It had been a long, grueling journey up the mountain. Even though the eleven Rethans were all capable of flight, they’d had to lay low, avoiding swarms of sharp-beaked predatory birds and hungry, feral Thanatians who might have considered them all snacks. Kayel had led the way as they followed hidden paths and crossed bridges that might as well not have existed, hacking away at vines and bushes and pushing their way upwards.
But finally, they had arrived at the Thrakian temple, laced with marble, encrusted with priceless gems. Above them circled various Thraki, in many different colours, the largest of whom was purple and black with gold armour. This one hovered, then slowly lowered itself onto the golden archway that marked the entrance into the temple proper.
“Holy fu-”
Enel was about to loudly curse, but Kayel quickly shushed him.
“We need to be quiet and respectful, and you all need to pay attention.”
The Thraki raised itself on its hind legs and roared, spewing a column of fire. Several of the Rethans stepped back, not expecting such a blatant and powerful display. Once the flames had died down, it looked down at them, sneering.
“So, Unlahney, these are the little children you have brought to learn from our magicks?”
Kayel nodded. “Yes, Vokulunax. These are my brothers, not bound in the blood of family but the blood of honour and war.”
Enel blinked, then glanced back at Ayel and Arel, who were shooting telepathic messages to him asking what the fuck Kayel was on about. They were all silenced by Ksiel, who told them that Kayel knew what he was doing.
Vokulunax was not amused. “They seem small. Weak. They will have to prove themselves. Maybe we should break all their legs, teach them to walk again.”
“You don’t break a Thraki’s wings to teach them how to fly,” Kayel countered. “Have you changed your minds? Gone back on your promises?”
Vokulunax sneered, then roared again. The Thraki above them began flying more quickly. “Perhaps you and your brothers need a test or two. Maybe you need to PROVE YOURSELVES!”
Kayel shot a quick telepathic message at his team. The L-Class Ksa quickly moved into formation, a ring shape with four Rethans in the middle and seven around the edge. The Thraki were now flying past them, breathing plumes of fire and ice. Each attack though was expertly blocked by telekinetic shields, followed by blasts of energy from those in the centre of the ring. After one Thraki was knocked from the sky, Vokulunax growled, his voice echoing across the sky. The Thraki backed off, and the injured one limped away.
“Is that all?” Deeyel whispered. “Or are they-”
Suddenly, several smaller Thraki reappeared, dive bombing the Rethans, bringing with them swarms of small pterosaurs. The L-Class retaliated by expanding their telekinetic shields, causing the threats to harmlessly bounce off.
With another growl, they backed off. Vokulunax though remained strong and proud.
“You’ve proven yourselves physically. I doubt your minds are sharp.”
“Prepare yourselves,” Kayel warned.
The mighty Thraki roared again, this time spewing a purple mist. “You resist at first. But you must melt for you to reform. To be tempered, perhaps.”
Horrific visions bloomed into view from the purple dust, forced down by the Thraki’s powerful wings. Nightmarish horrors, fiendish fears, terrible mistakes from their past. But the L-Class Ksa simply ignored the visions and marched forward towards Vokulunax.
“What are you doing?” There was a hint of confusion in the Thraki’s voice.
“Proving ourselves!” Veeyel shouted.
“That’s what you wanted us to do, right?” Ksiel smirked. “Is this not enough?”
“Or do you want to feel our already-existing power?” Thiel added. “Because we can.”
Vokulunax sighed, then backed down. As he did so, the purple mist faded to blue, before disappearing completely. Four other Thraki landed on the archway beside him.
“Very well, Rethans. You have proven yourselves strong enough to study among us. I warn you though, magia is incredibly dangerous. One mistake, and you may not see another sunrise. Do you understand that your lives are at risk, and we take no responsibility for you.”
The L-Class all nodded.
“I will send a message out. Other Thraki will not disturb you. Now please, follow Lokmahro and myself, so we can bless our new students.”
Vokulunax and the other Thraki stretched their wings and took off, soaring through the arch behind them.
“Well, that wasn’t so bad!” Efel smiled as they followed the Thraki into the temple.