Eternity's War (Books 1-3) (Eternity's War Boxsets)

by Ruben Stelliswolfe

  Skye could barely control his rage. His vehement hostility towards his nemesis had violently heightened in a matter of moments. His fists clenched. Both Nikolai and Archibald had to be killed immediately.

  The first rays of sunlight appeared on the horizon, bringing a beautiful new day to the Athenian island. Skye still sat atop the warehouse, staring east at the golden glow. He'd had an exhausting night, with sleep evading him entirely. He had forgotten to wake anyone to take over his shift of guarding the base. He'd simply sat alone, daydreaming and contemplating. If an attack did suddenly occur, he may even miss it.

  Skye pondered their next move. The president remained hidden, and they had no leads whatsoever. For countless hours, he had thought over and over about Nikolai's deceit. He knew that he had fabricated the president's itinerary in a bid to lure White Shadow into a trap. Was it to keep everyone in check, so that White Shadow wouldn't focus their attention on the president? Or was Nikolai finally ready to put an end to his former group? Or both, Skye wondered, trying to solve the mystery alone.

  The notion of the president working with Black Dawn may have been nothing short of absurd, but Nikolai had always talked of power and domination. It was not out of the question for the man to blackmail the new president to do his will. The original threat of Archibald running the country was still a very real one, but the thought of Nikolai in command was far more terrifying.

  Worse still, the assault on the Tianzu would have dire consequences for them all. Skye knew the Tianzu were a very personal and protective clan, promoting safety as their first priority. Now that war with the Tianzu was inevitable, White Shadow was in its most dire hour yet. Skye began to feel sick from the stress he was causing himself from his sleepless night. The events played themselves in his mind over and over again, and Skye had no doubt that it was all carefully orchestrated. Regardless of the truth to his suspicions, Skye had convinced himself that he was right.

  For hours now, he had desperately tried to think of a way to stop his formidable foe, but the answer would not arrive. Nikolai was one of the most elite individuals he'd ever met, and killing him had always been an impossible endeavour. But the situation was grave, and Skye knew that something had to be done. For the sake of his team, and for Athenia, and even the world, he had to take action now. He had to tell Ren to get to work and start locating Black Dawn again. They had paused their efforts as soon as Archibald had emerged from hiding. He now knew that somehow Nikolai had found him first and chose him as a suitable presidential candidate.

  He gasped aloud when the comm on his wrist started vibrating. His eyes began to burn with fatigue from the restless night. Skye looked down and saw that he had received an email from Nikolai, incidentally inviting him out for coffee again. It took him a moment to react to the luck that had suddenly presented itself. A meeting with Nikolai would be the best chance of finding out where the president was being held, and possibly even to kill the eyeless man. He knew the chances of successfully slaying his enemy were virtually nil, but he also knew that Nikolai would not retaliate, meaning he had nothing to lose by attempting to assassinate his sinister opponent. He carefully climbed off the roof, his muscles slightly aching from the previous evening.

  It could be a trap, he suddenly thought to himself. It would not be unlike Nikolai to summon him to a spontaneous meeting while Black Dawn and the Tianzu slaughtered the others in their sleep. But on the other hand, none of them were safe regardless. They could just as easily be killed if they accompanied Skye to the meeting, or if he remained with them in the warehouse. He decided the best course of action would be to wake Sierra and have her guard the warehouse in his absence. Warning the others of the possibility of an attack was also a wise idea, but they may not believe his theory. For the time being, he decided to keep his suspicions to himself.

  He placed his hand on the rear door of the warehouse and paused. His plan to attempt to kill Nikolai was worthwhile, he thought, but his highest priority right now would be to find Black Dawn. If he finds them, he'd also find the president. And the best person to assist him in locating Black Dawn would be the only person in their group who was able to track the location of others. He needed to bring Juliet with him. He opened the door and marched inside the warehouse.

  At this stage, with no leads on the president's whereabouts, and only twenty-four hours until the inauguration, he had to take a chance, albeit a reckless one.

  BOOK TWO

  ETERNITY'S DECEPTION

  One

  The First Day

  Nikolai strode proudly down the promenade, his hands placed respectfully behind his back. He kept his head up, basking in the beauty of the morning sun. Whenever a citizen turned their attention to him, he would look at them and offer a polite greeting. He was in an exceptionally good mood today, knowing that he was less than twenty-four hours away from becoming the nation's new ruler.

  It pleased him all the more that he could sense Skye nearby. It was unlike his long-haired friend to arrive at Ying's coffeehouse before the great man, which only roused his curiosity even further. Why the early arrival, he thought to himself. Is Skye truly this eager for another meeting? Or is he perhaps just keen to slay me in public?

  With each step Nikolai took, his smile grew wider. As he closed in on Skye's location, he could sense his friend's intent. As he had correctly surmised, Skye was intending to kill Nikolai.

  A short distance away, he spotted the coffeehouse, his usual location of choice for his morning beverage. It often brought him comfort to sit on the promenade and gawk at the passersby; he was grateful for a lifestyle that meant he didn't have to aspire to be one of them. His time wasted as a businessman was now several lifetimes ago, and nothing more than a happy memory—happy because it proved to be the perfect stimulus he needed to drive himself to the current way of life he deemed to be somewhat satisfactory.

  “There's no use hiding, Skye,” he whispered to himself. He could sense that Skye was sheltered in an alleyway up ahead. Nikolai picked up his pace, curious to see what Skye had in store for him.

  The moment Nikolai reached the opening of the alley, a steel blade swung out at him. Nikolai tilted his head right and narrowly avoided being sliced open by the weapon. He maintained his confident gait and resumed walking to Ying's.

  Skye leapt out from the shadows, dissatisfied with his feeble attempt. He launched himself forward and held his sword outward, ready to drive it into his foe's back.

  Nikolai spun around and grabbed the steel edge with one hand, and Skye's head with the other. Effortlessly, he threw Skye into the concrete veneer of the building beside him. Skye hit the wall with tremendous force, but was saved by his graphene mask.

  “And what is the meaning of this, brother?” Nikolai asked, pleased with the effort. He looked Skye up and down, immediately noticing his chest armour. “Dressed for battle again, are we?”

  Skye offered no response. He pushed himself away from the wall and swung his sword like a madman. Nikolai evaded each attack with ease, and resumed walking once again.

  Panic filled the street as the citizens began screaming and fleeing in terror. The peaceful promenade had erupted in chaos within a matter of seconds, the second such incident in two days. Ying emerged from inside her shop, her jaw dropping at the bizarre sight in front of her.

  “Brandishing that weapon of yours in public is most unwise,” Nikolai warned. He turned and snatched the handle from Skye's grasp, and forced the blade to retract back inside.

  Skye didn't give up. He threw his body at his enemy, only for Nikolai to appear behind him and grab his arms. Skye was held pinned to the spot, unable to move.

  Nikolai turned his head and saw the alarmed owner of the coffeehouse. “Good morning, Ying! I would absolutely love it if you could brew my usual, if you would.”

  Ying stared back at him, lost for words. She looked into the hostile eyes of Skye as he struggled against Nikolai's powerful grasp.

  “Oh, don't worry about him,”
Nikolai reassured her. He reached up and ripped the mask from Skye's face, then tightened his grip on him.

  Ying watched on, confused, but nodded obediently. She retreated inside and began brewing a coffee for her most loyal customer.

  “Thank you for accepting my invitation,” Nikolai spoke, casually taking a seat at his usual outside table, all the while holding Skye pinned. “Though I'm once again baffled by your incessant attempts on my life.” He looked around and stared at the frightened civilians littering the street nearby. “I thought that you weren't one to strike fear into the hearts of the Athenians. Yet here you are, destroying their peaceful society.”

  “Where's the president?” Skye asked, not wasting any more time than necessary.

  “You look a little tired,” Nikolai observed, the anguish in Skye's eyes evident.

  “No thanks to you. I've been up all night guarding everyone from the Tianzu.”

  Nikolai laughed. “I doubt that. As strong as you are, it would take all of you combined to be able to stop even one of them. I hate to admit that they're a strong clan, but I'm also not a naïve fool.”

  “Sierra didn't have much trouble putting a stop to Hana.”

  “So I heard,” Nikolai said, the grin on his face growing. “But don't get too excited—Tahlia healed Hana's wound. Although I don't know why. I never gave such an order, and nor would I have. Our tale would be a lot more fascinating if one of the Tianzu were dead.”

  Skye cringed. He'd suspected that Black Dawn would have healed Hana's wound, but part of him also secretly hoped they were now one enemy less. But on the other hand, Hana's death would also have led to White Shadow's bloody end.

  “Sierra's quite the marvel, isn't she?” Nikolai continued. “Perhaps you and I should trade. Sierra for Tahlia?”

  “Where's the president?” Skye asked again, more serious this time.

  “It also confounds me that you brought young Jacinta with you,” Nikolai said, turning and staring in the direction where Juliet hid. “Fortunately, I'm alone today, and you know how I feel about killing people myself—not favourably!”

  “I know you're working with Archie,” Skye changed the subject back to the more pressing matter.

  Nikolai frowned with confusion. “I'm afraid I don't follow,” he said, denying the accusation. “But you'd best speak quickly. I imagine the authorities will be here any moment.”

  Sweat began to bead on Skye's forehead. He looked up at the camera on the exterior of the building in front of him, knowing that a warrant for his arrest would have already been issued, much like the day before.

  “Stop changing the subject,” Skye said, almost beginning to shake with rage. “You're working with the president.” He clenched his fists, trying to compose his fury.

  “Working with the president? That's a rather odd thought,” Nikolai laughed. “My friend, the moment I lay my eye sockets on the man, I'll tear his beating heart from his chest.”

  Skye launched himself into a frenzy, freeing his body from Nikolai's grasp. He used his mind to retrieve the sword handle. He threw it at his enemy's face and watched as it shot out with deadly speed. Once again, Nikolai moved out of the way with minimal effort.

  “Enough of this,” Nikolai groaned. “I invited you here for a coffee, not to go to war with me on the busiest street in the country.”

  Skye slammed his fist on the table, smashing the computer screen to pieces. “Where is he!” he roared at the top of his lungs. The commuters grew even more nervous as they watched the altercation.

  Nikolai laughed. “You tell me! I've exhausted all of my resources trying to locate the old fool. Alas, he eludes me still.”

  “No more games!” Skye screamed. He grabbed hold of his sword, ready for another attempt, but Nikolai appeared behind him in a blur, pinning his body down against the table. Skye swung the sword wildly at Nikolai, who tilted his head left and right, evading the steel. Nikolai grabbed Skye's arm and stopped the attack.

  “As far as I can recall, I've done nothing to offend you, Skye.” He paused and surveyed the scene before him, staring into the terrified eyes of everyone around him, and instantly realising his mistake. “Hmm, perhaps moving as fast as I did just now was not sensible.” He turned his head and called inside the cafe. “Ying, would you mind pouring that into a paper cup for me? I'd best be off, actually.”

  Nikolai released Skye and handed him back his weapon. Skye shook uncontrollably. He tried to calm his fit of rage, knowing that another attack was pointless, but Nikolai was nothing short of infuriating.

  Ying emerged with the latte in a disposable cup. She frowned with frustration when she looked down and saw the broken screen and cracked table.

  “A thousand apologies, Ying,” Nikolai offered. “Skye broke your tablet. But fear not, for he shall reimburse you the full cost.” Nikolai reached into his pocket and handed her a ten-yuan note for his beverage. He turned back and faced Skye. “Well, brother, I'm sorry that our meeting this morning was short lived. I was hoping to discuss those three members of the Tianzu in my troupe, and their mystery friend. They're a rather pesky lot! However, your company is indeed always a privilege, regardless of the duration.” He nodded his head politely and began to walk away.

  Skye's face reddened with anger as dozens of onlookers still watched intently, yet carefully. He put the retracted blade back into his holster and stood up, grabbing his mask from the table. “I'm sorry, Ying,” he whispered, without stopping to offer any compensation for the damaged electrics. He began to walk off in the opposite direction to Nikolai, not wishing to stay for a moment longer. The police would arrive at any minute after the violent skirmish.

  Juliet ran across the promenade, moving between the dumbfounded businessmen and women. She stopped in front of him, blocking his path. “What have you done!” she shrieked, lost for words. “What was the point of any of that?”

  “I know what I'm doing,” he dismissed, walking around her. “But we need to get out of here, now.” The sea of people parted as he strode toward them. They turned and ran into surrounding buildings, desperate to escape the deranged assailant.

  “Skye!” Nikolai called after him. He turned around and glared at the tall man in the distance. “Archibald sends his regards.”

  Skye's face twisted with rage. Before he could even process the remark, he forced his legs to keep moving, away from the countless eyes that faced him. For a brief moment, he contemplated chasing Nikolai once again, but knew it would only lead to his arrest. He had to leave the promenade at once. If he acted quickly enough, his plan might just work.

  Two

  Ren sat down in front of her computer monitors, ready to resume the hunt for Archie. It had been a restless night for her, but she knew she had to press on. The inauguration was set for dawn the next day, and they had to put all of their resources into finding the nation's most powerful and protected man.

  She began typing several commands into her keyboard, eager to hack her way back into the president's itinerary. It had proven to be all but a useless strategy the day before, but it was also the most logical place to start. Several minutes passed before she managed to break her way through the first of several firewalls, each more impregnable than the last.

  The sound of footsteps startled her, breaking her concentration. She spun around to see Tango walk in through the rear door.

  “Morning,” he said, considerably cheerfully.

  “Hello,” she responded with a frown. “Why are you up so early?”

  “I've been training outside.”

  Ren looked him up and down, both surprised and proud. She couldn't recall the last time he was awake at this hour. “That's good to hear,” she said with a smile.

  Tango returned the smile. “I've got quite a bit of catching up to do. It's amazing how unfit one can become after three months of laziness.”

  She laughed at the remark, but was pleased to see that he was finally taking his role in White Shadow seriously again.

&nbs
p; “What are you doing? Trying to hack into the government's system?” He walked over and joined her at the desk.

  Before she could respond, she turned her attention back to the monitor and noticed that she'd been locked out of the firewall already. Ren let out a disappointed growl. “Yes. If I'm not fast enough, I have to start over.”

  “I suppose it's a system that's intended to be hack-proof,” he admitted.

  Ren's wrist began to vibrate. She glanced down at her comm to see Skye's name appear. She waved her hand over it. “Skye? Where are you?” she asked, confused.

  “I'm in Shangwu. Nikolai's working with the president.”

  Tango watched as Ren's eyes widened with bewilderment.

  “What?” she asked, stunned by the words. “What are you talking about? Why are you in the business district?” She pressed a button on her communicator, allowing Tango to join the conversation.

  “Ren, he's working with Archie. He practically just admitted it! I need your help.”

  Tango and Ren exchanged surprised glances. Neither of them realised that Skye wasn't even inside the warehouse.

  “Ridiculous,” Ren dismissed. “Nikolai will kill Archie the first opportunity he gets.”

  “It's true, Ren!” Skye shouted back. “How else can you explain what happened yesterday? They're in it together.”

  “Skye, have you been up all night?” Tango asked, concerned for his friend's well-being.

  “Just listen to me!” Skye screamed, his patience wearing thin. “Nikolai has spoken to me for years about running Athenia himself. Using Archie as a puppet is the best way for him to do this. He wants Archie dead, but above all else he wants to fix this country.”

  Tango let out a short gasp, seeing the truth to Skye's words.