Zyric wakes up in a treatment center in Carandessa. An investigator interviewed him about the incident while the attending physician was checking up on him.
At first, he doesn't remember anything. Then flashbacks run through his mind. As his memory returns, he narrates the incident.
"After the blinding light, everything went pitch black before us. I opened my eyes. I see what looks like a laboratory." He grasps for air. "I'm strapped in an examining table and then someone comes to me. He introduces himself as Dr. Laega of RAXA tech and welcomes me to his laboratory.
Pikan, a Mudrogos Vel officer, steps in and says what they intend to do with me. Pikan claims that he will enjoy watching me transform into something great like my friend. They gesture to the side.
I see Ranued also strapped in an examining table semiconscious. His skin was already turning bluish-green. Ranued grunts in pain as his body was slowly morphing.
On the other side of the room were water chambers used to preserve bodies whether dead or alive. Zyric sees Haxialle Horo in one of these water chambers. A mask was wrapped around her face which is probably connected to a life support system.
Laega's assistant comes in and injects more toxins into Ranued which makes him squirm and shriek in pain. I tried to break free but I felt too weak and the straps were too tight." His voice was a bit shaky.
Pikan explains that he wanted me wide awake to experience the pain. It will also make the toxins work more effectively. But before they begin the torture, I received an offer from Pikan."
"Which was?" His examining physician asked. The officer beside him was waiting for Zyric's response. The Fliskan took a moment. It seemed he was overwhelmed.
"Pikan asks me to join them. Of course, I refused. I told him I will never betray my crystal princess. I guess it angered him. He then orders the doctor to proceed."
Zyric pauses again and pants again. The attending physician in Carandessa gives him water. "Take your time, it's okay." He looks at the investigator who nods in approval. Zyric then continues.
"Laega injects the toxins and to their surprise, I'm unaffected. I got surprised too. He then injects more but nothing happens. The doctor examined me and then sees my bracelet amulet spark. He moves closer to the amulet and faints upon touching it.
Pikan then investigates seeing Dr. Laega faint. He also faints when he touches the bracelet amulet sparkling. He falls on top of me and then I got Pikan's RXR gadget, a laser beam weapon with multiple knife kind of blades at the sides. I opened and used one of the blades to cut the straps. The assistant rushes to his allies but when he reaches the examining table, I threw a punch and he was knocked down.
I struggled to get to Ranued and set him free. As he tries to do so, Ranued sees the amulet and his eyes widened. He shouts with a different voice. You have Iravelei Gatayiru Kuda! He shrieks in pain and seemed delirious. Then, he loses consciousness.
A beeping sound came from the water tanks which caught my attention. I struggled to get to the other side to open Haxialle Horo's chambers. As I reached it, another scientist gets into the lab and sees me. He sounds the security alarm bringing more guards in. I tried to fight the guards with all my might and wits until help came from behind.
Another prisoner who suddenly broke loose came to my aid. Just like me, he was weakened too yet we tried to defeat our attackers. As we reach the opening to Haxialle Horo's water chamber, more guards rush in but before they could touch us, they fall to the ground. They were gunned down by armored men appearing to be in Pataran battle suits. They hurriedly attended to us until I went blank."
Shortly after concluding his narrative, an officer entered with Zedon and Alednos.
"Glad to see you are awake now. How are you feeling brother?" Zedon asks.
"Somewhat hazy but I feel much better than before." Zyric claims.
Zedon sits by his bedside and slaps his shoulder.
"That's good. Zora and Kanunia wanted to come with us but they are limiting visitors here. Harrion looks out for them. They might drop by later together with the Gaulan and the Crystal Princess once they arrive. They were informed of your plight."
Zyric frowned. He felt awful. "Could you tell them that I need to rest? I'm sorry but I'm not ready to face them yet brother." The patient pleads. Zedon understands and just nods.
Alednos moves to the other side together with the officer. Zyric had seen the badge on this officer's battle suit.
"I know you. You and your men rescued us. How is the other prisoner with me?" Zyric asks worriedly.
Raeme answers. "He's fine Commander DuCraine. He passed out too but I assure you that he is all right. I am Raeme by the way, leader of the search and rescue operation.
You might be wondering what happened. Let me fill you in on certain details." The officer moves closer.
"According to investigations, the five jets going back to Carandessa saw a blinding light before them but two ships went down and disappeared into Seravdi's thick cloud of gases. The other one eventually explodes.
This is probably because you were the last two carriers to depart. You got caught in an iron cloud, a RAXA tech invention that acts like a magnet or tractor that pulls in any vessel that is within its range. The blinding light was just a distraction.
When you disappeared, Harrion decided to contact Merus who tracks his invention which you had in your possession. He gives the coordinates to the team and that enables us to find you."
Zyric then recalls another microchip Merus built for him and Lem. They were meant to be fused with a machine to turn it into their weapon just like the ones they had in the Pataran Assembly.
Meanwhile, someone behind Raeme approaches Zyric. It was the prisoner who helped him. "I am glad you are well comrade." As he moves closer, he introduces himself.
"I am Ardis from Planet Sarai, a budding planet just like earth. I was abducted during the invasion of my planet and was a slave to the Mudrogos Vel empire.
They sent me to their labs for experiments. I'm afraid that they must have implanted something in me so I requested advanced treatments that Agcar technology can do."
"I wish you well comrade." Zyric expresses his gratitude. "Wishing you a successful treatment and speedy recovery."
"And to you as well," Ardis says. "But it seems you will be after all I just learned you were a part of Elitea. I thought you looked familiar but we were in an emergency so I said I'd ask if we had a chance. Just so you know, I'm a fan of that squadron. You were awesome."
Zyric smiles. "Thank you. You honor us."
Raeme then explains. "Ardis is to leave with Mohori Horo and his daughter as soon as possible. The vice chancellor chooses to continue his treatments at Agcar before he faces the charges against him. He needs to prove that his brother stole his identity and did cruel things using his name.
Haxialle Horo and Ranued died upon arrival at Carandessa. Haxialle Horo's body will undergo an autopsy in Agcar as well as Ranued.
He is a citizen of Agcar and their law states that if he dies without a relative, the state will bury him. Being a former coordinator in Agcar Health Services, they will honor him before laying him to rest. "
Zyric says nothing but the look of horror and sadness in his eyes.
"Are you all right?" Alednos asks
"I am." Zyric sighs before answering. "I just need more rest." He pauses.
"Please relay my condolences to Vice Chancellor Horo for the loss of his daughter and also advise Agcar Health Services to look for Lady Korene. Maybe she can-". He was cut off.
"We were informed that Lady Korene is dead so the institution will decide on who will receive Ranued's body." Alednos shares the news with the Fliskan Marshal.
"What happened to Korene?" Zyric was alarmed.
"Information we received from Agcar states that a Nybian woman identified as Lady Korene died in an accident just after you departed. There are no other details." Raeme responds.
Zyric suspects it had something to do with the Nybians.
"I see. Please let the authorities know they should investigate any Nybians who were within Agcar at Korene's time of death. They might have to do something with her accident.
As for Ranued, let me cover his autopsy and burial expenses. If the institution would allow, I want him buried next to his beloved mother and brother." Zyric says.
"I will convey your wishes to the Vice Chancellor and the Director of Agcar Medical Facilities." The officer says. "I must take my leave now Sir."
"Thank you, Officer Raeme. I wish you well. May you have a good journey." Zyric says and officer Raeme salutes before taking leave.
"We will pay our last respects to Ranued later before they bring his body back to Agcar. Can you join us?" Harrion asks.
"No, I don't think I am well enough to attend." Zyric claims. Harrion looks at Zedon.
"It's all right brother. Take your rest and when you're ready, we proceed with our plans and continue the journey.
For now, we will take leave and prepare for Ranued's departure." Zedon taps his brother's shoulders before leaving.
"Rest easy, Lord Marshal." Alednos bids him well.
That afternoon, He requests the doctors not to allow any visitors. No one enters his room except for the limited medical staff that checks on him from time to time. He spent it reminiscing about his time with Ranued and Haxialle.
The latter was a close friend he had in Minthria. She was one of his closest confidants and was grateful for their friendship. It has been a while since he left Minthria so he never expected to be reunited with his friend in such a tragic circumstance.
As for Ranued, Zyric appreciated him even if he had known the healer only for a brief period. He started as one of their enemies but soon, he became a good companion. Perhaps, if he stayed longer, the healer would have been one of his confidants as well.
Knowing previously from Ardis that they are to leave that afternoon; he sees the vessel being prepared for flight. Soon the passengers heading for Acgar enter the said space vehicle while others were loaded into it. Then the last to be brought in was the coffin of Ranued.
Zyric looks on from a window as they give honors to the coffin where Ranued lay. He sees Elzilaura, Kanunia, and Dazifae looking over the coffin. Alednos and Harrion help out the men carry Ranued's remains.
Zyric salutes while they load his body into the vessel. When it vanished from sight, Zyric goes back to bed enduring the pain of his physical and emotional wounds.
Back in Fliska, there is chaos everywhere. Nybian troops were destroyed and looted as Kyron permitted them to do so. The people were displaced from their homes. Members of the nobility and commoners alike were murdered in cold blood. The women were violated and the children were taken as slaves. All those who resist Nybians were put to death.
Kyron watched the executions of the Fliskan prisoners, the last of the defenders, and other slaves. He then entered the royal palace and allowed his generals to take the ladies as their prizes. These women wailed as they resisted the brute warriors carrying them away.
Kyron then encounters the sacred pool deep within the royal palace. He sees a Nybian warrior staring at it but the warrior turns to him and bows. "Rise"
"What is it?" The Nybian soldier asks.
"It is a sacred pool used for linking. The Crystal Cross is not here so it won't work. It is the same with our mystic pool in Nybos. It is how Fliskans link the gem to the ones from their bloodline. It is how I link my servants to the power stones."
Kyron then approaches the pool and drops his power stone in the pool. The waters slowly broil and then change into a lava pit.
"There now," Kyron says. "Tell the generals this will be my new execution room."
"As you wish, my lord ruler of Nybos." The soldier bows and immediately leaves to inform the generals.
Kyron watches the lava pit overflow but was shocked that an image of Saride flashed into the pool but disappeared immediately. It must have been an illusion, but her memories ran through his head.
The memory haunted him as he watched the lava broil. He then says to himself that the past is past. He lost Saride but he will have Elzilaura of Fliska.
Meanwhile, Alsuva together with Elzilaura and Lyna-Kyre arrived back in Carandessa. The Crystal Princess asks to be led to the treatment facility but the Duke of Craiine advises her that the doctors limited visitors as Zyric was still recuperating. Alednos adds that Zyric needs to undergo stress debriefings as well.
Lyna-Kyre advises her cousin to visit some other time. Alsuva agrees and then requests the presence of all his allies and constituents. As he was walking, he started to tell them what transpired in their meetings.
Everyone followed the Gaulani Alsuva and Lyna-Kyre. Elzilaura was one of the last to comply. She feels something doesn't add up. Why is the lord marshal in isolation? Is he truly well? Something is wrong.