The Order of Ja'el

Chapter Twelve

Julien, unusually calm although clearly enraged, turned to Zora. Her face contorted in soul-breaking agony. Seeming to know exactly what she needed, he placed a single hand on her shoulder. "I am completely at your disposal. I will do anything, anything, to stop this and bring you the justice the Earth Cols deserves. All I need is for you to say the word. Command me, command us, and we will follow your lead to the end, even with our lives."

A wave of searing clarity broke through Zora's brokenness. She felt strengthened by Julien's words and the agreeing nods of every person in the group who stepped forward under the energy of his statement. Zora gazed gratefully upon them. Vlad alone lingered behind, not from a lack of commitment to the mission, but because he sensed the group's cold distance for breaking their trust.

Zora collected herself and spoke with power far beyond what she felt inside. "It is clear we cannot take on Tamana and these monsters on our own. We must get to the city centre where the command post will be operating. With them, we will strategise a plan to win this war of wars. Thankfully, from this vantage point, we will be able to map the safest path to avoid the enemy line in the shortest possible time. We will also be able to relay this intel as I'm certain they don't know who is leading the pack of monsters or who is behind it. Guard each other as we head out. Be your brother and sister's keeper." Zora shot an unapologetic look at Vlad for her pointed jab. As far as she was concerned, unless Ja'el insisted otherwise, this alliance with him was over.

***

It had been a different kind of torture for Zora to ignore the screams of her people as she made her way through the city. Now, as they arrived at the warriors' main command post, she was agitated and ready to fight. Suddenly, the screams stopped, and the warriors were shouting that the creatures had paused their advances as though awaiting further instructions. The group exchanged confused looks while approaching the gated entry.

"Halt!" A guard at the door commanded as they arrived. Then, he recognised Zora's face. "High Warrior! My apologies! I did not know—you're back!" Swinging open the door for her, he barked to the guards inside, "It's High Warrior Zora!" Their gasps were audible as she appeared in the doorway.

Jada mused at the look of complete adoration adorning every face they passed. The guards who had run ahead of them to inform the Head Warrior of her arrival had caused quite the commotion within the base. Warriors stationed there poured out of every corner despite the ongoing war, hoping to catch a glimpse of Zora as the group walked past. Zora had mentioned she was akin to a Commander when they were in the Sky Cols, but this was something different. Each of the warriors they passed held such great reverence and love in their eyes that they would jump off cliffs upon her command. Zora was the Earth Cols' hero.

Their entry into the command room only intensified this reality as Zora was rushed by two warriors with tears streaming down their faces.

"Pigeon! Poutay!" Zora exclaimed as they picked her up into the air while squeezing tightly.

"You lived! You survived!" Poutay shouted as they finally released her.

"Obviously, she did. I never had a doubt she would," Pigeon grinned arrogantly.

"I didn't either," Poutay retorted somewhat weakly.

His look of lingering grief caused Zora to hug him and whisper, "I miss Raya too... every single day..." Pigeon joined in by resting his hands on their shoulders, head bowed in respect for the one who had passed on. Then, the entire room did the same, all uttering in unison, "May her legacy last."

The rest of the group stood awkwardly behind Zora, bowing their heads while glancing up with uncertainty. It was a firm voice from the front of the room that broke the silence. Its commanding nature caused everyone to raise their heads immediately.