Enviro-Scapes: Exiled Elementals Series (Book Two), page 24
As they stood at the edge of the flowing lava rivers within their haven, their combined powers began shaking the entire realm of the exiled. Powerful multicolored glyphs stretched across their joined hands, rising to the surface of their skin, casting glyphs along the walls and ceiling. The glyphs swirled higher and higher, forming the sign of Suncorea around them all. The vibration was intense as the children watched Tiago intently as he took the center next to Adul’s body.
Tiago sank to his knees and looked at each child. Kasha nodded that it was time.
Tiago banged on his chest as his brown glyphs pulled the Earth apart, forming a crater that seemed endless next to the flowing lava rivers. It would be Adul’s sleeping chamber. Tiago, who had never cried, let out a cry of anguish that was felt beyond the caverns. It was felt within the Mud Kingdom, as other prisoners who also befriended Adul screamed their unity with the exiled children. It was felt within the Braven by those merchants and prisoners who felt unity with the exiled children as they beat a drum of alliance. The sound was deafening. The sign of Suncorea continued to rise above the lava caverns and encircled the sky.
It was black light, beautiful and brighter than any other light known to man. It was a living life force, full of magical creation. A substance that would mold the next generation of elementals in the universe. It was Suncorea at its core!
Tiago’s cry of pain went on and on as he beat his chest. The entire realm of the exiled began to shake at each beat. His power was immense! His pain was great! And his fury would be unleashed!
Prisoners in the Mud Kingdom, Braven, and throughout the prison territory pointed at the roving glyphs on the horizon in the sky. Some fell to their knees, not knowing what was happening. But others, some older prisoners in a remote, hidden part of the realm, looked at each other with knowing eyes.
“It is time.” They looked at each other and agreed they would help the children. They combined their hands, uniting elemental glyphs that had been hidden for many years and joined in the call to Suncorea. Cloaked in blue robes, one of the men bent to the ground chanting. Blue elemental glyphs of epic proportions began to glow around him. A glowing bright blue droplet of water fell from his fingertip. It was a droplet of pure healing elemental power that shot across the ground headed in one direction. The man quickly ran off in the same direction, headed to where he knew Adul and the children resided.
Tiago and the kids felt it instantly. The connection to other elementals in their midst! It wasn’t close, but it wasn’t far either. It had to be in the realm somewhere. The kids welcomed the connection, their elemental glyphs roaming in new patterns as if charged with new energies, much more potent than their own.
Adul’s blue glyphs swirled brighter and brighter, joining the new energies. Suddenly, and without warning, his glyphs exploded into blazing blue glyphs that shot across the cavern and joined the blue glyphs of several elemental children who had power over water. Adul’s powers seemed to replenish their energies over water, making them even stronger. His light went out as the last of Adul’s glyphs joined the elemental children. Tiago lifted Adul with his elemental powers and gently placed him in his sleeping chamber. The children each used their elemental gifts to place beautiful wreaths around Adul. Kasha’s fire created a beautiful gem enclosure around Adul, the beauty of the likes never foreseen before.
Knowing that Adul’s powers recirculated among the exiled elemental children, they celebrated that night. Suncorea was a peaceful bond. They knew that Adul’s spirit would rise to the sun's core and would one day be reborn in the Earth's core to rise again with elemental powers.
That night was part one of their battle cry. No longer would they hide, hoping to stay out of sight and unnoticed. Tiago and Kasha hatched a plan to bring havoc to the realm of the exiled and to Morin and Daniel.
Everyone in the fortress was on high alert, not knowing what could have shaken the lands. The A-Lords believed it was an earthquake, and many prisoners believed the same. But Morin knew in her heart that it was something more. She saw the strange auroras in the sky that seemed more like a symbol than the auroras previously seen in the Arabian lands. It was the same symbol Morin saw the exiled children make when they ran to Adul’s body. A symbol she also saw in her brother Jacob’s scrolls. She cautioned Daniel and the other A-Lords to be extra vigilant.
But it was too late. Remote parts of the fortress were suddenly on fire. As they battled to get the fire under control, the kids attacked. Mercenaries and prisoners loyal to the demigods were ruthlessly burned. Some were buried half alive in a strange quicksand that appeared without warning. Others were drowned in pools that came and evaporated out of thin air. Yet still, others were found struck by lightning or frozen to death.
All in all, the strike left countless dead, including several demigods whose bodies were unable to heal before their heads were severed from their bodies.
The following two nights brought the same fury. They never knew when the kids would strike or where. In fact, other than Morin, no one knew who was behind the deaths. The demigods were facing a battle fought by faces that only Morin had ever seen.
The demigods called it The Battle of the Unseen.
Vigot joined his father in the Overlord’s massive honey-combed estate built on the highest levels of the fortress in the realm of the exiled. The suites were vast expanses of space that existed on the boundaries of Earth and a realm accessible only by the Overlord and his offspring. The veil between Earth and their realm was invisible to anyone who didn’t carry the Overlord’s bloodline.
As Vigot took his place at the oval dining table, he saw that another place setting was prepared. The Overlord entered with O’Larraa.
“O’Larraa! You look ravishing, little sister.”
Vigot lifted O’Larraa from her feet as he hugged her immensely. He hadn’t seen her in two years, not long by a demigod’s count, but long enough between two siblings that adored each other.
“I’ve been spending time with Mother. She sends her love and worries that you don’t come to visit enough.” She giggled as Vigot twirled her back to her feet.
The Overlord smiled at the love between his two youngest children. They were the only children by his fourth wife, an ancient creature among the demigods whose beauty was only rivaled by their daughter, O’Larraa.
“I’ll go visit Mother soon, I promise. The Overlord has me so busy that I can rarely get away to visit.”
“Overlord, surely you can let Vigot visit Mother more often. She will spoil him rotten and have him married before the next century.” She giggled infectiously, the only one that could make their father laugh loudly.
“O’Larraa, your brother is busy. He will have his wife soon enough when he is ready. There are many battles still ahead of him, and women are a distraction for the young. You might take some advice from your brother. Your harem of men seems to keep growing!”
Vigot and his father laughed. O’Larraa had three demigods in her harem, unusual for a demigoddess who would one day take a husband.
“Overlord, I’ll tell you as I’ve told Mother. When one of you finds me a man worthy of my love, I’ll have no problem giving up my harem of gorgeous demigods to rule equally with my mate. But so far, everyone that Mother has found is too weak to keep my attention for more than a few moons.”
O’Larraa was gorgeous. While she and Vigot shared the same diamond sheen to their skin, hers was a deep honey color like their mother’s. She also had their mother’s amethyst-colored living eyes brimmed in silver that showed the stars in faraway galaxies that their mother ruled. O’Larraa’s luminescence was powerfully bright, a stark contrast to her jet black, long thick curly black hair. She shared her brother’s love for body piercings, with several in her nose, eyebrows, and forked tongue. Though she was thin and of average height, she had bountiful breasts fully displayed with her avant-garde clothing. She was also a dangerous powerbroker among the demigods.
They sat for an hour, sharing stories about their youthful times. Vigot enjoyed catching up on all the gossip that O’Larraa had to share. The Overlord left to attend business while the siblings continued their talk.
“Vigot, I fear that this world is teetering recklessly in a direction that can impact the demigods’ rule in this universe. The Overlord’s war that he battled as a youth is closer in its return than we think. Mother sent me here to keep watch on things, and she doesn’t want father here for too long. This is your time to shine, and you might have to walk a path that differs from our father’s.”
O’Larraa had psychic abilities and other powers that she inherited from their mother. Vigot was sure O’Larraa would have a husband by now if people weren’t so afraid of her powers. O’Larraa was a whisperer like her mother. Whisperers were ancient creatures who could whisper to the wind and make things happen. So many feared their mother that she was often alone in her world until the Overlord conquered her mother’s people and captured her mother’s heart. Her submission to the Overlord gave him immense power in this part of the universe. If O’Larraa was right, that power would be tested.
“I welcome your companionship, O’Larraa. I’ll see that you have the best quarters here for however long you plan to stay.” Vigot’s tone deepened.
“But know this little sister. I am in charge here … Not you … Not Mother. Whatever mischief you are up to with Mother, I don’t want any parts of it.” Vigot stood up and looked out the windows to the stars in their galaxy.
“The Many Mothers are terrified of you two! Mother’s antics are legendary among the demigods. I’ve been keeping my ears open too. I know that you have been off-world many times looking for something. I just hope that something isn’t here on Earth.”
“Vigot, you know Mother and me so fucking well! That’s why Mother sent me. She knows that you will do the right thing to keep us in power. You will watch the Overlord’s back like no other has ever done before. Your grandeur makes us all proud.” She was using her charm, and Vigot knew it. O’Larraa continued cautiously.
“But again, father’s ways might not always be the best for you. His tether over you is strong … but you might have to break it when the time is right.”
Vigot long knew that his father’s tyrannical ways of training his children by any means necessary were frowned upon by his wives. Especially Vigot’s mother, who didn’t like having her son torn from her when he was barely eight years old and trained by his father’s side. Vigot knew that he had powers not yet tested that he inherited from his mother. The Overlord wanted Vigot to be strong and reminded him that the Overlord’s power conquered those who possessed his mother’s powers long ago.
“Their powers are no match for the power of my DNA in your blood. It is that power that you should draw on Vigot. Not your mother’s.” The Overlord always spoke this truth to Vigot.
Yet, O’Larraa once again reminded Vigot that he had untested powers inherited from his mother that he might have to call upon one day.
After a full day of briefing the Overlord and O’Larraa on the realm of the exiled, Vigot was ready to get out on the perimeter with his twin demi-beasts. They had been brimming with aggression the entire day since Vigot had returned off-world. Vigot wasn’t sure what was wrong with them, but his twin beasts seemed to want to take him somewhere.
Vigot learned from the A-Lords of the vicious attacks that had taken place over the last few days in his absence. Perhaps there was some inner war happening among the prisoners. A rivalry for status or territory. But when prison wars led to the death of demigods, it became a demigod problem that Vigot had to eradicate. It was rare for a demigod to die, so he had to get to the bottom of it. He called a briefing.
When Morin walked into the briefing center, she was shocked to see O’Larraa in the audience. She bowed as they all did when O’Larraa looked in their direction. But for some reason, O’Larraa’s eyes landed right on Morin’s, where they stayed the rest of the briefing.
One of O’Larraa’s harem mates called Morin over as they began leaving. O’Larraa wanted a private audience with her.
“Whatever you’ve done, sister, don’t pull the Gadot family into it! O’Larraa is no fool. Be careful what you say to her,” Daniel whispered nervously as Morin left his side to see O’Larraa.
“Morin, darling. It is so good to finally meet you. A female A-Lord! That’s fucking legendary. And those swords! Let me take a closer look.”
Morin held the twilight swords in the air as directed.
O’Larraa’s amethyst eyes glowed, as strange symbols swirled inside them. She had living eyes like Vigot and the Overlord. O’Larraa inspected the swords and smiled wickedly.
“This sword was used to strike a blow against a powerful being. One that will tear your fucking heart out if she ever returns.”
And with that warning, O’Larraa dismissed Morin from her presence.
Morin’s heart was beating so fast that she could barely breathe. The twilight swords rattled in her hands, making it difficult to put them back in their scabbards. Sweat broke out on her brow as her metallic uniform seemed to stick to her body as if she were entombed in a coffin. Daniel saw her distress and quickly helped her to a nearby seat.
“What did she say, Morin? Morin … can you hear me?”
Morin saw Daniel’s mouth moving, but she couldn’t hear him. All she could hear was O’Larraa whispering to the winds. She was telling them that Morin was an enemy.
Daniel got Morin out of the room as fast as he could.
O’Larraa smiled and went to Vigot’s side.
“Vigot, the A-Lords speak of The Battle of the Unseen. Do you know what caused this battle? Do you know who is attacking?”
“I do not, O’Larraa. But you need not worry about the security here. The fortress is well-protected. The prisoners here are very skilled and have earned their right to be exiled from the civilized world. We have the worst murderers, rapists, and thieves in the world right here in this prison. The Zibotwa cells are where we hold prisoners from other worlds. That is why the Overlord has some of the best A-Lords stationed in this realm.”
“I just worry that this battle they speak of is not a battle brimming between rival prisoners, but one directed against those who have abused the defenseless.”
“Whatever it is, it will die down like all the past battles and killings. I’ve been here long enough to know that sometimes you need to let the prisoners get their anger out of their systems.”
O’Larraa knew her brother was missing the point. She had work to do. Her mother was right to send her here. Morin had opened old wounds that she knew nothing about. Even Vigot was not aware of the powerful beings in their midst.
I know that they are out there. I will find them.
CHAPTER 25
After using the jump site in the temple, Thayden, Nhari, and their entourage arrived at the location provided by Geir. Thayden was still beside himself that Nhari was meeting Geir. She promised to explain once they arrived, but Thayden knew he wouldn’t be able to believe a word out of her mouth. She had a way of lying so close to the truth that she likely didn’t know the difference. She also seemed to find trouble everywhere she went. Geir and trouble went hand in hand.
The rival Viking prince was a notorious raider being hunted by the Viking King. Thayden only hoped this visit by Nhari had nothing to do with the murder of Taug Bjorn, the Viking King’s son, at the arena. The very son who kicked Nhari’s butt and showed all the world that she sucked at combat during the Icelands enviro-scape.
The coordinates landed them at a little-known jump site on the Canadian and North American border, where they were disarmed and searched. But Geir had more surprises waiting for them. Instead of taking them into the forest to the place where the entire world believed that Geir was hiding out, he took them somewhere remarkable and off the grid.
Geir’s men surrounded them with weapons and demanded that they re-enter the jump site. They used a jamming device that deactivated any trackers in the jump portal. The men plugged in new unknown coordinates that Thayden had never seen before. The new destination that they arrived at was beyond compare.
They were in an ice city fit for a King. Geir’s Viking Village was massive. It was surrounded by snowcapped mountains in a heavily forested area, and Viking guards were everywhere. Tall ice castles and buildings stood side-by-side, reminding Thayden of parts of New York that still had tall buildings that seemed to disappear in the acidic clouds. It was only a mirage since no structure could withstand the acidic clouds and would melt on contact. But nevertheless, the ice castles were massive.
Geir walked over and grabbed Thayden in a bear hug, lifting him from his feet.
“You’re all grown up now, boy! And I hear you are into a lot of shit that your mama doesn’t need to know about.” Geir had a booming voice with a ferocious laugh.
Geir did the same to the rest of Thayden’s men, though Oscar growled when Geir looked in his direction. A handshake would have to do.
“Oscar, are you still holding a grudge from the last ass-kicking I gave you?”
“I hardly consider beating on a ten-year-old an ass-kicking when you were much older and stronger. Now … if you want a go at combat training now, I would love to take you on.”
“Yes, you’re still mad. I trained you well at the academy. That beating probably saved your life more than once when you later encountered bigger and stronger adversaries. That was the lesson the old man was teaching all of us. Don’t hold a grudge.”
Geir was correct for a change, but Oscar was still pissed. Geir was one of their trainers when they were young boys at the training academy that Thayden, Oscar, and the other guys were called to attend at age five. They all had special powers in their youth, but at the time, Geir’s powers were much stronger than theirs. Geir was also older, and their master had sanctioned Geir as their trainer. Geir was very hard on them, especially Oscar. And Oscar was known to carry a grudge.
