* * * * *
Again, Markus felt the suffocating grip of the monster's hand, but only for a short time. As soon as sunlight touched the monster, it let out a deafening shriek, and its hand released them. When he hit the ground, he felt sharp pain in his ankle.
But he was sitting in sunlight, and the monster had retreated into the forest.
"Thank God!" he said, grimacing at the pain in his ankle. He tried to stand, but couldn't.
Nadia placed a hand on his shoulder. "Are you hurt?"
"It's just my ankle," he said, rising with her help. He braced himself against the pain, and it wasn't as bad this time. Soon he could put a little weight on the ankle. He tested it with more and more weight and discovered his limits.
Alana looked up at the sky. "I never thought I'd see sunlight again." Her expression sank. "I just wish Jakob were here to see it. How will we ever tell his family?"
"We might never get the chance," Nadia said. "We still have to kill Warrick."
"Did you have to remind me of that?" Markus asked.
"We can't lose sight of our goal. The forest was only one part of our quest."
"At least we're back somewhere normal," he said, looking out across rolling hills dotted with a few trees. The air, which had felt suffocating and close in the forest, seemed fresh and light. Like home.
He felt a sudden stab of homesickness, of longing. No matter what Uncle Theo had done, Markus missed the man, missed the simple life of a woodsman. It was strange to think over the series of events that had led him to this point, taking him to the edge of death so many times. His journey felt more wondrous than any story he'd ever heard.
"We should get moving," Alana said, a tear trickling down her cheek.
Nadia looked up at the sky. "You're right. It looks like late afternoon. We want to be safe in Bradenton by the time the sun sets."
"Why's that?" Markus asked.
"A monster from the Forest of Darkness attacks Bradenton every night," Nadia said. "I believe it's the very monster we just encountered. As long as we're inside, the monster won't be a threat to us. For some reason, it leaves buildings alone."
"That's strange," Markus said as his thoughts continued drifting back to home, to Rik. He wanted to believe Rik wasn't dead, but there was no point. If he were alive, they would have found him.
They walked in subdued silence. Escaping the forest should have felt like a victory, but instead Markus felt hollow, dwelling on everything they'd lost. Too much.
Was killing Warrick worth it?
"I'm beginning to think we should've never gone on this quest," Markus said. "Look at what it's done to us. Nadia, you lost Kara. I lost Rik. Alana lost Garet and Jakob. And all of this so that we can use a spell that probably won't even work. It seems so useless."
"It-it's not useless," Nadia said. "You're forgetting what else we've lost, what so many people lost that day in Crayden. Innocent people. Children. Don't you remember? We said we had to fix that image in our minds whenever we felt like giving up."
"I know," Markus said, "but it feels like we're throwing our lives away for nothing. I mean, if Warrick can create all these places, all these monsters, what chance do we stand against him? He'll kill us before we have a chance to use the spell. We should just settle down."
Alana had fire in her gaze. "That's your answer to everything. Give up. Rik, Garet, and Jakob did not die so that you could give up."
Markus shrank away from her glare. He knew she was right, but that didn't change the way he felt. "I know we have to do this, but some people do feel doubt, you know."
"You think I don't feel doubt?" Alana said. "I've felt it every day since we left the Oasis Outpost. I've wanted to turn back, wanted to tell my family I was sorry for leaving them and joining the Order, but you have to stand up for what you know is right, even if it gets you killed."
"She's right," Nadia said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I've known the whole time how this quest would most likely end. It's not easy to accept, but you have to." She squeezed his shoulder. "Besides, if you die, you'll get to see Rik again."
Markus limped on his injured ankle. "That's the problem, though. I don't know if there's anything after this. I've never exactly believed in God or any of that crap. What kind of God would let someone like Warrick rule over us? Not a God I want to believe in."
Nadia moved even closer to him. "Markus, how can you say God doesn't exist? Look at all the things we've survived. Surely the hand of God was involved. Maybe He doesn't always work the way we want Him to, but He does exist."
"Maybe," Markus said, "but that doesn't mean we understand Him, or that we should take for granted that there is an afterlife. We have to live this life like it's the only one we have."
Nadia offered some support to help him walk with his throbbing ankle. "And don't you want to do something great with it? We have a chance to do what no one has done for five hundred years. Even if it's an incredibly small chance, we have to do it."
"I don't know," he said. "I think I understand how Rik felt now. I guess I do have my parents to avenge, but since I don't really remember them, it's not like it is for you."
"Then don't do it for your parents," Nadia said. "Do it for everyone who died in Crayden. Do it for the people of the Empire." She looked into his eyes. "Do it for me."
"You do have a way with words, Nadia."
They fell silent then, walking to the west as the sun sank lower and lower. Markus could no longer see the Forest of Darkness, but he could imagine the monster standing there and waiting for the sun to set.
Waiting to kill them.
The rolling hills continued for miles. With the sun just above the mountains on the western horizon, they caught their first glimpse of Bradenton. It sat in a large valley, at least a ten minute walk away. Would they reach it in time?
The sun sank out of view. They tried to hasten their pace, but they were exhausted, and Markus could barely walk on his ankle. Again and again, he looked back, expecting to see the monster.
When they were a few minutes from the edge of the city, the trembling began—soft at first, but it grew stronger with time. Markus thought he saw other people behind them, but he didn't dwell on it. Reaching the city was more important.
The vibrations became more noticeable, and the monster's enormous form appeared—at least forty feet tall and covered in thick, brown, matted fur.
"We need to go faster," Alana said, her face pale in the evening's waning light. Nadia and Markus matched her pace, though Markus grimaced with every step.
They came to Bradenton's first small buildings. No lights glowed in the city. No people walked the streets.
"Let's get inside," Markus said.
They looked back toward the monster, which stood maybe a minute or two away. Near the monster, two people were fleeing toward a cluster of trees, as though that could hide them.
Nadia's eyes widened. "We have to help them."
"Are you sure?" Alana said. "Can we risk failing in our quest?"
Markus felt a surge of anger. "Sorry, but we have to help them. Heroes don't get to choose when they want to be heroes. When people are in trouble, heroes help them."
Alana bit her lower lip. "I know, but how can we fight that thing?"
"I don't know," Nadia said, "but we have to do it. Somehow." She frowned. "I still have one arrow, and you have your staff. We'll think of something."
One arrow. Markus didn't like the sound of that. A part of him did agree with Alana. They had a goal in mind, however much he might resent that goal.
Nadia took off toward the monster, and Alana followed reluctantly. Markus trailed both of them, limping on his injured ankle and trying to think of anything he could do. The ground trembled more fiercely with every step the monster made.
The monster lumbered toward the two people who'd taken shelter in the trees. One of them pointed something long and thin at the monster, and fire surged at it. It recoiled, letting out a deafening roar. Did this
person have a magical staff?
They were rare, but it wasn't impossible. Or was it Rik? Had he survived somehow?
No. Markus couldn't afford to get his hopes up. Surely it wasn't Rik.
The monster continued toward the two people, and the person with the staff kept sending different spells at it. Nothing deterred the monster. The spells and arrows only enraged it.
"We have to get its attention," Nadia said.
"I could try launching my own spells at it," Alana said, trembling. When Nadia indicated her agreement, Alana started with a burst of lightning. It traveled the fifty feet or so between them and the monster, then enveloped the monster, which growled again, undaunted.
It didn't even turn. The man with the bow kept sending arrows toward where the monster's heart should be, backing away and using the trees for cover. Soon the monster would be upon them.
"I have an idea," Nadia said. "Remember how I could sense the wolves' hearts? Maybe I can do the same with this monster. If I can just concentrate, I might be able to kill it." She closed her eyes a few moments, then opened them. "I think its heart is in an unusual location, much lower than expected and toward the back. You need to distract it so I can get a clear shot."
Markus was trembling. "Are you sure about this, Nadia?"
"No, but it's the best plan we have."
Markus and Alana raced behind the monster. Alana launched jets of fire at it, and Markus shouted, but it still advanced on the two people in front of it. Markus's breathing came in quick gasps. He barely noticed the pain in his ankle.
"Over here!" he shouted. The monster had just reached down to grab one of the people in front of it. At the last moment, it turned toward Markus's voice and began advancing on him. Alana released a jet of fire, striking the beast's stomach, and it hastened its pace, shaking the ground with each step.
In a few big steps, the monster reached them. Alana kept sending spells at it, but it ignored her, reaching down for Markus instead. He had his sword ready. If it grabbed him, it would regret it.
The monster's hand closed around him, but he kept his sword at the right angle, plunging it through the monster's skin. It growled and dropped Markus, who landed on his injured ankle. Pain flared, but he ignored it, getting back to his feet.
The beast was shaking its hand. Now it lifted a foot, preparing to crush Markus. Yes, he could stab it again, but it would be too late. He closed his eyes, waiting for the crushing weight.
* * * * *
Nadia had her shot, but she had to do it quickly. She took a deep breath, then let the arrow fly. The monster, raising its foot above Markus, was moving very little. She prayed that her arrow would find its target, and shuddered to think what might happen if it didn't.
The arrow hit the creature, and it turned then, its foot coming down right next to Markus as it began stomping in her direction. Damn. How was she going to hit its heart now?
Out of her peripheral vision, she caught movement. She turned to her right to see someone racing toward her. The other of the two people had begun launching spells at the monster again, the air glowing in shades of orange and yellow. It took a while, but that person did get the monster to turn again.
"Need some arrows?" said the man racing toward her.
She recognized that voice. "Garet?"
"No time to explain." Garet handed her the arrows.
With the monster now focusing its attention on Rik, she had another chance. She nocked an arrow and aimed her shot, allowing her instincts to guide her. The arrow flew toward its target. She hadn't even thought about where she was aiming it, or about how the beast might move. Nothing but instinct.
The arrow hit where she'd wanted. The monster growled, wavered on its feet, then crashed against the ground with a tremendous thud.
She turned to Garet. "Do you think it's dead?"
"I don't know. We should make sure."
They raced toward the monster, but Markus, injured ankle and all, beat them to it. He climbed onto its back, found the spot where her arrow had struck, and plunged his sword through its back. It writhed at first, then fell still and silent.
"I can't believe it," Markus said as Nadia approached. "We actually killed that thing."
Nadia helped him down from the monster's back. "That's not the only thing you won't believe. Take a look over there." She pointed to their right, where Rik stood.
Markus's eyes went wide. "Rik? Is it really you?"
Rik grinned. "Who else would it be, you idiot?"
They raced toward each other, then came together in a tight embrace. Nadia struggled to keep from crying. She couldn't imagine how Markus must feel right now.
The rest of the group moved closer to Markus and Rik. They all stared at one another, shaking their heads. At last, Nadia said, "I think it's time for an explanation."
Rik pulled away from Markus. "Well, after falling in the water, I hit my head on a rock. When I woke up, I was on the bank, and the light really hurt my head, so I went into the forest. Garet came in, too, and found me there."
"You idiot," Markus said, glaring at Rik. "If you'd stayed on the shore, we would've found you. Do you know how long I went grieving over your death?"
"Sorry, but you don't exactly think clearly after hitting your head like that. You'd have made the same choice." He shook his head. "Let's not fight. I'm glad to see you again, Markus. I thought I was going to go crazy in that forest."
"We all did," Alana said. "I never want to go back there."
"Amen to that," Rik said.
Footsteps sounded behind Nadia, and she turned. A small group of Bradenton residents approached, weapons in hand. At first, Nadia thought they meant to attack the party, but then she realized they were being cautious, worried about the monster.
One man stepped forward. "Is it dead?"
"Yes, it's dead," Nadia said. "An arrow and sword through the heart."
"How can we ever repay what you've done for us?" the man said, eyes wide. "For so many years, we've lived in fear of that monster, never going outside at night. You don't realize the freedom you've given us. Thank you. Do you need anything?"
"Well, we need a place to stay," Nadia said, her face warm. Sweat drenched her light traveling clothes. "I'm sorry, but we don't intend to stay here long."
"It doesn't matter how long you stay. You will always be our heroes."
* * * * *
Darien had a headache. Once again, he'd been watching the present through the Webs of Fate even though he'd known he couldn't change it. He'd helped Nadia, Markus, and Rik through the forest, providing timely flashes of light to eliminate the monsters, but they'd dealt with the final monster on their own.
In most of his readings of the Webs, that battle didn't take place, but every little decision had a huge impact on the future. Darien had tried to control as much as possible.
It wasn't always easy.
At least they'd made it to Bradenton. Now it was time to prepare for their arrival. Like the destruction of Crayden, this encounter between them was one of those strong threads. Without it, his plans would fall apart. He had to be careful about the way he handled it.
He couldn't let them know how much he'd been controlling their lives.
Everything they'd done played right into his hands.
Part III
Breaking the Chains
Chapter 55
When Berig's vision stopped swirling, he stood on a grassy plain before a giant stone wall and an open gate flanked by two guards.
"What business do you have in Mountainside?" said one of the guards. His posture was stern, but his tone was not unfriendly. "It strikes me as odd that you just teleported here."
Klint stepped forward. "I can vouch for them."
"You sure, Klint?" the guard asked. "We must be cautious, you know."
"They're not Imperial spies. They intend to help the Order."
"Can we take your word for it?" asked the other guard. "It's no secret that you look out for yourself fi
rst, for the Order second."
Klint bit his lower lip. "Is Cyrus here in the city?"
"I believe so," said the first guard. He turned to his companion. "Go and find Cyrus."
"Yes, sir." The second guard strode through the open gate.
"Don't even think of trying anything," said the remaining guard. "There are more of us waiting inside the gate. You won't get through unless we permit it."
"I understand," Ander said. "You must be cautious."
The wait felt as though it took forever.
"I don't understand all this caution," Berig said. "Klint, didn't you say that Mountainside isn't really run by the Order? Shouldn't they let us in without all this?"
"Well, the city government still does what they can to protect the Order," Klint said. "They can't take the risk of allowing Imperial spies entrance." He smiled. "Don't worry. Cyrus will vouch for us."
The guard returned a while later, standing with a man who had long silvery blond hair. The man strode forward, examining them with a frown.
"Good afternoon, Cyrus," Klint said.
Cyrus turned his piercing gaze to Klint. "I see you have nothing for us today."
"Well, some issues came up," Klint said. "I think I'm gonna be out of business for a while. Maybe permanently. I was hoping I could take that secret path outta the empire."
Secret path? Was he saying it was possible to cross the mountains?
"It sounds like there's an interesting story here," Cyrus said, but something in his tone indicated that he already knew their story somehow. "Who are the others?"
Ander stepped forward. "We're with the Order, from Crayden. My name is Ander. With me are Aric, Berig, Talia, and Danica," he added, gesturing to each in turn.
Cyrus's expression relaxed. "Lord Ander, if I'm not mistaken. I've heard of you. You've done a lot of good things for the Order." He turned his gaze to Aric. "Are you feeling all right?"
Aric looked unsteady on his feet. "I got bitten by a lizard in the Black Swamp. Someone who was in our party at the time managed to heal some of it, but I'm feeling weaker every day. Right now, it's taking everything I have just to stay on my feet."
Empire of Chains (World in Chains Book 1) Page 46
