The Dark Cage

by Dana Gricken

  I scoffed. There’s no way I’d say anything like that—it reminded me of Doctor Zero’s speech. My voice didn’t even sound like that!

  “No!” Spencer shouted, backing away. “As much as I love you, Riley, I won’t let you turn me soulless. This is why I joined the Darkhunters—because of you. I wanted to protect the world.”

  Dad nodded. “And to become soulless would go against my oath as a Sentinel. Destroying the soulless is what I was sworn to do. I don’t want to kill you, but my orders are clear…”

  “Their fear is…becoming soulless?” I asked. “Or maybe it’s just having to kill me to save the world?”

  “You see something?” Patrick asked. “All I see are two Darkhunters fumbling over each other. Hey, cut it out!”

  Dad and Spencer were still transfixed on the illusion of me. They must not have been able to hear Patrick or Caleb, only me. I decided I had heard enough.

  “Dad, Spencer,” I said, stepping forward, “it’s time to let you out of the Mindfield.”

  Raising my wrist, I was able to do it again. An explosion of light passed through us, dragging the illusion of me into the portal. It was surreal to see myself destroyed like that.

  “Are you two okay?” I asked, helping Dad to his feet.

  “Riley, what happened?” Dad asked. “You…you disappeared!”

  I shook my head. “No, that was just an illusion. The radio station was a trap, Dad. The Dark Queen left a piece of the Mindfield behind to hurt us, making us see our worst fears.”

  Spencer looked down at my hand. “And your soulless power saved us?”

  I nodded. “Me being soulless doesn’t seem so bad now, right?”

  They didn’t respond. Too early to make a joke, it seemed.

  “There are more of them out there,” Caleb replied, nodding into the distance. “I suggest we hurry in case the Mindfield pushes them to drastic measures, like Patrick nearly killing himself.”

  As I turned around, my head spun and I saw stars. My head throbbed, and I felt like I was going to vomit. What was happening to me? And why now?

  “Riley, you’re bleeding!” Caleb said. “Your nose…”

  I reached up, running a knuckle across my nose. He was right—blood was coming out, thick and black. I reached for a handkerchief in my pocket underneath my armor, trying to stop it from trickling. I felt the energy twitch in my hand, and its color started to fade.

  “The Quintessence,” Caleb said. “You’re losing it. You must be suffering from overexertion. Your symptoms match.”

  “Overexertion? What are you talking about?” I asked.

  “It’s happened to me a handful of times. The soulless can’t use their powers constantly,” Caleb replied. “We need rest. And with you, you’re more powerful than all of us. You’ve had no training, so it’ll affect you more strongly.”

  I stumbled, and Caleb caught me. “I have to keep going. I’m…the only one who can stop the Mindfield.”

  “It could kill you, Riley. I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

  “Then what? We just let these innocent people’s minds be destroyed?” I snapped. I balanced myself using a nearby tree and pushed Caleb away. “No. I’m going to do this, whether it kills me or not.”

  “Kid, you should listen to him,” Patrick replied. “What he’s saying makes sense. He’d know more about it than you. Don’t want you to push yourself too far, now.”

  “Why doesn’t the Cardinal feel like this? Why does his power seem endless?”

  Caleb shook his head. “The Cardinal has had decades to hone and understand his power, Riley. He knows his limits, unlike you. I want you to save these people, but not if it puts your life on the line!”

  They were being selfish. They wanted me to stop, but I couldn’t. They would never understand, but this was my responsibility—as both the General and a soulless. I felt determined to use my power for good and prove I wasn’t like the Cardinal.

  With one foot in front of the other, I started making slow, small strides forward. Caleb was right—I could feel my power draining. I had used it so much in the last few days without training, and now it was taking its toll.

  Why hadn’t Caleb told me this before? Why hadn’t anyone warned me?

  I saw Rachel a few feet away, arguing with a handful of soulless illusions. Their black eyes were frightening, and they were laughing as they cornered a soulful woman with a baby in a stroller. Although it was just an illusion, it seemed so real. They grabbed the woman as the baby cried, threatening to kill her in front of her child.

  “No!” Rachel cried, falling to her knees. “Leave the woman alone! Her child needs her!”

  Her biggest fear must’ve been linked to her mother’s death. She didn’t want any other soulful to lose a parent in the war. It explained her reasoning behind her involvement with the Darkhunters. It was admirable, but her fears had driven her to do terrible things.

  I raised my wrist, letting the colors of the Quintessence wash over the illusions. They vanished, leaving Rachel writhing in pain. Once she’d recovered, she panted and rose to her feet before she stared at me.

  “Riley, what happened?” she asked. “You look terrible.”

  “I have the power to save everyone from the Mindfield, but…it’s hurting me.”

  It was a good thing our people were close by, because it felt like my feet were going to give out at any second. With the color draining from my hands, I could maybe use my power once or twice more.

  I weighed my options. I could save another person, but then I’d have to choose. Why should one person be free over another? And who would it be? Jade, Ruby, Bane, Jacob, and other soldiers were still under the Dark Queen’s influence.

  I had another idea—a last resort.

  “Caleb, round up everyone,” I said, panting. “Get them in a close circle.”

  “But…why?”

  I shook my head. “There’s no time to explain. Please do it.”

  He nodded, walking toward the people. Although he couldn’t see their illusions, he could still touch them. They didn’t respond to him, still concentrating on talking to their fantasies. Jacob’s fear was the death of his sister and aunt. Bane’s fear was letting his son die. Ruby and Jade both feared losing their powers and each other.

  It needed to end. No one deserved to feel this kind of pain.

  Once they were close together, I took a deep breath. This was going to hurt.

  “I know that look in your eyes, kid,” Patrick said. “You’re planning something dangerous, aren’t you?”

  I nodded. “And I hope it works. If not…then at least I saved you.”

  “Riley, wait!” Caleb said, but it was too late.

  I had already raised my hand, pulling the Quintessence over the large group of people. They weren’t even paying attention to me—they were too wrapped up in their own illusions of fear.

  The light passed over them, brighter than the last ones. I groaned in pain, forcing myself to use all my power—power I still didn’t understand. It was like I had flipped a switch inside of me.

  A second later, the portal burst, taking the gray illusions with it. The crowd of people stumbled at the same time, falling to their knees. When I saw them rise, unharmed and with a million questions, I knew I’d released their minds. You could see it on their faces.

  “Riley, you did it!” Caleb cried. “There’s no one left to save.”

  I smiled, and then my eyes closed into darkness.

  16

  Master Of Old

  When I woke up, Wanda was hovering over me. My vision was blurry, but it looked like her. I tried to swat her away, thinking she was just another illusion or nightmare, but she wouldn’t vanish.

  “I really wish you would stop that, child,” she said. “I am weak enough as it is.”

  “Are you…real?” I asked, sitting up. I winced, clutching my head. “I have the worst headache right now.”

  “Yes, I can imagine. The others told me of your h
eroics,” Wanda replied, sitting down on the edge of my bed. “You did well, child—just as I knew you would.”

  “Where are they? Are they okay?” I asked, trying to stand up. Wanda held me down.

  “There is no need to panic. The others have made a full recovery from the Mindfield, and it was all thanks to you.”

  “But…how are you here?” I asked. “The last time I saw you, you were practically in a coma.”

  “Using the Mindfield drained the Dark Queen’s power slightly. She used a lot of her energy attempting to trap you all.”

  “How did she do it? I’ve been in the Mindfield once before, and it was nothing like that. It wasn’t just torture, but fear too.”

  “Her Mindfield has changed—it’s part of her growing power. She’s now able to create little pockets of torture in physical places, much like you are able to create portals of the Quintessence. In doing so, she uses a lot of energy—much more than she did when it was a mental land. She’s struggling to get used to it, just as you are.”

  “So…you know what I can do? You know I’m soulless, with a terrible power?”

  “The others told me some of it, but I was able to fill in the blanks myself. You and the Cardinal are tied—as if you both hold a different end of the same rope. I’m sure the Cardinal was surprised to learn he isn’t the most powerful soulless around anymore.”

  “Caleb told me a little bit about the Cardinal. I know the Dark Queen banished him, fearing his power,” I replied. “You’re her mother. Do you know more about him?”

  Wanda sighed, looking out the window at the empty courtyard. “Oh, I knew the Cardinal very well. It has been some time, but I remember it as if it were yesterday…”

  She became quiet after trailing off. I found it odd. Why wouldn’t she want to tell me more? What was she hiding now?

  I said, “Wanda, if you know something that could help…”

  A second later, the door opened with a soft squeak. Violet and Patrick entered, both smiling once they saw me awake and coherent.

  “Hey, kid. Glad to see you’re okay,” Patrick said. “What’s it been? Three, four times you’ve been knocked unconscious? You’re a mess.”

  “Thanks for reminding me,” I muttered. “It’s not easy saving everyone, you know.”

  “How are you feeling, Riley?” Violet asked. “You used a lot of energy when you opened the portal. I’m surprised you’re awake this soon, but I think your Sentinel implants are helping you heal.”

  “I feel…weak. Like I need a long nap.”

  “I’m glad you said it first,” Violet replied, looking down at my chart. “I think it’s best if you take some time off. If you use your power again in full force, it could kill you.”

  I shook my head. “No, there’s no way I’m stopping now. Have you seen what’s happening out there, Violet? Between the Dark Queen and the Cardinal, this world is dangerous. I might be the only one who can save it.”

  Caleb entered the room next, leaning on the archway. “You’re always too stubborn, Riley—and it could get you killed this time.”

  “Wanda? What do you think?” I asked.

  “I believe you should rest—but I also believe a time of learning has come.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Now that I’m awake, we must take advantage of it,” she replied. “I feel myself falling weaker again as the minutes pass. I’m ready to take up my position as a Master of Old again. I want to open an academy here, and impart my knowledge before I fall ill.”

  “An academy?” Caleb asked. “Do you think you can teach Riley how to use the Quintessence safely?”

  Wanda nodded. “I know much about the Cardinal. I was there when he was banished. I believe I can teach you how to use your power like he can—and more importantly, how to prevent it from using you. I think our training could begin right now…if we are careful.”

  I was already ripping off my intravenous plug and rising to my feet. “Then let’s go. I’ll take any opportunity I get to learn more about my power.”

  Wanda looked at Caleb. “Get the other soulless together. While I train Riley, I want them to practice their Synergy. All of us must be prepared to fight this war.”

  “Do you think war is coming soon?” I asked.

  “Oh, without a doubt—and you will find yourself caught in the middle, used by both the Cardinal and the Dark Queen in a struggle for power.”

  I sighed. That was just great.

  There was a rough knock at the door. Princess Ivy, Captain Mercer, Alexandria Wolfe, and the rest of the Resistance members stood in front of us. The amber crystals wove tightly around their necks, gleaming in the light.

  I crossed my arms over my chest. “Yes? What do you want?”

  “We wanted to tell you the Purity Crystals are working,” Princess Ivy replied. “We’re much stronger now—much more than we’d expected. We…don’t hate the change.”

  “Is that it?” Caleb asked. “I could’ve told you the Purity Crystals are good for us. Morality isn’t a bad thing, sister.”

  “There’s more,” Captain Mercer began, sighing. “We have decided that…we want to help you stop the Cardinal. If you’ll have us, we’ll gladly fight by your side when the time comes.”

  “Really? Why?”

  “Regardless of how we feel about you or any of the Sentinels,” Alexandria began, “the Cardinal does threaten us all. Perhaps it’s just the Purity Crystal talking, but we see the benefits of an alliance. This doesn’t make us friends, however.”

  “Well, I’m glad,” I replied. “We always need more allies, especially soulless willing to fight the Cardinal.”

  After they walked away, Caleb sighed. “I hope they’re not just telling us what we want to hear—or worse, planning to work with the Cardinal when we let our guard down. We have to be careful there aren’t any traitors hiding among us.”

  I nodded. “I agree. I don’t want a repeat of my dad’s betrayal. Speaking of him, where are the Darkhunters? Are Dad, Spencer, and Rachel doing better?”

  “Yes, even though they’re barely grateful you saved their lives. Actually, I came here to tell you about them.”

  “What is it?”

  “We put them back inside their cells, but they’re acting strangely—keeping to themselves and not making eye contact. A guard passing by swore he heard them whispering about something.”

  “Any idea why?”

  Caleb shook his head. “No. We should keep an eye on them, just in case.”

  “Send a group of soldiers to watch over them. If they are planning something, I’m not willing to let them get away with it.”

  Half an hour later, soulless cluttered the whole courtyard. Training dummies and practice courses had been set up, letting the soulless safely test out their powers. The soulful inside watched them from the windows, gaping at what they could do.

  Even though I was soulless now, their abilities amazed me too. Fire, electricity, levitation, and more were happening right in front of my eyes. When I saw us all working together, it gave me hope—hope that we had a chance in this war.

  “I know they are fascinating, but you must come, child,” Wanda said, walking toward the grassy field. “We will practice away from the others, in case your power is out of control.”

  Out of control? Just what was Wanda intending to teach me today?

  When we were several yards away from the other soulless, Wanda turned to me. “I needed to speak with you in private, Riley. Do you remember when I told you about the legend of the Prophet?”

  “Yes, and I told you it wasn’t me. I’m not some hero. I’m just a girl trying to do her best.”

  Wanda shrugged. “Perhaps, but I think the legend is much more than we believe. My visions have returned to me, though they are weak. I see flashes of you and the Cardinal in my mind. There will be a confrontation—one of equal power. The word Prophet crossed my mind. That is all I know.”

  Flashes of us in her mind? That couldn�
��t be good. The last time she’d had a vision of me, it had been with Doctor Zero…right before he had captured everyone and stabbed me.

  “The Cardinal has spoken with me, telepathically,” I replied. “He calls me his Prodigy. I hate to say it, but could it be related to the whole Prophet thing?”

  “It could be. It is clear he intends to make you his protégé—the one who will help him open the afterlife,” Wanda replied. “But enough talk. I must teach you how to control your power, or it will control you.”

  She took a seat on the grass, crossing her legs and closing her eyes. “Have a seat, my child. This is where we will begin.”

  “With meditation?” I asked, furrowing my eyebrows. “I tried that already. I went into the Quintessence, and I barely made it out again.”

  Wanda chuckled. “You tried it without my supervision. I assure you, you may leave whenever you’d like. The Cardinal will not corrupt you this time.”

  I fell to my knees, sighing. “Okay, Wanda. I trust you. What do I do now?”

  “You say you have done this before, so it won’t be difficult for you,” Wanda replied. “Close your eyes. Pay attention to your breathing, and let the world fade away.”

  I followed her lead, shutting my eyes and breathing deeply. Soon, the background grunts of other soulless vanished as if they weren’t there at all. I couldn’t hear anything but my own heartbeat and breathing.

  In the darkness, a crack of light snuck through. It erupted into a swirl of colors again, and they danced around me. I was here—I was in the Quintessence. I instantly knew these were spirits floating around my head.

  The Cardinal wasn’t speaking in my mind. Maybe Wanda was scaring him away. I could still feel his presence, though—I could sense he was watching us.

  Watching me.

  I saw Wanda through the colors, so clear in my mind. She looked down at me. “You have done well, my child—better than I thought you would. With extra training, you will become a master.”

  “Now that I’m here, how can I learn to control my power? To stop it from draining me completely?”