Chapter
Thirteen:
Elidion's Army
Mekae's POV:
I stared at him. "Somewhat, yes."
Rachel smiled. "Well then, Reno, lead them to Contigo. I'll lead the Army to Chilaquand."
"Right. Let's go, then."
They found Altoda near the dock in Elidion, gazing at the assembled Army of Elidion.
"Like what you see, Patriarch?" asked Rachel.
"Very much. It reminds me of my own army."
"And where is it? On Chilaquand?"
"No. It's above your head."
The entire mass of Adepts looked up as thousands of transports came into view. Transports filled the sky across the horizon, like a giant flock of birds landing en masse.
"Now I must leave," said Altoda. "Richard, I will take you wherever you need to go."
"I'll guide you there, said Reno."
As they boarded the transport, the Army of Elidion vanished. Altoda's transports lifted back into the sky.
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Dilan's POV:
I stood with the legend himself. Suliantig, whose herd became the basis for all that followed. His praise, when offered, was music to my ears.
Elephande, the other legend, also stood nearby, listening to the prophet speak of a returning army.
Elidion's Army was another legend, and they were known for aiding Elephande centuries ago.
As if on command, a huge group of Adepts, all dressed in black, appeared out of the night air. Their leader, a younger girl, appeared right next to me and burst into laughter upon seeing my face.
"Welcome to Chilaquand, Elidiocan," said Elephande.
The girl laughed again. "Elidiocan is a title I have yet to earn. I am Rachel, and I have come to aid you once more, and bring in a new age for all of us."
"Then Reno has found you."
"Found me? I was never lost. But you must be Elephande, a name of reverence and legend in my halls."
"I imagine it is a well-known name."
"It is. I have 20,000 Adepts at my command. Is that enough?"
"My friend, it is more than enough!"
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"There's Contigo," said Richard, "and I don't think Caitlin is the only one waiting for us."
"What do you mean?"
"Down there, Reno."
Reno burst into a mad rage. "I'm going to kill that b!"
"Well put, Reno," said Billy.
As they landed, Reno, Richard, Chris and Jeremy jumped off quickly.
A single girl stood in front of Mute, Matt, and Kailin. She resembled Richard, and she also seemed to radiate a bit of power from her, enough to hold the trio at bay for a while. Her long hair was the same color as her staff, which was blacker than the night.
Richard saw her, and ran to her side, while Jeremy found his brother, and immediately started to fight. Reno and Mute just stared at each other, neither moving a muscle. Kailin shot an ice spear at Chris, who immediately dodged it and charged.
Mute charged towards Jeremy and Matt, but Richard roared his command, and Zambiandë's shadow raced out to counter him. Mute, however had already struck, and a wall of Psyenergy was all that separated him from Caitlin, who felt it was time to unleash a storm, which promptly blew Mute onto a large geyser of air.
Matt rushed to help Mute, but Jeremy knocked him down with a rain of boulders as Richard's storm of lightning dropped Mute to the ground. Reno was on his feet, and in an instant, he stood over Mute, sword drawn over a gash in his legs.
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Alquencitil's POV:
I stood near Dilan, my brother, and we watched the transports of Asindir land amidst heavy fighting at the Fords.
"Dilan," I said to him, "go see if Nimac needs any help in that chaos."
He nodded, and started towards the Fords of Chilaquand. My herd, Remembrance, was relatively safe at the moment. However, I had sent my brother to the Fords, where the fighting was fiercest. Dilan was only fourteen, and at the Fords he would win glory... or lose his life.
Suddenly, a transport exploded, and my brother left my mind.
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Dilan was there when Patriarch Nimac's ship exploded. As the soldiers and officers rushed out of the flaming wreck, Dilan ran in, looking for the patriarch. Nimac was at his helm, and he looked very bad. Dilan moved next to him.
"Sir, you've got to leave. your ship is on fire!"
"Young one, does it really matter?" asked Nimac in a feeble voice. "And who is that?"
"I am Remembrance-Rangeffer-Dilan, brother of Alquencitil. And it does matter, at least to me."
"Very well, then. I will need help to stand."
Slowly, the young patriarch arose. "You realize that i will die, and I am the last of my line. Let Elephande choose my heir."
With that, he collapsed again. With his last breath, he spoke once more. "I am the first. All of Indosyne rushes to your aid. Remembrance-Major-Dilan, I bid you farewell. The High Elder awaits me..."
Those were his last words. Dilan looked on as twenty-five year old Asindir-Patriarch-Nimac left the mortal realm.
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Elephande's POV:
I watched the young soldier run into Nimoc's burning ship. He re-emerged a few minutes later, running towards us.
Algoshire turned to me. "Many of Asindir's generals were on that ship. No word of Nimoc, however."
"He is dead," the young one said. "He said he was the first, and asked you to name his heir."
"The first, he said? And you are?"
"Remembrance-Major-Dilan, Patriarch."
"Ah, Alquencitil's brother. I thought you were just a Rangeffer. Forgive my mistake, Major."
"Nimoc's promotion, sir."
"Young Dilan, will you quit calling me sir? Nimoc told me to choose his heir, and I know who he had picked. Asindir-Patriarch-Dilan, take your post!"
"Thank you, Elephande. I won't fail." He ran back to the Fords, the youngest patriarch since Dwindler's War.
Algoshire spoke again. "Was that wise, trusting the battle to one so young?"
"Have you doubted me yet, Algoshire? My decision stands. Let the patriarch lead his troops!"
"I had no argument about his ability. But he's just fourteen!"
"I was twelve!"
Algoshire got quiet, knowing exactly when to quit.
"And Algoshire?"
"Sir?"
"I was not the youngest. Find out who was."
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Reno stood over Mute. Everything else had frozen.
"What do we have here?" asked Reno.
"Watch it, Reno," warned Richard, also turning towards Mute.
"Seven years, Mute," That was Chris. "For seven years, you were in the Council of Hydrolonia, spreading false rumors and such."
Jeremy spoke next. "Thirteen you spent in the Order, calling Elidion home."
"Now the Hidden reveal you, Mute," said Reno, very solemnly. "Against my better judgment, I will let you go, but first..." He glowed red as light streamed from both Mute and Matt, "First I revoke your membership, and exile you from Elidion."
Richard steeped forward. "This is not the end. We will deal with you soon enough!"
The five disappeared.
