The Missing Piece - Chapter Six

There was a strong fog coming from the Molaf Mountains. It wasn't that thick, but it hid Vaelko perfectly. His ghost-like skin blended in with the fog. He stared ahead, taking in the view. There, not so far away from him, was the city of Bryok.

"Eris," he called out. "Where are you?"

"Here, Sir," came a voice from behind him. It belonged to a tall, pale skinned, slender woman. Her bright red hair was parted to the side and reached her cheeks. It spiked up in the back and had a single black streak in the front. She was dressed in battle armor and a short, gray jumpsuit. In her knee high boots hid a small dagger, easily accessible.

"You have been observing them, correct?" Vaelko asked.

"Yes," Eris responded. "Those are the second to last Hunters of the day. She pointed to two figures walking back to the gate. Vaelko squinted, trying to make out who they were. They both looked to be around seventeen, young enough to be the newest Hunters.

"Is one of them Ryder?"

"No, Sir. She was denied the title."

"But she did win the Hunters Test, correct? I saw it myself."

"You were there?" Eris asked.

"Yes," Vaelko responded, clearly agitated. "Do you not remember yesterday? I asked you to take over while I was gone."

"But you did not tell me where you were going, Sir."

"Now you know," Vaelko grinned. "Although I do wish I hadn't told you. Some secrets are best kept as secrets. Ryder did, in fact, win the test. What was the reasoning behind not giving her the title?"

"She was unconscious when Leo carried her out. The rules state that the winners must be in good condition upon exiting," Eris explained. "Haleema Acherbett and Leonard Cisera are the newest Hunters." She pointed to the two figures.

"Interesting." Vaelko watched as Haleema and Leo disappeared into the city, their arms full of food. "It's a good thing that Ryder is not a Hunter. She's the only one was have reason to fear."

"Why so?"

"She has the blood of a powerful leader and sorcerer running through her veins. Her adventurous spirit would have led her straight to our castle."

"Whose blood does she have?" Eris asked, pressing for information. Vaelko ignored her. He had shared too much already. Eris may be his second in command, but that didn't mean he had to tell her everything. And she had only been around for a few months. He didn't fully trust her yet.

"Some secrets are best kept as secrets." He repeated. "Eris glared at him and sat on a rock. They had been there nearly the whole day, watching Hunters come and go, planning the best time to attack. The gate suddenly opened, letting out two more Hunters.

"This is the last shift."

"I am aware, Eris," Vaelko said, teeth clenched. "You told me earlier. Do not waste my time with pointless comments." Eris mumbled something under breath, but Vaelko ignored her.

He watched the Hunters go about their business as he planned his advance. He would have to be sneaky. The wall offered Bryok much protection, but there was a weak spot; there always was. The only problem was that all of the citizens of Bryok would be in their homes. It was late. Vaelko was okay with killing a few Bryas if needed, but the whole city? That was out of the question.

The weak spot he had found was a gate on the south side of the wall. It was hidden in the shadows and whoever had the Forever Stone in their possession could enter. The gate recognized the stone and opened for it. Dameon would use it early on in his life to explore Tribecta. He knew it was unfair that he was the only one allowed out of the wall, so he snuck out as to not upset his people.

Vaelko laughed to himself. Dameon cared so much of his people's feelings. Vaelko knew the easiest way to rule was through fear, not trust.

"What first?" Eris asked, coming up behind him.

"We cause a distraction." Vaelko stepped out of the fog and walked towards the Hunters, Eris following suit. The two Hunters were bent over a bush littered with delicious berries. They didn't hear Vaelko coming up behind them.

"Which one of you wants to give me the information I need?" he asked. He pulled the Wyard sword from its sheath and tilted it just right so the lights from the city reflected off of it. The Hunters looked at him. Vaelko could see the fear in the girl's eyes, but her partner's expression remained unchanged.

"I'm not telling you anything," the Hunter said. "We need to bring food back to the city if you don't mind." He stood up, but Vaelko was in front of him. The Hunter stumbled back a few steps before regaining his composure. Vaelko looked both of them over.

"What are your names?"

"Myra." the girl responded in a small voice. Her partner threw her a look over his shoulder. She blushed and lowered her head. Vaelko chuckled softly.

"And what about you, tough guy," he asked. "Or are you not going to tell me?"

"His name is Crispin," Eris said, walking up behind Vaelko. She gave Crispin a nasty smile. "We've run into each other a couple of times. Isn't that right, buttercup? Are you out for another midnight stroll?"

"No, I'm collecting food for my city," he turned his attention back to Vaelko. "Now if you and the she-devil over there wouldn't mind getting out of our way, Myra and I need to get back home."

"Oh, you're not going home," Vaelko sneered. "At least not until I get my information." Crispin glared at him.

"I guess it's going to be a stand of than, because I'm not about to tell you anything." Vaelko admired Crispin's tenacity. He wasn't going to give away information easily. It annoyed Vaelko at the same time. But he knew if all else failed, he could be sure he'd get information out of the girl. He'd never seen someone so timid.

"Just tell me where Ryder Electa is."

Myra tensed. "Why don't you just tell him, Crispin?"

"And why don't you??? tell me, little girl?" Vaelko asked, smiling at her. She shuddered as she met his gaze, but said nothing.

"Let me ask you again." Vaelko sighed. The Forever Stone, which hung on a string around his neck, glowed bright green, lighting up the surrounding area. The Wyard sword did the same as if they were connected. Vaelko pointed the sword at Crispin's chest, the tip just barely grazing his shirt. Myra gasped and dropped her basket of berries.

"Where is Ryder Electa?"

                                                      *                 *                  *

Ryder had seen the events unfold while sitting at her bedroom window. Her house was high on a hill, overlooking Bryok. She could see everything from that window; the Academy (what was left of it), the Othir's building, the shopping market, the gate. And, just then, she was Vaelko standing at the edge of the Isien forest, talking to Crispin and Myra.

Ryder watched them curiously, wondering what Vaelko wanted. He usually only visited a city in order to check up on how they were getting along. But he did not rule over Bryok. Why had he come?

Nothing happened for a while. Ryder was bored of watching. Obviously Vaelko was just wandering around, asserting his power. Since he hadn't taken over Bryok yet, he was probably looking for information that would help him invade. He had tried several times before, but Bryok was just too much for him to overcome.

Ryder suddenly jumped off of the floor and stuck her head out of the window to get a better look. What she had feared had come true. Vaelko had pulled a sword on Crispin. But it just wasn't any sword; it was the Wyard sword. It had belonged to Douglass Wyard, the most powerful magician in Tribecta history. Wyard had just reached the level of sorcerer when he died a tragic death. Since then, his sword had been passed down through generations and across worlds.

Most recently it was in the possession of the Othir.

"How the hell did he get that?" Ryder said aloud. As she watched, Vaelko jerked his arm forward, stabbing Crispin in the stomach. Ryder cried out as he twisted the sword. Crispin fell to the ground, gripping his chest. Myra rushed to help him, but no sooner had she knelt next to him that Vaelko killed her as well. It was too upsetting for Ryder to even think about.

What did they ever do to him? she wondered. As if thing's couldn't get worse, Vaelko suddenly turned and stared right at her. Ryder's heart raced as she ducked underneath the windowsill. But it was too late; he had seen her. There was no mistaking that his gaze was directed at her. She could see the look in his eyes, the success shining through.

He had found her.

What he want her for, though? Ryder didn't have anything he wanted. Vaelko was looking for the missing piece of the puzzle. He needed something to make him the most powerful sorcerer ever. Ryder definitely didn't have any powers like that.

Taking a deep breath, she looked back out of the window. Vaelko was gone. She cursed herself for losing sight of him. There was nothing she could do, no way to know where he was heading. She did know that he wouldn't turn and head back. He had killed those Hunters for a reason.

"Ryder! Ryder, are you here?"

"Coming," Ryder rushed out of her room and nearly fell down the stairs. Standing just inside the doorway was Malachi, her guardian. His black hair was disheveled and his clothes were drenched with sweat. It was actually quite disgusting, but Ryder didn't comment.

Malachi was a Hunter once in his life, but then Ryder's mother Mary died. She was his partner. Eleven years they hunted together, side by side. And then one day they ran into a warrior from another city in Tribecta. Where the warrior was from, Malachi never found out. But the warrior was convinced that they were trespassing on his land and he killed Mary.

It took nearly four year for Malachi to stop grieving. Ryder was six at the time. She had dealt with it surprisingly well. She knew her mother was gone forever, but she saw no sense in having it ruin her life. Grieving for her mother came to an end a mere two weeks after the disaster.

And ever since the day Mary died, Malachi had taken care of Ryder. He was always Uncle Malachi when her mother was alive, although they weren't related. Ryder had never know her father so Malachi was as close to a parent as she had.

"Listen, Ryder," Malachi started. "Something terrible has happened to Crispin and Myra. I'm going to investigate. You stay here. Lock up the house and --"

"No," Ryder shrieked, cutting him off. "You can't go. Split up you men. There's a larger threat out there!"

"Ryder, The MPF is already heading to the gate. They're not going to change their course because of something a sixteen year old girl may be dreaming up." Malachi responded. He was the leading officer of the MPF, the Magician Protective Force. Their sole duty was to protect the citizens of Bryok from danger. In this case, Vaelko was the danger. Ryder had to convince Malachi of it.

"I'm not dreaming up anything. Vaelko murdered those Hunters, I saw it. I was watching through my bedroom window. And he has the Wyard sword. He drove it straight through Crispin's chest and then used it on Myra. The MPF needs to go after Vaelko! He's on the move. He's not out by the gate anymore."

Malachi studied her as if trying to figure out if she was telling the truth. Finally, he sighed and sat down on the living room couch.

"What do you know about Vaelko?" he asked.

Ryder shrugged. "Not much." She shut the door and joined him on the couch. She was fidgety, praying that this wouldn't take too long. Vaelko could be at the south gate soon. She knew where his footprints led. The nature powers had finally kicked in. Ryder could see clear as day the footprints of Vaelko and where they were leading. It was all in her head. She just needed to beat him there.

"Well I know a lot. He's not after any Brya," Malachi explained. "He's after a human and he needs to use the portal to get to her."

"Aren't there other portals besides ours?"

Malachi shook his head. "The Portal of Tribecta rests within our city walls. There is no other portal that connects to the human world. If Vaelko is going to find this human, he must travel through our portal."

"Who is it," Ryder asked. "Who is he after?"

"Her name is Elle Morrison," Malachi responded. "Unfortunately we have no way of contacting her. Sending one of us into her world is out of the question. Imagine being in her position and having someone tell you that there's a crazed, power hungry magician chasing you? How would you respond? Not well I suppose."

"Okay, so Vaelko's after this chick. Why her? What can she do..." Ryder didn't finish the question. She was going to ask what can she do that one of us can't, but decided against it. She knew the answer. Elle must have some kind of connection to their world. After all, the magicians of Bryok were humans, just with magic.

"She's a descendant of Wyard." Malachi answered.

"Damn it. And Vaelko has the sword too!" Ryder said. How could she be so stupid? Of course that's what he wanted. She should've known from the time he pulled out the sword. Only a descendant of Wyard could activate the true powers of the sword. It was useless to Vaelko. Except for killing innocent people it seemed.

"We can't let him get to that portal," Ryder exclaimed, shooting up off of the couch. She reached down and pulled Malachi up with her. "Come one, he's heading to the south gate."

"The south what?" Malachi asked. Ryder didn't answer. She simply pulled him after her. Their feet pounded on the stone walkways as they ran through the city, tall, brick buildings passing them by. The scenery suddenly changed to dry grass and farm houses as they made it to the outskirts of the city. Dirt attached itself to the backs of Ryder's thighs and she kicked it up from under her feet. The road had turned to dirt all too quickly.

"We're almost there!" Ryder called back.

"Are you taking me to the south gate?" Malachi asked. Ryder's silence confirmed his suspicion. "We can't take on Vaelko all by ourselves! He's too strong."

"Not true, Malachi. I'm more powerful than you know. Vaelko is at my mercy. I will destroy him." Ryder responded.

That's it, little warrior. Come find me; challenge me. Test you powers against the greatest sorcerer in Tribecta.

Ryder clenched her teeth and forced Vaelko's voice from her head. But it still made her shiver. It had been nearly two years since his voice had found its way into her mind. She had forgotten just how dark and sinister it was.

There was a turn in the road straight ahead and Ryder knew they were close. She would meet Vaelko soon enough and beat him to a pulp in front of his new second in command. He had ruined her life more than enough times. It was payback.

"Ryder, stop." Malachi demanded. She was hesitant to, but she did. Stopping dead in her tracks, she turned to see him wandering into the field to his right. Following his gaze, she saw the Portal of Tribecta. It looked the same: an old marble archway with words inscribed on it that were worn away by weather. Yet there was something different about it.

It was starting to glow.

A bright blue color erupted from it, temporarily blinding Ryder. Cautiously, she took small steps toward the portal. She was afraid of what she might find. Either someone was coming through it or Vaelko had just gone through it. Neither of those option sounded good to her.

A loud ringing sound filled Ryder's ears and she was thrown backwards. She landed on top of Malachi who let out a cry of pain. Not taking her eyes off of the portal, she stood and walked forward.

"Who are you?" She asked. Standing in front of her was a short, slim girl who looked to be a few years older than Ryder. The girl's glowing blonde hair was tied neatly in a side brain that reached her shoulder. The outfit she wore was unlike one Ryder had ever seen. It was a button down shirt with a red tie hanging around her neck and a knee length plaid skirt.

The girl took a look around, her face full of amazement and curiosity. After a few minutes, Ryder began to get agitated. While this newcomer was admiring Bryok, Vaelko was gaining ground. He may have even made it to the south gate.

"Are you going to answer the question or am I wasting my time?" Ryder asked, hands on her hips. The girl turned her focus back to Ryder.

"My name is Elle Morrison."

"Shit," Ryder exclaimed. "We really are in trouble."