Terran Knights 3: Chapter 11

“You chose a heck of a time to come back Ley,” Sarah said staring at the Celestial.

“I’ll say. You show up and two aliens attack at once,” Seth rolled his eyes. “Makes me wonder if this was some plan to kick our asses and take over the world.”

“I assure you if my were to crush you it would not have been with a defective Taq-Law model. I would systematically cripple you based on my observations of your weaknesses. Then I would contact the Larish and have their might brought down upon your heads.”

“You’ve been doing that?” Seth asked harshly. But as he looked closer at the alien he saw the upturn of their eyes and sighed. “You’re joking.”

“Indeed.”

Sighing Seth waved, “Good to have you back.”

“It is. Though where have you taken us?” Owen asked looking around them.

Looking around slowly he knew they weren’t near the city any longer. They were in a stone temple. There were pillars around all of them, some still standing tall while others had broken and worn away with time. The stone itself though was pale white but the pillars were almost like obsidian glass.

Looking up he could see the empty black sky so clearly that in some instances he swore he could see beyond the atmosphere. He’d never seen the stars so clearly in his life. And off the edge of the city he could look down and just see the clouds going all around the platform. Like they were in heaven. Or Olympus.

The seven of them were wandering around the temple taking it all in. The crystal stood in the center with the cloaking device disassembled somewhat and made to wrap around the crystal itself like a barrier. “This place is an abandoned temple to a forgotten God. I loosely recall when it was being built.”

“Who built this?” Marco asked. “I mean we have to be on the top of a mountain.”

“Humans. I’m not sure what culture were at the time. They’re hard to remember throughout the millennia,” they replied. “Eventually it was abandoned like so many other temples are. On a whim I wanted to visit it again. And I thought it might be a pleasant place for us to meet. It is also far enough away to hide the crystal.”

“Will we be seeing you in our dreams anymore?” Owen asked.

“Not unless you wanted to,” they replied. “I will reside here for the time being. And coming here is as simple as calling your stones or your armor.”

“It’s a beautiful temple,” Sarah said walking toward one of the pillars. She pointed toward the crystal and frowned. “But what about that? Is it really hidden?”

“With the device active I hope,” Ley placed their hands in front of them. “The crystal sent out a beacon of raw power as it travelled. Many have had their eyes on it. But tales of your power have also been spreading throughout the galaxy and beyond. They know that this planet has its protectors.”

“So, they know what’ll happen if they come here looking for trouble,” Jack punched his fist into his palm and smirked. “The Celestial Knights will be waiting.”

“Settle down Jack,” Marco smiled at him putting his hand on his shoulder. “But he’s got a point. We haven’t exactly been quiet here. Most aliens who’ve come through here have been sent packing.”

“Indeed.”

“Speaking of the galaxy. Where have you been?” Kathryn asked looked at the celestial. “You just up and disappeared for two weeks. Where’d you go?”

“To a sister galaxy of this one. Another one that I enjoy visiting. There is a culture there that communicate entirely based on light. I believe it is because their local star isn’t very bright but life always finds a way to thrive. It is what I enjoy about your kind. They too faced dangers of alien nature. They managed to defend themselves but the source of the danger wasn’t clear to them or myself.”

“Did you give them some Celestial assistance as well?” Sarah asked.

“No,” they chuckled. “Whatever the threat was, was long gone. I intend to find out what it was in the future.”

“The universe is an insane place,” Jack whistled. “But what made you come back here?”

“I may travel the universe and exist as a higher being to many but I call you friends. And of many places I’ve seen I enjoy being here. You humans are a fascinating race. I believe I will stay here a bit longer.”

“Can you do that?” Sarah asked her eyes widening.

“I don’t see why not,” they said tilting their head to the side. “I have no obligations to any race. Besides this crystal. It intrigues me as well.”

“You said it was an amp for psykiks.”

“Indeed. But it has the potential to be much more,” they were thoughtful as they spoke. “I wonder if it is the same as the others. I have much to think about here on this little blue ball.”

Everyone exchanged looks back and forth but no one was sure what the celestial was really talking about this time. Owen started to say something but then he yawned and it was loud. When he finished he blushed looking down. “Sorry about that. I haven’t gotten a lot of sleep tonight. Or the past few nights.”

“None of us have been,” Sarah said. “But between school and your siblings on top of this I bet it’s exhausting. You sure you’re okay?”

“Yeah. My siblings are still adjusting with our grandparents. I guess I am too. But they like having me around. Gen made me sleep today on our date,” he made a face.

“Made you sleep?” Seth repeated raising his eyebrow.

“Yeah. She took me to some fancy hotel and everything.”

Jack looked at him with wide eyes and tried to stifle his laughter. Kathryn snorted covering her mouth. “Correct me if I’m wrong leader but is that what the kids are calling it now?”

“Can’t say I’ve heard that one before,” Marco replied.

“Wait. What? No!” Owen turned bright red holding his hands out. “That’s not what happened. I swear. I really just needed to sleep. And she did too. I woke up and she was asleep.” They snorted at him and he just got redder. “No not like that either!”