by Davies, Sean
“Unlike me?” Azalea said in a high pitched angry tone. “I have brought unity to Tropica. I have united all the people, both Supernatural and human, in the fight against the Archmage. We stand a real chance because of me! What do you do? You just go around throwing out orders, getting people killed and aggravating everyone. Very impressive. Imperia and Industria fell to your arrogance. The worst part is that you knew, you knew the truth about the Goddesses and the existence of the Supernaturals, and you kept to yourself! Your people should’ve been the first to know! But then we both know why you didn’t spill the beans until it was too late, don’t we, Book Wielder?”
Alice flinched from the tirade of abuse. “I didn’t even find out that long before I told you... but why does that matter? I am your commanding officer, I’m your superior – you’re meant to report to me, not install yourself as a monarch here. I should kill you right now for treason!”
“But you won’t,” Azalea said, regaining her cool composure. “You need me. Without their charismatic Queen, Tropica will tear itself apart again. The Supernaturals will fight over which side to join, and so will the MPK’s and the Inquisitors. The Tropican resistance movements will swell in numbers and become a mob of unruly terrorists, and what will you do to stop that? Lean out of my window and yell rudely at them?”
Alice bit her lip so hard she thought it might bleed.
“Ladies, please,” James said, coming between them. “We both have a common threat we need discuss.” He turned to Azalea. “Shall we explain, my darling Queen?”
“Darling?” Alice said mockingly. “So this is the real reason why you switched sides, because you’re sleeping with a Supernatural?”
Azalea glared. “So what if I am? Unlike you, I didn’t fancy dying a virgin. But no, he isn’t the reason. The fact he’s a Supernatural has nothing to do with this. After all, I am one too, just like you, Book Wielder.” Azalea pointed at her magenta eye and smirked.
Alice was truly confused; she had thought it was just a contact lens to match her overly repeated pink colour scheme. “You let them turn you?” she asked, baffled.
“No, I didn’t need turning. I was already a Supernatural. Like you, I guess,” Azalea said.
Alice couldn’t figure it out. “I don’t understand.”
“Azalea, well, she’s different,” James said, trying to think of how to explain. “Supernaturals are sterile, mostly. Mages can sometimes have offspring as they are technically the closest to a regular human, but there’s a really low probability. Less than one in a million, that’s for sure.”
“And I am that one in a million,” Azalea said, part smug and part proud. “Either my mother or father was a Mage.”
“So you can do magic?” Alice asked, trying to figure out the whole situation.
“A little...” Azalea said unhelpfully.
“Mostly she can see things,” James added. “Sometimes the things that will happen, and sometimes the things that must happen.”
“A conduit of Fate’s will,” Azalea mumbled mystically.
“This is crazy,” Alice sighed. Not long ago her main concern was clearing out corrupt government officials and stamping out organised crime. She thought it was maddening how quickly her life had turned upside down.
“Maybe you should start from the beginning, my love?” James suggested to his Queen.
“It would be nice to know exactly what happened,” Alice added.
“I suppose you’re right.” Azalea took a long breath and began her tale. “I got low, really low, after you told me the truth about everything, Alice. I couldn’t deal with it, the fact that our whole upbringing and lives had been a lie. Our religion and our organisation, all a heap of untruths and secrecy; it just broke me. I kept thinking about the Supernaturals, the threat of the Archmage, the Gloom denizens, Kevin’s death, and how the Autocrat hadn’t told us what was really going on. My head was a spiral of depressing and anxious thoughts. It got too much and I needed a way out.”
Alice had a feeling where this was going. “You didn’t...”
“I did,” Azalea said firmly. “It all got too much for me to cope with, so I went to the cathedral of the Twin Goddesses, the one that you arrived from today, climbed up onto the roof and went to throw myself off onto the road below.”
“No...” Alice gasped.
“I didn’t make it to the edge of the roof though,” Azalea continued. “Some of the old tiles broke beneath my feet and I fell through the roof into the cathedral below.”
“That’s where you met James,” Alice concluded.
“Even cushioned by some of my flowers,” James began, “the fall would have killed a regular human. I thought that she was dead at first, but once I sensed life I quickly used my restorative magic to heal her grievous wounds.”
“Somehow his magic awakened my recessive Supernatural qualities,” Azalea cut in. “As I drifted in and out of consciousness, I saw something. It was like staring at everything and nothing simultaneously, an expanse of black and white but neither at the same time. An infinite four-dimensional plain of turning gears too small to see but too big to comprehend.” Azalea struggled to put the experience into words. “I can’t define it but everything suddenly made sense, everything. I got a glimpse of the grand scheme of things, the puppet strings that guide us towards our destiny, Fate’s divine will.”
“Sounds like a concussion-induced hallucination to me,” Alice said unimpressed. She felt bad about how Azalea had tried to kill herself, but her visions still sounded a bit more like madness than supernatural foresight.
Azalea’s eyes narrowed. “What, you think you can be the only one with ‘divine friends’? The power I answer to makes the imposter Goddesses look like tiny grains of sand on a beach that stretches on forever. I saw what I saw, and I know what I know! How do you think I achieved all of this, just by sheer dumb luck?” she said, spreading her arms out wide. “I was instructed, nudged along on the impulses. I can feel it there in the back of my mind, full of information.”
Alice considered Azalea’s points. She wondered what people thought when she talked about how the Twin Goddesses had pulled her into the Gloom sky, told her that they were really Twin Archmages, and given her a special mission to pass on a truthful message. A mission that Alice seemed to be failing miserably at as she desperately tried to keep the world together. Alice had also been gifted with knowledge that was currently beyond her comprehension. She too could feel it at the back of her mind, and Alice knew that she had only scratched the surface with her magic negation abilities.
“Okay, I believe you,” Alice conceded. “There’s more going on here than either of us can fully grasp at the moment. Let’s just leave it at that.”
“Fine,” Azalea agreed. “Are you satisfied with your answers now?”
“Well, I did want to know what you were planning to do when Winston Reynolds arrives at your doorstep,” Alice asked. “All this military power you’ve gathered might not be enough, so we’ll need to come up with a decent defence plan. You’ve seen what they are capable of.”
“I was the one who warned you of what they’re capable of,” Azalea corrected. “I was going to reveal all in our proper meeting but I guess I can give you a quick preview. I have a few tricks up my sleeve,” she added confidently, “James, show her.”
James pulled out a medium-sized rectangle of black glass and metal from the inside of his coat. It looked like a smaller version of the handheld computer device (or HCD for short) that the Inquisition used. He pressed the touch screen interface and a blue three-dimensional map of the surrounding area appeared on the screen. A wave blipped outwards from their current position on the map every few seconds like a radar pulse.
“Some sort of sensor?” Alice asked fascinated.
“It is indeed,” Azalea said proudly. “It picks up magical distortions, such as portals, and displays them on the map. It’s a cross between Inquisition tech and magic, the true future of all technology now.”
“That’s why we’ve got bomb crews on standby,” Azalea said, clearly enjoying trumping Alice’s challenges. “A portal opens and we chuck a plasma bomb or two through the interstice. If that’s not enough, we’ve got fire helicopters loaded up with industrial strength bleach. Any Gloom Freaks that make it past the bombs will have to deal with an unpleasant shower of the stuff, which just leaves the humans and Supernaturals to deal with. Thanks to the amount of hidden military caches the old Tropican resistance movement had hidden up with the help of the Tropican Furies, not to mention the ones the Imperians left after the war, we’ve got more than enough firepower to make mincemeat out of them.”
“I’m impressed,” Alice admitted grudgingly. “I’m not happy about your desertion, but I’ve got to admit you’ve put together an amazing defence plan.”
“The hope is that if Winston never reaches Tropica then we’ll have all the time we need to take out Omniosis, as he’ll be unable to regain his full strength,” said James.
“As we can’t discern whether or not he actually needs to take Tropica City and not just any location on the continent, the quicker we deal with him, the better,” Azalea added.
“Agreed,” Alice said. “There should be some Autons hidden in containers somewhere around the harbour. After the meeting I’ll activate them with Silvario, and hopefully it will help to keep the Archmage’s forces out.”
“Thank you,” Azalea said coolly. “Now if you would please wait with the others downstairs, James and I have some things to discuss about the incoming refugee boats from Industria.”
Alice nodded and left the room. Her immense anger had been replaced by a hell of a lot of confusion and a little glimmer of hope.
- - -
After a few restless night’s sleep and a lot of deliberating, Winston had finally gone to see Kaine.
Following the successful merger of Industria City, the Archmage had got things running the way he wanted before he teleported back to the Capital. Meanwhile, Winston rested. Truthfully he’d been hitting the bottle more than relaxing, but he found the alcohol helped him to sleep a little bit better. Members of the Concealed Council had begun putting in place a political structure and running their spin campaigns. Kitty Cat’s Anarchy’s Ascendants had taken residence in the Industria City News tower, and Kaine and his Dogs of War had made the Military Peace Keeper Headquarters their base of operations within the metropolis. The Foreman Superstructure was mostly idle, and the actual Foreman within the colossus’ head was busy stuffing his face with anything sugar related, leaving the Sheriff to run the industrious tech-crazed Alternatives. A lot of the Alts had returned to the Gloom to give the impression that they were on the way to Tropica (or the Colonies, as it was referred to on their side), but in reality most would never set foot on the continent.
They wanted to give the rebels the impression that they were going to repeat the same tactics for the merger of Tropica. Both Winston and Omniosis had agreed that they would be expecting that, as Tropica City was extremely well defended according to their intelligence unit’s reports, so they had come up with a risky but more feasible plan to take the tropical continent. They had arranged their naval forces to appear like they were defending Industrian and Imperian waters, when in reality the fleets would pincer into Tropica’s waters and land forces would be dropped off on the continent’s outer regions to work their way inland. With the ships, they would then launch an all-out classic military attack on the city. When it was relatively safe, Winston would open portals allowing the Gloom forces to enter the fight and finish the job. After the city was taken, Winston would head up to the top of the World GOVT building there and he would be another step closer to finishing his duty.
Winston had thought about going straight back to the Capital City, as he knew Veronica would be taking the news of Lucius’ death even worse than he was, and he was worried about another Trinity attack on the Capital. If the trend continued though, he was afraid he may never see his friends on Desem again, and they were at a lot greater risk. Everyone that he was close to was dropping like flies, so he took the Archmage’s advice to see them and appreciate their friendship while he could. He reminded himself that the quicker he merged the worlds then the quicker the Archmage would annihilate their enemies, and his loved ones and close friends would be safe forever more. He would quickly see Kaine and then drive up to Highway One to see Lynette and Kavarne, before departing for the Capital. He deeply missed his new wife, and even the Mayor, who he hadn’t spent much time with since his introduction to the Archmage.
He approached the unattractive rectangular structure that was the MPK HQ and headed inside. Everyone knew who he was, so no one questioned him as he made his way through the building, looking for the biggest and most luxurious office. Unsurprisingly he found Kaine had occupied the MPK Commander’s office.
The grizzly Werewolf, with his wild grey and white long hair, was in rock band t-shirt and baggy jeans. He sat leaned back with his big black boots resting on the expensive looking desk. He was drinking straight out of the bottle and smoking a cigar.
“Winston,” he said dryly. “I guess you’re in charge of the Shadow Circle now, huh?”
“I guess I am,” Winston said sadly.
Kaine said nothing for moment but just took a thoughtful drag on his cigar. “Drink?”
“Please,” Winston said, taking a seat opposite him.
Kaine poured him a glass of vodka from a fresh bottle. “Nasty business, this.”
“I can’t believe he’s gone,” Winston said remorsefully.
“Those Trinity fucks can be devious bastards. I thought the Capital was secure?”
“So did I,” Winston said. “I guess they’ve got more hidden Catacomb entrances than we thought.”
Kaine hummed an acknowledgment; Winston thought it had an unsatisfied hint to it.
“All set to take Tropica?” Kaine asked.
Winston was surprised at how awkwardly the conversation was flowing, but then Kaine had known Lucius for a very long time. “Yeah, but I’m on my way to see Lynette and Kavarne before any more crazy battles.”
“That was some fight,” Kaine said, his tone picking up slightly. “That Foreman is a sight to behold.”
“Isn’t he just,” Winston agreed. “The city should be more than secure with him and the Sherriff around.”
“So you’re still committed to all this then?” Kaine asked.
The question took Winston by surprise. “Well... yeah, why wouldn’t I be?”
Kaine thought about it and then shook his head. “I’m with you kid, really I am, but just watch out for the Archmage. People who want to be the de facto ruler of the world don’t tend to have a high regard for people they think are beneath them. I’m not saying he’s out to screw you – just watch your back, yeah?”
Winston finished his vodka in one go. “I will, thanks.” He went to leave but stopped at the door in thought. A lot of people didn’t trust Omniosis and he could see their reasons. Winston shared his goals, but reading between the lines, he did seem to display a lack of empathy for his underlings, and even his partners. “If you’ve got any concerns or problems then contact me. Straight to me, right?”
Kaine smiled, seeing that his point had gotten across. “I will, kid. You take care of yourself, and give my best to Lynette and Kavarne.”
Winston nodded. “Thanks Kaine, I will.”
Winston left the building wondering if he was truly on the right path. He felt like he was meant to merge the worlds and restore the planet to its rightful state, like there was some unknown force at the back of his mind telling him that it was his destiny. But did that mean the Archmage had to be a part of it, and if it turned out that he was bad news then would they be able to deal with him? He didn’t know what to do, and with the shock of all the recent losses still f
resh in his mind, he decided to leave things as they were for now. He would keep a close eye on Omniosis and discuss his options with his beloved Veronica when he got back. Maybe she’d be able to help him figure things out. For now, he would ‘borrow’ a nice sports car from an intact garage and start making his way up to Highway One.
- - -
Kitaria Catawowski headed to the top radio room of the news tower quickly. She’d been told by her people that Lewis from Imperia City wanted to chat to her. She hoped it was on the behalf of the Archmage. Out of all the pointless insignificant people in the world, it was nice to finally meet someone that mattered as much as she did.
The building hadn’t suffered much during the attack. There was the odd crack in the wall and ceiling plaster here and there, but the interior had taken a right beating when she’d stormed in with her gang members and killed all the human cowards hiding inside. Now the Anarchy’s Ascendants initiates were busy repairing things, cleaning up gore and removing dead bodies. Albert Tiberius wasn’t pleased with her, ranting about how it damaged their rep and how he’d need to put together another news team, but she didn’t give a flying fuck. Humans were a lower life form and the Supernaturals were above them, treading their stupid little faces into the dirt. Only an idiot would think otherwise.
She picked up the receiver as soon as she got in the door, barging one of her gang out of her way without thinking twice. “Yeah, who is it?”
“This is Lewis Thorne from the Capital. Is that pussy cat?”
“It’s Kitty Cat, or Kat, and if you don’t stick to those I’ll come over there and ram that receiver right up your ass!” she replied angrily.
The voice on the other end laughed. “I’m sorry, Kat, I couldn’t resist. And I won’t mention pussy again, unless you want me to.”
She smirked. Not many people would try flirting with her after she’d had a proper go at them, and almost all of them belonged in an asylum. “In your dreams, punk.”
“Oh, if I had dreams that good I wouldn’t bother waking up,” Lewis replied back smoothly.
