The Pink Journal

Dark Realms 11: The Beast Among Us
Word Count: 5026
Brought to you by puzzleprompts

The Dark Army gathered in the common room when Wincet summoned them.

“Isadora has a mission for us.” Wincet said as they walked in. “It may be nothing but I think it’s worth checking it out.”

“In the mountains of Gracea on Castilane, there is a legend of a beast with a hunger for the blood of humans. It has killed many times and always comes and goes without a sound.” Izzie started. “This month alone it has killed ten strong men. They were found without a drop of blood in their body floating in the nearby lake. The only wound is a bite mark on their neck.”

“It sounds like a vampire but they’re just tales. They aren’t real.” Jace said.

“This one is.” Tona confirmed. “I heard about it when I was working for the Sholar on Castilane. No one in his army would go anywhere near the mountains and they were the most trained and deadly army in that sector. I heard that he hired three men to go into the mountains to track it down but they were never heard of again.”

“Yes but they aren’t the infamous Dark Army that everyone whispers about.” Izzie grinned. “You all have quite the reputation in the universe these days. You are equally feared and admired.”

“Flattery aside, we do have a unique skill set.” Nellis looked around at the others. “We can find it and bring it out of the mountains into the light of day. That way no one will have a reason to fear it anymore. They’ll see if for the beast that it is and stop thinking its something evil.”

“Won’t that just it turn to ash?” Jace asked.

They all turned and looked at him.

“On my world, if a vampire comes out into direct sunlight it turns into ash and blows away.” Jace explained.

“That is the silliest thing that I have ever heard.” Tona shook her head. “That must make your people feel a lot safer but I don’t think that’s true. Most of the men were fed on were taken at the shift change for the guards and that is mid-day when the sun is at its peak.”

Jace made a face. “So no ash? That’s disturbing.”

“I propose that Nellis Dallys and I go in and find it then Tona and Jace can come in and capture it then bring it out.” Izzie looked around for approval.

“Basically, I’m the bait and Tona is the one that takes it down.” Jace plopped down into a chair. “Lovely!”

“Well, I don’t think it will eat an elf.” Izzie looked at Tona. “Is that what you heard?”

“As far as I know it only eats humans.” Tona nodded. “At least, that was all that had been reported by the commander at the garrison at Gracea when I was there.”

“Doesn’t the Exaltanese trade with Castilana?” Wincet asked. “Maybe Rix can get us more recent information.”

“I’ll send him a message on the sub space.” Nellis walked over to the communications device and tuned it to the frequency that Rix was known to use.

“The rest of you gather your gear.” Wincet shooed them to their rooms. “I want to send you out as soon as Nellis finishes talking to Rix. Tona! A word please.”

Tona reluctantly walked back to where Wincet was standing. “I know what you want to talk about and I have nothing to say. He can sit in that room and rot.”

“You married him. Don’t you think you should try to get along with him?” Wincet asked.

“No! Tona exclaimed. “He still thinks that he’s my master and I’m his slave. He actually brought me his dirty laundry and demanded that I wash it. I told him to do it himself. If he wants clean socks then he needs to clean his socks. He wanted to marry me and not take the currency I offered him then he will have to be happy with what he has.”

“Tona, you need to make peace with him or at least try to be receptive to him.” Wincet said.

“Now you sound like my mother.” Tona sighed. “Just open a portal and I’ll toss him back home then he won’t bother anyone here anymore.”

“You could just ask him to leave.” Wincet put his hand on Tona’s shoulder. “He’s miserable. He may just leave on his own. Try to talk to him, without trying to kill him, please.”

“Maybe you should speak to him.” Tona wrinkled her nose. “I don’t think I can look at him without wanting to kill him right now. Not after last night and the stunt he pulled.”

“What happened?” Wincet asked.

“He had the nerve to come into my room last night while I was sleeping and get in bed with me. I woke up and nearly slit his throat.” Tona wrinkled her nose. “He said he was there to take what was his and I told him there wasn’t anything in my bed that was his. He stormed out then he slammed his door.”

“So that’s who did that.” Wincet grinned. “I thought Nellis and Isadora were having another argument.”

“No. They were playing shifties in her room.” Tona made a face. “They were really loud too. Do you know how thin the walls are in this place?”

Wincet chuckled. “I see that I will have to put a sound proofing spell around each of their rooms. Shifties?”

“That’s what they call it but it just sounds like sex to me.” Tona shuddered. “Gross!”

Wincet laughed then sighed. “Go talk to Barth. Maybe, he has changed his mind about holding you to this arranged marriage now that he knows things won’t be happening as he wanted them to..”

Tona shrugged then walked toward the living quarters. She was almost to Barth’s room when Jace came out of his.

“Going to ask the husband for permission to leave?” Jace smirked.

“No but you might want to come with me so that I don’t kill him.” Tona grabbed Jace by the arm and pulled him down to Barth’s room. She opened the door without knocking. “Barth, I need to tell you something.” She glanced back at Jace.

“What do you want to tell me that you haven’t already?” Barth stood up and glanced curiously at Jace.

“I will never love you because I love Jace.” Tona grabbed Jace’s face and planted a big wet kiss on him. “There I committed adultery now you can divorce me without shame.”

“I have grounds for having you beaten, you mean.” Barth glared at Jace. “But I know that will not win you over to me. If a divorce is what you want then I will give it to you. He may have you. Tell the sorcerer to send me back and I will have the marriage contract voided.”

“And my parents?” Tona asked.

“They will not be harmed.” Barth promised. “They provided me with a wife as contracted but I was not prepared for you. I will have to find a woman less difficult to marry.”

“Thank you. Now, we have to go.” Tona grabbed Jace by the arm and pulled him back down the hall. “Thanks for the assist.”

“Any time.” Jace smiled. “Get your gear. I will tell Wincet that Barth wants to go back home.”

Tona rushed down the hallway to her room to get her gear as Jace turned to leave the living quarters.

Everyone started to assemble on the Traveler’s Bridge. Wincet looked around. “Where is Tona?”

“She was getting her gear when I left her.” Jace said. “Barth agreed to give her a divorce and he wants to go back home. You might want to send him after we leave so that he won’t be here when she gets back.”

“I will make a point of it.” Wincet nodded.

Overhead there was a small craft flying low. it looked like a small cargo ship. It landed near the main buildings.

“That’s not Rix.” Nellis said. “His ship is bigger. Borne, do you know what kind of ship that is?”

“It is a shuttle craft not a cargo ship. The markings are in the Oldene language.” Borne told them. “Perhaps Hestrick is here to make peace.”

“Or steal something.” Nellis looked at Wincet. “We better go see what’s going on.”

Nellis and Jace headed back to see who it was and what they were doing there on Centra.

Inside the living quarters, Tona had started to collect her gear when the door opened and someone stepped inside. The intruder didn’t say a word as he stood in the doorway.

“I’m almost ready.” Tona said. “I have to find my ….”

A knife flew through the air and hit Tona in the back. She crumpled to the ground with a whimper. Her eyes closed and she was still.

The intruder walked over and pulled out the knife then left her to die. The intruder left as quietly as he came.

The craft took off before anyone could reach the end of the bridge. Jace and Nellis looked at each other and started running. 

They reached the common room and nothing seemed disturbed.

“I’ll check the living quarters and you check the workshop.” Jace suggested. He didn’t wait for Nellis to object he ran to the rooms and went straight to Tona’s room. “Tona!?”

Jace opened the door and found her on the floor. She was bleeding badly from a wound on her back. He knelt down to check her pulse and was relieved to find a weak one.

“Please don’t die. I’ll be right back.” Jace rushed back out of the room. He met Nellis at the entrance to the hallway. “Nellis! Get Wincet Tona is wounded. I’m going to check on Barth.”

Nellis nodded and hurried back the way he came.

Jace went to Barth’s room and found it empty. All of Barth’s clothes and belongings were gone.

That bastard did that to her then ran. Jace slammed his hand on the door frame. He looked down the hall and saw Wincet go into Tona’s room. He went back down the hall to see what was happening.

Dallys blocked his way into the room. “Jace, there was nothing Wincet could do. She lost too much blood.”

“No!” Jace tried to push past Dallys but she held him back. “She had a pulse when I was in there. Please check again. She had a pulse.”

Nellis grabbed Jace and pulled him out of the doorway. “Where is Barth?”

“He’s gone.” Jace closed his eyes to gain control of his emotions. “He must have left in the ship. His room has been cleared out.”

Wincet came out of Tona’s room. “Dallys, you and Isadora clean her up. I will take her body to Tolkarian myself. Nellis, where was Rix when you spoke to him?”

“He was two systems over getting building supplies for the settlement on Avia.” Nellis told him. “Do you want me to see if he can catch up with the ship?”

“Yes.” Wincet nodded. “Have Borne give you the ships name and registry information. I want Barth brought back here. I will deal with him myself.”

Nellis rushed off to the communication device to get in touch with Rix.

Jace looked at Wincet. “He didn’t have to kill her. He could have just divorced her. He said he was going to divorce her. Why did he kill her?”

Wincet put his hands on Jace’s shoulders. “He will be punished for what he has done. He made the mistake of harming one of mine and he will pay.”

Jace nodded. “Yes he will.”

“Come, let the women take care of her now.” Wincet pulled Jace along with him into the common room. “Nellis, did you raise Rix?”

“Yes.” Nellis came over to where they were. “Rix was already off the planet when I got him. He saw the craft on his monitor and he’s in pursuit. Do you think Hestrick is behind this?”

“It’s not showy enough for Hestrick. He likes his work to be noticed.” Wincet shook his head. “Besides, he doesn’t know Tona’s real face. She was disguised as a boy when he saw her.”

“Whoever it was knows Barth and was in contact with him.” Nellis rubbed his head. “I’ll check the communication logs to see who he was talking to. What about the mission?”

“The beast can wait for now. We need to find Barth and find out what happened.” Wincet said.

“He killed her that’s what happened.” Jace dropped into a chair and held his head in his hands. He let his tears fall. “I should have stayed behind with her.”

“You didn’t know what he had planned.” Wincet sat down next to him. “He must have been planning this from the time he arrived.”

“Could you have saved her if I had reached her sooner?” Jace asked.

“No. It was a mortal wound to the heart.” Wincet shook his head. “No one could have saved her from that. Besides, he pulled the knife out to speed up the bleeding.”

“It doesn’t make sense at all.” Jace wiped his face. “That’s what a trained killer would do but Barth didn’t seem trained at anything except being an ass.”

“You have a point.” Wincet nodded. “That’s why we need to find out what happened from Barth. He’s the only witness.”

Nellis walked over and sat in the chair next to them. “Barth was in contact with a merchant name Fin on Oldene. I talked to the man and he said that Barth’s father did business with him on a regular basis. The ship we saw is his but he loaned it out to Barth’s father, Helis.”

“So the bastard called his daddy to come get him?” Jace started to get angry. “I wonder whose idea it was to kill Tona, Barth’s or his father’s.”

“From what Tona told me, I would say it was the father.” Izzie sat down on the arm of the chair next to Nellis. “She’s ready Wincet but I think we all need a few minutes to say goodbye to her before you take her home.” 

Wincet nodded. “I agree. It will be difficult enough for her family without strangers there at the memorial service.”

The communication device alert went off.

“That’s probably Rix. I’ll handle it.” Nellis said as he got up and walked over to the communication device.

“Nellis, are you there?”

“I’m here Rix. What’s up?”

“I see them. I’ll let you know what happens after I make contact with the pilot. I hope that I don’t have to use these new pulse cannons I just put on. I'm not sure all the bolts are tight. Rix out.”

On the ship, Rix sent a message over to the other ship. The pilot slowed down and then the communications device sounded.

“Well, this is either going to go really well or really badly.” Valn said as he sat in the copilot’s seat.

“It better go really well.” Rix said as he slowed the ship to match the other ships speed. “We need the Dark Army’s friendship. They are the only people that will help us when we need it without expecting something in exchange.”

Valn nodded.

“I am Captain Phiks of the Oldene merchant fleet. Who are you and what do you want?” The pilot said.

“I’m Rix, captain of the Avian Wing. Did you stopped at a planet called Centra?”  

“Yes. I picked up another passenger.”

“You have a murderer on board.”

“You must be mistaken. I have a merchant and his son on board. They are on their way to Oldene for a meeting. There’s no murderer here.”

“That merchant’s son’s wife was murdered just before you took off. Look friend, I’m here by request of the Dark Army. Do you know who they are?”

“Yes … Everyone knows who they are.”

“The woman that was murdered was a member of the Dark Army. She was in her quarters, unarmed, where she thought she was safe. She was stabbed in the back as she was preparing for a mission.”

“You’re saying that one of these idiots killed a warrior from the Dark Army in cold blood?”

“Yes and you are helping them which makes you a target for the Dark Army too.”

“Come get them. I don’t want any trouble from the Dark Army. I’m not paid enough to get a price on my head because to these fools.”

Rix looked over at Valn “I need you stay here and open the refrigeration unit. We’ll put them in there it’s the only compartment that locks from the outside.”

Valn nodded. “Good luck and be careful.”

Rix docked his ship with the smaller ship and went aboard. The captain met him at the hatch. “You’re an Exaltanese!”

“Yes. Where are your passengers?” Rix didn’t have time to chat. He knew his best chance was to take them by surprise.

The captain pointed to a door a few feet away. He walked over and opened it.

Rix turned into a rhinsa and knocked both men out before they could move against him. Rix turned back into his normal state and looked at the captain.

“Help me get them on my ship then you can go on your way.” Rix went to pick up the older man and saw blood on the hem of his pants. “I think I found the murder right here.”

Phiks picked up Barth and threw him over his shoulder. “A find mess I’ve gotten myself into. Tell the Dark Army that I had no idea what they were about.”

“I will, friend.” Rix shoved Helis through the hatch to Valn and turned to get Barth. “Valn find something to tie them up with. Use good strong knots. We don’t want them to get loose.”

“Wait here and I will get their things.” Phiks turned and went to get their bags. He brought them to the hatch. “I want nothing of theirs on my ship.”

Rix shoved Barth through the hatch as he waited on Phiks. He took the bags the man brought him and tossed them through the hatch to Valn. “I will tell them that you were very cooperative.”

“Thanks. Now, I guess I should get back to Oldene. Phiks nodded goodbye and sealed the hatch once Rix was back on his ship.

After Barth and his father were safely tied up and inside the refrigeration unit, Rix looked in the bags belonging to the two men. One bag was full of currency and the other two were personal items.

“That’s enough to live on for the rest of their lives.” Valn said as he looked at the currency.

“Let’s head to Centra and Wincet and the others are waiting for these two.” Rix closed the bag and headed for the controls. “I’ll let Nellis know we have them while you turn the ship around.”

Valn nodded.

Nellis had been waiting by the communication device when Rix signaled him.

“Nellis?”

“I’m still here, Rix.”

“We have them we are on our way.”

“Thank you. I’ll tell Wincet.”

“Rix out.”

Nellis turned and found Wincet standing near him. “Rix is bringing them here. What are we going to do to them?”

“I will be the one to punish them.” Wincet said. “The rest of you need to grieve then we all will have to find a way to move on from this.”

“This is going to leave a gap in our skills set.” Nellis said. “Tona is going to be hard to replace.”

Wincet nodded. “I know. They will be here soon. We will leave for Tona’s home world after I deal with them. You should go say your goodbye.”

Nellis nodded and went into the living quarters. 

In Tona’s room, Dallys stood by the bed where she and Izzie had put Tona after they had cleaned her up. She wiped the tears off her cheeks before she knelt by the bed.

“Tona, you were like a sister to me. I am really going to miss our late night talks and the way you made our kitchen duty fun.” Dallys bit her lip to keep from crying again. “I will miss you and I will remember you always.”

Dallys looked up and saw Borne in the door way. She went over and patted him on the chest. “I’m done. I’ll let you say goodbye now.” She walked out of the room leaving him standing there.

Borne walked over to the bed and looked at Tona. His face was expressionless but his eyes were full of grief. “Tona, I have always respected you. You were a soldier like me. You understood what duty and honor meant to me. I do not know if I shall ever have that again. Safe journey to your land of renewal.” Borne bowed his head and walked out of the room.

Izzie and Nellis stood in the hallway holding hands. They watched Borne pass them with his head down.

“Come in with me, Nellis.” Izzie pulled Nellis in by the hand.

Izzie went over and knelt by the bed. “Tona, you were an inspiration to me. You made me believe that I was capable of anything. You and I were only friends for a short time but I was honored to call you my friend.” Izzie looked up at Nellis.

Nellis knelt beside Izzie. “Tona, it’s not going to be the same around here without you. You were always a lot of fun and someone I could always count on. In my life… that is a rare thing.” Nellis glanced at Izzie. “I’m glad we got to be friends. Come on Izzie. I think Jace wants to be alone with her.”

Izzie nodded and let Nellis help her up. They walked out of the room and found Jace waiting. Izzie hugged Jace then she and Nellis went into the common room.

Jace walked to the door then hesitated. He wiped his face and went to the bed.

“Just like you to say that you love me then leave me to wonder what might have been.” Jace knelt down. “I have never been as close to anyone one as I was with you. There was something about you, Tona. Something that I could never put my finger on. I thought it was because you were an elf but now I guess I will never know exactly what it was. I did love you. Strong, beautiful, and fun. That was you and that is the way I will remember you.”

“Jace, they’re almost here.” Nellis called down the hall.

“I have to go. Rix caught them trying to escape. Wincet is going to make sure they pay for doing this to you.” Jace stood up and leaned over to kiss Tona on the lips one last time. “Goodbye my sweet.”

Jace walked to the door and closed it on his way out.

Rix was just landing when Jace went out to where everyone was waiting. The hatch opened and Rix came out of the ship.

“Was there any trouble?” Wincet asked. 

“Not a bit. The Oldene captain had no idea that he had a murderer on board and as soon as he heard the words ‘Dark Army’, he gave them up without hesitation.” Rix said as he walked up to Wincet. “The older one has blood on the hem of his pants. We put them in the refrigeration compartment. There’s no lock on the inside. I’ve been meaning to fix that but I just haven’t got around to it. They were carrying a bag of currency with them. It doesn’t look like they planned on going back to their home world.”

“Keep the currency.” Wincet said. “Consider it your bounty.”

“Thank you. It will help my people a great deal. I will use it to pay for food and supplies.” Rix took a breath to steady his emotions. He turned to the open hatch. “Valn, bring the prisoners.”

Valn brought the two men to the hatch. They were both tied and gagged. Helis glared at Wincet defiantly while Barth hung his head and avoided looking at them.

Wincet pulled the gag off Helis. “Why did you kill her?”

“She was unsuitable. Barth told me that he was planning on giving her a divorce. That would bring shame to my family name and I could not have that.” Helis glared at Wincet. “The only way to end that marriage without disgrace was for her to die.”

Wincet looked at Barth. “Did he know what you planned to do when you came here?”

“No.” Helis glared at Barth. “He was ready to give her a divorce. He didn’t realize what that would do to our standing. He is weak that is why he could not control her. I had to put an end to it for him.”

“You son of a bitch!” Jace started to lunge forward but Borne and Nellis held him back.

Wincet looked over his shoulder at Jace. “Nellis, you and Borne take Jace inside. The rest of you go with them.”

“Wincet?” Nellis hesitated.

“It will be fine. Go now.” Wincet waved them away.

Everyone left Wincet with the two elves and went inside.

“I was really sorry to hear about this.” Rix looked at them. “Tona was a fine woman.”

Valn nodded. “You have our condolences.”

“Thank you.” Dallys sighed. “One of us needs to go see what Wincet is doing. I don’t like him being alone with those two.”

“I will go.” Borne didn’t wait for anyone to object he went out where he had left Wincet but he wasn’t there. Borne looked toward the Traveler’s Bridge and saw a portal open. He walked over to see what was going on.

“I refuse to go through that. I have no idea where it will take me.” Helis struggled against Wincet’s grip on his arm.

Borne grabbed Helis by the arm and started to drag him to the portal.

“Borne, you should go inside.” Wincet said. “I will handle this.”

“No. She was my friend.” Borne pushed Helis through the portal then turned to face Wincet. Borne pointed to Barth. “Do you want him to go as well?”

“No.” Wincet shook his head and closed the portal. “He will have to come with us to Tolkarian and explain what happened to Tona’s parents. Keep him here and watch him closely. I will get the others ready to leave for Tona’s home world.”

Borne nodded and held Barth by the arm as Wincet walked off.

“He sent my father somewhere. Do you know where he sent him?” Barth asked.

“No.” Borne squeezed Barth’s arm. “Silence.”

Barth winced and complied.

Thirty minutes later a portal opened on Tolkarian, Wincet led them through into the same garden that Tona had stepped into just a few weeks ago.

Manse greeted them. He was dressed in all white as was the custom for grieving. He walked over to the litter carrying Tona’s body. He glanced at Jace and Nellis then lifted the thin veil and looked at Tona’s face. “Thank you for bringing her home.”

“I believe that is what she would want.” Wincet glanced back at Borne holding on to Barth. “Helis was the one that took your daughter from you. I have dealt with him. You may do what you wish with him.”

“I will deal with him shortly.” Manse looked up at the sky. “We need to perform the ritual before the sun moves too far in the sky. It must be at its peak to be effective. Come this way.”

Manse led them up a mountain path to the glass and stone temple of Tolkar. He stood by the altar where Tona’s mother, Stara was waiting. “Please put her here. Manse pointed to the altar.”

Jace and Nellis lifted the litter and put her on the altar. They backed away. Manse started to say a spell to summon the winds of time then a beam of light came through the crystal at top of the temple. It slowly moved from one end of the altar to the other. It turned Tona’s body into a fine ash that started to blow away in the soft swirling breeze.

Manse and Stara watched as the breeze took their daughter away from them. Stara let out a sob and Manse comforted her by putting his arm around her.

Wincet and the others were silent. Izzie and Nellis held hands. Dallys leaned her head on Jace’s arm. Borne was still holding on to Barth.

When all of the ash was gone, Manse turned to them. He pulled a ornate dagger from under his tunic and walked up to Barth.

“Wait! I didn’t know he was going to kill her. Please!” Barth pleaded.

“You didn’t protect her either.” Manse plunged the dagger into Barth and twisted it.

Barth gasped and fell to the ground, choking on his blood until he died.

“Now she is avenged.” Manse stepped to Wincet. “What did you do to Helis?”

“I sent him to a planet where he will die a slow and painful death from radiation and starvation.” Wincet said. “I wanted him to suffer for taking the life of such a magnificent woman as Tona.”

Manse nodded. “Thank you. Thank you all for caring for our daughter. it is time for us to grieve in private.”

Wincet nodded. He turned and led the others back to the garden. He conjured the portal to send them back home. He watched as everyone stepped through but Jace.

“You sent him to Exalta?” Jace asked.

“Yes. He will suffer for a few days before the radiation or hunger kills him.” Wincet put his hand on Jace’s arm. “Should I have killed him quickly like Manse killed Barth?”

“No.” Jace shook his head. “Tona would have made Helis suffer if he had killed one of us.”

“I believe she would have.” Wincet patted Jace’s arm. “Let’s go home. We have to plan our next mission.”

Jace nodded and they both stepped through the portal to Centra.

Episode 9
Once they go through the portal, Dallys’ question was answered. There were a few inches of snow covering everything.

Wincet looked over the cart. “Did you get everything on the lists?”

“I double checked while we waited for you to open the portal. Can we get out of the cold?” Dallys asked as she shivered. “I’m freezing.”

“Yes. Yes.” Wincet lead them back down the Traveler’s Bridge to the living quarters.

Tona was waiting in the meeting room when they arrived. “Nellis, I have something for you.” She held out a note.

Nellis took the note and read it. He laughed. “So that’s where you were. You were helping Izzie.”

“Yes and no. It was just a quick thing.” Tona looked at Wincet. “Should we tell them now?”

Wincet nodded. “You should do it.”

“I’m going home but it’s just for a few weeks. Izzie is coming to cover for me. When this thing I have to do is over, I will be coming back.” Tona glanced at Wincet. “With my husband.”

“You never mentioned a fiancé.” Dallys raised an eyebrow at her.

“It’s an arranged marriage.” Tona shrugged. “It was delayed when I left to be a mercenary but I just recently decided to go through with it. He is still willing to do it.”

“You’re going to have to tell me everything now. Can you get us invitations to the wedding?” Dallys pulled Tona by the arm down the hall to their rooms.

“Looks like you’re next, kitten boy.” Jace slapped Nellis on the shoulder.

Nellis blinked then grinned. “It will be good to have Izzie around for a while. Maybe she can make this her home base too.”

“We should have a little celebration.” Wincet grinned. “I have a batch or bang bang wine all ready to drink. Maybe the three of you can whip up something nice for dinner.”

“Uh.” Nellis shifted on his feet. “Wincet. I need to talk to you about something. We may have to put the celebration on hold until tomorrow.”

“Why?” Wincet gave Nellis a suspicious look.

“I literally bumped into an Exaltanese shifter. He told me that there are forty survivors of the destruction of Exalta. They’re on a moon of a gas giant in the Gax system. He wanted to know who destroyed his planet.” Nellis raised his hands in the air. “I didn’t tell him that I knew but I told him we could help him find out. I said I had to talk to you first.”

“What does he want to do? Hunt Trystana down and then what? Kill her?” Wincet gave Nellis a hard look. “I cannot condone killing. You shouldn’t have told him we will help him.”

“I agree.” Jace folded his arms and looked at Nellis.

“At least, I didn’t tell him who it was.” Nellis rubbed his head. “He said she needs to be brought to justice. I agree with that. Can’t we just get her and take her to them and let them sort it out?”

“Do you remember what happened when you went there to get the Star Breaker Wand?” Wincet looked at them. “People were killed.”

“Tona hasn’t killed anyone since then and we can be more careful this time.” Nellis insisted. “We have learned to work together and we can give the people that died on Exalta some peace.”

Wincet sighed. “We need to put it to a vote. Borne go get Tona and Dallys.”

Borne hurried down the corridor to their rooms and brought them back.

“Borne says we are going to take a vote on something.” Tona looked at the others as she and Dallys came in.

“Nellis wants to give Trystana to the survivors of Exalta for punishment.” Jace leaned against the table.

“I vote yes.” Tona sat down in a chair.

Dallys sighed. “What will they do to her?”

“We don’t know that but I would say they would probably kill her.” Jace looked at Nellis. “Their resources are limited and I don’t think they want to hold her as a prisoner.”

Dallys bit her lip. “I vote yes.”

“Dallys!?” Jace looked shocked.

“I vote yes.” Nellis said as he looked at the others.

Borne had been silent through all this. He finally spoke up. “I vote yes.”

“So the majority wants to turn her over to the Exaltanse.” Wincet nodded. “I will send you with our decision. Help them capture her but then I want you to come back. Let them do what they are going to do.”

“Rix said he will be back to his people within four hours. We should wait until he has had a chance to talk with his leaders.” Nellis suggested.

“Agreed. That is plenty of time to prepare a celebratory meal for Tona’s marriage.” Wincet looked at jace and Nellis. “I believe you two are on for cooking today.”

Jace nodded “Come on Nellis.”

Nellis followed Jace into the kitchen.

In less than an hour, everyone sat around the table eating a simple meal and drinking wine.

“What is he like, Tona? Is he a mercenary like you?” Jace asked.

“No he’s a scholar.” Tona pushed her plate back. “He doesn’t know anything about weapons. I suppose he could help Wincet when we go off world.”

“I would be happy for the help.” Wincet smiled. “It’s a shame we won’t be at your wedding. I haven’t been to an elven joining before.”

Tona shook her head. “His family is not welcoming to other races. They are barely welcoming to me.”

“Are you okay?” Jace asked Tona. “You don’t seem all that happy about getting married.”

“I’m happy. I’m doing what I should have done years ago.” Tona flashed a smile. “I will learn to love him in time.”

“Unless, he’s a bore then we can just leave him on a planet somewhere for you.” Nellis winked at her.

“I may take you up on that.” Tona laughed nervously.          

Wincet looked over at the clock. “Well, we need to get back to work. You have a meeting to get to. Gather your things and I will meet you on the Traveler’s Bridge.”

In a few minutes everyone was on the bridge waiting for Wincet.

Jace looked down at Nellis’ boots and his orange and black socks. “Nice socks. Where did they come from?”

“Izzie bought them for me on my birthday before I came here.” Nellis looked down at his feet. “I found them in my bag when I came back from Caspire. She must have packed them.” 

“Very snazzy.” Jace chuckled.

Borne looked down at Nellis’ feet with a frown.

“They’re hideous but I’m cold.” Nellis explained.

Tona looked down at Nellis’ feet and laughed. “Cute!”

Wincet looked at them then went to make the portal. “Come right back after your meeting and I will send you to Baikus.” 

When the portal opened on the moon Talvan and Rix stepped back. Neither had seen anything like it before.

“Are you sure these people can be trusted, Rix?” Talvan shaded his eyes from the glow of the portal. “They are outsiders.”

“Yes. I’m sure.” Rix looked at the older man. “The fact that they have kept their word to me proves that they are willing to help us. That’s enough for me.”

Nellis and the others stepped through the portal and walked over to where they saw Rix and Talvan standing.

“Hello Grandfather.” Nellis bowed his head. “I’m Nellis and these are my friends. We have some information to tell you and then we will help you bring the destroyer of your world to justice.”

“You are from Caspire. You are a shifter like us but you associate with these lower beings. He isn’t even a creature. He’s a machine.” Talvan looked confused. “Why is that?”

Borne blinked but didn’t say anything. He was used to being singled out because he was an android.

Nellis shifted on his feel and looked uncomfortable.

“Lower beings?” Tona stepped forward but Jace pulled her back and shook his head.

“Grandfather, these people are equals. They help others in need and they are here to help us.” Rix whispered in the old man’s ear. He turned to the group. “Please forgive Talvan. He has lived a sheltered life in the monastery. What can you tell us about the person who destroyed our home world?”

“We came to tell you that we know who was responsible for the destruction of your world.” Jace looked at the older man. “We took the Star Breaker Wand from her so that she couldn’t use it again.”

“Star Breaker Wand? That’s a myth.” Rix looked at Nellis. “Isn’t it?”

“It’s very real.” Nellis sighed. “We have now tucked away  in a safe place. The person that used it is Trystana of Baikus. She took it from the Metalis Alliance.”

“I remember that name.” Rix looked at Talvan. “She came to the Great Council claiming to be a priestess of great power. She wanted us to pay her tribute. The Great Council refused to pay her. That was several years ago. My parents laughed about her claim. They thought she was stupid to try anything so foolish on the Exaltanese.” 

“I was there. I was attending Councilor Marlken.” Talvan shook his head as he remembered that day. “She had some magick but when Marlken challenged her she was no match for him. He injured her severely and her men had to carry her back to her ship.”

“Then that is the why, who, and the how of it.” Rix took a breath. “Can you help bring her to justice?”

Tona looked at them both. “We are here to help you capture Trystana. Just one thing, we should only bring one or two of your men. There’s no need to send more than that.”

“I will go.” Rix looked at Tona. “There is no need for anyone else. I lost all that was my heart that day. I need to see this through.”

Talvan nodded. “Go with them and bring this murderer back to us. We will have justice and give peace and honor to all that perished that day.”

“What is the plan?” Rix asked.

“We go in and take her from her fortress.” Tona shrugged. “Then we bring her here to you.”

“Shouldn’t we make a plan?” Rix asked. 

“Just get your gear.” Nellis smiled. “We already know the layout of her fortress. We have been there once already.”

“I have all that I need on my person. When can we leave?” Rix asked.

“As soon as the portal is reopened, we will go to Centra and from there Baikus.” Jace told him.

Dallys turned and walked back to where the portal opened before. As soon as she got close another opened. She turned and looked at the others. “Shall we go?”

“How does your leader know when to create the portal?” Rix asked as he walked with Nellis.

“He watches for us with his scrying bowl.” Dallys smiled.

Nellis and Jace looked at each other and shrugged.

The Dark Army along with Rix stepped onto the snow covered Traveler’s Bridge where Wincet was waiting.

“Hello I’m Rix and you must be their leader.” Rix extended his hand to Wincet. “Thank you for your help.”

“I am Wincet and we are here to help those in need.” Wincet took Rix’s hand and shook it. “Now get ready and I will conjure the portal to Baikus” 

Everyone came to stand where Wincet was standing. Wincet opened the portal to Baikus. He looked directly at Tona. “Please be careful this time.”

Tona nodded. She followed the rest of the group into the portal.

As soon as they stepped through the portal on Baikus, they took cover in the trees.

“Dallys, Nellis, and Rix, you are up first. Get in and get a look around then come back. We’ll come in and grab her when you find her.” Tona told him.

Dallys became a point of light and took off.

Nellis turned into a mouse and scampered off.

Rix looked at the others then shifted into a hummingbird.

“That was an interesting choice.” Jace squinted as he followed Rix with his eyes.

“Obviously, he hasn’t used his shifting for nefarious deeds like Nellis.” Tona smirked. “I suppose his people aren’t natural born thieves like Nellis.”

“Nellis is unique. Izzie is not a thief and she uses her shapeshifting abilities.” Borne reminded them.

Jace chuckled. “Nellis says she is a lot of fun when she plays shifties with him. I have a feeling I don’t really want to know what that entails.”

Tona grinned. “No, you really don’t.”

Dallys was the first one back. She changed back to normal before she spoke. “The place has been closed up. There are sheets over all the furniture and the shutters are locked. I had to let Nellis and Rix in. They should be back any moment.”

Nellis and Rix came walking towards them already in their humanoid form. They had an older man by the arms between them.

Borne, Jace, and Tona came out of cover and met them half way near the garden wall.

“We found the caretaker.” Nellis nodded toward the old man. “He was in a small house in back. He isn’t saying anything.”

“Oh really? I haven’t asked him my way yet.” Tona pulled a dagger from her boot and held it to the old man’s throat. “Where is Trystana?”

“She was taken.” The old man looked at the blade. “The man came in the night. He was wearing a uniform of the Metalis Alliance.”

“A human wearing a Metalis Alliance uniform? Borne, is that even possible?” Jace asked.

“Yes.” Borne confirmed. “There are a few humanoids in the ranks but I don’t know of any that would carry out a mission on their own.” 

Tona backed the old man against the wall. “Where are the rest of the men? Where is Trystana? Tell me the truth this time.”

“I did. They have been gone for months. They were here but now they're gone.” The old man said. “The man came and took them. He came the last night of sadness. It was the time of mourning for the dead we found in the woods.” The old man struggled but Tona held him firmly against the garden wall. “He came in the night. It was all quiet then the door was open and the wind appeared, The candles blew and then they just disappeared.”

“Who was he?” Tona asked. “What was his name? Did you hear his name?”

“They called him Boc the Reaper.” The old man told them. “He’s a bounty hunter. Trystana was wanted by the Metalis alliance for stealing the Star Breaker from them. They saw the star explode and they knew it was her. So they came to take her away.”

“Then she’s dead.” Rix scratched his head. “The Metalis Alliance doesn’t put people in prison. They just kill them.”

“We’re sorry, Rix.” Dallys patted his arm.

“It just spares my people the trouble of doing it themselves.” Rix sighed. “I guess I should be thankful for that. I should be getting back I need to tell the others what we found out.”

“We need to get to the rendezvous point then Wincet will send you home when we get to the Traveler’s Bridge.” Nellis told him.

They all walked to the place they came into the forest and the portal opened. Rix looked around one last time before he walked through the portal.

Rix walked through the portal to the moon where his people were waiting.

“Did you not find her?” Talvan asked when he didn’t see anyone with Rix.

“The Metalis Alliance got to her first. She’s dead. She’s been dead for months.” Rix said to the crowd. “We may not have had the justice that we had hoped for but she has met her fate already. Let us mourn the dead and heal. 

Talvan nodded. “While you were gone, Rix, we decided to name this moon Avia. It has now become out sanctuary similar to the one written about by the Scribes.”

“I like it.” Rix smiled. “It’s a perfect name for our new home.” 

On a battle cruiser belonging to the Metalis Alliance. Trystana paced the floor of her cell. She had no idea why she was still alive. She should have been killed months ago. She knew she was going to die as soon as saw the uniform on the bounty hunter.

A commander walked up to the force field. “You failed to wipe out the Exaltanese. There are still some left. You failed your mission and you lost the Star Breaker. I would have killed you just for that but the General Tox wants you delivered to him alive. So I am keeping you alive against my better judgement. “

“I did as I was told.” Trystana walked toward the force field. “It wasn’t my fault that I lost the Star Breaker Wand. It was stolen when a group of mad men raided my fortress. They had a trained ursaur with them. They killed four of my men. We didn’t stand a chance against them. “

“Lies! I will let General Tox do what he likes with you. “The commander turned to walk away. I am sure whatever it is it will be unpleasant.  He is a very unpleasant man.”

“Please! Just leave me on some unknown planet and tell him I died in transit. “Trystana begged. “I know exactly what he has in mind for me. Please help me!”

The commander laughed as he walked down the corridor out of the cell block.

Trystana sank to the floor. She knew what was coming. General Tox would enjoy himself as he ripped her apart as slowly as possible.

Dark Realms Short #2: Power Shortage
Word Count: 1840

Wincet came down the corridor where the men had their rooms. He knocked on Jace’s and then Nellis’ doors.

Both of them opened the door and looked out then at each other. It wasn’t like Wincet to come to their rooms in the middle of the day.

“Wincet, is there something wrong?” Jace asked.

“I fear there is.” Wincet scowled. “Borne’s power cell is beginning to degrade and he will need to have it replaced. I need to send you both with him to Kavel to get one.”

“Kavel?” Jace frowned. “Shouldn’t we just steal one from a supply cupboard on Greeda?

Nellis laughed. “You and I have been spending far too much time together, my friend. Besides, there may not be anything left on Greeda to steal. Borne played us the order the Metalis Alliance gave to abandon the base. They probably took everything they could when they left.”

Jace looked annoyed. “We need to know what it looks like before we go.”

“Borne is going with you. He knows exactly what he needs.” Wincet looked at them both. “I will meet you at the Traveler’s Bridge in twenty minutes.”

“Wait! What if his power cell dies while we are on Kavel?” Jace asked. “There is no way Nellis and I can get him back here like that.”

“I just recharged the power cell but the charge won’t hold for long. That is why you must hurry.” Wincet turned and headed back down the corridor.

“I hope we find one. I’ve gotten rather fond of Borne.” Jace said as he watched Wincet turn the corner.

“We all have. Be had better hurry.” Nellis ducked back into his room and picked up his jacket and his weapons.

Jace went back in his room to grab his things too. He was coming out of his room just as Nellis was walking around the corner. “Hey! Nellis! Wait up!”

Jace and Nellis got to the Traveler’s Bridge before Wincet and Borne.

“I thought we were in a rush.” Jace pulled up his color against the wind.

“Maybe the charge didn’t hold and Wincet is trying it again.” Nellis said.

Wincet and Borne finally appeared at the end of the bridge and walked up to join the two men.

“Borne, you feeling alright?” Jace asked.

“Yes. I am functioning perfectly at the moment.” Borne said without a hint of worry. “But we must get the power cell or I will not be functioning at all. It is vital that I receive a new power cell.”

Wincet opened the portal to Kavel and Borne, Jace, and Nellis stepped through. They walked the short distance to the open market and looked around to find a tech vendor.

“Hey! There’s a tech merchant at the end of the row.” Jace pointed to the cart. “You and I can go, Borne. Nellis can stay here and keep an eye out for trouble.”

“Sure.” Nellis said. He stood near a tree and waited for them to come back. He didn’t have to wait long and when they did return it was empty handed.

“What’s wrong? Why didn’t you get the power cell?” Nellis asked Jace.

“The vender said that Borne can’t get a new power cell without a purchase slip signed by a commanding officer.” Jace frowned. “We tried to explain to the man that if he doesn’t get one soon, he’s going to shut off. He wasn’t very sympathetic.”

“How are we going to get him one of those?” Nellis thought for a moment. “We won’t be able to go to a base and get him one …. But we can just forge one.”

Jace looked at Nellis. “I’m not a forger. Are you?”

“No but I know one or two.” Nellis grinned. “Remember my drinking buddies on Caspire? One of them is a first class forger and he owes me money.”

“We can figure it out when we get back.” Jace said. “Let’s go back to the rendezvous point.”

They went back and waited a few minutes before a portal opened to take them home.

“Well?” Wincet asked when they stepped through the portal.

“We didn’t get the power cell. Borne needs a purchase slip.” Nellis told him.

Wincet frowned. “I was hoping you wouldn’t have any trouble. Don’t worry Borne. We can try to keep recharging the one you have until we can come up with a batter plan.”

“Nellis said he has a friend that can forge Borne a purchase slip.” Jace spoke up.

“He owes me money too.” Nellis grinned. “He’s going to need to see one though to go by.”

“I have one for a circuit card. It was in my pack when I came here,” Borne said. “It’s already been used. He will just have to delete the stamp. I will also have to give him the part number.”

“That will work.” Nellis said.

Wincet frowned. “That may be the only way we can get it but I don’t like it at all. It’s risky.”

“Jenis owes nearly twenty talons. He won’t say anything to anybody after I forgive a debt like that,” Nellis grinned. “I’ll go with you back to your room to get it and all the info then I need to get to Caspire.”

Wincet nodded. “Borne, stay off your feet until Nellis comes back to save your power. Once we have the purchase order, you can go back to Kavel to get the power cell.”

Borne nodded. “I will do what you ask. I do not want to go dark.”

Jace knew what going dark meant. He had heard Borne talk about it before. “It meant death for an android.”

“Borne, what do you say I keep you company until Nellis gets back?” Jace asked.

“I would like that, Jace.” Borne looked relieved or as relieved as an android can look.

Nellis was on his way to Caspire within the hour. He had everything he needed to forge a new purchase slip for Borne’s power cell.

Jace sat with Borne in his room and they looked out the window at the snow falling. “You know Borne, I never knew all of this was out here. I thought that my planet was the only one with life on it. But then again life comes in many different forms doesn’t it. Look at you. You’re an android and you’re alive.”

“I am a machine not a living being.” Borne corrected him.

“You are as much alive as I am and I know you are worried about going dark.” Jace sighed. “All life worries about dying, Borne and you aren’t alone in your fear. I wonder if I’m going to die out here one day. We do dangerous things you know.”

Borne nodded. “Jace, if I go dark, there is something I wish you to do.

“What is it Borne?” Jace asked.

“Don’t let anyone take me apart and use me for scrap metal.” 

“I won’t.” Jace took a breath. “On my world, we bury our dead in boxes called coffins. We put a stone with their name on it where we bury them so we can talk to them or just leave the flowers. Would you like me to do that for you, Borne?”

“Yes I would. Thank you, Jace.” Borne looked out the window again.

The next morning Borne and Jace went with Wincet to bring Nellis back from Caspire.

“Did you get it?” Jace asked.

“Of course, I got it.” Nellis grinned. “Jenis was more than pleased to help and I only had to forgive half of his debt to get it done.”

Jace laughed. “You’re very good at that, aren’t you?”

“I had to be.” Nellis shrugged. “Are you ready to go, Borne?”

“Yes. I am ready.” Borne looked at Jace.

Wincet made a portal to Kavel and the trio stepped through. They went straight to the vendor to get the power cell.

“Hello there friend. I see that you are back. Do you have the proper paperwork this time?”

“Yes I do.” Boren handed the vendor the forged purchase slip.

The man glanced at it and put it on the table before he rummaged around until her found the power cell. “That will be twenty two tagnets.”

Jace looked in his pocket and pulled out twenty tagnets. “Nellis, I’m two short.”

Nellis searched his pockets and found one more. “I only have one. Can you give it to us for twenty one?”

“I have to make a profit. You understand?” The vendor shook his head and shrugged. “It’s twenty two or no part for your friend here. By the way, why are you not with a patrol, friend? I have never seen a solitary soldier before.”

“He is on loan to us.” Jace said. “Nellis, maybe you should show him what an ursaur looks like up close.”

“Sure thing.” Nellis grinned.

“Look, I don’t want any trouble. I’ll take twenty one and next time, get your parts somewhere else.” The vendor slid the box across the table.

Jace and Nellis put the money down on the table. Borne looked in the box to make sure it was the one he needed.

“This one had been discharged.” Borne looked at the vendor. “Do you not have one that is fully charged?”

“No. That’s the only one I have. Do you want it or not?”

Nellis picked up eleven tagnets from the table. “We are taking it for ten. Let’s go gentlemen.”

They started to walk away from the vendor and got about ten yards from the rendezvous point when they spotted the four Metalis Alliance soldiers standing near the edge of the market.

“What do we do now?” Jace asked Nellis.

“I have no idea. He obviously told them we were coming.” Nellis thought for a moment. “Just keep walking and don’t look back. Pray that Wincet gets the portal to us before they get to us.”

They reached the rendezvous point just as the portal opened. They stepped through before the soldiers had a chance to see them.

When they stood on the Traveler’s Bridge borne looked panicked. “My serial number was on the purchase slip. They are going to know that I am still functioning.”

“You mean this purchase slip?” Nellis held up the paper. “I lifted it when he was fussing around in the back. No one will know it’s you.”

“Quick thinking Nellis!” Wincet sounded impressed.

“There’s still one problem the power cell has been discharged.” Jace said. “Will it still work?”

Wincet took it out of the box and looked at it. “Oh yes! It will work and we should get inside and charge it right up. What do you say, Borne?”

“Thank you all for helping me.” Borne said.

Jace patted him on the back. “We are family now, Borne and families help each other out.”

Wincet waved them inside.

The power cell was in much better condition than the one Borne had. They were changed while Borne was on reserve power so that he wouldn’t go dark not even for a minute.

Dark Realms 5: The Duchess of Fel
Word Count:  4017
Brought to you by puzzleprompts


Wincet called everyone together in the Vision Cave. “We have a mission. The Duchess of Fel is going to attack the Metalis Alliance outpost on Greeda. We need to stop her.”

“It sounds like she’s doing us a favor so why should we try to stop her?” Jace asked.

“It’s because that outpost is in the middle of a human settlement.” Borne told them. “The humans are there to keep anyone from destroying the planet.”

“I get it. No one wants to kill all those people just to get at the outpost.” Jace nodded. “There are sickos on Earth that do the same thing.” 

“What does a ‘sicko’ look like?” Nellis asked.

“They’re human but they are the lowest of the low. Cowards really.” Jace explained.

“I think every militia uses that tactic to some degree. I saw if far too often when I worked as a mercenary.” Tona put her hand on the knife at her belt. “Just point me in the right direction and I will take care of this. It sounds like she just needs to be taken out.”

“That wasn’t what I was suggesting. The Duchess of Fel is a resourceful woman. She wouldn’t hire a mercenary like you. She prefers to enslave her soldiers with spells and potions.” Wincet explained. “She’s been out there for years not causing any trouble until recently. She lost the love of her life. He was killed by the Metalis Alliance for not surrendering his vessel when told. They blew him and the ship up. That is why she is targeting them and Greeda is the most vulnerable of all their outposts.”

“She’s grieving. No one makes a rational decision when they’re grieving.” Dallys looked around the room and realized that everyone there knew exactly what she meant. “What are we going to do?”

“I was thinking that one of you could go undercover and act as a saboteur on the ship while the others sabotage the weapons on the ground.” Wincet looked at Nellis. “I would send you in with a partner of course.”

“Why are looking at me?” Nellis took a step back from the group. “I’m not going to like this plan, am I?”
Wincet sighed. “The Duchess has a fondness for cats. If the stories that I have heard are correct, her ship is teeming with them. Nellis you are the logical choice. She won’t be able to resist another cat.” 

“I’m a Caspirian shape shifter, now a cat.” Nellis shook his head. “Cats run around naked, drink toilet water and lick themselves in public. No! Find someone else to do it. Tona can glamour into anyone. Send her.”

“Look Nellis, if you’re worried that some girl kitty will fancy you, it’s never going to happen.” Jace laughed.

“We need to give him a bath.” Tona picked something out of Nellis’ fur. He’s going to need a good brushing too. He’s sort of matted in spots.”

“Wait a minute! I haven’t agreed to this.” Nellis started to back away from the group.

Tona and Jace looked at each other and then tackled Nellis.

“Suck it up, kitten boy. You have a space ship to sabotage.” Jace said as he and Tona picked him up off the floor and carried him to the showers.

“What are we going to do while he’s on the inside?” Dallys asked.

“I want you to go in with him. Stay a point of light as much as you can and stay out of sight.” Wincet said. “Borne, I need you to monitor the communications of the outpost.”

“Of course.” Borne nodded. “I will search for the frequency now.”

“How are we getting on board a space ship?” Dallys finally asked.

“I will open a portal on the ship. It will be tricky but I can do it.” Wincet tapped the table. “Once we get the ship on the ground then I can portal you back from there.”

“I hope you’re thinking of landing it not crashing it.” Dallys looked worried.

“I am. I need to get my supplies for the portals. I will meet you all at the Travelers Bridge.” Wincet walked off.

“Borne, why do I get the feeling this is going to end badly?” Dallys looked up at the android.

“Nellis is unpredictable and illogical.” Borne confirmed her worst fears.

“Wonderful!” Dallys threw her hands up and went to get ready to leave.

It was almost two hours later when everyone assembled at the Travelers Bridge to leave. Jace and Tona were going to the planet to do surveillance and disarm the ground weapons while Dallys and Nellis were going on board the ship to sabotage it.

Jace and Tona walked through the first portal onto Greeda. They appeared just outside of the outpost and. had to take cover immediately.

Four soldiers from the Metalis Alliance came around the corner and almost caught them as they walked out of the portal.

“That was close.” Tona looked out from behind the crate they had ducked behind. She rubbed her sweaty hands on her thighs. “Wincet didn’t say it would be so hot here.”

“Too close. Borne didn’t say anything about patrols. This is going to be harder than we thought.” Jace pulled a dagger from his jacket. “We need to get to the control room and disable the weapons. We should do it quickly before we melt. This heat is unbearable.”

“Wait. I think I have an easier way to get through the patrols.” Tona put her hands over her face and whispered something when she took them away she looked like an android.

“Neat trick.” Jace smiled. “Let me guess. I’m the prisoner.”

Tona stood up and grabbed Jace by the arm. “That’s what they will believe.”

Tona was right. She marched Jace into the outpost and down the hall toward the holding cells without being questioned. Before she got to the cells, she took a left. There was a maintenance closet at the end of the corridor. She pulled Jace inside and turned on the light.

“Bloody hell! It’s just as hot in here as it was outside.” Jace wiped the sweat off his face. He looked over the circuits on the wall. “Now we need to find the power source of the weapons. Can you read any of this?”

“It’s the one to your left. It says pulse cannon.” Tona pointed to a large switch on the wall.

Jace laughed and moved the switch to the off position. “Who would have thought that when I left London I would be living like Doctor Who? Pulse cannon deactivated.”

“Who is ‘Doctor Who’?” Tona asked.

“One night, when we aren’t busy, I will tell you all about Doctor Who. Right now we need to stay quiet and out of sight.” Jace reached over and turned out the light.

Dallys and Nellis walked out of the portal into a cargo hold. They looked around and didn’t any crew. The only beings around were about a dozen cats.

“You’re going to have to shrink and walk on all fours to blend in.” Dallys looked him over. “They did a nice job brushing out those mats. You fur is really shiny.”

Nellis sighed. “They brushed me within an inch of my life. Nellis pulled at the yellow ribbon on his neck. “This is humiliating.” 

“Nellis? Nellis is that you?” A voice across the room whispered.

“Did you say something?” Nellis looked at Dallys.

“No. It wasn’t me.” Dallys looked around. “I don’t see anyone.”

Suddenly, a black cat stood on its back legs and grew in size. “I thought that was you. I’ve been looking for you.”

“Izzie? What are you doing here?” Nellis asked. “I thought you were on Caspire.”

“I was but there has been a rash of disappearances and I volunteered to check it out.” Izzy looked at him. “I haven’t seen you look that pretty since we were in school. Love the ribbon. Yellow was always your color.” She turned to Dallys. “His mum would brush him just like that for portrait day.”

Dallys giggled.

“Don’t tell her that. Why are you here? You’re not an investigator or anything.” Nellis asked.

“No but I am one of the ones missing a loved one. That’s you, by the way.” Izzie sighed. “What are you doing here and what was that thing you just came out of?”

“It’s a portal. That’s how we travel around.” Nellis nodded towards Dallys. “This is Dallys. She’s a part of the Dark Army too.”

“Dark Army? Nellis, what have you gotten yourself into now?” Izzie put her hands on her hips and glared at him.

“No time to explain it all now.” Dallys cut in. “Do you know where the power grid is? We need to disable the ship when it gets to Greeda.”

“Yes.” Izzie looked at Nellis. “You’re going to have to shift to get around. You might want to stay here and hide.”

“I’m a fae. I can make myself small and stay close to the ceiling.” Dallys took a deep breath and turned into a point of light.

Nellis shrank a little then dropped to all fours. “Let’s go.”

Izzie returned to her cat form and led them out of the cargo hold and down the corridor to the auxiliary power control room. Izzie returned to her normal size and waited for the others to do the same. 

“No one is ever in here.” Izzie told them. “This is the backup to the backups but you can access everything on the ship here. Do you know what you’re going to do the ship to make it crash?” 

“Hopefully, we are going to make it land not crash.” Dallys said as she went over to the control panel. “Watch the door, Nellis, just in case.”

Nellis nodded. He stood next to the door and opened it a little to look out.

“Nellis, where have you been?” Izzie asked.

“I stepped through one of those portals and I found myself on another planet.” Nellis glanced back at her. “There was a sorcerer there. He summoned us. He wants to protect the universe from dark forces. So I go on missions with the others and fix things.”

“Are there any other shifters with you?” Izzie asked.

“No. I’m the only one.” Nellis shook his head. “How many are missing?”

“Twenty. I found ten so far but they were dead.” Izzie put her hand on Nellis’ chest. “I was afraid I would find you dead too.”

“What killed them?” Nellis asked. He didn’t look at her hand on his chest. If he did then he would give away how much he missed her.

“They were poisoned. I don’t know who is doing it yet.” Izzie took her hand off his chest. “I came here after I heard about the Duchess and her cats. I was hoping some of the shifters were hiding out here.”

“When we get done with this mission, I want you to come back with me and talk to Wincet, the sorcerer. He will help you.” Nellis smiled at her. “We all will.”

“Thank you.” Izzie gave him a kiss on the lips.

“We are almost to the planet. It looks like I can turn off weapons and disable the engine from here.” Dallys raised an eyebrow at the two shifters that were gazing in each other’s eyes. “Nellis, did you hear me?”

“Huh?” Nellis looked over a Dallys. “Yes I heard you. Just do it.”

“Yeah.” Dallys wrinkled her nose. “This may get a little bumpy.”

On the planet below, Tona and Jace heard a commotion outside the door. Tona turned off the light and opened the door a crack to hear what was being said.

“Hurry to the weapons! There is a ship in orbit and they are about to attack.” One of the soldiers yelled to another.

They could be heard running down the corridor when Tona closed the door.

“They’re here. Now all we have to do is wait.” Jace wiped his brow. “And sweat.”

“This is too easy.” Tona frowned. “They should know by now that the weapons are off line. Borne would have figured it out by now. Why can’t they?”

“Maybe the upgrades in the newer models took some of their sense away.” Jace shrugged. “Borne seems almost human sometimes.”

Tona smiled. “Yes he does. We better make sure the weapons are really off line. We need to find a control panel.”

“Unless you can glamour me, I should stay here.” Jace said.

“Fine. I’ll be back.” Tona opened the door and slipped out.

On the ship, Nellis, Dallys, and Izzie were still in the control room. The ship had begun its descent. It was shaking and it felt like it would come apart any minute.

“Dallys, what did you do?” Nellis asked. “It’s going to crash.”

“No its not. There is plenty of time to bring the engines back on line.” Dallys looked at the panel in front of her. “I think.”

“Great! I’m going to die naked with a yellow bow around my neck.” Nellis sighed dramatically. “There is someone coming.”

Nellis and Izzie shifted into cats and Dallys became a point of light.

The door opened and a man picked up Nellis and Izzie. “What are you two doing in here? Did you get shut in by accident? I better take you to the Duchess. She wants you all on the bridge.” He walked out with them and closed the door.

Dallys took her normal form as soon as he left. She had to keep the weapons off line but the engines needed to come back on before they crashed.

Nellis resisted the urge to bite the man as they were carried down the corridor. He looked over at Izzie and caught her winking at him.

The man turned into a room at the end of a long corridor. The walls were covered in gold curtains and there were pillows all over the floor. On the floor near the large throne like chair were several dishes of food. Along one wall there were several men at control panels. Music filled the room from a woman playing a harp near the door on the opposite wall.

The man bowed. “Duchess, I found two more.”

“Ah! Bring them here.” A dark skinned woman practically purred. She took them from the man. “Come here my darlings, are you afraid?”

The man bowed and made a hasty exit.

The woman rubbed Nellis’ head then gave him a kiss on his cheek. She then gave Izzie a cuddle. “There is some nice fishy in the dishes. No worries now! Just have a nibble.” She put them down near several large dishes of something smelly. “Good kitties.”

A man standing near a control panel on the other side of the room called out. “Duchess, the engines are back on but the fuel is low. We are still leaking fuel. We have to land and fix the leak before we can continue with your plan.” .

The Duchess hissed. “Then find us a place to land. I will send in some soldiers instead. Either way that outpost will crumble. I will not be disappointed. I will have my revenge.” 

“Now what?” Izzie whispered.

“We didn’t plan on her sending in troops.” Nellis whispered back. “I can’t get word to Tona and Jace about the change in her plan. This is not going to end well.”

Somehow, the crew of the ship managed to land without crashing them into a mountain. From one of the windows on the bridge, Nellis and Izzie could see that the outpost wasn’t very far away.

“We have to get out of here.” Nellis whispered as he looked around. “What is behind all these drapes?”

“There’s a door to the galley. We can get out that way. Come on.” Izzie led Nellis through one of the drapes to a door.

The door opened automatically and they found themselves in a large galley. There were tables set in long rows and the room smelled of cat food and steamed potatoes.

“I’m never eating fish again.” Nellis rubbed his nose against his shoulder. “This place reeks.”

“You always were a light weight.” Izzie led him to the door on the opposite side of the galley. “The soldiers will be going out this way. There’s a hatch at the end of the corridor. That’s how I got in.”

“We have to get Dallys first. We can’t leave her behind.” Nellis reminded her .

“Then we had better hurry. We can turn into birds once we are outside and get to the outpost faster.” Izzie looked up and down the corridor before she went through the door. “Stay close. This ship’s layout is a little confusing.”

Nellis followed as close as he could.

They got to the control room and opened the door. Dallys dropped down from the ceiling and took her normal form.

“I said it wouldn’t crash.” Dallys grinned.

“We need to get to the outpost and find Jace and Tona. The Duchess is sending troops in place of an orbital attack.” Nellis told her. “Izzie can get us out of here.”

Dallys took her form as a point of light again and followed them out of the room.

“This way!” Izzie led them down to the corridor by the galley.

By the time they got to the hatch, it was open and several soldiers were forming ranks on the ground beside the ship.

Izzie and Nellis shifted into turtle doves and took to the air with Dallys close behind as a point of light. They flew directly to the outpost.

Tona had found a control panel in a small room closer to the barracks. She was relieved to see that the weapons were down. She was just about to return to Jace when an officer caught her.

“Soldier, get back into uniform and report to your commander.” The officer ordered. “There are hostiles coming toward the outpost. You need to be ready to fight when they get here.”

“Yes sir.” Tona stood at attention and prayed that the officer didn’t look too closely at her.

“Carry on!” The officer walked off.

Tona breathed a sigh of relief and rushed back to where she left Jace. She opened the door and slipped inside.

“Finally! I think I’ve lost a stone while I’ve been in here.” Jace wiped his face. “Do you know if they managed to land the ship?”

“Yes and now the Duchess is sending her army to attack the outpost.” Tona grabbed him by the arm. “We have to warn the people around the outpost.”

“How do you propose we do that?” Jace asked as tona pulled him through the doorway into the corridor.

“They have to have a weather siren or something we can use to sound an alert.” Tona dragged him outside and looked up at the tops of the buildings. “There! That’s a weather siren. They have one on my planet. When it sounds the people go to their assigned bunkers to wait out the storm. I’m sure they have the same set up here.”

“How are we going to get there from here?” Jace asked.

Two turtle doves landed at their feet and turned into Nellis and Izzie. A point of light followed them then turned into Dallys.

“We are so glad we found you. The Duchess is sending her army to take out the place.” Nellis told them. “We have to do something.”

“We know.” Tona eyed the stranger. “Who is she?”

“This is Izzie. She’s an old friend.” Nellis introduced her. “She was looking for missing shifters on the Duchess’ ship.”

“Nellis, can you shift back into a bird and turn on the weather siren.” Jace asked. “We need to get the people to safety.”

Izzie laughed. “Of course he can. He and his troublemaking friends used to do it all the time.”

“I’ll be right back.” Nellis shot Izzie a glare before he turned back into a turtle dove and flew off.

“So, how long have you know our Nellis?” Jace asked.

“We grew up together. We were even engaged once.” Izzie smiled. “He has always been in trouble of one kind or another that was why we called it off. Shortly after that, he disappeared.”

Tona and Jace looked at each other and laughed.

“You realize they are going to tease him about that now.” Dallys told Izzie.

“I can’t believe kitten boy was engaged.” Jace shook his head. “Were you drunk?”

“I was in love.” Izzie smiled. “I still am or I wouldn’t have taken on the task of finding the missing shifters.”

Suddenly the weather siren came on and people started to pour out of buildings and head for the storm bunkers.

“We had better make sure everyone is down there.” Tona looked down the street. “Dallys and I will take this side you and Izzie take that side. She pointed east. Nellis can catch up with us when he gets back.”

A dove landed and turned into Nellis. “I’m back. I’ll go with Jace and Izzie.”

The groups split up and checked to make sure all the houses were empty on either side of the outpost.

“So Izzie who called it off? You or him?” Jace asked.

“Don’t answer that!” Nellis looked at Izzie. “He just wants more to tease me about.”

“Don’t ruin my fun, kitten boy.” Jace gave Nellis a little shove on the arm.

“Kitten boy?” Izzie giggled. “That’s cute.”

“When is the portal? I want to get out of here before the fighting starts.” Nellis changed the subject.
Jace looked at his watch. “We have a half an hour. Let’s get this done I don’t want to be here when they start either.”

Tona and Dallys walked through their side of the settlement. “Do you trust her?”

“She helped us get around on the ship and I think she’s still in love with him.” Dallys answered. “I don’t feel uncomfortable around her. Nellis promised we would help her find the rest of the missing shifters. So far she’s found ten and they were all dead. She thinks someone is killing them with poison.”

“We better keep an eye on Nellis.” Tona said as she looked into another house. “If there is a killer out there he could be a target.”

“Who would want to kill shifters?” Dallys shook he head. “They’re really sweet people.”

“Someone who thinks they aren’t so sweet.” Tona answered. “It’s all clear here. Let’s get back to the portal sight. We need to be clear of here before the fighting starts.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice.” Dallys turned and followed Tona back to the alley where she and Jace came out of the portal.

By the time everyone arrived at the portal sight, the two armies had met a short distance from the outpost in an open field.

“I hope everyone stays in the bunker until it’s over.” Dallys said as she peered through a hole in the wall surrounding the outpost.

“The bunker doors won’t unlock for at least six hours if they are like the ones on my planet.” Tona said. “They’ll be safe.”

“What’s to keep the duchess from carrying out her original plan?” Izzie asked.

“The ship is out of fuel. I drained the tanks,” Dallys said. “She will either be captured or her forces will take the outpost.”

“Is this what you do all the time? Keep innocent people safe?” Izzie asked.

“Sometimes. Mostly we just annoy the bad guys.” Nellis laughed.

“Wincet better be on time the heat is killing me.” Jace looked at Nellis and Izzie. “Why aren’t you two melting?”

"It gets hotter than this on Caspire." Izzie sighed. “This feels like early summer.”

“Late spring.” Nellis corrected her.

Jace rolled his eyes.

The portal appeared in the alley. One by one they stepped through until it was just Nellis and Izzie,

“Is it safe?” Izzie asked nervously.

“Here, hold my hand.” Nellis took her hand. “Just step through. It’s that simple.”

Dark Realms #4: The Anasauri’s Plight
Word Count:  2877
This episode was brought to you by puzzleprompts

Wincet sat at his workbench mumbling to himself as he read from an ancient tome. He was reading about the Anasauri, a race of reptilian humans that evolved into one of the most technologically advanced civilizations in the known universe.

The Anasauri were thought to be extinct. Their home world Saur had been lost to a series of cataclysmic disasters. It had been almost a thousand years since anyone had reported seeing an Anasauri.

Tona walked up and noticed Wincet mumbling. “Wincet, what’s wrong?” She looked over his shoulder and saw the drawing in the book he was reading. “The Anasauri are a myth. Why are you letting those old tales upset you?”

Wincet turned to look at her. “The Anasauri are real! I met them in my youth. They were nearly extinct then. They had a small city on the moon of another planet in their system. I wonder if there are any left.”

“Maybe, we should go looking for them and see if there are any left.” Tona looked at the drawing again. “They certainly were ugly, weren’t they?”

“Ah!” Wincet smiled. “They may have been ugly but they were the most intelligent and well-spoken people that I have ever had the privilege to meet. I just wish you all could have the chance to meet them.”

“Well, unless we go back in time, we never will.” Tona patted Wincet on the shoulder. “I’m going to teach the others some defensive moves. We will be in the Vision Cave. That’s the only place that they can’t break anything of value except maybe one of their own heads.”

“Take it easy on them, Tona. Most of their races are not as agile as elves.” Wincet warned her. “Dallys may be the only one who can keep up with you.”

“I know but we need to be able to keep from getting killed if we are to continue these missions.” Tona grinned mischievously. “Besides its funny when Nellis falls on his ass.”

“Tona!” Wincet said sternly.

“Well it is.” Tona laughed and patted him on the shoulder again before she left.

Wincet sat and thought for a moment. “Maybe there was a way that the Dark Army. It would take some doing but he may be able to pull it off.”

He shut the ancient book and went to the shelf to find another. He ran his hand along the spines of the ancient books in many different languages from many different worlds until he found the one he wanted. He took it over to the workbench and opened it up.

“Now, I just have to find the right spell for the portal to go back in time.” Wincet turned the pages carefully in the old book. “Not too far but just enough for the Dark Army to meet the Anasauri for themselves.”

In the Vision Cave, the Dark Army was spaced out in pairs to work on the moves Tona was teaching. 

“Ow!” Nellis got off the floor and rubbed his behind. “Did you have to do that so hard?”

Dallys and Jace tried to keep from laughing but failed.

“Well they’re not going to hit you with a pillow, you know.” Tona sighed. “Let’s try it again. Jace, partner with the little kitten boy this time.”

“I am not a kitten.” Nellis folded his arms across his chest. “I am a Casparian shapeshifter. We’re furry creatures.”

“Furry little kitties.” Tona smirked. “Now remember … lunge and duck. Not roll into a ball and fall on your…”

“Everyone! Come! I have something for you to do.” Wincet waved them over to the center of the cave. “Come look at what I have found.”

“It’s just a dusty old book. You have hundreds of them.” Nellis limped over to Wincet. “What’s the big deal?”

“Wincet, what have you found?” Jace asked. “Are we going on a mission?”

“Please! Anything to get us out of training with Tona.” Nellis rubbed his behind again. “I think I broke my tail.”

“You have a tail?” Tona burst out laughing.

Wincet glared at Tona. He cleared his throat. “I was thinking about the time I met the Anasauri and how they are assumed to be extinct now. That’s when Tona came in and said something about time travel. So, I looked for the spell to turn the regular portal into a time portal. I want to send you through to the last known location of the Anasauri.”

“Where was the last known location of the Anasauri?” Dallys asked. “It isn’t on some planet that eats faeries is it? Do they eat faeries?”

“No! They don’t eat faeries.” Wincet looked up at the stars and pointed to a star near the edge of the universe. “It was on a moon orbiting another planet in their system. Their planet was lost to a cataclysmic disaster.”

“Why do we need to go back to back in time?” Jace asked. “I mean, if there are still some left then we should just meet them and not go back in time. Time travel sounds dangerous to me.”

“There is always some risk when going through the portal.” Wincet looked at each one of them. “If you are not comfortable with the idea, I will not use this spell unless everyone agrees to it.”

“I vote ‘no’.” Jace looked at the others.

Nellis looked at Wincet. “I vote ‘no way’.”

“No offense, Wincet, but I vote ‘no’ too.” Dallys sighed. “If the spell doesn’t work, we could end up anywhere at any time.”

“Borne, what do you think?” Wincet asked. He looked at the android that was standing quietly with his head bowed.

“I am still calculating the odds. I will let you know when I have finished.” Borne bowed his head to finish.

Tona looked at Wincet. “I’m with them. I don’t want to go time traveling across the universe. We could find ourselves as dinosaur snacks or worse.”

“What could be worse than being eaten by a dinosaur?” Nellis asked.

“I just don’t want to be eaten period.” Dallys shuddered at the thought. “Too many creatures think I’m a crunchy and tasty thing.”

Borne looked up. “I have finished my calculations and I do not wish to go.”

Wincet sighed. “I was hoping that you would get the great honor of meeting an Anasauri but I can still send you to the third moon of Calna where they were last seen. Maybe there are some left. At the very least, you could find out what happened to their civilization.”

“I think we would be fine with that.” Jace looked at the others for approval. “Is there anything we should take with us like air or protective gear?”

“Does your world have a moon?” Dallys asked.

“Yes it does. It’s just a giant rock that orbits our planet and shines the light of our sun back at us at night.” Jace looked puzzled. “Why?”

“My planet has a moon too. There is an ocean and several land masses on it.” Dallys told him. “Jace not every world is like yours. Tona’s planet has two moons and Nellis comes from a world without a moon.”

“I’m beginning to learn that everything is possible in the universe.” Jace smiled at her.

“What good is a moon that you can’t use it? We use our smaller one to hunt game.” Tona sighed. “I miss hunting things.”

“This is not a hunting mission. It’s turned into an intelligence gathering mission.” Wincet shut the book he was holding. “Instead of meeting the Anasauri, I want you to see what happened to them. Look around for any signs of invaders or disease. At least, we can give them the respects of letting the rest of the universe know what happened to them.”

“We should get changed.” Tona looked down at the loose clothes she was wearing. She rubbed her nose. “Some of should bathe too. If there are any Anasauri left, we don’t want them to smell us coming.” Tona headed out to the living quarters to clean up and prepare.

Jace patted Nellis on the shoulder. “I think she means that you’re a bit gamey.”

“Hey! This is my natural musky smell.” Nellis glared at Jace.

“I have some herbs that can get rid of that Nellis.” Dallys winked at Jace behind Nellis’ back. “Good thing that I restocked last time we went to market. It will take a lot of herbs to get rid of that smell.”

Nellis walked off in a huff. He mumbled something about furless people and their noses.

“I will go make the preparations for the portal. Meet me there in a half hour.” Wincet sighed and walked out of the Vision Cave.

“You know, Wincet probably thinks we’re a bunch of children.” Dallys laughed.

“We are much younger than he is chronologically.” Borne looked at Jace and Dallys.

“She means that we act like a bunch of children, Borne.” Jace patted his friend on the shoulder. “Come on. We better get ready to go or they’ll leave us here.”

Less than an hour later, the Dark Army stepped through the portal on the third moon of Calna. They expected to see ruins but what they saw instead surprised them.

From the ridge top where they stood, they could see that there was a city gleaming in the sunshine. The tall buildings were made up of mostly metal and glass. There were vehicles floating around in the air from one place to another. Everything was clean and shiny.

“Wow!” Jace looked around. “This isn’t what I expected at all. Is that a flying car?”

“I don’t know.” Tona looked at him. “What’s a car?”

Jace rolled his eyes. “A car is a vehicle that carries people from one place to another. They run along the ground in my world.”

“That would be dangerous they could run over someone that way.” Nellis frowned. “The more I hear about your world the less I want to go there.”

“We need to split up. Borne, Nellis, and Dallys try to find a data port. We need to get as much info as we can on how many there are, what weapons they have, and the size of their army.”

“Tona, we aren’t gathering intelligence for a military strike.” Jace reminded her. “Borne, focus on census data and historical records. That building over there looks like a school. You can probably tap into the city’s servers there. You two keep him from getting caught, please.”

Nellis and Dallys took the lead toward the building that Jace pointed out. Borne glanced back as he followed them and looked worried.              

“You and I should go look into some windows to see how they live.” Tona pulled on Jace’s arm. This one is open and it has some shrubs we can hide in.” 

“Are you sure those aren’t poisonous?” Jace eyed them cautiously.

“Just come on.” Tona tugged on his sleeve again.

They settled in under an open window and peeked inside. Two blue lizard-like creatures were standing in what looked like a kitchen. The female was washing dishes and the male was reading something off an electronic device.    

“You never have time for me or the hatchlings, Punar. It’s always work, work, and more work. You seem to forget that you even have a mate and hatchlings at home.” The female turned away from what she was doing to put her hands on her hips.

“My work is very important to me.” Punar put down the device and walked over to her. He put his hand on her cheek. “Ka, you know that I love you and all of our hatchlings. I would be home more if I could but I must see that all the knowledge of the Anasauri is archived safely for future generations.”

“Ha!” Ka pushed away his hand. “I don’t care about future generations. I care if your hatchlings will know who you are when you come in our home.”

“It isn’t like that.” Punar sighed. “I’m here every day. They see me every night when I kiss their little faces before they drift off to sleep.”

“They see you but when do they get to know you?” Ka asked. “When we are standing around the pit when you die?”

“KA!” Punar shouted.

“Hush! You’ll wake them up.” Ka glared at him.

“I promise to take this weekend off. We can take them to the water to splash around and play. I may even get in too. What about you?”

Ka sighed. “I would like to go water. It’s been a long time since we did anything as a family.”

“Not since the fifth hatchling came out of his shell.” Punar put his arms around her. He started to nibble on her neck. “I can’t wait to see you in your water suit.”

“None of that!” Ka pushed him off. “We have plenty of hatchlings already. I hear what you are thinking, you know. I have heard your thoughts since we were bonded.”

Punar laughed. “Sometimes, I swear you can only read my very naughty thoughts. That’s why I love you so much.”

Ka sighed. “Sometimes, I can read all your thought then other times you are so closed to me. We are bonded. We should share everything even our thoughts. Sharing our minds is what mates do.”

Punar rested his forehead on hers. “You’re right and I’m sorry. Let’s go get some rest.”

“Rest is all you will get this night, Punar.”  Ka let him take her by the hand and lead her out of the room.

Jace looked at Tona. “They sound normal to me. How about you?”

“I wonder how many hatchlings they have. It sounds like their population is growing not shrinking.” Tona wondered.

“On my world, overpopulation is a problem. Not enough food and too many people.” Jace looked around. “I wonder if the others are finished. We should get back to the portal site.”

“Don’t you want to peep in some more windows?” Tona teased.

“I really don’t want to take the chance that I will see something I can’t get out of my head.” Jace shuddered.

“You are no fun.” Tona stood up and pulled him up to his feet. “Let’s go. They should have the information from the city’s data storage by now.”

In the school, Dallys and Nellis were keeping an eye out as Borne used a cord from his wrist to tap into a port on a data output station.

“Borne, are you done yet?” Nellis asked. “We got to get back to the portal site.”

“I will be done in just one minute.” Borne disconnected from the data port. “I have to secure the data. It will take a moment.”

Dallys glanced back at Borne then looked at Nellis. “If he doesn’t hurry up then we are going to get caught.”

“Give him a moment.” Nellis looked out the door. “I don’t see anyone around. Don’t worry so much.”

Borne walked up behind them and tapped them on the shoulders. “I am finished.”

“Finally, let’s go.” Dallys pushed past Nellis and went outside. “Come on. We have to get to the portal site.”

Nellis and Borne followed her to the top of the ridge where Tona and Jace were already standing.

“Did you get anything?” Jace asked.

“Yes. I have census records and the historical data Jace suggested that I obtain. I also retrieved medical data about their race.” Borne told them.

“That’s what took so long.” Dallys sighed.

The portal opened behind them and they stepped through.

Wincet was waiting for them expectantly. “Did you find out what happened to them? Was it a natural disaster or was it disease that wiped them out?”

“Neither.” Jace looked at Wincet. “They are alive and well. From what we saw, they are flourishing on that moon. They have a huge city there. They’re living their lives just like everyone else.” He glanced at Tona. “Making babies and going on family vacations.”

“How? No one has seen them in a thousand years.” Wincet was perplexed. “How many of them are there?”

“According to the census information that I downloaded, there are over five million Anasauri in that city.” Borne reported. “There are five other cities with equivalent populations to the city we saw.”

“Did you meet anyone? Did you talk to them?” Wincet asked. He looked at them. “I don’t understand. Why didn’t you talk to them?”

“We didn’t want to disturb their lives. They are obviously hiding.” Jace shrugged. “If they haven’t wanted to be seen in over a thousand years then stands to reason they don’t want people just showing up to talk to them. We should let them be. Maybe someday, they will want to make contact with the universe again.”

“He has a point Wincet. If we let the universe know that the Anasauri are still alive there may be someone out there that will try to destroy them. We still don’t know what destroyed their planet.” Tona looked at the sorcerer.

“Are we in agreement that we shall keep their secret?” Wincet looked at each of them as they nodded in turn. “For now, the plight of the Anasauri is our secret to keep.”

Dark Realms: Pilot
Word Count: 2997

Wincet was a master of magic and sorcery on a planet at the center of the galaxy. He was a tall lanky man with a bald head and a course gray beard. No one knew his real age but there were rumors that he was a least a thousand years old.

Wincet was a solitary man and he liked it that way. But his world was about to get a bit more crowded. He wasn’t intending for it to happen but the universe had other ideas.

The vision cave was near Wincet’s home. The cave is deep underground with an opening to the sky. The entrance was hidden by magic and only Wincet knew the spell to get inside. It was a larger high ceiling cave focuses the power of the universe.

Wincet sat on a boulder after sundown one evening in the Vision Cave. He looked up at the sky. He had a strange feeling as he looked up into the blinking stars. There were fewer stars than there used to be. He had a feeling that dark magic was involved somehow.

Wincet began to wonder if there was a thing he could do to fix it. He was a skilled master of all types of magic, after all.

Wincet knew he needed to hurry as he watched one more star blink out. He went to his work room and began to go through his books and scrolls to find the one spell that was going to be the solution to stop the spread of darkness throughout the universe.

Wincet had to go through most of his materials before he found the spell that he needed. The spell would bring a representative from the darkest worlds in the universe that was still full of light. He would lead these people to conquer darkness and bring light back into the universe. They would become his Dark Army.

Wincet gathered his materials and ingredients for the spell and brought them to the end of the bridge near the Vision Cave. He set up everything and waited until the sun was at just the right angle. One of the items he brought was a mirror. He needed the light from the setting sun to activate the spell.

The Traveler’s Bridge, as it was called, had a natural portal at one end that allowed the traveler to go to any planet in the universe. It is the perfect way to bring the Dark Army to Wincet.

Normally, it was a one way trip. Once you went through, you could never return. Wincet was reversing the portal to bring people to him. He was changing the nature of the portal forever with this spell.

Wincet mixed the ingredients in a cauldron at one end of the bridge. He set up the mirror to reflect the light into the cauldron. Once he had everything set up he held up his arms toward the other end of the bridge.


“Worlds of darkness I am in dire need
I ask for your light to fight the darkness
Send me those full of the brightest light
From the darkest worlds in your realms
To fight with light against the darkness.”


Suddenly, a mass of grey smoke appeared on the other end of the bridge. It started to swirl until it became a vortex of grey. It coalesced into a portal to bring the Dark Army to him.

“Finally! All I have to do now is wait for someone to show up.” Wincet sat on the edge of the bridge to wait.

Wincet had waited nearly three hours and nothing had happened. He got up and was just about to leave when someone stepped through the portal.

An android stepped through the portal and looked around. “Excuse me, sir. Where am I?”

“You are on a planet called Centra. I am Wincet. I have summoned you here. Where have you come from?”

“I have come from the sixth planet of the Metalis Alliance.” The android glanced back at the portal. “My commander sent me through this mist to see where it would lead.”

“Why would he send you, if he didn’t know where you were going to end up?” Wincet asked him.

“I am expendable.” The android looked upset. “I am an obsolete model. I was scheduled to be deactivated.”

“What is your name, friend?” Wincet had sympathy for the android.

“I am Borne. My model is …”

“I don’t care about your model number.” Wincet shook his head. “I just want to know if you would like to make a positive difference in the universe.”

“I will lend my assistance to you sir, if it means that I will not be deactivated. I am an android I can be helpful with many technical systems.” Borne seemed to perk up.

“That is a skill that I can use.” Wincet waved the android closer. “Come with me and we can get started.”

Suddenly, there was a scream and a small furry creature fell through the portal. He sat up and shook his head. He spotted Wincet and Borne. He looked confused.

“Where the knockers am I?” Nellis scratched his ears. “One minute, I was at the cantina and the next minute they are throwing me out into the street only I didn’t land in the street. I landed here. Where the knockers is here by the way?”

“You are on a planet called Centra. I am Wincet. I summoned you here. This is Borne. He just arrived as you did.”

“Summoned?” The furry creature jumped up to his feet. “What are you? Are you some kind of wizard or something?”

“Actually. I am.” Wincet grinned. “What is name and where are you from, friend. You know ours, we would like to know yours.”

“I’m Nellis. I’m from Caspire. How do I get back?”

“I’m afraid that the portal is one way at the present.” Wincet looked at Nellis and squinted. “You are a shapeshifter?”

“Yes.” Nellis shrugged. “It comes in handy sometimes. I get to hide in plain sight. It keeps me from getting pinched by the law.”

“You’re a thief!” Borne looked at Wincet. “He is a thief.”

“Yes. I surmised that.” Wincet grinned. “We will need his skills to save the universe from darkness. Sticky fingers might be helpful to obtain supplies on the different worlds where you will be traveling.”

“You want me to steal for you?” Nellis looked confused.

“I want you to help me bring the light back to the universe.” Wincet smiled. “Borne has already agreed to help me. Will you help me too?”

“Sure, as long as you keep me out of a cage.” Nellis scratched his head. “I will help you with anything.” 

“Good!” Wincet grinned. “We were just going to go back to my home to get you settled in.”

Nellis started to walk down the bridge to Wincet and Borne. “I hope you have something to eat. I’m starving.”

“OW!” A small faerie fell through the portal. She stood up and shook off the dust. She rubbed her hip and looked around. “What is this place? How did I get here?”

“He summoned you.” Nellis pointed at Wincet. “His name is Wincet and he’s a wizard.”   

“A wizard? Seriously?” The faerie rolled her eyes. “I was on my way to the old temple and I stumbled over a tree branch and landed here. Where exactly is here?”

“This is Centra. As he said, I am Wincet. I have summoned you here to help return the light to the universe. I am looking for people to battle the dark forces. May I count on your help?”

The faerie blinked for a moment and hesitated. “You want me to fight dark forces? Are you out of your mind?”

“Possibly.” Wincet smiled gently. “I believe you can help us. I feel that you are more than you seem.”

“Well, I am Dallys. I was just in the Forest near the old temple on the world of Gardara. I am just a fae but I will help with what I can.”

“What are your powers, Dallys?” Wincet asked. “The Fae have been known to have a range of abilities.”

“Fair enough.” Dallys nodded. “If I’m going to help you, you should at least know what I can do. I can enchant creatures and deflect most magic. I also have some knowledge of healing and herbal remedies.”

“Excellent! Borne, of course, wouldn’t need your assistance but Nellis here would.” Wincet waved her to follow. “We were on our way to get some refreshment.”

Dallys walked toward the others on the opposite end of the bridge. “I think I could use a good stiff drink.”

“I’m afraid that I don’t keep spirits on hand.” Wincet held up his hands. “I was never one for drink.”

Dallys sighed and shook her head. “I knew this was too good to be true. I guess I can have to deal with that.”

They had turned and started to walk off the bridge when there was a whoosh near the portal. They turned back to see a female elf in black leather brandishing a dagger.

“Where am I? What am I doing here?” The elf waved the dagger. “Somebody better start explaining what’s going on.”  

Wincet stepped forward. “My name is Wincet. I am a wizard and I summoned you to help defeat the darkness that is taking over the universe.”

“You’re kidding!” The elf looked angry. “You know if you had asked, I may have said yes but this is kidnapping. I know these things are one way so you need to send me back! Now!”   

“I’m sorry but the spell I used to bring you here, choose you for a reason.” Wincet took another step forward. “You seem to be a skilled fighter. We will need those skills and we could also use your elven magic.”

“What do I get out of this?” The elf pointed her dagger at Wincet. “I usually get paid for my services.”

“I can offer you nothing but the satisfaction that you are helping drive the darkness out of the universe.” Wincet shrugged, “What is your name?”

“I am Tona of the planet Tolkarian. I am a master of the warrior’s arts. I have worked as a mercenary for the last few years.”

“It is nice to meet you Tona. I’m Dallys from Gardara.”

Tona nodded to the fae. “You! Shapeshifter what is your name? And you android?”

“I’m Nellis from Caspire.” Nellis held out his hand in greeting but pulled it back when Tona glared at him. “It’s nice to meet you. I think.”

“I am Borne of the Metalis Alliance.” Borne looked at Wincet. “Is she the last one or are there more coming?”

Wincet thought a moment. “The portal should have closed by now unless…”

A man tumbled through the portal and nearly fell into Tona. He scrambled to his feet. He picked up a cane that had come through the portal with him. “Sorry Miss.”

Suddenly, the portal closed. Everyone looked at the spot where it was in surprise. That was the last thing that anyone was expecting.

Tona held the Dagger to the man’s chest.

“Whoa! I didn’t mean to.” The man put up his hands. “I don’t even know where I am or what’s going on here.”

“Who are you?” Tona asked.

“I’m Captain Jace Donalu. Where are we? What is this place?”

“This is the planet Centra.” Wincet answered him.

“Planet?” Jace looked around. “You mean I’m not on Earth anymore?”

“Yes.” Wincet held up his hands. “Just relax Captain Donalu. You have no reason to be afraid. You are here for a reason. Tell me. What do you do on Earth?”

“I was a police investigator in a place called London.” Jace looked at the others and frowned. “What kind of creatures are they?”

“Faerie. I’m Dallys from Gardara” Dallys waved.

“I’m Nellis. I’m a shapeshifter from Caspire.” Nellis pointed to Borne. “That’s Borne. He’s an android.”

“I am from the Metalis Alliance.” Borne nodded.

“Who are you?” Jace looked at the elf with the blade at his chest.

“I’m Tona. I’m a mercenary and an elf from Tolkarian.” Tona lowered the blade. “The old man is Wincet. He is the wizard that brought us all here to do his bidding. I assume since the portal is now closed that we are the entire army against the darkness.”

“Yes. That would be correct.” Wincet looked around at the faces looking at him. “Let’s go to my home and have some food and drink. We can talk more about what I am planning. I confess that I wasn’t expecting so many of you. There must be more worlds in this universe that are threatened by darkness.” 

“That’s just wonderful.” Jace gave Tona a wary glance as he walked to the opposite end of the bridge.

The group followed Wincet back to his home and took seats around the hearth. After Wincet gave them food and drink, they started to settle down. 

“Now that you have all had time to think and some refreshment, I’d like to talk to you about why I summoned you all here.” Wincet looked around at each of the people in the room. “I have noticed that the darkness is starting to overtake the all the realms of our universe. I believe that we can fight the darkness.”

“We can fight the darkness? Have you looked at us?” Jace motioned around. “We don’t look like we can fight a chicken.”

“What’s a chicken?” Nellis looked confused. “Why would we fight one? Are they evil or something?”

“No but they are very good when roasted with gravy.” Jace sighed.

“His people roast things.” Dallys looked at Nellis. “I wonder if he wants to roast us.”

“I doubt you would taste good, with gravy or not.” Jace chuckled.

“Let the crazy wizard finish, please. I, for one, want to know why he really brought us here.” Tona held up her hand to silence Nellis.

“I assure you that I am quiet sane for a man of my years.” Wincet was really wondering if he was sane at all as he looked at the strange collection of creatures before him. “Why don’t I show you what I have seen? Come with me to the Vision Cave and I will show you the darkness spreading over the realms of this universe.”

The group stood up and followed Wincet as he led them down the path to the Vision Cave. When they arrived, Wincet pointed to the opening in the top of the cave.

“There! There are fewer lights than there were last night.” Wincet looked at the others. “Will you help me bring back some of those lights in the universe?

“What you’re talking about is science not magic powers. The suns are dying that’s why they go out not because of magic.” Jace looked at the old man. “There is no such thing as magic.”

“My friend, you are wrong. Magic and science is the same thing.” Wincet grinned. “Knowledge is what gives both of them power.”

“So, if we agree to this then what?” Tona asked.

“You will become the Dark Army. You will undo the damage caused by magic, or science if you prefer, to bring hope and light back to the people of those worlds.”

“If we don’t want to do it?” Dallys asked tentatively. “Can we go home?”

“If you want to go, I will send you back where and when you came from but I want you all to sleep on the decision for now and give me your answers in the morning.” Wncet started to walk to the passage way out of the cave.

“I have nothing to go back to but deactivation.” Borne spoke up. “I will help.”

“I have no where better to be either.” Nellis looked at the others.

Dallys wrinkled her nose. “I’ll stay but only for as long as it takes to set things right.”

Tona looked at Jace. “Do you want to stay too?”

Jace shrugged. “I haven’t been able to make a difference where I live but if I can do it somewhere else then maybe…”

Tona sighed. “I guess I’m in too.”

“Good!” Wincet smiled. “We have magic, technology, battle skills, investigative know how, and … um… resourcefulness in our favor. Now we just have to find something for your first task.” 

Wincet looked up into the sky. “I know exactly where to send you first. We start in the morning. I need you all well rested and ready for anything. Come! I will show you to your rooms.”

They followed the wizard back into the house and to rooms. They all settled down to sleep.

Early the next morning, Wincet looked into the gazing globe in his work room and saw a familiar face doing exactly what he was trying to prevent, dark magic.

After breakfast, Wincet and the dark army assemble on the Traveler’s Bridge.

“I have your first task here. Follow these instructions to the letter.” He handed a paper to Tona. “You must complete this without getting caught. We cannot be exposed before we even get started.”

“Don’t worry. We will get it done.” Tona looked at the others. “If they fail, I will just kill them.”

“No killing!” Wincent held up his hand. “Just bring then back and we will deal with them here. Go. I will open the portal to the planet that where you will find one of the greatest evil wizards in the universe.”

Tona led the others to the far end of the bridge as Wincet held up his arms and spoke a spell to open the portal.    

“Good luck! Be careful!” Wincet watched as they stepped through one at a time. “You’re going to need it.”

The portal closes and Wincet looked up at the sky. “Hestrick will never see it coming.”  

Synopsis:
Master Wizard Wincet cast a spell to call a warrior from each of the darkest realms of the universe. When a human, a shapeshifter, an elf, a faerie, and an android arrive at his door in response, Wincet realizes there are more dark realms than he first suspected.

Wincet sends his Dark Army on missions to prevent the spread of evil and darkness throughout the universe. Each warrior brings a special talent to the group. Technology, magic, and battle skills are just a few of the talents they use to make the Dark Realms just a little brighter.

Cast:

Wincet - (Patrick Stewart) A master wizard and the leader of the group. He uses his gazing globe to see threats to the rest of the universe. He sends them through a portal to defeat evil and bring back the light to the world.


Tona - (Piper Perabo) An Elf from Tolkarian, Tona is a master at hand to hand combat. She has more battle experience than all others combine. Tona has a hit first and ask questions later policy.


Jace Donalu - (Bradley James) Captain Jace Donalu is a Human from Earth and a former police investigator from London. He uses his skills as an investigator to track down the target during each mission.


Borne - (Zack Quinto) Borne is an Android from the Metalis Alliance. He is the technician of the group. Being an android he has the ability to tap into computer systems for information and to bypass systems when necessary.


Nelis - (Nathan Fillion) A Shapeshifter and thief, Nelis comes from a planet named Caspire in the farthest edge of the universe. His ability to change his shape and his sticky fingers are helpful at gaining supplies and weapons once they reach their destination.


Dallys - (Emily Bett Rickards) A Fae from Gardara, Dallys uses her fae powers to enchant and deflect magic when necessary. She is a student of healing and herbal remedies and acts as the medic for the team when there is an injury.

Settings:

Vision Cave - The cave is deep under the ground with one opening to the sky. Wincet uses the stars in the sky to determine where his Dark Army should be sent to help. 


Traveler’s Bridge - The Dark Army uses the bridge as a portal to other worlds. When they set foot on the bridge the other end of the portal opens to where they need to go. Wincet uses his magic to direct the portal to where it needs to go.  

Character Wardrobe: