Stories of the Dead Earth Saga

STORIES OF THE DEAD EARTH--BOOK 3: CHAPTER 6

2008-08-31T23:01:00.000-07:00

I returned to my own quarters–away from the pain of my own heart’s desires. Fantasies of a different kind sought to wrap themselves around me–as my young mind continued to play out different scenarios; different aspects of a life which was both alien and familiar to me.

I hadn’t lived the sheltered life a princess to be a complete fool not to know what it meant to be the mistress and wife of a ship’s captain–especially one whom plied the seas on his own whim.

I knew the inherent dangers and rewards such a life would beget me–if only I chose such a path.

But mine own would not beret such a course. The destiny of thee wasn’t to be some captain’s pleasurable discourse on those nights which beckoned complete exhaustion and a measure of abeyant compliance.

I saw as much–as I sat down on the comfortable lounge chair and stared off into space. I sat there for minutes on end–as a stone golem would guarding one’s property for the time it withstood eternity’s forwarding grip.

I couldn’t understand why things happened the way they did. My family didn’t have that many enemies–of which of course those whom my parents didn’t keep me privy of.

My own safety was paramount, they would always tell me. And I had always believed them. As a dutiful daughter always had.

Rarely, would I get into sparring matches with them on a verbal level. I was always the perfect child in their eyes. The kind of girl whom would make the family exceptionally proud to have and call their own.

I sighed to myself, wondering if that was it. My own upbringing had doomed me to never find someone to share myself with on an even keel.

Looking back at what I had did, I felt some measure of remorse and a bit of guilt. I don’t know what really possessed me to act out towards Tiddus. For awhile–I guess–I was consumed by a silly girl’s notion (and fantasy), that the man was my ideal mate. Someone who was just as fiercely independent and strong-willed as I.

Someone whom I could confide in and be with–bear his children and live the life that a woman always was meant to have.

But the tug of my past, my lineage, my royal status was something which couldn’t be buried–no matter how often (and hard) I tried.

Great. I thought with some irritation rising up inside of me. Self-pity and sorrow for something which I am–and refuse to go back to.

But how could I? How could I resurrect a past which was killed off through some unknown factor? I hadn’t known what King Richard was really up to.

Just speculation.

But what I did know that he was cleansing the planet of any royal continence which could stand to be a threat to his mighty reign.

The fact that Jasmine and I escaped his grip and fled to parts unknown proved that we were just as resilient and unbroken as those populations savaged by his iron-fist.

Taking a look around our quarters, I could still see the damage caused by our earlier (first day) encounters at The Hole.

And sighed again.

Some things could never be changed–no matter how much I wished them to.

Rising to my feet, I sought some solace in what I wanted to do next: Which was clean.

Thankfully, I did not lead such a life sheltered from a day’s hard work; as being a magi user and a sometimes wanna-be swordsman proved my mettle in that regard.

I could go on in this life and not shed so much as a complaint about getting my hands dirty–as Jasmine would sometimes tease me often on.

“Girlfriend…?” I questioned loudly, as I bent down and started to pick up the shattered remains of the table abreast of the small lounge area. “There are days I wished I could tell you everything about me–so lest there be no secrets between us.”

But there would be no answer to my statement. No amount of surprised shock and exclamation.

Not like when Jan expressed to me when she discovered my true nature.

Thanks in no part to those bastard techno mages: Arax, Eliza, and Darandal.

I truly didn’t want to hurt Jan’s feelings or the amount of friendship and trust she had so lovingly bestowed upon me–shortly after my unfortunate crash-landing on Xanix’s distant shores.

I just didn’t want to be alone.

Picking up the splintered shard of table wood, I looked for a place to dump it. Unfortunately for me, there was not a place to recycle it.

Nor the glass which littered the floor like broken sword blades.

I spun the shard unconsciously in my hand in absent thought–thinking of a different way to take care of things.

Then the door to our quarters opened and I half-expected it to be Tiddus (Gi-rah-soiski) Kalamon.

Come on girl! I chided myself. Stop with the “if wishes were horses” routine! He’s not going to give himself freely to you! Stop it!

But the feeling and desire still lingered strong inside me. No man–that I knew–could easily affect me as much as Tiddus has.

“Anyone home?” Came a familiar voice.

I smiled to myself.

“Hello, Jasmine. Where did you fly off to?” I asked.

“Speaking with Lucrecia.” She said. “There were some things I needed to get off my chest.”

Waving the piece of wood in hand, I inquired, “About…?”

“Nothing you would be interested in,” Jasmine teased me. “So what are you doing? Did things go well with Tiddus on the rebound?”

I turned away from her and just focused my attention on the one clean spot on the floor.

“No.” I admitted softly.

“What was that again?” Jasmine queried back. “I’m kinda hard of hearing on that one. Can you repeat that a little louder?”

I suddenly exploded–turning on my friend in righteous fury.

“I said no!” I yelled. “Are you deaf as well as stupid?!”

Jasmine stared at me mutely–at a clear loss for words.

“I…I…” she stammered.

I quickly said a silent prayer of forgiveness to my Lord in Heaven’s Gate: It was not my intention, o’ Wise and Powerful Creator. Please forgive thee who has sinned in your eyes…!

Then I left her right where she was and bolted for the bedroom–slamming the door in the process.

STORIES OF THE DEAD EARTH--BOOK 3: CHAPTER 5

2008-08-31T22:26:00.000-07:00

Battlestations!

Adrianna looked over her gathered forces out on the field of flowers and golden petalwheat.

Through her mecha’s sound system, she said: “There is a ship out there which bears a most unlikely cargo which I–your queen–has lain a claim towards! But it is under the flag of a pirate which I have designated the enemy of our land and everything which I have sworn to uphold and protect! So it is under my grand authority that we all swarm it in the glory of your queen and her kingdom! Let us destroy it and claim what is mine! Are you with me?!?”

There was a loud booming chorus of assent and dedication–as a lot of the mechas before her–and some of the unmanned craft–bowed to her and pledged their undying fealty for her.

The woman smiled thinly.

I am coming for you, Tiddus! One way or another, you will be mine!

* * *

Lucrecia looked up when I entered their quarters–a happy smile playing across her mouth.

“How’d everything go down in the hanger bay, girlfriend?”

I plopped myself down on the nearest plush love seat and groaned–feeling every ache in my body come to life. Pain radiated across like a dull fire and I winced as some of my muscles spasmed and twitched with an independent mind of their own.

“That bad?” Lucrecia invited mirthlessly, while grabbing a bottle of falu wine and a couple of tall glasses. Then she joined me at the other end of the loveseat–to which I beckoned her to sit closer to me.

She did and I giggled.

“I don’t bite,” I said playfully.

The other woman nodded. “I hope not. My sister’s been giving me grief about what Tiddus did to your friend.” She said, while popping the cork off the bottle and pouring a generous amount of the transparent liquid into one glass before handing it to me.

I took the offering in hand and stared at the bubbles rising up from the depth of the glass.

“Mmm…” I muttered to myself–thinking distractedly for a second as to whether or not imbibe on such a strange vice.

“What is this?” I asked politely, scrutinizing it even more. It didn’t look the least bit harmless.

At least from my perspective anyways.

“Falu wine. A rich honey-like wine made from the waxy-like candies of Sussex–another one of our port of calls. A three-week venture on the opposite side of Dead Earth near Targus Falls.” Lucrecia took a healthy sip from her poured glass and smiled. “Really: A rich and heady flavor which grows on you.”

I nodded my head introspectively and took a small sip of my own–finding the flavor to be not like those candies I liked to make a absolute pig of myself as a little girl. So rich and sweet, I found myself getting a nostalgic buzz over.

“Mmm…wow.” I breathed with a bit of astonishment. The liquid itself was a cooling ambrosia on my otherwise parched throat–so I took another swig to feel it wash over me completely.

“Like it?” Lucrecia asked, offering to top me off with another agreeable amount.

I nodded gaily. “Sure do.” And then watched her as she poured the right amount to satisfy me and her.

Setting the bottle back down, Lucrecia picked her glass up and began drinking.

She stopped after half a minute while I indulged in mine–before setting it down.

“Good, good…” I said, before letting out a small candy-flavored belch of my own. One of which I apologized for. “Sorry about that.” I said with a chuckle.

Lucrecia didn’t mind. “It’s the sign that you enjoyed yourself immensely. Why feel sorry for that?”

Why indeed? I wondered, and then sat back.

“So what was that again about your sister giving you grief?”

“She chewed out Tiddus for what he did to your friend, and then she started on my case for openly suggesting that your friend should try and move on my ship’s captain.”

“Did you?”

Lucrecia blushed despite herself. “Of course. Even though it is our jobs to protect Tiddus, we also knew that Jeanna had a crush on him. One that was obvious when she spoke about him on intimate terms.”

“So she got mad at you for doing this?”

The other woman nodded uncomfortably. “Darla feels that I might’ve pushed things a bit far when I urged Jeanna to go after him with her heart.”

I laughed, thinking how amusing this was.

“If that’s the case with every guy I’d come across in my travels, than I would be just as guilty as Jeanna is right now just wanting a little romance.”

“Truth be told, that’s how it was with me and my sister, Darla. Before we became Tiddus’s vaunted bodyguards, we were just simple gear heads–camel jockeys for the mech pilots. Of course, we were good at what we were doing, but my sister professed to wanting more than just to help maintain everyone’s splendid crafts.”

“So you became pilots then?”

“It took us several years,” the woman added with a wistful sigh. “But by then, we had come to the attention of Tiddus’s father whom had expressed a soulful interest in having someone protect his son–lest something terrible happen to him.”

“Tiddus’s father?” I echoed in confusion. “Strange how no one’s mentioned him before.”

Sadness overcame Lucrecia and she had to fight down the tears which welled in her eyes.

“No one really speaks of him these days–except in hushed, reverent tones.” She said with a soft air. “He died in the temporal storms which assaulted us at Witch’s Peak. In reality, I signed on at Stag’s Head 10 years ago along with my sister. But the Gemins were a demanding bunch–wanting to trade years for safe passage from the temporal sink created by the storms themselves. And whilst neither I nor my sibling had years taken from us, time passed for all of us on board the ship. What spent the next month was in reality 2 years. But by the time we got back, none of our living blood could even recognize us.”

“How much time did pass for you?” I asked–knowing of my knowledge of the legendary Gemins. A very secretive and reclusive group of roving time magi–said to be the oldest group ever alive on Dead Earth.

Very few towns and peoples actually came into contact with them. And usually their services asked for a heavy price. Many young men and women lost years to themselves–sometimes aging rapidly before the eyes of others.

In some cases, they died. I thought with a repressed shudder.

“Ten years.” The woman answered with a bit of heavy regret. “Our mother and father didn’t even know who we were when we both showed up at our hometown of Velice. Nor did many of those whom had known us since childhood. It was like…”

“Like you were complete strangers?” I guessed with heart-felt sympathy.

“Yes.” Lucrecia answered mournfully. “Nobody knew who we were. They all assumed that we had died somehow–after we signed onto the Esmeralda Jasmine.”

I nodded knowingly. “I know how that feels.”

“You do?”

I took a sip from my nearly empty glass and set it down in front of me. Without asking, Lucrecia poured more from the bottle, and I watched as the clear liquid rose to the top–but not quite touching.

“Yes.” I said with some distraction. It took me a minute to realize something was amiss. “How many does it take to get drunk off that stuff?”

“This is the non-alcoholic version,” Lucrecia reassured me. “The heavy stuff is much too potent for one man to handle–let alone a woman.”

“Ah.” I murmured in delight. “So much the better for me. Do you have another–just in case we empty this one too quickly?”

“I have a few bottles. But I can only handle one. Much too sweet for my tastes–if you know what I mean.”

“I certainly do.” I reflected. “I had similar wines growing up–and some can wear down even the most strongest resolve in any given person.”

“I could get you another bottle–as soon as we finish off this one?” Lucrecia volunteered with the utmost graciousness befitting a host.

I shook my head. “No. I’ll take your word for it and just pass after we finish it off.”

Nodding, the woman poured another shot into her glass.

“I understand.”

“I know what you mean,” I said–drawing back the last tidbits of our own conversation. “Before they my parents died, I encountered many such relatives whom haven’t graced the halls–” and stopped for a second; almost slipping. I took a sip to shield my gaffe, but to also continue on another tract.

“–of my humble abode; and were pretty much treated the same. I remember an uncle of mine whom I hadn’t lain eyes on in ages–and he showed up when I was a teenage girl. I didn’t know him, didn’t even remember–and here was my mother and father: Treating him as someone whom wasn’t even highborn.”

Lucrecia gave me a curious glance. “Highborn? As in royalty?”

I blushed then–certain I had given something of my past away.

“Uhh…” I started, before relenting a little. “Something like that.”

Instead of treating me indifferently, Lucrecia surprised me with an understanding nod of her own.

“I know what you mean. Where I come from, there are so many different caste levels of people. My family were lucky enough to hold some clout in the community where I lived–but not enough to make any important decisions.”

“Mine was,” I remarked in an absent tone of voice. “But it didn’t mean we treated people any less differently.”

Lucrecia lounged back–taking her drink in hand.

“So tell me about them. Your family, I mean.”

I laughed nervously. “Truly, there isn’t nothing special about them. We grew up as an important family–in a caste of our own right. But we didn’t use our position to infringe on other people’s rights–or those of the commoners.”

Lucrecia sipped her wine thoughtfully. “It sounds like you’re resentful of what your family represented.”

“Sometimes,” I admitted openly. “I just didn’t see the attraction of the whole thing.”

“Even as a royal princess?”

I stopped right then and there. “Well, that is…uh…” I stammered in absolute shock. But I tried to play her suspicions down–by deflecting her question. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Lucrecia chuckled to herself. “You can try and pull the wool over everyone else’s eyes, Jasmine. But you can’t kid me.”

I grew silent, then said quietly: “Damn.”

Lucrecia sighed gently. “So it’s true?”

“What is?” I supplied woodenly, feeling empty and defeated inside.

“What you are: A royal princess.”

I looked away for a moment. Correction: The longest moment of my life.

“And if I said yes,” I began evasively. “Would it make any difference in your eyes?”

“Why?” The woman wanted to know–her curiosity getting the better of her.

I sighed heavily.

“Because I don’t want to be treated any differently than anyone else on board this ship. I don’t want to be seen as someone whom can’t take care of herself adequately.”

Lucrecia silently digested my words in blessed silence. Then she said, “You know–in all the times I’ve gotten to know you and your friend–I didn’t think you couldn’t. Certainly not after the battle in The Hole.”

I felt some huge amount of weight lift from my shoulders.

“Thanks.” I replied with clear gratitude, then I sighed again. “I guess this would’ve caught up with me sooner or later.”

“The fact that you’re highborn royalty?” Lucrecia hazarded a guess.

“That’s right.”

“Why keep a secret? Why all the ruse?”

“Because I need to keep a low-profile. Both myself and Jeanna.”

“Jeanna’s…?” Lucrecia ventured, surprise in both her eyes.

I shrugged. “I don’t know. But it wouldn’t surprise me if she wasn’t just another lost princess like me.”

“Have you asked her?”

I grinned then–perhaps the first time since I stepped foot in Lucrecia and Darla’s quarters.

“And risk getting my head bitten off in the process?” I ventured with a glint of mischief in my eyes. “No thanks.”

Lucrecia laughed. “No…that wouldn’t be too healthy for you, would it?”

“Not in these trying times. No.” I agreed wholeheartedly.

Draining her glass, my friend rose and collected the nearly empty bottle.

“Here.” I said–handing her the cork. “You might need this.”

“Hands are full,” the woman said–raising the bottle. “Unless you would like to think I can do it with my teeth?”

I gave her a knowing look. “You’re a pilot. Aren’t pilots supposed to be something of a creative genius when it comes down to it?”

Lucrecia nodded. “ ‘Tis true. But not while I’m hosting–I’m not.”

“Silly.” I poked at her affectionately. “Go on: Go tend to your duties. I shall be right here whence you return.”

“Shouldn’t you be somewhere?” Lucrecia asked in all politeness.

I shook my head. “No. Not really. My work down in the hanger bay is finished. I told Gradge that if he needed me for something else, he could call me here.”

“Gradge is a good man.” Lucrecia muttered appreciatively. “A hard worker. Someone whom rarely disappoints.”

“Rare qualities in a man these days.” I said with a wry look.

Lucrecia chuckled. “Sometimes. But you just have to know where to look.”

I rose to my feet–collecting the neglected cork in the process. I bade her to go wherever she wanted to go, and I would follow her without protest.

“Yourself?”

“Gradge?!” The woman said in mild astonishment. “No! Tho’ I admit: He is attractive. But he’s just not my type. You?”

“I’m not looking to settle down. Not like Jeanna wants to at any rate.”

“I think your friend just wants to have someone in her life. And I don’t see that being wrong at all.”

I looked at her for a second, before nodding in agreement.

“Me neither.”

“Though I wonder what Tiddus would think if he knew that you were a princess of royal birth?” Lucrecia began playfully.

I gave her my best frosty look. “Don’t give him any ideas. He suspects too much as is.”

The woman edged me with her foot–seeing how her hands were full.

“Not to worry, Jasmine. I won’t tell him your secret.” She promised.

My face broke out with plain relief–as all the tension in my muscles melted away and the skin relaxed a bit from all the pent up strain of late.

“Thank you,” I said. “I don’t need to cause any more trouble on board the Esmeralda Jasmine as it is. This past week is enough for me and then some.”

Lucrecia turned and left the small lounge area. “Lemme tell you, girlfriend: Nothing gets boring around here. Nothing at all…”

After what I survived in The Hole, I was morally inclined to believe her.

A fool I wasn’t.

STORIES OF THE DEAD EARTH--BOOK 3: CHAPTER 4

2008-08-31T22:01:00.000-07:00

Queen Adrianna Darcoshia stared into the Orb of Sight–drinking in the picture of the heavily damaged Esmeralda Jasmine.

“Well, well, well…” she purred. “So you have survived The Hole after all; but in the process…scratched up your pretty little ship…” Making a couple sounds of mock disapproval, the woman slid off the perch she made at the end of her bed–the thin veil of her silk robe revealing a healthy amount of sensual skin clad amidst her black lingerie–and padded around the room in her bare feet.

“My dearest captain…” Adrianna continued to muse huskily. “You certainly know how to put fire in my step!”

The Orb continued to play out the scene of the oceanic expanse, and the tiny figures scurrying around the top deck of the galleon.

“Move in.” She commanded the Orb of Sight–figuring that she could spend the next few minutes alleviating her boredom with something entertaining.

The mechanism dutifully zeroed in the top deck–near the ruined forecastle. It was here that the queen of Jasper caught sight of Jeanna Ulysses–brooding by herself in quiet solitude.

The queen’s blood began to boil a little at the sight of her tranquil beauty and sheer elegance. She did not know why, but the just the sight of her caused the much older woman to become incensed with rage.

“So you choose this little flower over me, have you?!” She seethed, but then squelched the feeling of hostility in a second when she discovered something else in the scene: Jeanna wasn’t happy.

Adrianna smiled thinly, like a cat quietly regarding its newfound prey.

“So…you were rejected by my sweet, Tiddus–weren’t you my pet? Couldn’t steal his heart from me no matter how hard you tried, eh?”

The moving picture didn’t say anything. Instead, it merely showed Jeanna still brooding. Still looking out and away from the Orb of Sight and the queen’s general direction.

Adrianna smile faded once she saw Tiddus (Gir-ah-Soiski) Kalamon appear from the aft section of the ship. From what she could tell, he was both remorseful and nervous.

But something else in his eyes and face told the woman that it was much more than that.

Anger exploded in the queen’s eyes–radiating down her face.

“No…!” She hissed. “It cannot be!”

But the more she denied herself the face of truth, the more reality stung.

Tiddus is actually approaching that fragile little thing? She thought with absolute shock. Why would he do something like…

That?

Then it hit the woman out of the blue: That girl did something so extravagant that it compelled the handsome man to come back and grovel at her feet!

Adrianna’s eyes screwed shut when he reached out to touch her arm–and then set the queen of Jasper off.

“So…” she said with ice in her voice. “You wish to fight over her... is that it, Tiddus?” She asked of the image.

Then Adrianna chuckled.

“Your pretty ship will not stand the pounding of my forces. But if that’s what I must do to relinquish your hold on this gamine little flower-whore–I will do it.” She vowed darkly.

Then she left her bed chambers suddenly, with revenge very much on her mind.

* * *

“My lady,” Tiddus said quietly–as he reached out to touch me on the arm.

I turned–I don’t know why. Heaven’s Gate knows that I didn’t need him around to make things worse than they actually were.

“What do you wish of me?” I bit out with blunt harshness. I turned my back on him to show how raw I still was from my recent failure.

Tiddus hesitated for a second–uncertain with how to proceed.

“I’m…sorry.” He finally relented.

That admission softened me just for a moment, but I wasn’t about to give him any satisfaction.

Let him stew for awhile. I thought with a measure of cold and calculating shrewdness.

Then Tiddus did something I hadn’t expected of him.

He took up station behind me and kneeled on one knee–with his head bowed and his posture in appeased abeyance.

“What can I do to make things right, my lady? If I offended thee, then I beg for forgiveness.”

I eyed the whole affair from the corner of my own eye with a slim amount of vague interest. But I wasn’t about to bite.

Not one bit.

“Mmph.” I said with transparent irritation in my voice. He put on a good show, but I knew that he would change his tune once I became more meek and appreciative of his affections.

Men were always like this!

Even my own dear brother–God bless his soul.

I may have been a naïve girl at times, but I wasn’t born stupid. I knew how the opposite sex worked. They could be charmed, or bent, or even broken into submission.

I had no real problem with that idea. I’ve had it done many times when I was younger.

“You’re going to have to do a lot better than that, Tiddus–if you plan on winning me over.” I said with absolute bitterness.

“So apologizing isn’t good enough for you?” He inquired innocently.

I didn’t bat an eye.

“Apologies can be forged for a much darker purpose, Tiddus. I’m not that easily swayed.”

It was then that I felt his hands on me. On my leg.

I trembled only slightly at the strength of his touch…

The need.

The fire.

I shuddered inwardly–as something exploded inside of my head; leaving me very much breathless and in wanton desire.

“Then I pledge my loyalty to thee, my lady.” Tiddus said with convincing fervor.

By the gods…! I thought–wishing for just a moment that time could be stopped and I could have my personal way with this man.

Only because something about him stoked a burning fire inside me that I had yet to feel on a regular basis.

“A-And yourself?” I bit out chokingly. This was becoming too much for me to bear. As much as my anger was a living thing, my naked love was something that could only be borne from Suna’s soul herself.

I very much wanted Tiddus to share in that.

“D-do you pledge yourself to m-me?” I continued to hammer out in a halting voice. Nervousness had gripped me, but my passions were very much having a stranglehold on my logic.

If it wasn’t for all the skeleton work crews flitting about like bees on the deck of the damaged galleon…?

“I do.” Tiddus said in all finality. But his tone was suggestive that his heart wasn’t mine to claim.

At least…

Not yet.

I sighed then–somewhat relieved, all the more disappointed.

My time for romance had come and gone once more–and I was left wanting.

Again.

Such is the life of a lost princess, I supposed.

STORIES OF THE DEAD EARTH-BOOK 3: CHAPTER 3

2008-06-23T20:33:00.000-07:00

I wished to God that there was something in which I could turn back the clock–and strip myself of all the feelings and emotions which had turned me into the loving and selfless person that I am now.

I wish to God that there was something which could take away the pain I am feeling because I was so foolish and blind to believe that I could love someone as faithful and caring as Tiddus.

I wish to God I could just turn back time itself and rewind the events which had defined my life–up to the point where I had lost everything.

And hold onto that with all of my strength!

But the cold air surrounding me didn’t give me any comfort in my own personal plight.

I was truly alone.

“Why…” I whispered–looking out at the large expanse of ocean; watching the sparkling waters wink back at me in all their loving innocence.

“Why…me?”

Why did I have to suffer so much? What did I do to deserve this kind of punishment?

Surely, I had served you loyally enough, o’ Divine One! I prayed. Or is there something more which must be done before I can receive full atonement?

God did not answer me right then.

Of course, I would always find this something of an irony. He always never responded to his selected messengers by rote. But my recent visions (or were they just dreams?) did little to assuage me. I chalked them up to the height of the battles which we recently fought–whence so many had died for.

I wasn’t a Seer like Darla and Lucrecia were–tho’ the former had more Insight than I ever did.

I sighed to myself–sinking back into my own sea of depression. There wasn’t much left for me to do anyways.

I had lost the man I spilled my love forth to and now I face a most uncertain future.

* * *

Tiddus returned to his quarters, but did not find Jeanna in the room–save for evidence of her most recent outburst.

The ship’s captain bent down and picked up a piece of glass–watching as a small rivulet of kalufa wine fell to the floor without ceremony.

Discarding the piece, Tiddus rose and left his quarters.

On his way up, the man bumped into Darla–whom was heading in the opposite direction.

“Have you seen Jeanna?” He asked.

The young woman looked at him for a second–a moment’s worth of anger escaping her eyes and settling onto her face.

Tiddus thought for a second that he would be yelled at again. But to her credit, Darla held her rage in check.

“No, my captain. I haven’t seen her since she left our quarters.”

Tiddus opened his mouth for a second, and then closed it–clearly wondering whether or not he should step into another hornet’s nest or continue to find her on his own accord.

“May I ask why?” He began rather delicately.

Darla was three seconds away from royally tearing into him, but somehow, she didn’t.

Admirable.

“Sir…” she started off, then ground to a halt. “It’s something I’d rather not–if it’s all the same to you.”

Tiddus nodded with some relief in his large frame. There was nothing worse than having a blow out with one of your crew mates.

Bad for morale.

“Well, I’m looking for her.” He offered with subtle directness. “And I thought you might know.”

“She left without saying a word.” Darla told her commanding officer. “I have no idea where she might be. The Esmeralda Jasmine is a big ship after all. She could virtually be anywhere.”

“And with most of the crew below decks doing repairs and a skeleton crew above decks fixing some of the more immediate damage…?” Tiddus mused. He fell silent soon after and then nodded.

“Thanks, Darla. I shant bother you anymore with this problem.”

Passing her by with a respectful bow, he proceeded down the hall.

“Captain–!” Darla’s voice called out after him–urging him to stop.

He did and turned back–the glow of the emergency lights bathing him in an eerie light.

“Are you going to yell at me too?” He reasonably inquired of her.

Darla’s mouth was still open and she hesitated for a second.

“That is not my intention, captain. I am just…upset over your treatment of her. She deserves better, sir.”

Tiddus stood there and then shook his head in mild disbelief.

“I’m never going to hear the end of this until I do something, is that right, Darla?”

“As your personal bodyguard sir, it is my duty to point out alternatives. For the betterment of the crew. It is not too late to start laying down ties, captain.”

Tiddus just stared at her.

“Are you trying to push me, woman?” He flat out accused–not bothering to hide his own personal irritation.

Darla just shrugged.

“Just keeping your options open, my captain.” She replied with open honesty–and then took leave of him with a short bow of her own; leaving him to fend for himself.

Tiddus sighed.

Clearly, this wasn’t going down as well as he’d hoped.

STORIES OF THE DEAD EARTH-BOOK 3: CHAPTER 2

2008-06-23T19:44:00.000-07:00

“Hammer,” I said to one of the mech techs next to me–as I needed something to straighten out the shin guard shield armor on one of the downed Tomahawks.

The damage done to the main hanger bay was enormous by comparison–with the majority of it being more structural than anything else.

The starboard elevator was taken out during the fighting and the port one had a weight limit problem–whence none existed before.

The mech-tech handed me a 15-pound Sagger, which forced me to step back and start wailing away on the bent piece of metal. I timed the strikes so that only the affected area would be impinged upon–but nothing else would be bent asunder by my own personal assault on it.

Reflecting on what I was doing, I could’ve stayed in my quarters with Qaita, but the spider woman needed some time to herself.

I felt sorry for her when she discovered her kin mates had decided to explore their own latent bi-sexuality for themselves–and it left me wondering how such a mechanism could be prevalent in a race so ancient as they?

I hit the shin guard armor shield again–listening to its gratifying ring. It wouldn’t be too long before the metal fell back into shape–and the other techies could take over and begin moving the Tomahawk to the other repair bay for further analysis and of course–repair.

“You swing a mighty tool for a lass such as yourself.” The mech tech behind me observed with unflattering appraisal.

And did I forget to mention? I was doing this job without the benefit of my 5th-gen power armor. Seth told me that it needed to undergo some maintenance and repair after the last fight–and so, I’ve been without for the last couple of days now; having donned a simple maintenance tech jumpsuit. (Which did wonders to my figure, I might add!)

I lowered the Sagger hammer with a graceful rush of expelled breath and leaned on it just a bit for added support. Wiping my brow from the buildup of perspiration, I said: “It’s all in will, Gradge.”

The stout-hearted man nodded. “Aye–that it is. But it also requires a bit of upper-body strength to handle the weight of a Sagger.”

I smiled confidently. “I have much more than my upper body strength, my good man. I am a techno-mage by trade. I can invoke spells which allows me to aide things made of metal. And this Sagger hammer is just that.”

The mech tech regarded me with a curious air.

“Have you?”

I grinned. “And miss getting a good work out at the same time?” I postulated graciously. “Not on your life!” I glanced around for a second and then added, “this time anyway.”

“Sometime, you’ll have to show me how you do that–command metal I mean.” Gradge inquired of me. “Would that be too much of an imposition?”

I chuckled. “Not at all. But it would have to be at a latter date, I’m afraid. I’m just a little too busy helping Tiddus get his rig back into working order.”

Gradge nodded–understanding where I was coming from. Since we left the hole, we’ve had too little time to spent goofing off. The Esmeralda Jasmine was still crippled and barely seaworthy. It was only on the sheer genius of both Sula and Qaita that they managed to swim into the lower holds of the ship and began sealing the giant holes which had punctured the bottom of the Castle-class war galleon.

Even with the pumps in working order then, they could not be counted on to expel millions of gallons of sea water all at once in the state the ship was in then.

Qaita and Sula told me the day after the final battle that their webbing would hold until they reached the safe port of Jasper. But the trip would most likely take a few more days–at reduced speed.

As the damage to the compressors had impaired the engines on board to function at full efficiency.

It didn’t help when you only three of eighteen compressors working.

I turned my thoughts away from the last few days and I resumed banging away with renewed energy and fervor.

It was only on the third downswing did I notice someone new enter the fray.

The person in question was none other than Tiddus (Gir-ah-soiski) Kalamon.

* * *

Gradge jumped up immediately and saluted his master.

“My liege and master! It is good to–” and then stopped when he saw the crestfallen look on his face. “My lord? What ‘tis the matter?”

Tiddus didn’t say anything to his tech, but strode past us both without saying so much as a word. I hung back on the fourth upswing of the Swagger, and then let it drop with a resounding clang!

“Hold until I get back,” I told a concerned Gradge and went after Tiddus–sprinting with surprised haste in my step.

“Captain! Captain!” I called up to him, but found that he wasn’t going to relinquish his stride any, so I had to run abreast and past him in an effort to overtake the brooding man.

It was only then that he ran into my chest face-first–bouncing off of me–that Tiddus first took notice of my appearance.

“Jasmine?” He said with an air of confusion. “What in the Stars of Heaven are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be in your quarters?” He asked, while rubbing the bridge of his nose carefully.

“Qaita needed to be alone.” I said quickly, not wanting to dwell on the subject matter on a personal level. “As for my being here, I volunteered for some work. It seems as though you could have need of it–seeing the damage wrought from inside The Hole.”

“Aye.” Tiddus pleasantly agreed. “So what are you working on?”

I inclined to the downed Tomahawk in back of me. “One of the mechas. This one had some armor damage and its onboard systems are partially fried.” I said, taking in Tiddus’s morose appearance.

“I take it things didn’t go so well with Jeanna?”

Saying her name had a jolting effect on the man and he turned himself away, and then proceeded to walk in another different direction.

“I’m not going to talk about it.” Was his lingering response.

I stood there and fumed for the next few seconds. There was no way in Heaven’s Gate I was going to allow this to any further!

“Stop!” I yelled at him at the top of my lungs. “I command you!”

Tiddus did–and for that matter–so did everyone else.

I stood there, embarrassed by my own outburst.

“You can’t stop me.” The man said with deadly earnest. “I am the captain here. You’re just an unfortunate passenger with no authority whatsoever.”

You don’t think?! I thought with inward disbelief–hinging on the idea that I should tell him who I really was. But I killed it just as quickly as I opened my mouth to retort, “That maybe so, but it gives you no right to treat me this way! What did you do to her? Did you hurt her in any way?!”

Tiddus’s eyes went volcanic a second later after my outburst, and I was certain that he was thinking about keel-hauling me.

“What I do in my spare time is none of your business!” He fired back–as the activity in the hanger bay slowed to a stop. I knew everyone had their eyes on us both, but that didn’t stop me from lobbing another volley across the man’s stubborn bow.

I walked up to him–and in a surprising manner–jabbed him in the chest with such clandestine fierceness.

“I make it my business, Tiddus! I’ve known Jeanna longer than you have, and she deserves better treatment from you than this callous shit! And if you hurt her in any other way…?”

“I want you off my ship.” Tiddus said in a deadpan voice–completely skipping past my threat.

I looked at him askance for a second and then replied, “How in God’s name am I supposed to do that? Flap my wings and fly? You know as well as I that I have no reliable transportation!”

“It doesn’t matter,” the man said sternly. “I want you off.” He began to turn away and that’s when I reached over and grabbed him by the shoulder and spun him around.

But what also followed was his fist–which I intercepted with lightning speed–the sound of flesh-to-flesh contact grating with silent satisfaction in my ears.

“What did you do to her?!” I demanded.

“Nothing!” Tiddus said in defense of himself. “She professed her love to me and I just…I just…” and trailed off.

I stared at him for the longest second imaginable. Then it dawned on me.

“You turned her away, didn’t you?” I revealed quietly.

The captain nodded in painful silence.

“It wasn’t her choice.” He finally admitted. “It was mine.”

“For the love of everything that’s Holy…why?”

Tiddus refused to say anything in front of me. So I made the calculated decision for him.

“Then I want you to go back to your quarters and apologize to Jeanna for the way you treated her.” I said with tight abrasiveness–locking horns with the man whom I even once thought to be dashing and very handsome.

He still is–in my eyes–but I saw something in him which caused a great measure of indecision within his soul.

Something which made him hesitate in committing himself to another person.

Tiddus struggled within my grasp, but I held his fist firm in my hand. I may be a woman, but I certainly was no slouch in the personal combat department. I was trained by the best there ever was–power armor or not.

“Where do you get off treating me in this manner woman?!” Tiddus said in a slight huff.

I pulled him closer to me, and hissed: “Because I can, you insufferable pain in the ass! Don’t you see how much Jeanna loves you?!”

Tiddus’s eyes widened at my revelation.

“H-How do you know about that?”

I looked him square in the eyes.

“Because as a close and personal friend, I know. I know.” I whispered back. “It is no secret to me these long days how Jeanna has always regarded you. Not just as an equal, but as a potential lover.”

That took Tiddus by surprise. It was a long moment before he responded sullenly, “I didn’t even know this. I just thought her infatuation with me…?” But he didn’t finish. Not with that amount of shame riding his cheeks.

“Of course you didn‘t,” I said–before letting go of his fist. “That’s because you were blind to her open appreciation of you. You don’t see yourself as being the perfectly attainable man, but one who wants nothing more than to distance himself from every female on this wooden and steel tug of yours.”

“A captain shouldn’t make himself the object of their affections.” Tiddus said in defense of himself. “That’s what my father told me awhile ago. He said that a captain should keep his focus on his craft, his crew, and their well being. Not his. That‘s why I can‘t love her. Not here. Not now.”

I stepped back, certain that he wouldn’t strike back at me again. And even if he did…?

“And from what I know of your father, he was a great man. And a wise one at that. But even wise and great men need companionship. And that is all mine is offering to you. Freely and without any catch.” I told him. “Now march yourself back into your quarters and apologize to her for the way you acted. If you can‘t love her, then at least apologize. That much you owe us both. Her especially.”

Tiddus regarded me with a strange look–following my outstretched arm and pointed finger.

“You know, I could almost swear there is more about you than you’ve been laying out as of late.” He said.

I didn’t give in.

“Now, Captain. That is an order.” I said in my most daunting tone of voice.

Tiddus blinked. But then he nodded slowly and bowed.

“Yes, your royal highness.” He said with an abject air of humor about him.

I just about lost my composure when he said that. It took all of my will and outright annoyance to shield the truth about me from him.

Staying stock still, I watched Tiddus march himself back towards the hall passage connecting the main hanger deck to the crew quarters and then to the officer suites as well.

I relaxed myself then and was about to get back to work myself when he stopped at the doorway and turned.

“You know,” he said loud enough for me to hear. “The way you’ve been acting lately, I could almost swear that you were more high born than you carry yourself to be in the here and now.”

I stared at him in righteous anger–forgetting my own station for the moment.

“Move it, Tiddus!” I screamed at him. “Stop jabbering like a parrot and get out of here! I‘ve got work to do and I don‘t need to waste any more time by entertaining more of your more fanciful yarns about my past!”

Tiddus looked back at me, and I immediately made a couple of sharp dismissal gestures–indicating that my patience was about played out.

Go! I thought with increasing ferocity.

Smiling to himself, he turned and left me right where I was.

But by then, everything was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop and know instantly of where it had landed.

I glared at everyone in general.

“Well?!?” I barked. “Do you camel jockeys here have some work still left to do, or don’t you???”

Almost immediately, the blessed noise returned and I felt something inside me smile.

Either it was me or some aspect of a family memory which had surfaced, but I had long since forgotten what it was like to finally be in charge of something. Even this.

And the kick to this part of the story was, is that I didn’t have to act like a royal pain in the ass doing it!

STORIES OF THE DEAD EARTH-BOOK 3: CHAPTER 1

2008-06-23T18:55:00.000-07:00

Damage Control

“Bloody hell…” I heard the person say. “Who’s accessed my room this time?”

I jumped into bed as quick as possible, scooting underneath the comforter and trying to make myself as small as possible.

It would be no fault of my own if I got caught, but I closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep–hoping that if whoever owned this place–would buy into the idea that I had just surreptitiously stumbled in after a long days work, and had naturally gone to bed.

A lamp was lit in the far corner of the living area and I opened my eyes to see if I could–

Yes.

The soft reflection could be seen dancing merrily on the wall in front of me–reflecting gaily in the portside window.

It was then that I had forgotten how much night had fallen so quickly. It was just this morning that I was in the main hanger bay–helping repair some of the damage done to both Lucrecia and Darla’s mechas. (Since my armor was undergoing its own maintenance and repairs by Merlin himself.)

I then remembered that I had my wine bottle still clutched against my breasts and then reached down to put it down on the floor when the person in question stumbled across me.

I went limp–letting the bottle slide from my fingers with a dull thump!, but knew that it was going to be all right.

For the bottle. But not me?

“Well, well, well. Who do we have here?” Came a soft and masculine voice. “Decided to sleep in my bed after all, did you?”

I didn’t move.

Dared not.

My heart was pounding away so hard and loud, I was certain that the person in question could hear it with no problem.

I felt a hand on my backside, and tried not to squirm under his touch.

Then felt him shaking me in that manner only a second later.

“Wake up, Darla. This is no time for this kind of foolishness.”

I groaned loudly and then rolled over–pretending to be both sleepy and cross at the same time.

“Darla?!?” I bit out. “So I’m not good enough for you, is that it, Tiddus (Gir-ah-soiski) Kalamon?”

Tiddus stepped back in shock.

“Jeanna?” He blurted out. In the light of his hand lamp, I could see that he had turned red from embarrassment.

“By the gods…! I am so sorry! I didn’t know–” he said, before he tried to snatch his planted hand on my butt.

However, I was much faster than he, and caught it before it could leave its appointed place.

“Don’t.” I said with authority–holding his hand fast.

“B-but–” Tiddus blurted out with clear and transparent nervousness.

“I said: No.”

Tiddus didn’t know what to do, but I made the decision for him–by pulling him down towards me.

I drew in a deep breath as the man of my dreams struggled for purchase, and took the hand lamp from his other hand and set it aside on the bedside table.

Looking back at him, staring into his nervous and uncertain eyes, I said, “you know why I am here, don’t you?”

“Uh…”

I silenced his anxiety–and mine–by impulsively leaning forward and kissing him full on the mouth–giving him no quarter and leaving no doubt in his mind how I really felt about him.

The moment last more than a minute as I sought to explore every inch of his deliciously maddening lips, allowing my tongue to probe his mouth a bit as I ravished him with surprising urgency.

Only then–after that salacious bit of raw intimacy–I pulled away from him and reached down; floundering for the bottle of kalufa wine.

I lobbed it in between my legs in a seemingly obscene manner–with the tip suggestively nestled against my nether region–and then dove back for the glasses sitting next to the bed stand.

Tiddus on the other hand was still in a state of shock by my brazen approach. (I was certain that he had no idea that a woman like me would come onto him so strongly.)

Well, he’d better get used to it. I thought to myself as I watched him intently.

“Still lost, my love?” I boldly inquired–making certain that he knew how I regarded him. Not as a man, but as a divine piece of heaven sent treasure for me to cherish. And me alone.

I sighed dramatically–while bringing up the wine bottle and twisting the top off in one smooth motion. A pungent cinnamony smell came out–one which was a lot stronger than the last bottle I shared with Jan.

“Would you like me to spell things out, my sweet Tiddus?”

Tiddus shook off the effect I had on him a lot quicker than I gave him credit for.

“I thought you–” He began, but stopped.

“Thought what?” I returned casually; pouring a libelous amount of wine into the glass and then handed him the first glass, before pouring myself a shot into the second.

“Thought that I wasn’t interested in you?” I finished for him; enjoying this little mind game. For a scant second, I had a different picture of him kneeling before me and swearing his eternal loyalty to me on my royal throne back in Parliament.

But I didn’t want him as a soldier for the cause. I wanted to share my bed chamber with him!

I took a healthy swallow of the wine and found it to be just the right amount of tasteful enjoyment and heady intoxication. It wouldn’t be too long before one of us was drunk off our rocks–and I was going to make sure that it wasn’t me.

Not before I had toyed with him sufficiently long enough, that is. I silently promised myself. I wanted this kind of torture to last longer than usual. It wasn’t like me to slip back into my old ways of the norm, but there were some things which was bred into me which demanded a certain kind of satisfaction.

I wanted to be in control. In command of the situation.

And I didn’t care if Tiddus was a captain in his own rights…

He was mine!

I reached up then with my free hand and caressed his cheek with a certain longing–one of which ached inside me. Desired even.

“My poor captain. How naive it must’ve been for you not to see the lust radiating in my eyes every time I see or think about you.” I said with quiet relish. “Do you think I’m not the only woman who desires you on board this ship?”

“I know of a few.” Tiddus admitted softly. “But I don’t have the time for such relationships. Running this ship takes a lot as it is.”

I smiled and then sat up–setting aside my half empty glass of wine.

“Then don’t you think it’s time that someone shared an interest in you. A deep interest, pray tell?” I said with a clearly suggestive tone.

Tiddus looked at me stupidly. Then he snorted.

“I am sorry, Jeanna. But–”

I put on a pouty expression–cutting him off.

“What? Am I not pretty enough for you?” I said in my best girlish voice.

“No. It’s not that.” The man said–clearly uncomfortable with the notion of being a poor judge of character.

I lifted the covers–seeing how big my own breasts were–and decided to use that as a weapon to my advantage.

“Oh, I see,” I said with a certain spiteful haughtiness. A trait I had long since used to get what I wanted. There were times I felt guilty for what I had done in the past, but there was no escaping what I was.

“You prefer women with a bigger bosom than I have–is that it?” I let the cover fall back on me in a light huff.

Tiddus was in the middle of swallowing another generous amount of the kalufa wine when I levied that blighted accusation against him.

He choked suddenly–spewing bright streams of wine everywhere around.

“W-what?” He gasped out–coughing uncontrollably for a minute; tears streaming out of his eyes as he fought to regain control of his shattered composure.

I got up and moved around him, gently massaging his strong back, and then thumping him gently in spurts–helping him through this spell the best I could.

“T-thanks.” He whispered out of sight of me–as he sat hunched over and coughing still. But he had managed to regain control of himself.

However, I wasn’t about to let him off the hook, not by a long shot.

And so, I went in for the kill this time around–finding that an opening had been presented through me by the grace of God Himself.

“I love you, Tiddus. And that’s the honest truth.” I said with straight forward bluntness. “For the longest time, I have been trying to fight my feelings for you, but with each passing month, I keep losing the battle–and longing for your petal-soft words and your burning touch. When you came back, I was startled to see how much change had been invoked in you. But the desire then began to well up inside me, and I couldn’t deny it no matter how much I wished it weren’t so. But I am a woman. And I want you. Even if that means fighting off every suitor on board this boat of yours.”

Tiddus shuddered under my touch–as I resumed giving him a good back rub. And then I impulsively wrapped my arms about him and held him close against me–savoring the moment.

“And you know that I am right.” I finished softly–listening to his steady heart beat, and the strong echo of each breath being taken in and expelled all at the same time.

“You can’t deny me, Tiddus. Not when I have bared myself to you.” And to prove my point, I let go of him and turned him around. I took a hold of his face and kissed him some more.

There was nothing more than I wanted this night, but to give myself to him. To embrace him in my enduring strength and love.

I broke free for a moment and licked my lips in anticipation.

“Can you not say anything which will wet my appetite of you?” I asked.

Tiddus looked at me and for the first time, I felt a stab of fear rise up inside my own heart.

“I…I…I can’t.” He said.

It was then that everything set into motion broke apart around me like the finest tableware imaginable–and I was left broken and hapless.

He then stood up suddenly, leaving me in a state of disbelief.

“I can’t love you, Jeanna. Not here. Not now. Maybe…not ever.”

Tiddus then swept himself away like a graceful feather–putting a great deal of distance between me and the door. I watched in silent horror as he left me.

Me!

And the thing closed softly with a latching click!

For the longest moment, I sat there in stunned silence. But disbelief turned to hatred, and then to blind anger.

“Is it because of me?!?” I screamed–long after the door closed. “Is it because of what I am????”

In a fit of rage, I grabbed the bottle and threw it with deadly accuracy–shattering it solidly against the door. An explosion of glass and wine was heard and seen spreading at all points of the compass.

“You fucking…bastard!” I continued to rail against him. “You fucking…uncaring…bastard!” And then dropped my head into my hands and sobbed like the little lost girl that I was.

STORIES OF THE DEAD EARTH-BOOK 3: PROLOGUE

2008-06-23T11:53:00.000-07:00

Thank the Lord Himself that the Esmeralda Jasmine could be salvaged at all.

In three days, we managed to repair the damage done to the vessel’s breached hull. Cosmetic repairs would have to wait until we reached Jasper. They alone had sufficient dock facilities to commence with a ship-wide refit.

Tiddus wasn’t angry with me as I had first thought–after I had told him what I had done to his precious forecastle.

“In a battle,” he had later confided in me. “There is always going to be a mess from which to clean up from. I am just glad that you came through this nightmare intact.”At this point, my heart had swelled anew–even as we were limping our way towards Jasper at a reduced speed. Tiddus had shown concern for me, and I knew then that he had a personal interest invested in me as well.

Which brings me to this part of the story. Make no bones about it, I was head over heels for him. And I figured that Darla and Lucrecia knew this too–by the way I was acting towards him.

Though I knew that they were his personal bodyguards, I had long since suspected that their interest in his well being stretched beyond just being two buffed guards for an equally handsome sea captain.

Of course, Darla and Lucrecia warned me not to push him into a corner–opting instead to try and be more friendly towards him as time went on.

As time was the only thing which drove us at this point.

I did love the two of them like sisters–so I gave them my personal decree that I would not treat Tiddus in any indifferent way than he would with me.

With that said in mind, I found myself walking towards his quarters with nervous energies–praying to God that He would give me the strength to see this night through.

I had passed the all too familiar frost covered doors which beckoned the unsuspecting into a realm of softly fallen snow and ice. This was where Sula and Gheri resided.

Qaita elected to stay with me and Jasmine for the time being–aware that her bond sisters had chosen their own path.

It was something which she accepted, but could not understand in full.

I sighed–wondering just how much of an influence our human habits had on the stranded Ice Spiders.

It was then, I stood before Tiddus’s bedchamber–with a bottle of kalufa wine in hand; along with a pair of crystal glasses.

Merlin had already gone into standby mode by this point–so there would be no interrupting the two of us. Should things become heated with passion.

My heart quickened at the thought of caressing his skin and kissing his lips–feeling his hands on my fevered soul.

I knocked. Once. Twice. And then a third time.

Then I waited.

And waited some more.

Something inside me grew with clear impatience, and I reached down with a free hand and jiggled the brass-inlaid handle gently.

To my surprise, it was open.

Fear and worry overtook my curiosity–leaving me to feel more protective over the man I wanted–than anything else.

I went in.

“Hello?” I asked, stepping inside Tiddus’s darkened quarters. There was no movement, no sound, no nothing whatsoever.

“Tiddus?” My love.

I expected to find danger and something worse lurking just inside the quiet confines of the spacious living area. But all I got was a banged shin when I came into contact with a low-lying table.

I swiftly cursed my own clumsiness, but I continued stealthily inside the domain of the ship’s captain nonetheless.

Then I entered his sleeping quarters, my heart playing its own sonnet within my chest.

My breathing ran shallow–my mind racing with everything from excitement to anxiety.

There were so many things I wanted to say and do, no words could come that easily to me!

But the closer to his bed that I got, the more I got the sense that something was inherently wrong with the picture.

“T-Tiddus?” I whispered out experimentally.

Nothing.

Was his bed empty? I thought to myself with horrid disappointment. That would mean I came in here for nothing!

No matter what, I wanted to let him know that I liked him–even loved him–and I wanted to win his heart. Not just his mind and body.

No…

That would come later–even though a part of me wanted him so very badly.

I felt the satin covering press against my leg–through the jumpsuit which I had procured from Lucrecia. It had a nice and soft allure to it. Making me want to crawl underneath it and revel in its heavenly touch.

My body ached from the punishment which had been wrought since we entered The Hole. I was far from being complete.

Nay…

What I wanted more than anything was something which my own healing spells couldn’t satiate.

The love and desire of another.

At this point, I decided to chance it and I began to rub my hand across the top of the bed in blind experimentation–hoping to hit something which would tell me that my quarry was here.

But it soon became apparent that he wasn’t.

Damn. I thought with absolute loss. This certainly isn’t my day.

I was about to leave then when I heard the door to the man’s quarters open by itself.

My blood froze cold and I wondered just how the hell I was going to get out of this one.

BOOK 3 OF THIS 10-BOOK SAGA.

2008-06-23T11:35:00.000-07:00

The third novel in this saga, Book 3-Jasper--picks up where Book 2: Seige; leaves off.

Started just last year (2007), the third novel reveals a heavily damaged Esmeralda Jasmine struggling to make it to the nearby seaport of Jasper. There, Tiddus (Gir-ah-soiski) Kalamon intends on putting his ship into drydock for much needed repairs.

But before the ship can even get there, the Queen of Jasper decides to test their resilience from The Hole by throwing a few obstacles in their path first; namely an omniscient mecha named Valchair the Fallen.

While Jasmine deals with this grave threat, Jeanna has other problems to contend with: Her ongoing battle with Princess Kalana, and a queen that is none too happy with having to play favorites with the lost princess for the attention of one handsome ship's captain.

Which will win out in the end?

STORIES OF THE DEAD EARTH-BOOK 2: CHAPTER 46

2007-12-31T19:30:00.000-08:00

“Power levels are dropping.” Merlin warned me as I stepped forward in front of the downed Berserker. “You have at least one minute’s worth of viable power before your suit shuts down.”

“I know.” I said, looking at the arcing displays across me. The jerry-rigging was perhaps the worst thing I could inflict upon my power suit in its Argus configuration–but there was little else I could do.

“Stand by.”

I pulled free my transformed Sansui sword and angled it towards my foe.

“Thee have had a memorable fight, but now it must end.” I declared to the miniature Gulpers.

Strangely enough, they did not attack me. Perhaps they could not. I analyzed to myself–my mind keenly aware of the time I had left. After this, I would have to disengage my power suit from the battle and retire from the field of honor.

I whipped the sword around in a flourish manner befitting that of a Calinta Knight from the fabled land of Ire and intoned:

“Bring forth your mighty power, o’ God of Ra! Lend me your divine wisdom and strength in this fight against the unholiest of holies! D¥þç_†4ŠýâŸ! SOLAR FLARE STRIKE!”

In that instant, the world I knew fell away and I was greeted by the divine sight of an ancient god. The God of Light! I marveled.

In a split second, he performed an incantation on the far side of Suna–and in an instant–He belched forth a magnificent solar flare which I immediate caught with my outstretched sword and the directed towards a particular spot on my Dead Earth.

In the blink of an eye, I reappeared and swung my collected energies back at the miniature Gulpers–watching with blind satisfaction as they were immolated from my sight.

A great deal of the green mass was vaporized as well–but I saw that it wasn’t going to be enough for me.

The Gulper still lived!

And with that grim realization, Argus broke apart from my body and started shrinking down to its individual armored components.

In a few seconds, I was suspended in the nude as they quickly rearranged themselves onto my body–and then my 5th generation power armor took over; wrapping itself lovingly around my lithe frame.

I touched down in full combat readiness, my Sansui sword out and eager to strike some more.

But I knew that I had lost the fight. There wasn’t much that I could give any longer.

“Is not the complete truth, young one.” A familiar voice echoed about me–leaving me completely baffled.

“Susha?” I whispered.

“My spirit still remains with you. Now and always. Use me to battle this abomination and I shall wipe it from the face of this plane.”

It was at this point, I knew what to do next.

I whipped my sword high up into the skies above me and called out: “SUSHA! APPEAR!”

In a brilliant explosion of light my sword emitted a beam into the heavens themselves–opening a portal into Heaven’s Gate. From the divine settings of the hallowed place, a great dragon appeared at the opening and punched its way through the portal–screaming towards us like a bird of prey.

High above our heads, Susha opened his great wings and with a cry of defiance, opened his mouth.

A caterwauling amount of pure energy built up inside it and then was cut loose a second later.

The forecastle of the Esmeralda Jasmine blew apart finally under the strain of the final assault. Wood splintered like matches–spraying us everywhere.

But more than that, Susha grabbed my sword and dove for the deck–where he sliced five times into the body of the Gulper itself.

And then vanished.

I reached up to reclaim my sword–as it spun towards me in a whirling dervish; snatching it clean out of the air.

The portal to Heaven’s Gate vanished soon after, and I was left with a moment of true humility.

“Thank you Susha.” I whispered to my Sansui sword. It still retained all its grace and charm as before. But I knew it was much more than just an ancient relic from times past.

I looked back and saw that the Gulper was gone. Blown into oblivion like it had never existed in the first place. And while the damage to forecastle was extensive, I knew that it could also be repaired.

Sheathing my sword, I sighed.

The battle was over.

We had won the day.

But the price for victory was much more than I could imagine. So many lives taken. So much had been lost.

I didn’t know where to begin.

STORIES OF THE DEAD EARTH-BOOK 2: CHAPTER 45

2007-12-31T19:14:00.000-08:00

~Wake up, dear child~ I heard a voice call out to me.

My dreams were very strange. I remember hearing my mother speak to me in the softest tones–while a sharp-toothed haja continued to plunge its razor-fine beak into my tender flesh. I imagined the sharp pains in my gut as the predator made a meal of my guts–spewing blood and searing hot pieces of my defiled organs all over the place.

I remember crying out in the sheerest of agonies before I felt my sense of self leave my dying body.

I imagined then that I had somehow “died” in my sleep–joining my ancestors and my dead parents in the glorious embrace of our Lord at Heaven’s Gate.

~Time is no longer desirable for continued slumber, young one. You must awaken!~ The same voice cajoled me with a sense of implicit urgency.

It was then I felt someone shake me. But not with the hand of humanoid flesh.

Nay. It belonged to that of a soft-pelted arachnid; whose touch was like that of frigid ice.

I shivered outwardly and tried to curl up from the persistent probing.

~We realize that you need to continue to recover from your wounds–~ the spider said before the ship suddenly tilted awkwardly in a lopsided direction.

I was certain that my center of gravity had somehow registered it as a downwards motion–because that’s how my mind interpreted it as.

~–but alas! The ship will not survive if we do not get aft of this engineering spaces!~

“W-why?” I whispered weakly–as the Esmeralda Jasmine suddenly shifted harshly to starboard–throwing me around the other direction.

“The compressor machinery exploded,” I heard Seth’s cool voice recollect to me. “And that punched a quartered-sized hole into the bottom of the galleon.”

“A-” I began and wheezed miserably–my lungs aching from the cold air swirling about me. “Activate…the pumping systems.” I managed to finish.

“I have been trying for the last hour. But the computer is down and I have no contact with any of the onboard auxiliary systems.”

“Bloody…hell…” I moaned.

The same leg touched me then, as I felt a giant claw scoop me up to my feet.

~Come now~ The spider said. ~On your feet~

Nausea gripped me then and I wanted nothing more than to puke my guts out. Then came the sharp pain. The same agony which assaulted me in my recent dreams.

I wasn’t dreaming! I saw with almost perfect clarity. What I was feeling–!

But the rest of it was drowned by an odd roar.

Even in the syrupy darkness, I could not mistaken the sudden rush of water coming straight at me.

~The engineering spaces are flooding!~ I heard the spider call out to someone else. ~Qaita!~

~I am hurrying, sister. Please give me the time to finish the job here and send these trapped souls topside~

“The waters are rushing in!” I said with grave concern. Already, I could feel the cold seas of the Southern Ocean lap at my feet with deadly playfulness. It would be a matter of moments before we were all swallowed without mercy.

~I do not think that we have the moments to spare, Qaita~

I moved back a bit as a low wave reared up and smacked me in the back of the leg. My armor would protect me from the freezing temperatures, but with the inevitable coming, I would be nothing more than dead weight–ballast–to help accelerate the ship down to a most unfortunate watery grave.

Poor Tiddus! I thought with unabashed sympathy. To lose everything in one fell swoop…?

It was then that a miracle occurred.

Emergency power kicked in just as a wall of water came pouring through the cracked doors of the main engineering spaces.

“Blessed Sword of Kausch the Great!” I invoked happily as a new warmth surged right through me–only to be drowned by the water filling the massive hold by the second.

~Almost done~ Came the reassuring voice of Qaita herself. ~The last ones are finally through the emergency hatch–even though there are some stubborn souls who wish to remain behind and effect repairs~

But neither I nor the other Ice Spider–Sula I surmised–could respond. I was caught up in a water-spawned whirlpool and tossed about like a child’s bath toy.

As a result, I ended up swallowing some refreshingly cold water. My lungs protested at the treatment, but I was in no condition to make reparations of any kind.

A strand of webbing snagged my foot and I was whipped around like a lariat for a brief second–gravity blessedly suspended–before I was rocketed up and out of the water at blinding speed.

“I got it!” I heard Seth squeal in triumph. “The computer is finally responding to my persistent probes and we both have managed to isolate the damage and start up the pumps!”

~Got you~ I heard Qaita whisper to me as she snagged me smartly from the air itself in one clean move. ~Up you go now~

“No!” I protested. “Seth has the pumps online–” and in confirmation, I heard a deep thrum! and the blessed sound of some machinery starting up below decks.

“–and their working!” I squealed with unmasked relief.

~Does not matter~ The spider told me unmovingly. ~You are mortal. You are going up~

I tried to struggle, tried to break free of my soft imprisonment, but I could not.

“How come your sister rates more than me?!” I accused right off the bat.

~She and I are natural swimmers. The water will not harm her, since she can breathe in it. After all, liquid water is just a form of ice. For you it is the enemy and not a familiar~ Qaita patiently explained to me, before I was heaved up into the emergency escape hatch high into the ceiling’s innards.

It never occurred to me then as to why such a construct would ever be present in a space such as this. But as Tiddus would later tell me: “It was one of my father’s ideas–after twenty of his former crewmates perished in a freak storm off the Junda coastline.” (Apparently, he had no escape routes back then–say about 15 years ago. But all it took was one accident…)

The doors sealed shut behind me with blind obedience, and I was cut off from the main engineering spaces–and two very heroic Ice Spiders.

There was nothing that I could do–except to get topside and see what the hell else was going on.

STORIES OF THE DEAD EARTH-BOOK 2: CHAPTER 44

2007-11-30T16:17:00.000-08:00

“Stupid girl!” Lucrecia hissed vividly–as sparks flared up inside the cockpit of the Berserker mecha. The machine shuddered and heeled drunkenly backwards–then sagged to port a little–before a follow up strike railed her to heave over to starboard.

Where she fell with a resounding crash!

“Sis! Sis!” She heard her sister cry over the open comm. “Are you okay?”

“Nevermind me!” She shouted. “Just concentrate on that damned creature!”

“I don’t have sufficient firepower to take it on, sis!” Darla radioed back. “I’m just merely a vessel for your mecha’s only Firestorm Shot attack. All of my offensive weapons won’t make so much as a scratch against that thing’s thick gelatinous hide!”

“Do it anyway!” Lucrecia yelled. “And pray that we get lucky!”

The Firestorm mecha stepped forward to deliver its own punishing brand of salvos–to cover the downed Berserker–but all of its shots proved nothing more than a general annoyance to the thing overall.

The Gulper expunged a torrential amount of cloudy green material at the smallish mech unit–drowning it completely in the process.

The guns went silent and there was nothing from which Darla could do else to the massive creature.

“Sister–!” Lucrecia heard her panicked sibling cry out. “Help me!!!”

Lucrecia tried to get up then–spurred on by the feeling of a close kinship for her own blood–but the mecha couldn’t respond fast enough.

The Gulper stepped forward to finish the attack–

And was suddenly stopped cold!

Literally.

A giant wall of ice-like crystalline webbing sprang into existence then–surprising both combatants.

“What the–?” Lucrecia heard herself mutter out loud in shock–her sister’s voiced exclamation closely following suite.

~Sorry we took so long getting out of there~ A strangely feminine voice echoed from all around them–before the largest spider the downed pilot saw crashed down onto the ruined decking in front of her–then took up a mutual defensive posture.

~But the ship hasn’t long to sail in these great waters~

Lucrecia squealed in absolute terror at the sight of large white thing parked thirty feet from her forward view port.

“Holy Mother of Agra-Nom!” She bellowed out. “What in the Seven Seas are thee?”

~My name is Gheri. I am an Ice Spider~ Gheri said with idle introduction–waving a foreleg in the process. ~Can you rise?~

“My primary hydraulics are down.” Lucrecia said. “I can’t get up for awhile yet.”

~Effect repairs while you can. I will see about dealing with this abomination~

But…how? The woman wondered.

The ice shield dissolved–allowing the Gulper to attack without warning. But to Lucrecia’s personal astonishment, the seemingly ungainly Ice Spider masterfully dodged the attack by rearing up on a quarter of its legs–and then delivering a three-strike attack of its own.

Pain was something the Gulper was accustomed to, but it didn’t like the idea that an opponent was more agile than it.

It screamed at the spider twice and tried to launch another suffocating salvo of green slime in Gheri’s general direction. But the spider counterattacked by launching a massive web bola at the Gulper–enveloping it cleanly.

The thing froze in a split second–becoming a large green ice cube.

Then it broke apart into sizeable chunks.

Gheri didn’t bat a leg at the ensuing conflagration. She knew that the battle wasn’t over. But to her human combatants?

“Is it over?” She heard Darla comment from behind her.

~No~ The spider responded coolly. ~I have weakened it, but not enough to knock it out of commission. It seems to be gathering its strength from some where’s else~

It was then that the cubes reformed themselves again into larger versions of the Gulper. But the miniatures had twice the strength and the power of its larger cousin.

As one, they shot a torrential wave of green slime at the Ice Spider–covering it completely.

“Are you okay?!” Darla squeaked out in alarm. “Answer me!”

Gheri didn’t move one iota–as the slime encapsulated every inch of her.

And hardened as it went.

The mini-Gulpers didn’t move–each acting as if perpetuating the attack had drained them.

The spider sat there motionless. Not able to move.

Lucrecia managed to bring the auxiliary hydraulics online, but her momentum and agility was severely compromised. The woman didn’t think the Berserker would be much help to the battle thus far.

The mini-Gulpers sensed a new opponent and launched themselves at the Berserker–hammering it with surprising hardness.

Fresh sparks exploded in the woman’s face–as whatever jerry-rigging Lucrecia managed to cobble together evaporated like steam right in front of her eyes.

There wasn’t much hope in her view. The mecha gave as much as it could get–and still it wasn’t nothing.

Nothing!

She flipped a switch and spoke clearly into the pickup grid. “I’m losing it–!”

Another series of hits pushed the machine back even further. Large holes in the mecha’s armor began to appear, and the woman wasn’t sure how much longer she had to live.

“Allow me.” A new voice amended, before another–larger–mecha entered the fray.

Lucrecia felt the Berserker being grabbed from the side–more like scooped up–and set aside gently.

She looked up into her screens and found the massive behemoth glowing with white-hot starfire.

“What–?”

“Stand by, Lucrecia. I’ve channeled all the power I’ve got into one last shot.” I said over the open comm–noting that a lot of Argus’s systems were redlined anyway.

Just then, the green shell which represented Gheri began to crack, split, and finally explode outright–showering the combat arena with molded pieces of one formerly trapped Ice Spider.

I looked down and smiled. “Gheri! Nice of thee to join the fight!”

The spider looked up at me and waved a leg in return.

~I am mutually amazed by your sudden appearance, young one. But I sense that your wonderful construct is on overload. Pray it be to the Great Egg Mother that you are not contemplating a foolish end to an otherwise privileged life~

“Nay,” I said–before gazing upon an enemy which proved to be extremely resilient to most of our attacks. But I was certain it would not be able to withstand the one I had in mind. “Ritual suicide hasn’t been practiced in my family for generations. I cannot recall when the last time anyone in my esteemed family lineage took their life in the name of the Divine Lord.”

~Then why does your machine vibrate so?~

“Stand by.” I curtly instructed Gheri. “You will see in a moment.”

For the sake of everything I knew, loved, or hated, I had to give it one last shot.

One last shot indeed…

STORIES OF THE DEAD EARTH-BOOK 2: CHAPTER 43

2007-11-30T16:05:00.000-08:00

Merlin alerted me thus to a new and unexpected development going on just below me.

“Some kind of slimy green thing…” I thoughtfully mused to myself–never understanding what it was which sat before me in silent repose. I noticed that–whatever it was–the creature was attacking both the Berserker and Firestorm mechas.

One stumbled, the other looked…lost.

“Heaven’s Gate…” I whispered as Merlin then alerted me to something else going down. “They’re not going to survive much longer at the rate they’re going.”

“And neither will the ship.” My companion said with a quiet air.

“Huh?”

“The compressor systems just had a catastrophic blowout and the automatic pumps are fried. There’s nothing to save the ship from sinking.” Merlin elaborated quickly.

I locked onto the mass below me with my shoulder-mounted weapons–both transforming into something else entirely.

“Firestorm Barrage!” I called out in proud defiance.

Thirty-two packets of supercharged plasma salvos screamed out in a banshee wail–arcing down and away; circling around a bit, before finally homing in on the Gulper.

Resounding explosions punctuated the morning air–before my shoulder-mounted weapons reappeared and mated on both sides of my shoulders.

Then I aimed my Crush Cannon downwards at the smoking hulk of the Gulper.

“Supreme Thunder Crush!” I yelled out–using a more amplified attack which I delivered unto Susha only moments earlier.

A pealing wail of dark energy and matter enveloped the emitter tip of my cannon–and then was belched out abruptly.

A terrifying beam of energy thundered down without any mercy.

The forecastle of the Esmeralda Jasmine quivered and shook violently–as it sustained one grievous blow after another.

The Gulper didn’t even have a prayer in hell of surviving the first shot–so I followed up with a second Supreme Thunder Crush; obliterating the massive green thing out of existence.

Seconds later, the monster sat there in a momentary blip of peace and tranquility–and then ghosted out on its own accord.

I touched down soon after that–spent, exhausted, but triumphant.

“Whew!” I said with a nod to the other two. “That was a close call.”

Neither Lucrecia nor Darla were in any position to argue.

But they weren’t saying anything either.

“What?” I asked perplexed.

“You idiot!” Lucrecia snarled at me. “Do ye not know what the hell you did?”

I looked back at the rising steam which used to be the Gulper. Nothing seemed threatening or out of the ordinary.

“No.” I responded back. “What?”

Just then, the steam coalesced back into something else.

Something more.

“Oh, bloody hell!” I heard Darla complain. “It’s back!”

Back? I thought with utter amazement. There’s nothing which could withstand my Supreme Thunder Crush attack!

I turned, my Argus mecha following suit. I was pretty sure what I was registered was my own personal jaw-dropping moment then, but I was stunned beyond words by what was forming right in front of me.

The Gulper had gotten larger by far–becoming a massive blob of green and translucent protoplasm. So large was its bulk, that a great deal of it managed to slough off the forecastle deck and into the sea.

But not sinking–as Merlin reported. Just sitting there on the top of the Southern Ocean.

The ship tilted downwards under the unforgiving weight of the creature, and it left me wondering just how long this proud ship had left to live.

Raising my Crush Cannon, I was ready for another assault on this thing. But before I could impulsively act, the Gulper hit me with a sphere blob of its own making–hurling me back quite a ways–before I ended up crashing to the deck.

I heard Lucrecia scream out my name, but I didn’t–couldn’t–move on my own accord.

Shit. I thought with great dismay. So much for the quick and easy way out.

“Systems down.” I heard Merlin’s crystal-clear voice call out to me then. “Aux power is online, but operating at 35% efficiency.”

So in other words–I saw–Argus wasn’t going to be doing me much good in the here and now.

“How about if I channel everything into one last attack before disengaging?” I openly suggested. “Say…a Solar Flare Strike?”

“Mmmm….” Merlin droned. “It could work, but then again, it could leave you stranded in this mecha configuration until someone recharges our power cells.”

“So better not?” I concluded with open disappointment.

“Did I say you couldn’t?” Merlin chided me.

“Uh…”

“I said it could leave you stranded, but we never had much time to field test Argus all that often. So right now, I’m not sure what a full-power strike will do to your suit.”

Even odds, I saw right then. But looking out the port window of my mecha, I could see the Berserker and Firestorm take one brutal hit after another–and I knew that we didn’t have a whole lot of time left.

That Gulper needed to go down, and go down fast!

“Let’s do it. Channel all available power once I manage to break us free of this hellish prison.” I told Merlin with great confidence.

“Acknowledged.”

STORIES OF THE DEAD EARTH-BOOK 2: CHAPTER 42

2007-11-30T15:46:00.000-08:00

I caught Susha broadside with a quick slash across the chest–opening up another terrible wound in the dragon’s chest. For a second, a hot stream of life energy and blood fountained forth in the air, and I heard a heart-wrenching roar commence into the empty skies above me.

But I could not stop!

Raising my sword, I called out: “Journey of 1000 Souls; Heed my cry! ÐÞßÇad DJ2–Y-R : JUDGMENT STRIKE!”

I threw my sword out towards the Ancient Dragon–just as a giant beam of light came down and hit him instead of me. The sword spun up and around a few times before it finally came to rest above his head.

Singing light came out of it before the sword replicated itself into oblivion. And with each new sword came a lightning storm like none other came crashing down from the Heavens themselves–all acting as if the Lord Himself finally had enough of this crazy dance of ours and decided to end it with one swift stroke of His mighty Hand–and fully engulfed the Ancient dragon with its awesome glory.

The display lasted only about a minute–as each sword hit him with its own power–and then the sword spun around one last time and returned to my hand in one graceful arc.

I stood down from my attack mode and paid witness to the final moments of Susha’s last reign on this Dead Earth–as the smoke cleared and the dragon stood there; charred and bleeding in many places.

I knew he had not long to live.

“It is done…” I heard him whisper. “You have finally proven to me what it is to be a gallant warrior in the service of our Lord and Creator.”

“I–I am sorry.” I said in an electronically enhanced voice. “You fought well for an Ancient, and for that I am blessed to have been your opponent. I just wish things could be different and I could call you friend.”

The dragon laughed a little–finding the strength to do just that, but nothing more.

“In all my years as an Ancient, I have never heard of such sincerity come from my opponents or prey–as each one stood in absolute awe of me, or in complete and transfixing fear.”

I stood by and just…watched? Was there nothing more that I could do? When would it all end?

There were so many questions from my side, I did not know where to begin.

“Your sword, child. I have need of it.”

I held it out and opened my hand, watching as it lay suspended between my metal fingers and the air between us.

Then it zipped towards Susha in a blinding rush of speed and agility, and it hovered there.

A magical aura soon encased it, and before I knew it, it had transformed itself into something familiar to me!

My Sansui sword! I thought in breathless astonishment. But how?

In my Argus modification, I had no access to my Sansui sword. Just my Verxon.

“Breathe new strength into this hallowed weapon. Make it stronger than it was before.” I heard Susha say in a low and reverent voice.

I watched in stiff agony as my sword began to pulse and glow into something else. The blade lengthened and the hilt transformed into something a little larger than before.

In a few seconds, the sword had indeed become something else–a straight blade with strange lettering running up and down its flat cusp–and then both the pulse and glow died.

Suspended between us, I witnessed as Susha’s own body began to glow with an ethereal light of his own and then it grew brighter and brighter still…

I shielded my eyes from the light with my forearm; Argus mimicking my movements.

In moments, the light faded and the sword stood there–suspended in front of me.

Power beyond mortal belief. It is now yours for the taking. Guard it well. Do not deviate from your journey–thy mission in life…princess. Susha’s disembodied voice echoed and the sword floated towards me slowly but steadily.

I reached out and grasped it carefully–afraid for a second that I would somehow break it.

But the sword held firm in my grip.

“Praise be to God and the Ancient known as Susha the Old One.” I said quietly in the air. Let thy will be done…

* * *

Lucrecia and Darla were looking on at the humble scene; saddened by the spectacle, but knowing that it couldn‘t be avoided.

Some things were steeped in both legend and tradition, and these things had to be resolved in the only way that it could.

“At least it’s over.” Lucrecia said.

“True.” Her sister commented. “But I wish it was me that was fighting that dragon instead of Jeanna up there. I’m almost envious of her.”

“Don’t be. She has her place, and we have ours.” Lucrecia said, looking around the wrecked fore deck of the Esmeralda Jasmine. The morning light revealed a lot of damage done to the topside portions of the Castle-class war galleon, and it left the sisters in no doubt that Tiddus was going to have kittens when this whole affair was over.

The woman communicated as much to her sibling.

“We’ll just tell him that the Ancient dragon did it.” Darla joked lightly, shifting the Firestorm mecha over to the right of a fallen mast-head. The canvas material itself had been burned away–leaving only tattered remnants.

The woman shook her head–feeling sorry for the damage repair parties already.

Glad I’m a mech pilot. She thought, before she felt the deck heave a little, and then stop. Then it started again; this time, each quake getting stronger with each passing second.

“What–?” She started; before alarms in her ship went off a panic.

“I got something coming up on the aft quarterdeck!” Lucrecia squealed. “Near where the Main Engineering spaces are located!”

“What in God’s name–?” the woman said as the deck plating beneath her trembled and vibrated very severely–nearly bowling her over in the process.

Lucrecia turned and started to run towards her sister when the deck heaved upwards in an explosion of everything imaginable: From wooden planks, shards of metal, to power conduits and air duct sheathing–along with some personal effects brought up from the crew‘s quarters.
Lucrecia heard what sounded like the sour chime of an alarm clock–as it struck the Berserker harmlessly on the port quarter, and bounced off.

“Great. Give me something I don’t need!” The woman snarled to herself–seeing what looked like a massive blob take up a position just across from them, but filling up most of the hole it had created in its rapid ascent topside.

“What is that thing?” Darla croaked in horror.

“Damned if I know. It’s slimy, ugly, not to mention huge,” and Lucrecia paused for a second. “And it needs to go down.”

“Hopefully not where it came up from.” Darla’s voice echoed over the mech’s comm link.

Then the Esmeralda Jasmine shuddered again.

“Oh, what now?” The irate woman barked in exasperation.

The shuddering got worse.

Before anyone could figure out what else was going on, a sharp explosion ripped out from the port side of the ship–followed by a great gout of smoke.

Darla’s sensors went wild.

“By Pendak’s Jewel!” The woman yelled as the ship started to list and then settle into the waters of the Southern Ocean.

“What the hell was that?” Lucrecia wanted to know desperately. It was either fight this thing, or….?

“One of the four giant coolant compressors for the main engines just went!” Darla yelled.

“So?”

“So the explosion we just heard and felt came from that just punched a monster-sized hole into the bottom of the ship!!!” Darla fired back miserably. “We’re starting to take on water!”

Lucrecia went back to her system’s display and called up an internal schematic of the Esmeralda Jasmine.

But instead of a clear connection, all she got was SYSTEM OFFLINE in bright bold letters.

“Internals are non-op!” The woman called back. “And that means that the automatic pumping system is fried!”

Just then, the Gulper finished collecting itself and launched an attack on both the Berserker and the Firestorm–hitting both with a pair of tentacles.

Darla managed to evade hers by jumping nimbly out of the way, but Lucrecia sustained a hit–only because she was too preoccupied with trying to get something going with the ship’s computer.

“Bloody hell!” She seethed as she got hit again–this time feeling the Berserker stagger back on its own.

Dropping what she was doing, Lucrecia struggled to right herself back up. But she ended up tripping on something and fell.

Instead of crashing, she transformed on the fly and fired back at the offending blobby mass in front of her with a resounding cannon shot.

An explosion of green spray and tongues of fire greeted the woman as some pieces of the Gulper rained back down in her direction–covering the main barrel just a bit.

“Gross!” Lucrecia screamed out loud and then went upright in a hurry–firing off a stream of plasma shots from her two outstretched arm cannons.

Chunks of the creature was being obliterated at a hellish pace, but for some odd reason, the Gulper didn’t seem to be affected all that much. Sure, it was thrashing around a bit with each hit, but with each connecting shot, the wound just seemed to pulsate for a second, before healing itself.

Lucrecia wiped her brow–the Berserker following suit–and she sighed.

“Son of a mother–” she whispered tiredly. “Just what it will take to put you away?”

STORIES OF THE DEAD EARTH-BOOK 2: CHAPTER 41

2007-10-30T14:41:00.000-07:00

Qaita and Gheri were both stunned when the creature in the Main Engineering spaces began to get smaller and smaller as time passed. Neither of them could understand what was going on–and the two Ice Spiders believed (in their minds) that their attacks had actually done some damage to what they referred to as a Gulper.

A silly name to be sure, but they found evidence of human remains that suggested that it did not just inhale its prey, but gulped them down whole and allowed their victims to digest at a rather slow and (obviously) painful pace.

“So where is this thing going?” Qaita asked, feeling more of the Gulper’s mass shrink by another ten percent.

“Going?” Her sister echoed in confusion– as she looked around. “I don’t know. Most of the exits are sealed, so–” Then the sound of muffled screaming coming from the air ducts above their heads–grabbed both women’s immediate attention.

“That sounded human!” Gheri exclaimed in a breathless voice.

“But there isn’t anyone in there…?!” Qaita finished in a close second. “Unless–” and she vaulted upwards in a graceful jump and grabbed the overhead air duct–200 feet up.

Even in her human form, the Ice Spider could still cover great distances in a single bound. Nothing was beyond her reach.

She repositioned herself quickly and then looked about her.

“As I suspected!” she declared in a reedy voice. “This Gulper is using the air ducts as a means of transporting itself!”

Another scream echoed again.

“It looks like it’s found itself a snack!” Gheri hollered up to her. “But where?”

Qaita studied the main air duct she was on, but didn’t detect any bulges in it.

“It must be a couple of decks up!” She announced. “These ducts aren’t distended in any way, nor are they damaged!”

Gheri was at a loss. How in the Great Egg Mother did this thing get out of this place without us noticing?

She decided to test a theory of hers, and placed a hand on the smooth gelatin-hide of the Gulper.

Her hand passed right through.

An exclamation of shock rippled right through the Ice Spider–as she witnessed an impossibility in regards to the natural laws governing Dead Earth.

Then she fell.

Reacting quickly to the change, she landed on her feet without incident, but the Gulper was now nowhere to be seen.

“Sister!” She yelled up. “It’s gone!”

“What?” Qaita responded in strong disbelief. She looked across the ceiling and found that the pods holding the monster’s still live prey were also…missing?

“Great Egg Mother preserve me…” the woman said with a heavy heart. “This isn’t looking good at all for the ship’s captain at all.”

“So what do we do?” Gheri called up.

“What else? We follow.”

* * *

In almost the same split second that the slime-covered tentacle had gotten a hold of me–did it just suddenly go slack with excitement.

And I fell down–hitting my good shoulder at the same time.

“Whoof!” I gasped in surprise, instantly thinking that I had somehow escaped Death’s grip again–thanks in part to luck and my faith in the Lord.

Sula reached me and bent down with a look of concern on her face.

“Are you okay?” She inquired.

“I think…so.” I grated out cautiously–expecting nothing but pain in my shoulder. It was there. But it was a heavy throbbing. Like a giant heart beating away.

“Ow…” I moaned out loud. “That mother of a whore really got me good.”

“Shoulder?” The spider inquired innocently.

“Y-yeah.” I winced some more, wondering how I was going to be able to proceed on my own without her assistance. As far as things were concerned, I was dead in the water.

Taken out of the fight.

“Can you retract your armor a bit?”

I nodded. “Seth? Retract a portion of the shoulder armor if you would, please.”

“Actually, I would have to disengage your entire armor apparatus–based on your grievous injury.”

“Why?”

“Because the power nodes governing your fifth-generation power armor are interconnected in one form or another. Simply disconnecting the shoulder’s power armor nodes will have absolutely no affect on the armor as a whole.”

I sighed.

“Can I re-initialize after I disengage?”

“I would recommend against such a measure. Not until your shoulder heals.”

“What about the blue magi spell I used on myself earlier? The Call to Restoration?” I asked hopefully.

“It only activates on an instinctive level, my mistress.” Seth told me–to my great disappointment. “You do not have as much conscious control of your limited blue magi healing arts, just yet.”

The armor blew apart gracefully after that, and the modules were left ‘glued’ to the different parts of my body. Almost instantly, I felt a huge amount of release–as the constricting sensations eased abruptly–leaving my shoulder (and right arm), feeling like a useless piece of wet rope.

The blood in my affected area…that I could easily feel on an intimate level. Like a hot rush of warmth, mixed in with tingling, shooting pain, and a nerve-wracking throbbing sensation.

I guess that it didn’t really go away after all. I thought with some noticeable distress.

At this point, Sula came crawling over and looked at me with a look of pity and sympathy.

Glancing back at the Ice Spider, I asked in a sheepish voice: “Don’t suppose there’s anything that you could do for me, is there?”

The woman looked back at me with an expression bellied full of curiosity.

“Don’t you have any natural healing arts of your own to call upon?” She asked.

“I’m sorry to say that I don’t. I rely more on my ability to not get injured too severely and my small med-pak–which went down with the Torus when it sank offshore at Xanix.”

“So you have nothing upon which to heal that grievous injury?”

“Not on me, no.” I said. “Even though I have a Call to Restoration spell, Seth here–” but was interrupted by the spider’s dismissive snort.

“I heard what he said.” She said with some contempt. “My question is why doesn’t he heal you?”

“Because I’m a Class V wrist-comp. You would need a Class IX to do what you ask. I can only interface and perform techno-mage miracles–of a sort. Her limited blue magi spells will just have to come onto their own in their own due time.” Seth informed Sula succinctly.

I groaned in embarrassment, feeling very much like a blowfish out of water.

Sula found this information interesting.

“So you became a techno-mage, but not one of the healing arts like Jeanna is?”

“Right.” I said, feeling the numbing pain creep up on me. I staggered just a little, and then fell backwards against the slime-encrusted wall of the air duct.

But before I could hit it with any part of my tired body, I felt Sula’s arms wrap themselves around my waist–her hands supporting my weight without effort.

She laid me down gently.

“Sleep,” she cooed softly. “And let me take care of that wound for you.”

“Y-you?” I asked, before I felt a slight prick from one of her fingernails impale my flesh ever so carefully.

Another kind of warmth entered me and began to flood my consciousness like an enveloping fog.

I looked back up at her, and instead of seeing a human face, I saw one which resembled a spider’s. But one alabaster white, with glittering ice crystals encrusted here and there–all splotched in a beautiful–almost artistic–pattern of supreme elegance and design.

I didn’t feel any fear from what my own mortal eyes partook. Instead, I felt that familiar warmth again, and this time, I was reminded of days past when my own dearly departed mother would hold me in my arms and call me a name I had not heard in 15 years:

“My priceless little gem: My little Jasmine.”

“M-mom…?” I slurred with an absolute amount of surprise and shock.

“Sleep.” She told me then. “And wake up refreshed and energetic as ever, my sweet daughter.”

No matter what, I could not resist such an offer. Especially from one’s own mother.

I passed out.

STORIES OF THE DEAD EARTH-BOOK 2: CHAPTER 40

2007-10-30T14:24:00.000-07:00

“Hang on!” Sula yelled to me as I struggled against my unseen foe.

My left shoulder shrieked in agony, as I tried to maintain my tenuous position–with my left arm out and holding onto a wounded section of the intake vent.

In the last second, I had managed to dig my armored fingers into the surprisingly soft metal of the air duct, and listen in fear as the metal started giving way all on its own.

Either I’m too heavy, or this thing’s too strong! I thought to myself then.

Which brought me to this point in time: Me, myself, and I–hanging by life’s provincial thread.

I continued to hold on–but I wasn’t so sure that I was going to make it. The sockets in both my shoulders were screaming for relief–and at one point–I was certain that I heard Seth warning me that my power armor’s structural integrity was in imminent danger of failing outright.

If I let go now…? I started to analyze, where would this thing take me?

“Hang on, child!” Sula’s crystal clear voice echoed back to me as a blanket of calm security. “Hang on!”

“Trying–!” I hollered back–listening as something popped and then separated in my shoulder.

I grimaced in absolute pain.

“Hurry!”

“Torn rotator cuff. Your ligament is the only thing holding your shoulder together. I would strongly suggest that you let go, my mistress.” Seth urged.

“I can’t!” I screamed. “If I let go–”

My shoulder went with the loudest crunch! imaginable and at that time…?

I did let go.

For the briefest time, time itself ground to a halt and I lay suspended in it like a fly in mid-transit–just before being sucked down into a never ending trap that was not my own design.

My Lord in Heaven…please forgive my trespasses and any sins which I may have committed before thy hallowed Eyes…I am only flesh and blood. A pure mortal of unbending will. And though I have been forever tempted by the weakness of thy flesh, please see it in within your Holy Eminence that I–your sacred messenger child–might find favor into the Paradise of Heaven, and allow me passage through Heaven’s Gate, I softly prayed.

Then let go–resigned to the fact that I was no longer the master of my own fate.

Almost in the split-second which I did a cold strand of ice-webbing surged forth with blinding speed–and latched onto my uninjured arm.

Suddenly, my downwards trajectory was halted with such harsh swiftness, my whole body jerked violently to a stop.

I cried out anyways–partly because I was in such pain from a dislocated shoulder–the other half was a bellow of fear.

Fear of not being able to face my assailant with a warrior’s fervor.

Not like in Xanix. I saw.

“Got you!” Sula declared triumphantly–the joy and relief painfully evident in her voice.
Seth was warning me of imminent structural failure in the next two minutes.

“D…Divert emergency power to the structural integrity nodes!” I told him. “I will not come apart now!”

“I can only hold these power levels for the next ten minutes.” Seth was telling me. “Then the armor would be forced to come apart accordingly–judged in part by the emergency shut-down protocols.”

I groaned softly then.

“I know.” I muttered in a haze of excruciating pain. “It is not thee fault, Seth. I do not blame you for not trying your best.”

“Sometimes, that’s all we can ever hope for, my mistress.”

The ice strand holding me stretched a little, and I knew–despite Sula’s best efforts–there would be no meeting with my Creator the way I had envisioned it.

The slime-covered tentacle wrapped around my arm let go for a instant, only to grapple around my middle–and began its tug-of-war anew.

* * *

In the instant Susha and I collided, a quick claw swipe sent my Crush Cannon flying upwards in a spin–only to land in the back of us with a deafening crash!

The Ancient took another follow-up swipe and I was sent backwards onto my butt. I crashed onto the deck with a thunderous pall, but I was more surprised than damaged in any way.

I got back up quickly and intercepted the next strike–immobilizing his arm at the wrist–but completely forgot about the tail!

I could not hold him and thus dodge his massive appendage at the same time, and something on Argus squealed with a terrible crunch!

The world spun abruptly sideways, causing me to fall again with a resounding crash!

But no sooner had I come to rest did Lucrecia bulldog the Ancient when he least expected it–throwing Susha clear across the deck’s wooden plating, and up into ship’s large forecastle up on the bow deck.

The structure collapsed unto itself in a cloud of wood debris and dust–burying the dragon right where he lain.

I shook myself awake–finding that the damage had come from the left side–near my kidneys. The pain was surprisingly light, but Merlin told me that repairs where underway and Argus would soon function again.

I silently thanked God and my father for allowing me such a chance to fight a worthy opponent–and openly blessed Merlin for his timely assistance.

“It is what I was programmed and designed for, my lady.” My wrist-comp returned. “A servant of your family and your personal guardian at times.”

“Truly!” I breathed with excitement in my voice–just as the shattered and broken forecastle began to move on its own accord; signaling to me that the battle was far from over.

“Time to end this cat and mouse game.” I declared to Lucrecia, watching as Darla entered my view. The damage to the Firestorm mecha was significant–judging by how she wobbled and then limped over to us–but she didn’t appear any worse for wear.

“I can still fight.” The woman said from inside the Firestorm. “I can do much more than project anti-fire barriers and force shields.”

“Huh?” I said, blinking my eyes in disbelief. “Come again? You can do…what?”

“Aye. I can fight.” Darla said with proud stubbornness. “This machine is much more than it looks.”

“How so?”

“It is the Berserker’s main weapon.” Lucrecia revealed to me, just as Susha shook himself free of his own man-made imprisonment.

I was at a clear loss, even as the Ancient dragon ambled its way down the broken steps of the ship’s bow with grace and remarkable agility. The glorified beast was sporting some wounds of our battle thus far to date, but he still looked willing and able to fight.

Bad news for us? I thought. Just how much will it take to put away this creature?

“Well, whatever you got,” I said; watching Susha take up a strike position about 100 yards abreast of me. “You’d better hope and pray to the Divine One Himself that it works.”

“In that case,” Lucrecia was saying. “Can I borrow the use of your Crush Cannon?”

“Sure,” I answered distractedly–keeping a mindful eye on my enemy. “If you think it’ll help. I only managed to wound it so. But not enough to take him out totally from the fight.”

The Berserker transformed right then back to its Battloid Mode, and reached down to pick up the weapon in question.

At the second Lucrecia did, Susha charged us without warning.

I screamed out one at the same time–managing to dodge its incoming attack–but spun around and grabbed the giant dragon by its sides; arresting its forward motion for just a second, and then flung Susha up into the skies above us.

“Hammer time!” I yelled out, and a thick-edge sword appeared in my hands–and I wielded it with a master’s flourish; before driving my point home:

I would not be defeated!

STORIES OF THE DEAD EARTH-BOOK 2: CHAPTER 39

2007-10-30T14:14:00.000-07:00

I suppose my father’s enthusiasm for the Ganthan project was a bit overzealous–considering the fact that in the last few rounds, I was only able to land so many light blows on Susha’s beautiful hide.

It was a shame–I reflected; while trying to catch the Ancient where he least expected it–that I would have to kill him in order to take his awesome power.

Only one of eight Ancients. I reminded myself again–taking up position on his aft quarter, while Lucrecia maneuvered around in the Berserker (Tank Mode) and lobbed off another quick shot.

Darla was less able to take advantage of the distractions the two of us provided and was hit again in the middle. The Firestorm went down in a shrieking crash! of metal–and for a second–I didn’t think she would rise on her own accord.

The dragon’s power and agility was awesome, but I was certain that–in my Ganthan configuration–I could easily take him out without sustaining serious damage to my fifth-generation power armor.

Lucrecia transformed back into the Berserker’s Battloid configuration and went to assist her downed sibling.

At this point in the fight, Susha pulled something new out of his hat, and I was suddenly on the receiving end of something called Heaven‘s Rain.

The skies above me opened up like a flower, and suddenly I was showered with a series of high-speed meteor impacts which buffeted me like no tomorrow. Lucrecia took some lingering hits while moving to shield her sister at the last second–and the Berserker was left sparking and a bit wobbly as a result.

I checked my HUD displays and found some damage myself, but nothing which would cripple me in the onset.

I was still mobile, still active.

I could still act.

And I did.

“Merlin: Engage Ganthan’s “Argus” option.”

“Affirmative.” My wrist comp replied.

I turned away from my opponent for just a moment to collect myself-to prepare for the next level of combat. Whilst it was true that I would sustain very little damage as a result, playing around with an Ancient in such insignificant power armor would be akin to a gnat trying to topple a Giant Were Bear in Snowcap Valley.

I was that gnat.

So in order for me to get the drop on Susha, I would have to be better than him.

Faster.

“Stand by.” Merlin told me. “Ten seconds.”

“Giving up so soon, child?” Susha goaded me openly.

I shook my head as I silently counted down the time, not wanting to give away my advantage too early.

“If I did that, I wouldn’t be much of a worthy adversary, o’ Ancient One.”

At this point, my Ganthan armor split apart–leaving me momentarily suspended in mid-air.

In the few seconds I got a look at the Ganthan option, I could sense that this mode was also compatible with my Argus and Prometheus power armor configurations.

Each piece spun away from me in a wide arc as my fifth generation armor morphed into something much larger than I was before–twenty feet tall to be precise.

Great armor segments merged with my small feminine form and I soon took on the appearance of a giant human-sized robot with a lot of special options available to me.

A shield appeared in my left hand and a high-powered Crush Cannon in my right. Two shoulder-mounted missile launchers appeared and mated on each side of my head, while a small energy cannon embedded itself flawlessly in my chest plate.

Susha looked at me in surprise. I was half his size now, but to him, my bulk was more of a liability than an asset.

Or so he thinks! I thought from inside my protective armor cocoon–waiting for him to take a swipe at me.

I side-stepped my way towards Lucrecia and Darla–glancing back only briefly to see how the two were doing.

“You okay?” I asked, just as the Ancient dragon charged.

I turned just in time to see the dragon’s claws come at me like drawn swords and daggers–mouth open and ready to tear me apart without hesitation.

I leveled my Crush Cannon and smiled.

“A worthy opponent never leaves her guard down.” I stated simply and pressed the trigger.

A tremendous shockwave greeted both me and him at the same time–as a large bolt of destruction nailed the Ancient point-blank; punching him backwards like a toy cart with very little effort.

I saw blood and gore fly at the same time that he did and had a moment’s worth of regret in doing this.

But the rules were rules. There was nothing which I could do to change that.

A loud roar echoed across the deck as Susha struggled to get back onto his feet.

“So you have teeeeth…after all.” The dragon said through clenched jaws. And staggered about like a bar-hopping drunk. “I find that admirable after all.”

I inclined my head only slightly in response.

“And you are a worthy foe. I am impressed by your tactics and battle wit.” I said, raising my Crush Cannon. “Shall we continue unabated?”

Susha stared at my weapon, before shuddering a bit. Not from cold or nerves. But because the shock of my weapon had caused his nervous system to rebel.

And for an Ancient, it must be a significant thing–to be affected by a mortal’s weapon like this. I reflected.

“Yes. Let’s.” Susha said, and he charged me just as I aimed my Crush Cannon at him once more…

STORIES OF THE DEAD EARTH-BOOK 2: CHAPTER 38

2007-08-31T20:51:00.000-07:00

Sula canvassed the small air duct carefully–looking for signs of any of the creature’s residue. She found some concentrated in another air conduit–indicating that the thing was actually making its way out of the Main Engineering spaces.

But at a slow and steady pace.

Where this thing going? The spider asked herself. What is more important on this dead world that this thing needs to leave?

Sula continued to tread carefully through the softly padded ducts until she came up at a three-way juncture.

It was pointless continuing the attack. Nothing she had in her impressive arsenal was enough to put a dent in the thing down below. In more than ten minutes time, she had ceased her assault and jumped into the nearest air duct–scurrying up the walls and into the ceiling like any good Ice Spider.

“Which way shall I go?” Sula asked herself, before placing the finely tapered points of her fingers on the first passageway–the right one.

Closing her eyes, she gently began tapping them in a singular, fluid motion.

After a few moments, she stopped and then opened them.

“Not this way. There’s nothing there.”

She tried the second one.

Same results.

There were no noticeable vibrations coming in this direction either.

“So the last one–?” she thought out loud; placing a hand on the duct’s cool metal surface. But before she closed her eyes, she already got a steady drumming sensation. A type of frequency vibration which elicited some familiar pangs in the pits of her stomach.

The kind typically associated with prey.

Food.

The ice spider’s organ growled in response to the hopeful stimuli, and it was very rare that she would pass herself up a free meal.

Even if it one that she could not readily identify.

She continued to softly drum her fingers in a steady rhythm–trying to sort out exactly what it was which was coming down the other end in such a mad rush.

Someone or something which is either trying to escape, or…? The woman analyzed; wanting to desperately hold off her hunting/killing instincts for just awhile longer.

In the pitch black darkness, the woman backed up just a little bit–intent on spring a trap on whatever was closing in on her position.

In just a few seconds…she quickly thought to herself–arm cocked back, her body tense and ready to strike.

Whatever came up almost escaped her notice. But a millisecond later, instinct kicked in and she lunged–grabbing a hold of something both soft and strangely made of metal.

“Ahhh!” The metal’s owner cried out in a high-pitched tone.

Sula let go almost immediately–and her fangs slowly retracted and folded back just under the roof of her mouth.

“Sorry!” She broke out in apology. “I just thought– ”

“Thought what?” I said. “That I was someone else?”

Embarrassment flooded the Ice Spider.

“Uh…no. More like…food.”

I shuddered inwardly–thinking that I almost had become a meal for a cold and calculating spider.

“You eat…humans?” I asked with a bit of sinking dread settling into the pits of my stomach.

“In the past.” Sula admitted. “But it’s been thousands of cycles since the last time any group of humans has crossed our path.” She paused and then added, “Back then…times were different. We were more of a predatory species. Preying on anything which moved.”

I sat back to rub the back of my leg–still feeling the spider’s strong grip on my tender flesh.
I listened as she continued her little story.

“–it took us many hundreds of cycles to become a more logical and sedate race. Of course– by that time–our climate had already gone into yet another shift. And the weather grew oppressively cold by then. The bulk of our population died off as a result. But the survivors become Burrowers, and we lived a lifetime of constant isolation. There was nothing for us to do, but wait for a time. Many more cycles passed. Slowly–through the generations–we evolved and adapted to our harsh and unforgiving environment.”

“And the humans came?” I asked in all patience–finding the story to be fascinating to say the least. None of my educational holo-interfaces could come close to the truth.

I always grew up believing that the Ice Spiders were a malevolent race–and I spent hours fantasizing about killing a few in the name of honor and glory.

“Yes. The humans came. A small band of them from the Outer Marches–which linked our lands to another–drifting–island land mass.”

Tens of thousands of years ago…I thought.

“We didn’t know what to make of them. They seemed so…” the ice spider stopped for a second; searching for the right word. “Primitive.”

“Much like yourselves?” I mumbled out loud, then clamped my mouth shut instinctively.

Sula didn’t say anything for the longest time.

“I am sorry–” I began quickly. “I did not mean–”

“No.” Sula returned gently. “You have no reason to feel ashamed of your words. They speak the truth about what we were back then.”

“Savage?” I tossed out carefully–hoping not to offend Sula in any way.

“We were beginning to come out of our last hibernation period–one which lasted 400 cycles. At this time, we had found ourselves…transformed. From the brown Tree Spiders we were, to a new species borne out of the Ice. And with it, our understanding and realization of the world around us…changed. We suddenly became more attune to our surroundings. And so, we ventured out from our long dormant hunting grounds, and into areas which we would soon fashion our new homes in the cold ice itself–as the world we once knew no longer existed.”

“It must’ve been hard.” I said in a supportive way– trying to visualize first the cold expanse surrounding what would be called the Caves of Ice– with all those Ice Spiders scurrying across the ice itself.

Perfectly invisible.

Perfectly camouflaged.

Trying to survive.

“Aye. It was, child. It was. At this point, we had no idea whom we might come across. But I can safely say that I don’t believe in all of my heart that the humans didn’t either.”

“Can you remember what they looked like?”

“A sorry lot. Much worse for wear than you are to me presently. All dressed in furs of some dead creatures, and carrying sticks with sharpened stone points.”

“Ancient Human?” I asked, thinking back to the legends of proto-humans which used to roam this Dead Earth unchecked–long before the reign of King Richard the Infinite First.

According to my study texts, they came just prior to the rise of the First Age of Civilization.

“No. They did not bear the stigma of their ancestors. That much I am certain.”

“So where did they come from?”

“It is our clutch sisters beliefs that these humans originated somewhere in the Forgotten Lands. Just outside the Knowledge Tree.”

I stared at Sula in shock.

“E-Eden?” I whispered.

“No.” The spider laughed gently. “That place is only reserved for those righteous and noble souls. These pitiful excuses for humans did not share those qualities. In fact, we got a sense that these human were more animalistic in nature. Possibly barbaric. They shared no such qualities of civilization. And the stench of death was always hanging around them at every turn.”

“Survivors from the Old Civilization?”

“Possibly. But we weren’t too sure.” Sula answered.

“So what happened?”

A soft sigh was heard in the small confines of the air duct.

“We didn’t expect them to attack so soon. We had hoped that we had enough jump time to get to our new nesting areas–but that wasn’t the case.”

“Did the humans die?”

Another sigh.

“Yes. They did. After seven hours of intense combat.” Sula said softly. “But so did seven of us. The humans were more powerful and aggressive than we could ever believe.”

“Then what happened?” I asked.

“We managed to locate a suitable nesting area for our wounded brood. It was there that we spent the first 100 cycles on the lookout for any more of you…humans.”

I fell silent as I listened and felt the words come crashing down upon me like lead weights. I felt Sula’s old and raw anger, and knew how distressed she was over having to relive such an ancient memory.

One thing about Ice Spiders that I did learn as a child: Their genetic memories always carried over from one generation to the next. It was how their racial history was preserved. Us humans just made simple journals in which to make entries; write lengthy books on how long we lived. But these Ice Spiders were different. They had little use for technology–though what developed later was more for a defensive art, than a practical one.

“Did we…ah…come?” I asked tentatively.

“A few. But none stayed long. In fact, other than the Hamagi–we were left to our own devices.”

“The Hamagi?” I croaked in pure astonishment. “You met them?!?”

“Yes. Many cycles ago. 500 to be exact. They preferred to keep to themselves, but one of their kind happened to stray into our territory by accident. At first–we thought that they were another one of those…humans which we had sparse encounters with off an on for a couple hundred cycles before that. But these…people were a different kind of human. So spiritual in nature–so in one with their surroundings, we could not believe that such a harmonious existence was possible. But here was one such example. And it left us very much in awe of the fact. This encounter with what we called ‘The Enlightened Ones’, left some of us to rethink our reasons for total isolation. Aside from our sour encounters with your kind, we felt that it was just too long a time to continue our path. So a few of us journeyed back with the Hamagi male–after taking your form.” Sula explained to me in great detail.

I sat there–absorbing everything she said like a sponge. I just hoped Seth was getting this all in his memory banks. This information would certainly turn a few scholars on their ears for sure.

“And…?”

Sula suddenly got up from where she had spent the last twenty minutes crouched.

“We spent the next ten cycles living amongst the Hamagi. In complete peace and harmony with a people whose understanding of this world–you call Dead Earth–stretched far beyond what we could possibly dredge up on a cold winter’s day.”

I felt her slim body brush past mine and immediately got a sense of where she was wanting to go next.

“Uh…I just came from there.” I pointed out helpfully. What about the rest of the tale? I thought with some growing disappointment. It was getting good!

“Is that so?” The spider replied jovially.

“Yes. I’m looking for a way into the Main Engineering spaces.” I said, my heart pounding within my breast.

“You’re in luck.” Sula said. “I just came from there.”

“So why are you here?” I asked, thinking: Is she going to pick up where she left off?

“I’m trying to determine how far this creature’s bulk extends. The conduit I came out of had some residue from the monstrosity, but I don’t know if it new or old.”

“Why?” I said, before backing up a bit to get some better leg room. There was no way in hell I was going to be able to turn in this tightly packed space. “And when are you going to finish the story?”

“Impatience of youth,” I heard the spider mutter under her breath. “So easily distracted, so impossible to please in this day and age. It’s a wonder how you survived at all, Jasmine.”

“Huh?” I went, not sure what she was driving at.

“Your own heritage is as clouded and confused as the young one we ran across at the beginning of this adventure.” Sula said. “And yet–like she–you also try to hide the fact that you’re also of royal station.”

“I–” How does she know this? I wondered–perplexed.

“I possess some mental abilities, young one.” Sula second-guessed me before I could even ask. “Your mind is open book to me. And while some of your past has been blocked off, your most recent memories of flight and then fight. Like the young one before us, you were also…orphaned by the war. But unlike she, you spent most of your time in pursuit of justice–only to find out the truth about your tormentors.”

Memories of my encounter with Darandal suddenly surfaced hot and bitter inside my head.

“Yes.” I answered in a thick voice. Distracted from my goal, I asked then: “But who is this ‘she’ that you keep referring me to? It’s like you know that I know who she is!”

“Not so fast, child. You aren’t ready to face the cold truth of that reality, just yet. Suffice to say, the young one I speak of and yourself in particular have a lot in common–as two scorned women go these days.”

“And that is?”

“That you believe what you desire is rightfully yours.”

“What?”

“Revenge.” Sula revealed coolly. “The one thing which keeps the fire alight in your hearts.”

I was about to say something right back at her, something which told me deep down was a liar’s lie, but that was before my hand encountered something soft and giving.

I groped around for a second and then said, “What the–?”

In that instant, a tentacle shot out inside the deceptively tight confines of the air duct and quickly snaked its way around my arm.

And pulled.

Right off balance I went, screaming my bloody lungs out in a mixture of shock and terror.

“Halp!” I screamed off kilter. “Help me!”

STORIES OF THE DEAD EARTH-BOOK 2: CHAPTER 37

2007-07-29T00:30:00.000-07:00

Of course, the ‘rescuing’ part was easier said than done. The creature sitting so obliviously in the Main Engineering spaces wouldn’t let Qaita or Sula near the prisoners.

Having leaped down after trying an aborted rescue, the second spider gave her report to her sister.

“It is of no good. They are alive, but wedged in tight by some kind of viscous strand which is three times stronger than our best webbing.” Gheri told Qaita with some concern.

“Impossible to snap?” The other woman ventured.

“I cannot say without risking further life or limb, dear sister. That thing in back of us certainly doesn’t like being disturbed or its live prey released from their own confinement.”

Qaita didn’t know what to do next. All attacks against it had proven to be a failure. There was no real point in continuing to attack, retreat, and then attack again.

But luck and the Great Egg Mother’s guidance had proven to be on their side: Once they stopped surging against it, the creature unexpectedly lost interest in them– even though it lost some of its overall capabilities.

Qaita sat down on top of the resilient jelly-like skin, and waited for her other sister to return.

“We’re not attacking?” Gheri asked in puzzlement.

The woman brushed her hair out of her face tiredly.

“No,” she whispered. “Not against this thing. I grow weary of trying to tame its ferocious nature.”

She heard her sister utter some kind of pouting noise; akin to a human’s exclamation of deep disappointment.

“It doesn’t mean I have lost my will, sister. It is because every attempt we’ve tried has been met with utter failure. A straight-forward attack gains us nothing. We must bide our time for a bit and then try something else.”

“The Attack of the Triad?” Her sister questioned hopefully.

“I can’t say for sure if that attack will be as effective against something of this size.” And it requires us to be in a refreshed state as well as linked as one in mind, body, and soul. And since we aren’t, we can’t use it! The spider reflected dourly. Does Gheri even know this, or…?

And looked back at her.

But the woman said nothing in return for a moment or so.

“Are you saying that we can’t?”

By the Great Egg Mother! She hissed in silent frustration. Is she that stupid?

“Do I look like I can mount such an effort?” The spider said with blunted truthfulness.

“You’re tired?” Gheri responded with equal amazement.

Qaita just stared at her and then shook her head in muted annoyance.

“I am old, Gheri. You and Sula are not–even though you tease her about it incessantly. I just don’t think that I can carry out such an attack. Not like the Attack of the Triad.”

“So…?” Gheri began attentively.

“I must rest if I am to continue.” The spider said, folding her legs and arms against her chest.

But how was the question. This creature was like none other the Ice Spiders had faced. And they now needed either a new plan or avenue of opportunity to succeed, or…?

Someone else to throw in with them.

* * *

I tapped the side of another hatch–hoping and praying that this one open. But to my surprise, the damned thing buzzed angrily at me in response–refusing my requests for entry.

I fell back in profound puzzlement.

“So how in the world did Qaita get in–if I can’t?” I asked out loud.

“Perhaps one of the ventilation shafts?” Seth innocently suggested of me. “I can direct you to any of the four currently connected to the Main Engineering spaces–and they will lead us inside.”

Seeing how I was running out of options, I didn’t bother to argue the point with my companion.
Seth directed me to the nearest ventilation duct–which was one level up, and about 100 paces forward. I found the grate with ease, and tugged off the mesh covering which held the thing in place.

The metal thing fell to the floor and I pushed it aside.

Just then main power flickered and came back on–bathing the once darkened corridor in a fierce light.

I squinted and turned my head away from the painful glare; blinking twice to get rid of the afterimages, and then some more to allow my eyes to adjust to the increased lighting.

“Well. Something works around here…finally.” Seth commented mirthfully.

“But did it have to be now?” I complained, still feeling half-blinded. But soon, I could see the tips of my armored boots, and then realized I was still in my Valkyrie Mode.

It would be impossible for me to get through without getting stuck in the process.

“Disengage the Valkyrie option, Seth.” I asked of him. My wrist-comp did so and my armor reconfigured back to its old 5th-gen self in a matter of moments–allowing me full access to a space that was no bigger than a couple of feet high and four feet wide.

Still…

The small space afforded, made me wonder how Qaita managed to get through without incident.

She certainly wasn’t a small Ice Spider when I saw her in the decks below us–fighting that Grand Dragon Elemental. I thought to myself–then began the arduous process of crawling through the connecting air duct. So how did she do it?

* * *

Kissing the cold wooden decking of the Esmeralda Jasmine was the last thing I had in mind. Truth be told, I had tripped at the last moment–while trying to escape Susha’s levied firestorm–and fell squarely on my face.

Bruised and a bit bloodied, I picked myself up, and looked around.

A wall of fire surrounded me–cutting me off from my two friends, but not my foe.

The Ancient Dragon reached down to bat me one–right into the wall of flame–but I surprised him by whipping out my Sansui sword and sinking the blade right into his claw.

The beast roared in both pain and surprise at my sudden tactic, and I pulled free my weapon before he took it upon himself to rid me of my most prized possession.

Then I got back up to my feet, and staggered around a bit–trying to regain my balance and my composure.

“Definitely not one of my better performances.” I muttered to myself; thinking how my brother would hound me for this mercilessly. There were a few times when he and I would practice our swordsmanship skills against each other–only to have him come up as the victor.

Only because he liked toying with his younger sister! I thought with some residual anger. There were times when I hated him so because of what he did on those few occasions, but the love in my heart would not be so easily extinguished.

I still mourned his loss as any surviving sibling would.

But my thoughts were cut short when Susha actually backhanded me through the firewall.

So quick and fast that the flames didn’t have the time to consume me at all.

I ended up sprawled across an unmarred portion of the deck–moaning and groaning all at once.

“Ah-ha-ha…ow…” I mewed softly–thinking about how much my own body hurt. I winced as my insides twisted themselves painfully about. For a time, I didn’t think I could’ve survived a full strike with any kind of beast–even with my 5th generation power armor.

I had feared being exposed and naked out in the open without some kind of protection. But now…?

I was.

The blow had left me badly stunned–even with the full protective capabilities of my armor.

“Whuh…wow…” I dragged out with a grunt of admiration, feeling the tight cramping pain in my stomach and then radiating outwards to my sides–where my left side seized for a second–sending even more chortling discomfort my way.

“He hits…brutally…for an Ancient.” I wheezed to myself, before opening my eyes tentatively–and finding myself staring at the fine wood grains of the deck itself.

Flopping over, I tried to get a handle on my pain.

“Oooh…” I moaned.

The deck thundered and then heaved beneath me as the Berserker took one step forward to engage Susha. However, the first thrown punch of the day–at the Ancient dragon–the salvo from the 12-inch plasma pod merely passed through without incident.

It exploded with raw fury behind the dragon.

I was left to blink with unabashed astonishment.

“T-that cannot be!” I stammered in fear. “How can you possibly not be affected by something as massive and large as a Berserker?”

Lucrecia backed up her reconfigured Berserker–in its Battloid mode–clearly wondering the same thing.

“Shifting to Tank Mode.” She said, and then transformed right then and there–each piece of hardware reconfigured back into a proud, one-story war machine packing heavy amounts of firepower.

The tri-barrel which was the two separate gun pods fired again–this time as a consecrated beam of high energy plasma.

The shot bloomed right through as Susha phased out of our plane of reality, and into one which I could only hazard a guess.

It is no wonder there isn’t a full documentation of this creature’s overall abilities! I thought with naked admiration. This thing is able to nullify our attacks simply by adopting a different methodology!

But why?

Why can’t Lucrecia attack and be able to score a direct hit?

Another explosion erupted behind the dragon, but Susha himself remained unaffected.

Then I suddenly thought about what I did with my Sansui sword earlier–recalling how much pain I had inflicted by a simple plunge of my hallowed blade.

I doubt that the Lord Himself has made it that easy for an Ancient to be defeated–since they all share the same righteous plane of existence. I continued to silently analyze as Lucrecia backed up even further.

Susha then counterattacked with another blast of flame towards the helpless mech. But this time–with Darla at the controls–the Firestorm entered the battle arena, and projected a fire-nullifying barrier.

The stout flames washed over the pair, but did no damage to the Berserker itself.

I stood back and wondered if fire and physical attacks were the only method of attack which Susha had at his command.

Perhaps he does, but he isn’t going to share with me, I saw. Not unless I get into the battle and present myself as a more desirable adversary.

No. What was going on was more of a delaying tactic for us. I knew that Susha was serious about the battle. But judging by his look of surprise, I don’t think that he was expecting the Firestorm to deflect even his most strongest fire attack.

I sheathed my Sansui sword, and looked down at Merlin only to find that same mysterious ACTIVATE light blinking over and over.

I tapped the still lit paneled button, and a three-dimensional image of a more streamlined– and somewhat bulky–power armor resolved fluidly before me. It stood at least ten feet tall and was cut to fit my size.

The word ACTIVATE? was just below the image.

It took me a moment to finally see what it was.

Ganthan? No! It can’t be! I thought in awe. It was something that my father had been working on in his spare time–an armor augmentation program of incredible power!

But I didn’t think or dream that he had interfaced it in my fifth generation armor!

“Merlin?” I began slowly. “Why didn’t you tell me that this was part of my armor’s capabilities?”

“I didn’t.” Was my wrist-comp’s defense. The lights on my wrist comp paused for a moment, then resumed on their own blessed accord. “But it seems as though your father has given you something special–should you ever need it.”

“So why wasn’t I aware of it?” I asked. “And for that matter, why weren’t you?”

Merlin didn’t say anything for a minute. I knew that he was thinking–reviewing what had been said, and what had been given to me as a gift?

“Your father was an innovative and mysterious man, Jeanna.” Merlin told me. “And the fact that both of us were kept in the dark about this new program, hints that Ganthan was only to be used in certain situations.”

“Not like my other armor modes?”

“Your other modes are easily accessible. This one is not.”

I looked up at Susha and it suddenly dawned on me.

“Could it be that Ganthan was only to be used when I faced a threat or challenge which could only be measured by all that is considered holy or sacred?”

Merlin had no answer me.

But seeing that Lucrecia was having no affect on the Ancient dragon, and Darla wouldn’t be able to lend much needed fire support, I guess it was up to me to even things out on the battle front. By joining in.

I touched the ACTIVATE? pad and a soft chime was heard.

The image of Ganthan disappeared, only to be replaced by a youthful image of my father.

I stood there, frozen in place; unable to speak.

“F-Father…?” I finally whispered.

He smiled at me–as if the years separating us was no longer a barrier.

“My daughter. Thanks in part to some temporal technology, I am able to record this one-time message for you–on the chance that one day you would find yourself in need of help–and your other armor configurations were not able to come to the rescue.” He said. “And judging by how things have gone from Merlin’s telemetry data, I’d say that the timing couldn’t be more perfect.”

Before I could respond, my power armor underwent an unexpected transformation on its own–as the binders holding them flew apart at the seam–and I suddenly found myself being encased in form-fitting armor components which wrapped around themselves lovingly around my arms, my front and back; while my neck and head became encased in a transparent helmet of some kind–reminding me of quartz crystal or even the finest diamonds.

By the time the process was finished, I was standing a full five feet higher than I was before, with holographic displays winking into existence before my eyes.

Including one of my father.

I gasped as I suddenly realized what my 5th generation armor had done–as I took one look at the large armored “arm” of my new Ganthan power armor, along with the wrist and hand gauntlet which now encased my right hand.

I flexed my hand experimentally–marveling at the change.

“Now you have more power to help you out.” My father said. “Take care, honey. I will always love you no matter what.”

And with that, the image of my father was lost to me forever–as I stood there on the deck of the Esmeralda Jasmine.

I hadn’t time to digest the sudden and rapid change taken place, nor did I have the moment to mourn another lost opportunity to reconnect with my past.

But I stood there–reborn into something that only God Himself could only guess at!

But the question on my mind was: Could I wield this new power given to me?

Susha caught sight of me then, and I him. And as both our gazes locked onto each other, a kind of uncertainty blossomed up between us in all of reality.

We would find out soon enough.

STORIES OF THE DEAD EARTH-BOOK 2: CHAPTER 36

2007-07-29T00:11:00.000-07:00

Lucrecia and Darla looked at me, and then back at the Ancient Dragon– wondering just what was going on.

“You know, girlfriend,” Lucrecia was pointing out from behind my back. “We don’t normally cavort with the enemy.”

“Get inside the Berserker, Lucrecia.” I said without taking my eyes off Susha. “Have your sister take the Firestorm.”

“For the love of God–why?”

“Because the battle will begin in mere moments.” The Ancient Dragon informed the two. “It would be better if you two had some means of defending yourselves.”

“From who?”

The dragon looked at the two of them with a twinkle of amusement in its eyes.

“From me of course.” Then it sharply snuffed! in their general direction–a thick stream of gray smoke belching forth from its nostrils. “This isn’t your typical social call, child. I have been summoned, and therefore, it is the Ancient’s duty to call the one who did the summons–to battle.” Then it looked down at me again; beholding me with some measure of concern.

“Tho’ it is a bit perplexing as to how one so young can summon an Ancient to a field of battle.”

“But it isn’t just any field, now is it?” I ventured forth. “This is usually the domain of Kurasha–the Ancient of Waters Edge.”

“Kurasha is unusually busy this time of year,” the dragon stated with some amusement in its voice. “She bade me to go in the place of her Higher Eminence. And since fire is my specialty, she and I agreed it would be a good test of my overall abilities.” Then looked around for a bit. “Though it is not exactly where I would prefer to be. I like dry land than all this soluble wetness.”

“Or the Fire Caves of Hernadas.” I opinioned respectfully. “Your once true home–if I am not mistaken.”

Susha looked at me admiringly. “You are well versed in the Ancient legends for someone so young. I praise thee for your boundless knowledge. Truly, you are wise beyond your years, child. I am deeply impressed.”

I bowed slightly from the waist.

“It is nothing, o’ Ancient One.” I said in a humbled voice. “I simply am a well educated sprite.”

“What trade are you? I smell the stench of Mother Earth on you, amongst the brimstone of the underworld, and the darkness of night.”

I bowed again.

“I am a Second Level White Magi Sorceress.” I stated with pride. “With some dabbling in the other arts of man as well.”

Susha bowed his head and looked me over–before catching sight of my Sansui sword.

“And a warrior too?” It asked in all curiosity. “That is no man’s blade, I can sense that much.”

“It was forged by someone special.” I said.

“Y’sen Taborah.” Susha said without hesitation. “An Ancient himself–who plied his arts into creating some really special and powerful weapons; used only by those of pure hearts and an innocence to match.”

“Y’sen was an Ancient?” I whispered. My uncle never told me that!

“Do my words surprise thee, young one?” Susha asked. “The old man himself has lived much longer than I. But whereas his mighty age has weighed down upon his body, his skillful arts have not. That sword of yours bears his handiwork. And I suspect that you were young whence you received it. Am I wrong?”

“N-no. It was a gift from my late uncle.”

“And from the Almighty Himself.” The dragon intoned gently. “Only He could give such a blessed mortal a portion of Heaven, and still be able to rule over all of Creation. Your uncle was a messenger of God. And through Him, your blood kin carried on down the family tradition.”

“Aye, tis true.” I replied.

“But today, is the day you will take my power and imbue it into that sword of yours. But I shant give it to you freely,” the beast said with a dangerous air. “The test of the One Who Knows is to see if he or she can handle the power. My power.”

At this summons, I was beginning to have some measure of self-doubt. There was no doubt that I could prevail in any given combat situation.

But against an Ancient?

The books did not say what the battle entailed, or whether or not there had been any other successful attempts from those who dared to try and ply the Ancients’ patience.

“Had there been any other successful victors before me?” I asked warily.

“None to my recollection. Most died from attempting to find all eight of us.” Susha told me with a casual air. “Not in the actual battle itself. I would count yourself lucky that the Grand Dragon Elemental had my calling spirit within him at the time. Otherwise, you would’ve spent all of your remaining years hunting and searching without success. It is very hard to find us.”

“Because you do not wish to be found?”

The Ancient Dragon laughed.

“Nay. It is because we sleep for all of eternity in places men fail to look last. They all believe that we can be found in the most common of places.”

It was then that I understood.

“Elementals.” I automatically breathed without thinking it. “Man thinks that if we look for you in those materials which call forth your existence, they can easily obtain that which will make them powerful for all of time itself.”

A soft wave of laughter greeted me as the Ancient Dragon enjoyed my dissertation.

“Such imagination, is it not?” Susha asked of me. “Tho’ I grant with a generous boon, mankind does have its allure. They can think and act in so many ways. In such manners and fashions. But they are still limited in their overall knowledge and thinking–cursed to handing out idle speculation and theories.”

“Aye.” I answered freely without shame. “It is because we are mortal. And therefore, subjected to our mortal ways.”

“And that is why I cannot bequeath you my power through the usual way of enlightened transference. Only through a physical altercation, can I deem you worthy of such responsibility.”

“I knew that.” I said with a measure of pride. “God Himself even told me so–through the old texts: ‘He who searches for ultimate power must find himself ready to fight for it in kind. Not for pride or selfish means, but for the purity of the heart, and the will of Me.’ ”

“And one who has been a messenger of the Lord, as well. Or known someone who has been. In your case, you are both: The child of God, and a lineage of royal messengers.”

I blushed a bit. “My station is little known to everyone around me.” I said–taking a look back at the Berserker and Firestorm standing pat just behind me. (Waiting with undulated patience–I might add.)

Susha looked at me askance.

“Truly?”

“Aye, Ancient One.” I said with some guarded embarrassment. “It is something which has caused me great pain and adulation.”

The dragon fell silent for a minute or so, and then nodded to itself.

“I can see that you are torn between the person you are and the person you wish to be. Very well. I won’t hold this contest back any further. Just be prepared for a worthy battle, child.”

I nodded–knowing what I would be up against with this Ancient dragon. Though some of his legendary abilities were catalogued, I found that there was much left to be said about him.

He did not like water, but preferred dry land. Fire was his natural element. But he could breathe it as well as take it in. I quickly analyzed. So where did that leave me?

I took one step back towards the Berserker and the Firestorm–intent on rejoining my comrades-in-arms.

But Susha surprised me.

He opened up with a cacophony of fire directly at me without warning. And the next thing I knew, was that the very air was being sucked out of my lungs with this new raging firestorm.

I fell–

STORIES OF THE DEAD EARTH-BOOK 2: CHAPTER 35

2007-07-28T23:34:00.000-07:00

Time was something we didn’t have in turns. No more than a few minutes had passed when we felt the Esmeralda Jasmine shift once more–this time to the right and more down in the water.

“Now what?” I heard Lucrecia comment aloud. “Is that bastard dragon shuffling around for a better attack position?”

I looked up as well; gauging my new foes reaction. So far the Grand Dragon Elemental hadn’t so much as moved its fiery butt one way or another. In fact, it seemed to be taking in its new surroundings with a bit of a perplexed and–somewhat–amused expression.

Then it suddenly dawned on me…

“Oh, you have got to be kidding me!” I said with obvious distress in my voice.

“What now?” Merlin queried.

“The dragon–” I blurted out.

“Yes? What about it?”

“I think it’s a Sentient!”

“It’s a what?”

“A Sentient!” I exclaimed in an excited voice. “One of the eight Ancients that used to inhabit this Dead Earth approximately 150,000 years ago!”

“That’s a long time.”

I nodded and then shuddered. “Too long…” I said with humble regret. “It was around at the Time of Celestial Reformation. When the Old Civilization was still here, but having faded into obscurity. So little of it remains even now, but there were legends and then stories of their existence to keep scholars guessing for centuries.”

“Funny how I don’t have that information on hand.” Merlin said in a miffed tone. “My files don’t contain any references to these so-called ’Ancients’.”

I walked towards the giant Grand Elemental Dragon slowly, taking in every part of its fiery façade. Everything about the legends appeared to correlate what was standing before me with impunity.

Or was it the other way around? I wondered, thinking that if it was he who thought the same about me.

“My father’s system archive kept out that bit of information,” I said quickly. “During the download.”

“How convenient.” Merlin retorted dryly. “I guess your father had little trust in a mobile wrist comp such as myself.”

“It wasn’t about trust. It had to do with the prophecy which came with the legends.”

“That an unlikely soul borne of a distant lineage would gather the Ancients together and form a perfect weapon to use against the spreading darkness that is Dead Earth–therefore transforming it into something else?” Was my wrist-comp’s semi-sarcastic response. “Yes. I can see why you put so much faith in them.”

“I can’t expect you to understand, Merlin. Just believe me when I say that we have found one of the first Ancients.”

“Does this Ancient have a name?”

I looked into the eyes of the Grand Dragon Elemental, and I knew.

“Susha.” I whispered.

The dragon elemental looked down on me, its head lowering just slightly, then it snapped its head back and roared one last time.

Then its body transformed right then and there–the fire extinguishing itself in waves–and before I knew it, it stood…

Satin black with some emerald-colored highlights sprinkled across its body in majestic sweeps of what I saw as an artisan’s brush.

It stood towering above me by at least several stories–much bigger than the ship’s tallest mast at its highest point–but it still didn’t look all that large in the conventional sense.

I thought–for an instant–that its impressive height was nothing more than a well-crafted illusion based on strong mental telepathy.

“So thee knows thy true name.” The Ancient dragon’s voice boomed across the still flaming deck. “For one so small and–” it bent down quite a bit to get a good look at me, then snuffed sharply–a waft of hot steam blowing past me. “-young.”

“You would be surprised, Ancient One.” I said in a small, reverent voice. “You would be surprised.”

* * *

I guess getting caught unprepared for what I saw, was strictly my fault. I had followed Qaita for as long as I was able. But unfortunately, she didn’t lay claim to the same…reservations which I had about getting to our said destination quickly and most efficiently.

Privately, I was amazed by the woman’s speed. Such agility and grace!

Then I had to remind myself that the Ice Spiders were a gifted people, and next to them, the human race was indeed standing still.

However, that didn’t mean I was a slouch either. I could move just as quick and fast if I wanted to.

So I tried to play Catch Up all on my own. But it became clear that I was losing the race as well.

After running about 500 yards, I came up short of my destination, and was left to puzzle out exactly where my spirited (and wayward) companion was.

“Certainly not here.” I said with a sigh of disappointment–noticing that the back way to the Main Engineering spaces was still open and clear of any enemy presence.

But once I got to the door, I noticed that the auxiliary access hatch was blocked by something huge, and…gooey?

“Oh, gross!” I grimaced–looking at the trail of slime which coated the facing door panel. It was nearly coated completely from my stand point, with only a few bare patches left for the usual idle speculation.

However, it became very clear that I could not get inside through there.

Nor was I about to use the door itself as a weapon and force my way in…

“Especially when I don’t know what’s behind this.” I said quietly. Then I glanced down at my wrist comp, and added, “Well?”

“Well, what?” Seth returned, askance.

“What’s behind this door?”

The lights played around for a bit, before Seth gave back this surprising answer:

“You don’t want to know.”

“Yes, I do.” I said.

“No. You don’t.”

“Yes: I do.”

“No. You don’t.” Seth challenged–pushing me back even more.

I caved in.

“Why?” I asked bluntly, not liking being told off one bit.

“Trust me. It’s best that you don’t ask, my mistress. There are just some things in this world which no human should reverently see on their own–without losing a grip on their sanity in the process.”

I looked around me for a second.

“Ooh-kay. So what good am I here if I stay pat?”

“Because 90% of the Main Engineering spaces are–shall we say–swallowed by whatever’s in there?” Seth revealed at the end.

It didn’t take me long to figure out what he meant by that.

There would be very little metal for me to use against whatever abomination which lain behind this auxiliary access hatch.

“No metal.” I said for the benefit of my wrist comp. But then I looked down at myself, and smiled.

“So? I still have my Valkyrie armor and then there’s my Griffon Assault Mode…?”

There was dead silence from my companion.

“I would seriously advise against using that option.” Seth warned me in all earnest.

“Why?”

“Because when you fall into that state of being, you lose all contact with the outside world–not to mention your humanity.”

“It’s only temporary. Not permanent.” I said. “And it would do some good than I am currently in my Valkyrie Mode–should I fail at that.”

“But you would be wild–untamed. And the last time you tried such a stunt–you left a quarter of the Pajema Province in ruins. Along with the city bearing the same namesake.” My wrist comp reminded me cautiously.

There was no mistaking that. The images of fire and destruction washed over me from three years previous. On a day which I would soon like to forget than to have a jolly repeat.

I was out of control…

I shuddered inwardly, and then sighed.

“What real choice do we have, Seth? I have to try everything which will help us achieve victory.”

“Using your head would be the most damaging weapon known to man.” Seth strongly advised. “This foolishness surrounding the Griffon, will most likely end up destroying the Esmeralda Jasmine in the process.”

My friend–and companion–did have a point. Using smarts would be more beneficial than running into the Main Engineering spaces half-cocked. But I just had this strange feeling that my Valkyrie armor-configuration would be essentially useless against whatever was in there.

Leaving me no option to face the horror of a decision which I had to make at the age of fifteen. (I was twenty-one at this point.)

It was at that point, I had a choice between living and dying, and in order to live, I had to embrace the beast which was inherently inside of me.

“I know.” I said, very softly. “But we may not have much choice in the end–should it come to that.”

STORIES OF THE DEAD EARTH-BOOK 2: CHAPTER 34

2007-07-28T17:14:00.000-07:00

Gheri launched herself again at the gelatinous mass–this time seeking its weak spot.

But the mass refused to capitulate to the Ice Spider. It continued to launch its tentacles and ‘feeler’ scouts at her and at her sister, but each attack like the last myriad of times had failed miserably.

Because it was a good time to be a spider. To be a part of a greater group collective.

And because Gheri now “knew” that this mass wasn’t truly alive at all. It didn’t have a consciousness, it didn’t have a sense of awareness, but it still acted supremely on animal instinct.

But it wasn’t an animal either.

It was what it was. What Sula had said earlier which was the truth: “This creature is from the darkest depths of this area. Something evolved from the smallest microbial bacterium imaginable–but accelerated by the magiks of this area and perverted by the Cloud of Despair.”

As thus, it could be stopped. It could be killed. But the trouble was, is that the whole mass filled up the lower holds comprising of the Main Engineering spaces.

And not only that, but the battle above their heads was becoming more and intense–possibly closer than the two spiders truly desired.

Sula landed next to her–coming to a soft landing and reported what she had found.

“The exits are now blocked. Even the one you made.”

Gheri stared at her in surprise.

“Surely that can’t be possible.” The spider whispered, fear grabbing a hold of her for just a moment before letting go.

“Then we’ll just have to find an emergency escape hatch.”

Sula shook her head in disagreement. “Sorry. But this class vessel doesn’t have such a design feature–at least one that I could not locate.”

“Blasted bulk must be suctioned right up against it.” The first spider formulated, recalling what she had found earlier. “That can be the only explanation.”

“Doesn’t help us any, dear sister.” Sula murmured quietly.

“So what do we do?” Gheri asked. “Everything we’ve tried has met with failure. This creature is simply too resilient to our combined attacks.”

“If only Qaita was here…” The second spider mourned. “Then we could try the Attack of the Triad.”

“Aye. That we could.” The other woman agreed. “Because the two of us wouldn’t have the same effect on it directly. We would need to combine ourselves and increase our abilities a thousand fold. It’s the only way we can–” and then abruptly shoved her sister away from her at the last second; as a tentacle suddenly laid claim to her and shot her up towards the ceiling at breath-taking speed.

Gheri plunged her hand into the tentacle itself and ripped a great big meat chunk of it out.

The mass screamed in pain for just a moment–which gave Gheri enough time to pry herself loose from her improvised imprisonment.

But in doing so, she dropped free and fell free through space. But a series of well-placed shots of ice strands criss-crossing the lower part of the hold created a natural bed of webbing which broke her plunging descent.

Boing!

Springy and oh so soft to the touch. Gheri felt like relaxing for a second–just to stretch out and relax.

Unfortunately, the gelatinous mass didn’t take to the idea that its prey was having an afterglow party of sorts–having somehow escaped its hold.

More “scouts” came forth, but this time the spider was ready for them. In one second flat, she leaped up and pointed both hands out towards them–acting like she was up against a wall.

But the truth was, was that she was going to create a wall for them.

Then she pointed one hand out towards the opposite side of the hold and fired a thick strand of icy webbing. Grabbing a hold of it, she did the same with the other.

Then once the “scouts” were within striking range, she opened her mouth and this fine–almost silky–webbing came spurting out in clumps. But even while her mouth was busy covering the little intruders with her own personalized entrapment silk, her hands were busy constructing the other half of a very oddly looking ball of webbing.

By now, the “scouts” were having a devil of a time trying to escape–as they thrashed about in a blind effort to free themselves.

But it mattered not. They would soon be hers.

A gift for Sula, perhaps?

That thought made her even more determined to make sure that none of her prey escaped her grasp. One almost did, but she had it quickly enveloped in a few more smothering layers of silk.
And very soon, most of those caught in her trap would be held motionless.

Gheri continued to work effortlessly; small beads of perspiration running down her all too human face. And in a few minutes more, the ball was a perfect ice-crystalline sphere of endless nourishment for both her and Sula.

The spider smiled to herself–endless feelings of joy and happiness filling her completely.

It is so much easier to give and love, than to receive in context. The woman reflected. And it is by my hands, that this gift be bestowed upon the one I love.

Then she raised her hand towards the ceiling and fired off a thin strand of ice webbing, before knotting the end into a small ball. Then she slaved that to the end of the sphere, and cinched it up in the blink of an eye.

Then she jumped up effortlessly towards the ceiling and completed the bonding process to the cool metal–making absolutely that her hard won prize would not be damaged in any way. More layers of silk finished the job she had started. And in no time at all, there was a small egg-like cocoon in the Main Engineering spaces.

Gheri went looking for more prey, but found only more trouble instead.

And not only that, but she also found…Qaita?

“Hello, bond sister!” The other spider said in a way of greeting.

Startled beyond reproach, the first spider looked at her like she was looking at hajia–a wandering spirit of the deceased.

“Q-Qaita?” She whispered out loud in the dark hold. Looking around in fear, she asked, “Where’s Sula?”

“I think she’s trying to find a weakness in this monstrosity.” The other woman calmly informed her–while staring up into darkness. “But it doesn’t appear to be one.”

“There is.” Qaita said with quiet relish. “The Attack of the Triad.”

“Ah. That maneuver.” Qaita said with a silent nod. “You know that neither I nor Sula have done it.”

“I have. With two of my other bond sisters: Jaia and Resha.”

“But those two were such idealists,” the second spider murmured. “They believed in things like unity. Sula and I did not share in such things.”

Undeterred, Gheri said, “I know. But I still need the two of you to work together. I wasn’t expecting us to fall into such a well-laid trap here, but we need to work as one in order to get out of this alive.”

“And rescue those who need saving.” Qaita added as an afterthought.

“Yes…” The woman said distractedly. “Rescue…”

STORIES OF THE DEAD EARTH-BOOK 2: CHAPTER 33

2007-06-30T22:40:00.000-07:00

The topside portion of the forward deck was in flames by the time Darla and Lucrecia came up–emerging from an escape hatch built in three meters from the hanger deck lift.

“You think you can get your large ass out of my face, dear sister?” Darla complained aloud, as Lucrecia was the first to take leave–followed by her younger sibling.

Lucrecia looked back at her archly. “Pardon? What was that snippy comment?” She asked.
Darla clambered up the last of the ladder rungs and heaved herself up–closing the hatch as she went.

“Your butt’s bigger than my Tomahawk’s.” Darla rattled off with quick amusement. “Ever thought of losing some of that excess ballast in that aft quarter of yours?”

Lucrecia speared her sibling with a look which could so easily kill the unwary.

“My shapely derrière is not bigger than your Tomahawk!” She growled.

Her sister gave her an engaging look.

“That’s not what Cook says.”

“Barsaid Cook?” Lucrecia bit out. “That little runt of a man wouldn’t know what a woman’s ass looked like if it bit him in the face.”

“But he does have great specs.” Darla sighed wistfully. “Even if he is a Dwarven human.”

“Just because one of his ancestors mated with an ogre doesn’t mean that he an expert on feminine beauty.”

“So?” Darla said. “I kinda like him the way he is.”

“Fine,” her sister said gruffly. “Then when all of this shit blows over, you can get Tiddus to marry the two of you off.”

“Not likely.” The younger woman said. “I may have a small crush on the mech-tech, but it doesn’t mean I want to be bearing his children.”

“No. You just want the ship master’s.” Lucrecia accused knowingly, the started out–navigating the first row of flames easily.

“Like you haven’t thought of it!” Darla screamed gaily at her back. “I’ve seen the look you’ve given the honorable ship master!”

“And…?” The woman’s voice carried back easily. “So has a few other women on board this proud battle wagon! You don’t see any of them falling over themselves trying to curry favor with him!”

“But I wasn’t the one who left him flowers that one time a few months back!” Darla continued to pry. “What would you call that?”

“Tiddus was sick that day!” Lucrecia countered with a rising blush–ignoring the nagging guilt she had felt that day after looking upon him with something other than professional shipboard etiquette. “What was I supposed to do? Leave his bed stand bare?”

There was silence from her sister’s end.

“Darla?”

Turning, the woman found herself staring back at her sister, but finding her frozen in place.

“Darla?” She called out again, this time in concern.

The expression on her face revealed her abject astonishment as her eyes took in something that both of them had seen before–but not like this.

“Oh, what now?” She continued to prattle on in exasperation. “Cat got your tongue?”

“Uh…” Was her sibling’s first response in the last couple of minutes. “Something more than that.”

“What?”

Darla pointed out something past Lucrecia’s shoulder then.

The other woman looked and gasped.

Right then and there, sat the Grand Dragon Elemental. Reborn and more powerful than ever.

“Oh come on!” Lucrecia breathed in dismay. “I thought Jeanna beat this thing?!”

* * *

I heaved myself up the same hanger deck’s emergency escape ladders the sisters had taken–taking one rung at a time.

But I was tired.

Drained of all my strength and energy.

That last battle with the Grand Dragon Elemental wore me out more than I thought. Every step I took was agonizing, torture even.

I didn’t even know if I could climb the five-stories up the exist shaft of the main hanger deck.

But at last thought, I reached over and activated one of the lifts–not caring if it was the right one or not.

I needed a break!

There was a deep booming noise below as the lift table began moving–followed by the horrendous grinding of gears being engaged for the first time in awhile.

The sound leveled off once things got moving. I did not know the final fate of Qaita nor did I know what would happen to Jasmine without my assistance. But surely none of those bastard Creepers would be that foolhardy to try and engage the two of them! I had thought–moments after we had parted company.

The lift ascended smoothly, and I soon found myself in pleasant company with one Berserker mecha and an even one rarer Firestorm-class pack mule. Not a true mecha by choice. The Firestorm was a utility-formatted machine which doubled the capacity of any mecha it was paired with.

And since the Berserker was in a class all by itself…? I thought as I waited for the lift to come up just a little–then jumped on–I wondered whose idea it was to link these two together?

* * *

Just then, the doors to the hanger deck opened up, and Darla was the first to be caught off guard by not just my appearance, but the two toys I had brought with me.

“Sakes alive!” the woman said. “I thought we had lost you?” She said, as she gazed at the mecha parked silently behind me.

I looked at Darla through the backlit flames and shook my head.

“No longer. I was just a little exhausted. That‘s all.” I said with some mingling embarrassment. To be reminded of my past failures was something I no longer use to tolerate. But times had changed and I had come along way from being a spoiled princess to an unmitigated warrior-slash-white magi sorceress.

Hopelessly orphaned and cut off from the world she once knew. I thought with heavy amusement, then looked up for a second at the skies above–before coming face to face with my worst nightmare come to life.

“For the pride of Heaven’s Gate!” I spat out angrily. “What will it take to rid this world of thee?”

So much for Jasmine’s Force Barrier doing any significant damage. I reflected inwardly.

The Grand Dragon Elemental roared in response–even as the quarter deck of the Esmeralda Jasmine continued to burn unhindered.

“Tiddus isn’t going to like this.” I muttered to no one in particular.

“And what would that entail?” Merlin chimed in.

“Damage control.” I responded. “With the quarter deck on fire–?”

“The ship isn’t in danger of sinking.”

I looked up at the Grand Dragon Elemental–three times larger than before–and probably more pissed off than usual.

“Not yet, Merlin. But give it time.” I answered.

STORIES OF THE DEAD EARTH-BOOK 2: CHAPTER 32

2007-06-30T22:18:00.000-07:00

Gheri kicked away at the grate holding both her and Sula back from entering the aft section of the Main Engineering spaces.

Neither of them of them had spoken much since Gheri confessed her love for her sister–along with the acts which followed; causing Sula to rethink her own feelings and desires.

“This metal thing is more stubborn than I gave it credit for.” Gheri was saying with dotted perspiration on her lovely face–interrupting Sula’s own private thoughts. “But have no fear, it will bow to my unerring strength.” She kicked it again. “Or will.”

Sula laughed as she continued to hammer away at it. Sooner–than later–the bolted grate gave way with a squeal of tortured metal and a loud clatter; as it sailed down into the darkness and hit something solid.

Gheri leaned back and kissed Sula on the cheek and said, “Wish me well, dear sister.” And jumped.

Sula reached out to grab her, but all she got for her efforts was a few strands of loose hair.

“Great Egg Mother…” She groaned. “By the Elders, she’s impulsive.”

* * *

Gheri landed without so much as a sound; ending up hitting something soft and giving. Something cold and slimy brushed her–causing the spider to react by jumping nimbly out of the way. But she ended up attracting the attention of something else. Something that wasn’t even of this world!

Several more tentacles shot out from the darkened depths, but the spider’s enhanced senses saw what was coming and avoided them with ease.

Something hissed in the background–much farther than she thought.

What is in this place? Gheri wondered, as more tentacles sought to either imprison her or worse. She could sense the attacks as they arrived, but for some odd reason, she couldn’t get an accurate “picture” of what in here.

The pathetic pale red lighting down below could not dispel the Cloak of Despair, but neither could her senses.

Naturally, hers were attuned to ice and light, rather than darkness. But she hadn’t hunted for a good long while either. Her ancestors on the other hand…?

The spider effortlessly batted away another tentacle as it came within striking range of her, but four more came at her with lightning speed, and it was only her senses which saved her from being caught.

Sula dropped in unannounced; bouncing lightly on whatever springy surface she had landed on.

“Seems as though we have a bit of a problem here, dear sister.” Sula commented dryly. “Did you rile the locals again with your bad jokes?”

Gheri blushed a bit at the jab; knowing that the last time she had attempted to “blend in”, led to a series of unfortunate events for the Ice Spiders–one that resonated long after the fact had taken place.

“No.” She said, even as more of the same attacks came at her. This time both women jumped out of the way.

“Mmm…” Sula murmured; seeing what her sister could not. “It seems as though we have some bigger problem than we thought.”

“Seriously?” The other spider came off sarcastically. “I thought these appendages just wanted to hold me, not kill me!”

“The appendages are just ‘feelers’–or scouts if you will. I don’t know if they have an independent will of their own. But they seem to be attracted by the slightest movement.” Sula analyzed. “And I’m sensing bodies above us and below, too.”

“The humans?” Gheri asked, dodging another attempt by the appendages. Several more homed in on Sula, but she had enough of these games and shot out some sticky webbing at them–binding them up. But she also took hold of their predicament and hurled them back to whence they came–by ways of an invisible strand from her fingertips.

Something thudded in the background and the hissing from whatever this thing was percolated into a gurgling roar.

Gheri looked at her sister with mild acrimony. “You just had to make it mad, didn’t you?”

“No choice in the matter. But I wouldn’t let this brief lull full you. There is more than just these four coming at us.”

“Come again?”

“There not ‘feelers’ as I originally surmised, but rather independently moving parts to this thing. I think–” she stopped for a moment to concentrate. “Yes…” she breathed. “This creature is from the darkest depths of this area. Something evolved from the smallest microbial bacterium imaginable–but accelerated by the magiks of this area and perverted by the Cloud of Despair.”

“And given form and abilities it shouldn’t have?” Gheri appraised in question.

“A gelatinous mass which feeds off the flesh and misery of others.” The second spider said.

“So what can we do?”

“We fight.”

* * *

I transformed into my Valkyrie configuration in the blink of an eye–becoming–once more–an earth-born angel.

Once I did, I launched myself into the air and swung my halberd at the Grand Fire Dragon Elemental–hitting with a crippling strike across its breast.

A gaping wound was opened up, but as soon as it did, it healed itself!

I hovered there, thinking that this wasn’t such a good idea after all.

Case in point: The dragon elemental took one swipe at me and I went flying head over heels–over Qaita’s massive body–before slamming into the side wall.

Sliding down, I heard Seth mutter: “Ow…”

Shaking my head, I couldn’t agree with him more. “That thing still packs a wallop–even in my Valkyrie armored configuration.”

“Elementals tend to do that, mistress. Their strength isn’t based on biological grounds, but more on the natural forces governing all the lands here on Dead Earth.”

I got up. Slowly. My body ached already in a few places that I didn’t think were conscionable. But the pains were there.

“So I noticed.” I said. “Any suggestions?”

“On taking on a Grand Dragon Elemental? Normally, I would suggest a massive ice storm, but since you are neither a master level white magi sorceress yet, or a master level blue magi wizard for that matter–?”

“But a techno-mage? Yeah. I’ve essentially screwed myself.”

“Not necessarily.” Seth informed me. “There is another option. And it involves the Ice Spider.”

I glanced over at Qaita and saw that she had already realigned herself to shield me from the wrath of the incensed fire elemental. I saw that there was only one left of its clutch, and that one was only faring just barely. The minor flame elemental launched another fireball at Lucrecia and Darla, which Qaita used a ice web shield to block it from. The salvo exploded harmlessly against the newly fashioned construct.

Jeanna was trying her best against the beast, but again, even her efforts fell short.

I could tell immediately that the Ice Spider was just toying with her prey–because I knew first hand the incredible powers that this beautiful creature possessed.

“So how does Qaita’s assistance help me?” I asked.

“She can amplify Jeanna’s most powerful Ice spell,” Seth told me flat out–just as the Grand Dragon Elemental launched itself directly at me, but Qaita was indeed much faster than I originally have her slightly bulky body for.

She used her forelegs to momentarily pin the elemental in place–intense fire licking at her ice-frosted body–then threw it back.

In the next second, she turned herself around and sprayed a powerful jet of ice water from her glistening spinnerets.

The intense gusher slammed the Grand Dragon Elemental up against a support wall while completely drowning out the last its minions.

There would be no assistance for thee! I vowed silently, while urging my companion on. Take that elemental out, sister!

But in the next instance, I knew that the Grand Dragon Elemental wasn’t beaten so easily. In the seconds following her impressive attack, the fiery beast backhanded the surprised spider sideways.

A cold breeze enveloped me in her passing, before she was brutally stopped by the wall and the hole which sought to swallow her in its inky darkness.

One could almost hear the laughter of the lapping waves situated around the Esmeralda Jasmine–treating the whole conflict as if it were nothing more than a joke of God Himself.

Naturally, I winced with great sympathy–wondering if my companion was injured or not.
But her departure from the equation gave rise to fear that I would be unable to beat this impressive monster on my own.

I raised my left arm and was about to switch my halberd to a final attack position, when I noticed that one of my wrist comp’s STATUS ACTIVE lights were blinking with persistent desperation.

“By the Blessed Forge of Gi!” I exclaimed. “Can it be–?” But all talk was cut short as the Grand Dragon Elemental reached forward and exhaled a great inferno of fire at me.

Of course, I had some experience in dealing with minor elementals before, but I didn’t think that my tricks and tactics would be able to hold such a gargantuan creation like this one at bay for long.

Oh well…I thought to myself, before holding my weapon out in front and spinning it as fast as my arms would go.

“§Oßþè01–Offer up thy protection: Force Barrier!” I called forth, and an illuminating bubble of magi and energy exploded outwards from the center of my halberd–intersecting that of the impressive fire plume being visited down upon me–while Darla and Lucrecia jumped out of the way to avoid getting scorched.

The ensuing inferno was quickly encapsulated by my Force Barrier, which I–in turn–snapped my halberd around and used it as a bat. Like any child would.

I hit the Force Barrier at its weakest point and launched my new weapon at my worst enemy.

The Grand Dragon Elemental took it full front–the force of impact punching it right through the retaining wall–and at least through two or three others.

Then I heard the ship shake for the longest minute imaginable.

I stood there and was in awe of myself. I didn’t think for a second that I could easily succeed against such a master fire elemental like a Grand Dragon.

The ship shook some more before something like a reverent phoenix-like creation was seen arcing up towards the heavens.

I caught sight of it as I looked out the now empty hole (towards the ocean‘s horizon)–a masterful plume of fire and energy like a living arrow.

Then it exploded in a raw display.

I turned my head away at the last second, before something grabbed me from behind–latching onto my armored ankle with incredible strength.

I screamed then, and then heard a familiar voice:

“Calm yourself down, child. It is only I: Qaita.”

“Yeeeow!” I exclaimed even more so with a panicked look. “For the love of God Himself, what are you pinning me down with?!? I cannot move my leg!”

Qaita chuckled, and then waved her other free hand. “It’s just my hand, young one. You are well anchored now, are ye not?”

“Aye,” I admitted with some embarrassment. “I am.”

“Good.” Qaita nodded with approval, then hauled herself up lightly. I glanced over the side of the ship and noticed a gorgeous strand of ice webbing attached to the sides of the Esmeralda Jasmine.

Qaita used the rest of me as a human ladder, and before too long, she was standing pat next to me–breathing just a bit heavily.

“Praise be to the Great Egg Mother for your assistance. She surely must think you two are so divine for assisting one of her beleaguered children.” She showered with unmistakable relief and happiness in her voice. “And I thank thee for all of your efforts as well. That Grand Dragon Elemental was a mite stronger than I believed it to be.”

“It was a master-level fire elemental.” Jeanna pointed out with a mix of wisdom and worry. Saying that made me think that we couldn’t have beaten it that easily.

The back of my head buzzed for a second, while the hairs on my neck rose in anxious fear.

“So it was.” Qaita confirmed for me lightly. “But still, you did conduct yourselves quite admirably.”

“Maybe,” I quietly said. “Maybe not.”

Qaita turned me around and looked at me. And read my face’s plastered uncertainty.

“What is the matter now, child?”

Before I could answer, the whole ship picked itself up just once and was slammed down into the waters of the Southern Ocean.

Gravity was nullified then as the motion picked me up effortlessly and tossed me aside. I ended up in a skid across the exposed hall–before being stopped rather cruelly by the side corner’s retaining wall, five meters downwind.

I was spun around like a top and before I knew it, I was begging anyone to stop my momentum before I ended up vomiting my guts all over the place.

Qaita was there in the blink an eye to steady me.

“T-thanks.” I croaked, feeling one wave of bile churn up inside me after another. It took all of my willpower not to throw up then and there. But Qaita looked at me with pity and said, “There is no shame in expressing yourself openly.”

It was at that point I quickly turned and threw up right then and there–with the Ice Spider gently holding me onto me with a comforting arm.

Darla, Lucrecia, and Jeanna–in the meantime–elected to go topside to see what the commotion was all about. While the first two had managed to hang onto dear life when the ship spasmed violently so, Jeanna wasn’t so lucky. But as a saving grace, none of them sustained injury to themselves or to their pride.

Unlike mine.

Qaita nodded silently; watching the trio vanish down the darkened hall. She silently wished them a safe journey, and then turned her attention back to me.

I had just finished blowing chunks all over the place; the sour and putrid smell of my stomach’s own contents very unappealing to my senses.

To say the least.

“By the grace of God…” I whispered in deep misery. “So much for my sea legs.”

“You’ll get them back, child. This was nothing more than a delicate upset in the natural balance of things.” Qaita offered with quiet support.

I thought otherwise. Everything had been so…burdensome as of late. And I didn’t believe that I would get one moment’s worth of peace on this seagoing battlewagon.

“I would trade all the dikaris in the world if I could escape this hellish nightmare.” I sighed, wiping my mouth of leftover spit and bile.

Qaita smiled gently.

“It’s almost over, young one. Why not call on your god for strength and courage for what is left of this adventure?”

For one second, dark thoughts entered my mind.

“God doesn’t seem to be listening to me as of late.” I muttered sarcastically, then got up on my own accord. “Jeanna’s more favored by His hand, than He is with me.”

The spider shook her head, bemused.

“So where should we go next then, young one?”

“Main Engineering spaces.” I said. “Jeanna’s more adept at handling whatever’s up there with her abilities. I can use the forged metal along with my Valkyrie armor configuration down below–with mine.”

“A techno-mage–?” Qaita began softly. “By the Great Egg Mother, I hope you are right.”

“I am.” I offered up with strong conviction, and started walking.

STORIES OF THE DEAD EARTH-BOOK 2: CHAPTER 31

2007-06-30T21:59:00.000-07:00

“Impressive.” I said with unmistakable awe on my part. Having sufficiently recovered from my earlier shock, I could not help but pay witness to Qaita’s heaven-inspired combat prowess.
With only one melee attributed to her, she was able to take out one of the fire elementals without so much as a scratch to herself.

“The battle does not end, young one.” She said. “While there is still five more to deal with.”

I looked and found that she was correct. Five remained.

But almost as she had uttered those words, two more replaced the one that had been snuffed out so graciously!

“My God…” I whispered; half in reverence, half in astonishment. But these versions of Jeanna were somewhat bigger than their brethren.

“What’s going on?” Lucrecia asked. Darla looked at me, and I shrugged.

“I haven’t the foggiest clue, Lucrecia.” I said with a nervous air. This could spell even more trouble for us all. The five–plus the two larger elementals…

My Lord in Heaven…give us strength! I silently prayed.

The smaller fire elementals attacked us all in one shot. Qaita moved with an adept’s swiftness to intercept first two. The other three charged my position.

I whipped out my sword in reflex anyways–knowing that it would be useless in such a fight.

The strike passed right through me, but my Angel’s Light shielded me from the worst. The same strike impacted on the fire elemental and “she” was shoved back–only to be absorbed by the larger one!

We all blinked.

“Ooh-kay.” I mumbled to myself in strong disbelief. “That was new.”

“Nothing like the Emperor Sea Snake.” I heard Darla mutter to her sister. “This elemental must be evolving to counter what we did earlier.”

“God…how I hate this.” She was saying. “These things always have a habit of one-upping us at every turn.” She sighed and then complained, “Why can’t we ever have a normal battle?”

I chuckled out of turn, thinking how funny that sounded. Not to mention how out of step this whole affair had begotten us all.

“Blame the Cloak of Despair.” I said to the two. “One of its many functions is to evolve the many minions it has under its wing. To best its attackers at every turn.”

“Then how do you explain the Creepers?”

“They…?” I ventured knowledgably. “Are maxed out. You see them as they are.”

“Wonder what they were before they were changed?” Darla questioned in turn.

“No one knows. The mariner legends aren’t very clear about this particular region.” Her sister filled in for the rest of us.

“Wonderful.”

The first Giant Fire Elemental stepped forward with its sword and slammed Qaita aside like she was nothing more than a leaf.

We all looked at that in abject surprise as she went flying backwards. But to our amazement, she landed nimbly on her feet.

“This one fights dirty!” she declared with a certain relish. “But so do I!” Then she chanted:

Great Egg Mother heed my cry, aid my fight with these three and I!

Above us, the web cocoon which held the defeated fire elemental split open and before we all knew it, a hoard of baby…spiders? came pouring forth in an immense tidal wave.

Qaita made a hand gesture and the tide whipped back and then fro–towards the Giant Fire Elemental.

The startled being couldn’t react fast enough as a massive wave of spider hatchlings impinged themselves upon the fire elemental. But instead of exploding in fire, the hatchlings began to cocoon the giant in quick succession.

Before our eyes, there was this egg being constructed, and in a flash, the task was completed.

To our collective gasp, Qaita hoisted the cocoon back with another invisible strand like it weighed absolutely nothing, and the prize was trapped above the ceiling–struggling to get free.

In a couple of minutes, it too stilled.

The second Giant Fire Elemental pointed its sword at us and a column of fire erupted from its tip.

I quickly cast the Reversion Wall once more, and this time, its own reflection managed to defeat its fiery counterpart with one fell swoop.

“Will more show up?” Darla asked worriedly–just as her sister fired on one of the other fire elementals. For some odd reason, this one crumpled and vanished in a wisp of flame.

Where was its Angel’s Breath? I asked myself. Could it be that–?

But my previous question was overridden by another concern: With the defeat of two Giant Fire Elementals, this left us with three to contend with. But would that mean nine more show up?

Or would it mean something else was about to show itself?

Sure enough, my fears were confirmed. Not only did nine show up, but the other three and they combined together to form something new. Something which I had only seen in magi textbooks.

A Grand Fire Dragon Elemental.

Proud yellow wings sprung forth, as the elementals colors went from vibrant orange to sun yellow in seconds. The dragon’s body ballooned forth; filling most of the hallway with its enormous bulk. More of the surrounding area caught fire, and from it, sprung these little dragon’s eggs.

And from this eggs, hatched mirror images of their parent.

“Lovely.” Lucrecia muttered sarcastically. “Suuure…give us something more difficult to beat.”

“Wind will no longer work, dear sister.” Darla said. “Change over to Ice now.”

But before either of them could do that, we were suddenly being pelted from behind by a cloud of ice and snow.

“What–?” I began to say, turning myself to see what was the commotion.

A giant Ice Spider sat behind us, its gleaming white-gray body covered in a thick layer of frost and another sheen of ice.

The beautiful creature’s front legs were weaving to and fro in rapid succession as a cloud of ice and snow continued to pour from its mouth.

~You are going to need my assistance, young ones~ The spider said in a gentile voice. ~I cannot do much in my human form. But in my natural state, I am more than a match for this Grand Fire Dragon Elemental~

The Grand Fire Dragon Elemental blew a massive tongue of fire in our general direction, but Qaita (I think it was her!) moved more quickly, and used her body as a shield against the onslaught.

All three of us half-expected the poor creature to be melted, but once the firestorm had been sated, it became clear to us that Qaita was more stronger than she appeared.

The column of fire didn’t do so much as scratch her!

“Whoa!” I quipped in shock; having pulled my cloak about me for extra protection. Our collective Angel’s Light was no longer effective in the presence of a master level fire elemental.

~Strength begets experience, child~ Qaita was telling me–tho’ I could not even see her mouth move in these lighted shadows. Once I did, I found that she didn’t have one.

How did she eat? I asked myself. But the answers to that question never came forth.

The baby fire dragons entered the fray and began hitting us each with small fireballs.

None of us took as much damage–seeing that Qaita’s bulk was still shielding us from the worst these little monsters had to offer us. Lucrecia and Darla completed their elemental transmutation spells to their individual weapons; each transformed with the power of ice.

Darla jumped in and attacked the left most dragon and cut it down with the greatest of ease.

The Grand Fire Dragon Elemental roared in both displeasure and pain. I’m sure that being connected to its clutch was doing more harm than good.

But with the demise of the first, the rest of the spores only grew in size. And so did their strength and power.

I tried to come up with some rational reason for what was going on. Why this continued on and on with no end in sight.

Would defeating these things end the threat? Can we still rescue Jeanna? I reflected.

The right two Dragon Elementals launched their attacks at Qaita–who once again used her body as a shield. The flaming salvos exploded against her; the flaming remnants washing themselves over us as a result.

The left two charged us directly and Lucrecia hit one with an ice shot from her transmuted pulse rifle. The impact stunned the dragon, but the effects were only temporary.

Shaking them off, the dragon tried again. Lucrecia fired off another shot–taking a glancing blow off the right side of the creature’s head.

The claw swipe following crushed the woman to the floor, and a follow up hit spun the woman around on her butt.

The rifle went flying.

“Hell’s spawn!” The woman cried out in dismay, scrambling to retrieve her stray equipment. “I just got that thing fixed!”

I looked over at Darla–whom shrugged–but said little else as the second dragon tried to take a swipe at her, but the newly formed ice sword nullified that strike with general ease.

Which left me.

Looking at myself, I saw that I had no choice in the matter. My battle-ax would be better equipped to face the dragon elementals at this stage in the fight, than the Sword of Jankus.

I backed away from Darla and took refuge behind Qaita’s massive form for a moment.

~What are you doing?~

“Changing back.” I said, before I closed my eyes and looked within myself once more to find the techno-mage in me.

In seconds, my garb of the priestess was exchanged for my 5th generation power armor.

And Seth.

“Can’t say that stunt worked well enough, mistress.” Seth was commenting airily.

I pulled out my battle-ax. “There will be other times, Seth. Right now, we need to finish this fight, and get back to the main problem at hand.”

“Agreed.” My wrist comp said. “And whatever happened before has ruptured the Cloak of Despair to a small extent. In this area, it would be possible to use Valkyrie.”

I looked down at my wrist in astonishment.

“Seriously?!?”

“Affirmative. But no more than ten meters outside this envelope. Otherwise the Cloak will nullify your armor’s abilities.” Seth carefully pointed out.

“But what about The Hole?”

“My sensors have indicated that the war galleon has progressed far enough out that this area is technically out of the Hole’s sphere of influence.”

Out of the corner of my eye, Lucrecia had made good timing and retrieved her rifle and was firing back with gusto.

Darla was fighting the dragon elementals on her own, but the Grand Fire Dragon Elemental had hung back from the battle–obviously content in the knowledge that its clutch could deal with some persistent little humans.

“Great!” I said with a gleam in my eye. Finally! I can get back to the business of kicking butt and taking names! I didn’t feel bad about asking for help from others, but there were some times when I really missed going back into the thick of things. Being able to add serious fire support.

This was one of them.

“Seth? Let’s get this party started: Valkyrie Mode; Firebird configuration.”

“Program initiated.” And my armor began to transform all on its own accord.

STORIES OF THE DEAD EARTH-BOOK 2: CHAPTER 30

2007-06-30T21:45:00.000-07:00

“You call this easy access?” Sula complained to her sister–whom had shimmied up the shaft with surprising ease. The dying emergency lamp provided only scant relief; as the Cloak of Despair was still in full operation–and just started to penetrate this part of the ship.

“If it works–” Gheri’s voice floated back. “Don’t tell me that you’re having problems, dear sister.”

“None at all.” Sula responded tartly. “I’m just not comfortable in tight spaces.”
“You did fairly well back in the shaft for the last six years…”

“Only because it was the only large area to accommodate my wide girth.” Sula answered morosely, but didn’t elicit a return response from Gheri.

She had already gone.

“By the Great Egg Mother.” The spider said softly to herself. “Why did you ever give life to something so…spirited?”

Of course, she remembered Gheri being such a lively and spirited hatchling–so many cycles ago.

As was she.

But that was a lifetime ago. And the years had been both kind and cruel at the same time. Life was like that–she knew. It could not be helped. Not when the Tapestry of Life was still being interwoven.

Sula hefted herself up, feeling the claustrophobic jaws of the shaft itself–as it squeezed itself all around her.

Sula flexed her shoulders and then her arms to that of a true-born spider, and soon she had ample space to move forth. But not much.

If I come across a bend in the shaft…she thought as she inched her way forth.

The emergency access hatch was their last resort on this level. The other option would be to traverse the cavernous hanger bay and into the other service corridor into the back way. But that would take more time than they thought they would have afforded to them.

“Gheri?” The woman called out. “Where art thou?”

“Ten meters ahead of you, dear sister. For someone so elegantly graceful–as you claim to be–you sure are slow.”

“Do not seek to blame me for my sojeth-like progress, young one. I am not as nimble and agile as I once was. The years have been unkind to me in those regards.”

“Ehhh…not my fault you stopped doing your combat regimens in the second cycle of our unintentional captivity.” Gheri’s distant voice filtered back–bouncing off the small confines of the shaft itself.

That’s when Sula’s head hit the top of the shaft unexpectedly, causing her to rear back in surprise–much less pain.

Still…

“Ow!” She seethed openly.

“Sorry! Should’ve warned you about the low overhead in the bend forthcoming, sister.” Gheri rang back, her voice getting much closer than it was before.

Sula rubbed her head. “Too late for that now. My soft brain is bruised from the collision.”“Any marketed improvement?”

“Bite your tongue.” The spider growled.

“In such tense situations as these, humor is sometimes a prescribed antidote.” The other woman said as she got closer to her, before reaching out for her hand and stroking the back with the tips of her fingers–in a show of comfort and affection.

“You have to remember that we are now in the human world. No longer in the lands of ice and quiet serenity. Adapt as thou will, dear sister. And you will go far.”

“Like you?” Sula challenged softly, not minding the soft caress of the other spider.

“Aye,” Gheri admitted freely, before she leaned over and softly kissed the woman on the mouth. “Like me.”

Sula was stunned by the display of intimacy, but she did nothing to stop her companion from coming back and collecting a second.

“My faith in you is boundless, sister. We all look up to your leadership and courage. I will not abandon you for the likes of this. I bet myself and my future clutch on it.”

Sula touched her lips where her sister had kissed her. “And your feelings for me are–?”

“Strong.” The other spider admitted. “I have long admired you from afar. But I was afraid of committing myself to you.”

“You do realize that this kind of behavior is sometimes frowned upon by the Elders–not to mention the Great Egg Mother.”

Gheri nodded, unashamed. “I know. But we have spent so much time together. I feel as though we are bonded as lovers, rather than by bloodline.”

“And what about Auki?” Sula gently inquired. “Does he no longer make your hearts quicken each time you and he cross paths?”

“He…hasn’t been in my thoughts since we became trapped onboard this vessel. I have long since given up on being his mate for life.”

“So why choose me? I will not bear you any hatchlings.”

“Do you hate me for this course of action?”

“Well, no.”

“Would it make any difference if the young one were to choose someone of the same sex?” Gheri asked.

Sula didn’t think that far ahead. Her mind was still aflame with conflicting impulses and…desire?

No. That couldn’t be right. Though she loved Gheri like a sister, she couldn’t think of her as a lover.

“I…I don’t know. I don’t think the child has the same capacity for that kind of love. Her heart yearns for the ship’s master.”

Gheri reached out again to touch Sula on the hand. Her fingertips grazing the soft skin of her hand.

“And my hearts yearn for you, Sula. I didn’t know it until recently. My indecision kept me silent. I did not wish for you to become so alarmed as you have now.” She said. “Does my words cause you heartache?”

They do. The spider thought to herself. But it isn’t because of what you have done or wish to initiate between us.

“The Great Egg Mother…” She began, but found herself being softly kissed on the mouth once again. This time with reverent tenderness. “She…” But the rest of her words were drowned out by the petal-soft lips of Gheri herself.

“What would she do,” the woman asked quietly. “Condemn us for acting out of love?”

“No,” Sula responded quickly, trying to ward off her sister’s impatient kisses. But her own desires were becoming inflamed, and she did not know why. “But in this–” and Gheri grabbed a hold of her tight and pulled her close.

Yelping in surprise, Sula could do nothing about that, except to accept the fact that Gheri wanted her.

“The Great Egg Mother said it was also wrong to deny us what we feel. What we want in our lives. Can you sit there and ignore the wisdom of our creator?” She said, holding her close. Sula could hear the soft pounding of her hearts in tandem with hers. And the sounds were intoxicatingly arousing to say the least.

“No.” Sula ventured weakly, her steel-like demeanor cracking like stonework. “But we can’t! There is a battle to be waged! A war to be fought! And those humans…” she breathed out at last, her frame shuddering from both virgin nervousness and raw anxiety. “They will perish if we do not hurry.”

Disappointment marred Gheri’s face. But she did nothing to exasperate the situation.

The spider let go abruptly. “I know. And I am sorry. I feel selfish for wanting to throw all away just so that I could lay claim to you.”

“Your heart is pure and unwitting.” Sula said, rubbing her wrists a little to restore circulation. Gheri’s sudden display of strength was sure to leave some bruises on her otherwise delicate skin. “You cannot deny yourself what you want the most.”

“And you?” Gheri asked with some wavering uncertainty in her voice. “What do you want?”
Sula didn’t know. At least, not right off.

STORIES OF THE DEAD EARTH-BOOK 2: CHAPTER 29

2007-05-28T22:18:00.000-07:00

Sula and Gheri made it to the entrance to Main Engineering–only to find it was blocked by a wall of gelatinous fluid, mixed in with pulsating tendril-like appendages, and–

Organs?

Sula delicately tapped one side of it–eliciting only a slighted response from whatever made up this thing.

“Mmm…” She mulled to herself. “Doesn’t look like we’ll be able to get in this way.”

Gheri extended a hand up as far as it would go–only to find more of the same.

“All the edges are blocked. There is nary a crack for us to use to our advantage, sister.” Drawing back her hand, she added. “This monstrosity behind this must be huge.”

Sula agreed. “And I cannot see into this thing very much–give or take three meters. But all I perceive before my eyes is fluid, capillaries, and a few organs–that is…whatever this thing has which passes for such structures.”

“Looks like we are going back the way we came, Sula.” Gheri surmised easily. “I for one do not want to rile whatever this thing is– given its immense bulk and deceptive size.”

“I thought you liked challenges?” Sula fired back in amusement.

Gheri had a wry look on her face. “Challenges yes, suicide…? No. The Great Egg Mother raised no fool as me. If we are going to attack, we need to do it in another fashion. One which gives us the tactical advantage.”

Sula liked what she was hearing. “Lead on, sister.” She implored with a hand gesture.

“Back we go.” Gheri was saying. “I think I saw some kind of access hatch in the fore somewhere. Perhaps we shall see where it leads us?”

“Anything’s better than what is behind me.” Sula commented airily. “Perhaps we will find out what it is?”

Gheri’s comment was, “I think it’s some kind of aberration–borne from the depths of these hellish waters.”

Sula pondered over those implications as she continued to follow in her sister’s wake.

That’s worse than what I had originally thought. The spider thought.

* * *

I started forward–gently at first–in an attempt to gauge just how response these things were. I couldn’t think of them as being an offshoot of my companion.

But more so, as the enemy which stood before me and my injured friend.

One of the “Jeannas” flicked back her sword arm and then unleashed an odd-looking fire bird at me.

Instead of slamming into me like I had thought, the creation reared itself up and vomited a large stream of boiling lava at me!

Digging deep down inside myself, I sought the forgotten arts of my priestess upbringing, and found myself clothed in the fine arraignments of God Himself.

My power armor transformed itself into the humble garb of a female priestess, and a flowing white cloak appeared–wrapping itself around my shoulders.

Instead of my battle ax, I wielded the Sword of Jankus. With a flourished move, I pointed my newly acquired weapon up towards the firebird.

“ðøßÞ§–By the powers of heaven and earth; I change thee! Reversion Wall!”

A mirror like ceiling appeared above my head, and instead of just sloughing off the attack, a mirror image of the firebird appeared and spat back its own plume. But this bird was made of ice, and so was its attack. A brief wash of ice crystals and snow engulfed the firebird.

And blew apart as a result.

Both Lucrecia and Darla looked at me in amazement.

I simply shrugged in all innocence.

“It comes back to you after awhile.” I said humbly.

“You said that you didn‘t have any offensive spells.” Darla blatantly accused.

I sheathed my sword. “That was defensive.” I corrected easily. “I said what was cradled in truth: None of my spells are offensive. They will only serve to protect, nourish, and heal. But do not expect much more out of me.”

“What about that sword?” Lucrecia said pointedly. “Is it useful or is it useless?”

“The Sword of Jankus won’t do much against Fire Elementals. But against the undead…?” I hinted knowingly. “It is a very lethal weapon.”

“Not if we change its overall properties. Transmute it into an ice sword for the duration of this battle.” Lucrecia said.

“Unfortunately not.” I replied sullenly. “This sword was created and blessed by the Order of Jankus–formed by the High Priest himself. It has certain properties which won’t allow it to transmute from its holy state unto any other.”

“You’re certainly useful in this fight, aren’t you?” Darla commented with open sarcasm.

“What about that spell you used? What was it? The Reversion Wall?” Darla inquired.

“Only good if I am attacked.” I said. “It’s use is only limited to that fashion.”

“Anything else that will protect us?”

“Of course.” I said, glancing over at the fire elementals. They hadn’t moved an inch; staying put where they where. But their stolid expressions told me that they wouldn’t brook any interference from any one of us. “But we need to get past those elementals and to Jeanna. Can you do that?”

Lucrecia and Darla both nodded. “We can enchant both our weapons with elemental transmutation powers which will affect these creatures, and then go on the offensive soon after.” The elder sibling said.

“Do it.” I instructed.

* * *

GO. The flame wall in front of Qaita instructed. THEY ARE PREPARING FOR AN OFFENSIVE AGAINST OUR ROGUE BRETHREN. YOU WILL NEED TO ASSIST THEM. AND QUICKLY.

Qaita nodded, before rising to her feet. “Thank you,” she said simply.

“Ready?” I asked Darla and Lucrecia–once they had transmuted their weapons with the power of wind. I wasn’t sure how much more effective that would be in the long run. Fire elementals had a way of adapting.

But I would protect them. With God’s help, I would most assuredly do that!

I thrust my hands forward and said: “VÂådc-'-M§a! Protect us with your wisdom and might! Valiant fighters bestow upon thy selves with Angel’s Light!” All three of us were enveloped with a powerful light before tiny little cherubs popped out and scattered all across the floor in front of us.

They disappeared, but the light pulsated all around our bodies. I stepped back, giving ground to both Lucrecia and Darla.

Almost a second later, the fire elementals chanted something to, and similar fire-sprite cherubs popped up and enclosed all six of the Jeanna caricatures.

“Slavin’s Ghost!” Lucrecia growled, just as she was about to pop off a shot. She lowered her rifle and looked at me. “Why didn’t you tell me that they could do that?”

I looked just as stunned as Lucrecia was at the moment.

“I…I didn’t. I didn’t know!” I rallied back. “I never gave one thought as to what they could do!”

“They apparently know a lot by drawing off of Jeanna’s knowledge of the white magi.” Darla said, studying the fire elementals. Unlike the Angel’s Light, the tiny cherubs encircling the fire elementals didn’t go away. They kept in tight orbit around each of the Jeannas.

“And it looks like they have something we don’t.”

I looked and swore.

“Angel’s Breath?!” I said with a bare whisper. “But that…! That requires…years of training!”

“What’s that?” Lucrecia asked, just as one of the Jeannas leapt forward and attacked the taller woman with a savage sword strike.

But Angel’s Light interceded and a small cherub sprang forward from the woman’s breast and intercepted the attack with a glowing sword of its own.

Both entities held their ground for a split second, before the fire elemental was shoved back mercilessly. The angelic cherub which protected Lucrecia vanished with a newborn babe’s giggle.

My face was a bit drained of all its pallor. I’m sure I looked like Death warmed over to the two women next to me.

“Angel’s Breath is a spell which nullifies any would be attack directed against the spell‘s beneficiary.”

Darla stared at her sword–which glowed with the power of the wind–and said, “That’s just wonderful!”

“Tell me about it,” I mused with great misery. With Angel’s Breath in play, there was no way that we could win this fight. Angel’s Light could only work for six turns–its effectiveness decreased with each turn–before fading out completely. I would need another two to recast the spell. But fighting any kind of elemental without some kind of protective spell–even fire–was nothing more than asking for the kiss of death.

But Angel’s Breath was an enduring spell. Once cast, it could not be undone!

Or defeated.

“Everything has a weakness.” A new and unfamiliar voice said. “You will just have to find it.”

We all looked around, but could not find the source. Then a gamine-looking woman with pale white skin–framed by silver-white hair–and dressed in an ice-blue jumpsuit (with a white robe draped over her shoulders), made her first appearance; as she descended down from the ceiling via a strand of spider webbing?

She looked at me with absolute charcoal-colored eyes. The darkest I had ever lain sight upon.
“You shouldn’t give up because of a little challenge.” The lithe woman put forth. “It will not fit the mold of life. Instead, you should stand forth and embrace the hardship. Only then, will you come out the stronger and the wiser.”

Once the shock of her appearance was over, Darla blurted out smartly, “and who the fuck are you?”

“I am Qaita.” The woman said without moving. “And you are?”

“Darla Kuzuki. Pilot First Class of the Tomahawk ground unit about my ship master‘s vessel, the Esmeralda Jasmine.”

“Charmed, I’m sure.” Lucrecia muttered under her breath in amusement, before Qaita inclined her head towards the young–if not brash–woman.

“A pleasure, Darla. On behalf of my people, I express my thanks and extend a hand in friendship.”

“Your own people?” I said with somewhat muted curiosity. But before Qaita could respond to my inquiry, one of the Jeannas surged forward and tried to deal a crippling sword attack on the woman.

I sucked in my breath–my mind abuzz–forgetting for the moment that Qaita wasn’t protected by my spell!

Only because I hadn’t cast it!

I began the motions of doing so, but to my surprise, the spell didn’t work on the woman!

Angel’s Light sputtered and then fizzled out on the woman’s tall form–leaving her exposed and wholly vulnerable.

“Your protective magiks do not work on me or those of my kind, priestess. Only because the Great Egg Mother has decreed it so. She has made it that we have other time-honored methods of defense. And so I shall employ them now.”

Before either of us could take further action, the woman smartly shot out some crystalline webbing of sorts from the palms of her hand, and within mere seconds–she had an elaborate shield in hand.

The sword attack bounced off without so much as a scratch–leaving Qaita untouched.

Qaita swiftly counterattacked–pulling out a large strand of webbing from inside the shield itself. The strand quickly transformed into a long spear. She hefted it once and threw it at the “Jeanna” which had tried to take her down.

Instead of striking her, the spear opened up like a flower and within seconds–ensnared the flame elemental–completely enveloping it.

Qaita tugged on the almost invisible strand on her end, and yanked it back–spinning it above her for a few seconds, before sending it up towards the ceiling with a sharp snap of the wrist.

The thing which was the flame elemental tried to get out, but could not.

In a moment or so, all signs of struggle had ceased.

STORIES OF THE DEAD EARTH-BOOK 2: CHAPTER 28

2007-05-28T22:03:00.000-07:00

Qaita woke up in darkness, unsure if she were alive or dead. The explosion ripped her free from the room and threw her out the door–as the rest of the quarters was vaporized by the ensuing conflagration.

Her whole body hurt from inside and out. The woman coughed up something green.

Blood.

She sensed that one of her four lungs had partially ruptured and there was excessive fluid seepage somewhere inside her throat.

Qaita coughed again–this time bringing up even more green blood.

“Great Egg Mother…” she wheezed. “Give me strength to overcome my body’s inherent weakness.” I must heal thyself if I am to continue on the battle! The Ice Spider thought further, before she tried to sit up for the first time since regaining consciousness.

Her tapered fingers brushed up against something hot, and the tips of them hissed with a release of water vapor.

I am surrounded by…fire? She wondered inwardly. Looking up, she found herself staring at a wall of flame–the light reflecting off her black eyes.

True enough.

The part of the corridor she was in was awash in flame. Tongues, streamers, stretched taffies–every bit a fiery representation of what she had always seen as her natural enemy.

But the raging inferno was also her prey at the same time.

Aside from a few phantasmal creatures (like the Creeper), fire could also be used as a food source for her people in times of great need.

Like this one.

Qaita reached out with a hand, the fire retreating just a bit from her touch–as if afraid. Acting like it didn’t want to be stifled prematurely.

Life. It wanted to live.

But so did she.

Her wounds weren’t serious, but the Ice Spider could not proceed if she wasn’t properly healed.

“Pleaase…” She rasped. “Feed my body strength so that I may fight again.”

The fire wavered a bit, uncertain of its choice.

Qaita was patient. She couldn’t force the elements to bend to her will. They had to make up their own minds.

The fire reached forth, caressing her hand, enveloping the smallish limb. And while it did hiss and spat with the battle between fire and ice, the element itself did not seek to harm her.

Instead, it was giving her life.

OUR ENERGY FOR YOU. Came the wordless reply. BUT THERE ARE OTHERS WHOM SEEK TO HARM THE LIVING WHICH CAME WITH US. THEY MUST BE DEFEATED FOR THE SAKE OF MOTHER EARTH AND THE BALANCE OF NATURE. CAN YOU DO THIS FOR US?

Qaita nodded wordlessly.

A large tongue of fire washed over her body; nourishing her spirit, healing her wounds.

In less than a minute, Qaita breathed anew, feeling her strength of will return, the fatigue slipping away into the darkness.

“Thank you, Elementals. Praise the Great Egg Mother.” She said quietly.

GO. The flames said. OUR FEEDING HERE IS UNINTENTIONAL. ONCE OUR CORRUPTED BRETHREN IS DEFEATED, WE SHALL EXTINQUISH THE DARKNESS WHICH HAS PERMEATED THIS VESSEL FOR SO LONG–FOR OUR POWER IS MUCH MORE STRONGER.

A flash of insight greeted the Ice Spider.

“From the young one?” She inquired.

OF COURSE. HER POWER OVER US IS A NATURAL. WE ARE AT HER COMMAND. JUST AS WE ARE AT YOUR BECK AND CALL, ANCIENT ONE.

Qaita fell silent.

“Then her power is much more than we originally suspected. Could it be…?” She wondered out loud.

SOME OF THESE CREATURES WHO CALL THEMSELVES ‘HUMANS’ CAN SOMETIMES HARBOR A SPECIAL GIFT–OR ‘CONNECTION’–TO THE MAGIKS WHICH PERMEATES THIS PLANE OF EXISTENCE. THEY CAN–AT TIMES–BE EITHER AN ASSET OR A SERIOUS LIABILITY; DEPENDING ON WHOM’S SIDE YOU TAKE. The fire’s voice illuminated quietly–its emotions revealed in only splendid colors of bright yellow and orange.

“But why her?” Qaita asked, trying to get up on her own accord. It wasn’t easy at first; her legs betrayed her–showing off their inherent weakness. The spider woman hissed to herself–chiding herself for not being fully recovered. But she knew that the fire elemental communicating with her had given all that it could–without extinguishing itself in the process.

YOUR STRENGTH WILL RETURN SHORTLY. YOU MUST TAKE IT EASY, ANCIENT ONE. OR YOU WILL TIRE QUICKLY AND BE OF LITTLE HELP TO THOSE WHO AREN’T SO FORTUNATE.

Qaita nodded instead of arguing the point in all futility. Fire elementals were the grace of everything immortal on the baseline belonging to the gods themselves.

And the Great Egg Mother. The woman calmly reminded herself, before she asked, “What can I do in the meantime? I am useless to anyone otherwise.”

PATIENCE.

Qaita sat back in repose, staring at the flaming wall. “Easy for you to say. You aren’t the one who is so injured.”

AYE. WHAT YOU SAY IS TRUTH. BUT YOU WILL RECOVER. JUST GIVE YOURSELF A COUPLE MORE MINUTES.

The spider did so, lounging there in wait–while wondering what was going on elsewhere.

* * *

“Anyone have any bright ideas?” I asked.

“Fight.” Lucrecia said, unslinging her rifle and charging it. “That’s all we can do.”

I snorted. “Riiiighhht.” I drawled. “A techno-mage against a fire elemental. How stupid do you take me for?”

“You can do it. You have the inherent gene of a magi priestess, don’t you?” Darla ventured, catching me off guard.

“I…” Then turned and faced her. “How do you know about what I have?”

Lucrecia scratched her head. “Sorry. That’s my fault.”

“What?” I answered distractedly.

“My sister is a full-fledged Seer. She can see things in people that others can’t.”

Darla shrugged innocently.

“It’s a gift from a great aunt on my mother’s side of the family. Her bloodline was the strongest. But unfortunately, my mother never gained the ability. I did. But I hid that talent from people closest to me; I didn’t want to be considered some kind of freakish outcast.” She explained.

I sighed. “Well, you’re right about me. I am a magi priestess. But I took on the role of a techno-mage instead.”

“Must be hard.” The younger woman guessed. “Having to suppress your latent abilities for another.”

“It…wasn’t easy.” said I. “It took me some time to master my new trade; whilst I buried the old.”

“Under a bed of lies and mistruths.” Lucrecia offered knowingly–to which I gave her a brittle look. The other woman took it easily in stride; seemingly unaffected by my current regards for her.

“That’s a little bold–coming from someone who is only quarter of what her sibling is.” I fired back.

Lucrecia looked at me with a cold shock of her own.

“How would you know what I am?”

“If your sister is a Seer, then you must have some latent power of your own; tho’ not as strong as she.”

“Aye,” the woman offered miserably. “My power doesn’t extend fully as my dear sister’s does. Are you happy that you have exposed my secret as well as hers?”

“I take no pleasure in such, if that is what you mean.” I answered coolly. “But I have grave doubts that I could be as much help against these fire elementals.”

“Why?”

“I’m a Fourth Level magi priestess. Though I have excellent healing power, I do not possess a wide array of offensive spells. And the few that I do have, would have little effect on a fire elemental.”

Darla eyed the waiting fire elementals. They didn’t seem to care whether or not what the three discussed in kind.

“Still,” she said measurably. “You could serve as a good distraction while we do the rest.”

I laughed. “Served as what? Bait?”

“My sister and I can pool our abilities together to form a nice offensive array. Whilst it is true that magi abilities in the arena of ice and wind work best against these things, human-made weapons attuned to Earth magi could have an equally devastating effect.”

“It’s only too bad that we have none at hand.” I mourned. My battle-axe wouldn’t make so much as a dent in those things–which represented my comrade-in-arms.

“Don’t you have Earth-based magi which could affect things?” Lucrecia asked.

“I didn’t study long enough.” I said. “My mother wanted me to only concentrate on the healing arts. And I got fairly well and good at it.”

“Fortunately for us, my sister and I studied the arts of elemental transmutation. That is–the ability to imbue certain things with the chosen magi.”

Looking at the fiery representations of Jeanna, I wondered if she had learnt the same thing.

Most likely. I reflected with a pang of deep jealously. I didn’t like it when someone slightly younger than me, managed to usurp me in every level of magi imaginable.

“But we each chose our paths.” I said softly to the flaming caricatures. “I have mine, and you have yours.” And we all have to deal with the consequences whence they came.

No matter how painful it may be.

STORIES OF THE DEAD EARTH--BOOK 2: CHAPTER 27

2007-05-28T21:44:00.000-07:00

Down below in the main engineering spaces, Tiddus (Gir-ah-soiski) Kalamon felt a shudder go right through his powerfully built frame.

“Sounds like an explosive decompression. I’d wager five dikari sovereigns that it was on Level 8. Between…sections 42 alpha and 16 epsilon.”Mari looked over at her captain.

“Isn’t that near your quarters, sir?”

Cold dread filled the man. “By the Sun Goddess, I hope not!” He exclaimed rigidly. “My stateroom is half a length downwind from Level 9.”

“Above or below?”

“A little above. But I doubt that my quarters were involved in the incident.” Tiddus answered rigidly. “But if it is, I am going to have it out with the person responsible for my loss. Mark my words, Mari.”

“I have no doubt, sir. But what if it was an accident?”

* * *

Sula and Gheri both registered the absence of Qaita’s presence almost immediately. Being linked as they were, it was simply comparable to the flicking of an old-fashioned light switch.

“She’s dead?” Sula measured out carefully, while trying to get a mental fix of her fallen sister.

Gheri stopped short a few feet away. “No. The last thing she registered was a wall of fire. Then…nothing.”

“So she is dead.” Sula mumbled, human tears falling from her black eyes. “And I will weep for her and her lost offspring.”

“Nay, sister. Do not grieve.” Gheri told her. “If she is dead, then we must pick up where she left off. We must go back and get the young one who has been a trifle bit of trouble for us.”

The tears stopped almost as quickly as they had come. Hardened determination filled the woman’s face.

“No. We must rescue the humans from this blight. Then we shall deal with the Cloak of Despair on its own terms.”

“It may not go willingly.” Gheri told her. “It is a very stubborn creation.”

“All creations must obey a higher power. And the Great Egg Mother will not allow it to prevail. This I know to be the truth.” Sula reminded her sister. “Now where are we?”

“Two levels from the main engineering spaces. Do we have a plan of attack?”

Sula sensed her brood sibling’s anticipation of going into battle. While she was the leader and Qaita was more the philosopher, Sula thrived on battle. She was a rare Ice Spider. One of very few left over from the warrior castes hatched from eggs so many cycles ago.

“We do not know what we are dealing with. ’Tis would be very foolish to rush in blindly to an unknown situation. We cannot ill afford another death on this ship. Mother knows that we have suffered greatly as it is.”

“Aye.” Gheri answered with great reluctance, and then intoned reverently, “Praise the Great Egg Mother for your wisdom and strong leadership skills.”

Sula went over to her sister and laid a hand on her. “Do not blame yourself for what your twin hearts desire, dear sister. You are a warrior in blood, not a thinker.”

“Truth enough,” Gheri muttered. “I crave combat like any other of my warrior castes–gone as they may be.”

“Physically yes, spirit no. The Great Egg Mother has all her beloved children with her. In the past, present, and future. Do not worry, you will see her soon enough. As will I. And maybe, we shall catch a glimpse of our long departed sibling and wish her well to Heaven’s Web.” Sula said. “Now let’s go. We have a long journey ahead of us still. And an enemy to defeat.”

* * *

We managed to squeeze our way through and don our clothing and armor back on in record time. No sooner had we taken several scores of steps, did we get knocked off our feet by a close-ranged explosion right in the front of us from a health distance.

We were all blown back by the repercussion and flames–my ears rang loud and clear as a result–and I was left dazed and confused. I could not focus, could not think, couldn’t even breathe!

My tortured lungs sought to keep me alive, but my smoking armor had saved me from the worst this detonation had to offer up.

Darla and Lucrecia recovered faster than me, and I was soon being gently picked up, while my ears registered only snippets of words being thrown at me relentlessly.

My eyes rolled back as I sagged into blessed unconsciousness, wondering if I would see my family once again before crossing the marbled tiles which made up Heaven’s Gate.

But…alas!

I saw nothing but brief patches of darkness, followed by wavering forms in front of me–not the ones which now held me up so!

“Wa….” I bubbled forth in a mass of confusion and lightheadedness. “Watt…ch ou…”

“Say–” I heard Lucrecia echo, confusion marring her beautiful face. The explosion was much more powerful than the Cloak of Despair could possibly eclipse, and so the light from it was divinely intense.

Only God Himself could show us the way so easily…I thought in a moment’s worth of absolute clarity. His Blessed Light–finally banishing the darkness.

The Creepers couldn’t stand the light, their wavering forms finally giving way to a perfect solidity. They were hideous creatures. Strongly muscled and sinewy, but lacking any definitive face. Or head for that matter. I quickly saw that their “mouth” was nothing more than a quivering mass of muscle, flab, and excess flesh–standing on top of the flat shoulders of the thing–but more centered on the chest.

The creepers had muscled arms and clawed hands, standing tall and proud of blood-soaked legs and tri-clawed feet. (Two forward, one dew claw aft)

But more importantly, they didn’t like the light!

I could not tell whether or not this one or the other two “phasing” into existence (next to it) truly knew that we were standing only feet away from us. But this is why I tried to warn the women! But my head would not cooperate, my brain was still muddled and my mouth and vocal cords flapping about like a discordant drunk.

“Behind you.” I finally cobbled together with slick iciness. “They–you can…” But I could not form the proper words.

Beneath my armor, my skin burned in places. I could feel the stinging heat rise upside me.

But Seth was on it nonetheless.

“What my injured mistress is trying to say is: Watch out!” He bleated forcefully.

Both Darla and Lucrecia finally registered what I had been trying to say. Whether or not it would be too late for us to act, God Himself only knew for sure.

But just as quickly as they appeared, the three Creepers vanished into the air.

Leaving us…where?

Safe for the time being. But even as I was being assisted by both women, I knew that even that level of safety was nothing more than a poor man’s version of fantasy.

For a second, I stood there, being supported, my mind blanking out time and again. But the second I was able to focus, I saw someone on the other end of the inflamed hallway.

And got a shock.

The flames themselves weren’t even touching the body!

“Wait…” I said limply. “Wait…”

“What?” Darla asked gently, her voice soft and caressing in my still tortured ears.

“Some…body. In the fire…” I waved a limp arm up and down, but both my hands and fingers refused to function on their own accord.

“Look and…see.” I encouraged raggedly. Then began coughing. Which only made burned skin under my armor come alive in a hail of pain and searing agony.

They saw. Each one.

“Poor soul. Never had a chance.” Lucrecia murmured sorrowfully.

“Indeed.” Her sister amended in subdued prayer. “Grace be to God and guide his hallowed spirit to Heaven’s Gate.”

“No.” I countered with sharp fierceness, my eyes alight with hindsight. “No! She’s alive…!”

“How do you know?” Lucrecia asked, as I stood upright even more, drawing up more strength from within. Despite my injuries, I would not succumb!

Not here.

Not now!

“Because she is a magi user. Her body and soul relishes fire as we would from the very air we draw breath from! This would be nothing to her! Look how the fire dances about her in graceful reverence. It respects her! But I fear that she is not awake–having been knocked unconsciousness by the blast.” I analyzed carefully.

“What can we do?” Darla asked. “Encroach the flames and risk their wrath?”

“We have no choice.” I said. “If we are to free Jeanna, we must embrace the flames that rage.”

No sooner than we had taken a few feet forward, did we see something else unnatural.

Whether or not it was part of the fire, or it was part of the Cloak of Despair–none of us knew.

But rising right out…

Tiny figures emerged from the flames. Each stood almost a half foot tall, but each had indistinguishable facial features. They reminded me of pudgy little water sprites that sometimes frequented Crater Lake during the hot summers of the Golianth Region.

Little naked sprites with the free spirit and will of God’s creation.

But I knew that these little creatures weren’t benign at all. Weren’t the kind which would cool your hot and sweat-soaked feet with their ice cold breath–before dipping them languidly into the icier-stills of Crater Lake’s Song Pools. (And yes, softly playing music could be heard from the depths of the basins themselves.)

The Fire Elementals–as I called them–lengthened and stretched, taking on the very form of my friend herself–each one beautiful and breathtaking.

Six stood before us with drawn swords mimicking the Sun Sword Jeanna cradled with love and wielded with boundless honor in battle.

Soft cheekbones, a pleasant, angelic face, brown eyes, long brown hair, and an olive-like skin attired in the white attire of a magi sorceress–all covered in bright orange and yellow flame–made up my sometimes obstinate comrade-in-arms.

“Do not approach the mistress.” They said in unison. “Or you will perish.”

“We do not–” Darla blurted out, but one of the ‘Jeannas’ flicked out her wrist–sword following suite–and the woman was nearly engulfed by a pyre of hot flame.

I felt the intense heat, and Lucrecia started badly and pulled the both of us back.

“Do not test us.” One of them on the left stated gravely. “That is your only warning.”

“Great.” I said with syrupy disdain. “This just keeps getting better and better every minute.”

Lucrecia looked over at me and replied archly, “You think?”

STORIES OF THE DEAD EARTH-BOOK 2: CHAPTER 26

2007-04-30T17:02:00.000-07:00

I sighed for perhaps the hundredth time–never before feeling so…useless in my entire life.

“It’ll pass.” Qaita said from her station next to the door. She had taken that position–rather than the door–because she needed the element of surprise to be with her every step of the way.

“Come again?” I asked distractedly.

“Your frustration. It’ll pass.”

“Do you always have to read my mind, Qaita?”

“No, not this time.”

“So how would you know what I am feeling?”

The spider woman smiled.

“Ever since you were brought in here, the tension levels in this room has jumped one-hundred fold. And believe me, it’s not I who is feeling this tension.”

“Aye, tis’ true,” I offered reluctantly, moving my head to the side; listening to the soft crinkle of spun spider silk, beneath the covers of this luxurious bed. “Confessions aside, it is of my doing. I just don’t like being helpless.”

“You would be dead if it wasn’t for us. Even your magiks and companion wizard wouldn’t be able to save you from a honorless death, young one. The Great Egg Mother has many plans for you. And we sisters aim to make sure that you fulfill your end of the bargain.”

Curiosity filled me then. “Why am I being chosen for this task by the Great Egg Mother?”

“A child of light will bring an end to the darkness plaguing this world. It’s instability affects us deeply. The Great Egg Mother prophesied that someone matching your description would come and free us all. But we didn’t expect you to be so…guarded into protecting what you are.”

“My royal heritage.” I softly said. “But how can you be so sure that I am the one?”

There was silence from Qaita. At first, I thought she was ignoring me, but then that impression was made entirely false when I heard something scratching at the walls close to where we were, and making really eerie whimpering noises.

I don’t know how I missed that one. But I guess talking with her had distracted me from the obvious: We were in trouble!

“No more than…what? Ten minutes? Twenty at the most? And I’m already attracting the wrong kind of attention!” I griped to myself. Or is this Cloak of Despair more than it seems? I thought inwardly.

“Qaita?”

“Quiet young one. Some aberration beyond this door has decided to pay us a call.” Qaita returned quietly.

“Can you tell what it is?” I asked, before the darkness in front of me took on a more lucid complexion–solidifying itself out of the ether.

I froze.

No more than twenty feet away–it stood before me.

“Shit.” I whispered.

Qaita turned just as it attacked me–enveloping me in some kind of warm and viscous fluid.

I couldn’t move!

I couldn’t even speak!

“Hold on, Jeanna! I’ll get you free!” The woman rallied through the now gelatin-like substance. Something speared the creature and it bellowed as a result.

I was certain that I was going to be eaten right then and there. But for some odd reason, the anamorphic creature spit me back out the way I had come–slamming me up against the wall.

Instead of sliding down, I was stuck there like flies on amber.

“Oh, yuck…!” I complained, wiggling about like a worm in a bland effort to get myself free. But whatever this stuff was, it was admirably resistant to my efforts.

Of course, being a damsel in distress doesn’t help things much either. I reflected. Both my legs and my right arm was sufficiently pinned down by the goop so that I could get free. But in the meantime, I kept hearing the excited chittering in the foreground before me.

“Qaita’s obviously enjoying herself immensely,” I sighed with acid contempt. If it wasn’t for my injuries, I would be right there joining her fight–lending my strength and agility to the cause.

I instinctively reached up to brush some calcitrant hair from my forehead, and suddenly discovered that my left arm was free!

Realization dawned on me as to what my next move would be.

“Okay,” I said with rapt determination, clenching my fist tightly. “Let’s see if we can bring some light to this situation. ñôØß-œ§çÐ(x/5)…¿SeyD–Bring about the Light of Pure Radiance! Nova Flash!”

A sharp snap! brilliantly illuminated the room for about (what Merlin would tell me later) 4.3 seconds. But in that time-frame, I got sight of what I perceived to be some kind of partially solidified gaseous cloud.

And Qaita was still toying with it.

But in that second, a wall of strong methane slammed into me, and then I realized with absolute horror that I had unintentionally become the glowing tinder for whatever it was which passed for this cretin.

Throwing my arm across my chest, I yelled, “XÑÀÁ¥ßŠ–Protect thy body with magical intent! Shield of the Blessed Magi!”

I didn’t know what would happen to Qaita as the glowing sphere wall began to take shape in front of me in the next pico-second or so. But the ensuing explosion discombobulated my ability of instant recall soon after that. And so powerful was the force of it, I was pushed through the wall with little effort on my part.

The Esmeralda Jasmine shuddered violently as the upper starboard side (on the quarterdeck’s lower right section, running alongside–far above the water beam) exploding violently outwards in a hail of debris and gouts of fire.

STORIES OF THE DEAD EARTH-BOOK 2: CHAPTER 25

2007-04-30T16:44:00.000-07:00

Normally, I wouldn’t be begging or pleading to stay and fight, but this time around…?

I was doing everything I could to try and change the minds of Sula, Gheri, and Qaita.

“Please let me stay…” I was whispering as both Sula and Gheri carried me on (as I pictured it in my mind) a beautifully wrought stretcher of lace and silk…webbing.

“No, child,” Sula said patiently. “You need to retire to a safe location to heal completely. Your wrist companion requires more time to make you well. Have you considered employing a healing incantation?”

“A…healing spell?” I murmured softly. Then my mind went blank as a momentary wave of pain overtook me–causing me to wince. “Uh…no. I can’t think of one right at the moment.”

“You’re still in pain.” Gheri said. “Sula’s venom must be wearing off.”

“V-venom?” I bit out in astonishment.

“It was the only way to properly numb you. Sula had to bite your wound directly in order for us to patch you up as best we could. Don’t worry: She did it so that your flesh was not ravaged so. Sula can be gentle when need be.”

Panic had already set in then. I was bitten by a spider? I thought with much incredulousness.

“But I thought–”

“We Ice Spiders operate on a different principle than our earth-born cousins. Whilst it is true we have the same make-up as they, we employ different methods of healing and capture. Sula used a healing-type venom which numbs the area in question and then she excreted a special juice into your wound which will aid both your wrist-comp and your own body’s natural healing factors.”

Gross. I thought with undisguised revulsion. No matter what I thought of my traveling companions, I still felt defiled.

“It is okay to think of us so,” Sula spoke up gaily. “I shant hold it against you, young one.”

I groaned then, but not out of discomfort. We turned a corner–at least I think it was one. The Cloak of Despair made getting a clean bearing impossible.

“How come you never told me this, Merlin?”

“You were too out of it, for me to say much. But I must say, these three creatures are very skilled and adept in their abilities. I have never seen such medical refinement like Gheri and Sula possessed.”

“You give us too much credit, wizard.” Gheri said openly. “Our techniques are as much a wonder to you and your flesh and blood companion, as you are to us.”

“What do you mean, ‘medical refinement’?” I interrupted the three of them–even as Merlin thanked the leader. “What did she do?” I quickly put my hand to my side and came away with fine strands of webbing caught between my fingers.

“Take care,” Gheri cautioned. “That webbing is all that is holding your insides from spilling out. Whilst strong like man’s steel, it still can be broken if it is tampered with too much.”

“A…wrapping?” I guessed and then corrected myself by adding, “A kind of medical gauze and tape perversion?”

“Of a sorts.” Sula optioned, before shifting her load, and then continuing forth. “We use different kinds of strands. Some, we use for prey or entrapment. Others–like you–we use for caring of the injured.”

“So your people are…healers?” I asked, nonplussed. I never thought that this was possible with a race of highly evolved arachnids like these Ice Spiders.

“We can be if the situation calls for it–” Gheri said before breaking off her conversation to say, “Ah, here we are.”

Minutes had flown by like a white bird and I had thought we would be going down much further than we had should.

“Here? Where–?” I started, before Qaita knocked on the door once and then twice.

“No one’s home.” I thought to point out jokingly. “Can we go now? I feel a lot better–really.”

Sula was ever the patient one as was Gheri. They only put up with my shenanigans because they saw me as a valuable ally and friend.

“Nice try, young one. But the Great Egg Mother would never forgive her children if we allowed this one lapse in judgment.” Sula told me. “You are going in, and thus ends this conversation. I will no longer brook any more fanciful threads from thee.”

In other words, I was told that nothing further would come of me wrangling on the matter. I wasn’t going to get my way after all.

Oh, the irony! I thought as I was shepherded in. Normally that would be no question; as I would always get what my heart desired! But in the here and now, I cannot even accomplish this one little thing. I could not dissuade these three!

“You will be safe and comfortable here until we return.” Gheri told me.

Qaita added her two cents as her sisters laid me out on some soft surface–a bed by the feel of it–and said, “Perhaps it would be best if I remained her: To guard her.”

Guard me? I thought to myself. I don’t think so!

“I’ll be–” I began to retort mildly, when Gheri cut me off with: “Fine. But be careful. There are still some things on this ship which bear watching. And we still need to get to the Main Engineering spaces.”

I opened my mouth to say something, but closed it once I recalled Sula’s earlier warning. I didn’t need the woman to go off the handle on me this soon.

“I shall guard her with the Great Egg Mother’s blessing and guidance–as if she were one of my own brood.” Qaita promised.

“We shall return.” Sula added. “Once this matter has been taken care of.”

Gheri embraced her and said, “I know you will, dear sister.”

And the two left–leaving me behind with Qaita.

* * *

“Strip?” Darla’s shrill voice thundered. “I may be a shameless flirt at times, but I am no lecher! I will not display my naked body for all the world to see!”

Lucrecia had some misgivings too and voiced them loudly as well.

I held no compunctions though–being naked in the eyes of my fellow man or in the presence of God Himself.

“Seth? Disengage my armor please.” I said.

Rousing from his stand-bye mode, Seth did so, and my armor components flew apart with the sound of flapping wings–reconfiguring back into their modular states. I took off the pieces attached to my legs and arms, and placed them in a pouch.

“Would you be a dear and get the four on my back?” I inquired of Lucrecia. “Unlike Jeanna’s, mine has eight modules, while hers has seven.”

I felt a soft hand on my back–sending shivers down my spine–as either Lucrecia or Darla did the honors; taking the modules from my clothes and I turned to accept them.

“Thanks.” I said, before dropping them into the pouch. Zipping it shut, I undid the buttons on my silk blouse and pulled that off–wrapping the pouch in the shirt and then balling that up.

“You guys just about–” I began to inquire before someone’s doublet was thrown in my face.

The scent of roses entered my mind as I instinctively breathed in, before I pulled off the garment in question.

“Thanks.” I cast out in a brittle voice.

“Huh? Oh! Sorry!” Came Darla’s voice in the darkness. “I wasn’t expecting you there.”

“You’re undressing, dear sister?” Lucrecia’s incredulous voice carried back–after I had taken Darla’s doublet and added it to my mine. “That’s blasphemy!”

“She’s a woman, not a mere male!” The younger one countered rigidly. “ ‘sides…it’s dark in case you’ve forgotten. She can’t see us and I can’t see her. So what are you so afraid of?”

I stood proudly naked in the darkness–with the exceptions of my boots. I would need them to say the least. But as a second thought, I took them off as well. I would need all the extra space to squeeze through.

“Losing my dignity, for one thing, Darla.” Lucrecia shot back. I got the sense that–unlike her sister–she was still fully clothed.

“No one’s lost nothing.” I told her in a petulant tone. “I still have my pride. How can you stand there and act so vain?”

“Vanity has nothing to do with it,” Lucrecia said in a miffed voice. “I just don’t feel comfortable getting stark naked in front of complete strangers.”

“I’m not a stranger!” Darla countered brightly. “I’m your sister!”

“I wish to God that that had changed.” The other woman said smartly. “How in the world did mum and dad get blessed with two daughters and no strong sons, anyways?”

“Um…good genes?” Darla guessed. “Mum’s was always stronger.”

Lucrecia sighed and then began to get undressed.

“I’m doing this out of the sanctity of our lives and those of our endangered shipmates.” She said in a flat voice. “I have no desire to become a lesbian.”

“Who said anything about that?” I said with mild puzzlement. “This is simply an exercise in ample desperation: Mine. I have no desire to go flesh-tickling with anyone at this point. Cause the last time someone tried that with me, I calmly broke his arm.”

There was a noticeable pause after my statement, before Lucrecia said, “Good.” Her sister followed with: “A little rough on the guy, weren’t you?”

“Senath had it coming.” I quipped.

There was more silence.

“Santo Senath from Whisper Creek?” Darla said.

“Yes. Why?”

There was a giggle and then that sound was quickly aborted.

“He was, ah, my sister’s last boyfriend. From a few years ago.”

“I ran into him in Chat’s Point–a small outpost hamlet looking outwards towards Frost Inlet.” I said.

There was a whisper of clothing and before I knew it, Lucrecia had grabbed me by the wrist.

“Were you the reason why he dumped me?”

The pain she gave me was only mild in comparison to the answer I gave next.

“Come again?”

“He dumped me because he said that he came across some young harlot who commanded his attention, but no longer mine. A girl who fit your profile.”

“If it was me, I’m sorry. I was just passing through Chat’s Point. I didn’t have enough time to acclimate to the locals.”

“And he hit on you?”

“Santo did–or at the very least–he tried. He said that he had just gotten off a rough relationship and wanted to know if he could tag along with me.” I said.

I could only imagine the blazing fury of Lucrecia in the darkness.

“Bastard,” she seethed. Then dropped my arm and apologized for her rough treatment.

“S’okay,” I said.

“And you broke his arm then?” She inquired hopefully.

“No.” I said with a casual air. “Santo tried to hit on me later and when I told him I wasn’t the least bit interested, he took offense to my counterproposal.”

“And that was when you broke his arm?” Darla guessed.

“Nope.”

“So when did you?”

I shrugged. “When I tried to leave. He wanted to claim ownership of me in the bar, and that is when I broke his arm.”

Lucrecia smiled. “Good. The cheating heathen deserved it.” Then she gathered her clothes in the darkness and joined me. “So what do we do now?”

“Now we see if we can get through that hole we made. Because I really don’t want to be around here if and whatever that thing we fought decides to come back for an encore.” I replied.

“And being naked won’t help matters much.” Darla chimed in. “Especially if we come across that or someone else.”

Lucrecia shrugged. “Perverts I can handle. These…things are another matter entirely.”

I didn’t see much of a problem with that–as I wiggled my way through the opening with surprising ease; though the tips of my well-rounded breasts brushed up against the cool metal–in passing.

Our Blessed Savior in Heaven will protect us. I thought with deep conviction. He always did.

STORIES OF THE DEAD EARTH-BOOK 2: CHAPTER 24

2007-04-30T16:36:00.000-07:00

“At least the pain is free and she is coming around,” a soft woman’s voice sauntered about me in the black darkness. It would be easy for one to be taken off guard; lest it be night.

But the Cloak of Despair is a cunning thing. It did not allow the stars from the heavens to shine through. Not even Luna herself.

“She cries like a newborn, not like the hissing squeaks of a fresh hatchling.” Another’s voice cut in afterwards. “I had forgotten what it was like to be around these humans. Even one as young as she.”

Gheri. Sula.

I recognized them almost instantly. Even in my pain-drenched slumber, I still had the mind of a sharpened twit.

“Qaita?” I asked drowsily, my whole side numb and distantly a tingle.

“Our sister is guarding this passageway. I have taken liberty of webbing off the other. I do not desire another repeat of what had just transpired ages ago.”

“And the…Creeper?” I dredged out.

“Gone. Destroyed. Killed.” Gheri told me. Qaita and I had much sport with that hellish creation. I am only sorry that you were not awake enough to witness its final moments.”

“I only remember…” I closed my eyes for one precious second. “Fragments.”

“To be expected.” Sula chimed in. “You were gravely injured. Your organs defiled and somewhat ruptured. Gheri here had to do some fancy repairs on you to keep your body’s internals from spilling themselves and their fluids onto the floor. Your body will heal in due time.”

I certainly didn’t feel healed. I thought I was still dreaming this–that this whole experience was nothing more than a nightmare.

“I need…to get up.” I grunted softly. But to my overlaying surprise, Gheri held me down gently.

“No. You don’t.” The woman countermanded firmly. “You’re staying here.”

“But–!”

“No.” Sula said. “I’ll create a stretcher for you, and stash you some place safe.”

Safe? I thought with wry humor. Exactly where is it safe on this ship?

“Some place where the Cloak of Despair hasn’t touched.” Gheri answered; having read my thoughts.

I colored a bit–forgetting that she could do this.

“Where?”

“Somewhere safe.” Sula said, moving her hands in an intricate manner. If it wasn’t for the fact that she now took on the form of an attractive woman, I could’ve sworn she was a giant Ice Spider–weaving its webs not through hands–but through delicately lengthy feet.

I wasn’t sure if I liked the idea. But what could I do? Until I was healed, I was essentially a prisoner of my own injuries.

* * *

Darla checked the other end of the hall and came back to us–reporting what she had found.

“The door’s forced open,” she reported. “But I haven’t been able to tell if whatever had attacked us earlier is still loose or has escaped all together.”

I was still wet from my earlier encounter and trying to dry off as much of the slime-like residue from the inner folds of my cloak. I definitely needed a bath after this!

“Maybe Seth can pick up its trail,” I openly suggested.

“Doubtful.” Came his immediate response. “This Cloak of Despair has invalidated my long-range scanning capabilities. I only have limited short-range at best.”

“How far?”

An electronic sigh emanated from my wrist.

“Three feet.”

“Hell’s Bells…” I muttered in mild exasperation. “That doesn’t help us any.”

“No. It certainly doesn’t. Which is why I haven’t been much help since this thing got the drop on us.” Seth said.

“Back to human intuition.” Darla said out of earshot of me.

I was in no position to argue. Darla was right. And I suspect that Jeanna’s STH-type wrist-comp was suffering from the same malady as I.

“Agreed,” I muttered. Glancing up at my wrist, I said: “Stand-by Mode, if you please.”

“Acknowledged.” Seth said in all finality, and what little light he had acclaimed to him, faded out completely.

Lowering my arm, I told the two: “From now on, I’m strictly on my own until this crisis passes.”

“I’m not going to baby-sit you!” Lucrecia said out of jest–earning a light punch from me.

“I never wanted it.” I returned evenly. “I can fight just as well as the next woman.”

“Never doubted that,” Lucrecia countered. “I was just simply making light of you–given your current condition.”

“A broken arm is the least of my concerns, Lucrecia. I still can fight.” And I proved that by picking up still buried battle axe and ripping it out of the floor with one smooth motion.

This surprised Darla–whom had earlier given up on the idea of ever retrieving the stubborn implement.

“It’s all in the wrist.” I told the pair, twirling it around for good measure. The weapon itself weighed in at fourteen pounds. But I had no trouble wielding it at all.

“Amazing.” Darla murmured at my back– as I turned and confronted the partially opened door. “All that and she can still find ways to insult my intelligence.”

Lucrecia grinned. “Like she said dear sister: ‘It’s all in the wrist’. Didn’t your last boyfriend tell you that?”

The other woman lunged for her sibling, but the woman gracefully dodged her attack.

Both laughed and giggled, carrying on like nothing was really wrong.

* * *

I had an ear towards the banter, but I was also concentrating on how to get through the door. Only a foot of space still separated us from our objective.

My axe and bad arm wouldn’t be able to cut through the resilient metal at all. And given what we were up against, I didn’t think we could spare the time.

The ship needs its captain. That much is certain. I thought to myself. But I need some way of rescuing him which would allow us a comfortable margin of error.

I unconsciously patted myself down in frustration–trying to come up with a better solution–when I had it.

“Of course!” I breathed in exclamation. “Why didn’t I think of this before?!?”

That broke up whatever Lucrecia and Darla had been doing in back of me.

“You found something, Jasmine?”

I nodded, gesturing towards the door in the inky darkness.

“Yes! The only way we are going to get through this crack is by slipping ourselves through the old-fashioned way!”

“What? How?” Lucrecia wanted to know.

“How else?” I propositioned. “We strip.”

STORIES OF THE DEAD EARTH-BOOK 2: CHAPTER 23

2007-04-30T16:17:00.000-07:00

I remember an ancient saying passed down through the years by my family. It paraphrased that dreams are the windows to the soul. It helped illuminate those parts of us which we rarely keep in contact with–while other essences wantonly gave birth to our aspirations, dreams, and ambitions. (Some of them life-long.)

For myself, I wanted to become a powerful ruler of my people and of the Final Frontier; with every town, village, and reaching city which lain under my future domain.

Ever since I had learnt of King Richard’s existence–along all of his treachery, cruelty, and tyrannical behavior–I vowed that I would end his lifelong reign over Dead Earth; thus restoring my kingdom and world to its former glory.

I dreamed of so much about that moment, that I knew that our Lord Savior in Heaven’s Gate had tapped me to be His messenger and earth-born angel.

But along with the mortal sins of humanity, I become enamored with the idea that I was also supposed to be a warrior as well.

What girl wouldn’t enjoy the thought of fighting alongside the men in secret these days? I certainly had no objections to that.

But my mother and enduring grandmother did. They saw that my path would become too corrupted and quickly sunk into a state of paradox.

My future would be left to fate–as I would’ve gambled away everything which had been carefully etched into tradition (not to mention stone).

My life would be over, and the proud lineage of my family forever–and hopelessly–destroyed.

Well…I guess my family was partly right. My proud lineage was indeed destroyed; whilst my life had not.

Somehow, I chuckled at that thought–passing before me like a ghost on the moor. I reached out to grab a hold of it for a time, but it slipped through my diaphanous fingers like the ghostly apparition it stood to become.

Of course, no one expected things to come this far, this way, in such a short amount of time.

Nor had I expected to run into a Creeper either. Not on board sweet Tiddus’s ship. But the Cloak of Despair was a cunning creation. Partly alive and partly not. It resided in areas of chaos and discontention. The Hole just happened to be one of them.

Not to say that it was a single entity either. Legends had it that there were five more like it. Brothers, sisters, siblings…

Whatever human designation you could assign to something which claimed neither life or death. But a physical transubstantiation that defied even my advanced circles of logic and understanding.

Of course, when someone stands before Saint Peter and the Old One asks whether or not thee should be admitted to the Pearl Halls of Heaven’s Gate (onto the First Meeting with our Lord and Creator), you don’t sit there and act stupid. I thought to myself, as I continued to drift between states of the living and the world of the dead. (The World of Sorrow and Eternal Suffering was nothing like Hell. Or the Seven Circles of Eternal Agony and Everlasting Damnation. Each existence had its own rules and laws. The World of Sorrow and Eternal Suffering was for those who could not find forgiveness in their lives–carrying with them a heavy blight upon both their hearts and souls. Hell was for those who wantonly committed carried out incidences barbarism, pain and suffering, and other torture-filled acts of aggression against their fellow man or beast. (Yes, my world was filled with people like that.) The Seven Circles of Eternal Agony and Everlasting Damnation was the perfect oddity for Dead Earth. It existed as a physical gateway between the human world and the world of the demons. Unlike Hell, there was more than one Overlord commanding his or her precious circle–commanding untold legions of creatures and other horrific manifestations which could put ice in a man’s veins in a split second. And–of course–the battles between the few brave souls and the minions of the Seven Circles always ensured that conflict and chaos would exist on Dead Earth.)

Reflecting on that, I knew that I had been fighting these minions. But I had my Lord’s blessing and love. I was His messenger. But I was also a warrior too.

Something which my mother and grandmother never achieved in all their years of existence. My grandmother, Shallei, was one of the most powerful of the white magi to come out of our lineage in twenty generations.

My mother? I can only say that she was just as gifted as Shallei. But my mother– Valla– lacked my grandmother’s infinite wisdom.

I found myself laughing lightly, as a wave of warmth and security washed over me so.

If course, my grandmother and mother’s age was but separated by 59 years–she being only 31 and my grandmother…? I wracked my fractured memory–trying to recall how old my paternal grandmother was.

Yes. She was 90 years old. But Heaven’s small miracles was that both my surviving grandparents weren’t with us when Parliament fell. They quartered up in the city of Ararat in the distant land of Mintaka–far beyond the borders of both the Final Frontier and where we were presently headed: Jasper.

Of course, I had some small comfort to aid me: My grandparents would live long enough to see their lost and wayward grand-daughter again.

Longevity slowed down for humans after the age of 75, as their biological clocks began a steady reversal back to their youths–only to speed up in their final years around 150 or so.

Human beings rarely made it past their 220th birthdays anymore. Not because of hardships or the rigors of life, or how much they abused themselves with drugs, alcohol, or any other kind of stimulant of the day.

Nay…

Our bodies simply reach a natural point where the cycle of life must end in death.

But those times were far and between. War claimed most of Dead Earth, and so every populace was pressured to survive by whatever means were necessary.

Naturally, I had heard of such stories centering around cannibalism in a few obscure and stray townships–but those days were long past me.

Forever locked away in my childhood, as it were. I thought to myself–as I continued to drift back and forth in a gentle swell.

Twenty years of age already and there was so much lost about the life that I had, and never knew.

Memories were sometimes a cruel teacher–always there to remind each of us of what we gained and what we lost.

And I had lost more than I had gained.

A part of me would always harbor that much, I saw. There was no denying that much. No matter what happened, I could never forget the pain of loss. The very thing which tore into my soul and ripped out what was most precious to me.

And tho’ I had made many friend and gained a few allies in my quest for justice, I still felt empty inside.

Still felt that without family, my existence was not worth living.

I grew despondent then–as I floated about–wishing that there was some way I could just end it right here and right now.

And join my family in Heaven‘s Gate.

“It is not yet your time,” a strong masculine voice echoed about me. And before I knew it, I found myself floating down–hitting what looked like a marble floor beneath my feet.

“You must continue the fight against evil, my child. You cannot give up because you have lost so much in your young life. The Creator demands it so.”

I spun around and saw nothing but the light about me. My perceptions of self still grounded, but unable to comprehend what was going on.

“Saint Peter?” I whispered in awe. “Am I–? Am I at Heaven’s Gate?”

“You are close, my child. But no. The Gates of Heaven still await thee–when the proper time comes. You have done well–despite the obstacles placed before your path.”

“So where am I?” I asked.

“In between life and death. A state of existence many have to accept as a ‘near-death’ experience.”

I knew a little bit about this fabled experience. It was where a loved one would teeter on the precipice of life–into Death’s gentle grip–and a brief vista would open up for that person. Sometimes, they would come back–claimed to have talked to loved ones long since gone and departed.

“So why am I talking to you?” I questioned, curious. “You aren’t my mother or father.” Or my brother for that much.

“Your strength in faith has allowed you to speak to me, directly, young one. The Creator sensed you drifting about, and brought you here to my domain–but only briefly.” The voice said.

“So are you Saint Peter, or aren’t you?”

“Ah…the impetuousness of youth.” The voice chuckled. “So eager for that infinite knowledge.”

“Am I right?” I questioned directly.

“Aye. You are. But it changes nothing. You must go back. Your fight still needs to be waged and completed without delay. Or many will suffer needlessly as a result.”

I sat there, the cool marble beneath my bottom feeling very much like a solid piece of reality in this transparent world of dream and fantasy.

If it was either. I thought to myself, before speaking up. “So I can’t–”

“Stay?” The voice of Saint Peter echoed. “No. You cannot. As I said, it is not your time. You must leave. The world demands that you come back.”

“Whatboutmyfamily?” I said in a quick rush. “Do you have any information about them?”

Just like that, my perceptions began to fail. I don’t know if it was natural or deliberate.

But I wanted to know!

“Please tell me!” I screamed as the world I inhabited began to fragment all around me.

I lost all grips on the most critical piece of information ever collected: The final fate of my family.

But distantly I heard Saint Peter murmur: “It’s not up to me to provide you with hope. You must find these answers on your own…”

Then–

“Be strong.”

I couldn’t help it: I cried out. A long and torturous sound which had been long since built upside of me.

And at this time, I just let it all out.

Heaven be damned!

STORIES OF THE DEAD EARTH-BOOK 2: CHAPTER 22

2007-03-31T22:34:00.000-07:00

Without knowing what was coming, the Cloak of Despair finally caught up to us as we rounded the bend–plunging this part of the ship in complete darkness.

“What the–” I said aloud, before coming to a complete stop. The emergency lights in this section died with a sharp snap! and that was the end of that opening question.

“Something is happening to this ship,” Gheri hissed. “Something unnatural has taken a hold of it…”

The other two women with me muttered similar things and even I started to believe them.

Raising my right hand in front of me, I said, “Ý§ŠþðÐ-DM!–let this darkness be dispelled by thy powerful Revelation‘s Light!”

But instead of igniting into the All Seeing Plasma of Purity and Light, my spell as almost eaten up by whatever it was that canceled out the light.

“So…” I said knowingly. “Something wants to play with me, eh?” Fine with me! Revelation’s Light is just one of my many arsenals.

But I never got around to using my next spell. Almost immediately, the air around me began to shiver and shake violently–and then something cold and slimy reached out and grabbed me.

I shrieked reflexively as the longest tongue imaginable wrapped itself around my middle, snaked up underneath my right armpit, and slithered along my right cheek–stopping just short of my mouth.

“Getitoffgetitoffgetitoff–of me!” I shouted at the top of my lungs, before making a futile grab for my Sansui sword. I had almost ripped it free, when something sharp pierced my side unexpectedly and I screamed some more.

Gheri was right there in an instant–as I was slowly being eaten by something I couldn’t see!

She flung out her hands and the next thing I felt was layer upon layer of silken webbing.

In seconds, she had encapsulated whatever it was which had me fast and was tearing apart my tender flesh.

I felt a rib snap cleanly and a wave of nausea assailed me some more, but my attacker would not let go.

Sula and Qaita joined her sister–with the former woman lobbing some kind of web spear at my captor.

“Hurry…” I whispered. “It’s killing me…” The tongue apparently being no tongue at all. It was a multi-amorphous appendage which changed form as it started to dissect its prey.

My liver spasmed violently. I started to lose consciousness.

Then Qaita did something no one had least expected: She lunged forward and attacked whatever it was behind me!

As close as they were to me, I could hear the thing’s shriek of surprise, changing over to dismay and then terror–as the woman began to bite and shred my attacker.

Gheri joined in, shrieking in delight at the chance to exact a special kind of revenge.

Whatever had me in its iron grip, suddenly loosened. The appendage inside me struggled to get out–only succeeding in tearing me a little more.

I imagined my blood spurting freely from my own fatal wounds.

I groaned softly, feeling my consciousness leave me quickly.

Holdonholdonholdon…a part of me urged.

Without ceremony, the last vestiges of the appendage left me–and I collapsed like sodden laundry to the deck beneath me.

“Merlin…” I whispered.

“On it.” He said with cool reassurance. Even though my power armor was rendered ineffective by the vulgarities of the Hole, my companion device’s medical facilities had been left unmolested.

Pain and waves of nausea was quickly replaced by a distant sensation of disembodiment. My senses swam and I slipped in and out of consciousness.

Then I remembered nothing more as I was overtaken by a different kind of darkness.

* * *

In the distance, I heard the hanger bay exit door open in a shriek of tortured metal.

“Oooh yesss…” I heard Darla mutter under her breath. “That can’t be good…”

“What now?” I asked, trying to worry away at the metal with my laser-guided battle ax. I wasn’t sure if the weapon was properly activated, but it stop me from wailing away at it with unrelenting fury.

The metal fractured under my punishment–

Then I was knocked to the ground by something large. An unholy scream emanated from Darla, and I thought that she was a goner for sure.

But unknowingly to me, she had been hitting our unseen attacker with a series of focused shots from her pulse rifle.

“Eat plasma fire you fucking bastard!” She shrieked–after she had finished unloading a clip on her opponent.

At this point, I felt a change of air pressure behind me, and I swung around and slammed my blade into something soft and giving.

Another shriek caterwauled through the darkened hall, before it tried to scamper off–pulling me off balance with its supernatural strength.

“Yow!” I bellowed, as sharp claws and teeth tore into me–but was miraculously blunted by my armor. But I knew that this miracle wouldn’t last long–citing a lack of power–so I wrenched my ax (and my shoulders) free from whomever had tried to attack us.

Gouts of fluid exploded everywhere–coating my face in the process–but I was free!

The less could be said of whatever was still with us. With one mighty backswing, it hit me square in the chest–sending me flying as a result.

Instead of slamming up against the door behind me, I went through the weakened metal like it was nothing more than the softest cheese or butter imaginable.

Sparks exploded in my unfettered passage, and I ended up kissing the floor the hard way.

“Lucky, lucky, lucky…” I whispered to myself, feeling more battered and bruised than seriously injured. I don’t know how I managed to survive this encounter.

Grace and Glory be to God and His Overseeing Wisdom, I intoned respectfully. Thank thee for looking out for your blessed daughter and servant.

I got up–itching to rejoin the fight. But before I could assist my comrades, I was hit from behind–and sent flying forward once more.

This is getting monotonous! I seethed in righteous silence, scrabbling to my feet the best I could.

Then I was slammed into the ground again.

“–elp!” I croaked, my body gasping for life-giving oxygen. I flopped around like a half-dead fish–desperate to get out of range of whatever had come my way.

“To your left!” Seth blurted out suddenly.

I raised my battle ax weakly. The next strike hit it, and my arm was sent crashing downwards with mind-numbing force.

The blade itself; buried halfway.

Then I was ripped upwards, my weapon arm straining and then screaming in protest at the agony placed upon it.

I heard a wet snap! as something went, and a surge of pain and agony fired right through me in the next five seconds–forcing me to abandon my most cherished possession.

A soft hiss! emanated from somewhere, and the next thing I knew, I was being swallowed by something gigantic!

Luckily, my shoulder guards managed to get themselves wedged on either side of the thing’s mouth–leaving me to flail about like a stranded fish.

But it didn’t stop me from screaming in pain as the broken bone in my arm ground against itself. I cried out in agony than in fear of being swallowed.

Lucrecia and Darla came to my rescue then–with Darla using her rifle as a club to beat the unseen creature to death and her sister to slice open many a grievous wounds in its tough hide.

The creature could only gurgle a scream–as my billowing hair quickly acted like a stopper and plugged its deceptively massive throat.

“Yeah!” I crowed. “You want to eat something? Eat that!”

Then I was suddenly coughed up like a bad hairball–the force of the expulsion throwing me across the floor. I screeched to a stop soon after that, but I was an ugly mess.

So much mucus and slime (not to mention other bodily fluids) buttcaked my hair, my face, and half of my chest.

I scooped up some of it with my fingers, before flinging my hand away from me in absolute disgust.

“Ewww! Gross!” I complained at the top of my lungs. “I just showered!”

“Now you got another one,” Seth jokingly pointed out.

I thumped my wrist up against the wall–forgetting it was the same arm which lain broken.

Gasping in cold shock, I asked weakly, “think you can do something about my arm…???”

“Nanite release in progress. Cellular realignment commencing. Bone fusion starting.” Seth reported. “You might want to sit down for a few minutes.”

Despite our conversation, the battle still raged in the hall close to me. Something heavy and leather-like landed right on both my legs and bounced off in a hurry then–before finishing up in a miserable heap.

“Ow!” I reflexively bellowed; drawing my legs up under me. “Watch where you’re going, you big ape!”

“It’s on the run!” Darla blurted out, before someone else brushed up against me–bumping me on the right side and not my injured left. “Get it before it escapes!”

But escape it did. Whatever it was, we all heard the scraping of claws against the bare tread carpeting, and then the tell-tale shriek of tortured metal being forced open.

I stayed where I sat, before whomever had jostled me slightly, moved past me.

I sighed.

“You all right?” Lucrecia asked me.

“A busted arm, but I’ll make it.” I told her.

“Which one?”

“Left.” I said. “And did you find my battle ax?”

There was a cry of surprise followed by a mild thump! somewhere nearby.

“I think I found something! Cause I tripped over…whatever it was.” Darla’s voice carried back, then lower this time: “Ow…my shin…”

“That would be my ax!” I exclaimed mildly, a broad smile on my face.

A grunt was heard.

“Blasted thing is wedged into the floor real tight,” she complained out loud.

Lucrecia sighed heavily. “Sister…sister…sister…” She murmured.

Another grunt–this time forced.

Another sigh.

“You’ll never get it out that way.” Lucrecia gently scolded.

“I would help, but I need another twenty minutes before my arm is back to normal.”

A small chuckle escaped the woman.

“At the rate she’s going? It may take her that many minutes!”

“Cale’s Mantle!” We both heard her say. “What in Xerxes hallowed name is this weapon made of?”

I could only imagine her sister shaking her head in dismay. The Cloak of Despair had obscured a great many things. Including sight.

So the only thing left to me was my imagination.

And lately, that in itself hadn’t gotten that much exercise.

“Tiberinium.” I said. “Left engaged in the metal, it’ll soon meld with it. You must hit the small button based on the weapon’s pommel in order to shut off the laser-induction field. Otherwise, you can stand there all day and curse at it all ye want: It won’t budge.”

“Why didn’t you say something before?” Darla accused as she went about searching for the site in question.

I smiled.

“You never asked.”

STORIES OF THE DEAD EARTH-BOOK 2: CHAPTER 21

2007-03-31T22:17:00.000-07:00

Tiddus awoke–feeling greatly disoriented and hung over.

Literally.

The man heard the not so distant screams of some unfortunate crewman, before the sickening crunch of flesh and bone together reached his naked ears–cutting the cry off midway.

A surge of bile entered the man’s throat, up into his mouth; forcing him to turn his head and spit.

“Gods…” He moaned softly. “I pray that I’m not next.”

Something below his range of vision slithered and moved–and for a second–Tiddus believed himself to be the prisoner of some giant version of the Serpent Sea King.

“Wouldn’t that be rich?” He mumbled to himself and to no one in particular. “A ship’s captain becoming lunch for a snake!” Of course, things could be worse. He had been in the clutches of a multi-limbed Garion once. And that almost ended his life in a quick fashion–had it not been for the quick thinking of his sharp-witted crew.

Then something bumped into him from the side–and Tiddus screamed out in reflex.

“Cap’n?” A woman’s soft voice called out soon after. “Is that you?”

A flood of relief washed over the imprisoned ship’s master.

“Y-yes,” he said, then cleared his throat experimentally. “And who might you be?”

“Engineer’s Apprentice, Third Class, Imari Constance. But my shipmates call me ‘Mari’ for short.” The woman’s voice called back to him, before bumping up against him again. “Sorry about that. Whatever we are tethered to, is a free-ranging mechanism.”

“A rope?” Tiddus asked. “I can’t feel anything in my body. It’s like I’ve gone numb all over.”

“Injection of some sorts, sir.” Mari said. “Whatever came through her, got us, and the next thing I know is that I’m waking up–suspended next to you.” She wiggled around, but couldn’t break free. “I’m numb too, captain. But I can still move a bit.”

That brought little comfort to Tiddus.

“I just heard someone die,” he said quietly. “Do you know who that might be?”

“No.” Mari said.

The man cursed. “What about the lights?”

“Main power’s been completely interrupted,” the apprentice surmised. “My guess is that the generator turbine’s been damaged.”

“Shit!” Tiddus swore openly. “That would put nearly a third of this ship out of action! How the hell are we supposed to get to Jasper now?”

“Sails still work, sir. We could use them and the hydrostatic generators to feed power to the affected parts of the Esmeralda Jasmine.”

“Using wind and water power,” the man mused. “I suppose that could work. But I know that there is a tradeoff here somewhere.”

“The deck elevators won’t work under those said conditions, sir. Marcos would tell you that much.”

“Assuming Marcos is still alive.” Tiddus pondered openly, wondering just how many of his crew survived and how many died in this awful state of affairs.

* * *

Darkness was never my best friend. I always had a latent fear of it since childhood that never went away. I’m not talking about dusk and evening-type of darkness, but the kind which robs me of my sense of awareness. My sense of surroundings.

Of course, Darla had led me by hand for most of the way; letting go for only an instant. In that space of a moment, it was then that I had bumped into the wall unexpectedly–letting out a sharp exclamation of surprise. But my ensuing cry was swallowed up by–

“Blasted machinery!” Lucrecia howled in front of us. “Open up you piece of shit! Open!”

Darla on the other hand somehow sensed my moment of distress and came back; asking me if I was all right.

I jumped out of my skin at the sound of her voice–taking a full moment to recover from my fright.

“I will be–once you stop scaring the love of God out of me!” I snapped back uncharacteristically.
Darla apologized, indicating that it wasn’t her intent to scare me so.

“I know,” I said, once my pulse returned to normal and my nerves weren’t wound so tight within me. “But I was never comfortable with pitch black surroundings.” Holding up my wrist, Seth’s lights were sufficiently muted so that we couldn’t see them well enough. “See? If he has problems. This darkness is unlike anything I’ve ever encountered.”

“That’s because this damnable area has another side effect. Long-time mariners called it ‘The Cloak of Despair’, because once anything lighted was turned off–it would swallow up the ship and everything living inside it.” Lucrecia called out. “But it takes awhile for its effects are fully realized.”

“What kind of effects?” asked I.

“Terror, despair, loneliness…” she went on. “And that’s just for starters.”

“Not to mention the Spooks.” Darla said with a sudden shudder. “Winged balls of terror with teeth. Damned gremlins is what they are.”

“You encountered such imps before?” I asked with surprise.

The woman nodded. “But they are nothing compared to what those Creepers can dole out.”

“Creepers?”

“Insubstantial phantoms with a taste for human flesh. They come and go as they please, and are very difficult to detect with the naked eye.”

“Because they meld into their natural environment–which in this case…would be darkness.” I logically deduced.

“Aye.” Lucrecia’s voice echoed, before a blunted thump! of something hitting an equally hard surface reached my ears. “Damn! That didn’t work…” I heard her complain. “Well, it looks like we’re stuck in this hallway. And I don’t know if there’s an emergency egress hatch anywhere in this black tomb.”

I shuddered. “Please don’t use that word,” I strongly begged of her. “This place is giving me the creeps as it is.”

Lucrecia nodded, but I could not mistaken the chuckle emanating from her throat.

“I shant scare you any more than I have to, Jasmine. But I find it odd how you have such a fear of this darkness.”

“Now that you mentioned what it is? Who wouldn’t be?” I tried to joke; albeit weakly.

Darla stepped up to the plate then. “So, sister? What do we do now?”

“We could wait until help arrives. But knowing how this Cloak of Despair works…it could take awhile.”I found absolutely no comfort in that statement.

“Well, I’m not going to wait around for someone to come and rescue me,” I said with bitter determination. “Seth? Let’s get this door open, shall we?”

“Affirmative. I can access the door controls and override this most stubborn jackal.” Seth responded with enraptured eagerness.

I couldn’t blame him for feeling this way. I sensed that he was also perturbed by the idea of spending endless hours trapped without a meaningful way out.

Or a productive one, I thought to myself as I made my way to the door–bumping up against it ever so gently.

“Ahhh…” I murmured with great relish. “Here’s the little troublemaker.” Moving my wrist-comp up, I added brightly: “Seth? Do your thing! Make this little bird sing!”

My wrist-comp did so, and I could see the lights on my gauntlet brighten even more in response.

Then they dimmed unexpectedly.

“What…?” I breathed in dismay, shaking both my head and then my wrist. “Are you broken or something? Did the interface fail?”

“Nay, it did not. The interface went clean though. The problem here is that the door itself has no power.”

“Try the manual override.” I suggested without thinking.

“I would if I had hands.” Seth reminded me. “The lever is just left of the panel interface.”

I felt my way left as instructed, but ended up hitting nothing in return.

“Not your left, my left.” He countered with some irritation.

“Ah. My bad.” I said in jest, then moved and found the small outline of another panel. My experienced fingers revealed it to be another smallish panel with a flip-top cover.

I opened it, and a tiny blue light illuminated it–once my face was close enough to see what it was.

A pull-down lever. Nothing special.

Yanking it, I heard the doors part with a pneumatic hiss!, but my ears burned red with dismay as they ground to a halt–not even opening part way.

I wasn’t even sure if any of us could squeeze through. I ran my hands across the aperture, and found that I was right. The space between us was no more than a foot in width.

“This is going to be a problem.” I muttered out loud.

“What?” Lucrecia wanted to know up front. “What’s the problem?”

“The space is too small.”

“That would be a problem, wouldn’t it?” Darla commented nearby. I couldn’t tell if she close to me or far away. The Cloak of Despair made things impossible to gauge from my perspective.

But at least I had Seth.

“It is,” I said. “The space is only a foot in width.”

Darla smirked. “I stand vindicated then.”

“Well, I certainly am not going to be able to fit through an area that small.” Lucrecia stated unwaveringly.

“You wouldn’t anyway. You’d become stuck halfway–trying to fit that large ass of yours through.”

A solid smack! echoed in the velveteen darkness.

“Ow!” Darla cried out in pain. “That hurt!”

“That’s for calling me fat.” Lucrecia went on gravely.

“I said your butt was big, not you in particular!”

I chuckled–thinking how humorous this whole affair had started from the beginning with these two. Warriors all the same, but sisters deep down.

Even in the tides of war…I mused, thinking about what to do next; whilst my two companions continued to scrabble and snipe at each other from an equally safe distance.

Or so we were led to believe.

STORIES OF THE DEAD EARTH-BOOK 2: CHAPTER 20

2007-03-31T13:40:00.000-07:00

I woke up–after feeling like it was an eternity since I last slept. My sense of self was still there, and I stretched–metal shod hands scraping metal against metal.

Oddly enough, I was still a part of this Raider. I had naturally assumed that I would be human once more–after my fainting spell.

Guess not.

Darla and Lucrecia both bent down and lifted me up.

“Are you okay?” They both echoed with blunted concern.

I nodded–feeling my power return to me. Apparently, the fight had drained me more than I would’ve liked. But a quick systems scan revealed no lasting damage.

I would live!

But I was still deeply puzzled by the fact that I still remained joined to this mecha–rather than reverting back to my human form.

Perhaps the spell is more lasting than I thought. I mused to myself as I staggered upright and took stock of the situation.

The hanger bay was now wrapped in a staggering darkness.

“What…?” I began to say. “This can’t be right! Where are the emergency lights?”

“Dead.” Darla told me. “According to my sensors, this vessel has suffered a ship-wide power loss. Emergency generators in this section went out while you were…unconscious.”

I rubbed the back of my head idly, thinking about how best to proceed with this one.

“Well, I guess we should try to get to the Main Engineering spaces after we clean up the bay of all the monsters.”

“Unfortunately, that’s no longer the case. They all seemed to have…disappeared–rather mysteriously.” Lucrecia said.

I was somewhat disappointed by this news. I really wanted to get another crack at the leftover Serpent Sea Kings. I still had some aggression to work out.

“Wonderful,” I muttered, then started forward in the darkness. My searchlights pierced most of it–illuminating the death and destruction all around the cavernous area.

But then we reached a docking paddock and both Lucrecia and Darla removed themselves from their mechas–each descending down the return elevator in their pilot chairs.

I maneuvered myself into position, the umbilical cords attaching to me at certain points. The ship’s power was not being transferred however–as I soon found out. An internal diagnostic revealed that most of the bay’s support systems had shut down automatically in the event of a ship-wide power drain.

“Coming?” Lucrecia hollered up to me, after she had disembarked from her seat. Her sister had already undone the restraints and was proceeding towards the door.

“In a minute.” I radioed back. “I need to disengage myself.”

“Okay.” The woman said and headed for the door; at the heels of her sibling.

Clasping my hands together, fingers steepled, I said quietly, “Lord beseech thee, hear my call. End this union of flesh and steel once and for all.” There was no spell incantation with this one. It was simply, a plea to my Lord to undo what I had done early on.

There was a bright flash of light, and I found myself flying through space. In a few moments, I landed without incident–refreshed and ready to do battle.

Should the situation call for it.

Straightening up, I quickly took flight and ran after the two women in front of me– catching up to them just as the door closed.

I pounded on it lightly, hoping that it would open on its own accord.

It did, and both women stared back at me, both wearing mirthful expressions on their faces.

“What took you?” Darla asked in amusement.

“We were ready to leave without you,” her sister added with a grin.

“By the Cross of Dece!” I complained mildly. But my angst couldn’t squelch the rising tide of amusement I felt for the pair. “Let’s go,” I added with a small chuckle.

The door closed–locking itself silently; cutting us off from the rest of the world.

Both women nodded, leading me down a deceptively deep and dark corridor.

* * *

I wiggled my way through the hole leading back into the hallway from whence I had come originally.

The east exit which we tried was blocked and so we had to backtrack ourselves up the wall. Sula, Qaita had no trouble scaling its ice-smooth surface, but Gheri complained later–after we had gotten into the air duct–that I was no lightweight.

I found myself scowling at the Ice Spider’s suggestion (not getting over the idea that the slim form before me wasn’t a beautifully gamine woman–whose alluring features surely outdistanced my own) , but said nothing all the way to the end of our journey.

“Here we go,” I said, waving my hand towards the name plate–which denoted where we presently were. “And the back way is–” I stopped; once I turned and discovered that the doors to the Main Engineering spaces had been forced open.

By something massive! I thought, the hairs on my neck raising up all by themselves.

A translucent green slime dripped down–coating some parts of the mangled door, while pooling around both sides of the hallway.

But the corridor lights in my section dimmed suddenly and then went out–plunging everything into total darkness.

But not completely.

The translucent slime gave off a peculiar phosphorescent glow. Not strong enough to burn away the darkness, but enough to cast both myself and Sula (my nearest companion), in an eerie light.

Her black eyes reflected the light back with such deadly calm, it unnerved me a little to see those pupil-less abstractions blink at me with little or no emotion.

“What is this?” She asked curiously.

“I don’t know.” I answered with all honesty. “But it wasn’t here when I left.”

“The slime? Or the door being forced open?”

“Both.” Said I, raising my left wrist up to the door. “Merlin? What does your scanners tell you?”

“Not much I’m afraid. Whatever made this mess, passed this way no more than thirty minutes ago.” He said.

Sula looked at me, astounded. “Your bracelet speaks!” She squeaked.

“Aye…” I answered. “He does.”

Leaning over, the spider woman’s eyes now revealed her underlying wonder.

“Where did you find such fascinating things?”

“It was made for me, by someone very close.” I said, hoping that none of the others would be able to pry into my thoughts once more and speak the obvious.

However (this time around), I was spared.

Sula nodded to me in acquiescence. “I see. So no one else wears these…bracelets?”

“No. Only a select few. Myself and one other– a close companion and friend of mine–wears one each. Hers is named Seth.”

“And this one? Does this bracelet have a name?”

I nodded. “Merlin.”

Sula smiled. “Hello, Merlin. On behalf of my people, I greet thee with warm camaraderie.”

“My thanks, m’lady. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintances under such trying circumstances as these.”

Gheri and Qaita voiced similar greetings which my wrist comp took well in stride. Suffice to say, the moment of terror and indecision had been replaced by a sense of friendship and strength.

Of these Ice Spiders, my knowledge of them had been pared down to nothing. I had read the texts and the legends of these magnificent creatures, but nothing could prepare me for the actual experience.

At this time, I sorely wished that my family was here to see this moment–like so many others which had gone undocumented by others–but I got the sense that they were here with me.

In spirit.

“Lord…give me strength and your blessings. May you see me and protect me, and shower me with your love. And that of my family–wherever they may be.” I softly prayed.

Sula canted her head towards me, but said nothing.

“I’m sure that your family is safe– wherever they are,” Gheri said. “The Great Egg Mother will make certain of that. As will your lord and god.”

I nodded. Somehow, I felt much better.

“Shall we continue?” Qaita suggested. “If this place has truly been infested, it is up to us to make sure that we save those who are prisoners of these unnatural denizens.”

I looked at the slime-covered door, and nodded once more. Tiddus was down these way, I was sure of it. And it was up to me to rescue him.

“Yes.” I answered. “Let’s continue.”

I just hoped he was okay!

STORIES OF THE DEAD EARTH-BOOK 2:CHAPTER 19

2007-02-25T18:58:00.000-08:00

~A little daunting, I know~ Sula crooned softly to me–once I had regained my senses. ~Truth be told, we hadn’t expected anyone of your kind to come down here. We had thought that your ship master might’ve forgotten about us, once we had come on board years ago as month-old hatchlings~

“Tiddus?”

~No. The other one. Jon~

“Jon is dead.” I said in a muted voice. “Temporal storms blew in from Witch’s Peak. They…killed him.”

~Would explain how we got so big in such a short amount of time~ Qaita chimed in front of me. ~No wonder Sula’s stuck!~

I heard some crystalline laughter from behind me. It was Gheri.

~May the Great Egg Mother curse you both!~ Sula countered gaily. But there was no mistaking the warmth and laughter in her voice.

Strange how I never realized that I might’ve stumbled into an den of female Ice Spiders, and there was never a male around when you needed one.

“And your mates?” I asked in a respectful voice.

~Left behind~ Gheri said, shifting just a little on her perch. ~But they would’ve never survived the strain of those temporal storms~

~How did the ship survive then?~ Sula asked me.

“Gemins came and rescued them. After the crew had bargained with them of course.” I said, recalling what Tiddus had told me in Xanix.

Qaita shifted a bit.

~G-Gemins…?~ The Ice Spider questioned in astonishment. ~The time-stealers?~

“Yes.” I affirmed. “Do you know them?”

~We’ve…had some dealings with them in the past–yes~ The spider revealed to me. ~But not in so many egg-laying cycles though~

“When was your last dealing with the Gemins?”

~2500 cycles ago~ Sula told me from above my head. ~Long before I was even born into this ever-changing world it seems~

“I thought your race had long life spans?” I petitioned thoughtfully.

~We did. But that was ages ago. Times…they do have a habit of changing the spider within us~

I looked up in puzzlement.

“ ‘The spider within you…’? ” I mumbled.

Gheri spoke up then, her voice sounding very much amused.

~Do you honestly think that we’ve always lived like this?~ She asked of me.

“Truthfully?” I countered, turning to her, still in hand. I slipped it back into my waist sheath out of embarrassment. “Yes. The legends surrounding your kind–”

~People~ Sula graciously corrected. ~We are all a race of beings after all. Intelligent, deceitful, overbearing…much like you humans have always been~

“–people then.” I amended myself, then continued with, “have always shown you to be spider-like.”

~You mean those cave drawings left by the Hamagi so many cycles ago?~

“The Hamagi visited you?” I breathed in stunning awe.

~Yes. They did have a vibrant and colorful sense of creativity and sound intelligence~ Sula went on in a sing-song fashion. ~But they were a mysterious lot all the same~

“Do you know what happened to them? What happened to the tribe? There have been no signs of them since they left some two centuries ago.”

~Sorry~ Sula and Qaita chimed in together. ~We have no knowledge on why they disappeared or where they went to. Safe to say, we miss them terribly as it is. They‘re company was preferable to the loneliness a few of us had to endure over the long cycles~

“Is that why you left the Ice Caves?” I asked in hopeful wonder. “To go search for them?”

~Some of us did–yes. But the remainder of us stayed put. The Ice Caves are our home after all. It is where the Great Egg Mother gave birth to us all. It is where we will die too~ Gheri piped up.

“But…” I began. “When I was little and visited the Ice Caves, there was no sign of you anywhere.”

~We are masters of our own domain~ Sula told me. ~The art of stealth and concealment is our stock-in-trade~

Qaita stepped forward a little bit, and reached out to me with a tapered leg.

I froze just a bit as she touched my pant leg.

~You have grown up since the last I saw you~ She commented.

“You…saw me?” I queried in puzzlement. “How could that be–” and stopped, remembering those black orbs I saw in the ice walls.

“Those orbs!” I exclaimed in an earth-shattering revelation. “Those weren’t orbs at all. But…eyes!” I pointed at Qaita. “Yours!”

~Well…not mine exactly~ The spider corrected. ~But you did come into my range of vision later on. You were so small and cute then–waddling in your protective clothing like a sea penguin~

I blushed.

“I remember. I was yelling at my cousin to slow down. I didn’t like being left behind while she indulged herself.” I said–my cheeks burning at the past memory.

A past which I thought was now dead to me.

I was quiet for a time. Neither of the three Ice Spiders said anything; except to remain perfectly still and motionless.

~Something troubles you, child. I sense great discontent and anxiety inside~ Sula spoke up after a few minutes.

“Just my past.” I answered lamely.

~Not true~ Gheri countermanded. ~This war you fight has you on edge. But it isn’t just the one consuming this mighty vessel. It’s also your heritage, your destiny, and an uncertain future which clouds the horizon~

“How do you know so much about me?” I asked.

~Our people have special abilities evolved throughout time. Some allow us to read the linear tapestries of your people’s lives–subtle as they may be~ Gheri continued. ~Yours is unique and special. And your encounter with us was by no means an accident. It was fate brought about by the Great Egg Mother. She decreed that you come to us. To meet a small part of your future~

I scratched my head with my left wrist, Merlin’s lights still quietly blinking by themselves. He hadn’t said a word since we entered this shaft, and it made me wonder why.

“My future?”

~Yes~

I laughed quietly to myself.

“So now you’re going to Orb on me, is that it?”

~Orb?~

“A Seer who can foretell events in the future by seeing links from the past. Subtle events which can impede or assist one’s destiny.” I explained to Gheri.

~Claptrap~ Gheri answered in a surprisingly gruff tone, her legs entwining themselves thoughtfully on her spun web. ~None of them possess true Sight. We are able to ‘read’ your linear tapestries without having to resort to such trivial things~

“So how is my life interlinked with yours?”

~First you have to come to grips with yourself and your heritage before we can answer that. Your destiny has already been interwoven by the Great Egg Mother. But it cannot until you start accepting yourself for who you are~ Gheri outlined.

“My…” I began to say, before it all hit me. “You mean my past?” I bit out. “I can’t!”

~Why not?~ Sula inquired curiously. ~What’s to stop you from embracing who you really are?~

“Things have become…” I started off, then stopped for a moment. “Rather complicated.”

~Not from where we all stand~

I laughed nervously. “Well, you’re not me.”

~But we have been in similar situations, over the passage of time. Your problems are no different from ours, in retrospect~

“It is, if you have certain elements wanting your head.”

~A blood debt?~ Qaita questioned.

“No,” I said softly. “Nothing so mundane.” I stopped talking after that, wondering what’s possessed me so far to be so open to three creatures of glorious beauty and elegance.

Could it be that I’ve fallen under some kind of spell of their creation? Or am I finally starting to become more trustworthy as time goes on? I silently asked myself.

~Many deaths in her family~ Gheri spoke up, her soft mandibles rubbing together with gentle excitement. ~The young one is compelled to protect herself by denying her heritage–so that she may live to avenge such painful losses~

“How would you know?!” I barked uncharacteristically.

Qaita was quiet for a second. ~Your fragile emotional façade is like a pounding surf against my telepathic perceptions. Right now, you are in a war with yourself. Do not be so hasty to forget, young one: I do possess capabilities far beyond that of a mere mortal–such as yourself~

~We all do~ Sula spoke up for herself and Gheri. ~But we do not revel in such ambitions to showcase our talents. Which is why we have kept ourselves hidden for so long~

“So you perform a form of a telepathic rape on me?” I accused contritely.

Gheri shuffled on her legs a bit. ~Nothing so mundane–as you were quick to point out a little while ago. No, you’re mind is the one which is crying out for justice and guidance. And in doing so, you have inadvertently created a situation which will most likely expose you to the one person you most desire~

“Tiddus?” I squeaked.

~Perhaps him. Perhaps not~ The spider hinted. ~Your road is less traveled than you think. In time, you will forget him, and meet others in your quest. But as Sula as said, you must embrace who you are. And not the person you wish to become out of desperation~

“A warrior?” I guessed off hand.

~You do things to honor your family’s memory. That is laudable. But in order to progress, you have to also remember that your long and noble heritage is an asset, and not as a liability as you paint it to be~ Gheri calmly noted. ~It is the only way you can be whole again, young one~

I stood there and gave it some thought. To be shed of this masquerade…I mused.

“You ask much, Gheri. But I do not know what good a lost princess can be on a ship as massive as this one is.” I said.

~We do not require you to fall back into a role of old. Just that you accept who you are, and begin the healing process. Running from your destiny will affect more people than you can imagine. The Great Egg Mother has foreseen your life to be the one that this whole world has been waiting for. If you fail now, everything will be for naught, and your destiny will reveal a most unpleasant fate~ Sula told me flat out.

“Something worse than death?” I joked lamely.

~Death is but a transition. This fate will chain you to an existence you will not wish to be a part of–no matter how you may want to run from it. It will catch up to you and consume you swiftly~

~And those whom you once called ‘friend’ will pay a heavy price for your pride and ignorance~ Qaita threw in, leaving me to ponder over what had been divulged.

“Can you tell me which is the correct path?”

Sula shook her front legs at me in a dismissive wave.

~We are not Seers. Our abilities of true Sight do not reveal the future in the way you and yours have come to expect it as. We can only tell you of things, not events~

“But that’s just as good as getting Orbed!” I exclaimed.

~No. Things we see within you. Not events which unfold all around us~ Gheri motioned with a foreleg. ~We cannot affect the space/time continuum for personal gain. Nor would we do the same for complete strangers. Our gifts of Sight and understanding come from countless cycles of evolution. Not chance. The Great Egg Mother made this perfectly clear from the onset~

“Okay,” I said with a fatalistic air. “So your ways of doing things will not bring me any closer to my goals or overall destiny?”

~Correct~ Qaita stated. ~No ‘future telling’ involved. Just perceptions based on what we see in you~

“Potential?” I translated.

~Something like that~

Cool. I could live with that.

But before I could ask another question, the whole shaft shook violently, and I found myself pitched to the side and right into Qaita’s…arms?

Soft hands gripped me–keeping me from losing my balance. I looked back and found myself pressed up against a gamine-looking woman with pale white skin and beady black eyes, framed by silver-white hair, and dressed in an ice-blue jumpsuit with a white robe draped over her shoulders.

“H-huh?” I stammered incomprehensively, before looking towards Gheri and found a strikingly beautiful woman dressed in a silver one piece bathing suit lounging on the web, without a care in the world–toying languidly with a strand of webbing.

Her hair matched Qaita’s, as did her black orb eyes.

“Easy.” Qaita said with a soft, throbbing voice. “I have you.”

“B-b-but!” I continued to rail, before another explosion rocked our world.

A slender form dropped down from below–born aloft by a thick strand of silk attached to a left wrist gauntlet. The webbing snapped automatically, before being sucked back up into the darkness.

The woman landed on her feet, her thigh-high boots making a soft clacking sound as they made contact with the catwalk beneath.

She stood up–dressed in two pieces of combat armor which shimmered and broke apart in icy colors.

“I guess we should go, sisters,” The woman said, “for the battle is clearly taking a toll on this fine ship.”

I was still transfixed by the sight of the three women–whereas before, they were nothing but Ice Spiders!

Sula caught my troubled, but curious gaze at Qaita and then Gheri.

“Appearance aren’t everything, child.” She said with a surprisingly human smile on her lovely face. “The eyes–they do play tricks on you.”

“Stealth and concealment…” I muttered to myself– recalling what had been discussed earlier.

Sula nodded. “Yes. Stealth and concealment.” She said with her smile still in place. “You saw only what you wanted to see.”

“Giant Ice Spiders?”

Sula shrugged. “If that’s what your mind perceived…?”

I shuddered involuntarily.

I always did have a latent fear of spiders. Everyone did. It was a normal thing.

But why now?

Another explosion hit us and it reminded me to stop gawking and get going. There would be plenty of time later for introspection.

Assuming we all survived, that is.

STORIES OF THE DEAD EARTH-BOOK 2:CHAPTER 18

2007-02-25T16:43:00.000-08:00

Digging into my pocket, I pulled out a small vial.

“Why not use your sword?” Merlin queried in a pestering voice.

“Not enough room,” I said, before sprinkling the vessel’s contents onto the grate’s thin mesh covering. “Not enough force for me to spear through and dislodge this stubborn contraption.”

“Has it ever occurred to you as to why this thing was put on here to begin with?”

I capped the vial and put it back into its respective pouch.

“No. And I don’t care. The nanites will soon dissolve the metal–as soon as they finish analyzing its molecular composition.”

“Nanites?” Merlin echoed in surprise. “Isn’t that a techno-mage specialty?”

“Aye. They were a gift from my cousin, Rel from…” I paused for a moment to think of when the last time we met. But the passage of years in combination with my fleeting memory failed to dredge up a number. “Awhile back.” I concluded somewhat lamely.

“Still…” Merlin mused. “You should’ve considered the ramifications of this action before acting.”

“Is that concern I hear from you Merlin?” I teased a bit. “You’re getting more emotional by the day.”

“Tis true. But this has my circuits unsettled.”

The metal began to dissolve itself wondrously, leaving a ghost ache in my leg.

Soon, I was able to stick my hand through. But the second I did, I felt something cold brush up against it.

I pulled it back in alarm, feeling the ice-cold numbness evaporate from the skin surface.

“What–?” I began to murmur in alarm, while shaking my hand in deadly earnest.

“Oh dear…” Merlin was heard muttering to himself. “I was right. There is something in this conduit! And it‘s closing in on our position!”

And without my armor, I’m as good as dead! I thought with heavy dread.

“Can you see it?”

“Negative. It’s deflecting my ability to scan it.”

I held up my wrist in surprise.

“What?!”

“Tracking it now,” Merlin continued uninterrupted. “1200 meters and closing. 1180 meters and closing. 1160 meters and closing…”

I blew out my breath in exasperation. “Well, I’m not going to be of any good here. Why don’t we get some leg room so that we can fight this thing effectively?”

“It’s a 40-foot drop,” Merlin cautioned me gravely.

“I did sixty once.” I declared proudly. “Forty’s nothing.” Then proceeded to scoot myself forward a bit. My legs dangled out, but I felt nothing of the biting cold along my pant legs.

“But you don’t know where you’re going to land!”

“Catwalk below, right?” I reminded my wrist-comp airily.

“Yes, but–” Merlin began to point out, but by this time, I had already jumped out of the air duct.

I dropped through space with the grace of a weighted feather, and trusted I would land where I thought the catwalk would be.

In seconds, I hit something solid and hard, but landed in a crouch none worse for wear.

“Seem to be okay.” I murmured in surprise, completely forgetting about the fact that my face and head were now exposed to whatever it was which made my hand go comfortably numb with cold.

And yet…

I felt nothing!

“Okay…” I murmured to myself. “This is a bit strange. How come there’s no cold?”

“That’s because whatever you were feeling before was up above us! Not below!” Merlin countered with alarm.

“Say what?”

“It’s dropping down even faster! I think it’s locked onto your heat signature! 900 meters and closing!”

That’s when I heard it. A kind of chittering and soft clacking against metal. Both sounds were measured and in tandem. But they were uniform nonetheless.

I began to back up just a bit.

“This can’t be good…” I said out loud.

“700 meters…!”

Drawing out my Sansui sword, I said:

“Let thee who comes to do harm be revealed! yuhda'7VrÇ!–Light Spray!”

I thrust my sword upwards as the upper half glowed tensely with purpose. Then it exploded–sending up a rain of light into the area above me.

Each strobe latched onto every surface it could find, bringing forth even more illumination than my Heaven’s Light could.

In mere seconds, I would find out what I was up against.

Unfortunately, I didn’t like what I spotted.

8 beady black eyes stared me down from high above.

“By the Hand of our Lord–!” I breathed in absolute fear. “What is something like that doing in a place like this?!?”

“A little far from the Caves of Ice, wouldn’t you say?” Merlin guessed, then added: “But I don’t think it’s really alone.”

“Why do you say that?” I asked, watching as one of the biggest Ice Spiders come down on a thick thread of ice silk in leaps and bounds. In a minute or so, it would be within striking range of me.

I started to back up some more.

“Because there are more than one in this shaft.” Merlin revealed. “Look above you further and to your immediate left.”

I did. And paled even more.

There was another Ice Spider, but this one was monstrous! Its whole body seemed to be swallowed up by the tightness of the shaft above my head–with its legs compressed against its seemingly fragile body.

“God’s Graces…” I intoned meekly, feeling suddenly small and vulnerable. “Is that the parent spider?”

“I think so.”

“So where’s the third one?” I asked.

“Behind you.” Merlin pointed out.

I spun around, my sword following suite. Before me–about 115 yards away–was this splendidly gorgeous web splayed across the body of shaft–each strand point glittering brightly in the light of my Light Spray spell.

And what sat in the middle?

An equally large Ice Spider!

The creature's pale white body gleamed, with its darker gray zigzag markings on the back and thorax more prominent than anything I could possibly recall. (I had studied the Ice Caves as a child when my cousin Sheila went cave diving. I saw ancient cave drawings there which depicted these huge creatures. But very few clues pointed to the evidence of them ever being there for the last three thousand years. But I did recall seeing some black orbs peppered into the cave walls every so often. To me, they were the most beautiful thing I had ever lain eyes upon. At that point, I found myself wishing then that the spiders hadn‘t left their domain so.)

The spider’s eight eyes stared back at me quietly–as it sat in the center of the web like some giant Sentinel come to life.

“Is this ship where they had been congregating all this time?” I wondered out loud, as the second spider finished its journey down, lightly settling on the catwalk–despite the fact there was little room for it–or me–to maneuver.

I snapped my sword hand at the thing in a defensive posture, wishing to God that my armor was back online and I didn’t have to deal with feeling so naked to these giant horrors.

The spider reared back just a little bit in a display of muted surprise.

“Yes…” I said with some smug confidence. “You’d better stay back. You don’t want to be tangling with me.” But why only three? Are these the last surviving variants?

At this point, I wished I didn’t have to fight these beautiful things. They looked so breathtakingly fragile and graceful at the same time.

~It is not our intent to, little one~ A deeply resonating voice echoed all around me. ~Qaita here was naturally curious as to what possessed someone like you to entire our lair~

It was then that I found out that someone had spoken to me. But it wasn’t the Ice Spider here in front of me which had launched the conversation. I looked around in confusion.

~Up here, child~ The gentle voice bade me. I looked up and found the same gigantic creature waving one of its forelegs down to me. ~I am called Sula. And that over there is Gheri. She is the guardian of the east-wing exit~

I was simply overwhelmed at this point, and sat down hard on my butt as a result.

“Heaven’s Gate…”I whispered to myself, not knowing what I had just gotten myself into. But I would find out in just a moment.

STORIES OF THE DEAD EARTH-BOOK 2:CHAPTER 17

2007-02-19T20:17:00.000-08:00

Like before, the Emperor Sea Snake struck first–lashing out with its tail, and hitting Darla in her right side–from inside her Tomahawk.

Almost immediately, Lucrecia responded by using her particle cannon and scoring a massive welt across the beast’s lower torso.

“Watch out–” I began to warn, as the creature screamed in pain, then used Angel Wings on itself again–to increase its agility and evasion.

At this point, I found myself wishing I had the ability to cast such a spell, so that I could be just as fast and agile, as that thing was.

“Father of Time, lend us a hand–Speed Force: Level 1.” Darla quickly intoned, before turning and casting a really unusual spell.

The air around her began to warp strangely, and I could’ve sworn I saw this clock hanging in the middle of the air–its hands speeding up a little bit, before the image merged with the Tomahawk.

The mecha glowed red, but I was certain that its dexterity and evasion had been increased.

“Neat trick.” I complimented with envy. “Wish I could do that.”

Lucrecia did the same to herself, while her sister took a pot-shot at the Emperor Sea Snake. The thing writhed under fire, but it soon responded with a new attack: The barbs along its tail suddenly went rigid, and with a flick of its tail–these impressive metal spikes sailed right for us.

Of course, Lucrecia and Darla easily evaded the attack, but it left me wondering: Metal spikes?

I was certain that the Emperor Sea Snake was flesh and blood like myself at one point.

But what if…? I began to think, before it was my turn at bat. I didn’t know what to do–other than physically hit that thing with a spinning two-handed blade attack.

I opened a thirteen-yard wound on front of it when I came back for the rebound, spewing gouts of what I thought was blood everywhere!

The Emperor Sea Snake cried out again, but this time its call summoned some of its smaller brethren into the mix.

Six had joined it. But before our very eyes (or in my case–sensors), the Emperor dully ate two right there in two swift strikes–leaving only four!

Something inside me recoiled in horror, as I bore witness to its smaller cousins being eaten alive. But just as miraculous was the little known fact that its wounds were healing at an astonishing rate.

And as a consequence (to us), it started to grow much bigger as a result!

“Shit!” Darla was heard cursing over the open channel. “I should’ve known that it was going to do this!”

“You mean you knew?” I said with open amazement.

“Yeah.” Lucrecia calmly said, before picking off one of the smaller Serpent Sea Kings with a clean shot. It vanished quickly like a ghost–leaving three. “We’ve dealt with these things before, but not quite so many at once.”

“It couldn’t have possibly been planned ahead–the second you guys entered The Hole, could it?” I reasoned, before using Chain Blazer on one of the other Serpent Sea Kings.

It vanished into thin air like its brother.

I smiled despite the situation.

I guess my spells are useful after all. I mused. Just not on the giant bruiser.

“Huh?” Darla returned–distracted by the lone Serpent Sea King‘s pitiful attempt to hit her.

It missed.

The Tomahawk nailed the straggler with a Lock On attack–a glowing targeting reticule appeared on the creature it–which allowed her to nail the thing no matter what it did next.

Nor could it escape when it was targeted by Lock On.

A bright flash from her cannon and the Serpent Sea King was atomized out of existence. It didn’t ‘ghost out’ like the others normally did.

That left only the Emperor Sea Snake.

But it simply didn’t know when to quit while it was ahead.

Putting away my ax, I surprised myself by instinctively performing a Multiple Assault Strike.
My eyes glowed green as I targeted different parts of the beast’s body (High Point, Upper Body, Low), with reticules of the same color locking onto the Emperor Sea Snake.

A column of light enveloped me, and this massive weapons package was lowered into place over me–fitting snugly onto the Raider’s body like a second skin. A jacket.

I sagged a bit under the weight, but I held my ground nonetheless.

Missile racks on the sides and gun armaments in the center opened up in sequence, and I held my arms out–before firing off one massive salvo–the kind which nailed the Emperor Sea Snake with such savagery, it astonished my compatriots in tow.

The shot’s recoil pushed me back at the same time, but it did nothing to dull the brilliance of my impressive display.

The light and weapons package vanished, and I stepped forward–freed of my subjected weight.

Darla and Lucrecia both complimented me on my awe-inspiring attack, but their cheer lasted only a few moments, before the Emperor Sea Snake did something completely unexpected: Its body puffed up and those metal spikes on its body bulged out–each threatening to explode towards us.

“This isn’t good!” I heard Lucrecia squeal in alarm. “That thing is prepping for its Thunder Cracker attack!”

“What–?” I cracked. “Already?”

“Yes! That last attack of yours must’ve done some severe damage to it! It usually only attacks with this ability as a last resort before it dies!”

“A suicide option?”

“Most likely!” Darla opined.

“I’ll use my Multiple Assault Strike again!” I quickly volunteered. “Even at the half-strength, it should–” But I never got the chance to say much else on the subject matter at hand.

The spikes exploded out from the Emperor Sea Snake’s body in a hail of fire–falling out into a cloud-like pattern–and then oriented themselves around us, then soared upwards.

I knew then that I didn’t have time to do much of anything except to watch as my lifespan was cut short because of a grave tactical error on my part.

What the hell, I thought to myself. Life isn’t worth living if you can’t afford a few risky ventures along the ways.

I glanced at Darla and Lucrecia–and nodded.

“Standby.” I told them, thinking I had time to perform one last maneuver. It was considered risky because I had to time the precise moment that thing lit off its final attack.

The spikes stopped their spinning, as the Emperor Sea Snake head abruptly exploded into three heads.

I was startled by such an action, but each head on the left and right sides filled with brilliant displays of raw power and electricity, while the second one weaved back and forth in the slow dance of death, before snapping its head back and pointing it towards the ceiling.

Remarkably, a blue sky, complete with meadows and flowers suddenly appeared around us. The sun above us was shining and there was the soft melody of birds singing.

Then all that changed when threatening clouds appeared on the horizon, and quickly swallowed the sky and the sun.

Thunder and lightning roiled across the darkening skies themselves.

A thin beam of light erupted from the middle mouth, which was reciprocated by a thick bolt of lightning hitting it.

The middle head vanished, but the immense power was funneled to the other two mouths, and then that electricity in turn was re-directed back upwards towards the sky.

Peals of thunder wracked the area, shaking us all to the core.

“Standby.” I repeated tensely.

The metal spikes caught the giant discharge, and formed a giant web around the three of us.

Then that web compacted and split into three massive forks of heavenly power and raw fury…each one targeting us!

“Now.” I said, silently chanting:

Space and time, come to us, pull us in your embrace and set us free! À¥ÃÃµ$mq!–Vortex Beam!

A tunnel snapped open right in front of us, and a beam of light enveloped our position. Before we knew it, a great force pulled us in–just as the final moments of the Thunder Cracker attack played itself out.

The jagged bolts of lightning played across where we normally would be, and the Emperor Sea Snake died then and there.

The spell effect vanished soon after and the Vortex Beam reverted ten seconds later.

A brightly lit tunnel irised open, and we were gently tossed out–landing on our feet effortlessly.

Darkness enveloped us once again, as our surroundings laid claim, and we were all left a little breathless.

Myself included–even though I was still merged with my choice of mecha.

Darla and Lucrecia looked around, with Lucrecia whistling in stark amazement.

“That was an unexpected trick. What was it?”

“A Vortex Beam.” explained I. “It allows a small party to temporarily jump into a subspace domain and dodge any said lethal attack, spell, or something else the enemy throws at us.”

Darla’s Tomahawk shrugged in a human-like manner.

“Lucky us.” She said with half-concealed admiration. She still couldn’t get it out of her head on the mind-blowing ride she’d just experienced.

I turned to say something to her, and my world began to spin.

Unknowing to me, the spell had drained my power (and me), and I staggered forward for a second before collapsing to my knees–with one hand supporting all of my magnified weight.

Darla reacted by dropping down with me and asking me what was wrong.

“D-drained…” I whispered, before I lost unconsciousness.

The Raider completed its fall by finishing it by hitting the hanger deck floor face first.

STORIES OF THE DEAD EARTH-BOOK 2:CHAPTER 16

2007-02-19T16:44:00.000-08:00

I guess things could be worse. Not that my vivid imagination really cared.

Despite all my best efforts, I still couldn’t stop thinking about what I would face–crawling through this air duct.

After ten minutes of entertaining my worst fears, I stopped at the end–having hit another metal-mesh grate. Looking back, all I could see was darkness, and not much else.

Fear gripped my soul, and I prayed to our Lord in Heaven that that’s all it was, and there would be nothing in back of me waiting to take me unawares. (Seeing how I left the opening free and clear for anything to come and investigate.)

I smacked myself on the head for being so stupid. I should’ve thought about that!

But it was too late for me.

Now pressed up against the grate, I craned to see what lain beyond my range of sight.

Darkness.

“Why am I not surprised…?” I muttered to myself. This whole darkness thing was beginning to test the upper limits of my patience–not to mention my nerves.

Revelation’s Light would be too weak of a spell to illuminate my path. I silently reasoned. It’s only good for close quarters. So how about…? I nodded to myself, thinking that one would work.

Pressing my hand against the grate, I said:

“xzz{D} ¾ÂoHÅÑ–Discharge this darkness with thy otherworldly flash–Heaven’s Light!”

At this point in time, a silent bang of intense white light erupted from my hand and was sent outwards in a lazy arc–a phosphorescence trail of energy spiraling all the way down.

I judged it lest to be at least thirty feet down, maybe forty at this point.

And…?

Now.

I snapped my fingers just at the right moment, and Heaven’s Light exploded with such magnificence, it bled the whole area into a complete black and white format.

My eyes bugged out then.

“Oh….my…God…” I breathed in absolute astonishment.

Not only was I right the first time, but where I ended up appeared to be a modest drop-off surrounded by insanely thin catwalk–which looked to be no more than seven inches across.

Just barely enough room to walk, but not much else. I thoughtfully reasoned. But who would build such a thing?

I sat back for a moment to see what I should do next. Clearly, I couldn’t stay here. And going back would be nothing more than an exercise in frustration and futility.

“Going down?” Merlin lightly suggested, speaking up for the first time since I started. He had been miraculously quiet during my trip–obviously sensing my nervous discord the entire time.

I jumped a little, startled by his voice. But once I realized it was just him, I immediately calmed down.

“Bite your tongue!” I snapped irritably.

“Wish I could say that I possessed one to bite. But since I don’t…?”

“Eat a virus then!” I countered sharply, still trying to think of what to do next.

“Not in this present configuration me thinks.” Merlin chuckled.

I groaned. “Can you at least have the decency to shut up then?”

“I have been quiet. But sensing your indecisiveness, I had thought I’d lend a helping hand in this regards.”

“I don’t need it.” I snarled fitfully. “I’m fine the way I am.”

“Sure about that?”

I bottled my next comment, unsure if I wanted to actually say something which would make things much worse than they were.

Then I said quietly, “yes.”

“Then go ahead. Take the first step.” Merlin openly suggested.

I gripped the grate with the desperation that of a blind man’s conviction.

“Thank you. I will.” I said, then began to tug and pull at the grate.

But this one was stubborn. It wouldn’t come off so easily.

So I sat back and with one mighty kick, I slammed my foot into the center of it.

Except…

The grate held under my sudden punishment.

A riot of pain reverberated through my leg a second later, causing me to cried out in surprise as well as agony.

“Grateful Mother of Heaven!” I grimaced tightly–clutching and holding my spasming limb. “Just what in the Sixth Power was that thing fastened to?!?” My face contorted again in crushing pain as my leg muscles continued their antics. “Sonofa–” and fell back, while continuing to hurl dark thoughts at my inanimate foe.

I rocked back and forth for another minute–beads of perspiration dotting my forehead–with teeth clenched in an effort to combat the waves of throbbing pain.

At some point, I dimly recall Merlin saying something.

“Well…whatever you did, it certainly put a noticeable dent in that grate.” He said brightly.

“Ahhhhnn…” I howled. “Curse men and their damnable technology!”

“You’re the one whom wants to rescue one such man, not I.”

I stopped rolling back and forth for a moment to stare up at the smooth and featureless ceiling.

“Did I ever ask you what I wanted? No!”

I managed to sit up then. But sharp barbs of pain and agony was still with me.

“I probably broke my leg doing this stunt.” I hissed pitifully.

“No. But you did pull a few muscles. That’s why you hurt so.” Merlin analyzed.

“Great. Just fucking wonderful…” I complained.

“Why not just fix it with a Rejuvenator capsule?”

“it’ll take an hour for the pill to take effect. I don’t know if I even have that much time. I don’t even know if Tiddus has that much time…”

“You can heal yourself, can’t you?”

I shook my head. “It would require me going into a light trance. And usually that takes more time than the Rejuvenator.”

“Well, it’s either the pill or the trance. And like you said: We don’t have that much time.” Merlin calmly pointed out.

I sighed, knowing that he had a point. Grabbing for my utility belt, I pre-selected a pocket, and pulled out a softly glowing red pill.

“This is going to hurt like a pain in my ass.” I softly told the object of my displeasure. “Every time I swallow one of these, I feel it.”

“So file a complaint with the Healer Guild in Nao the next time you feel the urge for a stopover. I‘m sure they would enjoy an explanation as why a sorceress of your caliber would be needing to perform such a compulsive thing–”

“Merlin?”

“Yes?”

I popped the pill in my mouth and swallowed.

“Shut up.”

“So you took the pill?”

“Yes…” I said, feeling it hit the bottom of my empty stomach. It growled a little–reminding me of the fact that I hadn’t eaten anything for awhile now.

Come to think of it, rat stew doesn’t sound too bad right now. Just add a little chisa-me sauce, and some kalufa wine–300 year vintage of course–I thought, then stopped right then and there.

“What am I thinking?” I told myself. “God in Heaven’s Gate I must be hungry if I can think of rat stew as being completely desirable right now…!”

“Well, you did have poached fish earlier in kumara sauce, with a light vinaigrette on the side,” Merlin reminded me.

My stomach growled even more.

I slapped my wrist lightly.

“Will you stop talking about food right now? It’s bad enough that I’m craving rat stew right now, that you have to tell me how much I enjoyed that poached fish last night!”

My stomach growled some more, and I swore right then that my desires were quickly overriding all common sense.

“How’s the pain?”

Distracted, I said, “What?”

“The pain in your leg. How is it?”

So engrossed in talking about food, I had completely forgotten about it.

I stretched it out gingerly and found that the pain wasn’t as bad as it had been a few moments ago.

“Not bad,” I grudgingly admitted. “I guess that Rejuvenator worked faster than I had thought.”

“Actually, that would be my doing. I accelerated the pill’s effects a thousand fold–the second it hit your system. So in the last couple of minutes we had been talking, you were healing faster than you would normally imagine.”

“I can imagine a lot.” I said with a touch of pride in my voice, then I said with a bit of humility, “thanks.”

“What are guardians for?” Merlin shrugged off. “Now, do you think we can get this grate off without you breaking your foot in the process?”

I rubbed my hands together evilly, with a hard glint in my eye. “Actually, I have something better in store for this thing. And it won’t like it.”

“This…I gotta see.”

STORIES OF THE DEAD EARTH-BOOK 2: CHAPTER 15.

2007-01-21T20:07:00.001-08:00

Of course, someone should’ve reminded me then of the fact that size and stature can sometimes be very deceptive.

But one of the side effects of this Chained Link spell, was that it left me drunk with power and feeling extremely sure of my own newly enhanced abilities.

In a blind attempt at doing such, I reached down to grab a hold of the Emperor Serpent’s tail, only to find that my metal shod hands couldn’t quite wrap themselves around the massive girth of the beast in question.

What? I thought with disembodied puzzlement. Before I could react, that end of the tail ended up slapping me aside like a child’s doll–with little effort on its part.

I went sailing backwards a bit–kicking up sparks as I went. My journey soon ended when I engaged my backpack thrusters, and I slowed down to a relative crawl and then a gentle bump against another raised mecha platform.

Shaking my head, I strived to get up on my feet, only to find that my adversary was much more larger than I first thought.

80...maybe 90...feet in height, possibly weighing in at a good forty, maybe fifty tons.

But despite my vessel’s thirty tons of mass and sixty-five feet in length, I was still marginally outclassed.

I knew then that I couldn’t match this thing with brute force. I had to try something else.

Staring up at my swaying foe, I nodded.

“Very well,” I said in an electronically enhanced voice. “Time for you and I to dance.”

Bringing my hands up and out, I steepled them together, and said:

“Fire above, fire below, heed my call from this Man of Iron–whose vessel I now possess through both chains and links–I call upon thee to aid in my quest to vanquish this horrid creature, and return peace upon these waters! Ñ¯ƒþâÞ–(3)–Ðåÿ!–Chain Blazer!”

I pirouetted just a bit on my left foot, bringing my glowing left hand back. A small spell circle appeared soon after, encircling my wrist, which I snapped down to allow to fall into my hand, then flipped up and flung out like a Frisbee–ensnaring the Emperor Sea Snake around the middle of its torso.

The spell circle glowed blue, then yellow, then red.

I snapped both wrists up to complete the cycle, and this cyclonic pyroclasm of fire whipped up and around the monster in a chain-like fashion–starting from the bottom and worked its way up to the top…before vanishing.

The Emperor Sea Snake staggered backwards from my attack, but it wasn’t defeated.

Far from it, it still had a lot of life left to it. But the reddened scorch marks on its otherwise unblemished skin served as a reminder to it that it was dealing with no rank amateur.

But of course, what I didn’t know was that I wasn’t dealing with a newbie either. Aside from the Angel Wings, I didn’t stop to think that it had its own array of offensive spells either. But I found out three seconds later though!

Did I ever!

Without conscious thought, the Emperor’s head snapped back, and opened its mouth wide. Before I knew it, its impressive maw went alight with a serene blue glow of energy–lightning discharges exploding all around its head–and then it snapped forward and this huge conflagration of raw power discharged from its mouth and fried me right where I stood.

Power conduits ruptured inside of me and I cried out in pain–equally surprised that I could still feel that kind of level of sensation, emotion, and sense of self–even though I was no longer flesh and blood.

“Ugh!” I grated, before looking inwardly for anything which would lessen the damage of that next Lightning Beam strike.

Collapsing to my knees for a second, I waited until the discharges leveled off, so that I could think straight again.

“N-not bad…” I openly admitted to my opponent. “You certainly are more teeth than shell.”

“You should know better than to take on such a formidable adversary in such a weak mecha.” A familiar voice called up to me.

I looked around for that second–knowing that it could be my last; if the Emperor Sea Snake decided to attack me again with that ability.

My list of options had come up empty. I didn’t have any anti-lightning armor capabilities on me!

And it was Darla who had spoken.

This surprised me.

“Darla? What are you doing here?” I asked in a slightly distorted voice.

“Need some backup?”

“No. Not likely.” I said.

A series of thunderous echoed all around me, and I took a step back just a bit.

A Tomahawk came into view, shouldering another life-size mecha.

“Sis! If I told you once, I’ll tell you again: I am not your baggage handler!” Then proceeded to drop the second Tomahawk onto the hanger bay floor.

With confident steps, Darla bounded up and undid the forward access hatch to the pilot’s seat. In mere moments, the mecha’s systems came on, and I was soon joined by a second Tomahawk.

“Only two functional in the whole area?” Darla questioned her sibling.

The other Tomahawk nodded. “Yes. They were the only ones undamaged so far by the errant musings of those Serpent Sea Kings.”

The other mecha shrugged. “Well, it’s not like we can do much about that. How about we take care of this thing, and then proceed to sweep out the bay the rest of the stragglers?”

“Sounds good to me.” I answered mechanically. “But I’ve already tried to take this thing out with a Chain Blazer spell. It did some damage, but watch out for its Lightning Beam attack. It got me pretty good.”

Lucrecia was a bit surprised. “You mean to tell me that you tried to use a fire attack on a water creature whom has lightning-based abilities?”

“Yes.”

“You’re braver than I thought.” Darla echoed sentimentally. “No one with half a mind would dare use a fire-based attack without knowing what was coming in the return arc.”

I turned on the woman’s mecha. “Excuse me if I don’t know much about this area. I’m not from around here.”

“We gathered as much.” Lucrecia said from the safe confines of her cockpit. “But since we have anti-lightning armor capabilities, I would suggest that you get behind us, so that we may shield you–in case it decides to use another Lightning Beam on you.”

“You mean it’s not a multi-party attack ability?” I asked with some astonishment in my electrified voice.

“No. It’s a single attack. Very powerful. But these things have what we call a Thunder Cracker. It is a maxed level lightning ability which generates one massive thunder blitz on all parties involved. Even our anti-lightning armor may not stop all of it–should the creature use it on us.”

I thought on that one for a bit, while the Emperor Sea Snake continued to sit there–waiting for us to make up our minds. It was interesting that it didn’t continue to attack us while we stood around jabbering like parrots, or when Darla and Lucrecia came to my aid.

I suspect that their arrival somehow disrupted the flow of battle, and allowed me a much needed reprieve.

But I knew it wouldn’t last long, so I had to hurry.

“So what can I use–if not fire-based attack abilities?” I inquired.

“Physical attacks.” Lucrecia offered, pulling out her particle cannon and watching as her sister came away with some kind of rocket gun. “It’s the only thing that works. If you have spells, save them for the final battle. Use anything but them.”

I nodded, thinking that this was going to be a little easier than I had first thought. Without thinking, I brought out a laser-edged battle ax. But this one differed from the one I normally carried.

This extended one had blades on both ends.

I smiled evilly.

“I always wanted to know what snake filets tasted like.” I said with broad contempt.

With that done, the battle renewed itself.