Joran finds the path to the mountain easy to navigate. It is visible enough. Before the sun even revealed half of itself, he reaches the base. He finds Mildral in his full armor with his face covered by the helmet sitting on a rock waiting for him. It did not have any weapons equipped. Joran observes it and finds the sight interesting.
"You are not expecting a fight?"
"Shooting the mountain isn't going to do much. From the stories I have heard, they won't be necessary for me or you," he tells him.
"He is right," says an elder voice covering himself with brown rags having to use a walking stick to stand up straight. "You won't need weapons for this journey. The climb is already difficult, and don't need the extra weight."
"I appreciate your advice elder but I sense something disturbing up there which makes me feel otherwise," Joran says before he begins his walk up the mountain path and Mildral shakes his head before following behind his friend.
"How tough are you? I am curious, son of Kalsor," says the elder while watching the two climb.
When the bottom of the sun finally reveals itself they are already halfway up the mountain. They come to a part where it is a good place to rest. The steam the rocks give off makes Joran sweat but he didn't seem troubled by it while taking a seat. His thoughts are filled with her and when they touch foreheads.
"So what are the odds for me today?" He asks smiling while taking a drink from his canteen.
"Never in your favor, but that is why I always bet on you," Mildral tells him and Joran has a small laugh while taking another drink and wiping his mouth. Mildral did have a question for him. "Is she worth all this?"
"I wouldn't be doing this if she wasn't, Doc," he says before standing up to stretch. "You haven't asked how things went with my father."
"Why should I? You are here in one piece."
Joran says before putting his equipment back on. They didn't address the matter any further and continue their hike up the mountain. Things are far steeper. The stories from people who have journeyed up the mountain are far from false. Joran feels the heat becoming greater from the rocks he touch. Still, it did not hurt despite his skin blistering and tearing open. The determined young premderian continue carrying everything he started with.
His friend, Mildral, have it easier. The suit of armor does everything for him. It can endure such heat and take away the physical hardships. He walks up the steeper parts while Joran has to use his hands and knees to find good gripping spots. By mid-morning sun Mildral reach the top. He looks back down and sees Joran still climbing not even a hundred feet behind.
Joran sweats profusely from the rigorous ordeal. When his hands touch the plateau he pulls himself up and rolls on his back taking a breath. He unsnaps his canteen and takes a drink. Mildral looks around for a moment finding nothing but rock and stone. Joran sits up and notices the same.
"Welcome," says a voice and they look up to see the same elder they met at the base of the mountain. "You still think it was necessary to bring all that with you, son of Kalsor?" He asks and surprises both of them.
The elder reveals her face. She has black hair that is turning gray. The Premderian is quite old from herlooks and has a crooked nose along with a scarred lip. Both recognize her from seeing her paintings several times. Joran utters her name from the sight of the woman.
"Levanor."
"I assume you are here for this?" She asks and opens up the palm of her hand to reveal the flower Joran seeks before closing it. Levanor turns his attention to Mildral standing there in his suit.
"You are the one they call the Genius of Premderia, along with many other names. Are you here as well for such a thing?" She asks and Mildral just shakes his head.
"Just here to make sure my fool of a friend returns alive if he fails."
"That won't be necessary," Levanor replies.
Levanor holds up the palm of herhand, and powerful magic pushes Mildral far off the edge of the mountain. Mildral try moving but can't. Joran watches as a portal opens up behind his friend and disappears through it. The portal closes immediately after Levanor makes a fist.
"Don't worry, he will be at the base of the mountain waiting for you when you are done."
With the tap of his stick, they are in darkness. For the young Premderian, he looks around, hearing the sound of water. It is the innards of the mountain. Joran is quite surprised by what he has just seen but remains calm. The ancient Premderian holds up her hand and the cave light from Premderian crystals. In the center of where they stand in a pool that is quite steamy.
"What is this?"
"Physical pain is something you can tolerate better than most, son of Kalsor. That much was clear when you climbed this mountain. What people don't know about this place is the mental pain I put them through. I can do so much, it could drive one to the point of madness. What I sense from your mind, it will be hell. If you accept this, remove all of your clothing and step into the pool."
Joran stares down at the water. Something is disturbing about it. He looks to Levanor while thinking about what the ancient Premderian says to him. A mere second of his past lingers in his mind. All the voices of people telling him his limits and how he is a bad risk. All this fuels him even and makes him not hesitate.
"Hell is something I have endured my whole life," Joran says as he removes everything.
Absent clothing or weapons Joran slowly enters the water. It is not hot or cold but quite warm. Joran walks to the center and takes a breath before looking up to Levanor. She is not there. Joran looks in all directions but he is nowhere to be found. The premderium crystals on the wall give off a bright flash that makes Joran shield his eyes.
When lowering his hand he still finds himself in the water. Joran looks around as the sound of women of proper age begins to chuckle. They come out from the shadows absent of clothes like him. The six of them surround Joran and walk into the water swarming him like a piece of meat. Their hands began touching him all over his entire body.
"It would seem like this one is not excited to see us, girls."
"Perhaps he would be if we were different."
The six of them take different forms. The ages range from much older to the point they look like Levanor's age. At one point they become even younger than Joran. Their genders change and it did nothing. For Joran, he stays strong and keeps focused on one thing.
"You are not who I desire," Joran says in confidence as they touch him while laughing going back to their first form. "If this is one of your tests Levanor, it is far too easy."
"Is it?"
The eyes of the girls change to a beast-like creature and their teeth become as sharp as the claws they grow. All of them take hold of Joran and push him into the water. He tries fighting but their strength is incredible. His body is sucked in and begin to free fall.
His body hits the floor hard and is not so quick to get up. The sound of a loud boy screaming and a creature's scream makes Joran open his eyes and stand up. He looks around in the dark and hears more screams. One boy pleading for his life sound familiar.
"Please!" He shouts before letting out a scream as his flesh is dug into.
Joran walks in the direction of the sound and suddenly slips. A light appears above him and shows blood staining the floor. The sound of the creature feasting remains. He journeys further until things come into a clearer view. His eyes look and see the bodies of the same prospects who are Derisior's friends. Their bodies have been mauled on. Heads and limbs are separated and put in a pile.
On the floor he sees Derisior. Squatting over him he knows it is Nima. She is absent clothes like him And have a scaly crimson tail along with sharp claws. Derisior looks to Joran and reaches for him slowly. Nima turns to Joran showing her sharp teeth with a small growl. Her eyes are what he focuses on. The eyes are that of a beast. At the same time her body omits a dark energy. Joran didn't flinch at the sight. He looks back at Derisior for a moment still reaching.
Joran makes his decision. He turns his back and lets her continue to feast. It did not go on much longer but Joran did not budge. He hears her footsteps coming towards him. They stop just behind him. Still, he did not move. He feels Nima's arms wrap around his body while she rests her head on his shoulder covered in blood as is the rest of her. Joran takes his left hand and places it over Nima's while resting the side of his head on hers.
"How interesting," says Levanor as he appears in front of Joran. "But what will you do if they try taking her away?" He asks and snaps his fingers.
Joran feels her pulled away from him while she cries out his name, he immediately turns and sees Dileos along with dozens of Federation soldiers trying to restrain her. She is put in restraints. Joran watches as she changes back into the creature he saw but is still overwhelmed. She is slowly dragged away screaming his name several times.
He realizes he stands there with his swords in his hands. Hearing her call his name repeatedly makes it worse. He feels his heart pounding slowly but is hard like a drum being beaten on full force. Something in him starts to slip. Levanor only has one question for him regarding the matter.
"What are you going to do?"
Joran let out a scream while charging forward. No hesitation comes from him. He cut down all who try taking her away from him. Dileos shoot him several times but Joran didn't stop. His body heals and he leaps forward driving his blades into him. Hearing Dileos scream out in pain as his spirit leaves his body, did nothing for Joran.
When all lay dead at his feet Joran look to Nima in restraints still in the same form he is. Joran squat down and the two touch foreheads both having smiles from it. Nima begins growling and get Joran's attention as another is present.
"Not bad at all," Levanor says to him as the footsteps of another approach. "But do you have it in you to strike down the one person that you have admired your whole life?"
Joran snarls as he watches his friend Mildral come into sight sporting his armor. He watches him put on his helmet and draw two blades from his wrist gauntlets. Joran growls as Mildral begins walking towards him. He didn't hesitate and charge at him with a berserk look and a loud yell. He clashes his blades with Mildrals. It looks like Mildral is unable to keep up slightly.
He did not stop and get his opening. Joran drives both blades through the chest piece of his friend's armor and watches him drop down to the ground. No time is wasted by Joran and behead Mildral with a single swing having his friend's blood staying on his face and body. He breathes heavily before turning to look at Nima.
He walks towards her before another appears between them facing towards Nima. This one takes shape in the form of King Andor. He stands in his armor with his sword drawn. With a single slice downward Nima's body drops and disappears in a flash of light. Andor then turns towards Joran with no remorse in his look. For Joran, he let out a crazed scream and lunges forward.
Andor stands ready and thrust his body into Joran's chest. Joran falls to his knees choking on his blood. He looks up at Andor's cold expression before he withdraws his blade and walks away. Joran falls to the ground. He gasps for air as everything around him becomes dark. His eyes look to see Levanor's feet.
"I failed," Joran says while laying there.
"Far from it," Levanor says before snapping his fingers.
There is a red flash from the crystals on the wall. He returns outside to the summit of the mountain. Joran finds himself fully clothed once again and has all the things that he came with as well. He looks around until Levanor appears so close in front of him, Joran is slightly startled and has to take a couple of steps back.
"Sorry," Levanor jokes with his grim expression.
"How could I have not failed when I couldn't save her?" Joran asks immediately.
"Some things you can't escape despite your best efforts. What you saw is the cause of the actions you chose. It is clear that you are devoted to her, but you need to realize there are consequences," Levanor explains before extending out her hand to reveal the flower Joran desires to find. "Remember that when you give this to her."
Joran did hear what Levanor has to say. Cautionary words escape the young Premderian as his focus is on the flower. He slowly takes hold of it gently and has a small smile. He looks up at Levanor once more. The ancient Premderian tap the bottom of his stick on the rocks. Beneath Joran's feet a portal open. He falls through so suddenly. At the base of the mountain, Mildral sits and waits on a rock in his suit of armor. He watches as a portal opens ten feet in the air. Joran falls through and lands on his back, with the dirt far from helping the impact.
"That sucked," he says while groaning before sitting up to see Mildral extending out his hand.
"What happened?" He asks him while pulling Joran up to his feet. Joran takes a moment before revealing his reward. "Was it painful?" He asks but Joran dodges the question with one of his own as they begin their walk back.
"Do you know the words when you ask?"
"Why are you asking me?"
"Because your the genius of the group and suppose to know everything, " Joran says to him but talks about another subject. "Do you think you and I will ever really cross in battle?"
"We have our differences when it comes to things. You believe Premderian Law is more than enough for our kind. I believe Federation Law and their governance brings more stability to our kind and helps improve everyone's life. Yet here we are still good friends after six years."
"Yeah but you didn't answer the question."
"I believe those differences will be the reason if we do. That is my answer."
Midday sun just begins to set over the Masipolt region. Nima sits with Dusglar as they watch a recording of Kalsor's most recent fight in the Premderian Fight League. Nima didn't show nearly as much enthusiasm as Dusglar watching but still find it interesting and fun to see him so excited from the event.
"One day I am going to be the one the fans chant for," Dusglar says with a big smile. "Dusglar the greatest fighter in the galaxy," he says with a big laugh.
The doors open, and they hear Joran's grunting and Mildral's suit. Nima sees them come into view and Joran smiling. She rushes over to him and touches foreheads with him to put her mind at ease.
"Joran...alright?"
"Of course," he assures her.
"Who did you fight with this time?" Dusglar asks as he eats his food already laughing. "Some cadets that were too much for even you."
"Levanor," Joran answers, and Dusglar stops laughing. "I think I surprised her being a thirteen-year-old boy with a high concentration level of Acruna in his body."
"Did you finish?" Dusglar asks and Joran looks to Mildral.
"Come on, Dusglar," Mildral says and grabs Dusglar by the shirt to pull him. "Let's go to my lair where all the really good stuff is."
"Can I try the new model suit you designed?" He asks as they go down one of the tunnels. "At least let me do that since you won't let me hear the story."
"Perhaps if you can beat me in the simulator," Mildral says as the door closes.
They look at one another before Joran removes his gear and jacket. He goes through his bag getting on both knees. She didn't know what is happening but get down on her knees as well. Joran reaches and finds the cloth. He sees her curiosity.
"Fighting is far easier than this," he jokes and sees she didn't understand but give him words of comfort that he does understand.
"I...stay...with...Joran," she says to him smiling and that helps calm his nerves. "Always," she says which gets him to smile.
"Always?" He asks her and she nods.
Joran takes one more deep breath before finally finding the strength. The first step is removing the cloth. He does it slowly, one corner at a time until the flower is fully revealed. The beauty has her mesmerized by the rarity. Joran takes one more breath before finally saying what he needs to.
"Please give me the greatest honor one could ever ask for. On this night when the crimson sunsets and the moon shines, please become my heart and soul. Become my everything. Let me devote myself to you and only you this night. Let an Honor Guard say the words to make our bond eternal," he says to her and she is quiet while placing hands carefully on the flower. Nima nods as they continue touching foreheads. "Yes?" He asks for assurance, and she nods again.
"Always."
Joran comes up with a thought. He didn't think about the consequences of what he suggested. All that matters is their happiness. He stands up and holds out his hand which she takes willingly, and brings her to another part of the caves that are just as large. There is a set of double doors a Premderian fighter can fit through. Joran pulls the lever to open them.
When they open the lights turn on. It reveals multiple old Premderian fighter models, vehicles, parts, and work tools. Joran brings her inside to something that is covered by a green blanket. He takes it off revealing a speeder bike that has been modified.
"Do you want to go for a ride?"
Nima nods with her happiness still showing. He gets on first and she sits behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist. With joy to both of them, her head rests on his back. Joran starts up the engines and a secret door open to a different path in the woods. They accelerate out with fast speed, and Joran lets out a loud howl while Nima laughs.
Little to their knowledge, someone watch from afar. He lurks in the woods dressed in black, keeping to the darkness. His Premderian eyes watch them leave their hideout. His eyes fixate on seeing Nima and have a small laugh.
"There you are."
He takes out a communication device. His eyes never stop watching the two riding away. When he finishes setting up a communication line a hologram of whom he serves appears in the form of Steron. The premderian shut his eyes and bows his head.
"I have located the girl, my Lord Steron. How do you wish to proceed?"
"General Brank does not want us exploited. With a Warden and more Federation forces are on the way to conduct investigations into the disappearances. We are moving our forces except for the Faithful off-world. You and the other Faithful who bare my mark will need to bring her to us without suspicion. Do this, and I will allow you into the order."
"I will see to it personally, my Lord, but there is a complication. She is with the son of Kalsor."
"Get rid of him. I will not accept anymore failure and grows impatient. You best succeed for your sake," he says before ending the transmission.
"Not this time."