Title: Mythology

Disclaimer: I don't own anything

Author's note: The song is 'Red Sun Rises' by Penny for Your Thoughts. At some point I stopped saying this, so I thought I should add it in as a reminder, italics are telepathic conversations or dream-walks.

Okay, just a reminder of who the major players still alive are:

Tess of course

Alex-Tess's son, named after Alex Whitman

Nicolas and Khivar-same people they were on the show

Arya-the regional ruler from the province of Tel'ai, which is the capital province on Antar. She was recently deposed by Khivar and is now the leader of the Resistance

Khai-main general, used to be the leader of the Resistance, now the Protector of the Granolith, Rath's younger brother

Ceyla-A General of the Resistance under Arya

Naj-a spy for the Resistance

Places of importance:

Tel'ai-capital province of Antar, has Dimaras Rock, where Zan met Ava. The Triaji Desert, the Cortai Jungle, the Landra River, and the Fel Mountains are all located in this province as well.

Antar-the capital city of Antar has the same name as the planet.

Mt. Sinai-a mountain in Tel'ai, it's name means (in Antarian) 'mountain of fate'

this is the stuff of legends...

Chapter 11: The Red Sun Rises

Day 11

A red sun rises, blood has been spilt this night

The red sun rose, casting rays of light over the battle field. It had been a brutal fight, the Resistance had attacked with all the strength they could muster. But Khivar's army had fought back, and they were stronger, greater, more powerful. The ground ran red with blood, the air was thick with smoke.

Khivar smiled grimly to himself. He had traveled the entire night, and reached Mt. Sinai just as the sun was rising. His trip had been a success, he now knew where the Queen was and how to stop her. He also received the good news that the Resistance had been badly beaten during the previous day's battle.

It had been a bold move on their part to attack, and his surprised him. But then, he assumed that was the reasoning behind their move. Attack before the enemy has a chance to prepare. And it might have worked too, had they not been so completely outnumbered. Didn't they realize by now that there was nothing they could do to stop him? He was the king of an entire planet with all the resources he needed in his control, and they were just a group of rebels clinging to a dynasty that had already faded away.

And soon the last threat to his rule would disappear as well.

He turned and glanced at the Fel Mountains. Beyond them, the great expanse of desert extended out for thousands of miles. And somewhere in the desert was the Queen.

It would not be too difficult to find her, but he didn't want to kill her right away. There was no reason to go to here, instead let her come to him. She would arrive at the Fel worn out and unable to fight, and he would be able to dispose of her and her son in a matter of moments.

And then he would crush the Resistance once and for all.

He glanced behind him. He could see the Resistance camp. It was the first time they had ever camped so out in the open, but there was nowhere for them to hide, now that the Royal army had control of Mt. Sinai. The great mountain stood by itself in the center of a massive plateau. It's foothills created a maze of interlocking stone passageways where the royal soldiers could hide and recuperate from the battle, but other than these hills, there was nowhere to hide for miles around.

He would strike the Resistance now, but his own soldiers had not escaped the battle unscathed, and he wanted to give them a short reprieve. They would follow him more readily if he accepted their limitations and did not push them past their limits, and he needed them at their very best. Although he had no doubt he could defeat the Resistance, he also knew it would be a brutal battle, and he did not want to take any chances.

Today they would rest, tomorrow he would kill the Queen, and the day after that he would crush the Resistance.

Indeed its a shame
were on the final stretch now
and still nothing works out
the tribesmen are falling
the seas just stopped roaring away

He knows!

Tess was pulled unceremoniously out of her sleep by Arya's frantic cries. She blinked once or twice in the earlier morning air and tried to clear the fog from her mind. Arya's panicked presence danced around the edges of her conscious, urging her awake.

Who knows what, Arya?

Khivar knows where you are.

Tess sucked in a sharp breath and jumped to her feet, almost expecting to see the entire royal army prepared to attack her. The desert was empty, but she could not shake the fear that resided in her.

How? What does he know?

Shalimar, my Lady. He killed her, and gathered all the information she had. He knows where you are and where you are going.

Tears pricked Tess' eyes as she thought of Shalimar's death. She reached down and lifted Alex, pulling him tightly to her chest. She leaned back against the sandy dune and closed her eyes, taking a few calming breathes.

Then I had better change my plans.

What? How?

Tess frowned and stared off into the distance. She was close to the mountains now, only two or three days away. Originally she had planned to reach the edge of the desert near where the Resistance base of Xree was located. Arya was going to have someone meet her there and guide her to the battle. But if she changed her path, she might be able to reach the mountains at a different point and then circle around and approach Mt. Sinai from the other side. It would put the royal army in between her and the Resistance, and she would not have a guide. That would certainly be a risk, but at least Khivar would not be able to find her right away.

She was surrounded by rocky hills now, and small cacti-like plants, so she could hide a bit better than if she was in the complete open. It might just work.

Arya, however, was not as thrilled with the plan.

But it puts you at too much risk, my Lady. You don't know the Fel Mountains, how would you know where it is safe to cross? How would you get to Mt. Sinai?

Khai will guide me.

You've spoken to Khai? Arya's voice was filled with surprise and hope. Is he here? Is he close?

Yes. He is very close. Tess frowned, suddenly realizing a flaw in her plan. But I don't know how to reach him, and he was planning to meet me where I was going to originally end up. He won't know of my new plan.

I can reach him. He is good at blocking people from his mind, but if he senses that it is me, he will let me through. I'll have him get in touch with you.

Tess nodded slowly and sighed. Why is he winning, Arya? Why does everything work out for Khivar?

There was a silence, and Tess could tell that Arya did not know how to answer. She didn't know what to say, because she herself didn't know the answer to her queen's question. Was it just luck, or something more?

I don't know, my Lady. But perhaps the tide is turning now.

Perhaps.


there's no one to blame
smashed to bits in your mind
there's no time to find
antidotes for your spell
you know full well
that its over

"I hate school," Maria muttered as she slammed her locker shut and followed Liz to class. It was a bright day, the sun shown in through the windows with an intensity that reminded everyone of how much they would rather be outside.

Liz gave Maria a sympathetic smile but didn't answer. She stepped into the room and walked over to her desk, dropping her books onto it and taking a seat. Maria followed suit, and a few minutes later, Michael and Max entered the room as well. They took seats on either side of the girls, and the four of them fell into an uneasy silence.

"So I heard that Isabel talked to Jesse?" Maria asked at last, her voice barely above a whisper as she glanced between her boyfriend and his best friend.

Max nodded and traded looks with Michael. "He dropped the investigation," he murmured back, "but we still don't know about my Dad."

"I'm sure he will too," Liz said gently, placing her hand on Max's arm. He gave her a slight smile, not quite as convinced as she was. He knew his father, and he knew that Phillip Evans was nothing if not a protective father. And if he thought that anything was going on…

In a way, it was ironic. Max knew his father was doing this because he loved his children, not in spite of it. And yet, this investigation could very well be what puts them in the most danger.

"Are we going to the Crashdown after school?" Maria asked, glancing over at Michael.

"Sure," Michael replied, giving her a nod. His thoughts and emotions were jumbled and confused and some of it must have been reflected in his eyes, because Maria gave him a puzzled look and a slight frown. He shrugged and she looked away.

"Class, we have a guest speaker today," the teacher announced cheerfully as she entered the room. She flashed everyone a brief smile and gestured to the nondescript man who had followed her into the room. "This is Mr. Simmons."

The man let his eyes wonder around the room, taking in each of the students. They lingered for a beat on Max's face, then moved on quickly, but Max was left with a distinctly uneasy impression.


and now, it is time to set free
and now, it is time to set free

Kyle leaned back in the booth and watched in silence as Maria and Michael exchanged brief words at the counter. Next to him, Isabel fidgeted with her wedding ring, twisting the band around her finger. Max leaned against the table, refusing to sit down, while Liz hovered in the background.

They had all decided to get together to talk, even though they had little to talk about. They had reached a point in all of their plans were they could do nothing but wait, wait and pray.

The tension in the group was palpable in the air. The tiny rifts that had always been there were spreading now, turning from fault lines to canyons. They were drifting slowly apart, and no one seemed to know how to stop it.


rise up from your bed child
its time that we both smiled
we're free
rise up from your bed child
use the potions you compiled
start the spree

"You're changing your plan, Ava?"

"I don't have a choice, Khai."

They were in an expanse of emptiness, not unlike the one that Tess and Isabel met in. The air was warmer, not the same cold stillness, and the place didn't seem quite as empty. Tess couldn't remember what exactly she had been dreaming about before Khai pulled her into his dream, but she thought it might have had to do with Earth.

Most of her dreams were about Earth.

"So you plan to change your course? Tell me where you are going and I can meet you there," Khai suggested. He did not like the idea of the Queen venturing recklessly through the province of Tel'ai, but what choice did they have? If Khivar knew where she was, he would most certainly attack her the moment he had the chance, and after three months crossing a barren wasteland, the Queen was in no position to fight.

Tess nodded slowly. "And you would be able to lead me to Mt. Sinai? The Resistance is currently fighting the battle there."

"Yes," Khai replied. He frowned slightly, "Although it takes you around in a loop. It was be so much simpler and efficient if you could just continue on the same path." He shook his head in frustration, knowing that the easier path was no longer an option.

Tess didn't have to explain her choice, they both knew why she had to change paths, but she said it anyway. "Khivar knows where I am."

"I heard about Shalimar," Khai murmured. "Arya gave me the details."

"Details?" Tess looked up in surprise. "What where the details?"

Khai raised an eyebrow. "About Shalimar's body being burned…Arya did not tell you that?"

Tess thought about it for a moment, then shook her head. "I think she was too preoccupied with warning me," she said at last. "It probably slipped her mind." Burned… the worst that could be done to a corpse. Now Shalimar would not even get a proper burial.

"All that was left was the silver ring she wore around her middle finger," Khai said dully. "Arya sent two Resistance members to Shalimar's house after she had the vision. They found the ring amid a pile of ashes." He ran a hand through his hair, trying his level best to keep his furious anger from erupting.

"Oh," Tess answered quietly. She looked at Khai for a moment, then closed her eyes and sighed. She said nothing, knowing there was nothing to say.


these are the tales of triumph
whole armies left slain
all effort in vain
the grasslands are free
from nothing grows trees
liberation

Next Chapter: In the Triaji Desert

Due: Mon. 3/13