gyan met the attackers from the opposite side. Only minutes passed before the Vaznaun immediately ran away toward the Grove of Amasu, realizing they were no match for all three warriors.

Gyan shared a satisfactory smirk with Jalena. His expression turned to a look of astonishment, however, as he witnessed the same group, screaming in terror and running back to the temple followed closely by the most enormous black cat Gyan had ever seen.

Eclipse leaped with a roar, taking several Vaznaun down with her gigantic claws before running to Jalena's side. Gyan smiled as Eclipse let out another roar and chased more Vaznaun from the temple grounds. Side by side, Eclipse and Jalena sprinted around the castle ruins into oncoming enemies.

The ship lingering above the temple released another loud pulsating hum. The front southwest edge of the temple began to crumble. Remaining temple residents sprinted across the courtyard as large blocks of stone came crashing down to the ground.

Gyan felt a shift in air pressure and looked up just in time to dodge a large block of stone falling from the temple roof. As he watched more of the temple stone crack above him, he noticed Tarak, Aderes, and Brogan fighting back-to-back on the roof of the temple, each engaged in combat with the arkaí that had jumped from the ship.

Gyan instinctively dove to knock another resident out of the way of a falling stone and caught sight of a dark-haired man hurrying down the steps into Malik's classroom. Mordán?

He bolted after Mordán at the same time he heard Syam's voice inside his mind, calling the warriors to immediately form the Lumfáinne around the temple. Gyan ignored Syam's command and continued to make his way to Malik's classroom, following Mordán.

As he sprinted for Malik's classroom, the ship above the temple sent another pulsating wave. Gyan stopped his pursuit and looked up. He started as he saw the stone roof beneath Tarak and Aderes crack and break off in chunks.

Aderes yelled as he fell off the roof with large pieces of temple stone.

A large gray hand suddenly reached out from above Aderes and caught Aderes's arm. Aderes's fearful expression turned to surprise as his gray eyes met Tarak's green. Tarak groaned in pain from the strain of his muscles as he held Aderes by the arm. Holding Aderes's wrist with one hand, he tightened his other grip on a part of the temple that was still intact. Stone debris fell around them.

Tarak yelled as he swung Aderes out and tossed him high into the air to a part of the roof that was still stable. As Aderes landed safely, the side of the temple supporting Tarak's weight collapsed, and Tarak disappeared beneath the falling debris.

"Tarak!" Gyan shouted. He ran in Tarak's direction to cast a shield but stopped short as Tarak, surrounded by blue-white light, somersaulted out of the falling debris, teleporting to a grassy part of the temple courtyard.

He grinned at Gyan and jumped to his feet.

Gyan gave him a nod in relief before sprinting across the remaining distance of the courtyard and down the steps to Malik's classroom. Eyes alight; Gyan kicked Malik's old wooden door open with his foot.

Mordán was swiftly crossing the classroom, knocking books off Malik's tables and bending over to inspect other books stored on lower shelves. He turned and extended his arm, his palm facing Gyan.

"Do not step any closer, light warrior, or you will regret it," he said, unalarmed.

"Who are you? What are you doing here?"

"It's not your concern." Mordán continued his search of the classroom, ignoring Gyan.

What does he want?Gyan immediately thought of the Libranand glanced at the large table in front of Mordán.

The book was gone.

Gyan swiftly moved further into the room but Mordán was ready. He sent a jet of fire directly out of his hand in Gyan's direction.

Gyan's eyes widened in shock. He dove forward across the floor to avoid the flames. The shelves along the north wall lit up behind him in a blaze.

Jalena's voice reached his mind. Where are you, Gyan?

Malik's classroom. Gyan coughed hard as he breathed in a wave of smoke.

Jalena gasped. The whole east side is about to cave in!

Gather now to form the Lumfáinne, Syam commanded the warriors again. Jalena, where are you going? Come back—the circle!

Inside the classroom, Mordán swiftly strode across the room and turned back to Gyan as he reached the door. Just as Gyan jumped to his feet, Mordán stretched both arms and sent blasts of fire down opposite sides of the room. The streams of fire met at the back of the room, and the remaining shelves exploded.

The force of the explosion sent Gyan flying off his feet. His breath caught as his back slammed into one of Malik's large tables. Gyan ducked as Mordán sent another blast at the table that formerly held the Libran and then disappeared out the door.

A large and heavy invisible object slammed into his chest followed by pieces of the exploding table. His shield faltered as he gasped and dropped his arms. He felt the edge of the Libran resting against him and realized that Malik must have placed a protective spell on it. Gyan attempted to push himself up as the room swayed before him.

Not again. He willed himself not to pass out.

He held the Librantightly to his chest, trying to concentrate on any other place but the flaming classroom so he could teleport. Gyan's senses immediately sharpened. He turned a widened gaze to the ceiling as he heard an explosion above him.

He instinctively created a shield of light around himself as flames engulfed him and Jalena suddenly appeared within his shield. She yanked him to her with surprising strength. Gyan felt as if his energy was being pulled from him as he and Jalena disappeared from the classroom seconds before the rest of the east wing caved in on Malik's burning classroom.

Gyan's feet hit soft grass as the large black ship above the temple sped away. He dropped the Libranand fell to his knees. His vision blurred.

No, Gyan…up you come.Jalena's seemingly distant voice entered his mind.

Gyan faintly noticed the line of warriors on either side of them beginning to form the Lumfáinne around the temple.

Jalena stretched out her hands to the side, palms facing outward. She lowered one of her arms down to him as her eyes filled with light. Take my hand.

Gyan reached up with effort and grasped Jalena's outstretched hand. He gasped as his lungs immediately filled with her shared energy, feeling his light return.

Now focus, Jalena said, the blue-white light in her eyes blinding as she gazed at him. The way you did in the Tritum the first time.

Gyan stood and extended his arms out wide to his sides. He felt more alive than ever before as the energy from all the warriors passed between them and peaked in intensity around the circle. The familiar sensation of heat welled inside of him before the light barrier surrounding the temple ignited.

Syam's voice entered Gyan's mind. Now, this time do not release the energy fully, although you will desire to…otherwise, we could destroy the city. Release a small amount and absorb the rest.

With extreme difficulty, Gyan forced himself to focus on releasing a controlled amount of light from his body. The familiar cooling effect overtook him as the energy of the circle expanded outward. As Gyan observed the effects of the Lumfáinne, he saw the edge of the bright ring of light stretching beyond the temple. The projected light was fierce but did not reach beyond the grounds due to the warriors' control.

The last of the Vaznaun ran screaming from the temple as they tried ineffectively to outrun the light.

Unlike in the Tritum, after releasing the circle, Gyan remained conscious though he felt dizzy and slightly nauseous. He dropped to one knee on the damp grass as the last of the Lumfáinne light faded from sight.

From the corner of his eye, Gyan saw Eclipse bound over some of the remaining temple rubble to him. He laughed weakly as Eclipse's large tongue licked his face. "Good to see you too, Eclipse." He turned to search for Jalena, who was now next to Syam. Relief flooded through him at seeing her unharmed. Suddenly remembering the Libran, Gyan began feeling around the wet grass to find the book.

Jalena approached him with a smile. "Searching for your sanity?"

Gyan smiled. "Daily."

She chuckled.

"Just the Libran," he said as he felt one edge of the book, "Here." He picked up the invisible book from the ground and held it up.

Jalena reached down to grab it. "Tell me that isn't what you went into Malik's classroom for?"

"No. It was to follow a man. I think it was Mordán—black hair…arrogant."

"That's him."

"Are the elder masters sure Mordán isn't some kind of wizard?"

"Yes, why?"

"Then I don't know if it was him in the classroom. This guy was shooting fire out his hands."

"Are you sure?" Jalena said with a skeptical look. "I'm not certain it was Mordán then."

Gyan shrugged. "Well whoever it was, I think he was after the Libran," Gyan said. He looked around at the temple ruins and sighed. "It was the only thing that was saved."

"No," said Jalena quietly, "not the only thing, and certainly not the only thing that matters."

"Jalena." Gyan's throat swelled as she bent down next to him. "I feel like I am supposed to be protecting you rather than the other way around."

"You may one day. That is, if you can learn how to stay alive long enough to teleport away from danger." She smiled.

"Probability for that is low, I think. It would mean I would have to focus on something other than you and that…is impossible." He grinned.

She laughed lightly as she extended her hand to help him up. "More trouble than you're worth, you are."

He bit back his desire to tell her that she was worth all the trouble in the world. "Makes two of us then."