The Complete Pendomus Chronicles Trilogy: Books 1-3 of the Pendomus Chronicles Dystopian Scifi Boxed Set Series

by Carissa Andrews

  “Wish me luck, Tethys,” I say, closing my eyes. “We’re going to need it.”

  11

  Traeton

  VIDEUS TAKES HIS TIME, methodically tightening the restraints himself. Clearly, no longer willing to leave the rest to minions who may not do his bidding properly.

  “What is it you plan on doing?” I say, watching him closely.

  Videus looks up, his bloody holographic pool of a face staring blankly my direction.

  “I’m going to ensure Caelum has all the space he needs,” he says, without much concern in his voice at all.

  “If I could be rid of him once, don’t you think I’ll be strong enough to do it again?” I ask.

  “Oh, no. Not once I’m done with you,” he says, brushing off his legs as he walks away.

  My eyes widen.

  “And what does that entail exactly? I mean, if I’m gonna end up gone anyway, what harm is it to share?” I say, narrowing my eyes.

  “Why do you think the faceless ones are called Labots, Traeton?” he asks, drawing his fingertips together in front of his body.

  “What difference does that make?” I say, my eyebrows pulled in.

  Is this just to buy time, or is he really so far gone he can’t even pull coherent conversations together?

  “Answer the question,” he urges.

  “I don’t know, because they’re your robot slaves?” I say, making a face. I vaguely remember reading something about it before in the mainframe—but I’d been having those damn headaches and for the life of me, I can’t remember what it specifically said. Not that it makes a helluva lot of difference anyway.

  Videus tilts his head to the side, “Come on Traeton, you can do better than that.”

  “I don’t know, you’re sick—”

  “Tsk, tsk,” he says, tick-tocking a finger. “No, they’re called Labots because they’re no longer themselves. Their brains—their identities—have been completely handed over to me. Their consciousness, their essence—whatever you want to call it—has been lobotomized. Gone. Surely it occurred to you when their faces were wiped.”

  “I—I thought the faceless thing was simply a hologram so you could see from their eyes. Or so those of us who see them are scared shitless,” I say.

  “Well, there’s that, too. But it’s not the driving force. You know, I’m not a complete monster. I didn’t do it to everyone. Just the ones I knew would be,” he pauses for effect, “helpful.”

  “Helpful with what?”

  “With intelligence, stupid. Clearly it’s not your strong suit,” Videus says.

  I roll my eyes.

  “So no loss when I get rid of you completely and grant Caelum a new body.”

  “Did it ever occur to you that maybe your crony is happy with the body he already has?” I say.

  Videus pulls up short, turning slowly to face me.

  “Has he said something to you?”

  “Yeah, he says you’re a helluva ass,” I say.

  A sigh drifts from his lips and his shoulders sag. Evidently, I wasn’t convincing enough. Caelum, on the other, wasn’t happy with my words. I feel him struggling inside my mind, reminding me that toying with Videus is the last thing we should be doing. We need to be engaging in an escape plan.

  Though I’m not sure what the hell kind of plan we could come up with, strapped to a chair.

  “What the hell would have turned you into this…thing? I bet once you were the smartest guy on the block. Now, you’re nothing but an ass. How the mighty have fallen,” I say, ignoring Caelum’s suggestion.

  Without hesitation, Videus raises a hand. His fingers ball into a fist and he lands it squarely in my jaw. Instantly, I see stars.

  As if kicked inside my head, an intense throbbing swells at my temples. I close my eyes, trying to shut it out.

  ~You must step aside, Traeton. It is for the betterment of all. I must take this over from here.

  Caelum is adamant, but he has an intense amount of nervous energy around his decision.

  ~What about the Archives? Will you be able to hide that from him?

  ~Not if you allow him to lobotomize you. Trust me, your consciousness is the only thing keeping both of us from total annihilation.

  ~I don’t get it. Why would you be in trouble over this?

  ~When we get out of this mess, I will explain more. But for now, know that with the Acropolis destroyed, there is nothing left for Videus to overturn. No more ways to attempt revenge—or revival. Whichever. We must stop him.

  I feel like I’ve been wrapped up into a war I have no place in being. I don’t understand the rules, or the history involved. Yet here I am, smack dab in the middle with the fate of certain aspects resting on my shoulders.

  This must be how Runa feels.

  ~Alright. Do what you need to do. But I’m trusting you here. If you screw me over—

  ~I will not betray you. You have my word.

  ~Yeah, okay. Not so sure how far your word extends. But I don’t see much of a choice. So, how do we do this then?

  As quickly as he had pushed my consciousness out front, I’m back in the rear—witnessing events through the eyes of Caelum. It’s such a strange sensation. Almost like looking out of windows, while you’re inside. You can see the outside, but you’re not yet a part of it.

  My head slumps forward, more for effect than anything else, I sense. Then, Caelum lifts his eyes to rest on Videus.

  “Master, I have returned. It took some rewiring, but I believe I have caged Traeton. He should no longer be a problem,” my voice says in Caelum’s strange, monotonous tone.

  Videus stands still, his blank face staring our direction. I assume under that mask, he’s scrunching up his nose or something.

  “Is that so?” he says.

  “It is,” Caelum says.

  Videus watches my every mannerism with piercing discernment.

  After a moment, he finally says, “Prove it.”

  “There is much to discuss. I believe the Daughter of Five has a plan in place,” Caelum says.

  I can tell he’s buying time, but bringing Runa into this mess isn’t the way to go. At least not to me.

  “And what of this plan?”

  “She has been looking for the root of everything. I believe if you are not careful, it will lead directly back to your origins.”

  Videus shakes his head, “That will never happen.”

  “I understand, master, but I would be leery. If the truth were uncovered—”

  “Hmmm…” Videus strokes the place where his chin should be, “it’s been so long since I was that man. So long since I thought about how the timelines played out when he was—it hasn’t occurred to me they’d dig so far back.”

  “Perhaps the timelines have taken their toll. You have jumped in and out so many times, your brain must still be trying to make sense of all that you have seen and experienced.”

  Timelines? Jumping in and out?

  Caelum is pulling information in that I’d have no clue about to give validity to who he is, but what in the hell does any of it mean?

  Videus’ shoulders relax slightly.

  “You’re quite right, Caelum. Things don’t always make complete sense the way they used to. Time is no longer a linear event, but a very fluid, ever moving animal. It’s hard to gain a good handle on it at times. The people who at one point mattered are nothing but a blip on the screen of a sea of people who’ve come and gone. It’s hard to cast much care for them when I know their ethereal nature.”

  “What would you like me to do now? I do not feel it wise to let Traeton go back into the field without me present,” Caelum says, peering down at our bound wrists.

  “Your mission is over, dear friend. Now that I’ve captured the Daughter of Five, all that’s left is learning the secrets on how she’s been able to alter time. I suspect she’s clueless about her connection to the Pillars,” Videus says.

  “What makes you believe this is so?” Caelum asks. “Would the Caud
ex not have given those details first?”

  Videus snorts, satisfied he’s truly talking to his second in command. He reaches down, undoing the restraints he so diligently tied moments before.

  “It has always been the downfall of the Pillars to withhold information until the last possible moment. It poses such problems. Yet, they never learn. It’s fortunate for me that I have pieced together the pattern. Besides, she still knows nothing of the Acropolis. If she did, she wouldn’t have wasted her time coming here. It would have been the first place she went.”

  Caelum massages my wrists, and stands up.

  “You are very right. The Acropolis rising would initiate the Beacon. It would be the end of everything you have worked so hard for. She was consumed with needing to save her friend. Kani, I believe her name was,” Caelum says. “There was no talk about the Acropolis of any kind.”

  “Ah, yes. Kani,” Videus nods. “She’s made an excellent Labot. Her medical training and propensity for knives has made her quite useful. As a bonus, Kani was all too willing to be one of ours. Guilt was killing her—as it should have. That’s why I’ve left a piece of her inside. So she can feel the torment of becoming a Labot, but remembering everything she’s done. I even gifted her with memories once sealed shut.”

  “What memories are you referring to?” Caelum asks.

  “Do you remember the first time you were able to fully possess this meat suit?” Videus says, waving a hand toward my body.

  “Of course. I only managed to get partway to the Helix before I lost the connection with his mind.”

  “Very right,” Videus nods. “It was also the day I paid my first visit to Kani—as the young me from her own timeline. I’d had the intention of taking her out, but Trae was still there. He—well, we fought. Then you must have gained control of him, and looking back, your mission must have taken over. Blue hair here, turned and walked out. I was surprised, because at that point, I thought you were still Traeton. The younger me doesn’t have all of this—” Videus gestures to his own brainspace.

  “I am sorry master,” Caelum says. “I do not remember seeing you.”

  “It doesn’t matter,” he waves a hand dismissively. “What matters is Kani jumped me. She had her knife on me—and manage to get off my mask. It wasn’t as secure as it is now. I had to strike back. She was astonished of course, but something—short circuited in her mind. I took advantage of her shock and horror. I nearly had her, when something in the stacks of the Archives began to… I don’t know how else to describe it, and it sounds moronic—but it began to fight back. Objects began throwing themselves at me. To this day, I still have no idea how. We should probably investigate. At first, I thought it was some sort of booby trap. Or perhaps Kani has a latent power I wasn’t aware of. Regardless, having only been in the Archives once or twice before, I fled. Over the years, I haven’t really gone back. I have everything I need here—”

  He splays his arms open to suggest all of the Helix.

  “You gave her back the memory of the real you? Would not that have jeopardized your plan?” Caelum says, trying to draw him out further.

  “The plan didn’t exist. Not then. I was simply driven by blind rage and my own grief. I needed someone to pay and she seemed like the perfect one to do it. Then again, it wasn’t exactly her fault— it was mine. At least the first—” Videus says, waving his hand dismissively. “Granted, none of it mattered in the end. Here we are now. I’ve never been able to accept…his loss. I won’t.”

  A sudden surge of energy and the thunderous sound of flesh hitting the walls and floors permeates from the hallway. Salamanders flood the room, exhibiting signs of alarm. Electricity zaps between their bodies, surging from their feet and connecting one another. Their sides have illuminated with blue bolts of lightning.

  “What—” Videus cries. “How could you let this happen? Get out of here— Stop them.”

  The Salamanders take their leave immediately, squeezing through the small door. They race over one another, squashing each other as they clamber out.

  Videus turns to us, “Caelum—it appears I will need your assistance after all. The Daughter of Five has escaped.”

  Surprise and relief floods my body. I can’t tell if it’s coming from me, or Caelum.

  “How can this be?” Caelum asks.

  “That doesn’t matter now, what matters is there isn’t time to waste. You need to go to her. Find her. I need someone I trust to be there with her. I know she’ll be looking for you—well, Traeton. She’s taken some of the other subjects. I can’t let this happen. It could bring about the—”

  “The beginning of the prophecy. Yes, I understand the gravity of the situation, master. What would you like me to do with the Daughter of Five?”

  Videus paces, thinking. Finally he turns back to us, “Nothing. I want you to slide in line. Be her confidant again. Find out as much as you can, so I can come up with a plan. I’ll take them all out, if I have to.”

  “As you wish,” Caelum says, making for the door.

  “And Caelum,” Videus calls.

  “Yes?”

  “If she uncovers the Acropolis, end her,” he says. “You have my permission.”

  Caelum nods solemnly.

  Without another word, Caelum leads us out of the vassalage tunnels. He doesn’t look back to see where Videus has gone, nor does he even question to do so in his mind.

  ~Caelum, buddy. Are you still with me?

  There’s no answer, only stillness and purpose of mission.

  Shit. Shit.

  ~Caelum. We gotta warn Runa. We gotta help the others.

  The lapse of conversation is unsettling, and despite myself, I begin to panic.

  How do I get him to snap out of this?

  My body moves forward on autopilot, not much of anything else going on inside. I don’t know what flipped this switch, but it needs to stop.

  I try to calm my nerves enough to reach out again.

  ~This isn’t you, Caelum. Remember? The Acropolis? The prophecy? We have a chance at ending this hell for everyone— you included. Let me take over if you’re not able to control your damn self.

  It takes a moment, but I feel a shift occur. It’s a tiny stirring at first, but it’s more than I was getting a moment ago.

  Caelum slows his steps, leans up against the cold wall, and takes a deep breath.

  ~Yes, I am sorry.

  He finally says.

  ~What in the hell was that?

  ~Videus has abilities to override much. I am not sure of how it all works. Had it not been for the intrusion, I am quite sure he would have questioned us further and I would not have been able to stop the answers from coming.

  ~Shit. Damn good thing we got away when we did then, huh?

  ~You are quite right.

  ~So, Runa’s managed to escape. What’s the plan? We need to find her now.

  ~You would know better than I where to find her.

  ~If she’s got others she’s protecting, there’s only one place she can go. The Lateral.

  ~You will have to lead us. The underground and I do not work so well together.

  ~Fine by me. Just get us out of here first.

  Caelum nods and continues onward through the twisting turns of the Vassalage. It spills into the actual Crematorium, and it occurs to me—this could be our one shot.

  ~Caelum, we need to do something about this place. Destroy it or something.

  ~I am physically locked from doing harm to the Helix. Even in bird form. I would not be able to assist in that manner.

  ~Alright, then move the hell over. We can’t let this opportunity pass.

  ~My master will hunt for the perpetrator and will show no mercy.

  ~Then let’s make sure we’re far from here when this thing blows.

  Without any further fight, Caelum steps aside, allowing me to take control again. Sliding back and forth seems to get easier each time. In a strange way, I’ll almost miss him when we find a way to get him out
ta my head. Almost.

  The Crematorium is a labyrinth of rooms, hallways, and strange machines. I’m not entirely certain what any of them do. If Fenton were still here, he’d figure out how to take things down by following it to the smallest wire or some damned thing.

  A pang of guilt twists sharply in my chest. Holy hell. How did everything get so messed up? Fenton should be here with us to set all of this right.

  ~Caelum, do you have any suggestions? You said you can’t physically do harm—but do you at least mentally know how? I could use some advice here. I don’t know what any of this shit does.

  ~It has never been my intention to destroy the Helix, nor any part of it. But I would believe if the fires of the Crematorium were turned up, and the venting valves shut—

  ~Pressure would build up. That’s good. It’ll buy us some time to get the hell outta here before shit hits the fan.

  ~What does that mean? I am not familiar with this term?

  ~It means things get messy. Nevermind. I read it once and thought it was funny.

  I shake my head. As much as Caelum isn’t as bad as I originally thought, he’s also been extremely sheltered. Granted, it’s an old expression, but still. Read a book.

  12

  Runa

  CALLING UPON THE ENERGIES of the bloodlines for support, I feel a newfound sense of purpose and energy as I spread my awareness out across the snow. I tap into every living thing around me. The trees, the Salamanders, the people, the birds. Everything becomes an extension of who I am—and they’re a part of me. Even without having the completed mark on my wrist from the trials, I’ve gained so much more strength. Perhaps it’s because I’m surrounded by so many people connected to me. Perhaps it’s simply time.

  With my awareness heightened like this, I sense who each person is, their powers, and their identity. What’s more, I sense every soul still inside the Helix—and buried deep inside the Lateral. I can even feel the people throughout the planet I had no idea until this very moment existed. There are thousands of others like us out there, with a slightly different genome.