Series: Echoes of War — 2: Shadows Reborn «

Opening

The Call Balshown and Makish are quiet as we prepare for our journey to the city. Like me, they are full of their own thoughts.

We are outsiders, powerful energy masters full of a hunger to shape the future. Our hunger and strength set us apart from other Jiku, even the guilds, and bind [...]

Messengers of War

Mayla Shilann spoke of a machine that guards the city, but he called it, she.

It appears where Shilann sat, but is it woman, or machine? What does a machine need with a beautiful smile, clothes that sparkle, and long, shiny, red hair?

She rises and walks toward us with a grace that reminds [...]

City of Life

Life and Light “It’s time to show you the city,” says Mayla.

I hear the sound of crashing waves as an image fills the room: a small barren island, surrounded by sharp reefs.

“What do you see?” asks Mayla.

“The island that the city rests on,” answers Berek, “empty, as we saw it from [...]

Wrapped in Storms

Shields We walk together on the mountain, enjoying the cool breeze. Berek stops and looks confused when I remove his energy shield.

“Why did you dissolve the shield, ina?” he asks. “I can’t fly without it.”

“Your next practice will be without a shield, but you won’t be doing much flying.”

I take him [...]

Fountain of Light A round crystal table, red and gold, is spread with food – fish, fruits, and vegetables. We sit for a meal, and Mayla tells us more about the city. When we finish, she hands us communication disks.

“The disks display maps of the city,” she says, “and an index of different [...]

Artifacts of Destruction

The Threat The roof of the city, a thousand feet above us, is invisible at night, hidden behind an endless sea of bright stars.

By day, the crystal roof lets daylight pour through, to provide the city with a strong, even, light. At night, the crystal strengthens the natural starlight, until the roof is [...]

Friends and Enemies

Among the Enemy The night is quiet, except for the sound of gentle waves. I wake once to find that the Feldin treat me as one of their own, sleeping tightly against me, even on this warm night. Makish lies next to me, where she fell asleep, and Shazira and the children sleep nearby.

[...]

Partners of War

Chasing Botzar My mind is still linked with Makish. Her thoughts are a mess.

Her emotions rise and fall and spin. She’s nearly in shock.

“I can’t find him, Yagrin,” she sobs. “The stasis fields are gone, but there’s no trace of Botzar or B’tzel.” “Maybe they died long ago,” she says quietly, her [...]

Circles of Sorrow

Approach The ship travels outside of normal space. Rings of energy spin around us, with tiny blue sparks striking the ship, again, and again.

It takes hours to reach the rendezvous point with Fwitay’s commander. Makish and I stay in the cargo hold of the old Jiku ship, as we travel.

I flow some [...]

Desert Fountains

Shared Vision “What did you find, Yagrin?” asks Keesha.

“The Fiklow spirits and the queen are here, trapped by artifact energy.” “When the artifact is anywhere on Gunal, it causes them intense mental anguish.”

“Are you saying, Yagrin,” asks Keesha, “that the spirits don’t want the artifact here?” “Where else should we put it?!”