'I would not mind some company,' he said.

Raquel seemed to consider this by holding his gaze, her eyes curiously intense from beneath her dark outward-curving brows. She smiled. 'You may,' she said.

Jaden could not return the smile, but strangely felt more at ease knowing he would not have to make the journey alone.

'We should leave soon,' he said. 'I want to get to the two highest peaks.' He coughed as he stood, as if thinking of his destination had returned the sickness. 'I'm sorry, I'm not well.'

'I know,' said Raquel, simply, closing her eyes once more.

'Are you coming?' asked Jaden.

'Lead the way,' she said. 'I will follow.'

Jaden looked unsure, puzzled by her actions, or lack of them. He reluctantly turned to begin walking without her, deciding it was better not to stand around and ask her questions she would not answer. Every ten yards, he glanced over his shoulder to see if she was following as she said she would, but even by the time he had reached the end of the clearing, she still hadn't moved from where she was. He wasn't sure if he was to trust her. She said she would follow, he reminded himself, but were the Daijuar bound by their word, or was this a game to her?

He had said he did not want her help. It would be a sign of weakness if he were to turn around now and ask her to come. It would seem as if he were begging, in great need of her company. He would not show her that, no matter how much he suddenly wanted her to come with him. He couldn't let her win again.

With a final bout of coughing, he pushed through the trees and made his way in the direction of the two highest peaks. He had forgotten to take a last look from the top of the rock in the clearing, but thought he could remember well enough. Besides, he couldn't go back now, even if it were to know the right direction. It would have seemed an excuse to make sure she was following.

Most of the day passed without sign of Raquel, just a seemingly endless forest with various animals scurrying away from him as he passed. He didn't notice them though, too lost in his thoughts about what had happened in the clearing. He had felt strange there, not entirely himself. His emotions had intensified, and he had been even faster to anger than he had been in the most important of tennagen matches. There was something more about the woman that bothered him than he first thought, but he was not quite sure what it was. It was not that she was not kind to him, or that she bordered on insulting him at times, but something else, something deeper that he did not like. Her manner was disciplined and her intention appeared good. This was usually enough to earn his respect and praise, but that this woman acted as if she knew him made him tense. She had never met him before, but she spoke as if she had been there at his birth. Was this the way of the Daijuar? Were they able to know a person simply by sight alone? Or had she really been in his mind?

Someday, he thought, if he was ever to see her again, he would ask her. She probably wouldn't answer him, under the pretext of him not being ready, as she had done with his other questions. How could she know what he was ready for? He knew he was ready. He had lost everything. There was nothing he could not hear anymore. Nothing really mattered. Why would she hold information from him?

Darkness soon fell around him as he searched out a place to spend the night. There were patches in the clouds now, allowing the light of the rings to shine through, and giving him more time to seek out a place he could shelter out of the rain if it were to come. He found what he was looking for a few hours later; a small rock formation that had prevented the trees from covering the area.

He sat on the dirt against one of the rocks that had a ledge, wishing he hadn't left his backpack and rifle in the clearing, as he was unable to find a smooth surface or a well-sized cave he could use to sleep. He then closed his eyes, letting countless images flow through his thoughts without thinking too long on any.

It was not until the early hours that he became awake at a sound and the strange sensation that he was being pulled toward something. He searched unsuccessfully in the dark for what had caused the disturbance, waiting patiently for his eyes to become used to the night.

Suddenly a blue glow appeared in front of him, shining brightly at first before dimming to a faint light. It revealed Raquel sitting in front of him, holding the strange light in place as if by strings between her hands. Jaden then saw that she held a silver chain that was attached to the light.

'What is that?' he asked.

'It is a crystal that allows you to see,' she said, focusing on the object that the light seemed to be emanating from.

'See what?'

'Anything you wish to see.'

Jaden leaned forward, studying the crystal as much as he could. 'I don't understand,' he said.

Raquel looked up from the crystal and into his eyes, a devious smile on her lips. She then reached out and fixed the chain around his neck.

'Place it between your eyes,' she said. 'Think of what you would like to see.'

Jaden picked up the crystal to study it. It was fitted inside a diamond-shaped silver casing, but other than that, it was quite unremarkable. He looked back up at Raquel, who reassured him with a nod, and with shaking hands he placed it where she had said.

The instant it touched his skin, he felt a sharp jolt as if he had been thrown back up against the rock he had leaned against. Darkness consumed his world as he was sent spiralling into oblivion. He came to an abrupt halt soon after, landing heavily on a smooth stone surface. His body ached from the impact. It had felt real. His arm was hanging over the side as wind began to blow his hair wildly about, and he looked ahead of him. He was hundreds of feet in the air, almost at the very top of an old building that had been worn down over centuries. The sky was gray with jagged clouds, seeming as broken as the vast city around him. He looked behind him where the moonlight shone down over the building he had landed on, and then he began to question where he was.

For a moment, he had forgotten what had happened. Now he remembered Raquel had sent him here.

What had she done to him?

He got up and turned to make his way into the single door behind him, hoping to explore this strange place. The door led him into a corridor and the sound of the wind died away as he ventured deeper within it. He continued forward along the hallway that seemed to have no end, and it felt as if he had walked further than the building was wide. A light appeared then in the distance. He walked toward it, the sound of falling water meeting his ears as he neared. Familiar fragrances wafted around him then and he exited the building to a beautiful golden dusk at his beloved waterfall in Callibra. He looked around to see the dark rocks, green grasses, the many sandstone houses and the Gates at the entrance to the village. This was his home as he remembered it from his childhood.

This had been his favourite place to be at this time, a calming wind crossing over him and birds flying freely overhead, making their way to wherever it was that they went. For the first time since the attack, he truly felt at peace.

Jaden knelt to the ground, touching the smooth, soft stems of grass with his fingertips before reaching further down and running them along the dirt below. He could feel every grain, every sharp and dull edge that there was. It was perfect. It was exactly as it had been. He then looked down over the houses, hoping to see his friends coming toward him or the people moving about during their daily routines, but his heart soon sank. The houses were empty. He knew that, somehow. This was what Raquel had meant. Somehow the crystal was allowing him to see this, as if it was perfectly real and he was really back where he belonged.

But it was not real. It was an illusion, nothing more.

Jaden closed his eyes, trying to escape the crystal's realm, and was soon rewarded as he felt Raquel taking his hands and pulling them toward her. He left the crystal's world the same way he had entered it, seemingly falling from nowhere into the same, and he looked at her, a tear welling in each eye.

'I want to go home,' he said, closing his eyes.

Raquel let the crystal fall around his neck and held his hands in hers.

'I know,' she said, somehow easing his pain with two words, and both became silent for the remainder of the night.

Chapter Thirteen.

Seek out that which is hidden beyond, the truth lies somewhere in between.

January 19, 997 R.E.

'Target moving north, sir.'

The voice came from the small black communicator Kobin Guyde held in his hand.

'He is going to Corsec,' said Kobin. 'Have you sighted him?'

'Negative,' came the reply. 'Target remains ahead.'

'Find him,' said Kobin. 'Report back to me in six hours.'

'Yes, sir.'

Kobin threw the communicator to a guard standing by a stationary vehicle. 'If word comes from the scout, bring it to me immediately.'

'Your command, sir,' said the guard, saluting.

Kobin walked on without returning the gesture, pulling his hood up so that his eyes were blackened by its shadow.

It was early morning at the fort, daylight yet to make its appearance through the thick clouds still lingering above. The men of the Alliance had worked tirelessly since the attack, repairing the damage, while their commanders attempted to locate where the jets had come from. Kobin had been excused of all duties. He was not a soldier or commander of any rank, so was free to roam the fort as he wished. He had dedicated most of his time to the pursuit of the young Callibrian boy, Jaden Daiyus, the son of his travelling companion, Tyral. He had spared Jaden's life, for both their sakes. It was not likely that the Daijuar would help Jaden; there was no gain from leaving him alive, but he could not bring himself to destroy the final piece of his friend's existence. Part of him had to live on, somehow.

In time, Kobin knew he would need to explain the lack of results to Alkon, why they still had failed to uncover the Daijuarn hideouts. He could stall for time for now. Alkon did not know whether or not the Daijuar were nearby, or how long it would take for them to find and help the young stray. Kobin had time to think, to prepare for the questions that would come. And then he would have Alkon executed or cast out by the High Council. After Alkon was gone, Jaden could live on, and none would follow him anymore.

'You have lost the boy.'

Kobin slowed at the remark, turning slightly toward his left shoulder as he stopped. Alkon had stepped out from the darkness behind the building Kobin had passed.

'A proud moment has come for you and your men,' said Kobin. 'Your scout has stumbled upon the boy's path.'

'My men are talented trackers, they will find him wherever he is,' said Alkon confidently, circling to Kobin's right side, keeping his distance. 'But for him to be found,' he went on, 'he must first be lost.'

'With more practice, your men will not lose their captives,' said Kobin bluntly.

'Your ignorance surpasses your wit, Callibrian. Do not think you can rely upon magic tricks to be safe here. A bullet can come from any direction.'

'As can a man's failure,' Kobin retorted.

Alkon circled back to the left, refusing to take his angered stare away from Kobin as he did. 'You are right about one thing. The boy will be found, but not by the scout you sent. I have ordered a helicopter to locate him. He will be dead in the coming days.'

'You fool,' whispered Kobin.

'What did you say?'

'You will condemn this unit for the sake of impatience, and risk losing our only chance at finding the Daijuarn hideouts!'

Alkon grinned from beneath his anger. Kobin had allowed him to find a weakness he was able to exploit. Kobin quickly calmed himself, hiding his vulnerability the best he could. The damage was small. He could still recover.

'The only evidence I have seen of the Daijuar is the powerful one's shield when we first arrived here,' said Alkon with a note of triumph. 'He was defeated with ease. They are not a threat to us.'

Kobin was silent in thought.

Alkon circled back to his right side. 'Have you nothing to say?'

With slow, purposeful movements, Kobin straightened his coat, seemingly unaware that Alkon had spoken as he looked directly ahead.

'You must answer a commander, Callibrian!'

'If the Daijuar are not a threat,' said Kobin casually, 'why have you developed weaponry solely for defeating them? I understand that the High Council has not yet heard of this work. Perhaps I should ask them what should be done about the boy.'

Alkon laughed. 'You think your threats mean something to me. You are new to the Alliance, Callibrian, do not mistake the High Council's kindness to you as genuine interest. They are grateful for what you have done for us, but you have not yet earned their respect. I will notify them on the progress when it is ready to be used.'

'And what will you use it for?' asked Kobin.

'If by chance the Daijuar stand in our way again, they will wish they had not. There is no more to this discussion. We have no need of the boy. He will meet his end in two days.' Before Kobin was able to protest, Alkon added, 'And you will not speak of him again.'

Alkon walked briskly away, leaving Kobin standing where he was. For this bout between them, he had been the victor, and he would not allow Kobin another chance to make it otherwise. In the future, he suffered no delusion of there being peace between them. They were destined to clash again if Kobin insisted that his opinion should not only be heard but followed as well. Kobin had to learn his place, and in time, perhaps even keep his comments to himself.

Alkon smiled as he walked. The attack had been a drain on him, but he was starting to feel a little better already, and if Kobin wished to use his magic tricks around him again, Alkon would have a surprise for him.

As Kobin wandered slowly back to his quarters, Alkon entered the laboratory where he knew he would find the head of the Equan science team, Ethan Coride.

'I want to see it,' said Alkon, startling Ethan from his work over a small electronic device.

Ethan looked up from the desk, the lamp swaying slightly as he did. A magnifying function on the headset he wore retracted to allow for normal vision, and he took a moment to register what had been said. Seconds later, he straightened up and walked through the door at the other end of the room. Alkon waited, crossing to the desk and glancing momentarily over Ethan's latest project. It made little sense, alien-looking instruments strewn across the flat surface and little more. This was why he enjoyed visiting Ethan. There was always something new and amazing to be seen.

Ethan returned soon after with a metal case. It appeared he was able to hold it easily with one hand, but chose to hold it with two, as if it were a delicate vase. Ethan put the case on another desk to Alkon's right and opened it carefully.

Alkon approached him. 'Is it done?'

'It is not yet as powerful as we had hoped, but it is useable, yes.'

'Will it do as we planned?'

'It is hard to say, General,' said Ethan, reaching into the case and taking out a metal brace. 'If you are able to catch them by surprise, it will suffice, but it has not yet been able to penetrate our shields entirely.'

'I see. How many of these have you made?'

'This is the first of three that is complete,' said Ethan, breaking the brace into two sections.

'May I wear this one?'

'If you wish, General.' Ethan signalled for Alkon to hold out his right arm and roll up his sleeve. 'This will fit underneath your clothing. You will lose some movement until we have corrected its skeletal system, but it will function.'

Ethan clamped the two sections back together over Alkon's wrist, positioning four directly over his knuckles. He then reached into the case again to retrieve a rectangular black box, which he fitted to the brace at Alkon's elbow.

'This is its power supply,' Ethan explained. 'You will need to recharge it after each use. And this,' he said, taking out a black arced component that he fitted to the top of Alkon's forearm, 'is where the charge will concentrate. Move your hand as little as possible while wearing this. The tubes it uses to fire are flexible, but they will lose their effectiveness with each wear.'

'I understand,' said Alkon. 'How do I use it?'

'With this,' said Ethan. He reached into the case a final time and placed a trigger mechanism over the back of Alkon's hand. It fitted perfectly over the tubes, holding them in place. Ethan rolled the General's sleeve down so that the device was completely concealed and then placed a new glove over his hand. 'There is a latch here for your thumb. Open it when you want to use it. There are two buttons inside; blue is for charging, red is for firing. The charges will fire systematically from left to right. You have eight shots in total, but it will take one minute to charge between the two rounds.'

'And this is the same technology as the plasma cannon?' asked Alkon.

'It is, General.'

Alkon's smile was devious. 'Daijuarn killer,' he said. 'Let us see if the Callibrian can defend against this.' With a laugh to himself, he stood and headed for the door. 'You have done well, Ethan. I will make sure you are rewarded beyond anything ever seen in the Alliance to date.'

Before Ethan was able to respond, Alkon had left. As quickly as he had walked to the laboratory, he now hurried to his quarters, where he rested for a short time in a high-backed, brown leather chair, looking over the weapon he now possessed underneath his sleeve. After a few moments' contemplation, he took a bottle from a drawer of his desk and poured some of its contents into a glass. He drank it quickly, careful to use only his left hand so that he would not bend the weapon. He then poured two more glasses and drank them both equally as fast. He sat back, relaxing, awaiting the drink to take effect. He had to dull his excitement. His eagerness would raise questions where there should be none. This was how he had been masking how he truly felt for much of the previous months. In such troubled times, it was of absolute importance that none knew his thoughts other than him. There was too much at risk. Everything had to go perfectly for his plans to work.

As his smiled faded and his head began to swirl a little, he summoned his second-in-command, Lieutenant General Liet Revarn.

'You called, General?' said Liet, entering a short time later.

Alkon did his best to maintain his composure under the new influence. 'We will move to take the city of Waikor in one week,' he said.

Liet studied him a moment. 'You will defy High Council orders?'