Index: Chapter 1 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4
Chapter 2
Pillars of the void
“Thank the ascended Ancestors your husband called for aid! Otherwise, I, Kanefer, a most humble priest of Ptah, would still be rearranging the shelves of our temple’s scroll repository.” – Remarked the Terran with his powerful baritone, as he rocked Varen’s smiling baby boy.
The man was just as tall as Varen and with beautifully tanned, porcelain white skin. Dressed in a comfortable set of reinforced with black-colored plates, dark-golden armored uniform, which added a few inches to his already impressive height. The priest sported shoulder-long, free flowing red hair and crystal green eyes – quite typical for most Egyptians. In these faerie lands, the Nubians of olden blood were those who stood up the most since they were of the darkest complexion, their eyes every shade of blue.
Their Terran guest carried no visible armaments, other than one heavy-looking, wide-bladed, and rather long dagger. Pouches of various size and function, dotted his comfortable belt, the biggest of them branded with a holy Ankh symbol. However, no matter how many containers dangled from their visitor’s belt, Varen assumed a man of such wisdom, planned for more supplies and gadgets.
“I am honored to greet you in our humble home, Terr’aan. Might I inquire about the nature of your sorcerer’s powers?” – Varen asked, after he graced his guest with a respectful bow.
For but a second, Kanefer’s irises became aglow with tiny jolts of electricity.
“I have the power to fold objects and persons through space. The bolts of pure psychic energy I can make manifest are second to none.”
The sorcerer followed his host’s eyes as they explored his void of weaponry belt, and grinned from ear to ear.
“Perish the thought a priest of Ptah would stroll into danger, with but a simple dagger strapped to his belt. Worry not, for my luggage should arrive momentarily, and I always travel well-prepared!”
“This is tradition; we cannot go on a quest such as this, without having a big feast.” – Smiling said the Egyptian, as he eyeballed a large, fish-shaped package he placed on the kitchen table earlier.
“I have a big pot full of traditional nekhtu porridge, and spoon tender epes meat with baked desert roots. On the side, I made crispy vegetables with epes cheese.” – Heva listed her dishes with an almost dreary a voice, which induced another bout of laughter from their guest.
The helpful beasts of burden called Epes were pretty much universally loved not only for their ability to pull heavy loads, but their meat and milk.
“Oh, trust me, your heavenly cooking shall be enjoyed to the very last bite, Lady! I let the aroma guide me to your very doorstep. Moreover, that fish was caught early morning by my seventh son and third daughter.” – he waggled his finger a few times for the baby boy’s enjoyment, before adding:
“They achieved quite the feat, my little ones!”
The Egyptian stood up, his guests’ firstborn giggling in his arms.
He gave the bundle of joy to his father, and projected the image of a star chariot from his wrist device. It looked so comfortable on the landing pad, its rear door open, a pair of healthy as young epes dock workers unloading one rather big crate.
The two Lothorian hosts realized that was actually footage, projected in real time. They also noticed that the chest and their guest had the same insignia – the pillar-like djed. Kanefer wore it as an amulet, and the chest’s lid was inscribed with this most holy of Egyptian symbols. Each of the four circles which adorned the djed’s top part were of golden color, and the pillar’s base, wide.
“Your meals, they would’ve been more than enough for a lady in waiting and two adult men, though... we have to feed your neighbors too!”
Varen and Heva exchanged startled looks before both of them exclaimed in perfect harmony:
“The neighbors?!”
“Indeed, as I mentioned not so long ago, it is tradition.” – Stated he, rolled his sleeves up and made a few steps towards their kitchen table.
“Now, my Lady, where is your biggest pot? I aim to make lots of fish soup, so there is a bowl for every man, woman, and child on your street!”
* * *
Varen again studied his gifted shield, as he walked forth. It was brand new and of Egyptian design; its coat of arms quite elaborate. Tall, the shield covered him from chin to knees, its top rounded up and the bottom straight. A bulbous, reinforced boss at the upper center of the shield, made it easy to handle and allowed the shield bearer to bash the enemy.
It sported a silvery Ankh painted on a jet black surface, a golden Djed staff and a Khopesh lay crossed underneath. The Ankh’s center was where the boss was, that meant the craftsmen’s design was quite intentional. The shield’s edges were reinforced with extra strong ring of megasteel and painted dark-golden. Morden would lay but one look and brand this item a true work of art!
Kanefer pulled the marvelous-looking armament from his chest, as soon as the dock workers ferried it on their epes drawn carriage. Smiling, the Egyptian shoved this shield in Varen’s gently shaking with reverence hands, and proceeded to strap a moderately sized travel pack on his own back. A Terr’aan-made snub gun followed suit, after the sorcerer buckled another belt on his waist, this time one holding a bunch of futuristic-looking munitions.
By then their neighbors had successfully decimated the entire pot of soup, and devoured all of Heva’s delicious cooking. Varen grabbed his traveling cloak; hooded and lovingly woven by his wife from thick Nekhtu fibers, it had two epes skins on the inside. These offered great protection from the flesh chilling mountainous winds and insulated the wearer from all, but the worst of downpours.
Kanefer’s chest was left at their home; its remaining contents being spare clothing and various medications. Which, the priest claimed, would be much needed, but only after they both returned from Varen’s knightly quest. He also promised to stay for a few months, meet his mother Tarva and bless their baby girl, when Heva gave birth.
A wheeled transport, one of the few Terr’aan trucks which Clan Shimazu imported on Lothoria, left the two men at the beginning of a rocky trail.
Olden, broken beyond reconstruction or recognition ruins dotted the slopes. Sharp rocks stuck through the misty clouds, and threw an ominous, tentacle-like shades across the land. It was as if the heartless peaks mocked the fleshy mortals from atop their mountainous thrones. Their lofty seats of power, surrounded by nigh impenetrable moat of treacherous crevices, well-protected by walls of jagged stone.
A tabernacle which was most definitely in reach, yet promised a trek most grueling, even deathly for the ill prepared.
This area was where the mystery researcher Alex Jones claimed they’d discover the hidden staircase. They’d have to climb a bit higher, explore the rugged mountain slope to find that cave. How did that man procure such an important piece of information, was beyond Varen’s humble understandings. Without leaving Earth, that Human had somehow uncovered Lothorian secrets, long since forgotten by foe and friend.
“Well then, you lead the way, Heron. These are your mountains, your rocky peaks we are about to brave.” – Ushered his companion Kanefer, whose baritone traveled far across the rocky terrain, a soft echo soon carrying back a few of his slightly distorted words.
Varen’s visor was up and after giving their surroundings another careful look, he sighed.
“I shall take the lead, noble priest. Though steep and dotted with jagged crevices, the steep slopes themselves are not nearly as dangerous as one might assume.”
“Rock slides... avalanches?” – Asked the Egyptian, after giving his snub gun one last, and thorough check.
“Bandit leht and Rot’s stinking leftovers. The mountain was always a haven for all sorts of criminals, though in latter years its cavernous nature attracted these types like a magnet.” – With immeasurable disgust in his voice stated Varen, his armored glove pointing a number of barely distinguishable from the rugged terrain cave entrances.
“I dare say, the only true leht in these mountains walks beside me, and clad in star metal nonetheless!”
Varen graced his companion with a short bow, right hand resting comfortably on Wraithbane’s pommel. The Egyptian shield was fitted with a sturdy travel strap, crafted from braided vacfoam and megasteel strings. Therefore, a warrior like himself could comfortably carry it slinged over his back, yet easy to reach in times of danger.
“Come Terr’aan, we have less than half-a-day to reach that staircase. I hope that it had remained long forgotten by our foe too.”
In silence, the two men walked up the ever narrowing mountain path.
The blistering rays of Lothoria’s sun offered little heat, barely able to pierce few of the ever present icy shadows. Both sought the warm hug of their cloaks, yet made sure that weapon handles were at arm’s length. Creeping downwards, soon the freezing cold mist conquered their view and to such an extent, that the men could see but a dozen steps around them. Gray, dusty snow began sweeping at them from atop the mountain.
Hours passed in solemn, wintry quiet.
Only the crack of falling stone and the sneering howl of the wind broke the silence, yet the two men were not on edge. Indeed, others in their boots would twitch, even draw their arms, the constant threat of an ambush wreaking havoc upon their nerves. Though these two expected an attack, such wouldn’t come wholly unannounced.
One could only hope to escape a telepath’s mind eye.
Varen was well aware how the sorcerers on his world fought since that was battlefield normalcy. Leht, and especially those tasked by their Lord to protect a mage, often maintained a mind link with their charge. It wasn’t deep and did not require marvelous feats of concentration, though said connection was strong enough to bestow both parties with heightened awareness.
Unless the enemy was also joined by a mage, casual thoughts could betray their location.
However powerful Rot’s priests thought themselves, Varen knew the Terr’aans were far superior. He learned that the mythical olden evil, which barely anyone dared call by his name, had been defeated. Together, the Star Saviors faced this master of death and not even his indomitable mind was strong enough to conquer them.
“It was an abomination...” – Whispered Kanefer, after his mind’s eye picked Varen’s strong outpour of emotion.
“According to our legends, this Master of the Black sands had no underlings. Fortunate for us... no?” – Said Varen, his voice even and words spoken without hesitation.
“These Unlife Lords do not share power, they only consume. Yet, their time draws nigh, for one day Fringe space will be cleansed from their presence.” – The priest smiled as he said this, his words more reminiscent of a prophesy, that a casual remark.
Before darkness fell, the two companions reached a tiny plateau.
Situated between two olden ruined buildings, at first it did look like a natural feature of the mountains. Though Varen knew from his father, that a lot of this now rugged slope was shaped by sentient hands in times past. This spot in particular, he had no knowledge of it, yet after recalling one of his dad’s stories, the young warrior came to a logical assumption.
“I think that what wise Alex Jones had discovered is not a cave, but more likely an ancient tunnel. My father spoke of a ‘void shrine,’ which the ancient rulers of our planet build during the age of their highest splendor. Indeed, for a reason unbeknownst to us, they also constructed those star platforms all around this mountain. Treacherous, deathly ruins, which our lords and priesthood had been excavating for centuries.”
“The platform where you and your soldiers used to follow those running away aristocrats, it is near?” – Asked the Egyptian, scanning their surroundings with his portable device.
“Not exactly, but it is on this slope of the mountain. When we finish this, I will show you the exact spot; our people built a small monument there, atop the burial mound.”
The priest nodded and made a holy sign, showing his respect to the honored dead.
“Once restored, these pillars offer pathways between the stars. Our masters sent uncounted number of leht to see where they led.” – After Varen said this, the two exchanged a look; one asking with his eyes, and the other, instinctively understanding the question.
“Counted few have returned and they never spoke of what they saw. Others were simply silenced; death their reward for following the orders of priest and lord.”
“I expected this much. Their covetous type hoards knowledge and treasure alike. For these scum, the lives of others are nothing but cheap currency, to be spent at their leisure. Any Order built upon the slave’s back is destined to fall.”
Kanefer projected the map from his device and looked around, scanner in hand. What would otherwise resemble a humble pile of rocks, the result of some old earthquake, appeared to be debris. The remains of what kind of building exactly the two did not know, yet they need not stand around guessing for too long.
The muffled rumble of falling rocks spread like a whisper, from one moss-covered stone to another. This was followed by a powerful and quite distinct tremble, which the two felt with their legs. One remembered his recent trek trough the void and the other, he knew about it from studying olden scrolls.
“It would seem that someone else discovered this place before us. Through my power, I felt a distant fold in space.” – Hissed the Egyptian, as they took cover from the falling rocks.
“Mayhap bandit leht simply... stumbled upon it?! Many of these rogues often scour these ruins, on the look for a sepulcher to pillage, that, and the existence of star columns is not actually a secret. Albeit extremely rare, it has been known for renegade leht to use them.”
Varen attempted to entertain another reason, yet suspicion was easily felt in his word.
“Had they not used a device called sonic nullifier to conceal their exploration, you would’ve been correct, my friend. There, I can sense multiple thought patterns and they are moving.” – Whispered Kanefer, hand pointing at the distant, still gently shaking rocks.
“I just sent a report via long-range wireless. The Shimazu and your people will know that this is no longer a simple exploration quest, and send a troop to reinforce this position. For now, let us proceed. We will hold and wait for our allies, if met with superior numbers.”
The two moved in closer, skulking behind one or another pile of stones, until a neatly carved cave entrance appeared in their sights. What was most peculiar, there were no scout posts or an outer defensive perimeter established. Two guards, armed with space age weaponry and clad in sets of cartel produced armor, stood atop the tallest of rocks. A bit further away from them, concealed by the rocks, there were four ragged leht.
Mayhap the enemy force was small or they had positioned their forces deeper within the ruins. Once more, Varen was proven wrong by his companion.
“These two aliens, their surface thoughts are easy to read. They and their new bandit allies have recently and thoroughly explored that ancient structure. Their leaders, joined by a sizable group of elite temple leht and Narco soldiers already walked up the Staircase, two days ago.”
“How sizable a group?!”
“One full lehta and twelve Narcos. Though it would seem that they left but a token force to guard their back.” – Answered Kanefer, after a few seconds sifting through the enemy surface thoughts.
Shocked, Varen looked upon the ravaged rockface and his eyes focused on the enemy soldiers.
“They could’ve found it with one of these scanners, though, how did these leeches knew where to search in the first place?!”
“One of their thoughts, a cerebration quite terrified, betray the presence of a sorceress named Bawmordah. She is one of their two commanders...” – Whispered the Egyptian, his weapon shouldered and aimed at the nearest Narco soldier.
“This wretch was the personal counsel of our priest king and what a proper monster she was! The head ‘information procurer’ of the royal court, this bitch tortured thousands of innocent people, most of them with her own hand.”
The Lothorian made a short pause to steady himself and slow his breath.
“It would make sense that one like her would know of this place. She was in charge of all major excavations in this area, and all places of importance were guarded by leht under her command. Which means the second enemy leader has to be her lapdog, the temple leht Mogran.” – Varen spat after quietly closing his helmet’s visor, sword already unsheathed and shield placed between him and the enemy.
“True, it is a name I read in their thoughts and easily so, for they have much fear of this man.”
“Not a man...” – Gnashed with his teeth the Lothorian; breath hastened he continued:
“Mogran used to move around with a living shield made of eight, pregnant women.”
“Then we will make sure that wherever this Staircase leads, they and their thralls cease their air thieving.”
“Now,” – the priest said, after correcting his aim for windage – “I will shoot the two guards, riddle them with railgun fire as we charge. Keep your shield up while I reload, in case there are more surprises.”
“The four vultures behind the rocks – they are strong and well-armed?”
“They have been gifted with vibro swords and axes, though their minds are feeble.” – Calm, Kanefer answered the leht, took a deep breath and opened fire, not a second after this one charged forth with his sword raised.
The two men had never fought together, yet, by virtue of Kanefer’s telepathic link, their strong wills and conviction, they quickly overcame the enemy. Though the Narco soldiers sported space age gear and occupied the high ground, no advantage could overcome their own tardiness. They were surprised, and riddled with armor piercing railgun pellets from head to toe, fell.
Since the sonic nullifier was still active, there was no point screaming, nor would anyone hear the commotion. The enemy was either overconfident that others wouldn’t know of this place, did not care if these leftovers were killed or... they had already achieved their goal.
In space age warfare, when a device like this was employed, specialist soldiers outfitted with net-linked sensor gear stood guard. That, or the entire area was scoured by a much larger scanner, something vehicle mounted. Whatever the case, the two men now cared only to successfully complete their quest.
As the Terran snub gun heatsink hissed and a slagged power pack hit the rocks, the four bandits charged at them. If these vultures expected to overcome the two, they had another thing coming.
Varen glanced off one incoming hit with his shield and, sword raised, angled at a deceptively cursory angle, cleaved through the skull of his first attacker. The second bandit bashed his shield with an otherwise powerful vibro axe, though lack of experience using a modern armament like this one resulted at him being gutted like a stock epes. The leht used his harmlessly bouncing off his shield’s edge attack to get under his guard and disemboweled him.
The third bandit would otherwise hit Varen’s helm, yet this one moved his body, so he could take the blow with shield and, eventually, shoulder. Although vicious, the attack’s inertia was properly mitigated, offering young Varen one quite advantageous riposte. A stab, which pierced his assailant’s lungs and severed part of the spinal column.
Witnessing the doom of his allies in counted few seconds, the fourth bandit leapt away. Mayhap he hoped to run with his life, though Kanefer’s railgun turned his head into paste with an accurate, short burst.
Not stopping their advance, the two men entered the cave, bypassed a number of empty crates and discarded camping gear. They kept running until their eyes fell upon one partially collapsed cavern. Stabilized with handmade wooden props and even shattered stone columns, at its furthermost end, there stood a staircase.
Ancient, the steps appeared to be crafted from molded stone and metal, their surface smoothen by not only the passage of centuries, but countless feet. A patch of nothingness could be seen, angling in and out of normal space, between the thick, square columns. Of whose genius craft were these, not even a learned sage like Kanefer knew, and his Lothorian companion could only entertain a guess.
When everything was over and this area made safe, wise Alex Jones would arrive and commit what years he had left to studying this wondrous structure.
Now, before they could climb it and pass through the etched with shimmering glyphs columns, the two men had to deal with one last defense. Automated turrets, fitted with scanning gear appeared from behind the rocks their owners hid them. Floating up in the air, propelled by grav-drives, these efficient machines were produced by one of the Narco cartels, allies of the Coalition.
That, however, was none of their immediate concern – the torrent of automatic particle-beam fire, was.
Once again, the priest’s telepathic link gave them an advantage. While Varen successfully blocked most of the small caliber beams with his sturdy shield, Kanefer repeatedly hit the bulbous turrets. Short, accurate bursts of railgun pellets proved more than adequate in shredding these otherwise resistant to small arms fire, infantry nightmares.
They ran up the stairs and, after reaching the top, stopped to catch their breath.
The Egyptian reached forth with his gloved hand, eyes piercing the patch of nothingness which shifted between the columns. He breathed in the cold air and reloaded his snub gun, before addressing Varen:
“Steel yourself, brother! I have conserved my sorcery, just in case they are waiting for us on the other side.”
“My fear is that these leeches could find another path to the stars, live to oppress another people. None, and especially these two monsters should be allowed to escape their just rewards!”
“That is a good, healthy fear. Come, we will walk between the columns, ready to enable the parasites’ doom! Long have I dreamed to walk in the steps of olden Herons, those who battled the vile disciples of Apep.”
The two men walked forth without a shred of hesitation, their hearts grasped by terror. A most logical, and as the Egyptian stated, healthy fear fueled their collected minds. The betrayers of Life Eternal, the enslavers and tormentors of Lothoria had to be hunted down. That holy quest was to succeed or else these snakes would escape to poison another world and oppress other peoples.
Lothoria’s tortured fate was not to befell upon yet another innocent race.
***
What will the two discover on the other side? Where exactly does the staircase lead? Will the remnants of Rot's poisonous Order live long to see safety and prosperity once more? The answers of those and many other questions, dear reader, you will learn in the next episode, titled 'Ruins of the past'.
***
You can find this and many more stories in my 2nd Anthology collection, The Blood Of Tyrants.
I got a kick out of The Wise Alex Jones.
Excellent battle scene.
>reading delightful spacemage vs techno story
>Alex Jones is mentioned
WIN💖