“The circumstances of Amanda’s passing have left us without a body to bury. So let’s just bow our heads instead, and observe a minute of silence for Lady Amanda.” Allistor bowed his head, but quickly looked up again at the sound of rustling below. Starting with those of his inner circle in the front row, the citizens of Invictus all began to take a knee. They lowered themselves in a vast wave moving from front to back, heads bowed and silent. Allistor stepped behind the three kids and put his hands on William’s shoulders, feeling the young boy tremble.
When a minute had passed, he called out. “Thank you. All of you.” He waited as they all rose to their feet. He was about to say more, when Addy and Sydney began to sing. At first their voices were rough, but they bravely continued. After just a few words, other voices began to join in. The funeral song that the citizens of Invictus had claimed for themselves was slow, and sad. But the chorus of voices swelling up from the crowd and echoing off the walls was beautiful. Glorious. Somehow it made Allistor sadder, and lightened his burden of sorrow at the same time.
When the last note of the song faded, there was a brief moment of silence as people looked to each other and smiled, or hugged. Then the crowd began to disperse. Seeing this, Allistor held up his hands and called out.
“Please, wait. Don’t go yet. I want you all to witness something while you’re here. In a few moments, We’re going to be joined by some guests.” He nodded at Bjurstrom, who spoke into his radio. Throughout the crowd, raiders and raid leaders began to circulate. “Citizens of Invictus, I don’t know how much of this you already know, so I’ll start from the beginning.” He walked down a few steps, then sat on the top one. “This is going to be tough to hear, and you might want to take a seat.” As he spoke, the people spread out a bit and sat on the ground where they were. “First of all, Earth was not supposed to be inducted into the Collective yet. We were supposed to have had years, centuries more to develop and grow, to become better prepared. But a being named Loki interfered with the natural order of things…”
Allistor spent the next ten minutes explaining to them what had happened, and who was about to join them. When he was through, there was a flash of light, and two beings appeared atop the stairs. Allistor quickly got to his feet, as did everyone else. There was an immediate roar of angry shouts, threats, and calls for Loki’s head. Sections of the crowd tried to surge forward, only to be held back by several rows of higher level raiders and advisors in the front. As his people tried to calm the crowd, Allistor took in the two ancient beings.
Baldur was in a more or less human form. He stood eight feet tall, with tanned skin and golden hair that practically glowed in the light of the twin suns above. Allistor wasn’t surprised that his human ancestors saw Baldur and his kin as gods if they appeared like this. He was dressed in pristine white leather armor with a sword in a scabbard at his hip. The only color on his attire was a sprig of green mistletoe embroidered upon his left breast.
Loki, on the other hand, was in his natural tentacled form. He looked much like the octopoids that so many of Earth’s people had fought, and fallen victim to, since the apocalypse. Except that each of his legs was bound in a shining silvery metal band, attached by chains that ran up to a similarly shiny collar around his rubbery neck. His multiple tentacles all hung limp at his side, twitching occasionally. His gaze briefly took in the crowd in front of him, then he turned to stare at Allistor with open contempt.
Allistor was busy resisting his own urge to attack Loki as his people finished bringing the crowd under control. When things had mostly settled, the front rows turned back to face Allistor and the visitors.
Baldur turned to face Allistor as well, inclining his head slightly. When he spoke, his voice was deep, and reverberated through the Bastion without any assistance from Nigel.
“Greetings, Allistor, Prince of Earth and Emperor of Orion. I am Baldur, and this is Loki.” One hand waved slightly toward the chained prisoner. “I appreciate the grace you and your citizens have shown in allowing us this audience. I shall attempt to be brief, so that you may return to your mourning.”
Allistor couldn’t find it in himself to welcome the so-called god of his ancestors. Despite being told that Loki was the one responsible, Allistor was not ready to accept that. Or to forgive. The best he could do was nod his head and motion toward Baldur. “Go ahead and speak your mind.”
Momentarily taken aback by the lack of civility, Baldur blinked at Allistor, while Loki glared daggers. With a sigh and a nod of understanding, Baldur began.
“I have brought my wayward brother, Loki, here before you today to apologize. We have no direct proof that Loki was responsible for the early induction of UCP… of Earth. If we had such proof, the System itself would instantly punish Loki in the most severe manner. Still, our people took on a responsibility many eons ago to foster developing worlds like your own. We have, in fact, visited this world several times since humankind’s early ancestors learned to use tools and walk upright. Each time, we contributed in small but significant ways in your development, with the ultimate goal of preparing you to become viable and successful members of the Collective.”
There was some grumbling in the crowd, and Baldur paused to allow it to settle down. Loki glared out at them and mumbled something that included the word “ungrateful”. Allistor took a step forward, moving the children so that they were behind him, and placed a hand on the hilt of his sword. Down below, the front liners all produced weapons from their inventories, though they didn’t point them Loki’s direction.
Seeing this, Baldur gave Loki an admonishing look, which his brother ignored.
“The early Induction of Earth was a terrible failure on the part of myself and my people. Odin and I wept together over the near extinction of the human race, but could not interfere without violating the restrictions of the System ourselves. For that failure, my people and I apologize.” He bowed his head, first to Allistor, then to the crowd below. Motioning again toward his prisoner, he continued.
“After a series of suspected misdeeds against you, Allistor, and your people, I personally charged Loki, on pain of death, with ensuring that no harm came to you. As you all now know, the recent attack that claimed the life of Lady Amanda and nearly the life of young William, and Allistor himself, constitutes a failure of that charge. As a result, my brother’s mortal existence in this plane is forfeit. We have come here to offer you, Allistor, the right to end it.”
The crowd once again erupted, this time in a mixture of cheers and angry shouts. Baldur held up a hand asking for silence, and it took half a minute or so for the crowd to settle. “There is a reason that Loki is known on this world, and most others, as a god of mischief and deceit. And though he is surely guilty of crimes beyond counting, he may not be guilty of all the crimes for which he is suspected, or has been accused. For that reason, I would ask that you forego your right of vengeance and allow Odin and myself sufficient time to fully investigate the extent of Loki’s guilt. So that we may seek out those responsible for infractions that may otherwise be laid upon Loki’s head.”
There were boos and more shouts accompanied by raised fists from the crowd. Once again Baldur raised a hand, asking to be allowed to continue.
“In return for showing such generosity of spirit, Odin will personally reward you. We have both been impressed with you, Allistor. You have shown great determination, heart, and compassion while at the same time rising to a position of significant power in a surprisingly short time. You are a credit to the human race, and a shining example of what your people might have become, had they been given time. And while we cannot undo the damage that has been done, we can offer significant assistance.”
Baldur held up a hand, opening it to reveal a small glowing object that most closely resembled an acorn. When Allistor tried to Examine it, all he got was question marks.
“This seed can assist you in your efforts to restore your race. Plant it somewhere safe, and the tree that sprouts from it will
bear a fruit that, when ingested by human females, will induce a genetic alteration. Any female that consumes the fruit will be able to bear children after just a three month gestation period, rather than your normal nine months. In addition, their offspring will grow to adulthood at a fifty percent faster rate than normal. Upon reaching physical maturity, their bodies’ development will then revert to a rate closer to current human norms.”
There were gasps from the crowd even as Allistor’s own eyes widened and his mouth fell open slightly. His mind raced to absorb the implications of this offering. The human race could reproduce three times as quickly? No, more than that. Because the new generations would reach maturity in half the time, and would then be able to reproduce themselves. The math temporarily boggled his mind. He immediately had questions, like would the new generations also need to eat the fruit, or would they automatically reproduce at the faster rate?
His jumbled thoughts almost caused him to miss Baldur’s next words.
“In addition, Odin has purchased all remaining settlement rights for Earth. Any land currently unclaimed by humans or off-world settlers will be awarded to you, to be disposed of as you see fit.” Baldur’s eyes unfocused for a moment, then refocused on Allistor. “That is currently approximately thirty eight percent of the land area of Earth, and eighty percent of its oceans.”
Those numbers knocked Allistor ass over teakettle. Odin and Baldur were offering him ownership of most of the planet. As if to confirm this, Baldur added, “This would be more than sufficient to make you Emperor of Earth.”
“Ridiculous!” Loki growled at his brother.
Not taking his gaze from Allistor’s eyes, Baldur yanked on Loki’s chain, causing his brother to grunt in pain. “This would also include the lands that Loki has already claimed for himself. He won’t be needing them.”
“You go too far, Baldur! These hairless apes do not deserve such a concession! And what’s mine is not yours to give!” Loki spat at Allistor, the slimy fluid falling short and landing on the stone at Allistor’s feet.
Allistor blinked twice, his amazement over Baldur’s offer giving way to fury. He stepped toward the chained prisoner, drawing his sword. Baldur, a look of regret and resignation on his face, took two steps back from Loki, dropping his end of the silvery chain. At the same time, the entire front two rows of citizens raised their weapons. Some carried rifles, projectile or plasma. Others held bows with arrows knocked. Some held swords or throwing daggers, axes and spears.
Allistor placed the tip of his homemade sword against Loki’s throat, resting it on the top of the collar. “This hairless ape could claim your life, here and now!” He roared. “I think that’s a fitting end for the great and powerful Loki! I imagine your people, and the rest of the universe, will get a good laugh from that! The so-called god of deception, caught red handed, chained and sliced into sushi by a lowly human!” He pressed the sword forward slightly, causing Loki’s skin to dimple but not breaking it.
“Vile insect!” Loki shouted back at him. “You could not kill me with that puny stick if Baldur gave you a year and a day!” He jerked his head forward, causing the sword’s point to slide cleanly thru his neck and out the back, then leaned back until the blade slid free again. The wound seemed to cause him no harm, or even discomfort. “You are so weak and ignorant that you don’t even know what you don’t know!”
Despite himself, Allistor looked to Baldur, who looked distinctly upset.
“Is he right? Can I not kill him? I thought you came here in good faith, to offer me his life.”
Baldur nodded. “We did. As usual, Loki aims to deceive. Your sword touched no vital organs just now. Our race is hardy, our weaknesses few. And he is correct that under normal circumstances you would have little hope of killing him with that weapon, even were he to stand there and let you strike him all day.”
Allistor was growling and considering another strike, just to be sure, when Baldur added, “However, the restraints Loki now wears were designed to fundamentally alter his physical form, as well as prevent him from controlling the motes. He is currently powerless, and as susceptible to injury as any mortal being. He cannot heal himself, as you can see from the wound you just inflicted.”
Allistor looked closer and saw that, although there was no blood, there was indeed a three-inch wide open wound on Loki’s flesh.
“Go ahead, insect! Take your petty revenge! I tire of this existence! You, and you as well, Baldur, bore me! I will leave this body and the restrictions of a physical form, and join our brothers and sisters on the next plane!”
Allistor didn’t like the sound of that. Lowering his sword, he turned and spoke to Harmon. “I’ve been thinking. We don’t really need those eternity gates. Do you think if I offered to return them to the Archons, they’d agree to use the orb to take Loki’s soul?”
Baldur’s sharp inhale from behind him let Allistor know he was onto something. As Allistor turned around, Baldur addressed him. “You go too far, Allistor. You do not understand what you threaten.”
He was about to say more, but Allistor cut him off. Stepping closer to Loki, he raised his sword again, this time pressing the tip against his forehead. “What do you think, murderer? Would you enjoy an eternity trapped in an orb with thousands of fomorian souls?”
Loki’s eyes went red, and two of his tentacles whipped upward, one striking Allistor’s face, the other his chest. The force of the blows knocked him backward, reducing his health by half.
Instantly, every citizen in the crowd received the same message.
Alert! The Bastion is under attack!
Quest Received: Defend the Bastion!
Loki the Deceiver has attacked Prince Allistor
within the boundaries of the Bastion.
Defend your home and your Prince!
Reward: Variable experience.
As Allistor got to his feet, the crowd surged forward, advancing toward the steps leading up to where their enemies stood. They hadn’t taken more than three steps before Baldur shouted, “HOLD!”. His voice carried such power that everyone within hearing, including those listening in at other strongholds, froze in place.
Turning to Allistor, he asked in a grave but quiet tone. “I ask you not to allow this, Allistor. I greatly regret Loki’s assault on your person, and you would be doubly within your rights to end him now. If that is what you choose, I will not stop you. But understand, what you have threatened, the confining of Loki’s essence, would cause even myself to react badly. I do not have time to explain to you here and now the myriad facets of the nature of existence as we understand it. Nor would I if I could. That is something your race will need to discover on your own as you evolve.” He stared into Allistor’s eyes for a long moment. “Ah, I see. You planned this. Very clever. You manipulated Loki, and me as well. If you kill him now, all of your people will share in the credit, earning significant advancement for each of them. I am impressed and surprised, Allistor, which at my age is a rarity.” Baldur bowed his head slightly in acknowledgement, a wide smile on his face. “Still, I would prefer that Loki survive the day, as would my father. Name your price.” Baldur blinked, and the citizens below came to life again.
Allistor held up his hands, still holding his sword, and shouted at his people. “Wait! Hold your fire! Don’t attack!”
There was a seemingly endless moment when he wasn’t sure his people would listen. But they eventually stopped moving and lowered their weapons. Despite being frozen, they’d heard Baldur’s words.
Looking first toward Daigath and Harmon, both of whom wore blank looks upon their faces that offered no help, Allistor turned back to Baldur and Loki. This was his third scenario, the one he’d been hoping for. The one for which he’d given his inner circle very specific instructions.
“My price is high, Baldur. I want nothing more than to erase this filth from existence right now. And I truly would gladly give up my new eternity gates to ensure he suffers inside that orb.” His voice was half sho
ut, half growl as he pointed his sword toward Loki again.
“But my own desires should take a back seat to the needs of my people.” He watched as Baldur let out a long exhale. “So, in return for sparing Loki now, you will give us that seed, all the property rights here on Earth that you spoke of, and more.” He waited for Baldur to nod, indicating he should continue. Surprisingly, the godlike being was smiling.
“You will also grant each of my citizens, excluding me, a portion of what they would have received had we completed this defense quest and killed Loki.” Baldur’s eyes unfocused for a moment, and he nodded in agreement.
“That is possible. The system will allow a peaceful resolution of this conflict to count as a successful defense, thus completing the quest. I think you will find the rewards to be satisfactory.”
Allistor grinned, idly poking Loki in the chest with his sword, still not drawing blood. “And lastly, I still get to kill him. Not today, but when you and Odin have had time to question him, or suck his memories from his brain, or whatever you plan to do. Let’s say… a week from now?”
Behind him, Harmon coughed and covered his mouth with a massive fist. Allistor saw a glint of amusement in his eyes. Daigath retained his poker face.
“Ha! You continue to surprise, young man.” Baldur favored him with a warm and open smile. “On behalf of Odin and myself, I agree to your terms. Though I suggest you use the week you’ve just granted me to reconsider taking Loki’s life. Speak with your advisors. Such an action can have consequences that I doubt you’ve considered.” He held out a hand, palm down, and Loki’s chain leapt from the ground into his grasp. “Once again, my apologies for your loss. It has been a pleasure to meet you in person, Allistor.”
Shadow Sun Unification: Shadow Sun Book Five Page 19
