Reid.
He’s rigid, emitting fury like I’ve never seen. Eyes wide and livid, he absorbs my appearance, his free hand shaking into a fist. I haven’t seen him this enraged since Mantis got a hold of me. And I’m pretty sure I didn’t look as beat up then as I do now. Racing over, Reid shoots the rope above my head but catches me before I fall. Threading his head between my bound arms, he swiftly scoops me up, cradling me to his chest with an iron hold. Still clutching his Traxpire, his pained eyes flicker between mine, fury haunting his expression.
“I’m here, baby,” he says through gritted teeth. “Just hold on.”
“Reid…”
“God—your face,” he growls, squeezing me to him. “Just hold onto me. I’ve got you.”
Grabbing an unconscious Pallooloo under his arm, Sampson flies in front of us, racing over the walls. “Go!”
I grip Reid around his neck and press myself to him, melding my body to his. Keeping my face buried in his chest, I inhale his scent, letting it overwhelm me as screams carry on in the distance.
“Jothkore!” Reid calls, gripping me. “Five more!”
“I have them—go with the Fychu!”
I try to lift my head to peek, but with the way I’m positioned, I can only see over Reid’s shoulder behind us. One Dofinike squares off with a small group of Vermix, throwing punches and holding his own as they close in on him.
“He needs help,” I whisper into Reid’s neck.
“He’ll be fine—we need to get you out of here.”
“There’ll be a hundred here in minutes.”
“We don’t need minutes,” he jets to the side and I grasp him even tighter. “Hold on,” he shoots his Traxpire, a cry of pain erupting. Something flies at us—I can tell since Reid jets back, but another howl escapes and Clarence’s voice carries from somewhere.
“We need to get her out of here—now!”
I squeeze Reid and he takes off in a run, every few seconds stopping with a jerk to the side or backward. Holding his Traxpire under my back, his grip on me never lessens as we race through the darkness, Sampson keeping pace as he scales the walls, Pallooloo tucked under his arm.
“He’s here,” I say. “Reuzkimpart.”
“We know,” he spins as Clarence tackles three more Vermix ahead.
“They want to capture Sampson and Blovid.”
Reid laughs. “They won’t.”
A glimmer of white lights up the end of the tunnel and Reid races there as fast as possible. Crushing me to him, he jets forward and then halts as a blockade of Vermix block the exit, the white disappearing.
“Sampson!”
Shots fire, orange explosions lighting up the darkness as a Dofinike flies overhead. With my face mostly buried in Reid’s chest, I can’t see much. He squeezes me to him, not an inch of space between us. More shots erupt and Sampson’s voice carries over us.
“Now!”
Reid races forward and we emerge into the light, the cold immediately descending. I’m shivering against his chest, soaking up his warmth as a quick crunch-crunch-crunch sounds below, howls, cries and shouts carrying on in the distance.
“What about Jothkore?” I ask.
“He’s already out.”
“How?”
Suddenly I’m flying, skidding with speed through the snow. Coming to a halt, I’m instantly frozen as I scan the frigid white wasteland around me. What happened? Where’s Reid? We were hit and then—
A Vermix stands over me, bleeding from his snout. His talons hang determined by his hips as he peers down at me through narrowed yellow eyes. I instinctively go to push myself up but find my wrists are still bound.
Shit.
Scooting back, I get nowhere and the Vermix advances. My heart pounds with panic, the cold burning into my exposed forearms and neck, but I’m too drowned in his lethal, abhorrent stare to notice. Quickly calculating, I’m about to roll to my side when he pulls out a long whip and lifts his arm. Fear chokes me. I can’t move. I can’t do anything other than stare at the razor-sharp edge of the weapon, memories resurfacing of the pain as it carved through my arm on Harrizel. My breath hitches and he starts to bring it down. But before he can, Reid’s foot collides with his snout and the two tumble to the ground.
Both spring to a stand, the Vermix drawing back the whip and letting it fly with a hissing crack. Reid dodges gracefully, rolling to the ground. He swings his legs out, knocking into the Vermix who stumbles slightly. But in this moment of instability, Reid is on his feet again, delivering blow after blow to the Vermix’s soft patch of stomach. The Dofinike swings, reaching for Rox, but he’s too fast. Too quick and exact in his movements that the Vermix continually grabs for nothing around him, yet consistently gets hit with swift, sharp jabs. Finally, he lifts his whip again, intending to bring it down on me. At this, Reid jumps on the Dofinike’s back and with both hands around his head, sharply twists to the side. The Vermix falls forward, landing in the snow with a hard smack.
Reid stands over him, fists shaking and panting. His crazed eyes move from the Vermix to me. Reaching down, he grabs his discarded Traxpire and pulls me into his arms. “You okay?”
“Uh-huh.”
“We’re leaving right now. Once Clarence can—”
But Reid stops.
His eyes widen and I know something is wrong. Following his stare, my stomach drops. Vermix encircle us, not more than a few meters out. These must be the new troops from Arosin. And Reuzkimpart had wanted fifty. Shit. Where are Sampson and Clarence?
Reid grips me tight, his focus going all around. Panic sets in again and I don’t know what to do. Reid stiffens, one arm clasping my waist to his and the other holding out his Traxpire, aimed but not firing. The Vermix stand and watch, keeping us locked here, secluded from everything else. Like the Arizal Dofinikes.
Where are they?
But then, just past the green gate of Vermix, a short blue blur stirs in the distance. But I can’t be certain. I’m too focused on the Vermix who have started to close in. Reid grips me even harder and that’s when half the Dofinikes start dropping one by one. They collapse to the white ground, seeping pools of red around them, dampening the snow. I’m not sure I’m seeing right but it must be happening. It must be because a pale blue tidal wave washes over the north end of the circle, the same tiny blades in their skinny fingers as they climb over the Vermix bodies. Screams and snarls erupt again, but only from the north. The Vermix from the south are still racing ahead, ready to tackle us and Reid is firing his Traxpire on them.
But there are too many.
The Pweboles are slaughtering the north half of the Vermix and we can’t handle the rest. We’re about to be overrun. There’s no way we can get out of this. Ignoring the slicing pain on my cheek, I grip Reid, preparing for the assault. But then, thunderous blasts ring out behind the storming Vermix. They trip to the ground and suddenly, Reid and I are in the middle of a white, blue and red battle as orange fireworks shoot around us, hitting the Vermix still trying to advance.
“We have to get out of here!” Clarence calls, blasting through the barricade. He’s bleeding from his snout and shoulder and racing toward us with a slight limp.
“What about Sampson?” Reid sweeps me up. “And Jothkore?”
“They’re right behind us,” Clarence grips his shoulder. “But we need to go. Now!”
An orange explosion flies past him and everything starts to fade. Just as it does, an army of short blue fuzz envelops the green and white landscape, screams crying out. Then the purple fog washes over it all and everything goes silent.
Chapter Five: Revelation
Are you injured?
Clarence’s face is etched with concern as he pegs me with an intense stare. He’s still in his true form, the green strands of his beard billowing below his chin instead of the usual blondish-white hair whipping above his head.
Her face has cuts and her wrists are still tied, Reid frowns at me. It looks like they were rough.
/> Overall, Clarence’s mouth remains sealed, you are relatively uninjured?
Yes, I hear myself answer.
Good.
You’re sure Sampson and Jothkore will be okay?
They’re fine. We were prepared—we knew what we were walking into.
How? I ask.
His eyes hold mine. You told us.
The lavender cloud evaporates and I’m in Reid’s arms again, cradled against his chest with Clarence behind us, already transformed to his human facade. It’s night, and we’re in the middle of the Zingfinold forest. It’s the same place I’ve been before, the same scene when we came to Nerwolix in search of the Nhazual, except this time, it’s only the three of us.
On cue, Sampson and Jothkore appear a few feet ahead. Both fully exhausted, they let out a sigh of relief at the sight of me in Reid’s arms.
“Do they know?” Clarence makes his way over.
“No—Reuzkimpart wasn’t happy to see us go, but I think his disappointment lies in the mystery of our whereabouts. Fallon,” Sampson turns to me, “we’re going to take you back to your tree-home. We’ll apply some Vilbrees but please, tell me, are you—”
“She’s fine,” Clarence nods. “A few scratches and bruises… but… no worse for the wear.”
“Thank goodness…” Sampson releases a satisfied sigh. “Everyone will be glad to know.”
“But how did you know—”
“Let’s get you up to the city and healed first. All will be answered,” Sampson turns to Reid. “You’re good?”
He nods. “I’ll take her by lift.”
“We’ll see you up there.”
Carrying me toward a tangle of low-hanging lime leaves, Reid sets me on my feet. “I’m going to hoist us up,” he grips a leaf. “But once we’re there, I’ll pick you up again, okay?”
I nod.
“Hold on,” he wraps his free arm around my waist. We ascend in seconds, flying past the dark canopy until the night glows with the familiar golden specks. I forgot how beautiful it is. I still have my head pressed against Reid’s neck but I can see it all—the entire city of Zinnollo lit up with jars of oversized fireflies illuminating the bridges and homes. We’re slowing, approaching a branch and Reid pulls us onto it. “One more swing, okay? Then we’ll be a bridge away from your home.”
“Are you staying with me?” I whisper into his ear.
“There’s nowhere else I’d be,” he replies softly. “Until you ask me to go, I’m with you.”
I grip the back of his shirt and we take off again, flying through the air until he reaches solid ground. He scoops me up and starts carrying me, and with my face pressed against his chest now, it’s hard to see anything. Or anyone. But I don’t want to see them. Not right now. Not looking like this—with talon marks still freshly etched into my skin. Maybe tomorrow I can face them, face Pratt and Mae, but definitely not now.
We pass a red curtain and a soft, golden light emits from over Reid’s shoulders, painting the wooden walls in a warm glow. He sets me down on the bed but comes with me, my arms still wrapped around his neck. Gently releasing himself, he pulls back long enough to cross the room.
“You’re going?” It sounds whiney—terrified even—but I can’t stand the thought of him leaving me.
“No,” he shakes his head, his soft voice reassuring. “I told you, I’m not leaving until you ask me. I’m just getting a knife to get that,” he gestures to my bound wrists.
I let out a relieved sigh, leaning back into the red cushions.
Reid returns and, sitting on the bed next to me, he gently places my hands in his lap. Carefully sliding his blade between the folds of the rope, he pulls it clean and the restraint falls off. Wincing in response to my red wrists, the same fury pours off of Reid as a hard lump rolls down his throat.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
Picking up each hand, he softly brushes his lips against the sore skin, closing his eyes as he moves his mouth the full rotation. “How does that feel?”
“B-better,” I stammer, heat uncoiling in the pit of my belly.
“I’m so sorry,” he whispers.
“Why? You came back for me.”
“You shouldn’t have been taken in the first place. When I saw you weren’t…” he shakes his head, a long, silent moment passing. “I demanded we go back immediately. I nearly attacked Sampson, made him take me back—” he’s cut off by the red curtain flapping open.
Sampson, Clarence, Jothkore and Blovid are here, all in their human form. They glance fleetingly at our positions, Clarence carrying a small bowl in his hand as he sits by my side.
“Sampson made some more Vilbrees from the Tregmint,” he softly cradles my chin. “Let me see your face.”
“Fallon, dear,” Blovid shakes his head. “I am so sorry.”
“Thank goodness we got you out alive,” Jothkore says. He takes a small step forward, a worrisome frown etched into his smooth white skin. “When they called me—”
“Yeah,” I glance between all the Dofinikes with confusion. “How did that happen? Where have you been?”
I haven’t seen Jothkore since Harrizel, since we overtook the Castle prior to the Vermix returning. He had been our ‘inside’ man, posing as a guard but feeding information to Sampson and supplying the Rogues when he could. And when the time came to revolt, he secured Jeb and Ergiloff so we’d be able to access the weapons and defeat the rest of the guards. Jothkore was a crucial part in the takeover. But he disappeared after we liberated our memories, and according to Sampson, he was off handling some request for him.
It was a shock seeing Jothkore on Larupip. When Reid said his name, I didn’t place it at first. There was too much going on—too many Traxpire blasts and Dofinikes scrambling up the walls to question his sudden reappearance. We just had to get out of there. Fast. But now that we’re here, I’m curious why I haven’t questioned his whereabouts.
“Jothkore was with King Thias in the northern region on my request,” Sampson explains. “We knew we needed additional assistance to reclaim you. It wasn’t smart to bring Blovid, although he eagerly volunteered. Repeatedly.”
“She is too important to be left in the Vermix’s hands,” Blovid says.
“And so are you.”
A cooling sensation runs the course of my cheek, instant relief flooding me. I turn to watch Clarence dip his fingers into the bowl again, smoothing the mixture down my jaw. “Feel good?”
I nod.
“Looks like he got you pretty good,” he winces, trying to fight off a frown. “What uh…what happened? Do you remember?”
I nod again, focusing on the last hour. “When I came to, they had me tied up,” I present my wrists and Clarence motions for them. I lay them in his lap and he starts to gently smooth the bluish- green lotion around their sore skin, carefully avoiding Reid’s Callix. “It was only a few at first… then someone called the Supreme came in. I couldn’t see him. He was surrounded by a huge group of Vermix and…” I stare off, trying to remember everything I heard, “…he was talking about bringing me back to Dellapalania. And same with you two,” I glance between Sampson and Blovid. “Said he wanted to execute all of us for the Vermix. Said it would be easier with you out of the way for the invasion—”
“Invasion?” Sampson interrupts me. “What invasion?”
“I-I think he means Nerwolix. He mentioned the Floating Ruby,” I gulp, trying to replay everything. “Said that once he had that… they would head back to Mybyncia for the Shadow Bag and end the prophecy,” I look up. “Is that what this is all about? Ending the prophecy?”
“Yes…” Sampson nods, pacing the small bit of space. “I’ve had this idea for a while. He’s collecting the Gifts for a reason. At first we believed it was simply to eradicate the Arizals—end this rebellion. But…I think he wants to take it a step further,” Sampson looks around the room with a deep inhale. When he speaks, his voice is powerful and strong, commanding like his presence. “I believe Reuzkimpart wa
nts to change the fate of the Dofinikes. Do away with the possibility of the human war altogether.”
“How?” Reid’s head snaps up. “Undo human existence or something?”
“Possibly,” Sampson shrugs. “I’m not sure what his exact plan is.”
“He has always been terrified of this prophecy,” Blovid shakes his head, strumming his chin, “like a little child. He never should have looked into the Glass Chamber.”
“What’s that?” I glance around. “The Glass Chamber?”
Clarence moves to a stand. “When the Lost Princesses delivered their Gift to Dellapalania, they bestowed it deep in the mountains as a cavern of mirrors—The Glass Chamber was a sacred space never to be used or viewed.”
“But,” Sampson says, “even as a child, Reuzkimpart could not tame his curiosity. He learned the location of The Glass Chamber and entered it. In there, he saw what he calls ‘the fate of the Dofinikes.’ Sullio Pf ticrocki gagazinoff—images of the war, of Humans slaying Dofinikes.”
“But you can’t be sure that’s what he really saw?” I ask.
“No. There is no way of knowing for certain,” Sampson shakes his head. “No one was allowed entrance into it. He told the Leaders what he witnessed and they had no choice other than to believe him. They figured, perhaps he was somehow chosen to find it and deliver the message of the Prophecy to them.”
“But he could be lying,” I say. “If he was the only one who saw it—”
“Doubtful,” Blovid shakes his head. “I remember when he told us. I was a new Leader at that time—the youngest appointed,” he glances to Sampson. “Theon was still on the council then,” he looks back to me. “I remember Reuzkimpart telling us what happened—what he saw. He was scared beyond all conception.”
Discovery at Nerwolix Page 6