TCO: Chapter Thirty-Two

"Gyan," a soft voice said in his ear. A blurry shadow appeared before Gyan's eyes then faded into darkness again.

Several seconds later, blue and white light pushed through Gyan's mind, and he jerked awake, his surroundings coming into focus. He tried to push himself up on his elbows but felt a strong hand on his chest to slow him. He began to cough fiercely.

"Easy now," said Jalena. She dropped her other hand from his temple where she had directed the light into his thoughts.

Gyan's memory of the last hour returned as he looked around hurriedly. The warriors were all outside in the alley behind the building. Some of the team were already awake. Covered in dirt and soot from the fire, they sat in silence with their backs against the building.

Elana, the woman who was at the vegetable stand in front of the building, was kneeling over Aderes, attempting to revive him. He stirred and sat up slowly.

Shamira was talking to Jarek, who was drenched in water and shaking from the cool air, but otherwise unharmed.

Malik was leaning over Danika, who was still unconscious. He muttered quietly with his hand outstretched over a bleeding cut on her forehead.

"Is she okay?" Gyan asked Jalena as he slowly stood and leaned against the building for support. He took several deep breaths.

"Yes, Malik is speeding her healing. It seems that she was hit in the head by something… most likely a rock fragment," replied Jalena.

As Gyan felt his awareness fully return, he noticed Syam speaking with a dark-haired man in a long black cloak. The man, who had his back to the warriors, nodded and turned to Elana. The gold thread and jewels on the hem of the man's cloak flashed as it reflected the lingering light from Elsaria's setting stars.

"You!" Gyan immediately set out across the alley toward Gyasi, looking murderous.

Gyasi turned.

"Gyan, no!" Jalena said, grabbing his arm and pulling him back.

Several of the warriors jumped to their feet at Gyan's outburst.

"Ah," Gyasi spoke calmly as he turned back to address Syam. "Perhaps it is time for introductions."

Syam nodded and stepped around Gyasi to face the warriors.

"There is no need for alarm. As you already know, this is Gyasi Tomé. However, he is not an enemy, but an ally who has agreed to assist the light warriors by designing a training facility. This…" Syam gestured to the building behind them, "…is his creation."

"Only my first attempt at creating a facility of this magnitude," Gyasi added. "It is still in need of more work, of course. However, I have a lead on new developments that all of you are sure to love."

Gyan looked back and forth from Syam to Gyasi in irritation. He didn't know whether to be angry with Syam for putting the team through the exercise, at Gyasi for fooling them, or at himself for being fooled.

Elana left Aderes's side and walked over to Gyasi. He put an arm around her as she smiled up at him. Watching them, Aderes's face reflected the same sour expression Gyan's had moments before.

"You have already met my daughter, Elana. Please accept our apology for the deception. It has been a normal practice for our family to help train warriors, ever since my father's ancestor first met Malik in the marketplace years ago. You may have heard of him. Omari Tomé?"

"Omari was the thief in the marketplace," said Gyan, recalling Sorda's story of the asceta and the warrior.

Gyasi nodded. "Our family has continued to assist the warriors in strengthening their skills and mental agility ever since." He looked down at his daughter. "And we hope to continue to do so in years to come."

Lorcan and Jarek scowled, clearly not over their irritation at having fire blasted at them just to strengthen their skills.

"Where is the giant man that attacked us?" Brogan asked.

"He has returned to his home in Solara. He was knocked unconscious by your counterattack but is otherwise unharmed. He name is Adventus. He is Pandian, which explains his enormous size. He is also a good friend of mine, having saved my life when attacked by some of Mordán's men while traveling here from the Mystic woodlands several years ago."

"Isn't that in the Kingdom of Eltia?" asked Aderes. "Thousands of miles east of here?"

"Yes." Gyasi nodded. "His people attempted to migrate this way after the dark plague spread throughout Eltia, but many died before reaching the edge of Feyla Forest. Of their kind, only he and his sister remained, until she died last year."

The rest of the warriors had risen to their feet. Gyan felt hungry and exhausted all at once.

"Time to return to the temple, I think," said Syam. He turned to address Gyasi and bowed. "Until next time, my friend."

Gyasi inclined his head before he and Elana turned down the alley in the opposite direction.

The warriors were sullen and quiet as they made their way through the dark alley. Syam led them straight to the dining hall, which had been kept open later than normal for them.

"I would suggest all of you eat and then rest. Sir Malik will discuss the recent events with you and address any questions you have, first thing tomorrow." Syam swept from the room, followed closely by Malik, Jalena, and Shamira.

Gyan didn't need to be told twice. He immediately walked toward the food, with the others following suit.

"What happened to you?" he asked Jarek.

"Fell into a large pool of water—hit my head on a rock," he said. "When I woke, I was beside the pool of water, so someone must have dragged me out. Apparently, there are caves beneath Solara that lead to the Ira Aug. The tunnels stretch from underneath the temple to the cliffs as well. I was searching for a way out when Jalena and Shamira found me and led me up a path directly into the basement of Gyasi's mansion."

The warriors ate for a short time in silence before they began discussing the recent events.

"I'm not so sure I like these deceptive training techniques," Lorcan spoke out grudgingly.

"Is there is a better way to prepare us?" said Brogan.

Lorcan shrugged.

Gyan, who was busy thinking of the recent events, had a vision of Tarak with his hands raised in the air toward a boulder. "Tarak, you made the boulder…"

"…move without touching it." Lorcan finished.

All the warriors turned to Tarak, who shrugged and kept eating.

"It's your charisma," Danika suggested.

"My what?" he asked as his eyebrows rose.

"It's a unique ability each light warrior has," stated Gyan. "I'm sure Malik will fill you in tomorrow."

"So, everyone's discovered their charisma then, right?" asked Hoshi.

"Not me," said Jarek. He shrugged. "Doesn't look like I have one."

"Impossible," said Valora.

"We can ask Gyasi or Sir Malik to simulate more danger for you until it appears," said Brogan, grinning widely.

The warriors laughed.

"I think I'll pass," Jarek replied.

"I don't think you should count yourself short yet, Jarek," said Hoshi. "Remember what Elder Master Syam said: your ability will appear at the right time. You know…synchronicity and all that."

Jarek smiled an empty smile in response to Hoshi's encouragement. "Sir Malik said that it's possible for a warrior not to have one."

"I don't think that's true for you, Jarek," said Valora matter-of-factly. "It's in your bloodline. Besides, with this group, anything short of the best just isn't possible, no matter what ability it is."

"I hear that," said Brogan, raising his glass.

"Hear, hear," the others said. They laughed, clinked their glasses together, and drained the rest of their water before returning to their rooms to end the day.