Legends of the Stars

Chapter 7: Knights of Astrelm

Chapter 7

Knights of Astrelm

July 7th, 2019 AE, 9:06 PM

The sun was beating down from above, watching over Death Valley like a burning eye. In this barren wasteland, the Empire had set up a barricade around the Temple of Talus, where they mined for the crystal inside. The structure itself was part of the Forgotten City, the original capital of Astrelm. Tall walls of steel surrounded these unearthed ruins, while Centurion guards surveilled the valley from their watchtowers. Some of them even patrolled the grounds inside armored Titans, twenty-foot tall mechanical cyclops with optic blasters on their foreheads. At the center of it all was the entrance to the Divine Temple.

Jaden arrived at the Astrean base camp, located in the cliffs about a mile away from the ruins. He had appeared through the Stargate built by the Rangers, some of whom had arrived with him through the portal. A war room was set up in a nearby cavern, where most of the fighters waited in the shade for their commander to arrive. The rest were outside looking out at the valley, and Astra was among them, speaking to one of her lieutenants.

"There you are!" beamed Astra. "I was worried you wouldn't come!"

"I wouldn't miss this for the world," said Jaden. "So what's our plan?"

"We're still waiting for everyone else to show up," she answered. "It won't be long now."

Jaden heard the whooshing sound of the Stargate energizing, and saw two more fighters arrive on the scene. The Ark Knight was delighted to see they were his old friends, Jesse and Kaylah.

"Oh my God!" Jesse exclaimed.

When he and his sister saw Jaden standing roughly ten yards away, they ran up to him with joyful excitement.

"Hi, Jaden!" Kaylah added. "It's been forever!"

"Hey guys!" Jaden greeted. "I'm surprised to see you here. I didn't think you'd volunteer for this mission!"

"Are you kidding me?" asked Jesse. "You think I'd sit by and watch you guys have all the fun..." He trailed off when he finally noticed Jaden standing with the Princess of Astrelm herself. Seeing the two of them together for the first time, his mouth opened so wide, he could catch flies in it. "Holy shit."

"Oh, I'm sorry," said Jaden. "Astra, these are my friends, Jesse and Kaylah."

"Forgive my brother." Kaylah said, holding out her hand.. "It's an honor to meet you,"

After a moment's hesitation, Astra broke the awkward tension and shook their hands with a dignified response. "The honor's all mine."

To Jaden, standing with Astra in front of them felt so surreal, like they were looking in a mirror. He couldn't help but think of how far Jesse and Kaylah came since they first met.

After separating from Jaden in Newtown, both siblings were among the first who joined the fight against the Empire. The Ark Knight knew he taught Jesse how to use a sword, but he never thought he would become a master swordsman in only two years. He now carried a long, sharp katana over a red leather jacket. He also had dual pistols hanging from his waist with loaded cylinders lining the straps of his holsters. With all that and his orange bandana wrapped around his neck, Jesse looked like one of those desert gunslingers from old movies.

Kaylah was dressed in a turquoise jacket with a white vest underneath. A silver amulet holding a blue diamond hung from her neck, while a silver spear was strapped around her shoulder. Her whole appearance invoked the image of a mermaid inside Jaden's head. Alongside her brother, she became a trained fighter and a proficient healer throughout the war. She used her elixants to heal the wounds of her brother and the rest of the assault team. And with her renowned skills with a spear, Kaylah had become a force to be reckoned with.