"Hey!" she called. "Where did you go? Where are you now? How do I find you? I still have so many questions. Come back!"
Clio tried to step outside of the ring, but the unseen force that had stopped her from falling held her in place.
Several vines descended from the shadows overhead, snaking around each other to form a single thick plait. It wove through the air like a dancing cobra, swaying back and forth before her face. The twisted cord lashed out, striking her forehead.
The colored vortex smashed into countless specs of light. Clio found herself standing in an alleyway at dusk. A piece of trash blew by her feet. Her eyes followed the crumpled ball of paper until it stopped at someone’s feet. The tall figure picked the paper off the ground and stood erect. Her face seemed human but some features were a little more pronounced than anyone she ever knew. A soft light radiating from the being cast soft shadows around the alleyway as it looked Clio’s way. The figure walked closer, its stride confident yet non-threatening. She stopped within arm’s reach and nodded. Clio squinted as her eyes adjusted to the light now that it was closer.
"You're one of the gods Ishmarg mentioned?”
The being smiled. "You sound disappointed."
"I just expected something…Actually I don’t know what I expected."
"We took a form you would be familiar with so as not to overwhelm you. You may call us Shivsha."
As her eyes adjusted to the brightness, Clio noticed Zora’s cheeks, Anderson’s eyes, and her mother’s hair. She also recognized subtle Shanti features. Some were Straiya’s and others belonged to Eline and Marilda. The being had created an amalgamation of people she knew, probably by accessing her memories. "You look like my friends."
A rich ringing pulsed through the alleyway and light glowed from the gaps between the bricks on walls to either side of them. "Where and when we live, your eyes and mind cannot see. We hope this has not disturbed you."
Clio was lost for words when it came to explaining what to feel about the situation, but disturbed probably wasn’t too far off. "Who are you?"
"We are all and all are we."
"I don’t understand. Are you an Ancient?"
"We knew them once. They were a fine people. Some joined us. Others grew haughty and tried to become greater still." Shivsha frowned. "The great downfall was the price they paid. They lay among the Fallen now."
"You’re the reason the Ancients suddenly disappeared from the Galaxy?"
Shivsha shook its head. "The Ancients were the reason they suddenly disappeared from the Galaxy. They have not vanished entirely, though they have changed a great deal. Several remain trapped inside the Void. They seek to escape their eternal prison. We concealed them, hoping they would change with time, however their hearts have only darkened."
"Why don’t you kill them?"
"Despite what many believe of so-called gods, we have never killed. Nor do we seek to kill. We cannot touch your dimension without exacting a price we do not wish to pay. A member of the Fallen is close to returning. Many will perish under his wrath. Many already have despite the limitations imposed on him inside the Void.”
"Grimshaw said that Chimera were working for someone called the Primelord."
"Some refer to the Fallen Ancient we speak of as such. He will break free soon. You must stop him."
"How can I do anything against an Ancient?"
"Shaman Ishmarg plans on compiling several archives for your reading. We will guide him. We will make sure he includes the information you will need."
"I’ll need a whole lot more than information."
"You already possess the weapons. You need only learn how to use them."
"The fury?"
Shivsha nodded. "You are…unique. Part of you has ascended in a way the Fallen could never comprehend. Yet, part of you remains tethered to the material dimension. You can draw on the same power that holds the Primelord, but you must take great care when doing so lest that power swallow you."
"We’ve got enough on our hands with the Kragak and Chimera, and that isn’t even the half of it. I don’t have time to learn anything right now.”
"We understand." Shivsha smiled with brilliance. "The Aphnai have caused you great suffering. They will continue to do so if the Fallen return. Though we do not agree with your desire for revenge, stopping the Primelord will also end the Aphnai’s destructive ways.”
"Killing this Primelord will stop the Aphnai?"
Shivsha nodded.
"I don’t even know where to find him."
"He has not yet returned in the flesh, but that time draws ever nearer. You need not seek him out for he will find you."
"These Fallen worry you. They’re clearly very powerful. How do you expect me to kill such…a thing."
"You need not kill him."
"If you don’t want me to do anything, then why have you brought me here?"
"When the time comes, the Primelord will seek your help. You must let him die."
"That doesn’t sound too hard."
"Do not underestimate the ways of the Fallen, for they are more treacherous than you could imagine."
"You aren’t exactly inspiring confidence."
"When the Fallen attempted to usurp us, they created a key they believed would unlock the way to our realm. They were not incorrect, but neither were they ready to transition as their ancestors had before them. After the Fallen were trapped, part of the key ended up with their servants, the Kragak. It allowed them to cross the Void and be reborn on death. Another part made its way into the hands of your people. Their experiments were unsuccessful, but the key found a home inside you. What you have felt so far is the tip of the iceberg…as we believe you Terrans would put it. You can control power even the Ancients fear."
"I haven’t been able to use the fury properly since being given the serum on 115. It’s broken."
"The serum does not stop you, Clio. You need only unlock your mind. Answers exist in the land of half-dreams."
"The what?"
"It is difficult to convey things using such a limited language. The archives Shaman Ishmarg will give you will show the way. For now, we can open the way for you temporarily, for you will need it to assist Grimshaw."
That got Clio’s cackles up. "What's wrong with Grimshaw?"
"You have both been marked Nahvoy. It will see you in good stead among the Kragak, but first you must prove yourselves before the Line of Elders. That way, they will be unable to deny you your place."
"Nahvoy?"
"A guardian of the gods. Until this recently, Terrans had never been made Nahvoy. Now there are two of you.”
"What does that even mean?"
"We must part ways. We shall light the path before you. All you must do is follow. You must save Grimshaw, and you must let him die. He is the key."
Shivsha approached and handed Clio the trash. "You will need this."
"What am I supposed to do with a piece of paper? How can I save someone and let them die at the same time?"
The being’s face grew brighter, forcing Clio to cover her eyes. She tried to blink the sunspots away but the light grew even more intense.
When her vision finally cleared, she found herself in Dolgoth’s cave with the archaic blade in the hand that had held the crumpled paper. She stumbled out of the circle and grabbed onto the edge of the table. Bottles smashed onto the cave floor. Clio’s stomach lurched, and she added its contents to the mess.
She wiped her forehead with the back of her hand and found a smudge of semi-congealed blood.
The vines rustled and Shaman Ishmarg emerged from the green drapery.
"The hell just happened?"
The Kragak regarded her forehead, his beady eyes going wide. "The gods have chosen you."
“Your fucking gods cut me.” She tried to stand but her legs buckled under her weight.
Shaman Ishmarg moved with uncanny speed and caught her before she hit the floor.
"This is normal for those who use th
e ring for the first time," he said trying to reassure Clio. "Take a moment to catch your breath."
Memories of what had happened slipped from her mind no matter how hard she tried to hold onto them.
The Shaman gently wiped what blood remained away. "It is but a scratch. Two Terrans marked as Nahvoy. Such a thing has never taken place."
"What is a Nahvoy? Your damn gods wouldn’t tell me."
"It is the blessing of all blessings."
"Maybe try a language I understand."
"It is a special mark—" A loud distant hum rumbled the chamber.
"What was that?" Clio said, suspecting the Foundry was under attack.
“That was the arena’s battle horn. They sound it before a special event. Someone must have challenged an Elder."
"Grimshaw," she gasped.
"The Hadarr would hardly be so foolish…"
The Shaman held out his free hand. A white vine emerged from the drapes and coiled around the Kragak’s forearm. A faint glow emendated from the pale tendril. Ishmarg hummed as though conversing with the plant.
"Hermmm. I believe your Captain is indeed in trouble."
"When is he not in trouble?"
"He has challenged Elder Aglat to a duel. He couldn’t possibly hope to—"
"Take me to them."
"We’ll never make it in time in your current condition."
"Take me," she growled.
"Very well."
Clio leaned on the Shaman as he guided her out of the cave. She had so many questions about her encounter with the ring, but she tucked those away. They would have to wait. A feeling deep in her gut told Clio that she had to get to Grimshaw. She had to help him. She vaguely knew it had something to do with what had happened in the ring, but she couldn’t quite remember the details. And Shaman Ishmarg was right. She wouldn’t be much use to anyone in her current state.
Once again, the universe rested on her shoulders and she had not the strength to bear its weight.
Why does the shit always hit the fan when I’m a mess?
She was getting tired of it all. Her chest burned with frustration. Something else was there. Something she hadn’t felt properly in a long time. Fury tugged at the edges of her awareness.
Hadn’t Shivsha called it the Void?
Something was different this time. Instead of a raging fire seeking to devour all in its path, the Void presented as a sharp beam of energy. It had form. It had purpose. And for some reason, Clio knew that when she touched the light, she would be able to control it. Either way, she would need it to help Grimshaw.
Her mind reached for the swirling lights.
She gasped. Overwhelming ecstasy filled her bones.
She doubled over and stifled a scream.
The sensation abated. Her limbs felt like they had more weight to them, yet she moved with greater ease than before.
She stood upright to find Shaman Ishmarg gawking at her in horror. "What’s wrong?"
The sounds that left her were more music than speech.
The Kragak slowly lifted his arm and pointed a clawed finger. "Sar Hadarr."
He muttered the words as though casting a curse.
"What are you talking—"
A glow caught Clio’s attention, for it emitted from her own hand. She peeled back an arm panel. Veins of orange light flowed under the surface of her skin. Normally, she would have been frightened, but somehow she knew it was normal. She felt stronger than ever and her senses had been heightened more than any other time she had touched the Void.
"We have been waiting for the Sar Hadarr for so long. We never thought…a Terran…" Ishmarg’s words trailed off as his mouth hung open.
"You can explain on the way. We need to go."
Clio set off down the tunnel, the stone walls peeling away in a blur. The weight on her shoulders, once too much to bear, felt like a paltry thing. But augmentations granted by the Void never lasted long. She hoped she could reach Grimshaw before her time ran out.
Or worse.
Before he died.
29
The Aknar Queen
Taza’s muscles loosened a little while following Leeroy through a vast tunnel network. The head-fog had all but cleared and he was starting to feel relatively normal. More than anything else, Taza was glad to be back on his feet, even if he was a prisoner of sorts.
They pressed on through the catacombs. Most tunnels featured an unusual characteristic, and every now and then they navigated a particularly strange stretch. One shaft comprised of walls so smooth Taza saw his reflection. Later, they entered a small cavern full of jagged crystals shaped like twisted limbs and digits, reaching out from the walls.
"Razor crystals," Leeroy said, guiding him away from a jagged formation. "You don’t want to cut yourself on one of those. The micro-crystals stop wounds from closing and the only way to remove them is to cut away flesh."
"Every tunnel in the Refinery looks the same. No two are alike down here. Must make it easier to get around."
Leeroy grunted. "Not really. The catacombs cover an area so vast, the chances of escaping them are almost non-existent, unless you know your way around. The network starts deep in the Dradarrak Range above Priodome One and twists for hundreds of kilometers towards the Haxalia Sea. We’ve mapped less than a fraction."
"Good thing I have a guide."
"Even a guide doesn’t guarantee you’ll make it out alive." He winked, his features seeming ominous in the sharp contrast between light and shadow. "If one isn’t careful, the creatures down here can complicate matters. But they also act as a natural defense against intruders. It hasn’t stopped the Ushtarans from trying to find us, but any we miss tend to get picked off by the beasts."
Taza considered asking Leeroy how he ended up on Ushtar, but poking his nose in that direction had caused the redhead to close off conversation before. He didn’t, however, seem to mind questions about Ushtar and its inhabitants.
"How do we know we won’t run into one of these creatures?”
"Don’t worry, most are harmless, and chances of running into a dagga worm and fangalore in these passages are slim." He gestured to the wide passage they walked through. "We’ve secured a significant stretch of the passages between our base and the Aknar nest. Sometimes, a beast will break through our defenses, but that’s why we never leave without these." He pointed a thumb at the rifle attached to his shoulder maglock. "Why do you think we let you wear that TEK?"
Taza glanced down a tunnel that forked in five directions. He recalled the ancient passages under Sentinel City with a shiver. Leeroy took them down the leftmost passage. Though still unsure whether the man was friend or foe, Taza was glad to be in his company. The redhead carried himself like a fighter. The rifle on his back was a Stingray Mark II; an old model the Confederation Marines used during the Kragak War, though it had been so heavily customized Taza almost didn’t recognize its base. "That Stingray has seen plenty of use."
Leeroy shrugged. "She’s seen me through plenty of scrapes."
"You picked it up off a Marine after the war?"
"I guess you could say that."
They walked in silence for a while, their TEK’s lighting the way. Taza’s legs grew tired, but then he had spent the past week or so in an induced coma. He tried not to think about the nightmares and turned his mind elsewhere. He vaguely recalled Ria visiting him while he slept. She had even held his hand at one point. Or perhaps that was also a dream.
"I appreciate you answering my questions. Ria wasn’t so forthcoming with information."
"That is wise of Ria. Saying too much would land her in trouble with her mentor."
"He’s taught her well." He thought back to when they went hand to hand on the factory floor. "She handed my ass to me and while wearing a light TEK."
"Ria is a particularly stubborn student."
"I didn’t think the Chan had any experienced warriors among them, but this mentor must be something else."
"Be patient, my f
riend. Your curiosity will soon be satisfied."
Taza took the hint and shut his mouth, his mind filling with thoughts he’d rather avoid.
They arrived at a long ledge above a cavern so deep it swallowed the light.
"Stay close to the walls," Leeroy said. He pointed into the black chasm. "These lower levels haven’t been used much in centuries. I’d rather this ledge didn’t slide into that hole, especially while I’m standing on it."
Taza did as directed, sticking close to Leeroy.
A while later, they reached a row of three tunnel entrances.
"This way." Leeroy ducked into the smallest. "Watch your head. It’s a little low for the first few meters."
Taza crouched, doing his best to ignore the cramp in his injured leg. "How much longer before we get there?"
"We’re here." Leeroy pointed to a wide opening at the end. "A word of warning before we enter. Try not to talk too much. When you do speak, keep your voice low. The Aknar aren’t fond of loud noises."
They approached a low archway and ducked into a long, angular corridor with dozens of openings on either side. Taza looked into the openings as they passed, but the rooms beyond were shrouded in shadow. Clicks and clacks echoed from the adjoining chambers, but he resisted the temptation to shine a light.
One chamber had an archway that seemed eerily familiar.
Leeroy pointed inside and whispered in hushed tones. "That’s where they kept you while you healed."
A volley of questions popped into Taza’s head unbidden, but he quashed them.
Best to do as Leeroy says and keep quiet, he thought as a shiver ran down his spine at the memories of the recovery chamber.
They reached a large crude door fashioned from webbing and scrap material at the end of the corridor.
Leeroy pulled the door slightly ajar. "Remember, no sudden movements or loud noises."
They pressed forward, emerging in a chamber that resembled the one in which Taza had recovered, only it was at least ten times bigger. A cluster of crystals glowed faintly at the far end of the chamber. Patches of web covered the walls and ceiling. He felt countless eyes staring at him from under webs and inside shadows.
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