Grai's Game (First Wave) (25 page)

“I… we are very grateful for what you have done for us. Thank you. All of you.” Grai said as Viper, Dread and Drago entered the room followed by Gibly.

“Ah, you have come as well. That is good. The power that you will lend will help greatly.” Ratoka said greeting the men and cat.

“We are honored to assist.” Dread said formally, bowing to the spiritual leader.

“If you’ll come with me, I believe we have a few others that wish to help, and we can begin.” Ivint said cryptically while he motioned for everyone to follow Reven.

Reven led them through the building and outside to a large garden area Grai had put in for people to relax. Some
one had lit the traditional fire, but the circle of fire was not there. Grai looked around, knowing the main circle of fire was important. It was the one that held the soul pieces and guided them to the correct God Realm of their loved one.

Grai heard Ivint call through the Shengari’ one command. “Begin” Everyone turned in a circle and watched in amazement as fires sprang up around the mountains surrounding the town. Thirty or
forty small fires in total, making the mountain look like it was burning.

“We told the townspeople it was a tradition from our village and not to worry.” Reven said with a sly grin.

“Who is watching the fires?” Grai asked, concerned for their people.

“Our people. All of our people. When we asked for volunteers to lend their energy, they all volunteered. The portals have been non-stop all day. Those who could not be here have set the circle fires where they are and will attempt to assist.” Ivint explained as Grai and his brothers looked around the fiery mountain in surprise.

“Let us begin. Those who wish to soul journey to Granala Skardard step forward and join hands.” Ratoka said, his voice compelling them to listen.

Balduen’s mother didn’t hesitate to step forward, turning she held her hands out to Grai and Balduen, who each took one of her hands. Cassianna took Grai’s other hand and held the other out to Koda and Traze. Koda took her
hand, and Traze completed the circle with Balduen.

Grai heard the low chanting all around them and wondered where the voices were coming from until Ratoka began to speak.

Ratoka’s voice was low, but strong as he began the ritual words that would allow a part of their soul to travel to their mother. Each one in the circle joining in with their own energy to seek out her soul.

Twenty minutes later, even with the combined energy of everyone helping them, hope was diminishing that they would be able to complete the Rite. Too much time had passed since her death as Grai had feared.

Grai raised pain filled eyes to Ratoka, getting ready to make the call to end this when he saw Tristan push away from Tricia and run-up to Ratoka.

Tristan placed one hand in Ratoka’s, his other moving so quickly in the air that it was almost difficult to see. Ratoka looked stunned for a moment, his spine stiffening visibly, the hand not in Tristan’s raising beside him as if against his will until he was also drawing the same complicated patterns in the air as Tristan.

The rush of energy was immediate and slammed into those in the circle so quickly that if they hadn’t been holding
hands, the two women would not have been able to stay standing. Their bodies went rigid, spines straightening like Ratoka’s, as if being pulled into the center of the circle.

Vilaria let out a
gasp; a small circle of light was pulled from her throat and began to spin around the circle. The air around them began to swirl in a riot of wind that whipped Cassianna’s unbound hair around her and Koda and Traze, who were beside her.

Like her mother, she let out a small gasp as the small light emerged and joined her mother’s in spinning around them with the wind.

Tristan and Ratoka continued to gesture wildly in the air, the energy sparking and crackling around them. Each one in the circle falling under the strength until the air was filled with the six small circles.

The chanting grew around them as if drawn from the participants by the power of the energy swirling around them. There was a huge boom as the wind and soul pieces dropped to the ground before bursting out of the circle and skyward. The light shot through the sky like a shooting star until it blinked out of sight.

Balduen caught his mother before she hit the ground as Koda and Traze helped Cassianna to sit. Grai knew how they felt; his knees were weak, and his body trembled. Looking around he saw that the energy had put out all the fires, the mountain was now eerily dark, the air unmoving.

“What the hell just happened?” Dare asked while Tricia ran to
Tristan, who was slumped on the ground with Ratoka.

“He is fine. Just tired.
Grai, we must speak of your son later.” Ratoka said in a way that Grai took as an order, and he nodded his head.

Amun and a few med techs came from inside the building and starting checking Vilaria and Cassianna. The men all refused to be looked at, their strength returning much faster than the women.

“Thank you. All of you.” Grai said, his voice breaking from emotion. Somehow, moments after the light had blinked out in the sky; he had felt his mother’s joy and love as she welcomed their soul pieces. He knew the others in the circle had felt it as well and were just as stunned by the experience.

Epilogue

The next day

Ivint stood on the raised platform in the auditorium of the converted mill. The large screens around the room were direct vid links to the Tezarian
, Zendarian and Valendran home worlds, where their people gathered in large groups to view the live vid from Earth.

The auditorium was filled to capacity, with people standing several deep behind the packed chairs. He
’d never admit it, but he was nervous. Wrapped in his own thoughts as he waited for the time to begin, he was surprised when Ratoka came up to him and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Ivint could feel the calming energy that the man was sending and nodded his thanks. Ratoka looked closely at Ivint before speaking softly. “Be at ease. The decision you make is the right one.”

Ivint looked at Ratoka with surprise before grinning and nodding his head. He watched as the man took his seat behind Ivint along with Grai, Banatar, Reven, Dread and Gibly.

Turning back to the crowd, Ivint began.

“As you all have heard, things on the planet have changed drastically. It is no longer just a fight to save our own species from extinction but a fight for the lives of the humans as well.”

“Through the efforts of our lost brethren and the assistance of our friends,” Ivint nodded to those behind him
. “We are going to begin a planetary offensive to chip away at their numbers and awaken more humans to begin resisting their enslavement.”

“Each person behind me represents their respective people that have agreed to join our fight. Since I cannot adequately be there for Valendra as needed, I am stepping down as High Councilor, effective immediately. And have agreed to represent Valendra here on Earth as part of the newly formed Earth Alliance.” Ivint waited as the gasps and chatter calmed down. His announcement causing ripples of shock throughout the
four worlds.

“We
are in unprecedented times. Times that call for extreme measures to protect our own and the innocent lives of the humans. Due to the success of the beast bonding’s of our warriors and hybrids on the planet, the council has agreed to accept volunteers on Valendra to begin the bonding process and prepare to begin rotations to the planet.” Again the noise erupted on the home world and Ivint had to wait until the clapping calmed down before he could continue.

“Representatives from Zendar and Tezaria will arrive on Valendra within days to assist the
bonding’s and answer any questions. Those who choose to bond will be rotated to the planet and posted around the world to work with our combined forces once you become acclimated.” Ivint said, gesturing to those behind him again.

“Our
goals are complex. We need to continue to find our lost ones and the children who represent our future. Expose the traitors in the governments and religious organizations and allow their people a chance to remove them from power and retake control. Most importantly we need to defeat the Relian’s and remove them from the planet.”

“This will be a prolonged battle.
But one that we are confident we can win together. I thank you for the hundreds of years that you supported me and my decisions as I had the privilege of being your High Councilor. I again ask for your support in my position here on Earth and the decisions we will make together.” Ivint stepped back, a sign that he was done speaking and bowed to the different audiences that watched him from the four planets.

The noise was deafening as people stood, clapping their hands and stomping their feet in support. Ivint couldn’t help but smile as he looked at his comm and saw that his people had already begun volunteering in the thousands. Dread walked up and clapped him on the shoulder, a huge grin on his handsome face. “We have a ship in orbit with six hundred warriors awaiting your orders.”

When Ivint looked at him curiously, Dread just chuckled. “After what happened trying to get those kids, we figured we needed to help even the odds. More are waiting to see if they are needed before coming.”

Ivint grinned and clutched his forearm, “I am very glad you did, my friend. Very glad.”

Balduen walked onto the platform as the crowds began to disperse, talking among themselves. Traze and Risk cut the live vid feed to the other planets.

“It’s about time we’re going outright war!” Balduen said with a menacing grin.

“Hell yeah! Let’s get this par-
tay started! Uh huh!” Traze said starting a crotch grabbing dance that had everyone shaking their heads at the boy. David walked up behind Traze and smacked him in the back of the head.

“Damn it man! I thought that shit was behind us!” Traze snapped at the grinning man.

“You needed it that time. You were scaring the women and children.” David said with a chuckle.

“You sure you want to stay and deal with that?” Reven asked with a half-smile, already knowing Ivint’s answer.

Ivint turned to his boyhood friend with a grin. “I can’t think of a better place to be right now. Now let’s get some Tezarian’s down here and get started.”

COMING
IN OCTOBER 2014!

SECOND WAVE

The Second Wave of aliens has descended to Earth. Welcome to the stories of the Tezarian’s.

Viper

As one of the first to arrive and assist the Valendrans
on Earth, Viper fle’ te’ Trugh had thought he was prepared for the mission he was sent on. He was terribly wrong.  

Caught by the rogue band of Relian’s his team had been tracking, and a concussion that prevented his ability to communicate on the Shengari’ his hopes for rescue or escape are dwindling.

Lara Blain was an Iraq veteran with a bad case of PTSD and even worse luck. Stumbling upon the group of strangers interrupting the peace and quiet of her mountains, she didn’t expect to rescue the strange eyed man who set her emotions on edge.

On the run and looking for
his people, Lara is confident that she can keep the man alive. Until the dark, ones are sent to recapture them. Fighting an enemy she can’t see and feelings for the strange man she is drawn to, it will take every skill, she’s ever had to keep them alive.