CHAPTER 38

“Guard me with your wings of sanctuary.”

 

Wake up, my child. You still have your duty to the Prince to attend to.

            “Master...?”

            Christine’s state of mind suddenly drew consciousness, as though it was compelled to. She winced as sharp, cold blizzard whipped and pierced her exposed face.

            “Ryn!”

            Her hazel eyes came into quick focus while she became aware of the horrific situation. She was falling at a dangerous speed and Raviex was falling after her, his hand outreached. Instinctively, she reached out for him. Hands joined, they shared a moment of eye contact.

            Nearing the end of the fall, a thousand emotions overwhelmed the couple. None was willing to admit to the fate of death yet neither could find a possible way to survive this test. Through those blue eyes, Christine recognised deep hurt and defeat. There were no sparkles in them; they were no longer clear—clouded by tears of anger and denial.

            You are useless. You can’t protect the one you love. You can’t even protect yourself!

            “Raviex...”

            That’s not true.

            A strange colossal surge of Sacred Energy suddenly focused from all parts of her body to the seal on her right arm. The ancient writings which formed the seal around her upper arm shone a blinding blue and burst into nothingness. Raviex’s eyes widened in awe as two glorious wings materialised from the girl’s back, widespread.

            The blizzard disappeared around them and was replaced by a tranquil peace which was totally out of place considering they were a breath away from death just a heartbeat ago. A blue translucent sphere protected them, offering a much needed sanctuary to them. Gravity did not affect them anymore, in fact, they were defying it. Linked still by their hands, now, the Yamist was gazing down at her lover with tenderness and benignity.

            Pulling him toward her, Raviex and Christine locked in embrace.

 

            “Sonia.”

            Kyoden could feel that he was arriving at the end of the supply of his Sacred Energy. Sonia understood that soon, he would not be able to maintain the titanium rope. Without a constant flow of Sacred Energy, the living titanium could not be shaped.

            “Please forgive me if I cannot save us,” he sighed.

            “Idiot... How could I blame you?" muttered Sonia. In the face of death, she thought they were facing it rather calmly.

            “I’m sorry.”

            The usually hot-headed girl closed her eyes in submission. The titanium rope returned to the heart of the crossbow though it did not choose to desert its master.

            Suddenly, both of them saw a light—a light they deemed from the life after death.

 

            “Raviex!”

            “Your Highness!”

            Raviex’s pupils adapted from sudden brightness to the current dim lighting. It was almost dark and the sun was setting.  Streaks of orange reached out in vain as darkness curtained the sky. In his arms, Christine lay unconscious but safe. Her wings had vanished but there were traces of them to remind him they were real. Around them, white feathers tainted by the orange of the sunset littered their grassy bed.

            Yexi and Shenjoon came to their side. Raviex was lost with words. Moments ago, Christine had performed a miracle, saving their lives. Now, she was much alike asleep. After feeling for her veins at her wrist, Yexi assured the Prince, to his relief, that she was alright.

            There was another shocking zap of light. Kyoden and Sonia appeared a stone’s throw away from them. Sonia was confused when her eyes were occupied by a canvas of awakening stars but whatever she was imagining; she waved it off and merely swallowed down the fact that they barely escaped death. For a scene like this, she was almost sure that Kyoden would make a loud and silly remark for which she would yell at him.

            Strangely, she heard none of it.

            As she struggled to pull herself up into a sitting position, Yexi was already checking for Kyoden’s pulse. She looked questioningly at Kyoden as though to ask him why he was just lying still.

            “He’s okay, just over exhausted but his Mortal Vein needs healing assistance,” Yexi diagnosed worriedly.

            Trying to suppress a wave of panic from gripping her mind, Sonia identified the place they were at. “We are on a hill near Sage Village. We must hurry and seek for my Master’s help!”

            Like answers to their prayers, six figures arrived on the scene in six small pillars of light.

            “Sonia!”

            “Lorenne, thank the gods you are fine!” Sonia hugged her sister and kissed her on the forehead. “But how did you...”

            “I’ll explain later. Master is waiting for us. He has sent his aid.” Lorenne was referring to the other five who had come with her. They were dressed in robes likened to a monk’s. Two stretchers were ready and soon, both Kyoden and Christine were lifted on them.

            “I know it’s not exactly the best way to enter my home but... welcome to the lands of Sage Village.”

 

            The doors swung open to emit the masked man. The conversation halted as the other generals watched him disapprovingly. He strolled smoothly to his usual position which was on the right of Lord Valkyr who was sitting on his throne chair.

            “If you could be more punctual with respect to our lord, First General,” General Crone sneered.

            Without addressing him, Lazachus spoke directly to Lord Valkyr. “My lord, I had matters to deal with... and I could not free myself to come immediately as you summoned.”

            General Crone swore under his breath at his obnoxious attitude and excuse. “Who does he think he is?!”

            Lord Valkyr waved a hand to silence General Crone. “Our meeting shall proceed.”

            Reluctantly, General Crone agreed. “As I was reporting, my lord, I have carried out your orders. The Prince and his companions, my men successfully tracked them down in the Mountains of Silvongein. It was obvious that they were on their way to Sage Village. It would be troublesome if they did manage to but the Prince, your lordship, is a goner.”

            A greedy gleam flashed in the dark lord’s eyes. “You are certain, Second General?”

            “Yes, my lord. My men saw the Prince and the others fell to their deaths after they ambushed them,” the general answered with much pride. This time, Lord Valkyr will place me above that miserable son of his!

            To his surprise, Lazachus Valkyr mockingly applauded him. General Crone glared at him, knowing that it was impossible to be an act of sincerity.

            “I simply admire your daring, Second General, to report to our lord something that is nothing more than mere speculation with such confidence,” Lazachus chuckled.

            “What is it that you are trying to say, First General?” the other barked back.

            Lazachus stood out before the court and the dark lord. “Your men, General Crone, assumed the Prince and his companions are dead. Yes, they did fell off the mountain, but your men never witness them hit the ground and well... die, did they?”

            The elder general blustered, “There is no way they can survive such a fall.”

            “Oh?” The son of Dark Valkyr paced about with a contemplative look, hands behind his back. “If I remember right, they are in the lands where the Sages are in control. And...do you really think they will allow the Prince to die in their territory if they could help it?” Lazachus shook his head. “I don’t think so.

            “May I add, General Crone, if your memory has not failed you, the Prince and his Z-tech Crusader fell from the sky and crashed but he survived.”

            He flushed but could not retort. The First General had made his point.

            “Second General.”

            “Yes, my lord!” he answered quickly. Lazachus smirked as he smelled fear.

            “If you wish to remain in my court, you will waste no more of my time and patience!” thundered Lord Valkyr. General Crone winced, immediately falling down to a knee, pleading for mercy. He looked up as he felt a shadow fell upon him.

            Lazachus had stepped in between General Crone and Lord Valkyr. “Your lordship, I ardently hope that you would allow me to solely handle the Prince’s case. I promise you shall not hear from me any news of disappointment.”

            “Very well, the next time you come before me to declare the death of the Prince, I want to see his head! Do not disappoint me, First General,” warned the dark lord.

 

            He suddenly took in a deep breath, as though it was his crucial breath of life. The Haikenese quietly thanked and praised the Light for his survival. He opened his eyes. The room he was placed in had little light. The light from the lamp on the bedside desk was adjusted to the minimum.

            Kyoden then realised that there was another life in this room besides him. A figure was sleeping with her head rested on the side of his bed. Her unruly curls hid her face partially. He raised a hand and stroked her hair gently. So many times she played his opposition, raising her voice at him; so many times he teased her, annoyed her, and argued with her. But there were no less times that they faced near-to-death dangers together.

            Sonia stirred and awakened. As she saw Kyoden smiling faintly at her, she returned the smile.

I’m glad we survived, Sonia.

            The door to his room swung open halfway, when the person saw the scene, she quickly moved to close the door but was stopped by her sister.

            “What is it, Lorenne?”

            Lorenne opened the door again, looking rather apologetic. “Hello, Kyoden, good to see that you are awake.”

            “Good to see you too, Lorenne,” he greeted her.

            “Christine just reached consciousness too. Raviex is accompanying her right now. When we are ready, Master will tell us our next step to fulfil the Prince’s goal of obtaining the Ultimate Praetor,” informed Lorenne.

 

            “Raviex, it is not your fault,” said Christine weakly, gripping his hand.

            He could not even bring himself to look at her in the eye. “You saw how weak I was before him, before the son of Dark Valkyr. It is true, the rumour that Dark Valkyr has a son, Lazachus Valkyr. He is right, I cannot even protect myself. How can I protect my loved ones and my kingdom? You are injured also because of me...”

            Christine understood that after the confrontation with Lazachus Valkyr, Raviex’s self-confidence and pride was utterly and thoroughly shattered. He was afraid that he was nothing but a failure.

            “You’re wrong! No, Lazachus Valkyr is wrong!” she disputed. “Why do you take in his words, Raviex?”

            “He defeated me so effortlessly. I could not stand a chance against him.”

            “Go away, Raviex.”

            The Prince was stumped at her abrupt tone of coldness.

            “Go away. You are not the prince I have faith in. Your courage, your sense of justice and righteousness, your eagerness to defend your people... where are they, Raviex Katelion? Are you abandoning your mission because you encountered defeat?” 

            “But I—”

            “You protected me when we were children not because of your strength; it was because of your kind and compassionate soul, my Prince.”

            A tear rolled from the corner of her eye.

            “Ryn...” He chided himself for making her cry. “Please don’t cry.” Just as how he had brushed away her tears during their first meeting on the Floating Land years ago, he did it the same way. She smiled as she saw that her words had touched him.

            “You are right. I will find a way to protect my kingdom. I won’t give up,” he assured her.

            “Excellent, Your Highness. I’m pleased to hear that.”

            Raviex and Christine turned to see an ancient, benevolent-looking man entering the room. He was balding and his short boxed beard was as white as snow but his owl-gray eyes showed that he was still sharp and alert. He was dressed in similar robes as those who had come to aid them when they first arrived but his was pristine white while theirs were dark green.

            “We have a lot of work on our hands but of course, it will all start after we are ready,” he said. Chuckling, he added, “Pardon me. Allow me to introduce myself, Your Highness. I am Sonia and Lorenne’s master, Riordan Orestes.”