by Aaron Hodges
A heavy silence hung over the chamber; and then Maya spoke: “Your time has come to an end, Matriarch.”
With a sharp, jerking movement, she snapped the Matriarch’s neck. The crack of breaking bones sounded like a klaxon in the empty basilica, so loud that even Adonis flinched. He watched as the light faded from her eyes, and felt an inexplicable thrill of terror. This was the leader who his people had followed for decades, who had led them to victory after victory against humanity. Without thinking, he took a step towards her.
But already she was falling, crumpling to the ground, lying still against the stones. Her pale eyes stared up at him and for a second, guilt clamped around his heart, stilling his breath.
Then he turned and found Maya watching him, and the feeling receded, replaced by the glory of victory. Maya smiled, then turned to his brother and sister Tangata.
Rise, my children. Her words lifted them back to their feet, reborn beneath the power of the Old Ones. No longer will you go quietly to your destruction. Today, a new age dawns for the Tangata.
What do you wish of us, Old One? the guards called back. There was desperation in their eyes. They were of the fourth generation, eager to please, subservient to one so far above them.
A smile crept across Maya’s lips as she looked towards the doors, her grey eyes seeming to take in the city beyond.
Bring me the humans, she commanded. It is time for a cleansing.
28
The Soldier
Bring me the humans, the Old One’s mental voice carried from across the plaza. It is time for a cleansing.
Lukys’s heart thundered in his ears as he listened to the words. At his urging, he and Sophia had tracked the pounding of the Old One’s thoughts across the city. Even hidden in the shadows on the other side of the plaza from the basilica, they had easily heard her from within—though the others’ voices had been fainter.
Now they stood beside the river and watched as silhouettes raced past—the Matriarch’s guards, off to do their new master’s bidding. Thankfully they did not look left or right as they disappeared into the streets of New Nihelm. Silence returned to the night. It would not last. Whatever safety he and his friends had found here, it was at an end.
His whole body trembling, he looked at Sophia. What are we going to do?
Run! she hissed.
There was fear in Sophia’s eyes, bordering on panic. Lukys could hardly blame her. He had felt the Matriarch’s power, her strength. And the Old One had slaughtered her, had claimed her guards, even Adonis, as her champions. The thought gave him pause and he wondered at the creature’s power. But there was no time to linger.
I can’t leave the others, Lukys replied, taking her hand in his. Please, you have to help us, Sophia.
Sophia’s grey eyes were large in the moonlight, but after a moment, she nodded. In silence they turned and raced away, desperate to reach the compound before the Tangata did. As they ran, Lukys scanned the way ahead, fearful they would encounter the Matriarch’s guards—but the streets remained dark, empty.
After several blocks, though, he began to hear sounds behind them. Doors slammed and masses of boots struck pavements as the city woke. A distant buzz touched his mind and he felt the tingle of annoyance broadcasted by the collective minds of the Tangata. The odd voice carried through the night as well. Lukys did not look back, though in his mind he pictured Tangata and their human partners forced from their houses, corralled into the streets.
Shame touched Lukys as he contemplated the fate of his fellow humans. But there was nothing he could do for them. It was already too late. He couldn’t fight the Old One; he couldn’t even fight the Tangata—at least not unarmed.
Sophia! he cried, his stride slowing. We need weapons.
His partner glanced over her shoulder, then drew to a stop. Concern showed on her face.
Lukys…
Please, Sophia, he insisted. We don’t stand a chance without them.
Still Sophia hesitated. He could sense her doubt. What he asked was a betrayal of her people, to arm the very enemies they had waged war against for a decade. And yet…he had seen the Tangata’s affection for their human partners. Looking at Sophia…Lukys thought he could almost understand his friends’ decision, almost accept.
“We’re not your enemies, Sophia,” he whispered. He looked back then, eyes lifting to the spire of the basilica. “That thing…that thing is the enemy of all of us.”
He looked back at Sophia, wanting to say more, but the words didn’t come. Still, he was surprised to find a smile on her lips. She nodded.
This way. There’s an old storage building close by, many of the weapons found in the city after its fall were placed there.
Weaving through unfamiliar streets, it took them only minutes to reach their new destination. Unlike most buildings in New Nihelm, this one was of stone, though thankfully the door was still wood. It gave way beneath a single blow from Sophia, unleashing a wave of dust and forcing Lukys to stifle a sneeze.
Pulling his shirt over his face, he moved with Sophia into the darkness. It took several long minutes before he found what he wanted—a bundle of spears tied together by twine. He took one from the pile and immediately his heart began to calm. It felt good to hold a weapon again, to feel like his fate was in his own hands again.
Unfortunately, there was no armour—and time was quickly evaporating. If the Tangatan guards arrived at the compound before they did, this would all be for nothing. He reached for the bundle, but Sophia was faster. Hefting the spears onto her shoulder as though they weighed no more than a sack of feathers, she nodded for the door.
Outside, he let her take the lead again, still unsure of himself in the dark streets of New Nihelm. The moon had shifted overhead, the night stretching on, and he swallowed. Even if they escaped the city, the Tangata would come for them. What then? They could not outrun these creatures.
Despair touched him, but he forced it down. One step at a time. First, he needed to convince his companions that they must flee. After the comfortable weeks they’d spent in New Nihelm, even that task could prove difficult, even with Sophia’s support.
They found the doors to the compound standing open, though where they’d left the courtyard empty, now dozens of tired faces stood around the tables. It was clear from their faces that they’d heard the sounds of alarm from elsewhere in the city.
“Lukys?” Frowning, Travis stepped up to greet him. “Where have you been?” The recruit’s eyes were immediately drawn to the spear in Lukys’s hands. “Where did you get that?”
Sister, several of the Tangata present spoke at the same time, moving toward Sophia. Why is your human armed?
Lukys and Sophia shared a glance. “The Matriarch is dead,” Lukys said to them all. Whispers assailed his mind as the Tangata cried out, demanding answers, but he pressed them down and continued: “She was slain by an Old One. She calls herself Maya. Adonis is with her. The creature intends to rule over the Tangata.” His eyes slid to Travis and the others. “And cleanse the humans from amongst them.”
Silence fell suddenly over the group and Lukys nodded, gesturing to Sophia. “Quickly, take a spear and gather supplies for the road. We need to be gone before the creature’s followers reach us…” He trailed off as he saw the group was no longer watching him.
Their eyes were on the gate to the compound. His stomach twisted as a voice whispered into his mind.
My dear human, Adonis said softly. I hope you aren’t trying to leave us. Maya was so looking forward to meeting you. There is so much you could tell us of our enemies.
Heart hammering in his chest, Lukys turned to face the Tangata. Adonis stood in the entrance to the compound, arms clasped behind his back. His eyes narrowed as he stepped into the courtyard, taking in the gathered recruits and their Tangatan partners, before settling on Lukys and Sophia. A tightness crossed Adonis’s face as he saw the spear in Lukys’s hands.
Sister, he murmured, turning to Sophia. Have you b
etrayed us?
Sophia wilted beneath that terrible gaze. I—
Adonis surged forward before she could finish speaking, his hand flashing out, catching her by the throat. A cry sounded in Lukys’s mind and he raised his spear, but a backhanded blow from Adonis sent him staggering backwards. A silence settled over the courtyard as the others shrank back from the Tangata’s rage.
Teeth bared, Adonis lifted Sophia into the air. You would betray your own kind for these…these swine?
Terror swept over Lukys as he watched his partner struggling to break Adonis’s grip, but she was as helpless in his grasp as any human would be. Her mouth opened and closed, gasping for breath, but no sound came out. With a sneer of contempt, Adonis tossed her aside, sending her crashing into one of the tables. The heavy wood cracked beneath the impact and she slumped amongst the ruins, unmoving.
“No!” Lukys screamed.
Smiling, Adonis faced him. Their eyes met and Lukys froze. Death reflected from those icy depths, its promise pounding against his mind, assaulting his consciousness. A gasp escaped his throat but words, thought, abandoned him. Tears burned in his eyes as he sank to his knees, but still he could not look away, not even to seek out where Sophia had fallen. Whispers of movement came from around the courtyard as the others followed, Tangata and human alike.
Brothers, sisters, Adonis called, arms spread as he turned those terrible eyes on the Tangata. The Old Ones have returned. They have cast down our tyrannous Matriarch. No longer will we bow to humanity, allowing them to live among us as equals.
Out from under his direct gaze, Lukys felt as though he could breathe again. His heart pounded in his ears as he watched the Tangatan leader. Anger touched him, but it was like a spark amongst damp tinder, unable to catch. How could he go up against this creature if even Sophia could not match him? He was like a fly, trapped in the spider’s web. Nowhere to hide, nowhere to run; he could only wait for death to finally find him…
His gaze travelled to the other Tangata. They bowed their heads to Adonis’s words. The spark in his core flickered, burning brighter. How could they kneel there and accept the death of their leader so easily? How could they sit and do nothing when this creature would condemn their human partners to death? Had Lukys only imagined the fondness he’d seen in their eyes, the love?
Then he frowned as he noticed how Travis and Isabella held hands as they knelt. Tears shone on the Tangata’s face. Looking past them, he saw the same grief in the eyes of others. He ground his teeth. Why did they not act? There were a dozen of them—surely Adonis could not defeat so many at once, whatever his generational advantages…
Lukys’s frown deepened as the despair swelled once again. What did it matter if they fought? They were doomed regardless. They would never escape the city now, never make it to safety, make it home…
The thought trailed away as Lukys’s gaze settled on his spear tip. In that moment, he was transported back to that desperate battle beside the Illmoor. He had been terrified then as well. There’d been no denying the death that awaited them, no escaping it. And yet he had stood strong and faced the Tangata with courage. He had not lost heart then.
So why would he now?
His head lifted as the pieces of the puzzle clicked into place. Movement came from the corner of his eyes. His heart throbbed as he saw Sophia on her knees. Blood streaked a trail from her lip and a bruise swelled on her forehead, but she was alive.
Hope.
Lukys clutched at the thought as he fixed his gaze on Adonis. Here was the reason the other Tangata did not act. Somehow, Adonis controlled them, controlled his despair. He had noticed Sophia now and his laughter whispered on the breeze.
Still alive then, sister?
You can’t do this, she whispered, seemingly unable to regain her feet. It’s forbidden.
Forbidden by your treacherous Matriarch. Adonis shook his head, sweeping a hand across those gathered in the courtyard. But no longer. All will have a part to play in the coming conquest, but no longer will we constrain ourselves on behalf of the weak. A new age dawns for the Tangata, one ruled by the strong!
Lukys’s heart was pounding so hard against his ribs he feared it might explode. The fear returned as Adonis turned on him once more, but now he knew its source. Closing his eyes, he endured, clinging to that memory beside the Illmoor, to the feel of the spear in his hands, to the presence of his friends at his side, to the sight of Cara soaring across the swirling waters.
“Adonis,” he found himself saying.
Silence fell across the courtyard and opening his eyes, he found the Tangata watching him. His breath caught in his throat and for a moment he could not think, could do nothing but stare into those deadly eyes.
Hope.
Lukys swallowed. “You said the Old One wants me?” he rasped. A frown twisted the Tangata’s features. When he did not reply, Lukys continued: “I will…go freely,” he choked out. “If you spare them.”
Lukys, no! Sophia’s voice shouted in his mind. Sobbing, she tried to stand, but could not seem to gather her feet.
Adonis laughed. You think you have a choice, human?
The cold eyes bored into Lukys and he gasped as his entire body began to tremble. The spear slipped from his fingers, clattering to the cobbles. Desperately, he tried to stand, but wave upon wave of emotion broke upon him, of desolation, of anguish, cast at him by the creature he faced. His gaze fell to the bricks beneath his knees.
Hope.
Footsteps approached, soft in the darkness. No, human, your weakness betrays you, betrays all your kind. Betrays even our lesser generation. No wonder so many of the fifth fell to your blade. No wonder they wilted before the Anahera. But no longer.
Lukys gasped, hardly able to breathe, to think. All he could hear were the words, that pounding in his skull, the awful doom approaching on soft feet. He could not fight this thing, could not endure. He could only fall.
Hope.
With Maya, we will forge a new world. The Tangata will be restored in all their glory. None can prevent it, not humanity, not even the Anahera.
The footsteps stopped beside him and Lukys looked up. A silhouette towered overhead, blacking out the stars, the moon—though beyond he could see Sophia struggling, arm outstretched, a desperate grief in her eyes.
Hope.
Lukys met Adonis’s steely gaze.
Are you ready to meet your doom, human?
His fingers closed around the wooden haft lying beside him.
“My name is Lukys,” he hissed.
Adonis’s eyes widened as the spear tip slammed into his chest. His hands came up, but Lukys did not relent, driving the blade deeper, screaming his rage, until the point burst from his enemy’s back. A growl came from Adonis’s throat and the terrible eyes fixed on Lukys, but skewered by the spear, they no longer seemed to hold any power.
A cry bubbling from his throat, Adonis stumbled back, tearing the weapon from Lukys’s hands. Gasping, he clutched at the spear, fingers curling around the wooden haft. Another scream echoed through the courtyard as he began to pull.
Heart pounding in his chest, Lukys watched as the Tangata drew the bloody spear from his body and tossed it aside. Grey eyes fixed again on Lukys, but as Adonis took a step, his knees buckled and he crumpled face-first to the cobbles.
A groan slipped from Lukys’s lips as he looked at the fallen Tangata. His own legs shook as he tried to take a step. A wave of exhaustion swept over him then, and suddenly he found himself slumped against the bricks. Whispers came from the others and a moment later a hand touched his shoulder.
Lukys.
He flinched away from the voice, looking up to find the bruised and battered Sophia crouching beside him. His insides twisted as he looked into her eyes. How could such honest eyes have lied so easily? All this time, she’d hidden the true secret of the Tangata, of the power they possessed. The power that Adonis had used so easily to subdue them.
She reached for him again, but he shran
k away, and a frown creased her purpled forehead. “Lukys, what’s wrong?”
Tears burned in his eyes as he looked at her, seeing her pain, and a lump lodged in his throat. He swallowed it down, forcing himself to speak the words.
“Stay away from me.”
29
The Fugitive
“There was a spy,” Erika said.
“He was a pawn,” Romaine replied. The Calafe was still crouched beside Cara. “The queen had his family abducted, forced him to leave markers for us to follow you. Where is he?”
Erika’s heart twisted and she looked away, her eyes falling to the soft glow of the gauntlet. “Dead,” she whispered. He’d passed before they could drag him into the shelter of the rocks, succumbing to whatever internal damage her magic had done.
Romaine cursed, but Maisie spoke before he could reprimand them. “He didn’t know what kind of poison it was anyway.”
“Didn’t you hear me?” Romaine snapped. “He didn’t want to be here.”
“None of us want to be here, Calafe,” Maisie replied coolly. “But we each made our choices.”
Romaine fell silent at the Gemaho’s words and Erika did not miss the grimace that touched the warrior’s face. She glanced towards the sounds of fighting. The men that had attacked might not be wearing Flumeeren colours, but the archer who led them had been with Amina back at the Illmoor Fortress. The same man she’d found so familiar, though she still could not remember from where.
“Can’t you stop them with your magic?” Romaine asked from the ground.
Erika shook herself from her stupor and scowled. “Oh yes, I hadn’t thought of that,” she hissed. The anger left her as quickly as it had come. “I’ve done what I can, using Maisie’s magic to hide me, but your friend with the crossbow figured us out.” She lifted a hand to the bandage Maisie had wrapped around her arm. Thankfully, the arrow had only grazed her.
“Then what’s the plan?” the warrior growled.
