The Lands of Ralosia & Ranuulo (Books 1-3)

Sacred Weapons Chapter 3- Tortus & Corri

~Chapter 3- Tortus & Corri~

Corri, Nout, and Temp headed to Platt Mountain after the whole potion fiasco. When they arrived, Ruben and the other Densius of the mountain were glad to see them.

The fourteen-year-old Corri spent carefree days with her friends on the mountain. She placed her golden gauntlets on the ground and challenged the others to pick them up, but they didn't budge. Yet, she lifted them as if they were weightless.

But all the while, something gnawed at her. A terrible foreboding that only grew with time. She couldn't tell what it was, but it felt like it was coming from the south.

Corri could overhear her friends talking about her. Though she tried to hide it, her friends could see her worry.

"Corri has seemed a little down lately, hasn't she?" Nout whispered, curling his trunk around him like a scarf.

The sun reflected off of Temp's metal-looking flesh, and he folded his arms, "I've noticed. If it's important, she'll tell us."

Ruben gave a rocky frown and looked at Corri. He went directly to her and asked, "Are you okay? It seems like something has been bothering you."

"I'm fine!" Corri responded chipperly. But she could tell Ruben saw through her guise.

From atop the mountain, Corri and the others could see Challenger's Lake, the eye-shaped body of water where the fighting tournament was held every three years. But for some reason, a large congregation of people were gathering there now. The red-haired girl was tempted to fly over on her sparrow and see what the commotion was about, but someone from the lake came to them.

An individual riding a Shepard dog - a sizable canine often rode for travel - visited the Densius settlement of Platt Mountain. He met with the Densius leader Emer with a message.

"An army has been making their way north, killing all they pass. We've been assembling around Challenger's Lake to face them. We'd appreciate the help of anyone who can fight. Those who can't should flee north," The messenger said to all on Platt Mountain.

Everyone on the mountain was in disbelief that such a thing could be true. But for Corri, this explained the foreboding she'd been feeling. Never ones to back down from a fight, Corri and her friends made their way towards the eye-shaped lake.

Corri and the others found a substantial crowd of people at Challenger's Lake. Many of them appeared to be abled-bodied individuals ready to help in the coming fight. There were students of the Fighting Academy, warrior Mecarne from the southeast, Densius from Platt Mountain. Hundreds had gathered there.

But many appeared to be survivors, those who fled north from the army. All of them looked truly shaken, and some of them had bloodstains on their clothes.

Corri and the others mixed in with the crowd of people who assembled there. They looked for those in charge and found a few individuals near the water's edge.

"Corri!" A young girl's voice came through the crowd. A brown-haired girl of thirteen wearing the fighting Academy's white robes hurried towards her.

"Hita!" Corri greeted, "Do you know what's going on here?"

"Not much. Just that there's an evil army that we need to stop. They're supposed to give us more info soon."

A large mass burst from the lake, a giant sea turtle. The Water Deity, Tortus.

Standing in front of the deity was Dama, headmistress of the Fighting Academy, and Therma, the strongest of all the Mecarne. Surprisingly enough, Corri saw her father Razan and uncle Lucar beside them. Corri and everyone else who had assembled circled around to hear them.

Tortus spoke with a strong but calm voice, "I'd like to thank all of you for coming. It's time I explained what's been happening."

Tortus paused for a moment, "On the opposite side of our Lands of Ralosia exists another world. A place known as the Lands of Ranuulo, filled with malevolent beings who would seek to do us harm. Nearly a thousand years ago, the Goddess created a barrier between our world and theirs, but that barrier has been shattered."

The air left Corri's body, and she looked at the gauntlets she wore... She was the one that shattered the barrier.

This is all my fault.

Tortus continued, "Now that they're free, it seems they've assembled an army. They've made their way through the desert and the Saran Plains. We have no choice but to fight! The Sky Deity is assembling an army and will come to our aid as soon as possible. In the meantime, it is our duty to prepare. Follow the orders of Dama and these other warriors for now."

Corri's entire body was shaking. She just wanted to help a friend; she had no idea people would die because of what she did. She knelt and bowed her head, struggling to ease her thoughts.

Ruben placed a rocky arm around her shoulder, "We're going to be okay. We'll get through this."

Tortus's voice boomed around the lake again, "Would the one called Corri come to me now?"

Corri's heartbeat quickened, and she looked up. Many eyes were on her. She rose to her feet, made her way through the crowd to the water's edge where Tortus waited. The turtle lowered itself in the bright blue water so its shell was closer to the girl.

"Climb on," Tortus said.

Corri hopped onto the turtle's shell, and he went out to deeper water. Tortus spoke softly and looked back, "Ool has told me quite a bit about you, young one. He believes you to be very special."

Corri was quiet, she didn't know what to say. Tortus's eye lingered on the gauntlets she wore, "Seeing you wearing those... I think it's safe to assume that you are the one who shattered the barrier. Is that right?"

Corri couldn't look him in the eyes. She answered lowly, "Yes..."

"Why did you do it?" Tortus asked calmly.

"My friend's parents were trapped in the Lands of Ranuulo, and I just wanted to set them free. I had no idea this would happen!" Corri stammered, hoping the truth would be enough.

"I see," Tortus said slowly.

"I'll do whatever it takes for us to win. This is all my fault."

"No, no. I want you to head to the Sky Lands where it'll be safe. Leave the battle to us."

Corri cocked her head, "You called everyone else here to help fight. Why are you asking me to leave?"

"You're the first person worthy of Ralosia's Gauntlets that we've found in... quite a long time. Ool sees your importance, as do I."

Corri glared at Tortus and defiantly said, "I'm not running."

Tortus looked at the red-haired girl who rested on his shell. There was a look of familiarity in his eyes. "Very well. You may help in the fight. But stay among strong company. If events become dire, mount your sparrow and flee."

Tortus brought her to the water's edge, and she jumped off. Corri hurried to her friends.

The fighters available were divided amongst Dama, Therma, Razan, and Lucar, with smaller groups being led by strong warriors like Emil and Modi. Those that didn't possess great strength were given weapons to help even things out. Trenches were dug out in the land south of the lake in preparation. The impromptu army was as ready as they could be; they just needed to wait for reinforcements from the north.

Corri mounted Rojo and took to the skies; she wanted to see how close the enemy was. But when she reached the apex of her flight and looked south, she saw a group clad in black which outnumbered them significantly. It was the army of the Lands of Ranuulo. They'd be here soon.