Chapter 5 Meeting the Elder

Chapter 5

Meeting the Elder

 

 

Theta awoke and was greeted by the sound of birds chirping and grasshoppers.

It took him a moment to remember where he was, but when he did he cleared his head and rapped on the cave wall. Two times very heavily. He could have raised her on the coms but he liked this way.

The sound resounded through the cave and out into the area outside his cave.

This was the way he summoned Alysia when he couldn’t see her and there wasn’t trouble. He took the time waiting for her by studying the area around him. The ground was a foot or two elevated from the ground in certain places because of large rocks in the ground. The stream he had heard had many small round stones at the bottom. The trees were thinner here, but Theta could no longer see the fern path.

Guess they would have to go on their own from now on.

Alysia suddenly appeared above the trees and angled herself at Theta and flew in. She slowed down and perched on his shoulder.

“I have good news, bad news, and worse news. Which news you want first?” Alysia asked very excited.

“Uh-” but Alysia cut him off. “Alright bad news. The path has disappeared. Good news, I found a city in the nearby valley. Worse news the city is blocked off because there is an excess amount of bad stuff.”

“What type of bad stuff?” Theta said quickly running to the top of the nearby mountaintop. Much easier with this suit. Plus he was excited. He wanted to see this city.

Besides how bad could it be?

He reached the top and looked down into the valley and realized how bad it could be. As he got closer he started to hear and feel large rumbles.

In the valley was a huge city that sat, nestled in a pass many miles long. It was beautiful and very advanced for his memory of what was possible. He would have loved to go down there and explore.

But in the pass before the city. It was a warzone. Battles raged on the sides of the pass, as well as in the very center of it.

Two armies clashed violently. The one protecting the city was an army of men in silver armor. They looked like knights with guns. They fought with precision and cooperated. Coordinating all their efforts

The other army was not nearly as interested in accuracy. They seemed to just throw masses upon masses of soldiers at the problem. Not nearly as trained as the other soldiers, but well equipped.

There were no ground vehicles, but flying vehicles were in heavy combat above the battlefield. They would dip into the ground combat when they could. They looked like helicopters but instead of rotors, they had engines which maneuvered them about on wings.

Once again the defending army had better skill. The attacking had so many though, the odds seemed to be ten to one.

“Unknown combatant, identify yourself.” A commanding, male voice ordered.

Theta looked around and didn’t see anyone.

“Stop spinning like an idiot. We see you. Not the other way around. Now identify yourself.” He ordered, forcefully.

“I am Theta. I am on a journey. Now if you will excuse me. I have a long way to go.”

Suddenly a larger version of the helicopters he saw appeared in front of him.

Theta stepped back in surprise. It was so quiet. He hadn’t even heard its approach.

“We require your assistance. You will board the ship and all will be explained. In return we will assist you on your journey. We say this not as a threat. But that it is your destiny.” Said an old and wise voice.

The helicopter landed. And white, armored troops came out. All heavily armed. Their eyes were black slits on a pure white helmet.

Then an old man in white robes stepped out. His face was wrinkled, but his grey eyes twinkled with joy and knowing. He also had a long, grey beard that reached to the middle of his chest.  Theta couldn’t explain it, but he just wanted to trust this old man.

It must have been his beard.

He just oozed grandpa-ness.

"Please allow me to think it over a moment." Theta said.

"Of course, but you see we don't have much time." The old man said.

Theta took a few steps away and let Alysia perch on his forearm.

"We need to do this Alysia." Theta said. urgently.

"Why?" She asked already knowing his answer.

"You know why. With this maybe I can make up for all the wrong we did for those scientists." Theta said.

Alysia looked down and then back up and said, "But what about your memories?"

Theta paused. If the scientists found out he had run out on them, they would definitely seal up his memories forever.

"I guess that's the price I must pay." Theta said.

"I don't like it but if you think its what's right. Then lets go and see what that old man wants.

Theta smiled and turned towards the old man.
 

“Fine. We will help you. You need to explain the situation however.” Theta said.

The old man smiled, and nodded once.

“And what did you mean by, it’s my destiny?” Theta questioned.

“I shall explain on the way.” And with that the man walked back on the ship.

Theta and Alysia followed him and the soldiers followed them.
 

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In the airship everyone sat down on seats, built into the side of the ship, which lined the wall. There were no windows and everything was made of metal. But the seats were made of a durable cloth. Theta sat on one side. He had seats open beside him but the soldiers sat one seat away on each side.

The old man sat directly across from him.

Alysia was contently perched on Theta’s shoulder.

Theta could feel the ship rise and begin moving.

The old man smiled and said, “Theta, I am Elder Melchior. Our prophets saw a vision of a man. A man in black accompanied by a hawk. This man would find us in our time of need and rescue us. We believe that you are this man. We believe God has sent you to be our rescuer. You are The Lost Champion.”

“Lost Champion?” Theta asked.

“Yes this was your title in the vision that was seen. We take this as you were once a great warrior, but something prevented you or something or someone changed you.” Elder Melchior explained.

"Well I don't think I'm much of a champion. But yeah a warrior does describe me." Theta said.

“What is he supposed to do in this prophecy?” Alysia asked.

Elder Melchior looked to Alysia and said, “He will complete his journey but will have to make a series of important decisions. When he retrieves what he is searching for instead of returning it to his masters. He would return it to us. This was the only one that was clear. Though all the others appear to be important.”

Oh great, Theta thought now he was running out on AND betraying the scientists.

“What is this thing that you all seem to want?” Theta asked, deciding life without memories couldn't be to bad.

“It is a container. In it is a great evil. A general of Hell’s army. This monster was released through dark arts. The container was the key to its imprisonment. God revealed the way for it to be built. He was contained shortly after entering this world.” Elder Melchior explained.

Well a devil's general. That explained why those scientists had him do those things.

“So why hasn’t it been opened?” Alysia asked.

“They want to create a way to control the general. Or appease him so he will help them. They are coming close to both.” Elder Melchior explained.

“How will we reach it? It won’t be lightly guarded.” Theta said.

“We will provide a small army for when you reach the facility. To aid you and distract the enemy. For now all of our resources are aimed at defending our cities.” Elder Melchior explained.

“There are more cities?” Alysia asked.

“Yes, we are not alone. We are the most targeted, for we have the smallest army. But we are in a well-defended area with well-trained troops. We are still losing though. You must proceed with great haste or we will be lost." Elder Melchior said, sounding slightly worried.

Theta sat silently for a while.

“Where are we headed now?” Theta asked.

“To the city. We are going to refit your suit with the best of our technology. And emplace surveillance systems to give us eyes on. We should arrive shortly.” Elder Melchior said. 

“How are we going to reach this facility? It seems to be a good distance from here.” Theta asked.

“You will have to go to the nearby transport city. However it is under enemy control. There you are more susceptible to encounters with enemy forces. Though they have not recognized you as an enemy. Oh yes, I almost forgot to mention. They are called The Order.” Elder Melchior said.

“Will they attack us?” Alysia asked.

“No way to tell. Depends on their mood. But if you keep a low profile you should be fine. They aren’t that attentive. We will also provide you with something to disguise yourself. Because not everyone walks around in high, combat grade exo-suits.” Said the elder chuckling lightly to himself.

“We were given a map and a card with large amounts of money on it. Do you think these could give us away?” Theta asked taking them out of a concealed compartment on his suit.

Elder Melchior scrutinized them closely. “Yes these could we will confiscate these and supply you with a new map and funds.” He said.

“Ah, we are about to land in the city.” Melchior said, while smiling.

The ship landed a few moment later and the door opened. Theta stepped out with Alysia on his shoulder and they both gasped. For before them was the beautiful city they had seen from the mountain. They were on a helipad of a tall building. But up close the view was breathtaking.

Tall sky scrapers, none of which were the same shape, size, or color, greeted them. A series of elevated trains snaked their way between the buildings. Lower to the ground Theta saw houses, parks, churches, restraunts, stores, and schools. It was beautiful and there weren’t separate neighborhoods. It seemed to be all encompassed into one thing. There was no division. Theta also saw no law enforcement or prison facilities. He thought that was a flaw.

“Hey. Everything is beautiful and all, but how is order kept and crime punished?” Theta asked.

Elder Melchior was about to respond when Alysia interrupted and said, “Because there is no crime here. Everyone is in agreement about their belief and status. There are also is no tolerance for crime currently. With the war all forces are directed to the protection of the city. Anyone who acts up is assigned to a new but much more difficult job as punishment.”

Elder Melchior and Theta looked at her shocked. Elder Melchior asked, “How did you know that?”

“Well during the majority of the flight and our conversations I have been accessing your city’s database. Your firewall was relatively easy to bypass. You might want to talk to somebody about that.” Alysia said with a shrug.

“Alert Scribe Clark of the breach. I am rather impressed at this. Scribe Clark has some work to do then. We can’t have any weaknesses in these trying times.” Said the Elder.

The group began to walk to the elevator including some of the soldiers. But the majority stayed and got back on the helicopter.

The group arrived at an elevator and entered.