Bonded by the Sea

by Victoria Mercier

  Strange. She expected the power of her bond to do some trick, but it remained quiet.

  Something wasn’t right. She knew it. Though only confusion radiated from Lord Red, he must have suspected that the attack didn’t work.

  The fire retreated and winked without a trace. Ines gasped seeing the ring of burned flagstone around her. Somehow, the power didn’t touch her, but why?

  “You blocked the weakest of my attacks,” Lord Red said in a calm tone, but Ines sensed his true emotions. He wasn’t happy with this. “So, it’s how you resisted Pestilence’s virus.”

  “I did nothing,” she replied. “But if you think, I’ll let you kill me, then you’re terribly mistaken. I won’t go down without a fight.”

  Ines took an offensive position. It didn’t matter if she could beat this man. She’d defend her life to the very end. Pace I would use your strength right now. I get it that most of it had been drained, but I need some of it. Over the period od the bond’s existence, his strength has surged to a new level.

  Lord Red’s brows tightened. For the first time, a pure rage contorted his face.

  “Worms never know their place. I offered you a chance to live. You squandered it like—”

  “Shut up!” Ines cut in. She had enough of his monologs. “You aren’t one to decided who lives and who isn’t.”

  Her only weapon was the virus. All she needed was one contact of their naked skins. She sprinted toward him, but Lord Red wasn’t a weakling. He evaded her with too much ease, though her constant attacks were interrupting his magic. He wasn’t very accustomed to using this power.

  A few times flames erupted from his hands but disappeared before reached her. What kind of power she exactly possessed? Could she stop the fire? What else Ines was capable of? If she survived this encounter and this place, she promised herself to answer these questions. She had to know.

  “Stop this!” Lord Red shouted.

  “Stop what, exactly?” Ines smiled seeing the consternation on Lord Red’s face. For all his temper, he didn’t try to kill her. Something held him back.

  “You’ll regret this! You—”

  Ines’ fist slid on the red coat. The leather made her hand bleed. An incredible pain zapped throughout her body with lightning speed. Ines staggered, tasting blood in her mouth. What was going on with her body?

  Lord Red’s confusion was short-lived.

  “You stupid woman! This is a red crocodile’s skin. It possesses powerful magical venom. You’re dead. This power of yours isn’t potent enough to defeat it. In other words, it’s the best moment to burn you to ashes.”

  As his hideous laugh filled the chamber, Ines accepted her fate or rather wished that he used the fire right away. The agony caused by the venom was tearing away shreds of her sanity.

  I’m sorry, Pace. I wish you could forgive me… But she no longer remembered what she had wanted him to forgive. Pace… I love you. Her mind became a torrent of visions, emotions, and thoughts.

  Like an echo, she sensed his shock and… he shared her pain. He took half of her agony. Oh, Pace. I don’t deserve this.

  As the first tears appeared in the corners of her eyes, the terrible heat enveloped her, then blast sent her flying. Lord Red made the fireballs explode all over her as she was flying. The virus, the venom and now fire. Her body began disintegrating. It was impossible to withstand so much destructive energy. So, much hate…

  Suddenly, everything changed. The heat was cut off and the venom seemed to vanish. The pain ceased, though her lungs burned. Was it death? Did she reach the endpoint of her life? She still could sense Pace somewhere far away with his overwhelming love that tugged at her heart unceasingly.

  Am I dying?

  And then, she realized she was drowning.

  She was thrown into the fountain. In a panic, her eyes snapped open and she found only a point of light in the distance.

  No surface.

  Her heart started beating harder, sucking the precious oxygen from her lungs. But she had none there. Her arms didn’t respond to her mental command. Such a useless body I have. I can’t use it.

  She was caught in the current and pressure around her increased in an instant. If she could, she’d scream, but even her jaws were clumped together too tight to twitch.

  The light disappeared or she lost consciousness. There was no telling. Her body was violently tugged by the current, deeper and deeper.

  The crushing pressure retreated as quickly as it appeared. A smell of something putrid reached her nostrils and she gagged. She coughed sweet-salty water for a minute. Her senses needed more time to return. I’m alive.

  “I live,” she rasped and winced. Her throat was raw with pain.

  “For now,” a voice of an old man said.

  She lifted her head to find a silhouette in the corner of the cave. The current from the fountain took her to the cave, how? Whoever this man was, he didn’t show himself. Only contours were visible in the weak light of the lamps.

  “Are you going to kill me, too?”

  “Oh, now,” the man raised his hands then quickly hid them back. “Why would I want to kill you? So far, you’re the biggest mystery I’ve encountered in my life. I don’t care for a setback in the Government plans or wounded pride and feelings of Lords. Screw them.”

  Ines saw her distorted face in the water. Her face was ruined, most of the robe was gone. Her right tit was uncovered. She didn’t care.

  “Who are you?”

  “My name is Mab Quark. I’m in charge of this facility, even though this buffoon Red believes otherwise.”

  “You’re… you’re the one responsible for all of this? Why?” Her fists balled and she felt like smacking this monster hard in the head.

  “Child, this place you’re coming from. It’s mercy in comparison to what the Government is guilty of. I do my best to treat those held here with respect and dignity, but I’m not a god. I can’t change the world… but you? I wish to see what the future holds for you. And the other one. The Soul Entanglement, what incredible magic that is.”

  “I don’t understand!”

  “Of course you don’t,” Mab Quark giggled. “You’re too young, too naïve.”

  “What now?” she asked after a moment. She didn’t know what to do next.

  “For me, it’s a simple thing. You confirmed one of my theories, so I have plenty of work to factor the results. For you? Well, I guess you’re ready to leave. Therefore, farewell.”

  She suddenly remembered.

  “Where is Kimberlton?”

  “You’ll find him in the room above.”

  “I’ll free all of your subjects!”

  “A substantial setback in my research, but your confirmation of Valoux Water properties gave me much-needed closure. Thank you, Ines.”

  “I… thank you for saving me, though the way you used that horrid smelling substance… be careful with that concoction in the future.”

  “Oh, that,” he deadpanned. “It was my fart.”

  “Vile. Odious. Repulsive,” she craned her neck in Mab Quark’s direction, but he was no longer there. He left the cave without a sound. Why am I even surprised anymore? A man shoots fire from his hand and wears a poisonous coat.

  *

  At the end of the cave were broad stairs.

  Stairs. Oh, no. Not again.

  Luckily, there weren’t many of them. A half a minute later she stood on the other side of the door. Iron walls, floor, and ceiling made her shiver. The place looked like a dungeon. It was a straight, featureless corridor, which led to another iron door.

  Ines body prickled with pain each step she made, but Kimberlton was near. He’d know what to do. She reached the doors and they opened it soundlessly. In the same, like the corridor, the featureless iron-made room sat Kimberlton. His fists were raw wounds. Pools of blood gathered beneath him. He didn’t lift his head when she entered the room.

  “Kimberlton,” Ines said.

  He started and gaped at her.r />
  “Ines! You’re alive… but what had happened? Why are you here? Your robe…” he ran to her and embraced her. Their bare skins touched each other.

  “No!” Ines shouted, but Kimberlton didn’t let go of her.

  After the first few moments, she understood that something has changed. The virus killed within a second after a touch.

  “You live…” she whispered.

  “I… I do. Oh, yes… I forgot about the virus.”

  Ines kissed him.

  Kimberlton shivered with excitement.

  “We must go,” she whispered. “We must leave this cursed place.”

  Chapter 32

  Pace

  Mists all over them began withdrawing. Did something happen to lieutenant? Most of the sounds of fighting outside died out, the last two battling were Agent X and captain. Behind Pace, the building shook from time to time, which meant that Riss and doctor Dukas must still fight each other as well. But where the hell disappeared Parime? Doctor Dukas ordered to take her with them, but when the fight broke loose, she had had to take advantage of the moment and escaped. Commander wasn’t anywhere near, too.

  A roar tore the air.

  “That’s Silverbreath.” There might be a bit of bad blood between Pace and the monster.

  It sounded close. Did Parime return to set the beast free? Why would anyone want it out of the cell anyway? A freaking cannibal.

  Pace shivered and looked at the manacles. They have sapped his life force and if he tried to pull them off, the sucking rate increased.

  Steps.

  Pace lifted his face and found lieutenant Mist walking toward him. Lieutenant’s uniform was burned in many places, showing scared patches of skin, but the man didn’t seem to care. He stepped without a sign of pain that had to rampage throughout his body.

  “Lieutenant,” Pace muttered.

  He stopped by Pace.

  “Where is Riss?” he asked.

  “She went after doctor Dukas.”

  Mist touched his dreadlocks. Many of them had been burned. He smirked at Pace, then produced a key.

  “What the hell is that pungent green stuff all over you? Did you puke it?”

  “No. It’s not that. The old geezer prepared a mixture to sear through the shackles, but it turned out to be a dud. Thank god. Or I’d be dead.”

  “I told you. Steer clear of More. Now free yourself…”

  Another blood-freezing roar from inside the building.

  “What the hell is that?” Mist’s eyes narrowed.

  “Silverbreath.”

  “This is going to be a problem. Siber was full of dirty tricks. I’m out for a while. It’s up to you, Pace.”

  “What?! I’m…”

  The manacles fell off and energy churned inside Pace. So, much strength. He forgot how it was to be able to walk and run… and fight.

  “Wait, you want me to fight Silverbreath?”

  Lieutenant smiled and gave him a thumb up.

  “I guess the virus might come handy, though Agent X survived it.”

  “Just keep him occupied for a moment… or two.”

  Pace nodded.

  The next roar blasted Pace into the yard. Lieutenant evaded the subsequent attack by inches. Despite the bulk, Silverbreath was fast.

  “What a delicious spectacle!” he let out a horrid laugh. “I’ll feast today!”

  Silverbreath’s eyes trained on lieutenant and the ground beneath the monstrous man’s feet exploded as he launched toward Mist.

  Lieutenant prepared a defense, but the powerful hit was blocked by someone else. Pace was still on four.

  Commander Kinson appeared in the path of Silverbreath.

  “Who are you to step between Silverbreath and his meal?”

  Commander looked up, then faster than Pace’s eyes could register, his fist buried itself in the belly of the beast. Silverbreath shot back smashing against the wall.

  Nice. Pace knew commander was powerful, but this. He one-shot an eighteen thousand beast of a man. Very nice.

  Silverbreath stirred. Impossible. Then, lifted himself to his feet. That was Pace’s chance. He ran as fast he could. All he needed to do was one touch.

  “What are you doing, idiot?” commander yelled after him, but Pace ignored him. He’d deal with the consequences later. As the distance between Silverbreath and Pace decreased, the idea lost its appeal. Silverbreath noticed him and his mouth split in an improbably wide grin, full of razor-sharp teeth.

  “Food comes to me on its own. What a time to be alive.”

  “Shut the fuck up,” Pace shouted and launched himself against Silverbreath, but was scooped by the enormous hand. The man’s pointed claws bit into Pace's skin. He ignored the pain as Silverbreath let him out of him. The monstrous man staggered and started shuddering.

  “What’s happening? What’s wrong with me?” Silverbreath began growling, but he still stood on his feet. Agent X too fought and defeated the virus. Could this beast be as strong as the agent? Hopefully not.

  “Commander! Now is your chance.”

  But the attack didn’t come. Pace spun, suddenly, full of bad feelings.

  Parime Dorado in the company of two dozen pirates stood facing commander and lieutenant. If Silverbreath survived, then… that was a problem. Captain was still battling Agent X somewhere… all over the place. The only way to tell where they were was the rumbling of crashing walls.

  “Isn’t this a good day for revenge?” Parime asked.

  “I have no desire to fight you, Parime Dorado.”

  Everyone, except Pace and the lieutenant, gasped.

  “I wonder why that is?” Parime Dorado inquired. “You weren’t scared the first time.”

  “I’m not afraid of you, but I’d rather avoid a quarrel with your father. For now.”

  Parime frowned.

  A growl was all the warning Pace received. Silverbreath’s punch smashed close enough Pace to send him into the air. The monstrous man was learning quick, and like Agent X he defeated the virus.

  Pace landed on his face. He groaned as he struggled up. I need to pay attention.

  “You can’t be serious, marine. No man who challenged my father walked out of the duel alive. He possesses a godlike strength and his Gift… beyond your imagination. He is a monster.”

  Commander Kinson nodded. He had his usual stern face; his hands were clasped behind his back and his posture was straight as an arrow.

  “Every monster can be tamed, girl.”

  “Who are you?” Parime Dorado asked frowning furiously. Her subordinates started trickling away as the tension between Parime and commander grew up.

  “I’ll smash your head,” a snarl came from behind Pace. He had tumbled to the side avoiding a stone that meant to crush his head. Silverbreath raised his hands to drop another stone on him. Pace surged to his feet and punched Silverbreath’s stomach. As well he could fist the wall. Whatever Silverbreath made with the virus for the first time, it hasn’t had a permanent effect. The monster growled as he dropped the stone on his head. At that second, Mist materialized next to Pace and punched Silverbreath with all his strength in the face.

  “Lieutenant, the virus,” Pace warned.

  The giant man had fallen on his back and started laughing.

  “Don’t worry about me. Just keep him occupied. I must check on Riss. Dukas is known to play dirty. Very dirty.” That was great.

  In the place where lieutenant stood now swirled tendrils of mists. He disintegrated into a mist. A neat trick. I don’t like magic, but I could make use of this.

  Silverbreath lifted his head. Pace didn’t waste the only chance he had. He jumped toward the giant and punched him in the face. The pain of broken bones rendered his arm useless. Silverbreath roared touching the place where Pace’s fist made a contact with his jaw.

  Pace used the left hand. It was noticeably weaker, but as the hit connected, Silverbreath’s movements have become sluggish, until they stopped.

  One mo
re…

  The thickened and electrified air around commander pulsed shoving everyone back. Only Parime stood unaffected, though her cape trashed in the gusts of blowing winds.

  Where this energy came from? Pace had to cover his eyes lest the dust would blind him.

  “Impressive strength of your Soul Release, marine. But I’m not going to lose the second time. You got me there earlier. I didn’t expect anyone on this level in this tedious sea.”

  The ground erupted beneath commander’s feet and Pace was thrown back.

  BOOM.

  BOOM.

  Booms and the tremendous wind filled Pace’s world for a moment. He’d seen commander fight on the ship, but that was nothing compared to this. He must have been stronger than captain. Way stronger.

  In a few moments, commander and Parime disappeared between the heaps of rubble. The ominous cracks on the wall of the main building didn’t indicate anything positive. Pace localized Toggy first. He woke the fellow marine with a solid slap.

  “Ouch! What was that for?”

  “We have to leave this place. Commander went bonkers. If we stay here, we’ll be collateral damage. I’ll get the old geezer.”

  They found doctor More who was awake and nursed his wounds.

  “You’re alive, doctor,” Pace said with a deadpan expression. “I feared that I won’t be able to kill you myself.”

  Doctor raised his hands.

  “You should be thankful for my help! I freed you.”

  “Lieutenant freed me. Not you.” Pace answered watching doctor’s face go white.

  “But you’re free. That’s what important.”

  “What kind of logic is that?” Toggy joined them.

  “Deadman’s logic,” Pace kept the tone. The revenge was sweet.

  The main building began shaking and the cracks that ran all over the wall spread further. Three marines jumped to their feet and in a hurried fashion shot toward the safe part of the yard. Except, nowhere such a place existed.

  “We must leave—”

  The main naval base had groaned then collapsed. Lieutenant Mist and Riss were still inside.

  Clouds of dust rose in the air, but the gloom didn’t last long. A vortex appeared around commander and Parime. It chased away the dust.