Raddanech emerged through the gateway, stepping out into the rooms he once called home. Being here felt strange to him, and he felt the urge to conclude his business there and return to Whisper as quickly as he could. It surprised him to see that his personal belongings had remained untouched, and that someone had even entered to clean the apartment. His eyes fell onto the weapons rack that stood against one wall, displaying his staves and a broadsword that he had wielded with deadly strength during his service.

Walking to the rack, he ran his hand over the hilt of the sword, looking around for it’s sheath. It stood in the corner, where it had been for quite some time. The sword was, after all, a point of pride to him, and Raddanech had wanted to enjoy the beauty of the piece. As he drew it from the stand, light glinted off the long blade, and he smiled at the feeling of holding it again. It had been as much an extension of him as anything, and countless foes had fallen to it throughout the years. The pommel stone came to life under his touch, the etherstone amplifying his power as he held it. He felt it surge through him, making him feel more alive than he had in so long. He sheathed that magnificent weapon, and strapped it to his back. The weight of it was not noticeable after years of practice.

Raddanech turned back to the rack, removing an ornate Lumhin battle staff from it. He had not dared to hope he would hold it again, as precious an artifact as it was. It was topped with an etherstone orb, held in place by engraved figures of Elthys and Tyris. The stone itself was imbued with their power. So rarely had the Supreme Aspects granted their power to another being, and such had not been done in recent memory.

“Well now, this may turn the tide.” Raddanech thought to himself. “Perhaps the Light blesses me still.” Taking the staff in hand, he turned to leave, securing the door behind him as if he had only been leaving for the afternoon.

As he strode purposefully down the corridors, startled looks and even fear crossed the faces of people who he had served alongside. He did not slow or stop to engage with them, instead continuing toward the Chamber of the Enlightened. As he neared it, two of his former command stepped into his path. They could not conceal their surprise at the appearance of their commander.

“Raddanech?! Is that you?” Haleth exclaimed, forgetting his station and stepping forward to grasp Raddanech’s hand firmly. “What in the name of our Stars are you doing here?”

“It is good to see you too, my friend.” Raddanech answered, grasping his friend’s hand in return. “I do not imagine the Council will share your enthusiasm, but at present, I have no choice. I need to see them.” He nodded to Jassin, who stood staring at him unabashedly. “You look well, Jassin. Happy to see you haven’t been sliced in two!” He quipped brightly, momentarily forgetting the tension of the mission at hand.

“You know they have told us to detain you, should you ever return, don’t you?” Jassin said, discomfort clear in his voice. His long, dark hair fell over his shoulder as he shook his head and sighed.

“Ignore the order.” Raddanech told him, as if suggesting the menu for the evening meal.

“You can’t be serious, Raddanech. You’re asking us to be the next ones exiled, after all we’ve worked for.” Haleth answered, a pained look in his amber eyes.

“When the Council hears what I have to say, I think even they will be forced to put aside petty grudges, and to hear me out. It is a situation that threatens us all. The people of Inasban, and the people of the world where Whisper and I have stayed. Tenebris is free, Haleth.” Raddanech met the man’s gaze with his own. His voice carried the gravity of the moment, and Haleth and Jassin looked at each other before nodding and opening the doors. They fell into step behind him, each to one side.

“You.” High Elder Ashade looked down at Raddanech from the dais, contempt and scorn plainly visible on his face. “What is the meaning of this? How dare you disgrace this Chamber?”

“Your sensibilities will have to wait, Ashade.” Raddanech said, standing unflinching before the Enlightened. “Do you think I would return here without reason? Do you think I still care about the opinions of those who refuse to acknowledge that we are more than automatons?

“Do not presume to disrespect me, or the Council, Raddanech. I could destroy you where you stand.” Ashade stated. His golden eyes blazed with his indignation. As he stood from his seat, his long, white hair caught the light as if spun from the stars. The ornate, silver circlet on his head marked his station as the highest authority of the Lumhin people.

“Would you spill blood in the very Chamber of the Enlightened?” Raddanech challenged him. “I honor your station, Ashade, but I did not come here to be subject to another tirade. I came because your help is required.”

“Help? You?” Ashade barked out a short, derisive laugh.

“Not me. Yourselves, Inasban, and a population of innocents.” Raddanech replied, refusing to allow his emotions to surface.

Before Ashade could reply, Viereth rose from his own seat, gesturing to Ashade to allow him to speak. “What do you mean, Raddanech? Speak plainly.” He said, his resonant voice calm and measured.

“Tenebris is free, and Whisper lives. In the time she and I have been gone, he has been able to send her dreams, nightmares. It was his way of tormenting her. She could not resist him, or protect herself, her power was beyond her reach after he was done with her. However, she is now restored.” Raddanech explained. “The Blessing of Elthys awoke, and Tenebris felt it. He intends to have his revenge. He is bound for Earth, the world that Lusamdra’s gateway opened to when he sent Whisper.”

Startled gasps came from several of the Enlightened as they rose and began to converse in hushed tones. Raddanech waited patiently, content to observe as they deliberated. It was clear that there was dissent among them, several of the Councilors were visibly angry.

“I am joining this mission, Raddanech.” Haleth stated. He was not going to stand by and let his friend be threatened, or worse. “We know why you left, and if it’s any consolation, Jassin and I agree with you. Times are changing, and more of the people desire freedom.”

“Aye.” Jassin said in agreement. “Tradition is meant to carry on a way of life, but we can’t stand by as ages pass, and refuse to acknowledge that time does not stand still. It only matters if the people say it matters, and some of us are sick of it.”

Raddanech smiled at them both with pride. They had fought and bled beside him countless times. They had wives and children, they had lives of their own, and yet they served. It felt out of place to converse with them now, but it was welcome. “I wouldn’t dream of leaving you behind. Unless of course you have an issue with public displays of affection.” A roguish smile played on his lips.

“What?? Finally??” Haleth grinned back at Raddenech. “It’s about time, you crusty old relic! As if there was ever really a question. I knew she wouldn’t just take the Council’s orders forever.”

“This week.” Raddanech answered with a shrug. “She couldn’t remember me for who I was, or where we came from. She didn’t remember our relationship, or that it was forbidden. She actually said she loved me before it came back to her, so I suppose you could say I won her twice. She no longer cares what others believe, we are together.”

The conversation was interrupted as Ashade and the others finished their deliberation and returned to their seats. “We will intervene in this matter.” Ashade stated, his hands folded on the carved marble table that ran the length of the dais. “Had this danger been only to yourself or Whisper, we would not do so. But as innocents are involved, it would not be just to allow them to fall to Tenbris. He presents a threat greater than most species can defend themselves from. As you still wield the power of the Supreme aspects, and Whisper does as well, we do not see the need to send a large force. While he is powerful, Tenebris is still recovering from his mother’s dismantling of his physical form.

“We have chosen to have Chevor accompany you. His power as a Lightbearer should be more than sufficient when combined with your own. We wish to minimize loss of life, and our goal is to drive Tenebris away from Earth and its population. We want you to attempt to bring him back to his world. From there, we will be able to contain him again.” Ashade finished. Some of his previous anger had receded. He was angered by the contempt for the Council and its teachings, but Raddanech was still Lumhin, still one of his people in spite of his actions.

“Thank you, your Eminence. A sound strategy, indeed. If Tenebris does attempt to subdue Earth, or to threaten other life, we will take whatever action necessary to remove him.” Raddanech inclined his head respectfully. “While I don’t agree with blind obedience, I do respect you, Ashade. You know that I would not bring intentional harm to our people, or cause them pain.”

“Go Raddanech, in the Light of Elthys and Tyris.” Ashade answered with the formal blessing. “May they light your way and bring you home victorious.”

Raddanech smiled. Hearing the traditional words spoken to their people before a battle meant a lot to him. He understood Ashade’s meaning, that he was forgiven. It pained him to know that there would be further conflict when the Council learned of his and Whisper’s union, but that was a matter for the future. He nodded to Haleth and Jassin, and turned to leave. The two men followed him from the chamber.

“That one is such trouble.” Chevor remarked as he stood. “You have my word, Ashade, I will temper Raddanech’s fire. He is young, to wield the power he does.” He added, with a soft chuckle.

“See that you do, Chevor, before he and Lusamdra’s girl get us all killed.” Ashade answered with a sigh. “They remind me of myself, at that age, and that doesn’t inspire confidence.”

“You certainly did bring your own share of Chaos, before you were all high and mighty” Chevor replied with a wry smile. “In fact, I seem to remember certain incidents…” His golden eyes danced with merriment. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a planet to save.” He threw a salute to Ashade, and turned to leave. He brushed a stray strand of tangerine hair from his face as he walked, headed to his rooms.

Chevor gathered his gear for the coming mission, packing with the precision of one long accustomed to service. With a practiced eye, he selected one of his favorite battle staves, securing it to his back in a harness he wore over his torso. It was unimposing, and to many would have seemed quite plain. Carvings decorated the length of it in elegant script. It translated to “In Service of the Light”, and it embodied his life and his work. He did not need glamour, or powerful weapons. He was a weapon in his own right. He was a Lightbearer, a term the Lumhin had coined at his birth. While they all wielded the power of the Aspect of Light, Inasban, he was imbued with the power of the Stars, Elthys and Tyris. It was a phenomenon none had seen before, and no one knew what it meant for their people. The Council had tried to convince him that he was the most powerful among them, and as such, should lead them, but Chevor had no appetite for power. He had declined, content to aid them any way he could as a member of the Enlightened.

Finished with his preparations, Chevor slung his pack over his shoulder, and left his apartment. He made his way to Raddanech’s quarters, and knocked before opening the door. Raddanech, Haleth, and Jassin were completing their own packing, and checking their gear as they got ready to leave. “Anything more I should know before we arrive?” Chevor asked, greeting them with a raised hand.

“I should probably warn you that Whisper has gone for Ion…” Raddanech began, a frown coming to his face. “I tried to talk her out of it, but you know how she can be, she would hear none of it, and insisted that he could help.”

“Probably best that you didn’t mention that to Ashade. He’ll find out in time, but for now, we had best focus on the mission at hand. All things considered, Whisper is probably not wrong. Controversial as his creation may be, he is very formidable.” Chevor replied. “Please know, Raddanech, I believe as you do that love and emotions are not wrong. They are our nature, and I have seen the light they bring. While one cannot be governed entirely by impulse, or simply what we feel, we are complicated beings.”

“Thank you, Chevor. I appreciate your support. It’s good to know that the man I have at my side is not here to spy for the Enlightened.” Raddanech smiled, closing his pack and looping the straps over his shoulder.

“Ashade doesn’t mean to be the thorn that he is. I think he simply doesn’t understand that we are changing as a people. I myself am something outside of what we know, no one knows how or why I have the power that I do. I’m sure Elthys and Tyris had their own motivations. It wasn’t an accident.” Chevor replied, his golden eyes troubled. “They will reveal it in their own time. For now, we need to stop Tenebris.”

“Agreed, we’ve taken long enough. Let’s go.” Raddanech answered as he wove the gateway. “After you.” He gestured toward the opening and Haleth, Jassin, and Chevor obliged, stepping through into Whisper’s apartment as the doorway closed behind them.