by Earl, Collin
The House of Grey- Volume #6
By Collin Earl
Copyright 2012, SilverStone Books
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Table of Contents
Chapter 57 - Sacrifice
Chapter 58 – The Midday Darkness
Chapter 59 - Chase
Chapter 60 – Breath of the Dragon
Chapter 61 – True Friends
Chapter 62 - Gibson
Chapter 63 – Fire and Ice
Chapter 64 - Aftermath
Epilogue – Two Weeks Prior
Chapter 57 - Sacrifice
Monson’s glove-covered hand pulsed with silver light. He squeezed Baroty’s blade, feeling part of it crack under his grip. Baroty’s whispered voice cracked a second later.
“No…it’s impossible.”
The voice held its usual haughty tone but something else gurgled underneath. Something that Monson did not recognize at first.
Monson realized what it was as Baroty wrenched the blade from his grasp and took a step back.
Fear.
Baroty was afraid, and this spurred Monson to act. He stood to his feet, allowing his anger to flow freely, and ripped his own sword from his back. Once in his hand, silver light gushed over the blade like water from a breaking dam, completely drowning the length of the metal.
A laugh that was not his own spilled from Monson’s mouth as if the light’s energy were some sort of joke. Baroty, seeing an opportunity, attacked. Another flash of bright silver light met his heavy overhand strike. The light turned tangible; its force sent Molly’s Box of Protection tumbling. The crashing of rock and bodies comingled with the scattering debris. When the light settled back to a dull pulse on Monson’s hands and the dust settled, the dying Molly looked untouched and commandos were already helping a shaken and battered Baroty back to his feet.
As Monson stepped out of the wreckage and rubble, he was met with another truly frightening sight: the bright silver energy twisting and turning on top of itself, changing its consistency. It grew brighter and became almost fluid; it seemed to flow from his hands, arms and legs. It was as if Monson Grey was melting in a pool of silver.
All weapons in the room shifted in the face of fear itself, as everyone pointed his payload at the apparition that stalked towards them. Baroty, regaining his composure, smoothed out his rumpled cloak and wiped away a droplet of blood from his lip. “You’ve taken control then? How curious.”
Another laugh burst from Monson’s mouth; a laugh that was cold and guttural. A sound less like a laugh than the ring of death’s final curtain call. Once more, words exited his mouth—words that did not originate from him.
“We’ve met before,” the voice addressed Baroty. “It seems that you remember us.”
Baroty’s face contorted into a pool of uncontrolled hate. “So my assumption was correct?”
He touched his arm protectively and without waiting for a response, asked, “So then, you must be who Marques thought you were?”
“We are not concerned with paths that are not our own. We are who we have always been, who we always will be, even if some of our number remembers not.”
The commandos adjusted their weapons, wiping sweaty hands and clearing uneasy throats. Baroty seemed just as confused. He tried to hide his discomfort as he asked his next question.
“If you are one of the Keepers, then how is it that you are able to speak in this place? The rune should separate the paths and the body. How is it that you are able to communicate now?”
Monson spoke once more, oozing tangible darkness. “Because unlike you, we are power. True and everlasting power that lives outside of any bounds or reason and is incomprehensible to someone such as you. We communicate because we must. And now, you perish because you thought you could seize power without consequence. ”
“So you are the Hero, then? You truly are the Being of Seven Bloods.”
Monson shook his head. “What use does power have for titles? We are what we want to be, we do what we want to do, and we gain what we desire. And right now, we desire your death.”
He scanned the room. “And the deaths of all your followers.”
He let out one last, deafening laugh just as the silver molten energy retracted and began to gather at his hands and feet.
That did it. The now thoroughly scared group of commandos attacked. A cacophony of cannon fire ripped through the room and sailed towards Monson Grey. Four-foot daggers of ice, bulldog-sized stalagmites of rock, and fireballs the size of punching bags collided, the ice, earth and fire mixing to create a foggy shield of destruction that obstructed all vision. Monson felt the ground shift on either side of him and something cold and wet peppered his face. The dust-filled steam slowly settled, a brief time in which all was quiet.
“Is it done then?” whispered Baroty, his head slightly down. He once again grabbed at his forearm. “You were wrong, Marques. It has to be this way. In the—”
“Don’t go killing our young Horum Vir just yet, Mr. Baroty.”
The dust finally cleared and revealed two more unexpected guests. Markin Gatt and Brian stood on either side of Monson with a hand on his shoulders. Monson could see Baroty through a large hole in the center of a thick wall of ice. From the looks of the shards of broken ice, the spell had been cast moments before the commandos’ deadly barrage found its mark.
Mr. Gatt stood alongside Monson, grabbing his shoulders in a curious gesture. Crisp, bright yellow energy, like the smile of the noonday sun, poured from Mr. Gatt’s hands. The energy penetrated Monson, making its way up and down his body before Monson abruptly fell into Mr. Gatt’s outstretched arms. He righted himself a moment later, slightly dazed.
Mr. Gatt whispered to him, “Welcome back, Mr. Grey. So happy you could join us. Why did you not stay in your room?”
Monson, his head feeling like it was going to split open, answered weakly. “Mr. Gatt, is that you?” Then more forcefully, he said, “I didn’t know that I was supposed to stay in my room. Love what you did to the place—you owe me a new wall, by the way. Where did that big freaking hole come from?”
Mr. Gatt chuckled slightly. “ You certainly cannot believe that was me? Regardless, it is good to see you still have your sense of humor.”
Monson shrugged. “I’m pretending, trust me. Listen, before things get ugly, Molly is back there and she’s hurt—badly. If we don’t do something, she may die.”
He shuddered at the thought.
Mr. Gatt hesitated before responding. “Brian helped her with a Kei stimulation enchantment before we intervened here. It will activate her Kei lines and stimulate natural healing. That is the best we can do right now. We are going to be hard-pressed to keep the rest of us alive, so please prepare to run on my signal.”
“How will I know when to go?”
Mr. Gatt gave him a reassuring smile. “You’ll know, trust me.”
He then took a step forward to stand next to Brian; both looked relaxed as they stared down at an absolutely livid Baroty.
“And who the blazes are you?” asked Baroty through gritted teeth.
“Now that is interesting,” Mr. Gatt nodded towards Brian. “He does not recognize our Kei signature. But I guess that is not too surprising; we were in his last class.”
Monson paused. Did Mr. Gatt say class? “Mr. Gatt?? This pysc
ho was your teacher?”
Mr. Gatt hushed him.
Brian addressed Baroty. “We, on the other hand, know exactly who you are. It was your Kei signature that gave you away.” Brian pointed directly at Baroty, then back at Monson. “It has been many years, Sal-die.”
Sal-die…Sal-die…
The word rang something in the back of Monson’s mind.
Teacher?
Baroty stared at the two men as if he had seen a ghost. “Sal-die?” he repeated softly. His face contorted in a painful expression, like he was going to vomit. “No…it couldn’t be.”
Mr. Gatt whispered in a slightly patronizing fashion. “Ahh, I see you are starting to remember.”
Baroty’s face paled slightly. “So the Magi really have found a foothold on this miserable planet.” He laughed ironically, seemingly privy to some hilarious inside joke. “They are finally looking for it after ignoring this world for so long.”
“Not only the Magi,” replied Mr. Gatt. “But all the races. The word has been sent. The Being of Seven Bloods has been found. He will fulfill his destiny just as you and I will fulfill ours. I do not know what it is you are scheming at, but it ends here.”
Baroty sneered. “The Paladin Magi and their demands. Aren’t you tired of injecting yourself into the affairs of others? What makes you think that you have any claim to this world, that you have any right to stop me?”
“We hold no more power than you, Sal-die…or should I call you, Bei-sai, a title consistent with your treachery” said Mr. Gatt, placing his hand on his chest. “We simply do what our Order demands of us and what we hold to be right. We will let the Great Creator work out the details.”
“Spoken like a true pawn.” Baroty chuckled again. “Well, then, this is good. It was good to see some of my students again. Even if it was for just a short time.”
Baroty pointed at Monson and the other two men. “Kill them.”
All at once, several things happened in rapid succession. Brian, still in front of Monson, bellowed out a phrase that Monson could not hear, though it was obvious what he was doing. Columns of ice materialized out of the ground, supplanting the broken ice walls and blocking the hole through which they had been conversing with Baroty. Brian’s spell created a wall several times thicker than what had been there, but the increased thickness did not matter, as gunfire quickly obliterated it. Mr. Gatt was back at Monson’s side in a flash, pulling him back towards Molly and the remnants of her Box of Protection.
“We need to fall back!” yelled Mr. Gatt. “We have to hold out just a bit longer!”
“Hold out for what?” cried Monson at the top of his lungs. “What are waiting for?”
No sooner had Monson asked his question than a horn sounded over the explosions. All action stopped; everyone ceased firing and yelling and just listened.
The bugle sounded again and this time Monson was able to get a handle on its source. He looked straight up, and his surprise pushed every other thought from his head.
Silver-suited people rappelled towards the ground from atop massive creatures resembling dragons. They wore Glyian Combat Gloves on both hands and carried medium-length sheathed swords strapped to their backs. The invaders descended their ropes with frightening speed, firing spells and forcing a space below them.
Monson turned towards Mr. Gatt in amazement. “Dragons and little silver men?”
“There are women too, you know. Members of H.U.M.A.N.E., actually. Glad they could make it.”
“Ahh. And the dragons?”
“Well…sort of. They are technically Dragoons.”
“What’s the difference?”
“An extra ‘o.’”
A large, falling, jagged dagger of ice cut short the remainder of the conversation. Mr. Gatt resumed pulling Monson back towards Molly and the rubble that was the remnants of her spell.
“I want to you to take Molly and run. I have prepared some help for you, as well as an escape route.”
Monson stumbled over his words. “Escape route? Help? Run? Why? The cavalry just showed up, right? Let’s go and kick some commando butt!”
Mr. Gatt shook his head. “Impossible. The rune on your skin is unstable. I do not know what will happen if you get upset again and I cannot risk you being captured by Baroty. I think I have finally pieced together what he wants you for, and knowing him, he will stop at nothing until he gets what he wants. He is not as powerful as he once was, but he is still a threat.”
“So you really did know him?” asked Monson, ducking more ice missiles.
“Yes,” answered Mr. Gatt solemnly. “It was a long time ago. Now hurry. I do not know what combat capability H.U.M.A.N.E. has, especially with the equipment and weapons we have given them. Kei based weaponry takes a while to get used to—time we do not have. I do not know if this is a fight that we can win.”
Monson stared at Mr. Gatt with reluctance.
“Go, Mr. Grey. Go!”
Monson, with a final glance into the eyes of his teacher, did as he was told. He ran without looking back.
The fighting spread through the Coren University Coliseum. Silver H.U.M.A.N.E. fighters and black clad commandos mixed with the disconcerting sight of the small army of Roman Legionnaires, who swarmed the area like locusts. The Legionnaires moved as one, striking at exactly the right time, defending in perfect synchronization with one another, and moving like a well-oiled machine. It was as if there was a person in the sky directing them and coordinating their attacks. They did not seem to fear anything. They took great risks, sacrificing life and limb for advantage in the one-on-one sword fights, not so much out of fearlessness or courage, it appeared, but rather a complete absence of emotion. The reason for their bravery did not become readily apparent to Monson until a small group of them attacked.
Long spears clashed against a discarded shield Monson found on the ground, which deflected the spears upwards, giving Monson the chance to dart forward and land blistering palm strikes to the chests of his attackers. The strikes actually hurt his hand. Once off balance, the soldiers loosened their grips on their spears, one of which Monson managed to rip away. He spun the spear with crushing force and knocked two soldiers to the ground, only to be amazed at the sight. The soldiers crumbled before his eyes.
Just like the replicas from the night before, these soldiers were made of rock—with one stark difference. The glint of a gem caught his eye as it tumbled with the crumbling rock.
Creation Stones? thought Monson, remembering Molly’s words. These things have to be Creation Stones, and they were inside these rock soldiers. What does that mean?
But there was no time to consider it. The Legionnaires just kept coming and coming. Their staggering numbers and coordinated movements made them truly dangerous even if individually they were weak. Monson could already see the silver soldiers from H.U.M.A.N.E. starting to waver. If something did not happen soon, they would be driven back.
A blast from a hand cannon narrowly missed his head, announcing the arrival of two black-suited commandos followed by a contingent of Roman soldiers. The soldiers pointed their guns at Monson, about to blow him away when, abruptly, they touched their fingers to their ears. They appeared to be listening for something. After a short breath or two, they lowered their fingers and guns and slowly unsheathed their swords.
They want me alive, thought Monson. What is it that Baroty could want so badly from me?
The commandos and soldiers attacked in a wave. Monson raised his hand to howl a spell but realized, too late, that his Glyian Combat Glove was almost completely destroyed. With no weapon to confront them with, Monson retreated from the soldiers, only to be surrounded by a second group from behind.
Monson put his guard up as the commandos and Legionnaires closed in. A loud commotion from behind them sounded, the bang of metal on metal causing all the soldiers surrounding Monson to turn away from him. Too baffled to think or to run, Monson remained where he was, flabbergasted at the change in his circumstances. What he
saw brought a stream of warm relief.
Casey and Artorius were fighting through the ranks of soldiers and commandos, battling like lions and ripping through anyone who stood in their path. They were garbed in silver battle gear and wielded swords of varying size. Artorius held a massive claymore while Casey’s blade was much smaller. Monson spied Glyian Combat Gloves strapped to their left hands. Their clothing was so unexpected that it would have been funny in any other situation. Casey and Artorius quickly fought through the commandos and Legionnaires, dispatching every enemy in front of them. Both of them were using the glove just as much as their swords and martial arts, and from the looks of it, were having a good time. Once all the enemies were down, they made their way to Monson’s side.
“Hey there, Grey,” said Casey, wiping off his short sword with his sleeve. “Fancy meeting you here.”
Monson rolled his eyes. “I just knew you were going to say something smart. That’s probably why you were taking so freaking long to get here. I bet you were searching for something clever to say the whole time you were fighting.”
Casey’s mouth opened, and he took on a scandalized expression. “After I came all the way over here to save your butt! I seriously can’t believe you said that! This is the thanks I get? You’re going to feel really bad when I tell you that I stubbed my toe rappelling off that dragon up there.”
He pointed up, trying desperately not to laugh. Without warning, he and Artorius threw their arms around Monson, almost knocking him off the ground. They both howled with relief.
“We are SO GLAD you’re OK,” sobbed Artorius, who sounded like he was really crying. “I thought the worst when we couldn’t get through the bedroom door. We thought the worst when the soldiers came to your room and your door wouldn’t open, of course I knew Mr. Gatt put a spell on it but still. I even stopped being mad at you for being in the same room as Cyann.”
“Arthur, quit your blubbering,” said Casey, who also looked a little bleary eyed. “We’re in the middle of a fight, remember? We don’t have any time for Brokeback moments.”
