by Nathan Parks
Leah nodded, “Yes. If something happens that we need you, someone will come and get you.”
The two Vapors watched as she walked out of the room.
Leah turned to Zarius, “She is not the same teenager that we lost.”
“No, she is not. There is an air of maturity about her that she did not have before.”
“Clearly!”
Chapter Forty-Five
“All comms have been checked and are working correctly. Troy has already started issuing weapons and supplies to those who are going to back up Gabriel and Nemamiah,” Jackie reported to Ki.
The Alliance leader looked up from his tablet that was lying on the table.
“Wow! That was quick!”
Gideon grinned at his team leader, “Told you that she would be an asset.”
Ki rolled his eyes and shook his head.
“Jackie, thank you. To the rest of you, what else do we need to do in order to get the team ready to back up the Council members?”
Bristol tapped at several things on her tablet and then looked up at one of the many screens around the room.
“If you look up at what I just pulled up, Ki, you will see that we have three squads of eight members each. Each are well-equipped and are seasoned warriors. They will get their defensive positions from Gabriel and Nemamiah.
“We have one team that went through Patmos about an hour ago for some reconnaissance, as well as to make sure that any other inhabitants of Scintillantes are safe and secure.
“We can only assume that any assault will come through the Hall of Heroes. We know there are several Patmos gates that are unaccounted for, and we believe that there is a chance that is where the Fallen will come through. The only caveat to that is if Michael is leading them—which is a possibility—then who knows how he may bring them through? We don’t think he will be with this attack team, though. Gabriel believes he will be with the assault teams attacking Eden; he has a vendetta against his brother and will want to personally be the one to go head-to-head with him.”
“Ok, good to hear. Thanks, Bristol. Anyone else?” He looked around at the table of Alliance members, “Oh, the team this morning . . . were they able to get more than one at a time through Patmos?”
“Yes, and the whole squad actually was able to go through a lot faster than we had hoped,” Gideon answered, “so, once we get the green light from you, we will start heading to Scintillantes. I believe the Eden team stated that Nemamiah and Gabriel should already be there now.”
Ki thought for a moment before saying anything else. He looked around the table and then leaned forward.
“Listen, we all have been through a lot . . . even those who just joined this team. This is our time. Every fight before this has just been bootcamp, getting us ready for this moment right here. I have all the hope that each and every one of you will be returning to sit around this table, but the chances of that could very well not be in our favor. Before I green light this mission, I want to let you know that I believe in each of you . . . your talent, ability, and skill. We are family.”
“Hear! Hear!” came from many voices around the table; others nodded in agreement.
“Ok!” Ki stood up. “Let’s go do this!”
* * * * *
About an hour later, several squads stood inside the Hall of Heroes. Ki, Troy, Gideon, and Bristol were each leading a squad with several other higher-ranking Alliance members finishing out the leadership of the remaining squads.
The two Council members had met them beside the statue of Alfonso. The full magnitude of a much larger expansion of the universe was setting into the hearts and minds of many of the mortal members of the squad as they looked around at sites which only a handful of mortal men and women had ever seen.
“Ki, we can’t thank you enough for your help,” Gabriel said gratefully.
As she turned, she realized that every single Alliance fighter was giving her their full attention. She felt overwhelming pride and, at the same time, apprehension for this moment.
“Today marks the start of an end, but also the start of a new beginning. For too long we have held separate lines of existence. Mortals stood beside us, but I am sad and embarrassed to say that most Eternals stood with an aloofness that never allowed an honest and respectful understanding of each other. This moment—here and now—we fight for the existence of both Mortal and Immortal. Today we are equals; no longer should we accept any belief that any one of us, Mortal or Immortal, are better than the other. Each of us has strengths and unique abilities that, when brought together, we are stronger for it. The biggest strength that we all share in common is the love and passion to defend those who are unable to defend themselves. We stand united together, willing to sacrifice ourselves for a purpose greater than ourselves. Let no Mortal or Immortal forget what we do here and in Eden today. Let no one say that when the call went out, no one answered. We have answered!”
A roar echoed through the Hall of Heroes and shook the windows. Victory may come at a cost, but each understood it was a cost that each and every one present was willing to pay so that others need not to.
Each squad leader rallied their teams and began getting ready. They didn’t know when the attack would come, but they did know that it would not take them by surprise.
Gideon and Bristol’s teams were in charge of guarding the Council Hall. This would most likely be the ultimate, designated target by the Fallen; it represented the complete authority and governing body of Scintillantes. Ki and Troy were with their squads, hidden within and around the Hall of Heroes, waiting for an initial assault.
“Jackie is a doll, by the way,” Bristol stated in a thick Irish accent as she attempted small talk. “You two are good together . . . very well-balanced.”
Gideon laughed, “I agree and thank you for the compliment; but if you are looking for conversation, you don’t have to use the ‘nice weather today’ tactic.”
She punched his arm.
“Then let’s dig deeper. Are you ready to die today?”
He spun his head around and looked at her, “Ok, so maybe not that deep. Sheesh!”
“Well, aren’t you a picky conversationalist?”
“No, just a warrior; and right now, to answer your deep and concerning question, I am not ready to die. I’m ready to help Fallen die for their cause.”
“Fair enough,” she stated.
She looked out over the lawns and areas that stretched into beautiful landscaping from the base of the stairs leading into the Council Hall. For a moment, she just took it in; and then the silence was interrupted as her voice began a melodic tune filling up the pillared entrance to the Council Hall and rolling out over the landscape:
“Sinne Fianna Fáil,
atá faoi gheall ag Éirinn,
Buíon dár slua
thar toinn do ráinig chugainn,
Faoi mhóid bheith saor
Seantír ár sinsear feasta,
Ní fhágfar faoin tíorán ná faoin tráill.
Anocht a théam sa bhearna baoil,
Le gean ar Ghaeil, chun báis nó saoil,
Le gunna scréach faoi lámhach na bpiléar,
Seo libh canaídh amhrán na bhfiann.”
Gideon could feel the words reaching in to rally his soul.
“That was beautiful!”
“It is the national anthem of Ireland, and it talks about being warriors joined together with the understanding that they are free. In order to be free, they must fight.”
“We are free to die or live, and I choose to live in that freedom.”
Bristol smiled as she leaned against one of the many pillars.
“Freedom.”
There was a loud sound from the direction of the Hall of Heroes that caught both of their attentions. They both dropped down, each behind a different pillar. Gideon checked both of the squads’ positions and was satisfied with the strategic setup.
“Ki, we just heard commotion from your area. Everything good? Over.�
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There was no response right away, and then they both heard Ki’s voice come over their earpieces, “We are good. Almost took a squad of Nephelium out.”
“Nephelium?”
“Yup, we just gained two more squads of reinforcements.”
Gideon looked over at Bristol to see her reaction. He knew he didn’t fully trust Kadar and his Clan, but it seemed others higher than him had decided to roll the dice.
“What do you think, Bristol?”
She grimaced, “Your call, Boss.”
He thought about it for a moment and then radioed the Alliance leader back, “Send us a few, but keep the bulk with you. I guess if they aren’t willing to fight up front, then we know we don’t want them as the last line of defense. Over.”
“Roger that. Out.” Ki responded.
A few minutes later the two squad leaders watched as three figures headed their way. Gideon quickly placed them on a few different outlying posts. The hurry-up-and-wait had started.
Chapter Forty-Six
The scene at Eden was not much different than the scene that Ki and the Sanctum team faced. The Eden team had strategically hidden different weapons throughout the estate, and Zarius had secured the delta. Tanisha was shown a room that was down in the basement of Eden where she would keep an eye on Lano and Lada.
Kadar, so far, had stayed true to his word. He had shown up with a handful of Nephelium and assured the team that he had also sent several to join the Sanctum team.
Serenity and Chad had quickly set up wireless cameras inside and outside the building. They gave mobile devices to Leah, Eve, Zarius, Isaiah, and Kadar so that everyone had visual on different strategic points. Gene had agreed to monitor the computers from the Command Center, which is where they all currently stood.
“To say that these last few days have been rough is an understatement,” Zarius addressed them. “There will be plenty of time after all of this to mourn, to rest, to even just not do anything. Right now, we all need to have our head in this present moment, not the past nor the future. We all come from different backgrounds. We all have our struggles with trust and ease of working with each other.”
He stopped and looked at Kadar, as well as at Eve and Leah.
“But at this moment, we are on the same team, fighting the same fight; and we will need to remember that. By the end of this, I cannot promise we all will be standing together still. Yes, that is our hope, and we will count it as a blessing if that is the case; but the truth is that we may not. We must remember that we do this together—united.”
As Zarius finished, Kadar stepped forward. His jaw was set, and his stance was firm but balanced.
“I need to say something before all of this goes down. I know who I am. My Clan has no doubt who we are and what we represent. I also have no doubt that each and every one of you know the same about yourselves. You also have your preconceived notion about us; we accept that. I know there are some who even question my motives, and I can appreciate that.
“What I want to say to all of you is this: we became what we are out of necessity and a long line of belief that we could not be anything more than what we were created to be.”
He stopped and looked at the handful of Nephelium that stood mingled with the group.
“We do not expect any of you to change your opinion, but I need you to know that we are here because we want to be here. Sure, I would be lying if I didn’t already think about all the ways this could play out and the benefit to my kind.”
Eve had to smile inside. She had expected him to say “our kind” and look at her, but he had actually kept her out of it. That was a change; and honestly, it surprised her.
Kadar continued, “What I need each of you to know is that those of us who stand beside you do so because we can’t count the times that we have been on the short end of the stick with the Clans, and that has made us realize that we are in control of our own destiny. Yes, maybe we were created from the unholy union of Marduk and his priestess, but just because we have come from something unholy doesn’t mean that where we have come from needs to be where we end up.”
Leah stood, not sure if she was buying any of this. Kadar had been in the thick of many of the twisted and mind-boggling betrayals that she had known. She couldn’t find it in her to believe that he and his group had an epiphany all of a sudden; but at least she believed that, no matter his reason, they were here to help.
“Hate to break up the therapy session,” Gene came across the earpieces of each member, “but I believe we may have some company.”
Zarius quickly pulled out his mobile device and pulled up the live video feed. He could see a figure moving toward the building. Suddenly, the figure divided into several, each moving in a different direction around the building.
“By the looks of it, we have pulled the short straw on who gets Legion! Chad and Serenity, if you two can work the front of the building. Leah, you and Eve,” he raised his hand to stifle any objection, “you two will cover the back area.”
Zarius turned to Kadar, “How do you want to handle your people? I am trusting you, and so you tell me how you want me to direct your team.”
Kadar nodded, clear appreciation for the respect shown written on his face.
“I appreciate that; but we are here for you, so you tell us where you want us to go.”
“If you and Isaiah could be our reserve—fill in where we need you—then I will allow your team to do what they do best: blend in. I am sure my brother will seek me out, and I am also certain that they will not be expecting us to have Nephelium present.”
Kadar smiled, “No, I am sure they will not.”
“Where would you like me?”
Zarius turned and looked at Victoria. He had forgotten that she was with them. He didn’t know how to answer that question. He knew that the young girl wanted to help, but he was also not sure how much she could be trusted. He felt torn in thinking that, but he also wasn’t sure how much of Victoria was still there and if there was any Legion still threaded through her being.
“Tori . . .”
“Listen, I get it. I can’t even explain what I am right now, and I understand the fear and apprehension that you all may have. But the way I look at it is that you have a few options: you can lock me up and let me ride this out, hoping that Legion doesn’t rise up within me; you can just keep me out of it all, and let me roam around, hoping that Legion doesn’t reveal himself; . . . then there is the other option.”
“What would that be?” Serenity asked.
“Let me stand beside you all, and . . .”
“Hope Legion doesn’t contort your body like a human pretzel again?” Chad laughed.
“Pretty much,” Tori snickered.
“Tori, I want you with Leah and Eve,” Zarius stated flatly, not even speaking to the concerns of Legion.
She was right, but he didn’t want her to feel left out. She had been left out of so much in her life, and Gabriel and Nemamiah didn’t leave him with the idea that she would be a concern. He also knew that if Legion wasn’t fully gone from inside of her, that he would rather have Leah and Eve close by. They both could handle themselves.
Leah looked at Zarius. She could tell what he was thinking and nodded.
“We will take her.” She looked at Eve and Tori, “Let’s go.”
The teams divided up and went to their designated areas. Kadar and Zarius were left alone standing by Etz Chaim.
“I heard what you said, Kadar.”
The Nephelium stood looking up at the large tree. He could not explain the feeling that it created deep within him. He felt connected to it—felt truly connected to something for the first time in his existence. It startled him some; he felt out of control standing next to the rich and noble centerpiece of Eden.
“I know you did. Like I said, I understand where the feelings about us lie with everyone. Those feelings were earned.”
“They were, but I also have not had much to do with your kind; so,
I wanted to share something with you.”
Kadar turned to Zarius and looked at him questioningly.
“Hit me.”
“Everyone has a moment of truth in their existence. I have heard of the things you have done, and I can’t judge you. I am far from the one to stand and judge you. What I have done before choosing the path I am on now could be rated up there with the stories told about you and the Nephelium. So, I won’t judge you based upon stories; I will judge you today based upon you.
“When we are faced with our moment of truth, we will be required to make a decision. That decision, as Eve knows all too well, is our free will, knowing that can empower us to greatness or doom us to a continuing downward spiral of destruction.
“It doesn’t matter what I believe about you. What matters is what you believe and what you do.”
“Yeah, Mortals have a saying: actions speak louder than words,” Kadar responded to the Vapor.
“I would have to agree with that. So, I ask you to show me your actions today and allow me to judge you based upon those actions.”
“I can agree to that.”
Zarius turned and looked the Nephelium leader straight in the eyes.
“But, know this: judging will be the last thing you need to worry about if you double-cross us. You have stood with the mightiest of Fallens. You have even taken out your own Clan leader, but do not doubt me when I say that you have never met anyone with the vicious tenacity that I can have to defend those I love.”
Kadar smiled, “I hear you loud and clear, Zarius; and I have no doubts.”
Chapter Forty-Seven
It had been a good bit of time since Mantus had prepared for a battle, but he could feel his body drinking in the hunger and desire to feel the spray of blood on his skin and the screams of the dying in his ears.
“Take the warrior from the battle, but the battle never leaves the warrior,” he whispered to himself.
“Are we ready?” Denora asked with a strong tone of impatience.
Mantus nodded, “Lead the way.”
