“Now then, we were in the middle of something when you so rudely interrupted,” Videus says, narrowing his eyes at the tree behind me, “Fortunately, the distraction allowed the Tree to make a rather unremarkable reappearance.”
With a single hand gesture from Videus, the remaining two salamanders slink from his feet, streaking past me and taking opposite sides of the tree.
“Don’t you dare touch the tree— ” I warn through gritted teeth.
If the tree is destroyed, everything will be for nothing. Runa’s in there somewhere and everything inside me is screaming to put a wrench in Videus’ plans. But how?
“Stop them, Trae,” Kani yells, “I’d rather die than live in a world where Fenton is taken by this monster.”
Videus chuckles, “Do you know nothing, Kani? Good, noble Traeton—risk your life? He won’t do it, even if it means giving up on … what was it? Love? Lust?”
Kani twists to the side, slamming her elbow hard into Videus’ ribcage. Blood streams heavily from her neck, but she wrenches the knife from his hand and immediately turns it on him. With her free hand, she covers her wound, but sways slightly. Her complexion has gone a ghastly white.
Videus takes careful consideration of his situation, slowly raising his hands.
“Kani … think carefully,” Delaney says, using her most calming tone, “Don’t do anything rash.”
“Shut it, Lane,” Kani says, anger and defense encompassing her entire makeup.
Videus stands, using Fenton’s features to try to break Kani’s resolve. He lightens his expression and takes a step forward.
“You wouldn’t do anything to poor Fenton’s body. Now would you?” Videus asks, wide eyed and direct, “He loves you, you know. And wants desperately to get back to you.”
“Don’t do that—don’t you dare do that,” Kani says, jabbing the knife towards Videus. “You don’t care about Fenton. If you did, you’d get the hell out.”
The control over Fenton’s appearance flickers again, but the impenetrable black eyes remain.
“Of course I care. You are my people— Everything I’ve done … I’ve done for you. This has always been about keeping the sanctity of life,” he says.
“Sanctity of life? You have to be kidding me. After all this?” Kani says, splaying her arms out wide, “All this death is because of you.”
“He will not come around to your understanding, Kani,” Patric says, stepping forward and regaining hold of his weapon.
Ash and Delaney also bend down, picking up their weapons and taking careful aim.
“Fenton’s still in there somewhere. He has to be. What if we can get him out?” Kani says, her hand shaking.
“Hold onto that thought. Let it be your compass,” Delaney says, giving Kani a significant look.
“Hmmm … You know, I kind of like this body. Young, agile. Lots of memories of this resistance of yours buried in here. No … I could get used to this,” Videus taunts.
It’s clear to me, he’s hoping to agitate Kani into making a mistake and in her state, it just might work.
A ferocious snarl erupts behind me and Videus’ eyes widen as if he remembered something important.
“No—she’s still here,” he mutters, his eyes distant.
I take a glance around, but of course, nothing can be seen.
Is the Morph here? Or whatever we thought was the Morph …
It certainly seemed like something was helping us through the mayhem.
Hoping the distraction will cause enough confusion, I launch myself forward and roll to where I kicked my sonic resonator. Before anyone can stop me, I prop myself up on one knee and face the tree. I flip the switch, readying Jane, just as flames ignite at the salamanders’ feet. A burst of electricity erupts from the center of their bodies, creating a conduit that wraps around the tree and connects the two of them. In a flash, they start running in a counter-clockwise fashion, burning away all traces of snow the base of the tree. Due to their motion, it’s hard to take aim as they ring around and around.
“What are you waiting for? Shoot—” Patric calls out, firing a shot of his own before I get the chance.
The shot misses its target, instead, hitting the tree and splintering a huge chunk from the side. Ash and Delaney also fire, but the sheer speed of the salamanders makes it hard to pin them down.
Centering myself, I take a guess as to where one of the salamanders will be next, and I fire two shots. There’s nothing standing between me and the salamanders, and yet they ricochet in the opposite directions as if being parted by an invisible force.
As I try to figure out the cause, my sonic resonator is abruptly flung out of my hands and lands in the snow beside me. Directly in front of my face, a piercing howl of pain and anger makes me cover my ears to protect them. I duck down, covering my face with my forearms expecting to be attacked, but nothing happens.
Runa mentioned before there’s more here I can’t see—and that I could hurt her.
Did I just shoot her by accident?
A moment later, one of the salamanders is flung backward of its own accord as if being yanked by its tail. The fire at their feet and the electrical arc between the two severs. The salamander howls in agony, thrashing on its back as it tries to right itself. The second salamander abandons its post, rushing to its companion and slinging itself at the attacker. Stopping in mid-air, it latches onto the creature we can’t see as it reignites the fire at its feet. Another ear-splitting howl of pain erupts, but it’s not from the salamanders.
I fumble with the sonic resonator, unsure what to do—if I try to help I could hurt all of them.
“Delaney, can your team get a good shot? Take out the salamanders,” I yell.
“What the hell is it attacking?” Delaney asks.
“Just do it— ”
Two shots are fired, one making direct contact with the salamander on top of the creature. Blood bursts from its shoulder as it tumbles off the invisible creature and lands in the snow. Immediately, the other salamander flings itself at its enemy.
“Claws—watch out for Tethys’ claws,” Videus screeches.
“Shut up,” Kani yells, stepping forward with the knife, “Just keep your mouth shut.
The shot salamander slinks around, trying to get on the other side of the invisible creature while the other attacks. The movement is ineffective as the invisible creature flings off the salamander on its back. It knocks into the other and with a loud squish, a head of one of the salamanders is pulverized before our eyes.
Without any further hesitation, the remaining salamander launches itself at the tree. It reignites the flames at its feet, slinking upward in a spiraling dance. It leaves behind a trail of fire until the entire thing has gone up in flames. The sky darkens with the smoke and there’s nothing I can do but stand there in horror as the last salamander destroys the tree right before our eyes.
“Yes— I have to admit, I almost didn’t think I’d accomplish this,” Videus says, laughing manically, “You have no idea how long I’ve waited for this moment. To think—the Daughter of Five led me straight to it. After all this time, she was actually its undoing.”
The heat from the raging fire becomes unbearable—even from this distance, but the salamander perches itself inside the large prongs of the tree as if it’s its second nature to be alight. Even from here, I can see the wound on its tail healing itself in the flames.
“We have to find a way to stop the fire,” I yell, running toward the tree and throwing heaps of snow into the flames, “Runa’s still in there.”
Delaney and Patric run to my aid, while Ash stays behind with Kani—keeping Videus under control. We throw armful after armful at the tree, but it doesn’t even make a dent at the extremity of the blaze.
“It’s beyond your control, Traeton. You can’t stop it now,” Videus says, “The prophecy will never come to pass. You and your Daughter of Five will never take this world from me.”
Suddenly, the snow on the ground al
l around us vibrates and rises in the air on its own accord. As if in a reverse avalanche, snow hurls itself at the tree from every direction. The salamander hisses, flinging itself out of the tree and fleeing in the opposite direction. At first the snow sizzles, burning away as steam, but the force of it is too strong and eventually, it melts into a massive wave.
Patric and I stumble backward, watching in awe as the fire fights with the water, battling for dominion over the tree. Finally, the water begins to win out and the flames start to extinguish.
“Okay, I think we’ve had our fun,” Videus calls out, “We need to go. Now.”
In a huff, the remaining salamander quickly slinks through each of us, trying to get back to Videus. A howl from the invisible creature makes me wonder if she’s the one behind the water’s attack.
“Don’t let it get to Fenton,” I yell, rushing after it.
Reaching for the sonic resonator, I fire at the salamander. It takes a direct hit, but shakes itself off and keeps running.
Kani holds her ground, training her eye on both the salamander’s progress and Videus. As the salamander nears, she takes a swipe at its back. The blade scrapes across the top of the salamander, like metal on metal—impervious to the blade.
“It will take Fenton the way the other one took Baxten if we don’t stop it,” I yell, “Shoot it!”
Ash fires a shot and misses, hitting the snow between Kani and Videus.
The small salamander doesn’t waste any time. It slinks in, curling quickly around Videus’ feet and biting down on its own tail.
Videus’ face briefly flickers back and forth between his agitated features and the scared expression I know only to be Fenton’s.
Sneering, Videus takes control.
“Don’t be fooled. These intrusions are not your saving grace. They buy you time and nothing more. Watch your backs. I’m coming for all of y— ”
With the flick of her wrist, Kani releases the knife in her hand. Before anyone can react, it embeds itself deep into my best friend’s chest. Blood gurgles from his mouth as he clutches at the intrusion.
“I’m sorry, Fenton,” Kani sobs, dropping to her knees.
“No— ” I scream, rushing to Fenton. After all that’s happened—not this. Not this way.
The inky black in my best friend’s eye color pulls back, leaving them clear of Videus. For the briefest of moments, Fenton is with us so Videus could flee to save himself.
“Tha’s me girl,” Fenton says. Blood spatters from his lips as he coughs. “Shoulda done it sooner, though.”
“Fenton— I’m sorry, so, so sorry,” Kani cries, scrambling to her feet and reaching for him.
Flames erupt at the salamander’s feet and burst from the center of its body, engulfing Fenton the way we witnessed with Baxten. Before I can reach him, both he and the salamander vanish.
Cupping my hand over my mouth, there’s nothing I can do to stop the severity of emotions—I fall to my knees.
I barely care when the tidal wave in the distance crashes down behind me. As quickly as it came, the wave becomes a surge of new snow creating a blanket to cover up the grizzly past. The scene is so calm, yet I’m forever changed. Videus has done this—wreaked a havoc I’d never in my wildest dreams imagine. All for what?
I stare numbly at the bloody, charred ground directly in front of me.
Delaney is suddenly by our side, wrapping her arms around Kani. Ash and Patric remain off on the periphery—giving us all a moment.
“Kani, I’m sorry— ” Lane offers.
“He came back. Just for a second, he came back,” Kani murmurs.
“Landry was working on removing the hold on Fenton’s mind. We were hoping— ”
“You knew? And you didn’t tell us?” I demand.
Lane holds my gaze, trying to convey some sort of sympathy in her expression. But I can’t find the strength in my to care.
Reaching for Kani’s shoulder, she says, “We knew if Videus was aware—the consequences could be dire. He would have killed Fenton there and then.”
“They were dire, Lane,” Kani says, the spark in her completely gone. Tears cling to her eyelashes as she reaches out, touching the bloody snow.
“We thought … if we could get to your coordinates quickly, we could buy ourselves some time. We had no idea just how bad— ”
Shaking my head, I stand up and walk away. I can’t hear any more of it. I can’t stand the thought of how close we were to having it all—only to lose Fenton and the Tree anyway.
I face the charred remains of the now infamous tree. The blackened surface sizzles and the smell makes me sick.
We’ve lost the battle entirely. With the tree gone, how will Runa make it back to us?Fenton’s gone and we have absolutely nothing to show for his loss.
An eerie silence falls when all that’s left is the fluttering of snow and memories of people I love that I will never get back.
Runa, I’m so sorry I failed you.
24
Runa
WARMTH. Like stepping through a shower of water, the light hugs my body, enticing me forward into its protection. For a few moments, I’m lost in it—unable to distinguish the separation of where the light ends and I begin. Sounds resonate through the luminescence.
No, not sounds … songs.
Quiet at first, one note blends into the next until my entire being is surrounded in harmonic resonance. I am a part of the song, forgotten and reborn in its melody. Suddenly, the songs become words, both foreign and familiar. Then the words become sentences until I’m comprehending all being said. The first voice is soft and masculine, a warm embrace from someone just on the edge of my memory. The second is a woman’s, intertwining with the man’s but rivaling no other. Their song is one of rebirth, love, and trials. As quickly as the voices arose, the song melts away.
The woman’s voice rings clear, as if standing before me.
“Runa, Daughter of Five, we welcome you home. There is so much to discuss … Your place in this world is more important than you’ve ever been led to believe and we will do everything we can to prepare you for what comes next.”
I wait, my mind holding a breath my body can’t feel.
The light pulls back and I am suddenly standing in a lush meadow full of beautiful white flowers. In the center of its five petals is a burst of purple. I reach out, plucking a single flower from the ground. The petals are exquisitely soft and I bring the flower to my nose.
Home.
Yes, this is home. Something about the gentle fragrance of vanilla triggers memories that are not my own—but instead passed down to me from the ages.
A woman dressed in a simple white gown emerges from the distant woods. The gown flows ethereally at her feet, as if she doesn’t even touch the ground she walks upon. Sunlight cascading through the trees radiates her presence and I know without a doubt, she is the one who has been in my mind warning and guiding me. Her long, white hair falls in voluminous curls around her shoulders and her inviting blue eyes sparkle. She stops directly in front of me, her graceful smile reassuring and gentle.
“We have waited a long time for you, Runa,” she says, reaching out for my hand, “It’s so good to see you.”
“I know. I’m not sure how I know … but I do,” I say, taking her hand.
“My name is Adrian,” she says as she guides me along a footpath through the flowers, “You must have many questions.”
“I do,” I say. But for the life of me, none of them are coming to mind.
We walk in silence for a while, finally pushing our way through long, dangling willow branches to the edge of a large pond. The sun’s rays filter through the trees, reminding me of music in the form of sight. Steam rises from the water’s surface, creating a curtain of mystery. Large, majestic birds swim at the water’s edge—swans, my memory recalls.
Adrian takes a seat on the ground and puts her bare feet into the water.
Patting the ground next to her, she says, “Sit. Let us d
iscuss the things past and the things yet to come.”
I nod and take a seat beside Adrian, casting my gaze out over the water. Bending forward, I release the flower, watching it float away on the water’s surface.
“Why me?” I ask.
“Long before the universe presented you, we have waited patiently for the signs. One of the most important pieces of information I can bestow on you is this ... Our world, Pendomus, was never meant to be locked—the rotation was halted for the gain of one and he wants to ensure balance is never reinitiated. It would mean power has been given back to the planet, to the true inhabitants. This was once a peaceful planet. One of harmony and abundance. Now, for centuries, we have silently awaited a child to be born who will have the power necessary to return us to this harmony. The child was you, Runa.
This is why you’ve always had a calling to the outdoors. It is also why you’re professional appointment made no sense to you. Videus had been watching your progress, as he has with many who came before you, and felt the need to take action on your behalf. Cremator is the category he gives those who will be assimilated and transformed into his murderous agents—the salamanders. They are the children with the makings of greatness, with uniqueness. Make no mistake, he was trying to dispose of you, like he has already done to so many before in his effort to circumvent the prophecy.”
“What happens now?” I ask.
“There is so much you are unaware of. So much we have to teach you—imbue you with,” she takes a deep breath, intertwining her fingers and placing them in her lap.
“Then start,” I say, turning to face her.
Adrian’s expression darkens as her lips tug downward.
“As you know, truth lies within the eye, but do not mistake your inheritance for security. There are people, the ones perhaps closest to you, who will wish to seek you harm. They will come at you from ways you won’t see coming.”
My words come, tumbling from memories that feel so far away, though I know they happened only moments ago. His blonde hair and dark, dark eyes …
The Complete Pendomus Chronicles Trilogy: Books 1-3 of the Pendomus Chronicles Dystopian Scifi Boxed Set Series Page 22