by Noah Michael
When they reached the large oak doors, Gore and Arias moved to open them. The Chief walked through, accompanied by his guards, followed by Roko and his crew. The Chief took a seat on his throne. Roko stood facing the Chief, Alia by his side. The doors closed.
All was silent.
The Chief looked at Alia. She stared intently back at him. The Chief’s turned towards Roko.
“The Reader must go.”
“She is merely an advisor.”
“It is unacceptable to demand I conduct a meeting with a Reader present. I may as well inform you personally of my tribe’s every secret.”
Roko turned to Alia.
“Please give us privacy.”
Alia leaned in towards Roko to whisper. “He’s pissed and wants justice for his fallen. If he doesn’t get it, he will lose the respect of his tribe. I don’t feel comfortable leaving you alone with him.”
“I have my drones. If he attempts anything, they will signal the other drones to come to my aid. He is afraid of my power and of the possibility of me waging war. Now leave.”
“With all due respect, you need to rethink this. You are underestimating him.”
The Chief grew impatient. “My time is not endless.”
“I am the most powerful man in the world.” Roko’s words were quick, quiet, but emphatic. “Even the Shadows fear me. Leave immediately.”
There was nothing more she could do. After she left, the room was quiet once again.
The Chief’s guards eyed the drones, which stood still, blades drawn, blasters operational.
“I’m sorry for the delay. She was being overly cautious.” Roko paused, awaiting a mannerly forgiveness. It did not come.
“Roko, why have you come? What angered you to the point of breaking into my home?”
“I feel betrayed.”
“What justification could you possibly have to cross my tribe’s borders uninvited? You could have requested an audience.”
“I would have, if you hadn’t completely broken off all communications! You called back all your messengers and ignored mine! Contrary to our agreement, you ordered back all your forces. My men and drones are searching for the girl and have suffered dozens of casualties!”
“We, too, have suffered casualties. The girl’s guardians slew several of my warriors. I did not, in fact, abandon my search for the girl. I continue to search. However, I search alone. My priority is the safety of our world and the safety of the girl.”
Roko stomped his foot. “I don’t care what your priorities are! We had an agreement!”
The Chief remained calm. “You kept details from me. You did not tell me the one you found was a child until I’d already sent my men to capture her. She has done no wrong!”
“And no wrong shall be done to her! She will be kept safe! You have my word. If harm comes to her, in any way, I’ll be personally responsible. I would open my doors to her in return for her help. I would adopt her, raise her as my own.”
“You would make her into another one of your slaves. You would brainwash her.”
“Then you can take her! Whatever it takes for me to gain your trust! She doesn’t have to ever leave your sight if that pleases you!”
“It does indeed, and I would like to have that be part of the agreement. But if it is trust you seek, then you must tell me what you want from the mirror.”
“That...” Roko said, his voice filled with aggravation, “I cannot do. You won’t tell me your reason, why should I tell you mine?”
“Do not play me a fool, Roko. I am well aware that you know my secret. It is why you came to me in the first place.”
“Nothing you can say or do will bring me to share my motivation.”
“Very well, then our agreement is retracted. This meeting is adjourned.”
“You think you can just abandon our agreement? Who do you think I am, one of your servants? You wouldn’t even know of the girl if it weren’t for me!”
“That is enough, Roko. Please leave and do not return!”
“Enough? I’ll tell you what’s enough! If you do this, I will wage war! I will take the mirror by force!”
The guards moved their hands towards their swords. Arias waited. Would the Chief remain strong, or would he back down at the threat of war?
The Chief stood up from his throne and walked slowly towards Roko. They stood face to face. “If you declare war, I shall destroy the mirror.”
“You would not! You need it more than I do! You would never abandon your sister!”
“You risked your life by marching into my palace I do not know what you want from the mirror. What I do know is that you are a very dangerous man. I would not risk the lives of hundreds for the small chance that my sister’s life may still be redeemed. If you will not tell me what you seek, then here we shall part. Since you are the one who told me about the girl, I am in your debt and I will retrieve whatever you seek from the mirror. Only you yourself may accompany me. I shall inform you when I find the girl. If you wage war against me, however, I shall destroy the mirror.”
Roko was speechless. There was nothing left to negotiate. “You’d better hope you find the girl before I do! Because if I find her first, I guarantee that I will use her powers to destroy you and your entire tribe! Now we are done.”
Roko stormed towards the doors, his drones following, walking backwards, their weapons aimed at the Chief’s guards. Before Roko reached the door, the Chief shouted. “Stop!”
Roko turned around, his face red with rage.
“There is one more thing.” The Chief glanced at Arias. “Now!”
Roko sprinted towards the door. “Call reinforcements! Kill the guards!”
The drones fired their weapons, but it was too late. The guards dove into the ground, lasers flying above them, then pounced outward from the ground with incredible speed, launching themselves at the drones, flipping midair and drawing their blades. Before the drones had time to strike of call for reinforcements, the guards swung, and the drones’ heads fell crashing to the floor. The Chief sprang out from the ground in front of Roko, grabbed him by the neck, lifted him up in the air, and smashed him against the doors.
“What...do...you...want!?” Roko hissed.
“I want justice.”
“I have done their families a favor! Those men are now heroes!”
“Heroes who can no longer support their wives, who have no arms to hug their children. You will give me six of your men. I will hang them in front of my people. A life for a life!”
“I will do no such thing!”
“I am not asking you. I am telling you.”
“Within seconds Alia and the rest of my drones will be in here—”
“You are alone! We are masters of illusion. Alia hears and sees nothing. Either you agree to this, or the mirror will be destroyed.”
“You wouldn’t dare!”
The Chief tightened his grip. “I advise you not to test me.”
Roko looked down, anger burning in his eyes, but he was helpless. “I will leave the men for you on my way out! Now let me go!”
The Chief held Roko for one more moment and then let go. Roko scrambled quickly to his feet, turning one last time to face the Chief.
“You may have the upper hand now, but one day, we will meet in battle.” Roko paused, his voice burning with wrath. “When that day comes, I shall have your head on a stick!” He stormed out of the room, slamming the doors behind him.
Arias returned his blade to its sheath and walked over to the Chief. “He is wicked, but correct. The day is approaching when we will meet him in battle.”
“And when that day comes, I will be ready.”
“We will all be ready.”
◆◆◆
Alia waited impatiently outside the door. She could hardly hear any sounds coming from the room in front of her. It was too quiet for comfort. Roko had made a mistake going in alone, she was sure of it. The doors swung open. Roko stormed out of the room, fuming. “Alia! W
e are leaving. Now!” He stormed passed her. The drones followed. Alia hurried after him. “What happened in there? What did he say?”
“What he said is of no importance to you! Your mission is to keep me safe.”
“Well in order to keep you safe I need to know what threatens you!”
“Nothing threatens me! I am the most powerful man in the world!”
Alia walked in front of Roko, blocking his path.
“You went in there with three drones and came out with none. Something happened. If you want my bloody help, you need to tell me what the hell’s going on.”
Roko’s eyes burned. “Alia I am a calm man. However, there are two things which make me very angry. One, when people dig for my secrets, and two, when people stand in my way. If you still care about your sister, you will step aside this instant.”
Alia couldn’t believe her ears. She stepped aside, trying to deduce what had happened as he passed. The Chief was devotedly anti-war. What, then, was the Chief able to use against him? How was the Chief able to destroy Roko’s three drones? Whatever Roko wanted from the Chief, it must have been even bigger than his ego.
As they walked, they passed by many Shadow guards and servants. Alia looked them in the eye. One of the Shadows caught her attention. Young and strong, with braided hair but no sword his eyes followed Alia as she walked.
He was once a warrior, she thought, seeing his hand grasping his belt where a sword no longer lay. Forcefully discharged and shamed. He slouches, walks with his head low. Daring, but smart. In his heart he is rebellious, but he is trying to change. Hoping for a second chance. What gives him that desire to change, despite his clear thirst for vengeance? He must have been offered a way out. He must have connections...this could be my chance to undo whatever damage Roko has done.
Alia headed over to the man, who looked up in alarm as she approached. She was immediately surrounded by Shadow guards. One of them shouted at her. “Keep moving!”
“Calm down.” Alia spoke, her voice soft and hypnotic. “The Chief asked me to pass on a message.”
“You-you can’t-the Chief...” He hesitated, slightly confused. “You have a minute to give him your message, no more.” Alia took a step closer to the former warrior. He spoke, his voice quiet, trying to hide his intrigue with apathy. “What do you want?”
“What is your name?”
“What do you care?”
“I’m interested.”
“There’s nothing interesting about me. I am shamed.”
“I know how it feels.” Alia looked at the man, her eyes revealing her sincerity.
“What do you know?”
“I have been at the bottom before.”
“You walk beside Roko, the most powerful man on Earth.”
“Only a month ago I walked the streets. Look at my eyes. Am I lying?”
The man looked into her eyes, finding nothing but honesty. “How did you do it?”
“It’s simple. You find the highest rung on the ladder, and you reach for it. You feed the ones on top whatever crap they want, build their trust, and then you pass them, blinded by their own bloated egos.” That struck a chord with him.
“Time’s up!”
“Remember,” Alia said, manipulating him with her power. “ladders can be different sizes. The highest rung on one may be higher than the highest of the other. Don’t be afraid to switch ladders.” The man was completely under her spell. The guard grabbed Alia’s shoulders and pushed her back in line. “Now move! Hurry!”
Alia moved to obey, when she heard the man’s voice from behind her. “Wait!” Alia turned. “My name is Raja.”
Alia smiled slyly at him. “I hope to see you soon, Raja.” As she walked back towards the group, a devious smile of content spread across her face.
◆◆◆
The Chief waited anxiously in his throne room, knowing that any moment Roko could reconsider. His Guard stood close. They tensed at a knock at the door.
“My Chief, a message.” Around him the Guard drew their swords. “You may enter.”
Gore and Bastion opened the doors, revealing a Shadow messenger at the entrance.
“Permission to speak, my Chief?”
“Permission granted.”
“Roko has left Shadow territory, along with his guards. The warriors searched every inch of the School and fields. He left behind no soldier or drone, aside from the six soldiers you requested. Two Readers, three Absorbers, and one Builder. They have been taken to the prison.”
“Thank you, you are dismissed.”
“Yes, my Chief.” The messenger bowed and exited. The Chief stood up and took a deep breath. He was very lucky they didn’t see Sarah. What concerned him more than anything was how Roko had managed to invade so easily.
He stopped his guards as they closed the doors. The Chief headed down the corridor to the stone staircase to its second highest level. There was a door guarded by twenty heavily armed warriors. They stepped aside, allowing him to pass through the door and into the war room.
Large and circular, the room was filled with shelves stuffed with books on war strategy and history. Ancient weaponry hung from the walls. On the ceiling was an elaborate mosaic of an ancient Enlai battle, depicting war with Shifters. Maps and blueprints of enemy fortresses were strewn across tables. Arias spoke to three warriors. Noticing the Chief, they went silent.
“Arias, have you learned yet how Roko managed to invade our borders undetected?”
“We have an idea. Unfortunately, it is a cause for great worry.” The words hung heavy in the air between them. “Roko could not have come in through the main entrance. Our warriors in the valley claim they saw nothing.”
“Perhaps Roko had his Readers wipe our warriors’ memories?”
“Not even Roko’s greatest Readers would be able to do that. There are too many warriors in Shadow Valley.”
“Then how did they pass through the valley?”
“That is precisely the point, my Chief. They didn’t.”
“Arias. Are you implying that there is a hole in the illusion?”
“Unfortunately, that is the only way. What worries me even more is that Roko was able to locate the hole within seconds of his arrival. Unless it was he who caused it. If so, he could invade however he pleases. The illusion is useless against him.”
“To be sure that Roko made the hole, we must find it.”
“It shouldn’t take us too long.” Arias brought the Chief’s attention to the model of the school before him. “Nobody on the west side of the castle saw or heard anything. He must have come from either the Northeast or the Southeast. Once on the grounds, his drones captured anyone who spotted them. They even surrounded entire towns including Terras, which contains a thousand Shadow farmers. Our warriors were notified not soon after the capture of the first village. The drones had been ordered not to harm anything or anyone. While the drones kept our warriors distracted, Roko managed to bring a smaller group past our first rank fields and into the castle. In truth, the details of his invasion were very intricately planned. The entire operation took less than fifteen minutes, which was when the news reached you.”
“I would like to hear further details of his strategy at a later time. We must organize search groups immediately. Add reinforcements on all fronts, in case Roko broke through the illusion. He may do so again.” The Chief turned to leave the room, his guards followed. Arias hurried to the Chief’s side before he left. “Yuran, wait.” His Chief paused, looking impatient. “I can take care of this. You have only one day remaining.”
“I cannot sacrifice the safety of the entire tribe for my quest to save only one, even if it is my sister. It is unjust.”
“This is no longer just about your sister. Persuading the child to help may very well save the entire world. We know after today more than ever what Roko is capable of. Even if you hadn’t come to an agreement with him, he would have invaded our land to steal the mirror. Perhaps if the girl goes with you into th
e mirror, you can find not only your sister, but also Roko’s secret. I can organize the warriors. I will find the hole. You must go with the girl.”
He put his hand on Arias’s shoulder. “Thank you, my friend.”
Arias nodded in return.
The Chief turned toward the door once again and passed through.
Chapter Sixteen
Memories
The School of Socrates
July 19
1:30 p.m.
Sarah shook with fear and kept her head buried in a pillow. She had watched him kill. The man that Maximus had spoken to her about so many times. The man that murdered his father. She had seen Roko.
I’m the most wanted orphan around, she thought sarcastically. Roko wants me, the Chief wants me, Maximus wants me…but I only trust Maximus.
Sarah closed her eyes and tried to remain calm. If Roko killed the Chief, he would hunt her down. He would not give her a choice. He didn’t give those warriors a choice. Tears trickled down her face.
“Sarah.” The Chief walked into the room and sat down at the end of the bed. “Why do you cry? It has ended, Roko has left. He shall not take you.”
“Until when!?” Sarah answered, choking back tears. “Until you’re done with me? What makes you any better than him? He wants to use me, and you want to use me! How do I know you won’t hand me over to Roko when you’re finished?”
“Sarah, I would never give you over to that monster. I promise to do everything in my power to keep you from him. Even if that means war.”
“What makes you different?” Sarah shook her head as she wiped her tears. She looked the Chief in the eyes. “How can I trust you?”
“Come, child. I shall show you.” The Chief offered Sarah his hand. Sarah hesitated, glaring sternly at him. “This is your last chance.”
Sarah took his hand. She followed the Chief down the hallway and then the staircase, heading towards the school’s entrance. Large groups of Shadows scurried through the halls, transporting weapons and equipment. Gore and Bastion opened the school’s doors. This was the first time Sarah had been outside since they captured her. The warriors that practiced here were much more skilled than the ones she had watched from her window. These warriors were fast, accurate, and deadly. They made no mistakes.
