Aetherial Annihilation, page 13
Shelton pointed to what looked like elemental symbols. "I've never seen this combination before. Any idea what it means?"
Adam looked just as puzzled. His eyes narrowed and he gazed at the crystoid. "Remember Moore's law of aether dynamics?"
"Of course. The concentration of aether is directly proportionate to the power output." Shelton shrugged. "So?"
"Justin's experiment—"
"It was an accident," I said.
Adam nodded. "Justin's accident gave him such a high dose of concentrated aether that he almost blew up a mountain."
"It's a hill," Bella said.
"What would an ultra-dense concentration of aether look like?" Adam seemed to know the answer, but let Shelton think it out.
I thought back to basic chemistry when a gas condensed and suddenly understood what the crystoid was.
Shelton slapped the back of his hand into the other palm. "Those things are solidified aether!"
"That's the best explanation," Adam said.
I pushed myself up and went to the crater, careful to keep my distance from the ledge. In retrospect, the dark purple and white crystal shards should have been a big clue, but I'd never seen crystallized aether. That's not true. I'd seen something like it on Seraphina. "When I was in Tarissa, the Darkling capitol, they used magic to create furniture out of Murk."
"Interesting." Adam pursed his lips. "Did it suck in aether like the crystoids?"
I shook my head. "No, it wasn't anything like this."
Adam snapped his fingers. "I know what the gray stuff is."
"Gray stuff?" Shelton took off his hat and scratched his head.
"Inside the squirrel skin," Elyssa said. She retrieved the squirrel hide from next to the crystoid.
Shelton glanced at it and understanding lit his face. "It's Stasis."
"Makes total sense," I said. "Stasis allows aether in, but prevents the crystoid from growing."
"That thing"—Shelton jabbed a finger toward the crater—"is like a magical snowball. When the aether is crystallized, its new magical properties suck in aether and convert it to more crystal."
Adam look up. "The excess aether follows the path of least resistance and flows out of the top shards and into the sky."
"So what's the answer to stopping these things?" I asked. "Do I channel Stasis into them?"
Adam and Shelton both shrugged.
"Maybe," Shelton said. "Then again, it might blow up."
"That's no bueno." I looked to Adam. "Ideas?"
"Here's one," Elyssa interjected. "Test out your theory on the little crystoid first. At least if it explodes, it won't take out the entire countryside."
"That sure would be great if we kept the farm intact," Ann said with a cheery smile. "Though, I suppose I could retire and move to Minnesota with Viola."
Viola looked a bit unsure about that prospect. "I'd sure like to keep the farm around if that's possible."
"Ah, don't worry about it." Shelton plastered on a reassuring smile. "Justin here hardly ever blows up stuff he doesn't want to."
"I think today would be a good day to visit some friends in town," Viola said to her mother. "Let's take a ride."
"Well, if you think that's best." Ann went to the pickup and took out a large glass dish. "I made some brownies. You guys sure are welcome to help yourselves."
Viola unfolded a card table and put a pitcher of red punch on top of it. "If you guys get hungry, there are some leftovers in the refrigerator back at the house."
"And you're welcome to use the bathroom there too," Ann said. "Just be careful with the toilet in the add-on room. It clogs kind of easy."
Bella glanced at Shelton. "Maybe you should use the other toilet, Harry."
He gave her a dirty look. "Don't be jealous of my healthy digestive system."
"Thank so much for your hospitality," Elyssa said. "Please remember that all of this is strictly confidential."
"Golly sakes, it sure would make for good gossip." Ann chuckled. "But even I can keep a secret." She waved goodbye and climbed into the pickup.
Viola paused as she got into the driver's seat. "Be careful, you guys."
"We will." I hoped I wasn't lying.
Elyssa spoke to the other Templars and sent them back through the portal to the Grotto to await further instructions.
The only thing that remained was for me to retrieve the baby crystoid and test our Stasis theory.
As we walked toward the crater, Shelton did a double take. "The ASE we sent to the sky portal is back."
"I'll get it." Bella climbed the platform and used her wand to lure the recording device over to her. "Want to watch it now?"
I was extremely curious to see the footage, but decided it was crucial we conduct our experiment first. "In a moment."
Elyssa took the leather hide and carefully picked up the crystoid. "Maybe we should put it in the tunnel Justin bored through the hill. It might contain any explosions."
"Just set it where he'll have a good line of sight from the platform." Shelton traced a path through the air with his finger. "Otherwise, he won't have any aether to use."
"Sounds good." I went to the table and poured myself a glass of red punch while they set the crystoid in place. I decided to eat a brownie as well. Sure, I'd just puked up blood and probably a few vital organs, but that was no excuse to pass up a tasty snack.
Meghan stepped through the portal and onto the platform. She made her way down the stairs and gave me a concerned look. "What happened to you?" Without waiting for an answer, she took out her wand and tried to scan me—all to no avail since we were in a magic-less area.
I told her about my accident. "Aside from barfing blood, I think I'm okay."
"Justin, you need a full medical exam." She set her arms akimbo. "There could be permanent damage."
"He already has permanent brain damage," Shelton said as he and the others approached.
"I'm about to have permanent friend damage in a second." I climbed up the stairs to the platform, muscles aching with every step. "Unfortunately, I'm the only one here who can use Stasis, and we don't have any time to waste."
Elyssa followed me up and kissed my cheek. "Good luck."
I squeezed her hand. "Love you, babe."
"Love you too."
I motioned her away. "Go wait on the ground."
"I want to stay with you."
I shook my head. "You might be in the way."
Elyssa frowned. "You'd better not be saying that just to get me away from you."
"I'm not." The top of the platform wasn't very large, and I didn't know what to expect when I engaged the crystoid.
She narrowed her eyes and looked at me for a moment. "Fine, but I'm coming back up at the first sign of trouble."
Once she reached the bottom, I took a deep breath and summoned my strength. The ordeal with the crystoid had left me drained. I felt better than before, but was by no means at full capacity. Hopefully, I had enough juice to make this work.
Chapter 14
I held both hands out to my sides, drawing energy from the crystoid's aether beam. An ultraviolet orb blossomed in my left hand. A white star burst into being in my right. I let the energy build until a nimbus surrounded each hand. Sweat trickled down my forehead and into my eyes.
I need a nap.
I was all too aware that I might be taking an eternal dirt nap if I didn't concentrate.
Lifting my hands, I threaded the Murk and Brilliance into a spinning globe of foggy gray Stasis that hung about chest high. I let the energy coalesce until it grew larger than my head. My knees trembled and my stomach gurgled uneasily.
Don't throw up the brownie.
Losing control of my bodily functions during such a delicate operation wouldn't be pretty. I took a deep breath to brace myself and focused a beam of Stasis toward the small crystoid. The moment it touched the shard¸ it felt as though I'd just lassoed a wild goat. I stumbled forward against the platform railing.
The Stasis globe unraveled like a ball of yarn as the small crystoid consumed it.
"What happened?" Elyssa called to me.
"Not sure." My voice sounded hoarse and my throat burned. I didn't see any alternative but to stop what I was doing and declare this experiment failed.
"Look!" Shelton yelled. "It's working!"
I peered at the small crystoid. The ultraviolet and white shards were slowly shading gray. The tug on my arms gradually abated until at last it was gone. The small crystoid shimmered dark gray. I released the aether threads and slumped. "Yay." My voice sounded weak and puny, and it felt like the brownie and punch wanted to rise from the dead.
Elyssa appeared at my side an instant later. "Okay, that's it. You're taking a break." She helped me up.
"Can't. I've got to save the dragons." I didn't know how much longer they had before the aether drain killed them. I also didn't know how I could disable the crystoid all the way in Colombia affecting them.
"You've done all you can right now," Shelton said. "I wish we could help, but—" he stopped talking and snapped his fingers. "I've got it!"
Adam's eyes brightened. "We portal the aether straight to the dragons."
"Exactamundo, brahmeister." Shelton looked up at me. "Get rested. We'll keep the dragons on life support 'til you've recovered."
Knowing that they'd be okay for the time being made me slump with relief. "You're the bestest," I muttered, unable to project my voice.
Elyssa dragged me through the portal into the Grotto way station control room before I passed out.
When we entered the control room, a frantic arch operator rushed over to us. "Justin Slade?" he asked.
"Yup." I was almost too tired to talk.
"Excellent, wait right here." He rushed away.
"Huh?" I mumbled.
Elyssa shrugged. "I need to get you to bed."
I didn't argue, but was curious to see what the arch operator wanted. The answer walked around the corner. A petite woman with large green eyes smiled and ran toward me.
"Nightliss!" The sight of her energized me. "You made it!"
Tears in her eyes, she flung her arms around me. "I made it," she whispered in a happy voice. "I'm back."
Elyssa wiped her eyes and laughed. "We missed you."
"I missed you too." Nightliss backed away and looked at me. "You look terrible, Justin. What's wrong?"
The burst of energy faded and I slumped. "Let Elyssa tell you. I'm about to fall over."
She pecked a kiss on my cheek. "We'll talk later."
"My father is going to be so excited," Elyssa said.
Nightliss raised an eyebrow. "Thomas Borathen excited?" She laughed. "That would truly be a surprise."
My knees buckled and Elyssa propped me on her shoulder. "Maybe you can help me get our hero to a bed."
Nightliss took my other side. "I would be delighted."
My mouth felt like I'd eaten dust, sand, and cat fur on shaved toast when I woke up. I didn't even know where I was. I tried to blink, but sleep funk glued shut my eyelids. Wearily, I rubbed them.
"Justin?"
Finally able to see, I looked into concerned blue eyes. "Mom?"
My mother, Alysea, smoothed back my hair. "We're finally here, honey. Elyssa tells me you overdid it—again."
I sat up and yawned. "I can't help it."
"Meghan looked you over and said you're lucky touching that crystoid didn't fry you alive. Otherwise, she thinks you'll survive." She sighed. "I thought we'd finally found peace, but I guess that was just wishful thinking."
"Maybe we never finished the job we were supposed to finish." I sat up and pushed to my feet. "This could be Serena's work."
"Oh, well, perhaps you should come with me." She took my hand. "We have a pretty good idea who's behind it."
My chest tightened. "Who?"
We left the small bedroom, walked down a hallway and went into a dining room.
"Justin!" Ivy, my little sister, raced across the room and slammed me with a hug.
I felt like I was about to cough blood from the impact.
Mom pulled her back. "Ivy, your brother is still injured."
"Oh." She looked down and toed the floor. "Sorry, bro. I'm just super excited to see you."
I embraced her gently. "I've missed you too, sis."
"Maybe I need to get you a dictionary so you can see what vacation means." My father, David, grinned from a casual leaning position against the far wall where he spoke with Nightliss. He pushed upright and gave me a one-armed sideways hug.
"I know perfectly well what it means." I rubbed the back of my neck. "The universe decided I'd rested long enough."
Nightliss pressed her hands to my cheeks and looked into my eyes. "Are you feeling better?"
"I'm much better." Though her spirits seemed improved since the last time I'd seen her, her calm face couldn't veil troubled eyes. Unfortunately, we didn't have time for psychological counseling, not with the clock ticking on Eden's magic issue. I looked up. "So, who's the jackass behind this?"
"Don't spoil the surprise," Shelton said. He held up an ASE. "I want to see the look on his face."
I groaned. "Fine, just show me already." I located a chair with a nice padded leather seat and dropped into it.
"Just a moment." Meghan gave me a vial of blue fluid. "I need you to drink this."
"What is it?" I asked.
"Something to heal the hemorrhaging you suffered when you destroyed that mountain."
Bella blew out an exasperated breath. "It was a hill, people, not a mountain."
Shelton snorted, and I wondered if he'd told everyone to call it a mountain just to drive Bella crazy.
I popped the cork on the vial and drained the contents. It soothed my sore throat and made the inside of my chest feel frosty. I sighed as the aches subsided.
"You suffered magical damage," Meghan said. "That's why you're taking so long to regenerate."
"I figured as much." Or, at least I would have if I'd given it any thought. Wounds caused by magic were stubborn about healing even with supernatural recovery.
Shelton looked at Meghan impatiently. "Can I show him now?"
"Yes, go." She moved away and joined Adam on the right side of the room.
Elyssa put a hand on my shoulder and whispered, "You're not going to like this."
Nightliss gave me a guilty look but said nothing.
Ivy came up to the other side and leaned her head on me. "I'm so glad to see you again, Justin. I really hoped when you got done with vacation we could hang out."
Though she was only ten—or was it eleven?—she sounded much more mature than before the war. "We can totally hang out once this is over and done with."
"Yay!" She kissed my cheek.
"Ahem." Shelton pointed to a holographic image floating over the table. "Here goes."
The footage zipped through blue sky in fast forward as the ASE rose into the sky and went through the portal. Clouds on the other side blocked the view. Shelton slowed the video to normal speed once it cleared the clouds. I narrowed my eyes and tried to understand what I was seeing. It looked like a city, or what remained of it. Rubble filled a large portion, especially around a huge ultraviolet dome.
I hissed air between my teeth and would have jumped up if Elyssa hadn't pressed down on my shoulder. "That's the Ministry of Research. That's Cephus's headquarters."
Shelton nodded grimly. "It looks like Ketiss and his Darkling army didn't succeed."
The closer the ASE drew to the city of Tarissa, the clearer that assessment became. Almost no buildings remained standing near the Ministry of Research, Cephus's headquarters. The last time I'd been there, he'd shielded the building and the courtyard around it with a Murk barrier so thick I couldn't penetrate it. The shield looked much larger now, going so far as to encompass several city blocks around it.
Nightliss cringed and looked away. I couldn't blame her. Cephus's people had kidnapped her and treated her like a lab rat so they could understand why feeding on humans made her far more powerful than the average Seraphim. Though I'd saved her, she hadn't been quite the same. I wondered if that had something to do with her leaving the Templars in the first place.
I refocused on the main issue. Gears spun in my mind as I tried to understand several critical items. "How did Cephus deploy the crystoids from there? He's in Seraphina, and the only way to cross into another realm is through an Alabaster Arch."
"Exactly," Adam said. "How are there sky portals that lead from Eden to Seraphina?" He shrugged. "Obviously, he somehow deployed the crystoids through those gateways directly into Eden."
I certainly couldn't think of a good answer.
"What if in Seraphina they have an Alabaster omniarch that can open portals anywhere, even other realms?" Dad said.
The room fell silent for a moment.
"As far as any of us know, Seraphina doesn't have Obsidian Arches," I said. "The builders only put Alabaster Arches there. It stands to reason they might have put other kinds of inter-dimensional arches there."
"Don't you think someone in Seraphina would have found them a long time ago?" Mom said.
Adam frowned. "There's only one way to find out."
Shelton nodded. "Field trip to Seraphina."
I closed my eyes and tried not to cry. This would be anything but a field trip. We'd be entering another war. Even before defeating Daelissa, I'd promised Ketiss that I'd help him bring peace to Seraphina. Instead, I'd run away with Elyssa and tried to forget all the horrors I'd seen while Ketiss took the Tarissan Legion back through to deal with Cephus.
By avoiding my responsibility to him, I'd let the blight fester. Cephus hadn't fallen to the newly empowered Tarissan Legion. Instead, he'd somehow managed to launch a strike against us here, no doubt to keep us busy until he solidified his rule over the Darkling nation of Pjurna.
"I abandoned my duties," Nightliss whispered. "I should have gone with Ketiss and helped him. I should have asked Thomas to take the Templars and help."
"It's my fault," I told her. "I should have gone."
"How about you stop with the pity party and take a look at this?" Shelton said. He froze the holographic image and zoomed in on something sparkling in the top quadrant. "I've got more bad news."
