Book 6 - Chapter 4 Temple Inheritance (1/2)

Skycloud domain, upon a lofty cliff.

As dawn breaks the long night comes to an end. A figure rests upon the peak, still as stone but for the white robes that rustle in the breeze. Slowly opening her eyes, she watches as the winds carry leaves and petal across her vision. All around her clouds hang low and the rush of a nearby waterfall tumbling into a pond gives voice to nature.

Suddenly the figure rises. With a single leap she soars hundreds of meters aloft.

Bearing a sword which gleams with brilliant light a stream of power erupts. It spreads across the sky like the Milky Way, into the waterfall and painting it a stunning gold before causing it to completely evaporate.

The white figure floated serenely down to the ground until her toes gently kissed the ground. She stood upon a rock, lonely and regal like a fairy born into the mortal realm. The light of her sword gradually subsided and, once dim, it was returned to a scabbard at her hip.

“You’ve made great progress.”

There was a sound nearby that caught her ear. A second figure was revealed in the background.

The living shadow, wrapped in black, appeared from nowhere. Janus Umbra, Skycloud’s foremost assassin.

At present Selene Cloude was receiving guidance from two exceptional teachers. The first was the Temple’s High Priest, Ramiel Caelestis. The second was this mysterious leader of the Court of Shadows. As a result, her abilities had improved tremendously over a very short period of time.

“What news do you have?”

“A new power rises in the wastelands. Wolfblade, Abaddon, the Khan of Evernight, the former War Saint, the savant Hellflower, the traitor Dawn Polaris, Woodland Vale’s leader Autumn Draper and others… it is the mightiest alliance in the history of the wastes.”

Selene’s face was expressionless. Until Janus continued.

“All of those notable figures are underlings to the one in charge. They all bow the knee to Cloudhawk – he who overcame Sanctuary’s defenses with a single blow.”

Her stoic face suddenly revealed surprise and that unyielding presence faltered, just for a moment. “He… he’s alive?”

“So it would seem. And not just alive, but far stronger than he was!” Even as Janus was set to explain Selene was already turning away. She was ready to leave immediately, to seek him out. Selene was convinced that Cloudhawk had died that day in Sanctuary. But Janus' words held her fast. “Do you really know where you stand if you go to meet him?”

The words caused her to tremble.

“Cloudhawk is now a leader among wastelanders, their greatest. He is also Skycloud’s most reviled enemy.”

Selene was caught between the person she cared for the most and the realm she zealously wished to protect. How was she supposed to choose between them?

She frowned. “I do not believe that Cloudhawk would push for war.”

Janus’ cold voice slithered from behind her. “Do you really think so?”

The Green Alliance was established and growing. It had attracted an army of mighty supporters. Such an organization could not coexist with Skycloud, they were simply too different in ideology. In establishing this alliance and taking the helm, Cloudhawk had made peace with the reality that he would wage war on the Elysians.

Selene couldn’t fool herself, nor could she ward off the feelings of confusion and uncertainty.

“High Priest Ramiel wishes to speak with you.”

Selene tried to expel her disquiet with a sigh. Her eyes turned toward the southern horizon for a time while she pondered on what the future would bring. How was she to face Cloudhawk? She worried about what changes may have come over him, but greater than her worry was joy that he still lived. Her heart was in chaos, she would need time to think it all over.

It’d been close to two years since any major conflict. Skycloud was mostly back to how it had been.

Children had reappeared on the streets to play, mindless of the dangers that no longer seemed on the horizon. Ignorance was the font of their naivete, the root of their purity, and that purity made them beautiful. All around citizens were making their way to churches, doves fluttered through the air, and it all seemed so harmonious.