Kriki's Gift, Chapter XXIX, Reading 27

The energy pulse propagated throughout the mountain collapsing tunnels and caverns as it went.  The entire universe of the Valkea's horde was utterly obliterated as the mountain reclaimed its inviolate and impenetrable strength.  Deformation within the rock mass served to absorb and dissipate the energy of the shockwave on its passage outward so by the time the wave front broke out on the surface it didn't trigger the catastrophic rock slides Flindra had feared.

The three champions had pulled their focus out of the cavern when things started to collapse so they could see what was happening on the surface.

"Praise the Spirit we didn't bring down the entire mountain," Flindra observed with relief.

"My engineers are going to have to clean up the road," Kalmar remarked as he took note of a minor rock fall that had spread out over the road.  He sighed wearily for he was utterly spent.  "Let's see if there is anything left of the Valkea's nursery.  It's not likely to have survived, but we need to make sure."

Kalmar directed his thoughts into the mountain, but sensed nothing but darkness and the oppressive weight of the surrounding rock.  "It's gone," he announced wearily.  "It's time to rest.  Many thanks to both of you," he uttered.

"Rest easy, Your Majesties," Gegen replied and his essence vanished.  He was too exhausted to say more.

"Be well and know that I love you," Flindra murmured to her husband.

"Sleep well, my Beloved."

Kalmar and Flindra drew back simultaneously and collapsed in their respective chambers.

Kriki's Gift, Chapter XXIX, Reading 26

Many times Kalmar had witnessed the incredible might of the flood-swollen Kanza.  He had routinely seen trees uprooted, banks undermined, even docks and buildings washed away.  All these were impressive sights, but the undisputed example of the incontestable might of the river was the battle that was joined between the flood-swollen Kanza and the mighty current of the sea where the waters met in the Bay of Tamerre.

Ocean swells would break against the river currents and lose their rounded shape, turning into dangerous cliffs of water tall enough to engulf a ship.  The sandbar at the mouth of the river would shift, sometimes disappearing and reforming in a different place so channels safe to navigate in the winter were gone by summer.  Even the intrepid Azeans avoided these waters during the annual contest between river and sea.  Oftentimes, implacable west winds would hammer from the outer seas across the coast superimposing a storm surge on top of the dueling waters.  At such times, the memories of men couldn't suggest a more impressive example of the invincible potency of the elements.

The King's blue crystal took all his images and transformed them into a concept of unconquerable might.  Gegen had to allow his barrier to expand to hold all the energy being added by Kalmar's imagery.  The synergistic properties of the crystals suddenly squared the resultant of Flindra and Kalmar's combined efforts to produce a sparking, crackling energy storm of dazzling intensity.  Flindra recognized that Gegen was straining to hold his barrier to contain this leap in power.

"Let it go," she commanded.

Gegen released his barrier and the energy exploded radially outward in a burst of unimaginable might.  In no way, could the three have anticipated the unstoppable force they had created and released into the heart of the mountain.  They had freed the energy burst above the howling mob and it manifested as a ferocious airburst that smashed the frenzied and howling men and women into the ground - many dying as the shockwave crushed bone and tissue.  Above the crowd, the pulse of energy swept into the overlying rock and the cave reverberated with the sharp report of rock spalling off the roof.  The shattered rock began to rain upon the prostrate forms of the horde below.  Those who had survived the airburst struggled to rise and escape the deadly hail of jagged stones.  The pitch of the sounds in the cavern lowered, growling ominously as the wave penetrated deeper into the rock mass.  With a deafening roar, the cavern roof collapsed, obliterating the clan under countless tons of rock.

Kriki's Gift, Chapter XXIX, Reading 25

The scene in the cavern had turned into bedlam.  Two men seemed to be exercising some control and were intentionally whipping the mob into a lathered fury.  The crowd responded by waving their weapons in the air and screaming hysterically.

"'Tis an ugly scene, Sire," Gegen warned ominously.  "We need to act quickly before the mob is unleashed."

"Agreed.  Flindra, do you have any suggestions how best to generate an energy wave capable of collapsing the roof?"

"I do.  Gegen, you did an excellent job visualizing a barrier.  If you do that again, Kalmar and I can work to fill the inside with energy.  Then when we're ready you can drop the barrier."

"I can do that."

"Kalmar, you and I need to think of the powerful forces of nature, such as spring floods, gale force wind storms, powerful thunderstorms and the like.  I think our thoughts will be translated into energy just as Gegen's visualization of granite worked so effectively to create the barrier which trapped the Valkea."

"Let's get to it," Kalmar agreed.  His tone with filled with urgency.

Gegen instantly threw his thoughts into creating the barrier.  He drew from his recent experience holding in the Valkea, but this time he added the image of a powerful dam to the attributes of his granite wall.  This was a structure capable of holding back the raging waters of a flood.  In his mind he could see the crests of wind-swept waves crashing against the dam face to be effortlessly deflected by the massive stonework so the water, soundly chastened, flowed back into the lake.

Flindra drew upon her memories of the ferocious summer thunderstorms that would build all day above the Greyfell Mountains.  The wind would grow strong as the clouds drew in surrounding air along with moisture from Lake Eghero.  Clouds would rise to unimaginable heights, fueled by the power of the roiling and churning internal winds.  By afternoon, the thunderheads would darken, lightning would flash, and thunder would echo against the distant peaks.  Then the monster storms would sally forth and batter the forest, the lake and surrounding lands with deafening thunder, pounding hail, torrential rains and tempestuous winds so formidable they transformed Lake Eghero into a wild and dangerous thing capable of swallowing up any craft, regardless of how skilled the fishermen and sailors aboard.  Howling gales could effortlessly uproot decades-old trees, snap off branches or even split trees asunder.  Hail would strip trees and bushes bare of leaves, making the forest floor look as if it had snowed in green once the hail pellets melted.  All creatures, feathered or furred, sought shelter for to remain in the open could mean death.  Such times also ended all human activity as well for nothing could be done outdoors until the storms were finally spent of their fury.

She poured details and distinct memories of such storms into the White and the crystal took her images and translated them into a dominating force.  A whirlpool of power exploded into existence inside Gegen's barrier and pressed mightily against the restriction of his containing field.  His barrier held against her storm of energy just as his imaginary dam repelled the pent up anger of surging waves.

Kriki's Gift, Chapter XXIX, Reading 24

"Thank you, Captain."  Kalmar focused his attention to listen for the drumbeat but instead felt his mind being drawn to the place Flindra and Gegen were now seeing.  Deep within the heart of the cavern was a central chamber and it was here that the drums were being sounded.  Men and women were running to the summons.  All had grabbed some kind of weapon and moved about in complete frenzy.  All three Champions were shocked to see the numbers present - hundreds of howling monsters were running helter-skelter while they awaited someone to take command.

"It's not going to take long for this howling mob to make it to the surface somewhere," Gegen warned.  "Wouldn't it be easier for us to attack them here and save our forces inevitable casualties?"

"I have an idea, but we need to make sure our forces are well away from the tunnel entrances," Flindra said.

"What's that dearest?" Kalmar asked.

"When I destroyed the evil seed there was a burst of energy that not only hurled Leitho and me back to our own reality, but it weakened the tunnel roof enough that it triggered the cave-in that trapped us.  I believe we can generate a burst of energy, which will collapse the cavern roof.  We can put an end to these monsters in an instant.  It'll save our soldiers from the horror of battling with these maniacs and it will actually be a more merciful end to Valkea's followers.  The risk comes from the fact that we could trigger landslides on the surface."

"It sounds like a good idea.  Let's give it a try," the King agreed.  "Allow me to warn the soldiers so they can pull back to a safer location.  They've been readying to do battle at the tunnel entrance where we fought the Valkea."

Kalmar drew his full focus back to the men gathered around the entrance.  His image had actually vanished during the conference with Flindra and Gegen.  His officers were huddled together in a deep discussion and he could see worry on their faces - no doubt caused from his unexplained disappearance.  "Forgive me for not warning you I was leaving," he said.  "I didn't mean to alarm you."

Pender smiled in relief.  "There is no need to ask forgiveness, Sire.  We were just concerned something bad had happened to you."  Cherok and Boerger smiled and nodded in agreement.

"I heard the drums and joined Flindra and Gegen for they had located the source of the commotion.  The Valkea's forces are gathering and are working themselves into an insane fury," Kalmar reported.  "The three of us are going to attempt to create a cave-in to destroy them all to spare you the risk and effort of defeating them.  Flindra is worried our actions might trigger a landslide here so I want all of you to return to the road and then move into positions where you aren't beneath a cliff face or talus slope.  If we fail in our efforts and the mob escapes, it'll also be an easier battle fighting them on the level.  Choose your positions with that in mind."

"We will, my lord King."

"Good luck, gentlemen."  He held up his hand in parting and let his focus be drawn back to Flindra.

Kriki's Gift, Chapter XXIX, Reading 23

"What mindless maniacs. They didn't seem to care that they were dying in such a hopeless fight."

"Just like yesterday."

"And just like yesterday, more will surely come.  I'm sure all of the Valkea's people are aware of her peril."  He pointed his sword towards the tunnel.  "Do you hear that noise, Cherok?"

He listened carefully.  "It almost sounds like a distant drum beat."

"A good way to sound an alarm in a cave fortress," the captain speculated.  "I wager we're soon going to have company."

"A reasonable guess."

"Gather around the cave," Pender commanded.  "Defensive positions.  Try to find a spot where your footing is secure."

As the soldiers moved into the best possible places around the cave entrance, another group of twenty men arrived from the west.

"Good, we have more swords," Cherok noted as he watched the men dismount.  "I have a feeling we're going to need them."

The new fighters were under the command of Lieutenant Boerger, Henny's betrothed.  He was one of the younger officers, but a capable fighter and leader.  He was a big man, but was agile and quickly led his men up the slope.

Before Boerger and the others reached the ledge, the light vanished, leaving behind nothing but the ring of the Valkea's henchmen who had died trying to reach her.  Before any of the men could react to the sudden end of the light, an image coalesced and they found themselves in the presence of their King.

The men instantly saluted.  "Your Majesty," Pender said respectfully.

"Gentleman," Kalmar replied and gave them a nod to acknowledge their salutes.  He didn't realize it, but his face was haggard with the effort of battling the Valkea - a fact instantly noticed by his men who exchanged a concerned glance.

"How may we be of service?" the captain asked.

Kalmar looked around at the men gathered at the cave entrance and instantly noticed that the ground was littered with the Valkea's dead clansmen.  "As you can see the Valkea is no more.  Thank you for taking care of her fighters here.  Now we need to cleanse the world of the nest of monsters she has been incubating in the caverns beneath our feet.  Before we can continue, I need to assess the situation here.  Have any of your men entered the tunnel?"

"No, Sire.  We just finished our battle and were preparing for more of the Valkea's henchmen to appear for we hear the distant drums.  Please allow me to congratulate you on your victory."