by Terry Reid
******
Shafts of colour punctuated the gloom then vanished. Then they returned again, this time lingering for longer before disappearing once more. The third time they surfaced the colours resolved into shapes. Hazy at first and distant, they eventually gained definition.
Terry’s head throbbed. It felt like a lead weight. She tried to move but she could barely feel her limbs. Then she looked down and saw them. She was in chains. Panicking, the Alchemist tried to summon her blades but they failed to eject. Twisting, she tried again, this time also trying to move her tentacles but her body felt numb.
“This one’s awake!” shouted a voice. A face leaned over her. The man was hideous. His face was grubby, forming deep creases every time he smiled his broken toothed smile. His breath reeked, causing Terry to wince against the slab she was chained too. “And she is hot! I think I might have a bit of her!” He laughed, turning back to his companions and grabbing his manhood.
When he turned back, Terry spat a mouthful of acid in his face. He screamed, clawing at burning flesh as he fell to the floor. Terry lifted her head, hissing at the other men who gathered around her. One of them struck her across the head with the butt of a rifle. It stung and her skin bled but she remained conscious. Terry spat again, this time missing as the rifleman pulled away out of her reach.
She lost consciousness for a period of time. How long she did not know – but she awoke to her chest exploding as she was struck by a cat-o-nine tails. She screamed inhumanly, flexing forward against the resistance of her chains. She looked down in horror at her bleeding chest – the oozing lacerations glistening in the poor firelight. She cried in horror as much horror at what she saw. They had peeled sections of her armour off, exposing the skin beneath.
Craning back her head she screamed – a piercing cry that rang off the rocks and caused the men to recoil. When it finally stopped the man with the whip moved forward again, twisting it in preparation to strike again.
Then came the answer.
All eyes turned to the pitch sky as a roar rang out across the landscape. Then there was silence. The men looked at one another, their expressions set into question as to what horror lay out there.
Then out of the dark the nightmare came. The Alchemist roared as it ripped the men to shreds with teeth and claws. Terry’s vision grew dark. “Father...”
Chapter 12
The One and Future Queen
Terry awoke to find herself covered in a tangle of wires. She tried to move, only to wince and give up when a stab of pain burned through her left shoulder. She twisted her head to get a better look at the wound but the damage was concealed behind the wreath of cables. Only when she looked down did she discover the true extent of the coverage. The mass of wires had found their way between every plate of her armour.
“You should not be trying to get up.” said a familiar voice from behind her.
Terry twisted her head to see him, but a stiff neck prevented her from looking very far. Gritting her teeth in pain, her head dropped back onto the pillow. Finally her father walked into view by her side.
“Dad...” She muttered, forgetting herself and trying to reach for him. “Argh!” She flopped back.
“I told you not to get up.” He said, but not unkindly. He took her hand into his, squeezing the soft flesh of her fingers and palm against his.
“What happened?” she asked.
He appeared surprised. “Do you not remember?”
“I remember pulling a dart out of my neck and I remember being tortured...” she muttered, the words coming raspy from out of her raw throat. She swallowed. “But I don’t remember anything after that...”
“I heard your cries.” Her father replied, his eyes glistening with tears. “You were in such a state when I found you.”
Terry closed her eyes. “I’m sorry.” She said, beginning to cry.
“It’s alright little one, don’t cry.” He said, cupping her cheek in his hand.
“I’m sorry I ran from you.”
“It’s alright, we’ll discuss it later but for now I’m just glad to have you home.”
Terry laughed, as tears came unbidden down her face. “I never thought I’d see you again.”
Her father squeezed her hand and smiled. “I would never have let that happen. I would have come and bought you home at some point. Many times over the years I almost have.”
“And risk war with the Southlands?”
Her father’s expression suddenly grew darker, a look she only saw when he was raging with fury, a look she had not seen in years. “Yes.” He said, unapologetically. His gaze drifted off to something in the distance. “I grow tired of their politics and their constant insistence on telling me on how I should live my personal life despite the fact that I have spent years staying out of their affairs.”
A sense of alarm shot through her. “What have you done?”
His gaze fell to her. “Nothing. Yet. But once the senate hears of your return they will likely demand your deportation and if it comes to that the answer will be no.”
Terry’s eyes started darting around in every direction like she had lost something.
Her father looked worried. “What?”
“Lyle? Connor? Are they okay?”
He relaxed and she knew they were well before he even spoke. “They’re fine, they’re all here.” He looked away for a moment, his vision growing dark once again. “And I see your uncle has caught a disease off one of those human whores he was intent on mating with.”
Terry’s face screwed up in disgust. “I didn’t need to know that. Is that really the sort of thing you two like to talk about the first time you’ve seen each other in nine years?”
Her father scoffed. “I didn’t need to ask him I could smell it like I can smell those sweaty humans off you.”
She looked surprised. “Really?”
Her father looked disappointed. “I see spending so long with those parasites has dimmed your sense of smell.”
“I don’t envy you in the slightest.”
“You’re also looking a little thin. Have you been eating enough?”
“Yes.” She said without hesitation.
But her father remained unconvinced. “Really? You know you would be healing faster if you had more meat on your bones instead of me having to do this.” He lifted one of the cables from the floor. Unlike the other grey ones attached to her, this one was clear and feeding a thick, dark pink fluid into her stomach.
Terry looked up, spying the cables vanishing over the back of the bed she laid on. “Who am I attached you?” she asked, the question only now crossing her mind.
“Me.” He said, turning to reveal the long twisting lengths of cabling running out of his back and side. He carefully sat down on the side of the bed. “It unsettles me that you cannot sense me.”
She flushed with guilt. “Sorry.”
That made him smile. “There will be plenty of time to talk later little one, but for now, sleep.” He said, leaning forward and kissing her lightly on the forehead.
“I can’t we have to get going. There’s...” she trailed off as her eyes rolled back up into her head and her eyelids closed – a result of her father releasing a chemical into her bloodstream.
******
Terry jerked awake. Sitting up her hands went straight to her stomach, but all the wires that had covered her earlier were gone. So was her dad. Swinging her feet over the side of the bed, her left side protested. She took a hand to it, pressing against stiff muscle.
“Dad?” she asked. When no answer came she got up, struggling to her feet at first. Finding her balance she went to seek him out.
Her search led her to the Grand Hall of the underground colony. She could hear the voices of debate echoing off the stone walls long before she arrived. As she approached the hall she encountered two primeval Alchemists engaged in conversation outside the large entrance to the hall – the first living creatures she had seen since she had woke up.
/> Spying her, the two of them broke off and resumed position, bowing their long necks in respect. Terry waved them to continue. The pomp of being a royal was something she had not missed in her time away.
The Grand Hall was a large, naturally occurring cavern of great size. It was more than fours the size of a football stadium, with a vaulted ceiling standing nearly three hundred feet high. Tunnels filtered out close to the ceiling, creating a 360 circle of viewpoints for members of the colony to gather and watch when there was no space on the generously sized floor. Today was one of those days. There was no decoration save the king’s throne below the far wall, which commanded the hall. It was a simple structure, a pewter coloured stone chair, sitting upon a raised stone dais carved from the rock of the cave itself. Behind it a large tapestry, easily forty feet in length hung from the wall, its dark reds and gold striking against the sand stone it adorned; emblazoned upon it, the family crest.
Terry had to push her way through the press to get a view of the throne. The hall was full to bursting point. Some protested at being jostled, even with her apologies, but those who did so quickly muttered for forgiveness once they saw who she was and made way. A couple of children who did not recognise her made a fuss, only to be scolded and pulled back by their parents. Terry found a spot where she could see. After a minute or so she felt a pair of eyes burning into her. She faced the woman, which was even more frightening than seeing her out of the corner of her eye. The woman stared in unwavering amazement, eyes unblinking. That’s what scared Terry. She had never seen anyone go so long without blinking. “Will you please stop doing that? You’re making me feel uncomfortable.” She muttered. Abashed, the woman lowered her eyes to the ground.
There was a large clearing in the centre of the hall, where a lanky man in robes was speaking. It didn’t take long for Terry to realise what was being discussed, or rather, who was being discussed.
“Can my lord please give us his word though that there will be no war? While we are all elated to see the return of the princess some of us are also fearful that her return will lead to conflict.”
Terry glanced to her father. She could tell even from the distance that he was not in a good mood. He took a long time to answer. When he finally did, he rose from his high backed throne. “My daughter, the heir to my empire and your future queen will not be sent away again.” His voice rang through the high arches and off the walls and every corner of the Great Hall.
The councillor turned pale. “But my lord, please, this would not be a good political move.”
“I grow sick to death of your politics!” He shouted, storming toward the councillor, his red and gold trimmed robes billowing behind him. He stared down at the smaller man, his gaze unforgiving. “Tell me councillor have you lost your backbone? It was not fifty years ago that you were one of my blood thirstiest warriors, now all I see standing before me is a coward!”
Visibly shaken by the outburst the councillor struggled to find his words. “Forgive me my lord...but I am only thinking of the safety of the colony. I am only repeating what the people have said.”
“Puh.” Terry muttered. But the silence of the hall carried her voice further than she had intended and everyone heard. She instantly regretted it.
All eyes fell on her and those who had not noticed her standing among them stepped back, dipping their heads in respect and muttering apologies to their future leader.
Terry looked at her father. The anger seemed to drain from him as he laid eyes on her. He stepped down from his throne and the throng parted like a tide of people. Reaching his daughter he offered his hand, which she took. With a faint smile on his lips, he led her back to the throne.
As they passed the shaking wreck in the robes she stopped and turned to him. “Councillor Dewlen, I don’t believe a word of what you’ve just said. And you haven’t a changed a bit after nine years. You’re still making things up just for your own benefit. I’m actually surprised no-one’s killed you.”
Flabbergasted, Dewlen simply stared at her, open jawed. Walking past him, Terry went to join her father.
The King took her hand, smiling at her with the love only a father could have for his daughter. Turning back to his people, he held up her hand for all to see. “The future queen has returned!” He shouted, his voice carrying around the Great Hall.
After a moment the cheers began, followed by the cries of the primeval Alchemists. Soon the stones rumbled under the noise of twenty million ecstatic Alchemists, not just the ones in the Great Hall, but throughout the entire underground city.
Smiling at his little girl, the King waited for the clamour to subside before he dismissed everyone.
Resuming his throne, the King waved Lyle over from the edge of the dissipating crowd; Terry had not spotted him when she had entered. He gave a slight bow and came over to join them.
Spying councillor Dewlen still hovering at the foot of the dais the King said, “Get out of my sight if you want to live another day.” Without hesitation the small man scurried away.
Once he was gone, the King rose and held out his arms to Terry. “Daughter.” The two embraced, a moment they had not shared in years. “Dad...” Terry whispered, clutching him dearly. “My heart, my blood, my metal and my soul have returned to me.” He muttered.
A roar echoed through a cavernous hole in the ceiling high above the throne. All eyes gazed upward as large limbs forced their way through the narrow tunnel, gripping the edges with claws the size of machetes. The alchemist then pulled its body through, easily twenty five feet in length. Unlike its brethren this one had a slight teal colour to its skin – the mark of a king. Studying them all with fearsome yellow eyes, he carefully lowered himself down to the floor.
“I was wondering where you were.” Terry said, looking between her human-shaped father and the primeval Alchemist.
The human one smirked while the other gave a low growl, before nearly knocking her over as he attempted to nuzzle her with his large, powerful head. Terry rubbed his snout as he pushed against her again, forcing her to hold on so that she was not sent flying.
Her human dad turned his attention to Lyle. “General.” He said, coolly.
“My Lord.” Lyle said dutifully, bowing.
The King waved his words away, clearly irritated. “Why were you two running from me?”
Lyle gazed at Terry, who looked just as shocked that the King had bought the matter up so bluntly.
The King looked to his daughter, any affection he had a few moments ago long gone. “Well?”
Terry stepped away from his other incarnation. “There’s a Phantom alive and well on Earth. It killed two people and got through using a temporal device. We think it might be Edward.”
The primeval Alchemist roared as the metallic spines of his back rising as he rose to his full height. With the noise at her back the King in the throne remained silent, but he stared at her, his expression grave; his nails digging into the arms of his chair. “This is most grave news indeed if it is true.” He said, coldly. Straightening, he said, “But you have still not told me why you ran from me.”
Terry looked away, unable to hold his terrifying gaze. “If we had come here everyone would have known we were back. I wanted to go speak to Lord Rilario, something that would have been much easier if no-one knew we were here. We think he knows who this Phantom is as it attacked his men.”
“The politician?” asked her father.
“He has something to do with this.” She said, finding the courage to meet his eye once more. “I think he’s been set-up by this Phantom. I don’t know if you heard about it? But basically I think he’s been set-up to look like he killed a member of the water elementals royal family, to cause unrest and possibly stir up a war between the two races.”
“Yes, I heard.” He replied, waving his hand uninterestedly. “He supposedly killed the emperor’s sister’s great granddaughter.” He stood. “But I fail how to see this proves that Edward still lives.”
Terr
y shrugged at a loss. “You’re right, we don’t know that it’s him but I have a terrible feeling about this dad. We have to speak to Lord Rilario just to be sure it is not him.”
“This is the reason why you ran from me?” he asked, looking between his daughter and his brother incredulously. “You have a bad feeling?”
“Fallo...” Lyle said, but he was silenced with a wave of the hand from the King.
“It’s one Phantom.” He said, turning his focus to Terry. “And a murder in a family in a far away nation that has nothing to do with you.”
“It isn’t that simple. There’s been attempts on my life on Earth, dad. We think it’s all connected. It’s really strange that this royal dies and it could start a war between the Pyrovites and the water elementals and someone tries to kill me, all at the same time. Then this Phantom appears.”
“Who tried to kill you?” Fallo demanded his eyes wide with terror.
She waved away his concern with a flick of the hand like it was inconsequential. “Two humans...no-one dad, but I think whoever did it, did it as a warning. There are too many coincidences it has to all be connected somehow.”
Fallo regarded her solemnly while his primeval form gave a low growl from behind her back. “You are home now and you are safe. Here you will remain.” He decided, before returning to his throne.
Terry and Lyle both began at the same time but the King waved his hand for silence. “My mind is made up.” He said with finality.
Lyle said nothing but Terry continued. “I don’t care, I’m going south.”
Fallo stood sharply while his other incarnation hissed through barred teeth. “You are not going anywhere!”
“I am and you can either help me or stay behind.” Terry decided. She turned away, not waiting for his answer. Primeval Fallo roared as she passed him but she paid no heed.
