Henry stared at the still form on the cold stone slab. Erik lay motionless, his body imitating the room. The cloth over his body filled Henry with a sense of foreboding. He wished to see the thin sheet over his mouth rise and fall, but it never moved. Silent and dark, the young boy from Zulin sat alone, staring at a man he had grown fond of.

He wasn’t sure if Erik considered him a friend or not, but Henry felt a great loss seep deep into his heart. Henry longed to see Sasha again. He longed for her warm embrace and comforting aura.

He needed her support.

Raised voices from the other room interrupted his grim thoughts. He stood and walked over to the door. Xerath had called for a meeting but Henry had wanted a moment alone with Erik before it began.

Opening the door, Henry saw Xerath, Kyburn, Trygve, and Hazam all in one room. Stepping through, Henry noticed the Emarine were also inside, on the edges of the room, listening intently to the humans chatting away.

Rayman was in the corner, unmoving. His head hung low and through the flickering shadows of the torches, Henry could see his wet cheeks and his glistening eyes.

A stab of sympathy for the man shot through Henry. It was all made worse by the fact that Amira was the one to kill him. Kaladin had revealed it to them all and was met by skeptical and shocked faces.

But, after searching and coming up empty-handed, they were forced to trust Kaladin’s word. The man in black had fled but Amira was also nowhere to be found. She had fooled them all.

He imagined Rayman felt much like he had when his father died. Henry could still remember that day, clearly.

Kaladin leaned against the wall with Yvlana lightly touching his elbow. They both glanced at him upon entering the meeting room. Commander Kaladin gave a faint smile but Yvlana only turned away.

The burning question on Henry’s mind now was “Why had Amira saved Erik in the first place?” he asked himself over and over again. “She could’ve let him bleed to death, but she didn’t.” It was all so confusing. Henry still wasn’t sure if Kaladin was right or simply mistaken.

He had never met Amira, but Rayman seemed to believe it. And Kaladin hadn’t led them astray yet. He had saved all their lives, so Henry trusted Kaladin. For now.

The Emarine had revealed to them that she had been forced to murder the king, as to how she was forced, he either didn’t know or wouldn’t tell them. Whatever the case, it didn’t make sense to Henry.

Xerath, Kyburn, Trygve, and Hazam all looked at him a moment later. They were transfixed on the large map lying on the table before them.

“You’re here.” Kyburn nodded. “Good.”

“As you all know, Thrak broke through our lines and escaped into Xer,” Xerath reported. “Kaladin.” he addressed the tall Emarine. “The Vog have been tracking them down, correct?”

“Yes,” Kal said, pushing his shoulders off the wall. “I know all too well what widespread panic can do. So, Felkuru and his daughters have taken care of most of them.”

“Have they found the remaining stragglers?” Xerath asked quickly.

“Yes.” Kaladin tapped the map. “Around here. But Felkuru has informed me there are humans heading this direction and it looks as if they will run straight into them.”

“Does he know who?” Kyburn asked. “We sent the armies back to Xerixes.”

“A dark-haired woman. With ten guards.” Kaladin responded. “He says he recognizes her from a memory long past.” Kal frowned. “Cara.”

“What!?” Xerath shouted. “Cara? Are you sure? How would Felkuru know that? He must be mistaken.”

“No. Fel is certain it is her,” Kal replied calmly. “As to how he knows her, that will be for another time. It’s a long story.”

Xerath bit his lip and paced. “Can he protect her? I will ride out to meet her. If she’s in danger, I have to warn her.”

“Fel will protect her,” Kal assured him. “There are not many Thrak left. But it does seem they are tracking her specifically. If you’d like... I could accompany the Vog and speak with your wife. No one else can communicate with them but me. If she is met by the Vog, I’m afraid she would flee from them. If I were to be there, I could explain the situation.”

“You would do that for me?” Xerath looked him up and down. “If you are willing, then please do so. It would put my mind at ease knowing you were there to protect her.”

“I am.” Kaladin smiled faintly. “I can get to her far faster than you could anyways.” he paused. “No offense.”

Xerath waved a hand in dismissal. “None taken. When can you leave?”

“As soon as we are done here.” Kal shrugged. “The Vog are keeping watch over her at a distance for now. It will take some time before the Thrak intercept her.”

“Will you go now?” Xerath looked at him with desperation. “Please. She’s my wife. If I lost her…” he trailed off.

“Very well.” Kaladin smiled wryly. “I will do this for you.”

“Thank you.” Xerath sighed in relief. “I am in your debt. We all are.”

“I am only doing what is right.” Kaladin dismissed his words. “Yvlana. Will you walk with me?”

Yvlana looked upset by his acceptance to leave but said nothing. She nodded and they walked from the room, ducking under the doors to keep from hitting their heads on the ceiling.

“What of my people?” Trygve jumped in. “There are still Thrak roaming my country unchecked. I haven’t heard word from any of my people in days. I fear they are under attack and require aid. Please, King Xerath, my people, you must help them.”

“Our borders will be open to you and your people,” Xerath replied. “I swear. Xer will aid Kligira. This is the time to band together and fight these creatures with all our might. But I cannot send my men outside my walls. Call for your people to stay behind their city walls or come here. I can better protect them in Xer.”

“Very well.” Trygve sighed in frustration. “Some will protest and refuse to leave, but many will flock here.”

“And they will be met with open arms I assure you, Regent.” Xerath nodded respectfully.

“You’ll have to convince them then,” Kyburn said. “Make them understand what’s at stake. This is not the time to hold grudges that are long past. We must work together if we are to defeat our common enemy.”

“We don’t know how many there are,” Henry added. “There could be an untold amount. They came out of nowhere from the ground. Only Hashem knows where and how many will come out beneath us. For all we know, they could be under our feet as we speak. How do we fight such an enemy?”

“They live underground, that much you know by now,” Lamir spoke over the room, his voice drawing all the attention. “They are ruthless and will stop at nothing to get what they want. Three thousand years ago they intended to consume this planet's core but Kaladin was able to stop them. If they intend to do the same, there is nothing we can do.”

“So we do nothing?” Henry shot back. “We’re doomed?”

A long pause consumed the room. The silence was deafening. It took Lamir several moments before responding.

“No. There is still hope.” Lamir raised an eyebrow. “They act in a strange manner than what we are used to. Something has changed. They came to the surface for a reason. If they wanted to simply destroy this planet they would have done so already. For the time being, we can safely assume their goal is not to destroy Isulia but rather take it.”

“So why haven’t they?” Xerath asked. “If you know more, now is the time to tell us.”

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

“I don’t know the answer to that question,” Lamir said. “The Thrak have a leader but in all my years of fighting them, I have never come across whoever directs them. Normally, when the Thrak invade a planet they go straight for the core and consume it. It makes them more powerful and that is their primary focus but for whatever reason, they haven’t done so now.”

“Consume the core?” Henry asked in confusion. “What is in the core that they can eat?”

“All planets have a lifeforce, unlike you or I. It is a living organism but cannot communicate, only grow. Think of it as a heart, or a seed. The older a planet, the more it grows but it depends on what it feeds off of. Most worlds grow to the proportion of their natural resources. If it is too big and consumes too much, it stops growing to preserve its life.”

The whole room was in stunned silence. Lamir noticed this and looked awkward for the first time but continued to speak.

“Isulia used to be an Emarine military outpost. We were mining the ore when we were attacked. Before we knew it, the Thrak had overrun the entire planet and we were forced to evacuate.” Lamir continued. “We had only begun to colonize but we experienced strange phenomena different from our other colonies and homeworld. My point is, the Thrak feed off of planets even though they don’t necessarily need to. Someone or something is controlling them, using them to feed off the planets to make themselves stronger.”

“Who?” Henry asked.

“I-I don’t know for sure.” Lamir sighed. “Kaladin has told me…” he paused. “...interesting stories.”

“What do you mean?” Kyburn frowned. “If he has the answer, then pull him back in here.” he looked at Henry. “Go get him.”

“No,” Lamir said. “He does not know everything. And besides, it does not matter now. The only thing that does matter is surviving our current threat. I know the Thrak, they will have more armies elsewhere. That army we fought was insignificant to the next one, for that I am certain.”

Again the room fell silent, met with that grim knowledge.

“Do you have weapons from your civilization that can combat these creatures?” Trygve asked Lamir. “Like the ones you used on the walls. With bright lights coming out.”

“Not here,” Lamir said. “We were abandoned on this planet, unable to fend for ourselves. If not for our bunkers and Kaladin’s… sacrifice, this planet would be dead already.”

“Sacrifice?” Henry frowned. “What did he do?”

“He stayed behind to set off the core bomb that wiped out the Thrak,” Lamir said. “Though, unfortunately, it didn’t work as well as we hoped. He was stranded for twenty-one years before he slept.”

“He was alone?” Xerath asked.

“Yes,” Lamir said grimly.

Everyone fell silent once again, imagining living alone for over twenty years.

“What about Felkuru and the Vog?” Henry questioned. “How did they get here? They are not native to Isulia and they certainly don’t have the technology for space travel.”

“You would not believe me.” Lamir chuckled. “Ask Kaladin when he returns. I still don’t fully believe it. Much of what he says is unbelievable. But he’s been right about everything so far.”

Henry frowned at that. He didn’t know what was going on between the Emarine but something was amiss. The Emarine knew something that they weren’t telling them. Whatever it was, it made Henry uneasy.

Yvlana walked back into the room, sulking it seemed. No doubt upset that Kaladin left her with them.

“Still talking?” Yvlana crossed her arms. “You humans won’t stand a chance if you don’t work together. The moment you think you are safe, the Thrak will prove you wrong. They are preparing for something. We should expect another attack but on a scale much larger than the one here.”

“I assumed you’d go with him,” Lamir said. “What did he want?”

“He wanted me to help the humans.” Yvlana sighed in annoyance. “There’s not much I can do though. We’re all going to die anyway.”

“Stop.” Lamir straightened, raising his voice at his sister and staring her down. “That will get us nowhere.”

“And giving them false hope will?” Yvlana scoffed. “Better to come to terms with our fate than wishful thinking.”

Lamir’s lip twitched as he glared at her. He was right. Hope kept them going but the severity of the situation was more than likely lost on them. Henry felt shivers of fear run down his spine but kept himself from shaking.

“We are eternally grateful for your aid, Yvlana.” Xerath politely ignored her grim prediction. “Without you, we would already be lost. We are relying heavily on the three of you to guide us. I know I can trust you. We can and will defeat these invaders.”

Yvlana scoffed again but said nothing more.

“And we are grateful to you for waking us from our cryo-pods. For without you, we would still be sleeping as the chaos around us ensued.” Lamir said, looking at both Kyburn and Henry.

Henry painfully was aware of the glance at the door that led to Erik’s body.

“Henry has proved himself more than once,” Xerath said. “He should be the one you thank. He also fought valiantly in the city.”

Kyburn glanced at Henry as he blushed from the praise. Kyburn smiled and nodded to him, knowing his part in awakening them.

“Enough! You humans sit around and talk. All you do is talk. The Thrak are on your doorstep.” she pointed at Xerath and Kyburn. “I for one will not stand around and do nothing. We should be preparing the walls. As we speak they could be climbing over into your lands unhindered. This country is large, yes? So what are you doing to prepare for an attack.”

“Yes.” Xerath frowned at her words and her outburst. “I’ve sent word to the other six strongholds on the wall. Each city is organizing the garrisons and lining the walls. In two days, I expect the entire wall will be fully maned. Men are on constant watch for any sign of the Thrak. If they try to get in, we will know. We are nearly prepared for an attack.”

“And what about inside your precious walls?” Yvlana mocked. “Have you thought of that? If you think the Thrak will only come from outside, then you are grossly mistaken. The Thrak will always surprise you.”

“That’s enough.” Lamir scolded. “I think it's time you take a break, sister.” he glared. “You’re not helping.”

“No.” Xerath raised a hand. “Thank you, Lamir, but she is right. I hadn’t thought of that. I was so focused on protecting the walls that I forgot about the interior.”

Yvlana shrugged and looked at Xerath.

“Thrak live primarily in the mountains.” Yvlana continued but a touch more respectfully. “Show me where there are mountains in Xer.”

Everyone in the room stiffened, knowing full well that Xer had plenty of mountains.

“Zulin,” Kyburn whispered.

The town was in between two mountains. Henry realized this fact before Kyburn mentioned it. Another shot of fear spread to every human.

“The Thrak thrive there. It’s secluded, it's cold and far from most life.” Yvlana said. “If they do hide in your country already. That’s where they’ll be.”

“This is true,” Lamir confirmed, stepping up to the table.

They stared at the old map, everyone's gaze fell on the Fossland Mountains to the southwest. Kyburn and Henry, however, noticed all too well the mountains surrounding their hometown. The Brez mountains funneled Zulin in from two sides.

Henry silently prayed to Hashem the Thrak had not made their homes there. As did Kyburn.

“Then what do you suggest?” Xerath asked the Emarine. “You two have fought them before, what can we do to protect ourselves?”

“You cannot,” Yvlana said bluntly. “We are all doomed.”

Lamir slammed a fist into her shoulder, nearly knocking her over. She hissed at him and retaliated with a backhand to his shoulder.

The humans in the room looked at them in shock. If a fight broke out, there was little they could do to stop the giants.

Lamir glared at her, “If hiding behind your borders does not work, then you must gather your people into the cities. That is all you can do. But as blunt as my sister is, she is right. We cannot stop them I’m afraid.” Lamir frowned apologetically.

“Kaladin has a plan,” Yvlana said. “The Vog have a plan.”

“And what is that?” Kyburn asked.

“Nothing.” Lamir glared at his sister again. “My sister does not know what she is talking about. Nor does she believe it.”

“Look.” Xerath huffed. “Secrets are fine but now is not the time. Our lives depend on it. If you say Kaladin has a plan, then please, enlighten us.”

Both Lamir and Yvlana paused, looking at one another.

“It will not help you,” Lamir said. “Kaladin is many things, but he is too trusting and hopeful. His plan won’t work.”

“Th-the weapons.” Yvlana stuttered. “We have weapons in each of our bunkers but we don’t know where they are or how to find them now that Isulia’s landmass has been altered.”

Henry could feel that wasn't true. She was lying again. And everyone in the room knew that was not what Kaladin’s plan was.

“We have discovered many of your ruins,” Henry said. “There is one in Vulkira, Tykin, and two in Xer.”

“We cannot risk going into other countries, they will be watching for us,” Lamir said. “But perhaps we can visit the ones in Xer. Show us on the map.”

A blue light activated from Lamir’s palm, shining onto the table in the middle of the room. There was a small circular device in his hand. It shone a beam of light that revealed a translucent map that Henry dragged his hands through.

“Amazing,” Trygve said. “Your technology is incredible. What is this?”

“It is a hologram of Isulia, though it is outdated by three thousand years.” Lamir shrugged. “I am updating it by using yours as a reference.”

“Right here.” Henry pointed to the southwest in the Fossland Mountains. “But that one hasn’t shown any signs of power. It has been dead for centuries. Probably longer.”

“There too.” Kyburn pointed a finger to the south. “Shonax. We came across one of your bunkers while excavating the dungeons.”

“Then our best bet is Shonax,” Lamir said. “It is closer too. If we can access the armory, then we will have a fighting chance.”

“There will be little time,” Yvlana said. “My brother and I will go on ahead. You can meet us with wagons and carts, whatever we can carry our equipment with.”

“I will send word to every city. We will be prepared.” Xerath assured them, though probably more himself than them. “I will have as many wagons as I can muster to meet you in Shonax.”

“Alright.” Lamir sighed. “Then-” he trailed off as a bell rang throughout the city.

Once again, a shiver ran down Henry’s spine upon hearing that dreadful sound.

“Your majesty!” voices shouted and screamed. “Your majesty!” a guard burst through the door behind them.

“Your majesty!” he repeated. “Riders.” he panted. “Thrak… in… Xer… Coming from…” he gulped. “Fossland Mountains.”

Yvlana spoke in her language, probably swearing.

“Ipoth and Yegon have fallen,” he continued.

“Hashem save us.” Xerath breathed.

“Sire.” he continued to pant. “They're everywhere. The whole southwest of Xer is lost.”

“Send word immediately to Shonax. And everyone else. Fall back to Xerixes or any stronghold on the walls.” Xerath barked, as two more guards ran into the room, more than likely wanting to make sure they had heard the news. “Lamir. Yvlana. How fast can you get to Shonax?”

“Sire.” the first guard huffed. “Shonax too has fallen. The creatures came from the Brez Mountains. Apparently, they headed straight there. We haven’t heard from them since.”

Everyone in the room stood in utter silence. Their faces went dark. Unsure what to do or say.

“W-we head for Xerixes.” Xerath wheezed. “By Hashem. He was right. It’s finally happening.”

Henry wasn’t sure what Xerath meant by that but he understood his fear all too well. The Thrak were already taking Xer before they could even react.

“Maybe Yvlana was right. We are all doomed.” Henry thought.