The Mulefa Riders:
For millennia, the Authority has ruled the Kingdom of Heaven with absolute control. He named himself the Creator, the Father, the Almighty. He is none of those but just an angel like ourselves. And he rules with a dark angel by his side. Metatron. We who fought for truth were cast of the Kingdom. Since then, we have lived between the worlds, watching and waiting for vengeance. A spark is alive among humankind. A bold leader is rallying warriors. He may be mortal, but his ambitions transcend his kind. A serpent has been summoned. A new Eve emerges. The time for a new rebellion is coming.
Mia woke up gasping rapidly. "Mia," whispered Aster. He crawled into her arms. "Just calm down. It was just another dream,".
Will woke up too and crawled up close to her. "Are you okay?".
The pale-faced child wouldn't look at him. "I heard it again,".
"Heard what?"
"The voice. The same voice that guided us into the tower back in the city,".
"What was the voice saying?"
"It was talking about angles and their leader. He calls himself the Authority. And the voice there was going to be a rebellion of sorts and the person who would be leading it was a mortal, a man. I'm starting this it's Lord Asriel,".
"You think this angel who calls himself the Authority is who Asriel is going to fight?".
Mia couldn't shake her head. Nor did she want to nod either. But the answer was plain as crystal in her eyes. Will became scared. But he buried it for there were more important things at hand. He embraced Mia calming her down as tears left her eyes.
"I'm scared Will. I've never felt more afraid in my life," she cried. "I miss my father more than anything,".
Will sniffled. "I miss my dad too," he grieved. "I am more scared now than ever,".
Iera approached them on her large four feet. She had been on look out and it broke her heart to see the children so full of heartache. "I know you both are frightened but we must be strong for Lyra and your other friend. If your fathers were here, they'd be telling you to keep on going. And we have to,".
"You are right, Iera," Mia said. "For them," she wiped her eyes and hugged Iera again. The sun rose and Iera allowed the children to ride her back into the forests of the fifth world they had travelled to, to try and search for Lyra Silvertongue and Viktor Lionheart.
Viktor was walking alone in a wasteland with pipes growing form the desert. "Lia? Lia?!"
"Viktor!" a loud voice cried out over hundreds of people waling ahead of him.
He looked forward and saw a blond-haired lassie trying to reach for him. "Lia! I'm coming!" but before he could even run, another voice rung his eardrums.
"Viktor! Don't leave me in the clutches of my mother! Don't abandon me!"
"Lyra!" Viktor cried out louder, trying to find her. "LYRA!"
In another mountain world, in a cave, Danal stood guard, keeping her firm gaze up at the sky. I thirst for more oil.
"Here you are Danal," Arthur chop off a chunk from a large, round seed pod the size of a ball. He held it up to his mulefa and she slurped up the oily liquid inside it with her trunk. He disposed of it but Roger the little mulefa who had accompanied them, played around with it. He laughed. "How's the sky, Danal?".
It remains as silent as ever. But that doesn't mean they're not out there. We should be closing in back on home soon.
"Let us hope so my friend. For his sake. My only regret is that we didn't find the other three. I pray that Jopari found his son at last,". Arthur walked back inside and on the sandy cave floor wrapped up in layers of blankets was a sick boy in a deep coma, pale black. Roger bounded inside and stroked his pale scalp with his trunk. "He's gonna wake up soon. What the Spectres did to him was far worse than I could have imagined. If we hadn't arrived, he'd be beyond my aid,". He pulled out another seed pod from his net bag. He pulled it in half. He gave one to Roger who slurped the oil out of its hollow and he gently lifted Viktor's lips to the other half and poured the oil down his throat. "There you go. A bit more oil to help you recover,".
Arthur! Danal trumpeted. Arthur rushed outside with a blade in hand and saw angels high in the sky, ones of fiery orange-like back in the world where the city of Citagatzze stood.
"They just never stop," he fumed. "They'll never stop hunting him,".
Call your husband.
Arthur nodded and reached into his pouch. A large orb of golden amber was in his palm. Damian, my love, if you can hear me, connect through the Dust and I will see you.
The amber glowed golden and Dust formed the image of a firm-faced man with dark eyes and curls. Danal walked inside to check up on Viktor. "Arthur?"
"It's me, my love,".
"My love, it has been weeks,".
"I know. But you have no idea how difficult it has been,".
"Did you find Viktor?".
"Yes. And just in the nick of time too, Spectres nearly devoured him to death. I've tried to find a window back to you but every world I have crossed through carrying him, angels have been appearing like wildfire. Bad ones. Spectres too. I've seen anything like this,".
"I think I might have the answer to that. I have heard whispers from those who have travelled between the worlds. They speak of a man named Lord Asriel. He is a human from the world of the daemons who have been gathering forces to take on the Authority,".
"And how does he plan to take on this ancient being?".
"He intends to use technology to manipulate Dust in ways we cannot,".
"Were there not three other children whom we have waited for?".
"I believe there were. But I found none of them with Viktor when I came. And I didn't have time to look with all the Angels and Spectres appearing,".
"You were right to leave Citagatzze as soon as you could. Something tells me we'll be seeing them very soon. Tell me what world you are in and my siblings and I will come to you,".
"I am in the world parallel to the world of the daemons,".
"Stay where you are. Some men and I will come to you and Viktor,".
"Do be careful my love,"
"I will," the husband's image disappeared and Arthur pressed his hand to his heart feeling it beat thoroughly.
Arthur. Danal trumpeted.
Arthur rushed back inside. What is it, Danal? Is he alright?
Dust is floating around in animal shapes.
Arthur walked back and to his astoundment, saw golden and silver Dust circling the sleeping Viktor in the form of a hare, an osprey, a dog and a bear. He truly is special just as his parents believed.
What are these animals?
Arthur noticed there was something about the bird and glanced closer. He recognised her feather patterns. If I'm not mistaken, that osprey is Jopari's daemon which means…
Horror filled his heart and tears glistened his eyes. Danal trumpeted in deep sorrow.
Will opened another window and came through with his friends. "There's got to be someone in this world who can tell us where to find Lyra and Viktor,". Iera sniffled. "You caught something?". The bear sniffed around and treaded forward, leading them down a hill along a grassy pathway.
They came to a rocky cliff and saw a small, lonely mountain ahead of them surrounded by trees and separated from them by a giant meadow of yellow grass. Mia looked through her spyglass. "What kind of animal is that?" she passed Will the spyglass and he saw the giant quadruped mammal guarding the cave entrance.
"It looks just like Roger,".
"That must what I scented," Iera said. "I recognise it from Citagatzze,".
"You think whoever rides it has Viktor and Lyra?" Will wondered.
"I don't know. But we'd best stay here and spy for the time being,". Mia suggested. "We don't know who this person is. We wait till he leaves and we snoop inside,".
Arthur fed Viktor another seed pod of oil and laid him down carefully again. "Just drink up and you'll feel better," he soothed. He wiped his eyes.
Arthur. Jopari's death is not on your behalf. His companion comforted.
I shouldn't have left him. I cared only about the mission and in his hour of need, I deserted him.
We had no choice. Danal didn't want him to carry this burden alone. He would have wanted us to take this child away to safety. To him, no other life is less important than his own. We will make sure his death is not in vain.
Will and Mia camped that night with Iera keeping watch. "I really it's both of them in that cave," Mia prayed. "I can't bear to imagine how scared Lyra must be. I promised Roger I wouldn't let anything happen to her and I deserted her,".
"We didn't desert them," Will said. "We needed to find our fathers. And they wouldn't want us to feel guilty. They would tell us to keep going and focus on keeping each other safe,".
Mia tied Lee's coat firmly around her shoulders. "I miss him," she cried. "I feel so lost,". Aster in his artic fox form sought comfort in her arms and Will tearful as well seeing her so heartbroken like this hugged her tightly.
"I'm scared," he confessed. "Sometimes I pretend to be brave hoping it goes away. But it never does,".
"Then you must master it," Iera spoke. "Just as you both must master this guilt. You are both not to blame for either your fathers' deaths or Lyra and your friend's disappearance. We must be strong for them. Now rest you two. All will be well in the morning,".
The sun rose early the next day. Once it was right up in the sky, Arthur walked out of the cave. Danal. I am going to meet Damian and some others at a pointed rock a mile from here. They have found a window open by a previous, irresponsible Knife Bearer.
Don't be long. I will watch over Viktor.
Hidden at the foot of the lonely mountain, the group stared through the telescope again at Arthur's departing figure. "We wait, till he's far enough," Iera said cautiously. They waited over fifteen minutes. "That should be enough,".
Danal stood to guard like a watchdog. But loud growling made her hair tingle. She turned and saw a ferocious bear striding towards her. "I wish to return to my cave if you will allow me," Iera lied.
No. Danal trumpeted at the bear but she roared and swiped at him. Danal dodged and Iera forced her away from the cave. Will, Mia and Aster rushed inside not realising golden angels were watching over them. "Viktor! Lyra!" they cried out.
"Guys!" Aster saw Viktor at the very back and bounded over to him. His eyes were deeply shut and he looked pale with black veins snaking over his body.
"What has that man done to him?" Mia breathed.
Will looked through the pile of supplies. "He's been keeping him drugged," he cursed. "There's got to be some waking medicine somewhere,".
"Let's use this," Mia saw some green plants. "This is sun root. This'll wake him,". They knelt by Viktor's side and whilst Will lifted his head, Mia waved it under his nose and all at once, the boy woke up coughing and breathing….
"Easy! Easy!" Will soothed.
"Let go of me!" still drugged and delusional, Viktor waved his head around. "Get away from Lyra!"
"Snap out of it!" Mia slapped his face. "Just stop and focus. Focus on my voice,".
Viktor stopped resisting and his breathing slowed. He rubbed his eyes and he could see clearly again. "Guys? Is that really you two?".
"Yes, it's us," Will answered happily.
"You're safe now," Mia pulled him into a hug and Will joined in.
"Oh Will, Mia," Viktor had never felt more familial love from anyone in his life until now. "…man am I glad to see you two again. You guys came for me,".
"Of course we came. We're so sorry. We never should have left you and Lyra,". Mia apologised.
"No, you guys are not to blame,". The moment he saw the ginormous bear appear behind his friends, Viktor shuffled back. Roger cowered behind a rock. "It's okay, it's okay," Will soothed. "She's a friend,"
"Who is this?"
"This is Iera," Mia stroked her face. "And don't worry, she's the friendliest bear you'll ever meet,".
"You must be Viktor Lionheart," Iera greeted. "Will and Mia have told me so much about you,".
"Well, um...nice to meet you, Iera," Viktor held out his hand and the polar bear allowed him to touch her fur. "Your fur is so soft. Did you two find your dads? Are they outside?".
Will and Mia's eyes glistened and Viktor realised whose coats and hat they were wearing. "Oh guys," he started crying. "I'm so sorry,".
"My dad saved me," Will failed to hold back his tears. "He was shot by a soldier,".
"And Lee was killed saving my life from soldiers," Iera said sadly.
"I am so sorry," Viktor repeated again. "We will avenge them,".
"We will. But tell us, where is Lyra Silvertongue?".
Viktor pursed his lips. "It's my fault. I couldn't protect her and now she's in the clutches of the worst woman she could possibly be with,".
"Wait, you mean…" Will didn't have to finish his question. Viktor nodded grimly.
Mia shivered. "No. No, no, no, no, no, no…" she couldn't stop repeating that single word. "That can't be true,".
"How did her mother get to you two without being devoured by Spectres?" Will asked.
"I don't know how but she was controlling them,".
"How? How can she control those things?!" Mia demanded.
"The only explanation I can think of is she somehow suppresses her humanity, everything they devour. She forced the Spectres on me and they nearly killed me. The last thing I remember was Lyra attacking her mother in a fit of rage thinking she killed me and then she smothered her mouth with a handkerchief.
"You mean she's dead?" Mia cried.
"I don't think so. If anything, she's just drugged,".
"Then we need to get to her," Will said.
"It's all my fault," Viktor cried. "I failed Lia and then I failed Lyra,".
"No, you are not to blame. We're gonna find Lyra and rescue her from that horrible woman. But first we need to get you out of here before that man comes back,".
"What man?"
"The man who took you. You were being kept asleep," Mia said, shocking him. "Come on. On your feet," she pulled one arm over her shoulder and Will pulled the other. Viktor was pulled off the blankets onto his feet. He stumbled but Iera's nose met his chest.
"Ride on me," she insisted, genuflecting.
Arthur went to the rock on another hill only a mile from the lonely mountain hideout. The loud sounds of trumpeting rang his eardrums and he turned to see his beloved and five other men each riding mulefas of their own. Damian smiled the moment his dark eyes were laid upon him and dismounted his mount.
"My love," he embraced his husband.
"I am so glad you are safe. I've missed you,".
"And now I need you," Arthur kissed his partner to his heart's content and held his hands.
"What has happened?"
"The shaman Jopari, also known as John Parry, is dead,".
"No,".
"In his hour of need, I deserted him because I had to get Viktor away from Citagatzze. And now he will never see his son nor his wife again,".
"Arthur, you are not to blame," Damian held his face. "He would have wanted you to save Viktor first above all else. Now we have to make sure, his death was not in vain,".
Arthur nodded and held his hands. "Viktor is in a cave on that hill. Danal is…."
Before he could even finish, Danal charge on them, trumpeting loudly. She was bruised and a little scratched.
"Danal! What are you doing here? Why aren't you with Viktor?!"
A white bear and two kids. His companion panted through her trunk. They're at the cave. The bear chased me away and knocked me over a cliff.
"Viktor. Hurry!" Arthur shouted.
Iera walked out of the cave at a gentle pace so Viktor wouldn't slip off even with Will holding him. "Just take it easy," he begged.
Roger however kept trumpeting and trumpeting. "Roger! Shush! This is no time for games," Will snapped. "We've got to get Viktor out of here,".
Mia looked back. "Too late! He's here with more men!" Roger trumpeted and ran off. "Roger!"
"We have to go! Go Iera! Go!" urged Will.
Mia flapped her wings and Will steadied the still-weak Viktor in front of him whilst Iera charged as fast as her legs could carry her. Arthur, Damian and their men pursued them on their mulefa riding on giant seed pods. Roger was left behind, trumpeting out loud towards them. He galloped after them.
"What are those things?!" Mia cried.
"And what are they rolling on? They're not wearing roller skates!" Will screamed.
"What are roller skates?" Mia asked.
"No time for questions!" Iera shouted. "We've got to get that hill again. If we go up that way, those creatures won't be able follow us on their rolling balls,".
"Good thinking, Iera!" Will cheered.
Iera was so fast even though two boys were riding on her back. And Mia know not completely used to her wings was able to catch up with her with Aster managing to trail alongside her with his snowy owl wings. Still, the mulefa were beginning to catch up. Mia realised they would never reach the hill in time. "Keep going towards that mountain," she instructed. "I'll take care of these clowns,".
"But Mia…" Will said.
"Just go! I'll be right behind you! Come on Aster!".
"I hope you know what you're doing!" Will shouted back.
Mia flew back and with a great act of courage, dove and landed right before a mulefa rider. The mulefa trumpeted and slipped off her seeds taking her rider with her. She chuckled and took off again, kicking another off its back. Then another. And another.
Damian saw what she was doing. "Wait! Kid! Wait!" he begged. "We're not your…".
But Mia deaf to his cries kicked him off too. "Dame!" Arthur screamed in horror. Danal rolled towards Damian's dusty body.
Will looked back and saw the mulefa falling behind them. "They're slowing down! Now's our chance! Go Iera!".
Iera finally pushed herself to the bottom of the hill. She started climbing up the pass, Will clinging himself and Viktor extra tightly to her.
"Damian," Arthur pulled him over, seeing his bleeding nose. "Oh, thank god,".
"Art…" he breathed. "Go, you've got get to Viktor. Quickly,".
"No. I will not leave,".
Go. Damian's mulefa: Artel rolled over to his husband. You must catch him quickly. They are heading up the hill and we cannot roll up there quick enough.
Arthur nodded and kissed Damian's head before mounting Danal again and chasing after her. The others rolled over to help their bruised teammate.
Iera finally reached the top of the hill. Will dismounted her. "Mia! Aster!" he cried out. "Come on!"
"Time to go Aster," Mia flapped her wings and turned towards the hill. When suddenly an orange angle dove from the sky and snatched her in mid-flight. Then another grabbed Aster, causing excruciating pain for both of them as they tried to break free.
"Mia!" Will and Viktor screamed in horror. Iera roared. They watched with wide eyes as she was taken into the skies, disappearing into the clouds.
"We have to do something!" Will cried.
But another voice came from over the hill edge. "Stop! Stop!"
"We must go. There's no other choice!" Iera said regrettably. "Open a window, Will!".
Will tried to slice a hole in the air. But he couldn't. "Will, hurry!" Iera shouted.
"Give him a chance!" Viktor said.
But Will was breathing heavily, unable to forget what he had just seen.
"Will, we will save Mia but we won't be able to if you don't open a door!" Viktor begged. But Will couldn't do it. "Come on Will! Come on buddy! You can do it!" Will inhaled his fear and sliced a large doorway open.
Arthur and Danal reached the top but were too late as they saw Iera jumping through with Viktor on her back. Will saw him and jumped through. "No! No!". Arthur tried to jump through but it disappeared into thin air, leaving him panting and venting.
Damian sat up wincing from his bruises. Low trumpeting made him jump and they saw little Roger galloping towards them. "Hello, little fella," he stroked his head. "Where did you come from?"
Damian. Artel said. They looked up and saw Arthur and Danal looking down at them, shaking their heads.
And that's another chapter done. I hope you all enjoyed the first chapter of Season Three. The next chapter will be on either today or tomorrow. See you all soon.