Altiris Knights:The Fall

Chapter 5:A Clue

Freya, Reala and Rohalla walked through the streets of Tunzalas, on the lookout for any uriaks. Rohalla's foot brushed against something, making a slight, barely audible scraping noise. She bent down, and picked up the object.

"What is it?" asked Ryala. "Valaeon's pistols", Rohalla said, as she found the second lying to her left. "Look. There is a corpse there", Freya said, and ran up to an abandoned prison. "Who is it?" Rohalla called. "Not one of them, that's for sure. Looks like he took quite a long tumble. There must have been fight up there", Freya replied, wielding water. Reala followed her example, and the three of them landed onto the roof of the prison. "Let's spread out", Rohalla said, adjusting her grip on her staff. The siblings merely nodded.

...

Thinking she spotted movement, Rohalla cocked her head, and heard heavy, ragged breathing. She rushed to the sound, Valaeon's pistols at the ready.

"Don't shoot. I am in no condition to harm you", she breathed in relief, as she heard Valaeon's voice. "It's Rohalla. Freya and Reala are with me", she replied.

"That is good to hear. Any news from Master Kirtan or Master Allura?" Valaeon said, taking his pistols from her. "Master Erean has returned, along with Loeras, Irma, Elana, Qirzan, and four more Republic Knights. Also, apparently, the uriaks can survive in space. Dozens of battle groups were spotted, and a few skirmishes took place. Most of them, we won. Barely", Rohalla replied, handing him her water bottle. "No good, then. What about Kelta, Erjana, Zaeron?" "They are gone. I am sorry", Rohalla replied. "And the other wielders? There were four", Valaeon said. "We saw two of them", Rohalla said. "I killed one. Kelta killed the other."

Rohalla frowned, as her eyes moved over to the wounds in his chest. "How do you feel now?" she asked. "I don't think I am in any significant danger, but healing would be nice", Valaeon replied. "Wait a moment", Rohalla said, and contacted Freya and Ryala. "Valaeon is alive, but wounded." She transmitted their coordinates. A few minutes later, the siblings arrived.

They got to work, sending water energy into the wounds, sealing them. Valaeon took a deep breath, and sat up. "Much better. Thank you", he said. "You are welcome. Come on, we have to get going" Freya said.

"I don't think we can", Rohalla said, pointing to a green ship that was rapidly approaching them.

...

Arlen, Reaza, Rokal, Erean, Allura, Loeras, Irma, Elana, Qirzan, Kirtan and the other four Republic Knights stood before Eruma, Virneas and Unzelar.

"Let us try this again", the emperor said, drawing light. He, Erean, Irma and another Republic Knight stepped forth. Eruma, Virneas and Unzelar backed away, as much as they could. The light wielders stepped closer, and the three uriaks hissed, and growled, fearful and angry. The four wielders conjured several light creatures, which surrounded the trio, and faded into them. Several minutes passed, several minutes of intense struggle between the creatures and the uriak essence, and then, everything was silent again.

"Our power isn't enough", Erean said, sighing. "It has to be" Irma said. They tried again, and again, with the same result multiple times over.

"Perhaps mind wielding shall do the job", Loeras said. He and Reaza walked forth, and the trio relaxed, turning silent again. They showed no emotion, as the two mind wielders prodded into their minds. They recoiled slightly, however, as the wielders came into contact with the uriak essence. The two sides clashed, struggling for dominance over each other.

At last, after five minutes, Unzelar, Eruma and Virneas ceased struggling. A barely audible hiss came out of their mouths. Laakeir. "Laakeir", Loeras repeated, and a shiver ran through the crowd. While neither of them had been to the dark world, all feared it because of its reputation. The place of the war between the ancient Altiris Knights and the infamous Nairo Wizards.

"Laakeir. There has to be some sort of a connection between it and the uriaks. The infestation started in Xaraeon. The Helkaites Empire is between here and there", Arlen said. "Then we must go there, and find whatever clue there is", Kaira said. "Alright. Irma, Reaza, Rokal, Akron, Erean, Lintra and Qirzan, you shall go there", said Arlen. "Be careful. We shall be too far away to reach you in time", said Loeras.

"We will. Until we meet again", Erean inclined his head.