The bridge came to an end, and they stood on a much larger platform bordered on the left by the chamber's wall. The platform stretched far into the distance. Did it lead all the way to the Source? Garet didn't want to get his hopes up.
The monster appeared suddenly.
It was about ten feet tall, standing upright like a man. Knifelike claws protruded from its hands, and it had vicious-looking horns atop its ahead. It lowered its head and charged toward them, preparing to impale them with those horns.
Garet and the commander both dived to the side, narrowly dodging the monster's charge. It turned toward them, extending its claws. Garet nocked an arrow on his bow and released. The monster was close, so he didn't bother aiming.
When the arrow struck the monster, it met with impenetrable skin. The arrow bounced off, and the monster didn't seem to notice as it continued its charge toward them. Garet rolled to one side while the commander rolled to the other.
As Garet got to his feet, he aimed a sword blow at the monster's thick leg. The sword struck the leg but bounced off again.
"Don't you have magic?" Garet shouted to the commander.
A moment later, flames flew from the commander's fingertips, striking the monster. For a moment, Garet thought they'd affect the monster, but it continued as if it didn't feel the heat. The commander backed away, eyes wide. He continued sending flames at the monster, but they had no effect.
"Can't you try another spell?" Garet shouted.
"No, this is the only offensive spell I have."
"Then I guess we'll run."
They both took off, but the monster was faster. Garet was a few steps ahead of the commander, and those few steps saved his life. Glancing back, he could only watch as the monster's claws sliced through the commander's neck on one quick stroke. The commander's head hit the stone floor, and then the monster descended upon him.
Commander Adams was dead. There was nothing Garet could do for him, and Garet wasn't sure he would have helped even if he could, so he kept running. The Source was growing closer, and the monster was distracted for the moment.
But then another monster appeared in front of him. It was a snake with three heads. Each mouth displayed long yellow fangs. One of the heads lunged toward him, and he barely sidestepped the attack, bringing his sword around with a quick motion. He scored a hit on the left head, slicing through the monster's tough, scaly skin.
It let out a horrible hiss, and all three heads came toward Garet at once. He backed against the wall, narrowly dodging it, but there was nowhere to go.
Heart pounding, he waited to die.
Then a surge of lightning struck the three-headed snake. Garet turned to see Cyrus staggering toward him. The lightning surrounded the snake, and it let out a horrible hiss as the smell of burning flesh filled the air.
"Follow me!" Cyrus shouted, looking unsteady on his feet.
Garet hastened to obey, leaving the snake behind.
"You all right?" he asked as they ran across the gray stone floor.
"I overextended my magic. The effort nearly killed me. My body fell unconscious so it could recover. It will be a while before I can use any wind spells, but my other magic is close to full strength." He glanced back. "I see the commander didn't make it."
"No, he didn't. I thought you said he'd be important to this effort."
Cyrus smiled faintly. "I might have lied about that. In fact, I saw his probable death in this place. I couldn't miss the opportunity to rid myself of a powerful opponent."
Garet wasn't surprised that Cyrus could do something so cold and calculated. No doubt Cyrus was on the right side in the war, but he was not a man to cross. In truth, Garet felt no sadness over the commander's death. The man probably would have turned against them as soon as they succeeded in their mission.
"Where's Gram?" Cyrus asked as they ran.
Garet told him about the statue.
"We'll get him out of there," Cyrus said. "He's a good man, unlike his commander."
The glow of the Source enveloped them now as they finally reached the far wall of the chamber. A giant machine stood there, made of all kinds of parts Garet couldn't identify. The machine produced the glow. Parts of it turned like gears.
"You'll have to protect me while I work," Cyrus said. "This will take some time."
Garet nodded, feeling sick to his stomach. "I'll do my best."
Cyrus went to work, and Garet surveyed their surroundings for danger. At first, nothing threatened, but he remained alert. He knew how suddenly monsters could appear in this place. Though he wasn't sure he could handle them, he had to try.
The first monster appeared.
It was a smaller beast, perhaps four feet long, and it moved on four legs. Dozens of spikes covered its back. It hissed as it approached. Garet darted forward, swinging his sword and scoring a hit on its face. It recoiled, hissing, and he attacked again. He continued driving it back.
Just when he thought he had the upper hand, it raised its back toward him. Some of the spikes flew from its back, heading directly toward him. He flung himself to the ground, and not a moment too soon, for the spikes flew through the air where he'd just been.
They didn't strike Cyrus, though. That was good.
Now the monster no longer had its spikes. Garet took advantage, leaping atop its back and plunging his sword through its tough skin. The monster let out a high-pitched shriek before falling still. Garet pulled his sword from its back, covered in sweat.
"How much more time do you need?" he asked Cyrus.
"Just keep protecting me. I need to concentrate."
For a while, no more monsters appeared. Garet kept glancing at Cyrus, silently urging him to go faster. Sooner or later, Garet would face a monster he couldn't handle. A few small monsters threatened, and Garet handled them easily.
But then the giant beast appeared.
It had to be as large as the monster they'd killed in Bradenton. In fact, it looked like the same monster. For the moment, it was a good distance away, but that wouldn't last long. The ground trembled violently with every step it took. Garet remembered that Nadia had felt its heart and used that ability to defeat it. But Garet had no such ability.
How the hell could he hope to fight this thing?
"Cyrus, you need to work faster. I can't fight this thing."
"I'm doing the best I can. This isn't easy."
Garet closed his eyes for a few moments, recalling the terrifying moments when they'd fought this kind of monster outside Bradenton. He thought he could see the point where Nadia had shot it with her arrow, but he wasn't sure.
Regardless, he had to try.
He took a deep breath, nocked an arrow on his bow, and released the arrow. It flew exactly where he'd intended, but the monster kept coming at him. Damn.
Calm down, he told himself. Maybe he'd aimed a little too high. He adjusted his aim and let the arrow fly again. This time, he struck the monster a bit lower. It still came at him.
Maybe he'd been too low this second time. He adjusted his aim again. Sweat coated his palms, and he prayed it wouldn't make his shot inaccurate. He released the arrow, his chest so tight he could barely breathe, and watched it sail toward the monster.
This time, he must have hit the right spot. The beast let out a terrible roar, then swayed on its giant legs. Soon its legs collapsed, and it fell forward, but it wasn't dead. Not yet.
Garet raced forward, remembering by instinct where the heart was. He climbed atop the monster's back and plunged his sword through its tough skin again and again. Better not to take any chances. The monster let out a few shrieks, then fell still.
Drenched in sweat, Garet climbed down. He leaned against the wall of the chamber, trying to catch his breath and praying this was the last monster he'd have to face.
"I've got it!" Cyrus said. "It's done."
A great vibration ran through the chamber, and the air felt alive with energy. The glow from the Source remained, but it was much dimmer now.<
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"I couldn't have done it without you," Cyrus said. "I think the Webs were telling the truth when they said you needed to be here. Who else would have known how to kill that creature?"
Garet considered that. Of all the people who'd faced off against the monster the first time, he was the only one still in the Empire. Maybe these Webs of Fate really did exist.
"What do we do now?" Garet asked.
"We'll rescue Gram, and then we'll return to Bradenton."
"What do the Webs tell you about what's coming now?"
"I'll have to check them," Cyrus said. "I can't see that far into the future with any reliability." He wiped sweat from his forehead. "But not right now. I'm too exhausted."
Chapter 42: The Meeting in the Tent
When Tylen and Will reached the Clan Black Wolf settlement, Tylen was surprised to find that the clansmen on guard allowed them to enter. In fact, one of them directed Tylen and Will to a tent in the center of the settlement.
Feeling queasy, Tylen stepped into the tent. Inside, he found Farah and a man he didn't recognize. This man was not clan, though. He had the look of someone much wealthier, someone Tylen could appreciate.
"Who are you?" Tylen demanded.
"I am Marlon, High Sorcerer of Luminia."
Tylen would have laughed at such an outlandish statement, but he saw the truth in the man's eyes. What the hell was the High Sorcerer of Luminia doing here? And why was Farah with him?
Marlon gestured toward two empty wooden chairs. "Please sit down."
Tylen didn't like to take orders from anyone, but this was a man who could probably kill him with little more than a thought. It was better to play it safe. Tylen took a seat.
"I've already explained most of this to Farah," Marlon said. "Please remain quiet while I tell you everything. You can ask questions afterward." His gaze was stern, so Tylen decided he'd obey the command.
Marlon was about to start his explanation, but then one of the clansmen pulled the tent flap aside. "We found the other man you're looking for out to the west."
Marlon nodded. "Send him in."
A middle-aged man with a thick brown beard stepped into the room. It took a moment, but Tylen recognized him as Theo, the former Imperial Guard who'd helped the refugees from Crayden. Farah's father, too, Tylen reminded himself.
"Good," Marlon said. "Everyone's here."
Theo narrowed his eyes. "What is the meaning of all this? These men kidnapped me with no provocation."
"Relax," Marlon said. "I will explain everything. My name is Marlon, and I am the High Sorcerer of Luminia."
Theo frowned thoughtfully. "Prove it."
Marlon opened his hand, and a flame appeared in his palm. "That's just a small taste of what I can do. As you can tell, I'm clearly a sorcerer. You'll have to take my word that I'm the High Sorcerer of Luminia."
Marlon started out by repeating what he'd already told Farah. He told them about Krinir and his goal of destroying the world, about his control of Warrick, and the fact that all of them had a vital role to play in the events to come. All except Will, apparently.
When Marlon finished, Tylen said, "You just want us on your side when Warrick returns. If you want that to happen, you'll have to do better. Do you think I'm truly going to believe this nonsense about gods and the fate of the world?"
"It isn't nonsense," Marlon said.
Theo leaned forward in his wooden chair. "Warrick has told me about Krinir. He didn't tell me outright that Krinir has been manipulating his memories, and the Webs of Fate. But he did imply it."
"He never told me anything about Krinir," Tylen said. He couldn't believe that Farah and Theo were going along with this insanity.
"Perhaps he only told you what he wanted you to know," Marlon said. "No one can read the Webs quite like Warrick. He surely has his reasons for what he reveals."
"I don't care what these Webs say," Tylen replied. "I make my own decisions."
Marlon smiled. "In the end, Tylen, we all make our own decisions. Fate does not guide us. The Webs merely make some things more likely than others."
Theo cleared his throat. "You said you wanted somebody on the inside? Somebody who could keep an eye on Warrick? I don't know if he trusts me enough to let me in that close."
"Oh, I think he trusts you," Marlon said. "I don't know how much he'll trust you if he's under Krinir's control. You see, because Krinir is trapped in the Shadowed Land, he can only affect things here indirectly. Once he's back here, he'll be able to control Warrick directly."
Theo scratched at his bearded chin. "Will Warrick have any control left?"
"I think he will, but he'll have to fight for it."
Tylen gave Marlon a stern look. "I'd still like to know what you really want."
"I want you to help Warrick fight, help him stay himself. If he can do that, if we can break the spell Krinir has over him, he could be our greatest ally. Warrick has powers beyond any other sorcerer in this world. He's the only person with any chance against Krinir."
"I still don't quite understand," Farah said.
"I told you before. Krinir is the Destroyer. But there are two others forces in this world: Creation and Restorations. Lionar is the Restorer, but he has disappeared. Rador is the Creator, but he hasn't been seen in a long time. We can't rely on either of them." Marlon stroked his clean-shaven chin. "In fact, I have another theory about the Creator."
"And what is that?" Theo asked.
"Rador's touch has long been gone from this world. But Warrick's touch remains. His ability to create entire regions as he has in the Empire is unprecedented among sorcerers. Somehow, I think Warrick is the Creator. I don't know how it happened, but it's the only explanation I have for his extensive powers. In some ways, he is a god himself."
Theo nodded. "And you need a god to fight a god."
"Exactly."
Tylen still had trouble taking in all this new information. On some level, it made sense, but it was hard to believe there was so much more to the world than he'd once thought.
"What do we do now?" Theo asked.
"We go to Luminia."
"That's a long journey," Farah said.
"Actually, it isn't." Marlon pulled a small blue stone from his pocket. "This is a teleportation stone. They are very rare and very difficult to make. I don't like to use them lightly, but I think circumstances call for it. I can teleport with my own magic, of course, but I can't take other people with me. This will allow all of us to reach Luminia in a few seconds."
Tylen had trouble believing such things were possible, but he wouldn't question it. If this stone would get him to Luminia more quickly, he would jump at the opportunity. The thought of walking all that distance sounded like torture.
"Please touch the stone," Marlon said.
They all placed their hands on the stone, and the world dissolved around them.
Part IV
The Weaving of the Threads
Chapter 43: The Gilded Empire
Markus had expected something more from the headquarters of the resistance. Compared to the palace, it was a remarkably boring building. Scattered electrical lights illuminated the dim interior, and only a few people milled about.
The lookouts led them through the center of the large room, a place with wooden chairs and tables. At the room's far end, one of the lookouts knocked on a door. A voice replied a few moments later, calling them inside.
The room beyond was a small office with two wooden chairs and a polished wooden desk. A woman sat behind the deck, examining them with a frown. She was a tall woman with dark skin and curly hair.
"I am Yasmin," she said, rising to shake hands with each of them. "And you must be Markus and Nadia. I'm glad Daniel delivered you to us safely." She turned her gaze to Daniel and the guards. "I would like to speak to the Weavers alone."
The three of them nodded before stepping out of the room and closing the door.
"What do you want from us?" Nadia asked.
Yasmin stroked her chin. "Why do you assume I want something?"
"You wouldn't have sought us out otherwise."
"Sound logic," Yasmin said. "As it so happens, I do want something from you."
"Daniel told us," Markus said. "You need my magic to get to the machine that will destroy all the technology in the empire."
"It was not his place to tell you that," Yasmin said, her gaze severe.
"We forced him into it," Nadia said. "Don't blame him."
"In the end, it doesn't matter. I would have told you the same just now."
"Why do you want to destroy this technology?" Nadia asked.
Yasmin leaned forward, resting her arms on her desk and exuding great power. "No doubt technology has improved our lives in many ways, but it has also allowed the government to control everything. And it has the potential to destroy this world, just as it destroyed the old one. That's a risk we cannot take."
Markus didn't like where this was going. "Warrick said the same thing. Are you expecting me to side with you when you agree with a tyrant like Warrick?"
Yasmin's gaze became more severe. "Warrick is far from the worst evil out there."
"I have trouble accepting that," Nadia said. "This is the man who burned an entire city to the ground, killing thousands of innocent people."
"But you saw where he learned that ability," Markus said. "Krinir."
Yasmin nodded. "Precisely. Krinir is the greatest evil out there. He is the Destroyer. He wants us to destroy ourselves as we did in the Old World. It's his nature."
"I don't understand," Nadia said.
"I can only tell you what you need to know in rather vague terms," Yasmin said. "Much of this knowledge is still sealed away. But from what we've gathered, there are three primary forces at work in our world: Creation, Restoration, and Destruction. Rador is the Creator, Lionar is the Restorer, and Krinir is the Destroyer. Ideally, these forces should be in balance, but for hundreds of years now, Lionar has been absent, and so has Rador."
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