“I don’t think I understood everything you said, but I have heard of some things, like the word intergalactic… a galaxy is a gigantic formation of stars. Therefore, intergalactic must refer to something that can cross between galaxies. But that would mean… The metal moon in the sky and the soldiers are from another star?” Kari replied.
“They’re from another world.” She explained. “Other worlds, to be more precise. Based on how they talk, they’re the army of some Intergalactic empire, a union of countless worlds. Unfortunately, I don’t know the specifics, my data is tens of thousands of years old. Also, the thing you call a metal moon is their War Vessel, a ship of sorts, made to roam the stars.”
“Hold on, that’s a ship? It’s large enough to be a country!” Elwin exclaimed.
“Besides that, the soldiers we escaped from seemed to be in service of someone called Empress Lucina,” Kari said.
“Empress Lucina must be their leader then. Based on communications I’ve intercepted, her army is making an overwhelming show of force across all of Apolaphia. In doing so, Lucina is dissuading any resistance. It would seem that the Empress wants to avoid unnecessary bloodshed if possible… How benevolent,” Blue spat. “Just so you have an idea of how her invasion is going, it seems that Sarigold City to the near-east has been negotiating the terms of their surrender.”
“But Lucina arrived only yesterday. How is it possible that her soldiers are already here when her ship is sitting on the horizon halfway across the world?” Elwin asked incredulously.
“The advancements that science and technology are capable of should not be underestimated. Despite the ancient treaties banning Causal-and-Entropic-Modification, many things Lucina and her army are capable of will be beyond your comprehension. Some things will seem like magic to the people of Apolaphia.” Blue explained.
“But magic is a well-understood science, to those who study it.” Kari countered.
“That is true. Perhaps that ace-in-the-hole leaves us with some chance to fight against the invasion, should it come to war.” Blue said, unwittingly reaching the same conclusion as King Rolynd far to the east.
“You speak as if Lucina’s invasion isn’t an act of war in and of itself?” Kari asked.
“Under normal circumstances, it would be, but it seems that she’s quite experienced in matters of diplomacy. Taking the effort to avoid bloodshed. Displaying overwhelming force and leadership. All of this effort seems to be for the purpose of containment… she’s looking for someone. Finding them will be easier with the cooperation of Apolaphian natives. If chaos reigns, then it will be easier for her quarry to hide amongst it and escape.” Blue said.
“What should we do then?” Kari asked.
If Blue could give a wry smile, she would have. “Unfortunately, you’re about to make yourself an enemy of Lucina.” She spoke.
“What do you mean?” Elwin asked worriedly.
“Are you not worried about your sweetheart in Al Dherjza, young elf? The Empress’ Warship is in a decidedly threatening position. It could wipe the entire city off the surface of Apolaphia at any moment, along with her and her Liege. And, Kari, I have the feeling you would continue East with or without the rest of us, wouldn’t you?”
Kari was silent, though the unwavering light in his eyes spoke for him. He had not and would not rest until he had solved the disappearance of his only friend and mentor, Benson.
“I thought as much,” Blue continued. “My duty as a servant of ADAM demands that I repel any who would abuse his powers and disrespect his world, so we are of the same mind. Besides… we’re just outside an enemy encampment.”
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Kari and Elwin froze in place. Using their Gifts, they felt the presence of soldiers just beyond the treeline.
Elwin gasped while Kari barely turned his shout of anger into a hiss.
“What?!”
#
The night was falling. Blue at least permitted her starving companions to eat while she explained herself.
The plan was quite simple. Blue needed something called a "transponder". It was a device used by Lucina's forces to communicate. Blue believed once they had one in their possession, she could tap into all of Lucina's communications. In this time of impending war, information was power.
They would not attack directly.
So, they needed a distraction. But what?
Apolaphia was a magical place. Dryads, sprites, ents, wisps and other woodland creatures and spirits lived in its forests. They were usually timid, peaceful creatures who preferred staying within their own communities rather than engaging with the more destructive men, elves and dwarves.
Despite this, they were loyal to their creator ADAM above all else. And as a priestess of ADAM trained in the Old Ways, Blue knew how to contact them.
The forest’s inhabitants would create a distraction with Elwin’s support, while Kari and Blue would infiltrate the facility in search of a transponder.
Kari, always looking to improve his expertise with his Gift, was curious to hear if the all-knowing Blue would have any insights for him.
“By changing the phase of water with your Gift, you can make a sudden temperature rise… or drop,” Blue said rather cryptically in response to the man’s inquiry.
“…I don’t see how that could be useful,” Kari replied.
“Really? So you’re telling me that in the twenty-odd years of your life, you’ve never tried chilling an opponent rather than simply stabbing them?” Blue asked.
“Stabbing my enemies has worked pretty well so far. Besides, Universal Law prohibits me from freezing a living person’s blood.” Kari replied.
“Carry a hammer, and everything becomes a nail, hydrohand. You are correct that Universal Law would prevent what you imagine, but I’m not suggesting you freeze their blood directly. For instance, if your opponent is drenched in a nervous sweat, or if you’ve just doused them with liquid water, you could cause the water on their skin to evaporate. Evaporation is a heat-intensive process. If you can evaporate their sweat fast enough, you might be able to put them to sleep with the sudden change in core temperature… Or at least, give them a nasty frost burn.”
“Hmm.” Grunted Kari with a disgruntled look on his face.
At Blue’s request, Kari placed her on the forest floor. The surface of her orb warped and bent as she grew six spider-like legs to walk on. The legs seemed to operate on hydraulic pressure, much like a real spider’s legs. Blue skittered off surprisingly quickly to contact the woodland spirits and creatures.
The hydrohand pulled moisture from the air, making a small wet patch on the back of his hand. He began to practice evaporating it as Blue had described.
Elwin observed the invader’s facility while Kari practised his newfound talent.
The base was cordoned off with a series of metal posts. According to Blue, the posts had invisible fencing strung between them which could detect intruders.
They had earlier noted that small creatures such as rabbits could leave and enter this perimeter with impunity, so there must have been some kind of filter to avoid false alarms.
There was a building near the centre of the base, which Blue had earlier denoted their target; a radar disk and antennae were mounted on its ceiling. All the buildings seemed to be made from the same gleaming black metal, embossed with decorative red and gold. An emblem that radiated authority was burnt onto their surface; It must’ve been Lucina’s crest.
Shortly after night had fallen, Blue reappeared, a mass of strange shapes, curious eyes and lights hiding in the foliage behind her.
Giant insects, centipedes, moths, slugs and snails. The sheer size and disgusting appearance were enough to get the heart racing.
A gallery of wisps, each a floating head of fire. Their faces were featureless, save for eyes. Some wore wooden masks.
Giant walking trees known as ents, lumbering slowly and mightily. The cracks and creases of their bark formed masculine faces. Massive branches formed arms, smaller branches tendril-like fingers. There were feminine dryads too, much smaller and more humanoid in stature than the ents. They moved with lithe grace, unlike their lumbering partners.
Fierce-looking gnomes, carrying sticks and spears, their pointed caps barely reaching Kari’s knees. Their not-quite-human faces were uncanny, particularly when their lips peeled back to reveal sharp, pointed teeth.
Ghostly, see-through apparitions of woodland creatures appeared from all around. Deers and does, bears and badgers. Kari had not the slightest idea how one would even fight a ghost.
There was even the odd pixie and fairy too, though in smaller numbers than the rest of the woodland creatures. The timid winged species had nearly been hunted to extinction, owing to the powerful intrinsic magical properties their bodies held.
All these mystical and ordinary forces joined them in their fight.
“It’s time,” Blue said simply.