The Last Days: A Solaria Galaxy story

Chapter 13

The night's assault was over but with an enormous sense of loss. They all stood there silently, staring at the dead beast. It was supposed to be a victory but Jael felt very little as he put away his sword. The damage was beyond repair. It was like the village but on a larger scale. It seemed like Taphan had lost the overwhelming majority of his men as well as normal people, particularly those that had been out with the church. Taphan had reacted quickly by fetching the healers that started checking over everyone who survived. Marcus had emerged with the healers looking far better than he had done and to Jael's surprise, he wanted to continue to help Jael. Taphan had quickly decided it was no longer viable to stay with the wall down all night, Jael offered them space to live in at Cad which Taphan accepted. Seb offered to help them get there which made it easier for Jael. Jael had gone with the twins to the river, drinking and then refilling before returning. They needed to rest for a short while before continuing. Taphan was still with the healers checking over survivors. Jael had gone to take one last look at the dead creature that caused so much destruction. It was still hard to take it all in that this was certainly something different than they had ever experienced.
'What is it?' Jael muttered under his breath.
'It's a very nasty looking thing.' Alora remarked.
'Where did it come from?' Eslin asked.
Though no one could provide an answer.
'You allowed people in the city that could use magic,' it sounded like an accusing tone that made Jael spin around. It was one of the priests looking rather bloodied, with cuts and grime all over his robes. 'You shouldn't' have done it Taphan, but I think it was the right decision. So thank you for doing that.' He sounded nervous and hesitant.
'It wasn't really just down to me,' Taphan said nodding towards Jael, Alora and Eslin.
The priest nodded and came over to them, cautiously. 'Thanks. I don't think we would have survived if you hadn't been here.'
Jael bobbed his head, unsure what to say but fortunately, Eslin spoke up first. 'It was hard work but we all did it together. I'm Eslin.'
'I'm Zuke,' He said.
'Jael.'
'Alora.'
'We're going to have to leave soon, but get some more water first.' Jael said, glancing at Alora then Eslin, who met his gaze, and smiled in approval.
'Oh, are you not coming with us?' Zuke said.
'We have to go and catch up with the priests that took the baby.' Jael said, directing his gaze at Zuke. Zuke reacted, his eyes shifting. He looked as though he knew something about it. 'Do you know who Ulric is?'
Zuke hesitated. 'I shouldn't really be talking you at all, if any of them knew about it they would kick me out.'
'What's to worry about now? There's nothing much left now.'
'Well, Ulric came with his people and he shared his vision, and the words that the God, Calin spoke to him. He said the end was near, and time was running out. We knew that already but we were all taken in by his words. Then he had to leave.' Zuke said. 'We had never had the same vision nor did Calin speak to any of us, so it sounds right.'
'Okay and that is everything? Did they mention where they were going? They took something from the archives, something they needed.' Jael said, and that drew the attention of Taphan that took a few steps closer but held back.
'He mentioned something about what Calin told him. He needed an amulet. I can't remember what it was called, something like Daiper? He needed it. And it had been stored in the archives for years, untouched.' Zuke said, and he was trying to think. 'I think they mentioned they were heading north to some temple. He needed to go there.'
'Did he say why?'
Zuke tilted his head in thought. 'No.'
'Well at least we know thanks.' Jael said. 'Do you actually agree with what he did? Taking a baby from her mother?'
'I don't know. I don't really understand what happened but it must be true right? The vision? The voice?' Zuke said. 'Why else would he do it?'
'I'm just curious.' Jael said. 'I don't really know. He's never acted in this way before, but thanks anyway.'
A smile flickered over Zuke's face. 'It was a pleasure. Thank you for helping us survive.' He said before turning on his heels, he started to walk away.
Taphan called out to him. 'Zuke, don't forget we're leaving soon. Make sure people are ready to leave as soon as possible. Take anything that's worthwhile from the archives, if its important. We're aiming to leave in an hour.'
'I will do, don't worry.' Zuke said, before finally taking his leave.
'Are you heading off now?' Taphan said to Jael.
'Yeah we better move on now.' Jael said.
'Yeah.' Alora agreed.
'Hope you'll be able to actually get there this time and put an end to it.' Taphan said, there was humour in his voice. It was sadly true. 'I just hope there's some answer to it all, out there waiting for us.' They were all in agreement there.
'Do you know where the temple is?' Jael thought he had asked, though he was not expecting much. It was confirmed when Taphan shook his head.


The four of them made their way out of the city, heading northwards. The mists had fortunately disappeared. The battle might have been over but they were still on alert, since there could be more of them lurking around. They would have already appeared, had they been so close to the city. The journey was slow but they kept to the road. Occasionally either Alora or Eslin would use their powers to generate light in the darkness that was certainly helpful. They were looking for a temple. It was not familiar too Jael but of course, almost everything was new to him beyond the city of Canidos. He had never travelled too far from Cad, and Canidos had been his limit.
Everyone walked in silence, reserving what energy they had left from the fight. He desperately needed to sleep but it would have to wait. It would have to wait until they were back at Cad. They were seemingly walking along through old farmlands as they had passed through abandoned farmhouses, and the first village. Jael made them take a very short break outside the village, since there were no ghouls around, before they continued, walking solidly for what felt like an hour. They had to be heading in the right direction but Jael was starting to doubt by the time they had gone on for another hour. Jael had them move away from the road a short while, trudging through fields before finally coming out on the other side, stumbling upon another road.
'Look, that's something there!' Alora announced, pointing into the void ahead.
Jael squinted his eyes. 'I can't see it.' He was not sure what he was looking at but Alora was adamant there was something.
As they got closer, he saw the ruins of a tower in the darkness. At least it was part of it. The base of the tower had been built upon stone that was about three feet thick, and the tower was made of stone as well. However, most of the tower had collapsed, with rubble all over the road and grassy verge next to it. It seemed like an earthquake down the years had destroyed the building. Still, it looked impressive.
What was it made for? Jael asked. It seemed to be out of the way. There did not seem to be any
'What are these markings?' Eslin said.
Again, Jael had difficulty seeing it, but then Eslin lit up lightning in her hands.
Jael could see it better now, indeed there were strange markings engraved along the side of the tower. He did not recognise them at all. He wondered if even Materia would know these symbols, since it could have been built after he had been sealed away. Materia was too far away so he made a note to ask him when he saw him next, just in case. Hopefully they had found something by now.
'There is no one else here, should we keep going?' Marcus groaned. It's the first time he'd spoken in a while. He was actually right.
'Shall we move on?' Jael said, though Eslin seemed to be distracted with the markings. She touched them, running her finger along them.
'Eslin?' Alora said after standing up.
'Don't you feel it too? There's something strange about this place, it has the same feel to it like the mists.'
'What sort of feel?' Jael said, though he was not sure he wanted to know at all.
Eslin tried to explain. 'It feels like it has to do with magic. It's very faint, more so than the mists.'
'What would that mean?' Jael pressed her.
'Maybe it was built with magic.' Eslin said and then she pressed down on the one of the markings. Then suddenly, the whole thing started to light up. The panel opened up at the base of the tower. It gave Jael even more questions. He peered inside over Eslin's shoulder, expecting something inside. Yet to his disappointment, there was nothing.
'Strange.' Eslin said with a shrug.
'I guess that's that.' Alora said.
So close yet so far, Jael thought. It definitely looked like it had once been important but it was hard to say what it was once used for but then Eslin was on the move again, moving around the side of the tower.
'Each side has the markings.' Eslin remarked and she started pushing another one then it lit up. The panel slid open and this time Eslin shrieked loudly. Jael rushed over to her and he looked inside. A crystal laid inside. It was a blue colour but it looked as though it had faded. Eslin poked at it, there was nothing, no response but had he really been expecting something to happen?
Eslin picked it up, running a finger along its edge.
'It's so smooth.'
'Hmph doesn't look like much.' Alora said.
'I'm still taking it.' Eslin said with a shrug.
'Are you finished? Can we move on now?' Jael said impatiently.
She pocketed the crystal, and they finally were able to move on. Jael was hopeful it meant they were drawing closer to finding the temple.
Jael had certainly been proved wrong; they had been trudging through the darkness for another, so long that it was now raining. They came across an abandoned city that seemed to rival Cad in size but it seemed to be an actual graveyard. Dozens of decaying old bodies littered the ground, buildings that had long since collapsed. Very little of the wall was still standing. They stood near the entrance, not wanting to go much further inside.
'Do you know what this place is called?' Marcus said, looking towards Jael.
'No I've never been.' Jael answered honestly. 'It could be anything.'
'Oh, I thought you knew these things,' Marcus replied.
'Never been further than—'
An abrupt crashing sound nearby, cut through Jael's words. From one of the wrecked buildings, a ghoul appeared. They must have alerted it, since it started to move towards them without any hesitation.
'I can kill it,' Marcus offered, getting his axe ready. He did not actually wait around for a response but rather went to it in full stride. He swung with a two handed blow, at least twice. He could not exactly see what happened to it but he assumed it went well as Marcus came back a few moments later.
'Cut its head off.' Marcus announced, with a head bob.
'Nicely done.' Jael said. It seemed it might be the only one but he was not going to stay around to make sure. They exited the city and decided to go around it. It was only a short walk before they reached another river. Jael decided to give them a chance for another short break, allowing them to fill up water. Jael drank it down, allowing the cool refreshing water to reenergize himself. It did not shake of the growing sense of being lost. He had no idea where they were, he was really regretting bringing them all this far. It would be much better if they had sunlight to guide them but it was still a number of hours away from going light. Jael made them press on, crossing the river with a rickety old bridge that gave way as they crossed, with the entire thing snapping, forcing them to run or jump. He landed on the other side. The whole bridge had gone.
'Guess we're not going back that way then,' Alora said, brushing herself off as she stood up.
'Are we any closer?' Marcus grumbled.
'I don't know. We might have to find a place to stay till dawn.' Jael said reluctantly. He exhaled, looking down river. Down river he saw the familiar bulging, yet mysterious, mists swirling, that seemed to be choking the river. He shivered.
'We could have missed the temple; it might have been closer to the tower.' Eslin said.
Frustration rose up in Jael. 'We can't have missed it. It has to be somewhere here.'
Alora looked uncomfortable, but Eslin continued, 'We should find a way to cross back over and head back towards the tower. They can't have come this far, surely?'
Jael regarded the terrain around them, the river to the left, trees to the right and further down the river. It was hard to see what was on the other side of the trees. It was eerily quiet. Not even the sound of an occasional animal or bird.
'I think we should at least see what's on the other side of the trees. If there's nothing then we'll head back, okay?' Jael said wearily. He yawned tired. His body was crying out for sleep but he pushed it to the side. 'If it's ghouls or the mist, then we'll come back.
'Okay then.' Eslin approved.
'Some of these trees seem dead,' Alora said as they started to walk up the slope, passing a number of trees along the way. Jael counted at least six dead trees that looked snarled, twisted, stunted, but even stranger were the plants. Round bulbous purple glowing plants, that looked alien. Something else that Jael had never seen before, and counted at least two of them.
'The plants are weird too, I'd keep away from them,' Jael warned, as it was his gut instinct. He just had a feeling none of this was normal. Though there was a chance, he could be wrong but it was better to keep it at a distance. Beyond the forest, line there was an old road that was cracked with grass trying to reclaim it. There was fortunately no sign of the mist or the ghouls around here.
'There doesn't seem to be anything here,' Eslin announced, and she did not sound too disappointed.
'Can you send one of those lightning things across the road?' Jael asked, and then added, 'Please?'
'Okay.' Eslin obeyed, and she conjured the pulsing blue light in her palm and then she released it like a spear as she had done before. Jael watched it, curious, as it went skirting along the road. Then in the far distance, it exploded. For a brief instant Jael saw that it had hit against stone, then it disappeared, fading back into darkness.
'Did you see that? There's something there.' Alora said.
'I saw it.' Jael said, suddenly getting excited again. That could be it. If it was, they undoubtedly would have attracted their attention. 'We have to move fast now. Fast as we can go.' Jael said. He did not wait around for a response; he just started to run with this renewed vigour. He sprinted. The stone walls and steps rose up before him on the horizon. It was definitely not a village or a city.
It turned out to be the temple amongst ruins.
They came into the temple courtyard. It was a remarkable sight.
Directly ahead of them were steps that led up to the entrance. Two pillars stood either side of the bottom of the stairs, one was partially destroyed, but the other had the remains of a bird statue on top. It was missing a wing. Jael stopped by the stairs, catching his breath and waiting for the others. While he did, he tried to take in the courtyard as much as he could. Partial walls went around the perimeter and there were a destroyed stone objects that Jael could only imagine what they might have been used for years ago or how they looked. The temple itself looked in better shape at least but it seemed to be made out of stone.
'Wow, now this is impressive,' Alora breathed.
'Yeah, but is it the place we need? Like where is everyone?'
'Inside?' Alora suggested.
Jael nodded, there was a chance they were here or could have been here. Jael started to walk up the steps towards the temple's entrance. The faint sounds of ghouls being carried by the wind made him hurry his steps. He came to the door, the twins at his side and Marcus behind him. Jael took a deep breath before pushing against the doors.
The doors opened with a groaning sound, and the corridor ahead lit up, with torches burning away. Stone and metal made up the corridor, with wonderful intricate designs on the walls.
'Did either of you do that?' Jael said suspiciously.
'No.' Both said in unison, but looking at each other. Jael could tell neither of them liked this place but they choose not to say anything this time.
At the end of the corridor was another set of doors with similar designs and markings. The designs reminded Jael of the designs on the tower base.
Built by the same mysterious people? Was it Materia and the people he once served? Or something else? Jael wondered as he reached the next set of doors. He took a deep breath and then pushed against them.
The doors groaned opened revealing another short corridor with just two torches either side and a single door on the other side. Jael darted towards it. Even before he touched the door, he heard faint voices on the other side of the door, his heartbeat quickening. Then it melted when he heard a baby's cry. Relief and joy washed over him. He'd never felt so much in one moment. In fact, the last time he felt it was when Tyra had been born.
Jael pushed open the door, revealing a circular chamber with torches going around the chamber above. Ten paces away four people were kneeling on the floor, then there was a body lying on the floor presumably dead since there was blood and a blade near him. High Elder Ulric was stood by a door, smaller than the rest with markings on the door. Anita was wrapped up in a cloth, crying over to the side. They had all heard him come inside, and directed their gaze at him.
'You? What are you doing here?' Ulric snapped, waving his hands in the air.
'Hand over the baby. It is over.' Jael said, assertive and he started to move towards them, both girls came in behind him, with Marcus hovering in the corridor behind. One of the people kneeling stood up, a man, dressed in normal clothes that were stained and grimy from travelling. He came to meet Jael, head on.
'You can't come any further.' The man said, seething. His eyes were bulging with both rage and disgust. 'You need to leave before it happens. Calin is going to reward us for our devotion.'
Jael lunged for him, grabbing him and then shoving him. He was not a fighter. Jael had him on the floor very quickly. He grunted and tried to struggle but Jael hit him on the back, twice knocking him to the ground. The others did nothing, just stared, horrified. None of them moved though, there was new fear in their eyes.
'Stop, what you doing?' Alora shrieked.
Ulric was clutching the amulet and he was at the door. He was mutterings words that sounded like prayer and blessings, as if he was expecting something to happen.
Jael burst into action, running towards him, he grabbed Ulric by the waist, pulling him away from the door, he struggled and then he started to laugh.
'It's not funny. It's over.' Jael said pushing him towards the wall.
'You're wrong. It's only just started.' He said with a smile on his lips. He nodded towards the door. 'You're too late.'
Jael let him go; frantically, he tilted his head to the door. The markings were glowing red and yellow.
'Make it stop!' Jael commanded.
'What's going to happen?' Alora said.
There was a hissing sound and it opened. A black shadow came swirling out of energy, the room went cold.
High Elder Ulric, you have been a good servant for the last few months. Thank you for releasing me from that prison. Your services are no longer required. You are dismissed.
'What are you?' Eslin shrieked.
I am Cronal. I am beyond your comprehension. You all wither and die, yet I am eternal. I am not chained by blood and flesh. I will live on and you will all die here. You may have killed the Deathstalker but that was only the first of many to come. This is just the beginning.
Jael scarcely had time to process it before everything was plunged into darkness. Anita was crying again.
'What have I done?' Ulric muttered.
The torches flickered, coming back on but the ground started to rumble. An earthquake.
Jael rushed over to pick Anita and take her into his arms. He could not see the black shadow anymore.
'We have to run!' Jael shouted. Everyone but Ulric started to move. He looked defeated. Jael was very tempted to leave him. He started going to the door but one of Ulric's friends ran over to him, yanked him to his feet.
Jael ran through the corridor with Marcus in front that slowed them down.
'Go faster!' Jael boomed.
Marcus increased his pace, as much as he could go, which was still less than the average man but they made it to the original room. The ground was still shaking then it ceased just as they got to the doors. Jael was panting but at least they were almost there. They had a long way to go before they would get back to Cad.
'Can you get the doors?' Jael said.
Alora and Eslin pushed the doors open, and held it for them. Jael felt the cold air rush him as he stepped outside. It was good to be back outside again. The danger was not over, though, as ahead, he saw beyond the temple perimeter, three ghouls lurking. As soon as the doors closed, it drew their attention.
'Feck.' Jael breathed. Jael turned to Eslin, who was nearest to him. 'Can you hold her?'
'I can if you want.' It was one of Ulric's friends, the only woman of his group.
Jael hesitated but the ghouls were already spilling out into the temple courtyard. It turned out there was more than just three—there were three in the courtyard but there were others appearing at different angles. They must be also coming through broken parts of the wall.
'Take her!' Jael said and the woman took her carefully into her hands. She was still crying but the woman tried to comfort her as best as she could in the situation. Jael felt a sting of guilt for not knowing her name, but he would ask once the fighting was over. Jael drew his blade from its sheath. The first ghoul came at them, and Marcus clutching his axe swung a two handed strike, cutting through it, snarling even as it died. The other ghouls were coming at them. One closing in on the left that Alora sent a fireball at it, lighting it up in flames, howling in agony as it careened to the ground in death. At the same time, Marcus was out of the temple courtyard and in the open, he was still swinging away, slicing one down but another was at his legs tearing into flesh. Marcus yelled but he knocked it away—but only to try to buy him sometime but he was not quick enough as it came at him again, clawing at him but a lightning ball of energy slammed into it, almost hitting Marcus in the process as well. This time it went several feet back allowing him to bring down the axe. Jael came up behind him, and saw that his leg was bleeding profusely. He was caked in blood and grime.
'Feck,' Jael said.
'I have to keep going,' Marcus grumbled, readying himself as there were more coming from the forest.
Screaming pierced the air that drew Jael's attention. He swung back around; Alora and Eslin were trying to fend off several ghouls that were attacking them all. One of them was already on High Elder Ulric, tearing at him. Jael sprinted back towards Ulric first, it looked up towards him—Jael hacked and slashed at it wildly but he felt a hot slash catch his leg as it tumbled over, crushing Ulric. Ulric was also bleeding as it had torn his neck. Jael checked himself over; it was not too deep.
'I'm sorry.' Jael said, panting, but he had no time to stop for a breather as tried to help Alora first, slashing down another ghoul as it was distracted by trying to get at her. He slashed at it several times, splattering himself in more blood.
'Are you okay?' Alora asked, concern on her face.
Jael was breathing hard. 'Fine, get going now!'
Alora, Eslin, the woman with Anita and the others, followed behind. They came through the gap. Marcus was still fighting, trying to hold against two ghouls but with more closing in. Marcus heaved his axe through one, but the other one got him, ripping at his chest, just as Jael came running into help. Jael swung the blade in a downward cutting through its arms, snarling now at Jael but Jael kicked it and it went falling backwards helpless like a new born baby. Marcus staggered backwards, dropping his axe. It clattered to the floor. Jael tried to help him but Marcus staggered and he dropped to the ground, lying on his back, blood oozing out of him.
'I'm dying.' Marcus managed. Another blast of fire scorched through the air hitting another ghoul that had been getting to close. 'I don't want to die. I never got to—' was his last words, as his body jerked one last time, and his life was extinguished. Jael wiped away a tear and pulled away. He felt sadness rose up in him, seeing one of his old friends die like that but he died with honour, fighting, just like Soth Seda. It was not the time to grieve just yet. He countered at least five, maybe more ghouls still veering towards them. Eslin blasted one with her lightning ball, and Alora did the same with a second, but the other two came in. One of them went for Eslin, clawing at her and the other one of the priests. He made the decision instantly. It all happened so fast. Jael stepped in, gathering his strength, he ran towards the unarmed priest, jumping in front of him. The ghouls snapped his jaws, lunging with its teeth as Jael stabbed its gut, grime oozed out but its teeth sunk into his neck. The rush of pain sent Jael falling backwards and the beast fell with him, landing on top of him. It's claws digging into his stomach. He felt pain all over him now. He tried to stab the creature but he felt too weak now. The ghoul was about to end it, but then a blast of lightning went into its face, sparks surging all over its body and hitting Jael too. There were more howls around them. Flashes of light, electricity and fire filled the air and then there was silence. Jael tried to sit up but his body gave away. Several figures, including one he did not recognise, a figure dressed in armour, clutching a blade.
'Is Anita safe? Tell Tyra, I love her. Go to her in Cad...' Jael said his strength fading.
'Anita is safe; she will be safe with us.' The voice said. It was very calming and reassuring. It was the last thing he heard before the darkness closed in. It went quiet and Jael finally had rest.