The Lostkind

by Matt Stephens

  Yasi bit her lip and tapped Dorcan silently. He gave her a quick nod and shifted over to cover her place in the line; as Yasi went to the nearest telephone and wound it up for a call. The hardline turn-of-the-century phone connected. "Operator."

  Yasi spoke quietly. "Priority. Put me through to Throne Room."

  "Right away, Captain." The young voice chirped and connected the call.

  "Yasi?" Keeper creaked into the phone. "No action at The River. I think the razor nets are keeping them out."

  Yasi nodded. "I agree. Which means the first thing Vandark will do is try and get those nets raised."

  Keeper sighed. "It's... really happening, isn't it?"

  Yasi was about to respond, when she heard a cry of pain come from the entrance to the Labyrinth. Yasi turned to send a quick look at the tunnel. "It's starting. See you on the flip side." She told Keeper, and hung up immediately, returning to her post.

  Another shout of pain came echoing out of the tunnel; the spotlights doing little to shake the intimidating depths of the dark entrance.

  Yasi spoke, clear enough to be heard by the whole defensive line. "Do not hesitate!" She commanded them. "Do not freeze. We have always worked as Keepers of the Peace, not as soldiers; but you've been trained and tested, for exactly this reason: To keep our home safe from those who would take it from us. This is our moment to do what we have all been called to do. The moment we were born for!"

  Another shout of pain came from the tunnels, louder and clearer. Yasi sent a quick nod to Dorcan, who took up the final instructions. "Don't give way to fear." He said calmly. "There are eleven more barricades behind us, choke points at every level. The Invaders are far from their homes, with only a booby-trapped Labyrinth at their backs, and one way in. Our mission is to outlast them, to wear them down, one by one. They have the numbers, we have the walls. Don't let them wear you down first."

  Another shout of pain; sharp enough to hear clearly. The Shinobi all gripped their crossbows tighter, eyes blazing, following the spotlights.

  "Those screams you're hearing?" Yasi called. "That's the sound of our traps thinning out the invaders. Our tactics are already at work; their numbers already shrinking. First Blood goes to the New York Ninja!"

  Her Shinobi Warriors roared, the tension transforming into a deadly dangerous energy; hungry for battle; eager to deal out the fury that had been building all day.

  Shapes formed in the spotlights, and Yasi's crossbow flashed up, gleaming in the bright glow instantly. "FIRE!"

  Without hesitation, a dozen trained marksmen loosed arrows on the enemy; and they all ducked back into the turn of the Tunnel, seeking cover. A moment later, the invaders fired back, and the Shinobi ducked below their barricades.

  Without Yasi having to give the order, the air in the tunnel thick with crossbow bolts going both directions, so close together that more than a few of them knocked each other straight out of the air.

  Battle was joined as the war for the New York Underside began in earnest.

  ~oo00oo~

  Owen took a long slow breath, and struggled not to keep looking over his shoulder. The Subway wasn't crowded at this time of night; but there were people enough that it made him nervous.

  Because sitting behind him on the cracked plastic seats of the subway car... was Vandark.

  The soon-to-be Kingmaker was perfectly relaxed, dressed in long black leathers, and a chain mail vest which somehow fit perfectly with a few gang members that traded a joint back and forth at the other end of the car.

  Owen felt his heart rate spike as the gang got up; heading toward the doors as the train slowed to enter a station. One of them flipped off Owen, more out of habit than any real malice. Owen glanced behind him and didn't say anything.

  Vandark did not speak until the doors shut and they were alone in the Subway car. "Owen." He said grandly. "Did that youth just..."

  "It was nothing." Owen dismissed it.

  "Don't interrupt." Vandark said without raising his voice, and Owen felt a thrill of horror go through him. "As I was saying, that sort of disrespect is almost to be expected. Give me some time, once this day is finished, Owen. I'll have that kid shining your shoes soon enough." Vandark checked the map and rose to his feet. "Assuming I let him live that long."

  ~oo00oo~

  The tide of the battle turned in favor of the Shinobi, as Vandark's Wildmen were pushed back, first retreating slowly, then running for their lives back into the Labyrinth.

  The Shinobi roared with victory. Yasi and Dorcan didn't. The first attack was less than ten archers. A probe to see what the first line of defense was made of. It had retreated after only a few minutes. Two Shinobi had crossbow bolts speared through them. Thirteen remained untouched. The Healers were still at the Chapel, still flatly refusing to come out; even for this. The Shinobi knew enough First Aid to do the job and patch the holes.

  Yasi never took her eyes off the Tunnel, one hand tightly holding her crossbow, the other wrapped around the sword handle at her back; ready and waiting.

  Sure enough, the Tunnel announced more on the way. Footsteps, suddenly audible. Not the silent tread of the last attack, but clear determined marching. It had a vaguely metallic sound; and as they came into reach of the spotlights, the Shinobi could see why.

  The second wave was coming in, and they were organized. There had to be at least a dozen of them, armed with large shields. The shields were all different styles, painted ornately; and held close together, providing no opening where the shield-bearers were visible within. Three of the long Legion Shields were held horizontally over their heads; making the formation almost the width of the Entrance Tunnel.

  The Shinobi struck, firing their weapons, and the bolts just bounced aside, unable to get to the enemy as it approached. It wasn't moving fast, but it wasn't stopping for anything.

  "FALL BACK!" Yasi roared, and the Lostkind abandoned their fight, covering each other as best they could, shoulder to shoulder as they made their way back to the next barricade, a chamber behind them. The Wildmen were quick to press their advantage; seeking entrenched cover of their own...

  Yasi struck, slashing out at them horizontally, her sword providing room for her people to escape; but the tunnel too narrow for her to get any real power or movement.

  "DOWN!" Dorcan's voice shouted from behind her; and she ducked her head down low. Dorcan had collected the oil-lamps from where they had been stacked, and was lobbing them at the door. The lanterns shattered, the oil splashing everywhere.

  Yasi jumped back, and slashed the sword along the doorway; steel on stone throwing up sparks...

  The first barricade burst into flame; forcing the Wildmen back, keeping them away as the Shinobi withdrew to their next line of defense. By the time the Invaders got the flames out, the next hallway had been collapsed.

  More and more Wildmen made their way out of the Labyrinth, helping to clear the way, in preparation for the arrival of their Master.

  The Labyrinth and the Entrance had fallen to Vandark.

  ~oo00oo~

  Connie opened the door to Vincent with a tight smile. "I have a guest."

  Vincent felt his fists close unconsciously as he came inside...

  And let out a breath in relief as he found Tecca sitting rigidly on her couch, and a cat asleep beside him. "Tecca."

  Tecca stood up abruptly, and the cat woke up with a hiss. Tecca grabbed it by the nape of the neck and held it out to Vincent. "There. Message delivered." He said angrily.

  "What?" Vincent blinked and took the cat on instinct.

  The feline hissed back at Tecca for a few seconds, and settled. Tecca was surprised. "That demented hairball bites everyone but Yasi."

  Connie snorted. "Naturally. What are you doing here Tecca?"

  Tecca growled under his breath. "They collapsed the Labyrinth after I left. There's only one path home, and there are about a hundred bad guys in the way."

  "Yasi sent you someplace safe." Connie said approvingly.

>   Tecca waved at Vincent. "She sent the cat. I'm just the cat-carrier."

  Vincent didn't say anything, having a staring contest with the cat. "Merlin." He said. "Yasi told me about you." He looked at Connie thickly. "Yasi believes they're going to lose this one. Cats and children first."

  Connie gave Vincent a sympathetic look. "Vincent, go home. Look after yourself. I'll send your regrets to Gill."

  "No." Vincent shook his head. "I... I can't just sit at home staring at the walls while this is happening; I'll go insane."

  "What do you want to do then?" Connie said. "I hate to leave you alone..."

  Vincent stroked the cat's head gently. "Let's go to the poker game."

  Connie turned to Tecca, who was sullenly glaring at nothing. "Turn on the TV and rot your brain like a normal kid your age. I have to go make sure Vincent doesn't swallow his tongue, and then I'll be back. I want you here when I get home."

  "The second you close that door, I'm leaving." Tecca said shortly.

  Connie and the boy glared at each other a few moments, and Vincent suspected it was an ongoing battle of wills between them. Finally, Connie picked up the phone, not taking her eyes off Tecca. "Benji? I need a babysitter."

  Tecca looked outraged, and Vincent fought to keep his grin in check.

  ~oo00oo~

  The second defensive line was the Upper Markets. Close to the Labyrinth, and the surface, this place supplied The Underside with food and clothing. Dorcan's trick with the firebombs had bought the Shinobi precious seconds; and they swarmed into the market; taking positions; ready to defend.

  Yasi paused, her head cocked as though she heard something, and she reached under the stalls, yanking out a familiar child. "Kamy!" She snarled in shock. She looked around saw the other Gremlins peeking out of their usual hiding places. "What the hell are you lot still doing here?"

  Kamy winced under the Shinobi's wrath. "We stayed!" She shouted defiantly in the little voice. "The Underside is ours too. That's what Gremlins do!"

  The other Shinobi had spotted the little girl and every last one of them paled. Dorcan lunged. "We told you to get to Twelfth Level where it was safe!"

  The wreckage caved in suddenly, the weight behind it vanishing. A millisecond later, the debris exploded out as three of the largest, most heavily muscled warriors Yasi had ever seen came roaring out at a charge, covered in armor and chain mail, with huge spiked clubs in each hand. They moved far too quickly for such big warriors, charging forward. The angles were swiftly changing and the crossbow shots went wide. The attack came ferociously; as the huge warriors smashed left and right, knocking down Shinobi and Gremlin like pins; sending the defenders sprawling.

  And from behind them came the rest of the Wildmen, pouring in through the gap in the barricades; quickly taking advantage. The huge warriors kept brawling, the wide sweeps of the clubs were knocking down barricades and warriors alike; but the Wildmen were the ones ripping apart the defenders, turning over carts, flushing out the Gremlins...

  Yasi pushed Kamy behind her and hurled herself into the fray, sword flashing at the huge warriors. She put her lithe form between the two of them, twisting and dodging their fury with quicksilver grace, slashing out at them at every opportunity; her blade flashing again and again.

  The one behind her brought his club down like an axe, bringing it up over his shoulder for more power. Lost in some kind of zone that only a ninja could know; Yasi twisted without looking and the club smashed down at her feet, close enough that the impact rattled her teeth. She swung her sword upward, nearly carving the warrior's face off.

  It gave the other enough time to grab Yasi by the ponytail and yank her off her feet. Yasi hit the ground, sword lost to her; and her hair in the enormous fist. Her neck and head wrenched painfully, she couldn't get traction to move without losing her scalp...

  She saw the club coming down, the spiked end of it almost bigger than she was; no way to dodge, no way to get free...

  ...when Dorcan sailed in from nowhere, in a flying kick that put both his feet together into the centre of the warrior's chest. It was enough to drive him back a few feet, and get Yasi free of his grip.

  She came up instantly, drawing another blade from the sheath at her leg, and she and Dorcan lunged; both of them at the Goliath's throat, taking him from the sides... The huge warrior swung blindly back and forth at them, having to work to keep his attention on either of them; unable to land a blow.

  Yasi heard a shout and looked to the rest of the room which was caught in a desperate pitched battle; the air ringing with the sound of steel on steel; cries of pain, roars of battle. In a chamber, even a larger one such as the marketplace, it was still loud enough to go echoing off the walls, making the battle seem fiercer and wilder. The fighting grew more desperate the closer it got.

  At long range, the Invaders and the Shinobi were almost equals, at close range the Shinobi were Grim Reapers. But the Shinobi were outnumbered, and more Wildmen flooding in every second.

  "URK!" Yasi spun back to the main fight, her and Dorcan versus the Wildman Goliath; and saw her lieutenant was losing, the sheer brawn of his enemy was overpowering him. Dorcan was being held two feet off the ground by one enormous fist...

  Yasi cast around and found her sword a few feet away. With quick light steps the ran toward it, dropped to her knees, skidding forward on the smooth stone floor. Snatching it up mid-slide, she found the nearest Wildman she could and threw herself at him. Hooking her sword around his torso, the momentum spun them both around, cutting the invader down, and suddenly putting her in the right direction to charge the Goliath that held her friend hostage.

  The Goliath saw her coming, and turned to face her. As before she charged, and dropped to slide, slipping under the swing of his club, and between his legs. Before the enormous warrior could turn she spun, slashing her sword across the backs of his knees; and the Goliath dropped with a roar of pain. Dorcan was immediately released; and started gulping air.

  The Shinobi saw the Giant Champions fall, and roared victoriously for their Captain. Even the Invaders seemed stunned. The most feared secret army in Europe, Vandark's Wildmen Warriors had never fought Yasi before.

  With the two biggest opponents out of the fight; Yasi and Dorcan turned their attention to the rest of the battle... And discovered that taking down the Goliath was their only real victory. The Shinobi were being driven out of the market, being pushed back again by sheer force of numbers...

  The battle intensified as they reached the corridors, the narrow passage made the Wildmen's numbers irrelevant, but even as the Shinobi cut down the first row of enemies, the ones behind them used even the bodies for cover, gaining ground.

  "It's times like this I wished we used grenades." Dorcan complained to Yasi, wiping sweat and blood from his forehead. Then he froze. "Where's Kamy?!"

  Yasi didn't respond. The Wildmen were chasing them, but some of them were splitting up, going down side passages. They had the momentum now; and were taking full advantage; trying to keep the defenders from organizing.

  The Invasion was spreading through the Secret City; unchecked, unstoppable.

  ~oo00oo~

  Even if it isn't your fight; you have to do something. Vincent thought rapidly. But what can you do? Even if Yasi hasn't destroyed all those entrances, and even if you do go back, what the hell are you going to do against the bad guys that Yasi couldn't?

  This is the game of secrets. He argued with himself, almost frantic. What do the bad guys want that I can give them? What do they need that I can take away?

  Even if you do get into it, what's it all for? For Yasi? Common sense shot back. She kills, and she lies to you about it.

  She's a defender, hoping to keep her home and her friend. What are you so worried about? She couldn't possibly be interested in you. You're a paper pusher who can't go any of the places she goes, and can't even save your own life when there's a weapon in your hand!

  Such thoughts chased him around non-stop. Vincent
was sleepwalking for most of the night. He went to Gill's place with Connie because he had nowhere else to go.

  True to form, Gill was in the middle of a poker game.

  "Nickel ante, I swear." Gill said as soon as Vincent came in. "I find I miss the social part of gambling as much as the money, so I rounded up some friends..."

  "And enough chips and dip to sink the Titanic." Connie commented with a light smile. "Missed the regular Poker Game routine, huh?"

  Vincent barely heard them. There was a war going on beneath their feet. Yasi could be dead any minute. And here he was at a poker game with his best friend.

  There was a knock on the door.

  "There's our fourth for the night." Gill jumped up and answered the door.

  Vincent heard his heart give one solid thump, loud enough that he felt his whole body move.

  Because coming in the door with Gill...

  Was Owen.

  "Love the place." Owen said to Gill as he came in, friendly and outgoing. "Great furnishings. That's a great photo. They your kids? Vincent! Long time no see."

  ~oo00oo~

  Below, in the Throne Room, Kamy came running down the Tunnel into the room, waving her arms in surrender. "Keeper! Keeper!" She shouted ahead. "They're heading for the Whisper Gallery!"

  Keeper heard the news and turned instantly, lunging across the table for her husband. Archivist was already halfway to the tunnel when she caught him. "Waitwaitwait!" She hissed. "You're not going anywhere!"

  "I have to!" Archivist rumbled, pulling free. "If we let them take the Gallery..."

  "I know you love it but..." Keeper lunged and grabbed his arm before he got out of reach. "The main fight in is the Thoroughfare. You won't have nearly enough backup. You go, they will kill you!"

  "Keeper, we have people in the Whisper Gallery!"

  "By the time you got there, they'd all be dead!" Keeper implored.

  "It's not just the people..." Archivist looked at her in agony. "The entire history of the place..."

  "I know." The old woman creaked sympathetically.

  "Every lesson I ever taught Yasi was based on those Archives."