by John Corwin
I swung my gaze to Cephus. "Have you prepared the papers for me to sign?"
"They are still being processed." He looked at his drink and took a sip.
"Where is the real Darkling army?"
Flava scrolled the holographic map to a continent that vaguely resembled Australia but with a slightly different shape to the southern coastline. Instead of curving inland, it bulged out into the ocean. A wide river ran deep into the center of the continent and branched out into large tributaries. Mountain ranges and fields of red and blue covered much of central Pjurna. If I was reading it correctly, the geographic detail indicated the land was fertile and not desert as in Eden.
Flava pointed toward a large, northeastern section of the island continent shaded red. "This is the front line, Destroyer Justin."
I ignored her use of my distasteful title and peered at the map. It looked almost like live satellite imagery. I wasn't exactly a military genius, but even I noticed the range of mountains protecting the southern lands from further enemy advances. "I assume most of the enemy army can't fly."
"True," Cephus said. "They have access to cloudlets, as do we, but our defenses atop the mountains would easily destroy any attempts to ferry soldiers across."
I traced a finger along a network of lines that looked like roads. "What about the skyways?"
Flava pointed to several hubs with skyways radiating from them. "These skylets hovering above large aether vortexes are the power source for the skyway system." She indicated several hubs close to the conflict zone. "We shut down the skyways leading into those lands so the enemy could not use them."
I examined the coastline. "Do they have boats or ships they could sail down the coastline?"
Cephus looked confused. "Watercraft?"
I gave him a weird look. "Exactly."
"Why would they use watercraft for military purposes?" he said in a perplexed tone. "They could simply fly cloudlets over the water."
I threw up my hands. "Okay, fine. Why haven't they done that?"
Cephus motioned toward the map. "Flava, please show him the Great Barrier Vortex."
"Yes, Minister." She scrolled to the ocean just off the coast. Instead of the Great Barrier Reef, there was a cauldron of boiling ocean water. Gouts of steam flew into the air, and the air shimmered with heat.
The place looked inhospitable for sure. "I don't see a vortex."
"It is far below the water," Cephus said. "The energy it throws into the air disrupts magical patterns. The spells powering a cloudbank would come unwoven and cast those aboard into the deadly waters below."
A monstrous reptilian creature with glistening black scales abruptly burst from the water. It leapt like a giant dolphin, arcing through the air. Great wings unfurled from its body, casting sheets of water in all directions. It glided a distance before plunging back into the ocean.
"Holy crap." It's a dragon with wings. I could hardly believe my eyes.
"Who is this Holy Crap?" Flava asked. "Is he a deity?"
"You have dragons here?" I said.
"They are supposedly guardians created by the Primogenitor," Cephus said. "They live within the vortexes, but we rarely see them."
Considering the amount of aether in Seraphina, I should have known there'd be dragons here. I wondered if they knew Altash and Lulu, two leviathan dragons that lived beneath El Dorado. The sighting raised tons of questions, but now wasn't the time to ask them. The Great Barrier Vortex guarded much of the northeastern coast from invasions by sea, and the mountain defenses blocked the Brightlings inland.
Flava traced a red line to the northwestern coast. "The First Battalion was supposedly making its way further west before they were recalled."
"We suspected this recall was a feint so our defenses would relax, but our spies confirmed the bulk of their forces did indeed leave our lands." Cephus set his drink on the table. "Our last reports indicate they traveled to Anjora."
Flava rotated the map to this realm's version of North America and zoomed in on an area I'd recognize in just about any realm. Thunder Rock.
Cephus continued. "So far, we have been unable to discover why they travelled there."
"I can tell you why," I said.
"How would you know what our spies do not?" Flava asked.
I jabbed a finger at the map. "Is there a Sacred Arch there?"
"Yes," Cephus replied.
"That arch goes to a place called Thunder Rock in my world." I gave them a super-serious look. "The First Battalion is in Eden. If you think they're powerful now, just wait until they've fed on humans. Imagine an army of Brightlings as powerful as me."
I realized with absolute horror that what I'd said wasn't true. The archangels were already powerful without feeding from humans. Once they supercharged themselves, even I might not be a match for them.
Chapter 12
Flava's already wide eyes managed to flare wider. "But you are the Destroyer. No single Brightling could match you."
I sighed. "Even I can't fight an army."
"I don't see how feeding on humans could increase their abilities," Cephus interjected. "Why would the Primogenitor"—he rolled his eyes at the word—"give such powers to the forces of evil?"
My fists clenched and I let out a frustrated grunt. "Look, I'm the Destroyer. I know what I'm talking about. That's why I need to take an army to Eden and supercharge them so they can fight the First Battalion."
"The Brightlings are stealing the power from the Primogenitor," Flava said. "They are abusing the Promised Land just as Daelissa and her minions did." She turned to Cephus. "I think the Destroyer is right. We must stop them."
Cephus shook his head. "Absolutely not. Do you not remember the prophecy?"
"There are several prophecies regarding the Destroyer," Flava replied.
"Yes, yes. They all say he is to drive the Brightlings from our lands, correct?" Cephus challenged her with two raised eyebrows.
"It is a matter of interpretation." Flava opened her mouth as if to launch into an intense religious discussion.
I'd dealt with too many prophecies, or foreseeances as the Overworld community called them, and wasn't about to let this conversation nosedive into irrelevance. I cut off Flava before she could speak. "I'm the Destroyer, so I think I know what the Primogenitor wants." It was a cheap move on my part, but I had to stop this nonsense.
"Unless you are a false Destroyer," Cephus replied calmly.
I almost punched him. "From what you've seen, do I look like a false Destroyer?"
He didn't reply right away. Despite his calm façade, he seemed to be wrestling internally with some dilemma.
"That's what I thought." I turned to Flava. "Who would I speak with about deploying a military force?"
"But, the front line is too delicate," Cephus protested. "We cannot move—"
I slashed a hand through the air to cut him off. "I'm not talking about moving front line defenders. I'll take a city legion."
Cephus shook his head. "But—"
"Will you stop with the buts?" I put a finger to my mouth. "Just be quiet if you can't say anything constructive."
His face turned bright red.
"The Tarissan Legion would gladly fight by your side," Flava said. "We can speak with Legiaros Ketiss first thing tomorrow."
"Is 'Legiaros' his first name or a title?" I asked.
"That is the term for a legion commander," she replied.
"Do I still need the documents declaring me the ruler and all that?" I asked.
Flava looked at Cephus. "I am not familiar with the requirements for assuming leadership, but there is no mention of such a requirement for the Destroyer."
"It is protocol," Cephus said in a precise, nerdy tone.
"What if I'd killed you too?" I asked him in a deadly quiet tone. "Would I still be required to sign documents?" I was done playing games with this seraph. More than anything in the world, I wanted to go home to see if Pross had healed Elyssa. Duty to Eden held me here until I co
uld raise an army. If Cephus intended for me to lead Darkling forces all the way to the north so I could drive out the Brightlings, he had unrealistic expectations. Such a campaign would take years, especially considering the superior Brightling fighters.
Cephus seemed extremely unnerved by my question. "There are sub-ministers who would have to cede power." His voice trembled. "Signing a document transferring power to you would ensure the legitimacy of your rule."
Flava's eyes flared with something like anger. "The Primogenitor ensures his legitimacy, Minister. There is no higher authority the Destroyer needs recognize."
I narrowed my eyes at Cephus. "You'd best recognize, brah."
He tugged at the collar of his uniform. "I am not questioning the will of the Primogenitor—"
"Indeed you are, Minister." Flava made as if to touch her gem. "I must contact my religious leader and ask them proper protocol."
He held his hands in front of him in a gesture of surrender. "No, that will not be necessary." Cephus turned to me. "Do as you see fit, Destroyer. I just pray you don't doom us all." He turned and left.
I faced Flava. "Did you see the video where I killed Thala and Uoriss?"
She backed away a step. "I did." Her voice faltered. "Must I also be a sacrifice?"
"I'm not going to harm you." I almost reached out to put a reassuring hand on her shoulder, but decided against it. "Why would people willingly follow a person who assassinated your leaders?"
"They failed the Primogenitor." She tilted her head slightly. "It was not assassination, but sacrifice. They failed him for too long."
I didn't even know why I bothered to ask anymore. Guilt weighed on my guts like a sumo wrestler in a hammock, but I was desperate. "Would it hurt the city's defenses if I borrowed the legion?"
"The attempt on your life was the only Brightling attack we've suffered in this city for over a century." Flava's lips curled into a reassuring smile. "Tarissa will survive long enough for you to visit death upon the evil scourge threatening the Promised Land."
"Alrighty then." I wanted to go speak with Ketiss right that minute, but a yawn cracked my jaw and fatigue tugged on my eyelids. "I'm going to sleep. Let's meet with Ketiss first thing in the morning, okay?"
"As you command—"
"Do not call me Destroyer." I gave her a severe look. "From now on, I want everyone to refer to me as either Justin or Billy Joe Bob Baxter Corinthian the Third, Esquire Junior."
Her mouth dropped open a fraction. "Then I must call you Justin, because I could never remember such a complex name as the second." She touched her gem. "It is, of course, recorded. I could review it several times until I pronounce the name to your liking."
I held back a laugh. "No, that won't be necessary."
"Is there anything else you require of me, Justin?" She touched the front seam of her uniform. "I would be quite happy to experience your demon feeding again, in the name of magic, of course."
I managed a faint smile, but the thought of doing anything with any woman besides Elyssa made me sick to my stomach. "I'm devoted to another woman, Flava. You are a beautiful sera, but what happened earlier was an accident."
She looked down. "I understand. I did not mean to tempt you. If you must kill me, I understand."
"For crying out loud, I'm not going to kill you." I face-palmed so hard I hurt my nose.
"Why do you flagellate yourself, Justin?" Flava looked horrified. "Are you seeking penance for me?"
I could have face-palmed another ten times for that statement. Instead, I took her by the elbow and guided her to the door. "Go home, do three Hail Marys, and go to sleep."
She turned around, her forehead wrinkled. "What is a Hail Mary?"
I charged the gem next to the doorway and a wall closed the opening. I turned and rested my back against the wall, ran a hand down my face, and sighed. "The Darklings are every bit as crazy as the Brightlings, and it's all Daelissa's fault."
I just wanted this day to end. I should've been hungry, but I wasn't. I saw the drink Cephus had left for me and tasted it. The liquid was tepid, but mildly sweet and dark like tea.
I took the gem from my armor and set it on the table. Touching the seams of the Templar armor, I adjusted it back to bikini bottom size. My thoughtful hosts had left a stack of clothes on the table, but the armor was comfortable enough to use as pajamas.
The cloud bed called my name, but first I needed to take care of some personal business. I went into the other two rooms and found one that seemed to be the bathroom. A thick cloud of ultraviolet mist hovered in front of a mirror. I put a hand into it. It swirled, but didn't drift beyond its invisible confines. My teeth felt gross, and I really had to pee. I put my hands into the mist and wondering if it was water or something else. I suddenly felt cool liquid in my hands. Apparently, I had to imagine what I wanted. I washed my face. When the water fell back into the mist, it vanished.
"How am I supposed to brush my teeth?" I imagined a toothbrush, but nothing appeared even when I reached into the mist. Apparently, such a mundane object wasn't something enchanted into the spells here. After several more attempts to procure everything from dental floss to toothpaste, I decided to put my request in more general terms.
Clean my teeth.
I jet of liquid sprayed against my lips. I opened my mouth in surprise. The liquid fizzled on my tongue. Fighting back an instinct to flee, I let the liquid spray until my mouth was full. I closed my lips and almost giggled at the funky carbonated feeling going on in my mouth. Within seconds, my teeth felt polished and clean. I spat the cleanser into the mist where it vanished.
By now, I really had to pee. Even worse, it felt like I might have to do more and I didn't see a toilet anywhere. I regretted not having asked Flava how to take a poop in this place. The mist had absorbed the water and mouth cleanser. Surely, it would take in most other liquids as well, but what about solids? Did angels drop deuces? Did it smell like roses?
I suddenly realized I had no time to spare.
When I emerged from the bathroom ten minutes later, I had a whole new appreciation for angelic bathrooms. Not only had the mist taken care of all my scatological needs, but it had cleaned me right after. Even my Nightingale armor was clean. I smelled even better than roses.
The minute this war is over, I'm gonna replace the toilets and showers in the mansion with magic angel mist.
It had been only twenty minutes since Flava left, but my tired body felt like it had been hours. I headed for the cloud bed and let myself sink into it. It felt absolutely amazing, as if nothing were holding me up.
Just as my eyelids drooped and dreamtime tried to kick in, a sharp pain stabbed me in the stomach like an icepick. I gasped and curled into the fetal position. A sensation like jabbing needles ran up my legs, my arms, and my torso. I made it to the edge of the bed and rolled off. I hit the floor like a slab of beef. It took all my effort to drag myself toward the table where I'd left my gem. Something was horribly wrong. I wondered if I'd sustained internal injuries during the earlier fight, or if I'd completely misused the bathroom mist and vaporized my colon or something vital.
Ragged breaths rasped from my throat. I could hardly move. Every muscle in my body prickled with pain. My neck could no longer hold up my head and my face met the floor. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out this had nothing to do with internal injuries.
Minutes seemed to pass as slowly as hours while I lay on the floor, my breath coming in pants. Despite the panicked beating of my heart, I must have fallen asleep, or passed out. Strong hands gripping my arms woke me up. My head sagged forward as someone lifted me. I saw the bodies of Ketiss's guards on the floor, three in all.
"Kill him and pin him to the wall," a deep masculine voice said.
A figure dressed in black from head to foot was writing something on the wall. I realized with horror he was writing in blood. No Darkness shall ever stop the Light.
It didn't take me long to realize what that meant. The light repres
ented the Brightlings. The murder of their new religious icon, namely me, was supposed to scare the Darklings into thinking they were powerless to stop the Brightlings. These people might very well be Heretics setting up a crime scene to pin the blame on the Brightlings, or they might be enemy agents like those that had tried to kill me earlier today.
I knew one thing for sure. I was never going to get a decent night's sleep with people constantly trying to kill me.
I tried to move. I tried to channel magic. I tried to manifest into demon form. Nothing happened. The person writing with blood traced a strange symbol on the wall.
"Make sure it's large enough so his body will be in the center," the voice said again.
I didn't know how long it would take to finish drawing the symbol, but it gave me a few precious seconds to think. Unfortunately, I saw no way out of this situation. My heart hammered with fear. I felt sweat dripping down my face.
"He's awake," another voice said.
A masked figure knelt before me. "Are you afraid, Destroyer?" He said the word in a mocking tone. "I despise what you and your kind do to brainwash the idiots among us into thinking there is a god. Every time a false prophet rises up, we will be there to kill them. Perhaps one day the believers will realize the truth."
I tried to respond with a smart-ass remark but couldn't even make my lips move.
He laughed. "From powerful to powerless. I'll give you a few more minutes to anticipate your death."
Whoever was holding me up dropped me like a sack of potatoes. My nose hit the floor with a painful crunch. If I'd been in control of my body, I would've cried out in pain. As it was, I couldn't even grunt. I imagined unleashing a torrent of destruction on these assholes.
All my rage was for nothing. I couldn't so much as twitch a finger. I would soon be dead and with me would die the hope of saving Eden.
Chapter 13
I tried with all my might to do something, anything, but my body refused to respond. I would have given anything to activate beast mode and rip into my captors like a hellhound chomping a baloney sandwich.
