by Kyle West
We stopped before long to conserve our strength. I walked the grounds of the Sanctum one last time and went to visit Isandru’s grave with Fiona. Both of us said nothing, each of us silent with our own thoughts. When the sun had completely set and all that was left of the day was the faintest bit of light, we turned back under the glowing trees for the ship.
We walked up the ramp to find the crew already assembled in the wardroom. Pallos was sharing his notes with Shara and Isa, all of whom looked up at our entrance.
“It’s time,” I said.
With those words, I felt a nervous weight in my stomach, but did my best not to show it. Everyone followed Pallos and I to the flight deck, Isa and Shara sharing a jump seat behind me while Fiona got her own behind Pallos.
For some reason, it felt right for us all to be together in this moment. Many had come and gone on this ship, so the five of us were all that was left now. Isandru and his sister had both died, while Nabea, Tellor, Ret, and Samal were still busy in the east. By now, the four of them had probably fought a few battles of their own, and I wondered if they were any closer to undoing the influence Rakhim had fostered there, and if there was any hope of uniting the disparate Eastern Kingdoms into a single, functioning country.
But for now, that was not our focus. Several Seekers and their students watched from the distance of the Sanctum stairs, waving their hands in farewell.
“Setting course for the rendezvous point,” I said. “We should be there in under an hour.”
* * *
It actually took longer than an hour. The skies were clear across the Red Wild, forcing me to fly at a high altitude despite the short distance. While the ship would pass unseen to eyes on the ground, it was possible that Isaru’s dragons could be keeping an eye above and below. I didn’t want to take the chance.
When we reached the agreed upon location, we dropped in low, out of sight of Haventree and rushed quickly over the land. We swooped over densely-packed villages built alongside the shimmering Colorado River. It was too dark to see much besides the low lights of homes and buildings that were gone as soon as they were noticed. There was no question of our coming now, so we flew as quickly as possible to the rendezvous point.
At last, we made it to the high hill, situated northeast of Haven and far from the road. The area was sparsely settled, and with luck, anyone bearing news of the attack would find themselves too late by the time we flew into the city. We landed, finding the Seekers standing at the ready next to their dragons, most of which stood calmly while munching on the xen in the area. The beasts stiffened a bit at the clamor Odin made, but soon went quiet when the engines idled.
We disembarked. I held up a fist, the signal for all the Seekers to mount their dragons and to begin the operation at once. They took to the air, flying over the rocky hill, only to be revealed at the last moment as they crested it and flew the short distance to the edge of the Grand Canyon’s northern rim. The Sphere Seekers remained behind and boarded Odin, to be part of our attack group.
Once every dragon was away, I went back inside the flight deck, where the others were waiting for me.
“Go time,” I said.
We took off high and blasted for Haven, where we were to create a distraction on the opposite side while the Seekers took the aerie and the roots at the tree’s base.
But as we approached, I noticed that some of our dragons were already quite close to Haven. It took me a moment to realize that they weren’t our dragons.
“How many?” Fiona asked.
It was hard to tell in the darkness, but it seemed to be at least a dozen. While we outnumbered them more than three to one, it would be enough of them to slow us down.
That was, unless I could find a way to stop them.
“Pull us closer,” I said.
Alex had told me he had given his powers to me, and I saw what he had done outside the Thought Dome. Perhaps I was capable of the same thing.
I know you can, Anna, his voice seemed to say in my head. You must believe that you can! That’s the source of my powers. I believe it, and the Xenofold believes it, too. Belief becomes reality.
I reached for the Xenofold after settling my mind into Silence. I found there a ready torrent of power, far more than I ever knew, just waiting to be directed. Could I really control that amount of power?
Believe it, and it will become true.
“I believe,” I whispered. “I believe.”
I could sense the exactly sixteen dragons, each bearing a rider. It was but a remnant of the Annajen Dragonguard that Isaru had wisely left behind as a defense.
“Avoid them,” I said.
Pallos, who had taken the controls by now, shifted course to veer away from the dragons, not questioning the fact that I’d told him to pull in closer just a second ago.
“They’re close to engaging with the Seekers,” Fiona said. “We’re going to have to shoot them down.”
There would be no need for that. I reached out toward the dragon’s minds, forging a link with each one simultaneously. Instantly, I could see out of their eyes, and could sense the tether between each beast and its rider. The sheer amount of information should have been overwhelming, but time itself seemed to slow, and I knew exactly what I needed to do, even if I didn’t know how to do it.
All I had to do was believe. Whatever instincts and abilities Elekim once had, I had now. I took over each of these bonds, thereby assuming control of each dragon directly.
Fly to the ground! I said. Elekim commands you.
In perfect synchronization, each dragon turned sharply, nearly throwing off the riders upon their backs. They dove for the canyon floor far below. Holding the sixteen bonds simultaneously did take effort, even as Elekim. Sweat collected on my brow as I worked to maintain each individual hold, as each rider fought to regain control of his dragon.
Doing this would have broken me before. Without question, I had gained powers far beyond my former abilities.
“What are they doing?” Fiona asked.
“Shanti’s doing it!” Isa said, in awe.
I felt control slipping away as all of them looked at me in shock, but I held on as firmly as I could, keeping the dragons and their riders pinned to the ground while our own dragons flew in for the tree. If I could just keep the dragonriders down long enough, it would give everyone a chance to reach the city without having to fight them.
But, one by one, they slipped from my control. The grounded Dragonriders reformed in the air, and began to fly back toward the tree. I collapsed to the deck, catching my breath and keeping hold on Silence, no longer using any of my power. I had to have a chance to recharge before landing. I had done more than I had ever done in my life, but even Elekim’s powers, or perhaps my belief in those powers, had their limits.
“Most of the Seekers have landed in the aerie by now,” Pallos said. “And a portion have landed at the Roots.”
“Now, it’s our turn,” I said.
We flew toward the opposite end of the tree, where we were supposed to have landed minutes ago. We had only a few minutes before the forces aboard our ship, and the Seeker dragonriders, were due to link up in the center of the tree and take command of the palace.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
PALLOS DREW ODIN ALONGSIDE THE largest wooden platform built into the west side of Haventree. I and everyone else stood ready in the wardroom.
Pallos’ voice came out of the intercom. “Go!”
The door opened, revealing the empty veranda before us. Several screams sounded in the night, probably from the invasion happening on the other side of the tree.
All of us leaped out and onto the platform. As soon as we were out, Pallos lifted off, with orders to guard the tree from the air if the Annajen dragonriders tried to land.
Aside from the occasional scream, it was oddly silent as we ran toward the center of the tree. The city was far emptier than we had expected, and by the time we reached the wide trunk, there was no sign of any oppositi
on.
I didn’t want to have to fight anybody, but I knew there would be some casualties. This silence, however, was unexpected and not sitting right with me.
We entered the trunk. Flanking either side of the entrance were two Seekers, who had apparently already secured the area.
“Anything?” I asked as we passed them.
The Seeker, a Champion whose name I didn’t know, shook his head. “No resistance.”
“Feels like a trap,” Shara said.
“They’re here, and we’ll find them,” the Champion said. “There were Dragonriders, so I know that can’t be all their defense.”
“Stay on guard, then,” I said. “Let’s get up to the palace.”
We ran up the interior ramp that spiraled round and round. We found Seekers posted at almost every exit point, while those in our party drew off to guard the exits that weren’t covered. By the time we reached the top of the tree, we found several Seekers already waiting outside the heavy palace doors.
“The doors are barred,” Seeker Garin said, stepping forward.
“Is it the only way in?” I asked.
Seeker Garin nodded. “As far as we know.”
“How are we going to get through?” Shara asked.
“We’re prepared for this,” Garin said. “Seeker Harl will be here soon with his dragon.”
“Dragon?” Isa asked.
As if the mention was a summons, a dragon flew from below, veering toward us.
“Everyone back!” I called.
We made space and the dragon landed on the wooden planks with a thud. Little time was wasted as Seeker Harl urged his steed onward at a trot, ending with the dragon slamming the underside of its claw against the doors with a high shriek. They were knocked clean off their hinges, revealing the interior of the palace and a contingent of black-armored pikemen, the city guard of Haven. Their faces were grim, but their widened eyes betrayed their fear.
Neither Seekers nor the guards made the first move. I took advantage of the silence to assume control.
“There’s no need for any fighting,” I said. “The Seekers are here to assume control of Haven. Lay down your arms. No one needs to die tonight.”
“Hold steady, men,” shouted their commander. “Don’t let a single one of them through!”
I knew charging into that hall would be slaughter, mostly for their side. A few Seekers would die in the engagement as well. I wanted to avoid that, if at all possible.
Seeker Harl urged his dragon back, and stood ready to receive my orders.
“Hold here,” I said. I faced down the guards in the palace. “Who is in command here?”
“I am,” the man who spoke earlier said, stepping in front of his men. He stood tall, and his black armor was heavier than those of his subordinates. His hair was graying and his head balding on the top. He had bright blue eyes and a strict demeanor.
“I have a group of one hundred Seekers out here,” I said. “However many you have, it’s not enough to stop us. The entirety of Haven has fallen to us, except for the palace. I command you to surrender the city to avoid any more needless deaths.”
“Annara, I presume,” the man said, not masking the skepticism in his voice. “My orders were to hold the city against all invasions to the last man.”
Some of the guards shifted uncomfortably at that.
“Then that means every one of you will die unnecessarily for a false king who’s currently possessed by madness. Instead of dying needlessly, see this as an opportunity to get things back to normal. I am Anna Reborn, proven by the fact that the Seekers have now confirmed my identity. As such, and as Isaru’s distant ancestor and the first of his line, I command you to stand down!”
The commander’s face contorted into a shocked expression, but he made no argument against that.
“Isaru isn’t here,” I said. “He’ll never retake Haven so long as the Seekers control it. You have nothing to fear from him anymore. Any of you who knew him from before know that he’s changed. He isn’t the same person he once was. He’s been possessed by something dark and evil, something we have to unite against if we are to have any hope of surviving.” I eyed the commander down, along with a few of his soldiers. “We need to work together. I’m not the enemy. On the contrary, I’m offering my friendship, because all of us need to stand together as friends to survive what’s coming.”
The commander hesitated, as if considering these words. I could see in his eyes that he knew the strength of his own men, and he knew just how much damage one hundred Seekers could do.
I just didn’t know how he was going to react to that information.
They were so close to breaking that even if we feigned an attack, they would probably throw down their weapons. These were the city guardsmen, after all, and not the actual army of the Annajen king.
But I wasn’t going to lower my guard. Men who were backed into a corner, even when afraid, often found courage in unexpected places.
“Then I surrender the palace to you,” the commander said, his posture slackening.
“Command your men to lower their weapons.”
They were already doing so before the order had completely left the commander’s lips.
The Seekers began to move forward to confiscate the weapons and gather them in a pile outside the palace doors.
As they were doing so, I was just beginning to think how this was too easy, when every one of us looked up at the sky, where shadows were passing overhead.
Those weren’t our dragons.
“Find cover!” I shouted. “Guard the palace!”
The Seekers moved to obey my command, even as a single, large dragon descended on black wings. It landed a good distance away, near the entrance of the theater.
When the figure slid off, no longer obscured by the dragon’s neck, I couldn’t believe who it was.
It was none other than Isaru, whose eyes shone brightly as he reached for his sword with a cruel smile.
* * *
Anna.
The voice, at the same time Isaru’s and not Isaru’s, entered my mind in a mocking tone. How had he gotten here? Was this his plan all along?
Surrender your forces immediately or face destruction, his voice came again.
I stepped forward, with my blade in hand. I assumed the opening pose of Treeform, my blade extended outward with both hands.
“Enough, Odium!” I said, loud of enough for all to hear. “Your time in this world is over!”
Isaru’s smile widened mockingly. We shall see about that soon enough.
At once, I felt a force push into me . . . but I was ready for the attack. Even as it caused all the Seekers around me to collapse to the platform below, I pushed back against that force, not letting it gain control of me. Isaru’s power was far more than it had been the last time we’d faced off.
But my power was greater. I had to believe it was greater.
I drew as much power as I could from the Xenofold. Everything seemed to go still, and the very air seemed to sizzle with energy. The surrounding boughs of the Great Silverwood in which Haven was built began to glow with inner luminesce, feeding off the power flowing through me.
And then, there was a colossal snap, nearly deafening in its volume. Isaru cried out and fell backward, his blade falling from his hand.
Above, the black dragons who had followed him screamed, and flew away, leaving the skies clear and their master alone below.
I ran forward to kick Isaru’s weapon away, using all the energy I’d gathered to probe his mind.
What are you doing here? Why did you come back?
The bond I developed between us could not be denied. On his knees, Isaru opened his eyes and looked into my face.
One . . . last chance to defeat you with this weak vessel. Then, a smirk. But this one was weak, as expected. I’ll be here soon, Anna. Just you wait.
Then, Isaru’s body went limp as he fell forward into my arms.
* * *
Odium
’s voice was gone, and his presence departed from Isaru. I felt for Isaru’s pulse, and it was coming in slow and weak. He was fading quickly, so I knew then there wasn’t much time.
“We need to get him on Odin!” I said.
Isa was the first to run forward and help hold him up, followed by Shara and Fiona. Together, we lifted him and began carrying him back toward the ship. Our path took us past Elder Arminius and Elder Draeus.
“Secure the city,” I said to the both of them. “We have to save Isaru.”
Elder Draeus looked on, concerned. “Perhaps I might be of help.”
As we took to the inner ramp, he fell in alongside us.
“We need to take him to a place with direct access to the Xenofold,” I said. “Right now, no one is residing in his person. His consciousness is trapped in the Xenofold, but the body will die soon if the two aren’t reconnected.”
“I don’t know if I can help with that,” Elder Draeus said. “But I’m willing to do what I can. Even if we can revive him for a bit, we may learn something about his master.”
“Stay here, Elder Draeus,” I said. “There will be wounded to attend to. What’s happening with Isaru can only be done by myself.”
Elder Draeus’s face looked a bit flabbergasted, since he was the best healer in the Sanctum, but he had chosen to follow me and I didn’t have the time to observe niceties.
“Of course, Anna,” he said, formally, giving a slight bow. “We will secure the city and consolidate our forces here.”
“We’ll be back as soon as possible,” I said. “Thank you.”
Elder Draeus fell back as we continued down the tree.
“It feels strange how even the Elders obey your commands now,” Isa said.
As strange as it seemed, it was now reality . . . a reality I didn’t have time to reflect on. I reached into Isaru’s mind, hoping to find some spark of life there . . . a spark that would last long enough for us to find an opening to the Xenofold.
I had little hope of our success, but I still had to try. I was willing to try anything to have Isaru back . . . the real Isaru.
