* * *
The land groaned a terrible tone, as if the plates beneath the continents were shifting as Jaden stood against the Equan Plasma Cannons. There came a ferocious wind, so strong that it moved even the Alliance vehicles toward him, and hundreds of soldiers lost their footing and were sent hurtling across the ground. The rings in the sky flashed with the intensity of the sun, making it seem brighter than day over Corsec and Jaden shouted to those behind him to get back.
The three Daijuar, Adonis, Blair and Dahla, heeded his warning, immediately turning to run away as the wind began to turn upward, creating a wall of dark red dust between them and Jaden as it tore up the land beneath. The Daijuar had to jump to keep ahead of the falling earth, but stopped and ignited shields to try to protect those underneath the ground when it had reached too far inward. Two other Daijuar joined them in trying, and together they managed to slow the power a little, but feared the worst for those trapped beneath.
Within seconds, the wall spanned the entire length of zone three and beyond and rose one hundred feet in the air. Lightning began to strike violently within the cataclysmic entity as it began to mimic the rings above, becoming lit with fire as it continued to gain in strength, rising another two hundred feet.
Jaden was the only one able to remain on the ground as the wall built up behind him. There was a silent moment as the wall stopped growing, and then with a scream so loud it could be heard across the entire battlefield, Jaden threw his arms forward. The wall of dust and fire became a wave of violent energy as it rushed toward the Alliance troops. Like a million ravenous monsters with giant claws ripping and teeth gnashing, it picked up everything in its path; soldiers, tanks, rocks, nothing was safe from its power. It took it all up into it and smashed it against Mount Tibain with a mighty explosion that made even the most powerful weapons being used in the battle seem like a whisper.
The wave disappeared against the mountainside as the wind quieted, and the rings returned to a dull fiery glow. The entire zone had been swept clean, without a soldier or Alliance vehicle in sight. Jaden stood shakily for a moment, looking at everything ahead. He then looked down at his hands to see his skin blistering. The gold of the endobraces had melted underneath and the Daijuarn garments appeared to have suffered the same fate. And then he collapsed unconscious on the field, where only dust remained. He had failed to save even the grasses beneath his feet.
Ryan tried to race forward to go help his brother, but was stopped by powerful hands.
‘No,’ said Vennoss, holding Ryan back. ‘There is nothing you can do.’
‘What happened?’ he asked.
‘Your brother did something I wish he had not.’
‘We have to help him,’ said Ryan desperately.
‘No, it’s too dangerous. Leave it to the Daijuar.’
‘They’re not doing anything!’ argued Ryan, pointing at the five fallen bodies in white ahead.
‘I will go,’ said Vennoss, and he walked briskly down the slope of the mound they were standing upon, breaking into a slow run when he reached the bottom.
But there was one other already making his way to Jaden. A large man with dark skin, dressed in the navy blue overalls of a mining truck driver reached Jaden first, scooping him up effortlessly in big hands and placed him over his wide shoulder.
Some Alliance soldiers made their appearance on the field, pushing the dead soldiers and the burned-out vehicles from the tunnel out into the open. They were visibly stunned, still in shock from what they had witnessed, but unlike their brethren, they had survived by being under the mountain. Some took aim and began firing upon the large man carrying Jaden, but he quickly erected a shield to protect them both.
The Alliance gave up trying to attack them soon after, allowing them safe passage back to the city, while they followed orders to take on their primary objective—the northern cliff defence systems. The battle between those already at the defence systems and the Alliance was swift, the Alliance able to take control easily with a force that was still five thousand strong, and they quickly turned the defence systems to aim them at the Diadon ships far below.
Ryan immediately ordered the power to be shut down on the defences and an attack force to recapture them, but the damage had already been done. The Diadon ships began to move away from Corsec on both sides of the continental land-bridge and the Alliance forces from the continent of Tiquan emerged. They attacked as many vessels as they could on their way, the Diadon ships returning fire at every opportunity. Several smaller vessels sank under fire from the Alliance, which then began launching torpedoes from the shoreline at the larger ships. Few made it close, but one managed to catch a medium-sized ship on the hull, sending it down into the depths.
‘Sir,’ called a soldier from behind Ryan.
‘What?’
‘The Diadon fleets are leaving us, sir.’
Ryan’s eyes flared as he grabbed the radio device from the soldier. ‘This is General Ryan Daiyus, Resistance Commander,’ he said. ‘Our defences were momentarily captured. Please return to defend the bridge.’
There was no reply.
‘The great nation of Diada, respond to me please.’
‘Our apologies, Commander, but our terms were made clear. We agreed to defend the bridge only as long as no vessel was lost.’
‘But if we fail, they will come after you!’
‘That is a risk we are willing to take. We are stronger at home than we are here.’
‘This is madness!’ called Ryan into the radio device. ‘Do you understand what you are doing? You are dooming us all!’
‘We are allied with the nations of the east, General. Our agreement has been broken. You are on your own.’
Ryan had to stop himself from throwing the radio device back at the soldier out of anger, and instead, handed it to him carefully. He activated his own headset then and began to advise his troops of his new orders.
‘Quartun Bridge no longer secure. Attack imminent. All available personnel proceed to the northern zones. Those in the south, continue with plans, make sure the Alliance do not return. Send air strikes to zone one. The defence systems of zone one have been lost. Repeat, the defence systems of zone one have been lost.’
When all acknowledgements had been returned, Ryan raced down to where Vennoss was standing among the five fallen Daijuar, who were now sitting up and breathing to regain their strength. The large dark-skinned man soon approached them, laying Jaden’s body down before them.
‘Medic!’ called out Ryan, seeing the state of Jaden’s arms. A man carrying a case joined him soon after and began tending to Jaden’s wounds.
Vennoss approached the dark man curiously. ‘Who are you?’ he asked.
‘I am Oldenwa,’ said the large man with a broad smile. ‘What service do you require?’
‘None,’ said Vennoss. ‘Your efforts have already been more than sufficient. Where have you learned your power?’
Oldenwa shrugged. ‘One day, it came. That is all I know.’
‘You are not Daijuarn,’ observed Vennoss.
‘No,’ said Oldenwa.
Vennoss paused. ‘Well, thank you. We are in your debt.’
Oldenwa smiled. ‘I require no payment.’
Jaden was carried away on a stretcher, Ryan taking hold of one side and helping to lift him into the back of a vehicle waiting for them. Jaden was then taken to a medical unit in the east, where he would receive the care he needed.
Ryan returned to his grandfather and the big man.
‘Thank you,’ he said to Oldenwa, who bowed slightly. ‘If you are ever in need of anything, please, do not hesitate to ask.’
‘The same to you, General.’
Ryan acknowledged the offer with a nod. ‘Come, it is not safe to stand here. The Alliance forces are massing at the other side of the Quartun Bridge. In the next hours, we’re going to have about two hundred thousand of their soldiers coming up here. I have ordered my forces to join us here in the fight. Can the D
aijuar help?’
‘We need rest, but we will manage,’ said Blair, joining them.
‘Good,’ said Ryan, and he turned back to Oldenwa. ‘And you?’
‘I will do what I can.’
‘You all have more experience with the Alliance than I do,’ said Ryan to the Daijuar. ‘I will leave it with you to decide where you should be.’
‘That is wise, Ryan,’ said Vennoss.
Both bowed to one another as Ryan walked to the closet command room on site. Lendon Ode met with him inside.
‘My people are coming to defend here,’ said Lendon.
‘We need all the help we can get,’ acknowledged Ryan.
‘Yes,’ said Lendon, ‘but I believe we have lost this war. Perhaps it is time to start an evacuation.’
Ryan almost shuddered. ‘I do not wish to leave this city.’
‘There might not be a choice soon,’ said Lendon grimly. ‘At least if we leave now, we will have more time to get away.’
‘I will consider your proposal,’ said Ryan, and he walked to the screens to begin issuing further orders.