Dragon: Bridge & Sword: The Final War (Bridge & Sword Series Book 9)

by JC Andrijeski

  Feigran crouched next to him, hiding behind his larger form. As Dalejem stood there, the smaller seer reached out, gripping his arm tightly with both hands.

  Dalejem didn’t try to shove him off. He didn’t even look over.

  Instead he fought to see past that onslaught of light.

  It had already crossed the room.

  Again, his mind and eyes couldn’t keep up. He didn’t see the impact. He heard a clattering sound like instruments falling to the ground, maybe a kick, air cracking like thunder as it got displaced too fast––

  Then, after the barest pause, a heavy thud. Impact ripples coursed along the wall, this time from the opposite side of the room.

  When he could see again, Dalejem found himself staring up.

  That massive fucking seer, the one with Revik’s eyes and basic build and cock, who’d carved a sister’s heart out of her chest on the organic slab like some kind of psychotic butcher, had been thrown all the way across the room.

  Not just thrown––suspended.

  Alyson held him off the floor even now, slamming him up against the upper part of that green organic wall. His head cracked into the metal a second time as Dalejem watched, just inches from the high ceiling.

  The naked seer struggled, still gripping that glass-bladed knife. His expression contorted, but no sound emanated from behind the muzzle he wore. When his light grew brighter in the Barrier space, Alyson slammed his back against the wall again, harder that time.

  Those lit eyes rolled up in his head… and extinguished.

  When he looked down, the monster’s eyes had gone clear once more.

  Dalejem honestly wasn’t sure which thing was more unnerving.

  Even so, his infiltrator cloak clicked back in, as if out of nowhere.

  He quickly scanned the room. The dead female seer now lay on the floor, crumpled like a broken doll. More dead bodies lined those transparent cages below the platform. One cage had cracked down the front from something being thrown into it with force, probably some kind of shrapnel from what Alyson had just done.

  It would’ve been a lot of fucking force, given how thick those walls looked.

  The clear irises of the muzzled seer still held the glowing ones of the Bridge.

  She seemed to have overpowered him for now. He felt her wrapping some kind of ropes or cords around his light, strangling parts of him, even as another part of her methodically broke structures along the lower part of his light.

  Dalejem winced at some of those, feeling a kind of sympathetic pain, even though he approved wholeheartedly of what she was doing.

  Turning, he stared at the door they’d just come in through.

  After a few seconds, he realized it was locked.

  Or maybe it just didn’t have an “open” option from this side. He’d have to crack the panel, find some way to trigger the mechanism manually. Feeling over the wall, he looked for something that might be concealing controls.

  He couldn’t find anything.

  When he felt further down the wall, the sentient in the organic shocked him.

  He stepped back, panting.

  “Fuck,” he muttered. He glanced back at Allie.

  He might need her to get the door open, too.

  In that higher place, he still felt her and the monster’s lights clashing back and forth, but quieter now. Her irises remained bright, looking more and more like living fire as the tendrils snaked back and forth inside the tiny lines that made up their coloring.

  To Dalejem, it felt like a chasm had opened between the two of them, some space where the Barrier and the material world coexisted together, visible in both places.

  Then Dalejem saw Allie frown.

  It hit him that the two of them were speaking to one another.

  Arguing most likely, if Alyson’s expression was any indication.

  Hesitating only a heartbeat, Dalejem opened his light, realizing only then that he’d slammed it shut while the two of them hammered on one another.

  …you are lying, she was thinking at him. Her inner voice was harsh, savage. You are grasping at straws, my brother. Moreover, it is cold to do so in such a way. Not worthy of an intermediary. Her thoughts grew harder, colder. It isn’t particularly wise right now either, my dear brother… considering I could crack your spine in half right now, and never again give you a second’s thought.

  Dalejem flinched.

  He heard laughter. Far away… like a whisper on wind.

  It sounded way too much like Revik’s.

  Dalejem could feel interference there, and realized it was the reason the other male’s thoughts were so quiet to him. The muzzle the other telekinetic wore had to be a Barrier collar of some kind, in addition to silencing him verbally. Whatever it was, and despite the fact he could clearly operate his telekinesis with it on, it somehow restrained his light.

  Allie obviously could hear him, but Dalejem could barely make out the flavor of his thoughts. It sounded like the laughter came through several feet of ocean water.

  Feigran gripped his arm tighter––

  And suddenly Dalejem could hear.

  You still don’t understand, Dragon thought at her.

  The words came through loud that time, as if Feigran’s touch had cranked up the volume on some invisible radio. It now sounded as if the being stood right in front of him, an eerie echo of Revik’s mental voice.

  The recognition was so clear it caused Dalejem to flinch.

  ––I thought you would know of me by now, beautiful friend, loving sister. I thought you would know who I was. Who we are to one another. What I am. I am so very, very disappointed, sister. I am also hurt. Truly hurt––

  I know who you are, she sent. You’re Dragon. So what?

  But Dalejem felt the Earth tilt under his feet.

  His heart clenched in his chest, even as the meaning of her words sank in.

  Dragon. The Myths.

  Gaos, the Myth of Dragon.

  The One and True God. The First God. The God of Beginnings.

  Staring at the long-limbed seer hanging from the ceiling, Dalejem found himself understanding the meaning of the muzzle over his mouth.

  This was the being Feigran told her about? This was what she came to find? Alyson brought them with her to face fucking Dragon? Alone?

  Holy gods in the most vengeful of heavens…

  “Allie!” He shouted her name, although he stood only a few feet away.

  She didn’t turn, but stared at the intermediary hung on the wall.

  He fought with whether to grab her, then didn’t.

  “Allie!” he snapped. “Listen to me! If he’s not lying, if he really is Dragon, then he could be absorbing your abilities right now, while he speaks to you. According to the myths he can draw on other beings, even other intermediaries. He can reform and form light at his will. He might even be able to steal your abilities from you altogether…”

  He shook his head, fighting to remember the details of what he’d learned all those years ago in the Pamir.

  “Dragon is said to be a shape-shifter,” he said, still fighting to remember. “Not just a light manipulator but a matter manipulator. They say he can form and reform Barrier structures at will. Gaos… I don’t know what he can do. In all honesty I didn’t think he even fucking incarnated down here, Alyson. According to the Myth, he can use whatever he touches. He can take them and use them as his own. Do you understand?”

  He fought for the words from the relevant commentaries.

  “Allie, it says in the books, He is the dark, the ocean, the night,” Dalejem recited. “That chaos springing from the profusion of all. He is the matter re-arranger. Do you understand? He can take matter… any matter, Allie, whether in the Barrier or outside of it… and make it his own. He’s like the material from which it all came.”

  He paused, staring at her face.

  When she didn’t look over, his temper snapped.

  “Goddamn it, Allie! Are you listening to me? We can�
��t let him out! We have to lock him in here and gas him or something… but we’re going to fucking die if we stay here!”

  Laughter echoed in the Barrier behind his light.

  You are too late, brother, Dragon whispered. Too, too late.

  Dalejem stared up at the being suspended there, at the muzzle on his mouth.

  Could it really be Dragon? Was this another trick? Another headfuck from Menlim and the rest of those Dreng assholes?

  He clenched his hands around the gun, realized he’d broken out in a cold sweat.

  “I didn’t think he was real,” he repeated, more to himself that time. “I thought he was one of those things that was more like an impulse… an energy. Not a real thing. Like an actual myth. It is said he created the universe itself, out of himself, out of the dark. It is said he is the material behind the stars. The thing from which we birthed… from which the light itself birthed.”

  The seer was staring at Dalejem now.

  His clear irises glowed softly, like smoky glass lamps.

  “He uses his voice…” Dalejem looked back at Alyson. “It’s said he can speak matter into existence, Allie. That might be why they have him muzzled. His power might be partly in his voice. We have to go, do you hear me? If Feigran’s right about this…”

  He trailed, unsure how to even finish that sentence.

  He tried to decide again if he should just grab her, drag her backwards towards the door. Remembering the warnings he’d gotten about telekinetic seers, the semi-trances they went into when they manipulated, he hesitated, one hand outstretched.

  Pulling his arm back after another beat, he swallowed.

  “Allie,” he said, forcing his voice softer. “Allie, if it’s him, if it’s really Dragon, you have to kill him. Now, before he regains his powers for real. I don’t know what he could do, if he was allowed to speak… but trust me, we don’t want to find out. Not if he’s been corrupted by the Dreng. Or worse, driven insane from being locked down here for however-many years.”

  When she didn’t answer, his jaw hardened more.

  “Allie,” he said, his voice still low. “He’s already got access to telekinesis. You can’t let him out of here, Allie. You can’t. It would be a fucking disaster. So if you really think you can kill him, you should do it. Now.”

  Finally, Allie turned.

  Her head swiveled on her neck smoothly, slowly, like something mechanical.

  Dalejem’s throat tightened when he saw the flames in her irises, the utter lack of expression on her face. Even so, he exhaled in relief that she was looking at him.

  “Allie, kill him and let’s go,” he urged. “I mean it. We have to go.”

  “We cannot just go,” she said.

  Her voice was flat, but held so much light he winced back.

  “Why not?” he said.

  “Because I’m not willing to kill him until I know more,” she said. “And we cannot lock him in here. The door will not seal.”

  Ignoring the confused look Dalejem gave to the door, she went on in a calm voice.

  “However, I agree we cannot risk him getting out. Given the limitations I just outlined, what do you suggest, brother?”

  That time, her voice was polite.

  Dalejem scarcely hesitated.

  “If you really can’t lock him in here, you have to kill him, Allie. We can’t risk that he’s been corrupted by the Dreng. Anyway, he’ll probably kill us if you don’t––”

  “Is he evil?” she broke in. “In the myths, Dragon… is he evil?”

  Hesitating, Dalejem shook his head.

  “No,” he said, reluctant. “No. Not evil. Just incredibly fucking powerful. He’s sometimes portrayed as ‘the righter of wrongs,’ like a form of living justice. Seer scholars believe he’s the same being ancient humans used to worship as the Old God… thousands of years ago, I mean. The one who brought floods, fire, famine, brimstone, and whatever else to smite the unrighteous. Some call him the ‘Old God’ even in the older versions of the Myth.” He paused, seeing a light go off in Allie’s eyes. “This means something to you?”

  Again, relief filled his voice that she even seemed to be hearing him.

  After a pause, her gaze shifted inward, as if she’d retreated to some other space. Tilting her head, she gazed up at the seer she held against the wall.

  “The Old God…” she muttered.

  Dalejem was about to try with her again, but light snaked out of her aleimi in another thick, blue-green cord. Dalejem saw it wrap itself tightly around the huge seer, making seven or eight full loops before tightening like a vise. He flinched as that vise squeezed, causing the larger seer to kick and squirm in the air, his complexion turning a darker red.

  That time, Allie spoke directly to Dragon.

  Is what he’s saying true, brother? Are you here to kill us? Floods and fire?

  Dalejem heard the mocking note. Even so, he felt the question as real.

  The being calling himself Dragon didn’t answer.

  “Allie…” Dalejem muttered. His nerves vibrated higher in his light.

  Why are you here? she pressed, still staring at that muzzled face. Are you simply one more intermediary who has lost his way, my poor brother? Yet another tiresome monkey dancing and clapping its cymbals for the Dreng?

  She waited for his answer.

  When he didn’t answer, her thoughts grew angry.

  My husband was made to recite prayers as a child, brother. Prayers the Dreng taught him about the Old God. Prayers that told of His return, of what He would do. She paused. Her thoughts grew more biting. Do you know anything about that, my brother? Or are you simply flattered with the attention?

  Dalejem stared at her.

  She didn’t return his gaze. Her eyes remained narrowed up at the being, Dragon.

  Dragon just hung there now, breathing heavily.

  Even so, Dalejem found himself fighting that pressure in his chest. He looked around, noting lightning-like streaks as they coiled across the ceiling of the circular room.

  “Allie,” he muttered nervously. “Allie, for fuck’s sake––”

  What is to keep me from killing you? she asked Dragon. Why should I spare you?

  I told you why, the being answered, still breathing hard. Or does that not matter to you anymore? Have you moved on so quickly, my beautiful sister?

  Dragon’s eyes shifted to Dalejem, staring at his face.

  Dalejem looked at Allie, frowning.

  Clearly he’d missed something in the earlier part of their conversation.

  She didn’t return his glance, but Dalejem saw her throat move in a swallow, even as a pulse of emotion left her light, one that felt real.

  “Allie?” he said. “What’s he talking about?”

  Again, she didn’t look over. She directed her words to Dragon.

  Menlim won’t kill my husband, she said, her thoughts cold. Not even for you, my most impressive brother.

  He will kill him if he can’t control him, Dragon told her at once. In through the out door, my precious sister… in through the out door. I am that door. When that door closes, not even your friend Feigran can save him.

  Dalejem felt Allie’s aleimi spark in reaction.

  More than that, he felt a denser, more intense charge spin chaotically in her light, what might have been fear. Dalejem tried to follow the currents he felt and saw, but they moved and shifted too quickly––there were too many of them.

  Even as he thought it, she looked at Feigran, her glowing emerald eyes asking the auburn-haired seer a silent question.

  “In through the out door?” Dalejem said. “What the fuck does that mean?” He followed her gaze to Feigran’s face. “Allie? What does that mean?”

  Feigran give her a perceptible nod.

  Anger flared in her light.

  Powerlessness followed––what might even have been grief.

  For a long moment, she seemed to lose control of the emotions that flickered through her aleimi. Dalejem
still didn’t understand, but he fought pain in his own light as he reacted to hers, resonating with the depth of feeling there. He fought to pull away, to control himself, but never really succeeded in either.

  Finally, she looked at Dalejem, murder in her eyes.

  “We can’t kill him,” she said, blunt, in English.

  “What?” Panic immediately took over his own light. “Endruk et dugra… why? What is this nonsense about doors?”

  She shook her head. “We have to let him go. We have to.”

  “Let him go?” Dalejem exploded. “No! Fuck no! Are you insane?”

  She only shook her head, the anger in her eyes and light growing hotter.

  “Do you have any idea how dangerous that would be?” Dalejem said. “To let any kind of telekinetic out, much less this one, given how iksrataa crazy he obviously is?”

  She met his gaze. He saw that furious helplessness in her eyes still, even through the sparking and shifting liquid flames.

  From her expression, it was clear she did know. She knew better than he did.

  He was still staring at her when she shook her head.

  “It’s too late.” She looked at him, her gaze flat. “I’m sorry, Jem.”

  “That’s fucking madness!” he exploded.

  “Nevertheless, it’s true.”

  As she finished uttering the words, the cord holding Dragon snapped back. Whatever had been holding the giant seer suspended over the floor abruptly let him go.

  He fell. Hard, fast––but Dalejem saw him catch himself somehow before he hit the floor.

  In the end he landed almost softly, cat-like, on his feet.

  He crouched there, his eyes fixed on Allie.

  Even through that mask, Dalejem could have sworn he saw him smile.

  28

  INTERSPECIES NEGOTIATIONS

  “WHERE IS SHE?” Brooks muttered.

  Her eyes scanned the mostly-flat, grass-covered land leading up to the base of the Rockies.

  Trees broke that plain, here and there. Old trees mostly, ones that looked like they’d been there for a long time. The closer to the mountains her eyes got, the more foothills pushed out of that flat land, causing gentle ripples covered in yellowing grasses.