The ward stone began to vibrate as the energy build up increased. Blue-white energy raced up the top of the stone until it formed a large sphere at the apex. The sphere grew to four feet in diameter and exploded, sending several shards of energy in every direction. Sepia looked up and saw two shards head into the park. As she was watching the trajectory of the shards she didn’t notice the shard that was headed for her. It entered her body and suffused it with light. The awareness of the park returned but it was subdued. It didn’t overwhelm her senses. Behind her, the ward stone cracked and crumbled and fell to the earth as it reverted to dust.
“I see. The secondary protocol has been initiated. You hunters are now the keepers of the wards, through your blades. This just makes it easier. I only have to kill hunters and we will be free. I am going to enjoy this,” said Chimera.
TWENTY-FIVE
Sepia’s body crackled with energy as she absorbed the shard. The light from her left eye flared in the night, bathing the ground in green light.
“Do you need more proof that you are closer to my kind than theirs? Have you seen yourself? You look absolutely nightmarish,” said Chimera.
The increased power threatened to undo Sepia. Chimera laughed at her struggle for control.
“You don’t control this kind of power, child. You let it have free reign. You give it access to all of you,” he whispered.
“I am going to end you,” said Sepia.
“You can most certainly try,” said Chimera as he opened his arms wide.
Sepia extended her arm and her sword slowly coalesced in her hand. Its blade had tinges of green now that shifted and moved.
“Another Jade Demon? I remember watching the first one die. Killing you will be just as pleasurable,” said Chimera.
Sepia was rocked to her core. This creature was responsible for her mother’s death.
“You killed her? But you aren’t a T8,” said Sepia.
Chimera looked at her and laughed. It was an evil and cruel sound, full of hatred.
“You are a stupid child. I was never a T anything! You have not seen power of this magnitude. It was the same mistake she made, believing the assessment of her gunman and trusting others. That misplaced trust is what killed her,” said Chimera.
“I am not your child,” she said.
Sepia was full of rage. She ran toward Chimera holding her sword to her side. At the last second she swung her blade up into Chimera. She met his sword instead.
The sound echoed through the trees. He shoved her attack to the side and lunged. She managed to evade his attack with a counter and a shift of her body. His sword looked rapier-thin, but she could see the edges were sharp. The entire blade was covered in a dark aura that came off the sword in waves and dissipated into the air.
Their swords locked, he drew close and whispered, “All that power could have been yours alone. It’s still not too late.”
“It also would have killed me,” she grunted with the effort. He was so strong.
“Nothing of value comes without a cost,” he said. He kicked her in the midsection and sent her flying back. She landed on her back and quickly recovered, springing to her feet. He closed the distance with a flurry of attacks. Her defense was failing. She rolled back to get some breathing room but he pressed his attack. As he lunged, she miscalculated the distance and turned too late. His thrust sliced her midsection and she began to bleed. Her ink didn’t flare to protect her and fear filled her eyes. She clutched her wound, blood filling her hand.
“Now you are beginning to understand, hunter. Your ink will not protect you in here with me and this,” he said as he raised his sword at her. She could feel her ink working, just slowly. The energy from his sword must be suppressing my ink, she thought.
“Just accept it, hunter. As deaths go, you could do worse,” said Chimera.
“I may die today, but not before you,” she said.
She attacked with a feint to his right and struck left. He saw through the feint and was waiting for her on the right with a fist to her jaw. She fell back, dazed.
“Pathetic. It is clear you were trained by an amateur,” said Chimera. Her awareness registered another person close to them. It wasn’t Cade.
“I see I don’t have your full attention,” said Chimera as his hand began to glow. “Let me rid you of all distractions so you can focus on your imminent death.”
He sent a blast of energy toward the prone body of Cade. A figure jumped in front of the blast and was sent flying back. It was Benson.
Chimera laughed as Benson lay dying. A large wound soaked his chest in blood.
“How noble and how pointless. You make my task that much easier by throwing your lives away for each other,” said Chimera.
“No more,” whispered Sepia.
Sepia clenched her fists and her sword receded back into her body.
“It is time to accept the inevitability of your position. This is a wise choice, hunter,” said Chimera.
He lunged, a killing blow. She reached out and grabbed his sword, stopping it mid-thrust. The blade dug into her hand, cutting her, and still she held on. The dark energy surrounding his blade crept up her arms and she laughed. Her eye flared bright green as she extended one arm. Pulling on his sword she jerked him forward toward her. Instantly her sword appeared in her other hand. She sliced horizontally across his neck.
“That’s not possible. How could you withstand my blade?”
“No more killing,” said Sepia.
His sword fell to the ground as he took several steps back. His head fell to the side with a look of surprise on his face. She kicked the head away from the body and ran toward Benson and Cade. Chimera’s body did not dissolve.
“Benson, don’t move. You’re going to be okay,” she knew it was a lie the moment she saw his wound. He saw the expression on her face.
“It’s okay. Occupational hazard,” he tried to laugh but it came out as a rough cough instead.
“Don’t you die on me, I’ll get help.” She moved to stand and he grabbed her hand, stopping her.
“It’s too late. I had a good run. Tell Gan it was an honor. I sent him all the information I could gather.”
“Benson. She knew there was nothing she could do. “Thank you, thank you for saving Cade.”
“It was the least I could do,” he said and then died.
Tears ran down her face as the anger filled her and she fell to her knees. She raged against the senseless deaths, the loss of her friends, her family. She didn’t notice when the scream began but it became the only thing, the center of her world. Nothing else mattered anymore. Her entire being was in that scream. It was release, it was rage, and it was surrender. The ground around her began to liquefy as she was engulfed in green fire.
“Sepia! Sepia, come back!” It was a distant voice on the edge of her consciousness. She turned and looked around and saw the figure standing there. She knew this man.
“It’s me, Blue, just come on back. You can do it,” said Cade in a measured tone.
Gradually the flames receded and went out. Sepia stood in the middle of a charred circle of earth.
“What the hell happened?” said Sepia.
She was disoriented and fell to the ground, exhausted. Cade came over slowly and lifted her to her feet.
“Everything hurts,” she said.
“For a moment there I thought I’d lost you. You had a meltdown, in the worst sense,” said Cade.
Cade looked around and saw the body of Benson. He looked questioningly at Sepia.
“He died saving you,” she said.
Cade nodded his understanding and picked up the body, moving it away from the charred circle.
“Now what?” she said.
“The wards are back in place, you took care of their boss. I would say this was a successful op,” said Cade.
“That’s not what I meant. How do we get out of here now? We’re in the middle of the park. I don’t think I can fight my way out of here again,
” said Sepia.
“We have a ride,” said Cade. He pressed a small box on his side and a blinking light began to go off.
“It’s a throwback but it doesn’t seem to be affected by the EMP field,” said Cade as he looked up to the sky. As he scanned the horizon, Sepia sat on the ground, outside the charred circle and took a deep breath.
“Over there--there she is,” said a voice.
Sepia jumped to her feet, guns drawn and immediately regretted doing so. Turning in the direction of the voice, she faced Xavier carrying an injured Lisa and followed by Red Jen.
“X, what happened? Is she okay?” Cade said as he ran over to Xavier.
“After we were ambushed, some Unholy attacked us. I’m just glad it wasn’t nighttime. Then in the middle of the fight she got hit by some lightning or energy that took them out, but left her like this.”
Cade turned to a battered Red Jen.
“What happened to you? Your last transmission had your gunman down and you were going hunting,” said Cade.
“They dissolved the ward stone and killed Chuck. I found them and ended them. I was making my way out of the park to the rendezvous point when I got hit by that same thing. Next thing I know he’s over me yelling in my face,” said Jen as she pointed at Xavier.
“She was out cold, you should have seen her. I thought she was gone,” said Xavier.
“Where is your sword, rookie?” said Jen looking at Sepia.
Sepia and Cade looked at each other. Cade looked at Jen.
“It was changed in her fight with that Nightmare thing. She has it, just not the same way,” said Cade.
“You lost your sword? How could you lose a named blade?” said Jen.
“Jen, give it a rest. I told you she has it and so she has it. Let it be,” Cade said as he stood between them.
Jen backed off and went to sit by a tree, mumbling to herself about incompetent hunters.
“I can see she still likes me,” said Sepia.
“It’s been a rough day all around,” said Cade.
“Agreed, after this I could use a vacation. Will I get one? No, I will not,” said Xavier.
Xavier laid Lisa down on the ground next to Sepia.
“Hey, you okay? You look like shit,” said Xavier.
“Thanks. I could say the same thing about you,” said Sepia.
“And you would be right. Cade, we planning on staying here or can I get my ass home?” said Xavier.
Above them as if on cue Sepia saw the modified Order helicopter.
“Let’s make this quick, people!” said Bear.
“I thought they couldn’t bring that thing in here with the EMP field?” said Sepia.
“Hep did something to it after reading that book --said it should make it possible to stay in here much longer without damaging the electrical components. Something about warding the bird and making it invisible to the EMP field,” said Cade.
“What?” said Sepia.
“You can ask him when we get back. Let’s get out of here,” said Cade.
They boarded the helicopter and took off. Sepia could feel the wards around her as they rose, enclosing the park.
**********
Several hours later as night fell a figure emerged from the trees near the remains of the last ward stone. It was a well-dressed man with a chimera tattoo on his neck. Behind him trailed several Brutes.
“Gather his body-- all of it --and bring it. Our lord would be most displeased if you left something behind,” said the man.
“Yes, master,” said the Brutes.
They gathered the head and body of Chimera and headed off into the night.
TWENTY-SIX
“You can’t stay here now. I gave them my word,” said Gan.
“I know, Gan. How long do I have to stay with them?” said Sepia.
“Until they say otherwise, and until you are ready,” said Gan. His voice softened somewhat and he placed a hand on her shoulder.
“I know you’re worried about the dispensation. Let me worry about that, blueberry. Anna and I have a lot of history. You have a few days to say your goodbyes. It will be better if you go to them rather than have Anna come get you, trust me on this,” he said.
“I know, I just don’t like it. Anna and I didn’t exactly hit it off,” said Sepia.
“She isn’t what I would call, friendly. It’s for the best. The threat from the park is neutralized for now, though that doesn’t mean Marks is going to stop. You are still blacklisted and now there are hunters that are stronger than before. We still don’t know what this failsafe is or how it will affect you,” said Gan. “It will be good for you to lay low for a while.”
“I need to go see Hep. Will I be able to visit you or Cade?”
“When Anna says you’re ready, then yes, if I haven’t convinced her to not kill me by then, it may be a little difficult. Let’s cross that bridge when we get there,” said Gan.
Sepia hugged Gan. “I’m going to miss you, old man.”
“It’s not forever, Blue, and I still have a few cards to play. I’m not done yet. Now get going,” said Gan.
Sepia left the conference room and looked for Cade. She found him in the armory with Hep.
“Sepia, we were just discussing the effect warding can have on weapons in proximity to the park,” said Cade.
“Hi Cade, Hep,” said Sepia.
“Gan told you. How long do you have?” said Cade.
“A few days, but I know the Sisters. I’d better not drag this out any longer,” said Sepia.
“You’re right. Anna is not known to be patient,” said Hep. He handed Sepia the ward book covered with the cloth, and a large manila envelope.
“Thank you for everything, Hep. We couldn’t have done this without your help,” said Sepia.
Hep waved his hand, dismissing her comment. “You guys did all the work. Here take this,” he said as he handed her a blade he had inscribed with wards.
“Thank you,” said Sepia.
“The wards make it almost unbreakable and you should be able to locate it wherever it is. Cade told me about your sword. Could I…see it before you go?”
Sepia took the blade and placed it in a thigh sheath. She took a step back and extended an arm, materializing her blade.
“I never get tired of that,” said Cade.
The sword had no trace of black, but a green energy ran up and down its length. The inscription remained the same.
Hep whistled low as Sepia handed the blade to him.
“It’s the same and yet different. It feels much stronger somehow,” said Hep.
He walked over to one of his anvils and sliced downward. The blade cut through the metal easily, shearing off a piece.
“Yes, definitely stronger. I’m sure it can do much more in your hands, Sepia. I will look into it but there isn’t much documentation about named blades and their properties,” said Hep.
“Thank you, Hep,” said Sepia. She took back the blade and it flowed into her hand like liquid mercury and disappeared, absorbed into her skin.
“That is amazing,” said Hep.
Sepia turned to Cade who was assembling a rifle and adjusting the sight. He ran his hand through his hair and smiled at Sepia. It was a sad smile.
“Who were you assigned to?” said Sepia.
“I’m with Jen. Gan said it was a good match and you not being a hunter...” his voice trailed off.
“No, it’s a good match. You’re the best gunman out there and she’s a good hunter. One of the best, even if she hates my guts,” said Sepia. She managed to say the words without choking up.
“She may be one of the best, but in my book you’re the best, Blue,” said Cade. She gave him a hug.
“You take care of yourself and watch your hunter,” said Sepia.
“You too, Blue. I’ll see you soon, right?”
“Probably sooner than you think,” said Sepia.
She walked out of the armory with her bag and the ward book. She left Grey Co
mmand into the bright morning sun. Outside was a large SUV and Asha stepped out.
“Hello, Sepia. Good to see you again,” she said.
“Hello, Asha,” said Sepia. She stepped into the SUV and looked back one last time. She was leaving everything she knew behind.
She took a deep breath and let it out. “I’m ready,” she said to Asha.
“Not yet you aren’t, but you will be,” said Asha with a smile.
The End
Thank you for reading Sepia Blue-Rise of the Night. I truly hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. If you enjoyed this story please consider getting The Last Dance- A Sepia Blue Short. There you can find out a bit more about Sepia’s history. Thank you for joining me, please share with family and friends. It would be great if you could leave me a review at Amazon or wherever you purchased the story. Thank you, your reviews help!
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Other titles by Orlando Sanchez
The Spiritual Warriors
Blur-A John Kane Novel
The Deepest Cut-A Blur Short
The Last Dance A Sepia Blue Short
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About the Author:
Author Orlando Sanchez has been writing ever since his teens when he was immersed in playing Dungeon and Dragons with his friends every weekend. An avid reader, his influences are too numerous to list here.
Aside from writing, his passion is the martial arts; he currently holds a 2nd Dan and 3rd Dan in two styles of Karate. If not training, he is studying some aspect of the martial arts or martial arts philosophy, or writing in his blog. For more information on the dojo he trains at, please visit www.mkdkarate.com
Rise of the Night (Sepia Blue Book 1) Page 18
