Chapter 5: The Searing

The sky became dark. Then there was lightning, but it moved too slowly, and it was too thick. When is struck everyone realized it was more than some storm. Mei heard the crystal land, and felt the concussion ripple through her body. Her heart seemed to stop and it was impossible for her to breathe as her body was sent sideways. She had just arrived in Nolani, her brother yet unaware she had made the trip, but it seemed her timing was off.

She slammed into a wall, her head cracking against it. Blood flowed from her mouth and matted her hair. She could feel the flow of blood in her body distort, dots flickering in her vision as blood began to fill her eyes. Screams filled the academy. There were shouts, and then the roar of charr. It all felt distant to her, as she attempted to get up, then fell back down. Her body began to sweat and she became nauseated.

The air was filled soon with the sound of steel on steel. Blood soaked souls moved through the air, the aura frightening Mei, but giving her some strength. A man stood above her, placing her head on his knee. A woman was behind him. Mei’s voice weakly went out, “Jack?”

He stroked her hair, working through the dried blood. “It’ll be okay Mei.”

Dartimien stretched his sore muscles. His father had bested him in three matches, and he was becoming less than pleased with the prospect of being revived again. He never remembered what exactly happened, but what he always recalled was the ringing in his head. “Dart, are you done yet?” His father laughed, his blade over his shoulder, still slick with his son’s blood.

Dartimien looked up at the sky. It had been blue, but quickly it became dark. Blue sparks dashed from cloud to cloud, but none of them attempted to strike the ground. “Strange storm.” The effects of being revived wore off as he focused.

“Doesn’t matter. You have to fight in all sorts of conditions. Pick up your hammer and come at me.” His father prepared himself. The two monks in the arena focused on the sky.

Dartimien touched the handle of the hammer, but didn’t stop looking up. “What is that?” A blue spot was coming towards the earth, becoming bigger.

“Dart, we should get to an open area. Something’s wrong.” The two warriors and their practice monks left the academy.

“It’s a long walk, Ria. I don’t know if Mei will make it.”

“Jack, it’s our only chance. They are the strongest of the three nations, and Ascalon’s gone. Kryta is almost less advanced than Ascalon and they’re blasphemous. Orr will know what to do.”

Mei’s head spun as she started to pick up bits and pieces of conversation. It was cold and the ground was rough compared to the soft touch of grass she was use to. There were howls in the distance, but they were not of the charr. Her eyes opened. It was a valley in a mountain. There was snow everywhere. She felt snow on her forehead, where she had hit it. She closed her eyes, the reflective snow making the light too brilliant for her to withstand.

“Ria, We should make for the Deldrimor Dwarves. They could at least heal her before we get to Orr and perhaps protect us for a time against the charr.”

“Shh, Jack. Your sister is waking up.” Mei heard the shuffle of feet, then a cold hand running through her hair.

“Mei, wake up. Are you all right?”

Mei grumbled, “My head hurts. Don’t speak so loud.”

“Mei, we’re going to get you help. We can find an outpost of the….”

“Heard the plan already, little brother. Listen to Ria. If we find dwarves on the way, we can hope they will heal me. Otherwise, we need to keep ahead of the charr. They will strike Kryta first, since they are weaker, but I doubt it will be long before they at least begin probing in this direction.” She propped herself up, struggling to remain upright. Her eyes adjusted slowly to the light.

Ria walked towards the siblings. She had curled amber hair and silken garments. “Mei, I am Ria,” she curtseyed. “I have taken a fancy with Jack since he has arrived in the academy. Had he….”

“No, and it doesn’t matter right now.” She struggled to stand, feeling the blood drain from her head. “You can tell me all about it when we’re in Arah. But we need to….” Mei swayed, then collapsed.

“Grenth looks after us now!” Dartimien’s father was a captain of the guard. He was a powerful man, and he was at the head of his squad as the charr broke through the wall defenses. Archers were flung from the heights of the wall as the charr scaled it.

“Father, what are the chances we survive?” He readied his hammer, standing beside his father.

“Not good. Let’s just pray Jack and Mei are doing better in Nolani. Perhaps this didn’t strike there.”

A messenger came up to the captain, “Sir, the guilds of Ascalon have stopped battle. They shall be sending reinforcements.”

“Dartimien, I want you to escort the messenger to send word to Kryta of what is happening. Don’t question me, just go. I’m sure you will have many fights ahead of you.” The captain pointed to four other men, “You four will accompany Dartimien. He’s your superior now. Dart, Dwayna be with you.”

Dartimien tried to protest, but the four men and the messenger took off, and his father led the troops to the front lines before he could make any interjection. “May she be with you too, father.” He sprinted after the messenger.