Love Never Dies

by Pelaam

  Sure enough, the mosaic wall behind the statue shifted so that two panels each turned ninety degrees, proving just enough space for them to shuffle through sideways. The moment they were through, the wall slid back shut, but Tsillah was already sliding her hand between a conch shell into the rock wall and the stone itself.

  Slowly a pale light emanated from the shell and as it came to life, so did a line of them along the wall of the tunnel.

  “This way. It’s a passage even the Atlanteans have forgotten exists. There’s no one who bothers looking at any of the old plans of the city, or how the ancients incorporated it with their new undersea existence. Today their descendants are growing old, sterile, and want distractions from a life that has extended far beyond natural boundaries.”

  “You seem far more willing to say what you think down here, Tsillah.” Tresilian’s voice came from behind Midnight who couldn’t help but agree.

  “Above, you can never be certain you’re not observed, or that someone you thought you could trust would betray you.” Tsillah shook her head. “The Atlanteans may be an ancient race, but they’ve given up their humanity for that longevity. They’re a cruel people, who delight in tormenting those they consider inferior or ugly. Only they are perfection.”

  “And your people are well and truly under their thumb.” Tresilian’s voice softened.

  “The soldiers they’ve created aren’t capable of free thought, but there are still some of us, those that they deemed failures for one reason or another, who live down here and are far more intelligent than they were given credit for. When I can, I slip away and have helped teach them even more.” Tsillah stopped and turned to face Midnight and Tresilian. “The Atlanteans created tiny vessels that can sail under the water. I even know how to pilot these craft. They left those plans lying around, too.”

  “You’re a very loyal and intelligent woman, Tsillah. We’re fortunate to count you as a friend.” Midnight could hardly begin to imagine the life that Tsillah had been forced to endure.

  “Thank you.” Tsillah ducked her head and carried on, but Midnight caught a glimpse of her smile and he was pleased to think that so small a gesture on his behalf had been so well received.

  When they finally emerged in the catacombs, the damp, dank air immediately assaulted Midnight’s nose, and the chill made him shiver. But he and Tresilian continued to follow Tsillah even as the water around their feet rose to mid-thigh.

  “There’s no dry way.” Tsillah glanced over her shoulder. The Atlanteans use a trap door to toss their failures into the catacombs. They won’t risk injury or infection. Even with the blood of their prisoner to help them, recovery takes longer each time.”

  “At least they’re not immortal.” Tresilian murmured.

  “Here. These are my people.” Tsillah indicated the figures ahead of them and there was no missing the pride in her voice.

  The tunnel had opened out into a large cavern and its floor sloped away becoming a huge, black pool. At its far end, narrow, thick bars prevented anyone getting in or out. It was dimly lit, and the stench of rotting fish made Midnight’s eyes water.

  However, Midnight looked around as best he could. Tsillah’s people were a mix of what Midnight considered to be traditional merfolk. Those with a human upper body and a fishtail for the lower half. But there were others that looked more monster than anything resembling Tsillah. However, she’s a friend, and if she considers all here her family, I will not allow their appearance to stand in my way.

  “This is Tsaschua.” Tsillah indicated a merman who flicked the dirty water with his tail as if excited to see them.

  Midnight turned his full attention to the merman. Even in the din light, one could see the deep blue of his ornate tail. His flukes were frilled, and a paler frill ran the tail’s full length. As Midnight got closer, he saw that the skin of Tsaschua’s upper was paler blue and that the frill extended up from the tail, along the merman’s spine and up onto his skull.

  Unfortunately, his voice was little more than a hoarse wheeze that Midnight could barely hear, but Tsillah seemed to have no issues understanding him.

  “He welcomes you. Anything we can do to help; you need only ask of us. If you give me a minute, I’ll explain what’s happening to them.” Tsillah tossed aside the collar she wore along with her dress, revealing her split fishtail. Then she dived into the pool.

  A few minutes later, she emerged, and indicated the wall where Midnight stood beside Tresilian.

  “Clean away the mud, there.”

  After a few moments, a depression was revealed. Tresilian inserted his hand and glanced over his shoulder at Midnight.

  “There’s a lever. It’s…very stiff. Ah, here we go.”

  The whirr and clunk of machinery hidden in the walls echoed loudly around them. An opening appeared, no more than three feet from the ground.

  “We can’t go with you.” Tsillah slowly emerged from the water, her long hair cascading around her. “It takes too long to crawl through, and then you’re still some distance from water. I could make it at a push, but I doubt I’d make it to the sea with the monsters that prowl the city. So long as you don’t mind being enclosed, I can give you these.” Tsillah held up shells that glowed with green light. “The light isn’t bright, but better than being in complete darkness. The tunnel opens out in the middle, then narrows again. We think it was designed as an emergency escape route, long since forgotten.”

  “It’s fine. These are perfect, too.” Tresilian took the shells, handing one to Midnight. “I’m the biggest, so I’ll go first. Should we come back this way, too?”

  “I’m afraid so.” Tsillah shook her head. “The Atlanteans don’t expect that anyone can leave the palace, but they’re deathly afraid of the creatures which have made the city their home and hunting grounds. I’ll ensure there are fresh clothes laid out for you so you can change when you get back. It’s the best I can do.”

  “It’s a great deal. Thank you.” Midnight held out his hands to Tsillah who took them. He smiled and gave them a gentle squeeze. “We’ll see you later, won’t we, Tresilian?”

  “You can count on it.” Tresilian nodded, then readied himself to enter the tunnel. “Keep close behind me, Midnight. If you need to rest, alert me so I stop, too.”

  “I’m ready.” Midnight’s stomach was already churning, but so long as he kept going, with Tresilian ahead of him, he assured himself repeatedly he’d be all right.

  For Midnight, crawling through the tunnel was a nightmare journey. Unseen creatures skittered over his hands, air was thick and heavy, with a foul, fetid odour, and the darkness, even with the lights they carried, felt like a weight pressing him down.

  “I see light ahead, Midnight. We’re almost there.” Tresilian’s voice was a welcome break from the oppressive silence and the words were almost the sweetest Midnight had ever heard.

  He lifted his head, trying to see the pinprick that meant they’d soon be free of the smothering blackness. When Midnight finally emerged from the tunnels, they were a good distance from the palace, and he lay on the ground for several minutes, alongside Tresilian, stretching out his body after the cramped confines.

  “We need to move.” Tresilian rolled onto his hands and knees, then stood, grimacing as he stretched. Then he held out his hand, and Midnight took it, accepting the assistance to stand upright.

  “Follow me. Stay close. And if you’re attacked, use your sword. If it’s between you and an adversary, I want it to be you.” Tresilian cupped Midnight’s face in his hands, then drew him in to a hard kiss.

  In response, Midnight grabbed his lover’s biceps so tightly he was certain he’d leave bruises and, as they parted, breathing harshly, he issued his own warning.

  “Don’t you dare risk your life for me, Tresilian Hawke. I can look after myself.”

  Tresilian leaned his forehead against Midnight’s without moving his hands away.

  “I’m glad to hear it. Midnight, I-I…”

  For a
second, Midnight held his breath, but the much-desired declaration still didn’t come.

  “I couldn’t bear for you to be hurt.” Tresilian eased back and looked directly into Midnight’s eyes.

  “I’ll be fine.” Midnight stood tall, letting Tresilian’s hands slide from his face, hoping his expression didn’t betray his aching heart. “Let’s find Freedom.”

  Chapter 27

  With Tresilian taking the lead, they ran between buildings, checking their surroundings carefully before dashing to the next place of cover. Midnight hoped that any creatures lurking in the city would keep inside, away from the lights that the Atlanteans believed kept them at bay.

  Finally, they reached the original harbour where Tresilian had said they’d boarded the clockwork transport up to the city without incident, but the ship was nowhere to be seen.

  “That canal is wide enough for ships to continue that way.” Tresilian pointed right. “But there’s not so much light. Which is odd, considering the Atlanteans seem to prefer light.”

  “Perhaps that’s because the Atlanteans don’t want to draw attention to it.” Midnight suggested. “Between everything else that was happening, you wouldn’t notice the waterway carries on, or that it could allow a ship to pass along it to harbour somewhere else, especially if it was darker than anywhere else around you.”

  “Good point.” Tresilian looked around, then went closer to the water. “Wait there.”

  There was little else Midnight could do as Tresilian jumped out of sight. Midnight’s heart missed a beat, but there was no splash, and a minute or two later, his lover’s head reappeared.

  “There’s a walkway here. Narrow but serviceable. I’ve also found some driftwood. Dry enough to use as tinder to make into torches if it gets any darker. But this way should be safer than out in the open.”

  “On my way.” Midnight hurried over. Tresilian helped him onto what was a very narrow strip that ran parallel to the water. They were well below the level of the pavement, and Midnight could now see the divots where Tresilian had dug into the earth to be able to look over.

  Time had no meaning as they walked without speaking. However, it was far from silent. The water slapped beneath them and every now and then, from somewhere out of sight, Midnight heard eerie noises. He tried not to think of them as cries from non-human mouths. His blood had long since turned icy in his veins, and occasionally he clamped his hand over his mouth to make sure Tresilian couldn’t hear the way his teeth chattered.

  “Look, by all the gods. Midnight look there. It’s a whole fleet of ships.” Even in a whisper, there was no mistaking the shock in Tresilian’s voice.

  Midnight was glad it wasn’t just him who gazed in horror at the long line of vessels. The size and shapes varied, along with their age and origins, but it was still an armada of ships. Each one blazed with light.

  When they’d been first told about the Atlanteans intent, Midnight couldn’t imagine how they’d succeed. But with these crafts, stretching away into an unseen distance, plus their Leviathan weapon, he could now see the world crushed under the tyrannous rule of the Atlanteans.

  “There’s Freedom.” To Midnight’s relief, their ship was closest to them. The Atlanteans simply docking each ship next in line. “Thank goodness they didn’t take it away somewhere down there.”

  Although Midnight had done many feats in his short lifetime, continuing into the darkness ahead was one he was glad he didn’t have to face. His mind still made every sound he heard an imminent attack by some creature of fang and claw, and his heart hammered frantically, pounding hard against his chest.

  “There’s rope from the harbour on the ship.” Tresilian pointed. “We just need to get back up on top, and we can stroll on board.”

  “So easy.” Midnight returned Tresilian’s smile, although his own was less sure, and he hoped his lover didn’t see the way his lips trembled. “No problem.”

  “I’ll boost you up first.” Tresilian cupped his hands into a stirrup. “When you’re up there, keep that sword ready. Some of those noises sounded like animalistic cries to me. I’d rather you were prepared, Midnight.”

  “Yes. I’ll do that. Don’t worry about me. Take care of yourself.” Midnight kissed Tresilian, then stepped into his lover’s cupped hands and with a strong lift was back on top in seconds.

  The moment he was on his feet, Midnight drew the sword, held it ready, and looked around. The stillness was unnerving, as the sudden silence. The eerie cries had ceased, lending more fuel to Midnight’s notion that something, or several somethings, were out there. Watching.

  “Come on. Hurry. I don’t like this stillness.” Tresilian whispered directly into Midnight’s ear, his warm solidity a welcome reassurance in what felt to Midnight like an increasingly alien world.

  Just a step or two behind Tresilian, Midnight made sure to stay close to the bigger man. When Tresilian reached the bollard to which the ship’s rope was fastened, he sheathed his katana.

  “I hope you’re good at climbing along a rope.” Tresilian cocked his head, and Midnight nodded.

  “Just watch me.” Midnight was well aware that his physical appearance, as well as his upbringing, would make anyone doubt his abilities. But his father, unlike many staid others, had taught him many things; one of which was how to move hand over hand across a rope.

  With a deep breath and putting all thoughts of the polypus reaching out of the water for him, Midnight clambered onto the rope and made quick progress along its length. Hand over hand, his feet locked at the ankle around the rope, Midnight crossed the watery chasm below him.

  Once on board, Midnight peered back to see Tresilian making fast progress toward him. Then he gasped softly and peered harder past Tresilian to the dock. For a second, he’d been certain he’d seen something move. Nothing more than a shadow.

  “Something wrong?” Tresilian asked as he took his place beside Midnight.

  “Back there.” Midnight pointed. “I thought I saw something.”

  “In that case…” With a swift motion, Tresilian had drawn his katana and sliced through the thick rope.

  “Good idea. I’ll feel safer since we’ll have to go down into the lower decks.” Midnight shrugged as Tresilian cocked his head.

  “I’m glad you think so, but it also means there’s no easy way back.”

  “We can at least dive overboard if there’s no rope. But if something came on board and followed us, blocking our way out, we’ll be trapped down there like rats in a barrel.”

  “You’re right.” Tresilian looked around. “Move slowly and be ready for anything.”

  “I will.” Midnight drew his own sword, offering a silent prayer of thanks for the fencing lessons his father had insisted he take. This weapon may not be a rapier, but at least I can wield it with some confidence.

  Wherever Midnight passed a lantern, he made sure to turn the light on. It seems the emergency generator is fully functional, although I have no idea how much power it has left. Finally, they reached the engine room.

  “They left my automatons.” Midnight hurried forward, checking each mechanical in turn. “Apart from being run down, they seem in perfect working order. Let me see what else I can find.”

  For the next few minutes, Midnight pottered around the engine room. His inertium was safe, which meant they’d have no issue flying once they reached the volcano. There was still plenty of coal and wood for the furnaces, and his supply of oleum vitae was also untouched. They probably thought it was just ordinary oil. Thank goodness I keep it in an original bottle. It’s such an old one that the label’s unreadable now.

  “The ship looks structurally sound to me. We have inertium to keep us airborne, fuel for the furnaces, and my automatons are in perfect working order. They just need a few drops of this, and we could get the furnaces going now.”

  “Perfect.” Tresilian grinned, pulling Midnight into a hug. “Timing would be critical. Let’s prepare the furnaces, so that all that needs to happen is tha
t they’re lit. But it takes a while for them to fire up, doesn’t it?”

  “Yes. We’d need someone here, readying them, so that when we all boarded, we can immediately make our break for the underground sea. The question is, who?”

  “No idea at the moment.” Tresilian shrugged. “Let’s get as much as we can ready and get back. We can discuss everything with Voltaire. He may suggest an idea.”

  “Right. Let me just take a few things from my toolbox, too.” Midnight wanted to at least feel as though he could contribute in an escape plan.

  For the next few minutes, Tresilian worked at Midnight’s side, doing all Midnight asked, to prepare the furnaces. Midnight stood back, hands on hips, when the job was completed. All that’s needed now is for them to be lit, and power for the engines will soon be available.

  As a precaution, Midnight decanted some of his precious elixirs into separate bottles. Wrapping them in cloth, he secured them in a small tool belt which he fastened securely around his waist hidden beneath his tunic.

  “Let’s go.” Tresilian led the way as they headed back up to the main deck.

  At a loud shriek, both men froze, and Tresilian held up his hand. From behind his lover, Midnight pressed close to Tresilian’s back. That cry didn’t come from outside. Its sound echoed inside the ship.

  Tresilian held a finger to his lips as he looked over his shoulder at Midnight who nodded. When they moved forward again, it was on the balls of their feet, both poised to defend or attack as needed.

  Reaching the ladder to go up a floor, Tresilian continued to lead the way. When he was halfway up, Midnight was ready to follow when he heard something behind him and turned, sword raised and ready.

  The creature he faced may at one time have been one of Tsillah’s merfolk, or something completely different, but it was unlike any being Midnight had ever seen.

  Emerging from the shadows, the beast stood on two solidly muscled, if bowed, legs that terminated in wide, webbed feet. Its squat torso was warty like a toad, and its over-long arms ended in webbed hands tipped with long claws. Its neck was minimal, barely long enough for its gills, and seemingly inflexible.