“Just give me two minutes, guys,” Jin said, looking over at Grain. They all hugged her first one by one and then headed outside. Sawyer refused to move because he didn’t understand what was going on, but Aidan dragged him by the collar and escorted him out, enduring the miniature bites from the kid’s plush dragon. They waited in silence, not even waving back to those who passed by. Huddled together, they thought only of the future, and the battle to come. One they were sure to lose.
Jin came outside and slammed the door behind him. His eyes were red and his face was worn.
“Listen to me,” he said, trying not to break. “I don’t intend to die today. I plan on getting this done and coming back here right away. She will not endure this world alone. And neither should any of you. Necrosis. Lowsunn. The Movement. The Elders. We finish this once and for all. Are there any objections?”
There were none.
“Good. Then let’s go kill an Omega.”
***
“Don’t just sit there. We need to strategize!” Jin shouted. Sawyer’s dragon had expanded large enough for all of them to sit on its back comfortably, despite the high speeds. According to Sawyer (and Charlie), they would reach Bailey’s group within the hour. Just before Necrosis arrived. But no one was in the mood to talk.
“Well, we know not to let him touch us,” Teller muttered.
“And I left my armor in Lowsunn,” Jin sighed angrily. “Though I’m sure it wouldn’t have made much of a difference.”
“We know that Elias is there,” Aidan spoke up. “He’s a healer. If you get hit with a blow that would have killed you, and he heals you, will you still possess the energy?”
“Not sure. That’s never happened to me before.”
“Well, that’s one plan. If nothing else.”
“I would rather not let our survival and victory hinge on the particulars of my death.”
“He’s an Omega, but he’s not invincible,” Leah said. “There is a way to stop him. Let’s not give up hope.”
“Will Morrigan be joining us?” Isaac asked, but Sawyer shook his head. “It was risky enough asking for your help. She’s still in Lowsunn.”
“Well, I for one am willing to see what I can do against him,” Isaac said, flexing his biceps. “It’s too bad I didn’t go with you guys to Onyx Minor. I could have gotten a few bruises to decorate my face too.”
“Funny,” Aidan remarked. “Remember that you don’t want any of Necrosis’s.”
“Charlie says we’re here,” Sawyer replied solemnly. Charlie descended slowly as the group below tried to interpret the meaning of their approach. Aidan examined the faces: Bailey, Elias, Makana, George, and Ticker. The dragon swooped down low enough for all of them to jump off. Bailey wasn’t sure whether to cry out in joy or fear.
“Tallawah?” she asked, turning to Aidan, then Isaac. “Isaac? What are you doing here? I thought you were gone forever.” Not able to hold back any longer, she ran forward and hugged them both. “And the Elder’s daughter?” she asked in awe. “So she really has been with you the whole time. And Jin!”
“No time for happy reunions,” Jin said. “We came to assist you. Necrosis’s not coming after us, but all of you.”
“What?” Bailey’s voice wavered.
“I’m afraid it’s true. The Elders...they’re going to crush your group and then the rest of the Movement...today.”
“I knew a quick trip to Darken and back was too good to be true. We’ve been on our toes the entire time.”
“Head back,” Leah whispered to Sawyer. “You shouldn’t be here for this.” The little boy nodded, jumped back on the dragon, and waved good-bye before they took flight. Every single person on the ground was completely envious. They stood around as Sawyer disappeared into the clouds, unsure of what to say next. Makana broke the silence.
“Good to see you, brother,” Makana said, her voice deep and powerful. She gave Jin a hug that made him wince. George and Elias saluted Aidan.
“So Necrosis is coming here, huh?” Bailey said. “Right now?”
“Any moment,” Jin replied.
“And do you think there’s enough of us to stop him?”
“Don’t know…perhaps now would be a good time to use one of your seals. You do have three.”
“My friend, only when the time is right.”
“That time is now, Bailey.”
“Perhaps. And perhaps not. If I start using my seals whenever conflict arises, I’ll soon be defenseless. What about the next Omega we face?”
“Is this going to start becoming a habit?” Jin laughed nervously.
“All I know is that things are not going to get easier,” she said. “But I promise to use them all if it means we make it out this day.”
“Do we have a plan?” Makana asked. Jin shook his head.
“We’ll try to reason with him first. If not, then we do our best.”
“A real Omega,” Ticker muttered. “Never thought I would see one in my lifetime.”
“Shouldn’t we go reconvene with the others?” Isaac asked.
“No,” Makana said, flexing her muscles. They were easily noticeable even under her baggy and exotic clothes. “This will be the first line of defense. If we start adding more, it will look like we’re building an army against him and we’ll lose all hope of reason. We eleven will wait.”
“I can keep him down as long as possible,” Jessica said. “Our heavy hitters can do their best. Though if he has the power of the comet…I don’t know how anything we do will make a difference.”
“Elias and Teller will be support,” Bailey commanded. “Teller can swoop in and carry any wounded away. Isaac can protect Elias while he’s healing.”
“I’m sorry I won’t be much help,” Ticker replied. “My sole ability is foreseeing the weather before it comes. Excellent for travel, but hardly useful in battle.”
“He’s with us because he’s part of the Movement,” Bailey explained to Aidan. “Age has no consideration against the powers that be.”
“Steel yourselves,” Makana said. “Rest while you can. If he is to approach at any minute, then this may be your last respite. This valley our final battleground.”
The eleven stood vigilant, facing out towards the west from where Necrosis would surely come. Aidan took in his surroundings and, for what might be the last time, embraced its tranquility. The dandelions, the gentle breeze, the hot sun. It was all so calm and perfect, and it settled his restless soul. Another fight would soon be upon him, and he knew that this could be the last moment he had his sanity. He was amongst friends and family now, and it was unreasonable to think they would all survive, even if they won.
There was no denying it. He would turn. He didn’t know when, but at some point, whether through the loss of Bailey or Jin or worse…he would hand over his body and spirit to a more animalistic nature. To consume. To devour. To do what he could not. It had helped him survive countless horrors, and it would surely not let him down now. There was still too much killing to be done.
But then five icy fingers intertwined with his.
And he remembered.
There was another that could guide him.
One that promised to show him a better way.
He opened his eyes and faced his wife. His sweetheart. His partner in battle and love. She smiled at him warmly as she parted her cool, blue hair with strong yet delicate fingers. No words needed to be said. He heard them all.
Neither would leave the other behind.
He would not turn.
And she would give her all.
Neither could live without the other.
So they would ensure that both made it to the next morning.
Leah squeezed his hand harder. There were no tears in her eyes. Just a fearless determination. She was not afraid of the unknown. And neither was he.
The eleven stood vigilant, side by side.
And then they saw him, rising over a hill miles away. He was nearly twelve feet tall, and as w
ide as three men. His skin was smooth and perfect. There were no scars. No faded wounds or blemishes. His hair was long and rugged, and his light brown beard was fashioned in the same manner, producing what looked like a mane. His muscles were chiseled and divine. His grey eyes were soft and distant and his clenched fists as powerful as boulders. He walked like a god, and the aura surrounding him was no less majestic and awe-inspiring. He wore only a loose white t-shirt and ripped, brown leather pants. He was barefoot.
No one said a word once they saw him. They only took in his radiance and breathed in his essence – until he was but a few feet away. His eyes smiled, then he sat down in the grass, crossed his legs and said hello.
When no one replied, he continued.
“You are my opponents,” he stated matter-of-factly, observing them one at a time. “A man of fire, a girl of elements, swords and telekinesis, gravitas, gravity, flight, wind, healing, weather analysis, combat efficiency, and…absorption of energy. It is best to face a terrible situation with multiple talents.” He nodded at his own wisdom.
“There has been a misunderstanding,” Bailey replied, stepping forward. “We don’t want to fight you. We know of your ability. You sense when a target has been placed upon you, and I understand your desire to perform a preemptive strike. But you have been tricked, into doing the bidding of another.”
“I know what has happened,” Necrosis said, closing his eyes. “I am not new to this. There have been many over time who have summoned me in the hopes that I would do their dirty work. Some I carry out. Others I do not. But I do intend to crush all parties of Lowsunn this day. Especially the ones that put you in this predicament.”
“You don’t have to face us,” she said, and his eyes shot open. The grey became as sharp as steel.
“You may not want to face me now. But you will. Your hearts are too connected to the place where your oppressors reside. As I lay destruction upon their door, you will not be able to stand aside and watch. You will intervene. Then, you will fight me. What difference does it make whether it is now or then?”
“We can handle them,” she pleaded. “Let us all go, and we will make them answer for their deeds.”
“Empty promises,” he said. “Why do you wait until it is far too late to gain your resolve?”
“You don’t have to do this.”
“I do this out of principle, not desire,” he said, standing to his bare feet. “It is up to you whether you will attack now or later. But once you decide to engage me, there will be no more talk. I cannot control what happens after. I become no longer a man, but a force of nature itself. And you cannot stop a hurricane once it has hit your shores, no matter how much you wish to.”
“You cannot destroy Lowsunn,” Bailey said as he began walking away from them. But he ignored her, and continued on his way.
“The second group will surely engage him,” Makana said with crossed arms. “Whether through ignorance, pride or fear. The slaughter is but hours or less away. Would any of us be able to live on knowing what our idleness has done?”
“It’s no way to live at all,” Leah muttered. “He’s right. Whether it’s now or later, we’re going to have to fight this battle. Might as well try now, before there’s more damage and lives lost.”
“So,” Isaac laughed. “Who’s throwing the first punch?”
“Whoever it is, you better make it count,” George muttered.
“Already on it,” Makana said with a big smile, but Leah grabbed her wrist.
“No, allow me,” she said, looking back at Aidan. He nodded. Necrosis would target her first, but there was no use worrying about her safety now. They were all in the same amount of trouble.
She let go of Makana and slapped her hands together. The earth behind them began to shift and quiver and roar, bursting up from the ground, hovering in mid-air and then flying upwards into the sky above the walking Necrosis. More and more pieces slammed together, forming a solid ball so large that it blocked out the sun from where they stood. But Leah didn’t stop there. As more earth further strengthened it, ice enveloped the surface, hardening it even more. Necrosis stopped his walk and looked above him, watching as the rock nearly a fourth of the size of Lowsunn loomed above him.
Leah’s nose was beginning to bleed but she continued the process until her arms were beginning to shake uncontrollably. She looked at the rest of them from left to right, and they nodded. She let the massive boulder go, and all but Elias and Ticker ran forward, ready to capitalize on any damage Leah’s attack would cause.
The rock smashed into Necrosis with such force that they were all knocked off their feet. The impact cracked the sky with a booming sound so loud that even Onyx Major heard its echo. But the Movement did not stop. They climbed to their feet, unsheathing swords and charging up their abilities and then continuing to run.
A massive fist broke through Leah’s rock and Necrosis’s face emerged from the midst. With red glowing eyes and hair whipping in all directions, he began to crack through his temporary prison. Makana reached him first, hit him with a punch so hard that his neck snapped hard to the left.
And then they learned why he was called an Omega.
Chapter 21 – Gods Among Us
As soon as Makana punched him, he burst through the rock wall like it was made of glass. Makana dodged one of his blows narrowly, ducking under it, but she was unable to pivot in time to get out of the way of his knee. She blocked it with both arms, but the impact not only sent her flying away, but it broke both of her arms instantly. Elias rushed forward to assist as Bailey swung her sword upon the back of Necrosis’s neck.
It shattered on impact.
He went to backhand her but Jin blocked the blow with his forearms. From the scream that came from his lips, the block hadn’t done much. Both he and Bailey were sent flying backwards. Elias swore as he tried to hurry and finish with Makana. Isaac kept his sword ready, just waiting for a chance to strike.
Aidan hit Necrosis with a wave of fire, but it had no effect. The Omega barreled towards him, picking up speed with every step. Aidan unleashed three fire walls to slow down his path but he just smashed through them. Just as he was about to hit Aidan, Teller released Jessica from his grip above them. Using her gravity ability, she increased her weight significantly in mid-air. She folded her arms and legs up and plowed into Necrosis’s face like a wrecking ball. He was unhurt, but he staggered back. George hit him with a powerful gust of wind and he fell onto his back.
Jessica held him in place while a healed Jin concentrated his energy into his fists.
“Keep him down!” he ordered as he cocked back his arm and then punched Necrosis square in the face as hard as he could. The Omega didn’t even blink. He ripped out of Jessica’s hold and grabbed Jin’s throat quickly. He pulled him close, roared in his face, and then crushed it.
Aidan and Jessica were in such shock that they forgot to keep attacking. Makana screamed in rage and began punching and kicking at the Omega in a frenzy, hitting his pressure points precisely and with such speed that even Necrosis couldn’t see it all. Jessica did her best to keep the Omega from harming Makana, using gravity to slow his punches at the very last moment, just enough to throw him off guard and for Makana to dodge them. Bailey and Elias rushed over to Jin.
“Can you save him?” Bailey asked, rolling up the sleeve on her right arm, but Elias shook his head no. In the next second, Jin’s eyes fluttered open, his neck completely healed. Bailey knew what had happened immediately. She looked over at Makana and then Jessica. Jessica’s last two seals were darkened, as well as one of Makana’s. Three Yen to bring back a life.
“I get the next one!” she shouted, turning to Elias. “If you and Jin think of an ability I can use to stop this monster, you let me know. I’m going to talk to Ticker and Leah.”
He nodded as Jin coughed and rubbed his throat.
“I can’t!” Jessica screamed, clutching her head. Makana rolled backwards just as Necrosis missed her head. There was no gra
vity holding back that punch.
“I have no effect at all,” Makana said as he came running at her. Aidan cut him off with a punch to the face from one of his gauntlets. It shattered on impact and strained his hand. He winced and cried out at the pain, but he punched the Omega again anyways, even with his bare hand. It broke on impact and he backed off as Necrosis kept his sights on Makana. Teller swooped in just as the Omega was about to grab her hair and took her upwards with him. Necrosis glanced around for another victim.
“We can’t beat this monster,” George said as Aidan nursed his hand. Elias came over to heal it.
“We’ll manage,” Aidan replied.
“He’s not even unleashing a power equal to the comet,” George whined.
“Then we’ll beat him before he does,” Aidan snapped. “Now shut up or do something!” He turned to Elias. “Heal Jessica next.” Elias stared at him curiously.
“I can only heal wounds, not exhaustion.”
“Have you ever tried before?”
“No.”
“Then try. If we can figure out way to hurt him, she’s the only one that can keep us from getting hurt.” Elias nodded as Aidan noticed that Necrosis was headed straight for Bailey, Leah and Ticker. “Are you done yet?” he demanded.
“Yeah,” Elias said quickly and Aidan shot his hand out towards the Omega. A whip like tentacle made of fire shot out from his palm, wrapping around Necrosis’s throat.
“You get back over here,” Aidan said under his breath as he shot a wave of fire into the Omega’s back with his free hand. Necrosis ripped the whip from his throat and ignored him, continuing toward his prey. Aidan began running at him but he knew he wouldn’t make it in time. It was all up to Leah now. But she wasn’t afraid. Just as he was about to hit her, she created a floor of ice underneath them. The Omega fell off balance, and she took the reprieve to envelop him in a colossal cocoon of ice.
“We only have a moment,” she shouted, waving for everyone to meet up. “George, create a tornado within the cocoon to slow him down.”
“Done,” he said, slapping his palms together. Teller and Jessica descended and Elias carried Jin over.
The Works of Julius St. Clair - 2017 Edition (Includes 3 full novels and more) Page 54
