by Ben Hale
Then Hawk reached it.
He unleashed a barrage of fire so hot the stone underneath the Voidling turned liquid. The Twisted around it issued shrieks and died in the flames. The demolished structures on both sides of the street erupted in fire, and the Dark entity disappeared from view. Engulfed in the inferno, the Voidling struggled to absorb the tremendous power—but Hawk wasn't finished.
Knowing the Voidling would eventually overpower his magic, Hawk morphed into his phoenix form. Relentless, he maintained the torrent of fire and turned it into a ball of fire-flesh. Then he launched himself off the ground and caught the trapped Voidling on his way. Flapping his wings for altitude, he released his ear-shattering war cry as he climbed.
Water speckled his form as he passed through the plume of steam rising from the Alluvian. Then he burst free and left the valley behind. The ball of fire-flesh began to darken as the Voidling continued to absorb the energy. Instead of trying to fight it, Hawk poured his fire into speed.
The ground streaked away below him. His shadow passed over an auren town, and faint screams reached up to him. Undeterred, he powered forward until the fire-flesh beneath began to crack. Just as the Voidling began to leak out he released his grip, allowing the Voidling to fall five thousand feet to the ground. He sent a blast of fire into the falling Voidling for good measure, and then banked his way back to Aberock.
He doubted the Voidling would perish, but at least it would be out of the battle. As strong as the Voidlings were, Alice was unlikely to risk sending it back to Thastin alone. The possibility was remote, but it might give the mages an opportunity to find a way to capture or defeat it. A wave of weariness swept over him as he winged his way back, but with it came a surge of satisfaction.
They had dealt Alice a blow. Temporary and small as it was, it would show Alice that the mages had not been defeated. They were more resilient than she'd anticipated, and they were not going to bow down and follow her demands.
He alighted in the center of the decimated Aberock and returned to human form. He frowned when he saw that Mallian had escaped. Then a bloodied Orin approached and flashed a grim smile.
"Once you took the Voidling the Harbingers retreated. Between you and that thing," he motioned to where the Alluvian had risen, "we made it. Thank you, Hawk."
"Our victory will be short lived unless you evacuate the school," Hawk replied. "Alice will not take kindly to the fact that we defied her. She will retaliate."
Captain Beck joined them. Blood poured down his arm beneath a makeshift bandage. "I already started moving the students out of here." Orin nodded in approval. "We'll be gone within the hour."
Orin looked up to the school. For the first time since its creation, the illusion keeping it hidden was gone. Small fires raged on the stone battlements where the Harbingers had broken through. To their credit, the students had joined the battle, and stopped them from entering.
"I always wanted to see Thastin without the shroud," Orin said with a sigh. "But not if it meant abandoning it."
"Let's hope we can return after this war is over," Beck said.
Orin echoed the sentiment, but doubt did not leave his eyes. All three of them knew the truth. They had been lucky, and luck wasn't going to be enough to help them win. As Hawk gathered his guild members and winged his way into the morning sky, he took solace in the fact that the remaining battlemages now looked at them with respect. They had stood together in battle and survived, and these men and women were unlikely to forget that.
One of the students exiting the school launched a ball of energy into the air. It faded after twenty feet, but others did the same. Before long the tribute of gratitude had extended to everyone, and the cascade of energy rivaled the rising sun.
Hawk released his piercing challenge. For the first time in centuries the listeners did not flinch from it. Instead it inspired a hope that had been absent before. Inwardly Hawk smiled. Alice had forced them to become what she feared the most.
Allies.
Chapter 43: Confession
Overnight the leading edge of the Dark had come into view of Auroraq. The four thousand students of Tryton's lined up at the edge of the school at dawn. In silence they stared over the wall at the black cloud as it gradually approached. Classes began and those required to leave went. Upon every dismissal they returned with morbid fascination.
Tess had specifically charged the Order not to congregate. She didn't want the Voidlings to see them all together. She ended up at the wall next to Derek, and together they watched the Dark devour the ground beneath them. His fingers wound into hers, and she clung to the lifeline of reality. She'd seen a glimpse of what was to come, and new it would not be long now.
She took solace in the fact that she had defeated Drake, and his absence had been noticed. Spread by rumor and magic, the story of him disappearing in a massive fireball had been told and retold. No one knew what had happened. Tess had no desire to explain. They could not release him until Benny had finished erasing his memory of the refuge—and who had done the horrending. Now as she looked over the edge of Tryton's her victory lost its luster.
Witnessing the Dark's reach sent a searing fear into her gut. The opaque shadow stretched to the horizon of north and south, and almost touched the base of the school. Twenty thousand feet below them, the aurens caught in the advance were lost. Within minutes they would become darkened, deformed, Twisted. It felt like she could hear their screams.
By lunchtime the Dark had reached the edge of the school, and the students did not move. Few left for the midday meal. The rest strained to catch a last glimpse of the earth below. By afternoon the students had moved to the western side of the school, and continued their whispered vigil as the Dark advanced away from them. Twilight fell, and still they watched. Only the Voidlings enforcing curfew managed to pry them away.
By the next morning the darkness was absolute. Unable to stop herself, Tess cast a light bending charm on herself. Then she flew up from the balcony of her room. If she was spotted the punishment would be swift, but she needed to see it for herself. Higher and higher she climbed, until the entire city stretched out below her. The view stilled her heart.
Darkness extended in every direction, unbroken by white cloud or glimpse of the ground. Like a flower drifting on a black sea, Auroraq floated on its surface. For the first time in the history of Earth, the rising dawn failed to illuminate. As if sensing her despair, Stel quivered on her neck.
She couldn't bear it, and began her descent. She almost fell when Iris spoke into her mind.
Tess? Can you hear me?
"Iris?" Tess answered aloud, and felt a wave of relief. "I thought I'd lost you."
They are moving me now. They kept me in an anti-magic box for two days, but I can touch the threads now.
"Where are they taking you?"
I don't know. The worry was evident in her mental tone. What happened after we got separated?
Tess told her about their escape, and Kyle's death. The resulting silence echoed like blame. Then Iris spoke in a subdued tone.
It's my fault. You and Derek were right about me being distracted.
"It's not your fault," Tess said, and stabbed a finger into the air. Fleetingly she wondered if she looked like Iris usually did, gesturing and talking to thin air.
You don't understand, Iris said, it is my fault.
"You couldn't have stopped it," Tess argued back. "They must have figured out what we took."
You would have done better without me, Iris said.
Tess didn't like her voice. "What are you getting at?"
I chose you as my roommate, Tess.
"What?"
Iris released a mental sigh. I was worried when I came to Tryton's what sort of roommate I would have, and I was afraid I would be teased like other techno mags. I lazed the system and made sure that I wouldn't have a roommate at all. Then your records showed up in the system.
When I looked into you I realized the truth of who you are
. I hoped you might understand me, so I changed your room assignment. You were headed to room with Mary what's-her-face before I stepped in.
Tess didn't know how to respond. "But Hawk didn't tell anyone I was coming. We just showed up and I got my schedule." She had the crazy urge to laugh. "You hacked the system between the time they entered my schedule and gave me my room assignment?"
Please don't be mad. Iris's voice was full of guilt. When you got here things started to change. The next thing I knew we were on the air boards headed to the rock troll village. All this time you've been the best friend I could ask for, and I . . . I failed you. Our friend died because of me.
Tess wanted to say, you're being stupid. Instead she said, "How many times have you saved my life?"
I don't know, I—
"And would Alice have won long ago if I hadn't had you by my side?"
Maybe, but—
"Then stop acting like this and help me. You are my best friend, and I wouldn't even be alive without you."
Iris tone lightened. You might be right about that.
"Of course I'm right. I need you now more than ever."
You sound like you are going to break me out.
Tess clenched her fists. "You know I would."
I'm sorry for letting my mom distract me, Her voice sounded small. I know Alice is trying to manipulate us, and I'm sorry it worked. I just wanted to believe that she was going to be ok.
"You never need to apologize for believing in your mom."
Iris didn't respond for a long moment. When she did it sounded like she was trying to control her emotions.
Did the horrending work?
Tess grinned. "One Harbinger down, one to go."
Iris's mental laugh buoyed Tess's spirits like nothing else. Then Iris said, They're taking me onto a Sundrop, and my mom is here. I need to link to my army and find out where I'm going.
The sudden tension in her voice caused Tess to answer fast. “Keep me posted.”
I will, Iris said . . . and thanks.
Tess disconnected and then dropped to her room. With a sense of renewed hope, Tess dipped into her farsight to look at what was coming. The same glimpse as before flashed across her eyes, only this time she began to explore a way to survive.
She sent a message to Derek to let him know that Iris had already contacted her, and then passed the news on to the entire Order. The idea of getting Iris back bolstered everyone's spirits throughout the day, and Tess was hard pressed to stay focused on the impending problem.
And the hope was spreading beyond the Order. Drake had been found stumbling around Tryton's. The news that he'd been stripped of magic had struck a chord across the school. Within an hour the rumors as to who was responsible could not be contained.
In every class Tess entered the other students were whispering to each other about Drake. In the four weeks since the Harbingers had taken Auroraq, it was the first time Tess saw hope in their eyes. It brought a grim smile to her face. Their efforts were working. Stel had gotten so excited that she had been forced to leave him in her room.
After Basic Animary, Tess hurried to the plant school. She struggled to sit still while Professor Rodriguez lectured about how to properly handle the urible bilrasp. She was stung twice due to her distraction. As she sucked her finger one the professor spoke behind her.
"When handling dangerous plants you need to focus, Tess. If it were an adult specimen you would be writhing on the floor. I expect more from one who has done such great work recently."
Tess recognized the double connotation to his statement, and fought to keep the smile from her features. She pulled the blue stinger from her flesh and barely felt it tear her skin. She cast a healing spell on herself and finished tying down the flailing root. At the dismissal she was first out the door, her mind already on the next meeting of the Order. If she told them about her vision maybe they could come up with an alternative together . . .
She stopped dead in her tracks.
Alice, Master of the Harbingers, stood in front of her.
Chapter 44: Descent Unto Dark
"Oracle," Alice said, "If you'll come with me."
Tess stood stock still as she faced her birth mother, all thoughts of the plans gone from her mind. Did she know? Was she here to punish them? Was it happening now? She swallowed, and wished she could join the scattering students. One by one they exited the classroom and all but fled at the sight of the small woman.
"What do you want?" Tess said, grateful that no trace of fear had seeped into her voice.
Alice gestured to the side, her dark eyes fixed on her. "I would think you'd like to talk to me as much as I would you."
"No," Tess said. "I wouldn't."
A few of the students nearby sucked in their breath at her nerve, but Alice merely smiled. "You may come by force if that is your wish."
Two Voidlings drifted into view and took up position on either side of her. Their strange ethereal bodies moved like liquid smoke, graceful and lethal. Their disturbing jaws turned toward her, ready to siphon her power.
Tess clenched her fists. "Why would I want to speak with you?"
Alice’s eyes tightened. "Because you have no idea what you are up against."
Several thoughts warred within Tess. Alice had shown on several occasions a type of magic unknown to even Hawk. Perhaps giving in would allow Tess the chance to find out what it was. Without it Tess would never be able to strip her of her magic. At the same time her instincts rang with alarm. Alice had proven herself capable of both unbridled power and subtle betrayal. What was her purpose in coming?
In the end she had no choice, and Tess followed Alice into the sky. Her joy at flying was tempered by her companion, who barely spared her a glance once she was airborne. Together, they flew toward a teardrop of glass floating in the sky.
"How are you flying?" Tess asked, her curiosity overcoming her wariness. "I was told that gravity magic wasn't one of your skills."
Alice threw her an inscrutable look. "An otherspark causes one to use a type of magic they do not possess. I am using one now."
"But they are temporary, and uncommon." Tess was surprised that she'd answered honestly. "I don't understand how you can use one by choice."
"There's a lot you don't understand," Alice replied.
Tess fell silent, and a moment later they reached the Sundrop. Tess had a sinking feeling when she saw their destination. Didn't Iris say that she and her mom were headed toward a Sundrop?
Used for long distance travel by mages, the tapered ship had been imbued with a variety of magics, most to keep it from being detected by aurens. Tess hesitated, but a warning look from Alice kept her moving forward. She followed her through the open door and alighted on the smooth floor. Alice flicked her wrist as she landed, and the blaze of yellow light disappeared.
Tess's gaze swept the space, and part of her mind acknowledged the presence of two Voidlings and a pair of Harbinger battlemages. Bound in anti-magic chains, Iris and Trina stood at the back. Both struggled when Tess looked at them, but their bindings prevented them from speaking. The door sealed with a whisper at Tess's back, but to her it echoed like the clanging of a cage door.
"Why are they here?" Tess asked. Dread had filled her, and she fought to keep it from her voice.
"You and your misguided friends have done a significant amount of damage. Even before you knew my identity you fought against me. I had hoped that Trina would speak to you, convince you that what I do is necessary." She waved a hand at Trina and her gag evaporated.
"She does only what's necessary," Trina babbled."You have to believe her. She does what's best for us, and if you don't—"
The gag reformed, and Alice turned to Tess. "You seem to think that I am evil," Alice said. "But the state of our world demands that I act."
Tears welled up in Iris's eyes, and Tess hated the pain reflected in them. The admission that Tess was the reason Alice had helped Trina would crush her.
"What do
you want from me?" Tess said. Her whole frame had gone rigid with anger and fear, and she struggled to hold it in check.
"Isn't it obvious?" Alice replied. "I want my daughter by my side. A third of the globe is now part of my domain, and four countries have accepted my laws. Millions now follow with absolute obedience. In those countries not one soul has been killed, harmed, or beaten. Child abuse is abolished, and war is no more."
"But how many have died for that result?" Tess asked.
"Only those with evil intent," Alice said. "As it should be. Or would you rather the innocent continue to suffer so the powerful can exercise their free will? Is this not better?"
"The world isn't perfect," Tess said, unable to completely deny her words.
"I am making it perfect," Alice said. Her eyes glimmered.
"What makes you think you have the right to do any of this?"
"Power is given for a reason," Alice replied. "And when one has power, one is obligated to better the world around them. If the kings and presidents of Earth had learned this I would not be needed."
In her gut Tess knew that what Alice meant was wrong, but she couldn't seem to find the words to refute it. Regardless of her argument, Alice knew how to twist the words so as to make them sound right.
"What will be the meaning of their life, then?" Tess challenged. "Survive? Obey? Those within your command are not living, Alice. They are just trying not to die."
"Why did you go to Tryton's sword?"
The shift in conversation caused Tess to stumble. "I . . . I don't know what you mean."
Alice didn't break eye contact. "Own your actions, daughter. Your friend did an admirable job distorting your faces, but Keidon managed to crack it last night. Why did you go look at Tryton's Sword?"