Free Rise of the Elementals by Rashad Freeman

 

Seeds of Deception

    “ The high council has
spoken Daviathan. Who are we to object?” The rangy man asked,
stuffing the last few items into a dingy, old rucksack.
    He was a tall man, thick boned with long,
brown hair that curled and twisted like a vine. His large hands
were weathered, but strong, and his serene green eyes betrayed his
true age.
    He stood inside of a glowing dome. The
black, onyx floor reflected the sparkling blue light that made up
the ceiling. To his left was a thinner man, lean and gangly, but no
less intimidating. He scanned the other man with his mystic blue
eyes and then spoke.
    “ Who are we not to object
Tarian? Whether they accept it or not, war is at our door. We must
reinforce the outpost.”
    “ But Earth! Certainly our
talents are better suited elsewhere.” Tarian laughed.
    “ Come with me or stay
Tarian, I am going.” Daviathan began to walk off, grabbing a sack
from the floor and slinging it over his shoulder.
    “ And what of the prophecy
does that mean nothing to you?”
    “ What of it? Should the
ramblings of an old woman determine my fate? If the prophecy is
true then we are saved, but what if it is not?” Daviathan turned
around and raised his eyebrow. “Milicent has not always been
right.”
    Tarian took a deep breath and sighed. He
stepped away from the table and walked towards Daviathan.
    “ I will go alone.”
Daviathan said as he held out his hand, exposing a small sphere of
blue light.
    “ Nonsense!”
    Tarian grabbed the blue light and tossed it
into the air. It hovered at eye level for a moment then grew into a
shimmering blur of energy. It was about the size of a basketball
and wavered back and forth in the air. Tarian grinned at Daviathan
and took a step towards it. The light rippled as he moved.
    “ Well, let’s go already.”
He said as he touched the light and vanished into it.
    Grinning, Daviathan followed him into the
portal and disappeared. The floor melted away as he whirled through
an empty black space. There was no light, but it was a different
than just dark. It was like light had never existed in this place.
He felt weightless as he spun through the nebulous void. Pressure
grew all around him squeezing the air from his lungs.
    Then suddenly with a crash, Daviathan’s feet
slammed onto an uneven, rocky terrain. Looking to his side, Tarian
smiled at him and headed off. Daviathan scanned the mountain side,
and took a shallow breath.
    “ Earth.” He smirked and
then hurried after Tarian.
    “ So I assume you have a
plan, or do you intend to make it up as we go?”
    “ Tarian you must learn to
have faith.” Daviathan said dismissively.
    Together they clamored down the mountain
onto a narrow goat trail. They moved silently, gliding through the
night like ghosts. Ahead of them, the faint lights of a village
flickered like a candle being blown out.
    “ Is it there?” Tarian
whispered, pointing towards the quivering lights.
    “ Yes. We must be silent for
I fear the worst.”
    Daviathan stepped forward and pawed at the
air with his hand. It clung to his fingers like water, slowly
rippling as it moved. Pulling his hand back, the air parted and
tore.
    “ Are you coming?” He asked,
glancing back at Tarian.
    Tarian nodded. Gliding forward, they both
moved through the ripple of air like it was a bed sheet, hanging
from a clothes line. The mountains, the rocks and the hazardous
terrain vanished, giving way to a small clay hut, dimly lit with
candles.
    Daviathan immediately noticed a woman’s body
lying limp on the sandy floor. With Tarian right behind him, he
rushed to her side.
    “ Achima!” He
bellowed.
    Lifting her head he stared into her empty
eyes and knew they were too late. Blood dripped from her ears,
forming a muddy pool on the floor. Her silvery hair, which was
normally shinning and vibrant, looked dull and lifeless.
    “ Daviathan.” Tarian
whispered. “If they’ve found her surely they’ve found
Abrax.”
    There was a noise in the next