The Disappearing Fields

chapter 41

+Haven+

After wading into the center of the Runi Falls, time lost all meaning. Staring at the glowing black Orb, I couldn't feel the passage of time, the water around my neck didn't exist. Even the giggles of Niko, splashing about in the water faded out.

It was just me and the Orb in the abyss. The darkness that surrounded hide tidbits of the battle waging around. I could catch glimpses of Azalea and the rest of the halfers cornering Glover. I could see my mother taking soles from the town and bringing them to the hiding spot below the castle. And for a split second I could see the army of Fades approaching our borders as Kaz, Val, and Vic prepared to ambush the ambush while Kade and Taj acted as the decoys. All of it swirled together to a blinding mass of blurred images, battle sounds, and darkness.

A sharp tug from blurred image brought it into focus.  Glover stood surrounded by our cloaked allies. He brandished the largest sword I've ever seen. The image began to waver when I felt the tug again.

Instincts told me that's the sign to send aid. I began focusing on the light essence swirling through my veins. When I felt the essence build up I concentrated on the Orb itself as my essence flowed into it. The tugging disappeared along with that particular moment on battle.

I returned to the abyss, as the Orb stung my palms. Its not too hard to believe that transferring light essence releases some of the heat it contained.

I continuedfloating as images rolled by for what felt like hours. With nothing but the darkness around and nothing to do. It felt like an eternity. Naturally my thoughts drifted to the battles raging without me. I would be lying if I said i wasn't worried. Despite all my big talk to Kaz, I was becoming more impatient by the second. Nothing would calm me more than being out their protecting my home and the people with my family. Or helping Azalea and the other halfers like me take out Glover.

But I don't doubt I'm more help here than out there. Glover's essence is some type of ice. My light essence would counteract it perfectly. And even when light essence is converted to another type some of its properties remain the same. Like its heating element. Doing this was my part in these fights. And I'll do the best I can.

I was tugged from the Abyss to a dark cellar. Hundreds of Soles had gathered here to hide. Almost instantly I latched onto my mother's essence.

She stood in her flowing robes by the secret entrance. I couldn't make out what she said but I knew exactly what she wanted to do. It's the same as what I wanted to do. Go out there and help. But these Soles needed her to protect them. Picturing what I want to add, the Orb reflects the changes made. The Soles were still crowding around but now a golden barrier surrounded them as well. It was akin to the one I stuffed Kaz in once before but it had the added benefit of keeping them intracable.

The image faded instantly and I found myself floating in the abyss once again. This Orb tugs me to places I need to be. But perhaps I can make it take me to where I want to go.

I imagined the battle taking place on Janu's border. How Kaz would lead his own small unit. Valerie and Victoria had a second unit. Then the third unit was the decoys led by Taj and Kaden.

A blurry image of the border of Janu appeared. The tattered bridges that led to our main gates. And the bismuth coated rock wall that surrounded our kingdom. Soles lined the cobblestone street brandishing weapons. Kaz's unit were hidden in the forest. He stood at the forefront watching out for the signal. Victoria and Valerie had their unit split taking cover in caves located on the left and right sides of the bridge.

Black wings came into view and I made a slight altercation to the plan. Focusing imagined a barrier around Janu. It wouldn't stop the Fades from entering, I don't have that kind of strength. But it would damage them. Pure light would damage any creature that's not a Sole. I'll have to warn Kaz and everyone about the barrier i put up, so he doesn't cross it.