The Ectolian known as Friza shifted uncomfortably. Friza was a typical member of her race. She was less than five feet in height with jet-black skin and sharp, angular features. She favored deep purple garments that matched her eyes. In spite of her less than menacing appearance, Friza was a powerful sorceress possessing the typical Ectolian cruel streak.
Friza was in her personal chambers on board the Black Heart, the flagship of the invasion fleet. Her assignment had originally seemed to be a simple one. Take the fleet of nearly thirty vessels to the Tanbora Islands, enslave the local population, and re-open the Tanbora Mines giving the Empire access to their great wealth. Such a high profile mission would gain Friza much favor with the Empress upon completion. Those favored by the Empress were given the power that Friza craved.
Unfortunately, things had not proceeded as planned. Four ships had been lost on the long journey from the Northern Continent from monster attacks. Several others had disappeared mysteriously in the Tanbora Islands. Navigating the islands was a treacherous proposition due to the numerous reefs. Six more vessels had broken up on these natural barriers. Friza's fleet was down to eight warships and nine transport vessels.
Even worse, the natives she had hoped to enslave had avoided capture thanks to the band of adventurers known as the Avengers. The islanders had moved deep into hiding, making Friza's task all the more difficult. Making matters worse, the fabled Tanbora Mines had been flooded. Someone had gone to a great deal of trouble to make them unworkable. Topping it all off, she had to report this to Vilsimbra, the General of the Empress' forces via her magical mirror.
"I am very disappointed, Commander Friza," the image of Vilsimbra stated. Vilsimbra was also an Ectolian and had similar features. The General was a few inches taller and favored dark green and purple in her wardrobe. "I will withhold this information from the Empress for as long as possible, but you had best salvage this situation and quickly. Complete your mission, capture or destroy the Avengers and their pirate allies. Your rank depends on it."
"As you command, General," Friza responded with a bow. With a gesture she ended her spell and Vilsimbra's image faded.
"My rank," Friza muttered in disgust as she stalked out of her cabin. Her rank was the last thing she would have to worry about should this mission meet with failure. Friza's life now depended on its success. Vilsimbra's tone was unmistakable in this regard. Time was running out. She had to find the Avengers and fast. No one had ever failed the Empress twice.
Emerging out on the deck of the Black Heart, she directed her anger towards the ship's captain. "I want the Windsabre found now! Fail me and you will all be fed to my guards!" Without another word, Friza spun on her heels and went back into her cabin.
In another dimension there exists the world known as Terra Nova. It occupies the same place as Earth does in our dimension making Terra Nova a parallel world. But unlike Earth, Terra Nova evolved along very different lines. The power of magic holds sway here while technology is primitive by comparison. Fantastic creatures only spoken of in Earth legends exist on Terra Nova. Native Terra Novan cultures would be considered crude and barbaric by current Earth standards.
In spite of these differences, the two worlds are also quite similar as well. For instance, each world is home to a band of adventurers calling themselves the Avengers. While their memberships may not perfectly match, the two teams share much in common. Each struggles against the forces of evil to protect the innocent and those who cannot defend themselves.
While the names and the faces might be the same, the means to accomplishing these goals are somewhat different. To the Earthman Captain Valor, it was like staring into a distorted mirror. He saw familiar faces fulfilling very different roles.
"Are we ready?", Lyndah inquired of her companions in a whisper. The woman-warrior had her sword drawn and was ready for battle. The other Avengers indicated that they were ready to move.
"I was born ready, darlin'," Captain Valor answered with his usual swagger. "Let's get this party started."
Lyndah smiled to herself at the remark. This Captain Valor could be loud and boisterous, but he had the power to back up his bravado. In some ways, he reminded her of her late lover, Terrance.
"Avengers attack!", Lyndah commanded at the top of her lungs. The Avengers leader leapt over the railing of the Windsabre and onto the deck of the Marauder catching the warship's crew completely by surprise. In their eyes, Lyndah had seemed to appear out of thin air!
At the same moment that Lyndah gave her order, Sargon the Sorcerer removed the illusion that was cloaking the Windsabre. It was this very illusion that allowed the ship to pull alongside the unsuspecting Marauder. The sudden appearance of the Windsabre also served to cause further confusion.
Captain Valor took the air while the others traveled by more conventional means. While these Avengers may look like and sound like his Earthly teammates, they didn't necessarily have their powers. For instance, neither Lyndah nor Kristine could fly like their Black Diamond and Nightingale counterparts.
The other Avengers crossed over to the Marauder and engaged the crew in hand-to-hand combat. The crew of the Windsabre fired their crossbows into the Marauder's crew, wounding many a man. The warship's crew rushed to defend themselves and mass melee ensued. It reminded the Captain of one of those Errol Flynn pirate movies from the 40's and 50's.
Valor himself flew up to the crow's-nest and tossed out the man on watch. "Hey, pal, why don't you cool yourself off!" The sailor screamed and flailed as he plummeted into the ocean below. Unlike the Avengers of this world, Captain Valor was hesitant to intentionally end the life of a foe. "The high ground is secured."
Hovering beside the crow's-nest, Valor scanned the battle below seeking his next target. The Avengers of Terra Nova were living up to their name as they tore into the enemy. The blond beauty that resembled Black Diamond slashed her sword into any foe foolish enough to get too close. She gave no quarter and didn't ask for any in return.
"Man, is she hot!" Valor looked on in admiration. Long had he lusted after his Avengers teammate, but never seemed to get anywhere with Black Diamond. She was strong and confident in her superheroine identity, but a bit more shy and quiet as plain old Linda Taylor. On Terra Nova, Lyndah had no secret identity. She was an Avenger twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Valor found that to be very attractive. The black battle leather she wore didn't hurt either.
Unfortunately, she lacked the raw power of her Earthly counterpart. Lyndah was still superhumanly strong, but nowhere near the levels reached by Black Diamond. In fact, Captain Valor was far stronger than Lyndah, a situation that was reversed back on Earth with Black Diamond.
Leaving a path of strewn bodies in her wake was the wild woman called Katrina. She physically resembled Hunter's daughter, but Katrina was smaller in stature and older. The Captain guessed that Katrina was this world's counterpart to Helena's mother. Unfortunately, Valor had never met the woman so he couldn't be totally sure.
The master of the Windsabre, Captain Jess, joined in on the battle. Her sabre flashed like lightning, taking down many an enemy. Captain Jess' skill with the weapon was even better than her Scarlet Sabre counterpart. "Have at them, lads!", she called out to her crew. "There's treasure to be had!"
Captain Jess herself was not an Avenger. Instead, it was her vessel that had brought the adventurers to the Tanbora Islands. She was a freebooter, a polite way of saying pirate. This seemed to be in keeping with the attitude on Terra Nova where combat to the death was commonplace. This was a place where enemies were dispatched to their makers without a second thought. It was simply a fact of life.
Rounding out the force invading the Marauder was Kaloni. She was the native island protector who had found Captain Valor and nursed him back to health. She had temporarily joined with the Avengers to help stop the invasion of the Tanbora Islands. Kaloni was currently in cat-form and bringing her deadly claws and teeth into play.
Sargon, Robert, and Kristine remained on the deck of the Windsabre, assisting in the battle as best they could. Sargon was the Avenger's sorcerer. He stayed back out of harm's way so he could cast his spells without hindrance. Robert used his longbow to take down his enemies. The silent forester was a crack shot.
Kristine was something of an enigma to Captain Valor. She was even creepier than her Nightingale counterpart. This had to do with the fact that Kristine was bald and served some goddess named Azrella. Valor liked his women with long, gorgeous hair. Her demeanor unnerved Valor, not that he would try to show it. At least she wasn't as powerful a telepath as Nightingale. Captain Valor didn't have to watch what he was thinking around her.
"What a difference a few days make," Valor thought wistfully to himself. Just two short days ago, he was feeling sorry for himself over his exile here on Terra Nova. Now he was back in the Avengers, albeit a very different version of the team, battling evil at their sides. For the first time in many weeks he felt alive.
The surprise meeting took place when the invaders tried to enslave the natives of the village Captain Valor had been staying at. Bravely the Captain fought the enemy along with Kaloni. The sorceress Friza used her magic and would have slain the two if not for the intervention of the Avengers.
From that point the battle was short lived. Friza escaped, but her men and two of her warships were captured. One of the vessels was scuttled while rescued slaves used the other in an attempt to sail back to the mainland. There was simply too many of them to be carried by the Windsabre. They were wished the best of luck and then sailed away towards an unknown fate.
Awkward introductions were made between Captain Valor and the Avengers of Terra Nova. "We need your help, Captain Valor," Lyndah explained. "The life of the Hunter of Evil depends on it!"
"My help? What can I do? Where's wrong with Hunter?"
"He was struck down by foul magic!", Robert complained bitterly. "He lies neither alive or dead."
"We were led to believe that his soul had been destroyed, leaving behind his empty body. The body lives, but the intellect that controls it is gone," Sargon explained.
"I have prayed to Holy Azrella, praised be her name, for guidance in our time of despair," Kristine added. "She gave me a divination that has led us to these distant shores. We are to seek out the familiar stranger so that he can lead us to the Temple of Souls where a sacrifice shall make Hunter whole again."
"Thus we need you to lead us to this place so Hunter can be restored," Lyndah concluded.
"You people are serious, aren't you?" Captain Valor was unsure just how to react to what he had been told. It sounded very far-fetched, but then again a giant bird had almost eaten him a few weeks back. The far-fetched was beginning to seem commonplace on Terra Nova.
"You will tell us, willingly or not!" Katrina, anger etched on her face, came towards Valor her blades drawn. "You will help restore my husband or I will gut you where you stand!"
"You're Hunter's wife? That explains the resemblance. Hey, I'd love to help, but I don't know of any place called the Temple of Souls. There are ruins in these islands, but none of them had signs saying 'this here is the Temple of Souls'.
"Just give me two minutes, Lyndah!", Katrina growled. "I'll have the fool singing a different tune!"
"Couple of minutes alone with me, babe, and I'll have you singing too," Valor responded with a grin. "I never knew that Hunter dug such wild women. Guess he's not the complete square I thought he was."
The jest didn't sit well with Katrina who lunged at Valor. She had to be physically held back by Robert and Sargon. Katrina growled and hissed, seeming more like a wild animal than an adult woman.
"We overlook the obvious, my friends," Kristine spoke up trying to defuse the situation. "Captain Valor knows where the place we seek is, just not that it is the Temple of Souls itself."
"I thought I said that, cue ball", Valor responded gruffly. "My Hunter is a good egg and I'll do whatever you need to help get yours back. I've explored some of the ruins in these islands. Maybe we can find your Temple of Souls there. I have only one condition. You guys take me with you when you leave. I've got to get back to my world, somehow. All I know is that I won't find a way home stuck out here. What do you say, Di?"
Lyndah considered for a moment. In the end, she had no choice but to agree. The restoration of the Hunter of Evil was paramount. "I agree to your terms. Help us recover Hunter and you may travel with us." The woman-warrior offered her hand to seal the bargain.
"Done."
Kaloni announced that she would accompany the Avengers on their quest to ensure that nothing was done to offend the island spirits. But first, she would warn all the other villages as to the danger from the invaders. The Island protector would join up with the Avengers later.
Since that time, Captain Valor had directed the Windsabre to the closest group of ruins. The Temple of Souls was not found here, forcing them to continue on in their quest. As they neared the next island holding ruins, the Marauder was spotted. Plans were formed and it was decided the Avengers would ambush the unsuspecting warship.
The battle continued on at a fevered pitch below Captain Valor. Snapping himself out of his reverie, Valor went back on the offensive. He flew from the crow's nest and towards the nearest group of slavers. Throwing his arms out, Valor corralled nearly half a dozen men and drove them over the railing into the tropical waters below.
The conflict with the Marauder was short lived. The ambush had caught the slavers off guard and they were quickly overwhelmed before they could recover. Their morale shattered, surrender came quickly. The slaves were freed with their former captors taking their place in the rowing bay.
Interlude:
Through the light and mist she led her charge. The woman wore a green silk dress and matching full-length gloves. She had many names, many titles. The Dark Angel was but one of them. It was her task to escort the spirits of the recently departed into the light.
Traveling behind her, confusion clearly etched on his face was a man. His body had died a short time ago, from his perspective at any rate. With each step that he took through this bright, misty void memories of his past life faded away.
"What is this place?" The mysterious Dark Angel did not respond. "Who am I? Where are you taking me?"
Stopping before a particularly bright spot, the Dark Angel turned to face her charge. "You go to a place where you are needed. That is all you need to know. For now, we wait."
End of Interlude:
The Avengers moved deeper into the tropical forest. The jungle was alive with the sounds of birds and animals. Captain Valor led the way with Kaloni gliding beside him in falcon form. The remaining Avengers trailed behind on Sargon's flying carpet. The sorcerer sat Indian style at the head of the carpet and served as the pilot. Seated behind him were Lyndah, Kristine, Katrina, Robert, and the body of the Hunter of Evil.
Captain Valor was startled to see Hunter's body in its current state. He resembled the Hunter that led the Avengers back on Earth, but not so refined. This Hunter had a full beard and long hair. The man appeared to be conscious, his eyes opened wide. But there was only a blank look on his face and his expression never changed.
"The lights are on, but nobody's home", were Captain Valor's thoughts on Hunter's appearance. It unnerved him to see a strong man like Hunter reduced to this state. He was little better than a vegetable. Katrina tended to her mate as much as possible. Her demeanor took on a much softer tone around her husband.
Only a few hours had passed since the taking of the Marauder. With that situation well in hand, the Avengers continued their search for the Temple of Souls. They hoped to complete their mission before Friza and her forces became aware of their location. In spite of having taken several enemy vessels by force, the Avengers were still greatly outnumbered.
"We're here," Captain Valor called out to his companions. A clearing appeared in the tropical jungle below. In the distant past the clearing had been a town square. Buildings ringed the square but they were not obvious as they had been covered by wildly growing vines. "I present the ruins in all their tropical glory. The souvenir stands are over there, while the spa is that way."
Captain Valor touched ground, as did Kaloni. The island protector shifted forms back to her normal human appearance. Sargon gently brought the flying carpet in behind them. The passengers disembarked, all save the soulless Hunter who remained lying on the hovering carpet.
Kaloni looked around in wide-eyed wonder. "The spirits are very near," she whispered. "I can feel their presence. Take care for this is sacred ground on which you walk."
"Spread out," Lyndah commanded as she drew her sword. "Be wary for beasts living in the ruins. Disturb nothing." Lyndah had no desire to disturb Kaloni's spirits, at least until after Hunter was restored.
"I sense it as well," Kristine commented as she flipped her hood back. The bald headed woman took in the ruins before her. "The barrier that separates us from the spirit world is weak here. The Temple of Souls must be near."
"Thank the gods!", Katrina called out in relief. At last her husband would be brought back to her. The strain of seeing him like this had taken its toll on the wild woman. She reached over and grasped the Hunter's hand. "Soon you will come back to me."
"Let's get moving and find this Temple," Robert suggested. "Before any unwanted guests arrive."
Lyndah nodded in agreement. She turned to face Sargon just as the sorcerer was finishing up the casting of a spell. "Sargon, do you think you could--?" The woman-warrior let the question hang when she saw the mage already deep in spell casting.
"Already done," Sargon commented, as his spell took affect. A soft glow came over the mage's eyes and he pointed off down an overgrown walkway leading away from the square. "Let us search this way."
"Now I know how Indiana Jones must have felt," Captain Valor muttered to himself.
Lyndah took the point with Captain Valor behind her. Kaloni came next along with Katrina. Sargon and Kristine followed with the carpet bearing Hunter. Robert secured the rear position; as usual his longbow was ready for action. All he needed was a target.
Vines that crossed the path were hacked away by Lyndah's sword. The way became narrower and narrower as the Avengers moved deeper into the ruins. After removal of more vines and other flora, the pathway suddenly widened once more into another square. On the far side of the square a building could be made out underneath the jungle overgrowth and the passage of years. Wide steps led up to the building that was circular in shape and covered by a dome. Given the thickness of the jungle covering the building, it was doubtful that one could tell that it even was structure from the air.
"I believe we have arrived at the Temple of Souls," Sargon stated confidently as he indicated the building. "I'd stake my reputation on it."
"I concur," Kristine added. "I can almost sense the spirits themselves, like echoes in my mind."
"Tread carefully," Kaloni advised. "Do nothing to offend the spirits."
"That is our intent," Lyndah quietly added. Kaloni and her reverence for the spirits were beginning to wear thin on Lyndah. Cautiously, she led the Avengers towards the structure. It was as if she was expecting an attack at any moment, however none was forthcoming. They reached the front doors without incident.
Sargon and Katrina moved closer to investigate. Valor couldn't be sure just what they were looking for. The doors to the building looked to be made of worked stone and appeared to be very heavy. The engraved patterns on the door had been worn away by the tropical winds over the centuries.
"Let's go on in and get this over with," Captain Valor complained. "What's the hold up?"
"They are searching for traps and other protections both magical and mundane," Lyndah explained. "One can never been too cautious."
"You're joking, right? You're expecting a giant boulder to come rolling out to flatten us? That stuff only happens in the movies."
"The entrance is free of enchantments," Sargon announced before Lyndah to answer Valor's question. She had no idea just what a 'movie' was.
"No hidden traps either," Katrina reported. Her years of thievery had made her an expert in circumventing traps designed to stop burglars. "As the boisterous one suggests, let's continue forward."
Sheathing her sword, Lyndah moved forward towards the stone portal. She put her shoulder to the door, attempting to push them open. Lyndah strained, but even her great strength wasn't enough to force the stone doors open.
"Let me give it a shot, darlin'." Confidently, Captain Valor strode up to the doors and placed his palms on them after Lyndah moved off to the side. Valor let out a loud grunt as he shoved with all his might. The stone doors groaned in protest, but swung open. "It's just that easy."
Ignoring Lyndah's look of annoyance, Valor walked into the temple. The sounds of small creatures could be heard skittering away in the darkness. Globes of light magically summoned by Sargon shot off into the temple, providing illumination. The Avengers slowly moved forward, kicking up dust as they traveled. Robert of the Forests did not follow as he stood guard just a few feet inside the doorway.
A short entryway led into a large circular chamber. The dome curved away high over their heads. The Temple of Souls must have been magnificent during its day, but had long since fallen into disrepair. Painted murals that graced its walls had lost their luster with the passage of time. Statues had fallen to pieces, adding to the litter on the floor. Wide cracks could be plainly seen in the dome as slivers of sunlight filtered in.
"The Temple of Souls," Sargon whispered in awe.
"Looks like a dump to me," Valor noted in a very unimpressed voice.
"What do we do now?" The question came from Lyndah. "What kind of sacrifice must be made for Hunter to come back to us?"
"I do not know for sure," Sargon replied as he scanned the chamber. There was a small pool in the center of the temple, but it was filled with stagnant water. Several small curved tables ringed the pool with small containers on them. Sargon gave their contents a quick examination. "But I think I understand the purpose of all this."
"Care to enlighten us, mage," Katrina wondered in an impatient tone. It was palpable that the wild woman wanted Hunter restored and fast. "Before we grow any older."
Ignoring the query, Sargon spoke to Kristine. "I need the touch of your goddess, Kristine. Please purify the water in the pool."
Kristine nodded in response and stepped toward the pool. Captain Valor moved closer, wondering just what the heck she was going to do. The blue robbed woman spoke strange words and made odd gestures with her hands. Upon completion of her spell, Kristen stooped down and touched the stagnant pool with her finger. The energy of her spell radiated out from her touch as the water was made pure and clear in a span of seconds. Even the sides of the pool itself were restored to a pristine state.
"If we ever get back to my world, you'll make a killing cleaning septic tanks!", Valor joked. None of his companions got the attempt at humor. Instead they gave him strange looks. "Never mind."
Everyone's attention focused back on Sargon. Experimentally, he sampled the contents of the containers. Liberally, he sprinkled them into the now clean pool. The waters of the pool began to heave, bubble, and foam. "I believe we are getting somewhere," Sargon confidently stated.
Kaloni dropped to her knees and prostrated herself beside the pool. "The spirits! They come!" The island maiden buried her face between her outstretched arms.
Unconsciously, everyone took a few steps back away from the pool. The water churned even harder now, rising several feet up into the air. A bright light began to emanate from the water, further brightening the Temple of Souls. A fierce wind whipped about the temple as well.
"They're here...", Valor muttered in an eerie voice. "But if it says 'I'm the great and powerful Oz' I'll clobber 'em!"
The surging water began to take on a vaguely humanoid form. As the seconds passed, it started to take shape of a translucent female. Her hair fluttered overhead on the winds, her hands stretched out from her sides. "Who summons the spirit of Tanbora?", she demanded as she looked about. "Kaloni? Are you well, my child?"
The island maiden looked up for the first time into the face of Tanbora. "I am well, oh Great Spirit. My companions seek a great favor from you."
"We beseech you to return the spirit of our departed leader so that he might live again." Sargon gestured to Hunter's prone form on the hovering flying carpet. "Can you aid us in our quest, oh mighty spirit?"
The spirit of Tanbora regarded the prone man for several seconds. "His essence, of a sort, does dwell among us. Who shall take his place?"
"Take his place?", Lyndah wondered aloud in obvious confusion. "What do you mean?"
"Who shall take the man's place in the spirit world?", Tanbora repeated.
"This is the sacrifice spoken of in the prophecy," Kristine calmly explained. "For Hunter to return to the land of the living, one of us must take his place in the spirit world."
"No way!", Captain Valor strenuously objected. "You mean one of us has to die for Hunter's spirit to come back? That blows big time!"
The Avengers all exchanged startled glances amongst themselves while Tanbora waited for an answer. "Take me!", Lyndah spoke up. "I will give my life for Hunter's."
"No, I will!", Robert interrupted leaving his guard post. "Take me, spirit!"
"The honor shall be mine," Kristine announced. "I have faithfully served Azrella and would now gladly serve at her side."
"You're all nuts!", Captain Valor muttered. "Each and every one of you!"
Before another word could be said, magical energy struck Robert in the back, tossing the forester forward. He slid over a dozen feet on the dirty temple floor, wisps of smoke rising from his back. The unexpected assault momentarily froze the Avengers in place.
"We have you surrounded," a familiar voice cried out from outside the temple. Everyone immediately knew that Friza and her forces had located them. "Surrender or die! You have one minute to decide."
Peering out the Temple door, the Avengers could see Friza, more of her hyena-men guards, and dozens of soldiers pile into the square. A magical energy shield surrounded the Ectolian sorceress. This time she was prepared for battle.
"We're trapped," Lyndah exclaimed as she drew her sword. "But we will not go down without a fight. Avengers--!!"
"Hold on a minute," Captain Valor spoke up as he turned to face the spirit of Tanbora. "I've got an idea. You need a spirit to take Hunter's place, right?"
"Such I have stated."
"Any particular spirit?"
"A spirit is all that is required," Tanbora answered, seemingly annoyed at being questioned by a mere mortal like this.
"Well, it seems to me that we can kill two birds with one stone here. Tanbora, your children are being hunted and killed by invading slavers. Why not take their spirits so that Hunter's can return?"
Tanbora's annoyed look turned to one of disbelief. "Invaders are hunting the children of Tanbora? Is this true, Kaloni?"
"Yes, oh Great Spirit." Kaloni hung her head in shame. "Islanders have perished in the battles. I have failed in my task. I have failed you."
The spirit of Tanbora reached out towards Kaloni. Her expression softened into one of almost motherly love. "No, my daughter. It is not you who have failed. I should have tended to my children more closely than I have. An error I shall now rectify. Rise before me, my daughter."
Befuddlement playing on her face, Kaloni did as instructed. The maiden stood before the spirit of the islands unsure just what was going to happen next. Tanbora reached out towards Kaloni, her ethereal hands cupping the maiden's cheeks.
The glow surrounding Tanbora started to crossover to Kaloni, as the island maiden started to transform. The lights became brighter, the wind even fiercer as Kaloni's form began to change, grow, and become translucent in the process. Kaloni changed into an exotic winged creature, even larger than Rocara, but not exactly a bird either. Kaloni's new form was more reptilian than birdlike in nature. Her skin took on a silvery hue and seemed more like polished metal than flesh.
The light emanating from Tanbora became blinding, forcing the Avengers to look a way. Then all at once it was gone. Darkness claimed the Temple of Souls once more and there was no longer any wind. The Spirit of Tanbora was gone as well. Left in its place was the transformed Kaloni, so large now that her ethereal body passed threw the Temple walls, but did not disturb them.
"She's become a dragon!", Sargon cried out in astonishment.
"Oh, shut up and be in awe like the rest of us, Merlin," Captain Valor uttered.
With a great roar, Kaloni turned and flew out of the temple like a ghost. The great silvery dragon flew over the troops gathered outside the Temple of Souls, drawing forth the spirits of the enemy as she passed. In seconds, the invading force was no more. Friza's men dropped around her like flies. Only her mystic shield protected the terrified Ectolian from a similar fate.
But Kaloni was not done yet. She rose over the courtyard and the Temple of Souls. Kaloni hovered for a moment as if to gather her bearings. Accelerating once more, the great silvery dragon flew off. Seconds later she reached the Black Heart and four other ships with it. The vessels were in pursuit of the fleeing Windsabre.
"Put your backs into it, lads!", Captain Jess commanded. In spite of her calm and collect appearance, the pirate captain was very worried. Three warships were spotted approaching the aft of the Windsabre. Hurriedly, the crew realigned the sails to make a run for it. But as the crew worked feverishly to turn the Windsabre about and escape the warships, they discovered two more closing in from the stern.
"We're not dead yet," Captain Jess continued as she eyed the approaching warships. "If we can break through their lines before they encircle us, we have a chance." That was assuming the Windsabre could avoid being rammed. While it was definitely faster than any of the enemy ships, it took time to build up speed. Rowed vessels had the advantage when short bursts of speed were needed.
"We're not going to make it," Jess thought to herself grimly. The crimson clad captain continued to watch the approaching ships, but at the same time moved closer to the door to her cabin. Unknown to any but her oldest crewmen, Captain Jess had an ace in the hole. A force she could call upon for assistance, but one that carried with it a terrible price. However it was a small price to pay when compared being taken prisoner by slavers. Reluctantly, Captain Jess reached for her cabin door.
"Look!", one of the crew called out and pointed up into the sky. All hands looked skyward to where a great silver dragon flew effortlessly along.
"I don't believe it," Captain Jess uttered in shock as the dragon dove towards the closest warship.
The transformed Kaloni flew over the vessels ignoring their attempts to cause her damage. As she passed, more souls were drawn into her still growing body. She was now over one hundred and fifty feet long from snout to tip of tail.
Down in the rowing bays of the warships, the enslaved rowers watched in wide-eyed wonder as their overlords collapsed like puppets who had their strings cut. None of them could understand what was happening, but still they rejoiced in their newly gained freedom.
Still Kaloni flew on visiting every vessel in Friza's fleet and gathering in the spirits of all who would have enslaved the children of Tanbora. Her dragon form bursting with over a thousand spirits, Kaloni soared back to the Temple of Souls. Once more she passed harmlessly through the walls of the old temple and dove into the pool of water. There was another burst of bright light when Kaloni made contact with the pool as the souls were transferred over into the spirit realm.
Captain Valor was the first to regain his sight. The pool of water had returned to a calmer state. The water lay unmoving and dark. Kaloni was collapsed on the floor beside the pool. The island maiden lay still, her eyes closed but she was noticeably breathing.
A groan drew Captain Valor away from Kaloni. Turning, he spotted movement on the hovering flying carpet. To his amazement, Hunter sat up and looked around in confusion.
"Do I know you?", the Hunter of Evil inquired innocently.
Epilogue:
"Goodbye!", Captain Valor called out as he and the other Avengers waved from the stern of the Windsabre. Three days had passed since the unexpected defeat of the invasion force and the return of Hunter. Since then there had been much celebrating and feasting. But now the Avengers were eager to return to the mainland and carry the battle for freedom to the Empress herself. "I'll never forget you, Kaloni!"
The island protector waved back as the Windsabre moved away, its bright red sails filling with wind. "Farewell, Captain Valor! May the spirits be with you!" Kaloni recovered from the power loaned to her by Tanbora, but couldn't recall anything during her time as the great silvery dragon. The island protector was simply grateful the invaders had been permanently dealt with.
Lyndah stood beside Captain Valor, along with Sargon and Kristine. Robert remained a few paces behind and watched the departure with no appreciable interest. He looked on for a short time and then stepped away. Katrina and Hunter remained below decks.
The Hunter of Evil had been restored, but he was not yet the man he had been. His memory was a clean slate at first, but slowly details were coming back to him. Kristine pronounced him to be in excellent physical condition. She estimated that mentally he should be back to normal by the time they reached the mainland.
The Tanbora islands grew more distant as the Windsabre picked up speed. Eventually the islands were only a distant spot on the horizon. Kristine wandered off, followed by Sargon. Captain Valor turned back to the deck and watched the activity as the crew rushed to carry out Captain Jess's orders. Lyndah remained by his side.
"All right, sorceress," Captain Jess commanded. "Time to start earning your keep."
"As you command, Captain," Friza answered respectfully. The Ectolian had surrendered to the Avengers after the extermination of her forces and was taken prisoner. If Robert had his way, the sorceress would have been killed on the spot.
"Do what you will to me," Friza responded dejectedly. "I have failed the Empress. Any punishment you mete out will be merciful compared to what she would have in store for me."
The Avengers knew this to be true. Friza was no longer their adversary. She too was an enemy of the Empress of Darkness now, a foe to be killed on sight.
It was Captain Jess who suggested that the sorceress join up with her crew to serve as ship's mage. In spite of Lyndah's objections, Friza now served on the Windsabre.
"You can't seriously trust her! She'll betray you at the first opportunity."
"I trust no one," Captain Jess replied in an amused voice. "And I am not without my own resources. Friza crosses me, she dies. It's really that simple."
Friza finished casting her spell and her magic was unleashed on the Windsabre. The vessel surged forward at an even faster velocity then would normally be possible. At this rate, it would arrive back at the mainland nearly a week a head of schedule.
"This is a weird world you've got here, Di," Captain Valor informed Lyndah. "But interesting."
"Are we that different from your world?"
"In some ways yes, in some ways no. I've got a lot to learn on how to survive on Terra Nova."
"Perhaps we could share information", Lyndah suggested with a smile. She casually wrapped her arm around Valor's. "I would like to hear more about your world."
Slightly surprised, Valor faced Lyndah. She was only a few inches shorter than he was. Her eyes were the same lovely blue. "You know, I think we just might be able to work something out. How about we crack open a keg of ale and swap stories?"
"I think I would like that very much."
"You know," Valor added in amazement, "I think I would too." Captain Valor put his arm around Lyndah and the pair walked towards the lower decks of the Windsabre.
