The Search for Lexxie: Part 7

The Search for Lexxie: Part 7

----- Summoning -----

(Also: This story takes place between Books 2 and Books 3 of the Destiny Bound series.)

Nalla took in a deep breath, held it for a moment, and silently let it out. She looked to the woman beside her: her "poobah," a term that meant both mentor and, more importantly, a term of endearment.  Had this been a fellow asura, the expression may not have meant as much, but calling a human such carried a degree of respect and intimacy.  Nalla almost blushed every time she said it to Paige, though she was certain the human didn't quite understand the impact meaning behind it.  For all accounts, Nalla was completely enamored with Paige, and had grown to deeply care for the woman.

Here was Paige, venturing out into the desert, in one of the most dangerous places in Elona, to help Nalla on a quest for a girl she'd never even met.  From all her time with the Pact, Nalla had never seen such heart in any of her companions, let alone humans.  The few in her regiment seemed to all have a goal of getting ahead, standing out, claiming glory for themselves, all under the guise of being a soldier doing their duty.  While some were no doubt virtuous, Nalla's encounters of it had been few and far between.  It was a trait shared with most of her own race, however. As a Peacemaker, she had often been snuffed by those wanting to get ahead, and was the very reason the asura had left the Arcane Council.

She'd mused about returning to Rata Sum, resuming her duties.  It would be a good way to immerse Lexxie in doing what she did best: engineering and fixing things.  But, if she had to be honest with herself, returning to what she walked away from wasn't the most appealing plan.  And, it would also take her away from exploring the connection with Paige.  She knew it was selfish to drag Lexxie along simply due to her budding feelings, but the sorrow of leaving her poobah weighed heavily on the woman.

A soft gentle hand came to the asura's shoulder.  "I swear we'll find her," Paige said compassionately, mistaking Nalla's contemplation.  "Up ahead is where you found the cap?"  Paige motioned to the gorge in front of them with a nod.

"Yes.  As you see, it's crawling with Forged," Nalla said in low tones.

Paige patted the unignited torch affixed to her waistband.  "I think this artifact has enough juice to do what I'm planning."  Paige gently smiled at Nalla's worrisome expression at the torch.  "In the tomb that I mentioned, this was locked inside of a Djinn's chest; I believe it to have the powers we'll need to find your sister by using the sands in the ritual I told you about.  I… I don't know what it's called, but you can just look at it and feel its power… Hopefully it will be enough power to survey the desert sands so we can get direction on where to go."

"You're amazing, Lady Paige," Nalla whispered in admiration.

Paige looked as though she were caught sneaking treats, but Nalla's compliment bolstered her confidence, settling on a reassuring smile to the timid asura.  "It's easy, with the right motivation, my protector."

Nalla turned pink, cleared her throat.  Paige had a way of doing that to her; She felt like a progeny with a crush.  "Yes… Well, hopefully I can protect you while you're doing the ritual.  The fortress gate up ahead is as far as I got before having to retreat when I found the hat.  Just looking through the gate, I could tell that it leads further down; something underground."

"Whatever it is, it must be hot.  You can practically feel the heat coming from it all the way over here.  Either way, we'll have to take down those guards quickly before they can raise a stink, then get the gate opened.  I can perform the ritual after we disable the patrol.  If you can get behind that big one, can you take it out?"

Nalla considered, "I think so.  I've not fought many Forged this close to their homelands; only in excursions in Amnoon.  I have no idea how powerful they are here in Vabbi."

"Then we'll need an advantage," Paige strategized.  "Do you trust me, Nalla?"

The woman's green eyes beamed with a fondness that instantly squelched any hesitation Nalla may have had.  "With my life, Poobah," came her resolute response.

Paige smiled trustingly.  "So, I'm going to give you some of my power.  It uses blood magic; I'll wound myself, but give you strength and speed, temporarily.  But, I fear it's a bit… intimate.  For a brief time you will feel as though I am apart of you, and you me.  It's something I would only do with someone I trust explicitly, as I do you, Nalla, my protector."

The woman took the asura's hand, softly chanting an incantation.  Paige's other hand traced a small sigil onto Nalla's chest, then it drifted to Paige, glowed and faded.  At once, Paige's face had lacerations and small cuts upon it.  Seeing Nalla's surprise, Paige smiled reassuringly.

Nalla nodded, began to feel the power flow into her.  She felt as though she could have taken all the Forged on single handedly.

Paige giggled at the asura's big eyes.  "You ready?"

The asura was quick, speeding ahead of Paige.  She leaped into the air, bringing her axe down on an unsuspecting guard.  It barely made a sound as it collapsed into a pile of armor and Nalla landed beside it.    It was just enough for the large Forged to turn and spot the intruder, however.  Nalla saw no point in trying to be stealthy, "Now, start the ritual; I'll distract them!"  she called out to Paige as she fought another smaller guard.

Paige did as instructed, coming to stand in front of the gate.  She held her torch and wand together aloft, chanting a melodic incantation.  Sands began to swirl around the woman in a spinning vortex as she began to cast the spell.

Nalla rushed the large Forged construct, quickly climbing onto it like a mountain climber, ascending to ride it's head.  She yelled as she shoved her axe into the brute's helmet, forcing her axe to break the magical bond that held the armor together.  The large Forged shuddered a moment, appearing to be only slightly dazed from the buried weapon.  It reached up, slung Nalla onto the ground; the asura landed with a thud.





Paige noticed the outcome of Nalla's attack, but could not assist the asura.  The incantation had begun; if it was inturrupted now, the torch may not have enough power to attempt again.  The necromancer focused her energies into the torch, igniting it with a green spiritual flame.  The same color began to pour from the woman's lacerations, light streaming from inside her as the spell began to take hold.

Shaking it off, Nalla stood, stared up at the towering monster.  "I want my sister back, you demon!" she shouted, jumping up on its back, again climbing up to the top.  This time, she lunged a spire into the helmet, called forth a slight magical spell of her own.  Straightaway, the spire glowed a bright blue, culminating in energies which exploded from inside the monster's body.  Armor flew in all directions.  Nalla landed on her feet, retrieving her weapons imbedded in the helmet with a victorious grin to Paige.

Paige saw the asura's triumph, closed her eyes to concentrate and complete the ritual.  Her feet moved on their own, tracing a large circle intricately in the sand.  The circle suddenly lit up with a bright amber glow as the sandstorm spiraled around the woman.  "Bring forth a spirit of the sands; a phantom of this blighted land.  Bright sands of a darkened world, I beseech you: help in our time of need.  Appear to us, as we seek your wisdom…"

Nalla was ecstatic: not only had their strategy worked, they were one step closer to finding Lexxie!  She wanted to cheer, and opened her mouth to do so.  Yet… nothing came out but a slight squeak, then it was replaced by a horrified scream as pain flushed over the woman.  A reconstituted Forged had sliced down into Nalla's cap, taking half of her ear with it.  Nalla instantly toppled over, writhing in pain.  She held her hand to the wound, blood gushing from it, freely flowing.  Through the agony, she could see the Forged pulling back for the fatal blow.

Suddenly a green energy skull crashed into the Forged, destroying it.  Paige ran up to the asura, held her up.  "Oh no… Not like this!  Nalla please!  The ritual is done; we're going to find Lexxie!"

Nalla struggled to stay awake.  "Poobah…" she whimpered, "f-feelings…"  The darkness took the asura as she blacked out.

Paige began to weep.  "Nalla… you can't… D-don't you die on me…"

A few steps away, the sand vortex fluctuated, as a being appeared within.  The smoke and sand slowly began to coalesce into the form of a woman with four arms.  Her skin was a mixture of fuchsia energies that wrapped around, indigo and a deep azure with what appeared to mimic the desert night's sky, stars ever-shifting within.  She floated out of the vortex and elegantly landed, her lower arms evaporating and the energies of her skin changing to sparkling azure.  Her eyes were bright green emeralds, she had luxuriously flowing tan hair, and full, plump lips.  She smiled and bowed.  "Greetings; it appears I have been summoned.  I am called Demitra Naja Nyimah."

Had Paige not been focused on Nalla, she may have questioned why her spell had summoned the Djinn.  As it stood, Paige looked up at Demitra with tear-filled eyes.  "Help?" was the only word she was able to muster.

[To be Continued...]