by Kyle West
Does it mean I get superpowers?
That question was nothing I expected.
I guess...
You guess, or you know? This is very important.
Well, you’ll be telepathic with other Elekai, including the dragons, and it will make you immune to writhes and the Radaskim xenovirus.
Sounds pretty sweet, he said. Yeah. Make me Elekai.
And with that decision, he was pulled into the ichor. The surrounding liquid frothed and bubbled, becoming murky. I heard Lauren cry out from the shore, but she was restrained by Samuel from going in. Michael was under there a lot longer than Ruth had been, but the extent of his infection was deeper. It would take longer for him to cleanse.
At last, he broke the surface, sucking in a deep breath. Lauren ran into the ichor and threw herself on him. Michael barely had time to react. They both fell into the ichor before pulling themselves up.
“Easy there,” Michael said.
“Are you alright?”
“Yeah, fine.” He frowned. “Only, there’s a blank space starting from when we got to the control room, up until here. What the hell happened?”
“I’ll explain it all later,” Lauren said. “I’m just glad you’re alright.”
They parted, and Michael faced the rest of us, a wide smile splitting his face. He looked right at me.
“Where are my superpowers?”
“Try them out,” I said.
“How?” he asked.
“It works like thinking,” I said. “Just think at someone, and it should work. You can try it on me, or even Anna or Ruth, if you prefer.”
He frowned. “I thought all of us were Elekai.”
“I’m next in line,” Julian said. “Elekai me, Alex.”
Actually, making everyone Elekai would be a good idea. We’d all have immunity to the Radaskim xenovirus, which would be useful if we were going to Ragnarok Crater. We would also be able to communicate without speaking a word. And talking with and riding dragons would be useful skills as well.
Michael narrowed his eyes at Ruth, focusing intensely.
“Did you get that?” he asked.
She rolled her eyes. “Unfortunately, yeah.”
“What did he say?” I asked.
“That he really had to pee.”
“Seriously?” Lauren asked.
“Don’t profane the pool,” I said. “This is a holy place.”
Michael raised an eyebrow. “Well, I’ll profane somewhere else, then.”
“Seriously, though,” Makara said, taking up Julian’s idea, “we should all become Elekai. If we’re all going to Ragnarok Crater, we’ll need the protection. It just takes the right strain of the xenovirus to infect us, and yes, the telepathy thing would be very useful.” She looked at me. “Make us all Elekai, Alex. I mean...if everyone else is willing.”
“I know I am,” Samuel said. “The advantages are too useful to ignore.”
“I think I’ll take a pass,” Lauren said. “I definitely won’t be going to Ragnarok Crater. I can see why you guys would want it...but it’s just not for me.”
So we had Julian, Makara, and Samuel. Together, they entered the ichor. I closed my eyes, tuning my consciousness to the Eternal Song above. Now, filled with its power, I directed that energy not just at one of them, but all three of them.
And one by one, I felt acceptance from each of them.
They sank below the surface, and were only there a moment before resurfacing.
It was time to see if it had worked. I directed my thoughts toward all three of them.
Can you all hear me?
Yeah, Makara thought. She frowned. This is weird.
Having regrets? Julian asked.
No. It’ll take some getting used to.
I think the telepathy only works when you’re touching someone, I said. Sometimes, it works without it, under great need.
Whatever the case, Samuel said, things will be very different now.
“You guys care to speak?” Lauren asked. “You know, for the non-Elekai around here.”
“Sorry,” I said. “Michael’s awake, so the only thing left is to go to the dragons’ council.”
“The what?” Makara asked.
“The dragons are meeting in the back to coordinate battle plans,” I said. “They need our input.”
I turned to face Askal. This entire time, he had been waiting patiently for us to follow him.
Welcome to the Elekai, he said to everyone. Are you ready to follow?
Yeah, I said. Lead the way.
With that, Askal fluttered his wings, reoriented his large frame in the direction of the back caverns. The current pushed him away from the shore, and the rest of us followed in his wake.
***
Askal led us to the final cavern, which was the largest of all. All the dragons were gathered on the far shoreline, which formed a sort of lagoon surrounding the ichor. Within that lagoon, the ichor seemed to glow a little more brightly. I remembered what Askal had called it: the Glittering Pool.
There were a few dozen dragons waiting. The Elekai and former Radaskim were mixed; they were all equals among each other. Quietus was the easiest to pick out, mostly due to her size. The pink shimmer of the pool reflected off her dark scales, and her white eyes glowed brightly as they watched our approach. Another dragon sat next to her with gray scales – I remembered her name was Mordium.
As we left the ichor of the Glittering Pool and walked on the shore, the dragons watched us with silent eyes. Askal plodded past us on all fours, joining the line of Elekai dragons, and turning to face outward, taking care to make sure his tail didn’t hit any of the other dragons.
Not so much as a sound came from the line, all fifty or so of them. They were waiting for me to speak.
When I did, I made sure to include everyone else in the interaction.
We have some new Elekai, I said.
The dragons stirred at that announcement, several fluttering their massive wings, snorting, or stomping their feet on the padded fungal surface. None of them spoke, which was probably for the best since fifty dragons trying to communicate with us at the same time might have been a bit overwhelming.
When the commotion ebbed, Quietus got right to the point.
When do we fly, Elekim?
As soon as we can, I said. The battle will draw most of the Radaskim to the plateau. Once that happens, that’s when we’ll attack.
We dragons were deliberating on what would be best, Quietus said, only we could not come to an agreement. You would have us all attack the plateau?
Is that a bad decision?
Perhaps, Quietus said. Perhaps not. It is my belief that you are overly optimistic about how much Askala will empty Ragnarok Crater.
I frowned. You think she’ll leave a lot of defenders there?
Most assuredly, Elekim. Yet sending a large force of dragons to fight is too brazen. Such openness will arouse Askala’s suspicions.
So, if I send dragons there, she’ll be overly cautious. If I do nothing, then there will still be enough Radaskim there to make it difficult to get inside the Crater. I shook my head. What am I supposed to do?
She stared at me for a long while before answering. There is a third option. I will go to Ragnarok Crater alone, Elekim. I can make sure Askala empties the Crater of her army, and distract her when you draw close. She will believe me. I can convince her that I am on her side, and in so doing, she will let me in.
That sounds dangerous. You’re too valuable to risk like that.
But Quietus saw right through my trepidation.
I care not for that, Elekim. Allow me to go, and Askala will let me deep into her counsel. I can convince her to commit her entire force to the plateau and leave not a fraction behind. I can convince her of your power, how your great weapons and your soldiers can destroy the paltry force Askala will commit.
Paltry?
A lie. The force she is sending is by no means paltry – it will surely destroy
your army in mere days, if not faster. Even so, I can play on Askala’s fears. She has always been overly cautious, and I will remind her of this. I can convince her to empty the Crater. Quietus paused, staring at me with her white eyes. You will never reach her, Elekim...you will never reach her, unless you allow this.
It seems risky, I said. Wouldn’t Askala expect you to betray her? Won’t she sense that you are Elekai?
Perhaps, but I believe I can keep my nature hidden. Besides...it is a necessary risk. I know how she thinks.
I still felt that it was too dangerous, but Quietus had a point. She had been close to Askala, and the Dark Xenomind might welcome Quietus’s return. I was worried, though, about another option: would returning to Askala lead Quietus to betray us? She could give up our entire plan to Askala in a heartbeat.
I kept this thought hidden. To doubt Quietus’s loyalty was to doubt the power of the Eternal Song she had listened to, to doubt the power of the Elekai consciousness. Quietus had to be fully Elekai – the Elekai xenovirus was dominant over the Radaskim.
All the same, I couldn’t help but worry.
I can hide my true allegiance, Quietus said, and Askala would never know. The Dark Mother is cunning, but so am I.
And what if she convinces you, Quietus? I asked. What will we do then?
Quietus was silent for a long moment. It was a question that she, apparently, had not considered.
I understand your hesitation, but my loyalty is true. You must decide, in your wisdom, what the best course is. I have been deep in Askala’s counsel on many worlds before this. I know what words will persuade her. And with Chaos gone, there will be no one to challenge me. Let me fly, Elekim!
I knew it was a risk. On one hand, having Quietus on the inside would be invaluable. If she could even do half of what she said, getting into Ragnarok Crater would be far easier. In fact, telling her “no” might even be the greater risk.
What can you tell us about the Warrens? I asked. How do we actually find Askala?
Everyone listened intently; this was something we all needed to know.
The Warrens are a great rending in the earth, Quietus said. Its center point is a fiery abyss, and many tunnels open into the earth. Monsters haunt the twisting, descending passages, guarding the way to Askala’s sanctum at the junction of the Two Seas – called the Point of Origin. It is the meeting of the two worlds – the physical world, and the world of the Radaskim consciousness. It is here you must go.
The picture Quietus painted was bleak. It was hard to see how we’d ever reach Askala. Not only did we have to survive the journey there, we had to survive the descent.
Magma and monsters, Anna said. Two of my favorite things.
Are you sure you can empty the tunnels, Quietus? Makara asked. Is that even possible?
I will do what I can, Makara, Quietus said. I dare not push too much, lest Askala suspect me. With the right words, she might be cajoled to part with a great portion of her host, especially if the humans fight valiantly. Then, it will be easier to persuade her to commit more of the Radaskim.
I realized then that we had no choice but to trust Quietus. If she truly wasn’t on our side, then this mission to save humanity would fail. But if I didn’t allow her to go to the Crater, we’d probably fail as well.
Quietus was too useful to deny. Only she had the ability to empty the Warrens.
Alright, I thought. What you’ve said makes sense. Do what you need to do.
Quietus gave a slow nod of ascent. In that moment, I realized that Quietus was risking her very self. There was a chance that she would suffer, or even die, for doing this. I felt a pang of guilt; I suspected her of betrayal, but at the same time, if she was on our side, there was a chance she would die trying to do this.
Thank you, I said.
Quietus looked at me for a moment, her white eyes haunted.
Think nothing of it, Elekim. We all must play our part if this story is to have a happy ending. What is the life of one dragon, in the end, especially one that has brought so much pain and suffering?
You’re healed, now, I said. You’re on our side.
Yes, Quietus said, but there are many wrongs that must be atoned for. This is the best way I know, Elekim, and that is why I must go. Even if it means my life, then I will not hesitate to sacrifice it. And who knows...perhaps I will find a way to make it through and help you when you arrive.
I hoped that was the case.
Whatever happens, I said, thank you for doing this. And please...be cautious.
I will be cunning, and she will never know my intent, Quietus said. But now, there is no time to lose. The flight is far, and it will be a long journey – I expect not to reach the Crater until I see the gray of dawn. I will leave now, if Elekim permits it.
Of course. Please be careful.
Quietus stepped away from the surrounding dragons, who looked at her and beat their wings in farewell. I didn’t know the significance of that gesture, but it seemed like a sign of respect. Quietus paused just a moment before spreading her wings and pushing from the ground with her powerful legs. A couple of flaps, and she was airborne, flying across the surface of the Glimmering Pool.
As I turned to watch her go, I gave her some final words.
Remember the Song, I said.
I could never forget it, Elekim. Farewell.
Quietus had now soared to the glowing ceiling. She paused, hovering in the air. A moment later, a sliver of light appeared above, revealing red sky. She flew through the Dragons’ Way before it closed, shutting out the sky.
Now that she was gone, I had no idea if I’d made the right call. Either way, the die was cast, and there was no going back.
What about the rest of the dragons? Anna asked. Where do they go?
We are ready to fly to battle, Askal said. Although it will be some time before we can arrive...many hours. We will leave as soon as we are finished here.
I nodded. It seemed like we had our plan.
With everyone in agreement, I turned back to Makara.
“That battle will be starting soon,” I said. “We should head back.”
After saying our farewells to the dragons, we entered the Glimmering Pool and swam back for the entry cavern.
***
We exited the Xenolith and were halfway to the ship when a blur swooped overhead.
A dragon.
“Down!” Makara said.
After everyone had dropped, I looked up at the red, clouded sky. First one, then two, Radaskim dragons streaked above us. I knew it couldn’t have been Quietus or any of the others. Too many of them were Radaskim, and they passed above one after the other, by the dozens, far more than there were on our side.
Well over a hundred dragons had flown overhead by the time the line ended. In the western sky, the first of the dragons that had passed were now small blots in the sky.
“They completely ignored us,” Anna said.
Michael grunted. “Your feelings hurt?”
“I wonder why they didn’t attack,” Makara said.
“They’re on one program, and one program only,” Samuel said, standing up and looking to the west.
Everyone stood, looking to Samuel for further explanation.
“They’re going to the battle, aren’t they?” I asked.
Samuel nodded. “Yeah. Let’s just hope these guys are the first line, and not just the reinforcements.”
We headed for Perseus at a run. I gave one last look at the diminishing trail of dragons before boarding the ship.
Once inside, we ran to the bridge. Makara and Anna took up their places, readying the ship to take off.
“Four missed calls from Orion,” Makara said.
As Makara fired up the drive, Anna connected to Orion’s frequency.
“Orion, you copy?” Anna asked.
Jonas’s panicked voice responded. “Where the hell have you been? There’s hundreds of them.”
Two thunderous sounds emitted from the speake
rs.
Crack. Crack.
“What is going on there?” Makara asked.
Jonas yammered on, unintelligible among the loud blasts. Makara nodded at Anna.
“You handle this.”
Makara lifted the ship from the ground, spinning it to face west. Out the windshield, I could still see the trail of dragons in the distance.
“Jonas,” Anna said. “Calmly explain what’s going on. You’re breaking up pretty badly.
Crack.
“I’m not breaking up,” Jonas said. “That’s the railgun. The damn thing’s louder than...”
Crack. Crack.
“Jonas. Explain.”
“They started attacking thirty minutes ago. We need you here.”
“We’re on our way,” Makara said.
“Not until we drop my wife off,” Michael said. “I’ll be fighting, but I’ll be damned if she is.”
“That’ll add two hours to our travel time,” Makara said. “We can’t allow that.”
“This is non-negotiable,” Michael said. “We have a daughter, Makara. If both of us die in the battle...one of us will need to stay at 84.”
Before Makara could respond, I cut in.
“Maybe we can make this work,” I said. “Anna and I can take Lauren to 84. We can drop everyone else off.”
Makara paused, considering that. “I don’t like us getting split up.”
“Taking Lauren to 84 is necessary, anyway,” I said. “We need someone to pull the trigger on the nukes if it comes to that.”
“Alright, I see you have a point,” Makara said. “But I don’t want those nukes going off until every option has been exhausted.”
“I’ll be there to do it, if we have to,” Lauren said.
“Quietus said it will be a while before she reaches Ragnarok Crater,” Makara said. “That means we can’t attack it until she’s done her work. We have to last at least a day in the battle before we can head there. Until then, everyone helps with the fighting.”
We entered the clouds. As we raced across the sky, I knew only time would tell what the battlefield would be like.
Chapter 13
“Descending,” Makara said. “Stand by. This might get a little rough.”
I looked out the windshield from my spot in the jump seat. Red clouds completely obscured the sky. Makara dipped Perseus’s nose down, and when we broke through, it was into a vision of Hell.