by Damon Glatz
"Is there anything I need to do for you? Some form of exchange?"
Death placed his skeleton hand back inside his robe.
"You have already completed the task required."
Ohitekah paused for a moment.
What does that mean? The fact that I came this far? Or did I do something else without knowing it?
Ohitekah could hear the door grind open behind him, allowing him to leave. He struggled to turn around, there was more he wanted out of this meeting. The God of Death silently stood before him.
"What... What do you want out of this? What is your plan?"
The God did nothing for a moment. Even though he could not see them, he could feel his eyes staring into his soul.
"I want death."
Ohitekah stood up, holding Sierra in his arms.
"Why are you helping Falko? What is he to you?"
The God spoke slowly. His words carried a terrifying strength to them.
"Men are so easily persuaded by power. I am not helping Falko. Falko is merely a man and men are… nothing."
"You are helping him! You are showing his Oracle visions of how to find us!"
"I challenged him, just as you were challenged by your God. To kill my Mythic. He has proven himself to be a very loyal disciple. He will be given power. Meaningless, Earthly power... And in exchange, he will deliver to me what I want."
Ohitekah hesitated.
What he wants.
"Death? You want death! Death to who? To everyone? To all the people?"
"Mankind is nothing to me. Their lives fragile, their deaths meaningless. My vision is much greater." The God of the underworld lifted his hand to Ohitekah. "You are nothing more than pieces. Players in a game you have no knowledge or power over." Ohitekah felt himself being lifted into the air against his will. His body was frozen. "You think you have strength. You think you have the will. But compared to the Gods... You have nothing. And soon you will be nothing, just like them."
With a sudden force, Ohitekah was launched across the darkness and out of the doorway. He skidded to a halt and the doorway closed in front of him. Sierra was at his side.
Ohitekah stood up. Not sure of what he was being told.
A greater vision? What is he talking about? Why did he tell me these things?
He moved over and delicately lifted Sierra's soul.
Falko was challenged to kill the Earth Mythic. He has no way of defeating that monster. He's not nearly strong enough. I was barely able to defeat it.
Ohitekah froze. He looked down at Sierra's motionless soul in his arms.
Falko does not win by strength... He wins with strategy.
Ohitekah began to shake.
He had her killed so I would lead him here and defeat the Mythic for him.
Ohitekah exploded into a bright golden light that destroyed any shadows around him.
He knew... He planned all of this... He played me... He played all of us.
The Mythic of Thunder lifted into the air. His eyes were golden. His face in a rage.
"Falko!"
With a loud crack of thunder, Ohitekah exploded down the tunnel.
The smoke was thick in the cavern. Daisuke's fire attack erupted into the man a moment ago. Darius managed to stand again after the impact. He could see Daisuke at his side, waiting for the smoke to clear.
The attack seemed to hit the agent of Falko square on. The room was tense. No one was quite sure if he had died or not.
Unless he had Lance's cape, Daisuke thought to himself. No one could survive that attack.
The dark smoke began to dissipate. Daisuke squinted his eyes.
There was a tall wall of solid rock in the center of the Mythic. The barrier was not there before.
No.
With a loud grinding, the wall lowered itself back into the body of the stone giant. The nameless man stood alone on top of the monster's chest. He wore a proud grin.
He did it.
The new Mythic of Earth pulled his spear out of the heart of the mountain and planted it at his side.
“Falko himself trusted me with this spear, his spear.” The man looked around the room and smiled. “I have trained and tested for this day my whole life. I alone was selected for this mission. And now, I can perform my duty and give this power to my Emperor, I can finally fulfill my oath to live and die for the Emperor!”
Daisuke created another orb of fire in his hand and charged it. Not wasting a second.
"Oh, you are going to die for him alright." Daisuke launched his arm forward.
Before Daisuke’s attack was fired, three triangular walls shot out of the ground and formed a stone pyramid around him. Trapping the Fire Mythic inside. There was a muffled explosion from its core.
"I cannot let my death be sullied by your hand Daisuke, only my Emperor can grant me that honor." The Earth Mythic raised himself up on a stone tower that grew out of the chest of the dead giant. He lifted himself higher, towards the ceiling of the cave.
Darius stood in horror.
We failed. There’s nothing we can do to fight him now.
Falko's agent studied the men beneath him. He looked to the pyramid that Daisuke was locked in. It was beginning to glow red. He was melting it from the inside.
“Be grateful that you played a role in Emperor Falko’s master plan, not all men are granted such fortune.
The man glanced to the tunnel leading deeper into the cave. There was a slowly glowing golden light. The Thunder Mythic was on his way back.
I was instructed not to fight the Thunder Mythic.
He lifted his hand to the stone ceiling clenched his fist. The ceiling exploded. Light beamed in from the surface. The storm in the room that Ohitekah had created vanished as the cave began collapsing in on itself.
The Earth Mythic ascended his tower to rise through the hole in the cave. Lifting himself directly to the surface. The cave crashed around him. Darius and his men were forced to run to the exit. Ohitekah burst into the room. Through the chaos of the ceiling collapse, he could see him. The man sent by Falko to kill the Earth Mythic.
The man gave a farewell wave through the crashes of rocks impacting the ground. His platform lifted through the earth and up to the surface. Trapping them down in the Underworld.
Ohitekah rushed at him. The stone closed around the hole before he could reach the platform. Falko had won this time.
There was a loud explosion behind him. Ohitekah turned to it. Daisuke was there, standing in burning rubble.
"We need to get out," Daisuke said. He lifted into the air and flew to the exit. Ohitekah looked back to the closed ceiling. There was nothing he could do. Falko's men killed the Earth Mythic. And he got away with it.
He shook his head and flew next to Red.
"What happened?" He asked Red in an angry tone.
Red shook his head. "The guide you found was working for Falko, he tricked us. He followed us through the labyrinth and waited for you to leave while the Mythic was unable to move. I was still knocked out at the time."
Ohitekah scowled. "I can't believe it."
Red looked at Ohitekah's arms. "You found her?"
Ohitekah looked down at Sierra. It looked as if she was sleeping. "Yes, the God of the Underworld let me take her back."
Daisuke frowned.
"Did he say anything to you?"
Ohitekah glanced away.
"Yes."
Chapter Seventeen
The Price that was Paid
Sierra blinked her eyes open. She struggled to lift her head off the pillow. She looked around the room. She was in the Old Base in the dungeon. Darius was standing at the foot of her bed talking to Galius. He looked upset about something, they both did. Daisuke was in the corner of the room talking to Marcus, they were looking at a map. She slowly began to feel the warmth on her hand, though she was unable to move it. She struggled to look over, but there he was. Sitting beside her, Ohitekah.
"Wh-What' going on?" She asked delicate
ly.
"Our hideout was attacked," Ohitekah spoke softly. "We moved here."
She thought back. She remembered leaving the meeting. She and Darius walked back to their rooms. She wanted to grease the gears of her Mech Blade. That was it.
"Was anyone hurt?" She asked.
Ohitekah shook his head. "No. But..." He looked away.
"...And that’s the situation." Galius summed up the events of the past few days. Sierra stood up out of the bed and stretched. She shot a look at Ohitekah.
"You led Falko's men to the Mythic? You just handed him over to him? Like that!"
Ohitekah looked away.
"It was not Ohitekah's fault." Marcus stepped in. "He did what he thought he had to do."
"Our own brothers died. Falko became a Mythic. Just for me?" She stepped away from the group. "I wasn't worth it. You all fell into his plan and now he's that much stronger." Tears began to roll down her face. "I'm not that important!" She turned and ran out of the room. Ohitekah sat in his chair motionless. He could not lift his head. He could still feel her warm hand. Red watched him for a moment.
"She's upset." Red walked up to him. "We have all been through a lot. She blames herself for what happened. She's not mad at you."
"It is all my fault though." Ohitekah stood up. He began to say something else.
"Everything happens... For a reason." Red cut him off. "What happened in there... Was what needed to happen. You brought her back from Hell. That's what needed to happen. For better or worse." Daisuke turned away. He looked to Galius, they exchanged nods. He looked back to Ohitekah.
"I am leaving."
"What?" Ohitekah took a step towards him.
"Galius, the rest of the Order and I have spent some time talking. We believe Falko is going to begin his offensive soon. I am going to the North. I am going to meet with the Blood Red Spades there."
"Then what?"
Galius leaned into the conversation. "We believe Falko is going to invade the Plains first. It only makes sense. We have planned for a strategic counter-offensive."
"Counter-offensive? Is there a plan?" Ohitekah asked.
Red led him to a map of the world. He leaned over it and tapped his finger on Orbis.
"Falko will lead his armies out of the Capital, North. He will decimate the unorganized tribes as he marches to set up camps in the new territory. We need to stop him here." Ohitekah and Red exchanged glances. "There are a few elements to our strategy. The first is the most important. That is where you come in. You will be in charge of uniting the tribes, forming an army, and defending your land." Ohitekah squinted at the map. He tapped his fingers on the table, thinking about what that meant. "You are their Mythic, you can be their leader. Gather your men and stage a defense."
Ohitekah leaned back. "Would that even stop him?"
Red stood up. "It will defiantly do a lot of good, especially for your tribesmen. First of all, Falko's men will not be expecting a battle. They will be prepared for a long journey when they exit the city, not war. Second, it will show to the North that the plains are willing to defend themselves, they will not join a fight if they are the only ones defending your nation. Third, it will provide us the distraction we need for our invasion."
Ohitekah glanced up. "Invasion?"
"Yes," Red continued. "If Falko's men meet you in battle, it will be a true declaration of war. Our next plan of action will be to take control of the Capital while his armies have moved out of the city to fight. It will be left undefended."
Ohitekah shook his head. "How will you get an army past the battle if it's North of the city?"
Red smiled. "We do not use an army. We use a navy." Red tapped the Vatnic Isles. "King Nicholas will move his ships in from the south. Unexpected and unprovoked, they will capture the docks and move into the Capital. Seizing it until Falko gives power back to the Senate, and becomes our prisoner."
Ohitekah thought about this. "So, I lead the tribesmen into a diversionary battle with Falko, using men from the North as reinforcements, as Nicholas captures the Capital with his ships."
"Exactly," Galius said. "My Order will help with the occupation of the city and the proper restoration of power. We will also be needed to combat Falko's Shadow Corp here in the Capital, should they make an appearance."
"Wait," Ohitekah said then paused, thinking. "What about Deyanira, the Oracle? Won't she see this all coming and plan against it? I thought we needed to take her out too?"
Red and Galius looked at each other.
"That problem," said Galius "Became a non-issue when Falko became a Mythic. He now has the ability to speak to the God of Death himself. So, he won't be needing an Oracle anymore. That being said this is the plan we have to stick by. We cannot sit by on the possibility of he may know what we’re planning. Not doing anything is far riskier than making a stand. We cannot just let an emperor dominate the world and sit on our asses. He will need to fight for it. Even if he knew our plan in its entirety, he would still need to defeat the armies of three nations with his one. If you can secure the Plainsmen into a force that can stop him, the rest of the plan can fall into place and he will be defeated."
Galius looked into the eyes of his men, he looked to Ohitekah, to Daisuke.
"This is what we are all here to do. This is our goal, our purpose. I believe we are all meant to be here today. To meet Falko on the fields of battle and end his crusade once and for all. This is our only chance to stop him before it’s too late. We are the world's only hope for a sense of sustained peace. We can do it."
Ohitekah nodded his head. "Yes, we can."
Red lowered his head and turned away. Galius smiled and returned to his map, he talked to Marcus quietly. Red stood by himself, looking at the hilt of his sword.
Something else is on Red's mind...
"So, what’s up?" Ohitekah walked up to his side.
Red gave a half smile. "What's up?" He repeated.
"Yeah, you alright?"
Red shook his head. "I am nervous about the North. I am unsure how I will be able to influence the armies once again."
"Well," Ohitekah began. "You are the Shogun. You have the Black Blade. You're Daisuke. You can do this." Ohitekah patted Red's back the way Nicholas used to. Red gave a smile.
He sighed. "Sure."
"How does Nicholas know our plan?" Ohitekah asked.
"He does not know... Not yet," Red answered. "But we are sure he would agree to it. He just needs to be informed; we are going to send a messenger"
"I can do it!" Ohitekah shouted. "Please? I can do it while I'm going around the plains."
Red looked to Galius for confirmation. Without looking up from his papers he gave a nod.
"Tell him we will inform him when to move for the attack. When our intelligence notifies us that the Orbis forces are preparing for mobilization, we will send him a messenger hawk immediately. We will also send one to our brothers in the North for Daisuke to be prepared as well. Daisuke will have to communicate with you—however, it is you two communicate—for you to be ready to move your people south for a defense. Got it?"
Ohitekah nodded. "Yes, sir."
Galius returned to his maps for a moment.
"Ohitekah." He said.
"Yes?"
"Go check on Sierra, make sure she is okay."
Ohitekah swallowed a lump in his throat. "Yes, sir." Ohitekah turned around. He looked to Red. "You leaving now?"
Red nodded.
Ohitekah looked at the ground.
"Thank you... For everything."
Red rested a hand on his shoulder. "Do not thank me. Without you, I would still be in hiding." Red motioned with his hand to the room "Without you, none of this would be happening, there would be no defense against Falko. Thank you, Ohitekah... For making me realize I still have something left to fight for."
Ohitekah's lips quivered.
Don't cry in front of everyone.
Ohitekah raised his hand for a handshake.
Damn
, he's from the North, I should've bowed. I'm so bad about this.
Red tugged his arm and pulled him in for a tight embrace. Ohitekah was stunned, he stood frozen for a moment. Everyone in the room turned to watch.
Red squeezed him for a moment and looked into his eyes. "I hope one day we can meet after all of this and not have to worry about fighting."
Ohitekah smiled "That’s all I ever wanted Red. Thank you, and good luck."
Red stood straight and looked at everyone in the room. "I will not fail any of you. We will be victorious. I will see you all when this is done." He gave a bow and the gesture was returned throughout the room. He turned to exit through the passageway.
Goodbye, Ohitekah, Ohitekah heard in his thoughts.
Goodbye, Red.
The door creaked closed behind him.
"What?" Darius said from the back of the room. "I don't get a hug?"
Galius rolled his eyes.
Ohitekah stood up straight and cracked his knuckles.
Guess it’s time to talk to Sierra then.
He slowly walked to the passage Sierra had run down. Ohitekah was emotional enough as he was, he was not sure how talking to her would be.
He walked for a while in the dark cobblestone passageways of the underground for a while.
There are a hundred rooms and halls in this place and she doesn't want to talk right now... How am I going to find her?
He peeked into a few cells and rooms. She was nowhere to be found.
I could try to hear her thoughts? Find her that way?
Ohitekah paused walking for a moment, he slowed his breathing. There was a long moment of silence.
I couldn't even defend myself. What is the point of me even being here?
Ohitekah paused walking.
Ahh, that’s her... She’s close.
Ohitekah turned around.
I must have just passed her.
He walked back a few steps and turned down a hallway he passed before. He listened closely. He could hear her crying softly down the hall.
I need to approach her delicately.
Ohitekah walked as quietly as he could on the stone, not making a sound.
"Go away!" Sierra shouted from the cellar.
