Ashar'an Rising (Nexus Wars Saga) (67 page)

“
My help? What can I do to help you destroy a Portal?” He wanted to say, 'If we destroy the Portal, how can I get through to Kitara?'

“
I need your strength, Valdieron. You have the power to do this. You are strong, like your father and grandfather before you. Lend me your power, and we will close this Portal.”

“
What do I have to do?”

Moving forward, Ka'Varal led Valdieron to the Portal, which still flickered like the surface of a pond touched by an insect, or jostled by the gentle breeze. Still dark, it returned their reflections in a blurred image that seemed to mock them. Stopping before the Portal, Ka'Varel grasped his staff in both hands and lifted it, only to thrust it down into the sandy floor. It pierced one of the glassy footprints the fire demon had created with its passage, and with a cracking as if parting stone it sunk deep into the floor.

“
This staff will be our link. Hold onto it and concentrate all of your power into it. I will do the rest.” Looking down at Valdieron, the old Kay'taari gave a brief smile as a tear of his own ran down his cheek, but instead of speaking, he stepped into the Portal, still retaining a handhold on the staff.

Stifling a cry, Valdieron resisted the urge to grab his hand and pull him from the Portal. He trusted Ka'Varel knew what he was doing, and was determined he would not fail this time. Sheathing both of his weapons, he clutched the staff, surprised to find it very cold to the touch. Hoping no more demons could come through the Portal while they were doing this, he closed his eyes and did as Ka'Varel instructed, pouring his thoughts and power into the staff.

At first, he did not feel as if anything was happening. He could feel his skin tingling as he released his magical energy into the staff, while the surface of the staff seemed to grow warmer, which might have been due to the warmth from his hands. He did not really know if he was doing it right, but it was same process he went through earlier when healing Talisa, so he only hoped it was working.

After what seemed like hours, he began to feel a strange sensation, like the power he was focusing into the staff was being drained. He could feel himself pouring his energy into the staff, but like trying to fill a bucket full of holes, it kept draining away. He only hoped it was Ka'Varel's doing, not a fault on his behalf.

“
Focus, Valdieron.” The words of Ka'Varel came to him in his mind, startling him. “Give me more. I can feel it. Open yourself to me.”

Not knowing his face was set in a grimace, Valdieron strained to pour more of his power into the staff. He pictured his own power ebbing into the staff, but he also tried to draw from the essence around him, from every particle in the stadium. He knew it was there, he could feel it like he felt the wind, or the rain, there for him if only he wanted to take it.

He felt the staff warming beneath his touch again as more and more power flowed through the staff, only to be absorbed by Ka'Varal from inside the Portal. A distant thought in the back of Valdieron's mind made him wonder what threat this amount of power could do if something went wrong, but it passed as he refocused all of his attention onto the staff.

But somehow he knew it wasn't enough. He could feel Ka'Varal trying to draw more from the staff that he could put in. Desperately he tried to double his efforts, but it was like he had no more to give, could not push himself over the wall.

A sudden touch on his hands startled him and he opened his eyes, expecting to find Ka'Varal there, telling him the Portal could not be destroyed, but instead, the beautiful face of Talisa peered at him, a reassuring smile belying her obvious anguish. The touch seemed electric to Valdieron, but in a moment he realized that she too was adding her strength to the staff.

Straining once again against the numbness in his body and the urge to drop to his knees and rest, he re-poured his thoughts and his power into the staff. Where before he could do little to keep the level raised while Ka'Varal drew from it, with the added strength of Talisa, they were able to keep enough energy in the staff for Ka'Varal to draw as much from it as he needed.

Suddenly, the staff turned cold to the touch, and a moment of fear gripped Valdieron. Somehow he knew something bad was happening, but the faint voice of Ka'Varal came to him. “Keep going, Valdieron. We are almost there.”

Feeling Talisa still focused fully on the staff, Valdieron clenched his eyes shut and redoubled his efforts, though a nagging doubt in his mind told him something was wrong. He could feel Ka'Varal drawing every fiber of essence from the staff, though what he was doing inside the dark veil of the Portal, Valdieron could not begin to comprehend.

Then, with an exhaustive hiss, like a smith slowly dipping a glowing sword into a trough of water, the Portal closed. Alerted by the noise, Valdieron opened his eyes in time to see Ka'Varel's hand release from the staff and sink into the Portal as it quickly lost its refulgence, out of Valdieron's grasping attempt at catching it. It seemed to him the hand waved as it was pulled into the dark Portal, an instant before the darkness became solid and non reflective.

The realization of what Ka'Varal had done struck Valdieron, as did the knowledge the Kay'taari knew what was going to happen all along. Cursing the old man's foolish sacrifice, Valdieron turned to Talisa, who also stood staring at the dark Portal, tears rolling down her face as she wept, but there was a faint smile on her face that indicated she knew and accepted what had happened. Valdieron wondered if Ka'Varal had spoken with her before he had let go.

With no words that could help, he merely reached out to her and drew her into his arms, comforting her with his presence as she comforted him with hers. They shared a bond of heritage that was unique in this world, the blood of a race long since departed, maybe never to return. They were alone, even with whatever friends they had, for their legacy was one of struggle and death neither was ready for, but knew they had to face up to.

Another hand on Valdieron's shoulder made him turn, and he saw Andrak there, the Prince's face showing the pain of their loss, but there was an unspoken appreciation that did little to relieve Valdieron of his guilt, but at least the Prince did not blame him for the loss of Kitara. Janantar, as silent and solemn as always, stood watching the Portal as if he would try and leap through it in an instant. There was a sadness in the Elf's eyes that for some reason made Valdieron all the more sadder, for it was like seeing the loss of innocence in a child's eyes, so foreign to the Elf that it was tragic.

“
It is over!” whispered Andrak, sobbing softly. “Let us never forget those who have given their lives for this.”

As the others agreed, Valdieron could only look at the dark Portal and wonder, as tears rolled down his face.

“
It has only just begun, Andrak. It has only just begun.”

Here ends Ashar’an Rising, Book 2 of the Nexus Wars Saga.

Continuing with Book 3, we discover the extent of Valdieron’s legacy and unique heritage, as the people of Kil’Tar brace for the imminent invasion of Demonkind. Beset by Ashar’an and Demon, Valdieron struggles in his quest to find more pieces of the Disk of Akashel. Will this be enough to tip the balance in the favor of Demonkind?

Other books by Robert Day at amazon.com:

Nexus Wars Saga:

Book 1:
Demon Gates

Connect with Robert Day online at:

www.robertdaybooks.com

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Amazon Author Central - US

From the author

Dear reader,

Second one down, and hopefully I have kept you entertained throughout. Remember, spread the word about the Nexus Wars Saga, and don’t forget to pop in and submit a review, even if it is only a short comment or a rating. Keep up to date with the happenings in Kil’Tar via my website, and stay tuned for Book 3.