ROTU: Chapter Fourteen

Elsaria

The bright light around Affera dimmed as she appeared before the elder masters and master instructors at the Ira Aug Order headquarters. The Mark of the Priestesses on her forehead shimmered in gold, matching the light circling within her eyes.

"You must not directly interfere in this mission until the appropriate time," she reminded the Council after hearing their protests of the delay. "The request to send the young masters to join Master Shamira and Master Jalena on Galinia cannot be approved at this time."

"There has been no news of progress on Galinia," Syam said, "and the transmissions the Inala have intercepted from the Vorclán have not been of good status other than that the crew is safe. Sir Sade has reported that Master Shamira has abandoned the mission and no updates have been granted regarding activity on the surface about my daughter—" Syam cleared his throat "—Master Jalena, for several months.

"It was the Order's last resort to summon you, Affera. Although your daughter is on Galinia as mine, you have additional insight that we do not regarding what has transpired on the surface of the planet."

"I will freely offer you all the information I can, Elder Master," Affera said, "but, you must not forget about the synchronicity that occurs within aligned desire, for more than one mission is being accomplished through the destiny of the warriors. Many events beyond their personal well-being in the lower and higher vibrational dominions are bound to their progression. I can reassure you that the warriors are under close watch by the Federation of the Mil Seikia Star System and well protected by the planet's energy, so they are not alone."

"Something detrimental must have occurred if someone of Master Shamira's skill has abandoned the mission," Zenobia stated. "If her resolve has failed, how can the mission possibly continue successfully?"

"The issue of concern is that Master Shamira was overtaken by the Illuse Spell that is continuous on the surface of Galinia. Years on Galinia are equivalent to only months to Elsarians as Lunara told you.

"Without notable progress, Master Shamira became lost. After she left the warriors' established headquarters, she returned to the southern countries and used her powers to rescue several unprepared sea divers. Although one occurrence did not bring attention, she began repeatedly using her power to save others, dismissing the danger Lunara had previously warned her of. This is when the Cinak found her.

"They have not killed her or taken her underground as they would have normally," Affera added quickly when Faelán leaned forward in alarm. "But, they have suppressed her power by slipping substances into her food and drink. She now believes herself to be human and is living as such. Drasúl is currently using her as bait—observing her to see if Master Jalena will come to her. He knows Master Jalena is on Galinia, but he does not yet know where."

"How is this not cause for alarm?" Faelán asked. "If the warriors forget who they are, the mission is doomed to fail."

"A warrior, no matter how buried they become, cannot entirely forget who they are," Affera reassured, "especially a light warrior. The notion that they are something more or that there is something missing in their life will plague them until they break free of their binds. Circumstances are in motion to ensure that the warriors stay true to path no matter what the current state appears to be."

"What of Master Jalena?" Asia asked.

"There are guardians connected to Malik that have been placed in her path to offer her support. She has taken a much-needed break from scouting the Conduits and has resorted to living among the humans for now. Her power is also dormant, as directed by her unconscious, but she remains in a healthy state.

"Forgetting the mission until events are aligned enough to proceed forward is what is best for the warriors at this time. The lapse in memory will not be without reward. In fact, by suppressing Master Shamira's powers, Drasúl unknowingly has set in motion a pressurized effect within her that only grows and that his allies will surely regret later. These circumstances do not lead outside of a sequence of synchronicity as there are appropriate circumstances that must come into alignment now to ensure Drasúl's defeat. There is a heightened probability that he will discover a way to surpass the level of power that he maintained while on Elsaria.

"Due to the unfolding of events we are making certain that other goals are being met in regard to the lives of all the master warriors. The qualities the master team acquired when they emerged from the Realm of Illuse and their unified focus will be needed in the end. Trust that all events that have transpired here on Elsaria are connected to the evolution of the light warriors and their involvement in more than just one star system."

Affera's eyes lit up brightly as the gold light from her forehead expanded to outline her form. "I will be unavailable from now until the time Master Jalena reawakens, for I am fully focusing my energy on Galinia to oversee events on the surface where she is concerned. It is critical that she see this mission through. Although chances for Master Shamira to reawaken when she is removed from the influence of the Cinak remain high, it will take an emotional trigger for Master Jalena's power to surface, because she has blocked her memory until she heals completely."

Syam's forehead wrinkled in concern.

"Look to the skies," Affera continued encouragingly. "When the next Aléise arrives, that will be the time to send your warriors into Mil Seikia. Do not attempt to predict the time, for it will appear in an irregular cycle. It will be a sign from the Priestesses permitting you to enter the Hidden Realms." She held up one hand in farewell as she met Syam's gaze. "Do not let your heart be troubled, Elder Master, for the queen of the warriors has the resilience of her father and Master Gyan within her. With such resolve blended with the power of her core, she will see through the circumstances that attempt to bury her."

Those in the meeting stood and bowed to Affera.

"The blessings of the Priestesses abide with you," Affera said. She slowly disappeared from their sight into an aura of gold light.

Seven master warriors followed closely by Kesól rushed into the room as soon as Affera disappeared.

"I apologize for our delay," Kesól stated. "We just received word of Affera's appearance."

"You just missed her," said Syam.

"What did she say?" Brogan asked eagerly after each in the group gave a quick bow. "Are we free to go to Galinia?"

"I'm sorry, Master Brogan, but not yet," Syam responded. "There have been some unexpected delays."

Cahira relayed the updates that Affera had shared.

"To forget completely that you are a warrior," Hoshi said. "I can't even imagine how that would be."

"I can," said Tarak.

"The Illuse Spell must be amazingly strong on Galinia for warriors at their level to even begin to forget," said Hoshi.

"Since there hasn't been the progress that we thought would happen, maybe it is better for them to forget so their stress is lessened," stated Danika. "I don't want to think about what Master Jalena is going through, especially after Master Shamira left."

"Affera said it would take an emotional trigger for Master Jalena to awaken, right?" asked Jarek. "What force could be that strong if she has voluntarily buried herself?"

"Love," Valora said.

Jarek scowled. "With a surface walker?"

Lorcan laughed as Hoshi shoved Jarek in the shoulder. "It doesn't matter with who, Jarek!"

"I dunno," he shrugged. "Just sounds weird."

"I didn't mean romantic love necessarily," replied Valora. "I don't really think Master Jalena is interested in that since..." her voice faded. She cleared her throat "…Well, I just mean love and support from the people around her, especially since she buried her memories after her best friend left. I'm sure she felt abandoned."

"Affera says that Malik is overseeing her care, so that makes me feel a little better," said Hoshi.

"But, does sheknow that?" voiced Brogan as he crossed his arms. "What matters is how she feels. I still don't like leaving her there alone."

"I understand, Master Brogan," Syam said, "but the Federation won't allow transport into the Hidden Realms until the time is right."

"Then, let's hope time moves quickly relative to their situation and the next Aléise appears soon," Kesól said.

"Yes, let's hope," agreed Brogan. "Or we may just have to go rogue and break through the barriers the Federation has set in place to find our girl before Drasúl does."

***