Seconds passed with the light blinding everyone before it began to fade with a low hum. The room warmed up in colors of burgundy, brown, and gold. As Aiden blinked the burn of white from his eyes, he took a long sweeping look around.
Jon, who stood beside him, groaned. “For once, for once, can we keep our damn feet on the ground?” He looked up towards the ceiling and brought his hands together in prayer. “I know I said I wanted a vacation, to see the world, but I meant like…Aruba.” His hands dropped to his sides. “You haven’t been listening I don’t know why I even try.” He pointed at Key with an air of expectation. “Where are we? And no bippity boppity boo explanations just…where are we?”
“A hollow plane,” Key answered simply, his hand gesturing around the room.
The corner of Jon’s lips fell. “I apologize. Give me the bippity boopity boo explanation.”
“Causatum chambers outside of those on Caeli are always built in a hollow plane. Best way to describe it is a pocket of space that exists between two others that only certain people have access. Technically, the chamber itself will only work for the one it was built for.” Key paused and looked around. “It’s a lot swankier than I imagined.”
“It’s Ahn’s pet project. It mirrors his study on Caeli down to the weapons collection and the obnoxious crushed velvet,” George snorted as he fingered a velveteen soft lampshade.
“He would,” Rooke murmured as he looked around. “Okay,” he said as he faced a tall computer-like interface straight from an 80’s movie. “How do we power it? Hollow planes aren’t connected to Caeli.”
“A thousand years’ worth of energy is available from this room. The energy is stored in these four golems,” George stated as he gestured to four statues lined along the far wall.
Jon walked up to one and stared it in the face. “Ugly sons of bitches.”
“Ahn had a short-lived fascination with steampunk,” George explained. “It’d be best if you didn’t–”
Jon reached up and poked the golem’s forehead.
“–touch them.”
The sound of hissing and a rush of steam made Jon jump back from the golem. “Uh…”
“Why can’t you follow directions,” Key groaned as he reached for the gun on his hip.
“Oh, are you fucking kidding me? I didn’t get the instructions until after I touched it! And why would anybody not touch a statue? Ever been to a museum? They say don’t touch but everybody touches!”
“Why would you touch anything–in–a–room–you’ve–never–been–in?” Key screamed back.
“Children!” George yelled. He walked to the wall and grabbed a war hammer from a set of brackets. “We have about thirty seconds and counting to come up with a plan before all four golems awaken.” He turned to Key. “These are your soldiers, your pack, your command.”
Key’s eyes shifted as he thought. “How long will it take to turn the communication system on?” Key asked.
“Seventy-two seconds to power on,” George said, pointing to the large wall-sized computer. “Fifteen to secure a connection with Cobra’s comm-link and however long it takes for them to reply.”
“Rooke,” Key commanded. Without hesitation, Rooke slid his backpack off. He pulled his laptops out and stared at the large computer interface. “Okay,” he murmured, eyeing a few dust-covered ports. “I can work with this….I think.” He began hooking up cables to his laptop and flipping switches on the console. The main screen powered on and Rooke cursed. “DOS? When is the last time anyone used this thing?”
“Imane is twenty-six, so thirteen years ago.”
The three Mutare came to a standstill and eyed George, their eyes narrowed and sharp. Aiden looked on, confused, and Jon just looked fed up. “Uh, hello! This isn’t the time for steely-eyed distrust! The plan?”
“Oh! Right! I’m going to overpower the operating system the moment it powers up and patch us through. Shemhazi,” Rooke said as he began typing away at his keyboard, “what’s the passcode?”
“Ahn’s clan name, Eliyah.” George looked up. “Thirty seconds is up!”
All four of the golem’s eyes lit up an ominous red, hissing and steam pouring from their hydraulic joints as they rose to standing. Simultaneously, they reached over their backs and produced twin swords, the metal clearing against a metal sheath, sharp blades gleaming under the low lights in the chamber.
“Shit,” Key hissed. “Tahir, guard Rooke! George, guard the humans,” Key barked, as he took the position at the front.
“Wait. You’re not going to take on all four of those things by yourself, are you?” Jon asked, his voice pitched high and hysterical.
Key smirked over his shoulder. “It’s my job but you’re helping,” he said winking. “Grab something off the walls then come back to the center of the room. We have to hold them back long enough for Rooke to get the comm-link up.”
Aiden looked at the golems, trying to see if there was a kink in their armor, a weakness he could exploit. He didn’t see one but to be fair this wasn’t covered in FBI Academy curriculum. “Is that going to turn them off,” Aiden asked.
“No,” Key said dejectedly, “Either we leave or the owner of this chamber powers them down. Which means we have to protect Rooke’s back at all cost.” Aiden and Jon stared at Key, confused, which caused Key to snap. “Weapons up!”
The golem’s joints were still clicking into place as Jon and Aiden raced to the walls. Aiden grabbed the first things his hands landed on; a long silver sword. Under the sword bracket on a plaque were the words “Wallace Sword; William Wallace”. Jon, in turn, grabbed a two-handed pole weapon with “Guan Yu; halberd” on the plaque under it.
“Do you know how to use that?” Tahir asked Jon and Aiden as she slid into position in front of Rooke. The youngest Mutare was tapping furiously on his keyboard.
“Swing!” Both he and Jon said simultaneously.
Tahir made a face then shrugged. “That’s the gist of it, I guess,” she said as she slid her wakizashi from its sheath.
CHAPTER THIRTY SIX
The first golem attacked in a clamor of clashing metal and gears. Key fired off one shot, aiming for its sword hand, hoping to damage the sword itself. The bullet ricocheted off and buried itself in a wall. Key glared at his gun, groaned, and threw it away.
He reached for his sword but paused, making a split second decision. It was forbidden but holding off the golems was a much more pressing matter at the moment. He couldn’t depend on George to be at full power nor Jon or Aiden who had no idea how to fight this. If they failed then Tahir would be the last line of defense. She was skilled but he couldn’t take that chance.
Plus, he was sure this was the only plane that would allow it. What’s the worst that could happen besides dying?
“Aiden,” he said, addressing the agent who was gripping his sword so hard his knuckles were turning white. “I’m counting on you to stay alive, Jin is waiting for you. Rooke, you’re the smartest kid I know. And I know you’ll
be alright. Just make sure you get patched through. Complete the mission. Tahir, you know what you have to do. If something goes wrong, assume command.” He glanced at Jon. “And make sure that idiot doesn’t hurt himself. Ever,” he finished softly.
Both Tahir and Jon started towards him, as if they could tell he was about to do something stupid. Well, they weren’t wrong.
He faced the golems and reached for his sword, flipping it in his hands so he could hold the blade just below the nape of his neck. “Anahel. Jabniel, Rabacyel, Dalquiel,” he chanted. “You who are crowned guardians of judgment and determination, of Autumnal equinox and Vernal equinox. I request your power.” He pulled the sword up against his skin and winced as the blade sliced through nine welts at the base of his neck. “Cafziel, Satquiel, Amael, Raphael, Anael, Michael, Gabriel, unlock.” Key watched as power lit up the back of his hands. “El. Shem ha-Mephorash!”
Tendrils of energy, molten hot and white, flew up his hands and arms and he f
elt the heat race across his back. “Holders of the Sagun path, I beg of you,” he whispered. The command was followed by a pain that seared every part of him, ripping at flesh and tissue and bone. His body responded to his request in this way, breaking the seal within every cell in his body and funneling power from above into him. He staggered but forced himself to keep his feet under him.
“Shemhazi,” he choked out through his pain. He felt blood running down his back and he felt a scream clawing up this throat.
“Understood. I don’t have much but I will aid you.” Key felt the elder angel’s hand on his back. “Machen path, 1st disciple.”
Key inhaled as the pain faded, not away, just some, enough for him to concentrate.
“It is done. Go!” George yelled.
Key turned and stared down the golem headed straight for him. “Shamain Path, 5th disciple!” Key yelled and the power flew from his back, down his arms and funneled into his hands. “I command you!”
A three-layer golden barrier bloomed between them and the golems, just in enough time to stop its first attack, the shield lighting up under the spray of sparks as a sword connected. He felt another flux of power as George repeated the action, creating a layer between Tahir, Rooke, and everyone else.
Key’s eyes fluttered to the back of his head and he felt his knees give out. Two arms caught his fall. As he was lowered to the ground, Key looked up into a pair of brown eyes, brows creased in worry.
“What…what just–”
“He borrowed power past his limits to protect us. Foolish,” George huffed, staring at the back of Key’s hands, the Sigillum dei Aemeth still glowing, his hands red from the burn.
“You said it–my command. It’s better for me…to be incapacitated than you,” he breathed. Key inhaled slowly before laughing. “Plus, look at these two idiots. We would have died without it.” Key tried to sit up and grimaced. “We don’t have much time. I’ve never been good with barriers.”
“Still foolish, but just what was needed. Your barrier is stronger. The higher the realm, the higher my restrictor. I’m practically useless.”
Key glanced at the barrier. His barrier was weak and the first slab had begun flaking off, layers of it falling to the ground as the golem continued to swing its sword at it. “How long do you think that’s going to hold up?”
“We have time, but not a lot.” George looked over his shoulder at the youngest of their group. “How is it coming?”
Rooke sighed heavily before sitting back on his haunches and wiping a hand across his brow. “It’s up. Just waiting for them to accept the transmission. There seems to be some disturbance caused by the golems.”
“Secondary line of defense. Anyone stupid enough to touch the golems is probably an enemy,” George replied, side-eyeing Jon.
“I’m sorry…I–I didn’t know,” Jon said distraught. “If I’ve known you would have gotten hurt I wouldn’t have...”
“Your lapse of judgment isn’t the reason I’m hurt. Well, yes it is but it’s not that big of a deal.”
“It is!” Jon exclaimed. His hands hovered over Key’s like he was afraid he would hurt him more by touching him. “Look at your hands.” His eyes were wide and if Key was seeing correctly, a bit wet along his lashes. “You scared me.”
“Buck up, solider,” Key returned, rubbing his thumb under Jon’s eyes before the human actually cried. “I just wanted to show off my fancy powers in front of you. Impressed?”
“No,” Jon huffed. “How long are you going to be like this?”
Key shrugged, his movements lethargic and slow. “Not much longer. I’m just…tired.” Jon opened his mouth to speak again but Key held his hand up. “No, really, I’m okay. The sooner we get out of this hollow plane the better.”
“We’re through!” Rooke shouted. “Hello, this is Josue, L2, ID#p4579a384y5, coordinates 40.7532° N, 73.9823° W, requesting visual comm-link permissions for Chamber Pumbavu for Team Fox and Sh–”
“Yoooo! Shem, you old shit!” came a smooth orotund voice from the speaker module on the computer interface. “You finally made it! I knew you were out of shape but I didn’t think it would take you this long.”
“Hugo,” George greeting tiredly as if communicating with Hugo was exhausting. “Where is Ahn?”
Key froze. He felt Jon’s hand tightened around his and he squeezed back, hoping to keep him calm. “What do you mean, ‘where is Ahn?’” he asked. “He should be in the dungeons.”
“Uh, he’s been released?” Hugo answered. “But is that important at the moment?”
George grunted. “Yes, it’s very important. I was hoping he had an alternative solution to our current predicament.”
“What do you mean?”
“His golems have been activated in the chamber. The only reason we’re able to talk to you is because of a barrier. Otherwise, we’d be broadcasting as slashy decorations on Ahn’s nice walls,” Tahir quipped.
“The golems?” Hugo yelled, the pitch of his voice causing feedback through the speakers. “Who the hell touched them?”
“I SAID I WAS SORRY!” Jon yelled.
“Do you think you think we can transmit all of the information before our barrier fails?” George asked.
“Uh, depends,” came another voice. “Jerome, here. How strong do you think that barrier is? Who set it?”
“It’s Kithlish’s barrier. 5th disciple.”
“Kithlish set a 5th level Shamain barrier?” Hugo whistled low. “Impressive. Probably not worth shit right now, huh, Farthing Wood?”
Key’s lip curled. “Stop calling me that.”
“The file is rather large because of the spiritual encoding,” Jerome continued. “With a chamber as outmoded as that one, it might, might take a few hours–”
“That’s too long,” Aiden growled, storming towards the communication system, fury in his eyes. “Either you fix this shit now or I’m finding a way to make this chamber work and coming up there myself.”
There was a loud sigh. “Key. Is that Aiden?” Seff didn’t sound disappointed but Seff rarely sounded disappointed.
Key winced. “Yes?”
“I’m assuming he’s got his memory back.”
“Correct. I tried to…leak some basic information about the situation so he wouldn’t be a total risk but I underestimated his will to know.”
“Stop talking about me like I’m not in the room!”
“Aiden,” Key admonished, pinching the bridge of his nose. He looked up and saw more of the barrier flaking away. “Calm down. This isn’t the time for your emotions. You’re not helping.” He looked at Jon. “Help me up, would you?”
Jon nodded and helped him to his feet, keeping a steadying hand on the small of his back when he swayed. They both moved closer to the computer interface. As Rooke continued pressing buttons, the screen faded from white noise and four faces appeared.
“Whoa, FW! You do look like shit!” the Cobra Luminary General crowed as he peered closely to the screen.
“Thanks, Hugo.”
“We’ve never known Hugo to be polite,” George muttered as he shook his head. George, then out of necessity, splayed his hands, his fingers spreading wide before he squeezed them. The barrier between them, Tahir and Rooke exploded into shards of energy before disintegrating into the air.
“Wait,” Jerome said as he moved closer to the camera on their side of the comm-link. He squinted as his eyes landed on George. “No way. It’s you! The guy from the diner! What’s your damn name,” Jerome said as he snapped his fingers. “George! George “I have to have turkey sausage or heads are going to roll!” Elder! What are you doing in there?”
“Ah,” Hugo said as he clapped Jerome on the shoulder, “Shemhazi was the one who pointed me in the direction of your diner.”
“Shem–” Jerome balked. “That guy, right there, with the stupid hat, is Shemhazi? Like THE Shemhazi?”
“Yeah,” Hugo said, his brow raised. “Didn’t you pay attention in your Caelil
ore classes? He’s not even wearing a disguise except for that ugly dyed hair. He probably said some spooky bullshit to you without a shred of context if you remember anything he said past his whining.”
“I’m going to have you flayed when I get back Hugo,” George said, his smile tight.
“Speaking of flayed, you guys want to have your little aha moment later?” Tahir asked, exasperated. “I don’t know if you can tell by our rapidly thinning first barrier but there are four animatronic stick figures made of metal back here trying to kill us and we’re on borrowed time!”
“Well, let’s fix that,” came from a new voice. “Rita Escobar.”
The golem, the main golem, the one who Key thought maybe was the golem leader, paused mid-swing, his heavy sword frozen only inches from a section of the barrier that was more than likely going to be a breach point soon. The golems sheathed their weapon, backed away from the barrier and took their position along the wall before powering down.
Key’s head snapped from the barrier to the screen where a person he’d last seen in a holding cell under Timnath-Heres was standing, calm and collected, at the top of the steps, his hands shoved in his pockets, and a smile on his face.
“See!” Ahn announced. “Now we have all the time in the world!”
“Ahn,” Key growled. Key was shocked and he was angry, but not as angry as Aiden was.
“You backstabbing snake son of a bitch!”
Ahn looked at the screen before he looked at Seff. “Is he mad at my fashionably cool but ultimately late arrival because you know, the golems are scary? Or,” he continued, holding the note, “is he mad because someone flipped the kill switch on the old memory erasing machine?”
A Third of the Moon and the Stars Struck Page 24