“Do what you need to do,” Raiden replied, glancing at Mara, who nodded in approval.
“They are our allies!” Raiden shouted up at Gavriel behind him, filling the angel in. “They are going to tie us up, but only until we get inside! You should follow!”
“I may be tall, human, but I am not deaf,” the angel muttered loudly for all to hear.
Raiden turned back towards Rio, and his face flushed slightly with embarrassment.
Rio motioned towards his men. The rebels moved behind each of the newcomers and tied them with handcuffs and blindfolds, guiding them into the bunker. Skarai hovered protectively over Raiden, eyeing his escorts with a threatening glare.
Gavriel’s wings shrunk mysteriously as he tucked them under his shoulder blades. He glowed brightly, surrounded by an expanding, golden, ethereal mist as his body shrunk too, as if part of his mass was being converted to a gaseous state. The mist flowed after him as he walked inside the bunker. Once everyone had entered, the Chargers closed the door behind them.
“I will speak now with the chosen one,” Gavriel told Rio as they clanged through a dim, metallic tunnel lit up by flickering lamps hanging from the ceiling.
“You can talk to me first,” Rio said. “I want to know what’s brought you here.”
“I ask your permission because I see you are in a position of authority over my champion,” Gavriel explained cooly. “But this is not, in fact, a request, but rather a demand. I must speak with him immediately.”
Rio’s eyes narrowed as he stared suspiciously at Gavriel.
“Fine,” he said, motioning for Suriel to join them. “But I am staying right here.”
Suriel walked up slowly beside them, both awed and intimidated by the angel.
“What is your name, hero?” Gavriel asked.
“Suriel.”
“The spirit of Agius runs deeply in your blood, Suriel. I can feel it.”
“The spirit of Agius?” Suriel asked, puzzled.
“Destiny has chosen you to fulfill his original purpose,” Gavriel continued. “Without a God King, our galaxy cannot exist for much longer, which is why your true being was brought into the world. It is your purpose.”
“My purpose?” Suriel asked, trying to make sense of it. “Do you mean to say that I am to become the new king of the galaxy?”
“Yes,” Gavriel nodded. “When Harmonius chose Agius to be his successor, he fashioned that gemstone around your neck to contain the Electus Prime in such a fashion that only a human could wield it. During the Great War, Agius tore the stone, thinking he could control the explosion, but he was wrong. It unleashed a surge of energy so powerful, it mortally wounded him and almost destroyed this entire planet. Although some of that energy was lost, a great amount is still contained in either half. That is why Agius, with his last breath, sent one half through the Nexus to Earth, hoping they would never be reunited.”
“But now it’s back on Earth,” Rio chimed in, glancing at Raiden. “And around that man’s neck.”
Suriel looked over at Raiden, watching as Kiara walked by his side, conversing with a blissful smile on her face. He felt his heart begin to ache.
“You must forget her,” Gavriel said bluntly, sensing his emotion. “As God King, you will have no time for distraction.”
She is not a distraction, Suriel thought longingly. She is my soulmate.
“There is one more thing,” Gavriel continued, his voice turning grim. “In an act of betrayal, our treasonous Binder bound Azarai’s soul to the gemstone, hoping that although he could not wield it himself, he may overcome the human that did. Agius was strong enough to resist Azarai’s influence, but when you reunite the two halves, you may have to face the same challenge.”
“You mean Azarai, the Demon King, still lives?” Suriel asked with wonder, trying to process everything he was hearing.
“His body was destroyed, but his spirit lives on, bound to both these amulets and to his second daughter, Alia, if she herself is still alive.”
“So the only way to kill him would be to destroy all three of those things,” Suriel tried to understand. “But we can’t destroy the Electus Prime, because the galaxy needs it to survive.”
“You are correct,” Gavriel confirmed. “My brother Mikael will try to sway you to the darkness, but you must resist. Once he has been defeated, you can take your rightful place in the Chamber of Genesis as the ruler of our galaxy.”
As Suriel and Gavriel continued their conversation, Rio received another transmission from his communication transceiver.
“Sir,” a voice crackled. “We’ve defeated the enemy task force with minimal casualties. The leader of the enemy task force is in our possession and is being transported to your position.”
“Good,” Rio replied. “I will be in my quarters in the delta bunker. Bring him in as soon as he arrives.” He looked up at Gavriel and Suriel.
“If you don’t mind,” Rio interrupted them, “I’m going to need to borrow the Prince soon for a little chat with his father.”
◆◆◆
“You assured me that this plan would work!” the King raged from his throne, throwing a half-eaten chicken wing at Bron’s head as he ducked for cover. The rest of the advisors watched, some of them scared, others secretly pleased.
“The plan was flawless, Sire,” Bron stammered. “I-I do not know what could have gone wrong.”
“EVERYTHING!” the King fumed. He looked at his cowering advisors and took a deep breath, calming himself.
“I should have you killed,” he stated cooly. “But I won’t, because I cannot win this war alone. You can think out of the box, and I am still in need of your abilities.”
“Thank you, My Lord,” Bron exhaled with relief. “I will not fail you agai-”
Bron’s apology was interrupted by a knock at the door to the throne room.
“Enter!” the King called.
A courier rushed into the room holding a circular, holographic projection device.
“My King,” the courier bowed hastily. “A message was transmitted from the chief of our subdued task force. Apparently, the rebel leader wants to speak with you.”
The King froze, his lips tightening to a cold grimace.
“Put him through,” he growled.
The courier placed the device hurriedly onto the floor before the throne and activated it. An array of light shone up from the surface, forming the image of a man, but not the man the King expected.
“Suriel?” the King gasped, standing from his seat.
“Father,” Suriel smiled lovingly. “How pleasing it is to finally see you. I’ve missed you so much.”
The King trembled, his eyes watering. “Have they hurt you?”
“I am fine, Father,” Suriel replied. “I’ve been treated well.”
“Listen to me, Suriel,” the King’s voice shook with anger and determination. “I am going to get you out of there. I will bring you home if I have to tear this whole damned kingdom apart to-”
“Father,” Suriel interrupted slowly. “I am not a prisoner here. These people are my friends.”
The King’s eyes widened. His advisors listened with great interest, Bron especially.
“Your…friends!?”
“Yes, Father, my friends. They are good people, and they do not want to fight.”
“Tell that to the hundred men I just lost or had captured!” the King raged. “They’ve done something to you, Suriel. They had a Reader brainwash you. You need to snap out of it!”
“There was no Reader, Father,” Suriel assured him sincerely. “Only the truth. The truth about what you did to the Ancients and to the people of the Dinges. The truth of the blood on our family’s hands.”
“They are feeding you lies!” The King yelled desperately, sweat dripping down his brow. “Please, Suriel, don’t do this.”
“I still love you, Father, no matter what you did,” Suriel said, a tear running down his cheek. “But you need to stop shielding me and
treating me like a child. We need to answer for our crimes. I would rather die than watch these people suffer any longer. If you wish to kill them, you will have to kill me first.”
The King stood speechless and pale-faced, forgetting entirely about the advisors in the room.
“My only child,” he whispered, his voice quivered with emotion. “I will not wage war against my only child.”
“Then do the right thing,” Suriel said. “My entire life, I wanted to be the great king I thought you were. Was it all a lie? Did Mother approve of your actions too?”
“Your mother did not know,” the King mumbled.
“Then earn her forgiveness,” Suriel beseeched him. “End this senseless war and make things right.”
He paused, his eyes shimmering with emotion.
“Be the king I always thought you to be.”
The King stared silently into the eyes of his beloved son, his knees hardly able to support the weight of his guilty heart.
“Bron,” he said finally, not breaking his son’s gaze.
“Yes, My Lord,” Bron said, stepping forward.
“Call back your forces,” the King ordered, slowly and softly. “Tell the people there will be no war. For now, at least.”
“Sire, are you su-”
“Now,” the King cut him off sharply. “I will not fight my son.”
A relieved smile broke across Suriel’s face.
“How soon can I see you?” the King asked stiffly, choked with a mixture of anger and guilt.
“I will come home as soon as I can, a couple of days perhaps,” Suriel replied.
“Good. I want to have a proper conversation with you about this, face to face.”
“Well, then, I should begin my preparations.”
Suriel gazed at his father.
“I love you, Father,” he said one last time. And with that, the hologram vanished.
The King stared at the empty space where his son had stood, wishing he could see him again, even for a moment. Finally, after a long, deep breath, he turned to face his advisors.
“Gentlemen,” he said, clearing his throat.
“My Lord,” they all responded quickly and disorderly.
“In light of new events, I would like your advice on a series of new proposals. The first of which being-”
The King’s sentence was cut short by a shrilling cry which echoed across the room, coming from behind the door. Before the King could react, the door slammed open, and Mikael barged through in a chilling cloud of darkness, followed by a horde of Decrepit.
“Let me finish that for you,” Mikael said, holding up the severed heads of several of the King’s guards by their hair. The Decrepit chased the advisors as they scurried frantically around the room, trying to escape.
“The first of which being a new King.”
The King watched with horror as the Decrepit slew his advisors with their dark blades, tearing them viciously to pieces.
“You cannot do this!” the King cried. “We had a deal!”
“That was before you sent your knights to kill me,” Mikael replied, his voice deep and unnervingly calm. “Besides, I no longer need your son. I found him a replacement, as I did for you.”
Jaaro walked into the room behind Mikael, dressed in a pair of the King’s own royal, white robes.
“You can’t do thi-!”
Before the King could utter his protest, Mikael extended an arm towards him, and the King rose into the air and flew across the room, choking helplessly. He tried to issue a scream but couldn’t muster the breath. He looked down at Mikael with terror, but in his mind, he could think of only one thing—Suriel.
Mikael turned the King around, forcing him to watch as Jaaro assumed his throne.
“Now, Your Majesty,” Mikael said bluntly. “You shall die.”
As he ushered the last word, Mikael released the King from his hold. As he plummeted to the ground, a Decrepit waited beneath him, its blade extended. The creature swung swiftly just as he landed, and ushered a shrill, pleasureful shriek when the King’s head rolled down from his shoulders.
“Wait,” Mikael’s voice echoed as he turned to another Decrepit, which was about to slay the last advisor. “Let me see this one.”
Bron cowered on the blood-stained floor, shivering with fear and trepidation as Mikael approached him.
“You seem to be a crafty man, being the last to survive,” Mikael said. “Do you have an understanding of the King’s forces?”
“Yes, My Lord,” Bron whimpered.
“Speak up!” Mikael barked.
“I said yes, My Lord!” Bron blurted with panic. “I have a wide understanding of your newly acquired army, and would prove useful in guiding it to fulfill your commands.”
“You are a wise one indeed,” Mikael nodded. “You will continue to serve. Do you happen to know the location of the former Prince?”
“Yes, My Lord,” Bron replied. “He is in the Dinges, aiding in a rebel uprising.”
“Gather the entirety of our forces to invade the Dinges. I want the Prince found and brought to me alive, along with the gemstone around his neck.”
“Thank you for sparing my life, My Lord,” Bron bowed. “I will see it done.”
Chapter Seventeen
Reunion
4 days before planet’s destruction
“Wow,” Raiden said, leaning back against the wall behind the bunk-bed on which he sat. Kiara was positioned beside him with her legs folded up on the mattress. They were alone in the rebel sleeping quarters, where she had just finished telling him about her adventures in the palace.
“So, you were literally held captive in the house of the of gods?” Raiden asked.
“I can hardly believe it myself,” Kiara chuckled, shaking her head. “Maybe it was all just a dream.”
“Can’t be,” Raiden said simply. “If you were dreaming, I would’ve definitely been there.”
“Oh, get over yourself,” Kiara laughed, slapping him playfully on the cheek.
“Ouch, watch it!” Raiden exaggerated. “I’m still sore from the interrogation. Those new friends of yours are pretty rough.”
“Yeah,” Kiara said sarcastically. “Having your face scanned by a Reader for five minutes is torturous.”
Raiden smiled, gazing into Kiara’s eyes. He admired the bright, fiery orange tint, and the fun, youthful spirit he’d missed so dearly.
“I missed you too,” Kiara smiled coyly as if reading his mind. She placed her hand gently on his cheek and moved in closer until the tips of their noses were touching.
Raiden basked in the warmth of her touch and the touch of her breath against his lips. But as grateful as he was to be reunited with Kiara, something deep down was keeping him from feeling fully happy. A dreadful matter weighed down against his chest, one which needed to be addressed.
“Kiara,” Raiden said, his voice growing suddenly somber. He took her hand in his own. “There is something I need to tell you.”
“My mother is dead,” Kiara beat him to it. The words jutted quickly from her mouth as if prompted by instinct, surprising herself just as much as Raiden.
“You knew?” Raiden asked.
“I guess so,” Kiara sighed, tears pooling in her eyes. Despite the natural tears, she didn’t feel the need to break down. She felt herself harden, her heart turned to stone as it had become accustomed to doing ever since her kidnapping. She felt almost guilty about it, wondering if she’d lost the ability to grieve.
“Was she alone?” Kiara asked softly.
“I was there to comfort her,” Raiden said tenderly, stroking her arm. “I promised her I’d take care of you.”
Kiara nodded gratefully, then wrapped her arms around Raiden, digging her head against her neck. She wiped her tears against his skin as he hugged her in silence, stroking her back. They stayed in the position for what seemed like hours, savoring their mutual love, and mourning their mutual loss.
“Hey,” Raiden said finally. “Yo
u remember Bardo’s grimy scralp stand? I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I actually kind of miss it.”
“And his vicious feud with Seeman,” Kiara chuckled lightly. “Those two fish-brains were absolutely ridiculous.”
“But I still loved going there, especially when you came along,” Raiden smiled. “You know why?”
“Why?”
“Because afterward I’d take you to Dorcas Fizaris, buy you a drink, and watch you dance. And there’s nothing more magical than your dancing.”
Kiara smiled wistfully back at him. “I don’t think I’ll be dancing again anytime soon.”
“Oh, I can’t let that happen,” Raiden said. He stood up with a grin, offering Kiara his hand.
“Now?” she asked, raising her eyebrows.
“When else?”
“There’s no music.”
“That never stopped us before, all those late-night lessons in the fields.”
“Raiden, we’re in the middle of a war.”
“I don’t see any soldiers,” Raiden insisted, gazing intently into her eyes. “I just see you, and me, and this empty dance floor.”
Kiara laughed, shaking her head in disbelief as she accepted Raiden hand. Raiden lifted her up in front of him and placed his hands on her hips, moving together in unison. Although the room was silent, Kiara felt the music pour from the depths of her heart. All the memories of their late nights in the fields, the dance parties at the local pub, the times they lay in bed beside one another, talking the whole night through. They stared into each other’s eyes with blissful smiles, and for the first time in days, they each felt the comfort of home.
“I love you,” Raiden said softly, never breaking his gaze.
“I love you too,” Kiara smiled bashfully, trembling inside. She closed her eyes as Raiden pressed her body against his, resting his head upon her own.
“When this is all over,” Raiden said, “We can go back to Balron with the rest of the villagers. I’m sure Bardo already seized one of their market scralp stands as his own. We’ll buy a bag and then head over to the nearest pub for another dance.”
The Chamber of Genesis Page 26
