Harmonizer's Evolution (Balancer's Soul cycle) (87 page)

“You will each…”
Sorono then spent the
next three hours explaining the detailed
battle strategy. During his speech, Veronica explained to Kara and Mark that they would guard her. Kara
became
excited about te
a
ming up with her
girlfriend
and Mark said he didn’t matter
,
being on protection detail
,
as long as he
fought
close to Kara. Even
Sarah’s
parents learned that their squad with Amber and Ben would be teaming up with Amphrite, Poseidon and
her
self.
Their
main objective was to lure in the Keepers and have them trap themselves for other Balancer battalions to pick them off in the city’s
confined
environment.

Once Sorono finished telling the plans he said
“For now, we must clean up this place and get everything ready for our early departure.
Please begin gearing up and do whatever you must before the sun arrives.”

They were all prepared, but they
did help others who could use assistance.

Launch and Land

Throughout the entire night a continuous buzz
filled
in the air. People were packing large bags and there were even those who made use of the large crates that were airdropped to be loaded with weapons and food. The large crates would be of a new use in the coming days.

Jack had left the clearing
earlier
and returned with his metal club Haunt and Jillian’s dagger. Mark did the same, but returned with the blackened bone sword that Kara personally made.

Many started sliding on their
custom made
armor
. Both Sarah and Connor
were already suited up.
Changers mostly relied on their bodies for protection, but now they began armoring onto their transformed states
,
while keeping their f
lexibility to alter their physical composition
at any given moment.

Jack suited up with an undershirt, long-sleeved chainmail, and an over-shirt. He also had made a large chest-plate, but kept it in his bag until the time came. It would keep him inconspicuous.
Jillian had her own custom made breastplate.

Once one person finished their task they did one of three things, usually. They sat down and relaxed. Walked around and helped others who were struggling. Or they moved around and said goodbye to the friends or family that they made during this time together.

Many Balancers came up to Connor
and told
him
how grateful they were for all the training they received and how well they would use the knowledge. It was a shame because th
is might be the very last time he
’d get
to see their faces ever again. He still
hoped to see everyone pull through
.

Finally the darkness of the night began vanishing into the first rays of day.
A hush settled over the entire crowd as all looked to the east. It
was like each and every one
had taken a long and deep breath.

“It is time.”
Sorono announced ominously to everyone telepathically, but mainly to his mate. Sorono and Veronica stood close to
their
tightly knit group and they just stared at each other.
They each carried their own packs that held their
weapons that they used during previous
matches.

Everyone began putting on their packs while also the sound of several thousand Changers began their transformations. Kara declined because she would ride on Mark’s back to hold their supplies.
Within several seconds Mark had become a Fwen.

“Brot
her,” His
eyes shifted to
his
bright-eyed sister. “it is finally time huh?”
Connor
nodded
slowly
and she tried giving
him
a positive smile, but
he
knew her well enough to know that she was worried.
He
nodded
again
to her
unspoken
question. She sighed. “Well good luck on your end. Be safe and kick some homicidal
reptile
ass.”

She hugged him
tightly and soon moved over to say her goodbye’s to Sarah, Jack and finally Jillia
n. As Kara moved over to stand b
y Mark’s side Jillian said “Be sure to pick off as many as you can.”

Kara finally grinned in her usual way. She bumped her hip against Mark’s furry shoulder. “I can’t let him get more than me.”

Connor
could feel someone approaching
from behind. Sorono felt it too as
they
both turned around. The ground faintly shook as Head Elder Raphael
came toward
them
in his dragon form. His skin had gained glossy black scales all over his body. His fingers had reshaped into hooked claws. His large wings were tucked against his side and his long tail drug behind himself. Even the rigged spikes along his body looked like a lethal weapon. Finally his silver eyes were raised
high enough to look at Sorono. A
hidden
saddlebag
had been
slung over his neck and butted up against his enormous shoulders.

Raphael’s voice took on a deeper hiss as his mouth opened to speak.
“Sorono, it has
ss
been an honor. My children and I will be getting off firs
ss
t because our flight is longer and we cannot travel as s
ss
wiftly as you can. Be
ss
safe Ancient One.
O
nce our mis
ss
sion is accomplis
ss
hed we will meet up with you in D.C.
asss planned.
”

“
Safe journey
to you too
, Raphael.”
Sorono said and then bowed. The other Head Elder returned the gesture
by lowering his sinuous neck
.

Raphael turned around, threw his head back and roared. Many were unprepared and jumped at the suddenness. He then yelled “All Changers
ss
Take To The
SS
Sky! Those Who Cannot, Run
SS
Swiftly And Track Me Down In Los
ss
Angelis
ss
! Move Out!”

“Buddy,” Connor
turned around to see Mark standing on his
hind
legs. “I’ll see you soon.” He then balled up his right fist and held it out.

“I’ll be there.” And then
they
punched each other
’
s fist.

“Bye Brother!” Kara said as she mounted Mark’s back.

An enormous air current exploded from behind and
he
turned to see Raphael lifting off the ground. His enormous wingspan only had to flap twice to pass over the treetops. A smaller, but no less powerful, air blast came from Mark as he and Kara took to the air too.

In the sky flew an entire fighting force that relied on their imagination and the aspects of the creatures that inhabit this world. Soon Raphael flew into the lead position and everyone followed behind. They were all flying higher and higher until man
y of the Changers flew beyond natural
vision.

Sorono and Veronica
quickly
embracing each other
one last time
. Before they finally released each other, they kissed.
It wasn’t a fa
rewell kiss, but one that said ‘
I’ll come get you A.S.A.P.
when this is all over
!’

As she flew off with each and every aerial Changer, Sorono sighed. Before she left sight
they
saw her flying along
side Mark.

The crowd had quieted dramatically while the Changers left, but now the area had regained some of their exuberance.

“Now it is our turn to take off. All Balancers are to sit no more than two to an individual Keeper. All Keepers that aren’t carrying any passengers must carry a filled crate.”

As the warriors began doing as ordered, Sorono looked down at
Connor’s
group.
“Jack, Jillian, Amber and Ben. I will carry the four of you until we arrive at our destination.”
Then he looked at Connor
and his large hazel eyes asked
‘What are you going to do?’

Sarah answered
first
.
“We will each bring along a crate.”

W
ithout another word, Sarah and Connor
made
their
way over to the sectio
n of crates that were loaded. They
didn’t speak the first time as every Keeper dropped to all fours and began carrying two Balancers at a time. Before long
,
every Balancer had a ride and those Keepers that didn’t have riders came over to
the
side and waited by the crates.

Connor
couldn’t see where exactly Sorono
moved
, but his voice was heard by all.
“Today is the second step towards our main objective. Today we make our way to the midway point and go our separate ways.
Everyone follow me.”
Soon Sorono began flying
and showed himself
.

Then it was almost as one as the Keepers all began lifting off the ground.

Knowing that the weight would warp the structure of the metal container if it was carried by hand
,
he
did the next best thing to holding it.
Connor
mentally pictured a net that covered the two story c
rate and it began rising when his
energy flowed down
his
outstretched left arm. Sarah did the same thing. Then
he poured energy down his legs and began rising
.
Connor
finally turned around and flew E
ast with the others. The
cargo was right on
his
heels, just like it should.

Seconds later
,
Sarah
flew
by his
side and her container followed as well.

Before Connor’s
eyes
soared
a rare sight that hasn’t been seen in who knows how long
, if ever
. Tens of thousands of Keepers flew together on the final days
before the war. It
seemed
surreal, but seeing it with
his
own eyes was proof enough.
They
only had three days left until the battle of the millennia began.

Fifteen minutes later the sun peeked over the horizon. Its ray’s seemed to dance of
f of
every Keeper’s black scales. It was an amazing sight nonetheless.

Once
they
reached the upper atmosphere
, they
flew in a large V formation and stayed on a specific course and measured pace.

An hour into
the
flight
,
Sorono
thought to but a few
.
“Connor, come up to fly by my side for a few minutes
.”
he
mentally
replied
“Alright.”
Sarah followed
his lead as they
flew around the other Keepers while making sure the crates didn’t get in anyone’s way.

Once
he
flew not twenty feet away from Sorono
,
he
could still see how terrified of heigh
ts both Jillian and Jack were. Connor
didn’t laugh because both of their
terrified eyes were glued to him
.

Sarah touched
her mate’s
mind so she could listen in on
the
private conversation. Sorono then asked
“We haven’t spoken on this
reciently
, but did you finally figure out your plan? The one you said still needed work from our first meeting in the cabin?”

“Oh yeah.”
Sorono’s eyes widened as equally as Connor’s
grin
grew
.
“I’ve done much research on the internet
,
and on myself. You see, this will hold the least amount of risk for human’s to get involved, but I will be the one to do much of the risk.”
The bond with Sarah told
him
she didn’t
like the sound of that. I
t was impossible to look at
her because his
train of thought
would get derailed.
“I’m going to
borrow
someone for a little while. Would you like to see my plan?”
Sorono nodded.