Valor Rising. 69

As the first sun made its way over the horizon of the mountains of Lesul, Xan stood up and went to look out the window. From his cell window he could see the great pit of the Gradyea. It had been cleaned and salted meat had been dumped into the pit to make the worm hungry. Xan could feel the vibrations coming off the walls as the beast thrashed about in pain. Things were moving forward, but Xan wasn't sure how effective he  had been. Was Lesu even hearing what he was saying? His father had always been very proud, savage to his enemies and sadistic, but headstrong. He saw the now like most Savonti but not the future. The question was, could he see what was really happening on Pentanthin? The Savonti were in trouble. Their war like ways, killing and taking over each others land was taking a toll on each house. Queens were not producing powerful lords as often as in the past and young lords were way to eager to have their own lands before they were ready. They were fighting and killing each other in their stupid quarrels. Then there was the Humans. Xan knew they weren't the weak powerless cattle that most Savonti thought they were. They were good proud people with intelligence and the ability to fight back. And they were more organized now then they ever were. Xan had no doubt that if the Savonti didn't change their ways, the prophesy would come true and the Savonti's days on Pentanthin would be numbered.
Xan knew he would have one more chance to talk some sense in to his father. But what could he say? What words could he use that he and his brother hadn't already used to try and convince the powerful lord? Lesu was not stupid. It was his anger that was making him blind to the reason of Xan's words. Well maybe his death would be what Lesu needed to convince him. Or maybe he would have to fight Lesu and get control of Lesul  to start the changes that were needed. But that would mean him getting free, and the only ones that could free him were slaves and a warrior that just might see the light in Xan's words.
[I AM HERE FOR YOU XAN.]
Xan stepped back as the words vibrated through his mind. He looked around his cell seeing no one there. Then he walked to the door of his cell and looked out. All he saw in the hall was the warrior on guard who sneered at him. He shook his head, Was he going mad and hearing things.
[NOT MAD.] The voice said. [I AM HERE FOR YOU AND I WILL SAVE YOU.]
'Who are you?" Xan asked. "Daru? Lady Kordova?"
[I AM FOR YOU.] It said. [WE WILL BE TOGETHER.]
"You can't fool me Mind lord." Xan went back to the center of his cell and sat down cross legged. "Stay out of my mind. I will not help you conquer Lesul, so be gone!"
[WE WILL BE TOGETHER.]

As a lone warrior in the robes of Lesu walked his tracker into a thick stand of trees, he stopped and tied his beast in place. Walking to a small lake, the warrior stopped for a drink. Suddenly the sound of movement caught his attention. He stood and placed a hand to his sword at his side.
"Come out Ketu."
Snickering like an old fool, Ketu slithered his way out to the warrior. "I seem to be losing my touch."
"No."The warrior said. "It was not you I heard, thought I knew you were there. It was your smell. Ketul has many volcanoes, they give off a familiar scent. But worry not, it takes a practiced nose to find it."
"I will have to do something about that."  Ketu moved out to the water a took a drink. "Cool, fresh. Have you made your a decision? Are you ready to take your place as Lord of Gosul?"
"Yes." Gos through back the hood that hid his face. "I am ready. With Xan and Mar outcast, I am the only son of Lesu with the power to be lord once Xan is dead, I will kill the rest of my brothers while you and your warriors dispose of my father as we agreed."
"Does he suspect anything?"
"As usual." Gos folded his arms cross his chest. "Father is blind to all except his hate. Thinks of nothing but Xan and Mar though he says they mean nothing to him. Xan's death will trouble him very much. Now is the time to strike. I will make sure the east gate is unguarded. Have your warriors there and ready. The rest is up to you."
"Indeed it is." Ketu laughed as Gos went back to get his tracker. He climbed on and rode home where today he would his lord and father and put Lesul in the hands of the enemy.

As the stands at the pit filled with Savonti warriors and their females and young, almost every human in the house had been locked in the slave dormitories. Castor had been left in his cell with a young Tark chained at the door to keep him in. Once all the guards had left for the event, Castor took from under his straw a small hunch of meat he had been saving from last night for Rax the Tark that stood guard at his door.
"Here Rax." Castor waved the meat at the Tark as it wagged its tail and padded over. With a quick flip, Castor tossed the meat to the Tark who caught it and laid down to eat. Castor slowly pushed open the door and walked out and knelt beside the little Tark and rubbed its furry neck. "Good boy."
Quietly Castor went to the door and looked  out. The halls were empty, there wasn't a Savonti in sight. Checking his pocket, Castor made sure the key he had made was still there. Then slowly he stepped out the door and was headed up to Gos's chamber where he would find Alin waiting locked in.
Moving slowly and carefully, Castor made his way to the next floor up to the quarters of the sons of Lesu. So far he hadn't run into any Savonti. Being that Xan was a son of Lesu, Castor knew the whole house would attend leaving all the halls and chambers unguarded. The weapons locker out by the front gate would be their target. If Castor and Alin could get enough weapons, they might be able to help get Xan free. But they would have to move fast. They would have to attack before Xan was thrown into the pit.
Entering Gos apartment, Castor made a left and ran to the cage in the corner of the room.
"Alin?" He called. "You ready?"
Yeah, get me out of here."
Pulling the bone key from his pocket, Castor slid it into the keyhole. He had to be very careful as he turn not to snap the bone in the lock. Turning carefully, the lock clicked. The door was open, Castor pulled the lock from the latch. With a sigh, Castor pulled open the door and let his cousin out.
"Where to" Alin asked as if he didn't know.
""Nothings changed." Castor said. "We have to get Xan free."
"You know we won't make it, right?"
"He's our only chance." Castor nodded. "I really believe he will get us out of here."
"And if your wrong? What then?"
"Then I'm sorry I got you into this. Go back to your cage if you want. I'm going on."
Castor turned and headed for the door.
"Wait for me."
It took them less then thirty units to make it to the east gate and they didn't run into any Savonti on the way. Castor expected most of the house to be at the execution, but he wasn't expecting the gates to be unguarded. There should still be guards here watching for an attack. Something wasn't right here. Further up the corridor they found the weapons chamber and it was unlocked already. Castor looked at Alin with a worried look. He signaled him to stay there and ducked around the corner into the chamber. There on the floor he found two dead warriors. They had strange burn marks in there chest with smoke rising from the wounds. These were not marks made by staff weapons. Something else did this. Just then he heard movement coming from the next chamber. Quickly he ducked behind a rack of weapons and waved Alin away to hide himself. As Castor hid, six Ketul warriors came slithering out of the chamber all of them armed.
In the lead clad in gold, Ketu slid his way out of the chamber.
"All goes well." He said. "By now, Gos should have killed his brothers and be making his way down to bring the Armauk one out for execution. Lesu will be in his box waiting. That is where we strike. Once Lesu is dead, we kill Gos and Lesul is ours. Follow me."
Once Ketu was gone, Alin ran in.
"Did you hear that?" Lesu is being invaded. We should go now!"
"No!" Castor ran and grabbed an arm full of weapon and pushed them into Alin's hands.
"Take this." He put the key into Alin pocket. "Free and arm as many as you can and get them out of the house."
"What are you going to do?" Now Alin was really scared.
"I still have to get to Xan." He explain. "You go. Get our families out before the Savonti have time to notice."
[XAN WILL BE SAFE WITH ME.]
Again Castor heard the voice from that thing he dropped at the pit. He hoped it was right because it looked like Castor wasn't going to get down to the pit. He had something else to do. Something that might be more important then Xan.
"But Castor!"
"Go! Now Alin!"
Nodding tearfully, Alin carried the bundle of weapons and ran off back the way they had come.
With a staff in his hand, Castor steadied himself and headed after the Ketul warriors. He couldn't believe what he was about to do.

With a grim look in his eyes, Gos rode his tracker into the pens of house Lesu. He led it to its stall, put out feed, then left waving to the stable master. His was going to be a busy day. With the help of Lord Ketu, today he would be lord of this house finally. His task now was to get rid of any opposition that could stand in his way. That meant his brothers Por and Ler would have to die before the time came when they're power would develop and they became rivals.
House Lesu was quiet today. Many warriors had been coming in from hunting and any other duties Lord Lesu had assigned them to just to see the execution. Even a few from neighboring lands were in attendance. But no lords. Lesu would abide no one, not even lords he considered allies to be there to see his son put to death. It was pride Gos supposed. Pride in his house and family. Fine, Gos thought. Then let his pride be the end of him.
From the stable, Gos walked the halls of the house greeting warriors and reminding them to be at the pits as his father had command. Xan's punishment was for all of Lesul to see and witness. He moved from floor to floor and chamber to chamber until he came to the apartments of his younger brothers.
Pushing through the doors, Gos entered and found his two brothers Por and Ler lounging in sand pits cavorting with slaves they had chained down. Human men and women who were pale , frightened and broken by the use of the two cruel brothers.
"Nazun brother." Gos greeted them. "Finish with your games. The time has come for the sons of Lesu to get their due."
"You mean Xan, brother?" Por stood kicking out at a body in his way. "Today he pays for his betrayal."
"Indeed." Ler chucked. "To bad Mar is not standing at his side. I would enjoy seeing both armauk's die together."
"I mean all of Lesu's sons." Gos's eyes began to glow a bright red as he cast out the pain stare into his brothers bodies. Por and Ler fell down into the sand screaming in pain as Gos pulled his sword and advanced on them. Pulling at the chains, the two Humans left alive tried in vain to rip away the chain that held them there, but they were to strong. All they could do was watch as their death approached. With two quick swings, the humans died screaming. Then Gos turned to his brothers.
"Why Gos?" Por tried to get to his feet but he was to weak from Gos's pain stare. "What have we done?  Why must we die?"
"Because there is only room for one in Lesu." Gos stabbed down sending his sword into Por's head. "And that lord will be me and no one else!"
Sliding the sword out of Por's skull, Gos slashed out at Ler slamming his blade into his chest, splitting it open exposing his still beating heart. As he lay there in the bloody sands, Gos stomped down on the heart, grinding it into pulp.
"Today will be the first day of Gosu!" He raised his sword over his head. "Lord of Pain!!"

It had taken Pac all night and many bribes but at last he had done it. He had found warriors that had fought for ages at Mar's side and convinced them that he hadn't betrayed them. He and Xan had been working all long on a way to finally bring peace to the Savonti. It wouldn't be easy and there would have to be many sacrifices, but with help from many different areas around Pentanthin, it could be done. The Savonti can live and thrive beyond the old prophesy. Of course there were doubts. Fears that the White and Gray couldn't be trusted. But both Mar and Xan could be trusted and neither one of the were fools. If they believed, then Pac could believe too.
After arming themselves, Pac and four other warriors made their way to Lesul's high prison cells were Xan would be kept. After a short fight, they had subdued the guards and were at Xan's door ready to release him. They never expected what would come next.
"Xan!" Pac put the key into his door and swung it open. "It is time for you to be out of Lesu. Come quickly, we'll have you away before Lesu even knows your gone."
Surprised at his fortune, Xan stood and went and gripped Pac's arm in respect. But escape wasn't in his plans.
"I thank you Pac and all who stand at my side." He said. "But escape will not help us free the rest of our brothers. I must stay and fight."
"You are mad!" Pac threw his hands up in desperation. "We have ten warriors, no more. There is no way we can stand against the forces of Lord Lesu. They will slaughter us!!"
"Maybe." Xan smiled. "But my father must hear what must be said. Then if there is to be a fight, it will be between me and him."
"If that is your final word." Pac placed a hand on Xan's shoulder. "We will stand with you. What do you want us to do?"
"Take me to the pit, just as it should be."
"And then?" Pac wasn't sure he liked this idea at all.
"Then Pentanthin will take care of the rest." Xan opened the door and stepped out. "Trust Pentanthin. It will save us."

Every member of the house of Lesu had crammed themselves into the stands around the Gradyea pit. So far four other warriors had been sent in to fight with the loser been devoured by the hungry worm. With each meal the worms enjoyed, the sands shook from its raging hunger. It would take many more victims to relieve it's salt caused appetite.
In the hall to the pit's, Xan waited as Pac unlocked his chains from behind. Pulling a small knife sized stun weapon from inside his tunic, Pac quiet passed it to Xan to hide for his protection.
"Are you certain this is the way it must be?"
"I am sure." Xan nodded. "Honor dictates we give father a chance. If he refuses, we do what we have to."
"Very well."
As the crowd cheered another warriors victory, his wounded opponent was kicked over the edge to side down screaming into the gaping jaws below. Then the order was called for the main event. The call was made for Xan to enter and face his death.
"Loyal warriors of Lesul!" A familiar voice called quieting the cheering crowd. "I bring to you for judgement and punishment the Armaurk son of our Lord Lesu. Once he was a favorite of Lesu, but for his treachery and disobedience against our lord and his house, he will die in the belly of the Gradyea with no chance at battle to save himself, I give you the traitor Xan!! Bring out the Gradyeas last meal!!"
With staffs at their sides, Pac and his four warriors marched Xan out onto the sand to stand at the edger and face Lord Lesu who watched from his private box. Standing at his side, Gos sneered down at his helpless brother.
"Xan my brother." He shouted. "You have been found unworthy to be a warrior and the son of Lesu. death is the sentence!"
"I would speak to my father one last time." Xan called out.
Gos started to deny Xan's request when Lesu stopped him.
"Let him speak,"
"Father." Xan bowed his head. "These are difficult times we live in. War rages from land to land. From house to house. The enemy is ever at our gates ready to attack. My brother and I are proud to call you father and never meant to disobey you, but in the name of peace and continuation of the Savonti people, we have. Our ways must change if we are to survive much longer on Pentanthin. Only by accepting all intelligent beings here can we hope to go on. I give you one last chance to be the great lord I always thought you to be. Bring peace to Lesul. Help us bring peace to Pentanthin. It is our only hope."
"The Savonti have ruled Pentanthin for hundreds of agens." Lesu stood and stepped forward to the raid. "Nothing will ever change that. No human or prophesy can change that. Not now, not ever!!"
"Then you leave me no choice." Bringing his hands up in front of him, Xan pulled at the chains and snapped them in two. From inside his tunic, he pulled out his weapon and sent the first blast into the stands where Lesu sat knocking one of his guards back to the floor. "FOR FREEDOM!!"
At that moment Pac and his warriors started firing on the guards all around them. Warriors rushed out from each side to defend their lord and the battle began.
With a blaster in one hand and a sword in the other and Pac at his side, Xan fought on against unbeatable odds. Slashing left then right, blasting one after the other he trying to get to the stands where he could then battle Lesu himself.
Out of no where a kick hit him in the knees and he went down, As he tried to get up, another kick hit him in the jaw and he felt himself being pushed over the edge of the Gradyea pit. Xan reaching out to grab something and pull himself up. he felt a smooth round object roll into his arms as he fell.
[NOW WE ARE TOGETHER.]
"What?" Xan muttered as he rolled closer to the mouth of the sand pit holding the warm orb. "Who speaks?"
[I AM VALOR. I AM HERE TO BECOME ONE WITH YOU AND HELP SAVE PENTANTHIN. BUT ONLY IF YOU ACCEPT ME. DO YOU ACCEPT ME?]
"If it can help Pentanthin, yes I accept!"
At that moment. Xan and the orb fell into the pit of the Gradyea.

Getting up from his throne, Lesu watched as his son fell into the pit. He smiled as he turned to leave the viewing box.
"Now so fast!"
Suddenly a bolt came from behind the curtains and struck him in his chest. Lesu fell back in pain and scramble to get to his feet. Standing by the door, Gos looked down on his father and laughed
"It is your turn now father!"
Just then, Ketu stepped from behind the curtain and aimed his staff at Lesu. With a hiss and a tongue that slid out and flickered in the air, Ketu put a finger to the trigger.
"Greetings my enemy."
"What is the meaning of this!" Lesu screamed. "Gos, you?"
"Yes me father!" He laughed. "Mar and Xan were never armaurk! I was! I betrayed you, not them. And now I will be the lord of the house!"
"I am afraid not." Ketu turned his staff on Gos. "Never trust an enemy. Not even for a si."
"But you agreed!" Gos stepped back holding his hands out. "I will rule Gosu!"
"This will be Ketul now." He laughed. "I thank you for your help."
As Gos's eyes began to turn red, Ketu fired his staff and sent a blast straight at his head. Gos head explode and he fell back over the rail and on to the sandy floor of the arena. With Gos dead, Ketu turned back to Lesu.
"Navun Lord Lesu!"
Just then, three quick staff blast hit Ketu in his back. He spun around to see a young human standing there aiming his staff at him. As he tried to reach for the boy, Castor fired one more time blowing a hole through Ketu's chest. Ketu fell dead to the floor.
"You!" Lesu stared at Castor in shock. "You saved me?"
"I did."  Castor threw the staff down at Lesu's feet. "Your slave saved you. Now I hope I never see you again."
Castor turned to walked out of the stand.
"Stop Human!" Castor stopped and turned to look at the Savonti lord. "Do not move. I would speak with you to understand what you have done. Stay right there."
As Lesu bent over and picked up the staff, the ground  began to shake. Dirt, dust and parts of the body of a dead Gradyea flew up from the mouth of the sand pit. Then suddenly a great roar came bellowing out from the pit as a huge winged creature came fly out with flames blasting from it's mouth.
[VALOR IS BORN!!!]
As Valor rose, staff weapons were fired as him. Again and again he was hit only to adsorb the energy and send it right back at the warrior. Wave after wave of warrior came at him. With swing of his tail, he batted them back.
Landing in the sand pit, Valor stood staring down at Pac and his warriors. As Pac raised his weapon, Valor sent out to him.
[Hold warrior. It is I, Xan.]
"Xan?" Pac blinked and rubbed his eyes. "How? what?"
[I told you Pentanthin would save us.]
As he turned back to the viewing stand, Xan shifted back to his Savonti form, but now instead of the harness and tunic, he wore gold leather armor and sandals that strapped up his legs. As he walked out to the viewing box, Lesu stared at him unsure of what to do. He looked at the staff in his hand and dropped it to the floor.
"Xan? Is that you?"
"Yes father." He called to him. "You must listen to me now. Things must change, or else."
"I will hear what you have to say." He looked back at Castor who stood waiting as he had been told. "Many things have happened today that I do not understand. It is time I listen for a change."
"If you will listen." Xan said proudly. "Then maybe there is a chance for us."

As Daru sat staring into a dark pool in his quarters he watched as Xan was led out to stand before his father at the worm pit. He heard Xan plead with his father for a change in the way he ruled his house, the saw Xan and his warriors attack Lesu. He watched with interest as the battle raged and Xan fell into the pit. Daru with the power of his mind watched as Gos betrayed his father and was killed as his reward by the treachery of the hooded Lord Ketu who died at the hands of one of Lesu's slaves. Then with amazement that creature came flying out from the pit and somehow became the fallen son Xan. Such power the beast possessed. Xan now definitely had the power to be a great lord. If Daru could get abilities like this, thing on Pentanthin would be able to stand in his way. It was to bad the fool's mind was twisted by the Humans to their side. He could make a powerful ally or slave if Daru could get a collar on him.
But now with Xan and Lesu against him, Daru would have to move carefully if he hoped to defeat them. He would need more power on his side. He would have to call on Lords from far off lands and rally them to his side. And then there was the young Human that had come to him promising help. He seemed to have power and knowledge Daru could use.
Getting up from his throne, Daru made his way through his house to a balcony on the top floor, He stood at the rail and cast his thoughts out searching for the Sky Lord Magu and the legion he had sent out with him.
[Hear me Sky Lord. How goes your hunt?]
[My Lord.] Came in answer. [We have invaded and conquered for you the lands of three lords. Buku who has the power to move things with his mind. Weru who commands energy through his hands and Tibu a cold lord with power over ice. We bring them back now collared and in chains.]
[And what of their house?] Daru asked. [Who rules there?]
[You do my lord.] Magu sent. [All their sons have been put to death and one of your lieutenants sits on the throne in their halls. I have ordered that each house get ready to move on a moments notice. All we wait for is for you to sent the command to march.]
[You have done well Magu.] Daru now had all the power he needed to put an end to the humans. [All that remains is for us to locate the stronghold of the Humans so we can crush them under our feet. Tell me, did you find any of the Gekko's while you were out there?]
[I am afraid not. I sent out two parties but none of them have returned. I will send another if that is my lords wish.]
[No.] The Mind lord sent. [There is another that can provide the information. Bring my slaves to me, we have an attack to plan.]
[Yes my lord.]
It was time to find the armaurk human Tabor and either give him what he wants, or put a collar on him so he bends to the Mind lords will.