The suns reached their peak as Elysia, Xoital, and Ishh arrived at the rebel encampment, hidden within an inconspicuous cluster of trees tucked between several hills. They were met by sentries who escorted them to the camp. Once across the threshold, the crunching of dry grass beneath their feet was quickly dampened by an ensemble of voices and clatter.
Rebels patrolled the inside of the camp wall, inspecting each section in brief intervals before moving on to the next. The indistinct chatter cleared as they walked by a group of rebels. Some stood and conversed casually. Others stood at attention, awaiting their next instructions. Laughter garnished the noise as they passed a few rebels who noticed Ishh. All of whom quickly stood at attention and saluted his presence.
“Their discipline is that of an army,” Ayii noted.
If they are rebelling, they need to be.
Elysia noticed the number of people they passed.
There are a lot of rebels here. Possibly a hundred or more. she thought.
“351,” Ayii corrected.
How can you give such a precise number?
“If they’re alive, I can sense them.”
Can you sense if they are Scarred?
“If I were in control. When I am behind your consciousness, my sensory capabilities are limited. You would need to look into their eyes for me to tell from here.”
“Captain Ishh!” a young man’s voice called.
“Edus. Walk with me,” Ishh asked as the group maintained their pace toward the large tent at the heart of the encampment.
The young man jogged up to him with a warm smile on his face.
“Hola [Hello], Edus,” Xoital greeted.
Without breaking pace, Edus turned back to Xoital with the same smile, briefly catching sight of Elysia before turning to Ishh. He presented Ishh with a metallic plate that glowed with light blue writing on it.
A book of some sort? Elysia pondered with her eyes affixed on the glowing tablet.
“Here are the latest Guardian patrol schedules,” Edus explained. The writing morphed into a map with red highlighted areas and directional arrows displaying trajectories.
Ishh studied the map silently for a moment, “This is good. We should be clear for the next 9 hours. When was this gathered?”
“This morning, sir. At the 4th hour.” Edus replied.
“Okay. Keep me posted on any changes from the reconnaissance teams.”
“Yes, sir,” Edus responded with enthusiasm. “If I may, captain, who is the woman with the eyes?”
“She is an ally,” Ishh answered, keeping his sights on the large tent.
Edus nodded and went off to continue his duties.
Almost every rebel they passed saluted and warmly greeted Ishh. Their effort and tone around him reflected his reputation as a beloved member of the rebellion. These brief meet-and-greets hindered them on their path, but Ishh refused no one, genuinely welcoming all who approached.
Upon reaching the large tent, the guards saluted Ishh. Turning to Xoital, Ishh leaned in and whispered to her. With a nod, Xoital looked at Elysia, “Good luck, bestie,” she said right before walking away to explore the camp.
The tent's interior was bare, furnished by a single table, aglow with buttons and a low hovering light that occasionally changed colors. Around the table were five legless metal chairs, all floating steadily above the ground at the same height, all but one filled by a high-ranking rebel, all wearing jackets similar to Ishh’s long white one. The man seated in the center spoke first.
“Ishh, you finally made it. We were concerned that you might have gotten lost,” the man said sarcastically. His white beard gave away his age in contrast to the youthful appearance of the others.
“It is good to see you as well, Commander Jon,” Ishh said as he stepped to the side, walking around the table to join the other captains, filling the empty seat.
“Gathering like this is a security risk for the entire Rebellion,” a woman seated to the right of Ishh said with a hint of annoyance. The bangles on her wrist clanged as she raised and lowered her hand against the armrest. Her skin was porcelain white, almost blending in with her jacket. A scar adorned her face, arching over one emerald colored eye, crossing her nose, and underscoring her other eye, which was a darker shade of green.
“Forgive me, captains – and commander. This is Elysia.” Ishh, meeting Elysia’s eyes momentarily, caught a look of anticipation. He briefly reconsidered divulging the knowledge of her alignment with a god and then continued, “She is an exceptional Nature-Scarred.”
Relief instantly washed over Elysia. She watched as the stern line of faces perked up upon hearing this. Each leaned forward in their seat, exerting varying degrees of excitement.
“My scout, Xoital, found her in the Gale several days ago. Unconscious in a very lush, green patch of grass.” He continued.
“And you have seen her actually perform revitalization?” Another captain asked. A mask muffled his voice. By far, he was the largest in stature among them. His shoulders spanned far past the back of the chair, and his head rose high above it.
“I have. She showed me once while she was our detainee, before saving us from the Guardian ambush at our satellite base. And she showed me once more the other night.”
The rebel leaders whispered to each other.
“Can you show us?” the masked captain asked Elysia directly before again addressing Ishh. “Not that I don’t believe you, captain, but I think it would behoove our fellow captains and rebel commander if we saw it with our own eyes.”
Elysia stared at him for a moment.
“Who is that?” Ayii asked.
Do you feel that too? Elysia thought. His aura was the same as the rest of the captains', a steady, faint blue, though the feeling was hard to ignore.
The rebel leaders all chattered affirmatively, agreeing with the masked captain’s point.
“Elysia, if you would, please?” Ishh requested, gesturing to the rigid, gray grass that carpeted the tent.
Kneeling down to it, she placed her hand softly upon the withered blades and focused. A wave of green washed over the ground, filling the space instantly. The grass grew several inches, and the stale air that filled the tent was flushed away by the sweet aroma of blossoming yellow and pink flowers. The rebels looked on in awe.
“Finally,” the porcelain-skinned captain softly exclaimed.
“Incredible,” said the masked captain.
Commander Jon raised his hand to his chin in thought, stroking his long beard as he pondered. Ishh sat back in delight.
Elysia watched them work through their emotions as they muttered thoughts and ideas to one another. In the midst of the chatter between captains, Commander Jon raised his hand. The others grew quiet.
“Girl.”
Elysia turned her attention to him with a flicker of annoyance sparked by his misnaming.
“Why were you in the Gale?”
Her eyes darted side to side, watching the captains as they anticipated her response.
“I had asked her that myself,” Ishh interjected, “but she has been having trouble remembering a lot. When we first found her, it took her an unusual amount of time to even remember her name. We believe she suffered some head trauma, causing amnesia.”
The captains’ faces seemed satisfied with his story. He had never been known to lie, so those who knew him were inclined to believe his words. In truth, Ishh had come prepared. He was always prepared.
“How old are you?” the commander asked.
She had to think for a moment.
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
Five hundred years later… Wait. How old was I before the time jump?
“Twenty-four beautiful Xyrian years, dear. I must say, you don’t look half as bad 500 years later.”
“Twenty-four,” she replied.
“Twenty-four?” blurted the masked captain.
“How have you not been captured by Ome?” the porcelain-skinned captain asked in shock.
Elysia paused.
“She mentioned a cave, deep in the Gale, near Ikar’s Flight, that she has been hiding in – in fear of being found by Ome,” Ishh answered, filling in for Elysia’s lull.
“Remarkable,” said the masked captain. “I’ve never heard of anyone able to evade Ome’s Collectors. Certainly not for 24 years.”
“And to climb Ikar’s Flight and survive there without a Wind Scar,” the porcelain-skinned captain smiled, impressed.
The masked captain’s words hooked Elysia. He had a strange gravity to his presence that caused her to stare at him longer than she intended.
“Commander, this is a tremendous opportunity,” the masked captain said, avoiding Elysia’s gaze.
The commander raised his hand, silencing the room again. Staring at Elysia, he found the color of her eyes intriguing but was unphased by their mystique. He worked his sight down her frame, scanning her. Nodding his head as he analyzed, unblinking, as if acknowledging what information he gathered, while maintaining a look of skepticism and suspicion along the way. His brow furled upon meeting her eyes once more.
“Forgive me, girl. It has been a long rebellion. Decades have passed me by, and I have become an old, suspicious fool.” He chuckled. “No doubt, you are a gift. One whose origins I have no business questioning, especially if Ishh has brought you to us. You must be exceptional.”
Ishh relaxed back into his seat, hearing the commander’s words.
“I hope you can help us turn the tides.”
The porcelain-skinned captain stood up and approached Elysia.
“Captain Kiisha,” she offered her hand in greeting.
Elysia stared into her variable emerald eyes and nodded. Her energy was confident and fierce. Her grip calm and firm, a parallel to her soft facial features, which proudly carried her scar. Kiisha stared back.
“What beautiful eyes,” she said before turning back to the other captains, who had all introduced themselves.
“Captain Urrah,” said the masked man.
“Captain Selen,” said the woman who had not spoken before. Her face was covered in fabric, with only her left eye exposed. Her voice was low and would have been missed among the other captains.
“And I am Rebel Commander Jon.”
Captain Kiisha returned to her seat.
“Now that we have all introduced ourselves - Ishh?” Jon turned to Ishh who stood and moved to the table.
With the flip of a switch, the table’s light jumped and began creating a topological map of Zephyr. It started off as a wireframe of light and then emitted a level of detail that nearly matched that of reality. Elysia moved to the table, intrigued by such a magical replication of the real world.
Zephyr was an enormous marvel. A scattered arrangement of hundreds of varying-sized islands. Many of them orbited the perimeter of dozens of larger islands in the center, several of which were tremendous and mountainous. Upon the islands were depictions of towns, forests, and lakes – the bulk of which were distributed on the larger, center islands, with an unmistakable fortress-looking structure on the largest island of them all. The map blinked, and the archipelago was then layered with a segmented overlay that labeled Zephyr into sections: The Gale, owning about 40% of the map, was the largest sector, encircling the entire society. It looked to be comprised mostly of fields, with the density of trees diminishing toward the outer radius of islands.
‘Ikar’s Flight’ was the name on the fringe. Seeing how it staggered outward, breaking away from the radial formation of Zephyr, Elysia recognized it as the dilapidated stairway of meteors that stretched into the sky toward the moon.
The largest three islands sat in the center, labeled ‘Ome’s Domain’, where the fortress resided.
The interior islands had several labels, but they shifted out of the table's boundary as the map focused on a group of islands labeled ‘Foehn’.
“This is Dust—a small town half a day from here. It’s an old mining town that was once a core part of Ome’s mining collective but has since been passed on for more saturated sites.” Ishh began. “My scouts have reported significantly decreased military activity around this asset over the past few months.”
The light danced on the walls of the tent as Ishh spoke, setting the faces of everyone around the table aglow.
“With their bare-bone occupation, Ome has also reduced the amount of food that the town has received. The decline in food has left the populous in dire straits, with an increased number of outbursts we’ve caught wind of. Because of this, I believe Dust is the perfect place to send our new Nature-Scarred ally to help galvanize the citizens and push the remaining Ome occupation out.”
“Who will go with her?” asked Captain Urrah.
“I propose myself and a handful of high-tier rebels accompany Elysia and infiltrate Dust at dawn. Get her in and have her revitalize the nature in the town. When people see this, I believe they will be inspired to stand up against Ome. All they need is a spark.”
“What about the Beacon nearby?” Captain Kiisha pointed out. The map turned, zooming on a small tower set on an island north of Dust. “There are sure to be reinforcements to assist if anything were to erupt in Dust. With their airships, they would be there in a matter of minutes.”
“Based on the intel, we could overwhelm the Guardians before they have a chance to call for backup. Elysia could handle them on her own. I’ve seen her subdue eight Guardians in seconds.”
The captains looked at Elysia with shock and intrigue.
“Eight?” Captain Urrah repeated. “That is impressive indeed.”
“If we go in, take out the occupation, and incite rebellion, we can capture Dust from Ome and keep it. I know we can.” Ishh glanced at Elysia, who had quietly listened to the captains discuss the mission and its contingencies. Commander Jon remained silent as well, inconspicuously watching Elysia. He, too, saw the unmistakable doubt on her face.
“What will you do if reinforcements come?” asked the commander.
“I am confident that we can successfully capture Dust without error. There will be another rotation of units leaving town tonight. Ome has been consistently reducing their numbers to bolster the protection of other mining locations, and if we strike right at dawn, it shouldn’t be an issue.”
“It has been a difficult two years, captain,” said Urrah, “We have been terribly successful at losing rebels to Ome.”
The captains grew quiet, wading in the unsure waters of Ishh’s plan. Each of them looked to the other, seeing who would step forward in approval first.
“If that Beacon comes to their aid-” Urrah began.
“I know the risks, captain,” Ishh interrupted frustratedly. “For almost two centuries, this society has been under the thumb of the Ome family dynasty – Lord Omii’salg, Lord Omu’la, King Omii, General Omal, General Omus, and now, General Ome. Commander Isell, my father, was steadfast in his belief that this rebellion had the potential to liberate Zephyr. He believed that if we could obtain the power of a Nature Scar, Omus and his successors would begin to lose their grip. And for the first time in the existence of this rebellion, almost two centuries, we have a Nature Scar on our side.”
Elysia looked up to Ishh as his aura livened.
“It has been rough. Every one of our previous attempts to make the first move against Ome was met with unstoppable force. And every one of his advances on us and the people of Zephyr has been unimpeded. But that doesn’t mean we stop. I am tired. I am weary. And I am afraid, but that doesn’t allow me or any of us to quit. Because if we quit, who will stand up against the insane, violent, chaotic rulers of this world?”
The mood among the captains ignited from his passionate words Simultaneously, they all nodded in agreement.
“What do you need from us?” Captain Selen asked.
“I just need one rebel from each of you. Your best one. A small cell, including myself and Elysia, will infiltrate at daybreak, right after they switch patrols.”
“Each of you shall provide Captain Ishh with one of your best, and we will wish them good fortune,” Jon commanded. He rose from his seat with the other captains following.
“Thank you, Commander,” Ishh nodded and saluted respectfully before he and Elysia exited the tent.
Moving past several rebels curiously examining the lush grass that seeped from under the central tent, the two hurriedly walked over to a pair of small tents under the shade of two trees to the east.
“Let’s get you in a uniform. You can’t go into battle with clothes that barely fit.”
Contemplating the mission, Elysia began to feel doubt set in. Not in her capability to invigorate the land but in her willingness to fight.
“Are you okay?” Ishh asked, noticing Elysia’s long silence.
“Yes,” she responded quickly to avoid suspicion.
Reaching the tents, Ishh walked to one of the rebels posted in front and requested a set of clothing.
“How did it go, Cap?” Xoital asked as she ran up to them.
“Well, as expected.”
“Yes! When do we leave and kick some Guardian ass?” asked Xoital as she slung her arm over Elysia’s shoulder and punched the air with the other.
“Tonight, but you won’t be coming.”
“What? Why not?” she said, visibly disappointed.
“Remember what I asked earlier? I need your nose and ears here.” Ishh said, nearly ordering.
Ishh and Xoital shared a look. The kind of look where something of great importance was discussed and resolved without the insecurity of words.
“Understood, Captain,” she accepted. “Be safe out there,” she said as she forced a hug upon Elysia and then hopped gently into the air out of the storage area.
“What was that look?” Elysia asked.
“Xoital and I, we have an understanding,” Ishh grinned. I trust her more than anyone, even my sister.”
The rebel returned with a uniform, which Ishh promptly handed to Elysia.
“Here, try these on,” he said, pointing to a small tent on the side.
Elysia walked in and changed out of Xoital’s snuggly-fit clothing into the rebel uniform. It was brown and stiff with silver buttons, holding an embossed diamond shape. The pants were the same shade of dirt brown. She sighed in relief as she slid a silver-trimmed black belt through the pant loops. Once she was done lacing her sturdy black boots, she buttoned her shirt up. Although it wasn’t her style, it was appreciated more than the circulation-constricting leggings Xoital lent her. A feeling that quickly faded as she saw herself in a mirror that stood nearby. A flash of the meteor shook her.
“How is it?” Ishh asked outside the tent. “Should I get something else?”
“Are you going to tell him that you are afraid to fight?” Ayii asked.
I’m fine.
“You can lie to him, but you can’t lie to me. Or yourself.”
“It fits fine,” Elysia replied to Ishh’s question as she began to adjust her hair.
If the town is underdefended, as he says, I won’t have to fight. I can just do the thing with Nature and let him and the rebels handle the fighting, she thought to Ayii.
“And if it isn’t? Are you going to let them die because you’re scared to hurt people? You are not going against unarmed mortals. You are about to enter into a war against mortals who are actively looking to kill you. Will you not defend yourself?”
Elysia started to walk out of the tent, trying to ignore Ayii’s’ reasoning.
“Elysia, if this Ome is as bad as they say he is, you may very well NEED to kill him.”
Elysia paused at the curtain.
“As the god of Life and Light, I will not stand by and watch you die because you are afraid to hurt others. It is possible that Imal is a part of this tyrant, and he cannot be allowed to continue now that we are back. If you don’t kill him, I will.”
So you’re going to force yourself upon me and take control?
“If I must.”
Ayii’s words echoed, extending Elysia’s pause.
“Elysia?” Ishh called out.
Stepping out of the tent, Ishh greeted Elysia with an approving nod at the sight of her in rebel clothing.
“Now you look like one of us,” he smiled. “Fitting.”
The two left the storage area and entered the central tent once more, where several rebels saluted Ishh.
“Captain Ishh, we are honored to assist you on this mission to liberate the town of Dust,” one of the rebels stated.
“Six? I only asked for four of you. One from each captain.” Ishh said.
“Commander Jon ordered three of us to join you, sir.”
Ishh smiled, shaking his head, “I guess an extra two couldn’t hurt. At ease.” Walking to the table map, he turned it on. “Okay, here’s our mission.”