by Lucas Flint
To keep her mind off such thoughts, Treehugger tried to focus on any plants that she could possibly use to help her escape. Even a dead dried vine or root would be better than nothing, but to her disappointment, it appeared that none of the forest’s trees reached down here. Or maybe the evil nature of the tunnel caused the trees to avoid it; it was a silly thought, given how trees weren’t sentient, but Treehugger still thought it anyway, if only because she would also not be here if she had the chance.
It wasn’t long before they finally emerged from the staircase into a chamber deep beneath the earth. The chamber was not very large, perhaps big enough for six or seven people, if that. Like the rest of the tunnel, it felt mostly abandoned, as if no one—not even mice—had been down here in centuries. Unlike the rest of the tunnel, however, this chamber appeared to have more effort put into its appearance. The walls, floor, and ceiling were smooth and flat, covered in paintings that Treehugger had a hard time making out at first. She realized that the floor was covered with concentric circles, with the largest on the room’s perimeter and the smallest in the exact center of the room.
As for the paintings on the walls, Treehugger didn’t understand any of them, except that they seemed to be instructions for sacrificing people here. At least, that was what she assumed, because some of the paintings showed several of those strange Shadowlands creatures sacrificing one of their own in a chamber that looked remarkably like this one. The air down here was also a lot dustier and heavier than the air back in the forest, which made it hard for Treehugger to breathe.
“Here we are,” said Pantalone, glancing left and right as if to make sure that the chamber was empty. “This is the place, just like what Mr. Mann told us.”
“Not very impressive, if you ask me,” said Arlecchino in a somewhat bored voice. “I was expecting something bigger, like a full-on temple or something. But it’s just an underground room.”
Moretta, on the other hand, was looking around the room with deeply curious eyes. She walked up to one of the paintings and pressed her hand against it, causing that painting—which depicted something that looked like a coffin—to be pressed inwards like a button.
A second later, the ground in the center of the room parted and a coffin-like box rose from the floor. The coffin, like the rest of the chamber, was made out of thick, smooth stone, though it did have a few carvings on it, carvings which depicted more brutal Shadowlands rituals that Treehugger didn’t want to think about or even describe. There was also something horrific about the coffin itself, too, like it was an unnatural abomination in its own right.
“How did you know that would happen?” said Arlecchino, looking at Moretta in surprise. “You’ve never been here before, right?”
Moretta made several signs with her hands that Treehugger couldn’t understand. Arlecchino, on the other hand, just nodded and said, “Oh, right. I forgot that Mann told you about the legends surrounding this place. Guess those old stories are more accurate than we thought, eh?”
“Indeed,” said Pantalone. “And if the legends are correct about the coffin, then they must also be correct about the purpose of this room.”
“What was this place used for originally?” Treehugger said. She hoped that by having Pantalone answer some of her questions, she might be able to buy some time to think of a way to escape, however unlikely that was.
“The oldest legends say that this chamber was once a place where the original inhabitants of the Shadowlands sacrificed their own people to the gods they worshiped,” said Pantalone. He gestured at the gruesome paintings on the walls. “As you can see, those legends were obviously correct. But what the legends don’t record is that the Starborn also used this place, combining it with their own technology in order to achieve as yet unknown ends.”
“Mann told us that if we sacrifice a superhuman here, then it will create a chain reaction back on Earth that will de-power all superhumans on the planet, thus giving the Starborn no reason to come back here,” said Arlecchino. “No one will know we saved the world, but that’s the price you got to pay to be a real hero sometimes, eh?”
“Did you always intend to do this?” said Treehugger with a shudder. “I mean, before you found me. Were you going to sacrifice one of your own to do this or what?”
“Originally, we were supposed to sacrifice the Ciphers,” said Pantalone. “You remember, don’t you, how we tried to steal the Ciphers from your two friends some time ago?”
Treehugger nodded. “So you were going to sacrifice the Ciphers instead of me?”
“Yes, because the Ciphers are creations of the Starborn, too,” said Pantalone. “Of course, as you know, that didn’t work out. Therefore, we have decided to sacrifice a superhuman like you instead.”
“Don’t think you’re anything special, girlie,” said Arlecchino. “We only chose you because you were on hand.”
“Although technically, we were only supposed to scout out the Shadowlands, rather than go ahead with the sacrifice,” said Pantalone with a shrug. “That is what Mann told us to do.”
“You mean you’re going against the orders of your own boss?” said Treehugger doubtfully. “I can’t see Mann being very happy about that.”
“Mann will be happy to learn that we saved the world,” Pantalone insisted. “He will understand. Mann knows that sometimes you have to go against orders for the greater good. When we report back to him on the success of our mission, he will be happy, no matter what.”
“And if he does get angry, at least we kept the world from getting destroyed,” said Arlecchino. “That’s got to count for something, right?”
Treehugger would have answered, but Pantalone quickly said, “Enough talking. Arlecchino, let’s put the girl into the coffin. That will make it a lot easier to kill her.”
“Okay,” said Arlecchino. “Come on, girlie. Time to meet your maker. Not like you have much of a choice.”
Arlecchino walked over to the coffin, while Treehugger desperately looked around the chamber for anything, anything at all, that could help her escape. But it was no use and soon Arlecchino opened the coffin and dropped Treehugger into it. Due to the fact that the coffin was made out of stone, being dropped into it was like being dropped onto the floor, albeit since the coffin was above the floor it meant the fall wasn’t as hard as it could have been. It was still uncomfortable, though, and Treehugger found it hard to find a comfortable position to lie in, not helped by the fact that her arms and legs were still bound to her body by the ropes.
Once more, the masks of the three Venetians appeared over her, their masks making them look less like people and more like ghoulish devils in the light from the lamp. Pantalone, in particular, looked quite devilish, his eyes partially hidden under the shadows cast by the lamp.
“The deed is nearly done,” said Pantalone. “But first, we must prepare the chamber in accordance with the legends. Arlecchino, Moretta, you know what to do.”
Both Arlecchino and Moretta nodded before pulling away. Treehugger could not see them due to the fact that she was lying in the coffin, but she could hear the two Venetians moving about, though what they were doing, she could not tell. She could only see Pantalone’s mask, who was still looking down at her as if to make sure that she did not escape.
“What is this coffin?” said Treehugger. “Was it built by the Starborn?”
Pantalone nodded. “Yes. Once we kill you, your blood will flow through the drains connected to the coffin, which will set off the chain reaction we mentioned before. And once that chain reaction is started, Earth will be safe once more.”
“How do you know that?” said Treehugger. “What if John Mann was lying to you about how it will de-power all superhumans?”
“Mann never lies,” said Pantalone. “And anyway, what matters is saving the world. I thought you would understand that, given that you are a superhero, but evidently you missed out on that concept in hero school. Or perhaps you’re just a hypocrite, as most superheroes are.”
Treehugger was going to say that this really didn’t count as saving the world, but suddenly, the lines in the ceiling began to glow teal, casting a strange glow on everything. Pantalone looked up, as if surprised, while Arlecchino and Moretta both reappeared around the coffin, though Moretta must have put down her lamp somewhere because she was not holding it anymore.
“Got it ready,” said Arlecchino, gesturing at the glowing teal lines. “Did exactly as the old legends said. That was pretty easy, if you ask me. Much easier than you’d think, given the age of this place.”
“Good job,” said Pantalone. He looked down at Treehugger. “The time has now come to sacrifice you. Moretta, do you have the knife?”
Moretta immediately held out a long dagger to Pantalone, who took it by the handle and then looked it over for a moment before holding it above his head. Treehugger started struggling to free herself again, but Arlecchino immediately grabbed her shoulders and held her down so tightly that she could not move.
“Now, now, girl, there’s no need to get yourself so worked up,” said Arlecchino. “I know Pantalone pretty well. When he kills, he’s usually pretty quick and clean about it. You’ll be dead before you know it.”
Treehugger didn’t find that even remotely reassuring, but it was now obvious to her that there was nothing she could do to save herself. All she could do was look up at Pantalone’s knife, expecting to feel the blade stab into her chest and take her life.
But before Pantalone could bring the knife down on her chest, a sound blast came out of nowhere and struck Pantalone’s hand. Pantalone cried out in pain as the knife went flying somewhere into the darkness, while Arlecchino and Moretta both looked over in the direction from which the sound blast had come in shock.
“Who did that?” said Arlecchino, holding up his fists. “Show yourself!”
Treehugger, getting over her shock quickly, managed to raise her head just enough so she could see over the side of the coffin. She didn’t see anyone else in the chamber at first, but then she heard movement from the exit and two people—a man and a woman—stepped into the chamber, two people who Treehugger had never thought she would ever see again, but who she was thrilled to see just the same.
“Who the heck are you two?” said Arlecchino, staring at the man and the woman in confusion. “Are you with the INJ or the NHA?”
The man smirked and held up his sound blaster. “Neither. You can call me Mr. Space and my friend here Captain Galaxy. We’re with the IEA and we’re going to save that girl you got there, if you don’t mind. Or even if you do mind, we’re going to save her, because that’s the right thing to do.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
“The IEA?” Arlecchino repeated. “Who the hell are they?”
“The people who are going to kick your ass, that’s who,” said Space. “Now let Treehugger go or we’ll do a lot more than just shoot knives out of your hands.”
Treehugger couldn’t believe it. She had thought that Space and Galaxy had been killed by the Servants; at the very least, she figured they would be too busy fighting the Servants of the Starborn to come save her. Yet here they were, weapons out and aimed at the Venetians, showing no fear in face of these three powerful supervillains. It almost brought tears of joy to Treehugger’s eyes, because it meant she was going to survive after all.
Pantalone, however, stepped forward, his claws balled into fists. “I don’t know who or what you are, but if you think we are going to let you interfere with our plans, then you are sadly mistaken. The girl must die in order for the world to live.”
“Yeah, I’m sure she does,” said Galaxy, rolling her eyes. “We don’t know much about what is going on here, but it is plainly obvious that you three masked goons are up to no good. If you don’t let Treehugger go, we’ll kick your ass six ways from Sunday.”
“Such confident words coming from two humans who don’t even have powers,” said Pantalone. “But if you wish to die, then I cannot argue with that. No matter what happens today, the girl will die and we will save the world. Moretta.”
Moretta raised her hands, but before she could do anything, Space fired his sound blaster at her. The sound blast struck Moretta and knocked her down, causing Pantalone and Arlecchino to scatter to avoid being hit. Treehugger pulled her head back down into the coffin so as to avoid getting caught in the crossfire, but she heard Space and Galaxy firing their sound blasters at the Venetians. The blasts were incredibly loud, almost drowning out Treehugger’s own thoughts. She wished she could get up and help fight the Venetians, but with the ropes still tied around her body, all she could do was lie there helplessly and wait for someone to rescue her. She hoped the battle would be over quickly and Space and Galaxy would be able to rescue her without further delay.
Suddenly, Space appeared above Treehugger, his sound blaster in one hand. He looked down at Treehugger and said, “Treehugger, are you okay? Did the Venetians hurt you?” He had to speak loudly to be heard above the sounds of Galaxy fighting Pantalone and Arlecchino, but Treehugger could hear him well enough.
“Yes, but I’ll be fine if you can cut these ropes,” said Treehugger, nodding at the ropes tied around her body. “I can’t move.”
Space nodded and pulled out what looked like a knife handle before he pressed a button on its side, causing an energy blade to shoot out of it. In one smooth motion, Space cut through the ropes binding Treehugger’s limbs together as easily as butter. Throwing the ropes off herself, Treehugger sat up and hugged Space, saying, “Oh, thank you! I thought I was a goner there!”
“Uh, it’s okay,” said Space, awkwardly patting her on the back before he pushed her away. “But the battle is still not over yet. The bad guys—”
Although Space’s lips moved, no words came out of his mouth. Treehugger, however, immediately realized what the problem was and turned around just in time to see Moretta stabbing the fallen knife at her face. Instinctively, Treehugger dodged the knife and grabbed Moretta’s arm. She twisted Moretta’s arm, causing the Venetian to drop the knife into the coffin on Treehugger’s lap. Moretta immediately tried to punch Treehugger with her other arm, but Treehugger let go of Moretta’s arm and ducked, easily avoiding the other fist as she grabbed the knife and slashed at Moretta wildly.
Moretta tried to block the knife with her arm, but the knife cut through the sleeve of Moretta’s white robe and even bit into her skin, causing Moretta to stagger backwards, clutching her now bleeding hand. Under the teal lighting, the blood stains on her sleeve looked purple, though regardless of color, it was pretty obvious that Treehugger had cut her badly.
“Whoa,” said Space, causing Treehugger to nearly start, as she hadn’t realized that sound had returned. “That was a close one. What happened to the sound?”
“That woman can take away sound,” Treehugger said, gesturing at Moretta, who seemed too distracted by her bleeding arm to pay attention to much else. “She may be mute, but she’s more dangerous than she looks.”
“I’ll say,” said Space with a shudder. “I’ll—”
“Space, help me!” Galaxy cried out from the other side of the chamber. “Getting a little overwhelmed here!”
Treehugger and Space looked over in that direction. Galaxy was fighting both Pantalone and Arlecchino and managing to hold her own, but it was clear to Treehugger that the two Venetians would overwhelm her eventually unless she got help.
“I’ll go help Galaxy,” said Space. “You can deal with Moretta.”
Treehugger nodded as Space ran over to the scene of the fight between Galaxy and Pantalone and Arlecchino. She hoped they would be able to take on the Venetians, but for some reason she did not have a very good feeling about this fight.
Regardless of how she felt, Treehugger turned around to face Moretta. The female Venetian still clutched her bleeding arm, which meant she was too distracted by the pain and blood to defend herself. Clutching the knife in her hand, Treehugger jumped over the side of the coffin and ran over to Moretta. She swung her kni
fe at Moretta’s mask, but Moretta dodged it at the last second, causing Treehugger to stagger forward from the momentum before a kick from Moretta struck her in the abdomen and knocked her flat onto the ground.
The impact of the fall briefly dazed Treehugger, but she rolled out of the way just in time to avoid getting a boot stomped on her face. Rising back to her feet, Treehugger held out the knife before her, attempting to keep Moretta at a distance, because she didn’t want this fight to get too up close and personal. She was also trying to see if she could find any plants in the chamber that she might be able to control; unfortunately, she didn’t see anything useful, which meant that she would have to beat Moretta another way.
As for Moretta, she glared at Treehugger from behind her mask, but didn’t approach her, no doubt because she didn’t want to get cut by Treehugger’s knife. Not that Treehugger felt entirely safe at the moment; just because Moretta could not get up close and personal did not mean that she was not a threat. All it meant was that Treehugger had bought herself a little time to think of a way to beat Moretta and possibly the other Venetians, too.
“Afraid of getting cut?” said Treehugger, doing her best to seem as confident as possible in order to make Moretta afraid. “I understand. I don’t like sharp things very much, either, especially when they’re pointed at me.”
Moretta, of course, did not respond, at least verbally. She just kept glaring at Treehugger, as if she was trying to kill her through looking alone. Treehugger kept a careful look out for an opening to take advantage of, but she knew that Moretta was more capable than she looked. Just because Moretta’s arm was bleeding did not mean that she was defenseless.