ROTU: Chapter Three

Earth

Up high in the Himalayan Mountains, the snow whipped in the wind around Drasúl as he overlooked the surrounding landscape. Ralian, hidden beneath layers of fur, approached him from behind.

"Why did we change our location to here?" Drasúl asked.

"Because my brother was getting close to discovering our last and this is isolated," responded Ralian. "The Avehkal do not prefer cold temperatures. These peaks also serve as the highest point away from my brother and his people. His spies will venture here only as a last resort." He eyed Drasúl's simple long black coat and lack of head cover.

"The Mysteis are unaffected by temperature, even on Earth," Drasúl said before Ralian could ask.

"Maybe not temperature, but there is still something affecting you," Ralian responded. "You are sweating in spite of the cold."

Drasúl scowled.

"Are you going to say what it is?"

"I am just restless. There is not much of a battle to prepare for since the humans will easily be overtaken."

Ralian raised an eyebrow. "It is not the humans you should prepare a defense against. It is my brother and the rest of the Lumaña. We must utilize this time to gather more of the lower vibrational forces as allies. I have called for a meeting with Cinak's leader, Konsule, tonight. After, we will begin our negotiations with the Drakéis.

"Given the size of the planet, the amount of domination you seek will take time, Drasúl, even with your power," he eyed Drasúl closely, "which does not seem to be serving you at the moment."

Drasúl's eyes flashed. "The potions your healers created for me are doing nothing. Perhaps they are deceiving me."

"Or perhaps the light warrior's blood that you carry within is more powerful than you originally believed."

Drasúl whipped around to face Ralian fully. "You have failed to deliver on your promises so far, Ralian. The size of the army you have at your command was four times larger than what you sent to Alsar. If you are playing more games with me, rest assured I will learn. You will find a way for me to rule the surface as you have promised, or I will join Tau's forces to ensure you meet your end."

Light flashed before Ralian as Drasúl teleported out of sight.

Drasúl reappeared within the confines of the Avehkal headquarters later that night to join the meeting with the Cinak. He scrutinized the Cinak with a scowl from where he stood in a shadowed corner of the room.

The Cinak's appearance was similar to that of an upright chupacabra. They wore no clothing over their black, furry skin. Their nature was restless as if they did not prefer to stand in one spot. Their pointed ears twitched, and their long tails swung as they stood before Ralian and the other Avehkal. Most in the room paced, fidgeted with their hands or swayed from side to side as their red eyes darted around the room, cautiously observing the Avehkal warriors. When they spoke, a low-pitched hum sounded beneath their words.

"What else is the Gold's wishes?" the largest of the Cinak asked after the group finalized their negotiations. "We do not tarry."

"Nothing at the moment, except for one," Ralian replied with a glance at Drasúl. "I want to know the location of the Lair of Darkone."

The entire Cinak party stopped moving. Their eyes widened. Some cowered and backed up against the furthest wall.

The Cinak standing before Ralian narrowed his eyes. "To seek the Lair is unwise."

"That is for us to decide, Konsule," Ralian responded in irritation. "If you know of the location, then reveal it."

Konsule's hesitation was only brief before he spoke. "The Lair rests within the shadowed marshes of the Sơn Đoòng. By normal means, it is not found. Only those with shadowed power may see, but its evil is felt by all who venture near."

Ralian gave Konsule a nod. "We will be in touch."

The Cinak moved quickly from sight, racing faster than the naked eye could see through the hidden tunnels within the mountain range.

"What was that about?" asked Drasúl.

"There may be another way that you can gather enough power to suppress the light warrior within you for good," Ralian explained, "but it will come at a price."

"I have already died, Ralian, and then returned to gain the rightful power that was stolen from me—once by Malik's interference and then again because of a light warrior's sacrifice. He sneered. "There is nothing that I fear to lose in exchange for more of what is due mine."

"It is said that Darkone was the Dark Magi who led those that hunted the Light Keys long ago. He has overcome many dark enemies to gain power over past centuries and remains one of the most powerful entities of the lower realms. He is presently without form. If the energy of Darkone encounters any who willingly seek to share some of his power and finds them capable of wielding it, he will grant them a portion. If he judges them unfit to carry his power, he will kill them for wasting his time."

"What is the price in exchange for his power?"

"No one knows for sure, only that there is one. What I do know is that you will have to find something that works in overtaking the light warrior's power within you, not because I believe you are incapable of facing the Lumaña with him fighting you from within, but because it is certain that she will come for you in the end. She will not leave a job unfinished that Malik set out to do, given what she sacrificed in the process. Her presence will pull the warrior to surface within you unless you suppress him for good."

"How do you know she will come?"

"Because I have faced her directly. Her energy is that of truth, which means she carries a force of honor within her that I have not seen in a warrior in a long time."

"You admire this."

"I simply know my enemy. No matter the length of time it takes, warriors as such will risk settling the score at the cost of their own life."

***