by Paul Centeno
“We need to get the fuck out of here now,” Dojin said gruffly.
That instant, the doors behind them burst open. “Treason!” bellowed a dark-skinned xyimorph, his enchanted lance pointing at the mercenaries. “Spies! Criminals! You shall all be purged for such malicious treachery!”
Behind him emerged a dozen guards, wings extended and weapons unsheathed. Dojin ported his shotgun, aiming it at the supposed leader who had accused them of the crime. Within seconds, the renegade and his comrades were surrounded. Lances enchanted with lightning, flame, and frost magic were pointed at their throats.
“Relinquish your faggot-ass twig before I blow a hole through your rotten skull.”
“Such evil words prove your mortal sin against our civilization.”
“Put your weapon down, Dojin,” Shirakaya demanded. “We’re better than this. Someone clearly used our unwanted arrival to their advantage, and we fell right into their trap. If we’re to discover who’s truly responsible, we must surrender.”
Dojin glanced at her. “You’re right. Too bad I don’t give a shit.”
The leader flinched at the renegade’s words, at which point Dojin triggered his gun and vaporized the xyimorph’s head. Swiftly evading a thrust, Yarasuro unsheathed both his swords and counterattacked. Myris, meanwhile, cast a nimbus that blinded the attackers as she hovered away from danger. The other mercenaries had no choice but to repeat the mutant’s actions and fight for their survival.
A xyimorph pierced the ghensoth’s throat, but his hardened exoskeleton prevented the blade from being fatal. Grunting with ferocity, Xorvaj raised his axe and sliced his foe’s body in half. With its plasma energy at maximum power, he unleashed a shockwave that disintegrated two of his nearest enemies and sent three others to the ground.
Using flamethrowers attached to her armored wrists, Shirakaya incinerated the xyimorphs who had been knocked off their feet. The fire practically blew out from her hands as if by magic. Others saw what she’d done, some reacting by shrieking in hysteria while others cringed in fear. Avoiding a counterattack from them, Shirakaya promptly unleashed a wave of anti-inertia from her technological hauberk; the force of it was so powerful that it cut through the skin of four xyimorphs and shattered their bones. They immediately collapsed, dead.
“There is a witch among them!” a xyimorph shouted, attempting to fly.
Yarasuro rolled toward the doorway and gutted her. He then kicked her down, sheathing his swords.
“Nice,” the renegade said. “Your elemental suit is still fooling aliens.”
The freelancer slapped him. “Sometimes...sometimes I want to hate you. Why did you do it? Why did you pull the trigger?”
“Don’t be so fucking gullible, Shira,” he said, standing toe-to-toe with her. “They were waiting for us. We were fucked the moment we came in. And you better believe me when I say that stepping outside will be suicide.”
“What do you mean, suicide?” Yarasuro asked.
“Whoever turned Her Eternal Dumbass and those garbage servants to stone is no doubt watching. These dead bitches were supposed to walk out of here alive with us either in shackles or as corpses.”
“This means a real witch is upon us,” Xorvaj said.
Shirakaya cursed under her breath, pacing. “I don’t know what to do.”
“Ummm,” Myris began while pointing up at a corner, “there might be something that he can do.”
The group turned, their eyes fixed on a xyimorph hiding behind a statue. He stepped away from the petrified servant and jumped down. His features were similar to his compatriots: indigo skin mottled with dark spots, violet-colored hair, and soft blue eyes. Clad in a sleeveless breastplate, his bulky arms revealed glyphic tattoos along the biceps and forearms. Appearing less afraid than his compatriots, he spread his black wings while approaching the group.
Xorvaj stomped in front of him, wielding his battleaxe. “Ally or foe?”
“Ally,” he replied, trying to conceal a heavy gulp. “We were betrayed by Teiga, Her Eternity’s right hand.”
“Bollocks!” the oracle blurted. “I knew it!”
“None of us thought Teiga capable of such malevolence,” the xyimorph continued. “She was Her Eternity’s most loyal servant.”
Dojin leaned against a statue. “Yes, extremely loyal.”
The freelancer waved her hand in protest at his remark. “We’re here to help. Can you tell us your name and what happened?”
“My name is Zadek Fel Nuro,” he said. “Teiga arrived an hour before you. She claimed to have a divine pet for Her Eternity as a gift and summoned a wyrekar. Before anyone could even scream, it spewed enzymes that turned everyone to stone.”
“That’s awful,” Myris said sympathetically.
“Yes, it is quite tragic,” Yarasuro stated, hands at the hilts of his sheathed swords. “Tell us, how is it you survived this horrific onslaught?”
“Before the initiation, Her Eternity commanded me to obtain her amulet in the treasury above. By the time I retrieved it and returned, Teiga had already unleashed her ferocious pet on everyone.”
“Show me the amulet,” Shirakaya said. Upon the xyimorph showing it, she added, “What is so special about it?”
The xyimorph hesitated for a moment. “It’s enchanted and worth a billion pailos.”
“I’ll hold on to that,” she said, snatching it. “We need to hide these dead bodies before more guards come and discover what happened. If we can find Teiga and force her to dispel this curse, we’ll be safe.”
Zadek shook his head. “The moment I step out of Her Eternity’s manor, Teiga will accuse me of what has transpired. Furthermore, she’ll find a way to convince the Conclave that you were working for me. I’m sure you know this to be more than mere paranoia. We must escape without being noticed.”
“He’s got a point,” Dojin said.
Xorvaj ignored them, lifting several corpses over his shoulder and carrying them to a chamber on the side that was partially hidden by pillars. Yarasuro and Dojin promptly assisted him, heaving the remaining bodies upstairs. Meanwhile, the freelancer tried to think of a scheme that would allow them to leave unharmed.
“Is there a secret way out of here?” she asked.
The xyimorph shook his head. “It’s not a secret, but there’s an X-Phaser in Her Eternity’s bedchamber that only those of House Morgesis can use.”
“Why the hell didn’t you mention this sooner?” Dojin said, grimacing.
“Because it leads to her second home,” the xyimorph said. “If it’s not already surrounded by guards, going there will merely delay the inevitable.”
“We don’t have time to be pessimistic,” Yarasuro said.
“Agreed,” the freelancer said. “The odds are against us, but I’ll take my chances. Activate the capsule and take us to her other home.”
The xyimorph led them upstairs to Feya’s sleeping chamber, which was festooned with a canopy bed, silky-smooth drapes, and paintings of her ancestors. There were also many bookshelves around the room. Zadek approached one and removed a compendium, revealing a lever that he pulled. Another shelf opposite him opened sideways like a door. Beyond it stood an X-Phaser. Without hesitation, the group stepped into it and teleported.
VI
Dark Descent
Although exhausted, Khal’jan and his retinue continued searching the maze-like tunnels deep within Jye Xeu Zeikein’s engineering sector. Every nook and cranny resembled a mainframe. They strode through corridors whose walls were blanketed by pipes, circuits, wireless nodes, and pulsating lights. Narja eventually stopped near a workstation, frowning.
“He’s misleading us on purpose,” she said.
“You might be right,” Khal’jan replied, concerned.
Rah’tera slowed down. “I’m not sure. He may be powerful, but not even I was able to hack those last three consoles.”
“Isn’t he supposed to be some wanna-be hacking god?” Narja said in frustration.
S
nowy particles in the shape of Vokken’s face appeared on their KLDs. “Do not insult or doubt me. If it was not for my brilliance, none of you would even be in this sector. I simply need to locate a less secure X-Phaser. Keep searching this zone.”
Narja glowered at him. “Whatever...”
The sandstalker still led the way since he remained cloaked. At one corner, he spotted a xyimorph repairing one of numerous processing units. He halted the others, approaching the worker in stealth. Once he was right behind him, Rah’tera covered the engineer’s mouth with one hand and used the other to inject serum into his neck. Within seconds, he fell unconscious.
“Move out.”
The others joined him. Together they went deeper into the tunnel until reaching a ledge that lacked a banister. Below them lay a seemingly endless cavity from which tremendous energy surged and fizzed like lightning. Narrow passages on either side lay before them. At first, each pathway appeared endless. About a kilometer away, however, Rah’tera noticed that both passages curved.
“Where are we?” Narja asked.
The archeologist shrugged.
“I think this chamber is cylindrical like the pit,” Rah’tera said, changing a filter on his breathing apparatus. “Whether we go left or right, the conduits probably converge. Problem is, these paths force both of you to be out in the open.”
“Guess we’ll have to take our chances,” Khal’jan said.
Narja ported her sniper rifle, loading a new cartridge. “My weapon is set to stun. If we’re spotted by any xyimorphs, I can paralyze them.”
“Sounds good,” the archeologist said.
The sandstalker gave a quick nod. “Let’s get this over with.”
Khal’jan and his retinue strode along the left footway. They often found themselves leaning against the pulsating wall, trying to stay away from the ledge. None of them were afraid of heights, but the seemingly bottomless, illuminated pit of circuitry didn’t exactly make them feel at ease.
After advancing another couple of kilometers, the trio came across a bridge. Just as they were about to set foot on it, an ear-splitting alarm went off. Khal’jan froze while Narja looked around, trying to locate the xyimorph who must have spotted them. Not seeing anyone, she used her advanced scope.
“Don’t bother,” Vokken said. “The alarm isn’t for you. Something has gone wrong with the freelancer’s guild mission.”
“What?” Khal’jan blurted, unnerved. “Is my sister all right?”
“For now, yes. I’ll try to assist them. In the meantime, I suggest the three of you make haste before the situation worsens.”
“We don’t even know where to go!” Narja snapped, losing her composure.
Vokken remained silent for a brief moment. “You’re on the correct path. At the bridge’s center lies a nucleus where scholarly students studying astrophysics are allowed to visit in order to learn more about the city’s technology. Reach it and I’ll handle it from there. In point of fact, I already hacked into it.”
“Let’s go,” Rah’tera said.
The trio broke into a run, no longer concerned about the echoing noise of their clomping steps. Up ahead, they saw an illuminated column flowing with pure energy. It rose so high, none of them could see the top. As suspected, they spotted a few xyimorphs standing guard around the pillar.
“I’ve got this,” Narja said, looking through her rifle’s scope.
She pulled her gun’s trigger multiple times while rapidly adjusting her aim. One by one, the xyimorphs were stunned by her tranquilizer beams and dropped to the grated floor. Only two out of seven managed to take cover, at which point Rah’tera hurled stun darts at the neck of one guard when she peeked out.
The remaining xyimorph unexpectedly leapt into the air, wings extended. Flying fast, he evaded their projectiles. Ascending high, he hurled his lance through Narja’s torso, sending her toppling off the bridge. Her agonizing scream tormented Khal’jan as he helplessly watched her fall. She vanished within seconds into the void-like pit.
“Move out of the way!” Rah’tera shouted, uncloaking and pushing him down.
Khal’jan slammed against the grating as the xyimorph descended with a long sword, attempting to pierce his ribcage. His heart raced as he rolled aside, unable to take cover on such a narrow and exposed bridge. Rah’tera ported two enchanted daggers and struck the armored guard who blocked one blade with his shield while parrying the other dagger with his sword. Both warriors attacked, evaded, and riposted with skill.
“Surrender!” the xyimorph demanded.
The assassin ignored him, pirouetting and landing a roundhouse kick that sent his foe a couple of steps back. Spewing blood from his mouth, the xyimorph threw his shield at him and charged, sword in both hands. Rah’tera ducked, evading the shield, and then jumped over the xyimorph. Landing behind him, the assassin jabbed a dagger into his unprotected armpit.
Although severely wounded, the xyimorph swiped his sword in a one-hundred-eighty-degree maneuver. Rah’tera flipped backwards, the blade’s edge missing him by a thread. Blood leaked from the xyimorph’s armpit. Covering his mortal wound, he thrust his weapon forward several times. As the sword drew closer, Rah’tera performed a split to avoid it. Rising back up, he dug both his daggers into the guard’s hauberk. The blades, however, did not pierce the armor.
“Time to die, criminal!” the xyimorph exclaimed.
With the last of his strength, he swung his sword in an angle when a beam blasted him in the face. His head cocked back as his features melted off. Khal’jan charged his gun to shoot again, but before he could do so, Rah’tera shoved his daggers beneath the xyimorph’s chin and kicked him off the bridge. Without so much as a shriek, the dead guard fell into the abyss.
The duo stood silent. Neither of them had been close to Narja, but they felt a deep loss. Khal’jan gazed at the pit in total shock. He hoped she had somehow caught on to something to break her fall but then remembered that a spear had torn through her body. Rah’tera placed his hand on the archeologist’s shoulder and walked onward. He reached the center, eyes fixed on an X-Phaser.
“Vokken,” the assassin called out. “Are you ready to transport us?”
“Get inside,” he answered indifferently.
The archeologist joined Rah’tera, sorrow carved on his face. Using the hacked capsule, they vanished and rematerialized in a polarized chamber whose semi-transparent walls revealed the city’s star. To consider the imprisoned sun as gargantuan would be an understatement, Khal’jan thought to himself. From where he and his comrade stood, it looked like a never-ending barricade of raging flame and light.
“Geysarpa,” the sandstalker muttered, struggling to bow before it.
Khal’jan couldn’t get Narja’s death out of his mind, but he stared at the star in awe. “It’s a once-in-a-life-time beauty to behold.”
The only reason why their eyes didn’t disintegrate was because of all the polarized panes of glass and mana shields protecting them from immediate blindness. As the archeologist dared to step forward, his artifact reacted to the sun’s magical ions. Quicker than a dark spell brewing, its primordial enchantment recharged.
“Looks like we’re in business,” Khal’jan said, holding the now-glowing relic.
“If we’re done here, let’s leave this place and rendezvous with Shirakaya,” the sandstalker said.
Vokken grumbled. “Do not be foolish. They are in serious trouble. I recommend the two of you hide aboard Marauder until I sort out this catastrophic nightmare that Shirakaya and the others are in.”
“I can’t and won’t abandon my sister.”
“Fool! You are not abandoning her. Risk getting caught and not only will they confiscate the Eye of Soth’yugon, but your fate will be the same as hers. I urge you to stand down and let me handle this.”
Khal’jan gritted his teeth, fists clenched.
“I don’t like this either,” the sandstalker began, “but we already lost Narja. I think it’s time we start tru
sting this AI. He did come through for us. Perhaps we need to take a leap of faith.”
The archeologist ported his rejuvenated artifact away, cursing under his breath. “I’d better not regret this...”
VII
Ulterior Motive
Zadek and the Shadow Mercs materialized in another bedchamber. The decor of the room, however, was quite different from the royal chamber at House Morgesis. Furnished with a cushioned waterbed and quilts blanketing the floor, it revealed a much cozier setting. Shirakaya gazed up at the skylight, but she couldn’t see any ships or xyimorphs above. Though she had a limited view, it calmed her down for the time being.
“Check the windows,” she commanded.
The group obeyed, looking through every pane of glass upstairs. They were relieved not to see any guards outside. Shirakaya and her companions went downstairs, searching the lower level for possible hidden enemies. With them being the only people inside the building, Shirakaya’s heart started beating normally once again.
“Damn. I was hoping for a fight,” Xorvaj said.
Myris rolled her eyes at his comment. “What now?”
Zadek responded, “If you can slay the beast that petrified Her Eternity and bring its head to the Praetor, His Radiance may believe us.”
“Why would His Radiant Ass do such an honorable thing like that?”
“I said he may,” the xyimorph answered gruffly. “The biggest challenge is bringing me to him without Teiga knowing I am alive. The moment she sees me with you, she’ll pin everything on me, and we’ll all be doomed for sure.”
Shirakaya paced by the front entrance. “How can we find that creature?”
“Good question,” he said, his eyes fixed on a window revealing a canal. “The wyrekar is an extremely vicious fiend that lacks any allegiance whatsoever. Because of the danger it poses, there’s no way Teiga will keep it as her pet. I’m going to assume she returned the beast to its lair. I can lead all of you to it.”
“Then lead on,” Shirakaya said.
