《The Sword Master》
Book I - The Anger Scimitar - Chapter 1 - ... History Repeats Itself
J-Clan Mission: Operation Blood Hunt - Forest Dimension
INCOMING MESSAGE
Lightning crackled between his fingers as Carl Jackson stared at the message flashing across his visor. Three simple words that shattered his world: KEVIN - CODE RED. After fifteen years of silence, the nightmare he''d always feared had finally arrived.
Carl swiped at his watch, dismissing yet another message as he flew around the night sky above the forest. The twin moons of the Forest Realm gleamed off his armor as the slow blue pulse of his J-Clan insignia caught both of the moonlight rays.
He watched, and he waited.
Below him, beneath the dense gathering of the evergreen canopy, his younger brother was somewhere down there also waiting for their targets - a nest of vampires that had decimated three villages in the past week.
This was supposed to be routine. Get in, find out what the hell was going on, and get out. He and his brothers, the Creator¡¯s Chosen, performed these missions like it was almost routine.
However, this week, J-Clan¡¯s Forest Division requested help for this mission. Not unusual, of course, but tonight, something felt off. An uneasiness that followed him from the morning - like there was a hidden storm just beyond his reach.
The comm in his ear chirped. ¡°You would think in all these green shrubs a few vampires would be easy to find.¡± Kenny¡¯s voice carried its usual banter.
Yes, for Carl, this was business as usual.
Patrick joined Carl in the air, using a large disk of earth to enable him to hover beside him. ¡°Kenny, get off the comms. You are supposed to be the bait dummy.¡±
¡°Yo,¡± Kenny replied, followed by loud feedback that made Carl wince. ¡°Who you calling a dummy? You were supposed to be the fucking bait until you bailed out like a bitch.¡±
Carl rolled his eyes. The familiar banter brought a sense of calmness that washed over him. ¡°Both of you focused. Any minute now.¡± Carl pulled his visor down, checking the team¡¯s status. Both of his brothers¡¯ portraits moved on the screen, their heartbeat lines steady and strong.
[INCOMING MESSAGE]
Another message alert flashed across his visor¡ªthe third in an hour. Command was unusually persistent tonight. Carl dismissed it with an irritated swipe. They knew better than bombarding team leaders during active missions. Whatever it was, it could wait until they¡¯d dealt with the vampires.
As he scanned the forest below, his mind drifted¡ªsomething it rarely did during combat. Years of training had taught him to focus, to shut out distractions. But today, memories kept surfing unbidden.
A sword too large for a teenage boy¡¯s hands. Rainbow energy climbing up arms too young to bear such power. Two boys standing against something they should not have witnessed.
¡°Brothers?¡± Kevin had asked, his voice hiding the fear in his eyes.
¡°Brothers,¡± Carl had answered. ¡°No matter what happens.¡±
Carl shook his head, forcing the images away. Why was he thinking about Kevin now? About Rowen? About the day, everything changed. His best friend was safe living his normal life with no memory of portals or swords or sacrifices. That had been the deal. That had been the promise. He got out.
¡°I got it,¡± Kenny chimed, ¡°Heads up!¡±
To his right, four streaks of black arc¡¯d into the sky. They pushed out away from their location. Following closely behind a much larger flame trail that gave chase.
Patrick shook his head. ¡°Damnit, Kenny, you were supposed to push them in our direction toward the damn temple!¡±
¡°Shut up,¡± Kenny yelled into his comm. ¡°Next time¡ be bait.¡±
¡°Damn,¡± Carl said, refocusing his mind that has been nagging him all night. ¡°Let¡¯s go. I got a point.¡±
Patrick grumbled. ¡°I am going to murder that pothead.¡±
Carl and Patrick shot through the night sky in pursuit of the vampires.
Kenny fired his magma shots at the three vampires. The fireball connected with a black streak, and it went spiraling back into the forest.
Electricity crackled between his fingers. He channeled the energy, focusing it into what he dubbed as Lightning Parade¡ªa targeted bolt that would arc through multiple enemies without killing them. Father would want these vampires alive for questioning.
As he prepared to release the energy, another message flashed across his visor. This one was different¡ªpulsing red rather than the standard blue of command updates. Carl hesitated, his concentration faltering just long enough for one vampire to change direction, diving back toward the forest.
¡°I¡¯ve got the straggler,¡± Patrick called, banking sharply after it.
Carl refocused, releasing the Lightning Parade toward the remaining two targets. The electricity struck out in front of him, arcing through the night sky. Additional bolts materialized from the clouds above, striking his charged projectile and amplifying it with each hit. The supercharged energy connected with both targets, sending them plummeting toward the ground.
¡°Damn Brother, I thought we needed them alive,¡± Kenny said.
Carl ignored the comment. ¡°Get down there and put up a containment. If they complain, let them know it was because you were bad bait.¡±
He landed beside the fallen vampires, both still twitching from the electrical discharge. Standard procedure was to secure, contain, and extract information before neutralization. These weren¡¯t typical rogues¡ªCommand had specifically flagged this nest after reports of organized attacks rather than random feeding.
¡°J-Clan scum,¡± one vampire said in Kenny¡¯s direction. ¡°What do you hope to achieve? We are many of us and you cannot stop us all.¡±
¡°Great,¡± Kenny replied. ¡°Carl, we got a talker over here!¡±
Joining in the confrontation, Carl fought while Kenny engaged in petty threats and random fire attacks to the other.
The battle was fierce, but Carl knew what he was doing. He fought way tougher creatures of the night than these cowardly vamps who prey on the innocent. He pummeled the vampire into the tree, then grabbed it by its throat. ¡°Three villages in a week. This isn¡¯t random feeding, and you do not belong in this realm. Who are you working for and what are you doing here?¡±
The vampire¡¯s mouth twisted into a bloody smile. ¡°Awakening comes. The soul fragments call each other once again.¡±
A chill ran down Carl¡¯s spine that had nothing to do with the night air. ¡°What fragments?¡± he demanded, tightening his grip.
The vampire laughed, a wet, gurgling sound. ¡°You cannot stop the Malikhil!¡±
He threw the creature into the tree breaking it in half and was about to go for a subduing punch when his mind blanked out and flashed in bold red letters of an INCOMING MESSAGE, and he saw a vision, like a half a second photograph flash in his mind.
Did that vamp say Malikhil? A flood of memories came back all at once. The first adventure. Kevin¡¯s sacrifice.
¡°This is the only way, Carl. In order to go home, one of us will have to stay!¡± Kevin yelled, holding on to the Power Sword with all of his might.
Carl grabbed the sword by the blade. ¡°No, we go back together! There is no other way than forward. I am not leaving you behind.¡±
The Power Sword fractured in Kevin¡¯s hands. Five glowing shards of light flew off into the Rowen realm.
Kevin fell unconscious in his arms.
Carl looked back at the dark mass dissipating. The Malikhil.
¡°I will rise again¡¡± the dark mass echoed into the portal¡
They crossed through the portal. But something went wrong. Or something went right. Kevin lost his memories of that adventure.
Carl remembers everything. But that was thirty years ago.
¡°Who sent you?¡± Carl demanded, electricity sparking involuntarily from his fingers. ¡°How do you know that name?¡±
The vampire¡¯s smile widened. ¡°The Sword Master¡¯s time is ending. His fragments weaken. We feel it¡ªall creatures of darkness feel it.¡±
Kenny looked at Carl in confusion. ¡°Sword Master? What¡¯s he talking about?¡±
Carl didn¡¯t answer. His visor flashed red again, the message pulsing more urgently now. This time, he didn¡¯t dismiss it. Instead, he mentally accessed it, allowing the text to display.
[EMERGENCY: DAMERON - KEVIN - CODE RED - SM]
The letters ¡°SM¡± burned in his vision. Sword Master?
No¡
¡°Carl?¡± Patrick landed nearby, dragging the third vampire. ¡°You, okay? You look like you¡¯ve seen a ghost.¡±
Several unseen slashes at his armor threw Carl backward. The vampire had taken advantage of his distraction, its claws now extended into razor-sharp blades.
¡°The fragments call,¡± it hissed, lunging for him. ¡°And those who guard them will fall.¡±
Carl''s training took over. He flipped backward, channeling energy into a series of devastating kicks that sent the creature flying into a tree trunk. With practiced precision, he broke off a branch and drove it through the vampire''s chest, pinning it in place.
"Yes, yes," he said, his voice strangely calm despite the storm brewing inside him. "I know this doesn''t actually kill you, but I need you to sit tight for a minute."
By then, Kenny had subdued the other vampire, and Patrick was creating an earthen cage to contain all three.
Kenny grinned. "Yo, Pat, Carl got his ass beat by a vamp."
"No way," Patrick laughed, but his smile faded when he saw Carl''s expression. "Hey, you okay, man?"
Carl barely heard them. He was staring at the message still flashing across his visor.
After fifteen years of silence, it was all happening at once.
Carl dismissed the earthen cage Patrick had created and opened the message fully:
[EMERGENCY: DAMERON - KEVIN - CODE RED - SM]
The letters "SM" burned in his vision. Sword Master.
The blood drained from his face as he understood what it meant.
"Guys," he said, "I need to get back to Earth. Now."
Dameron Poe General Hospital - Earth Realm
Carl screeched to a halt in the hospital parking lot, nearly taking the door off his car as he leaped out. His heart hammered against his ribs. The emergency alert still burned in his peripheral vision: [EMERGENCY: DAMERON - KEVIN - CODE RED - SM]
This couldn¡¯t have been happening. Protocols he installed had been in place¡ªmonitoring systems, alert networks, emergency responders¡ªall designed for a day he prayed would never come. Yet here it was, blaring in his visor. His nightmare scenario.
He forced himself to take a breath as he approached the hospital entrance. He was still in his J-Clan combat gear, a major violation of Earth Realm protocols. Years of training as a dimensional guardian screamed at him to retreat, change, maintain cover. But something stronger pushed him forward.
His father and wife stood waiting at the entrance, deep in conversation. They looked up as he approached, their expressions grim.
¡°Carl,¡± his wife said, reaching for him. ¡°What¡¯s happening? The emergency system activated, but¡¡±
¡°Where is he?¡± Carl interrupted; his voice was rougher than he intended.
His father stepped forward. ¡°Eighteenth floor. They brought him in six hours ago.¡±
¡°Who sent the alert? Was it you?¡± Carl searched their faces. ¡°What¡¯s his condition?¡±
¡°That¡¯s just it,¡± his father replied. ¡°We thought you sent it. The message had your verification code attached.¡±
Carl felt a chill run through him. ¡°That¡¯s¡ not possible. I was in the Forest Realm.¡±
The elevator ride to the eighteenth floor was excruciating. Carl stood rigidly between his wife and father, fighting the urge to tear open the ceiling panel and climb the cables manually. Every second felt like an eternity.
If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
¡°Carl,¡± his wife said softly, her hand finding his. ¡°What aren¡¯t you telling us? Who is Kevin to you?¡±
He stared at the illuminated numbers as they climbed: 15¡ 16¡ 17¡
¡°Someone I failed,¡± he finally answered.
The doors slid open, and Carl pushed through before they had fully parted. The hospital floor was quiet¡ªtoo quiet for an emergency. A nurse at the station looked up, startled by his sudden appearance.
¡°Kevin Perry,¡± Carl said, fighting to keep his voice even. ¡°Where is he?¡±
The nurse frowned at his appearance. ¡°Sir, visiting hours are¡ª¡±
¡°WHERE IS HE?¡± The words tore from Carl¡¯s throat, raw and desperate. Lightning sparked involuntarily between his fingers, hidden at his sides.
His father¡¯s hand clamped on his shoulder. ¡°Son,¡± he warned quietly.
The nurse pointed down the hall, her expression hardening. ¡°Room 1809. But sir, you need to calm yourself or security will¡ª¡±
Carl was already moving. Each door he passed felt like another barrier, another delay. 1805¡ 1807¡ 1809.
He stopped in the doorway, frozen by what he saw.
Kevin lay motionless on the hospital bed, skin pale against the sheets. Monitoring equipment beeped steadily around him, IV lines running into his arms. His chest rose and fell in slow motion¡ªalive, but barely present.
A woman sat beside the bed, her back to the door, fingers intertwined with Kevin¡¯s.
Carl approached slowly, as if moving through water. Memories cascaded through his mind with each step:
The ultimate battle, Kevin¡¯s eyes glowing with power as he held back the Malikhil.
Stumbling through a portal, Carl carrying the unconscious hero on his back. He was terrified, but determined not to leave him behind.
The blank look on Kevin¡¯s face when he woke up afterward. Back at school. Like nothing ever happened. ¡°Do I know you?¡± he asked.
The sound of Carl¡¯s footsteps caused the woman to turn. Her face was tear-streaked, dark circles under her reddened eyes.
¡°His wife,¡± Carl said softly, recognizing Kevin¡¯s wife from the photos he¡¯d secretly kept tabs on over the years.
She stood, studying him with cautious surprise. ¡°You¡¯re Carl.¡± It wasn¡¯t a question. ¡°He¡ he mentioned you once. Said you were childhood friends.¡±
A knife twisted in Carl¡¯s chest. Once. Of course. With his memories gone, Carl was just a footnote in Kevin¡¯s life¡ªnot the brother-in-arms who¡¯d fought beside him across dimensions.
¡°What happened?¡± Carl asked, his eyes returned to Kevin¡¯s still form.
She wiped a tear away. ¡°He collapsed at home. No warning signs, nothing. He was making breakfast one minute, and the next¡¡± Her voice cracked. ¡°The doctors can¡¯t explain it. All his tests come back normal. It¡¯s like he¡¯s just¡ gone somewhere else.¡±
Carl¡¯s breath caught. Gone somewhere else. She did not know how accurate those words might be.
¡°There¡¯s something else,¡± She continued, looking directly at him now. ¡°Before they transferred him here, he was mumbling in his sleep. Just one word, over and over.¡±
Carl met her eyes. ¡°What word?¡±
¡°Rowen,¡± she said. ¡°Does that mean anything to you?¡±
The room seemed to tilt beneath Carl¡¯s feet. He gripped the edge of Kevin¡¯s bed to steady himself.
¡°Carl?¡± his wife asked from the doorway, concerned.
¡°It¡¯s an old story,¡± he said. ¡°Something we made up as kids.¡±
Her eyes narrowed. ¡°That¡¯s what I thought too. Until they brought him here¡ªto this specific hospital, on orders I can¡¯t trace. Your father and wife¡¯s appearance, claiming to be ¡®old friends,¡¯ was unexpected, since Kevin never mentioned them. Until you burst in here like¡¡± She gestured at his combat gear. ¡°Like whatever you are.¡± She leaned forward. ¡°What aren¡¯t you telling me about my husband?¡±
Carl looked down at his best friend¡¯s face¡ªpeaceful, unaware of the storm gathering around him. The man who had saved everything, who had given up his memories and his power for a normal life, now lying defenseless.
¡°I promised him,¡± Carl whispered, more to himself than to her. ¡°I promised him it was over.¡±
The room¡¯s lighting flickered suddenly, the monitors beeping erratically for a moment before settling back into their rhythm. A faint red glow pulsed beneath Kevin¡¯s hospital gown, directly over his heart.
¡°Did you see that?¡± she gasped.
Carl¡¯s father stamped forward. ¡°It¡¯s probably just a power fluctuation affecting the equipment.¡±
¡°No,¡± Carl said, his eyes fixed on the spot where the glow had appeared. ¡°It¡¯s starting.¡±
He placed his hand gently on Kevin¡¯s chest, feeling a faint warmth pulsing beneath the thin hospital gown. Not just warmth¡ªheat. Like something burning just below the surface.
¡°What¡¯s starting?¡± she demanded. ¡°What is happening to my husband?¡±
Carl closed his eyes, fifteen years of secrets pressing against him like a barbell weight. He¡¯d kept his promise for so long¡ªprotected Kevin from the truth, from his past, from the burden he¡¯d chosen.
But that promise had just shattered, like the Power Sword itself.
¡°Listen,¡± Carl said, opening his eyes to meet hers. ¡°There¡¯s something you need to know about Kevin. About both of us. It¡¯s going to sound impossible, but I need you to listen.¡±
Before he could continue, the room¡¯s lights flickered again. This time, they dimmed completely for several seconds before returning¡ªbut something had changed. From the corner, a blue light glimmered and expanded, forming the translucent outline of a man in scholarly attire.
¡°What a precarious predicament. This is indeed most unfortunate, and it explains the corruption,¡± said the image.
¡°What the¡¡± she said as she stumbled back from the bed.
Carl stood up to the image. ¡°Wait, you are not supposed to be here!¡±
The image looked at him, then her, and finally Kevin. ¡°Neither is the Hero, nor the condition he is currently in.¡±
The figure adjusted spectral glasses on his nose. ¡°Introductions are usually the first order of business. Madam, I am the Librarian,¡± it said, its voice echoing slightly as if coming from a great distance. ¡°Guardian of the records between realms.¡±
Carl¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°The Database never sends projections to Earth. What¡¯s happening?¡±
¡°Extraordinary circumstances,¡± the Librarian replied, looking past Carl to Kevin¡¯s prone form. ¡°The Sword Master¡¯s condition has triggered multiple failsafe protocols. The balance between worlds is¡ shifting.¡±
¡°Is that a ghost?¡± she demanded, finding her voice. ¡°What is it talking about? Sword Master?¡±
Carl reached back and took her hand, a gesture meant to reassure them both. ¡°He¡¯s not a ghost. He¡¯s more like¡ an interdimensional AI.¡± He turned back to the Librarian. ¡°Can you tell us what¡¯s happening to Kevin?¡±
¡°Not entirely, but the Librarians have a theory if you would like me to divulge for you. I am sure that his wife would love an explanation since you failed to give her one. But that is your own reasons. Now would be a suitable time because it is something you have little of.¡±
He adjusted his spectral glasses once again.
¡°Ma''am,¡± the Librarian said, moving closer to Kevin¡¯s bed, ¡°your husband carries within him a portion of a powerful artifact, the Power Sword. When he was sixteen, he and Carl encountered a realm called Rowen, where Kevin became its champion against a dark entity. He became the Sword Master.¡±
¡°The Malikhil,¡± Carl added. The name is still difficult to say after all these years.
¡°To seal away this threat,¡± the Librarian continued, ¡°the Power Sword shattered into five fragments, each containing a portion of Kevin¡¯s essence. Kevin was to remain in Rowen, to keep the threat of Malikhil from ever returning to the land of Rowen. Carl broke that deal and made a new one that allowed him to return to Earth¡ªbut at the cost of his memories of that time.¡±
She looked from the Librarian to Carl. ¡°And you knew this? All these years?¡±
Carl nodded, unable to meet her eyes. ¡°It was part of the deal. Kevin got to live a normal life, free from the burden of what happened. I promised to watch over him¡ and we locked the realm, to make sure that will always happen.¡±
¡°You are joking, right?¡± she asked. ¡°That is just a fairy tale that he wrote when he was younger. It was about two boys who fell into a portal, and he went looking for an evil using power swords.¡±
Carl looked dejected. ¡°So, he has been recovering his memories of it.¡±
¡°Wait, you mean it¡¯s all true?¡±
¡°Ma''am,¡± the image said. ¡°What he speaks of is indeed correct. Your husband is the Sword Master. The greatest champion against the Malikhil, the Great Darkness.¡±
¡°But that is just a story? It is a fairy tale of imagination and fantastic crap! Kevin just writes about it, but nothing never came of it. Regardless, what does all this have to do with why he is unconscious?¡±
¡°Yes, Librarian, we need answers,¡± Carl added.
¡°I will put this in plain speak as I can make it. Kevin¡¯s soul has been called to become the Sword Master once again. Your deal was in error, and once again, Malikhil threatened the Rowen Realm. This is his fate.¡±
¡°No!¡± Carl yelled suddenly. ¡°That was not the deal. We won! God promised Kevin has served his purpose and will forever live to a hundred years for his sacrifice. He is not even halfway to that number, and He cannot do this!¡± He looked into the sky. ¡°You hear me! Find someone else! You promised!¡±
Thunder rolled outside, as if his yelling had some effect somewhere.
¡°Is that why he isn¡¯t waking up?¡± she asked. ¡°Because He has taken him away because of some fantasy quest?¡±
¡°In a way, madam,¡± the Librarian replied. ¡°That is God¡¯s wish. According to the database, the Sword Master legend is currently in danger, and the Great Darkness is undoing everything in order to destroy everything.¡±
Carl looked at Kevin. ¡°I do not understand. But this is wrong. The J-Clan is here now. We will fight Malikhil. Kevin does not have to do this! I swore to him that this was going to be the way.¡±
¡°Carl,¡± the Librarian said, ¡°You know better than fighting fate. The Sword Master is to serve again. There is no other option.¡±
¡°No! Kevin,¡± she said, holding him in bed. ¡°I want my husband back. I do not care about all of this. If you can bring him back, I plead with you to bring him back. Kevin! Wake up, baby. It¡¯s me, your wife. Please, for the love of God. Wake up!¡±
¡°I promise you,¡± Carl said, his voice fierce with determination, ¡°I will bring him back.¡±
She pulled her hands away from him. ¡°The same way you ¡®watched over him¡¯ all these years? By stalking him from a distance?¡± Her voice was sharp with anger, but there was something else beneath it¡ªraw fear fighting to maintain control.
¡°I wasn¡¯t stalking¡ª¡±
¡°Then what would you call it?¡± she demanded. ¡°You knew where we lived. You know about me. Yet in all the years you were in his life, he said you visited, what, twice? Always with some excuse about ¡®just passing through town.¡± Her eyes narrowed. ¡°Meanwhile, you¡¯ve been keeping this massive secret about his past from him¡ªfrom us both. He has children. He has a family, for God¡¯s sake!¡±
Carl had no answer to that. She was right.
¡°Hey,¡± his wife Saize said gently from the doorway, ¡°I know this is overwhelming¡ª¡±
¡°That¡¯s an understatement,¡± she replied, but some of the edge left her voice. She turned back to Kevin, stroking his hair with a tenderness that made Carl¡¯s chest ache. ¡°He¡¯s been writing about Rowen for years, you know. Stories, poems, sketches. I always thought they were just fantasy¡ªhis creative outlet.¡±
Carl¡¯s head snapped up. ¡°Writing about Rowen? That¡¯s impossible. The memory block should have¡ª¡±
¡°What should I have? Erased it completely?¡± She moved to a bag beside Kevin¡¯s bed and pulled out a worn leather journal. ¡°He¡¯s filled twelve of these. Dragons, magical swords, dark entities¡ all these adventures set in a place called Rowen.¡± She flipped it open to a page with a rough sketch of a sword surrounded by five smaller fragments. ¡°He said the stories came to him in dreams. That they felt more like memories than imagination.¡±
The Librarian drifted closer, examining the journal. ¡°Fascinating. The human mind is remarkably resilient. Even with supernatural blocks in place, his subconscious was trying to process those experiences.¡±
¡°So, he¡¯s been remembering, bit by bit,¡± Carl said, the realization hitting him like a physical blow.
She nodded, her expression softening slightly. ¡°He mentioned you sometimes in the stories. A friend with lightning powers who fought beside him. A brother-in-arms who¡¯d do anything to protect him.¡± She closed the journal. ¡°He didn¡¯t remember you consciously, but part of him knew. Part of him remembered what you meant to each other.¡±
Carl swallowed hard, unable to speak.
She looked back at Kevin, her voice growing firmer. ¡°Don¡¯t treat me like some hysterical wife who can¡¯t handle the truth. If Kevin¡¯s stuck in this Rowen place, I want to know exactly what we¡¯re dealing with. No more secrets, no more vague explanations.¡±
The Librarian bowed his head slightly. ¡°Mrs. Perry is correct. If she is to serve as his anchor, she must understand completely.¡±
¡°Fine,¡± Carl said. ¡°No more secrets.¡± He looked toward the door where his father stood. ¡°Dad, could you and Saize give us some privacy? This might take a while.¡±
His father nodded, squeezing Carl¡¯s shoulder as he passed. ¡°We¡¯ll be right outside if you need us.¡±
When the door closed, Carl turned back to Kevin''s wife. ¡°It started when we were sixteen¡¡±
For the next twenty minutes, Carl laid out everything¡ªthe accidental portal they¡¯d discovered, the realm of Rowen threatened by the Malikhil, Kevin¡¯s unexpected connection to the Power Sword that marked him as the realm¡¯s champion.
His friend''s wife listened intently, occasionally asking sharp questions that revealed her analytical mind. She took notes in the margins of Kevin¡¯s journal, connecting his dream stories to Carl¡¯s account of what had actually happened.
¡°So, the ending battle,¡± she said, flipping to a page with a dark, swirling mass sketched across it, ¡°when the sword shattered, Kevin chose Rowen to maintain the seal on this Malikhil entity.¡±
Carl nodded. ¡°He sacrificed everything¡ªto never come home again¡ªto save both worlds.¡±
¡°But you couldn¡¯t accept that,¡± She stated kindly.
¡°No,¡± Carl admitted. ¡°I made a deal with the powers that be. I offered part of my essence to strengthen the barrier if they¡¯d let Kevin return to Earth. They agreed, but with conditions: Kevin would lose all memory of Rowen, and the Power Sword fragments would remain scattered, each containing a portion of his¡ soul, I guess you could call it.¡±
She studied him. ¡°And you¡¯re part of the bargain? Besides the essence you gave up?¡±
¡°I did not know it, but there was another threat to the Earth Realm. The Soul Wars. With the help of my father, we formed the J-Clan. To protect the dimensions from other threats. To guard the barrier between worlds.¡± Carl¡¯s gaze returned to Kevin. ¡°With Kevin not there, Rowen is the link between God¡¯s power. We sealed it. And to watch over him from a distance, never revealing what had happened.¡±
¡°Until now,¡± she whispered.
¡°Until now,¡± Carl agreed.
Kevin''s wife closed the journal. ¡°All these years, he¡¯s been only part of himself. No wonder he always felt something was missing.¡± Her voice caught, but she quickly regained composure. ¡°What happens when all these fragments come together again? Will he remember everything?¡±
¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Carl admitted. ¡°This has never happened before.¡±
She was quiet for a long moment, lost in thought. Finally, she looked up with renewed determination. ¡°Alright. I¡¯m Kevin¡¯s anchor here. What exactly does that mean? What do I need to do?¡±
The Librarian, who had been silent during Carl¡¯s explanation, spoke up. ¡°Carl must locate the fragments and restore the Sword Master to repel Malikhil once again. As his wife, your bond is the strongest. You must stay with his physical form, maintain contact as much as possible. Speak to him. Remind him of your life together. This will keep him tethered to Earth while Carl is on his mission.¡±
She nodded, already sitting closer to Kevin and holding his hand. ¡°I can do that.¡± She looked at Carl. ¡°And if I learn anything from him¡ªif he speaks or responds¡ªhow do I contact you?¡±
It was a practical question that showed she was already thinking ahead. Carl found himself grateful for her quick adaptation to the impossible situation.
¡°The Librarian can serve as a conduit,¡± he said, looking at the spectral figure for confirmation.
¡°I can establish a secure connection between realms,¡± the Librarian agreed. ¡°But such communications will be limited and may attract¡ unwanted attention.¡±
¡°Use it only if absolutely necessary,¡± Carl instructed her. ¡°If Kevin wakes up, or something happens, call my brothers. The J-Clan will come.¡±
She nodded again, her researcher¡¯s mind clearly cataloging and organizing the information. ¡°How long will this take? Your journey to find the fragments?¡±
Carl exchanged glances with the Librarian. ¡°Time moves differently between realms. It could be days here, but weeks or months there.¡±
¡°Or vice versa,¡± the Librarian added. ¡°The fluctuations are unpredictable.¡±
Her jaw tightened, but she didn¡¯t flinch. ¡°Then you better get started.¡± She fixed Carl with an intense gaze. ¡°Bring my husband back, Carl. Not just his body¡ªall of him.¡±
Carl felt betrayed. A promise he made so long ago, casually ripped apart by yet again, something that had nothing to do with them. No, not again. Not the one who believed in him. He owes this man his life.
¡°Librarian,¡± Carl said, looking out the window. ¡°I am ready. Open the portal. I am bringing Kevin back to his wife.¡±
With the power reaching a brightness of white light, the portal glimmered with shining potential. Carl was versed in portals, mostly in the other realms, but this one shined brighter than anything he had ever witnessed.
¡°Son,¡± his father said. ¡°Be prepared for anything to happen over there. Time may be rewritten. This is unknown territory, even for you, although this isn¡¯t your first time in that realm. I do not know if you will retain your abilities but remember your focus. Do not worry about us on this side. The J-Clan will keep them safe.¡±
Carl nodded and looked through the portal. He hovered in the air to match the height above Kevin.
The Sword Master. Keeper of The Five Swords of Power.
Find and bring Kevin home. Not just a part of him like I did before. This time... completely. Even if I have to fight fate itself.
Last time, we went through together. This time, I am coming to get you for good.
With a moment of determination, Carl once again entered the realm of Rowen, the locked realm of the Sword Master.
Episode 2: The Arctic Temple Palace
Carl slammed into the ice, his light-weight armor clanking against the frozen surface as the portal spat him out and vanished. Wind howled around him, bitter cold biting through his suit despite its environmental protections.
¡°Not exactly the Rowen I remember,¡± he muttered, pushing himself to his feet.
Ahead, carved into a massive mountain face, loomed a structure of impossible scale¡ªa palace or fortress of some kind. If there were answers about Kevin, they¡¯d be there.
Carl tried to activate his flight powers to make the journey quicker. Nothing happened. He tried summoning electricity to his fingertips. Again, nothing.
¡°Great. No powers,¡± he said, flipping down his visor. The tech display remained dark. ¡°And no tech either.¡±
A distant cracking sound drew his attention. Behind him, the ice shelf he¡¯d landed on was splitting apart, fractures racing toward him like lightning strikes. He had minutes before the entire area collapsed into the chasm below.
¡°Best get walking,¡± he muttered, trudging forward as quickly as the snow would allow. ¡°Or running.¡±
Halfway to the palace, Carl crested a ridge of packed snow and caught his breath. The bitter cold made each inhalation painful, and his armor¡ªdesigned for light missions, not arctic expeditions¡ªprovided minimal insulation. Without his powers to regulate his body temperature, hypothermia was becoming an actual concern.
He squinted at the far away palace, trying to gauge the remaining distance. That¡¯s when he noticed the surrounding snow was... moving. Not blowing in the wind, but shifting from beneath, creating tiny mounds that rose and fell like something was breathing underneath.
Carl took a cautious step back. Without powers, without weapons, he was vulnerable in ways he hadn¡¯t been since he was young.
The snow before him erupted. A creature burst forth¡ªa nightmarish hybrid of ant and human. It stood seven feet tall on four chitinous legs, while its upper body featured a humanoid torso with four arms, each ending in either pincers or holding crude weapons fashioned from bone and metal. Its body was unmistakably ant-like, with compound eyes and waving antennae, but its mandibles moved with disturbing precision as they spoke.
¡°Biped detected,¡± it chittered, its voice a dry clicking sound that somehow formed English words. ¡°Classification: unknown. Containment protocol started.¡±
Carl raised his hands in a universal gesture of peace. ¡°I mean no harm. I¡¯m just passing through to the palace.¡±
The creature¡¯s antennae twitched rapidly. ¡°Palace designation recognized. Affiliation: Arctic Temple. Classification updated: enemy combatant.¡±
More mounds of snow rose around Carl, circling him. Five, no, seven of the ant-creatures emerging, each armed and chittering at the others in a rapid-fire language of clicks and hisses.
¡°Wait,¡± Carl said, backing up. ¡°I¡¯m not your enemy. I¡¯m looking for someone¡ª"
¡°Silence, Temple spy,¡± the lead ant commanded. ¡°The Hunger awaits your essence.¡± It raised its upper right arm, which begun with ominous red light.
Carl¡¯s J-Clan combat training kicked in. Without powers, he¡¯d need to rely on physical skills and environmental advantages. The ice beneath them was slick, and the ant-creatures, despite their size, might not adapt well as their snow burrows.
When the first blast of red energy shot from the lead ant, Carl was already moving. He dropped and slid between the creature¡¯s legs, using the ice to gain speed. The blast hit another ant behind him, causing it to shriek in pain as its carapace smoked.
¡°Subdue but preserve!¡± the leader shouted. ¡°The Hunger requires living essence!¡±
Carl grabbed a jagged shard of ice as he came up from his slide, wielding it like a dagger. One ant lunged at him with a bone spear. Carl sidestepped, using the creature¡¯s momentum to guide it past him, then brought the ice shard down hard on the joint where its arm connected to its torso. The appendage didn¡¯t sever, but the creature screeched in pain.
¡°What is the Hunger?¡± Carl demanded, ducking under another swing. ¡°What do you want from me?
The lead ant chittered something to the others, and they circled more strategically, cutting off escape routes.
¡°All serve the Hunger,¡± it replied. ¡°All essence feeds the Malikhil. Yours will be potent, off-worlder."
Two ants attacked simultaneously. Carl evaded the first but caught a glancing blow from the second. The impact sent him sprawling across the ice. Pain exploded across his cracked ribs.
The lead ant approached, its mandibles clicking excitedly. ¡°The Anbar Empire thanks you for your contribution, biped.¡±
Carl struggled to his feet, knowing without powers, without backup, this was how it ended¡ªin a frozen wasteland far from home, trying to save his best friend.
A high-pitched screech tore through the air. The ants looked up, their antennae quivering in alarm.
¡°Temple Wing!¡± one cried. ¡°Aerial attack!"
From above, a blur of blue and brown plummeted toward them. An eagle-like creature with a wingspan easily twenty feet across slammed into the lead ant, powerful talons puncturing its carapace. The ant shrieked, firing its red fireballs wildly, hitting one of its companions.
More eagles descended, their humanoid wings shooting green magic that looked like spears made of crystal. They moved with military precision, targeting the ants with efficiency.
¡°Off-worlder!¡± called the first eagle as it disengaged from the wounded ant. ¡°Grab my leg if you want to live!¡±
Carl didn¡¯t hesitate. As the eagle swooped low, he leaped up and caught the extended talon-foot, hanging on as they rapidly gained altitude. Below, the battle continued¡ªthree eagles against the remaining ants, the green magic spears flashing against red fire blasts.
¡°What the hell are those things?¡± Carl shouted over the wind.
¡°Anbar Conscripts,¡± the eagle replied, banking sharply to avoid a stray energy blast from below. ¡°Spore Beasts twisted by Malikhil¡¯s corruption. They harvest essence for the Hunger.¡±
Carl nearly lost his grip on the familiar name. ¡°Did you say Malikhil?¡±
¡°Hold tight,¡± the eagle responded instead. ¡°I am Dimitri of the Temple Wing. We¡¯ve been searching for your arrival point since the detection of the signature."
As they climbed higher, Carl looked down at the battlefield. The ants were retreating, burrowing back into the snow. One eagle was injured, its right wing moving awkwardly as two companions helped it airborne.
¡°Your companions,¡± Carl called. ¡°Are they¡ª¡±
¡°Paltov took a blast, but he¡¯ll live,¡± Dimitri replied. ¡°The Anbar have been growing bolder, pushing scouts this close to the Temple. It¡¯s why we doubled our patrols when we detected your portal.¡±
Carl¡¯s mind raced with questions, but the stunning view as they gained altitude momentarily silenced him. The vast ice fields stretched in all directions, meeting a horizon where blue sky touched white ground. And ahead, growing larger with every wingbeat, the Arctic Temple Palace rose from the mountainside like something from a fever dream¡ªpart fortress, part cathedral, part alien technology.
¡°Welcome to what¡¯s left of Rowen,¡± Dimitri said, following Carl¡¯s gaze. ¡°Not quite what you remember, I¡¯d wager.¡±
That was the understatement of the century.
The palace grew more imposing as they approached¡ªa sprawling structure of ice and stone that defied architectural logic. Multiple platforms jutted from the mountainside, connected by graceful bridges that looked too delicate to support weight. Spires of crystalline ice rose hundreds of feet into the air, capturing and fracturing sunlight into prismatic patterns that danced across the structure¡¯s surface.
But what truly marked this as alien to Carl¡¯s memories of Rowen was the technology. Circuits of blue light pulsed beneath transparent ice sections, forming complex patterns that reminded him of computer motherboards. Occasionally, surges of energy would race through these circuits, causing sections of the palace to shift and reconfigure themselves in response.
Dozens of the eagle-people flew around the structure in organized patterns. Some carried supplies or messages, others were patrolling. All wore clothing and carried tools or weapons of distinct designs. Carl noticed hierarchies in their dress¡ªsome in simple fabric wraps, others in elaborate robes or military uniforms.
¡°The Arctic Temple Palace,¡± Dimitri explained as they approached a landing platform near the summit. ¡°Last stronghold of the free Spore Beasts.¡±
¡°Spore Beasts?¡± Carl asked, the term unfamiliar.
¡°Us,¡± Dimitri replied, banking toward a wide circular platform. ¡°The children of the Great Reshaping. What emerged after the Time Fracture when the Sword Master sealed away the Malikhil?"
Carl¡¯s grip tightened reflexively on Dimitri¡¯s leg. ¡°None of this was here before. Rowen was forests and villages, castles, and fields. Not... whatever this is.¡±
¡°That Rowen still exists, south of the border,¡± Dimitri said, beginning his descent. ¡°What you call Rowen Commons. But much has changed ¡ª thousands of years of history that were rewritten when time mended itself."
Before Carl could question this bizarre statement, they were landing. Dimitri hovered briefly over the platform, allowing Carl to drop the final few feet before landing himself with surprising grace for his size.
Carl¡¯s legs nearly buckled¡ªpartly from the strain of hanging on during the flight, partly from the relief of solid ground. The platform - constructed strange material with the rest of the palace: ice that wasn¡¯t quite ice, transparent enough to reveal the glowing circuitry beneath, yet warm to the touch despite the frigid air around them.
The other eagle warriors landed nearby, supporting their injured companion between them. Medical staff¡ªmore eagle-people in white garments¡ªrushed forward with crystal-based technology to attend to the wounded.
¡°Dimitri!¡± a commanding voice cut through the bustle.
A larger eagle approached, his plumage darker than the others, with intricate gold patterns woven into the fabric draped across his torso. Unlike Dimitri¡¯s military bearing, this eagle moved with the confident stride of a politician or diplomat.
¡°Report,¡± he demanded, eyes flicking briefly to Carl before returning to Dimitri.
¡°Anbar scouts at the northern ridge, Councilor,¡± Dimitri replied, straightening to attention. ¡°At least seven Conscripts, more burrowed. They targeted the off-worlder specifically."
The councilor¡¯s gaze returned to Carl, more evaluating this time. ¡°So, this is the Jackson. Smaller than the histories suggest.¡±
Carl bristled at the dismissive tone. ¡°And you are?¡±
¡°Councilor Aerin,¡± Dimitri provided quickly. ¡°Second to the Empress in the Temple Hierarchy.¡±
¡°The Empress awaits in the Chronal Chamber,¡± Aerin said, turning away. ¡°Bring him, but ensure he¡¯s scanned for tracking spores first. The Anbar¡¯s interest in him is... concerning.¡±
As Aerin strode away, Dimitri lowered his voice. ¡°Apologies for his manner. The Councilor lost his entire clutch to an Anbar raid last season. He¡¯s... distrustful of bipeds.¡±
Carl nodded, understanding the loss all too well. He followed Dimitri through an archway that seemed to ripple like water as they passed through, though remained solid to the touch. Inside, the palace revealed itself as even more impressive than its exterior.
Vaulted ceilings soared hundreds of feet overhead, supported by columns of crystal that pulsed with internal light. The floor beneath their feet was a mosaic of transparent panels, revealing multiple levels below where eagle-people and other creatures moved about their business. Some sections showed vast libraries with scrolls and books, others workshop areas where craftspeople worked with materials Carl couldn¡¯t identify.
But most striking were the other inhabitants. While eagle-people predominated, Carl now saw dozens of other species: graceful deer-like beings with extra limbs that moved like dancers; massive bear-creatures whose fur seemed to shimmer with embedded technology; small, quick rodent-types carrying messages and operating complex crystal machinery.
¡°All Spore Beasts,¡± Dimitri explained, noting Carl¡¯s wide-eyed observation. ¡°The Time Fracture affected all creatures in Rowen differently. Some, like us Temple Eagles, organized quickly. Others...¡± His voice darkened. ¡°Others were twisted into service to the Hunger.¡±
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
They passed through a security checkpoint where two stern-faced eagles waved crystal wands over Carl¡¯s body. The wands hummed and changed colors as they passed over different areas.
¡°Clean,¡± one security officer declared. ¡°No spores detected.¡±
¡°This way,¡± Dimitri said, leading Carl deeper into the palace.
They passed rooms filled with eagles in deep conversation over three-dimensional maps projected from crystal tables; medical chambers where the wounded treated with light-based healing; training areas where young eagles practiced aerial combat maneuvers in open vertical shafts.
¡°It¡¯s a city,¡± Carl realized aloud. ¡°Not just a palace.¡±
¡°The last free city,¡± Dimitri confirmed grimly. ¡°The Anbar Empire has taken everything else south of the Cascadia Forest line.¡±
They approached a massive circular door carved with intricate runes that glowed with inner light. Two eagles in ceremonial armor stood guard, their crystal spears crossed to the blocked entrance.
¡°Temple Wing Dimitri,¡± announced one guard. ¡°With the off-worlder Jackson. The Empress expects them.¡±
The guards uncrossed their spears, and the massive door slid open silently, revealing a chamber unlike anything Carl had seen before. The walls were transparent, showing not the mountains outside but multiple overlapping realities¡ªforests, deserts, oceans, all shifting and blending into one another like oil on water.
¡°The Chronal Chamber,¡± Dimitri said quietly. ¡°Where the Empress observes the timelines.¡±
At the chamber¡¯s center, suspended above the floor, there was a massive silver nest structure. And perched upon it, waiting with the patience of mountains, was Empress Rydia.
The throne room was a marvel of technology and ancient design. Luminescent circuits pulsed through the stone walls. A massive silver nest dominated the far end, suspended above the floor without visible support.
Two smaller eagle-creatures flanked Carl as he entered¡ªone into a crisp red suit who introduced himself as Admin, the other in flowing robes called Phoebe. They whispered urgently to each other as they led him forward.
¡°The Empress Rydia Ornel of the Great Bastion Talon Peak approaches,¡± Admin announced, dropping into a formal bow.
From the nest descended an elderly eagle, her feathers silver with age but her eyes sharp. Unlike the others, she moved with a slight limp, one wing held at an unnatural angle.
¡°Carl Jackson,¡± she said, her voice surprisingly warm. ¡°So young. Last time I saw you, you were much older.¡±
Carl blinked in confusion. It wasn¡¯t until that moment that he realized he was younger. His body had somehow reverted to that of a young adult, around twenty, if he had to guess. ¡°I¡¯ve never been here before,¡± he said, gesturing at the crystalline structures surrounding them. ¡°Not to this... ice palace."
The Empress¡ªRydia, according to Admin¡¯s whispered prompt¡ªgestured, and a table materialized between them, laden with food and drink.
¡°Please, sit,¡± she said. ¡°We have much to discuss and little time.¡±
¡°I¡¯m not here for tea,¡± Carl said, remaining standing. ¡°I¡¯m here for Kevin. Where is he?¡±
Rydia¡¯s eyes flashed with irritation. ¡°Impatient, like all humans. Sit, Carl Jackson. Respect our ways, and I will tell you what you need to know.¡±
Admin hissed in warning. ¡°The Empress offers hospitality only once.¡±
Reluctantly, Carl sat. ¡°Fine. But please. I need answers.¡±
¡°And answers you shall have,¡± Rydia said, settling across from him. ¡°But first, you must understand what has happened to Rowen since you and the Sword Master left us.¡±
She touched a circuit on the table, and a three-dimensional map appeared between them. ¡°When the Sword Master and you sealed away the Malikhil, the land returned to normal. However, sometime later, the Fabric of Time was damaged. Your father was crucial in mending that Fabric.¡±
The map shifted, showing the realm splitting and reforming.
¡°We Spore Beasts came into existence then created with memories and histories that span generations, though in your timeline, we never existed before. South of us arose the Anbar Empire, humans with the stirring darkness at its heart.¡±
¡°Malikhil,¡± Carl whispered.
Rydia nodded grimly. ¡°It grows stronger. We summoned the Sword Master to help us, but something went wrong. His soul shattered on arrival, each fragment infusing one of the Power Swords."
¡°That explains Kevin¡¯s condition on Earth,¡± Carl said, the pieces finally clicking together. ¡°But if he¡¯s here too, where exactly is he?¡±
¡°Rowen Commons,¡± Phoebe interjected. ¡°A village in the forest lands. We sent our Champion to assist him, but she¡¯s gone silent.
¡°And you want me to go find them,¡± Carl concluded.
¡°Yes,¡± Rydia said, eyes fixed on his. ¡°But I sense your reluctance. You did not come to save our realm, did you?¡±
¡°No,¡± Carl admitted. ¡°I came for my friend. To take him home.¡±
The temperature in the room seemed to drop further. Admin and Phoebe exchanged alarmed glances.
¡°Then you doom us all,¡± Rydia said quietly. ¡°The Anbar Empire enslaves my people daily. Slaughters those who do not conscript. Malikhil¡¯s influence spreads. Without the Sword Master¡±
¡°Kevin has a wife,¡± Carl interrupted. ¡°A family. A life. You stole that life from him when you summoned him here.¡±
Rydia rose suddenly, her injured wing trembling with emotion. ¡°And we have lives too! You will end our lives if you take him before defeating the Malikhil! She waved her wing, and the table vanished. ¡°But I cannot force you. Go to Rowen Commons. Find your friend. Make your choice."
¡°Carl, as our empress has said,¡± Phoebe replied. ¡°The Great Darkness is back. And not to remind you, but Kevin is home."
¡°No,¡± Carl protested. ¡°This is not his home. Your Retsam dragged us here years ago to save this land, and we did just that. Kevin finished his mission. Let him rest."
¡°You misplace your anger, young Jackson,¡± Admin said, matching his tone. ¡°You and Kevin altered the deal, and you conveniently forget that if he was to be called again to serve, then the Retsam has every right to do so."
Carl suddenly remembered the final clause: Kevin could be recalled to Rowen to repair any damage caused by his departure. It had seemed insignificant then, as he defeated Malikhil. Yet Carl¡¯s presence here proved Malikhil survived, making him just as responsible as these creatures.
But none of that mattered. All that matters is getting his best friend home.
¡°Where is he?¡± Carl demanded. ¡°And what is this problem that happened when you robbed him of his life?"
¡°Malikhil infests the Anbar Empire, and the Great Darkness intend to once again use that host to conquer the Rowen Realm. Thus, the Retsam summoned the Sword Master to counter the threat. But when Kevin arrived, the Power Sword did not gather, and it remains shattered in pieces along the realm. We know where one piece will be soon. At Rowen Commons, a village near the center of Rowen territory in the Cascadia Forest. That is where the Retsam sent Kevin..."
Ok, he has a location. He remembers that much of that area. The commons were a generalized area where they first started.
Carl broke his train of thought. ¡°I sense a but..."
¡°The Soul of the Sword Master shattered on his arrival, and each piece infused with each of the Power Swords. The shattered pieces corrupted the Power Swords, but they will never form as they are."
That would explain the empty soul that lies in the bed. He would need to repair his soul. The mere thought of this problem only gets more confusing. ¡°Wait, I left Kevin back in my Realm. How is he here as well?"
¡°As the Empress said before,¡± Phoebe replied. ¡°The Retsam would never allow Kevin to leave this world as his presence holds the Darkness back. As such, two versions of Kevin exist in order to satisfy your desires way back when."
The Retsam. Their word for ¡®God.¡¯
¡°So, this was not intentional. The version here is the one you summoned, and somehow, the Earth¡¯s Kevin¡¯s soul was pulled into this realm."
He started to see the sense of what had happened, but the back of his mind said otherwise. He still felt responsible because of the selfish desire way back then. That will never go away like a scratchable itch.
¡°We have sent a Champion to assist the Sword Master, however, she lost contact with us. We were about to send another envoy when your energy signature came through the portal. The Empress knew what needed to happen, as she always does."
His heart sank. He knew what that meant. ¡°You mean, you want me to go down there, and help this Kevin succeed in driving this evil back... again."
¡°That is why you are here before us,¡± Rydia said.
¡°No,¡± Carl replied. ¡°I am not here to save your people. I made a promise to his wife and family. Kevin¡¯s soul is out here somewhere, and if you say that it is in pieces, then I personally will put them back together, but we will not fight your battles. Once I have his complete soul I am taking him home. And this time I will destroy the portal and any instance of this land.¡±
¡°Carl..."
Carl stood up in anger. ¡°Make no mistake. I am sorry for what is happening to your land. I really do and once this is over, then the J-Clan will help assist if we can. But now, you are in the wrong. You knew of us back then, and you had the power to call on the J-Clan to help you! But instead, you RIPPED my friend away from his life. All for your selfish existence!¡±
¡°Watch your tone, Carl!¡± Admin and Phoebe snapped in unison, their auras pulsing with a deep, threatening glow. ¡°We will not tolerate your apathy toward the Empress.¡±
¡°Stand down,¡± Rydia interjected, raising her hand. ¡°He means us no harm. Let him speak his mind.¡±
Carl took a deep breath, centering on himself. ¡°My only loyalty right now is to my friend. Nothing else matters until he¡¯s safe. That¡¯s my goal. Period.¡±
¡°You will find that our goals are intertwined,¡± Rydia replied, her voice soft but unyielding.
Carl¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°I strongly doubt that your Empress.¡±
The Empress stood up from her seat and with a swipe of her hand everything disappeared around them. ¡°My Temple Wing will fly you to the Commons, where your friend and my Champion are located.¡±
Carl bowed in respect. ¡°Thank you, Empress, in your understanding. I apologize for my outburst as this is important to me.¡±
¡°Admin, have Captain Dimitri ready for escort mission.¡±
¡°Yes, Empress.¡±
¡°Carl, there are some things you must know when you get there. The Arctic Temple Palace cannot be directly involved with what is happening down south. But if all possible, please consider helping my species. You will find that Anbar has committed terrible atrocities against us, and as much help we have sent, none have come back. The Rowen people need help as well, as they are caught in the Great Darkness¡¯s grip."
¡°Empress, like I said...¡± Carl began, his tone firm but respectful.
¡°I know, your friend is your priority.¡± Rydia¡¯s voice carried the weight of centuries yet held a surprising gentleness. ¡°But like the Sword Master, you are a great man. I know you will do the right thing.¡±
Carl straightened his shoulders, his jaw set with determination. ¡°I will. I am J-Clan. That¡¯s what we do.¡±
¡°Indeed,¡± she replied, the single word carrying both acknowledgment and expectation.
Dimitri opened the grand doors and entered, kneeling when he came up next to Carl. ¡°Empress, my Wing is ready.¡±
¡°Safe speed, Dimitri. Get him to where he needs to be.¡±
¡°By the Retsam,¡± Dimitri replied with a formal nod.
¡°Carl,¡± the Empress called as they turned away.
He paused and looked back while Dimitri waited respectfully at the door.
¡°The Sword Master may not be what you expect.¡±
Carl nodded once; his jaw set with determination.
¡°Alright buddy, ready to fly?¡± Dimitri said when they reached the platform, clapping Carl on the shoulder.
¡°I am ready. Let¡¯s go Dimitri. Thank you for me relying on you for flight. Normally I would fly myself there.¡±
Dimitri gave a hearty laugh. ¡°A human flying on their own? Now that would be a sight to see. Hop on young one. No hanging onto my legs. That was awkward. Hop on my back and keep your head down.¡±
The landing platform buzzed with activity as Dimitri¡¯s Wing prepared for departure. Four eagle warriors checked their crystal weapons and supplies, securing everything to harnesses around their torsos. Medical eagles wrapped fresh bandages around Paltov¡¯s injured wing, applying glowing salve to the energy burn.
¡°You¡¯re still coming?¡± Carl asked him, surprised.
Paltov flexed his wing, wincing slightly. ¡°This? It¡¯s nothing. Besides, someone needs to keep Dimitri from talking your ear off about Temple Wing glory days.¡±
¡°I can hear you,¡± Dimitri called over, adjusting his flight harness.
Carl looked out over the vast expanse beyond the platform. From this height, he could see the stark division between the icy northern territories and the greener southern lands. The border between them wasn¡¯t just geographical¡ªan actual line of distortion shimmered in the air, like heat waves rising from summer pavement.
¡°What is that?¡± he asked, pointing to the phenomenon.
¡°Time Scar,¡± answered a female eagle, introducing herself as Kira. ¡°Where reality knitted itself back together imperfectly. We avoid flying directly through it¡ªcauses temporal disorientation.¡±
¡°Translation: it makes you puke,¡± Paltov added helpfully.
Councilor Aerin appeared on the platform, striding purposefully toward their group. The other eagles immediately straightened their posture.
¡°The Empress has directed me to provide additional intelligence,¡± he said, his tone making clear he wasn¡¯t thrilled with the assignment. He handed Carl a small communicator wrist strap ¡°This contains known Anbar patrol routes and safe houses in the border region.¡±
¡°Thanks,¡± Carl said, genuinely surprised by the help. He had one similar for J-Clan messages, but he figured that he didn¡¯t need it for now and replaced it. The ATP signal blinked and he felt his visor appear on his head, even though he couldn¡¯t understand why the two would even correlate.
Aerin¡¯s expression remained cold. ¡°Do not mistake this for trust, off-worlder. I merely fulfill my duty to the Empress.¡± He leaned closer, lowering his voice. ¡°But know this¡ªif you abandon the Sword Master again, as you did years ago, there will be nowhere in any timeline you can hide from Temple justice.¡±
¡°I didn¡¯t abandon¡ª¡± Carl began, but Aerin had already turned away.
Dimitri approached, looking uncomfortable. ¡°Ignore him. The Councilor lost his entire family to the Anbar. He¡¯s... not himself.¡±
¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Carl said, though it wasn¡¯t. ¡°Let¡¯s get moving.¡±
¡°One more thing,¡± Dimitri said, handing Carl a small bundle. ¡°Temple clothing. Your armor stands out too much, and it¡¯s not suited for the forest environment.¡±
Carl examined the garments¡ªlightweight but sturdy fabric in muted greens and browns, with multiple hidden pockets. ¡°How do you even know human sizes?¡±
Dimitri¡¯s beak formed what might have been a smile. ¡°We¡¯ve had Rowen allies before. They are different for sure but still your size. There¡¯s a changing area behind that partition.¡±
When Carl emerged in his new attire, the eagles were completing their final preparations. Admin had appeared on the platform, speaking urgently with Dimitri.
¡°Change of plans,¡± Dimitri announced as Carl approached. ¡°Anbar movement detected near the southern forest edge. We¡¯ll have to take the western approach instead.
¡°How much longer will that take?¡± Carl asked.
¡°Half a day, maybe more,¡± Kira replied. ¡°But we¡¯ll avoid their anti-air defenses.¡±
Carl nodded, resigned to the delay. Every hour meant Kevin¡¯s condition potentially worsening, but getting shot down wouldn¡¯t help anyone.
¡°One last gift from the Empress,¡± Admin said, presenting Carl with a sheathed dagger. The handle was made of the same crystal as the eagles¡¯ weapons, pulsing faintly with blue energy. ¡°It¡¯s not much against Anbar technology, but it¡¯s better than nothing.¡±
Carl accepted the weapon, securing it to his belt. ¡°I appreciate it.¡±
¡°Time to fly,¡± Dimitri called out. ¡°Carl, you¡¯ll ride with me. The others will form defensive positions around us.¡±
This time, rather than hanging from Dimitri¡¯s legs, Carl was secured to a harness on the eagle¡¯s back. It was significantly more comfortable, though still precarious.
¡°Hold tight to these straps,¡± Dimitri instructed. ¡°And if we come under fire, keep your head down. Let us handle the fighting.¡±
¡°No offense, but without my powers, I¡¯m not exactly eager to join an aerial battle,¡± Carl replied.
Paltov approached three other Temple Air Guards, all strapping on their flight gear. ¡°And don¡¯t fall, unless you think the trees will catch you!¡± he called with a barking laugh.
As they prepared to launch, Phoebe rushed onto the platform, clutching a small ruby pendant. ¡°Wait!¡± he called. ¡°The Empress also requests this for you.¡±
¡°Ya know, for an advance society, y''alls timing is all over the place. What is this now?¡±
She pressed the pendant into Carl¡¯s hand. ¡°A communication device, of sorts. A just in case...¡± He hesitated.
¡°In case of what?¡± Carl asked.
¡°Just hang on to it ok. Quit asking dumb questions,¡± Phoebe finished.
Dimitri shifted uncomfortably. ¡°We should go now. Before the storm.¡±
The five eagles moved to the edge of the platform. Below, the ice fields stretched out in dizzying vastness. Despite his years of flight with the J-Clan, Carl felt a flutter of apprehension in his stomach.
¡°Temple Wing, formation Theta,¡± Dimitri commanded. ¡°Fly with purpose, return with honor. For the Retsam!¡±
¡°For the Retsam!¡± the others echoed.
They launched in perfect synchronization, dropping from the platform before their powerful wings caught the updraft. Carl¡¯s stomach lurched as they plummeted, then steadied as Dimitri leveled out and the others took positions around them¡ªone ahead, one behind, one on each side.
As they launched from the platform, Carl looked back at the palace gleaming against the icy mountain. For all its beauty, he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that Rydia was hiding something crucial from him.
¡°Dimitri,¡± he said as they gained altitude, ¡°what did the Empress mean about Kevin being ¡®not what I expect¡¯?¡±
The eagle warrior was silent for a long moment, the wind whistling past them. Finally, he spoke, his voice nearly lost in the gale.
¡°The fragments don¡¯t just contain pieces of soul,¡± he said. ¡°They contain pieces of an emotions. And not all pieces are... friendly.¡±
Below them, the ice fields raced by as they flew toward the distant green line of forests. Somewhere in those trees was Kevin¡ªor whatever was left of him.
Hang on, bud. I¡¯m coming.