Sorrow Is Seen Twice and Felt Once More

Alsifar’s ship floated smoothly along in orbit around Amorak’s home planet. The gentle, serene patterns it followed hid the devastated feelings of its passengers within.

Alsifar had resued his companions from the inferno, once the ship was free of the mountian Alsifar gathered the bodies of his fallen comrades and laid them on the walkway to the interior of the ship. they then flew to the open ocean, where Alsifar deposited the bodies, saying that they had no time for a proper burial.

Immediately afterward, they entered orbit.

For a long time afterward, the members of the group, who were chosen by fate to save existence, were at a complete loss of what to do. Alsifar sat at the helm, saying nothing and showing no emotion. Amorak and Justor wandered the corridors of the ship together, trying to learn the workings of the ship as well as get their minds away from the gruesome images of death.

Elsteba wandered as well, though she had significantly fewer things with which to occupy her mind. She walked for hours, changing her course only when she reached a dead-end. She just kept walking, because she knew that doing anything would keep her from screaming.

What was I thinking, getting myself into this? she thought, never letting her imagination reach farther than her eyes. What, did I think that it would be just a game? A lovely hike? Lots of work involved, but everyone will be safe?

She bit her tongue, stemming tears that threatened to reveal themselves. She repeated the same thoughts over and over in her head, and they never brought her a single bit of happiness or relief. She figured that she could just walk forever, and the haunting images of dead men’s eyes would never leave the forefront of her memory.

She stood before an automatic door, waiting for it to open itself. When it finally did, she was surprised to see Jacob.

“Jacob,” she cried. “What are you doing here?”

Jacob raised an eyebrow. “I should be asking you that, seeing as you’re in my room.”

Elsteba looked behind her. To her amazement, it was, in fact, the room that Alsifar had designated as Jacob’s.

“Sorry, I was just walking around. I wasn’t really paying attention to where I was going.”

Elsteba walked out of the room and started down the hallway. Before she could get more than a few feet, Jacob caught her arm.

“Do you want to talk?” he asked.

Elsteba tried half-heartedly to shake his hand away.

“Trust me. Talking will help you relieve some of the pressure.”

Elsteba hesitated, and then nodded reluctantly. Jacob led her to a bench at the foot of his cot. When they both sat down, Elsteba felt the tears that she had tried so hard to conceal fight their way to the surface again.

“So, first time seeing a dead person?” Jacob asked.

Elsteba nodded, not trusting herself to speak with her grief so close to spilling over as it was.

“You’ll get used to it. You probably should, too, seeing as that probably won’t be the last time it will happen either.”

Elsteba hiccupped and looked Jacob in the eye, mortified.

“I’m not talking about any of us, don’t worry. We’re all pretty tough in our own right. We have to be. I don’t think Alsifar would have called any of us out to help if we would go down that easy.”

But Alsifar didn’t call me, remember? Elsteba thought to herself. With that thought, her tears spilled over, and she began to cry.

Jacob wasn’t sure what to do. He tried to think of what he could say that would calm Elsteba down, but he couldn’t think of anything. He remembered what it was like for him when he first encountered death, though admittedly he wasn’t in the middle of a stressful and life-altering quest at the time. He was devastated on the inside and out. He tried to remember what he did to overcome the feeling.

Finally, Jacob tried to console Elsteba by hesitantly wrapping an arm around her shoulder. Elsteba reacted by burying her face into the front of Jacob’s jacket and crying even harder, letting out great wails between sobs. Jacob was stunned by her response. At first, he thought of getting away and leaving her to herself, but when he tried to edge away, Elsteba grabbed handfuls of his jacket and drew him closer. Jacob resigned himself to holding Elsteba around her shoulder while she released her pent-up stress of the last few weeks.

Jacob looked down at the top of Elsteba’s head. The sight of her crying uncontrollably on his lap caused him to remember, finally, how he had handled his first experience with a fallen friend. He remembered being exactly where Elsteba was now, and the lap was his mother’s. The revelation startled him, but for one moment, he felt what it was like for his mother, holding Elsteba close, stroking her hair, and telling her…

“Don’t worry,” Jacob found himself saying. “Do not mourn for those who have passed on. Cry softly instead for those who are living, and those who are yet to live, for theirs is truly the saddest fate. And yet, what is life to the living, except an extension of the life to those who no longer live?”

Coming out of his own mouth, rather than his mothers, these words had significantly less polish and shine than he had remembered. Looking down at Elsteba, however, he saw a grateful face looking back up at him. No way, he thought. It actually worked?

“Thanks,” Elsteba said, straightening herself up and wiping the lingering tears from her eyes. “It didn’t really make much sense, but it somehow makes me feel a lot better.”

“Yeah. That doesn’t make much sense either, does it?”

“Not at all. You probably need to see a psychiatrist now.”

“That makes even less sense.”

Before long, Elsteba and Jacob were laughing and joking to each other like childhood friends. They hadn’t forgotten the hardships that they had faced, or the challenges that were yet to come. For the moment, however, let the past be buried and the future forgotten.

Impact Zone

Alsifar Lead the Group as fast as they Could manange, Traveling through a Huge Jungle when all the Shattered Trunks of the Trees were Pointed Directly at you was Extreamaly Difficult, The Terrain was not to Freindly either. they Stopped only as nessisary, to Rest, and to eat. Despite all his efforts Alsifar was unable to lead them to his ship before Nightfall.

Gammon and Athelia had Joined them Before they Set out, though Neither talked much. this Worried Jacob.

"How are you two?" he asked after several hours of Travle. Gammon just Shrugged and Althelia Replied "chastened..."

with answers like that Jacob didn't see the Point in asking any more Questions. they Made a Few other Comments Doing their Best to Guide the Group out of Dangerous areas, or keeping them away from trecherous places. According to them Alsifar had asked them to Scout the way Before they returned to the camp. this explained their long absence. however in all cases They Both Seemed slightly Depressed.

they all talked little, Alsifar had Made it Clear that they Needed to Devote their Attention to Moveing as Swiftly to their Destination as Possible. as Sunset Approached a Darker Feeling Set in. a Feeling of doom. there was no Real explanation for it, it just settled in. even alsifar seemed affected by it. worry showed through his Actions.

Amorak seemed tense as well, he Sayed Close to Elsteba and Asked Jacob to Do the Same. Justor Became the Advance Scout, he would Journey a Little ways ahead and then Return Trying to help Gammon and Althelia Guide the group as Quickly as Possible. in any other Circomstance he would have enjoyed Firgureing out How these Holograms Could be Substantial yet Insubstantial at the same time, but he knew that had to wait.

As the Moon Drifted Higher and Higher, The Jungle Got Quieter and Quieter. Amorak who had Lived in this Place a long time had never heard the Jungle Noises Stop so Suddenly.
"Alsifar, We shouldn't be Here Something isn't right." Amorak Whispered.
Alsifar Relpied "No...something isn't Right...yet we Must Press on..."
Justor Soon Returned, "There are Strange Tracks ahead." Alsifar looked Worried
"how strange?" he asked, "it looks as if A large mass of Serpents Passed by, and something else...something with Large Five Clawed Feet..." Alsifar Sighed, "we Must Move Quickly and Silently, Justor cloak us so that we may Pass Unseen and uheard." Justor nodded, then Muttered Silently. " it is Done, i will return Again soon." he said Before Darting off again.

as the moon came to rest Directly Above their heads, They Found themselves entering the Impact Crater. the Sight infront of them was Something to behold. a huge portion of the Mountial Root had Been blown away and a Roughly Cone shaped impact crater spread from the Epicenter of the impact Zone.

Alsifar's Ship Looked like a Gigantic Crystal teardrop it Reflected the Suble Moonlight to a high degree, they could see the Reflection of the entire crater in it...even their own small forms standing on the edge. it was Almost as Large as the Remainder of the Mountian, although it Stuck out of it at a very Odd angle, it's lower half was Completly Burried in Rock.

Another Suprize Awaited their discovery but they Did not notice it until Alsifar Pointed it out.
"that is where our Freinds wait for us." Alsifar had Pointed to a Small craft that sat on the Inside edge of the Crater. its one door was open and Light was Flooding out.
"Does anyone See them?" After Looking Everyone Shook their heads.
"that's odd, from this direction we should be able to...lets go to them and see what is going on." they Quickly Moved to the Craft, no one in sight. Elsteba Jacob and Amorak Noted the Craft was Packed Full of food and water. exept for one small kubby which seemed Mostly Empty.


"justor Lower your Cloaking." Alsifar Whispered Justor nodded and Alsifar Called as Quietly as he could "Jethro, Logan?! show yourselves we have arived."


there was no answer, No noise, not of anything Living nor of air or water. Alsifar Streightened as his eyes passed over the remains of Jethro and Logan...two slightly pink skeletons.

"Quickly! you all Must Go to my Ship! Justor Cloak us." Just as he Finished a few Soft Claps Broke the Silence.

a Deep Smooth Voice broke slid out of the darkness. "they will Make nice additions to my Collection wouldn't you say Alsifar..." a Figure had appeared Dressed in a Ragged Black Cloak ripped and worn in random Places. the Hood was cast so that no one could see his face.
Alsifar Didn't reply because He knew he wouldn't be heard anyway. Justor had Sucsesfuly Cloaked them in time.

At first Elsteba Wondered why anyone would wear such an outfit, as the Figure neared she noticed that the Cloak had been Made that way on Purpose, Mostly she Guessed to Inspire fear in his enemys, and that was working. She felt very scared, a slight fear showed on Jacob's face and to her suprize Amorak also showed a tinge of fear. this didn't help her own confidence

"ah, hiding i see...i can't See any of you or hear you...however i do smell you, the result of several days in the sun and sand i suppose...Alsifar How can you stand to Live amoung Such Smelly Creatures?" the Figure said after a while slowly moving towards them

Amorak Could tell that this Being was Telling the truth, espesialy by the way it was slowly cautiosly moveing forward and tilting it's covered head slightly to sniff the air. he aslo knew that it's comments were meant to provoke a reaction. to which he had no desire to respond.

"i wonder how your current companions will react when they know they are going to die more horrible deaths, they will be live when i taste them.  you know i always liked the Fresh Prey...espesialy the unsuspecting, the First i took was completely Oblivious to my Presence...too ocupied with his own Food. ahh but the other was Much more alert, we had to fix that." the Figure Drew a long Pointed sword, it's red tip Glinted in the Moonlight, "all it took was a little distraction and a quick poke with this and well you can see the results, no struggling from him."

He can't possibly mean that he ate them?!? jacob thought in digust. who was this new enemy? and more importantly what was he? something about this person seemed to fluid too...different, to be human.

Jacob was suddenly aware of how Defenseless he was, Justor could use Magic and held a Cloak around them but if that failed? Amorak probably could Do something, Alsifar as well, But he and Elsteba had no weapons. Jacob had left his weapons on his world. if anything happened he and Elsteba would Be the ones stuck in the Middle of the Defensive Circle. He didn't like the Idea of not being able to defend himself

"Justor, Take the others to my ship, Gammon and Athelia Weapons ready, you will protect them on the way. Elsteba take my staff with you, it will show you the way in...i will deal with this one." Alsifar said gesturing towards the Figure. he Handed his crystal staff to Elsteba and it began to glow a brilliant white
Jacob Felt Power Surge through the watch as gammon's Sword Began to Glow with similar Bright white Light, and Athelia's hands did the same.
with that Justor Lead the way at a run, the others Followed Quickly. the Figure Laughed a Deep resounding laugh, " ooo, a Chase how fun! you know they can't out run me."
"you will have to go through me Demon!" Alsifar Roared. Figure Chukkled, "that is a little Easier said than done, But i Precive you are weaker than when we last Met."
Alsifar Snarled, "i can still take care of you!"
"we Shall see." the Figure Pulled its wepon up so that Alsifar could see, "such a quaint weak wepon...i far better prefer my own Tooth and Claw!" it threw the wepon to the ground.

"i was hoping you would say that." Alsifar said with a slight Smirk. then Almost too fast to see Bolth of them changed shape and Lunged at one another

the others Heard the Titanic Rumble Beguin. A titanic Roar Split the air and then the earth shook. they Saw Lights as Torrents of Liquid elemental Fire caused the Forest behind them explode into Flame and the Rocks to glow Red and melt. Sounds like the Ripping and Twisting of Metal Filled the air, Punctuated by Roars of Pain and Effort which echoed across the landscape.

"Keep Running!" Justor yelled over the noise as they reached the rim of the crater, "we are nearly there!"
The reflection in the giant crystal ship of what was happening behind them was awsome to behold. A wall of fire reached high into the sky and Shapes and shadows Twisted through it. Lightning flashed Out of the Pillar of smoke, and down into the Fire where breif Flashes of Green and Blue and Deep Red emurged. below it all a Bed of white hot rock.
The Sounds were horrible, Highpitched Screeches to Deep Rumbleings. it Seemed Impossible for anyone or anything to Create the Noises that where heard.

as the group reached the Base of the Ship castle, Alsifars Staff emitted a Small Beam of light towards a place on the Surface of the ship not to far away.
"there go!" Justor said pointing to where the light met the surface of the Ship.
upon aproaching the Light expanded and a Door way Appeared. Just as suddenly as they began the Sounds of Battle had Quieted, They all paused, catching their breath just outside the door. they watched the raging flames for the firgure of alsifar to emurge. the wall of flame didn't falter.
"do you think he was Defeated?" Amorak Asked, but no one wanted to answer.

they watched not wanting to belive that it might be true. then, the earth shook and the flames quieted. with a pained screech a large shape was thrown into the air, tossed towards the sea.

with a large burst of wind the remainder of the flames dissapeared with no sign of alsifar.

they watched in a numb daze, with alsifar gone what would they do now? they knew little about how to pilot this ship, or where to go and what to do. they were stranded on a strange world with no way to get anywere.

"ALL OF YOU INSIDE!!" a hoarse voice Rored. "this isn't over yet!" Alsifar came limping around the edge of the ship. his white robes singed and his hair burnt. " if we don't get into orbit soon, we will consign this planet to a fate more horrible than Death."

"how did you?..." Jacob started, "No Time!" alsifar said cutting him off hurrying through the door. the moment his foot touched the crystal the whole ship lit up sending light out into the night. "you coming?" he yelled over his shoulder as he continued through the passageway.

they all hurried after him