Chapter 12: Invasion

The invading force descended upon them from the vastness of space. They were led by Herran, keeper of the Storm Sandstone and a general of Kyron. As he approached the planet, he was confident that today he would finally crush his enemies.

He belonged to Planet Belarin and was convicted for so many crimes he committed to impress his beloved, a woman named Brissa. He wanted to become rich and powerful to protect her and make her feel safe.

Indeed, he succeeded in amassing wealth by smuggling weapons from another planet. However, he was eventually caught. A trial was conducted and he was punished by being sent to a desolate planet to die. Kyron was exploring that planet and found him. Since then, he vowed to serve the powerful Nybian ruler forever.

He helped Kyron search for the Storm Sandstone on a desert planet and was also awarded that power stone as a reward for his services and unwavering loyalty. Kyron being a descendant of the renegade prince has the capabilities of the Fliskan royal line to bestow the right and the power to have any person hold a power stone just as the Queen of Fliksa and her allies. It is a monarch skill called linking.

Herran returns to Belarin causing devastation for the sake of revenge and also his efforts to find the woman he desired. He found Brissa and offered his wealth but she refused him. Insulted, he hit her and carries her back to Nybos with him. During the said trip, she finds an escape pod and flees to the nearest planet. She lands on Naruya and seeks the help of the Naruyans.

Ovded took pity and gave her refuge. He threatened the Kalinians that if they do not hand over the girl, he will unleash hell upon them. The kind Duke knew the Nybians are lying. They will not keep their word and this offer was just a ploy. Thus, he refused to hand over Brissa.

Herran attacked Naruya together with his men. Brissa chose to fight alongside the Naruyans until Herran almost captured her and states that there is no escaping him. When he finally cornered her, the building shook as its structural integrity was compromised. A shelf containing tools and repair kits fell on Brissa killing the lady instantly.

He retreated that day but he blamed the Naruyans and the whole of Akara for her demise and promised to return to exact vengeance.

Now, he has returned to exact revenge. Today shall be his greatest victory for not only will he put an end to Naruya for good. He will also deliver the Fliskan Princess and her team to Kyron and the great lord of Nybos shall be immensely pleased.

Before leaving his domain, Ovded encounters Elzilaura who was determined to help him. Before she could speak, he assures her.

"Your Highness, I will deal with him. Do not fret". The Duke of Inva says.

"I will come with you." Elzilaura wanted so much to help out.

"No, it is not safe. I have the Ruby Ring to protect us all." It was glowing in his hands.

Elzilaura brought out the Crystal Cross. "I too have a power gem. I can use this to help you protect us."

"Without proper linking, you cannot safely harness its power. It could overwhelm you." Ovded said. "If you have noticed, it is very warm in your hand. Sometimes, it feels like it could scald you. It's because you are not linked to it yet. The power flows abruptly when you use it and it senses fear, my dear. That fear and the lack of proper linking will overwhelm you."

"I must protect my people too, Lord Ovded." Elzilaura worriedly claims.

"I know how you feel. We have sworn our lives for the service of our constituents but learn to consider your safety. You should stay here. Leave the fighting to me. Let me protect you and the rest of this planet. There will be other times wherein we will fight alongside each other. For now, this battle is mine." Ovded smiles as he finishes his statements.

Elzilaura soon heeds his advice and stayed on while Ovded gathered his men. He led his forces once again to stop the invading forces of Herran. As the enemy entered the airspace, the Kalinians met them and a sky battle commenced. Zyric and Alednos tried to help as well.

Even though the battle was in the skies, it affected the Naruyans on land. The beams on their space pods had damaged the buildings and infrastructures below. Luckily, swift evacuation to emergency shelters was done shortly before the battle began.

As the invaders were succeeding in damaging their enemies' defenses, the holy volcano explodes. The material that it emits was about to hit space vessels but surprisingly damages only the Nybian Fleet. It is so because Ovded uses his gem and soon he manages to control the flow of the lava that the volcano unleashes. He directs it towards the enemy so only their vessels were destroyed by the volcanic material. Pretty soon, the lava dies down.

Then, he meets face-to-face with Herran by the island shores with the volcano roaring in the background.

"It is over Herran. Let us stop this nonsense. It is time to end our skirmishes and start peace talks." Ovded says as he controls the Ruby Ring dampening the flames it was unleashing as it levitates above his open palms.

"No." The enemy refused. "You will surrender the Fliskan Princess to me and pay dearly for Brissa's loss."

"Killing me or butchering my people won't bring her back. It is time to move on and face the future filled with wondrous possibilities."

"No! Prepare to DIE!" He then leaps forward but the duke evades quickly. They engage in hand-to-hand combat though Herran plays dirty. He uses the Storm Sandstone and unleashes a sandstorm when he feels he is losing to Ovded's movements. The lord of Naruya manages to defend himself by using the Ruby Ring's power to shield himself.

Elzilaura left the comforts of the palace and helped out their defenders in whatever possible way she could. When the energy forces created by both Ovded and Herran intensified and flames caused was about to hit innocent civilians, she uses energy from the Crystal Cross to create a barrier to protect everyone which lasts briefly.

Then, she allows power to flow through and light beams emanated from the levitating gem which damaged some enemy vessels. As she sees more enemy carriers coming, she lost her composure and creates great streams of light beams. In doing so, she lost control of the power and began levitating. The beams rapidly emitted and aimlessly hit both enemies and allies. As she tried all efforts to regain control of the power, she notices her hands slowly burning with brilliant white flame and she cries out in deep pain until she lost consciousness.

Herran and Ovded continued fighting but were disrupted when the beams almost hit them. Ovded was able to evade the light beams but Herran was hit more than once and got injured. Not for long, Herran and his remaining troops retreated threatening that they shall return soon.

With the enemy rushing to leave, Ovded focused the Ruby Ring's power in trying to bring the princess down from levitation. Red flames that spiraled like a gymnast's ribbon surrounded Elzilaura's body wrapping around her like gleaming bandages as it slowly sinks with her to the ground. The light beams that involuntarily emanated from her ceased as the Ruby Ring's power gripped her tightly.

Once she was on the ground, Zyric rushes to the princess. He holds the unconscious Elzilaura in his arms and soon the light beams stop.

Elzilaura was badly hurt, greatly weakened, and still unconscious. Aside from her, most troops had suffered some injuries. The damage extends to the infrastructures and surroundings including the shrine where the sacred pool needed for the trial of light was located.

As Elzilaura and the rest received healing, Ovded spoke with the Fliskans.

"I fear Herran will be back soon with more troops. It would be best for you to travel to Planet Ludin where another sacred pool is located. I will send word to Queen Monandra so she can prepare the facility and herself to perform the linking process. " Ovded suggests.

"You must prepare to leave. There will be a transporter comet within range soon." The high priestess Crina added.

"My sister is still unconscious. I think it would be best to leave when she is recovered." Kanunia explains.

"You can seek medical help elsewhere. There is a transporter comet coming soon. We don't know when the next one will come so best to grab this one. Go now before the enemy returns." Crina insists.

"You're right, High priestess. We have to go, Kanunia." ZYric says and Kanunia nods in agreement.

They seek the help of Akaran medics to load the Fliskan heiress into their vessel. Kanunia and Zyric bid Ovded and Crina farewell before sealing the doors. Soon, they took off and upon reaching space, they saw the approaching transporter comet. When they were almost reaching its surface, the radars of both Fliskans and Akarans picked up the enemy fleet approaching.

The tactful Ovded immediately sent his fleet behind the Fliskans as a precaution. The Naruyan fleet engaged the enemy and holds them off so that the Fliskan may safely reach the surface of the transporter comet. Soon, the Fliskan space vessel lands on it and allows for the navigational latch to proceed. Not for long, the transporter comet with the vessel latched onto it vanished into the wormhole that opened before them.

The Fliskans were supposed to travel to Ludin but since Elzilaura's condition was still unstable, Dazifae suggested that they go to planet Agcar. Dazifae's father had undergone a medical procedure in Agcar which would have been difficult to perform elsewhere.

Agcar is a planet renowned for medical care. Different forms of healing were available here. Physicians, herbalists, and other healers come together for medical discourses and work together to create better forms of treatment.

Upon reaching Agcar, Elzilaura immediately received medical attention thanks to Lady Dazifae's influence. Zyric and Alednos made sure to request incognito patient status. As of the moment, it was necessary to conceal her confinement for safety purposes.

The healers examined her immediately and began her treatments. Sometime later, the medical team informed her Fliskan companions that she was stable but remained unconscious.

While they were waiting for their princess to wake up, they took turns in watching over. When Kanunia's shift ended, she took a break. She was walking along the hallways of the hospital when she unexpectedly bumped into someone from her past.