Element Wielder (The Void Wielder Trilogy Book 1) (23 page)

Chapter 38

Even through the thick cotton, Falcon felt the cold steel blade on his shoulder. Emperor Darmek of Sandoria lifted the sword and set it on Falcon’s other shoulder.

“I hereby declare Falcon Hyatt an honorary knight of Sandoria. Had it not been for you, young warrior, I would be a prisoner of the Suteckh. Thank you for the service you have rendered to this great city, and to me.”

It had been three days since the attack. Falcon now found himself in the palace staring at the blue marble floor, an unwilling participant in the victory ceremony.

Even when Faith and Aya were knighted, he did not raise his head. He was glad they had managed to fend off the Suteckh attack, but the thought of Lao’s untimely death saddened him. He still couldn’t believe he was gone.

A day after the attack a group of Sandorian miners found Lao’s corpse in a nearby cave. His body was to be thrown into a heap and burned with the rest of the enemy soldiers. At Falcon’s request, though, the emperor grudgingly agreed to give Lao a proper burial. Falcon, Aya, and Faith were the only ones who attended it.

“Please rise,” commanded the emperor; then, turning to the audience, “and give a round of applause for our young heroes,” said the emperor. Falcon, Aya, Faith and two other Sandorian soldiers stood as loud applause thundered in the room.

Without warning, the palace doors burst open and a messenger mounted on a pale horse raced in. The applause subsided, the room suddenly silent. Shocked faces turned to the rider as people moved away from the horse’s path. 

“I bring urgent word,” cried the messenger. Judging from his tone, Falcon doubted it was good news.

~ ~ ~

“Are you sure?” asked Aya in a trembling voice. “Could you be mistaken?”

“No, the words I speak are truth, miss. I myself witnessed the Suteckh army burn the city of Yangshao to the ground. They took the emperor hostage. For what means, I cannot say.”

“What’s wrong, Aya?” asked Falcon. 

Aya held her breath for a moment. “My grandparents live in Yangshao.”

~ ~ ~

Falcon tapped on the door. “Aya, may I come in?”

“Sure, it’s unlocked,” replied his friend.

The door squeaked as he pushed it open. He staggered for a second at the sight of Faith standing in the corner of the room. He had expected Aya to be alone.

“I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to interrupt…
again
.”

“Oh, that’s no problem,” returned Faith with a smile. “I was about to leave.”

“No need. I will come back later. Who am I to tell you where you can and cannot go in your own home?” Ever since they had arrived back in Asturia a few days ago, Faith and her father had allowed them to stay in their cabin. The last thing Falcon wanted to be was rude.

Faith smiled again. “Like I said, it’s no problem. I need to go water my flowers.” She glided out of the room, leaving the light scent of peaches behind her.

Falcon inhaled. “I wanted to make sure that you’re okay.”

Aya rose up from the bed. “I’ll be fine. I’m worried what my parents’ reaction is going to be. They’ve already lost so many family members…and now my grandparents.”

Falcon stared in confusion at her. He had known Aya since they were children and was unaware of her losing anyone in her family.

“So what are we going to do now?” asked Aya.

“We return to Ladria,” answered Falcon, opting not to press the issue of her lost family members. “We must warn the emperor of the threat the Suteckh Empire poses to Va’siel.”

“You’re right. I hope they listen to us. It certainly won’t help that we disobeyed direct Rohad orders.”

Falcon nodded. Aya was right. The Ladria kingdom could be troublesome, and they still had to report to Grandmaster Zoen at the academy. Who knew what punishment awaited them for their refusal to return when they had been ordered to do so.

Falcon and Aya both remained quiet. The hoot of a night-owl was the only sound that penetrated the room.

“How about you? How are you doing?” asked Aya, breaking the silence.

“Much has happened since we set off on this mission. So much has changed, and not necessarily for the better. Sometimes I wonder if I’ll be able to cope.”

“You will.” Aya came toward him. “Besides, there’s one thing that will never change.” Falcon swallowed as she inched closer and took his hand in hers. Her eyes locked with his. “I will always be here for you…always.”

A strange sensation washed over him as he stared into Aya’s blue eyes. He didn’t know if it was her soft skin, her alluring smell, or her beautiful smile, but something about her drew him in. He leaned forward, closing the gap between them, their lips inches away from meeting.

Do something
, he thought, but he stood frozen. They remained locked in place for a moment until Aya moved in and hugged him. Her soft breath caressed him and his problems melted away. Nothing else in the world mattered.

~ ~ ~

Falcon lay on his back as he stared at the stars. For some reason he couldn’t explain, they looked more beautiful than usual. Maybe it had something to do with that moment he had shared with Aya. He kept on going back to that hug in his mind, not sure what to make of it.

“I heard that you and your friends were inducted as honorary members of the Sandoria knights,” said the Ghost Knight, breaking his line of thought.

Falcon turned and found himself face to face with the white and silver-colored wielder.

“Yes, they did,” answered Falcon, standing. “You were supposed to be made an honorary knight as well, but you disappeared after the battle.”

“I was needed elsewhere. Besides, this is no time for celebrations. We managed to win a battle, but the Suteckh are far from defeated.”

“Yes, I heard about the sacking of Yangshao.”

“It’s far worse than Yangshao. There are rumors that they are attempting to bring back the Neikan demons of old.”

Falcon staggered back. “They can’t do that. Can they?”

“I’m not sure. But what I am certain of is that the Suteckh has been recruiting heavily in the past few months. They have already won over many of the clans in the outskirts, including the Northern barbarians, the Omega warriors, the hollow clansmen of the lost sea, and the Scaiths of the Kroazian caves.”

“Devourers,” whispered Falcon, more to himself than anyone else.

“You have experience with Scaiths?” There was a register of shock in the knight’s voice.

“Not much, but I and the others were attacked by one in the forest not long ago. Defeating one was a handful. I can only imagine the havoc an entire group of Scaiths could cause.”

“Indeed.”

“They seemed like wild, master-less creatures to me. How did the Suteckh manage to lure them over to their side?”

The Ghost Knight brought his hand to his chin. “I do not know. What I do know is that the Suteckh forces are gathering in their capital city of Tenma as we speak. They are preparing to launch an all-out attack.”

Falcon winced. “Who’s their target?”

“That is what I intend to find out. There are many questions, with scarce answers, but one thing is clear. If we are to survive the incoming attack, the capital cities of Va’siel must unite. You must go to the emperor of Ladria and tell him what I told you. Make him see the urgency of the matter.”

Falcon took a step forward. “I will.”

“In the meantime, I’ll travel to one of the two remaining Asian capital cities, Wan-Jiang. After the fall of Yangshao, it will prove an easy task to recruit them for the incoming battle.”

Falcon nodded, hoping that the knight was right. “Let us hope so.”

“Our paths will cross again, Falcon.” The Ghost Knight extended his hand. “May fortune be with you.”

Falcon took the white knight’s hand.

The Ghost knight’s glove was tattered, no doubt from the battle in Sandoria. The ripped glove revealed a shimmering green emblem within it. Falcon’s heart stopped for a moment. It was something he hadn’t seen in a long time: a wind emblem.

Why would the Ghost Knight have a wind emblem if he’s a space wielder?

Like a ray of light it hit him.

The Ghost Knight was his brother!

“You’re Albert,” Falcon exclaimed, more sure of himself than he had ever been.

“Excuse me?” asked the knight in a calm voice.

“Don’t pretend.” A rush of happiness mixed with anger coursed through him. Why would he deny who he was? “It all adds up. You both use a spear. You both gave me similar advice. And you’re both powerful warriors.”

“This Albert you speak of, is he a space wielder?”

“No…but it’s possible you’re a dual wielder,” answered Falcon, surprised at how easily all the pieces were fitting together.

“It’s also possible that you are reaching for conclusions that are not there in order to satisfy your wild assumptions.”

“If you’re not Albert, why do you wear a helmet? And why are you wearing a wind emblem?”

The Ghost Knight nodded his head. “I can see that regardless of what I say, your mind will not be swayed. Perhaps the time for words is over. Would seeing my true face put your worries to rest?”

Falcon remained rooted in place as the Ghost Knight reached for his helmet. He was finally going to come face to face with his brother. He had so many questions to ask him.

The knight put both hands under his helmet. His face slowly came into view as he removed his helmet. First the squared jaw, then his thin lips, and finally the entire face.

From deep within, a surge of disappointment emerged. The Ghost Knight looked to be in his mid-twenties. But beyond that, he bore no physical resemblance to his lost brother. He had a square face. Light-gray eyes complemented his high-arching eyebrows, and raven-black hair swept back behind his head in a series of waves.

“I have my reasons for wearing the helmet,” said the Ghost Knight. “And the green emblem…the green emblem was a gift from someone I lost a lifetime ago. I wear his emblem to remind me of why I fight.”

“I’m sorry,” said Falcon with a deep sigh. “I was mistaken. It won’t happen again.”

“No problem.” A ripple materialized in front of the Ghost Knight. He walked into it and disappeared. But his last words still echoed in the air. “Don’t forget your mission.”

~ ~ ~

The sound of the tungsten armor ricocheted through the cave as it hit the ground. Albert had no further use for it. At the pull of a custom lever, the cave walls split open, revealing dozens of similar white-and-silver armor sets. He selected one and pulled it on. It was something he should have done before visiting Falcon. He still couldn’t believe he’d been so careless. Had it not been for the surgeries he had undergone to change his features, his identity would have been compromised.

Irrelevant, thought Albert, snapping back to the present. There were missions that awaited him, and little time to accomplish them. He marched outside to where his only companion waited. It was a cold night, and it would surely grow colder as the night progressed.

“Ready to go?” whispered Albert, mounting his horse, Phantom.

Phantom emitted a loud whinny as he stood on his hind legs. It was the answer Albert expected. Phantom was a fighter, like him.

Together they rode into the darkness.

~ ~ ~

Falcon marveled at the vast number of villagers who had turned out to say goodbye. Some of the people laughed, others smiled through tear-streaked faces, saddened that Faith was leaving them. 

“I’ll miss you, father,” shouted Faith as she joined Falcon and Aya.

“Take care of my little girl, Falcon,” said the mayor. “I entrust her safety to you.”

“I will, sir,” promised Falcon.

Once again Falcon found himself leaving Asturia, as he had done all those years ago. Except that the helpless boy from the past was no more. He had learned so much since then.

As a wielder he had learned that the world was a cruel place with little remorse for anything or anyone. However, this in turn had taught him why it was crucial to hold his friends closer than ever. With a deep breath he took in the morning air. He rather enjoyed the intermingled smell of wet dirt and grass. He tossed his small pouch to rest behind his back and waved his last goodbyes.

Aya and Faith stood at his side. Both girls gave him a hopeful smile as they set off down the road to Ladria. The path before him promised to be a turbulent one, but armed with his friends and newfound knowledge, he felt more prepared than ever to face it.

THE WIELDING ADVENTURE CONTINUES!

Here is a sneak peek at the beginning of Element Wielder’s sequel
,
Legacy of Chao
s
.

LEGACY OF CHAOS IS COMING NOVEMBER 15, 2014

CHAPTER 1

“Hand over all your gold and nobody gets hurt,” sneered the largest of the three bandits. He wore a red armor suit that encased his entire body.

“Yes, and don’t even try anything funny. No one can get anything past the Volandis brothers,” shouted the smallest bandit.

Falcon sighed as he picked at the food. He hated it when the fruit got stuck between his teeth. Where was he supposed to fight a stickpick in the middle of the forest?

“Hey,” sneered the large bandit. “Don’t ignore us. Don’t you realize that you’re in the brink of certain death?”

“Yes,” said Falcon as he took out a piece of the orange.

“Hey!” echoed the deep voice.

Falcon turned toward the men with droopy eyes. When he first heard the loud steps approaching, he had hoped it was Faith and Aya returning with food. They’d been gone nearly three hours. But to his sour disappointment, it was only these three men. “My companions were to wake me up when they returned. And seeing that you’re not them, then you bumbling idiots have no business interrupting my little nap, do you?”

“Idiots you say?” The medium-sized bandit laughed. “We already found your companions and slit their throats. It wasn’t hard—”

“Funny, I don’t recall having my throat slit,” said Aya. The dark haired girl was dressed in her usual white blouse and short black skirt. In her hands she carried what appeared to be a bag of stewed lamb. “I think I would have remembered someone doing that. How about you?”

Faith smiled. “No, I don’t recall any attacks.” Even from afar Falcon could make out her light-green eyes.

“Shut up,” snapped the bandit leader. “We’ll teach you to mock the might of the Volandis brother’s, and we’ll start with you two pretty little lassies.” The bandits sprang toward the girls.

Confident that they weren’t in any danger, Falcon put his hand behind his head and lay back on the tree.

Aya was one of the best martial artists Falcon had ever seen. With her fists or baton she could hold her own against the strongest of foes. And if her martial arts failed her, she could always call on her element, water.

Then there was Faith, the only holy wielder in planet Va’siel.

The bandits drove forward with their swords atop their heads. A second later they fell flat to the ground. The smallest one spat out the lump of dirt that had found its way in his mouth.

“What is this?” asked the bandit leader. He held his hand, touching the rainbow-colored shield they had run into.

“It’s a shield,” said Faith. “Had you paid more attention instead of rushing mindlessly you would have noticed when I put it up.”

“No shield of fire errr…I mean water. Or is it mind? Arghhh… whatever it is, it will not stop the Volandis brothers.”

“Then maybe this will,” said Aya. The blue emblem at the dorsal part of her glove shined brightly as water condensed behind her. The gust of water smashed into the bandits. They crashed into a tree. Dozens of leaves rained over their heads.

“Damn wielders always ruining our fun,” exclaimed one of the bandits. “If I could wield the elements I would put these teenagers in their place.” The bandits hastily took off down the dirt path.

Falcon extended his arms. A water lasso shot out and wrapped around the bandit’s feet and pulled them back. His emblem turned from blue to a light-green as he switched to wind wielding. A burst of wind stood the bothers up on their feet.

The large bandit gritted his teeth. “At least I have the satisfaction of knowing you’re just a void wielder and can only do weak attacks.”

With a simple wave of Falcon’s hand a bolt of lighting descended from the sky, missing the brothers by a hair.

“B-but you’re a void wielder,” stuttered the bandit, his eyes wide. “I saw your emblem before you wielded, and it was gray. How did you wield lightning?”

Falcon grinned. He had been getting reactions like this all his life. Regular void wielders were only supposed to wield weak attacks using the six basic elements. Falcon, however, was also able to wield advanced elements. It was both a gift and a curse.

“Did you really think we were going to let you free?” said Aya.

“The roads will be safer without you lot stealing from innocent people,” added Falcon.

“What’s it to you, stranger? What do you care what happens?”

“I’m a Rohad mercenary from Ladria. I don’t like bullies who cause suffering on those weaker than themselves.”

“What do you know about pain, you pampered brat? You don’t even know the meaning of the word, not like us.”

Falcon couldn’t help but smirk at the bandit leader’s remarks. Even at the age of eighteen, he knew more pain than many had experienced in an entire lifetime. His parents were killed by that monster, Shal-Volcseck. Him and his brother, Albert, survived the attack and moved together to the capital city of Ladria to begin anew. For years they lived together happily, but then one night his brother disappeared after being accused of murdering the Ladria council. After that day the entire city turned against him.

“You’re wrong, bandit. I know about suffering, but I choose to not impart the same fate that I’ve suffered on to others.”

“I don’t need a sermon from you. You defeated us already, just get it over with it.”

“Get it over with? I’m not going to kill you if that’s what you’re suggesting.”

The bandit raised an eyebrow. “Then what? Torture?”

“You have a lively imagination, don’t you?” Falcon pulled out a long piece of rope from his duffel bag and with it tied the three bandits to a tree trunk. “Don’t worry, fella’s. We’ll tell the guards of the nearby village where to find you. You’ll be sleeping soundly in your very own jail cell tonight.”

The bandit mumbled something back at him, but Falcon couldn’t understand him. After all it’s hard to understand someone when their mouth is gagged.

~~~

They slowly moved through the narrow path that weaved through the forest.

“I still can’t believe K-Ran is your master,” said Faith. “My dad and him fought on the same side during the Emblem war.”

“K-Ran is one of my masters, but I’ve been lucky to study with many great wielders,” said Falcon as he stuffed a mouthful of stripped lamb into his mouth. “I studied with my brother, Albert. I also studied with K-Ran, and until recently I was tutored by the professors at Rohad. Some people think that all of the great professors are at the royal academy, but Rohad has many great professors as well.”

“You forgot Professor Kraimaster,” said Aya.

Falcon frowned. “Oh yes,
him
.”

“What’s wrong with him?” asked Faith.

“Nothing,” said Falcon. He didn’t much feel like talking about the teacher who has made it his goal to insult and embarrass Falcon every chance he got.

Faith seemed to understand, because she then turned her attention to Aya. “What about you? I know you studied at Rohad like Falcon, but before that who did you study with?”

“My parents hired many private tutors, even during my year’s at Rohad they would still bring in tutors during the summer when I was off from class.”

Faith nodded her head. “Wow, that’s impressive, no wonder you’re such a great water wielder.”

“Thanks, but what I did is not that impressive. I had water wielders to show me the basics, you’re the one who had to learn how to holy wield by yourself. I can’t even fathom how it feels to be the only wilder of your class in the world.”

“It does feel lonely sometimes.”

For a minute the three of them remained quiet as they made their way down the leaf covered path. A family of owls hooted from atop a branch. To Falcon, the sound was a sign that darkness would soon be upon them.

“I know that tree,” he said, pointing at an old black Greir tree. “We’re almost to my home. K-Ran is going to be so shocked when he sees me.” Aya and Faith followed close behind as he left the path and moved into the forest.

“It seems like we’re going in circles,” said Aya. “I’ve seen that tree before.”

“Oh, no,” said Falcon. “Many of the tress here look the same, but they’re not. Don’t worry. I spent a lot of time here. I know where I’m going.”

“Of course,” said Aya, her voice doubtful.

“That’s so nice,” said Faith. You left the forests of Asturia and ended up with another forest as your backyard.”

Falcon stopped as visions of Asturia rushed back. Memories of running through the garden with his mother. Memories of playing with Faith and Albert as children.

“Falcon.” Faith shook him. “Hey, Falcon, are you felling well?”

He shook himself back to the real world. “Yes, of course. Let’s keep moving.”

After a few minutes of silence they came upon a small wooden cabin perched atop a hill. A small fence separated it from hundreds of trees that surrounded it. Black smoke rose from the chimney.

Falcon walked up to the oak door and knocked.

“Maybe he’s not home,” said Aya.

“I barely knocked once. I’m sure he’s on his way.

Falcon narrowed his eyes. He’d known Aya most of her life, and she wasn’t one to get nervous. So why did she so jittery all of a sudden?

“It’s just that he’s the closest thing you have to a father. What if he doesn’t like me?”

“He met you once, remember.”

“That was only for a few seconds.”

“I’m sure you’ll be just fine.” Falcon knocked again.

There was loud ruckus as someone struggled with the lock at the other side. A second later the door creaked open, and there stood K’ran. His body looked as strong and muscular as the last time he had seen him. His one good eye, though, appeared tired. The other white marbled aye remained as hard to read as ever.

Falcon gave his master a slight bow. “It is good to see you again. How are you, master?”

“I’ve been better,” said K’ran as he returned the respectful bow.

“You don’t look so well, master?”

K’ran ran his hand trough the thick scar that ran down his left eye. “I’m afraid I’m suffering from a mild case of dysentery infection. Nothing major, my entire body is aching, but I’ll be good after a few days of rest.” He turned his attention to the girls. “Where are your manners? Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friends?”

A pang of guilt hit Falcon. How could he have been so rude? “As you already know, this is Aya Nakatomi, my friend from Rohad academy.”

“Nice to see you again, sir,” said Aya. She took K’ran’s hand and shook it vigorously.

“I’s good to se you again too.” K’ran returned the shake.

Falcon motioned toward his other friend. “This is Faith Hemstath. She’s the daughter of the mayor of Asturia and she’s also a holy wielder.

“Nice to finally meet you, sir. My father has many times told stories of your bravery.” Faith stepped forward and embraced K’ran in a hug.

Falcon braced himself, not sure his master would take the unexpected show of affection. But he was soon relieved to see that despite his initial shock, K’ran was smiling.

K’ran stepped back. He took a hold of her hand and stared at her white emblem. “Many believed that another holy wielder would never be born in such a wicked world. I’m glad to see that those rumors were wrong.” K’ran let go of her hand. “Come in. I must hear everything that has transpired.”

Falcon held the door open as the girls stepped into the cottage. As he walked in he felt a set of eyes watching him. He turned and scanned the surroundings, but besides the leaves that danced in the wind, there was no movement. I must be going crazy. He closed the door and stepped into the warm cottage.

They sat on the old chairs that K’ran had built eons ago. He then served them each a mug of lime tea. A warm fire blazed in the chimney.

“So how did you first mission go?” asked K’ran taking a sip out of his mug. “I want to know everything.”

Falcon ran his hand through his hair, not really sure where to begin. He decided to start from the beginning and go from there. He told him how his best friend, Lao, had turned on him and joined the Suteckh Empire. How the Ghost Knight had saved them from a Suteckh ambush. How the monster, Shal-Volcseck, had been hunting Faith for years, and he told him about the upcoming attack of the Suteckh on all the capital cities of Va’siel.

“This is dire news,” said K-ran. “We must take swift action.”

“Yes,” said Falcon. “The Ghost Knight said the same thing. I’m going to gain an audience with the emperor and tell him what the Suteckh are plotting. I’m sure once he sees they’re planning an invasion of every capital city of Va’siel, he’ll mobilize his army.”

“That’s not what I’m referring to, Falcon. You have a much bigger problem here than the Suteckh. Why Volcseck seeks to acquire an emblem of each element remains a mystery, but we can rest assured that whatever his plans are, they’re not good. From what you told me, I gather that Volcseck only needs a few more elemental emblems to complete his collection. A holy emblem is one of those emblems.” K’ran stared at the golden-brown haired girl with the sparkling white emblem on her glove. “He need Faith’s emblem. And to acquire it he must kill her.”