ROTU: Chapter Fifty-Six

The celebration in Asteria lasted over a week, starting with a formal ceremony honoring all the warriors who helped to end the war with Drasúl and to pay respects to those who had sacrificed their lives in the war.

The Conduits wore new robes of gradient blue and green. As they were gifted a white jewel-encrusted staff by the Glisayas, a Tree of Life gold marking took form on the back of the Conduit robes.

The light warriors stood at the front of the crowd in their golden robes, applauding the Conduits along with the rest of the crowd. Many gifts were given to the master warrior team from the variety of species in attendance. Among the gifts given, Elindrel presented Jalena with the sacred star amulet of the fairies embedded in a jeweled browband, an amulet pendant housing a prized amber crystal from the Lumaña elders, and one of the dragon's most treasured emeralds set within a band for her forearm. The Lumaña presented each of the master team with a jeweled staff that granted them access to the Inner Realms and amulet pendants matching Jalena's.

Lyons's eyes widened in surprise from his wheelchair in the crowd as he was wheeled to the front of the crowd and awarded gifts of his own for his loyalty and assistance to the Federation.

Kesól shook his head in disbelief as Gyan bowed to him from his place on the stage during the ceremony. Tears dropped as he smiled and embraced his old Shanlo student after the formal events ended.

"I apologize for leaving in the manner I did, Sir Kesól. I meant no disrespect to your guidance. Aside from Sir Malik, and I may be biased, but you are the greatest teacher I've ever known," Gyan said. "Thank you for the path you provided me. Your teachings helped surface my true form."

"I am the one honored," Kesól replied. "You will now be considered the prototype to teach others how to ignite the alchemic process necessary for shapeshifting from one dimension to another."

Gyan nodded. "Gladly. Although, it may be easier if we chain students up and then trigger the ability through beatings," he teased.

Kesol crossed his arms and put his hand on his chin in thought. "Hmmm… I think we can come up with another way."

Gyan laughed as he put a hand on Kesól's shoulder. "We'll practice, as usual, until we get the method down, then," he said as the two made their way toward the endless tables of food prepared for the celebration.

The masters participated in party events alongside the crowd without pause. When they took a much-needed break from mass attention, they gathered at their favorite hill above the city near the waterfalls to watch the festivities in the valley below.

"Although we can feel the location where all of us are at any time now, I love it that all of us are together again physically," Danika said as she laced her fingers through Tarak's.

The rest of the team murmured their agreements.

"So, I was thinking, Tarak," Lorcan pondered aloud. "There were only three keys to enter the Hidden Realms, so, how did you guys get through to help us?"

"The keys were created by the High Priestesses through sound at the Three Songs long ago. After summoning them to a meeting and hearing our requests to assist, and with the added permission of the Federation, they decided to make a fourth."

"I love the synchronicity that has happened with all of this," Lorcan replied. "You all arrived right on time as well as Gyan awakening."

Gyan nudged him and threw an arm around his shoulder.

Lorcan leaned his head over to touch Gyan's.

The following day, Gyan spent time alone with Sean to address his lingering questions about the events that had transpired while Jalena checked on a recovering Lyons.

"The Lumañastold me that I may not be able to walk again even though I'm in the place for the best medical care," Lyons said from where he rested in his bed. "They said the rest of my healing is up to me—something to do with changing my conditioned mind." He shrugged. "No clue what they mean, but good thing my genius mind wasn't damaged," he added with a smile that did not reach his eyes. He shook his head. "Fucking Damien."

"The healers mean that you can expand your healing when you clear up the belief within that genius mind of yours that prevents it."

"That helps clear up my confusion," Lyons replied sarcastically.

Jalena smiled. "We can speed things up though. I think you are way too valuable to the Federation to remain debilitated, Lyons. Besides that, you are one of my team." She leaned in and raised an eyebrow. "Did you think I would disregard how much you have helped me?" She gave him an amused look and held out her hand. "Walk with me. There's a party calling your name."

He looked at her questioningly.

"Come on," she encouraged as the gold halo within her eyes started to swirl and glow as white light spread across her palm. "I know how much you love parties. Besides, I want to see more of those dance moves of yours."

He stretched out his hand hesitantly. "Won't your power burn me up since it's a different frequency?"

"Not this time. I can alter it to heal any need. I've been upgraded or leveled up, as Jarek would say." Her expression softened. "Lyons, you are the first human I have ever met—the first that helped me. Now, it is my turn to help you. I will do anything I can for someone who is on my team. We would not have succeeded had it not been for you." White light spilled from her gaze.

He grabbed her hand tightly as his eyes filled with tears.

Light extended through Jalena's hand and into Lyons's body.

He sighed as heat spread down his spine and the feeling returned to his legs. He smiled as he stood hesitantly. As soon as he steadied himself, he swooped Jalena up into a tight hug.

"Now you have another reason to celebrate," she said softly. "A party would not be complete without you."

Jalena smiled as Lyons bolted from the room shouting. "I'm healed and can't be killed! I'm healed and can't be killed!"

The surrounding caretakers laughed and shook their heads, bowing to Jalena for her generosity and kindness as she exited the facility.

Jalena had one more task on her list to check off in Asteria before the team returned to Elsaria the next day. As Gyan and the others continued to mingle off and on with the crowd, she discreetly entered the cells where Ralian was imprisoned.

He slowly turned around to face her as she appeared before his cell.

"Do you remember the last words I spoke to you?" she asked quietly.

"You told me that if you ever faced me again you would drain my energy until I exhaled my last dark breath." He smiled at the surprised look on Jalena's face. "I remember everything that is worth remembering, especially from a warrior of heart. In fact, I have been looking forward to you keeping your promise. It's unfortunate that we had to be on opposing sides for this war."

"Why do you wish to die, Ralian?"

"I would rather die than have to remain in a place that reminds me of the betrayal I endured."

"I did not betray you as a warrior making decisions with the well-being of his people in mind, Ralian-ka," Tau said as he stepped out of the shadows, "but I will take the blame for betraying you as your brother and leaving you when you were in need. I did not fully understand at the time why you took the path you did. However, my heart has carried sorrow since the day I allowed the Priestesses to banish you."

Ralian looked as if Tau had knocked the breath out of him. Sadness filled his gaze. He met his brother's stare. "After all this time…" he whispered, "…Thank you, Tau-ka."

He gave Jalena a nod. "I am ready."

Tau cried out as Jalena reached through the cell bars.

Rather than the blade of light Ralian expected to pierce him through, Jalena placed a glowing white hand over his heart as the gold in her eyes brightened and white light filled her sight. She held Ralian steady before her with her other hand as the light enveloped his being.

His eyes closed as he fell unconscious.

Jalena helped guide Ralian's body to the ground. She looked at Tau with a tender gaze. "I did not kill him, Tau-ka," she said. "I merely took away his pain. He no longer carries vengeance in his heart. He will remember what has occurred and the lesson of it, but he will feel the betrayal no longer."

She bowed to him. "Having your brother as he once was is my parting gift to you."

Tau dropped his staff, grabbed Jalena in a tight embrace, and wept.