Everything was ready the next morning. Restar's people were safe. Maralise had a good two and a half dozen catapults ready, with mages and nonmages to arm them. Vats of oil and water stood bubbling on the hills over rumbling fires. Archers stocked quivers full of sharpened arrows, some magical. The knights assigned to Serak under Lord Gareth and Lady Jesta sharpened blades and polished armor. Martial artists sat silent in meditation, readying themselves in mind and body.
Katiyana's team would depart after the battle began, to check on numbers and so the transportation spell's vacuum would go unnoticed. Her team was ready, too. She stood patiently, fingering the beautiful silver sword with reverent fingers. She would do them honor, today. Sharion, Restar, her dojo, Absalom, and her family.
Restar waited on the top walls. He knew that, one way or another, this would be settled right here. He was not going to lose his home and world, not this day. He gripped his staff securely, praying for victory.
He didn't have long to wait. A few hours before noon, Astroyanax appeared in the familiar, and loathed, black cloud. The army was huge, near as large as Zen. Restar smiled secretly to himself. Katiyana's job would be easier than he had thought.
"We found your home, mage! That knight was very useful to us. You didn't expect an attack here, did you?" the green demon snarled.
"Is he alive?" Restar asked, trying to sound nervous. This monster was cocky already, and cocky people made foolish mistakes.
Astroyanax laughed. "Oh, sure he is! We figured after we kill you and that cursed swordswoman, we'd tell him that he helped us destroy you," he taunted. "The real question is, do you have any final requests before we annihilate you?"
Restar paused. "I do," he began. "Tell me, did you kill my wife? She was tall, golden-haired, green-eyed, and carried a silver sword, one of the finest ever forged. She was innocent and strong, and a Knight of Meribia."
"Oh, her?! Yeah, we figured she was one of the two in our prophecy, but we were wrong," Astroyanax replied. "Don't worry, today you'll be reunited!" Letting out a battle roar, he raised his mace and led the attack.
Restar nodded to Katiyana, concealed behind a stone pillar. "Good luck!" he whispered. Katiyana nodded, smiling, and gestured to Sapphire. Her team transported to the Illusion Woods.
Maralise had already gotten to work, nodding to the mages manning the catapults. Flaming oil and rocks began the attack. "What the-?!" Astroyanax bellowed. "Oh, no! Not you again! Curse you and curse those catapults of yours to the Blue Star and back!" His troops moaned, but kept coming.
Restar grinned. It was good to be in the mountains, and these stones were sharp and strong. Best of all, they had all those stones left from building onto his house. Caught by surprise? Not Restar McCloud, not this day!
Astroyanax tried some long distance attacks, himself. Flaming arrows soared over the walls. "Shields!" Maralise ordered. Magical shields appeared, blocking many of the arrows, dispelling the fire of yet more. One mage shrieked, shot, and a knight doused her with some water and brought her to a healer. Most of the fire arrows were useless against the crimson stone.
Astroyanax had a few more tricks up his sleeve. He waved his arm, and some strange contraptions appeared. His own catapults. He smirked at Maralise. "We stole a page from your book, witch!" he taunted, and ordered them to fire. Stones slammed into the high walls, jerking people off their feet. Balls of pure magic hit as hard as the stones.
"Restar, we need to get rid of those! Now!" Jesta snapped, eyes flashing fire, getting back to her feet.
"Don't worry, Jesta, Maralise and I cooked up a new weapon for those," Gareth assured his fellow commander, a twinkle in his eye. He gestured for a team of knights, Justin and Brock among them, holding enormous bows with very strange arrows to come up. The arrows had containers lashed onto them. Gareth opened one up, displaying explosive powder.
Myra stood by, with a team of mages. "We're ready to blast them when you are," she remarked.
Gareth nodded, and motioned for the knights to line up. "Aim, and... fire!" he commanded. The strange arrows hissed through the air, some of them hitting the catapults. Astroyanax looked puzzled. What was the point? Hitting his strong catapults with... arrows?
Myra waved to her mages. Ribbons of fire flashed through the air, hitting the containers. Astroyanax and his troops leaped out of the way of the explosions. Five of the seven catapults were annihilated. Cheers were heard from the walls of Serak Palace.
Astroyanax cursed under his breath. So, they wanted to play rough, did they? Quickly, he motioned for his troops for a brainstorm. "Okay, time for Plan B," he hissed. "You, you, and you will lead the infiltration. Stay under cover, get inside the Palace. Take hostages if you can, destroy what you can. Be fast and silent."
"Yes, your Highness!" the troops chorused, and took off to do his bidding. Astroyanax grinned and got ready to pull out his next weapon. He waved again, and more structures appeared out of the black cloud. Strange machines forged of iron. They tromped towards the Palace on Astroyanax's command, climbing the mountains.
Restar looked worried. These things looked nasty, and ready to punch holes in his home. Calling up a ball of thunder magic, he threw it down. The machines hissed, but continued on. Swearing under his breath, he called out for more thunder mages to join them. "Together now, Thunder Bomb!" he yelled, and lightning rained down. Half of the machines fell, but the others pressed on. Astroyanax grinned to himself in triumph.
"No, no, air slows it down, takes the power," Jesta scolded. Restar looked at her in astonishment. "Studied some of this in school," the Knight Commander explained. "We got some chains to use. We'll throw them down, onto the machines, and shoot your power through the chain. Watch this!"
The female knight dug through the supplies they had brought, unearthing about five long chains. She passed four of them out, keeping the last. Holding on to the ends, made of a material that would not conduct electricity, they threw them down the walls.
"Fools! They're going to help them up! Climb the chains!" Astroyanax commanded. The metal creations moved to the chains, digging metal claws in to help them up. Jesta waited until every metal creature was touching a chain.
"Now!" the commander yelled. Thunder rippled through the chains, blasting the metal creatures to kingdom come. Cheers rang on the walls, while Astroyanax screamed in fury. He had never seen tactics borne of knights and mages working together. Angrily, he began planning his next move.
Katiyana and the others appeared in the Illusion Woods, just outside of the barrier. Shulin looked around carefully. "Time to scout!" he ordered softly. The team spread out, checking the woods around the base. Nobody was present.
Sapphire gestured for the team to come close. She bowed her head, and her magic flared out. The team blinked, finding themselves inside the shield. Katiyana gave the mage a look of approval, then smiled at the group. "Let's move in, but carefully!" she began, "We do not want to endanger ourselves or Jonah. Watch, keep your eyes open! Sapphire, Robyn, sense for that magic source if you can." Everyone nodded, and went for the entrance.
One of the trees was an illusion. Sapphire examined it ruefully, shaking her head, then gestured. Katiyana led the martial artists, knights, and two mages inside.
Katiyana was shocked. The inside was gruesome! Bones and loot were scattered all over. Blood was splattered on snow-white skulls, coating once-shiny gold coins. She felt like a steel fist had slammed her stomach, and she worried about Jonah. Was he... still alive?
"Miss Katiyana?" Richard asked softly. Katiyana shook her head, then drew Sharion's silver blade. She gestured for their scouts to move ahead, and she followed herself.
They passed through an entryway, hung with gross tapestries coated in grime. Clouded crystals lit their way. The scouts checked two rooms off it, then returned with a shake of their heads. No Jonah, troops, or magic source.
They made their way slowly. Katiyana was half-sick from the smell and sight of the place, but she kept silent. She peeked around a scout into another chamber, and raised her eyebrows. This chamber was large and luxurious, if tacky. Silken drapes adorned the walls and huge bed, of black and orange shot with gold. A satiny negligee waited on the bed, and she shuddered. The scouts gagged and retched, then turned around quickly.
"I'm guessing that's Selenidae's chamber. We must be close!" Katiyana hissed. The others nodded, although some were still green. Sapphire had to go behind a pillar for a moment, and returned wiping her face with the sash on her robe.
The team continued on, the scouts checking a small chamber, then returned excitedly. "It's Jonah! He's in a cell inside!" one hissed, grinning.
"How many guards?" Richard asked quietly.
"Only three. My guess is that they have most of the guards at Serak," the scout replied. "My lady? Orders?"
"No lady yet," Katiyana corrected, smiling. "Let's take about half a dozen. Sapphire, come with us, and mute them if you can. We don't want word spreading."
"The rest of you, conceal yourselves. If something happens, continue without us. Let's go!" Richard added, his own sword at the ready.
Katiyana led the small group into the room. Three guards lounged inside, playing dice. They rose to their feet, with drawn weapons. "Who-?" one began. Sapphire gestured, and balls of magic shot out, hitting each guard. They opened their mouths, but no sound came out.
Katiyana, Shulin, Richard, and three others got to work. Katiyana disarmed the first guard with a quick stroke, while Shulin got him in a sleeper hold, and the guard dropped. The other two were taken care of as quickly.
Jonah rose, a stunned look on his face. "Richard? Katiyana? Sapphire? How did you find this place?" he asked, shocked.
Katiyana grinned. "Teamwork, sir," she answered. "Where's the key?"
"Here!" one of the martial artists replied, throwing it to Katiyana. Katiyana unlocked the cell, then entered it and unlocked Jonah's chains. He sighed in relief, rubbing his sore wrists and ankles. Suddenly, he looked worried.
"Restar? Serak?" he asked nervously, accepting his sword from Richard.
"We've prepared. Restar overheard a discussion, and they're defending Serak Palace as we speak. We know you didn't betray us," Katiyana replied easily.
"I did not. That... monster invaded my head and... well, that's not important. What's our objective here?" Jonah asked, stretching his stiff muscles.
"Well, you're rescued, so now it's to find the source of their magic and destroy it," Katiyana replied.
"Good to see you well, old man," Richard commented, shaking his hand briskly.
"It seems we serve our purpose," Sapphire drawled, grinning.
Jonah sighed, a reluctant smile dawning. "I just can't win against a pretty face," he moaned ruefully. Sapphire laughed merrily, while Katiyana shook her head and motioned for them to return to the group.
The knights were delighted to have their commander back, and laughed and clapped the man on the back. Jonah was equally happy to be reunited with his comrades. Soon, though, he was back to business. "Where now?" he asked.
Shulin pointed the path they followed. Katiyana was relieved to have Jonah back safe with them. He was also a good scout, and helped with that task.
They passed a few more rooms, then gasped at what appeared to be a great hall. In the center was a golden pedestal carved with skulls. On top of the pedestal rested a strange orb, dripping with various colors. Sapphire and Robyn threw out ropes of magic, then gasped. "Sapphire?! Robyn?! What's wrong?" Katiyana cried out.
"That's it! That... thing is packed with alien magic. Let's destroy it!" Sapphire spat. Robyn agreed quickly.
"Let's go!" Katiyana ordered, then gasped as a figure appeared in front of her, with many more forming behind it. It looked like a woman, with flashing red eyes. She stroked the whip at her side, smiling wryly.
"Welcome to your tomb, brat!" Selenidae taunted, drawing her whip. Katiyana took a stance, holding Sharion's sword ready. Selenidae was shocked, her eyes locked on the silver sword in the beastwoman's hands. "So... green eyes, now a silver sword. You are the one, it seems, and you die here today!" Selenidae screamed, snapping the whip. She let out a battle scream, her troops following her. Katiyana let out a yell of her own, and her people ran to meet their enemies.
Restar smiled. Most of Astroyanax's army was wounded or gone, and he was looking pretty mad. He had the feeling that they would be victorious this day.
"Jordan, how's everyone holding up?" he asked the burly manservant.
"Just fine, my lord! We had a few hit by arrows, but the healers took care of it. Pearl's handing out food and water to everyone. Our catapults are ready to rock and roll some more on command," Jordan reported cheerfully.
Restar thought carefully. He had a bad feeling. "Would you and some of the others mind scouting the Palace? Take a mage to shut off the transporters if need be, please?" he asked.
Jordan looked surprised, then shrugged. "No problem, just leave it to us!" he replied. He selected a few others and tried the first transporter.
Restar felt a little better, and returned his attention to the battle. Two catapults were still going. But what on Lunar was Astroyanax doing now? Loading... his own soldiers? He was!
"Knights, archers, to the front! Pick them off before they arrive! Try to hit those last two cursed contraptions, now!" Jesta ordered sharply. Justin dashed up, while Brock grabbed one of the bows and launched an explosive arrow.
Astroyanax was ready. He had piled their steel shields in front of the catapults, to block the arrows. Troops stood by to rip the containers off and throw them towards Serak Palace. Brock's arrow was dismantled. Jesta swore under her breath. She HATED it when the enemy caught on.
"Do not worry, my dear. Load up the containers on two of our catapults! Try to blanket the area instead of accuracy! Mages, stand ready for my command. Catapults, fire!" Gareth ordered. Two catapults blasted about a dozen explosive containers like rain, and they scattered nearby the two catapults.
"Get them, you fools!" Astroyanax ordered, nervous. These would make an awful explosion. The soldiers hung back, knowing what was coming. It did.
"Mages, blast them!" Gareth ordered, a little gleefully. Fire sprayed from the wall, igniting all twelve containers. The catapults, the troops waiting to be launched, and about three dozen soldiers went up in a mini mushroom cloud.
Restar was sick at the loss of life, enemy or no. He wished there had been another way, and hoped that Katiyana and her team reached the source soon. He hated seeing life lost, knowing how precious it was. Suddenly, he heard noise coming from below. Jordan?
"Can some of you go check the interior?" he asked Brock. Brock nodded, then gestured for a half dozen knights to follow him, as did a pair of mages.
Astroyanax looked at his ruined army. He probably had about a dozen and a half soldiers left, plus a small group at base. He was defeated, by strength of arms. Luckily, he had a back-up plan. He pulled a small crystal out of his belt and yelled out, "Halt if you value your brave commander Jonah!"
Everyone stopped their attacks. "What are you talking about, you slimy coward?" Jesta snapped. "What have you done to Jonah?"
"This crystal will activate a spell to give your precious Jonah a slow and very painful death. It releases a special poison we like to use for traitor executions from a matching crystal attached to him back at base. He's chained up, so he won't be able to fight it very well. He'll only be able to sit, helpless, writhing in pain-" Astroyanax taunted, his face lit up with ugly joy.
"Stop it! What do you want?" Gareth demanded, his sword in his fist and his face tight with fury.
"Surrender the steel-eyed mage, the leader of Vane, and the commanders! Do this, and Jonah will be delivered safe to wherever you like!" Astroyanax replied.
Gasps rained out. "That crystal has a strange magic. I cannot deduce whether he speaks truly, however," Maralise reported, "it may be as he says."
Restar glared at the grinning demon. He should have seen this coming! Those morons never fought fair! But, what to do?
Katiyana ran right up to Selenidae. Richard, Shulin, and Sapphire recognized it as her fight. Sapphire gave her a quick Power Drive, then took off to deal with the rest of Selenidae's troops. Robyn added an Ice Shell, and joined her colleague to practice the magic of punishment.
"So, little girl, after all this, you will die today. Just like those gutless wimps in Zen!" Selenidae taunted.
"My people were strong and faithful. It is you who fought without honor, and it is you who will lose without it today," Katiyana replied softly, beyond the reach of this fruitless provoking. She took a stance, Sharion's sword in her fist. This would end now.
Selenidae struck first, as Katiyana knew she would. She parried quickly, and countered. Selenidae hopped back, then added a few more insults to Zen. Katiyana ignored them, concentrating on her next attack. She was calm, so calm, and she would fight better than she ever had.
Letting out a battle yell, Katiyana renewed her attack. She cut in viciously, slashing overhead and twisting to do a combo. Selenidae blocked the first blow, then yelped in pain as the silver blade bit into her shoulder. Her attacking one. She tried to strike, but faltered from the pain. Cursing, she switched hands.
Katiyana came in again, a mountain of calm in her soul, opposing the fast-moving blade. She cut in on Selenidae's injured side, pressing her advantage. Selenidae snapped back, then made a hard flick of her wrist. The whip coiled around Katiyana's sword-wrist.
Katiyana gasped, feeling the magic in it hit her again. This would stop right here! Quickly, she switched hands, and slashed at the whip with her left hand. The whip parted, and a small explosion was shown as the magic vanished.
Selenidae screamed in fury. This was her favorite weapon! It had been presented to her by her father! How the blazes had this wimpy human sword broken it?! And how had this human improved so much? She didn't care! She drew a blade herself, a nasty-looking thing, and let her fury drive her to finish off this little brat once and for all!
Katiyana sighed in relief that the whip was broken, and was surprised when Selenidae drew a blade. She also saw the anger almost dripping from the demon, and knew then that victory was hers.
Selenidae went wild, cutting in like a tornado. Katiyana blocked them easily, which angered the demon all the more. She tried again, one lucky hit catching Katiyana's arm. While Selenidae grinned, Katiyana closed in, unstoppable. She slashed and thrust, using her best moves, looking for the best opening. There! She struck, and the blade went flying. Selenidae fell back, landing hard. Katiyana pressed the tip of the silver blade to the demon's throat, seeing the glaze of hate in the crimson eyes.
"You killed my family, my friends, and a lot of innocent people. You destroyed my town. You tried to kill countless others. You tried to conquer our world. You deserve to die," Katiyana commented calmly.
"So do it. End my worthless life!" Selenidae snapped.
Katiyana shook her head. "No. I'm not like you. What I will do is cut off your magic, send you back to your own world in defeat. Spend your energies to rebuild your own world instead of conquering mine. Do this remembering that you lost to an orphan, a girl who isn't even a knight yet," she replied.
"What?!" Selenidae screeched in surprise.
Katiyana turned her back on the fallen demon. She raised the sword, Sharion's sword, to send them back. It was fitting, a way to avenge the brave knight. "Katiyana!" Sapphire screamed in warning.
Katiyana looked up. Selenidae had launched herself towards the young swordswoman, fury and hate shining in her eyes. Katiyana blocked her, and shoved the demon backwards with all her strength. Before Selenidae could recover, Katiyana brought the Silver Sharion crashing down on the orb.
Sparks and flares sprang from the shards, racing towards the demons hungrily. Selenidae screamed, the troops left moaned, and the demons disappeared in a flash of light.
Cheers sprang up. They had won! The group reunited, hugging and laughing. Their healers were busy checking everyone, including Katiyana.
"Everyone! Back to Serak Palace to celebrate!" she yelled joyously. A roar of approval was her reply, and Sapphire activated the transport.
Silence reigned after Maralise's declaration. No one wanted Jonah to suffer anymore. "For the sake of Jonah, I shall go," Restar said softly.
"They'll kill you, my lord!" Pearl protested, "Don't you see that?"
"We will not allow it!" Justin added vehemently.
"I shall go, as well," Maralise murmured.
"No! My lady, Vane needs you! We all do!" Myra objected, tears in her eyes.
"I shall depart, as well," Gareth decided.
"As will I," Jesta added.
"We won't let you! We'll keep you here! I can do it!" Myra snapped.
"Come on! We don't have all day- What the...?!" Astroyanax snarled. Lights had begun to flash around him and his troops, fallen and alive. Restar stared in wonder. The lights swirled, and suddenly the demons were gone. Vanished from Lunar, forever.
Cheers rang throughout the wall. Jordan and Brock came up from below. "Good instincts, my lord. A couple of them managed to sneak in, but they didn't get too far," Jordan remarked, grinning.
"Hey, we helped, too. Good call on those transporters, they sure helped a lot," Brock added.
Suddenly, more light shimmered, and the Illusion Woods team appeared, flushed with victory. The knights all welcomed Jonah back, Sapphire went to go greet the mages, and everyone was hugging everyone else.
Jonah was solemn when he heard what his comrades had been ready to do for him. "I... don't know what to say," he admitted.
"Don't say anything. It's what you did for us," Restar advised him, smiling.
"We won! Party time!" Maralise declared. More cheers arose. This was their day, their freedom. They had fought for their world, and won. Lunar was safe.
Back to the Shrine to Ghaleon.