The room seemed to shift around them, and suddenly, they were in a similar yet different room. The first thing Jason saw was the burned body of a brown Azalai. Charaustra snarled in rage, and Jason looked up in time to see a surprised furry-faced humanoid pointing a flashing weapon at him before his body erupted in a horrible searing pain. He screamed as he dropped to the ground, and things went dark.
He heard Char bellow angrily and then felt a static charge around him. He heard crackling and Genhyl yelling in alarm. Char is angry, he thought. Angry... No, Char, don't! he yelled in thought, remembering in an instant what could happen if Char lost her temper before she had a magical object to guide her powers.
Jason?! she cried, and he felt her come closer to him. The static charge lessened, and she nuzzled Jason's cheek. He was still in pain, but things seemed to be getting clearer. He could now hear the sounds of energy weapons firing and fainter yelling.
"What... how?" Genhyl said from somewhere above him.
"The Amulet of Dalan," Alexei whispered. "It is protecting him. Come, we must get out of here."
Jason was aware of arms slipping around him, and he gritted his teeth in pain as he was lifted up. For a while, he was only aware of movement... the sounds of the fighting faded away. His pain was lessening. When he finally regained his vision, he could see they were in a dark tunnel. Genhyl and an Azru were carrying him, and ahead of them, someone was carrying a torch.
Char? he called.
I'm here, her reply came. She was behind the group.
Eventually, they came to a chamber. Jason could tell because the walls fell away and the ceiling sloped upwards. He was set down on a stone bench of some sort. Genhyl stared down at him with grave concern on his face. Jason was feeling much better, however, and he wondered how long the effects of this would last. Char pushed up to see him, and now that his sight had returned, he saw that she was streaked with blood.
You're hurt, he said, reaching out a hand to her nose.
It's not mine, she assured him. Looking closer, he saw that this was true.
What happened? he asked.
They were here before us, Char said. We were transported to an inner chamber, but they had already breached the temple. Right now we're in a secret underground chamber, where the M'l'kai and the remaining Azalai have retreated with a few of the Azru.
The Amulet?
Still safe.
What was I hit with? It hurt like hell.
You were shot through... you should be dead.
What?
The discharge from that energy weapon should have burned straight through you... and for a moment, it did, but the Amulet of Dalan protected you. You're healing quickly.
Jason lifted his head to look down and saw a burned and blood-rimmed hole in his shirt. The skin beneath was only slightly red and blistered.
I guess we're lucky the first Amulet we got held the powers of the god of life, eh? he said. He looked over at Char. Her countenance was tight and worried. Her aura seemed to fizzle with invisible energy. Jason put out a hand and laid it on her forehead in a calming gesture.
What happened to you? he asked, knowing that something had occurred. Char ducked her head.
When you... I thought you had been killed. I was so angry... I just lunged for him. I killed him... and I almost hurt Genhyl and Alexei. My Biribiri energy nearly got out of my control. I am... sorry.
It's all right, Char. You were able to control your temper, and no one was hurt. Soon, you will Come of Age, and finally be able to use your powers.
Jason and Char stayed next to each other quietly. After a few minutes, Alexei appeared over them. From this angle, Jason could see under her hood... but the bottom portion of her face was wrapped in cloth.
"Jason, how do you feel?" she asked.
"Better," he said. Looking down again, he saw that his skin had smoothed and now looked quite normal. He propped himself up on his elbows, much to Genhyl's alarm.
"Jason!" he said sharply.
"I feel fine, Genhyl."
"Fine? You had a smoking hole in your torso not ten minutes ago!"
"He is healed by Dalan, Genhyl," Alexei said. "Besides, time is of the essence. We must take the Amulet of F'lyna and move on to the next temple."
Jason sat up slowly, under the observation of Genhyl. Alexei moved away to discuss things with the M'l'kai. After waiting a few moments, Jason swung his legs over and onto the ground, then sat and let his head clear.
An Azru approached, carrying a dark blue-gray robe. He bowed to Jason and held it out. Jason returned the gesture as he took the robe. Since his current shirt had a large hole in it, it was fairly useless. Jason removed it and was shocked to see a hole in the back as well. He quickly pulled on the robe. Then, he used the remains of his shirt to wipe down Char. When this was done, he looked around the chamber.
There were people in the same blue-gray robes moving about the room. They were gathered around three Azalai and two individuals with tattoos on their faces.
The M'l'kai, Jason guessed. They were flanked by two green and one blue Azalai. Alexei was standing before them in silence. I wonder what F'lyna is the god of... he thought.
"F'lyna is the goddess of rain and storms," Alexei said aloud, answering his unspoken question.
Ready? Charaustra asked him. He saw she was holding the satchel. He took it from her and stood up slowly.
Everything seems to be in order, Jason said, bending and stretching to make sure he was in one piece. Finally, he moved towards the M'l'kai. He stopped just short of Alexei and stood, waiting. The male M'l'kai stepped forward. He had purple skin and harsh amber eyes. He held out an object wrapped securely in soft cloth. Jason took the object and bowed deeply. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Char do the same. The M'l'kai nodded to him. Jason gently placed the object inside his satchel. The Amulet of F'lyna was safe.
At some signal, the Azalai began their hissing chants. Slowly, just as before, a smoky portal formed before them. Genhyl joined the group and waiting for Jason and Charaustra to move.
Let's hope our reception at the next temple does not rival this one, Char said to Jason. He nodded and then walked through the Portal.
Background from Absolute Background Textures Archive. Storyline and characters created by and copyright © Rachel "Indyana" Gratis, 2001-2004. Dragon from Veniam Mactare.