CHAPTER 1: DEATH OF ORDER- PART 5

CHAPTER 1: DEATH OF ORDER 

PART 5

[07:29]

They got so close but they couldn't make it to the Je-Car. The city started shaking. Again. They felt tremors getting closer and closer. That's when Saeli and her friends saw. The soldiers and pilots saw too. The same ones who were just a minute or two away from leaving the battlefield. The think that crossed there minds after witnessing whatever was coming through the smoke, could be described with one word. Doom. 

Two more Gul's appeared out from the smoke and moved toward them. Each one more huge than the previously killed one. As the tremors got closer, Saeli and Magalt fell to the ground due to stumbling upon some debris. 

They looked up. Everybody looked up. Seeing the figures looming over them, they thought. They really tried. But the truth that remained was already filled with despair.

No more fuel to power the Incineration lasers of the Inflyers or the Incineration claws of the Inclawers. And most importantly no more stamina to fight. They looked up as looking towards falling meteorites.

Their stride was short. But each stride carried unparalleled weight. The Guls didn't chase anyone. Yet each step they took, resounded directly in each and every living beings core. As the sound of a motherdrum reverbing inside one's heart. But what was added in the outskirts of Aschend city was, dread. 

"God... why... why us... Please save us, god please save us...." That's the only thing they murmured. They didn't have the energy left to panic. They couldn't escape faster than the Gul's tentacles. All they could do was pray. As the Gul's got closer they prayed. The soldiers, pilots, refugees, injureds, they all prayed for the gods to save them as in the past. 

However, this time the gods didn't hear. Or maybe they just simply ignored it. Or maybe....it's all as-

"EVERYBODY GET AWAY, DRIVE AS FAST AS YOU CAN AND GET AS FAR AS YOU CAN...I WILL KEEP THEM HERE AS LONG AS I CAN!!!" 

In the absence of divine saving, one voice echoed through the smoke of Aschend city. As an unstoppable wind breeze, the voice passed through smoke, debris, concrete and even metal before reaching each and every despaired soul. 

Adeuilin, The Guardian of Khaos shouted those words. Fully intending to honor those words too. Which was proved immediately as she carried her shield and stood infront of the Guls.

"Magalt, take Saeli and get in the Jecar, tell Renu to go straight to the base..... I'll... catch up later" Still facing the Guls, Adeu shouted and hurried her friends to get to safety as soon as possible. 

Magalt didn't react. He didn't want to leave Adeu behind. Sensing no movement from behind her, Adeu slowly turned her head and looked at him with gentle eyes. As if prompting Magalt to read her beautiful snow like lips, Adeu whispered in a low tone, "please..."

Hearing that, Magalt couldn't no longer stay idle, frozen in place. He turned and carried Saeli upto his shoulder. Like carrying a sack of wheat.

"NO, NO, BIG BRO LET ME GO... Please Adeu...don't... please" Magalt then carried a struggling Saeli and rushed towards the Je-Car. But just before reaching the car they heard a voice, a female voice filled with authority and confidence. No wavering or doubt could be sensed even in the slightest.

"Vezyne is on the way!" Said the communication. Suddenly everybody froze. The soldiers who rushed into the vehicles, the pilots who desperately negotiated for oil or battery. Even Magalt, Saeli and Adeu froze for just a moment.

The eyes filled with despair began to lighten up. They didn't want to escape anymore, they wanted to fight. Not because they could defeat the Guls, but because that name had another meaning. Hope.

Not hope for survival but hope for a better tomorrow. They didn't want to just survive anymore, they wanted to survive in a better tomorrow now. And that name carried the resources to do so. If there was a single name which was hailed and venerated above the likes of even the Angel of the Battlefield and the Guardian of Khaos it was that. It was, Vezyne.

[07:30]

*ZOOOMMM*

With a dashing sound, A white flash trailed upon the dark blue sky. As everybody tilted their heads upwards and gazed upon, it began descending. One look and A simple math genius could say, that it descended with a perfect 45 degree angel. Aiming directly at the Guls necks. 

In a flash, the light struck the Guls heads. There was little to no sound from the impact. In the next second all six heads fell to the ground with a string of thunderous sounds echoing throughout the whole city. 

The Shockwave created blew all the smoke and flames away. When the Shockwave reached the vehicles they nearly toppled over. And as such the battlefield was cleared in an instant. What remained was the three giant carcasses.

One had many wounds and burns but also some signs of regeneration. Which probably had started before all the three heads where burned off. The other two however were in perfect conditions. The only expection being the heads not being attached to the bodies.

The figure stood upon a carcass as the dawn rose from behind. The half-cape dancing stifly as the wind breeze contacting them. Creating an visually mesmerizing image of a hero's battle giving rise to the dawn. 

The figure jumped down from the top of the carcass onto the battlefield. Everybody started shouting and cheering as the figure took a few steps. They didn't need to see what it looked like or how was it dressed. 

They only needed a glimpse of the white V shaped mask with crossed half horns bending backwards. That was enough for the cheers to erupt. But if possible, nobody would give up on a chance to see the hero upclose. And so the rest of the mask became visible too. It was black with neon green lines running across the plates, white extended outward from the V shape.

"VEZYNE!!!"

"ALL HAIL THE HERO, ALL HAIL VEZYNE" 

The cheers didn't stop. They only grew. Seeing the hero get closer they saw the hero's signature start sword extending outward from the long sleeve. A hilt without a blade. But instead a set of star like plasma extended outwards. Glowing in a bright azure color, the same color of the hilt. As a laser but not quite.

For each step the hero got closer, one star of plasma disappeared. Or rather the sword retracted in size. Until each star was gone. With Vezyne's hands still covered by the overly long sleeves, the hilt disappeared inside too.

Inside the dark blue, oversized hooded jacket. The night blue trousers had two green lines by the seam and two straps attached near the thigh and the ankle. There color similar to a star filled sunrise. And as the hero walked, the red half- cape hanging from the back, matched every stride Vezyne took as a professional dancer.

They didn't knew the hero's face yet they cheered. Not because Vezyne was a hero but Vezyne was a hero who slayed Guls like butter. Which was a feat no hero could do. And so Vezyne, quietly and loudly, became the unofficial, official hero. 

Vezyne raised a hand halfway up and put it back down after a few seconds. Reaching the soldiers and pilots, Vezyne said, "Thank you, I heard it's been a long battle, please go and rest now." In the usual mechanical voice, which can out the dispersed soldiers.

"You saw the scene of him standing atop the Gul, that was legendary, wasn't it??"

"Exactly right, ah.. I wish I had that kind of power..."

"I personally want him to marry me...ah... I'm becoming red just thinking about it!!"

As the soldiers and pilots started departing, she heard the usual small talk but ignored them. As soon as, all the soldiers had dispersed, Vezyne walked towards Saeli and the rest. "Are you'll ok? Is anyone hurt? "

 Even though the mask was present they all knew Vezyne's genuine worry behind those words. Even with the mechanical voice, Vezyne true feeling poured out infront of those who knew the hero.

"Vez, We're fine, don't worry" assured Saeli with a soft smile. Standing but still leaning on her brother.

"Yeah, yeah, Sae here can't even stand from her happiness after seeing you!!" joked Magalt as his eyes said everything was fine.

"Don't joke around, big bro..." Saeli scolded Magalt with a smile.

"Thank you for saving us...Vez" Thanked Adeu while figeting with her hair. Her royal composure greatly compromised for some reason as she spoke with Vezyne. 

"Come on guys, let's go," Renu rushed while still being inside the Je-Car. 

As all got inside the back of the Je-Car, the main lateral door closed automatically and the inside was lit by a soothing blue light. The cars back was shaped like a van with a small work station on a side and a table in the middle. There was a raised platform to sit around it while the front had only 2 seats with space for a third person.

Despite it's shape, it was made from reinforced metals like which could be found only in dungeons in the Restanger continent. And underneath the car was a modified rocket engine. However, it wasn't activated.

☆☆☆

[07:34]

"Are we all going to the base?" Giving time the time to settle in, Renu questioned as he was setting the automatic pilot mode. He needed the input for the destination in the screen near the drivers seat, so he eagerly awaited the answers. 

"I need to go to the AllsCathedral, the other injured are being transported there...i need to properly heal them..." Replied Saeli while her face still showed signs of deep exhaustion, which she tried to hide but was utterly unsuccessful.

"Don't over do it Sae, okay??!! I need to be atk THG head quarters for a meeting..."

"Me too" Replied both Vez and Adeu while Vez added additional concern for Sae again.

"Saeli, please..... let yourself catch a breather okay... don't make me worry...afterall, a healthy healer, healing correctly is more important than an exhausted healing, healing wrongly... right...??? So please... Rest...!!!" Magalt added his concern which made Saeli tighten her face. 

She knew what Magalt was saying. She understood it. However, her brain refused to stop. From the gift she was bestowed, she wanted to help even one more person. But Saeli really considered the rest after met with Magalt's logically reasoning. Unknowing that no matter what she did, she couldn't heal incorrectly. However before she could answer her brother, Magalt added swiftly once again. 

"Can you drop me at my house Renu?"

 "Sure thing Mag" Assured Renuaq while inputting a new and final destination. 

"Okay then... destinations set... " Finishing the inputs, Renu hoped to the back of the Je-Car and continued with hesitation. 

"Okay now, make space for me and big sis Sae.. and you, big sis Sae... give me your hand.." Worried that Saeli won't rest a even a bit, Renu asked for Saeli's hand while taking a syringe from an overhead compartment and a two small viles.

The youngest of them all somehow made everyone tuck into a corner as Renu was getting ready to treat Saeli for something not even Saeli knew of. Yet she gave her hand without a single question. And watched curiously what he was doing. 

Injected the syringe into the viles, he extracted the solutions. And finally, Renu injected the syringe into the third red strip from the top of his jacket and extracted some of the red solution in it. Inside the syringe, a bright red colored liquid formed. Looking like blood running through the veins.

Mixing a little, he injected the syringe to Saeli's already straightened arm near the elbow. "This should help with the exhaustion a little but don't overdo it okay!!" As the red liquid flowed inside Saeli, Renu looked at her directly and said a without any delays or shutters. His voice sounding straight and clear. Almost similar to Kalisradha's.

"Thank you Renu... I won't over do it, i promise...OH... Did you get enough data?" Asked Sae with her sincerest smile as always. 

"Yeah... I should be able to notch down the Inclawers Incineration time by about 30% in the next batch. " "Or maybe 40%" mumbled Renu trailing off.

Witnessing the exchange between them, from the otherside of the Je-Car, Vezyne smiled softly from inside the mask. It went unnoticed by that didn't matter. 

"Here guys, I got you'll a little something..." Vezyne said while pulling out a bag from under her cape. As everyone patiently waited to see that 'something', Vez took out something from the bag. One by one, Vezyne started distributing a single rounded object to each except for Magalt who received two.

It was a real pear. As the group examined the hard but squishy object, Vezyne intervened by saying, "An old couple gave me these when i went to exterminate a Gul, it's supposedto be eaten as it is.... please enjoy"

"Oh, this is a fruit right? I have never eaten a fruit before...." Renu examined the fruit after throwing the syringe away.

"This appears to be a Pear. I've only seen these in books too." Confirmed Adeu while wondering why Vez didn't take one. Her eyes drifted rapidly from Vezyne and somewhere else multiple times. As if wanting to look at her but can't. 

"Oh... a Pear... I remember eating one when I was small... it was a gift for our parents i think... by the way you weren't born yet Sae....they don't grow fruits anymore due to the weather sadly..." expressed Magalt with a surprised and then saddened expression. Remembering everyone why he was the oldest.

"Thank you Vez... but.... how come you don't have one..." Sae glared at Vez while asking. For which Vezyne answered immediately. A little unnaturally even as the answer was spat out rather than said. As if it was already planned and practiced.

"I already ate one... don't worry" Vezyne turned away a little, averting Sae's eyes while replying. Which made Saeli and the rest even more curious. 

Saeli slouched towards Vezyne and held her face, or rather the metallic mask on her hands and asked with a serious expression. Her voice didn't change, it was the same sweet voice. Yet the air felt heavy for some reason. 

"Look me in the eye and tell me the truth Vez, DID YOU ALREADY EAT ONE?"

With Saeli's hands still on her face, Vez answered truthfully, in a low muffled voice, "no.."

"I knew it... here take half of mine!!!" Sae forcefully tried giving Vez but she refused. She tried again but Vezyne refused again. Adeu wanted to give half of hers too, but she couldn't pass Saeli's electric behavior and get to Vezyne without damaging her 'cool and composed' image. She tried calling out too but the bickering inside the Je-Car echoed, canceling out her pleads.

Witnessing it, Renu scoffed a little before gaining his confident face back. "Alright alright... let's each give a piece... simple as that... Vez, don't make a scene. " Renu said as cutting his pear into 5 pieces and handed one piece to Vez.

Seeing that, everybody followed suit as if it the the only logical answer. Even though that thought didn't cross their minds in the least. 

"Okay...then.... thank you guys" Vez nodded taking Renu's piece and then taking the other pieces. "Geez Vez... ha ha.." Magalt laughed softly which in turn made everyone crack a smile.

As everyone enjoyed their first or second pear, a small hatch opened in Vezyne's mask. Revealing a pair of pale and soft lips. Vezyne then proceeded to eat one by one. Nobody gave a second look at the whole in the hero's mask except Adeu. She stared furtively at it every chance she got. Something the elven queen would never do in the public eyes. 

"Oh right, everyone tomorrow at 08.00 p.m got it?" As the tension slowly faded, z Magalt suddenly said, as if it was something he planned to do since the beginning off the day. And with it came a smile which he failed miserably, trying to contain.

"Don't worry big bro, we remember little Perci's first birthday... you only reminded us a few dozen times already... we'll be there right on time.... oh and by the way, make sure to give that pear Tequnda big sis when you get home, okay... don't forget it out of excitement for tomorrow, okay...." Sae assured her big brother with a big smile and she now she had the energy to tease him a little too.

☆☆☆

[08:42]

The Je-Car smoothly came to a stop. Their first destination was The Holy Guardians Head Quarters (THG HQ). Situated around 12 kilometers to the Southeast of their base, The VERJAMS. "Okay then, we'll be back soon... take care!" Vez and Adeu left first. As both of them were convoked by Kalisradha. They stood infront of the huge building serving as the head quarters until the Je-Car left. 

[08:45]

Next was the AllsCathedral. Which was located 15 kilometers to the Southwest of the VERJAMS base or the JUSM ruins.

Even though the Je-Car could technically pass mach 2 in terms of velocity, it was while in air above 200 meters. And other condition applied too. Although On land, it's velocity reduced significantly due to the high condensed population of the center of Tefortis and all the debris from Guls appearing here and there.

"I'll be going everybody, see you later at the base." Saeli waved at everybody with a bright smile as she got off and made her way inside the massive and pristine building. 

But as she turned towards the cathedral, she could hear all the laments from the injured which made her heart ache even before entering. But she bared herself, pushed the two massive doors and entered. Knowing full well what awaited her. 

But she couldn't give up on anyone. She was going to heal them, whatever the cost was. As the doors opened, a chaotic environment suddenly fell silent. The sunrays emitting inside the cathedral, shadowed Saeli, who was right infront of them. Which in turn made her silhouette even more recognizable.

That was why the enormous room had gone silent. There face were filled with hopeful smiles knowing who just came. The tension, despair and dread washed away from Patients and healers alike. Seeing their faces, Saeli's natural soft and sweet smiler returned too. In her mind only one thought ran at full capacity. "I'M GOING TO SAVE THEM!"

[08:47]

"You know she's going to overwork herself again right?? Even if she's the only saint with divine blood in the cathedral, it doesn't mean she have to carry all the burden alone..." As the Je-Car left the AllsCathedral premises, Renu said while figeting with some settings of it. 

Magalt flashed a small smile in Renu's direction and opened his mouth to reply but Renu countinued once again, "Unlike using manaciles in the atmosphere to perform healing magic, healing with divine blood requires the user to use thier own life energy." Renu stopped future a moment and came infront of Magalt. Looking directly into his eyes, Renu countinued, 

"Sure she can heal impossible to heal injuries and heal 20 times faster than other saints who use magic but at the end, she can't even walk.... and even if she heals herself automatically, overusing something so unknown is definitely waving at danger....you're her older brother, talk some sense into her, will you...."

Magalt smiled softly. His spikey green hair, now similar to teal, thanks to the low blue light inside the vehicle. He opened his mouth and spoke, as if speaking to anyone that would listen. 

"Thank you Renu, since the first day we met you and Zuuri, you both did so much for us... only after meeting you two I realized that no matter how much i train my body, a normal human like me couldn't protect even his own little sister..." Magalt stopped for a moment and locked eyes with Renu. His face as serious as it could get. 

"But you know, Sae is different... From the day she was born, she was different. Starting from our hair color, compared to me and my parents greenish color, she had bright yellow hair and eyes..."  

Magalt's face slightly brighten up. As if remembering something funny yet precious.

"I vaguely remember my parents saying that, after she was born, the next day my mother was completely healed from childbirth. To the point she could even do sports." A soft chuckle escaped his lips. 

"Before she could even talk, she was healing animals and people alike. You know...By the time she was 4, people in our area began coming to our home instead of going to see doctors or hospitals... yet she wasn't bothered at all, she would heal everyone, taking breaks only to wipe the blood from her face, she didn't even care about meals."

Magalt shifted his position and countinued,

"And most importantly, she did all that for free... she would even scold our parents if they brought up money matters... and she did all that with a genuine and soft smile. Which was healing in its own way." Mag's face lightened up as he was countinued.

"So Even if i know she's pushing herself, i can't tell her to stop when she genuinely loves to help people, I Can't tell her to stop healing those in need.... I can't tell her to stop being herself..." 

Locking eyes with Renun again, Mag concluded with a soft smile plastered in his face. As if relieving those serene moments once again.

[08:52]

As Renu opened his mouth to counter with his usual logical explanations, the Je-Car came to an stop. Both of them were so emerged in the conversation or rather, the story, that they had reached the destination completely unaware about it. 

The doors opened near the entrance to the underground passage. It was located underground in a living complex about 5km to the south of JUSM. As Magalt was busy too, Renu decided to pick up the subject another time. 

"Sure, sure, now get going, and don't forget that there are people waiting for you too, so only accept missions you can handle, see you tomorrow then." Waved Renu with his usual, casual smile as Magalt got off.

"Thank you Renu.... You're right, I'll be careful too... then...we'll meet again tomorrow..." Magalt waved back with a smile and stood there until Renu departed to the base a few seconds later. 

As he took a step towards the elevator which takes them to the underground living complex, his comms earpiece rang. Hesitating for a few seconds, whether or not to pick it, he picked it up. 

"Magalt, where are you? Did you finish the mission of Aschend?" 

It was from Kalisradha. With all his heart he wanted to ignore the call and go prepare for his son's birthday. But the very idea of a birthday and a house which it can take place exist because of Kalisradha and he knew it. And to mention it's in the underground which not even billionaires can easily get a hold of.

"Hello commander, yes, the mission is over, I'm near my house. " Replied Magalt. As soon as he finished, Kalisradha started with her usual unwavering tone.

"I know you are busy today but there's been a pretty violent riot at the northern border of Kadushaya. And it's president has been gravely injured. The Khaos Union demands that THG save his life."

Kalisradha paused for a little and countinued, as if deciding whether to countinue or not.

"Currently the army is pushing back the riot and they have taken the president to safety. As our best pilot, I present you the mission of taking the president and delivering him to the AllCathedral. I heard Saeli is there too so if you complete it quickly, he'll be saved." 

Adding in with the same seriousness as before, said, "I'll pull some sleeves so the reward is worth it. Can you accept?" Kalisradha explained the situation with uttermost clarity, without stuttering or wavering. As expected of the commander of THG.

For a second Magalt thought to take another step forward and go home but seeing the elevator through the reinforced glass doors, a vision of his family crossed his mind. He wasn't just Saeli's brother anymore, he now had a family. A family to take care of. 

He turned around and started walking in the opposite direction of his home and replied with a serious face, "Yes, I will accept, I'll take a Sonic Jet from THG branch near me and move out immediately, send me the location."

However Magalt's seriousness vanished as he remembered something else. 

"Oh and how's tomorrow, could you clear your schedule for a little?" 

"Thank you, I'll let them know you are coming to borrow a sonic jet and clear the jet... and yes, I'll be there tomorrow, zuuri twisted the schedule a bit. " Kalisradha Replied with the stoic face as ever but you could hear a little excitement from the last part, which can be easily missed for anyone who hasn't known her for years.