ROTU: Chapter Fifty-One

The Earth tremored violently beneath Sitara's feet as she approached the base of El Castillo. She glanced back to see her Lumaña and Stelarion comrades nodding to her encouragingly but stopped short as Avehkal warriors appeared on the steps above her.

Their pointed gold teeth shone as they smiled menacingly and jumped down the steps of the pyramid. Sitara maneuvered out of their grasp as best she could, using her blades to keep them away as more warriors swarmed the top of the pyramid. The Lumaña and Stelarion warriors bolted up the steps to assist but became lost in the sea of their enemies.

Sitara's fallen expression quickly lifted as her gaze was drawn to the top of the pyramid where Shakou stood, his eyes alight with a turquoise glow. The combined aura of the dragons pulsed widely around him. A large number of Shaolin monks and other warriors skilled in the eastern fighting arts appeared at his side.

Sitara breathed a sigh of relief and continued up the steps of the shaking pyramid as fast as she could while Shakou and his team met her attackers head-on.

***

Drisana's grip slipped as the earth shook Mount Kailash. She gasped and threw herself against the side as loose ice-crested rocks fell from above her. She glanced below her at the monks and warriors fighting to keep the Avehkal from attacking her, secretly thankful that she didn't have to fight them off and try to climb at the same time. The light from the Stelarion's staff flashed as they encountered their enemies, leaving Drisana to light the path along the mountain with just the flashlight around her forehead. She turned it to the brightest setting and continued to move as fast as possible along her path. The ground shook harder and her grip on the snow-covered rocks loosened. She sighed in exasperation but grasped her ice ax tightly and stood. With a frustrated grunt, she continued her climb.

***

Colorful light shot through space as the battle outside the confines of Earth continued.

"We'll never get into our position in time if we can't lose these guys," Lorcan said as he maneuvered his ship away from the enemy.

"It's almost time," said Valora. "I can feel it."

"We could sure use Gyan's shield right now around these ships," Hoshi said as her ship rumbled from an incoming blast. "I'm not sure the ones we have can take much more."

"We can't delay any—" Brogan stopped short as an incoming fleet of unrecognizable ships flew at the warriors and their Lumaña allies from a distance.

"The portals have opened!" Lorcan exclaimed in alarm as he watched the swarms of enemies get closer. "The Naztak are here!"

"Open your Reserve and go now!" Valora said as she doubled the speed of her ship. The light in the cockpit of her ship brightened as she opened her Reserve. The ship's communication system crackled and shifted to static as she raced out of range.

***

"Your shield will not hold over your allies for very long," Drasúl said as he advanced on Jalena again. "I know it is the weakest point of your power. I can feel it. You can't split your focus between protecting your comrades and fighting me at full force. You know this, but you will still try. See," he smiled, "that's why the hero generally dies in the end despite what hero-worshipers wish. Care for others will always keep you at a lower level."

The quaking of the Earth heightened.

"Ah, look, the portals have opened right on time. By morning, Earth will be overrun completely, and her lands will darken even more. You are out of time, Light Queen."

Jalena ignored Drasúl and called out to Tau. "Open a portal to somewhere safe!" she said as he warded off another attack from the last Dark Magi.

Tau shook his head. "We will not leave you, Jalena-ka. Just focus on your task."

The thorn and leaf vines on Jalena's face brightened as she turned and lifted her hands to Tau and the others. Blocks of dirt and stone formed a hard dome around them as she manipulated the surrounding Earth using Brogan's charisma.

"This will buy you some time to rest, at least," she said.

Jalena knew Drasúl was right. She had to focus fully on her battle with him if she was to defeat him.

Ralian's ship dropped over the dome and joined the Dark Magi in firing repeatedly at Jalena's shelter.

Jalena felt the combined powers moving through her heighten more as she turned to face Drasúl fully.

"So, it comes to this, Jalena. We are at the edge of it all. That means it is the right time to bring you my last parting gift. It's sure to destroy you so there may be no need for me to finish the job while I rip him apart before your eyes."

***

Kaelon's head jerked to the side as an Avehkal hit him across the face again. He slumped against his chains, the painful throb in his body continuing to heighten. He shook his head to try to maintain consciousness. He knew he had to think of something, or they were all dead. He breathed a quick sigh of relief when another Avehkal gestured to speak to their attacker. As the Avehkal left the area, Kaelon frantically scanned the area for a way to escape.

Sean spit blood on the ground and yanked hard against his chains. "Help!" he called out. "Aliens are attacking! Aliens!"

"Shut up," Kaelon whispered. "I'm trying to think."

"Thinking is not going to get us anywhere." He glanced at Lyons, who was unconscious again. "I'm not kidding, Kaelon. This guy doesn't look good. I think he is barely breathing."

"What is it?" Kaelon told himself. "What is missing? Synchronicity has to occur when things align…It's all entangled, just depends on the focus…"

"Are you goin' crazy?" Sean said as he raised his eyebrows. "Oh geez, we're goin' to die. They hit you too many times… This is not a good time to be talking about quantum theories, man."

"I can't help it. My mind is racing with information for some reason. I need to teleport."

"What's wrong with you, man?" Sean shouted. "You can't teleport! Oh God...."

Sean's voice faded as Kaelon's internal voice grew louder. Information raced through him with a force that surpassed the pain in his body.

"There is always more than one reality…" he mumbled. "superposition…collapse the focus to where I want to be. She said to think about my truth. What is my truth? Show me!" he shouted as he jerked his head back.

***

As Jalena's dirt shield crumbled away from the repeated external attacks, a wall of white light appeared at the top of the Great Sphinx. A glowing ship swirled in blue and white light as it took form and launched straight for Ralian.

Jalena smiled to herself as she sensed Shamira's energy return. There you are, she said as she kept her eyes on Drasúl. Enjoy your vacation?

Best one I've had since Costa Rica.

Jalena internally chuckled, relieved to see her friend embracing her heightened power again.

Shamira maneuvered the ship over the rest of the team and fired rays at more enemy ships that arrived in the area. The remaining Avehkal soon raced away from those on the ground after several of their ships exploded in midair.

I have some flying to catch up on, Shamira told Jalena as she chased the Avehkal. I will see you soon, sister.

Shamira increased her speed, outmaneuvering all the ships before her ship moved faster than the Avehkal instruments could predict. Elation rose within her as she was once again doing what she was born to do. Each in her path plummeted to the ground or exploded, unable to defend against her ship's light.

Ralian's ship suddenly dove toward the ground and slid to a stop as Shamira's attack immobilized his engine. He slumped in his seat, unconscious.

The last Avehkal ship exploded in the air as an intuitive warning spread through Shamira.

Aeilah.

Her glowing ship disappeared with a resounding boom as she flew toward the Bermuda Triangle.

Shamira arrived to see Aeilah's ship surrounded by the enemy, blocking its path over the sea. Her repeated fire reached the back and one edge of the fleet, creating a gap for Aeilah to escape. Her pilot directed the ship forward once more.

Thank you, Master Shamira, Aeilah said in relief.

You're welcome, kid, but it's not over, replied Shamira. You have more on your route.

Shamira flew past, taking out as many as possible, but failed to protect Aeilah's ship from taking a hit on its left side.

Aeilah! Shamira cried out as her ship dove toward the waters below.

A Stelarion on board created a nearby portal as Aeilah made her way with difficulty to the door of the ship. The door swung out wide and spiraled through the air as the winds ripped it away. A green and gold glow aura spread wide around Aeilah as her eyes lit with a green light.

It's okay, I can enter here.

Shamira watched with alarmed concern as Aeilah jumped from the ship just before it fell through a portal and away from enemy fire.

Aeilah pointed her staff at the water as she dove, its green glow spreading and reflecting off the sea's surface. A bubble of glowing white light spread across the surface of the water, surrounding her as a large class of dolphins appeared.

Shamira smiled and shook her head in amazement as Aeilah's green light split the water below her. The Conduit along with the dolphins disappeared beneath the sea as Shamira whipped her ship around to face the remaining enemy ships. Her eyes spilled over with light as she grinned. First, all of you, then back to Peru.

***

Aeilah's surroundings darkened as her staff continued to carve a path below the ocean's bed. She dropped like a rocket through the tunnels beneath its floor. She turned so that her feet were beneath her as she sensed her destination below. She used the glow of her staff to slow her descent and landed softly on an enormous quartz crystal that led to the inside of a deep cavern housing the largest crystals on the planet.

She knew the caverns extended through the planet and that they served as energy amplifiers. Her role was to activate the expansion of light so that it reached the surface easily with the boost from the quartz.

She spoke the spell Elindrel had given her to protect herself from the heated temperature in the tunnels. She looked around in alarm as she heard screeches nearby. It was the Vok that Elindrel had warned her about.

"Come on, Jalena," she whispered. "It's time."

***

You have to go, Jarek! Lorcan yelled as his ship shook from another Avehkal blast. They are almost here!

They are all over you, replied Jarek. I'm not going anywhere!

The whole planet is not worth risking for you to stay here and help me! Get into position!

Come into my ship! Jarek said. His eyes widened as Lorcan's ship disappeared behind more Avehkal. Now!

He suddenly flinched as Lorcan's ship exploded.

Lorcan! Jarek froze. He whipped his head to the side, anticipating Lorcan to reappear. His face fell when his ship remained empty.

Don't lose focus, Jarek, and don't do anything stupid! warned Hoshi, her voice cracking. She fired at the Avehkal's ship on Jarek's tail.

Jarek jerked his ship around to face the Avehkal and fired as fury rang through him.

Dang, Jarek. That's some good shooting. Just don't shoot at me!

Jarek bowed his head in relief at hearing Lorcan's voice. Next time, don't take so long to say you are alive!

I was fighting an Avehkal! He stabbed me because I stole his ship.

Heal yourself already!

Lorcan looked down at the bleeding wound in his left shoulder. The light in his eyes brightened. Working on it.

Where are you?

I'm in the ship to your right—teleported at the last minute. I'm in disguise now in an enemy ship, so they will leave me alone, but you and Hoshi have to go! Everybody else has taken off. I'll pretend I am chasing you until you're out of my range.

Jarek smiled as he opened his Reserve. Genius.

As Naztak ships swarmed the area, Jarek and Hoshi raced away with Lorcan on their tail.

Come on, Jalena! Brogan said a few minutes later as he watched the Naztak rapidly approaching. Does everyone have their Reserve open? I need to hear you.

Keep the connection! Valora said. Talk to me.

I'm with you, said Lorcan.

Here, Jarek said.

Right here, sister, Brogan responded.

Same, Hoshi said.

I'm in position, but my shield is faltering, said Danika.

Mine isn't going to last, either! Jarek said.

That's why we're here, a voice sounded through the panel of Jarek's ship.

"Sade!"

"On your right, Master Jarek."

Jarek's smile grew as Sade saluted him through the cockpit window. "Sorry for the delay. Sir Fane had to figure out the Lumaña's ship frequency so we could communicate. He is amplifying it so it reaches the others."

"I love you, man!" Jarek exclaimed. It's Sade! He told the others.

On your left, Master Brogan, Kesól grinned as he appeared at Brogan's side.

Sir Kesól! Brogan exclaimed with relief.

I am with you, Jabari said as he opened his Reserve and blasted the enemies chasing Hoshi.

Lorcan and Hoshi shouted in joy.

Hoshi smiled as more Order ships flew past her. Thankful to hear your voice, Master Jabari.

"Can everyone hear me?" Sade's voice came through the control panel on each of the ships.

"Yes!" the warriors said in unison.

"Can you get these guys off us?" said Valora.

"Anything for you, Valora," Sade replied.

Jarek rolled his eyes at Sade as Sade smiled and flew out of sight.

"Happy to know that these are not my ships about to get blown up," Fane said as he and Sade closed in on the ships chasing Valora.

"Sir Fane, too?" Brogan said. "Does that mean—?"

"That the rest of your allies have also arrived, Master Brogan," Aeolus stated from the command center of his large ship. "You've got the Order's pilots, along with the Alpherians and Mandopa, intercepting the Naztak as we speak."

The surrounding darkness lit up even more as allied ships appeared, swarmed the enemy, and fired. The entire master team cheered as their entire fleet came into sight.

"Just don't shoot at me!" Lorcan reminded his team as he dodged an attack. "I'm the ship with the glowing pilot!"

"What are you doing in an enemy ship?" Sade asked.

"Someone blew mine up, so I commandeered another," Lorcan said casually.

Sade laughed. "I'll let the others know."

I've been hit, and more are coming! Danika shouted. She tried to steady the ship as it shook and started to spin out of control.

Danika! Lorcan shouted. She's out of my range!

Come on, Danika…Talk to us! Valora said after several seconds passed.

Dani! Brogan yelled. "Does anyone have a visual?" he asked the other pilots.

The Alpherian fighters swarmed the Avehkal and Naztak around Danika, clearing a path to her.

"I think she's unconscious," a pilot informed the team.

An Order ship suddenly flashed past the others and out of sight.

It dove for Danika's ship, which was spinning rapidly off course. Her ship slowed to a stop and hovered in midair as the Order ship slowly drifted near her.

The Alpherian fighters nearby continued to take out the nearby enemy ships.

I have Danika, a deep voice said.

Tarak? Brogan questioned.

Tarak! Valora smiled. You have finally remembered!

Sorry for the delay, he replied. He stood, with one hand still extended towards Danika's ship to hold it steady and put his ship on auto-pilot as he radioed the rest of the crew. "Anyone nearby can come get this ship. I am going to Danika's to wake her." He opened his Reserve.

This is the craziest day of my life! Jarek shouted.

Danika's ship is intact, but she is unconscious, Tarak explained.

That isn't our only problem, Valora said. Whoever isn't a light warrior has to get out of the range of the Earth's shield, or they may be caught up in the energy blast.

Maybe Jalena can use her queen power and alter the Earth's shield so it doesn't hurt any of our allies.

Not sure that's possible, Jarek, Valora replied. Gyan's charisma has weakened within her, but we can hope.

"How strong are the shields on your ship, Sir Fane? Lord Aeolus?" asked Brogan.

"Strong, but it's unlikely that our ships will hold if they encounter the Earth's core energy," Fane replied. "We aren't sure of the intensity or the frequency. We knew that upon coming here," he added as the masters met his statement with silence. "It's a risk we chose to take."

"As soon as the Earth's shield is launched, you guys speed as fast as you can out of here beyond our ring!" Valora said. "Promise me, Sade!"

"As I said," Sade replied softly. "Anything..."

"There has to be a way," Jarek said with conviction.

"Let's go, Jalena! Come on, Gyan!" he shouted into the darkness before him. "Remember who you are and bring it forth!"

***