by Kira Wilson
Analara, listen to me. Would a monster feel so much guilt at taking a life? Would a monster feel anguish over whether they were worthy of someone else's sacrifice? Could someone who wasn't real feel anything at all? Your struggle right now confirms both your goodness and your own existence. You care for all life, even the lives of your foes… it amazes me.
Analara's sobs quieted. She lifted her tear-stained face and stared into the fireplace. "If I truly cared that much, I would never have done any of it."
Analara, dear, that's naive, and you know it. Not everyone shares your goodness, and despite how much you care about life, others have chosen to despise it. It is not a failing of yours, it is simply their choice.
Nodding, Analara listened as the echo continued.
Sometimes, in order to protect the good, you have to destroy the bad. If no one is there to stop the bad people from hurting others, then they win, don't they?
Analara didn't want to answer that. Doing so would mean admitting that there were some people who were beyond hope, who would slay and destroy everything if they were allowed to. It would mean there would never be an end to the fighting. No hope for true, lasting peace.
You have wonderful dreams, Analara, but they must be tempered by reality. Life has always contained struggle. You can't change the nature of others. All you can do is to guard what you believe to be right and protect those that you love.
"I don't know if I can do that."
I have faith in you.
"How do you even know me?" Analara asked.
The voice gave a clear, musical laugh. It was no longer an echo in her mind, and with a shock Analara realized it was coming from behind her.
"Because I've seen your true self."
***
The men were in good spirits; they laughed and made jokes as they clustered around the evening campfire. Shalaron watched them examine their new appearances and prepared for the beginning of the Awakening. All of his planning would be put to the test tonight.
=My lord Sage!=
The voice interrupted Shalaron's thoughts. After studying the human methods of communication, he had learned how to use them, and had taught his men. It had taken some time to alter the Analath system to accept such transmissions, but the utility provided was worth the effort.
=Thal?= he replied. =What is amiss?=
=I can not pass through the gate, my lord. There is a force barring my way.=
=Wait there, I will come to you,= he told Thal, and closed the connection. Shalaron stood, and his men fell silent. "Our enemies are aware of some of our plans," he warned gravely. "They seek to halt our entry and prevent us from reclaiming the land of our ancestors. Those of you who have gained your new forms, come with me."
The campsite became a flurry of activity. Shalaron's chosen troops formed ranks at the edge of the camp. The rest prepared their weapons and set a watch. Shalaron nodded his approval, then led the way into the wilderness, heading for the gateway.
He opened his thoughts to Thal. =What is the status of your mission?=
=Highly productive, my Sage. I encountered a band of the invaders and subdued them. I now have four strong hosts,= Thal responded.
Shalaron detected a note of satisfaction in Thal's reply. =Excellent,= he sent, and quickened his pace, spurring his men onward. =We are nearly there.=
They entered the grove where the shimmering tear in reality awaited them. Shalaron advanced and pressed his hand into the gateway. Something pushed back against him, an invisible resistance. This had the mark of his enemies upon it; only David and his cohorts would have thought to bar his passage.
Shalaron closed his eyes and channeled his senses through the Core. He could feel the tools of the Anrathian network unfolding at his touch, probing the hidden shield. Though he did not fully understand the coding of the barrier, he sensed that it was not as impenetrable as it first appeared. He released himself from the system and studied the glowing doorway.
Shalaron turned to his men. "Stand ready, my soldiers. You know your orders and the tasks that await you. I will devote my energy into opening the passage, but at present, I will not be able to join you. Be firm in your conviction, and know that the people of our world will be grateful for your dedication."
As one, the troop saluted him. They fanned out near the gateway, watching with anticipation as Shalaron prepared to unleash his powers.
Shalaron once again contacted the Core, drawing its focus to the grove. He added a small burst of his own power, and a floating crystal appeared in the air above him. Gathering all of his strength, he merged his own energy with the signal of the entire planet and channeled the combined stream through the crystal focus.
A brilliant beam of green light leapt from the crystal and lanced into the gateway. The air in the grove vibrated with barely constrained power as the full force of Analath attempted to bore its way into the human network. Shalaron sensed the shield thickening in response, could feel the strain from the battle between the two systems. He detected another entity on the far side of the gateway assisting the humans in repulsing his attack. Drawing in everything he could muster, Shalaron hurled his world's might against his opponent.
The explosion that tore through the area was not a physical one, but the mental force released threw Shalaron to the ground. Dazed, he shook his head and climbed back to his feet. Though the gateway did not look any different, Shalaron sensed the opening that his attack had created. He commanded the Core to continue channeling its energy. The stream would not be enough to destroy the barrier, but it would prevent David from sealing the gap.
"Go now, and make your people proud," he commanded.
The Anrathian soldiers approached the doorway tentatively and slipped through one at a time.
=Bring your prisoners through,= Shalaron told Thal. =Then return and gather more. I will send the rest of the men to assist you.=
=As you command, my Sage,= Thal replied.
As Thal began bringing his unconscious prisoners through the doorway, a familiar presence brushed against Shalaron's senses. A faint wisp of shadow manifested in front of the door, but was blown away on a breeze.
The father had failed in his mission.
Shalaron glowered. If David did not already know about the breach in the shield, he would find out soon. Shalaron tapped his lips in thought. Perhaps an encounter with his foe would prove to be useful.
Thal lowered the last body to the ground and turned to Shalaron. "I shall return with more hosts, my Sage."
"Wait," Shalaron commanded. "I will prepare these four as vessels and send them out to gather the remaining shells we need. I have a special task for you, one that will ensure that David will be no further trouble for us."
Chapter 47
=Analara, please respond!= David sent desperately, but his tells continued to go unanswered. He paced across the castle rooftop. =Don't shut me out like this. Please, just talk to me, it's going to be okay.=
Then again, is it really okay?
Just this morning, David had watched his father's body lowered into an open grave, only to face him hours later, a crazed and twisted man bent on revenge. David marveled that he was staying this calm under the circumstances.
=Analara. I need you. Please, come back.=
A response tickled his awareness. Relief poured through him, but it turned to disappointment when he realized it wasn't Analara who had contacted him. Reluctantly, he opened the channel.
=Dave, we've got trouble,= Clyde sent frantically.
Oh hell.
=What's happening?= David replied, dreading the answer.
=Something breached the gateway and came through into V-Net,= Clyde responded. =It did a number on the shield. Mierva can't see into Analath, but I think you can guess who's probably behind this.=
Yes, I can. The same bastard who reprogrammed my father and sent him to kill me.
David gritted his teeth and activated the transference program that VERA had given him. A moment later, he appeared inside h
er antechamber. Thomas and Lucas were waiting for him.
"Bro, where's Annie?" Lucas asked. "She's showing up inside V-Net but not responding to any of our tells."
David shook his head. "Just leave her be right now."
Lucas frowned worriedly. "Did you two have a fight?"
A bitter, ironic laugh escaped before David could stop it. There was no way he could explain what had just happened to the others, not without completely losing control. He pushed his emotions into the back of his mind. "We can handle things with what we have."
Clyde stepped away from a command console. "That may be, but we've got two objectives right now, so we're going to have to split up. Analara aside, Dave knows Analath better than anyone here. You and Lucas need to see what Shalaron's up to on their side of the gateway. Meanwhile, Lancelot and I will go hunting for whatever came through."
"No. I'll go it alone," David stated flatly.
"I wouldn't recommend that," Thomas said. "Shalaron is more powerful than any of us alone, possibly even all of us together."
"One scout is less noticeable than two. I'll be safer by myself. Depending on what Shalaron sent through, you may need the extra firepower. Lucas will go with you."
Their eyes showed concern, but David ignored it. This was his chance to get Shalaron alone and make him pay for his crimes.
Lucas looked unhappy, but he didn't argue the point. "Just don't do anything stupid, bro."
The fury that had begun building at the discovery of Shalaron's scheme threatened to spill over. David knew that he had to get moving before he broke down in front of his friends. "Good hunting," he said quickly, and opened a gate to the hover-bike module.
David materialized on the surveillance platform and leaped down to the stairway, ignoring the tells that followed. He stared at the shimmering portal and loaded the Wraith. Drawing his blade, he slowly raised the mask and stalked through the gate.
His eyes were immediately drawn to a green beam of energy coursing into the gateway from a small floating crystal. The stream had to be the source of the cracks in the shield.
Close by, David heard voices and ducked into the trees. Four figures walked pensively into the grove, stretching their arms and legs as if unused to them. They spoke quietly to each other then walked through the portal.
Is this a wild goose chase? Did a few lost folks just wander into an alien network?
David still heard voices in the distance and crept toward them, taking care to remain deep within the trees. Up ahead, he saw a flickering fire and before long he could make out several guards from Ilinar. Shalaron's men.
"What do you think we will see on the other side?" one of the men asked. "What will it look like?"
"I don't know," another replied. "We'll all find out soon enough though, once our hosts have been brought back and Shalaron returns from the main camp."
Hosts? Other side? Just what is Shalaron planning?
David slipped away from the clearing and peeked out of the grove across the fields. In the distance, he could just make out a faint column of smoke rising from a copse. It was difficult to see much else in the dark, but it was the best lead he had to finding the main camp and Shalaron. Keeping his sword at the ready, he crept out into the open grass.
As quiet as the wind, David crossed the distance to the trees and darted among their hanging branches. He could smell the smoke in the jumbled scents of the brush, and the anger within began to rise as he drew nearer to his prey.
He reached the edge of a wide clearing and crouched down to survey the area. Bedrolls and weapons lay scattered on the ground, evidence of a hasty departure. One large fire smoldered at the far end of the camp, and a robed figure stood facing away behind it. It had to be Shalaron.
David barely suppressed a growl. He stalked forward intently, stepping around the items littering the ground. Inching closer to his target, he drew back his blade and lunged forward with a shout.
The figure stepped to the side and smashed its fist into the side of David's head, sending him tumbling into a tree. With a deep laugh, Shalaron walked toward the fire.
"Have you come for your revenge?" he asked mockingly. "You will not find me as weak an opponent as your father. Though having met him, I understand from where your own frailty comes. You have murdered two of those closest to me, and slain countless more of my people. I will not allow you to interfere with our future any further!"
David's fury broke free, and he charged the Sage wildly, but a gust of icy wind slammed him off his feet. He dropped to the ground, gasping for air.
"You are in my world, boy. This time, I am not fatigued and I am not distracted," Shalaron snarled. He lifted his fist and punched the ground. The grove trembled and heaved, throwing jagged chunks of rock into the air. A pulsing force rippled out from Shalaron, catching the rising rocks and twirling them around him. The quake subsided, and David struggled to his feet.
The fire flared and went out, and a massive wave of heat began to radiate from the whirlwind of stone. The rocks began to glow red, smoldering with intensity. Without warning, several burning shards hurtled from the column and tore into David, pinning him to the tree.
Shalaron chuckled and released the remaining stones, stepping around them as they fell to the ground. David fought against the pain, but Shalaron touched one of the rocks and the heat coursed through David's body, scorching him from within.
He screamed.
***
In spite of the tears streaming down her face, Analara felt laughter bubbling up in her throat. "I can't believe that it was you all this time. Whenever I was inside V-Net, I could feel your presence, hear your words. Oh, Jessica, if only I had figured it out sooner! Everyone thought you had died."
Jessica's figure was faint and translucent, but Analara could see her smile. "I think I did, actually. I… my memory still isn't completely intact. It's taken a long time just to gather my own thoughts back together."
"We missed you," Analara murmured. "And Thomas…"
"I know." Jessica looked sad. "My mind was too fractured to reach him. He couldn't hear me. None of the others could. Somehow, you were the only one."
"Because we share the same body?"
"That is part of it, I think. But there's also something different about your mental patterns. You have an effect on the environment around you here. It makes you shine out like a beacon."
Jessica's image walked around the cottage, peering at her surroundings. "You've taken good care of the place," she remarked.
Analara blushed. "I wanted to honor your memory. You did so much for me yet we didn't really know each other." She watched Jessica's hand pass through a brooch on the mantle. "Can't you touch anything?"
"I'm not strong enough for that yet." Jessica sighed. She pulled her hand away and studied it. "I'm not sure if I ever will be." She turned and looked at Analara with an unreadable expression. "Thank you. For everything, Analara."
"What do you mean?"
"You protected my friends. You were there for Thomas when I couldn't be. You cared for David in a way that I was never able to. And you heard me, when no one else did. I know that this may seem very strange, but you've been a friend to me without even realizing it. I've seen how hard it has been for you, trying to make this crazy world your new home."
Analara felt another wave of tears rolling down her cheeks, unsure whether they were tears of joy or sadness. "I didn't deserve the chance I got. It wasn't right that you should die and I should live."
Jessica fixed her with a stern gaze. "Stop that, Analara. After what I've been through, I can tell you with absolute certainty that reality, as you think of it, is not any part of what makes someone real." She walked over and gently held her hand above Analara's heart. "What you have in here is what determines who and what you are. You've always been alive, and you've always been a wonderful, caring person, even when events have forced you to act otherwise. Whatever else may come, I could not have chosen a better person to give my life for
, nor a better person to entrust my friends to. I would make the same sacrifice if I had to do so again."
They both fell silent. Analara pondered Jessica's words. Since she had discovered her world's true nature, she had felt unworthy, incomplete. She thought back to her memories of growing up in Ilinar. Of Varlath's house, her younger siblings, Rupu's playful jibes, Nathalion's teachings. She thought about the past month, as she had moved through Jessica's old life, often feeling like an unwelcome intruder. Despite living in the real world, the experiences had all been part of the same life. Analara's life.
Jessica stepped back and smiled at her. "I think you're starting to get it now."
A sudden thought made Analara laugh. "I wonder who will be more shocked to find out that you're alive, David or Thomas?"
Jessica grinned mischievously at her. "We'll just have to wait and see."
"Indeed." Analara sighed as her thoughts returned to David. She regretted shutting him out like she had and allowing herself to fall victim to fear. Despite the fight on the rooftop, she knew that he still loved her. She opened a tell channel to him, but found it strangely silent. =David? Are you here?=
=Access denied,= a strange voice replied in Anrathian. What did that mean?
Analara opened a tell to the others. =Thomas, Clyde? Lucas? Is anyone there?=
=Analara, thank goodness!= The relief in Thomas's thought was disconcerting.
=What's happening?= Analara asked.
=The gateway barrier was breached.= Clyde's tone was all business, and quite irritated. =We're trying to track down whatever slipped through. We could use a hand.=
=Where is David?= she continued worriedly.
=He went to Analath,= Clyde replied.
A cold blade of fear stabbed at her heart. =He went alone?= she demanded.
=He would not let anyone else accompany him,= Thomas sent. =He seemed upset. Did something happen between the two of you?=
=He didn't tell you…= The thought traveled through the channel before Analara could stop it.
=Tell us what?= Lucas replied sharply. =What happened?=