Kalupsia 3: The Mystery

By Victory Low

The Journey is over...
The Expedition is divided. After all that happened, the survivors are stirring in a broiling conflict.
Out of the strife, one boy steps forward to take matters into his own hands.
He had enough of being caught in between peoples and their wars.
His fight was with the questions that plunged generations of Dreadlords and Migrants alike in an endless feud.
It was time to challenge the Mystery. It was time he followed his own path.
No matter who stood in his way.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Victory Low
• Release date: Mar 3, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311344793

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

Prologue

Phase 42: Overnight

Phase 43: Rays of Dawn

Phase 44: Complexities

Phase 45: Scattering

Phase 46: Rankle

Phase 47: Challenge

Phase 48: Fox issues

Interlude

Phase 49: The Heart of Crystalgard

Phase 50: Bonds

Phase 51: The Past

Phase 52: The Present

Phase 53: Blood that cries for vengeance

Phase 54: One Night

Phase 55: Uplifted

Phase 56: Meanwhile

Phase 57: Room at the Clearing

Interlude: An Answer

Interlude 2

Phase 58: The Day of the Tournament

Phase 59: Siblings

Phase 60: Mistakes

Phase 61: Worse

Phase 62: Collision

Phase 63: Father and Son

Phase 64: Closure

Phase 65: The End of the Expedition

Phase 66: Aftershock

Phase 67: Return

Epilogue

Post Epilogue

Known Champions of the Expedition

(Name, nickname, title. Soul Sword.)

Champions of Kronos

Kyros Storm, Lord of Kronos. Dominion

Nirita Sword of Wind, High Ranger. Endless Wanderer

Yuki Ice Princess,Templar. Ice Edge

Winter (Winter of the Four Seasons), Paladin. Frostbite

Soran Brooks (Autumn of the Four Seasons), Paladin. Crackle of Autumn

Celtar Quake Fireheart Celtar, High Warden. Defender

Sabrina Leaf Ironheart Sabrina, Senior Guardian. Ironheart Broadsword

Rax, Senior Guardian. ???

Cassandra Quake Cassandra the Lioness, Senior Guardian. Claws

Champions of Eon

Seigetsu StormGenius of Blades, Lord of Eon. Illusion

Roger FoxBlack Fox, High Guardian. ???

Serena Fox White Fox, High Paladin. ???

Ben Fox Brown Fox, Vagabond. Sonata

Lillian Fox Blue Fox, Vagabond. Lightning Fang

Maya Chameleon, Guardian. ???

Aoi Blue Sky, High Sentinel. ???

Champions of the Zealots

Seth Inquisitor Seth, High Inquisitor. ???

Constance Fox, Flying Fox, High Paladin. High Wind

Gary Fox Gray Fox, Paladin. Ironweight

Garnet Fox Red Fox, Paladin. Scarlet Flame

Dreadlords and Dread Knights

Dreadlords

Meginnah, Aunt Ina, First Dreadlord. ??? (+Dark Tear, pendant)

Tidal Uncle Tidal, Second Dreadlord. ??? (+Midnight Crown, helmet)

Megorah Aunt Ora, Third Dreadlord. ??? (+Raven Wings, hairclip)

Yuuyami Twilight, Fifth Dreadlord, Voice of Eon. Dusk (+Evening Star, earring)

Corizon Cori, Sixth Dreadlord. Strife (+Night Heart, brooch)

Skia, Seventh Dreadlord. Shadow Edge / Shadow Wing (+Black Wing, boomerang)

Known Dread Knights

CathyCat, First Knight of Yuuyami. ???

Mindy Strawberry-haired, jumpy waitress, First Knight of Skia. ???

YuujinSpiky-haired Bouncer, Splinter Knight. ???

LisaBlue-haired, greasy waitress, Striker Knight. ???

Shinshu Big barkeep guy, Barrier Knight. ???

AnnieBlack haired, short waitress, Ghost Knight. ???

Prologue

On Kalupsia, there was a sermon that every Cleric memorizes from the very first day he or she joined the Order of Clerics.

It went 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 land.

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, so we built cities far above the tainted soil 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.

But Kyros said,

How long will we sit around waiting for someone else to fight our battles for us?

If we are forsaken for guilt, surely we are responsible as well

So let us actively seek redemption, and earn our Day of Forgiveness

Let us find a way to End the Blight, once and for all!

Kyros and his knights sought an ancient legend, a place where they would find all the answers – including the answer to end the Blight itself. The place was known as the Crystal Shrine, located in the fabled city of Crystalgard.

But unknown to them, the place they sought was the home of the Dreadlords. The Dreadlords raised an army and declared war upon those knights determined to desecrate their birthplace. Crystalgard was their Sanctuary, and the price of entry was one’s life.

The lines of battle were drawn, and culminated in a terrible showdown before the Gates of Crystalgard… but what happened there caught everyone off-guard.

Now the Expedition of Kronos was divided – those who stood with Inquisitor Seth, who insisted on accomplishing their goals at all costs, and those who stayed with Kyros, whose family found increasing understanding with the Dreadlords.

Meanwhile a terrible Rising prevented anyone from going to the Surface and reaching Crystalgard. The three groups were held at an impasse. Nobody could reach Crystalgard because the Blight had Risen and had not yet settled. Seth’s forces could not attack the Dreadlords without being blocked by Kyros, whose camp consisted of Dread Knights standing side by side with the Knights of Kronos after what they’d seen. The Dreadlords themselves were in mourning over the deaths of one of the Elder Dreadlords, and the daughter of Kyros that they honored as a heroine.

With Seth’s forces fortifying their positions on one side of Kronos and Eon bearing all the Dreadlords and their army on the other side, Kyros faced a time of grief over the loss of his eldest daughter, mourning her loss as the Dreadlords did.

Inquisitor Seth demanded action as soon as the Rising had settled. It was Kyros’ dream, after all, that had taken them this far, all the way to the very Gates of Crystalgard. Just one more concentrated push, and they could succeed.

But at what cost? The tentative peace could not last. Time was running out. Soon, the Rising would settle.

And Kyros was caught between his dream and his family.

***

In the camp of the Seekers, Kyros thought about it all as he looked out over the balcony of his home that night, viewing one camp, then the next with a dull weariness.

Kai. Only one person called him that. His wife.

Hmm? Kyros glanced at her.

Yume was radiant. In all their lives, he’d never looked upon her without seeing an inner glow. No matter how upset she could be, or how angry, he saw it, ever present, like a warm light that sprung out from her heart. It gleamed through her light blue eyes, it flickered through her long veil of fine gold hair. It streamed from her skin, glowed in her face, and warmed him from her touch. Even now, when sorrow drained her of strength, she had that inner glow.

Yes, dear?

I’m worried. Yume said softly.

Kyros frowned. There was much to be worried about, today. About what?

The children.

Kyros drew a deep breath. Which ones in particular? He asked carefully.

Seigetsu and Skia. Yume replied.

Kyros thought it over. His adopted sons; how they had grown, what they had been through and were going through. And one of the biggest surprise he’d had in years. There’s hope for Seigetsu yet. As for Skia… Kyros trailed off.

You raised him mainly to fulfill that fool agreement you made with Skotos. Yume ticked off one finger. That, and to use him as a key into Crystalgard. That’s not going to work now that he knows he’s a Dreadlord, and that marriage thing was the reason why you made him promise to choose either Yuki or Phoebe to marry. After everything he’s been through, he’s finally chosen one and…

Kyros winced. That had been a disaster. All these years, they’d told Skia not to think of Yuki and Phoebe as his sisters, in contrast to considering Seig his brother and Mu his sister. This was all in preparation for fulfilling the marriage agreement.

Unfortunately, they’d forgotten to tell Yuki that.

I think we’ve completely lost Skia to the Dreadlords. Kyros admitted at last. I don’t think there’s anything we can do about that any more. I’d be more worried about Phoebe.

Kyros sighed. One big, heavy sigh. I think Yuki deserves some worry as well.

Yume sniffed. You always did favor her.

What? Kyros blinked.

Phoebe inherited the looks and powers of my bloodline, but Yuki inherited the looks and powers of yours. Even now, you’re concerned about her when Phoebe’s throwing out shreds of pillows soaked in tears.

Yuki’s shut herself in her room again, hasn’t she? Kyros pointed out.

Yume nodded.

I favor them both, dear. Kyros told his wife. Yuki inherited my looks and powers, true, but how can I not love Phoebe deeply when she looks so much like you?

It worked. Kyros saw Yume soften on the spot.

But I thought you were concerned for the boys. Kyros reminded her.

I am. Yume agreed. "Kai, I can talk to Phoebe any time, and even Yuki just comes up to me for a hug every now and then, but Seig and Skia can’t do that. They’re not here."

Kyros frowned. What do you mean?

They’re not at home, Kai. Yume said plaintively. "They’re off and away there on that… that… Eon, and we won’t even know if they’re hurting, or if they’re eating right or getting enough sleep or… or…"

Kyros shut his eyes. Three armies were on the verge of erupting into full scale battle at any minute, and Yume was worried that her sons were next door rather than at home.

But then… she always did value the family no matter what. Kyros had always found himself grateful for that, in the end. I wouldn’t worry about Seigetsu, dear. Kyros advised her quietly. Not so long as Twilight’s around.

Are you sure? She’s an awfully busy girl. Yume retorted.

Kyros snorted. Don’t you remember how she took care of Skia back when he was sick?

Yume paused. She remembered.

She’s busy all the time. But she brought him into recovery when none of us could. Kyros added.

And you were worried that Skia might fall for her. Yume added, poking him.

I was. Kyros admitted. Those two got very close, very quickly, and I really was worried. But thankfully, they’re brother and sister by blood. There’s no problem there.

Yuki always did seem to understand Twilight well. It was she who convinced us to let Twilight help. Yume murmured, leaning her head on his shoulder. Now I’m wondering if it was because they both felt the same way about him – as his sisters.

There’s really no chance that Yuki might change her mind? Kyros scratched his head.

What do you think? Yume asked him bluntly.

Kyros sighed. I rather doubt it. Still, miracles do happen…

Yume snorted. A moment later, she shook her head. I guess Seig’s in the best hands he could be in. He’s all grown up now… we should leave him to his wife.

Twilight marrying him was the last thing I expected. Kyros said.

I didn’t expect it either. I don’t think anyone did. Yume said, her voice troubled. There’s so much going on now that I never expected. We all thought this expedition was going to be a clean and straightforward quest, but now…

Kyros exhaled slowly. I know. The question is, what do we do now?

Yume glanced up at him. "What can we do? Attack our sons and their people?"

Kyros almost laughed. "Yume, I can’t even get our people to do anything other than sit around asking questions! They’re not going to attack anybody."

That’s right. Yume agreed. You see, Kai, that’s exactly what makes me worry the most.

What’s that? Kyros queried.

Isn’t it obvious? Yume shut her eyes. "We can’t do a thing.

The fate of this expedition is out of our hands.

***

In the camp north of them, Flying Fox had to ask,Tell me again… why are we building forts?

Her real name was Constance Fox. The eldest of Gladys’ disciples (called the Seven Foxes), Flying Fox was the only person alive in all the Migration who could actually fly, a heritage of her father’s bloodline.

Not many people knew she was Gladys’ actual daughter. Flying had inherited the looks as well as the powers of her father. She was fair, with a long oval face, deep black eyes and eyebrows trimmed at a rather fierce angle, she’d dyed her hair black, straightened and worn in wild-looking looseness halfway down her back. Her figure was disturbingly lean and Seth suspected that she’d kept it that way deliberately for the sake of her flying abilities. She was someone who was serious and dedicated to her cause and goals, which Seth respected.

She was his second-in-command.

Seth wasn’t all that heavy, himself, but that wasn’t of conscious design. No matter how much he ate, he simply could not gain much weight. He had a blocky face, a slender form, and a tall, prominent forehead, a sign, some said, of which part of his body he used the most. His had been a long and well-challenged career in law enforcement and criminal investigation of the highest complexities in the Migration.

Which might explain his wrinkled face and thin, graying hair, although he had yet to see his fiftieth year. He’d learnt many harsh lessons in life, one of the harshest of which was not to put too much faith in people… such as Raine the Avenger.

She had betrayed them all, betrayed him, for the sake of the Dreadlord Corizon. Why, Seth would never understand. She claimed to love a man who had died ten years ago and did it for the sake of his younger sister, of all things!

The Dreadlords. How Seth hated them. They had been the cause of so much suffering over so many generations… even now, while they sought to end the Blight, they interfered!

Seth refused to let them stop the Expedition. Kyros had slipped when his eldest daughter died. That man wasn’t thinking clearly. Thinking clearly despite the difficulties was another thing Seth learnt over the years. Seth saw it as vividly as he saw Flying’s sweat right now.

Kyros had lost his edge and his will to fight, here, at the crucial hour when they were close, so close to accomplishing their goals. They were at the very Gates of Crystalgard, and they had weakened the Dreadlords enough to kill one of their strongest. They could have defeated them all, had they been properly organized and united.

But they had failed, and the day had passed without any progress whatsoever. The Dreadlords were recovering, and Kyros did nothing against them. Instead, Kyros himself stood in the way of accomplishing the very dream for which he’d brought them all this far.

Seth knew what had to be done. Kyros and Seigetsu were paralyzed. It was up to him, as the highest ranking Knight on Kronos after those two, to pull things through, using whatever means and resources he could gather in his own power.

Seth would use whatever he could and do whatever it took to see this Expedition through.

We’re making a ploy. Seth told her. People who build forts don’t normally take the offensive. We will be the exception.

A bluff. Flying stated, wiping sweat from her brow.

Seth nodded. "A bluff… so don’t tire everyone out to the point where they lose their edge in battle when we make our move. We just need to look like we’re obsessed with defenses. What we’re really doing is resting up before an all-out assault."

Her mouth twisted. You want these Knights to commit everything they have or not?

To the cause and to the assault, yes. Seth agreed.

Do you want these fortifications to pass any inspections by spies? Flying added.

Of course.

Then we’re going to have to be just as serious about building these forts as we have to be about the assault. Flying told him. You’re a brilliant strategist, Seth, but you should understand one or two things about people. Sometimes, zeal is more powerful than logic.

Zeal… Seth paused. That has a strong sound to it. Why don’t we use that?

Flying frowned. What do you mean?

Let’s make zeal our key word. Seth told her. The Expedition of Kronos is divided. What differentiates us from all those others who have lost their way is precisely what you described; zeal. We’re Zealots.

Zealots. Flying shook her head. It sounds a bit extreme, doesn’t it?

Seth fell silent. After a pause, he spoke again, in full seriousness. For the sake of the future generations of our people on this world… for the sakes of every soul in the Migration praying for our success and deliverance from the Blight… for the sakes of all those who have died at the hands of our ancient foe or the scourge on our people known as the Dreadlords… He turned to her and looked her in the eyes. The extreme is precisely how far we have come on this quest. The extreme is precisely where I’m willing to go to see this through.

Flying drew a deep breath. She nodded. "You’re right. Let’s make it official, then.

Zealots we are.

***

And in the camp of the Dreadlords, Meginnah, the First Dreadlord, drudged into the room she shared with her husband, Tidal, with all the weariness she never showed anyone else.

How’s the Staff? she asked him.

Tidal, bent over the seedling child of the Sky Tree Kronos, sighed as he straightened. She’s been traumatized. It’s been painstaking work to remove the taint from her, but even that is easier than settling her fears and quieting her doubts. Ina, I don’t think this seedling is ever going to accept the words of anyone who’s not a Dreadlord ever again.

Except maybe Mu? Meginnah suggested.

Except Mu. But she’s dead. Tidal sagged with a weariness that Meginnah could understand fully.

Theirs was a weariness that went beyond the tiredness of their physical bodies. It was a heaviness and a dreariness that sapped the strength out of their very souls.

They had lost another of their kin. One of the Elder Dreadlords, one of the few survivors of Era’s Fall so long ago, who had stood with them through thick and thin these past ten tortured years.

Ekron was dead.

Meginnah remembered her sister’s words. Just minutes ago, she’d cried herself to sleep. Her husband’s death had hit her hardest of all, both her and their daughter, Corizon. She’d asked Meginnah, just before she fell asleep. Why? Why do they hate us so much?

Whatever the past generations of Dreadlords had done, their generation and their children’s were guilty only of being Dreadlords by birth and doing their duty. Everything else had stemmed from the hurts that resulted after the Migration betrayed them despite their peace treaty, ten years ago.

Duty! How Meginnah hated that word now. I want nothing more to do with these people!

Back before they’d found Skia, Corizon had wanted to kill everyone in the Migration, and Meginnah could hardly blame her, after all they’d been through.

Meeting Skia had changed her mind. The time they’d spent together had changed Corizon. Even now, Meginnah was thankful that he’d returned to them, especially now in this dire hour, she sensed that they were together, and Corizon was finding comfort in him.

But as for Megorah, and herself, and Tidal…

Meginnah wanted to retire. Leave the Migration to its own troubles and just depart in peace. Normally, with the next generation at the level of strength that Yuuyami, Corizon and Skia were currently at, Dreadlords retiring peacefully was a viable option. They’d simply vanish and live out the rest of their years in quiet at their own Sanctuary.

That wasn’t possible this time. Their own Sanctuary, Crystalgard, was all but under siege. There was no peace in Crystalgard, not so long as it was threatened by this bunch of Knights.

The Dreadlords also controlled Zaman, and now, Eon, but neither would do. It just wasn’t the same. They were just Sanctuaries that the Dreadlords controlled. Crystalgard was home. And home was threatened by these treasure-hunting fools who thought they could find some magical answers to solve all their problems there.

Meginnah would never allow them to desecrate her home Sanctuary.

I can’t take much more of this. Meginnah sat down on the bed and fell back on it exhausted.

Neither can I. Tidal admitted. We need a break.

Meginnah groaned. "I hate this. Sometimes, it all seems impossible for us to accomplish, struggling against the Migration as we are. I wish we could just tell everyone why we do what we do."

Tidal snorted. Who hasn’t? I wish that every day. But obviously, we can’t.

Can’t. Meginnah echoed the word bitterly. "There’s so many things we just can’t do."

"I wish everyone would just… trust us…" Tidal whispered.

"Been there. Tried it. That was a disaster."

It was. Tidal admitted, giving up that train of thought. "I’m so… tired."

I am too. Meginnah said.

They fell quiet for a minute.

Ina? Tidal nudged her softly.

Hmm?

We’re going to have to send Cori to Crystalgard.

Meginnah thought about it. You’re right. It’s early, but we have no choice. But that can wait for tomorrow. Right now, she’s with Skia.

Isn’t it risky to leave them alone like that? Tidal wondered.

Maybe. Maybe it’s precisely what we need. We don’t know, and that’s exactly why I’m not going to interfere.

Tidal laughed softly. Tomorrow, then.

They slept.

***

That night, Corizon dreamt.

She had nightmares for as long as she could remember. Nightmares about what could be. But this night was different. This nightmare was not about the future she most feared.

It was worse.

Corizon stood on a field of blood and ashes. A field surrounded by a wall of fog so high, they shrouded the skies, so thick, she saw nothing past them. In front of her were the Seven Foxes. Flying and her six siblings.They stood in a formation with Flying Fox at the center.

Waiting. Waiting for what…?

Energy gathered in their midst, but they just stood there, waiting. Corizon could not move. She stood directly in their line of fire, but could not move.

And then, she was no longer on that field. She stood at the edge of Kronos, and watched herself climb up over the top with all her high ideals and thoughts written over her face, in blatant ignorance of what waited above.

The Foxes stirred. They were waiting precisely for that very moment.

Move! MOVE!!

Cori could not move. She could only watch, helpless, eyes wide, as they summoned the Quantum Blast.

I’m going to die… she realized. The Quantum Blast surged out, relentlessly demanding her life. I’m dead…

But she did not die. Out of nowhere, her father appeared. He stood directly in its way, his face holding that stern, disappointed expression he had every time she made a mistake, every time she failed to do something right.

He looked at her with that face and said nothing.

And then the searing light claimed him and he fell apart before her eyes, turning into ash even as she screamed inwardly and tried with all she had just to move.

Light surrounded her, and once more she was back on the field of blood. His blood, she saw now. The ashes were all that remained of her father. And it was not just the field covered with blood. His blood was on her hands also.

Someone laughed.

Corizon’s eyes blazed, and her head snapped up to see…

The face of Winter, laughing madly into the teeth of a storm of her own making. The face of Soran, screaming, pleading for someone to end his life. The face of Zerah, and only her face, for Corizon had torn her body apart, just as Ekron had been torn apart. The face of Zoe, with her eyes staring directly at Corizon.

The Four Seasons… four people who suffered or died at her hands, because of her thoughtlessness.

Corizon froze. There was a fifth face, a face that hovered nearer than the others.

Raine. Corizon heard her own voice from behind her. I will kill Raine!

Her own voice, back before she discovered the truth.

No… she whispered. "Don’t say that… Raine is my sister… my sister! I don’t want her to die! Raine! Come back!"

But it was too late. Raine was dead. Because of her.

Corizon fled. She fled to the only place there was to flee to, a Sanctuary, just behind her. She leapt up to it eagerly, seeking refuge from everything that plagued her on the surface.

But when she reached it, she realized what it was… and when it was.

And screamed the tortured scream of the condemned.

This nightmare was about the past… and it had already happened.

***

The Night Heart was aching.

Skia had been unable to sleep. He felt it as clearly as he felt his own heart aching. He knew it as personally as he knew his own pain.

Corizon was screaming. Screaming endlessly. Just like the Staff of the Song, earlier that day. Skia did not hear her cries this time. Did not hear her whimpers. But he felt it.

He felt it clearly.

Saying nothing, he got up. Without a noise, he went over to her room, just as he’d done every night in the recent past.

He took out the Night Heart, fed it with his own life force, and placed it at her back.

***

Corizon was on Kronos.

The Sanctuary she sought so eagerly to escape her own guilt was the last place she truly wanted to be. Before her were the Seven Foxes, already in formation. The Quantum Blast surged out at her, seeing its chance to claim her life again. No… not again… not again!!

Ekron appeared before it, looking at Corizon with that stern and disappointed expression on his face. Searing light turned him to ash, and filled the world with white.

Stop it… Corizon whispered, as she found herself right where she knew she would be.

On a field of blood and ashes. A field filled with Winter’s mad cackle and all those whose blood were on her hands. And this time, there were not just four.

It looked like a hundred.

***

The Night Heart was struggling.

What’s wrong? Skia frowned. Do your thing.

At least one of them would be able to sleep a little more soundly tonight, he thought.

But the Night Heart was quailing. Something was wrong.

It could no longer help Corizon. Cori’s heart had changed. It was foreign territory to the Night Heart.

The Night Heart could do nothing to aid her Comrade.

***

Corizon could not face them. She fled, tears streaming down her face.

Something was in her way. An obstacle that stretched from horizon to horizon. Corizon climbed it, desperate to get away. She climbed it, and lifted her head.

In time to see herself reach Kronos, the Seven Foxes before her, and the white light of the Quantum Blast surging for her face.

NO! her mind screamed, but her body could not move. Her father’s face haunted her as he turned to ash, and Corizon returned to the field of blood and ashes.

***

Help me! The Night Heart begged. Help me protect Cori! I can’t do it!

Skia stared at her, fed her more life force.

I can’t reach her! The Night Heart told him, rejecting the energy he offered. Help her!

What do you want me to do? Skia whispered. His own heart was in no condition to help another.

***

Laughter and screams and accusations of a hundred voices chased Corizon to the edge of a cliff. She fled, and hurled herself into empty blackness.

The feeling of falling endlessly suddenly brought a chill up her back. Flailing, she sought to slow her fall, or at least to end it, rather than keep falling like that. Her hands grasped a ledge on the way down the cliff. Almost sobbing, she pulled herself up to the ledge…

And climbed onto Kronos, in time to see the Foxes unleash the Quantum Blast at her face.

NO! Corizon screamed, releasing the ledge totally to stretch out towards her father, in a futile gesture even as his face gazed at her in disappointment and turned to ashes.

Corizon fell… onto a field of blood and ashes, surrounded now by a thousand laughing, screaming, and shrieking faces.

***

She needs you… the Night Heart trailed off. I can’t help her any more. You can.

How? Skia frowned. A part of him wanted to leave Cori to struggle with her own inner demons. He had his own wounds to lick.

But something made him pause.

Tears trickled from Cori’s face. Tears in a flood. Corizon’s hand stretched out, just stretched out towards nothing.

Skia stared. He’d seen that before.

A voice whispered to his soul.

Skia… what are you going to do…?

***

No… please… no! Corizon fled, even as she saw the Sanctuary ahead and knew exactly what was going to happen.

She was right. The Foxes were there, and the terrible, terrible light of the Quantum Blast.

Dad! Corizon screamed.

Once more, she stretched out her hand, a gesture made without hope. She did so expecting nothing but more torture.

But this time…

This time, someone took it.

Phase 42: Overnight

Skia took one look at what was happening and responded the exact same way he did earlier that day.

It looked so very similar. The Seven Foxes were unleashing the Quantum Blast on Corizon. Cori had been unable to respond in time, instinctively putting up a barrier instead of dodging, an action as futile as trying to use a leaf as shelter against a hailstorm.

Ekron had leapt in to protect his daughter and managed to buy Skia enough time to raise a complex Barrier using both his own bloodline talents and the powers the Black Wing inherited from the Dread Shield. Though they managed to save Corizon between them, Ekron himself paid for their success with his life, dissipating into dust and ashes a minute after his body and powers stood before the brunt of the Quantum Blast.

This dream, however, had been twisted. Skia saw Ekron’s face in Cori’s dream and stared. He looked so… hostile.

That had never occurred in real life. Cori’s fears were twisting what really happened.

Cori herself was shaking. Her life force, even in her dream, felt like a shattered wreck. It was clear that she couldn’t take too much more of this.

No wonder the Night Heart couldn’t help her this time. This dream was nothing like what Cori’s little Comrade ever encountered. Before, Cori had suffered from fear of the future.

Now, she faced a haunting past, catalyzed by her own guilt.

I really don’t need this… Skia half-groaned to himself.

But Cori was dying as surely as if she’d been stabbed and bleeding to death.

Look, I can’t keep rescuing her all the time!

Tidal’s voice floated to him, as if he’d said it himself. Skia… don’t you care about her?

Skia gave it a dry retort. Not the way you seem to think I should. My love belongs to Yuki.

And then Yuki’s own voice returned to haunt him, with the exact same words she used as she rejected him earlier that very day. Skia… I love you… as a brother.

As if the sudden dilemma of the situation was a catalyst, a scene played back in his mind then, a scene from so long ago, a scene brought on by Corizon’s memory of her father’s last moments. The scene of Skia’s real father in his final moments. The most terrible moments of Skia’s life.

This, while Skia suddenly found himself and Cori surrounded by thousands of insane, screaming figures and faces all taunting them both on a field of blood and ashes.

Those faces were also taunting him… at a time like this.

He exploded.

***

Skia…? What was he doing here…? How…?

Wait… wasn’t this what happened? Wasn’t this what really took place?

Skia had been there when the Quantum Blast surged out. He, too, had shielded her, using the Black Wing, just like he was doing now…

But not even he could save her father, and Corizon watched her father’s figure crumble into ash. Dad…!

And then once more, she stood on that desolate field where now thousands of faces and figures were taunting her, screaming at her, hating her.

I… I…

And then Skia exploded.

Corizon was slammed into the ground from the sheer fury of his eruption. Where the field had been gray, it now turned a black darker than night, and where mockery and hatred had been thrown at her, the world was now covered, absolutely dominated with a towering, overwhelming fury.

What…?

Skia’s power surged out, waves upon waves of utter night ripping into the crowds of taunting figures. The very fog itself was torn asunder, and the voice he lifted to the uncaring sky sounded more like the howl of his wolfcat than that of his own throat. Fear itself fled the scene, not daring to face the unperceivable darkness that swept through the land at his outcry.

A sudden whisper came to her then, a whisper of something she had not dared to witness when she last had her chance, something that swept by so quickly, she saw only a glimpse of what tore at Skia’s heart.

Father…!

Corizon saw it and realized. Skia, too, was remembering his father’s last moments.

He understands me. That became clear to her in an instant.

Corizon watched his power not just banish, but utterly annihilate every voice and face that taunted her.

He’s protecting me… that much seemed obvious.

Her nightmare did not pause. After she was free of the taunting figures, once more, they were on Kronos, and she watched herself climb over the edge.

The Foxes unleashed the Quantum Blast at her. Ekron leapt in to save his daughter.

And on his face…

Skia roared, and the scene shook like a pool of water being struck like a rock. "No! This was what happened!"

The dream changed.

Ekron had never turned around. He had faced the Foxes, and Corizon had no idea what was on his face at all. Not even Skia knew what his face looked like at that moment. They could only see the back of his head.

But I know… I know he’s disappointed in me… because of my mistakes…

The Blast hit, Ekron bearing the brunt of it, and Skia shielding her from the rest.

That’s not true, Cori. Skia told her then, the pair of them just wraiths on the field of memory.

The Ekron of her memory spoke. Skia…

Corizon stared. She remembered now. That was what had happened.

I’m here. Skia replied, just as he had before.

Thank you. Ekron said, in a quiet tone. For taking care of my daughter.

Corizon froze. The dream froze. Everything stood still as if time itself had stopped.

Come here, Cori. Skia said, pulling her by the hand. He brought her to stand before her father, to look at his face.

This is what his life force felt like. This is what his words and tone sounded like. Skia told her.

Corizon couldn’t take her eyes off her father’s face.

The face of Ekron was that of a relieved and satisfied man.

***

Skia saw Corizon’s eyes widen in her dream, and open in real life.

It had to happen, he guessed. There had been too much conscious design in what he’d done in her dreams. It was inevitable that all that consciousness was going to cause her to wake up.

Do you remember, now? he asked her in a low voice, not wanting to rouse anyone else.

Skia… Corizon trailed off.

Then she threw her arms around him and cried on his shoulder.

***

Hana saw it all.

She was an enigma to many of those who knew her. A blind girl who saw so much more than those who could see normally. She would never know what most of those who met her looked like, but she would know their feelings and thoughts by the very sense of their life force. Her sensitivity to life force was at an extreme that even Dreadlords feared.

Or, more precisely, the other Dreadlords.

Few knew, but she, too, was born a Dreadlord. Unlike her kin, however, she had disowned her heritage and lived out her life as a handicapped dependent of Twilight’s. She’d plied her trade as a Seer, using her sensitivity to life force to reveal to people what even they could not see in themselves.

Her blindness was a gift, in a sense. On account of her handicap, the council of Dreadlords allowed her to go free of the duty that had cost them all so much. On account of her handicap, many people assumed she was ignorant, or unable to perceive what happened around her.

They could not be more wrong.

Hana could not see what everyone could… but she could see what everyone could not.

She saw it all.

From where she lay on Kronos, she saw Skia’s troubled spirit as he shielded Cori with the same protectiveness with which he saved her twice before. She saw Megorah’s bereavement and grief. She saw Meginnah’s tiredness, a tiredness that drained her very soul, and Tidal struggling to support her even while he himself was ailing.

Ekron’s death had hit them hard. Very hard.

Twilight, newly married though she was, faced her own challenges and suffering. Seigetsu still mourned, and she respected his sorrow. She strove to take care of everything going on around her new land while caring for her new husband all the while. She was straining, even now. No one person was meant to hold up the many roles and responsibilities she now took on herself, much less attempt them at the standards with which she upheld. Even her own Dread Knights were paling at her fervor.

Black and White Fox were two of the main reasons why she held up as long as she had. The two were proving very capable in their new roles as High Paladin and High Guardian. Once they fully grasped how dedicated she was to Seigetsu and his dream, they rose up to stand at her side through what was proving to be a trial by fire for them all.

Their adopted siblings, Brown and Blue Fox, were not so lucky. They lacked the clarity of vision that their elder siblings followed. Their main reason for being with Eon was the invitation of Black and White Fox, in the face of Flying’s impossible demands. They were who they were, and adhered to their values when Flying turned to atrocities to achieve her goals. Thus, they had left Kronos and Flying Fox’s Order at the invitation and were now feeling rather lost for it.

Blue Fox was doubly lost. Not only had she left her eldest sister’s command, she had lost her main source of steadiness that she’d come to rely on this past month – her mentor, Yuki, or ‘Shion’, as she had called herself. Yuki had gone into total isolation following the dilemma of Skia’s decision. Without meaning to, she had left Blue Fox without the support she relied on the most during the times of her greatest insecurity.

And if Blue Fox was doubly lost, Brown Fox was quadruple. Just thinking about the complications he faced gave even Hana a headache. As if leaving Flying was not enough, there was the issue of Red Fox, someone he’d loved for years, him and his rival, Gray Fox. Red had recently changed a great deal following the discovery of her true parentage, and had made decisions which resulted in her leading him to believe he stood a firm chance… and then revealing later on that she’d started dating Gray Fox seriously. Flying had taken advantage of his feelings for Red, using a deception that implicated Skia as Red’s secret lover in order to rouse his full wrath in battle against the Dreadlords. After verifying that it was untrue, Brown had been lost enough that he’d accompanied Blue Fox to join Eon.

And Eon itself was a place of lostness for him. There were just too many things there, like Eon’s embodiment, the Avatar, or her Energy Knights, or the Dreadlords and Dread Knights everywhere and none of them trying to kill him, or the unorthodox vision of Seigetsu’s that had all the non-Dread Knight and Dreadlord citizens of Eon excited… everything, everything there was bizarre to him.

That included his own wolfcat, Melody, who had many surprising secrets of her own.

Hana was watching those two (the Foxes, that is – she didn’t count the wolfcat) with growing interest.

Eon aside, Kyros’ camp wasn’t much more orderly.

Everyone here was lost.

The Templar were the least disoriented. Theirs was the simplest of causes. The fifty-strong Order of Templar was loyal to Kyros. Whatever he decided, they supported.

Their duties had been usurped, their Expedition had come to a grinding halt lest it caused them to betray everything they stood for, and keeping order amongst the civilian population was a matter of no effort – the survivors of Kronos’ civilians, those who hadn’t already taken up warfare, had come this far under heavy duress and were neither prone to mischief nor willing to risk anything to ignite all the tension that surrounded their fragile peace.

Basically put, they had nothing to do, and nowhere to go. They simply followed Kyros, and Kyros wasn’t going anywhere.

The other non-Templar knights who stood with Kyros were less certain. They, like the Dread Knights that now stayed with them rather than on Eon, had seen the light that sprung up around Mu