by Paul Centeno
The young oracle stiffened, feeling her past catching up to her again.
“Does the countess think her son is being affected by some kind of malevolent force?” the freelancer asked.
“I don’t have that answer. You’ll just have to go there and find out,” he said, glancing at the time on his KLD. “I’m a busy man, Shira. Meeting with the Guild Master in a minute. The coordinates have already been sent to your KLD. Don’t bother contacting me until you resolve this case.”
Xethren ended the transmission.
After a moment, Shirakaya focused on the windowpane that revealed space. “You heard the man, Vokken. Zesga’De Xanam. Full speed ahead.”
“Entering dimensional space.”
Away from the elemental debris, Vokken opened an aperture within the cosmos and sent Marauder through the chasm at maximum speed. The crew remained seated, their chairs rumbling. A thousand suns greeted them. Becoming one with the void, they passed myriad planets, moons, and asteroids.
Marauder traversed past countless stars—from one galaxy to another. To the freelancer, seeing her battleship accelerate across the space map at such velocity seemed unnatural even to her. At a time like this, she conceded, the universe was a small realm; yet she knew all too well that the cosmos and its twelve dimensions were seemingly infinite.
“What do you think?” Yarasuro asked.
Shirakaya broke away from her daydreaming. “Of the boy?” At his slight nod, she went on, “We’ll be surrounded by disbelievers dying for a reason to put us in jail or kill us even if our mere expressions disagree with their scientific dogma. We’ll need to tread lightly.”
“Agreed.”
The vessel exited dimensional space. Before them hung a cracked, reddened celestial body whose appearance seemed ready to burst into devouring flames. Vokken made haste to maneuver Marauder away from it and flew toward the esorian quadrant within the Zesga’De Xanam galaxy.
After progressing to safety, the battleship changed course. Flying noquria for several minutes, the mercenaries entered a star system that was marked on the freelancer’s map as Benetar Lojaria. They soon came upon a purplish planet with a semitransparent force field enveloping it. Multiple fleets of ivory starships surrounded the world. Only one strayed from its mandated position, approaching Marauder.
“We have arrived,” Vokken said.
“Why do I get the feeling that this isn’t going to be a warm welcome?” Shirakaya said with a sigh.
“Because they’re mental,” Myris said, her comment making Rah’tera laugh. “Listen, you know what happened to me during the festival. I can’t let Command-Minister Iska or any of his douchebag soldiers find me again. So, if you don’t mind, I’m gonna wear a mask.”
Shirakaya nodded, activating her kinetic link device. “Khal, my mercenaries and I will be dealing with another guild mission. Can you come get Jai’ryndar and also check on Xeza every now and then?”
“Yeah, no problem.”
“Thanks. I’m sure Jai’ryndar will be an asset to your research,” she concluded, ending the link.
“I’d better get Dojin,” Xorvaj said, standing up. “He’s not gonna wanna miss this.”
“You go do that,” the freelancer responded, her eyes focused on the approaching craft that gleamed like a white pearl.
III
Obscurity
Dojin returned to his cabin and sat down at a desk beside his bed. Using a computer linked to the transdimensional ethernet, he searched the military database and loaded up Zadoya’s biography, which revealed an unscarred image of her from when she served as a lieutenant. He gazed at it longingly before touching it with his fingers.
Drifting in thought, his haggard expression turned into a frown. Once again, he thought of her terrible fate. Before he could smash his computer, it abruptly blanked out. At the same time, the lights in his quarters fizzed as if an outage were about to occur. He then saw a message appear on the black screen: Dojin! Seeing his name appear made his heart skip a beat. Another message appeared: Help me! Help me, Dojin!
The renegade pushed his seat back. “Vokken, stop fucking around with me. I’m not in the mood.”
Vokken did not respond. Instead, the lights fizzed again with one final message: There is no time! Find me on—His computer screen returned to normal, as did the lights in his room. Dojin wasn’t one to fret, but receiving another unknown distress message caught him off guard. I’m losing my mind, he conceded. Before thinking further about the bizarre occurrence, he saw his door open as Xorvaj emerged.
“We have a new mission in Benetar Lojaria and just arrived. You coming?”
Turning around with a slight look of dismay, Dojin replied, “I’m not crazy about those tightwad militants, but I could use a breath of fresh air.”
“You all right?”
“Huh?” he blurted, trying to think of a way to hide his troubled thoughts. “What’s this? A ghensoth caring about a humyn?”
Xorvaj gave his comrade a look of death. Grabbing him, he forcefully turned and pushed Dojin out of his own room. Dojin let out a snorting laugh and made his way to an X-Phaser. The pair ported over to the bridge, rejoining the crew. Looking out of the primary pane, the renegade saw Omav, along with an armada of military spacecrafts.
Marauder entered the planet’s orbit, led by an ivory flagship whose curved wings were adorned with an array of cannons. Greeted by a bright horizon, some of the mercenaries gazed through the windowpane with intrigued expressions. The layer of gases that made up Omav’s atmosphere somehow made the sun appear purplish.
In addition to such an enigmatic sight, the crew was introduced to a rocky shore. Mauve-colored water washed over a cascade of pebbles and larger stones. Landing atop a cluster of huge boulders, Shirakaya and her entourage exited their vessel. Wearing a mask adorned with gems, Myris descended the ramp and hovered to a lower plateau. She kept to herself, listening to the rise and fall of crashing waves.
Eladoris leapt down in front of the oracle. “If the others are looking for me, tell them I have better things to do than babysit.”
“Laters.”
The necromancer waited for the military flagship to disappear into the clouds and then flew skyward across the ocean. Slightly jealous, Myris watched Eladoris with fondness until she vanished from her sight. Not seeing any benetarians around, the oracle removed her mask and took in the fresh air.
“Any reason why we landed in the middle of nowhere?” Dojin asked.
“Cos foreigners like you sexy lot aren’t allowed to land in Benetarian ports,” Myris said from below.
“Well, that sucks ass.”
Shirakaya tried to ignore the renegade’s remark, choosing to focus on the various seashells that lay along the shore and rocks. Each of them was shaped differently. Most intriguing, she thought, were the humming sounds that emanated from each shell. Scanning them, her KLD identified them as a species called igsus, also known as echoic igsus for their ability to capture and mimic lamenting voices from tormented beings.
“Not that I care about the kid,” Xorvaj started, “but why are we still here? Do you want him to die?”
No longer paying mind to the seashells, Shirakaya gave him a long look.
“The admiral may have given us permission to land, but he informed us that we need to wait here for someone to escort us,” Yarasuro said.
The ghensoth scowled. “When did this happen?”
“When you went looking for Prince Charming,” Myris responded, putting her masquerade mask back on.
“Escort us where?” he snapped.
“The child’s village,” Rah’tera answered.
Xorvaj sighed with impatience, leaning on the ship’s hull. The freelancer and her other companions remained by the mossy rocks. They had no choice but to try appreciating the ocean view. In time, a group of benetarians approached the Shadow Mercs. Once they reached them, a soldier in a military suit crisscrossed his arms.
“Welcome to Omav, jewel of B
enetar Lojaria. I am Jandu, First Soldier of His Imperial Majesty.”
“Thank you, First Soldier. I am Shirakaya of Aarda, and these are my mercenaries. I must say, this is truly a beautiful world. We are all honored to be here and look forward to meeting the countess.”
“Such introductions will be my pleasure. Follow me.”
IV
Bittersweet Acquaintances
The soldier and his two knights escorted the mercenaries past the rocky shore, bringing them to a vibrant jungle filled with multicolored ferns. The moist and shady woodland revealed a swirling creek flowing toward the immense rocks that jutted down to the sea, which now surged far behind the mercenaries.
Stepping deeper into the dense woods, Shirakaya heard a chorus of sing-song chirps. She managed to spot a yolku, one of many creatures singing within the forest. Its twin tails wagged and fluffed upward as it jumped off a branch above. Expanding its quad wings, it flew over to a higher bough on another tree.
Ahead of the group lay an uneven footpath that led them to a manmade bridge. Crossing the overpass, Shirakaya saw a stellar ouva drifting toward a waterfall. She stopped for a moment to gaze at the interstellar being. The gelatinous animal floated through splashing waters, rising skyward.
“I’m rather mesmerized by this world,” Yarasuro said, strolling beside his leader.
“You and me both,” she said, smiling.
Continuing through the woods, Shirakaya and her companions could tell that the trees in the region were noticeably less. They eventually reached a meadow where a village was located. Many of the buildings resembled cottages. Only one appeared more modernized, which was a bunker whose scouts blew a horn as the mercenaries approached.
Most prominent in the village, however, was a structure standing behind the bunker and humble cottages: a skyscraper castle built atop a cliff at the northern end of the village. The castle’s ebony-hued stonework glimmered with the purple horizon, complementing the sky. And its arched turrets seized the heavens, merging with the clouds.
“Incredible,” Yarasuro said.
“It truly is,” the freelancer replied warmly. “This place is like a breath of fresh air for the mind. If that even makes sense.”
“It does,” Myris said with appreciation.
Upon reaching the village square, the soldier and his knights turned north. The Shadow Mercs followed them, passing homes on either side. Workers like the local blacksmith couldn’t help but fix their eyes on the foreigners with curiosity. In fact, most villagers stopped to look, especially the children.
“Mommy! Mommy! Look! Aliens!” a boy said, pointing at the ghensoth and sandstalker.
“Shhh!” the mother uttered, pulling him into her cabin and closing the door before he could attract any more attention.
At an alley between homes, a couple kissing each other glimpsed the sandstalker and broke away from each other, gazing at his face with horror. They whispered to one another, eyes fixed on his breathing apparatus, as well as his many dreads that curled down to his spine like tubes.
Noticing their gaze, Rah’tera smirked at them. “So, how come the folks here are not using technology?”
“As much as I hate to admit it, it’s cos they can’t afford such luxuries,” Myris said, her voice disguised by the mask she wore. “This is actually how a lot of colonies are…at least in Benetar Lojaria. But don’t feel so bad. The villagers are used to it.”
“I’m not sure what’s more lame,” Dojin began, “what you just told us or that stupid ass mask you’re wearing.”
“Don’t get me started, ya ninny.”
“Whatever floats your boat, Princess.”
Myris was livid but kept quiet, pursuing Jandu. The Shadow Mercs soon passed the village and made their way up a hill, toward the ebony castle. The rock-strewn path remained safe for the most part, allowing them to stride onward with ease. Only a few areas of the winding path had sinkholes, forcing everyone to occasionally watch their steps.
Upon reaching the castle’s entrance, the group stopped and waited for the drawbridge to be lowered. The oracle felt a knot in her stomach as the gate ahead opened. I can’t believe I’m back. After everything I’ve been through, I have returned. But this isn’t for me. It’s for my new family. Yes...even that prick Dojin is family, Myris reflected as she stepped forward with her companions, entering the royal fortress.
“Fond memories?” Yarasuro asked the oracle.
Shirakaya couldn’t help but produce a soft chuckle. “I’m surprised, Yaro. You’re not one to be sarcastic.”
“He’s catching the Dojin disease,” Myris said.
They laughed, including the renegade himself.
Inside, the mercenaries found themselves in an atrium with chandeliers lighting the ebony stronghold. Twin fountains stood opposite each other, water trickling down plants whose arched leaves and sprawling, exposed roots appeared as healthy as could be. Stairs rose from either side of the foyer, and in the center lay an arcane platform akin to an old-fashioned elevator.
“This way,” Jandu said.
He and his knights led their guests to the enchanted platform. It automatically reacted to their footsteps, glowing with a subtle aura. Moments later, it elevated above countless floors. Dojin leaned forward, looking pale. Closing his eyes was the only thing that saved him from vomiting all over the floor.
“Oh, that’s right,” Shirakaya said, patting him on the back. “I forgot all about your motion sickness.”
Xorvaj snorted with amusement.
“Oracle?” the freelancer called out, smirking.
Without a word, Myris serenely waved her hand at the renegade and conjured a soft spell that dispersed his nausea.
“Thanks, kid.”
“Strange how you can handle the velocity of a starship but not a simple elevator,” Jandu said with curiosity.
“My, what a keen observation,” Shirakaya replied, ready to chuckle.
“Force fields and inertia dampers reduce the bullshit feeling of motion on a ship,” Dojin said through gritted teeth.
The elevator slowed down and came to a complete stop. Stepping off the platform, they walked through an unusually long hallway with bedchambers on either side. Around the middle of the corridor, Jandu entered a doorway that led everyone slightly upward through an arched turret. Shirakaya stopped midway, as did her crew. Approaching them from the opposite end was Lady Niksa who also froze in disbelief.
“Frauds!” she blurted. “They’re all frauds! Seize them!”
Jandu appeared disoriented by the other freelancer’s reaction but nevertheless obeyed; he and his knights turned to face the Shadow Mercs, unsheathing their weapons. The mercenaries copied their actions. Guns and swords pointed in opposite directions. Even though Shirakaya’s group was better equipped, Lady Niksa and her entourage of soldiers evened the odds.
“Stand down,” Myris said with firmness, removing her mask.
A few of the benetarians stumbled while others gasped, lowering their weapons without hesitation. Jandu and his knights kneeled before her, their arms crisscrossed. Lady Niksa looked confused as the guards listened to the young oracle.
“Who is this brat?” she inquired.
“Princess Eianvok?” Jandu said in disbelief. “Impossible. The emperor said you died in Lojaria after that nightmare earthquake.”
“Lies,” she declared. “My parents were assassinated by the Lojarians because I refused the arranged marriage.” Most of the benetarians looked horrified as she went on, “I was shot in the back while trying to escape. I managed to survive. Paralyzed, but alive.”
“Your Grace, you must announce this betrayal to the public immediately,” Jandu said.
“Absolutely not,” Myris affirmed. “I didn’t come here to restore monarchy as we knew it or claim the imperial throne. I am not the benevolent princess you may have once loved. I have a new life as an oracle. And this is my adopted family.”
“Then these must be the noblest of people,
” Jandu responded.
“Surely this is a joke,” Lady Niksa said. “Your Highness, is it? You voluntarily follow this shady whore?”
“Watch your filthy words!” Shirakaya snapped.
Dojin charged his shotgun. “Can we waste the cunt?”
“Sounds good to me,” Xorvaj said, raising his battleaxe.
“Stop!” Jandu demanded. “Lady Niksa is another respectable freelancer aiding us to cure the prince. You must find a way to work together.”
“Over my dead body,” Shirakaya said.
The benetarians raised their weapons again.
Myris slammed her fists on the arms of her wheelchair. “Jandu, I thought you were one of the few who truly loved my parents before the fall of kingship. If you have any respect for me as the former princess, then stand down and let us continue our mission.”
The soldiers and knights glanced at each other and obeyed her, forcing Lady Niksa to also surrender.
“Smart move,” Dojin said.
“Can you shut it?” the oracle scoffed, rolling her eyes. She turned her attention back to the benetarians. “Thank you.”
Shirakaya sheathed her sword, calming down. “Lady Niksa, I had no idea you were also a freelancer for guilds. Perhaps, as Jandu desires, we can temporarily put our differences aside and work together so that the benetarians can get their money’s worth.”
“Work together?” Niksa said, an insulted expression carved on her face. “Be grateful I’m not putting a bullet in your head,” she added, stepping aside. “You may go about your business here, but I’d still watch my back if I were you.”
“I think Lady Niksa still fancies you,” Vokken said to Shirakaya via KLD.
The freelancer cleared her throat and gestured for him to keep quiet.
“Thank you, Lady Niksa,” the oracle said. “And let it be known here that no one is to reveal my identity.”
Not a single benetarian in the corridor rejected her demand.
Lady Niksa momentarily grabbed Shirakaya by the arm. “This isn’t over yet. I’ll have my revenge.”