Star Warden 3: CC. Chapter 7

 

Flying on a Pegasus was a feeling Sam did not know how to describe outside of hooping and hollering. It was a chestnut-colored one that went by the name Philip. Yes, he could talk but the language was unintelligible to Sam. Luckily he was able to understand Sam which made things easier. Their destination? The Tempest Mountains.

A mountain range located in the northwest part of the mainland. Populated by animal herders and the Keepers. An order of Clerics who worship Mira in her aspect as a knowledge deity. They studied and maintain lost Tuatha technology with a few even trying to invent new technology for peaceful use. They had knowledge of the Spellbinder's location but more importantly, they also possessed one of the Cosmic Rings. 

All of this was learned from King Oberon. While originally distraught when he learned the news of his wife's capture. His steely resolve came through and allowed him to focus on helping the Warden while planning to rescue Titania. The Unicorn King suspected his wife's capture was so Daimos could access her ancient knowledge. This is why he informed Sam of the Cosmic Ring so it could be secured. 

“We gave it to the Keepers long ago and entrusted them to secure it,” explained the King. “ I would have taken it with me. Unfortunately, the Cosmic Ring is unable to leave this dimension.”

“You think Her Majesty will talk?”

“No, not willingly. But if Daimos is as cunning as he is evil. Then he will find some way to coerce her.”

If Daimos got to the Keepers first then not only would he have the first of eight rings. He would be able to deny Sam the ability to collect the others. Total victory in one swift stroke.

Sadly it appeared that despite their haste the heroes may have been too late. Entering the airspace of a large stone monastery they found a battle raging. Monks in blue robes with circuitry and clockwork patterns ducking for cover from the machines. They were sleeker and thinner more fitting for a unit designed for stealth. The Warden almost missed them due to their armor, not the usual black and white but more designed for mountain camouflage.

But a few units had armor painted with desert camouflage colors. Daimos must have lacked the time to fully paint them over. It did reveal that they most likely came from Ramia, freed up from having to fight the Guardians.

The knight with the rocket pack jumped into battle. Leaping off Philip and with perfect timing crushed one of the bots under his feet. Rescuing a female wearing yellows and browns with a rifle from certain death. Her eyes widened in surprise while nodding thankfully. He turned to face the ninjas joining the firefight in progress. 

These machines, which Sam marked as robo ninjas, were agile beyond belief thanks to an anti-gravity system similar to the Mark 2s. Leaving after-images behind each time they moved. Merlin attempted to aid in targeting them but could not secure a clean lock. Not helped by the combination of explosive ninja stars and handheld particle submachine guns that kept him from cover.

Melee was no better thanks to shields that could check Dawnbringer. Solidified vibrations dulled the magic in each strike. Their high-frequency blades cut through the Warden's armor like a razor. Luckily the nano mail ensured no cut would be deep or mortal. The Warden responded with his own flurry of attacks. Mixing sword and pistol while adding runes to enhance his strength and aided by Kaguya's spell of haste.

He learned quickly that the ninjas shared the weakness of losing their heads by slicing one open. The ninjas responded in kind and those blades would have struck true. If not for the helmet containing the majority of the new metals. Sam grabbed one's head and smashed it to the ground splintering it on impact.

Managing to catch another one he launched himself into the air. The ninja struggled but he held firm. Once at the proper altitude he spun and threw the robot into orbit with his mystically enhanced strength. A follow-up attack from his fusion cannon destroyed it.

He turned back to the surface like a meteor. Crushing another commando into pieces upon landing. The tide of battle began to turn as the female warriors had re-grouped and laid down supporting fires with their rifles. The ninja robots were soon defeated.

One of the leaders stepped out showing good trigger discipline as well. “Thank you for the aid stranger.”

“Good shooting. Name's Sam also known as the Star Warden.”

“Star Warden? You must be a knight then. Well, Good sir, my name is Shelia. We're all Sylphs.”

“The tribe that protects the Keepers. King Oberon told me.”

“His Majesty has returned to our world?! This is great news. What would he like us to do?”

“I need to talk to the Keepers. They have information that could help rescue the Queen and fulfill a mission of mine.”

“I see. The Elder Keeper was captured by the minions of the Prince of Steel. But we protected his wife and the others.”

“Any other survivors?”

“I wouldn't know. By the time we came under attack, our communications were down and most of the Sylphs males were killed." Her voice slowly grew softer and distant."It was chaos everywhere. To be honest I'm surprised I'm still breathing."

"Kaguya can help you search for survivors. While you take me to the Keeper's wife. After that, I'll try to lend a hand here before I go."

“Kaguya? As in the Emissary?”

“That would indeed be me. But we have little time to stand on ceremony.”

Shelia looked embarrassed, thinking that she was being far too casual with the Celestial Emissary. But she composed herself and sent Kaguya off with another warrior. While Sam and her went inside the monastery. He was brought to a bald elven female named Rhea, the elder keeper's wife. Compared to the robes of the others, she was dressed to the nines. Her robes circuit board patterns were interlocked and even extended to her neck and face.

“Greetings, Star Warden. You arrived just as predicted.” She looked young enough that one might think she was no older than her 20s. Her voice dispelled that notion.

“I'm expected?”

“I received a vision from the Dreamscape. You will rescue my husband and restore the Sentinel. Please come with me.”

Chapter 8

Chapter 6