Immortal Warriors Part 3: Immortal Warriors, #3

By Julian Rosado-Machain

A  siege to end all sieges! Immortal secrets revealed!  An Epic ending to the Immortal Warriors Saga!

As Barganush and his horde cross the Sajib and the Immortals battle against all hope, it falls to Ini to finally unravel the secret his father left behind and try to save the city.

Heroes and villains rally  as the final push for Ridyani's future brings the battle inside the city gates and Ini has not broken his father's code. Will Ihe rise up to the challenge or join his parents in the Ancestor's Halls?

In this final installment of the Immortal Warriors the battle that will decide the fate of the jungle rages on.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Julian Rosado-Machain
• Release date: Jul 8, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223596080

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

For the third time that monsoon season, Ridyani’s horns called for a general assembly. In minutes the whole city was gathered in the main plaza and anxiously awaiting the news. Parents hugged their babies close, and more than one expected to hear that the horde had finally crossed over the Sajib.

Ini saw how the faces of the citizens turned from worry to utter happiness when a bandaged and tired Drusta appeared on the balcony and, right beside him, the remaining ISSO Team members and Rotoopelli. For the first time since he had re-encountered his uncle, Ini saw him in a truly open mood. Rotoopelli seemed to always be happy, but also taciturn and bashful. Speaking only of cogs and pulleys or other engineering terms, he always kept an air of aloofness with almost everybody but him and Drusta.

Today, however, he was the main speaker. When the citizens in their happiness demanded to know how the miracle of seeing Drusta alive was possible, Rotoopelli stepped up and told the story, from the plans to the crossing of the river, and the pursuit on their way back. Like any good storyteller, he had the audience in the palm of his paw. Children oohed and aahed at the jumps over the crocodiles and cheered for Number Four who jumped over the bamboo bringing all enemies down to the river.

The only exception in his uncle’s tale was that of Ini’s participation. Instead of him, it had been Radji who had facilitated their return. As he told that story, the remaining ISSO glanced back at him and gave him an almost imperceptible nod in thanks. Rotoopelli ended his story with the sacrifice of Number One, and the citizens remained silent as Drusta took the podium.

The enemy gathers tonight across the Sajib, he told the city. Barganush’s lands are empty. All of his forces everywhere across Saprori have joined his mad crusade. He pointed up at the moon. In two days there will be a full moon. Either he strikes, or he will need to wait until the monsoon is over. We must be ready!

A cheer rose from the citizens, and Ini knew that no matter the anguish of the last months, the city’s resolve was never as high. Barganush wanted a fight, and that’s exactly what he would get.

As the cheers subdued, Number Two stepped forth. My dear friends, he told the city, and everyone kept a respectful silence. I would like to tell you of my teammate… My friend. The citizens, knowing fully well the rites of passage to the ancestors, settled down to hear the life of their new hero. His name was Lanir, son of Luan and Gelto, and born on the side of The Blue Mountain by a lake of gold… One by one the ISSO Team stepped forth and told the citizens about the life of Number One. The minutes became hours as the story of Lanir was told, from childhood to adulthood, training to past missions, each had memories to share, and the name of Lanir was etched in the mind of Ridyani.

At the end of the story, as the citizens returned to their homes and Ebandar and Sadun planned for the morning defenses, Ini was pulled aside by Daraalin. Your presence is requested by the Chief Examiner, she told him seriously. Immediately.

Daraalin walked away without saying another word. Across the room, he saw Drusta, tired and hurt, and for a second he wanted to talk with him but stopped when Drusta bowed at him and turned around too. The only one that approached Ini was Rotoopelli. I have been summoned too, he told him. and we mustn’t keep her waiting long.

He grabbed Ini’s arm reassuringly and walked slowly down the stairs and into the dark streets. The sky was full of fast-moving clouds, thin enough to allow the bright half-moon to shine through them as they passed in front of the moonlight. Ini saw forms in them, faces, animals, castles. Many disappeared quickly or transformed into different things as the strong wind pulled them across the sky.

What will happen, Uncle? Ini asked Rotoopelli as they approached one of the secret entrances to the tunnels. The bearcat shook his whiskers and looked up to the sky.

I don’t know, Ini, Rotoopelli told him with a smile as he opened the entrance. but we’ll find out together, and they entered the dark tunnel in silence.

Erdai and Radji were waiting for them as they approached the judging chamber. Erdai stood proud as always and just looked at them without saying a word. His golden feathers reflected the light of the torches creating a halo around him. Radji, on the other side, was supporting his weight on a wooden crutch. His side and arm were wounded by Number Three’s claws. Ini could still see caked blood and the plasters of medicinal herbs applied to his wounds.

As Ini walked by him, Radji lifted Sayeera in front of his face. Ini looked back at Radji. You took this, Radji told him, and flicking the sword through the air, he caught it by the blade and offered the pommel towards Ini. You return it. Ini grabbed the sword and, taking a step forward, entered the chamber beside Rotoopelli. Immediately after them, the stone that sealed the chamber closed.

CHAPTER 2

Ready the troops, Barganush ordered his war council. Tomorrow we march against Ridyani!

Kesaia looked around her. Where there had been dozens of commanders and lieutenants, now more than a hundred heeded Barganush’s orders. The mustering of his forces had tripled the horde’s strength at the cost of leaving his lands devoid of the horde’s presence. The Ravager had truly gathered the greatest army in the history of the jungle. Wild dogs, bears, rats, mongooses, bats, and even some felines and reindeer that looked out of place in such an army, had banded together under Barganush’s flag.

All of them were sure that Ridyani would fall under their onslaught.

She exchanged a look with Turana. The cobra was already giving orders to her clan, but she nodded at Kesaia leaving no doubt that she was ready to carry out her side of the bargain.

Yes, Kesaia assured herself. "Ridyani would fall" and not soon after she would reign supreme.

CHAPTER 3

It’s inconceivable! Seelia said from behind the pillar in the center of the room. Rotoopelli fidgeted as the cobra appeared from the shadows rising high in front of them. In a thousand years, no one but Radji has taken a sword from the treasure chamber!

It was my idea, Rotoopelli told her as he took a step forward. Ini was just following my…

Silence! Seelia shouted and made a deep rasping noise that chilled them to the very core of their beings. No life is worth exposing the immortals’ secret! Not yours! Not mine! Not even Drusta’s! You know our laws!

Rotoopelli stood back again as Seelia approached them menacingly but he held his ground at Ini’s side.

Fortunately, your plan worked and only one life was spent, but what if it had failed? What if the sword had fallen into the enemy’s hands? A thousand years thrown away by your stupidity! She coiled herself and centered her gaze on Ini. You are already of the Inner Circle, Rotoopelli, she said without taking her eyes off Ini. You will be dealt with according to our laws. Leave.

Rotoopelli trembled but stepped between Seelia and Ini. I won’t leave, Chief Examiner. I will share your judgment with him.

Seelia breathed hard again. Remember when I asked you about upholding your oath as part of the Inner Circle, Rotoopelli? she said, and Rotoopelli bowed his head and sighed.

Yes.

Then answer my call now. Leave us!

Rotoopelli turned around to face Ini and hugged him with tears in his eyes. He patted Ini’s cheek tenderly and turned away toward the exit on the other side of the room.

I will make my judgment now, Seelia said as she rose over Ini.

Ini expected to die at that moment, but Rotoopelli yelled, No! and hurled himself over Seelia’s head, and held her down with all his might.

Run, Ini. Run! he said grabbing the cobra’s mouth shut as he fidgeted with his back legs to try and stave off her coils.

Stunned by his uncle’s action, Ini stood there, dumbstruck, with the sword still in his hands. Go! his uncle repeated, and Ini took a step forward about to run away through the open tunnel.

I can’t leave you, Uncle! he yelled at Rotoopelli who already had a coil around his back.

Then strike her, Ini! he said as the coil compressed around him. Use the sword! We’ll both leave the city!

Ini froze at his uncle’s words. He looked at the sword in his hands then at his uncle who was losing his grip on Seelia’s head. Quick Ini! his uncle pleaded. She was going to kill you! That was her judgment!

Ini raised the sword high above his head. Rotoopelli made an enormous effort to place Seelia’s head against the ground and give him a perfect target. One strike.