“One, two, three!” Kyle shouted another time, and they jumped into a whirlwind of colors and light.
With each leap he and Kyle took together, Jason grew more confident of himself.
“Two more and we’ll be there,” Kyle encouraged Jason.
By the time they’d reached the suburbs of London, Jason was breathless, his muscles burning from strain.
They had to take a break before making one last leap, and Kyle suggested they shouldn’t get too close to the entrance in case there were Dark Ones expecting their arrival. Jason didn’t argue.
“Ready?” Kyle asked.
Jason nodded.
Here we go, Jason thought as he was thrust forward, closer to Piccadilly Circus. Closer to where Matt, Debbie, and everyone else were trapped underground and needed their help.
Jason knotted his eyebrows. This leap felt … different. The ground started vibrating beneath his feet, and as soon as they landed, deafening thunder rumbled so close his ears ached. The buildings’ foundations shook. Cracks snaked their way along the road as thick chunks of plaster and concrete peeled off the buildings’ walls, raining down around them.
As the quaking stopped, Jason and Kyle moved towards the nearby building, zigzagging past empty cars with their doors left open and windows broken. The windows in the buildings across the street were smashed as well. The Darksighted Energy infiltrated the surroundings, glinting with malicious light off of every surface, whether it was a shard of glass or the front wall of the building. The crimson under Jason’s feet rippled with each of his steps.
According to a small plaque hanging askew on the building, they were in Charles II Street. There was another two or three hundred yards to Piccadilly Circus, but the amount of Dark Energy went beyond limits and Jason gagged as he flattened himself against the wall.
There was no one outside. Jason looked up and spotted a few people cautiously peeking out of the windows, their eyes wide. It still felt surreal to know that those were fake auras, not real people. They looked so lifelike, the emotions—fear, despair, angst—raw on their faces. Their auras replicated the ones of their owners, trapped underground. It seemed he’d gotten into a dystopian movie. How much time had Jason lost talking to Aaron Sloane?
Emily’s Prophecy came to Jason’s mind. The Prophecy he kept repeating back in New York. It seemed ages since he’d been sitting alone in the kitchen of his apartment, staring at the magnificent city sprawling before him. He whispered the words to himself like a prayer, trying to decipher their meaning. Parts of the Prophecy were easy to figure out. Other parts were not. As if it was supposed to calm him down, Jason decided to say it under his breath one last time.
“Through visions of torture and horror he will walk, drenched in the pain of those unknowingly defending him. Pillars of Light first released then destroyed by the raging Energy of the Dark, until but one remains. The one with the Energy of Light, the last of the twelve, the Beholder. His path lies through the valley of shadows where eleven souls are marked by the aura of the One. Through Light and Darkness he will walk; innocent blood he will save with the knowledge only he possesses.”
It was time for him to do everything to save those who defended him. Though he’d failed to keep Alexei safe, Jason swore he’d protect Violet and Alice and everyone else.
Kyle and Jason exchanged glances.
“Let’s go,” Kyle mouthed, and Jason gave a nod.
Chapter 34
“What happened to me?” Debbie asked Matt, but he stared at her in silence.
What she saw was so clear, it hurt her eyes. Her skin, her mind, her soul—all of it reached out to touch the pulsating new reality that seemed so unreal.
Thin threads of light blue, red, and yellow swirled around her, and soon she realized the colorful threads were her own aura, spreading in all directions as it intensified in brightness. It was just like Jason had described it, when he turned into a Sighted One. She was like a sun in a gloomy world, casting her light over the drab surroundings. Her Sight expanded farther beyond the room. Energy vibrated wildly around her, threads responding to her appearance.
Holding her breath, she reached forward and tentatively stroked the fluid gossamer threads, and they gave her their warmth, tickling the tips of her fingers. Threads sprung alive at her soft touch, welcoming her, and Debbie smiled.
She didn’t even notice that her slight movement brought her to the next room, too fast, not like in the real world.
“Debbie, where are you?” Matt asked, worried.
“I’m here,” she responded, taking a cautious step and watching the kaleidoscope of colors whirling around her.
Then they heard the first explosion.
Chapter 35
With the amount of explosives we put around, the doors just have to cave in, Tyler thought. He plugged his ears with his palms, thrilled to be implementing Pariah’s order to destroy the underground city where the creatures of Light were hiding. The explosives had done little to the entrance doors so far, but Pariah told them to keep going.
Tyler counted in his thoughts, anticipating further destruction of the abode where the Lightsighted took shelter, and then an explosion ensued, rubble and clouds of dust scattered in all directions. He cowered, shielding his body and head with his cloak.
As soon as the smoke cloud cleared, Pariah was the first to climb out of their hideout, a circular shaft a hundred yards away from the City of Tranquility entrance where they could stay untouched by the explosions.
Tyler followed next, spotting brightness that seeped in from below. It unnerved Tyler so much he screwed up his eyes then turned away for a moment. The light burned like acid, paralyzing him, sucking out his breath.
Even though he loathed the shining, he was glad to see it. The entrance finally caved in. Even such a tiny crevice was enough for him and his newly-found brethren to unleash destruction on the creatures behind the doors.
The longer he stared at it, the more disgust rose inside him. He looked cautiously at the Dark Ones next to him, afraid that they might spot his weakness. They cringed, hissed, snarled, panted heavily. So I’m not the only one made uncomfortable by the shining from below.
Pariah stepped to the edge of the tunnel and stared down, the ghostly light bathing his features. It surprised Tyler that Pariah didn’t step back. He doesn’t even flinch.
“The faster we break in, the less we’ll be exposed to their influence,” Pariah hollered so that everyone would hear. “We don’t have to hide from Unsighted anymore,” Pariah spoke. “As soon as we get past the guards, the Energy will be ours. Don’t spare anyone. Destroy the unworthy.”
Pariah dashed to the entrance. The efficiency with which he moved filled Tyler with admiration. The others followed. An army of assassins meant to kill the weak. He was glad to be part of it, like he’d reunited with a long-lost family. It was time for him to prove his faithfulness to Pariah by taking as many Sighted and Unsighted lives as possible.
Tyler pushed off the edge of the tunnel edge and plunged into the burning brightness, eager to put an end to it.
As he went into a free fall, an explosion shook the walls, and the air seemed to catch fire. For several moments everything turned chalky, the tunnel bleached white with the hateful shining. The heat made him choke; his eyes watered.
Pariah and a few Legates close to him vanished in the light, consumed by the wave the Lightsighted sent their way, and Tyler’s determination faltered. The guards weren’t going to give up easily. Did they just kill Pariah? Tyler panicked.
Another explosion erupted. Within seconds darkness swept the whiteness away, and Tyler could breathe again. He heaved a sigh of relief as Pariah reemerged, unscathed and shooting towards the entrance. The doors crumbled, the crevice now large enough to let them all in at once.
Tyler sped up after Pariah, encouraged by the Dark One’s fearlessness and the power he exuded. Pariah dived inside, and the others followed. Bolts of lightning lanced the air, hitting the ones c
losest to the exit. Tyler swerved past a web of Lightsighted Energy and shot towards the effulgent creatures hovering in the air. They formed a shield between the Legates and a huge city that shimmered with thousands of feeble lights—the Londoners.
The previous time Tyler hadn’t had a chance to take in its splendor, but now that he scoped it sprawling in all directions, adrenaline fought its way through his veins.
The Lightsighted soared motionless above the city, waiting, as if inviting the Dark Ones to attack first. Tyler knew better than to rush into anything. It didn’t take long though for Pariah to dash towards the blond-haired Sighted in the middle of their shield. With a wave of his hand, the Lightsighted created a shield around himself, and Pariah crashed right into it.
Everything happened so fast Tyler didn’t realize all the other Darksighted had charged forward, attacking the guardians nearby, driving them back towards the city. Crimson rays lashed at the silvery shield, slithering past the Lightsighted defenses and grazing some of them, but to Tyler’s regret, few of their attacks hit the mark. Most of them were quick enough to dodge the charges sent their way.
One of the Lightsighted lunged at Tyler, nearly catching him off guard. Swerving to the right just in time, Tyler grasped the man by the throat, his fingers thrusting deep into the flesh, and ripped out the man’s Adam’s apple. Blood gushed out in rivulets, staining Tyler’s fingers with dark crimson. The man went limp and spiraled downwards, landing with a dull thump.
Elated by the sight of his blood-stained fingers clutching the enemy’s Adam’s apple, Tyler was eager to extinguish more of the Lightsighted Energy around. He tossed the piece of raw flesh aside and weaved through the chaos.
A few of his brethren had already passed through the shield and sent waves of their destructive Energy at the buildings, some of them already crumbling in places.
Tyler dived low and swished along one of the streets, his hand stretched to the right, his dark Energy spewing and dousing the skyscrapers like a tsunami. Whatever windows there were shattered to pieces and sent in all directions, inflicting wounds on those hidden inside.
Tyler marveled at what he’d just done, his lips curved in a wicked smile. To his delight, the Dark Ones were driving their enemies farther and farther. Peals of thunder rolled over the city, reverberating off the buildings. The building closest to the entrance started crumbling, huge clouds of dust billowing up into the skies.
As Tyler was about to return and join the battle, a few tiny silver sparks farther into the city caught his eye. He stopped in midair, surveying the unusual twinkling. Sighted, Tyler had no doubt, but what were they doing away from the battle? Tyler peered into the distance, and his inquisitiveness urged him to check what was going on there.
***
As the floor beneath their feet shook from an enormous explosion, Debbie and Matt dashed to the window, to see what had happened. Debbie could never imagine she’d see a whole new world that had been hidden beyond a veil all her life. Two tremendous forces of Light and Darkness clashed, and she simply couldn’t avert her eyes from the battlefield.
“They’ve broken through the door,” Matt muttered. “Maybe Jason’s already there?”
Debbie turned to Matt, her eyebrows crooked with concern.
“No, he’s not. They need help. I have to go there,” she whispered.
“What? Are you out of your mind?” Matt nearly screamed.
“I have to fight against the Dark Ones.” Debbie tried to make it clear that Matt wouldn’t be able to dissuade her this time. Even though it was a few minutes since she’d gotten access to it, every cell of her body tingled, as if in response to the Energy wafting around, calling for her to go there and help the Lightsighted drive the Dark Ones away.
Matt shook his head. “No, Debbie. I won’t let you go.” He grasped her by the hands. “Jason’s going to be here soon.”
“And what if he isn’t?”
“Wait, Debbie. You can’t.” Matt squeezed her hands hard. “Please.”
“Why?”
Matt’s expression changed from somber to miserable. She shook her head, and Matt released her.
“There’s something I need to tell you,” he said as she ran to the door.
Debbie stopped, turned around, waiting for Matt to go on.
“It’s about Tyler,” he said.
“Tyler? What about him? He’s away, right? You told me— Wait. Why is he away?”
Matt inclined his head so as to avoid Debbie’s stare.
“It’s a bit more complicated than that,” he breathed.
Debbie came over to Matt, squeezed his hand and closed her eyes. At first nothing happened. Debbie was too much aware of Matt’s heart thumping in his chest, but then she tuned it out and focused on his memories, and miraculously, the images stolen from him poured into her mind.
***
Piccadilly Circus. The fight raged, and she could see herself running from their shelter towards Tyler. Pariah was there as well, his attention riveted on her.
Pariah sent his killing light at her. Tyler leapt to get in the way, and both he and Debbie tumbled to the ground, felled by the force of Pariah’s strike.
The next moment they were in this room. Another memory. Matt bent over Tyler who stirred after a long-lasting sleep. His skin was pale, his eyes sunken into the eye sockets.
Then his eyes were open. They were black.
Tyler lunged at Matt, and with a calculated movement he struck Matt’s chin, knocking him out.
***
Debbie let go of Matt’s hands and sat down on the bed, her face buried in her hands.
“No,” she mumbled. “No, no, no, no, no.”
Matt sat beside her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
“Tyler is a Darksighted now,” Debbie whispered, barely able to stifle a sob, her voice shaking. “How? Why?”
“I’m sorry,” Matt breathed out.
Debbie’s heart skipped a beat. She stared at Matt, pleading silently with him to say that it was a joke. A stupid joke. But when Matt raised his eyes she knew what he’d just said was true.
“Jason told me it was supposed to happen like this.”
“What? He knew it was going to happen and he didn’t tell me?” Tears of bitterness rolled down her cheeks, and she stubbornly rubbed them away.
The Sight suddenly lost its brilliance. With Tyler gone, the swirling threads meant nothing to her. She let the silver glow slip away from her so as to avoid seeing Tyler’s black eyes staring back at her. She leaned against Matt’s chest, trying to find comfort in his strong embrace, but found none.
Someone burst into the room, and both of them started.
“Matt! We should—” Tonia’s eyes flickered from one to the other and back again as she was panting, her lips moving but not able to articulate the questions probably running through her head. “Debbie? You’re awake!”
“You’re Tonia, right?” Debbie said.
“Yes. Wow! You are a … Sighted!” She rushed to Debbie’s side and gave her a hug like they were best friends who hadn’t seen each other for a lifetime. “Dave will be delighted to welcome a new Sighted. We haven’t had newbies in a long time.” She smiled widely, but then her smile faltered. “We have to go. We’re leaving the City. It’s necessary to help the others take the Unsighted to the bunkers.”
“There are bunkers?” Matt asked.
“Yes, five of them. One is in the center of the City, and the other four are in the basements of the buildings. Come on. We have to hurry. Only you two are left in this building.”
“Where’s Alice?” Matt asked, ramrod straight all of a sudden.
“Who’s Alice?” Debbie asked.
“Long story. I’ll tell you later,” Matt said.
“She’s there already,” Tonia responded then waved for them to follow her. “Come on. Let’s go.”
Matt grabbed Debbie by the hand and pulled her towards the stairwell, then down the spiral stairs.
�
��Have you seen Jason?” Matt asked, panting.
“No. I don’t know if we’ll be able to hold the Dark Ones back without him for long. There are too many of them.”
Debbie was sure she heard disappointment in Tonia’s answer.
“What’s the plan then?” Matt asked. “Is there anything I can do?”
“Dave told us to save the Unsighted, no matter what, so anyone’s help would be awesome.”
They burst out of the building and stopped, looked left and right, then Tonia pointed to the left. “There.” They broke into a run, but Debbie’s heart told her they were going in the wrong direction. At least she was. She stopped and spun back. On the outskirts the battle raged with unrelenting fierceness. That part of the City was shrouded with gigantic clouds of smoke and dust advancing unhurriedly towards them. By the amount of Darkness surrounding them she could tell the Lightsighted had little chance to withstand the siege. They only had a few minutes before the Dark Ones broke through the defenses.
Matt and Tonia slowed down, noticing that Debbie had lagged behind.
“Debbie, it’s not the time for bravery,” Tonia said, impatient and nervous. “They’ll be here soon.”
“Exactly,” Debbie retorted. “Fleeing from them is admitting outright we have no chance against them. You should go. I’m staying.”
“If you think you’re ready,” Tonia replied, “then I’m not going to talk you out of it. Good luck.”
Matt stayed put. “Is it because of Tyler?” he asked. He spoke in a calm voice, but Debbie knew he was furious with her.
“Yes.” She nodded.
“Let’s go, Matt,” Tonia said, pulling him by the sleeve. Away from Debbie. To the city center where crowds of people converged and disappeared even lower underground.
Debbie wasn’t sure if she saw it right, but it seemed there were tears glistening in Matt’s black eyes. He blinked them back, heaved a deep sigh, turned away from her and—with no words of goodbye—broke into a run.
Path of the Heretic (The Beholder Book 2) Page 19
