SoW S4

Chapter Seven

PART I

THE BEACON

The gloomy dawn filled Gwen's surroundings. They had just arrived in Meridian the capital of Cydonia. Thora had told her that they would be travelling with a beacon, she didn't know what that was, but she was curious to find out.

A milky blue beam of light shot to the sky. That must be the beacon, Gwen thought. Thora was talking to a few people. She walked back to Gwen, with a smile of satisfaction on her face. "We have been granted permission to travel to Crown Peak", she excitedly announced. Gwen's mind was filled with confusion. "Follow right this way", Thora said as she trotted away.

Her boots clicked on the sandstone floor. A few guards stood at the end of the hall, they were leaning on a fence-gate of acacia planks.

"Permit", one said with a monotone voice. Thora handed him some papers. "Step right through", he said. Thora opened the gate and nudged Gwen forward.

A loud humming filled Gwen's ears. In the center of a square room, a large beacon gleamed. "It's amazing", she exclaimed, to which Thora laughed amusingly. "Now, brace yourself, travelling with a beacon for the first time is not a easy task", Thora warned. Suddenly the ground disappeared under them. Gwen felt sick as they quickly drifted upward in a fury of blue, orange and golden lights.

PART II

A LONELY KALTARIS

Senn had barely slept or eaten, he was too excited. The large trees of Sendaria towered above the two Voltaris. "Every time the shadow of the trees covers my head I remember. All the memories I had here, both good... and bad", Senn's voice turned solemn. Kratos looked at the ground "Yes", he mumbled. He must also be missing his old home, Senn thought to himself.

He still remembered the early winter morning; Kratos had volunteered as one of the first ardoni to join the Voltaris clan. Back then Kratos Kaltaris had told him how he lived alone. He had always wanted to help the Voltaris, but that was a crime among the clans. Master Zayrus Kaltaris had expressed his disappointment and ordered Kratos to leave Kaltaria. "I lived in the Barrier Mountains alone for years", he had said. The cold wind froze his soul, he is no better than the cruel Voltaris, they said. Senn had never forgotten the haunting look of sorrow, in Kratos' forest-green eyes as he said those words.

PART III

THE ALIANCE

Alpheus froze and looked at her. His stunning yellow eyes locked with hers. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. Snap out of it, Monisha told herself. "Monisha. I have something I would like to show you", Alpheus said. "Y-yes", she stammered. Alpheus took her hand and let her through the woods, her barely noticing anything but his warm hand against her cool fingers.

They neared a clearing in the woods, and Monisha spotted a few dozen tents set up. Alpheus let go of her hand and turned to face her. Monisha looked up at him again, wishing that she held his hand just a bit longer. Her fingertips were already getting cold again.

"Alpheus what is this", she asked. "I promised that I would make you a great warrior, and this is your gateway to greatness", Alpheus said. "But I-I don't understand", she stuttered. "Do you trust me?", he questioned. "Yes", Monisha almost instantly said. "Then I will show you", Alpheus announced while pulling away a branch to reveal a large camp fuzzing with life.