by Ben Hale
On the fourth morning Tess healed the last that had been injured, surprised at how much she had improved with healing magic. The nasty slash on Eidien's arm knit back together, and she wiped the blood off her arm with a rag. The woman nodded in gratitude once it had closed, and rose to her feet. Tess joined her to find Shirrilis already approaching.
"Are we ready to depart?"
Tess forced a nod. She'd never been so tired. "How much further?"
"We should arrive before nightfall," Shirrilis said.
Robar stepped to her side and lifted his pack onto his shoulders. He'd found a cache of ammunition in a cabin they'd stumbled upon and had taken it all. The dark elves had been loathe to help him carry it, so he'd strapped it all into a massive pack. Each nightly battle had lightened the load.
"We should get going," he said.
Shirrilis's gaze flicked to Eidian, who issued an order for everyone to form up. In a whisper of cloth and discipline, the remaining force fell into line. As one they stepped from the demolished home they'd defended throughout the night. Piles of the Twisted they'd killed confronted them as they exited, and they were forced to pick their way through.
The line of dark elves touched the blood spattered oak in the front yard. While Tess had been healing the survivors, Shirrilis had entombed the dead beneath it. The great tree's leaves were wilted from the lack of light, but its sheer size commanded respect.
Last to pass, Shirrilis plunged a dagger into the tree. She yanked it out with abrupt savagery. Energy was pulled with it, and the tree went as white as bone. Dead to the last leaf, it remained a stark reminder of those who had perished. Tess had seen the act three times, and each time was struck by the silent emotion of the underground race.
The white tree faded into the Dark as they departed, but the image made an indelible mark on Tess. These men and women had died for her, to protect her. They had done so without reservation or complaint. Witnessing their sacrifice caused something deep within her to harden. She would not fail them.
A few minutes later they reached the highway, where a pair of trucks sat. Undisturbed by their adversaries, they functioned only within proximity to Robar, who's immunity continued to dampen the Dark's effects. They had found them on the first day, and used them each day to travel.
Tess climbed into the cab of the second while Robar headed to the lead vehicle. She would have preferred to ride with him, but none of the dark elves knew how to drive. (Tess didn't tell them how little experience she had.) Eidian took the seat next to her, while the other elves leapt into the back. Once they were loaded, she turned the key and the truck coughed to life. Then she pulled back onto the road.
Their path littered with abandoned vehicles, progress was slow going, but still faster than walking. Negotiating past the empty cars she stayed close to Robar's bumper the entire time. The road ahead was illuminated for only a few yards as Robar advanced. His mere presence acted like headlights on a car. The Dark claimed their wake. She'd learned the previous day that if she drifted too far behind Robar's truck the Dark tried to subvert her mind.
"Do you know the place we are going?" Eidian asked.
"I know of it, but I've never been there," Tess replied.
She threw her a glance out of the corner of her eye. Eidian had been one of the elves she'd grown close to. Her accent was identical to Shirrilis’s, but the rest of her differed greatly. Her black hair hung free rather than being tied, and there was a tinge of blue to her obsidian eyes. Like the others, her skin was like smooth, gray silk.
"This is not how I would have liked to see your world," Eidian said after a while.
"What did you want to see?"
"Everything," Eidian said, and turned her eyes on her. "In the Deep we have our city, but little beyond that. You exist in a world so great that you are incapable of knowing the whole of it. Are there not many wonders on the surface?"
Tess thought of the many places to see throughout the world, and wondered which would remain.
"There are," she admitted.
Eidian sighed. "In spite of the law, traders and thieves have taken from your world. As we have dwindled in the Deep, we wonder what it is like above."
"And now?" Tess asked. "If we defeat the Dark, will you live on the surface?"
"It is no easy thing to abandon one's home, so I cannot say for the others. For myself, I believe I would. I can only hope the surface races would accept us."
"The mages will," Tess said, and smiled. "I will make sure of it."
Eidian smiled in return. "It is not your words I doubt, young oracle, it is the adversary we face. You fight like a reaver," her grin widened at the reference, "and yet I do not know if it is enough."
Tess didn't respond, and for a while there was only the rumble of the engine. Then she said, "For what it's worth, I'm glad you came for me."
"As Shirrilis has said, the ancient one was very persuasive."
Tess snorted, unable to refute the statement. She knew from experience how Hawk could be, and felt a sudden pang of sorrow. He'd become like a grandfather to her, but she had not seen him in some time. She hoped she would see him soon.
Apparently content to the let the conversation lapse, Eidian did not speak again. They stopped for a quick lunch and to get fuel. Siphoned from the abandoned cars they passed, they had no trouble filling the tanks of their vehicles. Then they moved on.
The hours dragged by beneath Robar's dome, but the oppressive Dark did not abate. Many times Tess caught herself looking to the edge of the visible area, hoping it had not begun to shrink. She was dirty, exhausted, and afraid of what was to come. She didn't want to see any more get hurt.
Several times she saw faces or claws appear on the Dark's surface. Once she saw what appeared to be a giant prowling at the edge. As if waiting for permission to enter, it departed after a while, and was replaced by an outline of a different creature. Like shadows moving in the night, they sparked fear in her.
Then finally the Dark came to an end.
Skirting a long line of cars, they bumped over the side of the road until they reached an empty guard station. Intended to stop any from passing through, the station stood next to a pair of destroyed barriers. Several cars had tried to force their way through, resulting in a pile of bent metal that blocked the road.
They stopped the trucks and dismounted. After a dozen feet Robar came to an abrupt halt. Tess strode to his side. "What did you see . . .?"
As if she'd crossed an invisible barrier, the region beyond the guard house burst into view. She blinked and then eased forward. With every step she took the area became brighter. Then she took another step and the full afternoon sun struck her.
She shielded her eyes at the brilliance, her heart soaring. She cautiously uncovered her face and blinked until she could see what lay before her. A city filled the valley below, its buildings reflecting the colors of the sun. Green trees dominated the hills around it, their canopies dotted with the lingering snow of winter.
Lights, sounds, and movement filled the city, their presence a boon after the silence of the Dark. A car horn honked, and the muffled sound of machinery accompanied the smoke rising from a factory tower. Tess's emotions surged to the point of tears. It felt like an eternity since she'd seen anything but a dome of darkness, and she yearned to leap off the ground and soar, to bask in the golden rays of the afternoon sun.
On impulse she drew on her techno magic and tried to call her parents, but nothing happened. Slipping into her magesight, she scanned the area for a signal she could tap into, but the area was clear. Then she noticed the fog on the ground.
Like a lingering morning mist, the dark fog blanketed every inch of the ground. Tree trunks rose from it like they lacked roots. Buildings appeared to float, while cars drove through it, their wheels lost from sight. The region around Robar was the only space clear.
Robar grunted. "Now what in the—"
"It's the Dark," Tess said, her heart sinking. "My mother said that Al
ice is using the Dark to enforce law. If anyone attempts to break the law, the Dark swallows them."
"So as long as you stick by me you should be fine," Robar said. "It doesn't affect them anyway." He jerked a thumb at the dark elves behind him.
"But what now?" Tess asked. "I can fly out of here but you can't. Not to mention the elves. Where do we go from here?"
"This is where we part ways," Shirrilis said, and stepped from the Dark. "We must now return to our homeland. In the last few days you have proven your valor, and compassion. Now we must prove ours. In nine days time, as night falls, you will see us ascend. Travel safe in our absence."
"Thank you for coming for me," Tess said. "You called me an ally once, but now I call you friend."
Tess inclined her head and made the motion of deep respect that she'd learned from the queen before meeting with the reigns. Her fingers touched her heart, her lips, her forehead, and then swept upward. The signal signified that her heart would ever remain loyal, her lips would never speak ill, her mind would not believe evil of them, and she would always think high praise. To her surprise, every one of them reciprocated the gesture, including Shirrilis. Then they faded back into the Dark. After they were gone Robar issued a grunt.
"Never thought I'd miss the presence of a dark elf," he said.
"I never thought I'd consider them friends," Tess said, and turned to him.
They stared at each other for several moments, allies by necessity, and yet also friends. She'd said it aloud, but now with just the two of them, she actually considering leaving him behind. All she had to do was fly away and she'd reach in Auroraq in a few days.
Inwardly she knew it would never happen. Did she want to be the type of person that left others behind? No, it was not in her to do such a thing. Besides, did she really want to return to Auroraq the way it was?
For the first time she considered exactly what lay in store for her. The moment she stepped into a classroom Alice would know. Tess had no doubt that she would carry through on her threat to kill her parents if Tess didn't obey. At the same time the oppression within the school had become unbearable. There had to be a way to defeat Alice, or at the very least, to expel her from of the city.
Robar.
His immunity to the Dark could become a weapon against the Voidlings, if she could figure out how to use it. Like a puzzle piece had clicked into place, she knew what she had to do.
"Robar," she said. "I want you to come to Auroraq."
His brow furrowed. "I told you I left the mages a long time ago. I'm not inclined to go back."
"But you are inclined to fight," Tess said. "And this is the fight I think you were born for. Or do you really believe that you were destined to rot in prison?"
He regarded her for a long time, and she tried not to hold her breath. It was the first time since their meeting that she'd addressed his past. Finally he issued a sigh and looked away.
"When it's over, I'm gone," he said.
She couldn't suppress a grin. "Then we just need to figure out how I can fly you up there."
A smile spread on his face. "There are other ways to fly, you know."
"Like what?" Tess asked.
Robar pointed to the city. "What do you bet there is a helicopter in there."
Chapter 29: Romania
They stuck to the alleyways as they entered the city. At every step they could see the impact the Dark was having on the people. Hardly a soul braved the street. Those who did walked like they were on live coals. Cars drove well under the speed limit, with their drivers gripped the steering wheels with white knuckles. The pall of fear did not abate at the doors.
Through shuttered windows Tess caught glimpses of still homes, where the carpet of Dark prevailed inside. By its very presence it maintained the peace. Mothers held their children, obviously afraid to put them down. Fathers spoke little, and went about their work like furtive rats.
At the same time every hint of crime had been erased. As much as the people were afraid of the Dark, they were no longer afraid of each other. Bicycles were left unchained. Cars were left unlocked. In the two weeks that the Dark had been there, the people had learned not to break the law. Those who had tried now prowled the streets as Twisted.
They passed through a former slum, and the presence of Twisted increased dramatically, forcing them to move into a lighter section of town. Now the Twisted wore tattered suits, marking them as corrupt businessmen. A moment later Robar spotted what he sought.
"Up there," he said, and motioned with his chin.
Tess lifted her gaze to the top of one of the taller buildings and saw a helicopter. It wasn't large, but it would do. With his immunity there was no way Tess could fly them both. Unfortunately the path to the helicopter went through downtown, and there was nowhere to hide.
"Act casual for as long as you can," Robar said as he stepped into the road.
Tess followed suit and together they walked into downtown. For the first few blocks no one looked at them. The few nearby passed on hurried steps. Then someone glanced their way. Dressed in a rumpled suit, he looked like some sort of banker. He paused, his expression confused as he stared at the ring of Dark-free ground around them. He continued to stare, and Tess's heart sank. By then others had taken notice. They whispered to each other, and hurried to follow.
"Keep going," Robar said. "Whatever happens, don't stop."
She nodded, and did her best to not look suspicious. A block later someone recognized her.
"It's the Oracle! The one from the video!"
Whispers became shouts as men and woman yelled at Tess. Much of it was in Romanian, but enough was in English for her to understand.
"How could you do this to us?"
"You brought the devil upon us!"
Others took the opposite approach, and called out for help, for salvation. Robar issued a grunt and drew his shotgun. "Looks like you have some fans."
"I'm more worried about the other ones," Tess said. She wanted to say something to the people, but her mind was blank. What could she say that would make them understand? Her silence only sparked more animosity.
One man stepped from the mob and raised a gun toward them. Robar swiveled to fire first—but the Dark was faster. Bursting from the man’s feet, it coiled around him, forcing his hands to drop the weapon. Realizing his fate, he screamed and tried to flee. In half a step the Dark rose up to swallow him.
Tess couldn't tear her gaze away as the man's screams turn into shrieks of agony. He fell to his knees and clenched his hands over his ears. The mob disintegrated as their companion took the fall for their collective behavior. Scattering into alleys, buildings, and vehicles, they were gone in seconds. Twisted took their place.
Rising from the carpet of Dark, they rose to their feet facing Tess and Robar. Finally Tess tore her eyes from the spectacle of the dying man to face the ring of foes. Out of the corner of her vision she saw his skin darken. Then his screams faded and the Dark returned to the man's feet, leaving another Twisted to face them.
"Time to go," Robar said, and bolted.
The ring of black forms descended on them, howling for blood. Robar's shotgun erupted in fire and blasted the first ones away. They crumpled like paper cups, discarded and lifeless. Tess guarded their flanks, her weakened magic keeping them free.
A rising howl swept the city, causing her skin to stand on end. In seconds the few that had gathered around them were joined by ten, then twenty, then hundreds. The former criminals of the city, twisted and darkened beyond recognition, snarled and bounded after them. Those in front were met by a hail of bullets from Robar. Those on the sides were left scorched and lifeless. Only Robar's blistering pace kept them from being surrounded.
People peeked out of windows at the raging battle, but no one attempted to intervene. It wouldn't have mattered if they did. The street behind Tess was clogged with leaping forms. They climbed over each other like vicious ants, intent on catching them.
—A Twisted bur
st from an alley, its claws scoring Tess's arm. The shock knocked her sprawling, and the creatures caught up to her. She screamed, fury and fear coursing through her but they had dragged her out of Robar's protective circle.
The Dark rose up to claim her as the Twisted clawed at her body. Skin and clothing tore, and hot blood darkened her jeans. Through the thickening throng she saw Robar turn back, but knew he couldn't make it. In desperation she drew on her magic, and it burst across her.
Unhindered by Robar's immunity, it exploded from her form. The surge of unbridled energy slammed the Twisted into the buildings on both sides of the street, snapping bricks and shattering glass. Others were sent tumbling down the alleys, their bodies shredded. The very concrete under her crumbled.
She relished in the return of her full power and launched herself into the air. Screaming at her foes, she split the air with a current of fire. It struck the center of the street and sparked a raging line of flames. Then she cast a fire golem. Roaring to life, it incinerated any that attempted to pass.
Undeterred by her magic, the Dark swirled upward and coiled around her legs, arms and torso. She twisted free before it could influence her mind and banked away. Leaving the barricade behind, she dropped into the protective circle around Robar.
He issued a grunt. "Let's see if your power can get us out of here."
Turning on his heel, he reloaded his assault rifle as he picked up the pace. "I'm almost out. We need to get inside."
Half a block later they reached their destination. Fighting their way past the scattered Twisted, they managed to reach the door. Its handle exploded into sparks as Robar let loose, and he kicked it in without hesitation. Once inside, she whirled and melted the edges of the door, sealing it to the frame. An instant later a thud indicated a body had struck it.
Tess gasped for breath. "That won't hold for long," she said.
"This way," a voice said.