Disclaimer: The story is based on DC comics' characters and the mythology created in Smallville (i.e. property of the CW network), and originally created by Jerry Siegel and Joel Schuster.
Season 2
Chapter 8
The Lost Society
Previously...
"You can't run!" – Corin bellowed. "Justice always catches up."
"You're right about that." And he raised a hand…
And now…
A container rose from the ground and sped towards Corin with incredible speed but stopped just inches from him. The purple masked man stood in awe and shock as it flew back at him with the same speed. He stopped it. Focusing the metal of the container broke to smaller pieces that flew back to Corin.
Corin focused too and brought them to a halt. He broke the pieces into even smaller pieces and shot them at the purple masked man who also stopped them and broke them into even smaller pieces. He then raised other trash and shot it at Corin along the others.
Corin managed to block the rain of small pieces but the other trash did hit him. He lost his balance and fell to a knee. He stood up quickly. Rummaging in his pockets he took out a small bottle of gas that he carried with himself for his lighter and emptied it onto the ground then he lit it. The fiery line formed quickly. With focus, Corin made the flames rise and as fireballs threw them at his opponent.
The purple masked man whose name was Vincent was utterly surprised of the skill. There weren't many telekinetiks who could that. Actually, the only ones he knew of on Earth were the Phi Praetorian although they did attack only with fire. So the only logical explanation left was Ventu Collaris. But that was odd as he was the only one that has survived the apocalypse on Aerie. Was the man before him a Ventu Collaris? There was only one way to find out.
He redoubled his attack. The response was slower than he would expect of a Ventu Collaris. So he wasn't one of them but this did not explain the extraordinary skill his opponent was displaying.
"Vesta Su (Who are you)?" – Vincent shouted as he took cover. "Tanu manis Ventu Collaris Seme (The way of the Ventu Collaris is just).
"Veonis Collaris mendi Sai Sema nai hendu (The calling of Collaris is to serve justice not murder)." – Corin replied.
Vincent frowned. His opponent had just quoted the Mantra of Collaris, their sacred God. Who was this man? If he wasn't Yllyan then how could he possibly know that?
"Wani Yllya (Are you Yllyan)?"
"Wanis Veon Collaris (I am the voice of Collaris)."
The answer was most unexpected and utterly impossible.
"Nai (No)!" – Vincent said. "Nai wanis neon (it is not possible)."
Vincent then stood up and threw all his might at this imposter.
Corin had hard time evading the storm of objects that flew in his direction. His ability to block them was overwhelmed. He fell. He was losing consciousness. Suddenly he saw familiar boots and the scene before him changed but he had already surrendered to the darkness.
"Corin! Wake up!"
Corin stirred and then again who wouldn't when he's been cheered with smacks across the face.
"Aw!" – He growled.
"Oh, thank Mortis, you're alive!"
"Hard not to be with your continuous smacking," – Corin remarked sitting up.
"Well, I thought for a moment I had lost you."
"Beating me up might have achieved just that."
"Well, you are up and about." – Loki said and sat next to him. "Who was that guy beating the crap out of you?"
"He was..." – Corin trailed off. The memory was returning to him along with the pain in his body.
"Yes?" – Loki looked at him expectantly.
"He ki..." Corin's thoughts were racing. He knew exactly who that was, well, what that was anyway but it was not possible. They were all gone. How had this one survived?
"You know you did not have trouble speaking before. Maybe I should give you a few more smacks."
"No thanks," – Corin put his hands defensively before his face.
"Well then who was he?" – Loki insisted.
"Someone you should keep away from." – He replied and tried to stand up but it proved a bit difficult. His legs did not hold him and he was back on the ground.
"Hey, easy," – Loki said and helped him sit up straight. "It is worse than I thought."
"It happens..." – His vision had become blurry. He thrust his head as though to chase a fly but it was not helping. "I'm perfectly...fline...fine..."
"Hey," – But it was too late Corin fell unconscious and Loki caught him just in time. He probably had a concussion and with her efforts to bring him back she might have done more harm than good. She picked him up and tossed him over her shoulder. She had to bring him to a healer.
Corin woke up several days later. Something silver was hovering over him. He blinked and noticed it was hair – Ayla's. Just across the room, sitting in a low wooden chair he saw Alicia and standing guard outside the door was Loki.
He tried clearing his thoughts. The sun was high in the sky. It was probably noon already. How long had he been out? A day, maybe two, yeah, this was certain.
"Good morning," – He said.
Ayla who had been sitting on the side of the bed turned. "Ah, Seyt, you gave us quite the scare."
"How long have I...?"
"Do not speak right away." – Ayla cautioned. "You're still very weak."
"He's up?" – Loki rushed in.
"For now," – Corin whispered. His initial strength was fading. His eyes sought Alicia. She had woken up. Their looks crossed and for a moment stood in each other's orbit but then Alicia stormed out.
"Do you have that effect on everyone?" – Loki couldn't resist observing.
"I try..." – He rolled his eyes. "It is not my fault."
"Sure!" – Loki said and followed Alicia.
"Hey..." – Corin tried to stand up.
"Rest, Seyt!" – Ayla said pushing him back to the pillows. "Here, drink!" Corin absorbed the liquid and fell back to sleep.
Far away, in a distant forest, a dark lake loomed. Under its surface however was a different story. Dwellings of unknown material illuminated the water like fire. They were organized in a circular fashion that stood out like a sun. Inside, the structures were of alien design of different forms and shapes.
Vincent arrived two days after his encounter with Corin. He stopped at his dwelling to rest and then went to report to the grand council.
"So you eliminated the tune master," – The master elder was saying. "And then what happened?"
Vincent recounted his altercation with the unknown man. It raised quite a few eyebrows.
"He was versed in Yllyan and displayed telekinetic skills and yet he was not a Ventu Collaris, is this correct Ventu Vincent?"
"Yes, master," – Vincent replied. "He called himself the Voice of Collaris."
"The voice?" – The master elder frowned. He sought a small crystalline device out of his pocket and let it float before him. A display of ancient texts appeared. The screens changed until the master elder had located a particular paragraph.
'At the exodus of the two titan races of the twenty eight galaxies, on the planet Terra, called by its inhabitants Earth, forward shall come the one that shall change the shape of streams. Know him as the Voice of the all mighty Azure God – Collaris and the herald of the Red Sun God – Rao.
He shall rise from the ashes of his shame and ignorance to help his peoples, the titan races, in their new home. And…'
This text described the exodus of the Yllyan and Kryptonian people as written in the Prophecy of Rao and the Dragon Scrolls of Collaris.
The master elder's expression had changed. Could Ventu Vincent have come across the chosen one? Not many would dare to invoke the ancient prophecies or come by them by accident. But the question lingered – who was that man Vincent had encountered.
"Ventu Vincent, it is the decision of the Grand Council for you to locate and bring forward this man you encountered and any who assist him. Is this understood Ventu Collaris?"
"Yes, my master," – Vincent bowed though particularly thrilled of his new mission. "But he will not come easily."
"Given your recent encounter he could hardly be blamed." – The master elder remarked. "Nevertheless, you shall bring him forth. Who helped him escape?"
"I can't be sure, my master."
"What did you see?"
"I saw a young woman in black attire and then they were gone."
"Gone how?"
"One moment they were there and the next they had vanished. Perhaps a teleport…"
"NO!" – The master councilor interrupted. "She is obviously a witch."
"A witch?" – Vincent exclaimed. "I thought they were figment of the humans' imagination."
"They are not." – The master councilor said. "They are separate from the humans and very powerful. Be careful, Ventu Vincent, you are susceptible to magic."
"I shall."
"Dismissed."
"Ventu Vincent," – The master elder said. "You may take as many of the trainees with you as you like. Bring him here."
"As you wish," – Vincent bowed and left the chambers of the grand council.
"This is more serious than we ever thought." – The master councilor shared.
"It is possible he is of the royal bloodline." – The master record keeper spoke for the first time since Vincent's arrival. "They are born with the abilities too."
"This is doubtful." – The master councilor disagreed. "The Tassir family is gone. None of them survived."
"This is not true – Veshinov was on Earth."
"Veshinov? He is a human."
"And married to Vellisha Tassir," – The master record keeper said. "And Mira Tassir is also here."
"Yes, she is but we have never made contact with them nor have they ever displayed any of the skills."
"Then it is a true mystery."
"The mystery will be solved when we bring forth the one claiming to be the Voice." – The master elder said.
"You know Ventu Vincent is right about one thing he will not come quietly." – The master councilor shared.
"Very much so…" – The master elder agreed. "But we have to see him. Ventu Vincent has only to evade the witch the rest should be easier."
"Yes, the fabled voice is not a Ventu Collaris."
"We shall see who and what he is." – The master elder concluded. "This session is over."
Ventu Vincent returned to his quarters thinking over the encounter with the Voice. He was thinking of way to draw him out again. He then remembered the tune master's last moments and the blonde girl. It seemed the tune master had recognized her. Maybe this girl was his way in. The Voice could not have been much behind her. Yes, the girl was definitely his way in but of course he had to find her first.
Having gathered his thoughts he ventured out and headed for the training complex. He really did not need anyone's help on this adventure but the councilors were right he might run into that witch and that would be a significant setback. He needed at least some help to create the distraction.
The training complex was at the far end of the Yllyan city. It was a very imposing domed building bearing the flags of the Royal family and the crest of the empire. Of course the Royal family was no longer with them. The last surviving members knew nothing of the last haven of the Yllyan Empire. And there were only two – Vellisha and Mira.
Ventu Vincent smiled to himself. Vellisha and Mira however were never considered part of the Royals. They betrayed the Empire by marrying offworlders. They both married humans while their sister Sarah did the same though slightly different. She married a Kryptonian. Vincent had never liked them. They were the self proclaimed guardians of the universe. They were arrogant and self centered. Hopefully the Kryptonians managed to destroy themselves and thus did the universe a great favor.
Vincent ventured inside the training complex. The guards saluted. At the very least, there were still a few places where the might of the Ventu Collaris is still respected. Yes, the respect, it was power. And he was the last of the Ventu Collaris, the true Ventu Collaris. The councilors were training new ones but they will never be true Ventu Collaris. The new ones will simply be new, of what is left the Yllyan Empire. The Empire forced to hide on this primitive world, world of the humans.
Of course, Vincent will do anything, well something anyway, to reclaim the power of the Yllyan Empire. Taking over the human world would be one of them but they simply did not have the power to do so. There were so few of them and only one of him. They will not be much of a threat to the humans. Now if we had a fully trained squad of Ventu Collaris under his command this would be a different story. But he had to wait for this day. The training program was taking more time than usual as he was the only Ventu Collaris they had and the other trainers were of the rank of the councilors in the use of the ability.
Vincent sighed. Maybe the glory of the Empire died with Aerie and the fall of the Ventu Collaris. They fought until the very end but still could not save the Emperor or Aerie. He was the lucky one. He was sent on a mission. Vincent sighed deeply. What was was.
"Ventu Vincent," – Master trainer Collin called throwing Vincent off his thoughts. "This is an unexpected visit though we could benefit of your presence to…"
"Later!" – Vincent dismissed the greetings with a hand gesture and commanded. "Summon the trainees."
Master trainer Collins bowed and sounded the gong. All trainees abandoned their exercises and appeared before them.
Ventu Vincent did not wait for the line to be formed. Those that took longer he simply pushed away with the ability. They fell on the ground and remained there. Failure is not something Vincent accepted or tolerated.
He walked around those that had managed to get in line before the end of the gong's summoning. Ironically, the less trained ones were always first in line. The respect of moving up the ladder often played tricks with the heads of the trainees making them think they were superior of the others.
The standards of selection and training were definitely falling, Vincent thought. He was not happy of this fact.
"The Grand Council has sent me on a mission of retrieval. I need four volunteers of rank ranges six, eight, eleven and thirteen. Do not take this mission lightly. Our objective is to bring forth a man claiming to be the Voice of Collaris."
"Surely, Ventu Vincent, you can achieve this ask alone." – Master trainer Collin observed.
"Are you questioning the decision of the grand Council?" – Ventu Vincent said raising an eyebrow.
"No," – Master trainer Collin retreated a step. "Of course not, but they are not ready for a real mission."
"They are now." – Vincent countered. "And while you are correct, Master trainer, I expect resistance of a different nature. I will take down the Voice but he will not be alone hence the need of support."
"A diversion, you mean?" – Master trainer Collin whispered.
"Be as it may," – Vincent replied also lowering his voice. "This is the decision of the council. If you have a problem with it, take with them. But if you question me in front of the trainees again, it will be your last. Do you understand me, Master trainee?" Vincent's last words were filled with frustration and outright threat.
"Perfectly," – Master trainer Collin replied and swallowed hard. He had gone too far in being overprotective of his trainees. Sometimes it was easy to forget but in the case of the Ventu Collaris it is the deadliest mistake to make. In the old days such defiance would have cost him his life on the spot.
"Submit your names at dusk!" – Vincent said aloud turning to the trainees. "By dawn, I will select the four. Dismissed!"
Vincent left the training complex as quickly as possible. He needed a place to relax and calm down. The growing insubordination of the trainers was exhausting and unnerving. Respect, these days it was a rare commodity.
Corin stirred. His eyes flickered open. It was dark outside but there was a candle placed on a small table next to him. He examined the immediate area around him. He was in the ground huts somewhere outside the Sylvan village. He remembered they had several such huts mainly kept for the guardians of the village and for returning hunters.
He pushed himself to sit up. Every part of his body ached of the effort. Apparently the encounter with the Ventu Collaris had caused more damage that he originally thought. The memory of the encounter floated back in. He had pushed himself harder than ever before to resist not only the flying debris but resist the telekinetic pulses emitted by the enemy.
He knew what the Ventu Collaris are capable of he just never experienced it in person. They were the Royal guards for a reason. They had the best training a soldier could receive and the highest rating of telekinesis.
'Oh, why does it hurt so much?' – Corin wondered. Every muscle in his body was on fire. He turned his body sideways, put his feet firmly on the floor and attempted to stand up. It failed as he crumbled on the floor like a sack of old potatoes. The last time he felt that weak he had barely escaped the Phantom Zone with a lethal wound that should have killed him but didn't.
Corin frowned. Why was that? Why was he thinking again of the question that has been bothering him ever since he arrived on Earth? Why didn't he have his powers? What has happened to them? Maybe one day he will have his answer. For today though he had only to return back on the bed. But it was easier said than done.
He cleared his mind and focused. Ha, he thought, it is working. But it was rather too easy and he noticed he was floating. Turning his head he quickly discovered the source. It was Loki. She was levitating him.
"Do you mind?" – Corin asked frustrated of the interference though realizing how ungrateful it might seem.
"I do actually." – Loki replied ignoring his protest.
Corin was back on the bed and Loki pulled the blanket over him.
"You are still very weak and you are staying in bed." – She added. "And if you do not I'll bind you to the bed."
"Staying in bed is not going to make me stronger." – Corin retorted.
"No, but staying for now will ensure that someday you can actually get out of it." – She answered back.
"How quaint!"
"Don't be so sarcastic!" – She flared up. "If it weren't for me you will be dead now."
"My apologies, milady," – Corin flared back on his turn. "I was doing just fine."
"Alicia will soon be here, so do behave." – She said with a softer voice.
Corin had to swallow his response. He was not entirely sure why he was so mad at her. It was probably his, own pride, shame and powerlessness that was doing the talking. He was beaten again. Is that what the Forest Lord meant so long ago? You will fall more times than others. No, Corin shook head firmly. He could not give into these sorts of feelings or he will live in the dark side of fear all the time.
He relaxed uneasily taking deep breaths to calm himself otherwise his impulsive side would have pushed him to stand up and possibly lick the floor again. It seemed to help.
As predicted, Alicia showed up a few minutes later. She checked him then gave him some awfully smelling potion to drink that burned his throat and spread through him like enraged water streams. But he felt almost instantaneously better afterwards.
Alicia of course did not say a word to him. She spoke with Loki in hushed tones then left and Corin knew why. She was not happy he had left them without a word. And now out of the blue he needed their help though he certainly had not asked for it as Loki had taken matters in her, own hands.
Of course, Loki could have chosen a worse place to bring him. She could have brought him to the Ocean Realm. And then getting rid of Cymo's ridicule would have been close to impossible. The little brat waited for any opportunity to do exactly that.
Loki returned into the hut and told him to sleep but he couldn't. He had enough of sleeping and besides sleeping although it has its redeeming qualities it was not what he needed. He needed the cold, fresh waters of the lake nearby.
Corin waited for Loki to fall asleep. She looked already too exhausted. She went outside to guard the hut but soon fell asleep. Corin slipped out of his bed this time without making the slightest sound. He basically had to crawl as his muscles were not strong enough to support him standing upright.
Like a snake he slithered out of the hut one inch at the time. Passing by Loki was the most challenging task but he managed it with patience and diligence. Of course crawling was not providing the best speed but it had to do. His muscles had started to work better. His focus on reaching the lake had toughened them sufficiently.
Once he was outside the perimeter of the hut he moved to the bushes. There on the ground he found enough scattered branches and splinters. He used the biggest branches to make crutches and thus managed to stand up. After all he used almost an hour just to get twenty feet away from the hut. Now his speed had significantly improved.
He reached the lake in less than two hours. He approached the border of the lake and lay down the crutches. His legs gave up and he was on the ground but it did not matter. He took off the little clothes he had on him and crawled to the very edge of the lake and plunged in.
His skin rejoiced in the cold waters of the lake. For a moment he sunk in but it was only a moment. His body felt the cold and coolness. His strength returned gradually. He was pushing his muscles slowly but steadily.
Swimming under and above water while slowly increasing the use of his muscles at every turn, it took Corin only four hours to regain control. He was now swimming without any effort. He spent another hour in the water performing various exercises designed to strengthen the body and the mind.
Dawn cracked an hour later. Corin got out of the water without any effort. He began the conditioning of Rao. His muscles were responding well to the levels of difficulty. Half an hour later, he simply lay on the ground to calm the strain he had been exerting on his muscles. Ironically everything needed time to settle down. The healing process has to be intense at the beginning and lessened with the passing days until full recovery.
He returned to the hut on his own two hours later. Loki was nowhere in sight. She had probably noticed he was gone and was frantically looking for him around. This brought a smile to him. He returned in the hut and conveniently simulated he had fallen off the right side of the bed and crawled under it as a result of sleeping.
"Are you sure he is not in there?" – Corin heard Alicia's voice.
"Yes, I am." – Loki replied.
Corin barely managed to hold the laughter that was trying to burst out of him. He assumed a sleepy face and groaned.
"What the hell…"
He heard hurried footsteps. Loki and Alicia ventured in and soon pulled him from under the bed.
"Seyt, how did you get there?"
"I haven't the foggiest." – Corin replied innocently with notes of frustration. "I just opened my eyes and there was this tiny spider and darkness then I saw the light coming on the right and wondered what the hell, and here you two come to my rescue yet again."
They put him into the bed.
"Don't scare me like that." – Loki said almost tenderly.
"Did you look under the bed before sounding the alarm?" – Alicia asked.
"No, I …, I didn't." – Loki admitted. "How could have I predicted he would be under it?"
"I'm sorry," – Alicia said. "I didn't mean…you know…"
"Yeah," – Loki nodded. "I just panicked."
"Who wouldn't?" – Alicia exclaimed understandingly. "Seyt, don't scare us."
"I wasn't trying to." – Corin replied. "I was sleeping."
"Of course," – Alicia said. "I'll bring you your breakfast now and calm the others. Come Loki."
They left and Corin could relax. His ruse had passed the test with flying colors. Of course sneaking out again on Loki would prove now far more difficult but he did not have to leave he just had to make sure she doesn't see him.
Corin frowned again. Why has he hiding from them? He could easily tell them he is ok now but some undefined feeling was telling him otherwise. They were both overprotective and actually Loki might curse him or at the very least bind him to the bed as she warned him yesterday. No, maintaining cover was definitely paramount, for now. And yet it all felt kind of stupid. Corin sighed but decided not to reveal his quick recovery yet.
For the next few days, he managed to sneak out of Loki's sight and perform his exercises in peace. He recovered his full strength soon enough but maintain his subterfuge. It was kind of nice to see both Alicia and Loki take care of him though he was certain he was going to pay for the deception later.
Of course, Loki and Alicia had noticed his improving health and one day they had returned to the hut earlier. They noticed his absence.
"Look under the bed." – Alicia suggested.
"He is not there." – Loki said after bending down and looking under it. "Where the hell is he? You spent time with him. Where would he go?"
Alicia slapped herself on the forehead closing her eyes. "Of course," She exclaimed and a vexation smile appeared on her face. "Typical. Come with me!" She led the way and Loki followed.
They crossed through the forest until they reached a waterfall. Beneath there was a small lake in whose waters they saw Corin swimming.
Loki opened and closed her mouth shocked but with growing anger of the perfect deception he had managed to maintain for so long.
Corin then left the lake and had started his training exercises and despite the growing anger Loki had to admit that he had recovered pretty fast. She looked at Alicia and saw the same reverence and growing anger.
"I'm going to kill him." – Loki stated after a while and nodding added. "Yes, I'm definitely going to kill him."
"Get in line, I'm first." – Alicia said her gaze narrowing.
"How long do you think he's been doing this?"
"I don't know but Seyt is full of surprises." – Alicia replied. "I suggest we confront him and find out."
"Oh, no," – Loki shook head. "He's not the only one that can play this game. We're going to make him pay for that."
"I agree co-conspirator." – Alicia said holding out her hand to Loki that shook it.
Both then left and returned to the hut. There they waited for Corin's return. They hid the moment they spotted him and then pretended to have just arrived. Unfortunately they were not as good actors as they thought they were. Corin easily spotted the change in their demeanor.
When they left him for the night, he was thoughtful. They spent almost the entire day making him comfortable and miserable at the same time. It was an odd mixture. Corin closed his eyes and summoned the memory. He paid now more attention to their expressions and despite their obvious effort to hide it Corin now clearly saw the anger in the eyes.
'Oh, well, it lasted as long as it could.' They were definitely onto him. They must have come earlier and found the empty bed. And then Alicia must have guessed where he would go. Yes, it had definitely happened that way. She knew his habits in the forest well. 'Oh, well, nothing is forever.' Though now he started wondering what they would do to him. They were definitely pissed.
Corin's thoughts were interrupted though. His cellular rang. Corin frowned. Who could this possibly be? He looked at the handset and saw it was Tess. What could she possibly want?
"Ms. Mercer," – He replied.
"Oh, Corin, thank God, I found you." – Tess sounded quite distressed.
"What's going on?" – He asked with growing concern.
"Something awful has happened."
"Such as?"
"Ah," – Tess exclaimed inhaling and exhaling hard as though she was running for dear life."Chloe has been kidnapped. They took…"
"Wow, slow down," – He interrupted. "What do you mean she's been kidnapped?"
"They took…"
"Tess!" – He raised his voice. "Start at the beginning."
"I came to the airport and took her home." – Tess said slowing down the pace of her trembling voice. "We met a few days later…ah…"
"In secret?" – Corin helped.
"Yeah," – She admitted.
"Why?"
"Well, it is complicated."
"Yours and hers friends…"
"Yeah, we have all common ground we just stand on opposite sides."
"What a surprise! Go on!"
"Yeah, anyway, we met just outside of Metropolis. She wanted to speak to me about you, actually."
"Old dear me, oh, wow, I'm honored."
"Not so much," – Tess said. "She knows."
"She knows – what?"
"Oh, come on, Corin, enough games," – Tess exclaimed frustrated. "We both know about you (everything about you)."
"I doubt that very much, Tess." – Corin replied. "You know nothing about me."
"Maybe not everything Corin, but we know enough about your people. You are not as alone as you think."
"Oh, my Tess, uncharacteristically open you are." – Corin noted sarcastically though he was no longer amused. "And what do you know?"
"I will not discuss it on an open line."
Corin was not amused at all. Was it possible they knew? But how – his thoughts raced. Of course, his cousin Kal-El. They knew him. This explained their interest. Maybe it was time he learnt more of his cousin.
"What do you want?" – Corin asked.
"We were discussing you," – Tess continued. "We got a bit in a heat she stormed out."
"What about?"
"Well, believe it or not, I was a bit over…"
"Protective of me…"
"Yes,"
"Well, surprises all along, but everyone knows you have an agenda of your own and I won't be part of it, Tess."
"I know." – She said quietly. "She stormed out and I followed. Then this man appeared out of nowhere. He was all in purple, dark purple with the horrid mask and…"
"DARK PURPLE?" – Corin exclaimed loud and fear crawled into him. "Did he have any markings on him?"
"What? Markings?" – Tess asked confused of the sudden change of theme.
"On his right, was there a golden tree on the background of a blue circle within a green star?"
Tess paused for a moment then replied. "Yes, there was. How do you know that?"
Corin closed his eyes sighing deeply. "Did he say anything? Did he leave you a message to give?"
"Yes, he said: 'At the height of the eighth, in the valley of moving winds, we shall await.' Corin what does this mean? Corin!"
Corin did not reply at once. He knew exactly what the Ventu Collaris wanted to say. But he was nowhere near ready to face him again.
"Is there no one else you can call for help? Someone of the other side of common friends you have?" – He asked.
"If you think no one else cares about her you'd be wrong." – Tess replied heatedly. "But he wants you. He called you by name."
Corin sighed deeply but he wasn't ready for another encounter. "I'm sorry, Tess, but there is nothing I can do. I'm not some hero I'm just a man."
"We both know that is not true." – Tess countered.
"I don't know what you think you know about me, Tess. But I'm not who you imagine I am. I can't help her. Call on the Green Arrow and his sidekicks. I'm just a man."
"I can't. They are preoccupied with another problem."
"I'm sorry then. I can't help. Goodbye, Tess." – And he hung up then removed the battery from his phone.
"You have no choice now Seyt," – Alicia said standing at the threshold of the hut.
"You will help her." – Loki added.
Corin shook head. "You don't know what you are talking about."
"Then explained it!" – Alicia insisted.
Corin took a very deep breath and stood up. He had indeed fully recovered but he was not ready to face a Ventu Collaris again. He was no match for one.
"I wish I could help but I can't." – He said. "Look, there is nothing I can do. She will be safe. They will not harm her."
"You can't know that."
"I do actually. He wants me and when he doesn't get me he will come looking again. And Chloe, well, she is resourceful."
"It is not like you to run away from a challenge." – Loki exclaimed outraged.
"Loki!" – Corin's voice thundered. "I'm no match for a Ventu Collaris. You saw what happened the last time I met one. Yes, the situation you got me out of. That was a Ventu Collaris. They are the high guard of the Royal Family. They have the best training a warrior can receive and the highest rating in telekinesis."
There was silence for a while.
"As much as I hate saying this, this is for the best. He will not harm her. She's just the bait but I'm not going to bite. If I go he will kill me and there is nothing I can do to prevent it. If I don't go…"
"She will be killed."
"No, he will let her go. You are not dealing with a common criminal here, Loki. The Ventu Collaris no matter how pissed or enraged or whatever the reason for this meeting will follow the code of Collaris."
"You don't know that." – Loki exclaimed. "You told me that the Ventu Collaris always make their challenge in person. They never resort to kidnapping. You said it yourself."
As much as Corin hated to admit it Loki was right. It was not a usual response. The Ventu Collaris are honorable and they always follow the code. But of course, the Ventu Collaris had no idea where to find him so he used the best possible other way to do so. But, Tess mentioned he had called him by name, which means he knows who he is. Then why resort to the other way? There was more to the Ventu Collaris intentions that met the eye it would seem.
And was he the son of Van-El going to run away from responsibility? Was he? Powers or no powers he was responsible now for Chloe, whatever she thought she knew of him. Fear, he allowed fear to guide his steps and now in the eyes of his friends he seemed callous, cold and a coward screaming to protect his own skin.
No, he was not that person. The momentary fear that had conquered him he pushed it away. He was Cor of the house of El, planet Krypton. More powerful of him or not, no one stands in the way of Rau. The way of Rau is just.
He reassembled his phone and called Tess again. He asked of where they had been and everything else she could recall.
"Loki," – Corin said dressing up. "I…ah…you were right. I acted like the commonly met coward thinking only of his skin. You are right I'm not that man."
"It is perfectly natural, Seyt," – Alicia replied instead. "We all get afraid sometimes."
"I wish it was that simple." – Corin said. "I have no excuse and I ask for none. I will do what I can."
"One can only ask for that." – Loki interjected.
"Well, then, I'm asking for your help. I need to track the Ventu Collaris."
"Didn't Tess tell you everything?"
"Well…" – Corin trailed off. She did indeed. 'At the height of the eight, in the valley of moving winds, we shall await.'
"What does this mean, Seyt?" – Alicia asked.
"The valley of moving winds refers to a lake, a large lake. At the height of the eight – it means midnight by Yllyan standards so it will be like noon Earth time. No, wait, at the height of the eighth, oh, that's a very different story. I need a map."
"Of where?"
"Where indeed?" – Corin was thoughtful again. If the Collaris stuck by Yllyan standards then he would have chosen a place similar to home. "Well, let's see. It has to be by Yllyan parallels so it should be…" Corin got outside and picked up a stick. He poured water over the ground and waited it to be absorbed then with the stick started drawing.
Loki and Alicia watched mesmerized as he drew a large circle with odd positioned continents. They quickly guessed that was Aerie, the Yllyan home world. The details Corin was adding seemed unimportant but they had their purpose. The Corin drew a smaller circle that represented Earth though again in great detail.
"At the height of the eighth," – Corin mumbled while continuing to draw. "In the valley of moving winds…we shall await." He added now symbols which Loki recognized as Yllyan. It was probably the message but in Yllyan. "So, it can only be here!" And he pointed to the rough Earth map he had drown.
"Are you sure?" – Alicia frowned.
"Oh, yeah, no doubt about it. I do know my people well, Alicia. I need map of that region."
"Right away," – She said and left.
"I can come with you." – Loki said.
"No!" – Corin shook head. "I have to go alone."
"A few moments ago, you were ready to leave Chloe to her fate."
"That was a few moments ago," – Corin smiled faintly. "Now, I have to go alone. As crazy as it seems, in one sentence the Ventu Collaris has told me everything. And Tess was right too though not about what she was thinking of. I am not alone. On this spot of the Earth lays the Lost Society, the last of the Yllyan Empire."
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Lordheaven