Kalupsia 2: The Gates

By Victory Low

Caught up in the midst of a growing conflict, one boy finds himself forced to face the questions of life, love and loyalty as friends, foes and family alike follow hope and duty into unknown lands...

The Expedition for Crystalgard has come this far and they’re not willing to back down now. They find an opportunity to use extreme measures – an opportunity that nobody wants to use, but they are desperate.

The Dreadlords and their Dread Knights stand in their way, refusing to allow them to reach the fabled city. Corizon has had enough of working from afar – the time has come to take matters into her own hands, and she enters the fray with a thirst for vengeance.

The Journey has been perilous, and already life on Kalupsia has been changed forever.

Things are about to get even more serious.

They are about to reach the Gates of Crystalgard.

Their Journey is about to end.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Victory Low
• Release date: Nov 17, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465824868

Victory Low

Loves martial arts, performing arts, anime, manga, sci-fi, fantasy, philosophy and theology.Really likes to think ahead.Doesn't believe in 'dumbing things down for kids'.Mixed Chinese and based in Malaysia, a land of many cultures and all that comes with multi-racial communities.Currently serving as Vice Principal in SCM, ordained Pastor of LRCM with a Master's in Ministry.

Book preview

Kalupsia 2: The Gates

Caught up in the midst of a growing conflict, one boy finds himself forced to face the questions of life, love and loyalty as friends, foes and family alike follow hope and duty into unknown lands…

The Expedition for Crystalgard has come this far and they’re not willing to back down now. They find an opportunity to use extreme measures – an opportunity that nobody wants to use, but they are desperate.

The Dreadlords and their Dread Knights stand in their way, refusing to allow them to reach the fabled city. Corizon has had enough of working from afar – the time has come to take matters into her own hands, and she enters the fray with a thirst for vengeance.

The Journey has been perilous, and already life on Kalupsia has been changed forever.

Things are about to get even more serious.

They are about to reach the Gates of Crystalgard.

Their Journey is about to end.

Kalupsia 2: The Gates

Victory Low

Copyright 2011 by Victory Low

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Contents

Prologue

Phase 27: Change

Interlude: Psuche

Phase 28: Discord

Interlude: Soul Swords

Phase 29: Chain

Interlude: Blight and Blight-spawn

Phase 30: Synopsis

Interlude: Occupations and Orders

Phase 31: Back

Interlude

Phase 32: Hear

Phase 33: Turning Point

Phase 34: Churning Point

Phase 35: Blurring Point

Phase 36: The Last Day

Phase 37: Until Sunrise

Phase 38: Sunrise

Phase 39: Breakfast

Phase 40: Skirmishes

Phase 41: Fury

Phase 42: Gentle Light

Phase 43: Words

Epilogue: Splinters (later that day)

Aftermath

Known Champions of the Migration on Kronos

1. Kyros Storm - Lord of Kronos, High Templar.

2. Seigetsu Storm Genius of Blades - Lord of Eon, High Marshall.

3. Mu Storm Dancing Wisp - Voice of Eon, High Paladin.

4. Seth Inquisitor Seth - High Inquisitor.

5. Nirita Sword of Wind - High Ranger.

6. Raine Runner Raine the Avenger - High Guardian.

7. Celtar Quake Fireheart Celtar - High Warden.

8. Winter Winter of the Four Seasons - Paladin.

9. Soran Autumn Brooks of the Four Seasons - Paladin.

10. Zerah Summer of the Four Seasons – Paladin.

11. Zoe Spring of the Four Seasons – Paladin.

12. Constance Fox Flying Fox – Paladin.

13. Roger Fox Black Fox – Paladin.

14. Serena Fox White Fox – Paladin.

15. Gary Fox Gray Fox – Paladin.

16. Garnet Fox Red Fox – Paladin.

17. Ben Fox Brown Fox – Paladin.

18. Lillian Fox Blue Fox - Senior Guardian.

19. Sabrina Leaf Ironheart Sabrina - Senior Guardian.

20. Cassandra Quake Cassandra the Lioness - Senior Guardian.

Prologue

On Kalupsia, there is a sermon that every Cleric memorizes from the very first day he or she joins the Order of Clerics. It goes like this;

We are forsaken.

Fear, keep us safe. Anger, keep us alive. Despair is death, for we are forsaken.

In fire and lightning, we were hurled down from heaven. The wrath of God banished us all to a life on a cursed world.

And here we were left, forever to contend with the endless Blight, ever to fight for our very survival against the Blight-spawn that Rises from the soil.

But one day, the Savior and her Angels came in their chariots of steel. They came in fire and lightning, just as we did.

She gave us Biotech, and the Sky Trees, and we found Sanctuary in the lands above the lands, and we built our cities far above the tainted ground of this forsaken world.

And then she left, promising that one day, the Day of Forgiveness would come, and we would be free at last of the Endless Blight.

Nobody remembers exactly how long ago this banishment took place, or when exactly the Savior and her angels came. Nobody even knows if it was they who gave Psuche to mankind as they had Biotech, or whether Psuche, also known as Life Force, was already a part of humankind and that perhaps people on Kalupsia were forming the mighty Soul Swords before they came. All that is known is that by the time Clerics were established firmly enough to begin a chronicling of history on Kalupsia, well… Psuche, the Sky Trees, the Sanctuaries, and Biotech itself had become part of everyday life.

The Day of Forgiveness has, by tradition, been regarded either as the end of the world, the day one dies and goes to a Land With Clean Soil, or as a third possibility, an actual day in the far future date that we may only hope we live to see.

In the meantime, the common man said, all we can do is try to live our best on the floating Sanctuaries, grow the Sky Trees as best we can, and fight the Dreadlords whenever they try to conquer the Migration.

The history of the Dreadlords are available to all, but not many care to find out more than that they are the enemy. Unlike the Blight-spawn that are the scourge of all humans on Kalupsia, the Dreadlords are humans – very powerful humans whose aims and goals have been long forgotten.

Ten years ago, the last war against the Dreadlords culminated in the destruction of their home Sanctuary and the striking down of the Sky Tree known as Era. In a decisive assault by over a hundred of the Migration’s strongest knights, Era was destroyed and the Dreadlords, old and young alike, were put to the sword. The Tree fell, and the Blight arose to claim the fallen Sanctuary.

Very few knights returned from that final battle. Nobody knows whether or not any Dreadlords survived, but as the years went past and every search for possible survivors turned up empty, everyone assumed them either extinct or fled from the Migration altogether… and living on the surface world was surely suicide.

One of the knights who returned from that battle was Kyros, now the lord of the Citadel of Kronos. He and his first disciple (also his adopted son) Seigetsu came back early with a single child, unconscious and barely alive. Kyros told his wife, Yume, that the boy was the son of an old friend who died asking Kyros to take care of the child. The name of that boy was Skia.

Kyros and Yume raised Skia with their own children (natural and adopted) even as they ruled Kronos. Five children they raised – the genius Seigetsu, the cunning Mu, the mysterious Yuki, the quiet Skia, and youngest of all, the energetic Phoebe. Seigetsu and Mu were adopted as Skia was, all three from different families. Yuki and Phoebe were Kyros and Yume’s daughters by blood.

In time, Kyros became known as one of the greatest knights in all the Migration and his three older disciples (Seigetsu, Mu and Yuki) became legend among the younger generations. Yet for years, Skia, the fourth disciple, suffered a terrible handicap – the inability to use more than 20% of his natural powers.

As his fifteenth birthday arrived, Kyros revealed to Skia another reason for his adoption into Kyros family. Years ago, Kyros and Skia’s father made an arrangement – one of their sons would marry one of their daughters. Skia was the only surviving son of his family – Kyros had two daughters. Skia, one day, would have to choose one.

In the meantime, Kyros had plans and ambitions on which the fate of all humankind rested. Following the teachings of a new branch of thought among the modern clerics (which included his daughter, Phoebe), he called his knights to an expedition, a quest to end the Blight itself and cause the Day of Forgiveness. To do this, they would find the fabled Crystalgard, the land where one was said to be able to find the answers to every question. This year, and this year alone would they have their chance – weather conditions at the southern pass had quieted the sandstorms around the Unreachable Spire.

Yet even as they prepared to leave, the surviving Dreadlords stirred. Six in number, they came on the haunted Sanctuary of Eon, also called the Village of Blood because of the terrifying massacre by the ‘Blood Demon’. Led by Meginnah, who had taken over the title of First Dreadlord from the late Mastemah, they secretly raised an army of Dread Knights throughout the entire Migration and in short order, mustered a force of thousands that took over the Forest Sanctuary of Zaman. Then, the Sky Tree known as Cizen was struck down in what Kyros described as ‘a despicable and desperate attempt to delay our departure’.

Of the six Dreadlords, Meginnah, Tidal, Ekron and Megorah, the elder Dreadlords who survived the final battle of the last Dreadlord War, were known to many in the Migration. The younger Dreadlords, however, were as yet undiscovered – they were known only as Yuuyami and Corizon. While nobody knew for sure what Yuuyami had been up to, Corizon was the one who took over Zaman with her army and claimed the Sanctuary as her own.

Faced with such a threat, the knights of Kronos were joined by many warriors of renown from other Sanctuaries of the Migration. Among them were Gladys of Hope, Inquisitor Seth, the Crusaders of the Four Seasons, the Seven Foxes of Mirai, ‘Ironheart’ Sabrina, Raine the Avenger, Nirita the Sword of Wind, ‘Fireheart’ Celtar and Cassandra the Lioness.

They and the Sanctuary known as Mirai followed Kyros south, all the while being chased by both the haunted Eon, known as the Village of Blood, and Zaman, now bearing the newly raised armies of Dread Knights.

As conflicts erupted between the expedition and the Dreadlords, Gladys, Mirai and many of their number were forced to return to the Migration while Eon was captured from the Dreadlords and towed along, though still none dared lay claim to that haunted land. The knights of Kronos journeyed through the southern pass and made their mark on the previously ‘Unreachable’ Spire.

Skia grew in strength as he encountered new friends and enemies, the handicap that had remained with him from young beginning to erode as his own life seemed to wax and wane unpredictably. He joined the Order of Rangers under Nirita, known as the Sword of Wind, even as those around him began to grow distant and he grew particularly close to the restaurant proprietor girl known as Twilight. When recent events culminated in a great battle for true control of Eon against the entity known as the Blood Demon, it seemed to all that Skia and Yuki (and Skia’s wolfcat, Xi) had been killed in the fighting.

But that was not so. When Skia awoke, he found that he had been rescued by Twilight. As soon as she could, she introduced him to some people she felt he really needed to meet.

In that single minute after awakening, Skia’s entire life turned upside down.

"Aunt Meginnah, Twilight said, bringing him over to them with a broad smile. Uncle Tidal. Aunt Megorah, Uncle Ekron. I’d like you to meet Skia… my brother."

Meginnah gasped, eyes wide. Yuuyami! Are you sure?!

Twilight’s grin grew until it filled her entire face.

"I am sure. Twilight said. He is the second son of Skotos.

"He is the Seventh Dreadlord."

***

In a dream as vivid as memory itself, Skia stood alone.

He stood upon a wall higher than the Sky Trees, stronger than iron and thick enough for him to stand in the center, stretch out his hands to either side and still not be able to reach the edges. An inner barrier that hindered him from using more of his natural powers.

On one side, the past, and the truths that he deliberately locked up and turned away from.

On the other side, the present, and those who thought they knew him and befriended him.

Some of them died, on the other side of the wall. But he could not reach them across the wall, could not open the gates.

For there were no gates.

But there was Seigetsu. His brother, adopted rather than by blood, but chosen and proven throughout the years. Seigetsu did not need a Gate. He was on both sides of the wall, past and present.

And there was Nirita, who taught him things Kyros never bothered to, and helped him form his 3rd Stage Soul Sword. At a critical moment in which they both faced imminent death, he’d reached out to her and drawn her to where he was, on the wall itself, between past and present, yet not understanding him, not really knowing who and what he was.

Then at last, there was Twilight.

Twilight stood on the wall with him; his sister by blood. Like Seig, she was also on both sides of the wall.

She turned his gaze away from the other side of the wall, pointed out what lay on the other side of his past, the opposite direction from the gateless barrier.

Skia turned and saw at once.

On the other side, there was no wall.

***

One month passed.

Phase 27: Change

Over the Blight-cursed world, six figures sped.

At speeds which made them look more like blurred phantoms than beings of substance, they crossed grass and sand in a moment’s thought, vanishing from horizon to horizon in a matter of seconds.

They reached a Sanctuary, a land above the land, a floating mass of rock and soil held up by a gigantic form known to all as a Sky Tree. The Tree itself, an entity black at the roots, brown in the center, white in its uppermost branches and blue-green in its leaves was surrounded by myriads of lesser trees and a formation of Towers, buildings colored blue by the sap they employed to fasten wood to wood and as a protective covering over their walls.

This was the Forest Sanctuary of Zaman.

Zaman herself, the Sky Tree which held up the very land it used for nourishment, greeted them as they arrived, in thought if not in sound.

The Knights on duty were startled when all six of them leapt a clean hundred feet to the retracted bridge from the surface below. One look at their faces, and they saluted hastily, their right fists before their throats, the arm horizontal at shoulder height.

Welcome back, Dreadlords. Their captain said.

Where is Corizon? the foremost of the six asked, a slim, dark-haired lady with soulful black eyes. The captain paled when he accidentally met that gaze, but then, most people who looked her in the eye did.

Lady Corizon is addressing the assembly. The captain said, struggling to keep his tone even.

The assembly. The foremost of the six said thoughtfully, glancing up at the sky.

Dawn had barely broken. The foremost of the six nodded and said, We will meet her there.

With little more sound than a soft exhalation, the six dark figures vanished and only the wind of their passing told anyone that they had left.

They stopped with abrupt suddenness, seeming to simply drop in out of thin air behind a girl with a sharp face, deep black eyes, and curled sandy hair that reached past her shoulders. A girl wearing the same robe-like armor as they; black lined with red.

Four squads should attack the West Bridge… Corizon said and trailed off when she sensed the presences behind her. She smiled and turned.

She gave a welcoming nod to the man on her far left, a tall pillar of a man with a face as sharp as hers, an eye patch over his left side, and the same sandy hair cut short over his head. Dad.

Then, she turned to the woman at his side, who was broad in the shoulders, with hair curled much like her own, but dark brown in color, and the same eyes as her daughter’s. Mom.

She next addressed the woman who was the foremost of the six. Aunt Meginnah.

Uncle Tidal. She greeted her aunt’s husband, a dominating form with a mane of hair colored a vibrant blue.

At the fifth figure, though, her mouth twisted. She gazed at a slender form bearing a hawkish face and gentle brown hair tied back in a ponytail. Yuuyami.

And at the sixth, she stared openly. Who is this?!

His was an even more slender form than Yuuyami’s, with a sharp wolfish face and short dark brown hair in a light mane over a shaft of black wood protruding from a sheathe at his back. A flicker of black seemed to pass over gentle brown eyes as he observed her in turn. Then, their eyes met.

The sixth person met her gaze without lowering his and Corizon poured the full might of her Dread Gaze into that meeting. Who was this person who dared stand beside the Dreadlords as their equal?!

Shock erupted as he met her Gaze power for power. Where her Gaze had before sent men fleeing in every direction, his was mesmerizing, a power that denied her any sort of security, a blindness that made fear itself hesitate. That flickering shadow behind his eyes seemed to seize her.

"Another Dreadlord?" Corizon stared in amazement now rather than anger.

Corizon, Dread Knights, all! Meginnah called them to attention. "I present to you my nephew, Skia, the son of Skotos.

The Seventh Dreadlord has returned to us.

As one, a thousand Dread Knights saluted their newest lord.

***

They gathered in the inner chambers of Zaman’s Tree House to confer.

So… your brother was alive. Corizon told her eternal rival, Yuuyami, with a shake of her head. Who else should I expect to find had survived? Layil? Yuuyake? What about your father himself?

(Note: Skotos and Tsuki’s children, from eldest to youngest; Layil, Yuuyake, Yuuyami, Skia, Shena (Tsuki was killed while pregnant with Shena))

It had been ten years since Era fell. Until today, Corizon had believed that only six Dreadlords survived.

Layil and Yuuyake were dead when we got there. Meginnah told her other niece firmly. As were Skotos and Tsuki. All we found were Yuuyami.

But we never found Skia. Tidal added, quietly. We assumed he was dead because most of the rest of the house was on fire and we detected no life there. If he was farther in than Yuuyami, he would have died before we arrived. So we assumed.

We never expected Kyros to have taken him in and adopted him. Meginnah concluded.

Corizon glanced over Skia. In spite of everything, she still wasn’t convinced that he really was who they said he was. Was there really a seventh Dreadlord? He doesn’t look all that similar to her.

That’s not his fault. Meginnah replied. Actually, he looks just the way he should. It’s Yuuyami who had her face smashed in and fixed.

Yuuyami herself seemed to ignore Meginnah’s revelation. She held up what looked like the Dread Shield stuck to some bigger entity of identical matter. This is the Black Wing. She told Corizon. Skia’s Comrade.

Skia’s… Comrade? Corizon stared. But that’s the Dread Shield! That’s Skotos’ Comrade!

Yes. It was my father’s Comrade. Yuuyami said softly. But she died to save his life during the battle against the Blood Demon on Eon. Now his own Comrade, the Black Wing, has absorbed her matter. Speak to her yourself.

She handed Corizon the Black Wing.

Corizon laid a hand on her and asked in her mind, [Are you the Dread Shield?]

The entity replied with an apology. She identified herself as the Black Wing.

With a sigh, Corizon admitted. You’re right.

[Who is Skia?] she asked next.

The Black Wing showed her. That slender boy offering her the chance to live… to fly free alongside the Trees high above the cursed land… the chance that was denied to her when her mother Tree was struck down…

Struck down by…

With a shriek, Corizon dropped the Black Wing. She found herself staring at it in horror. Mercy… she whispered in shock.

That’s right. Yuuyami told her coldly. You know where she came from, don’t you?

Yuuyami... Megorah, Corizon’s mom, let out a low warning. We agreed that Ekron and I would handle this.

Of course, aunt Megorah. Yuuyami nodded, taking up the Black Wing and handing her back to Skia. Of course.

Corizon. Megorah turned to her daughter next.

Corizon stared at Megorah. She started trembling.

The proof is irrefutable. Megorah told her. "So, tell me…

Why did you strike down Cizen?

***

Yuuyami, also known as Twilight, looked at her rival and found herself unable to feel pity.

Not because they had competed in everything since they were young. Not because they fought about all sorts of things for as far back as they can remember. Even in all their rivalry, even in all their conflicts, they had understood from the start that they were the same kind, and on the same side. There had been much heat, but no bitterness between them.

At least, there wasn’t as far as Yuuyami was concerned. Corizon was a distant cousin, in a sense – the daughter of her father’s brother’s wife’s sister. The Dreadlords were a family in a rather literal (if extended) sense. A Dreadlord was a Dreadlord by birth and by blood, a kin and a kind unto themselves. Corizon was one of them. Yuuyami accepted that from the start.

And now, especially now that she’d found her brother and confirmed that it was him, Yuuyami was happier than she’d been in years; it was hard to hold any sort of grudge at all.

Yet she found herself unable to find any sympathy for Corizon as that girl shook like a cornered rat. She had gone way too far this time.

To strike down a Tree! Or any of those who considered Dreadlords their Friends, for that matter, whether it was a Comrade or one of the Glass Dome plants, or one of those newer children of Biotech, like the bio-enhanced wolfcats… to strike down any of them…

It felt like betrayal. Utter, despicable betrayal.

I needed to get away! Corizon trembled. Nisroch was catching up to me! I had to create a diversion, something strong enough to draw him away completely!

"You struck down a Tree!" Megorah roared, and her presence filled the entire room with a terrifying fury.

And not one of the other Elder Dreadlords, Yuuyami sensed, not one felt differently about it.

Corizon. Ekron stepped forward. By your actions you’ve showed us a lack of regard for Comrades. I am hereby confiscating yours. Hand over the Night Heart.

What?! Corizon protested. "You can’t do that! The Night Heart is my Comrade!"

"You don’t deserve a Comrade! Ekron told her coldly. Someone who has such disregard for the sanctity of a Tree doesn’t deserve even the title of a Dreadlord! I’m stripping you of your rank and title, right now!"

"But… I had to! I needed to get away! Corizon pleaded. I had no choice!"

"There is always a choice! There is always another way!" Megorah snapped.

I was alone! Corizon shouted.

They froze.

In a flash of a moment, Corizon put aside fear, put aside pleading, and threw the truth into her elders’ faces. As one with nothing left to lose, she let out her anger and took her stand as just.

And this stand, Yuuyami realized, was one her elders could not deny.

None of you were there to help me when I needed help! Corizon went on. I had nowhere to go, no place to hide that he wouldn’t find me! Nisroch would have caught me for sure! And none of you where there! You left me behind all alone and I didn’t know what else to do!

Megorah softened. Ekron might have too, but his expression hardly ever changed throughout the years; it did not change now.

They had given her a monumental task, one which would undoubtedly draw attention and it was no surprise that it drew Nisroch himself, the one known as the Seer, quite possibly the strongest knight in all the Migration, a man who was at the level of Kyros and Gladys, entirely capable of taking on any of the Elder Dreadlords on an equal basis. A man who not only had vast amounts of resources and forces, indeed the support of the entire Migration at his disposal, but was also reputed to be able to see into peoples’ very hearts and minds so that there would be no safety, no escape, and no hiding from such a hunter.

And they did leave her all alone. One girl alone amongst hundreds of thousands of enemies.

Please? Corizon pleaded with her parents in a much softer voice. Don’t take my Comrade from me?

Time seemed to stand still for a moment.

The moment passed, and Yuuyami saw everyone considering, weighing options and what had already been said.

Ekron turned away. What is done is done. You must learn.

Yuuyami was startled, but not too startled, to see a tear trickle down his face.

Corizon. Meginnah, First of the Dreadlords, stepped in. We are not you. We will not strike down a Comrade. In due time, she will be returned to you. It may be a week, it may be a decade, but she will be returned to you.

But where will she go? Who will take care of her? Corizon asked.

Megorah turned to Skia.

Skia, who until now had watched it all with the Black Wing in his hand and sadness on his face, simply nodded.

The Black Wing is the one who suffered the most from your actions. She and her Kin will be given charge of the Night Heart.

What?! Corizon’s eyes widened. But they bear a grudge against me!

Yuuyami sighed. She looked at Skia and said, Cori… you don’t know Skia.

But… how do I know… Corizon spluttered.

That’s easy enough. Meginnah told her calmly. You’ll go with him.

What?! Corizon stared. But… the armies…

Your mother and I will see to the Dread Knights. Ekron told her. You were given charge of them to learn tactics, but that can wait until you’ve regained your honor and earned back your title.

You’re… going to keep it reserved for me, then? Corizon paused. The title?

Meginnah turned to Skia. Do you want it? Go from seventh to sixth Dreadlord?

Seventh is fine with me. Skia replied.

Oh, Skia, you have no idea what you just gave up…

But then again, even if he did know, he probably wouldn’t change his answer. This was Skia, after all.

Come to think of it, even if he did gain a voice in the Council of Six, he wouldn’t be able to change their minds about the war against Kronos. Even if Twilight joined him, they’d be outvoted four to two.

Kronos. Twilight took a deep breath. That was the other major complication they’d need to resolve soon.

Wouldn’t it be odd for them to see Skia come back to life a month after his funeral?

Evening Star, her own Comrade, twitched. She seemed to find that thought rather humorous.

[And the thought of being taken away, like Night Heart?] she asked, thoughtfully.

Predictably, Evening Star didn’t find that funny at all. None of the Comrades would.

Does it have to be him…? Corizon shut her eyes. Couldn’t mom…

Compensation is given to the victim. Meginnah said.

She made no distinction between Comrade and Kin. None of the Dreadlords would.

Now, Cori. Ekron said gruffly.

But there was no coldness in his tone any more. If anything, there was a tinge of regret.

Hesitantly, Corizon drew from her biosuit the Night Heart, a brooch as large as her small palm, shaped like its name. It had been fastened on the inside of her armor instead of the outside, even though it was stronger than any armor produced by biotech thus far.

Meginnah turned to Skia. Take it.

Skia opened his hand, looked at it with a frown, and hesitated.

With a rush that spoke of haste lest she lost the strength to see it through, Corizon practically dropped the brooch in his palm and turned away.

Skia froze.

[And just like that…] The Evening Star mused, [She gave him her Heart.]

Twilight heard the Evening Star’s comment in her mind and suddenly realized the implications of it.

Uhoh.

***

The black object fell into his hands.

The past flashed before Skia’s eyes. The past of the Night Heart.

Her new Friend stood by the root of Era’s Tree and smiled.

"Hello, Night Heart. Her new Friend said gently. My name is Corizon."

Night Heart pulsed a wave of blue light in greeting. Mother Era withdrew her root.

"Cori!" another Friend called to her.

"That’s my brother, Darkon. Cori told the Night Heart. He’s the best brother in the whole world!"

"Good morning, Darkon! the oldest Friend of the three around her waved. Cori just found her Comrade!"

"Really, mom? That’s great news! Darkon exclaimed. He caught his little sister up in a hug and whirled her around. Absolutely wonderful!"

Cori laughed, burying her face in his shoulder. She’s called the Night Heart.

Cori fastened her to the front of her biosuit, wearing her proudly like a brooch, her biotech heart over her biological heart.

[I will protect that heart.] The Night Heart swore. [I will protect Cori!]

[And I’ll protect you too.] Cori replied warmly.

Skia nearly dropped the black wood brooch..

That was some introduction. Nice to meet you too… he found himself saying to the Night Heart dazedly.

Seigetsu had called his bio-enhanced wolfcats ‘Comrades’ and those he assigned to as their ‘Kin’. It took a while before Skia had realized that the term had originally come from the Dreadlords, and to them, it was the Black Wing rather than Xi who was his Comrade.

Comrades, either way, proved to be very protective over their Kin.

[Don’t you ever hurt Cori!] The Night Heart told him fiercely.

Skia placed the Night Heart in the position she was usually worn in nowadays; on the inside of the biosuit rather than the outside. [I am Skia.] he told her simply.

Cori still hadn’t turned around.

Your suspension as Sixth Dreadlord… Megorah said slowly. "I think we can keep that private. But don’t take advantage of this generosity, or we will announce it."

Corizon nodded stiffly.

Depending on Skia’s plans… Meginnah said, suddenly sounding rather weary. You may need to dye your hair and wear a Guardian’s biosuit with a helmet on all the time.

What plans? Corizon suddenly stiffened.

Unless we can change his mind… Meginnah shook her head Once we’re done with a little more training, it seems that Skia’s going back to Kronos.

Corizon suddenly spun and looked right at him, and this time, her eyes seemed to sparkle. Well, then. Well indeed.

Skia kept a straight face, but inside, he found himself a bit curious about her sudden approval. Whatever was Cori thinking?

The Night Heart gave him an answer.

"Darkon!" Cori screamed into the evening sky over her brother’s dead body. Her voice echoed throughout the fallen Sanctuary of Era, and the Night Heart shared her grief.

The grief of a lost brother who died as he was betrayed. The grief of a lost mother Tree who died struck down by enemies. The grief of a lost Sanctuary, fallen to the blight-cursed land. The grief of lost innocence.

"I… Corizon swore …am going to KILL Raine!"

Then she screamed out the name of her mortal enemy, and her heart changed forever.

To Kronos we will go. Corizon said decisively.

***

Raine.

Long, thin blue hair floated in the still air as Raine the Avenger turned to see Seth and Nirita coming up to her. A triangular mask that marked her unique helmet covered both eyes and the right side of her face, but revealed a smile over the left side. Someone called me?

Guilty as charged. Nirita said, with a wry grin. A good friend of Raine’s over many years, Nirita was a tall woman with a proud bearing and thick silver hair pointing down her shoulder blades like a broadsword. Raine had often envied Nirita the thickness of her hair. Twilight’s place is offering a new special today, something called Cathy’s Secret Delight. We thought it would be interesting to take a look.

Sounds like fun. Raine said thoughtfully. How long more do you think Kronos will be staying over these ruins?

Well, we know for sure that it’s not Crystalgard. Seth said calculatively. Many speculated that his hair was gray out of the nature of his business rather than actual age, and that the wrinkles on his forehead was formed by worry and frowning. Although his features suggested age, his bearing and the strength in his movements denied it. His blocky face was often as hard as rock, but Raine knew him enough to judge his mood by his tone rather than his face. His tone now was familiar – Raine shared many experiences with him over the years, and they had worked together for the sake of law and justice in the Migration far too often to be unfamiliar with each other. And we also know for sure that there’s quite a bit more metal down there we’d like to take back. I think maybe another two or three days. We should be safe enough. Zaman is weeks behind us.

More like ‘a’ week than ‘weeks’. Raine snorted. Kronos isn’t Momentia, Seth. We haven’t come that far.

You’re forgetting that Eon’s moving on its own now. Seth remarked. Seig and Mu are doing wonderfully over there, I hear. They and the Paladins seem to have cleansed the soil entirely and Elise is thrilled about having so much farmland.

A Sanctuary with a population of two. Nirita chuckled. Most of us are still hesitant about going over there, even though most of the red’s fading away. Even I would rather not stay there overnight.

Not two. Seth shook his head. I hear that Seig convinced some meat-seller named Goran to go over there and set up a huge animal farm, complete with its own dairy and butchery. And there’s that lady named Mizu; he’s got her over there too and she’s got some exclusive contract for building things around the place. Both these people will have crews of their own. If I’m not mistaken, Seigetsu plans to bring over a large portion of his own employees once the red has fully faded from Eon’s Tree.

Eon populated and prospering. Nirita shook her head. Now, that will be a sight.

Assuming that Seigetsu prospers, of course. Raine mused, glancing at the reddish-brown Tree.

You should know Seigetsu by now. Nirita chuckled. The man doesn’t know how not to prosper.

Normally, I would agree. Raine said, frowning. But he’s not the same man he once was, is he? He has a wife now, and they seem to be very much distracted with each other at the moment.

It’s called a honeymoon, Raine, and that’s somewhat to be expected. Seth chuckled. It’s been a month already, so I doubt it can keep up much longer.

And even during that month, things seem to have progressed quite well over at Eon. Nirita added.

Eon’s been cursed for too long, Nirita. Raine said, with a sigh. I could be wrong, and I hope I am, but I’m just suspicious about it being so easy. Maybe I’m just prejudiced after all these years, but that place still holds the chills for me.

Me too. Seth admitted.

‘Easy’ is not what I’d use to describe the price we paid for Eon’s cleansing. Nirita said softly. ‘Easy’ is not the word I’d use to measure tears and loss. Nor would I use the word ‘easy’ to describe the struggles that those young people are facing over on that Sanctuary. But even now, despite all the troubles involved, I dare call it a Sanctuary indeed.

Raine sighed. I’m sorry, Nirita. Losing Skia must still be a shock to you.

Nirita smiled at her, a mirthless smile. Once again, my student perishes before my very eyes, and I could do nothing to save him. If anything or anyone is cursed around here, Raine, it is probably me.

We’re all on this world, aren’t we? Raine reminded her softly. We are all cursed.

We are forsaken. Nirita quoted the Clerics’ saying. Fear, keep us safe. Anger, keep us alive. Despair is death, for we are forsaken.

Enough with the gloomy talk, ladies. Seth prodded them both. Let’s go see what Twilight’s Corner is brewing up these days.

***

They found Kane and Mizu poring over maps of Eon at Twilight’s. Kane, despite his renown, was really a young, wiry boy with scrape marks on his tanned cheeks and twitching hands that often brushed through short fritzed hair. Mizu herself was a motherly figure who covered her hair all the time with a green shawl, a color that matched her eyes. Her round face was frowning now.

Hey, you two. What’s up? Raine asked them.

That way. Kane pointed to the sky. "Up is that way."

Seth chuckled.

What brings the best woodcrafter in the Migration and the chief architect of Eon together? Nirita asked pointedly.

Irrigation systems. Kane told her. Mizu’s going to supply all my trees with consistent flows of water.

What’s irrigation? Raine asked Seth.

"Your trees?! Nirita burst out. You’re going there too?"

And I’m planting a small forest’s worth of trees in key locations all over the Sanctuary. I know precisely what’s best for my wood crafting so there’ll be plenty of wood for me and my students to use. Kane said broadly.

Students? You have students? Seth blinked.

Only three so far, now that Skia’s gone and died. Kane shook his head. But I’ll have plenty once the school opens.

What school?! Nirita gaped.

This one! Kane pointed to a spot on the map pretty near the Tree itself. Wood crafting’s going to be one popular class there, I believe. After all, I’m the teacher.

Raine prodded Seth. What’s a school?

A place where people learn things from teachers in classes.

Why learn in a school, of all places? she asked next.

That way, a student can learn several subjects from several teachers without having to go all over the place. Think about Psuche Combat Techniques, for example. You’ve learnt a bit from all over the Migration, haven’t you?

Indeed, I have. Raine agreed. She hadn’t gone to as many places as Nirita, but she had been around some, whether it was with Nirita, with Seth, someone else or alone, she had seen her fair share of the Migration.

Think of how much easier it would have been if all your teachers taught in the same school and you could learn them all in the same place.

Raine stared. "That would have saved me years!"

Indeed it would. Seth replied.

"How come you know about that?!" Raine protested, poking Seth in the ribs.

Well, it was Seig’s idea. I just happened to be around when he was talking about those ruins. We were speculating about what that building was for and he just… well, you know how he is about such things! Seth replied, dodging Raine’s next poke. "Nisroch did something similar for the Four Seasons, but he never tried to build an actual building for that purpose."

But… but… you can’t just teach every student everything! Raine protested. Some things are better learnt by some than others!

Don’t tell me that, tell Seig! Seth replied. "It’s his brilliant idea, and his Sanctuary that’s going to go into chaos if the idea blows up in his face."

Raine glanced over the map. She whistled. Are you guys really going to build Eon like this?

I don’t see why not. Mizu replied, frowning absently. We’ve been over the place a dozen times and I think we’ve covered all the possible problems. There could be more, but even so, this should be roughly what it looks like.

Raine shook her head. Nirita, something tells me that people aren’t going to stay away from Eon for long.

Seigetsu was making a lot of gambles, Raine saw. He deviated from common methods of growing a Sanctuary by a very long shot. Most Sanctuaries just grew up as people migrated and even though the Lords did usually plan things out, they never mapped out the entire Sanctuary before people so much as moved in. There was simply no telling what talents the immigrants would possess, what skills they would bring, or what preferences they would have.

Seigetsu clearly didn’t intend to leave it to chance. He was going to pick and choose the people he wanted to live on Eon before any construction other than the Tree House even began. The entire design was beautiful and thorough enough that Raine suspected nobody would have any objections to living anywhere on the Sanctuary.

Already, Raine realized, he’d picked out the best of Kronos’ inhabitants. Kane wasn’t just the best woodcrafter in the Migration, but if rumors were true and he could literally grow his wood into shape, he was the best forester as well, because if he could grow wood into shape, he might very well be able to grow entire Trees as he wanted.

Mizu was something of a surprise. She was one of the few merchants left on Kronos, and her specialty was sap, but it took Seigetsu to find out that she was crazy about buildings. The sap was simply a productive side effect of her construction mania. Judging from the blueprints of Eon, she was proving to be superbly gifted.

But why in the world did Seig pick Goran? The man wasn’t particularly brilliant or anything.

Perhaps Seig picked Goran for sentimental reasons. The meat seller had some connections with Skia, rumor said.

Perhaps Seig picked Goran just because he missed Skia.

In which case, why not simply find some excuse to have Nirita stay with them? The lone Ranger of Kronos didn’t have any particular reason for staying on this particular Sanctuary.

But then, she rarely ‘stayed’ at all. She was on the surface and scouting more often than not. It was a rare day to see Nirita around Kronos. Usually, she just stayed for a night and was off again the next morning.

Let’s get what we came for. Seth suggested as Mizu and Kane started another discussion using words that Raine couldn’t understand.

Cathy’s Secret Delight was, to be frank, ice-cream and pudding. Lots of it.

"Did we really have to order three?!" Nirita groaned. The CSD was chocolate pudding at the bottom laced with vanilla ice cream and caramel pudding at the top laced with strawberry ice cream. The whole thing was crowned with a trio of scoops of coffee ice cream with whip cream running down all over the sides.

It filled the plate as a half-globe mound eight inches in diameter.

I think this was supposed to be shared between two to four people. Seth admitted, struggling to get past one third of his way through his CSD.

Celtar came up just then, with Sabrina.

Celtar! Hey, Celtar! We need help! Nirita called to him.

Celtar took one look and told Sabrina, We’re definitely sharing just one.

No, no! Raine pushed hers towards him. Help us finish ours!

Seth, however, put a restraining hand on her wrist. Let them go, Raine. We’ll find reinforcements elsewhere.

What? Raine blinked. Why?

Seth nodded to them as they continued on to find their own table and told her, Something tells me they want to be alone this time around.

Raine glanced at them and realized Seth was right.

The two of them were there together quite deliberately.

Oh. Nirita said, in wonderment.

Let’s spare them their privacy. Seth suggested, looking around. Besides, I think we’re about to be rescued already.

The Foxes had arrived. Seven siblings all adopted and trained by the legendary Gladys, they had yet to be seen without their armor or helmets on and were most easily distinguished by the fox-eared shape of their helmets, and differentiated from each other by the colors on those ears (just the ears now, compared to the full helmet colors they had before. A show of respect for the dead, some said). Hey, Foxes! Help us out, will you? Nirita called.

Blue Fox, easily recognized by the blue of her helmet’s fox-ears, came over first. She looked at their CSDs and said immediately, I want one!

Me too! Red exclaimed.

White and Black exchanged glances. One each. They decided with big grins.

Raine stared in bewilderment as they found their own table and proceeded to order precisely that. Young kids these days… they never cease to amaze me.

As one, Nirita and Seth sighed.

And there they sat, all three of them looking at their CSDs respectively and growing gloomier by the moment.

Raine leaned back with a groan. I can’t finish this!

A moment later, she blinked. Yuki?

Seth and Nirita glanced at her when she said that. Say again? Seth bent towards her, cocking his ear attentively.

That was Yuki! Raine said, pointing to the window two floors up and directly opposite her. Skin as white as snow, hair as dark as night... it looked like her… but… then again… "At least, I think that was her…"

Nirita frowned at her CSD, sniffed it cautiously and asked, Is this thing drugged?

Seth shook his head. Yuki’s dead, Raine. Maybe that was someone that just looked like her.

Yeah. Raine said, frowning over her CSD. That had to be someone else. She gave me a scare, though. She really looked similar.

Cassandra! Nirita lit up, seeing their tired comrade march up to them. Where have you been?

Training. Cassandra said, flopping down at their table with a groan. Cassandra’s short, curly hair the color of carrots was soaked with sweat. Her reddish eyes narrowed. What’s that? she nodded to their CSDs.

Seth, Raine and Nirita exchanged glances and grinned identical grins.

We’re saved!

***

Kyros stood over the Heroes Monument looking at two separate screens at the same time.

Yume stood beside him.

They were a symbol of security for Kronos. Kyros, the Lord of Kronos, was a towering man with a strong commanding presence, slightly graying but bearing heavy features like that of a lion and keen, broad eyes that seemed to take in all he surveyed. Yume, the Voice of Kronos, was a regal figure despite a slender form that made clerics worry for her health, especially since it was the role of the Voice of a Sanctuary to care for the Sky Tree itself. She had dreamy blue eyes and her long, light golden hair had thinned with age so that now only a veil of a stream spilled over her back all the way to the waist.

In front of them were two sheets of pure blue light that hovered over the Crystal of Memory, projected in mid-air before the rulers of Kronos.

On the left screen were written in white the names; Elymas Thunder Storm, Ronald Iron Talons Leaf, Windy Red Petals Runner, Gina Heavy Blade Quake, Sakura Rainbow Rivers, Sorren Falcon Brooks, Casiphia Riddler Storm, Hitomi Oracle Rivers, Marcus Duke Fox, Phoenix of Life Skye.

That screen had a down arrow on it, located on the lower right hand corner of the screen. Pressing that would scroll down to the next screen filled with ten names.

And that screen would have a down arrow on it too.

On the other screen, the one on the right, were written two names; Skia Black Wing Storm, Yuki Ice Edge Storm.

These were the names of warriors of renown who died during the Dreadlord wars, the one ten years ago on the left and the one taking place in the present on the right.

Admittedly, Skia and Yuki were killed by the Blood Demon, but it took place during the current Dreadlord War nonetheless.

More importantly, they were the names of friends… and family.

Elymas, Casiphia. Kyros spoke as if to his lost brother and sister. Take care.

Yume glanced at him, but she didn’t call out for Hitomi or Sakura. She had lost two sisters in that war, both highly skilled fighters in their own right. It was ironic that she, the least competent of the three sisters, had survived.

Ironic indeed, to have Gladys survive Marcus, Raine survive Windy and both Celtar and Cassandra survive Gina. How did the weaker survive the stronger beyond such a time of war? Yume shook her head at the thought. Even Kyros had survived Elymas. Elymas, in fact, had been the first to die a hero, sacrificing his life for his wounded sister to lead a mass of refugees to safety, or so his story was told.

It seemed the same today. Phoebe survived Yuki and Skia.

She usually kept out of fights. For that reason, Yume surmised, she’d probably survive even if, God forbid, Seig and Mu fell.

Skia, Yuki… Kyros went on. Take care.

And then his face turned grim.

What’s wrong, Kai? Yume asked softly.

I couldn’t keep it. Kyros said, turning off the holo-projections. I couldn’t keep my promise to Skotos!

Skia’s death isn’t your fault! We took care of him and raised him as best we could! Yume protested.

But he never married either of our kids. Kyros shook his head. And how are we supposed to get into Crystalgard now?!

Yume glanced around in alarm, hoping nobody would hear. Thankfully, nobody seemed to be in hearing range.

Not so loud, Kai, please. Yume shushed him. Someone may hear.

We’re stuck. Kyros growled. Without Skia, we can’t even enter the place! What good is the madman in the vault if Skia isn’t around to let us in?

We did our best. Yume told him gently. We’ll just have to do what we can again. If we keep finding metal like this, at least we can offer enough returns on their investments to satisfy the Migration.

I know… I… Kyros sighed, a deep, heavy sigh. I know.

Yume fell silent. Kyros glanced at her.

Yume… what are you thinking? he asked in a low voice. I know that look. You’re thinking of something dangerous.

Well… Yume paused. We have powerful champions gathered with us on Kronos. Even if we don’t have Skia… couldn’t we…

Capture another Dreadlord and force him or her to open the Gates of Crystalgard for us? Kyros finished for her. "Yume, we can’t even find the Dreadlords, no matter how hard or how often we search through Kronos!"

True. Yume agreed. But they can find us.

So we just sit around waiting and hoping that they’ll strike and try to catch them when they do? Kyros raised an eyebrow. By now, everyone knows that Skia’s dead. They don’t even need to hang around. They can just let us batter our heads against Crystalgard’s walls all day and return in failure. They wouldn’t even need to lift a finger.

I don’t think they’re going to be willing to let us even that close to Crystalgard, Kai. And even if they could, there must be a way to bait them into a trap. Yume told him.

A trap. Kyros frowned. We don’t even have the Dread Shield any more. What can we use as bait?

We’ll think of something. Yume nudged him. But don’t give up hope. It’s not over yet.

***

Phoebe found Deacon Oreb in the library of the Cathedral, sleeping soundly.

For a moment there, she seemed to hesitate just a little. Sky-blue eyes observed the figure before her, and rich golden hair halfway to her waist waved as she shook her head. She went to the graying man in front of her hunched over the desk with his hood down and the little hair circling his weathered head quite exposed.

Oreb! she barked at him. Get out!

Oreb jumped to wakefulness. Wha…?

I said, get out of here! Phoebe snapped.

Look, just because you got promoted to Deaconess and we’re of equal rank now, it doesn’t mean you can just…

Move! Phoebe shoved him. Oreb left the library in a huff.

Looking around and seeing nobody there, Phoebe settled into a nice, comfortable seat and called up a holo-projected screen. The sheet of shimmering light appeared before her and awaited her commands.

Resume Project Phoebe. She requested.

Screen after screen appeared on all sides of her seat, six in front of her, and two on her left. She drew out the references and said, "Now, let’s continue, shall we?

What’s the best way to kill a Dreadlord?

***

Seigetsu found Mu leaning over the railing at the main entrance of their home, facing the aft of the Sanctuary in the peaceful light of the early morning.

Mu, Seigetsu maintained, was the most beautiful woman in the world. She was one of those sights which he’d be willing to take off his sensor glasses just to witness with his own eyes. Those exquisite eyes, a touching scarlet that shone with vibrant light when she smiled, or gleamed with cunning when she was up to something… that hair of hers… the soft, silky fountain of deep, rich redness that even now waved softly in