Suture (The Bleeding Worlds)

by Stone, Justus R.

  "We could've avoided so much unpleasantness if you'd just said, yes," Zeus said.

  The fiery eyes disappeared. The hall filled with screams and strobes of light.

  Fuyuko tried to calm the pounding of her heart. She tried to remind herself of Morpheus' words; Zeus was sworn to protect her. But who had he sworn that to, and why?

  Her arm throbbed—a definite fracture. If she had the Veil, she'd be healed within seconds. But then, if she'd had the Veil, she wouldn't have been injured. The frustration burned.

  "Miss Takeda," Zeus said.

  Her chest clenched. She hadn't realized the hall had become silent.

  "I'll need you to come with me," Zeus said. "I promise, no further injury will come to you."

  Sparks of electricity jumping between Zeus' fingers illuminated the hall. With his other hand, he guided her by her uninjured arm. She only managed a few steps until nausea brought her to a halt.

  Sweat streamed down her face. Her stomach convulsed and she couldn't fight back the bile any longer.

  "We won't get very far with you in this condition. I can't heal it, but I can disrupt the electrical messages that tell your brain there is pain."

  She didn't like the idea of someone messing with the electrical impulses to her brain. She took a couple of fortifying breaths.

  C'mon Fuyuko, you can do this.

  She stood straight, took a step, then barfed again.

  Dammit.

  "Fine," she said. "Do it."

  "It won't be permanent, just long enough for us to escape."

  His fingers brushed near her shoulder accompanied by quick stabs of pain like his fingers had needles in the tips.

  "How do you feel now?" Zeus asked.

  She took a hesitant step and managed to not empty her stomach. She'd lost all feeling to the arm.

  "It's fine. I can move. Thanks."

  He lit their way down the hall to the elevator, which opened as though waiting for them.

  "I know you're powerful," Fuyuko said,"but how do you expect us to get out of here? Woten will send Anunnaki next time."

  Zeus' eyebrow raised. "Are you doubting me?"

  "No, no, not at all. I just like knowing the plan upfront."

  Zeus returned his attention to the numbers on the elevator's display. Fuyuko couldn't recall him pressing any buttons and none were illuminated on the panel.

  "No need to worry, this plan has been well thought out."

  "There's one catch. We need to find my friend Angie."

  Zeus turned on her, his eyes flaring white.

  "This isn't some social gathering, little girl. Lives have been, and will be, lost in this endeavour. We don't have time for extra passengers."

  "I gave my word." She did her best not to let her voice falter. "I won't leave without her."

  "Do you honestly think I can't just make you leave?"

  "I know you can, sir. But I'd hope you wouldn't have me dishonour a vow I made, especially when it was one of your own kinsmen."

  "Who would you have made such a vow… Ah, I see. Morpheus. That crafty bastard. I wouldn't promise him his daughter's safety, so he's using your word to force me by proxy. Clever man. I will promise to do my best to accommodate your vow. However, if it becomes a fool's mission that will result in your death, I will make you leave. Is this acceptable?"

  He asked, but she knew there would be no other options for negotiation.

  "It is. Thank you."

  Zeus pulled back his sleeve to consult his watch.

  "Well, we're slightly ahead of schedule, so it should be fine. Where is your friend?"

  Fuyuko directed him to the dorm level. She hoped Angie would still be in her room waiting for Fuyuko's return.

  The doors began to open at the dorm level. They'd only opened a fraction when Zeus shoved her aside.

  "Get down!" he yelled.

  A hail of bullets tore through the opening.

  "Apparently they were waiting for us."

  "Woten said there are cameras everywhere, even ones we don't know about."

  Zeus shook his head. "Damn me and being ahead of schedule. The security net won't be down for another…" He looked at his watch. "Thirty-seconds. I should've waited. Oh well, where's the fun in doing it the easy way?"

  Bolts of lightning leapt from his hand into the hall.

  "If I ever face Woten again, remind me to thank him for using metal in the walls."

  From her vantage point, she saw the lightning bouncing from wall to wall, ricocheting toward the guards. Bolt after bolt he fired, each being rewarded with sounds of pain and panic.

  The lights switched from their usual fluorescent white to a flashing red. A piercing alarm cut through all other sounds.

  "Well, that would be our cue," Zeus said.

  He dashed out of the elevator, continuing to fire bolts at wild angles, making their paths unpredictable.

  A computerized voice began to broadcast.

  "Level Five Emergency. Level Five Emergency. All Personnel to follow evacuation protocols. Repeat…"

  The message replayed repeatedly. In the distance came sounds of chaos. A Level Five Emergency was complete system failure, meaning Suture would soon be incapable of supporting life. Every floor was equipped with a series of escape pods that followed twisting tunnels bringing them to the surface several miles from Suture. She'd never questioned if something might happen in those long lengths of tunnels. Protecting Suture's location seemed so much more important. That Suture valued its secrets more than its people should've been a clue. She silently cursed herself for being so blind.

  Zeus' bolts had nullified most of the guards. The others had abandoned their posts to evacuate. Regardless, they hesitated at each branch of the hall to ensure their path was clear.

  "The entire security net should be down," Zeus said. "So the cameras shouldn't be an issue any longer."

  "Who's doing this?" It had to be someone because in all of Suture's existence there had never been a Level Five Emergency.

  "Your father. We've been working on this plan for over a year. When we're a safe distance from here I'll explain everything."

  My father? Oh my God, I'd forgotten all about him. How could I?

  "Where is he? What about my mom?"

  They slowed as they approached Angie's room.

  "Your father is preparing an escape pod for us. Your mother is being met by some of my associates in Toronto. They will make sure she's safe. Is this the room?" he asked, nodding toward Angie's door.

  Fuyuko nodded.

  He tried the access panel, but it indicated it was locked.

  Sparks crackled from his fingertips as he snapped quick bolts into the panel. It shorted out and the door slid open.

  "I love this modern, electrical, era."

  They stepped into the room and immediately, Fuyuko wished she could walk out.

  Every drawer was emptied, the bed sheets torn off, and the mattress askew. Worse was the body slumped against the far wall.

  "Morpheus," Fuyuko cried.

  She ran to his side, but stopped five feet from him. A mosaic of bruises covered every bit of his exposed flesh—blood pooled by his head. She took a breath and approached the body. A quick check proved her initial feelings—he was dead.

  They'd only had a brief meeting, but this death, of an eternal who only cared about the safety of his own daughter, slammed into her chest. Sobs racked her body.

  "He came for Angie. Even though I promised, he didn't trust me."

  Zeus' hand patted her lightly on her uninjured shoulder.

  "No. It was me he didn't trust. He assumed you would keep your promise, and I would force you to leave."

  Rage tore from her throat. Everything was gone.

  "I'm…sorry," Zeus clearly did not apologize often. "We really should go."

  "What's the point? Why even bother helping someone like me?"

  Zeus' eyes hardened, yet a note of pity lay within them.

  "Because we need you. A
nd because I promised your father."

  Fuyuko rubbed at her eyes with her good arm. One good arm. She was even less useful than before. How could anyone need her?

  "What did my father promise you? What could be so important you of all people would promise to protect me?"

  Zeus guided her to her feet.

  "Everything will be clear once we're out. You know the protocols, within a few minutes the facility will go on a total lockdown. There'll be no in or out until Woten authorizes it. We don't want to be here when Woten returns."

  They returned to the elevator. The evacuation protocols had been in place long enough. Suture was abandoned. Zeus directed the elevator to the Research and Development floor.

  "Blast Woten and his wards. If I could fold we would've been out of here ages ago." Zeus paced the elevator's small area. "I am sorry about your friend. I'll use what resources I can to search for her."

  "If you'd helped Morpheus, you wouldn't have to." She'd risk Zeus' anger. Relief could be found in saying what you wanted.

  Zeus just stroked his beard and gave a thoughtful watch to the display on the elevator.

  "I suppose you have a point," Zeus admitted with a sigh. "I'll let you in on a secret I hope you don't live long enough to discover; the older you get, the more blind you are. You'd think old age would broaden your wisdom and views, but it narrows it. Eventually, you only see and worry about the things that are of direct, personal, concern. If things had been different, not only would your friend be here, but we could've contained Woten sooner."

  The elevator doors opened. The security door greeted them, still closed.

  Zeus waved his hand, and the door opened.

  He shrugged with a sheepish grin when Fuyuko gave him a you're showing off now, kind of look.

  They entered the hall she'd glimpsed behind her father several times in the past. Her heart skipped as she crossed the threshold forbidden to her for so long. In her glimpses of it in the past, the hall had been illuminated a bright, sterile, white. From the youngest age she could remember, the hall seemed heavenly and full of wonder. Bathed in the red emergency lights, the walls felt too close and only hopelessness seemed to lay beyond.

  Zeus waved his hand, but the final door refused to open. He touched his hand to the panel, which remained dead beneath his fingers.

  "Well, old fashioned way it is."

  He touched various points in the door, applying jolts of electricity. When satisfied, he pressed his palms against the door and shoved it, inch by groaning inch, aside.

  Fuyuko's feet wouldn't move—her brain overwhelmed by the enormity of the space. Like the command centre, it was arranged in tiered floors, all visible from the entry point. On each of those floors were arrayed glass walls, segmenting the space into individual work areas.

  "Mister Takeda," Zeus called. "We're here."

  The cocking of an automatic rifle echoed.

  "I want to hear her voice."

  "Dad," Fuyuko said, "it's ok, I'm here. Zeus helped me, just like he promised."

  Shinji Takeda came out from behind some upturned desks. Despite her assurances, he kept an assault rifle trained on Zeus.

  "You'll forgive me if I remain cautious," Shinji said.

  Zeus nodded.

  "I would think less of you otherwise—especially given what your family has gone through."

  "Are you all right?" Shinji asked Fuyuko.

  "Some guards broke my arm before Zeus arrived. It would've been worse if he hadn't helped me."

  Seeming to forget Zeus' presence, Shinji dropped the rifle and ran to his daughter's side.

  "Does it hurt? How long ago did this occur? How can I help?" The questions tumbled out of him so fast they slurred together.

  "I'll live, Dad. Zeus helped with the pain."

  Shinji's eyes glazed over with tears.

  "It's all my fault. I couldn't get away fast enough. I thought if you didn't have your powers it would keep you safe until we could all escape."

  "You did lock away my powers?"

  Instead of answering, he turned and went back to the desks he'd been hiding behind. He lifted two backpacks. From one, he removed a syringe, and slung the pack over his back. The other pack he handed to Zeus.

  "The hard drives with all the promised information," Shinji said. He returned his focus to Fuyuko. "You need to understand. After I discovered what happened to Katsuro, I knew having your powers is dangerous—especially when I found out why Katsuro was killed."

  "The name of his sword," Fuyuko said.

  "Yes, its name fulfilled part of the prophecy of Ragnarok. Woten saw him as a threat and had him eliminated. When I learned that, I knew I needed to protect you."

  "Why?" she asked. "What part could I play in this?"

  "Have you never read the Ragnarok prophecies?" Zeus asked.

  "They discouraged it. I know a little, but never saw any reason to go against them into specifics."

  "Your spear," Shinji said, "it's name also figures in the prophecy. It's why I told you to keep its name secret, and why I suppressed your powers when I could. I see that was a mistake now—taking your powers has left you at greater risk. The contents of this syringe will return your powers. I leave the decision up to you."

  "My spear figures in Ragnarok?"

  "The twilight of the Norse gods," Zeus said. "That will lead to the rebirth of the world. It begins when the eternal winter comes. Fimbulvetr."

  Fuyuko drew an involuntary breath at the sound of her spear's name. Ragnarok? She didn't know enough, but there was only one question she really wanted answered.

  "Woten dies?"

  Zeus nodded.

  "Give me the shot."

  Her father pressed the syringe to her throat. A quick sharp stab delivered liquid lava that coursed through her veins, burning away the Fuyuko of the past eight months. She collapsed to the ground and began to convulse.

  "Is that supposed to happen?" Zeus asked.

  "I don't know." Shinji Takeda looked resigned to his daughter's fate, one way or the other. "We need to go. Woten allowed a generous time before the complete lockdown, but I think we've pushed its limits already."

  Zeus picked up Fuyuko, careful to not grip her too hard for fear of injuring her further. The girl's eyes were open, but for the time being, she had left the world.

  Shinji ran to a wall and slid a small panel aside. He punched a series of numbers on the small keyboard he'd revealed.

  "I told the others this pod malfunctioned, so they left to take others. This one should take us to an area away from the other escape pods."

  "I know," Zeus said. "I left the helicopter in the spot you designated."

  The wall slid open. The escape pod contained space for ten individuals. The seats were arranged around a circular wall, each with five-point harness belts.

  Zeus strapped Fuyuko in. She'd ceased convulsing, but continued to be unresponsive. Once Zeus had strapped in, Shinji pressed a single large button to the right of the door. An electronic countdown began. Fifteen-seconds, just enough time for the final person to strap themselves in.

  At the count of five, the door to the pod slid shut.

  By three, the pod's thrusters began to hum as they warmed up.

  When the countdown reached zero, the pod launched—the force pressing them hard against their seats. Their path wasn't linear. It shifted left and right, down and up, twisting and turning, making it near impossible that anyone might be able to follow the tunnel backward.

  The pod came to a jerky stop, leaving Shinji with the sensation his stomach now lay somewhere between his throat and the ceiling.

  When the doors opened, Zeus unbuckled and removed Fuyuko's harness. He lifted her into his arms and made for the door. As Shinji loosened his own harness, he heard the old god swear.

  "What is it?"

  He moved a little too fast, having to swallow back the bile rising in his throat.

  After a number of gulps of air, he joined Zeus just outside the pod
. The helicopter, originally concealed by a camouflaged net, lay in smoking ruins.

  A single figure stood silhouetted by the flames of the wreckage. The man stepped closer, the details of his long blond hair and chiselled Nordic features becoming clear.

  He'd been born with the name Vali. He'd earned the reputation of Woten's Assassin.

  18

  Caught in the Crossroads

  "We're on top of a mall, surrounded by monsters," Brandt said. "Did anyone else see Dawn of the Dead? It did not turn out well for any of the good guys."

  "Just shut up and fire the flare."

  "Oh sure, Marie, let's just draw the monsters to us."

  "Both of you be quiet," Caelum hissed. "Marie, do a perimeter of the building and see if we're surrounded on all sides."

  Marie shot him a dirty look, but put her Veil given speed to use and took off.

  She returned in less than a minute.

  "They're on every side. Some places they're closer than others, but there's no clear path out."

  Caelum shook his head.

  "I'm sorry, everyone. I messed up bringing us here. We're too far from any other buildings to move, and now we're trapped here." He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Brandt, fire the flare."

  "But—"

  "Just do it Brandt. At the very least it'll let the other three teams know we're not able to help them."

  "And if it brings the entire town of Curses down on us?"

  Caelum opened his eyes—they burned with rage. "We kill the damn things. That's what we do. Are you afraid of a fight?"

  Brandt chuckled. "Hell no, just wanted to make sure we were all good with the consequences."

  He raised the flare gun in the air and pulled the trigger. The gun hissed and the flare lifted like a small, red sun into the air.

  "I don't understand how this is happening," Natalie said. "I mean, we were just here yesterday. People we saw and talked to, now they're monsters."

  "She's right," Wade said. "It doesn't make sense. If some of them had become Taints, I'd get it. But look at them. There's nothing human left—they're Curses. I thought that only happened if they were pulled through the Veil. This town's still in the middle, isn't it?"

  "What we felt earlier..." Alice wrapped her hands around her abdomen, still feeling the dull ache. "Something happened. The Veil energies were manipulated. It's the only answer."