Heart of the Ocean (The Equilibrium Cycle Book 2)

by Jason A. Gilbert

  The blade ricocheted off the stone with a sharp ring. The Aurai quickly recovered and struck again. Laila fell back, swinging her staff wildly to keep the elemental’s blade from her. Even with her augmented strength, she could did not have her mother’s or even Connor's training. The Manders had been one thing, animalistic. This was a trained warrior. She stumbled backward, desperately trying to think of something.

  She heard a cry of pain to her right. Glancing in that direction, she saw her mother pull her blade free of her Aurai opponent. The creature dropped to the ground, silent after its final cry.

  "Laila, watch—"

  The rest of her mother's cry was cut off as Laila’s head snapped to the side, instantly ringing from the force of the blow. The Aurai shook its arms painfully at the recoil from the stone encasing Laila. She needed to stay focused.

  Turning back to the Aurai, she swung her staff out at the slightly stunned elemental. The creature brought its sword up to block the swing, but even with Laila's lack of battle experience, the sheer weight of her staff overcame the thin blade of the Aurai. She felt her staff crash onto the creature's head, the blow reverberating up through the stone. The Aurai crumpled to the ground.

  "Help Icarus!" Laila shouted at her mother, turning to follow Connor, who had retreated into the main hall of the house.

  Laila ran out of the garden, following the sounds of Connor's fight. Connor was dodging around the furniture in a futile attempt to keep the elemental from him. Laila stood at the entrance. She called on her power through the staff. There was no earth beneath the elemental's feet to manipulate, and she did not know what else she could do.

  The creature struck out at Connor over a chair. Connor was too slow in bringing his Sword up, and took another cut across his upper arm. He spun away from the blade, diving to the ground, trying to gain a few precious seconds.

  Instinctively, Laila reached out with her power. She could still see the subtle movement of air around the elemental. She tried to grab ahold of them, slowing them down or stopping them. It was not as easy as her manipulations of Earth, but she could feel it. The Aurai leapt over the chair, ready to finish Connor. Laila pulled at the lines of air.

  The Aurai stopped mid strike, its arms raised overhead. For a moment it struggled against some invisible force, then it turned, wide eyes staring at Laila. She was thankful. She did not think she would have been able to stop a second blow.

  "Magusari," the Aurai whispered.

  Connor struggled to his feet, the Sword ready. The Aurai returned its attention to his opponent. Though she could not pull against the lines of air, she tried to stop them, which would at least slow the creature down. She focused intently on the magic, letting her power work its way through her. She was half-aware of Connor attacking the creature, but her attention had moved to the magic. Her eyes closed reflexively.

  It was all she could to hold onto the air moving around the Aurai. Its use of the magic was so subtle and intuitive, Laila found herself in admiration of the minutiae of it. A series of ringing sounds and her hold on the magic around the Aurai suddenly stopped. She opened her eyes.

  Connor stood over the body of the Aurai. He took several deep breaths, trying to calm himself. Then he released the Sword. Laila could see the pain rush to his awareness as he grasped at his upper arm. She saw another wound on his other shoulder that was seeping through his tunic.

  Once he was certain the Aurai was not getting back up, the first thing he did was turn to Laila. "Are you all right?" he asked. His voice was heavy with pain.

  Laila nodded. She did not trust that her voice would function properly.

  She heard movement behind her and spun, staff up defensively. Icarus and Lunete stumbled into the main room. Her mother put her hands up submissively, still holding her blade.

  "It is done, child," Icarus said.

  Laila took a deep breath and let go of her power, the Earth slipping off of her. The ringing in her head was still loud, and she brought one hand to her head, as if putting pressure on her skull would help dim the pain. It did not.

  "Were those...?" Lunete did not finish the question.

  "The Aurai? Yes," Icarus answered her.

  "Why are they here?" she asked. Laila saw life in her mother's eyes once again. Something about the attack had awoken a part of her that had been absent for a long time.

  "That, I do not know," answered Icarus, moving toward Connor. "Let me help, Connor," he said, seeing Connor struggle with his wounds.

  Lunete stepped up next to Laila, placing her arms on her daughter's shoulders. "Are you alright, Laila-sa?"

  Again, Laila nodded. She was still trying to understand the implications of the Aurai’s appearance. One conclusion continued to echo through her mind: the death of the Aurai emissary. The emissary had been sent to request Terus’s surrender. Nuriel’s emergence had prevented that with the emissary’s death. Now the Aurai had come in force. They would force Terus’s surrender.

  Her mother must have seen the struggle in Laila's mind. She leaned in close, pulling Laila to her. "It's all right. It's over now."

  Laila let herself fall into her mother's embrace for a moment, but then the words registered. "It's not over! Do you see that thing in the air above us?"

  Pushing back from her mother, she turned to Icarus. "We have to do something. Connor said they were attacking the Consulate. We have to help Father!"

  "We will, child. A moment," he answered, trying to keep her calm and motioning to Connor's wounds. Icarus had already ripped two strips from Connor's tunic and was wrapping the fabric around Connor's shoulder and arm. Laila saw Connor wince as Icarus pulled the fabric tight, but he let out no other sound.

  "You are lucky, boy. They are clean cuts. And not deep enough to damage the muscle," Icarus said softly.

  Connor nodded.

  Icarus stepped back once he had finished, turning back to Laila. Lunete stepped up next to her daughter.

  "Laila's right. We have to get to the Consulate," her mother said.

  "Aye," Connor agreed.

  "Very well," Icarus said.

  Laila spun and rushed toward the gate, or what was left of it. Her mother followed closely behind and grabbed her before she could step out onto the avenue. Pushing Laila behind her, Lunete leaned out of the ruined gate slowly, looking up and down the avenue. Seeing no immediate threat, she pulled Laila behind her and they turned toward the main road.

  Connor and Icarus followed behind as they walked, constantly on guard for the elementals. The avenue was oddly quiet, but the sounds of battle could be heard in the distance. The ships still hung in the air, all three now floating menacingly over the city center.

  Before their small group reached the main road, Lunete turned to a side alley leading between the branching avenues. Sliding between the stone houses, Lunete once again checked the next avenue up. She pushed Laila flat against the stone suddenly, holding a finger to her mouth. Laila leaned her head out from behind the wall slowly and saw a group of ten Aurai running down the avenue toward the main road. Their weapons were bloody. The four of them flattened themselves against the stone for a few moments longer as the Aurai passed, and Laila willed them to not see their group. The Aurai passed and moved into the main road without looking down their small alley.

  Lunete kept her hand against Laila's shoulder for a while longer, looking out of the small alley and waiting.

  She suddenly grabbed Laila and pulled her forward out of the alley. She rushed toward the main road, crossing it at a full run. Laila followed as close as she could and could hear Connor and Icarus running behind her. Laila had no idea where her mother was taking them and was shocked by the sudden change in her mother’s demeanor. In the face of danger, the broken woman that had wandered the halls of their home like a ghost for the last two months, and perhaps longer, was gone, the warrior Laila had known taking her place.

  Laila looked up and down the main road and could see the group of Aurai that had just passed them
rushing toward the city center, where the sounds of battle were originating. They struck out at any people they might pass on their way, but did not pursue those that scattered down the avenues, instead focusing singly on the city center.

  We need to get to the Consulate! Laila thought.

  Her mother led them into another side street. They turned a small corner and a small group of Guardians spun at their approach, bringing their weapons up. Lunete put up her hands in peace, and the Guardians lowered their weapons in relief. Laila saw her mother take a quick survey of the group, though she did not know what Lunete was looking for. The Guardians looked haggard. A couple were sporting wounds similar to Connor. The rest looked terrified.

  "Where is your Centuri, Soldier?" Lunete asked of the Guardian closest to her.

  "He was killed. We were trying to make our way to the city center when a group of the creatures attacked us from the sky. We were just able to get away, but not before our Centuri was struck down. He held them off long enough for us to get away. But now they keep swarming down the road, and we can't get to the Consulate." The man spoke quickly; the fear and pain in his voice were palpable. The Guardians in the city were a less-experienced group than those who were stationed to the north, where there were still pockets of fighting. That was where her mother had been stationed.

  "Well, then," Lunete said, her voice taking on a commanding tone. "You lot will just have to follow me. We need to get to the city center as well, and you're going to help."

  The Guardian studied Lunete for a moment. "No offense, Citizen, but I'm still in charge of this unit. And I plan to stay here and defend ourselves until we get further orders."

  "You will listen to me, Soldier. I am a Praetori of the Northern Watch. I am your new commander."

  At the mention of her former rank, some of the men perked up. But the lead Guardian did not. "And how are we to know that what you say is true?"

  Lunete glanced over his shoulder at the rest of his unit. "Do you really want to argue? Your men are hurt and scared. The rest of the fight is at the city center, and I, at least, can give you leadership, regardless if what I say is true."

  "We can't just stay here, Marc," said one of the other Guardians. "The Centuri wanted us to get there too..."

  Marc considered for a moment longer, and Laila feared that he would not agree to his mother's leadership. But, finally, she saw his face drain of resolve. "Very well, Praetori." He spoke the title hesitatingly, not sure of Lunete yet, but willing to follow regardless.

  Lunete nodded once, then walked amongst the group, sizing up the unit. There were fifteen Guardians total. Not much of a unit, but it might be enough to get them to the city center safely. They had not seen a group of Aurai larger than ten in the streets, though there was sure to be more than that near the Consulate. Lunete grabbed at the armor of some of the Guardians, inspected the weapons of others. Laila could see that her mother was not actually achieving anything with her inspection, but it focused the Guardians, made them each stand a little straighter, hold themselves a little prouder.

  She had never seen her mother in a command situation before. There had been no reason. She knew her mother's rank and the purpose of the Guardians, but she had never had to see her mother in battle. Terus had always been peaceful. Seeing her now put Lunete in a new light for Laila. She could see the light and purpose resonate in her mother's eyes. This was her place.

  "We can't go down the main road," her mother said, turning to face the inspected group. "We'll make our way across the avenues, sticking to the alleys and paths between. You four," she said, pointing at three men and a woman who stood near Laila and the others. "You're to guard those three with your lives. They need to reach the city center unharmed." Lunete indicated Laila, Connor, and Icarus.

  "The Magi?" asked one of the Guardians, hesitantly.

  "Yes, the Magi. One of whom is my daughter." Lunete moved toward the young man who had spoken. "Will there be a problem with that?" Her grip tightened on her sword, but she did not raise it.

  The young Guardian lowered his eyes quickly. "No, Praetori."

  "Good," Lunete said. "Now, I want six by twos as a rearguard and four up front in a wing pattern. Marc, you're with me."

  The rest of the Guardians moved into their small formation. The four her mother had indicated took their place in a square around Laila and her companions, while the rest formed up as Lunete had directed. With a silent motion from Lunete, they moved off toward the next avenue and were gone.

  Seven

  In Defense of Terus

  The group stood huddled in the shadows near the entrance to an alley that led directly into the city center. Lunete leaned out enough to see what was happening. The sounds of battle echoed down the alley, even though Laila could not see what was happening herself. They had only encountered two small groups of Aurai on their way through the city, and they had been dispatched quickly by her mother's makeshift Guardian unit. Laila gripped her staff tightly, her power flowing through her and keeping her strong. Connor stood next to her, the blue light of the Sword dancing across his face in the shadows. He smiled at her awkwardly. She tried to smile back and felt as awkward with her own smile.

  "It looks like they haven't been able to take the Consulate yet," her mother whispered. "The Guardians are still holding the steps. And the creatures seem to be losing numbers quickly. They won't be able to maintain this for much longer. We could help tip the balance."

  The Guardians all nodded in response, readying their weapons.

  "On my count, we make our way along the eastern edge, coming around to the Consulate from that direction. Keep tight in a circle, with the Magi in the center." She glanced at the men and women, making sure they were ready. "On three."

  She lifted her hand as she turned back to watch the city center. Her fingers rose silently, counting up. One. Two. Three.

  With a rush the group bounded out into the city center, and Laila got her first glimpse of the battle that raged. The carts and stalls that filled the city center on any given day were broken and scattered, creating a series of obstacles. Bodies of both Aurai and Guardians lay strewn about the plaza. Laila could not make an immediate estimate as to how many there were, but there were more casualties than she had ever thought she would see in Terus. More than there had been in Terus for centuries.

  The Guardians, moving in unison, ushered her, Icarus, and Connor along the side of the center, climbing over and around the debris. Laila saw the fight on the Consulate steps now. A large group of Guardians, close to a hundred, were spread out across the base of the steps, shifting and responding to the attacks of the Aurai. Laila glanced up at the ships hanging over the center. They had not moved since they had met the Guardians, and there were no longer warriors dropping from the undersides. Laila hoped that meant that the group of Aurai, the ones facing off at the foot of the Consulate stairs, were all that was left.

  Lunete's group approached the main engagement. When they were within a few hundred feet, a group of Aurai turned their attention to them and rushed, weapons held high. Their speed still amazed Laila. She braced herself with her staff as the Aurai crashed into the Guardians. There was a slight flex in the line of Guardians, but they quickly recovered, pushing back against the Aurai. Even with their lack of experience, they were still Guardians, trained in battle. Lunete danced among the melee, her blade flashing in and out, striking at exposed pale flesh, catching thin blades on her own, and helping her small unit push forward toward the main fight.

  Three Aurai got around the line of Guardians and rushed toward Laila and Connor. Connor stepped between her and the elementals, the Sword ready. As they attacked, Laila reached out with her power, feeling for the lines of air that the Aurai used to bolster their movements. She found them quickly. This time, instead of pulling, she pushed, trying to stop the flow of air that sped up the Aurai's movements.

  There was a moment of hesitation from the Aurai as they felt Laila's manipulations. Almost immediate
ly, they returned to the attack. Connor was just able to hold off two of them as the third stepped toward Laila and Icarus. Laila could still feel her slight hold on the lines of air, but the Aurai did not seem to be hindered by it. They moved slower, giving Connor just enough of an edge to hold his own, but that was all.

  She called to the Earth and felt the strength flow into her limbs as the ground rose up at her call. One of the Aurai struck out at her. She was just able to step back, feeling the air of the blade against her neck. The elemental pressed its attack, pushing Laila backwards, away from the main line of fighting. She lost her hold on the lines of air surrounding the other two Aurai as her opponent maneuvered her farther away.

  The brute strength and confidence given to her by the Earth was not enough. She struggled to keep the Aurai's blade from her. She swung her staff back and forth, stepping backwards, away from her friends. The creature's speed returned as Laila's grip on its magic loosened. The thin blade caught her on her upper arm, then her leg, and then finally across her stomach. Her earthen armor protected her from the edge, but the force of the blows still rung against her. She was forced to a knee before the Aurai.

  "All of this, for nothing," the Aurai's willowy voice said. "The Magusari kneels before me. He will be pleased."

  Laila did not know who “he” was as she knelt, gasping for air. She could still hear the battle around her, but it had become distant. As she grasped desperately at the Aurai's magic, she felt something beyond the creature. She could feel the flow of air around her. Moving in and out of the combatants. Blowing across the damaged city center. Flowing around the ships hanging above them. There was something else in the air. A kind of charge. Without knowing exactly what she did, she grasped the charge, pulling it down from above the city center, and connected it to the Aurai standing over her.

  Nothing happened. For a brief moment she wondered if she had actually done anything. Then the hairs on her neck rose. A blinding flash erupted in front of her, blowing her backwards. And then, nothing.