by Chris Fox
The trio of champions behind her wore similar garb, all cotton and all handmade. None of the others had bracelets, or any other real jewelry. None held a weapon—though the fact that they were werewolves was weapon enough.
How should he best deal with them? If Blair were here, he’d probably just stop blurring so he could talk to them. That was the polite thing to do.
Unfortunately, Jordan wasn’t a very polite guy.
He drew on the vast power at his fingertips, fueling the ability he felt most comfortable with: his telekinesis. He willed invisible bonds into existence, lifting all four champions into the air. Their limbs were pinned to their bodies, and as Jordan released the blur their faces melted into different versions of confusion.
“Hey, there. Name’s Jordan. This is my Ark.” Jordan walked slowly to stand at the base of the light bridge, staring down at the woman with the bracelet. “You look like you’re in charge. How about you tell me who you are, and what you’re doing here?”
Her expression—eyes wide, mouth hanging open—was comical. She licked her lips, blinking a few times before speaking. Then her features hardened to indignant anger. “I am Elia, high priestess of this place. We keep vigil for the Mother’s return. I demand you release me.”
“Yeah, no,” Jordan replied. He shifted back to human form, and was mildly surprised that Elia could almost look him in the eye. They didn’t usually make women that tall. “The Mother is dead. I saw it with my own eyes. Whatever it is you think you’re doing here, there’s no point.”
“Save your blasphemies; we will not be swayed by them. You may be powerful, but we will fight you until our dying breath.” Elia’s eyes blazed, and if she could have burned him to a cinder on the spot he was pretty sure she would have.
“Eldest sister, I recognize this man,” said one of the Ka-Ken, a pretty dark-skinned woman with long black hair. “Or at least, his name. El Medico spoke of him. He did leave with the Mother to battle the ancient evil.”
“You know Doctor Roberts?” Jordan asked. He ignored the woman with the bracelet, moving to stand next to the woman who’d spoken. She was nearly as tall as Elia, with her hair bound in the same kind of ponytail Liz used. Her scent was heady and intoxicating, in some primal way.
“I do know him, Ka-Dun,” she said, giving him a deferential nod.
“Tell him nothing, little sister. We will—”
Jordan gestured, and her jaw clamped shut. “Can you tell me where to find him?”
“Yes, Ka-Dun. He is the president of New Peru. He has led that nation for the past three years, ever since they declared themselves. Before that, he led and helped others. He is well loved here.” The woman’s familiar tone suggested she knew Doctor Roberts personally. That increased her value several notches.
“Do you have a name?” he asked, setting her gently down. He maintained the bonds on the others, including the struggling priestess. Her face had gone bright red, and her eyes promised swift death.
“I am Leticia. Most call me Leti, for short,” she said, giving Jordan a low bow. She clasped her hands together, speaking in a soft voice. “Please, release my companions. We mean you no harm. We are here to honor the Mother, nothing more.”
Jordan waved a hand and the others dropped to the floor. He turned to Elia. “I’m releasing you, for now. If you become a threat, trust that I will deal with it accordingly.”
“Your very presence profanes this place.” Elia spat the words. She smoothed her dress, an attempt to regain her composure.
Jordan didn’t give her that chance. “I am fast growing tired of your antics,” he growled. He took two steps closer, meeting her gaze. “It’s my responsibility to run this place, and to protect the surrounding areas. If I have to, I can teleport you—and your friends—all the way to Lima.”
“The most holy Ark belongs to the Mother, not some jumped-up cur,” Elia snapped. She shifted in an eye blink, claws raking at Jordan’s eyes. He blurred, dodging the blow by millimeters.
Jordan raised his hand, slamming Elia into the wall with telekinetic force. He left her pinned there, plastered to the wall and unable to move. “Insults I’ll tolerate. Violence? I don’t think so. You attacked me. We’re done here.”
Jordan reached for the well of power, using it to do something he’d seen Blair do often. Jordan activated the light bridge, teleporting Elia into one of the cells on the lowest level. He powered the bars, trapping her there. Then Jordan turned back to Leticia.
“There are more of you in the temple, right?”
“Yes, Ark Lord. They will be greatly distressed by your arrival. May I ask what happened to Elia?”
“I placed her in the Ark’s holding cells,” Jordan explained. He felt a twinge of guilt, probably the result of spending too much time with Blair. The man’s morals were rubbing off on him. “Listen, I’m sorry for how that went down, but she didn’t leave me a lot of choice.”
“I agree, Ka-Dun. It pains me to see her imprisonment, but even I must admit she gave you cause.”
“Leti, gather your people in the central chamber. I need an explanation about what you’re using the Ark for, and I’m sure your people will have many questions.”
Chapter 8- Emotional Baggage
Jordan’s shoulder blades itched from all the eyes as he strode up the thick red carpet now leading into the central chamber. These people had been busy. Tapestries showing fanciful but not very accurate depictions of Isis dotted the walls, covering the golden glyphs Jordan remembered. He blinked, realizing that wasn’t the only thing they’d covered.
During the battle to wake the Mother, Jordan had been on the wrong side. He’d tried to stop Blair, and the resulting battle had done catastrophic damage to this room. The tapestries covered the walls where the worst of that damage lay, and he could still see a few pockmarks in the stone, probably from stray rounds.
“This way please,” Leti said. She rested a gentle hand on Jordan’s arm, guiding him to the steps of a small dais that had been erected next to the central obelisk.
Priests and priestesses had gathered in a semi-circle facing the dais, though every head was turned to study him as he made his way through their ranks. He read a mixture of curiosity, fear, and outright hostility. So many emotions, and he had no idea what he’d done to cause them—other than existing, and having the key to this place.
“Brothers and sisters, I’d like to introduce Ark Lord Jordan. He bears a sacred connection to this place,” Leti explained. She paused, her large eyes scanning her companions. Most seemed to respect her, though not all. A few gave her the same hostile look they’d hurled in his direction. Leti squared her shoulders, speaking again. “Eldest sister Elia attacked the Ark Lord, and he used his powers to place her into the cells on the lower levels. He asked me to gather you all here to discuss his arrival, and what it means for us going forward.”
Leti gave him a weak smile, then stepped off the dais. She moved to stand with the others, watching him expectantly. Jordan looked around at the assembled faces, considering his words carefully. He wasn’t an orator. He was a soldier. There was no point in pretending to be what he wasn’t, so he’d be what he was, without apology.
“The Ark is of enormous strategic value in the war Isis began. It will be necessary to humanity’s survival on this continent, and I was entrusted with the access key by the Mother herself,” Jordan began. It wasn’t strictly true. The Mother hadn’t given him the key—he’d taken it from Steve’s corpse—but she’d certainly prefer him having it over that smug, arrogant fuck. “It’s my job to find every champion on the continent, and weld us together into a cohesive fighting force. To do that I’m going to need a lot of help, help some of you may be able to provide. Since I realize that you may find working with me difficult, I’d like to clear the air. Why don’t we start with your questions, and then we’ll get to mine.”
Several priests shifted uncomfortably, adjusting robes or clutching something very much like prayer beads. One man finally
stepped forward. Mid-forties, salt and pepper hair. Average height, with the well-muscled physique common to every werewolf.
“I am called Adam. My title in this temple is eldest brother. We are led by eldest sister Elia, yet you’ve usurped this place and locked her away. Why? What could you possibly hope to gain? Please, if you wish our cooperation, free her immediately.” The man’s words were impassioned. Jordan had seen zealots before, but this guy had definitely drunk a double helping of the Kool-Aid.
“Sure,” Jordan said. He concentrated, linking with the Ark again.
Far below, the light bridge activated, and a very irate Elia appeared near her companions in a flash of brilliance. She lurched, barely catching herself before finding her balance.
“Here’s your eldest sister,” Jordan said. “As for what I hoped to gain in imprisoning her, your sister tried to tear out my throat. I don’t enjoy being attacked, especially without provocation.”
“I had provocation,” Elia snapped. Her eyes blazed, and Jordan felt her bracelet activate. Energy infused her words. He didn’t understand what the thing did, but he could feel it affecting him. The shaping affected the entire room, faces going slack as they listened to Elia. “You profaned this most holy place. You invaded it, claiming that the Mother is dead. Your heresy is unwelcome, invader. Leave this place, or we will resist you.”
“And here I was having a nice day for once,” Jordan said, heaving a sigh. Elia clearly had no grasp of what an Ark Lord could do. He doubted any of them did. “Listen, I don’t want to pick a fight, but if you attack me again I will put every last one of your furry asses in a cell.”
“You cannot defeat all of us,” Adam roared, shifting into warform. His clothes shredded, tattered white robes still clinging to his grey fur.
Jordan laughed. He couldn’t help it. The idea that these people were going to try to stop him, when they hadn’t even mastered shifting with their clothing…he just had to let it out.
“You think this is funny?” Elia’s words were the opposite of Adam’s, soft as death. “You mock us in the heart of our most holy place. There is only one recourse. Brothers and sisters, slay this man.”
Jordan willed bonds around every assembled werewolf, hoisting dozens of Ka-Ken and Ka-Dun into the air with no more effort than it had taken with just a handful of them. It was frighteningly easy.
“Yeah, I guess laughing was pretty rude. Picking you up without asking is rude, too, and I’m sorry for needing to restrain all of you.” Jordan began again, moderating his tone. “Let me make the situation clear for all of you. Five years ago, the Mother battled Set. Do you know who Set is?”
“The ancient texts speak of Set and his treachery,” Adam allowed, cautiously. “You say that you fought at her side? A simple mindshare can verify that.”
“Great. We’ll do a mindshare. Here, have some emotional baggage.” Jordan wasn’t nearly so skilled at this as Blair, but what he lacked in finesse he made up for in brute force. He pushed his memories to every person in the room.
He remembered the days leading up to the detonation of the First Ark. He remembered being imprisoned in the demonic power armor. He remembered fighting Set, and watching allies die. He remembered the Director’s final stand.
Jordan blasted those memories at the assembled priests in a firehose of information. Shocked gasps and cries filled the room. The transfer lasted for several moments, and when it was over Jordan released Adam’s bonds. The werewolf toppled to his knees, catching himself against the stone. He rose shakily, licking his chops as he stared at Jordan.
“Satisfied?” Jordan asked.
“Clearly Ark Lord Jordan speaks the truth, or the truth as he knows it at least. He did fight alongside the Mother, and what’s more, he is her direct progeny,” Adam said. His words had a profound effect on those around them. They began whispering, and their faces shifted from anger to awed reverence. “Please, Lord. Release us, and we will offer you no resistance.”
“Do not presume to speak for the order, little brother,” Elia snapped, glaring hard at Adam. “I am the eldest, and this place is my responsibility. I will not turn it over to this monster, especially not when he claims the Mother is dead.”
“You saw his memories, Elia. It is the truth as he knows it,” Adam replied. He was calm, and clearly unafraid of Elia. Whatever her bracelet did didn’t seem to affect him. “Jordan did not see the Mother die, but she and her consort were placed in mortal peril against a superior foe. Jordan sees no way in which she could have survived, but then he appears to have no real knowledge of her true abilities. There is no sin in ignorance, Elia. He cannot be faulted for it.”
“He imprisoned me.” Elia’s tone was as hard as ever, but her expression showed that she knew Adam had scored a blow. The others were nodding thoughtfully. “Even now we are held against our will. Are you willing to let this brute assume control of the most holiest of places, without a fight?”
“Is that a fight you believe you can win?” Adam asked, raising an eyebrow. “He bested us easily. Effortlessly. He can do this, because he spoke the truth. Jordan is an Ark Lord. He has the key to this place, the key created by the Mother. I am not suggesting we roll over like pups, but I am saying we must proceed carefully. Jordan should be offered respect and understanding, especially if he is willing to continue mindsharing. There is much we can teach him, and much in turn that we can learn.”
“I put it to a vote, then,” Elia retorted. The bracelet pulsed again, infusing her words with…something. “Will we cast this mongrel out, or accept his dominion over the most holiest of places? Choose carefully, brothers and sisters. Our faith is being sorely tested.”
Faces hardened around the room.
“Wait.” Jordan raised a hand to forestall Elia, lowering everyone to the ground. “There’s no need for a vote. I need intel more than anything, and that means venturing out into the world. Leti mentioned New Peru, and that an old friend of mine is the president. I’ll leave, for now. Leti can take me to meet with Doctor Roberts. After I have some answers, I’ll return. When I do, we can have a more formal discussion about the fate of this place. Are those terms acceptable?”
“Definitely,” Adam said, nodding. “We appreciate the courtesy. This matter will be discussed at length, and when you return we can sort out this…misunderstanding. Elia, I assume you have no objections?”
“None.” Elia’s eyes burned into Jordan.
He had a feeling she was going to make a bad enemy.
Chapter 9- Arrival
The very instant Trevor was conscious of his surroundings, he flowed into the shadows. Beside him, Irakesh did the same. He spent several long moments looking for threats; there were none, but what he saw was disturbing enough to keep his guard up.
The walls were tainted, covered in a chitinous black substance. The substance was unfamiliar, but it reminded him somehow of Set. It smelled faintly of decay.
“What do you make of it?” Trevor whispered.
“I’ve never seen the like,” Irakesh admitted. The shadows around the deathless dissolved, and he crouched next to the wall near the doorway leading from the room. “It’s demonic, without a doubt. But it isn’t any form I’ve seen. It isn’t Set’s work, either. I don’t know who, or what, created this.”
“When you say its demonic…can the creator sense us?” Trevor asked. Arks allowed their owners to extend their perceptions, as he understood it. Maybe this stuff could do the same.
“I doubt it,” Irakesh allowed.
Trevor noted the brief hesitation. “I’ll try tapping into the Ark and see what I can learn.”
“Wait!” Irakesh spun, rushing toward him. “Do nothing. Not yet. Interfacing with the Ark will use power, and this stuff might allow whoever put it here to track that usage.”
“If that’s the case, they already know we’re here,” Trevor countered. “They knew the instant the light bridge activated.” He closed his eyes and reached out to the Ark.
Someth
ing massive responded. Trevor gained a bewildering array of new senses, but during his time in the IT world Trevor had been forced to learn new things all the time. This was just another unfamiliar operating system. All he had to do was figure out navigation, and he could tap into whatever the Ark was capable of.
Trevor thought about power reserves, and a response came immediately.
“We’re at point zero two percent power reserves. That amount is dropping, and at the current rate this place will go dark in about six more months.” Even as Trevor spoke, he was looking for more data. He willed the Ark to show him the area outside the Ark. “Holy crap. There are three pyramids hovering above the Ark. They aren’t Ark sized, but they’re bigger than a 747. There’s also a small city floating above the pyramids, and it looks like the pyramids are feeding it power somehow. It’s Olympus, though I’ve got no idea how Hades moved the city.”
“What about the Ark itself? Are we alone?” Irakesh asked, his voice rising a quarter octave. He began pacing.
“Checking,” Trevor said. He thought about internal diagnostics, and knowledge flowed into his mind. “Most internal sensors are disabled. Whatever this goop is, it looks like it’s the stuff draining the power.”
“So we’re on our own then. Lovely. Simply lovely. What do you propose we do, Ark Lord?”
Trevor ignored the sardonic tone. He wasn’t surprised that Irakesh’s composure was slipping, but he couldn’t afford to allow the same to happen to him.
“We have no idea who or what we’re dealing with,” he said. “Our first goal is to get more information about whoever’s hijacked the Ark. That means manual recon, so stealth up and follow me.” He flowed into the shadows again, moving through the door and up the corridor beyond.
