by Paul Ormond
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
“I’M WITH YOU to the end, all right?” Ramon said as he squeezed Gaelin’s hand.
“Whatever you do, don’t die,” Gaelin said before he angled toward the ground. “I’ll need you around when this is all over.”
“I’ll see what I can do,” Ramon said, readying his weapon.
“Let’s all look out for each other, okay?” Christine said while keeping pace.
“We’re with you,” Sanchez said. “XiaoFan, stick by my side, all right, but don’t puke.”
“I can’t believe you are bringing that up right now,” XiaoFan said, powering up her weapon. “Let’s just see if you can keep up with me.”
“Sounds like a challenge,” Sanchez said before following after XiaoFan.
A couple hundred yards ahead, O’Dell led the charge toward the enormous vessel hovering over Kingsford. Reaching into the atmosphere, the two beams grew in intensity with each pulse emitted from below.
“Get ready for incoming,” Ramon shouted as the cannons mounted on the ship swiveled toward their position and launched a volley of fire.
Responding to the blast, a cascade of light rocketed out of the trees lining the valley and slammed into the enemy craft circling the ship. As explosions filled the sky, thousands of figures leaped out of hiding and hurtled toward the vessels with weapons blazing.
“It looks like everyone got the message,” Ramon said while he leveled his device and sent an enormous blast at the massive craft looming before them.
“Keep your head up, cause here they come,” Gaelin shouted before sending a blast of his own.
A horde of orange and black poured out of the enemy vessels and rushed to meet the Earthling forces pushing forward. As the gap closed between the charging swarms, a firestorm of clashing light crashed together over the rooftops of Kingsford.
“Drop down and we’ll come under them,” Gaelin shouted, changing his course.
“I hope you know what you’re doing,” Ramon shouted.
“Fire now,” Gaelin said as they raced underneath a surge of attacking soldiers.
“This is nuts,” Ramon shouted before letting go a blast from his device. The impact of the explosion sent the enemy tumbling in all directions.
“Through the gap,” Gaelin shouted, angling toward the massive hole left by the blast.
“I’m right behind you,” Sanchez shouted while he and XiaoFan unloaded on a swathe of soldiers before cutting to the right.
“Let’s cut them off just like we planned. Christine, get ready to launch the net,” Gaelin shouted before he fired upon the group of soldiers that had broken rank from the front line after Ramon’s blast.
“It’s ready when you say,” Christine said from behind.
“No time like the present,” Gaelin shouted. “Do it now.”
“Here it goes,” Christine said, hitting a button on her panel and a wide beam of light shot out across the battlefield encasing the enemy in a blue glow.
Struggling to break free, the soldiers writhed within the cloud as Gaelin and the others joined the rush of humans charging toward the ships.
“That was a neat trick, but we barely made a dent in them,” Ramon shouted while he turned to face another wave of attackers.
“Keep moving,” Gaelin shouted. “This fight is just getting started.”
“I think we might want to fall back,” Ramon said before a massive burst of energy tore across the sky.
“What the hell was that?” Sanchez asked as he fired at into a crowd of soldiers.
“Whatever it is, it looks like it’s getting hot up there,” XiaoFan said.
“Stay focused,” Gaelin shouted. “Second wave is coming fast. Guns ready.”
Climbing to his feet, Robert found himself standing next to a trampoline and a broken tree. Overhead, a sea of opposing forces clashed in all directions. While he rose into the air, he spotted a hulking figure charging toward him, clutching a massive ax.
“I hope you’ve had your fun, Robert,” Commander Holrathu said as he dropped out of the sky and swung his ax. “Because the time has come to end this foolish charade. Your pathetic uprising never stood a chance against the Emperor’s warriors. It is better if you all surrender and bow before his majesty. You are outnumbered and outgunned. But the Emperor is filled with love and forgiveness. Renounce this rebellion and you will be granted mercy. You and your worthless species.”
“Mercy?” Robert said, avoiding Holrathu’s strike. “The only one who will be begging for mercy will be you.”
“Still with this confidence,” Holrathu said before he thrust his ax at Robert. “I suggest you take a look around, Robert. It is admirable what you have done, but this is merely a warmup to the Emperor’s arrival. Our soldiers consider this display a part of the celebration. Each one rushes forward to share in the Emperor’s glory. And now the Masters will enter the battlefield, sealing the fate of humanity.”
As he spoke, Robert spotted a dozen enormous figures leap from the ship and descend toward his position.
“Do you think your metal clad brutes frighten me?” Robert shouted while the Masters took their positions behind Commander Holrathu. “I’ll take them all on myself.”
“You should listen to yourself now,” Holrathu said, taking up his ax. “It is this belief of yours that you can do it all on your own that has gotten you into trouble.”
“No, I’m not alone,” Robert said before the sound of crackling electricity filled the air.
“Is this another one of your tricks?” Holrathu said after a wide portal appeared behind Robert.
“I learned from the best,” Robert said.
A figure burst through the black opening and struck the commander with a flashing blade.
“You’ve made enemies all across the Multi-verse,” Robert said as Kalis dropped to his side. A stream of Thylocenian soldiers poured out of the opening and filled in behind her.
“And now it’s time for you to face the consequences of your actions,” King Prontus said, stopping at Kalis’s side.
“You insubordinate fools,” Commander Holrathu shouted while he rushed forward, but an explosion to his right forced him back.
Several Dozen portals appeared in one swift instance and a figure charged froward, holding a spear with a glowing blue tip. Sending forth a volley of thick fire at the Masters, Drak stopped Beside Robert with his spear at the ready. The Chalthantarian forces rushed out of the portals behind him and filled the battlefield.
“I think it’s time we finished this,” Drak said.
“I think you are right,” Holrathu said.
Sage felt the wind rush out of his chest as he slammed into the hard deck. Glancing to his right, he found Candace laying beside him, wide eyed and terrified.
“It’ll be all right,” he mouthed before one of the guards yanked him into the air.
Struggling against his bonds, he attempted to comprehend what stood before him. A stepped peak similar to the structure in the cavern stood between two beams shooting into the stratosphere.
“We found the intruders,” KiGuan said, stepping forward. His enormous form dwarfed by the towering structure.
The summit of the mechanism broke free and descended toward their position, spindly legs extending out from a bulbous chamber while it reached the ground.
Sage felt his stomach recoil as a pair of black eyes embedded in an insect shaped head extended out of a hole in the bottom of the chamber, serpentine and filled with malice.
“So these are the ungrateful wretches that thought they could interfere with the Emperor’s arrival,” Mother said, locking eyes with Sage. “I find it incredible that such a species rose to prominence in this extent. It appears that this rebelliousness is a trait of your species, but you’ll soon learn some respect, either that or we’ll eradicate you all. This is what happens when inferior beings encounter greatness.”
“The sub-level is secure,” KiGuan said while several explosions rang out acros
s the battlefield. “Nothing will interfere with the process.”
“You serve your father well, KiGuan,” Mother said before she turned her attention to the edge of the ship. “I’d like for our guests to witness what it looks like when a domain resists the Emperors will. Bring them forward and they can observe the downfall of their species.”
The guards shoved Sage, and his companions forward through the air. Spotting Gerald to his left, the stern leader glanced in his direction and nodded his head as they approached the edge.
“Behold, the fruits of your labor,” Mother said, stepping back to reveal the battle in full swing across the valley. Several portals lay open in a wide arc and Chalthantarian and Thylocenian soldiers poured out to meet with the Masters horde alongside their earthly allies, but they were still greatly outnumbered by the swarm of orange and black.
“I must acknowledge the courage our enemies have shown in the face of certain defeat,” Mother said as her neck spun her head out over the lip of the craft. “It is a great honor to die in battle, even if it is on the losing side. May this struggle bring glory to our soldiers as they aid the Emperor on his quest. The moment fast approaches and we have much to do. Prepare to open the gateway.”
As the new arrivals poured out of the portal to meet their enemy attackers, the battlefield was flooded with smoke and explosions.
Breaking away from a slew of enemy soldiers, Gaelin felt the heat of incoming fire after he dropped toward the ground, but a bright flash of light passed by him and he heard the sound of soldiers shrieking. He kicked off of the ground to find O’Dell Grimes hovering over him with his weapon filled with light.
“This is just starting to get fun,” O’Dell said, firing at another group of soldiers.
“Are you kidding? We’re still outnumbered, even with the new arrivals,” Gaelin shouted before shielding himself from a blast.
“Don’t count us out yet,” a voice said from behind as another blast of light tore past Gaelin.
“We’ve got friends all over,” Sheila said, pushing forward. A swarm of figures appeared on the horizon and charged toward the battlefield with an elaborate display of weapons in hand.
“I told you the freaks would be coming out of the woodwork for this one,” O’Dell said as they were joined by a wild mix of characters dressed in brightly colored metallic armor.
“This is the moment we’ve all been waiting for,” O’Dell shouted. “Today we rid the world of tyranny and begin a new age free from the shackles of the overlords. I have been dreaming about this time my whole life. Join me as we fulfill our destiny.”
Turning toward the enemy forces, O’Dell sent forth a volley of fire before charging ahead. A fierce roar erupted from the multitude behind him as they rushed forward to join the battle.
As Gaelin leaped into the charge, a call came to him on his panel.
“We’re kind of in the middle of something,” he shouted, pressing the button on his console while avoiding fire.
“Look to the West,” the voice of President Edwards said, her image sputtering.
Glancing over his shoulder, Gaelin spotted several dozen craft crest the mountain range before a flood of figures dropped into the valley.
“Thought you could use some help,” Edwards said as the Military forces reached the battlefield with their weapons blazing.
“We can use all the help we can get,” Gaelin said, dodging another attack.
Before Edwards had a chance to answer a bright light lit up the sky followed by a terrific explosion. As Gaelin looked up toward the ship hovering overhead, an orb slammed into his chest and he tumbled backward out of control.
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
TURNING HER BACK to the battle, Mother leaped into the air over the platform as her legs retracted.
“KiGuan, Set our guests up right in front and prepare yourself for the Emperor’s arrival,” Mother said before rising to the pinnacle of the structure.
“As you wish, Mother,” KiGuan said, facing his captives. “It is time for the arrival of my mother and father. Assemble our guests at the center of the platform. It is time they learned the true power of the Emperor.”
“I don’t know what it is that you are doing, but I know Mitch trusted you once,” Gerald said before the guards shoved them across the platform.
“Do not mention that name to me,” KiGuan said after they halted at the center of the platform. Overhead, great spires of energy crackled along the twin beams reaching into the stratosphere.
“But you know that this is wrong,” Gerald shouted.
“That just shows how foolish you are,” KiGuan said while looking toward the sky. “There is no greater force in the Multi-verse than the Emperor. It will be my pleasure to introduce you to him and my mother once they arrive.”
“You’ve got no idea what you are doing,” Gerald shouted.
“I know exactly what I am doing,” KiGuan said before a rumbling vibration shook the platform. “And that is what sets me free. I live to serve the Emperor. My devotion allows me to fulfill my potential as an entity in the multi-verse. Seeing his will come to fruition is my great purpose. As for you and your kind, you only live to serve yourselves. This vain pursuit will only lead to destruction and oblivion.”
“How is killing and enslaving people across the multi-verse making things better?” Gerald shouted as the vibrations intensified.
“That is precisely my point,” KiGuan shouted over the rumbling noise. “You cannot expect to make great changes to the multi-verse without destroying something. You cling to this form of yours in a desperate attempt to prevent your own demise. This struggle only leads to entropy and despair, but if you allow the Emperor into your heart, you will discover that your true nature lies beyond this crude matter you hold dear.”
“I know you don’t believe the things you are saying,” Gerald said before the structure lurched into motion, each level rotating in opposite directions as spikes of electromagnetic energy shot up its surface and gathered in a great cloud over the peak.
“That is a funny thing to say in this moment,” KiGuan said. “For I can see right through to your heart, and I know for a fact that you are an empty vessel. My father’s love fills my very being with everything I need to thrive in the multi-verse. It is my sworn duty to bring his love to the far reaches of every possible extent. And that is why we have brought you here. You and your young companions will be the first Earthlings to greet our divine rulers in the flesh. Place them on the mechanism.”
“What are you doing? Killing us is not going to help anyone. How could the Emperor possibly want this?” Gerald shouted while he was shoved forward alongside Sage and the others toward the rotating structure at the center of the platform.
“No one said anything about dying,” KiGuan said, stopping before the mechanism. “Allow the Emperor to penetrate your very being and you will find yourself ascending to a higher plain of existence, but if your resist, you will be torn asunder by the energy flowing through you. The choice is yours, submit to the Emperor, or perish.”
“You cannot do this,” Gerald shouted as several limbs of crackling energy extended forward from the rotating machine and seized the captives by the waists.
“You have done this to yourselves,” KiGuan said, watching his captives struggle against their bonds. “But salvation awaits you, if only you submit to their will. It is time to open the gateway.”
“We need to move now,” O’Dell shouted over the din.
“I thought I was dead,” Gaelin said while Ramon helped him to his feet.
“You almost gave me a heart attack,” Ramon shouted before launching into the air. “Come on. We can’t sit here any longer.”
“We’re not going to get another chance,” O’Dell shouted while blocking an incoming blast. “We need to make a line for that mechanism and take it out before it’s too late.”
“I don’t know how you’re going to make it there,” Gaelin said, following after O’Dell and Ramon.
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“We’ve still got some tricks up our sleeves,” Sheila said as she swept in from the right with the other cell members.
“Ramon, clear us a path and we’ll cut our way there,” O’Dell said, readying his weapon.
“I’ve got a better idea,” Gaelin said as he glanced at the ground and spotted a wide culvert leading into a ravine. “Follow me. I think I know a way we can get there without drawing any more attention.”
“I hope you know what you are doing,” O’Dell said, changing course.
“I’ve been down this way before,” Gaelin said before shooting an orb at the grate covering the culvert. “It’s kind of how this whole thing got started.”
Amidst the roar of the battle, Robert managed to dodge another strike from Commander Holrathu before he was struck by an ornate spear thrust forward by an attacking Master. In agony, he rolled to his right and swiped at his opponent before leaping out of danger.
As he recovered, Kalis shot forward and slashed at a Master holding an enormous blunt mace. Swinging the weapon in the air, the Master brought it down with full force, but Kalis lunged to her right to avoid the blow.
“While we admire your courage, this attempt to stand up for yourselves is only delaying the inevitable,” Commander Holrathu said while he brought down his ax and cleaved a crowd of opponents. “You people have proven yourselves clever enough to fashion your own weapons, but it will not be enough to stop us.”
“I’ve heard you say things like this before, just before we defeated you in battle,” Robert said as he spun on his heel and swung his weapon at a Master wielding a broadsword.
“It is laughable that you believe you defeated me,” Holrathu said, deflecting a blow from Kalis. “You are all pawns in the Emperor’s grand scheme. I accepted my role in this drama long ago. This acceptance gives me the power to do what I must to bring about the Emperor’s will. Filled with his love, I strike down all that oppose the destiny we have embraced.”
