by C E Johnson
“He’s obsessed with magestones, just like his father,” Droth began. “When we tested a variety of gemstones in the construction of the weapon to kill Tiamat, we found an interesting side-effect. One of the Earth engineers working with magestones, began to form an aura. Samil believed the stones were instrumental in inducing effects on Earth. He wanted to construct Earth in his own design, where magic, machines and dragon-oaths were all working together to his advantage. He wanted to take the portions of Acacia that he liked to Earth.”
“Just as he tried to take the machines of Earth to Acacia.” Emily felt her mind slowly starting to get in gear, awakening to Samil and Iscar’s dream.
“Precisely.” Droth stroked Arn. Proudly, he sent his eagle into the air. “Samil thought he could begin his conquest with domination on Acacia, meanwhile Iscar will start on Earth.”
“What drives this family?” Luke ran a hand through his sandy hair. “I don’t get it.”
“They’re both heavily influenced by a wraith-spirit in Ater, named Drogor.” Droth stared at his hands. “Once either planet was secure, they planned on bringing Drogor back to life. If Iscar can encourage Emily to bring the elves and dragons to Earth where they’re weaker, he thinks he can win the ultimate war.”
Emily’s muscles were trembling, and she felt too tired to brush her wind-blown hair out of her face. “I can hear the truth in everything you say.” Her breathing was quickening as she thought over the turmoil on both planets. She could sense that which could come into existence, and her mind felt as dark as a cold winter night. “So much to think about.” She saw an elven healer and Shadoe approaching. “The elven healers are going to attempt to rejuvenate me. Hopefully I’ll have enough energy to send a dream-link to my brother on Earth to help him catch Iscar through his aliases before he unleashes his plans.”
Shadoe arrived. “I’m allowing my engineers to flood the half-dead tunnels,” he informed them. “Droth’s information will slow the onslaught, but my walls may still be over-run.”
“Is there no way to win?” Emily felt a deep inner despair. Tears formed in her eyes.
“You look so pale.” Shadoe ran the back of his hand along her cheek. “Don’t worry, I’ll get you out of here when you’re ready. I have several exits organized. My ships are standing by.”
“A ship? We’re on land.”
“There are underground streams that flow through this region, and my miners tunneled down to the largest waterways years ago. I have ships ready to be released into the rivers in an emergency, escape crafts that will flow through the caves and release you far from here near the edge of the forest.”
“What about the portal here in your fortress?” Emily didn’t want to use the ships. “Can we use that as an escape route?”
Shadoe shook his head. “I’m not sure how my sister died, but I don’t want to attempt to cross through the portal without extensive excursions with scouting parties. I put the portal off-limits after Kelcey disappeared, and there’s no time for experiments right now.” He pointed toward the entrance to the portal which was near the front gate of his fortress. “Besides, if the tides turn against us, the gate will be over-run first and we would never be able to escape into the portal entrance.”
“Will you depart on the ships with us?” Luke asked Shadoe.
Shadoe stood tall. “I will lead an assault on Maaca. I must do all in my power to stop her, because if I don’t destroy her here and now, she’ll become so much stronger with all the elf magus on the battlefield today. Eventually I’m sure she’ll turn her efforts to the rest of Acacia and she’ll come for you, Emily … and Elaina. I want to end this here, today.”
“I’ll help you.” Emily promised. She stood, but trembled and wobbled, her head was throbbing so badly she wondered if she would faint. Luke was at her side, steadying her. “With our combined powers, we can stop her.”
“You’re too weak.” He gestured to the regal woman at his side, her green aura as rich as the forest. “My greatest healer will restore a portion of your energy, but you won’t be able to help in this final battle. I now have my magestone set … things may work out in the end.” A sad, resigned smile appeared on his face. Emily felt nauseous. There was something Shadoe wasn’t telling her.
Luke moved from the hammock, adjusting Emily into a more comfortable, supine position before stepping away. The healer kneeled by Emily and placed a hand on her to assess her weakness. A breeze came up and blew through the trees sounding like the wind passing over dragons’ wings. A smattering of rain began to fall as the rejuvenation began.
“Can I give you a gift?” Shadoe spoke in a voice so low, Emily had to strain to hear him.
“Of course,” Emily said. Shadoe kneeled at her other side. Closing his eyes, he put his hand on her forehead touching the drops of water that were collecting there. As his hand made contact with skin and water Emily felt electricity warm her body. Is he performing an additional healing spell on me? She wondered.
He’s granting you a fraction of his magus, somewhat similar to what your mother did for you, Ammolite was in her mind, watching the process, reassuring her, sounding somewhat in awe of what was occurring. Don’t fight him.
Emily could sense a portion of Shadoe’s knowledge passing into her, but she was too tired to evaluate the input. She filed everything away in her mind, searing it into place with memory spells. I’ll evaluate all of this later, when I’m rested, she promised herself. Just as he finished, the flock of white doves in the tree overhead shot out of their resting location and flew away through the forest.
Emily stared into Shadoe’s eyes as he finished his spell. “I want to be more like you,” she blurted in a rush.
Shadoe chuckled but he wore the same somber expression. “I wish I could watch and see what you will do in these worlds.”
“Can I learn from you?” Emily asked. “I’d like to follow your teachings. Guide me on the correct path.”
Shadoe shook his head slowly, but Emily could see a spark of hope flare up, and a fire began to burn deep in his eyes. “I’m not your mentor, just the one who was on Acacia before you.” There was a wisp of optimism in his tone, a flash of promise and he spoke with a touch of enthusiasm which warmed her as much as the burning blaze in his eyes. “You will learn to do more than I’ve dreamt was possible. Remember to look for your last stones to complete your set, because like me, you may need them someday.” Shadoe ran his hand along Xena’s fur and his face became lost in thought. He began to speak just above a whisper and Emily again had to strain to hear his words. “I pray for the lives that will be lost today and for guidance both for ourselves and for our enemies.”
Shadoe and Luke helped Emily to stand when the healer was finished. The throbbing was gone, but she was still exhausted. They assisted her back into her room where she could rest. The healer checked Emily’s temperature with the back of her hand. Emily sat up on her bed and Shadoe pushed her hair behind her ear. “Remember, sacrifice does not necessarily mean defeat.”
Similar words to those Tiamat used before her death, Ammolite whispered in a stunned tone.
Emily threw her arms around Shadoe, holding him tightly. She felt tears welling in her eyes. Why am I so emotional? she scolded herself.
Shadoe held her for a time. “There is a moment for each of us in life. I’m ready and I’m at peace.” His eyes were shimmering with strength. He gave her a last squeeze before walking away with a strong and purposeful stride.
“Relax,” the healer said. “Why are you making such a fuss?” Emily watched Shadoe depart. He never looked back.
It’s started, Xena whispered. Emily could hear screams of anger began to radiate upward from the ground below through Xena’s ears.
He’s flooded the tunnels, Emily realized as a horrible smell, like a lake of burning sulfur, flooded over her.
C H A P T E R 2 6
Explosions
Hadrian and Dysis sat in their crisis center with their teams. They were all
clustered by monitors in the chaotic room. “Missiles have been launched from a barge in the Gulf of Mexico, just off the coast of the United States,” one of Hadrian’s lieutenants called out to the group. The display screens on a wall showed the lead missile from a score of angles. It was almost over the center of the country.
“Other missiles were launched by other barges over the continents of Europe, Asia, South America, and Australia,” the man continued. Hadrian was certain the missiles were sent by Iscar.
“The Joint Deployable Integrated Air and Missile Defense system has been alerted,” Dysis spoke quietly to him as she walked to his side. The defense was a military conglomerate of Patriot interceptors, Aegis warships and military aircraft. They were attempting to put together a response to the missile, but Hadrian knew it was too late.
“None of these defenses were truly designed to be ready for an attack from our own region.” He couldn’t pull his eyes from the monitor. Planes and submarines were being deployed to intercept the barge in case there were remaining missiles, but Iscar could easily have another ship somewhere else.
Dysis put a hand on his arm and Hadrian could feel a slight tremble in her touch. “What is he doing? Is it nuclear?” The missile was headed toward the center of the United States, to a relatively unpopulated region. “Is he trying to set off a super volcano in Yellowstone?”
Hadrian placed his palm over the back of her hand in an attempt to reassure her. “Maybe it’s not Iscar. Maybe it’s someone else … pure terrorism.” He took a deep breath. “Regardless, an event like this has never occurred before on U.S. soil. Our military is scrambling our defenses, but we can’t stop this missile.”
They watched the rocket continue onward in horrified awe. “It’s like I felt when watching footage of the planes that hit the World Trade Center complex in New York,” Dysis whispered. “Once one plane hit, I knew something else was going to happen, but we were all so helpless.” The screens around the room came to life showing the other missiles over the other continents. Once the missile on the screen before them was high above the center of the United States, it exploded. Silence reigned in the small room. “Did it misfire?” Dysis asked timidly. Her eyes were wide, hope growing in her voice. The lights flickered once in the room and went off along with every computer and device in the room.
Hadrian couldn’t see anything in the dark. Dysis leaned her body onto his shoulder. “An electromagnetic pulse.” Hadrian spoke calmly to the room, just loud enough to let everyone know what was going on. “The whole world is going to be in the dark.” He swallowed. “I think he’s set off a high-altitude electromagnetic pulse with a nuclear weapon to inflict the maximal effect. The other missiles are likely detonating over the other continents.”
“Will it affect all of our electronics?” a female voice asked.
“His explosion generated a super-electromagnetic pulse, which will affect all electronics in the air, land, and oceans, including satellites.
Dysis whispered into Hadrian’s ear. “He’s trying to turn Earth into Acacia.”
C H A P T E R 2 7
Half-deads
Emily squinted through the haze that stretched its dark and dusky fingers through the forest like a shadowy ghost trying to obscure her vision.
The clouds are from the dead, Xena whispered.
What a horrible way to die. Emily thought of all the half-deads that had drowned in the underground tunnels when they were flooded. The death-smoke was still rising as if all the furnaces of hell were in full operation, and the streaming smog was blotting out the few rays of sun that were strong enough to even attempt to penetrate the dense canopy of trees.
Now they will attack the gates with a vengeance, Xena thought as she sat on her haunches next to Emily, studying the huge gates protecting Shadoe’s realm. Rune was next to her.
The worst part is the waiting, Emily thought. She was saving her energy, seated in a chair. It was late afternoon and everyone in Shadoe’s realm was preparing for the full-out assault. Soldiers were everywhere organizing the defenses, readying their weapons and planning for the attack. Emily’s lids felt heavy. I’m already tired despite multiple attempts at recharging my batteries by the best of Shadoe’s elven healers, she thought in disgust at her frailty.
I’ll watch over you, Xena whispered.
I’ll advise you, Ammolite promised.
“We’re here for you,” Luke said while rubbing her back with a light touch. Her friends were staying close to her side, guarding her in a diamond shape around her chair. They were fully aware that in this battle she might need their protection. Their small group was on the highest point in the area, in the region where they had eaten their feast the day before.
“I know I should go help on the walls with my arrows, but I feel so vulnerable without your shields.” Isabelle spoke rapidly, her nervousness readily apparent. “Your protection is like a nice crutch that I’ve found I like to lean upon.” Emily gave her a smile and reached out to squeeze her hand.
“Luke and I made a few more grenades.” Elizabeth displayed numerous containers dangling around her belt. “We’ll try to keep you safe with our explosives.”
“One stray fireball aimed at your belt and we’re all in trouble.” A hint of a smile crossed Anna’s face as she pointed out the obvious in a teasing manner.
Emily forced a smile on her face, but she couldn’t really relax, her ki was continually sending her warnings about the dangers around her like an annoying alarm clock that she couldn’t put on snooze. Her eyes were drawn to the stone building far below her that Shadoe told her was the entrance to the underground portal that Shadoe’s sister had taken so long ago. I have to push down my urge to run to the portal with you and my friends and leave this place, Emily thought to Xena.
No matter how weak you are, you would never leave a fight, Xena retorted.
No, I guess I wouldn’t, Emily replied slowly, but she wished she could escape the horrors of war.
Everyone hates war, Ammolite supported Emily in her mind. Be strong.
The deep beat of drums began to sound in a steady rhythm, resembling the heartbeat of an ancient beast. Warhorns let out a sonorous blast and the howls of the were-creatures were added to the chorus in an eerie harmony that began to reverberate through the smoky air.
“They’re coming.” Luke’s hand was fiddling with his sword hilt. “The half-deads have started their assault.” The elven archers began to unleash their missiles at the onslaught and Emily watched in rapt fascination as the elves skill was initially able to keep the enemy at bay.
There’s no slowing the tides of the enemy, Xena began. There’s just too many. Eventually, Emily could tell the archers were beginning to tire from the unrelenting waves.
Anna pointed to the invaders. “They’re attacking sequentially. The were-creatures begin the attack, followed by the shades. A few minutes later the goblins attack followed by the ogres. Then it starts all over again.”
“The vampires are coordinating the attacks.” Elizabeth’s voice shook in fear as she nodded toward the command center of the half-deads which was just out of arrow-range. “I bet they’re waiting until the gates are breeched to commit their elite warriors to the battle.” As the afternoon wore on, enemy magicians added their magus to the conflict. They used fireball spells in an attempt to help clear areas on the walls of elves. Once there was an opening, groups of half-deads tried to gain a foothold. The creatures scurried up the barriers, causing the elves to drop their bows and switch to their swords. Although over ten half-deads were being slaughtered for every elf that was killed, the number of half-deads was astounding and they were slowly but surely gaining the upper hand.
Shadoe’s coming, Xena whispered. Just after Xena spoke, Shadoe appeared, riding toward their group at the head of his honor guard on his brown steed. Elaina was on a white horse at his side. He reined to a halt next to Emily’s squad. Both of their horses were barded in an intricate silver armor. The chanfron, the protect
ion for their horses’ faces, was decorative with an ornate cross-like device that extended from the horse’s ear to its muzzle. A caparison covered the horse’s plate mail in a royal green cloth.
“You both look magnificent,” Elizabeth whispered. She moved forward and ran her hand along the material covering Shadoe’s horse’s armor. Emily could see water brimming in Elizabeth’s eyes.
Shadoe gave her a sad smile. “I’m but a blade of grass that will be soon caught in a strong wind.”
“Can you both watch the battle with us? We could discuss and implement strategies?” Luke stood tall before the warriors, but his voice was hushed. Emily knew he wanted to find some way to keep Shadoe and Elaina away from the conflict.
“I know my strategy, young warrior.” Shadoe turned from Luke and inclined his head toward Emily. “I’ll prepare the way for you. If I signal to you, go to your ship.” He glanced at each of their young faces looking up at him. He repeated his mantra, “Always remember, sacrifice is not defeat.” His voice was calm and he appeared so valiant, like the hero knight in every story Emily had ever read.
“Defeat them!” Emily tried to invoke courage in the elves, but her voice came out cracked and broken. She looked to her mother. “Can I help you somehow?” She felt a pain inside, as if a sword was cutting into her chest and pulling out her heart. She didn’t want either her mother or Shadoe to leave.
Her mother descended gracefully from her horse and hugged Emily, whispering, “I love you.”
“Your battle is near at hand, but it has not arrived yet.” Shadoe spoke to Emily in a soft voice. Elaina got back on her pale mare. Without warning an enormous cheer went up from the half-deads and the front gates burst open. “Our time has come.” Shadoe put on his great helm and put his heels into his horse. His warriors lowered their lances and formed a line. Warhorns and bugles blared on their approach and the elves on foot cleared a path for their ruler as he thundered down the hill. A huge crack shattered the air as steel met steel and new death-smoke churned into the air. The force of the cavalry drive pushed the half-deads on their heels, and Shadoe’s advance steamrolled the enemy steadily all the way to the gate, but as he turned and reformed his horses, more half-deads appeared in an unrelenting assault. Eventually Shadoe was forced off his horse to fight on foot. Queen Elaina materialized out of nowhere to fight at his side along with Crittenden and a contingent of Shadoe’s most proficient warriors.