Legend Chapter 11

Adrik was quiet as they continued to wind their way along the overgrown path. None of the explorers knew exactly what to say to console the man except they would make certain to help save what was left. They had continued through most of the day stopping only briefly to allow the horse to rest. Challenger insisted Ned still remained in the cart at least part of the way. The journalist was well on his way to recovering finally. The restful night had done greatly to help restore his energy.

Roxton was still on edge as he continued to sense they were being watched. The slope had leveled off and they had just stopped for a short break to rest and eat. As they were preparing to move out again they heard the sound of voices calling.

"Adrik!"

Several Edenites were making their way toward them, Melos was among them. Ned couldn't help himself when he tensed and took a half step back. He remembered the last time he had seen the older man and wasn't going to let him near him. Veronica, too, tensed and put her hand on her knife.

"Melos, Albion, Erol," the Edenite councilman stepped forward to greet his fellow citizens. "What are you doing here?"

"Most of the city is gone, Adrik," Melos growled as he leaned on his cane. "While you were off on your little trek, we are suffering more losses."

"I know, I saw the vanishings from the ledge," Adrik replied.

"What are you doing to stop it?" Erol asked waving a knife. "It's been worse since they came here."

"Wait, we have nothing to do with this," Roxton argued. "We're trying to help."

Melos laughed but there was no humor in it. "Help us? How? You came from outside. You did this to us."

"How could they?" Adrik tried to reason. "The vanishings began before they came. They could not be responsible."

"Please, we want only to help you," Challenger began.

"How do we know they aren't the ones behind this to begin with?"

Adrik pointed to Ned. "Did he fake the illness? You saw him when he first came through the arch. Why would they endanger themselves by coming here to possibly vanish with us? They did not come here by choice and I am still a leader of this city and as I have made them my guests, any action against them is an affront to me and my ancestors."

Melos grumbled under his breath. "Then do something."

"We are trying to," Challenger put in. "Once we reach this stone perhaps we can find a way to stop the vanishings or find a way to leave this place."

Marguerite was the first to notice the shimmer of light nearing them. "We need to move now," she said.

"Oh no," was all Veronica said as they all turned to run.

Challenger watched as the light reached from the sky. It shimmered and rippled as waves on water just as Ned and Veronica had described but the scientist was certain it was not random. The light was too fixed and moving with precision.

"Melos!" Adrik said as the light was nearly upon the older man.

Without thinking, Ned rushed to push the old man aside.

"Ned!" Veronica shouted as the light enveloped both the journalist and the Edenite. Both shimmered for a moment before they vanished.

(If you read please leave a review.)

A/N: I haven't abandoned this story. I will update this story as soon as I can. Real life is just very chaotic right now!)