CHAPTER XXIV: INSIDE THE SACRED TEMPLE

Boman Braggs was finally approaching the Sacred Temple on his Titan Class Vulkan Mechquus and was greeted with great enthusiasm by his fellow Amber Commandos who were relieved that he was here. He was also greeted by Sir Haley Artor, one of the Twelve, who was equally glad to see the savior of Our Lady Kaliah. “I see the Queen has had the wisdom to send you here at our greatest hour of need,” Sir Artor sighed in relief. “The Sacred Holochron had projected nothing but darkness for hours and then went dead. Our Seers have seen only visions of death and destruction, the ominous cloud of war preventing us from foretelling the outcome. The Sith have come in great wrath and their hatred of our race is radiating out of them somehow. We cannot explain it, but we are caught in a black fog that shrouds our visions,” Sir Artor said in a low voice as he and Boman walked up the Sacred Steps and into the magnificent beauty of the Sacred Temple.

Everywhere, the golden rays of the Elysian sun reflected off gold and pure whitestone walls mixed with crystal columns and gilded whitestone flooring. Beautiful Sula hand-woven carpeting lined the connecting halls with statues of all of the Heroes of Light on display representing the Hero of each age that had defeated darkness. Boman bowed his head in reverence of such a holy place and then it struck him that darkness was not present here- even at night the Sacred Temple was showered in light cascades and glowing fountains. Darkness had no place here, nor held any power here.

As Boman walked into the Inner Sanctuary he stopped and became speechless as he looked up at the Twelve Sacred Columns of pure amber crystal that supported the massive circular Light Dome. Powerful beams of pure light shot through a series of circular light rings all centered on the Light Dome. Its powerful radiance was overwhelming.

Sir Artor tugged on Bomans arm and said with great delight, “Come, step through the light and enter the Inner Circle of Prayer.” Boman only lowered his head more and stepping through felt all heaviness in his heart lifted. There before him was the Sacred Pillar with the Holy Journal of Hope displayed. Around the Holy Book were the other eleven Seers in deep thought and prayer, their Halo-chrons barely lit. But as Boman came into the circle their Halo-chrons grew brighter and this forced all of them to open their eyes. Boman has come, maybe all is not lost after all!

But even as Boman was elated, his heart was becoming heavy again as he searched the sanctuary for Kali. Sir  Artor had asked Boman to sit down and rest but Boman was worried and with a sense of urgency asked, “Where is Kali… Lady Kaliah?” Lady Divinia  answered for the Twelve, “She has been forbidden by the Queen to enter the city and is with your Amber Commandos back at the Royal Estate on the High Hills.”

With this Boman screamed, “NO!!!” and ran back out of the temple to re-mount his Vulkan… but Commander Blair ordered him to stay at the temple. Boman tried to explain his need to protect Kali but Blair had given him military orders. He was to remain at the temple until further instructed. Boman begged the commander to at least reach the High Hills estate and confirm that Lady Kaliah was secure. Commander Blair relented and gave Boman a channet.

Commander Stavane at the Royal Estate got the call and ordered his men to bring Lady Kaliah to him. After five minutes there was some yelling in the background and then Stavane reported that, “Lady Kaliah seems to be missing, we are scouting the area around the estate now.” Boman was clearly upset and demanded that the Commander search the stable first. Stavane gave the order and sure enough it was reported that Dark Beauty was missing as well. Where would Kali go in a situation like this? The Sacred Temple, of course!

“Commander Stavane, Sir, it is alright -I think I know where she is heading,” Boman reported with anticipation. Stavane inquired, “where?” “Right here at the temple; she IS, after all, our greatest Seer.” “But the Queen has FORBID it,” Stavane responded with alarm. “She will be intercepted and returned back to the Royal Estate at once. Stavane OUT!”

Boman was angered, but could not convince Commander Blair that the risk was worth taking to go and find her. His request to be re-deployed was denied. Boman remained outside the temple with the rest of the Amber Commandos awaiting their destiny.