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The Home World�
Chapter Eighteen

By a smoking crater Motun, Samona and Tauhn were laying lifelessly. What seemed like just moments ago, their ship was in a fight with a Drortah and Khorta ship. At first they believed that the damage that was sustained was minimal, but it was sufficient enough to cause them to get pulled into the gravitational pull of the ring.

Their ship, the Drortah�s ship and the Khorta�s ship were pulled through the ring and appeared in a sector of space that was on the other side. Before any of them could resume the fight or even regain control of their ships, the three ships were pulled towards a black and brown planet.

Through some amazing flying, Tauhn was barely able to crash-land the ship without getting everyone killed. Unfortunately, the ship exploded before they could get a safe distance away from the crash-site.

�Ughn � my head.� Motun moaned. His blurred vision began to focus. It was then that he remembered everything that had happened. The fight � the ring � the crash. He quickly looked around until he saw where his friends were. His heart froze when he saw that they weren�t moving.

�No�� he muttered. He was about to panic when both of them seemed to return to life. He sat up and quietly laughed.

�I was afraid you were dead.� he commented.

�I feel as though I am.� Samona replied.

�What happened?� Tauhn asked.

�You managed to land the ship � but then it exploded.� Motun answered.

�Where � where is this place?� Tauhn asked. The three slowly looked around. All around them were signs of a society that had suffered decades � no centuries of nonstop war. The ground that wasn�t covered by concrete, metal, or ruins was scorched black. There were destroyed weapons of war that littered the landscape like autumn leaves in the fall.

�And I thought Moltaria was in bad shape.� Samona whispered. A dead wind blew across the area. Soot and ash was lifted from its resting-places and was thrown against the three.

�Let�s find some cover.� Motun suggested. The three ran towards what was left of a once tall building. Despite the fact that all of them were born of fire � this wind was beginning to burn them.

***

In an area a short distance away, Grey and Gee had felt the effect of that same wind but had found refuge in what appeared to be an abandoned subway station. They were both feeling sick from being in an environment as toxic as this was. And the extreme heat that seemed to fluctuate wasn�t helping matters.

�You know � I always used to complain when the temperature remotely raised anywhere near zero degrees. If we get out of this � I don�t think I�ll be complaining again.� Grey commented.

�Tell me about it. I don�t think the planet has any ozone layer or any other kind of buffer against that sun�s radiation. How could anything possibly live here?� she asked in modest disbelief. Grey whistled and gestured over to about three scorched skeletons that were huddled in the corner.

�They didn�t live here � they died here. I don�t think that there is anything alive on this planet � except maybe our friends that attacked us and stranded us here.� He commented.

�In � in their defense � we did shoot at them � even if it was accidental.� She said.

�True enough. So what do we do? If we go up � the radiation will cook us and the winds will burn us. If we stay here � the radiation will still cook us, but the wind won�t touch us.� he asked with a perplexed smile.

�We keep going down. Perhaps if we get low enough, we can find refuge from the radiation.� She suggested.

�Then what?� he asked curiously.

�We left Glacoria to make that remote � and that is what I intend to do.� She answered. Grey wanted to argue the issue, but he just wasn�t in the mood. The two looked around and saw a tunnel that went two ways.

�A or B. make your pick.� He offered. She looked at both and pointed to one of two choices. He nodded and hopped down to where the tracks were. He reached up and helped her down. They looked into the blackness of the tunnel before them and began their journey.

***

Elsewhere, Sie found himself in what had to have been a garden. He was deeply saddened by the lack of life here and everywhere else he had seen. This indeed was a place that the apostles must have punished.

�Great apostles � what sins must have been committed here to anger you so?� he asked to the desolate skies. He knelt down by the scorched soil and blew his breath of life into the ground. He watched as the green spores dug into the ground and began to quickly grow. He scampered back when the plants that grew tried to lash out at him. He then watched as the plants seemed to cry out in pain � and slowly withered and died.

�The sins must have been many. The ground is cursed. So � this is where you fled from C�an. Laugh now while you are able. I will find a way to return you to this hell from hence you came.� He stated seriously. He looked at the back of his hand and noticed that his skin was peeling. He breathed his breath of life on his hand. The wound healed, but it wouldn�t last long.

�I had better find shelter. If I fall asleep here � I will perish before I wake.� He commented. His wings extended from his golden shell. He then flew as best he could towards the city that was several kilometers away.

�Ughn, these winds are hideous. No wonder C�an is strong if he had to endure this.� Sie muttered. although the winds and radiation were strong, within minutes, he was there. He looked around at the devastated city. The street was littered with charred skeletons and ravaged war machines.

�If ever there was a people that lost their faith � it would be these.� He commented. He flew over to where he saw a cave. He flew in and saw that it went down. Sie looked around him and knew that his best chance for avoiding the radiation and winds would be by going down.

�And so I must go down � into the heart of C�an�s wretched world to find a way to end the evil he has done. Bless me apostles and grant me strength to do what I must do.� He said solemnly. He took a breath and flew down into the cave.

***

In their building sanctuary, the three Moltarians noticed that being inside was little different than being outdoors. The roof � what was left of it was several planks that were holding up small piles of debris. One of the walls had so many holes that they wondered how it was that it was still standing. And the remaining walls looked as though they had been weakened by all the fighting that had happened.

�I hope you have a suggestion lore keeper.� Tauhn whispered as they heard the ruined structure creaking as a wind kissed it. Motun quickly looked around and saw a staircase that went down.

�Down.� He stated. The three hurried down the staircase. Mere seconds later, the entire structure collapsed down. The three ran faster as the roof above them was beginning to cave in because of the cave in up above. By the time they had stopped running, they found themselves in a subway station. The staircase that led them there was completely filled with debris, dust and soot.

�This place looks a little sturdier � not to mention a little cleaner.� Samona commented. Motun and Tauhn looked around and noticed several odd looking skeletons that littered the corners and down by the tracks.

�Looks like a tomb of some kind.� Motun stated.

�Great � that just what I wanted to hear.� Tauhn retorted.

�We can�t stay here � and we can�t go back the way we came, so do we go left or right?� Motun asked. Tauhn pointed left � Samona right.

�Why that way?� Tauhn asked.

�Just a feeling I have says that we have to go that way.� She replied.

�Makes no difference to so long as we are going somewhere.� Tauhn stated.

�Right it is.� Motun commented. The three hopped down to the track level and made their way towards the tunnel.

***

Back where the Glacorians were, they had found a series of tunnels beneath the subway and were now exploring there. The temperature was not as hot � the radiation wasn�t as bad plus there were fewer bodies.

�Whatever happened to these people must have forced them underground.� Gee commented as she tripped on another skeleton.

�It wasn�t whatever � it was whoever. These people were attacked.� He replied as he helped her up. Grey reached down and picked up a rusted a corroded assault rifle. He looked around and saw bullet holes in the walls.

�But � everyone looks the same. You mean that they were fighting each other?� she asked in modest disbelief.

�That�s the way it looks. If I were to hazard a guess � I would say that these people were being chased by those ones. They all killed each other. But that makes no sense.� He commented as he pointed to the skeletons near him and the ones at the other side of the tunnel.

�Maybe � they were trying to keep those ones from going any further.� She suggested. Grey looked over at the tunnel she pointed to. What she said made a certain amount of sense � but what could be worth such bloodshed?

�If that is the case � I guess that is where we have to go.� He reluctantly said. The two made their way into the tunnel. As they walked they found more skeletons. Some were face down in the direction they had come from � people trying to go forward. Some were on their backs facing the direction they were going � people that were overrun and died trying to stop the invaders.

�This place is creepy.� Gee muttered.

�Getting scared?� he replied.

�Want a punch in the mouth?� she retorted.

�Just joking. I feel the same way�� he began. The two stopped in their tracks. The end of the tunnel was a hundred meters in front of them. There was a rusted door � before the door was a pile of bones that went almost up to the roof.

�Whatever they were trying to protect must have been very valuable.� Gee strained. The two walked towards the unholy site.

�Or dangerous.� He added.

�Or both � maybe we should just leave.� She suggested.

�If we go back � it might be just as dangerous.� He pointed out.

�I am not digging through a pile of bones!� she retorted on the brink of panic.

�You won�t have to � I will. Stay here and warn me if you think something bad will happen.� He replied calmly. Gee sighed and stepped away. Grey cautiously made his way towards the pile of skeletons.

Why am I doing this? He thought to himself. He hesitantly pulled the arm off of one skeleton. He quickly tossed it to the side. He had seen a lot of things and done a lot of things � nothing was as creepy as this. He pushed all doubt out of his head and began to remove bone after bone. Gee couldn�t watch anymore, she quickly turned away. Within a matter of moments, Grey had made a path through the pile of bones.

�Gee � its done.� He said dryly. She slowly turned around and saw Grey standing between two piles of bones.
�I really don�t like this. That could be a tomb of some kind.� She stated.

�It could be a lab.� He retorted.

�It could be a containment area.� She replied.

�We could debate this until the radiation kills us � or � we could open the door.� He suggested. Gee stared at the piles of bones and felt nauseous.

�I guess you�re right.� She muttered. Grey nodded and turned to face the door. He knew he was right � they had no other choice. Whatever was behind this door might be able to help them. He took a deep breath and put his hand on the cold and rusted metal door. The handle was very sticky.

�It�s stuck.� He muttered.

�That�s hardly a surprise � look at the condition it is in.� Gee replied.

�Help me out.� He requested. Gee cautiously made her way over to where he was. Making extra sure that no part of her came anywhere near touching any of the bones that Grey had displaced.

�The door opens in at least. If we can push the latch down � we should be able to force the door open.� He suggested. Gee nodded and placed her hands on the handle. The two pushed down on the lever as hard as they could. They could hear the rusted components in the door slowly creaking. Just then it snapped down. Grey nodded at Gee. She held the handle down as he took a few steps back. He then took a flying leap � his body rammed into the door and was flung back. Gee looked at the door � it had moved in a few millimeters.

�A few more times should do it.� She stated.

�A few more times will dislocate my shoulder.� He retorted.

�This was your idea.� She scolded. Grey groaned and forced himself back up to his feet. He took another flying leap at the door � his body rammed into the door. Again, he was flung back, this time into one of the piles of bones. This time the door moved about a centimeter.

�You almost got it.� She stated. When she got no answer she looked over to where Grey was. He looked completely pale. The way he had landed had caused a skeleton to fall over on him.

�Uh, you okay?� she asked. Grey leaped to his feet and threw the bones off of him.

�I � I don�t know how much more my mind or body can take.� He muttered as he threw a bony hand away from him.

�I think one more good effort should do it.� She commented. Without even thinking he did another flying leap at the rusted door. His shoulder smashed into the door. The door flung open and the two fell inside�

***

In another area a few minutes earlier, Sie was flying through the numerous tunnels. He too saw numerous skeletons and signs of fighting. His mind flashed back to all he had heard of the holy wars of Quagmiria. It seemed as though a similar tragedy enveloped this world as well. Perhaps � just perhaps this wasn�t the world C�an originated from. Maybe it was just another innocent world that suffered under C�an as his world had.

�I see around me what is left of a people that tore itself apart. Great apostles � it would seem that this is not The unholy world that C�an originated from after all.� He said to himself. He knelt down again and blew his breath of life into the ground before him. He moved back and watched as a tiny plant grew up. It didn�t mutate like the other plant he created did � but the tiny plant still withered and died.

�The ground is not cursed � it is tainted � much like what is happening on my beloved home. If it is not of C�an � what is the place?� he asked himself. He looked into the darkness of the tunnel before him. Just then � he saw what he believed to be a vision of the three apostles.

�The apostles � here?� he muttered in disbelief. He watched and saw the three ghostlike images motioning for him to follow them. He looked at the other tunnel and saw nothing. When he looked at the tunnel he saw the vision in � they were gone.

�It seems as though you are still with me � even though I am far from home.� He said softly. His wings extended out from his golden shell and he flew into the dark tunnel. All around he could see signs of fighting. Bullet holes were everywhere. Old blood stained the walls. The walls and ground had scratch marks in them near where long dead bodies rested.

�This � this is the true legacy of what will happen to our people should they turn away from the apostles. It won�t be a rain of tears � it will just be the end of all.� He muttered timidly. He stopped flying and slowly hovered to the ground.

�I know now why you sent me here. You did so that I might see such horror and learn from it � so that all might learn from it.� He said sadly. Sie began to walk down the tunnel and saw several piles of stones. Above each pile was a wooden cross.

�Burial mounds.� He commented. He studied the cross.

�They too had faith � these children must have lost their way � just as we did.� He added. He knelt down before the graves, made the sign of the apostles and said a silent prayer. When he was done, he got up and slowly made his way further into the tunnel. Within moments, the tunnel came to an end. Before him was a rusted door.

�The apostles have told me that they desire me to go this way � and go this way I shall.� He stated confidently. He placed his hands on the rusted handle and concentrated. He could feel that the door was almost rusted into one solid piece.

�The will of the apostles will not be denied.� He whispered. He said a quick prayer and repeated it several times. As he did, the handle began to slowly move. He repeated the prayer faster. Just then he leaned on the handle with all his strength. The door swung open and he fell inside�

***

In another section of tunnels a few minutes earlier, Motun, Samona and Tauhn saw old vehicles and weapons of war. They seemed to have been moved here to protect them from whatever disaster had destroyed this world.

�I don�t know what this is � but it looks fierce.� Tauhn stated as he touched the rusted skin on an old tank that was twice as tall as him. Samona was looking a piece of mobile artillery.

�I think whoever these people were killed themselves. I mean, everything we have seen � hundreds of dead bodies � a planet in ruins � I haven�t seen a single thing that remotely works that isn�t a weapon.� She commented.

�I think you�re right. We had better be careful. Some of these things might not work right and cause serious damage�� he began. Tauhn and Samona looked at him to see why his voice trailed off. They looked over at what he saw and knew why. In the corner of the room was a ship identical to the ones used by the Phtor � only this one looked old and damaged.

�This � this is the Phtor home world�� Motun muttered.

�Maybe not � those bones aren�t Phtor. But they might have invaded here or caused all this damage.� Samona replied.

�That�s reassuring. If they could do this here � imaging what they could do to Moltaria.� Tauhn added. Motun walked over to where the old ship was. He dusted off one section and saw an odd logo. It consisted of a blue square with white dots and had red and while stripes that went from beside it and down. A Phtor flag.

�I�ve never seen that before � what is it?� Tauhn asked as he looked over Motun�s shoulder.

�I think it is an icon of sorts � I believe it represents a Phtor flag.� He answered.

�I never saw it on Moltaria.� Tauhn replied.

�Check the other things for such icons � it could be important.� He requested. The three split up and began to wipe the dust off of the rusted old machines. Within a few moments they had found over thirty icons � all were different.

�There were more than thirty nations here if each icon represents a nation. They all had such weapons � yet they couldn�t beat back the Phtor? It makes no sense.� Tauhn stated seriously.

�Maybe they didn�t fight the Phtor � they might have warred with each other. Imagine � so many nations � all with such horrid weapons � all striking at each other.� Samona replied calmly.

�A world at war with itself � it�s hard to imagine.� Motun whispered.

�But � if these nations were at war with each other and not the Phtor � how did they get a Phtor ship?� Tauhn asked rationally. Motun walked over and looked at the old vessel. Both Tauhn and Samona made valid arguments. Just then, something clicked.

�Unless � the Phtor came here after these nations had killed themselves. Think of it � so many nations that were at war with each other. All they had to do was sit back and wait. All they would have to do is come in and collect what they wanted and no one would be around to stop them.� Motun suggested rationally.

�That would mean that the Phtor still have the means of bringing this kind of destruction to Moltaria. There must be something here that we can use against them.� Tauhn stated seriously.

�There might be � but it isn�t here. We should keep looking.� Motun replied. The three made their way out from the dusty weapons and war machines and continued down the tunnel. After what felt like several minutes of walking, they stopped.

�Are you sure this is the right way?� Tauhn asked.

�As sure as I can be. Look at these bodies � they are all facing away from where we left. Something important is this way. We have to find out what it is.� Motun replied. Tauhn and Samona looked around at the bodies and saw what he meant. All of them seemed to have died trying to escape something.

�Okay � let�s get this over with.� Tauhn replied. The three continued down the corridor until they saw a huge rusted metal door. Just by looking at it they could see that fire would do little against it.

�Even if what we seek is this way lore keeper � how are we supposed to get through that? The power of wishing?� Tauhn asked sarcastically. Motun looked at the door and walked up to it. Something important was behind this door. Something that could either bring peace with the Drortah and Khorta or aid them in beating back the Phtor of his master Kjoranan.

�The ancestors had to fight to make their empire strong. Through muscle and determination and will power � they were able to reshape a world. I refuse to let a simple door stop us from achieving our planet�s true destiny.� Motun stated seriously.

�I had no idea you felt that way.� Samona replied.

�We left on this quest to find the Oracle. We did. We left our planet to find a way to end our long war with two of our enemies and to find a way to deal with the third. I know in my heart that the means to doing this is behind this door. If I have to open it by myself � I will, but I could really use some help.� He continued.

�Say no more lore keeper.� Tauhn replied with a smile. The three Moltarians leaned against the door and tried to push the rusted door open. It was as they were doing this that Samona looked down and saw the handle. Without even thinking, she reached down and quickly knocked the handle down. Instantly � the rusty door flung open. The three Moltarians were flung inside.

�What the?� Motun began. He looked across the room and saw two Drortah fallen by a door that was across from them. Just then, they heard another door open. A Khorta fell in and stared over at the Drortah and then looked over at them. The six beings slowly got up � not once taking their eyes off of the aliens that now stood at an opposing door.

�Any ideas?� Tauhn whispered.

The Corruption Continues...