Telal’s Lair – Part Three
Writers : Telal, Lecaeus (Severce) and Xia (CharlotteCarrendar.)
Lecaeus nodded when Xia said the AI’s new body needed to finish forming. Delays could not really be afforded, the troops brought by Toyotomi were heavily equipped, most of them Silor types, some even part of the Grace bringers which held complete humanoid forms. “Is that sword all you have?” he asked, trying to figure out just how badly unarmed she really was.
The Leviathan’s massive form creaked and heaved, in the distance corridors could be heard collapsing where structural integrity had failed. Lecaeus was worried about the condition of Telal, he had spent a lot of time on Titans and Leviathan ships, both sentient and not – regardless he had never heard a ship give and groan quite like this one. “So you said you were Lao’Taun’s companion…that is an interesting spin on things…” he mentioned, thinking back to the secret meetings Yughoshi had held to discuss getting rid of certain problems. He knew Xia was supposed to be a second Luminary, obviously there had been a change in plans or a very unexpected turn of events — either way he had a duty to perform.
He walked over to the inner door and it opened, he then unholstered his pistol and switched it into pulse only mode and raised it towards the control panel on the outer door. He depressed the trigger, twice in a rhythmic movement and two pulses flashed from the nozzle of the weapon and hit the control panel. A spray of sparks flew to the floor as the door mechanisms fused and jammed – hopefully it would slow down any more unexpected guests.
-
Telal was nearly finished reforming, the adult form seemed much sturdier. Cold blue eyes watched through the bubbling synth within the tank. ‘Is that the intergalactic jackass out there with you?’ Telal whispered into Xia’s mind. ‘Be weary with him, he is loyal but his hand will be on your ass quicker than soldiers to the galley at dinner hour.’ The tank began to recede, bubbling fluids flowing down over the porcelain-like skin of the AI’s new avatar.
‘-
‘I heard that you filthy wench.’ Lecaeus replied, having overheard the AI’s chatter over the more secured Vesper channels, he could hear just about anything anywhere. ‘Getting yourself made a virgin again Telal? How long will it last this time?’ He taunted, mostly because he knew that he could get away with it when she was stuck in the tank.
*
“Is that sword all you have?”
“It was all that was on the teleportation pad.” Xia said truthfully. With the backdrop of the medical lab, and Xia standing waiting for Telal to finish reforming, it was pretty obvious that Xia was light on anything, aside from a backpack, the two droids, and the sword. The Luminary was not one to make idle chatter, but there came a point whereby she needed to at least explain her position.
“I was made, specifically for Lao’Taun by the Creator; the Mother. I am only a few days old.”
Regardless of how he would react to such news, Xia kept focused on the task at hand, and that would be to assist Telal when she was ready. As Lecaeus unholstered his pistol, and opened the inner door in order to smash the panel and fuse the doors shut so to give them more time; Xia returned to her place before Telal’s tube, where Telal really went to town, whispering what she thought of Lecaeus. A warning of wandering hands to her buttocks was mentioned. Xia quirked a brow and whispered back.
“Only Lao’Taun may touch my ass.”
Course, Lecaeus heard what was said, and his reply was certainly not gentleman like at all. Taunting the poor AI as the water receded and she was still stuck in the tank. Xia was really starting to feel uncomfortable about their saviour. For the sake of Telal, she would keep her thoughts to herself. Dismissing the back and forth, she asked;
“How do I get you out? Do I smash the tank?”
*
Telal laughed loudly, both at Lecaeus and at Xia’s question about the tank. When the cycle competed the tank opened, dumping the Leviathan Avatar out onto the floor – spitting Telal out almost like distasteful morsel of food. The Leviathan laughed, even as she was up on her hands and knees dripping with the chemicals that had been present inside the tank. The first ‘breaths’ were always the worst, fluids spraying from her throat and nostrils as she coughed and choked.
“I’m out…help me up before prick gets an idea.” The child-like mentality had definately left with the other body. Telal was back to normal, reaching for Xia.
Lecaeus shook his head, moving behind Telal and doing a bit of a dance. He thrust his hips in a suggestive manner, purposely trying to taunt the Leviathan. It was all fun and games until her left leg snapped back and upwards, nailing him in the crotch with superior strength, the wind rushing from his lungs. There was a crack, his armoured cup crushing against some precious flesh and he was thrown back like a doll smashing against one of the lab tables.
“Ooopha…..” he said. Even down, gripping his man-package he was still willing to snap back. “Turnin for the ladies now are ya?” He said to Telal, then looked at Xia. “Might wanna be careful, she might wanna kiss you when this is over.” He chuckled, muttering over the agony he felt in his loins.
“We need to get moving…” He said, still out of breath.
*
The spillage from the tank sprayed across the floor, a wave of fluid like a flood from a fish tank, with Telal’s body flowing out on the tide to the floor. Laughter rang in her ears, and Telal was obviously amused by the duo but for different reasons. Telal looked slimy, her skin glistening like a newborn, but she was fully formed. When Telal asked for a hand up, and reached out, this was when the Leviathan did the most disgusting dance in behind Telal. Suggestive and crude. Lao’Taun would never behave like this, so to see this man do it, was truly bizarre. Course, Telal was no longer a child, she was fully grown, and packed a punch, especially when she kicked out and struck Lecaeus right in the private parts; the ringing of his metal crotch guard sounding, as he was thrown backwards with force.
Xia cringed, but still helped Telal to stand, all the while the pair trading insults. It was clear neither seemed to be fond of the other; with Lecaues going as far to say that Telal may have homosexual tendencies now. Xia made a light shake of the head. She could not fathom this situation. Truly a duck out of water, since she could not view herself as being sexual with anyone but Lao’Taun. Xia didn’t have a snappy comeback, to the comment, her facial expression would have said it all. ~No way~
Before heading out, she asked Telal;
“Is there anything here you want to take with you? Or…do you need a suit?” Technically, being on the run naked was not only dangerous, but it was bound to attract some attention.
*
Telal rose up with help from Xia, the first few steps were a little unsure but each one that followed was a little different. Within a few paces as her fingertips left Xia’s hand that helped her up the walk turned confident, one foot in front of the other, pendulum hips swaying back and forth as she began moving towards the fallen Lecaeus. “Suit?” she asked, a smirk on her lips which she resolved quickly with a pop. Her blue threads tumbled down her back to the level of her ass. Silver thread-like material began to weave and work around her, slipping upwards from her hands and up her arms and then down her body. Layer after layer the spider-silkesque material wrapped and threaded, the colour darkened after a few more steps forming a tight fitting bodysuit over her. Thicker areas dripped with a metallic liquid that fashioned into pauldron-like shoulder guards and knee and waist bracing. At the small of her back, a reddish patch began to define – forming into the shape of an eight legged arachni; when it was complete the spider marking illuminated a dull pulsating crimson. Bluish paint adhered to fingernails which were quickly enclosed by glove-like coverings. Her stature shifted, heels raising as the thick heeled combat boots form around her feet.
“Just this idiot…” Telal said, helping Lecaeus up to his feet. She pressured herself close to him, blue stained lips coming to a breath of his before her left hand grabbed at the displaced crotch armor piece and adjusted it for him with another twisting crunch. “All better…” she said, laughing softly as she pushed her hand off him and turned back around to return to Xia.
Lecaeus didn’t seem so confident now, the little adjustment she gave made him gulp as he looked towards the Luminary. “As I said…we should get moving..” It was no sooner than the words left his mouth that the pounding began on the outer door. “I think that is our signal to get of of here…” He pointed towards the maintenance shaft.
*
Xia’s hand was covered in the slick residue that had coated Telal. So while Telal made her first tenative steps, Xia was trying to shake the ooze off her hand, waving it a few times, with the splatter raining down on the floor. The question in regards to the suit, was answered simply with a question and one word in reply. Little did Xia realize but Telal was able to form and weave her own armour and body suit fashioned from her hair, and a silver like webbing weave, much like a spider could make. The Luminary took a step back, eyes washing over Telal, unbelieving that she was capable of fashioning her own suit. It was better than anything tailor made, and suited her to a T, right down to the spider marking that adorned her back. Pulsating in a dull crimson shade. This had Xia filled with questions, as to the nature of what Telal was, aside from being the ship itself.
The child like Telal, who was timid and cautious, was replaced by an assertive woman, who could be regarded as a feminist in many ways. Confident and strong, not only of spirit, but with her gripping reflexes. Xia lent over slightly, when she watched Telal approach the stricken Lecaeus and helping him to his feet, then only to give his metal crotch cup a good twist. Perhaps Xia could learn a thing or two from Telal’s methods, since that was the second time today she had managed to hurt Lecaeus. From the very boisterous tone he had earlier, he had toned it right down, and right on cue. The banging sound coming from the outer doors, alerted all three that trouble was just on the other side of the airlock doors.
“I think that is our signal to get of of here…”
Lecaeus was right on the money, and Xia stepped over the sludge on the floor to make her exit with Telal from the medical lab, and journey onward towards the next level, where they may find the amour stores.
*
Telal ascended the maintenance shaft ahead of Xia, utilizing electrogravitic manipulation she zipped upwards passing level after level until coming to a rather abrupt stop five decks below the armour bay, looking ahead she could see the blue containment field and the closed emergency bulkhead so she looked down towards Xia and Lecaeus. “Bulkhead is closed, it’s part of a redundancy system – there is no bypassing it.” She said, trying not to make too much noise in the shaft. The leviathan suddenly bucked, rocking hard to the port side. “Ughhhhhhh…” Telal whimpered, her right hand snapping out for the ladder as her electrogravitic field weakened. The effects of her larger vessel’s degrade was pushing havoc on her.
Lecaeus followed Xia and Telal upwards after disabling the access panel and manual controls for the maintenance shaft access door. The former Chrystalian was not complaining as he watched the slender physique of Xia ahead of him. He was thankful the confines of his thoughts were his own, rung after rung of the ladder the thoughts grew a little more distracting. The sound of Telal ahead of them however quickly snapped him to attention, craning his head up he tried to see what was going on. “Everything okay up there?” He asked, not being able to see Telal because Xia was in the way. When they stopped he looked back down briefly, muttering at the distance they had climbed.
Weapons discharge could be heard, echoing within the confines of the Leviathan – the fight was still raging on as pockets of restiance moved to try and push the Toytomi soldiers out of restricted areas.
*
Xia poked her head just inside the maintenance shaft, watching as Telal floated upward into the dimly lit passage. A quick surveillance of the shaft itself, Xia noted the ladder that was the only other way to gain access to other floors. Reaching out, she seized the nearest rung, then swung her right foot across, getting a good footing, before swinging out of the hole and up the shaft, one rung at a time. Xia was well aware that Lecaeus would be coming up right behind her. Not exactly a pleasant feeling, but he was now part of their bid to reach the armour stores safely. Xia concentrated on getting a good hold with each change of hands, rising higher, only to feel the vibration of Telal hitting the side of the maintenance shaft. Glancing upward, Xia saw that the aura that surrounded Telal’s form was weakening. The fact the ship itself was taking a battering meant only one thing; that Telal would continue to weaken, so long as the ship sustained damage.
“Ughhhhhhh…”
The soft whimper echoed back to Xia, causing Xia to stop momentarily from her upward climb. Telal’s gripping of the ladder rungs created a vibration, and Xia could see her grip the ladder with her hand for support. Just below her, Lecaeus must have been startled by sound coming from above. His query understandable, since he would have had trouble seeing past Xia. Xia glanced back down towards Lecaeus and said quickly;
“I think the more the ship takes damage from the fighting, the harder it is for Telal to sustain her powers.”
Bringing her head back up, Xia then heard the firing of weapons on another level. Clearly the fighting was still raging in various parts of the ship. Time was of the essence. They had to hurry to get to the armour stores. Xia picked up pace and started to climb again in earnest, to try and get right in behind Telal, and if she had to, help Telal get to the next level safely.
“Just a bit further…come on.”
*
Telal clung against the rungs of the ladder for a few seconds, and then looked down towards Xia. “We’re going to have to try our luck using the main corridors and access ways…” She said, wishing they had remembered to release the repair drones when they were in Damage Control. Their passage through the maintenance shaft had come to a halt, and Telal was about to reach for the access panel to open the door to the level just below the bulkhead when from below the sounds of claws against the metal rungs could be heard briefly before the crackle of electric discharge created by electrogravitic manipulation. There was Miathatha Dissent in the shaft with them, and more than one.
“Shit…” Lecaeus cursed, hearing the movement beneath him. “We got company!” he stated, trying to balance between holding the ladder and upholstering one of his pistols. The blue haired warrior was not liking their situation, forced to fight in a confined space.
Telal was about to reach for the controls to open the door at the level she was at, her hand quickly retracted though as the door opened – triggered from the other side. The barrel of a battle rifle coming to position so that it was right between her eyes. “No…” she whispered. There was nowhere to go, the bulkhead above preventing further ascent.
“Release your weapons and get out of there…” the soldier aiming his weapon at Telal ordered.
*
Danger had reared its foul head, not only from below, where the scratching sound of claws on metal could be heard, along with the bitter cursing of Lecaeus; but also from above, where the opening of a door to the level that Telal was at revealed the barrel of a battle rifle. The trio had come to a complete halt, and to stay still was not going to earn anyone points. Xia was practically caught in the middle, hearing the slip of metal out of a holster from Lecaeus, and the whispered cry of Telal above her. There was only one way to go, and that was up and out the door, even if it meant facing the barer of the rifle.
“Release your weapons and get out of there…”
~Do as he says…nod compliance and go through the door~ Xia spoke via the hive mind directly to Telal. ~He is the less of two evils at the moment.~ Xia closed her eyes as she finished speaking, drawing in a deep breath, while the tattoo like scars across her body started to glow a deep blue hue. It could be highly likely that Lecaeus may see the illumination coming from Xia, but he may not understand what it meant. Xia gripped the rungs of the ladder, waiting for her chance to exit the door after Telal, and then deal with the armed man herself. Xia had to protect Telal. It was now her duty.
*
Telal complied with the Luminary’s orders, following the directions of the arms soldier who motioned her out of the shaft by moving the barrel of his weapon. It had been coordinated, the Silori beneath moving upwards as the trio were forced up from the shaft. Telal didn’t know what Xia’s plan was, and the access way opened up into the very section she didn’t want them in. The glowing churn of a crystalline fluid could be seen, surging with energy as it rippled up the pulsating core of the slipstream drive, the low hum of energy taps could be heard as coolant and other volatiles were piped into the containment chambers. They had arrived in engineering. One deck below where they were supposed to be headed.
Telal was going to attempt to subdue the armed soldier until the consecutive clicks could be heard, the shifting of rifle safety’s from on to off, as the six laser sight dots from the soldiers in engineering centred on Telal’s chest. The AI avatar sighed and slowly raised her hands out to her sides, with her hands open and digits spread. There was at least twenty soldiers in the section, including the Captain which had conducted the search of Damage Control when they were hiding.
Engineering was two levels, the main floor where most of the machinery was located and an upper catwalk which surrounded the room. Several of the sights were aimed from above, ready to sniper down on the trio.
“Don’t even think about it…” The Captain issued to Xia as she cleared the shaft, he could see the glow of her skin. He didn’t know what but after watching Lao’Taun during his initial capture it was all he needed to see. “Surrender and come willingly and you will not be harmed.” He said in a commanding tone. His men stood steadfast and at the ready.
Lecaeus was last out of the shaft. “You mother fuckers always seem to show up just as it starts to get fun.” he said, walking straight past Xia and Telal and to the Captain before turning around. His glove hand raised and pointed towards Xia. “She’s the second Luminary…They took me prisoner” he said, trying to play the situation off in hopes that Captain was a little less informed, the shoving hand of the Captain pushing him back towards Telal and Xia however gave a clearer view of the picture as the sights of several rifles dotted on his skin. “Yeh….I figured, well…any chance of you fellas forcing us prisoners to get busy before you kill us?” he chuckled. “Would be nice to get a little action before I die..” He shook his head. Fuckwits…
*
Of all the things that could go wrong….did. Xia came up and out of the shaft, only to see that there was not just one soldier, but at least twenty or more, all with their laser sights locked on Telal, and then shifting to the emergence of Xia and then Lecaeus. Engineering was unlike the previous levels; for this was built with two sections. Xia was quick to take in her surrounds, eager to see what could be beneficial to her, in manner of escaping, though at this point in time, it appeared that were going to be captured. If only she had activated the repair droids back in the Damage section, for they would be handy right about now.
“Don’t even think about it…” The Captain ordered of Xia, recognising a familiar reaction to her skin, to that of Lao’Taun. Xia continued to pulsate the vibrant blue within her scars, proud of who she was and what she was. Godsmourn was still on her back, and they would have to seize it from her, for she would not be handing it over anytime soon.
“Surrender and come willingly and you will not be harmed.” Did the Captain truly think that Xia would believe such a statement, since her beloved Lao’Taun had been taken from her, and held in a containment area. “You lie…” Xia said simply, unafraid of what he may try to do to her. She grit her teeth, now clearly annoyed, and it was only made worse, by Lecaeus being…well…himself.
“She’s the second Luminary…They took me prisoner”
Xia turned her head slowly, as Lecaeus was thrust back towards the two women. If looks could kill, he would be gutted with his entrails wrapped around his neck tied off neatly in a bow tie, and a bloody one at that. But then Xia noticed something. The glowing crystalline fluid, that flowed past in the pipes that led upward to the pulsating core of the slipstream drive. ~Energy.~ it was something that Telal needed, desperately, and the way should stood, arms opened out, fingers splayed, it was like she was preparing her form to accept it.
Xia stepped forward, and reached for Godsmourn upon her back, which she drew up and then brought before her, speaking as she did so directly to the Captain.
“I am the second Luminary…”
The blade held by its twisted handle was clenched firmly, Xia knowing all weapons would be trained upon her now. And she grinned widely, twirling the blade masterfully in her hands then with a loud battle cry, she spun on her left foot, and slashed the blade with the full force of her ability to cut through the piping and release a stream of the crystaline fluid, that she hoped would spray across Telal, and feed her the much needed energy she craved. This may cause one of two things; the guards to open fire upon Xia, whilst she was wielding the blade of Lao’Taun, or give Telal the chance she needed to regain her strength, and fight for her life.
*
The moment was intense, untrusting eyes made the Captain a smart and learned man of combat and war. He didn’t trust the three and had no reason to do so, their movements – their reactions as far as he could read were hostile. The confirmation of the woman’s identity didn’t seem to phase the Captain, he stood there stoic and devoid of emotion all together. When Xia let out her cry and leapt into motion it didn’t come as a surprise, he and his men didn’t even flinch as she cut the piping to douse the AI Avatar in energy. Cold glassy eyes seemed almost absent, rifles raised and ready to fire upon the given order or motion.
“Captain, report your status…” A female’s voice could be heard coming from the open comm channel. The Captain’s eyes reflecting the eerie glow of Telal as she absorbed the flowing font from the broken pipe prior to the emergency breach system cutting the flow off.
The action of defiance was something that seemed to smoulder over time, within seconds silence turned to something else. The Captain’s pinkie finger on his right hand twitched purposely and one of the soldiers up on the catwalk depressed the trigger on his rifle, the armour piercing needle zipped from the barrel of the weapon accelerated by electromagnetic fields before pegging Lecaeus in the upper right thigh sending him collapsing to the floor of the engineering compartment, the remaining laser sights falling between Xia and Telal.
“I’m in Engineering…We have found the other Luminary , your Eminence…” the Captain replied, eyes centred still on Xia. “Her and her little friends…She’s going to surrender now, that or I’m going to blow her comrades apart.” he replied, speaking to the person on the other end, yet more addressing Xia who stood there holding her blade.
“I encourage you Luminary Xia to listen to Captain Maevik…Would be an awful shame for something to happen to your friends — or perhaps worse.” Atraielle delivered the threat pointedly back over the comm knowing Xia could hear, the Celithrandel Princess was far from democratic or open to diplomacy, she hoped the Luminary understood what she was trying to imply, her finger touching lightly against the graviton field causing it to distort as it flowed around the containment cage holding Lao’Taun.
Telal was not ready for the sudden flow of energy, the avatar clinging to one of support columns as she partook in Xia’s risky delivered feast. Helpless as she watched Lecaeus struggle with the wound on his leg.
*
Best laid plans, thought of in a single moment, did not go as well as Xia had hoped. The second Luminary was prepared to take the hit, if they opened fire upon her. The spray of energised fluid, seemed to do nothing but dampen Telal, who clung helplessly to a column, while Lecaeus was shot and wounded, by a sniper from high above. Both were useless at this point in time, and again, Xia was being told to surrender. Whipping her head around, to her surprise a woman’s voice was heard filtering through the comms.
“Captain, report your status…”
“I’m in Engineering…We have found the other Luminary , your Eminence…”
Xia locked eyes upon the Captain, still gripping Godsmourn tight within her grasp. She was no means ready to surrender, and she would not go down without a fight. “Her and her little friends…Shes going to surrender now, that or I’m going to blow her comrades apart.” Another threat, and this brought on a wave of rebellion from Xia. “If you were going to blow them up…you would have done so by now.” An angered rasp to her voice, and she stepped towards the Captain, clearly ready to get into his face. Course, they were interrupted, but the woman who spoke again through the comms.
“I encourage you Luminary Xia to listen to Captain Maevik…Would be an awful shame for something to happen to your friends — or perhaps worse.”
At this, Xia stopped, wondering just what she meant by…”or perhaps worse.” If this woman was in charge of the ship currently, that meant one thing; She had her Lao’Taun in the containment area. What was more important to Xia right now? Her mate, whom she was created to protect, or the two that were currently injured and in now way able to defend themselves. There was only one thing left to do, as much as Xia hated it with every fibre of her being. Xia got right into the Captain’s face, barely inches apart, so he would not be able to miss her words, that were laced with venom.
“Harm them in any way….and I will hunt you down myself.” Eyes glaring at the Captain, rage inbehind them that was absolute. Xia slung the blade on her back, and was ready to be taken to meet with this Emmisary, that held such power over men. It was the only way.
*
“Participant Captured…” the voice of Telal could be heard but not from her form, but from overhead. The release of pressure from environmental ducts could be heard as the simulated stale air of a damaged vessel was filtered out of the chamber as the façade of the engineering bay rippled away to reveal the massive empty interior of a simulation room. Soft illuminated blue panels covered the walls, floor and ceiling of the oval shaped room that was at least two decks in height. The solid state volumetric image of Lecaeus dissolved as well, along with his puddle of blood. All that remained in the chamber was Telal and Xia.
One of the walls shifted, the panels opening to reveal a single transparent pane. Behind it stood Lao’Taun and Laecaeus along with two other members of the HoL. “Simulation Ended. Telal’s Lair environment saved. Participant’s score is tier one. Excellent Rating. No Win Senario Completed.” Telal’s voice came once more and faded.
Lao’Taun looked towards Xia through the pane and it was obvious he was pleased, almond shaped eyes squinted slightly as he smiled. His right hand raised and pressed against the window.
*
What appeared to be, and what was….wasn’t. As Xia stood ready to be taken in, rather than see those in her care suffer further, a new voice was heard. “Participant Captured…” Xia was certainly not in any mood for games at this point, but it seemed that the entire event, from the arrival at the teleportation pad, to now in what she thought was the engineering room, was nothing more, than a training exercise. Xia’s jaw grew rigid, as everything that had been within the engineering bay rippled away into nothing; from the injured form of Lecaeus, to the guards, the Captain and all parts of the ship, that had been flowing with energy. There were only two left remaining within the oval shaped room. Telal, and Xia herself. Course, the walls also shifted, and this revealed a clear pane, where in behind a very pleased looking Lao’Taun and the real Laecaeus with two members of HoL stood and watched. Oh…it was a good thing they were behind that pane at this point.
And…it began. That dreaded pacing of Xia; her hallmark when truly annoyed. Back and forth, like an angered leopard. Surely Lao’Taun knew what this meant. The Second Luminary completed this another three times, before glancing over at Telal and snarling at her angrily. But what started as a snarl, then changed, oddly enough. Xia released a laugh. Like she was trying to suppress it, but failed. A swing of mood, due to the next announcement played out over the speaker system.
“Simulation Ended. Telal’s Lair environment saved. Participant’s score is tier one. Excellent Rating. No Win Scenario Completed.”
Xia’s eyes looked up above, to see if there were any others to witness this simulation exercise, but she found none. “Hmmm..” Xia returned her focus back upon her Lord, and then swaggered over towards the glass panel, where he had his hand pressed, upon the other side. A half smile curled upon her lips, and she too, raised her hand up, so that it pressed to the glass, marrying up to his. The test was over, but for Lao’Taun….it certainly wasn’t.
“I dare you to let me out.” Xia whispered, raising her right eyebrow sharply, wondering if he would. She cared not for the others outside the pane, only Lao’Taun. This may have all been a test, but she never lost sight of what was most important to her; Him.
*
Lao’Taun’s hand drifted back down from the glass, his eyes upon Xia as he nodded his head slightly – it wasn’t however an answer to her question, more a nod of affirmation, that he was there and alright. The simulation was not easy, elements within every course of it were unique to the person who it was subjected to. Xia’s laid upon her fears, and the worst of which centred around him. He smiled a rare emotion that faded quickly as he turned following the others out of the observation room. She would be let out…when she was done.
Telal looked towards Xia. The Avatar of the Leviathan watched the exchange between her and Lao’Taun and then spoke as he departed. “The simulation was hard on you, though it was fitting.” She said, taking a few steps towards the Luminary. “Now you know the horrors of almost losing him, losing yourself…It is not much different to what has been faced by my order since we were elevated from our position in the ranks under Cystho.” The careful words of the Leviathan were pointed, her metallic blue apertures fading to silver steel as they reflected the back of the Luminary. “You faced a situation you could not win, to be his love — his guardian are two things that may not always flow in the same direction. It may become your greatest struggle.” Telal said, eyes looking then towards the floor. “It is a struggle though, one that the HoL will stand behind you on…” She lowered herself down, upon her knees and said quietly. “We now serve you Luminary Xia…”
It was then the sensory deprivation fields an nullification shielding fell around the chamber. The minds, the voices of the HoL flooded in, respectfully regarding their new leader. They were as diverse as the UAR itself, from the man-like warriors, insects, to the astrally confined within subspace havens. She now controlled them, they were at her call and all was as Lao’Taun intended it to be — the symphony flowed in harmony.
*
A smile, such a rare gift and bestowed upon Xia by her Master, her Lord. Combined with a light nod, Lao’Taun withdrew his hand slowly from the glass, then turning to leave with the others that accompanied him. No words passed, either verbally or by the hive mind, and Xia’s brow creased as she watched him disappear from sight. It was at this moment, a terrible feeling washed through Xia that she had never felt before. The tips of her fingers itched upon the glass, before slowly sliding down, and her arm falling to her side. Xia’s purpose in creation was to protect at the cost of her own life. She could accept this, for it was known from the beginning, but what she didn’t realize till now, was that she simply could not imagine a world without him. The crushing truth; he was as much her strength, as he was her true weakness. Though this had been a simulation, to see if she measured up to match those of HoL, what it taught her was a valuable yet cruel lesson of fate. Xia’s chin moved slightly, still fighting the rising tides of emotions. Though Xia was silent to the room and Telal, who was now approaching, in her mind, she was screaming; a pained cry.
Xia refused to look back, as Telal spoke, of how she had faced the horrors of what the world would be like, if she lost him, and though the simulation was one she could never have won, part of her felt, she had lost part of herself. Before, she wore blinders, to all outside the comfort of the inner sanctum. Now, she had to be aware of all around them, not just those of HoL, but those that may well plot to go against them. One question remained; could Xia be both lover and guardian? This haunted her mind, as Telal kneeled and said:
“We now serve you Luminary Xia…”
In honour, voices rose, the combined song of the HoL flooded the chamber, and she knew what this meant. Xia’s head tilted downward, respectful of the symphony that flowed now in harmony, though a question mark hung over her; would she live up to their reverence? Was she truly worthy to be Lao’Taun’s companion?
Time would be the judge of that.
*
Telal whispered quietly as she looked up at Xia, “There are two possible endings to this life Xia, and that is your death protecting him or his because you failed him. It is the harsh reality we all have to live with.” She then rose to her feet. “Thank you for coming…” Telal said, the door to the chamber opening at the other end. “Now you get to start the real test…it never ends.” The AI Avatar of Telal vanished, the illuminated panels falling dark.
>End Telal’s Lair.
