by Vowron Prime
“You are free to find what lodging you can in the city. I am sure your prestigious Tier Two Contractor plaque will get you the most hospitable rates wherever you go. More likely, most proprietors would be only too happy to host ‘the Hero of Dervegen’ for free. If that is not agreeable for you, the royal stables ought to be sufficient for the likes of you, don’t you agree?”
MC’s eyes narrowed. The air seemed to freeze as the two stared each other down in silence. Xikanika’s hulking guard subtly repositioned herself, ready to act at a moment’s notice.
But she had another thing coming if she thought he’d rise to her insult. “No,” he replied, his voice measured and cold. “I refuse to leave them here. Not with you.”
Nina and Nova both let out their breaths, thankful that MC didn’t retaliate.
“Magnus, please, we’ll be all right. Don’t you think she knows exactly what’ll happen if anything happens to us?”
“I am no fool, Nina. I imagine your brother would slaughter everyone in this castle, including me,” Xikanika responded, addressing Nina as if MC wasn’t present. “From what I have heard, he is more than capable of such wanton destruction.”
“If anything happens to them, I will break you in more ways than you could possibly—”
“Ahem—So, brother! Why don’t you find a nice hotel in town while we girls have a night to ourselves?”
Nina pulled MC off to a corner near and lowered her voice, speaking in English. “Seriously, with how starstruck that empress is, I really don’t think you have anything to worry about. Plus, this is a perfect opportunity to build relations and get us some troops. Your presence here will only hurt our chances. I’ll radio you if anything goes south.”
MC still had some reservations, but it wasn’t a bad plan. They needed all the allies they could get right now. His personal vendetta was nothing compared to that. Still, he got the distinct impression that Nina was just as interested in the magical castle as she was in currying favor with the empress.
“How can we be sure your palace isn’t under surveillance?” he asked the monarch. “If anything happens to Nova or my sister…”
“You have no right to make demands here,” said Xikanika. “But you have my word that no harm will befall them. The gods have seeded their agents within my retinue, but they are not difficult to spot. Fear not, only those in my inner circle will know of your presence here.”
“Don’t worry, bro. We’ll be sure to stay disguised.”
“All right, fine. Have a good old time, why don’t you? Just thoroughly enjoy yourselves. I’ll be back tomorrow to pick you up.”
MC handed his rifle to Nina, who accepted it with a sarcastic smirk.
“If she pulls anything, you have my permission to blow her brains out. Same goes for anyone else who gives you trouble.”
Only after he’d shoved a couple of frag grenades into her hand did he storm out of the hall, alone.
“Well!” Nina exclaimed, slinging the rifle over her shoulder. “It’s not every day you get to stay in a royal castle, let alone one made of ice. So who’s up for a little tour?”
Twenty-Eight
“Did we take it too far?” Nova fretted as she and Nina soaked alone in the empress’s luxurious bath. “I feel guilty. I should have asked Xika to allow Magnus to stay.”
Nina snorted, kicking her feet up in the hot water as she cooled her back against the magical ice of the bath’s walls. “Just where do you think he’s going to go?”
Nova shook her head. How could she know?
“My dear brother’s biggest goal in life is to hole up in his Sanctuary like a hibernating bear. I’ll bet you a hundred bucks he used the portal to send himself back. He’s probably tinkering with some gun as we speak.”
Nova’s eyes opened wide. “Yes, now that you mention it, that is exactly what he would do, isn’t it?”
“Absolutely.”
The empress’s private bath was an elaborate affair. Thirty feet square and three deep, it too was formed entirely of ice, kept frozen by magical enchantments similar to the orbs that Magnus carried around.
From a frozen tower situated in the middle of the pool trickled a stream of steaming hot water, feeding the bath similarly to a hot spring. Tall ice stalagmites decorated their surroundings, while the floor and walls of the hot bath were constructed of magical ice as well. The contrast between the hot water and cold ice made for an unexpectedly relaxing experience, allowing them to soak for far longer than normal.
The empress had reserved the famous royal bath solely for her two guests. Nina felt a bit self-conscious at such lavish treatment, but then, Xikanika did look up to Nova like a goddess.
“I still can’t believe that magic is real, even after exploring this castle. It’s like I’m living a fantasy. Sometimes I still pinch myself and ask whether this is all real. Can you even imagine the amount of fallout there’d be on Earth if we proved that magic was real?”
“I imagine the revelation would be shocking. Perhaps even more than discovering that humans are not the only sapient organisms in the galaxy.”
Nina shuddered. “Yeah, let’s cross that bridge when we get to it. Anyway, we need this bath in Sanctuary. You think we could convince my brother?”
Nova laughed. “He is your brother. You have far more sway over him than I.”
“Oh? You think? I mean, I know that parasite makes him look up to you and all, but you’re pretty drop-dead gorgeous as-is, you know?” Nina said, eyeing Nova’s winged body, causing the angel to blush furiously.
“And as much as I hate to admit it, you’re totally his type. So, when are you two going to start dating? Unless, you know, you’ve already…”
Nova’s expression was priceless. Her cheeks flushed red as she waved her hands to deny Nina’s words. “There is nothing of the sort! Our relationship is strictly one of mutual aid. I’ve promised to help with the parasite, and he has promised to keep me safe—that is all!”
“Uh-huh. Y’know, that sounds like the perfect start to a great relationship.”
Nova shook her head. “The Dyn have no use for relationships as the Zevan and humans do. We are genetically designed and created, so we lack reproductive organs.”
“That’s, uh… wow. I guess you have the tech to make better babies, huh? Makes sense that you’d use it.”
“Indeed, so you see—”
“But what does that have to do with you and Magnus? People get into relationships all the time for reasons other than having kids, you know. Don’t you feel anything for him?”
“I… no. We have no use for such feelings, either.”
“But you’re fundamentally modeled off of the Zevan, right? And they’re pretty similar to humans. I find it hard to believe that you’re incapable of feelings of love. No, I think you’re just lying to yourself, suppressing your emotions, and I’m guessing you feel sexual pleasure, as well. Your dilated pupils, and the fact that you’re blushing as much as you are, pretty much proves my point.”
“It is the heat!” Nova snapped.
Silence reigned for an awkward moment.
“Even if I did have feelings, we are fugitives. Our lives are uncertain, Magnus’s doubly so. Now is not the right time for such thoughts.”
Not wanting to push her any further, Nina broached the topic she really wanted to talk about. “Is… he going to die?”
“His heart will beat and his body will continue to function, yet Magnus as you know him will be gone. He will be nothing but a husk of who he was, and will instead be a loyal servant to the Dyn.”
“That’s… worse than death, isn’t it?”
Nova avoided her gaze, staring at the rippling water in anguish.
“So, I’m gonna take a wild guess that Magnus won’t let that happen.”
“What do you mean? The process is irreversible. We can slow it, but—”
“I mean that he would rather die than become a slave to your people. He’ll end up killing himself if he has to,
and knowing him, he’ll take out as many of your kind as possible when he does. People talk about ‘suicide this and depression that,’ but my brother is different. If he makes that decision, he will not fail to put a bullet through his head, and there will be nothing anyone could do to stop him.”
“What are you saying?” Nova asked, tears welling in her eyes.
Nina leveled her a stone-cold gaze. “I’m telling you to find a way to save him before it gets to that point. And I’m not just talking about delaying the inevitable. Don’t tell me it’s impossible, because I am not going to lose my brother to some parasite. I don’t give a damn how many of your people have to die. Even if it means killing every last Dyn on this planet, you will find a way. Understand?”
Nova gulped, shocked to see this new side of Nina. Though perhaps she should’ve expected it—in this regard, she resembled her brother to a frightening degree.
She nodded solemnly. “I understand. I swear to you, if there is a way to save him, I will find it.”
Nina’s expression brightened. “Good! Sorry to come off so hard, but he’s all I have left. I dunno how I’d take it if he wasn’t there anymore. I think I’d do something bad. Like, really bad. And I can promise to you that I’ll do everything in my power to mediate with your people. Trust me, I don’t want to see them die, either. Diplomacy can go a long way.”
Nova nodded. She was beginning to understand the Cromwell siblings’ policy: Attempt to be nice, and if being nice doesn’t work, don’t hesitate to use excessive force to accomplish your goals. It was an attitude completely foreign to her, yet one that had clearly worked for them in the past. Perhaps she could learn from the strange siblings.
“But, um…” Nina said. “Do you think it’s true, what Empress Xikanika said about him? About those crimes she accused him of?”
“I believe it may be true, yes. The parasite alters and affects its host’s mind to an astonishing degree, even in its early phase. Given that the parasite mutated along with your brother from the effects of our ponds, its capabilities are unclear. The fact that he sees you and the other Zevan as gelatinous monsters only demonstrates how much the parasite wants him to kill. I would not be surprised if it has taken control of his actions, encouraging—and perhaps even forcing—him to kill.”
“Then how could he possibly be responsible? And that wasn’t the only thing, right? He thought this was all Virtual Reality! Which, honestly, that’s exactly what any sane Earth person would think! I mean, what kind of harebrained lunatic would think that they’d been teleported by aliens? And if he thought he was in VR, what would it matter, killing off a bunch of computer-generated AI characters? Gamers do that all the fucking time back on Earth.”
“I do not feel he can be held fully responsible, yet it is true that he has committed several atrocities. Truthfully, I am unsure how to feel about the matter.”
“I get that, but I just don’t see how it’s fair to blame him. And you know what? I bet Magnus is the hardest hit here. He’s killed a lot in his career, sure, but he’s always tried to do good by it. He’s always had this stupid notion that by taking it upon himself to stain his hands, others wouldn’t have to. But this? It’s gotta be eating him alive, and he will never admit that. He’ll just deal with it alone, like he always does.”
“Can we help him?”
Nina smiled. “Now you’re talkin’, sister! We have to. Just try to see if you can get him to open up and talk about it. I’ll do the same on my end.”
“I shall do everything in my power.”
“Thanks, Nova. We’re all he’s got. Magnus is unbelievably strong and he doesn’t need a lot of support, but what he’s going through would break anyone. I just want to be there for him for once. For all the times he’s been there for me.”
Nina wiped away a tear that had begun to make its way down her face.
“Shit, let’s talk about something else. Is it really true that your people’s base is right behind those mountains?”
“It is. The Dyn maintain outposts all across the planet, but the operation here is by far the largest.”
“Damn. Feels weird to be relaxing like this. With Magnus’s powers, can’t he just break in there and get rid of the Legatus?”
“It is the most fortified compound on the planet. Even with his strength, we dare not infiltrate it without careful planning and support. The risk is simply far too great.”
The conversation turned to lighter matters as they enjoyed their time in the opulent bath, and they eventually retired to their equally grand staterooms to prepare for dinner. The empress had put them up in the best guest quarters in the entire castle, and as if that wasn’t enough, she wanted to treat them to a magnificent feast loaded with dishes new to both girls.
It was later in the night when they were just wrapping up dessert that Nina brought up the other reason they had come to Kyron.
“Your Highness, we are in a grave situation. We lack both the resources and manpower to effectively combat the Dyn—your gods. Even so, we wield technology far beyond yours. Technology we can use to arm your troops.”
“I am listening,” Xikanika replied, swirling the red wine in her glass.
Nina explained the tech Magnus had access to, then pitched her proposal. “Give us two hundred of your best troops and as many mages as you can afford. We will train them to use our advanced weaponry, outfit them with armor incomparable to your own, and educate them in the usage of advanced combat tactics. By the time we are finished, they will be untouchable on the battlefields of Kelruhn, rivaled by none.”
The empress inclined her head. “Troops that wield the power of the gods would allow Sorath to become a superpower. Not even Thesbea would be able to compete with us. What would you desire in return for such a generous boon?”
“Two things. First, we would like a safe house within your capital somewhere that we could use to stage troops and equipment if need be.”
Empress Xikanika waved her hand. “That is hardly necessary. Emsy’s exploits have already earned him a landed nobility title in Sorath. I’ve yet to assign a plot to him, but in the interim, you may use one of the vacant manors in the Inner Undercity as you see fit. Consider it yours.”
“Thank you, Your Highness, that is most gracious. We have only one other request. We would require the exclusive command of your outfitted troops for a duration of no less than two years, with the option to renegotiate an extension at that time. When their service is over, they will return to you with everything we have promised.”
“And if they fall in battle? Surely, you cannot expect to take up arms against the gods without expecting heavy casualties.”
“In that situation, you may provide us extra troops to account for the difference, whom we will train up and immediately send back to you. My goal is to establish a mutually beneficial relationship between our parties, with the hopes of eventually becoming trusted allies.”
“Two hundred elite troops and fifty mages represent a significant military deficit on my part. If they perish, I would lose the most. How about returning a handful of troops to me after training, as a show of good faith?”
Nina considered her proposal. “I’m afraid that would strain our limited resources at this point, jeopardizing our chances against the Legatus. We could return five percent of the troops after a six-month period.”
“Acceptable. However, the best I can manage is one hundred troops and two dozen mages. You have my word that they will be my most elite soldiers. If you are successful—though I do not believe you will be—I may be open to future negotiations.”
Nina exchanged a look with Nova before nodding. “I understand, Your Highness. You are most gracious to consider our offer. We humbly accept.”
“Very well then. I shall draw up the terms of our contract by the morrow. It will take some time to organize that many troops, so please be patient. How shall I contact you?”
“There’s no need to worry about that. Please feel free to visit the ma
nor at any time, you will find one of our representatives there.”
With the meat of their business over, Nina directed the conversation to less pressing topics, from getting Nova to educate Xikanika on the day-to-day of Dyn life, to some of their more interesting technologies—like teleportation and antigravity.
The empress was especially flabbergasted when they mentioned that both Nina and Magnus came to Kelruhn from another planet. Even convincing her that planetary bodies were more than just the ramblings of deranged philosophers took some doing. Despite their best efforts, she didn’t quite seem convinced that they were on a massive ball that spun around another bright ball of light.
After dinner, Xikanika beckoned for Nova to follow her for a private stroll around the castle grounds. Magical lanterns cast an amber glow while magically heated floor tiles kept the walkways warm, making for a pleasant experience.
“Xika, what is it you wished to discuss?” the angel asked, gazing out at the city lights of Kyron far below.
“My goddess, I must confess that it was with a heavy heart that I gave up your location to the Legatus. I had little choice in the matter.”
“Oh, that? Do not worry, Xikanika. I have already forgiven you. I understand that your current situation is less than desirable.”
“Yes, the Legatus’s control over Sorathean affairs is quite disconcerting. When the gods commanded me to move Sorath’s capital to this frozen wasteland, I had not known what to expect. I was promised remuneration that would far outweigh the downsides of this location, but thus far, we have received nothing but trouble for our efforts. And I dare not ask the Legatus directly.”
“Xika, please bear with the current situation for a little longer,” Nova replied. “With Magnus, we now have a solid foundation with which to combat the Legatus.”
“You do intend to overthrow him?” the empress asked in surprise.
“Yes, eventually. We hope to put an end to the Legatus’s reign. Our goal is to stop the annual sacrifices the Dyn demand from you.”
“And you say that Magnus is essential to your success?”
