The Lost Chapter 14: Sea of Tears
The crew split up in their designated teams, and began their assigned tasks. Lord Kai had Sir James, and Ayuda with him, along with two other Specialists. They entered the caves with torch lights, and stood in awe, as they could still see, where the three men dug out the hole in the bedrock, that would have been the final resting place for the Maidens. Yousi walked towards the walls, and touched them. To him it had been only a few months, since he had seen these caves. Yet time marched on, and erosion had altered little inside the caves.
As Omaki and Argent kicked around the ground, they located two recording devices that crumbled to dust. But the data crystals were still intact. Lord Leonard was along with the two, when he suddenly bumped into the wall of the cave, and heard a clinking sound, as if he had struck a metal object. He noticed a chunk of bedrock fell, and revealed a Bio-Droid.
"AH!" He cried, making everyone turn and run in his direction. Laser pistols were drawn, and before anyone fired a shot, Omaki cried out.
"Stop! It is just our old Bio-Droid. It broke down before we left, and had no room for it on board our ship, so we buried it."
"I'm surprised it is still in one piece." Argent spoke. "I think Yousi kicked it one time too many."
Omaki laughed. "Yes, he was always fighting with the damn thing."
"Well, it was just a stubborn piece of junk!" Yousi grumbled. "I was always repairing the piece of scrap metal, and I never really got it to walk properly. Mostly limped along if I recall."
The three laughed, as they recalled the past. Omaki held up two data crystals, towards Kai. He recognized them, as the technology was familiar to them all.
"Good, are there anymore?" Kai asked.
"Yes, there should be two near the settlement. We'll go look around for them."
"Good, before you go, take the processing chip from the Bio-Droid." Kai pointed to the large machine.
"What for?" Omaki asked.
"Because if anyone finds it, they can access what the Bio-Droid was used for." Yousi commented. "But I doubt anyone has the technology for it. I rigged the damn thing as it was, just to get it to break rocks!"
"And it did a piss poor job, if I remember my sore back!" Omaki complained.
"Let us continue." Kai broke up the group. Yousi pulled the chip from the Bio-Droid, and led Kai deep into the caves. They were before the deep hole once again, where the vault was first built. It was quite large, and Kai wondered how long it took to build.
Yousi stepped forward, and pointed his torch lamp towards the ceiling. The vault nearly rose three stories high, and looked quite familiar to Ayuda and James.
"Yousi," Ayuda spoke. "Who originally designed this vault?"
"Why, I did."
"Why do you ask Ayuda?" Kai asked.
"Well, this is not the first vault of specimens Sir James and I have seen. Even if this is just a hollowed out hole. The Elders of Rhea had similar vaults, and they housed the specimens of our fallen Clansmen, and the other housed their own specimens. The design is the same. I wager that when we find the Maidens, we will see an identical vault."
Sir James, agreed, as they remember looking up at the millions of specimen jars that glowed with Iason and Riki's powers. This brought up an interesting question in Kai's mind. How can the Elders of Rhea, who have never met Yousi, have the design to his specimen vault?
"Well, I did place the design in the data crystal in Lady Yuri's ring. The other data crystal was lost with my remains, at least that's what I was told."
"Let's not stop now," Kai spoke, as the pit of his stomach felt nervous. Perhaps it was nothing, but his intuition told him, that this was not a coincidence, and they needed to find the Maidens fast. "We need to secure the area, and bring Raoul in here as quickly as possible."
The men looked at Kai, who now moved a bit faster in his assessment of the caves. With Yousi giving him the thumbs up, the decided the bedrock was still quite strong. The small parade of Elders soon followed, with candles and mineral lotions, while a handful of crew members placed portable torch lamps around the the cave.
By then, Omaki and Argent had located the last two data crystals from the location where the settlement once stood. There was no sign of them ever being there, just open terrain and a sealed well, where they drew water from the underground river that sustained them. The devices had been attached to several boulders with metal posts. The devices had crumbled, but the crystals were found less than two feet in the soil below.
Soon the cave was ready, and Heiku led the crew members that carried Raoul in a stretcher. Riki was led by Iason, and followed by Omaki and Argent. The Elders and medics rubbed mineral lotion on everyone. The thought behind that was that Iason and Riki resonated with the minerals, as did Kai and Raimen. This would enhance their powers, should they need them. No one wanted to leave the Lords in the cave alone with Raoul, but this was one awakening, they would not be welcomed to view. Not only that, there would be too many to hold in their minds, and thus create a distraction for them all.
Raoul was placed in the center of the torch lit cave. Two benches were set up on opposite sides of Raoul's stretcher. Kai, Raimen and Omaki sat on one, while Riki, Iason and Argent sat in the other. Yousi was told to return to the mouth of the cave along with everyone else. He was too vital in the navigating of the ship through the wormholes, should things not go well. Heiku worried about Raoul, and Riki, but knew he was of no use to them at this particular time. He sat near Yousi, who could not sit still, and began to pace.
"I should be in there! He spoke, as he wrung his hands nervously. "I know what they will see, it is just too sad for words!"
"Come my love." Heiku reached up for Yousi. "Sit, you know we need you should something go wrong. No one else can pilot the ship through those invisible holes only you can see. If this does not work, we will need you. But I am confident in Iason and Riki. They have safely brought you all out. Including Lord Kai. And he was a tough one, I heard."
Heiku tried to sooth Yousi's worries. The crew watched, along with the medics and the Elders. They were told to sit out this particular awakening, considering Raoul was raging against the Elders who murdered Yui and the children. Nevertheless, Petros worried after Riki and Iason.
Deep inside the cave, Iason began to meditate. As he did, his hair began to float serenely, and soon both he and Riki were linked. Iason's eyes were a deep shade of blue, and as he looked over at Kai and his father, he gave them a nod, to begin their meditation. Omaki and Argent closed their eyes, and within moments, the four of them were standing before Iason and Riki. Riki had his tempest veil protecting them all.
Iason looked at the four, and spoke, "Alright, you four will need to erect a force field above our heads. The cave is large, so there is plenty of room, though I would prefer that the shield not be too large. It must also penetrate the bed rock below, less we have the ground open up and swallow us. Are you ready?"
Iason looked at the four, who gave him a nod. Immediately, Raimen and Kai began to transform, and began to create a shield over their heads. Argent and Omaki were at first shocked to see the two Lord Fathers incredible power. Argent gave Omaki a gentle poke with his elbow, and the two transformed, and began to erect their shield, to join Kai's and Raimen's.
At the entrance of the cave, Yousi felt the surge of power, and was nearly knocked off his feet. But he held his own. The same could not be said for the rest, as the medics, were being held by the Elders, who were able to erect shields before them all, to protect them from the incredible force that came out from the cave.
"Holy crap!" Jake cried out, as he noticed everyone was hiding behind the Elders. "Hey Martin, doesn't this remind you of a similar situation, where we all hid behind Petros?"
"I think this is a bit stronger Jake!" Martin was holding on to one of Petros' sleeves, as the older man, held the shield steady.
"Actually, Iason and Riki have yet to power up!" Petros spoke. "We will need to move away from the entrance of the caves!"
The four Elders agreed, and slowly the group of men all moved away from the entrance. Once the mountain shielded them from the force, Petros removed the shield, though the ground rumbled and vibrated. The soft glow from the four Ancients was emanating from the cave. After a few moments, a second surge was felt, and once again the Elders drew up their arms and raise a shield.
"Damn it all!" Lord Raymone and Darius grumbled. "We're going to have to move away from the mountain!"
"Now for those of you who do not know what that was, that was Lord Iason joining the Prince in Raoul's mind!" Petros yelled.
The group decided to move away from the mountain altogether, as rocks began to rain all around them. When they were a safe distance, they decided to build a fire, and wait it out there. The sun was beginning it's descent, and the temperature was sure to drop.
Meanwhile, in the cave Iason had finally joined Riki once satisfied the shield was strong enough. Riki dropped his tempest veil for only an instant, to allow Iason in. That moment was felt by the four holding the shield. Kai shook his head, as he saw Riki lower his hands, and slowly begin to walk with Iason. He turned around and spoke to his father.
"Release Raoul, father!"
Slowly, Kai focused on Raoul's mind, and spoke.
"Awaken, Lord Am, your path is being lit before your feet. Return to the living."
The surge of power was felt by Iason and Riki, who continued to walk further into the storm. Iason was then heard.
"I am going to remove Jupiter's mind block, be prepared!"
With that, Iason raised his hand, and the sound of Jupiter's familiar hum suddenly stopped. Iason looked to Riki who was the last to remove his seal over Raoul's mind.
"Here we go love!" Riki spoke. "Hang on to your hats!"
With that Riki removed his seal.
"Awaken Raoul, we've come to heal your mind...and your heart."
Suddenly a surge of energy was felt, and both Riki and Iason were knocked off their feet. The loud cries of Raoul's heart were heard. Moreover, they were felt by both Riki and Iason. Riki clutched his chest, as Raoul's heartbreak was overwhelming his mind. Iason helped Riki stand, and both now stood before a dark cloud. The only thing visible were the bolts of energy that seemed to go out in every direction. Iason felt drops falling from the sky, and thinking it to be rain, ignored it. That was until Riki touched his blond hair, and it became streaked with blood. He pointed to the sky, as the the drops grew in size, and then became pieces of flesh. Iason and Riki shielded their bodies, as they continued to walk into the cloud.
Behind Riki's tempest veil and Iason's golden shield, Kai and Raimen, along with Omaki and Argent, witnessed Iason and Riki disappear into a downpour of flesh and blood. It was enough to make anyone ill, but the worry over Iason and Riki overrode their nausea. Kai remembered well, the stench of death, as did Omaki and Argent. The two of them recalled the scene vividly. On the other hand, Raimen looked quite green around the gills, and breathed through his mouth, as he was overwhelmed with the stench. It reminded him of Jupiter's open grave, secretly hidden in the bowels of the Ios tower.
As Riki sensed Raoul, he pulled on Iason to move in the direction of Raoul's cries. The dark cloud began to clear, and they found the tall Lord covered in mud, and blood, sitting on the ground. Iason wanted to run to him, but as he moved forward, bolts of energy began to rain down on them.
"Whoa!" Riki yelled, as they both began to dodge them. While they did this, they heard the cries of men falling to the ground. They stood in the middle of a battle scene. Iason and Riki made for a large tree, and stood under it to witness the scene.
"Die you filth!" Came the cry from Raoul, as he aimed at the tree, and unleashed his power. Iason pushed Riki to the side, and they jumped out of the way. The tree was struck, and down came two Elders. "You are cowards who lie in wait. You have no honor! Fight me like men- in the open!"
Raoul destroyed the tree, as it fell on top of the two Elders, killing them. But Raoul would not end there, he lifted their lifeless bodies, and tossed them up into the air, and then tore them to pieces. One of them cried out as he had faked his death, hoping to get another shot at the enraged Intellect.
"You have no honor!"
The scene changed, and soon Iason and Riki found themselves in a scene with Raoul and his team, which consisted of both Intellect, and Warrior. A few moments later, Omaki, Yousi and Argent caught up with them. Iason noticed they were all quite soiled, looked rather thin, and their clothes were tattered and torn. Behind the tempest veil, Omaki and Argent watched, as a familiar scene was played out.
"Ah my good friends!" Raoul spoke. "It is good to see that you three are still alive."
"Yes Raoul, it is a wonder we keep reminding ourselves of each day we see the sun rise." Omaki spoke.
"Well you can join us then, as we are heading towards the children's hideout. We've brought them a bit of sunshine ourselves, is that not so gentlemen?"
The team of battle weary all cheered, as they held up toys and sweets. They showed the three their packs filled with clothing, and medicine.
"Aw! We didn't bring anything!" Yousi complained. "We've been on the go for nearly three days. We were heading back to the small village where we found a well of clean water a few weeks ago."
"Good! My team is parched, and we could use a bit of rest ourselves."
"My Lord, Master Yui has moved the children. It should be right over that hill." Omaki pointed. "He had found an abandoned house where the well was discovered. We helped him open it, since it had been sealed." Omaki spoke.
"Good, good. Heaven knows those little ones could use a good bath." Raoul laughed. "And how was Yui the last time you saw him?"
"He was doing well Lord Am." Argent spoke. "He found a brother and sister recently, and was caring for the younger one, the girl. The siblings witnessed their parents deaths. They were found by Yui, hiding in their basement behind a false wall. The boy spoke, but the girl had stopped talking completely."
"That is a shame." Raoul spoke with anger, "These children are easily forgotten when the battles rage."
As they came to the top of the hill, they could see the smoke that rose from what was supposed to have been Yui's hideout. Raoul looked down the hill, and saw the bodies of the children murdered, and left where they fell.
"Nooo!" Raoul cried out, and began to run down the hill. "NO! NO! By the Gods! Yui!"
Raoul came to the base of the hill, where he found the body of a young man impaled upon a stake. He had been horribly murdered, obviously raped, and left as a message to the one who would find him. For Raoul.
Raoul fell on is knees, and clutched his heart, as Yui's body faced him. Raoul reached up and took Yui's cold hand. As he cried with no consolation, he kissed Yui's hand repeatedly. His men watched, as their leader's mind begin to unravel, and his grief left them all in tears. Raoul was being helped to rise, when he began to push them all away.
"No! Leave me in peace!" Raoul screamed, as he looked at Yui's empty eyes. Raoul pulled his body off the stake, and cradled it in his arms. He cried loud, and screamed at the heavens. "Why? Why does innocence have to pay the price for this madness!"
Iason and Riki were stunned into silence, as the storm clouds once again descended upon the scene they were witnessing. Iason's face became as pale as ash, and his lips trembled in the face of Raoul's grief. Riki's face was streaked with tears, as he watched Raoul rock Yui's body in his embrace. Every time someone attempted to approach him, to take the body from him, he pressed his power out, sending them away by force, and began to scream all over again.
The sun, hidden behind the clouds, slowly began to set. By then his team of men had found all the bodies of the children. The members of the team recognized most if not all of the children. Their sadness was palpable, and Omaki, Yousi and Argent, sat before Raoul, trying to figure out a way to separate him from Yui's corpse.
The men dug an open grave, and gently placed the children in it, along with the toys, and the sweets. Omaki decided to give it a go, and see if he could talk Raoul into giving up Yui's body.
"Raoul..." Omaki whispered, "You need to put Yui to rest. He needs to continue his watch over the children. Won't you grant him this honor?"
Raoul clutched Yui tight against his chest. He stroked his hair, and continued to rock him.
"Please Raoul. He is gone, let us give him a proper burial." Omaki began once again. "We need to move on, perhaps some of the children escaped. Perhaps we can save one..or two."
Raoul looked up for the first time that day, to acknowledge Omaki's words. His eyes were red from crying, and his voice was hoarse from his bouts of screaming, but he managed to whisper to Omaki.
"They are all dead. Did you not count the bodies? Each one laid in that open grave was prayed over. I heard thirty-nine prayers in all, including the two additions you spoke of. Were you not paying attention?" Raoul's voice was low, and steady.
"N-No, I didn't my friend. But can't you see? They are waiting for Yui, to tuck them all in. Won't you please allow him to do this?" Omaki's voice was trembling, as he reached out to Raoul. "Here, let us wash his body, and dress him for his resting place."
Omaki slowly pulled Yui from Raoul's arms. Raoul reached for him, but instead, was helped to his feet. The four of them took Yui to a table, where they had prepared all the children. Some clothes was found in the part of the hideout that survived the fire. Omaki, Yousi and Argent bathed Yui's body, and dressed him gently. Raoul stood in silence and watched. Once they were finished, Raoul was given some privacy, as he bid him farewell.
"I will avenge you my love. I will not rest, nor my spirit yield until I eradicate the vermin from the surface of Amoi. Wait for me dearest, we shall soon reunite. Please watch over them my Yui, you were the only light in my heart that kept me sane, and gave me a reason to live...when I found none in the madness."
Raoul kissed Yui's lips one final time, before he was helped to wrap his body. Raoul picked him up into his arms, and gently carried him to the open grave. The bodies of all the children had been covered with soil, as Yui was the last one. The men all watched Raoul begin to cover the pit, and all joined in. As the last rays of sunlight disappeared over the horizon, their task was completed.
Raoul walked over to a well near the smoldering building. He removed his shirt, and poured a bucket of water over his body, to wash off the dirt and blood. He then dressed, and walked over to the grave site. He looked down one more time, and then began to walk. He did not speak a word.
Iason and Riki could do nothing but watch, as Raoul's silence lasted for some time.
The scene changed, and Riki and Iason were now watching as Raoul came upon the Elder's hideout. By then Raoul's appearance had also changed. His body was transformed, and his face glowed. He made no effort to hide his powers, and as they came upon the Estate in ruins, Raoul spoke.
"I shall enter, and all of you will remain outside. Regardless of what you hear, you will not enter."
"But my Lord!" Omaki spoke as he came up to Raoul and pulled his arm. "Raoul- you can't just go in there with no one to watch your back!"
"I said NO ONE is to follow me! If you are my friend Omaki, you will obey me." Raoul hissed through clenched teeth.
"Leave him be, my love." Argent spoke. "He has a death wish, and there is nothing you or anyone can do about it. He's been tracking these Elders since the day Yui died. We all know who did this."
Raoul entered the Estate. And as Iason and Riki watched the scene unfold, Riki became enraged. He recognized the Elder in question. He wondered why he did not see this before. Perhaps it was because they witnessed the scene through Omaki's eyes the last time, or his father's the second time. But when seen through Raoul's mind, it was clear he knew this Elder.
"My love?" Iason whispered, "What is it?"
"That is Elder Ormand." Riki hissed. "He was Elder Eric's lover! On Rhea of the past!"
Riki's body trembled, as he witnessed Raoul's madness unleashed, as he tossed the screaming Elder up into skies, and repeatedly struck his body, before the skinned, -still living- Elder was finally torn to shreds as he landed head first in pieces. As Raoul collapsed onto his knees, he then began to strike the ground. Iason and Riki could feel the vibrations beneath their feet, and Raoul continued until he was spent. Riki felt no pity for the end of Ormand. In his opinion, he had it coming.
The scene became hazy, and the dark clouds began to change into a thick fog. The familiar change told Iason and Riki that Raoul was closer to his awakening. All around them, the familiar sounds of battle raged on. Riki felt someone pull at his feet. He looked down, and there was a young man. One not Elder, nor Intellect. And strangely enough, was not Warrior either.
"Help us Tempest Lord!" The young man, with short golden hair reached for Riki. "Save us Tempest True!"
Riki stopped and stared at the youth. Then he looked to Iason who had continued on. When Iason sensed Riki's absence, he turned to find many hands now reaching for Riki. They were many, and Iason, confused by this, ran back towards Riki.
"I'm coming Riki!" Iason yelled.
"Lord Tempest, remember us! You will come, and your Flame will follow! You will come, and your Flame...will...follow..."
As Iason pushed the fog from around Riki, he clutched him tight against his chest. Riki had been lost in a trance, and only woke to find Iason shaking him.
"Riki!" Iason yelled. "Riki are you alright? Who were they? Why did they pull on you? They've never reach out for us, not us! We are only shadows in Raoul's mind, unaffected, and impartial."
"I don't know Iason. But I do know this was not Raoul's doing. They reached in, found me and begged me for help...I feel their presence even now. They are not our people! Yet they knew of me..and you!"
Iason pulled Riki away from that spot, and now continued towards Raoul. The thickness of the fog was an indication that Raoul was getting too far back into his mind. Riki used his tempest to push the fog away, and Iason lit the path that found Raoul once more. All around them were the screams of battle. It looked as if Raoul had now joined up with Lord Kai, as he wore his uniform. He had now taken his post as Sentinel at Arms, and looked battle worn, but extremely strong.
Behind the tempest veil, Kai could see his image, as Raoul remembered him. He could see all his battle wounds, including the recent one by the lance that pierced Raoul's father, and killed him as he placed his body between his enemy, and himself. Kai felt the sting of heartache, but held his shield strong. He looked across to view Omaki and Argent. The two men were like stones, unmovable. Given the carnage of the scene, they no doubt recall taking many specimens.
Though now that he thought about it, they were only taking the specimens of women. So perhaps, it was regret they felt. For in that scene, Kai stood on a pile of corpses. The battle was intense, and this would be, where Raoul's echo in time, would eclipse his awakening. So he prepared for his nightmare to finally end, for Raoul to be healed, to feel the anxiety he carried in his own conscious to dissipate; and forever be lifted with his faithful Sentinel soon to be restored.
Iason looked upon his friend, and one time lover. He was glorious, and strong. He was an Intellect guardian, elite to the Lord of the Warrior Clans. The belt on his body was filled with weapons, including one very familiar whip.
Riki was also in awe, as he watched his father battle a horde of Elders. They hurled chunks of rocks, trees, dirt and debris towards the two men who led a multitude of Warriors and Intellects against a wave of Elders. The shouts of commands, and the shrieks of death were heard all around, and Riki had difficulty walking over a sea of dead. The images of those young men clinging to him, had distracted him from his task of Raoul's rage, but as he watched Raoul's actions, he heard the sound of laser fire fly by his ear, and Raoul's screams for Lord Kai to move.
Raoul ran up the mound of bodies, as Kai turned to face Raoul's cries. And as if the moment was frozen in time, Iason and Riki witnessed the shot strike Raoul's back. Kai screamed, as Raoul fell into his arms. A barrage of laser fire ensued, as the wave of Elders began to be mowed down, by the surge of Warriors. The blond Intellects took to the skies, and like a flock of angelic bodies, they rained bolts of energy upon the enemy.
Iason and Riki saw the final moments of Raoul's life. Kai held him in his arms, as he spoke.
"You have done well, my Sentinel, dearest lover, and companion. Now sleep my dearest, guard those who await the next battle. Know that you are going to join the company of many who honor the halls of our dead."
"My...Lord..." Raoul struggled to speak. "Survive, the day...I will see you soon..."
Kai held Raoul tight in his arms, as he closed his eyes and died. Iason, heart was breaking, as he witnessed the death of Raoul. And even though, it was a Raoul who knew him as only a dear friend from the past, lover of his father and Lord Kai; it was a wound just as deep.
Riki could see the fog descend upon the scene once more, and the sounds of Raoul's quiet sobs could now be heard. He stood up, and peered into the distance.
"Who is there?" Raoul spoke. He was dressed in his Sentinel's uniform, and reached for his whip. The sound of a familiar snap struck the fog around him. "Show yourself!"
"Raoul, put down your whip." The soft voice of Riki was heard all around him. "You are safe now, dear friend."
Raoul looked harder, and noticed a glowing figure approaching him. He was not so tall, rather young in fact, and he knew his name.
"Loyal Sentinel, rest your arm, and secure your whip. You are done with this battle, you must awaken to fight the next..."
"Lord Kai? Is that you? No, Lord Kai is not a child, he is a man."
"Well, that is no way to speak to his son." Riki grumbled, "But that is okay, I'll take it."
"H-His son? Lord Riki? Is that you?" Raoul put his arm down, and began to walk towards Riki. "I've been walking this damn blasted soup forever it seems, and you are the first one I've seen!"
"Come dear friend, you are asleep in death. You must awaken, and join the living once more. You are finished with this nightmare."
Raoul looked around. "Nightmare. Yes. I was feeling the loss of...Lord Kai, and something else tugged at me, I..don't remember."
"I have someone who needs to see you..someone who wants to hold you in his arms." Riki spoke gently. "Do you recall who?"
Raoul looked at Riki's face, and after a long moment, Raoul began to faint. His legs gave out from under him, and he began to tremble. The more he reached into his mind, the more tears of sadness rolled down his face. He reached up and felt his cheeks.
"What is this?" Raoul looked off to the side, and the image of a figure impaled on a stake began to appear. "NO! Begone!" Raoul covered his face, and turned away from the image.
"Raoul, your lover is not dead. Yui lives once more." Riki softly spoke, "Look to your left..see the man I've had the honor of calling my friend."
Raoul looked to his left, and there appeared Yui, beautiful, and healthy. He was dressed in the finest tunic, with emerald earrings, and a jeweled headpiece. Raoul could not believe his eyes. He ran to the image, but found it was just that. An image.
"What is this? More tricks of the mind? Are you an Elder in my head?"
"No, dear friend, we are not." Iason now appeared. He walked up to Raoul, and took his hand.
We are real, and you are alive. You have been sleeping old friend, and you must awaken. Amoi is restored, and Yui lives. You have been kept locked up for a dreadfully long time, and need to breath the clean air once more."
"Lord Iason? How can this be? Both you and the young Prince...Prince Riki?" Raoul looked at the two of them, and became silent.
"Yes Raoul, we are back. We have returned to Amoi, and we are restoring what was lost. Which includes your life, and that of your lover. He awaits you back on Amoi. So awaken dear friend."
Riki came up and touched Raoul's temple. He caressed his face, and smiled sweetly.
"Here dear Sentinel, see who else is here to welcome you home?" Suddenly Riki pulled back his tempest veil, and there appeared the four.
Kai stepped forward, and immediately rushed to Raoul's arms. Raoul's surprised expression was priceless, as he looked into Kai's eyes.
"My Lord! You are...your face...what?" Raoul looked on, and found no scars, no wounds, and no sadness in Kai's face.
"Yes, it is a wonderful thing our son's have done. I am back without a nick or wound, same as you. Awaken my dear Sentinel, I have need of your skills once more!"
Kai gave Raoul a gentle kiss, which Raoul eagerly returned. Iason smiled, as his father rolled his eyes.
"Yes, yes..come love. Let's get the young pup out of this nightmare." Raimen grumbled. No doubt a tad jealous of their romantic moment.
"Lord Raimen?" Raoul now looked at the tall blond Royal. "My Lord...you were killed!" Raoul yelled.
"Yes, I know and by his hand no less!" Raimen pointed at Kai, who shook his head and shrugged his shoulders innocently. "Now, dear friend, don't you have a kiss for me too? I seem to recall you quite enjoyed being the center of our liaisons often more than not." Raimen walked up to Raoul and stroked his hair.
"My Lord! Is this really true? You have come back?"
"Well, yes. The advantages of having a genius for a son, and his empath lover. Oh, did you forget he was a Prince?"
Raoul reached for Raimen who gave him a delicious kiss, which make Iason blush. It was Raoul's old persona, so there was not much of his relationship there, but what he recalled from the past. When Raimen finally released him, Raoul looked at Omaki and Argent, and could not believe his eyes. Omaki was dressed in his all leather ensemble, and Argent had lost the sadness that gave him his haunting appearance.
"Lord Ghan?" Raoul came up to him, and embraced him. "You look absolutely incredible! You two look like you've put on some weight, good for you!"
"Well, I don't know if I like that welcome one bit! Do your really think this outfit makes me look fat?" Omaki smiled, as he looked into Raoul's eyes. The madness he knew well, was all but gone. Raoul looked like the Raoul he knew."
"My Lords, you say Yui has been restored?" Raoul's eyes now begged once more for the image of his lover.
"Here dear friend, look for yourself." Riki spoke.
Riki now changed the scene, and placed them all in the Lord's Dance. Raoul watched, and recognized many faces, but when he saw Yui dancing in his arms, he began to cry once more. But these were not tears of sorrow, they were tears of joy.
"Raoul, this is you and Yui dancing not four days ago." Riki spoke. "You and Yui are reunited in the present, but we shall debrief you when you awaken. So my friend, you need to now listen to my instructions, as we still have a path to walk."
Iason now gave the four a nod, and Riki placed them back behind his tempest veil. Raoul was confused by the powers he witnessed in Riki, but was too overjoyed with the news of Yui, he did not care. Perhaps it was an underlying hope, that his present persona was fighting to pull him out, or the mere fact that he was told the nightmare had come to an end. Whichever it was, he welcomed it.
"My friend," Iason spoke. "You must listen closely to us both. There things you will see, but first and foremost this path beneath your feet."
Raoul looked down, and saw a stone path that lead towards a dim light. Riki now stood in front of him, and spoke.
"See that glow in the distance? That is awareness, and your life waiting for you to return. Your life is now back on Amoi. You will have a surge of memories, or small amounts over a period of time. It depends on you." Riki whispered. "You are yet the strongest mind I've encountered, and was safely sealed away. But now we must move forward. You will see and hear much of your nightmare return, but you must not stop, nor listen. Iason and I will hold your hand, and when the moment you realize that what you see is true, you will come upon a sea of darkness.
But this is a good thing. You must welcome the sea, for it is the tears we all shed while we suffered in our past life. And you dear friend suffered much. So you will need to draw the biggest gulp of air you can muster, and hold your breath. The sea will descend fast, and then you must kick to the surface. Do you understand Raoul?"
Raoul looked at Iason and Riki, and gave them a nod. They began to walk down the path, heading towards the glowing light. As Raoul stepped forward, the sounds of war were heard once more, along the with the cries many fallen. As he neared the light, the image of Yui's corpse began to appear. Raoul's body stiffened up, and he began to slow down.
"No Raoul, Yui awaits you on Amoi. Look away dear friend, and now, look up."
Riki pointed to the sea of darkness that began to slowly descend. As Raoul now realized it was the truth, he took a deep breath, and the sea rained down with such a force, the three nearly were separated. Iason pulled up Raoul's hand, and Riki kicked from below. Iason and Riki glowed softly, as the dark seas where pitch black.
"Kick Raoul! Kick!" Riki shouted from within his mind, into Raoul's.
Raoul's powerful body began to swim hard, as he soon began to lead even Iason. He was determined to see Yui, and if this is what he needed to do to get back to him, he was not going to shrink back now.
Iason smiled at Riki, who could not believe the force Raoul was putting out. As the surface was getting closer, he could hear the four waiting for him from the surface.
"Kick Raoul! I have nice bottle of Brandy waiting for you!" Kai's voice was heard shouting.
Raoul gave a final kick with his legs, and breached the surface. The cries and cheers filled the cave, as the roar of energy Raoul released was immense. Kai and Raimen noticed the roof of the cave was beginning to fall, and Argent and Omaki pushed with their arms to increase their power.
Raul opened his eyes, and drew a deep breath of air. He looked at Riki kneeling next to him, and Iason on his other side.
"I don't want to rush you dear ones..." Raimen winced, "But the mountain is caving in, and we should all make a hasty run for the exit!"
Iason and Riki helped Raoul to his feet. The tall Lord had not moved in two days, and was quite stiff. Iason placed an arm around his waist, and Riki helped pull him out. Omaki, Argent, Kai and Raimen, all began to run together, as they held the shield over their heads, and the seven men made a dash for the mouth of the cave.
Outside the crews from both ships waited. The had seen and felt the many surges of energy from the different Lords, as they knew it must have been a struggle for them to contain Raoul. Petros anxiously paced, and when he sensed the group running, he and the Elders made a mad sprint to the cave. And sure enough the mountain was collapsing. The five Elders raised their hands, and held the entrance open as a multitude of boulders came down. Yousi joined them, and between the six of them, watched the group exit the caves.
The sounds of cheers was heard, as the crew surrounded the exhausted Lords, and all collapsed on the ground. Riki sensed the sudden panic in Raoul's mind, as the newly awakened Lord looked up, and upon seeing the Elders, immediately raised his hands to attack. Riki leaped in front of them, and shielded them from Raoul's deadly power.
"No!" Riki shouted, as he deflected the energy, and sent it off in the distance. "Raoul, they are not the enemy, they are our friends. And yours too." Riki spoke. His body was weakened by all his activity, and collapsed into Petros' waiting arms.
"What?" Raoul cried out. But within moments, a surge of memories pressed in his mind, and the reconciling of his past began to fall into place with his present self. He sat there stunned, as the images flooded his mind, and looked at Iason, then Kai, and then finally at all the faces before him.
"It seems I have a lot of catching up to do. Is it over? Am I now complete?"
Iason laughed softly. "Well, it's a start dear friend. But yes, it is the beginning of your reunion with many who were -and some who are still- lost."
Raoul looked at Petros, and his four assistants. He had a hard time reconciling with the facts, as he looked at them, but the memories of Petros came back, and he now smiled at them.
"Please forgive me Lord Petros, I'm sure you understand quite well, that it was nothing personal."
"Petros smiled back with a sigh, "You don't know the half of it!"
The group all laughed, as they found Raoul back in the present, and he had survived the ordeal. They looked back at the caves, at least what was left of them, for they had indeed crumbled. The group headed back to the Sentinel's Chariot, and after cleaning up, they all celebrated Raoul's awakening. There were many tears expressing their joy, as the famed Sentinel at Arms was restored, and intact. He looked at Iason and Riki, and rose from his chair. All watched, as he approached the two, and he spoke.
"There will be many visits I will be making into my mind, before this night is over. But I wish to express my gratitude to you both. I will never be able to repay my debt to you, for bringing me back to life." Raoul bowed respectfully before Iason and Riki. Then he knelt down on one knee before Riki.
"You my prince, never left my side. I saw you standing before my eyes, and in my madness, you held me. With no regard for your own safety, I saw Iason pushed away behind your protective veil." Raoul took Riki's hand and kissed it tenderly. "You are truly a noble Prince in my eyes."
Riki's eyes filled with tears, as Raoul's words sank deep into his heart. Iason smiled proudly, as his gesture brought the celebration to a standstill. When Raoul tenderly kissed Riki's hand, the room erupted into a roar of cheers, applause, and many a tear filled eye.
Kai looked at the scene, and beamed proudly at Raoul's gesture towards his son. He was overjoyed with the return of his Sentinel. He was now eager to see both Raoul and Yui reunited. He wondered what that poor child was going to experience, now that he saw the suffering through Raoul's eyes, and hoped that perhaps his beautiful Queen would ease his suffering, should he wake.
"Well, it looks as if those two really need a long nap." Raimen pointed to Omaki and Argent. Though they were celebrating and feeling proud of their part in Raoul's awakening, Raimen could sense the decrease in their overall strength. "Yes, we will need to power all our bodies up a notch, as we move on to the next leg of this trip."
"Well, I'm sure Martin and his medics will be quite busy in the next day or so." Kai winked at Jake, who blushed quite a bit, when he caught his eye. "Yes, I think our newest friend, will be paying us a visit." Kai whispered back to Raimen.
But by the time he finished his last word, Raimen was climbing the table, and pulling Omaki and Argent up to dance, as music was now being played on the intercom, and the celebration came into full swing.
"Hey!" Kai grumbled, "What was all that about needing a long nap?" Kai laughed at his lover's antics.
Raimen had pulled the medics up on chairs, and whatever else they could climb, and were all gyrating their hips to the sensual sounds filling the conference room. Riki was feeling quite good, and the drain on his body was soon forgotten. He was pulled into Iason's arms, and the two lovers began to dance sensually, to the hoots and whistles of the men in the room. Riki raised his arms, as Iason wrapped his arms around him, and they hungrily drank from their lips.
Raoul was caught up the moment, and closed his eyes, to recall the image of him dancing with Yui. He even recalled his foursome with Kai and Raimen. He smiled at the antics of Raimen, who would have several men stripped naked before the night was over, perhaps even himself. But as the crew came and embraced him in one's or two's, Raoul felt truly alive, and it was a long time coming.