Episode 01: Welcome to the Future

Chapter 05

But that didn't mean they were in the clear. Undoubtedly, they would be pursued; the question was, by what exactly?

Speeding through the untamed countryside as they were, they just couldn't seem to go fast enough. Wy had both of their horses running at an exhausting rate even for the animals' bionic parts. At any moment, a whole horde of Nexus knights could be on their tail, crashing through the woods from their right, dashing over the hump of the last hill behind them. At least on the ground they had a chance, but what if the knights had flying mounts? Wyverns, or hovercraft? They'd be forced to hide among giant roots of the swamp trees or in the long grass of a field, even if they couldn't afford to slow down.

At least Sea could feel his strength returning. They were getting closer to the ley line every second, its faint, blue shimmering gradually becoming a steady, radiant light. Even at this distance, he could sense its pure, magical energy adding its strength to his. They'd need his abilities if they ran into trouble.

After fifteen long minutes, they were finally able to determine the deceptive wall of blue light that signified the ley line. It was rather difficult to miss such a thing slicing through the landscape, but only at night when the blue was starkest against the navy of the sky. Looking back for the twentieth time to make sure her companion was still alright, Wy finally asked, "What's our plan of escape?"

"I hid a helicopter near the coast. As long as we aren't intercepted, it should still be there."

"How can you be sure?"

"I put it in a dimensional envelope." He could tell she was glaring at him even in the near perfect darkness. "I know, I know. Using my powers is dangerous, and I shouldn't do it."

But you did, Wy thought, choosing not to share her opinion. The next few minutes passed in silence, except for the rushing of wind and the stomping of metal hooves and the pounding of their heartbeats in their own ears. It would have seemed almost peaceful, if not for the fear of death, or at least eternal imprisonment, gripping the two Nations tightly.

They were almost at the ley line when suddenly the worst of things happened. Out of the forest behind them came crashing at least fifteen Nexus knights on their own bionic horses. And at the front of the group was a figure cloaked in deep blue, long beard whipping in the currents of the wind.

Sea couldn't help but cry out as his whole body was wracked with pain. It was by far one of the most terrible experiences of his centuries-long life. As his mind stumbled to pull itself back into a cohesive unit after the pure shock of it all, he came upon the reason for the pain. Mrrlyn was strangling his connection to all magic. But how? How was that even possible? He fumbled for an answer as pain shot through him again. They'd underestimated what the creature was capable of.

Fortunately, despite being on the brink of passing out from the pain, the spell wasn't going to kill him. Nations weren't beings with magic at their core; otherwise they'd have died off thousands of years earlier when the magic on Earth had originally dried up. Nonetheless, it really, really sucked, and it definitely put a hitch in their plan.

"Wy, get us to the ley line! I'm going to try and teleport us home." He was still working out how they were going to shake off Mrrlyn long enough so that he could cast the spell.

Clearly confused at what was happening to her friend, Wy didn't bother to stop and ask questions, setting their tired horses as fast as they could run for the ley line. The knights were gaining on them.

A desperate minute later of being shot at with bursts of magic, the pair saw the blue wall before them rising up into the night sky like a series of endless skyscrapers. It dazzled the area with a soft light, allowing the Nations to see their enemies more clearly, but it did not lighten their spirits. The knights wore armour meant not only to intimidate with their cold, expressionless helmets, but also to frighten with their imposing size and implied strength. After crossing a shallow stream, they entered the ley line and stopped, but it wasn't enough for Sea to fight back against Mrrlyn.

"I can't…I can't teleport us, Wy."

"What? Why not?"

"It's Mrrlyn. He's…blocking my magic somehow." He was practically doubled over in the saddle, the pain sapping his energy to even remain upright.

"Shit. Okay, so, now what?" Wy asked, as the unit of knights came barreling towards them where they'd stopped. At least she was safe from Mrrlyn's magic at this distance, having no magic-wielding capabilities herself. That wouldn't keep her safe from the knights' blades, however.

Remembering his geography, Sea jumped off his horse and knelt facing west. Along this ley line there was a Millennium Tree at the other end. They were massive trees with roots spreading over vast areas that were believed to be able to communicate with those few beings possessing good souls. If they were lucky, it would hear their call for aid. It was worth a shot at the very least.

"Sea, what are you doing? They're coming down the hill!"

Pushing aside the panic, the pain, and all sensory distractions, Sea focused his mind on the singular task of communicating with the Tree. He might not have had active psionic powers, but that didn't mean he couldn't still try. Besides, the Trees had been known to contact non-psionic and even non-magic beings before. There was no other choice at any rate; he had to try.

Great Millennium Tree, hear us now. Lend me your strength. Shield us from the evil that calls itself Mrrlyn. Protect us, save us.