Till the Last Breath

by Alvin Atwater

  I shook my head.

  “That’s shit would never work. If he thinks he can take on the Helios Clan, hell, if he could somehow even get past the Knights then so be it. Why is he doing this anyway? It’s not like he was the one thrown into the depths.” Teemie flinched, the tears threatening to flow again. “Don’t you dare. No way I’m blaming you for this. Besides, if it wasn’t for your warning, I would’ve been crushed, creamed, and splattered.” The dream angel nodded.

  “Sorry,” she said. “It’s…it’s so unbelievable to see that you’re just fine after going to a place in whence no one has ever returned. You’re the first to ever escape from the chains of the depths. How did you do it?”

  “I had no chain,” I said. “Whoever arranged this shit, did it in haste.”

  Teemie nodded in comprehension.

  “Good. We’ll use that to our advantage. In the meantime, I’ll keep an eye on your demigod counterpart. He wants a change, but treason will only get him in thrown in Hell.”

  “You do that,” I said then told her about the raid plan. Teemie seemed alarmed.

  “I really don’t like this idea,” she said. “If you’re caught, it’s over. You’ll be chained, gone forever. Even if Mother Nature arranged a meeting, do not be foolish enough to think they haven’t left behind guards.”

  “That’s why Karma’s tagging along,” I said. “The goddess will unleash a bag of tricks and keep the investigation rolling.”

  “I really don’t like her,” Teemie said, ice in her voice.

  “Neither do I,” I agreed. We both laughed. “You take care,” I heard myself saying. The dream angel smiled.

  “Thank you. You too.”

  I woke up to see a goddess floating right above me as if in zero gravity. And it wasn’t my goddess.

  “Get the fuck out of my room,” I said to Karma. “And where’s Amelia?”

  I turned to the side, surprised to see that she was still there, sleep, and not awake already.

  “She’s so adorable,” Karma said.

  “Once again, get the fuck out of—”

  Karma floated downward lightning-fast and placed a finger on my lip.

  “Shhh. Don’t wake her. I need one more picture.”

  She didn’t get that picture because instead of my anger rising, I felt Amelia’s jolt.

  “What are you two doing?” she said.

  “Don’t include me in that shit,” I said. “Your annoying sister is really pushing for me to turn her into sand. How’d she get in here?”

  “Amelia let me in and then crawled right back into bed,” Karma said then grinned.

  Amelia yawned. “Woops.”

  I glared at her. She smiled apologetically.

  Chapter Forty-one

  Mother Nature’s call was swift, entering our minds as a feeling, an instinct. We met her in front of Secure Corps, dressed, and ready to go. Karma, to everyone’s surprise, gave her mother a short bow. Mother Nature nodded and from the silent exchange, they’d probably talk later.

  “You have three hours,” Mother Nature told us. “That’s all. Come.”

  I gave our crew a quick glance over. All of my friends, Karma, and Amelia. It was decided not to bring Amelia’s friends into this. While Devante, Layla, and Amony were human, they had incredible power. Amanda and Keisha were better off taking on tasks in this world, where retreat was possible if shit hit the fan. Besides, they didn’t deserve to be dragged into this shit.

  As Mother Nature prepared the rift, I thought back on the action that I did last night, before sleeping. It hiked Ruin to a new level of fearsomeness and showed no signs of breaking, distorting reality, or exploding. Still, combining two supposed swords of wonder, whatever Sin called them—didn’t seem like the safest thing. But that’s all a part of the experiment. Ruin now had a purplish glow—one that was ominous enough to make me want to keep it in a pocket dimension rather than strapped to my side. There’s no telling how powerful it is now—I’d use it if I had no choice. “It is done. Step through.”

  I snapped out of my daydream to see a large distortion in reality. On the other side of it was an empty Paradise Realm building. The House. Suddenly, the nervousness of traversing it struck me. I shoved it away with a hint of anger. They started this shit. Now I’d finish it. And hopefully without the bloodshed. I had a feeling if I had to draw Ruin, there would be a massacre. This wouldn’t make me look good. Okay, being a little bit overconfident here—there’s no telling how powerful the House gods are—not that I ever wanted to find out. If anything, Amelia should be called the god slayer and I, the devil slayer.

  I held a fist out. Mother Nature and Karma looked confused as everyone, including Amelia, placed their fists on top of mine.

  “Let’s do this!” I shouted.

  The others repeated my stupid chant and then we were off in the rift.

  The building truly was empty. As expected, Mother Nature didn’t come along with us.

  There would be no time to waste. I observed the empty lobby. The reception desk stood unmanned. The large lights were off with an exception of a single dim one. On our left looked to be an endless hallway with doors emerging every five yards or so. On the right was a bigger door with a sign that looked hopeful. Restricted area.

  Still, we’d have to search every nook and cranny. On the bright side, the main doors were not transparent or else, we’d look like a bunch of idiots standing in plain sight.

  “To the restricted doors it is then,” I said.

  Karma walked ahead of us to the door, held up a halting hand, then closed her eyes.

  “It’s locked with some powerful essence,” she said. “Give me a sec.” The goddess gave it a few taps. “Okay, good as gone. If you barge through without permission, a few traps and alarms would’ve ended your trip.”

  “Wow, so despite being in the land of peace, your House still feels the need to boobytrap areas,” Elly shook her head. “Just fucking great.”

  “I know right?” I said.

  We continued through, letting Karma lead the way. Before reaching our first destination, she dispelled about seventy traps. SEVENTY. The office we started with had contained many files of irrelevant shit. Devante and Amelia stood watch.

  “Something’s here,” Elly said. I looked at her. She was intangible, feeling in the inside of a wall.

  “Stand back,” Karma said. When we did, she gave it some magical taps. The wall vanished, revealing a large safe. Karma tried to get it open, but to the frustrated grunts, sighs, and curses, she didn’t have any look.

  “Let me try,” Layla said then placed her hand on the steel vault.

  “Don’t break it,” Sin said.

  “Oh put a sock in it.” Layla seemed to focus for a second. A tiny distortion that looked like the heat waves of a hot and sunny day, rippled around the lock. Then it simply opened. There were envelopes containing letters and ancient judgements and records, but nothing that would lead us to corrupted House members. I did keep one of the documents, it’s interest just too much to pass up. The judgment of Aether’s mother. While not ancient like the others, the fact that someone recorded it in this manner could mean there was a vote to make her fall and a query to the universe to get it to happen.

  Amelia suddenly rushed back into the room. “A guard is wondering nearby.”

  “I’ll hide us in an illusion,” Amony said. “Karma, continue to keep our presences hidden.”

  We watched some cloaked god, holding a lantern, slowly walk past our office, venturing deep into the hall. That…wasn’t a guard. Gods wouldn’t be on guard duty.

  “Let’s follow him,” I said, almost disbelieving the words coming out of my mouth. Everyone nodded and under the protection of the illusion, we followed that long figure into what felt like an endless hall. Twist and turns, light and darkness, descents and ascents, this assclown walked for what felt like hours. Finally, he came to a stop in front of a vaulted room. The god twisted a large gear-like knob and pulled it ope
n with little effort. When we were sure that he was inside, we followed him. Karma casted some kind of spell that would prevent the door from closing behind us. The god led us down another hall then a twist until stopping in front of a wall. A few taps turned it into a door and in he went. I expected it to change back but the door remained there. I was surprised it had a window.

  We peeked inside. Sin and Elly kept watch as we listened in on what sounded like a heated conversation. We saw the cloak of the god we followed. He yelled at someone.

  “I can’t believe Mother Nature is calling us to her table on this day of all the days,” he snarled. “We will be late. How do we end the dinner without looking rude?”

  Another voice answered, the person we could not see. A goddess?

  “We don’t. It’s just three hours. No rush. Besides, the world is about to see something great. For good, for pure, for better. I doubt our leader is concerned with rushing. And you, who came here in haste, I sure hope you secured everything. We don’t need anyone following you.”

  “No one’s going to come here when the building is shut down and off limits,” he barked. “Don’t change the subject. It will only grow my anger.”

  The goddess laughed.

  “Look, dynamite brain. Just be at the library when it’s time. You know where to go. Now leave me alone. I’m trying to finish up some last-minute things before it is time. We’ve got to start looking for the book soon. Go enjoy your dinner.”

  The god groaned.

  “Fine, have it your way. I’ll laugh if Mother Nature is interfering.”

  We quickly moved away from the door as the god stormed out, lantern held up against the darkness. Thanks to Amony and Karma, he saw nor sensed anything. We followed him out.

  The information was vague, but apparently something would happen at some library. I wasn’t sure if they were a part of the corrupted group or not, but these was warranted an investigation. Amelia and I looked at each other and nodded.

  It’s either do or die. Fuck it. As if responding to my resolve, an alarm sounded.

  Chapter Forty-two

  WONG! WONG! WONG! Flashes of red light with sounds of scrambling feet and even flapping wings bumped us to max alertness. Ah, shit hit the fan and in Paradise Realm of all places. Yeah. Seemingly unfazed with panic, Karma created a rift that took us to an old apartment of hers—at least that’s what she claimed. The distortion closed behind us within seconds.

  “Well fuck, that could’ve gone better,” Elly said, beating me to the words.

  “So what now?” Devante said. “While I think it’s our cue to get the hell out of here, do you think we should bother with the library?”

  “Obviously not,” Layla said. “If we stick around with a bloody blind search, the angels will find us.”

  I observed Karma’s large apartment, surprised at the lack of narcissism here. The group’s silence made me look at them. All eyes were on me, expecting.

  “Look, we didn’t come here for nothing,” I said, “but a tactical retreat is a tacti—”

  Huge pounding on the doors cut me off. Someone yelled.

  “Open up now! Or we’ll toast the entire place. You won’t escape.”

  “Shit shit, portal us out,” I told Karma.

  “I can’t!” she cried.

  “What the fuck you mean, you can’t?”

  “I can’t! Just ascend them all—something’s blocking my power,” Karma said, eyes wide.

  “Who’s powerful enough to—fuck, I don’t want to know. Alright, everyone let’s hold hands like kindergarteners. Amelia and Karma, get us out of here.”

  Everyone did as I asked. The Venus sisters closed their eyes. Moments later, they opened them, grim expressions.

  “The Realm has been locked by Conus,” Karma said softly.

  “Just fucking great,” I said then looked at my friends. “I swear I won’t let anything happen to you. I’ll take full responsibility if we’re caught.”

  “Yeah, no, I don’t think so,” Sin said. “I won’t be able to sleep another night if you get sent back to Hell.”

  “Same here,” Elly said. “Don’t be a fucking moron and hero. We don’t need that shit.”

  Large banging—no—battering creaked the door.

  “Do you have any secret passage in this place?” I told Karma.

  “It’s an apartment, of course not.” The goddess folded her arms.

  “Of course she wouldn’t feel worried,” Elly said.

  Karma sighed.

  “What will it look like when I’m caught with you? Besides…” she looked at Amelia, as if she actually cared about her little sister. “There’s a window in the backroom. I’ll hold them off. Amelia, you take them to Mother.”

  “Do you think they’ll let us into your palace?” I said. “I know the Venus clan is compassionate but I doubt they’ll be THAT compassionate.”

  “Use illusions, I don’t care. Just go!”

  “I won’t forget this,” I said then took off behind the others.

  Oh if only things were so easy—if only life didn’t slap me around at every corner with an ungloved dueling hand. I saw everyone’s pale and sickened expressions and confirmed them by peeking out the window.

  They were there dressed in full golden armor, heavenly-light shining around them like a dragon’s treasure room. Of all fucking things, really, the ARMY.

  The heavenly-army was no joke. Trained by Michael the archangel himself, they weren’t like the hunters. They were warriors, cops, and death all rolled in one bundle. There were at least fifty of them, a mix of angel and god, eyes craving death.

  For the first time in a while, I saw true fear in everyone’s eyes, even Amelia’s. We were caught. My friends may get sent back after I vouch for them, but there could only be one destination for me. Chains. Forever gone. Forever dead. Only the King could remove a chain. I’d never get that audience.

  Amelia and Karma may get to the Venus Clan for punishment or even worse, get sent to trial for helping a traitor, a fugitive. They may be forced to fall which is just as bad as getting sent to Hell. Doomed to insanity, to be lost forever and forgotten.

  “Let’s get back to Karma,” I said. “I will vouch for you, get you sent back to Middleburg.” I held up a hand to protest argument. “That is the army of who you know as, God. It’s not a fight we can win. They’re fifty times stronger than the elite. I didn’t bring you all the way here on my little goose hunt just to get you killed and then thrown in Hell.”

  “Epex, fuck, there’s got to be a way,” Elly said.

  “Just do as the guards say,” I said. “If you don’t threaten them, they won’t attack. Do you feel the air in this realm? It has a negative thought suppressor as well as calming elements. That’s why we underestimated our situation at the House building. We couldn’t feel skepticism, nervousness, or panic. Now come on.”

  We hurried to Karma. I shook my head at her wide eyes. She had both of her hands aimed at the door, emitting essence. On the other side, the battering grew harsher. The male voice on the other hand shouted threat after threat.

  “It’s the army,” I said to her. “It’s over. We’re fucked.”

  Karma cursed under her breath.

  “Epex, you’ve got to think of something. I can’t hold this barrier forever. If you’re the type to give up then give up on marrying my baby sister. I won’t let you near her.”

  “What the fuck do you expect me to do against the motherfucking army?” I snarled. “Make shit worse? Get my friends killed? G—” I paused as an idea came to my head. Karma smiled as if knowing this was coming. I manifested a marker. “Make room, I’ve got to try something.”

  My friends moved as I frantically drew a large deity-trapper on the floor. It took a minute to finish, hastily drawn, but still functional. “They’ll no-doubt investigate this symbol. Conus may get eyes on it and know that I’ve been here.”

  I placed a hand on the circle and flooded it with essence. My tank automatic
ally recharged from the natural power that flowed within the air of Paradise Realm. I felt the hold in this area snap and judging by Karma and Amelia’s gasps, they did too. The deity-trapper had successful negated Conus’s grasp in the apartment—fuck yeah, but I knew this wouldn’t last long. “Alright Karma, hurry up, get us the fuck out of here.”

  “I only have enough power to get us to my palace,” she whispered. “You two can ascend them after some rest.”

  She created the rift parallel to my deity-trapper. I sighed in relief, glad that my configuration to allow Karma’s essence to form, actually worked. That was a nasty gamble but the others didn’t need to know that. It’s not like I guaranteed anything.

  As we rushed into the rift, the windows from that back room shattered and the sound of rushing boots filled the building. We practically dove through the rift just as someone yelled for us to halt.

  Karma shut it fast enough to keep any one extra from getting in. Safe at last in the middle of her palace lobby, on the ground panting of nervousness, I laughed. Everyone joined in.

  Devante pat my back.

  “That was fucking too close for comfort.”

  Elly gave me the back pat too. “For once, you’re awesome.”

  “Yeah, yeah,” I said. “Too close—I thought we were fucked.”

  Chapter Forty-three

  “Where are we again?” Amony said.

  “Karma’s house of horniness,” I said with a sarcastic voice. “Welcome to another world. And tell your idiot scientists that we’re not alone. Actually on second thought, tell them we are. They don’t need to see this.”

  Karma pulled me off to the side, wry smile on her face and whispered at tone just for me. “You wondered up to the third floor, haven’t you?” That barely teetered on the borderline of question and statement.

  “No idea what you’re talking about,” I said in the same conspiratorial whisper. “What are you hiding up there, bodies?”