by Noah Michael
Raiden nodded and sprinted towards the mirror, rocks and lava collapsing all around him. Sarah watched, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Raiden dove towards the mirror as the ceiling cracked above him. The lava burst up, the entire ceiling crashed down. The cave blew up in a violent inferno, incinerating everything within as its fiery wrath poured outwards into the heavens.
Chapter Twenty-eight
The Return
The Shadow Kingdom
July 28
3 p.m.
“Sir! You must come immediately!” The warrior rushed excitedly into the tent where Montis and Arias sat planning their defense strategy.
“I’m sorry, warrior, but I am busy,” Arias replied.
“The Chief has returned!”
“Well I’ll be damned,” Montis muttered in disbelief. “The Chief really did it. First one in history to come back from that thing alive.”
◆◆◆
“Arias!” Bastion rushed out of the treasury room to greet him, brimming with excitement.
“Bastion, is it true!?”
“He has returned, and all in one piece!” The two of them rushed into the treasury room.
“I’m okay, I promise,” Sarah said as the medics checked her every limb. Maximus lay on a stretcher to be carried to the infirmary. The Chief sat as the medics tended to his wounded leg. The Chief looked up as Arias walked in.
“Yuran! You have returned!” Yuran smiled at him and the two embraced. “For a moment I believed I had lost you, brother,” Arias whispered.
“It takes more than a mirror to get rid of me,” Yuran replied.
Arias laughed then his expression turned serious. “And your family, did you…”
“My father has passed, as should have been expected after all this time.”
“My condolences.”
“Thank you. But there is still hope for Mara. She passed through the other side of the mirror. I’m not sure what that means, nor where it took her, but wherever it was, the human has passed through as well and is searching. He has with him the power to bring them both back.”
Arias put his hand on Yuran’s shoulder. “She will return, Yuran.”
“I know. I am no longer afraid.” Yuran looked into Arias’s eyes. “There is something you’re hiding from me, brother. Something has happened.”
“Roko has invaded. He brought with him all at his disposal.”
“That monster! What damage has he caused so far?”
“He conquered the mountaintop. We managed to take it back, but at great cost. Less than half of our forces remain. We accessed the forbidden weaponry, but our arrows are running low. They outnumber us tremendously, even without their aerial force.”
“This is my fault! I should never have left!”
“You could not have known this was coming, Yuran. We were betrayed. But it would do much to the morale of the troops to see their Chief’s face, to know he has returned.”
The Chief nodded. “There is one thing I must do first.” He walked over to Sarah and leaned down to speak with her. “Sarah, I know the sacrifice you made, back in the mirror. That took incredible bravery. Thank you, on behalf of my people and on behalf of all the people on this Earth, for the decision you made. You saved the world.”
“It was nothing,” she said softly. “Like I said, I already have a family.”
The Chief smiled back at her. “You know Sarah, when this is all over, perhaps you can come and visit. I can teach you to wield a sword, and we can pick some plush plums in the fields.”
“I would like that.”
The Chief stood up, beaming. He walked back to Arias, and they exited the treasury.
“I was wondering, Yuran. What’s with the new sword?” Arias asked as they walked.
“A gift from an old friend.”
“Why have you decided to wield it instead of the Chief’s blade?”
“Oh, you shall see.”
◆◆◆
“Their ranks seem to never end...”
“You should have seen them prior to our previous victory.” Arias stood with the Chief upon the mountaintop, overlooking Roko’s troops, discussing their movements. “The enemy seems more active than usual. They are preparing their next attack.” Drones could be seen moving back and forth between the enemy tents, delivering messages and supplies.
“Have you considered launching an offensive of our own?”
“They outnumber us immensely. On the defensive we at least have the advantage of the mountaintop.” The two of them paused again, looking out at horizon in silence.
“My Chief, you have returned!” Montis hurried happily to the Chief and kneeled before him.
“Rise, Commander. As always, you have managed to keep the mountaintops, against all odds. I am very impressed. You bring me much honor.”
“Thank you, my Chief,” Montis beamed with pride.
“And where is Suria?”
“He is down defending the valley. His forces have taken very few losses. Roko has made no attempt to take the valley.”
“Well I’m afraid that’s about to change.”
All eyes turned towards the voice. Montis’s face turned bright red with fury. “How dare you step foot on my mountain again!? I’ll take your head you piece of Roko scum!” Montis drew his blade and charged at Alia, fuming with anger. She watched calmly as he rushed forwards, making no motion to flee.
“Montis hold back!” Arias commanded.
“Draw your bloody weapon and fight, woman!” Montis roared, and he slashed his blade lightly across her torso, drawing blood.
“I won’t fight you,” Alia stated calmly.
“Coward!” Montis yelled with frenzy, and he punched her hard in the face. Alia stumbled back from the blow. Blood dripped from her nose.
“Montis, I said hold back! That’s an order!” Arias demanded.
“Never!” Montis swung his sword at Alia’s neck, his anger uncontrollable. The Chief emerged from the ground in front of Alia, parried the blow with his blade.
“Montis, you bring dishonor to your name with this disobedience,” Yuran growled.
“My Chief, you don’t understand-”
“Silence, Montis! Return to your post, now!”
Montis hesitated, then put down his sword and stormed off towards the ranks of troops.
The Chief turned around, facing Alia. She stared back at him.
“Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t have allowed my commander to kill you.”
“My Chief, she has had a change of heart,” Arias vouched. “I witnessed her fleeing from Roko on a stolen helicopter. She saved Atara’s life, sacrificed her own freedom for it. She even made an attempt on Roko’s life.”
The Chief turned towards Alia. “Is this true?”
“Roko is a monster. He wants to massacre your people down to the last child, and I won’t be a part of it. I have nothing against your people.”
“Then why were you with him to begin with? How much was he paying you?”
“I worked for him under duress. Now, I have as much reason as you to win this war. If Roko leaves this battlefield alive, he’ll rip my entire life away from me. The only thing in this world I still care about.”
“Are you sure about this, Arias?” the Chief whispered.
“With all my heart.
The Chief hesitated. “Your aid would be much appreciated, as you are familiar with Roko’s strategy and tactics.”
“Thank you. A small group of elite men have followed me against Roko. They are waiting at the base of the mountain, surrounded by your warriors.”
“Your men will be welcomed as well. However, if you betray us, I will kill you.”
“I have no doubt of that,” she replied.
“What were you saying about an attempt to break through the valley?” Arias interrupted.
Alia turned towards the enemy encampments. “During one of my training exercises, I commanded a team of twenty men through a very thin
and dangerous valley. Roko wants to recreate that battle. He will force through the valley with an unbreakable wall, probably a combination of fire, force-fields, and artillery tanks. At the same time, he’ll send up the wasps to distract and weaken your archers on the mountaintops.”
“If this strategy is so effective, then why did you not attempt it earlier?” Arias asked.
“It’s costly. Your men would’ve inflicted horrible casualties onto Roko’s. Once you destroyed the shield, we figured we would take fewer losses going through the mountaintop than cutting through the valley. When I invented the strategy with my men, the enemy was much smaller, their weaponry and defenses less developed. It’s never smart to go through a valley surrounded by the enemy’s archers. But Roko has nothing to lose. He’s angry and impatient. He doesn’t want to plan another strike against the mountain. He wants to crush you quickly and totally, no matter the cost.”
“If we can eliminate enough drones during the valley march, perhaps we can defeat them in the villages,” Arias proposed.
“Perhaps...” Alia replied, “But don’t underestimate the power of his army. They were built for large-scale conquer. Those tanks will bring your school to the ground in a matter of minutes.”
“Then we shall destroy the tanks as a priority inside the valley. They are large and easy to hit,” Arias said.
“Let’s offer these recommendations to Suria,” Yuran interrupted. “Arias, bring in Alia’s men. Question each of them thoroughly and personally to ensure their loyalty. I will head to the valley guard to meet with Suria and begin the preparations for a defensive battle. Join us when you have finished.”
“Yes, my Chief,” Arias bowed and left.
“Alia, come with me.” The Chief headed towards the valley, followed by Alia.
“There’s something you should know,” Alia said as they walked.
“And what is that?”
“Roko can’t be killed.”
“That has been said of many men before I killed them.”
“No, you don’t understand. He isn’t Enlai.”
“Then what is he?”
“I don’t know, maybe a drone, like the rest of them. I swear I killed him. I stabbed him and threw him off the cliff of the mountain.”
“If Roko was a drone, that would mean there was someone above him. Someone giving even him his commands. I find that hard to believe.”
“There are very few things I find hard to believe these days...”
When they reached the mountain cliff, the Chief turned to Alia. “Are you ready?”
She nodded. He grasped her arm and dove into the ground, pulling her in with him. Their shadows traveled down the walls of the valley, emerging at the bottom. The valley was dark and surrounded tremendous walls, haunted with a sea of shadows, carefully watching each and every movement in the valley. Some of them followed the Chief and Alia as they walked.
“My Chief, I wish you a welcoming return.” Suria and Atara emerged from the ground.
“Suria, you never cease to disappoint. Despite the relative calm in the valley, your defenses seem very good, and you have not let down your guard.”
“Thank you, my Chief. And who is our new guest, if I may ask?”
“Oh, good. I hoped you wouldn’t recognize her face.” Alia stepped out from the shadows. Atara’s eyebrows rose in surprise, but she didn’t utter a word.
“My name is Alia. I am a Reader and ex-general of Roko’s army.”
Suria gazed suspiciously at Alia. “It is okay, Suria,” said Yuran. “She can be trusted.”
Suria relaxed a bit. “What warning do you bring, Reader?” he asked.
“Roko’s next attack won’t be on the mountain. He’ll hit the valley, and he’ll hit it hard.”
“I dare him. I have sixty archers waiting at different points all along the valley. My warriors have eyes in every corner. I have thousands of warriors trained specifically for close combat, more than enough to defend such a thin valley. Roko’s men would be obliterated.”
“You underestimate him. Your arrows will run out combating the wasps from the air.”
“Montis’s men can deal with the wasps from the outside.”
“Not if they’re busy with Roko’s two remaining Destroyer drones armed with shield pillars. They alone could distract Montis’s entire army.”
“What do you wish to convince me of, Reader? That I should give up?”
“I want you to understand what you’re up against. Prepare your men for the toughest, bloodiest battle they’ve ever fought.”
“When do you believe he shall strike?” the Chief cut in.
“Could be hours, could be minutes.”
“Suria, prepare your men and keep. Alia, we must return to the mountaintop.” Alia nodded and followed the Chief back into the valley wall.
Suria turned towards Atara. “I will prepare the men. Guard the valley entrance. Make sure nothing gets in or out.”
“Yes sir,” Atara said. She reached the entrance of the valley. A team of fifty warriors and archers stood guarding the entrance, carefully scouting the movements of the enemy. As she approached, the men straightened, one even saluted her. The sentry commander walked forward, a tall, lean warrior, known to have the best eye sight of all the army.
“Has there been any movement, Yuriel?”
“Nothing significant to report upon.”
“Keep watching. We’re expecting something. Something big.”
◆◆◆
“My Chief, I have finished with Alia’s men.” Arias walked over to the Chief, overlooking the enemy encampments. “They have all been approved.”
“Can I have my captain then?” Alia asked.
“Your troops will be placed under your direct command.” Yuran responded. “However, you shall answer to me.” He turned to Arias, “Has Montis prepared his men?”
“Everything is in place, my Chief,” he replied.
“Good.”
“Chief,” Alia said, directing his attention back towards the enemy. Dozens of helicopters appeared in the distance, approaching the enemy encampment.
“Are those battleships?”
“They’re armed, but they’re used primarily for transport.”
“You told me that Roko had already brought with him every soldiers and drone at his disposal.”
“He did...” Alia looked up at the helicopters, puzzled. “No...he wouldn’t...” she gasped.
The helicopters landed. The doors opened. Out of the helicopters marched dozens of humans, held by drones at gunpoint. The humans cried and shook in fear, among them women, children, and elderly.
The Chief watched, disgusted. “What is this? He brings humans to fight? It is against the Shadow code of honor to fight a human!”
“They’re not importing them as soldiers...” Alia said grimly, “They’re importing them as shields.”.
“They are preparing the advance,” Arias warned, “They will march the humans through the valley. Either we shoot them down, or we allow them to stroll right into the heart of our kingdom.”
“Arias, evacuate the towns closest to the valley.”
“Sir, you are not truly considering-”
“We shall not become like them, Arias!” the Chief snapped.
“Arias is right,” Alia argued, “If you do this, Roko will break through and slaughter every last one of you.”
“The humans have done no wrong! What makes their lives less valuable than those of our villagers?” Yuran insisted. “We shall not slay the innocent. Such is the decision of the Chief.
“Yes sir,” Arias said uncertainly. “I will go evacuate the villages.”
The Chief turned to one of the warriors. “Bring Suria to me as quickly as you can.”
“Yes, my Chief.” The warrior dove into the ground and hurried down the rock wall.
“Alia, go and prepare your men. They should be waiting with Montis’s troops to fight with Suria’s men at the end of the valley after Roko’s
drones pass through.”
“What about the humans? They’ll be caught in the middle of the fighting.”
“I can take care of the humans. You focus on destroying Roko and his drones.”
Alia nodded and ran off to find her men.
“Chief, what’s happening?” Suria emerged from the ground before the Chief.
“Roko has begun his advance, carrying human shields. Evacuate the entire valley. Place your troops at its exit. Prepare for a final battle in the villages.”
“This is madness! I cannot simply watch Roko march through my valley!” Suria protested.
“You can, and you must,” the Chief demanded.
Suria’s face filled with anger, but he obeyed. “I shall inform the troops,” he growled.
***
“Atara! I see something!” a warrior called.
Atara ran over to the scout. “What is it?”
“Hundreds of drones! No, thousands! The entire army approaches!”
“We need to warn Suria immediately!” Atara turned only to find Suria already there.
“I already know.” His expression was grave. “We are evacuating the valley.”
“What? Without a fight?”
“The enemy carries human shields. The Chief demands we evacuate.”
“There must be something we can do! We cannot watch our valley fall!” Atara protested.
“We must do as the Chief commands,” Suria muttered coldly. Rocks tumbled down from above them as lasers shot towards the warriors. “We must evacuate, now!” Suria commanded
With a heavy heart, Atara turned towards the men. “You heard your commander,” she said reluctantly, all eyes on her. “Evacuate.”
They jumped into the ground and moved through the surface of the valley, joining with a sea of Shadows, all moving in the same direction. They emerged from the ground at the end of the valley where Suria worked to rearrange the troops. Drones barged through the valley, dragging along the humans. Children screamed for their parents, parents searched frantically for their children. One drone carried in its arms a baby. Men fought to break free. Some were beaten. Others were shot.
