Sara stepped back as she looked for anyway out. “I don't care what you have to say. You're obviously a Pelasgian, or some creepy Myrmidon.”
Nibiru spoke as he thought. “That is interesting, but not surprising. Leon didn't tell you about me?”
When Sara peeked over the balcony she couldn’t believe how high she was.
“Not surprising at all,” Nibiru continued. “I wonder. Did he tell anyone?”
“It doesn't matter,” Sara said, cautiously moving back into the room. “I know what happened to the Corinthian homeworld, and I'm not going to let that happen to mine.”
“How are you going to stop it?” Nibiru asked. “You can't even save yourself right now.”
As fast as any human could have, Sara grabbed a dagger and threw it with pinpoint accuracy at Nibiru's forehead.
Using two fingers, Nibiru caught the dagger and tossed it aside. “I mean you no harm, Sara. I simply wish is to show you what awaits your world, and make an offer you can't refuse.”
Sara raised her weapon as Nibiru stood and walked towards her.
“I'll tell you what,” Nibiru said, holding his hand out. “I promise when all is said and done, if you want, I will return you to Rhea. All you have to do is take my hand.”
There was a long pause as Sara thought about what to do next. Witnessing what Nibiru did with the dagger told her she was likely no match for him. If Nibiru had wanted her dead, he would have already done it and he could easily do so if he decided to.
Reluctant, Sara put her weapon away and took Nibiru's hand. Instantly, the entire world around her seemed to explode in a burst of swirling, black streaks. In the next instant, she was standing with Nibiru just inside the entrance of a cave.
Outside, it felt like summer. Aside from the two moons that could barely be seen in the blue sky, it reminded her of home.
Sara began to think she was now on the planet she had seen in Nibiru's throne room. Ahead in the valley below, she could see a city whose size was reminiscent of Vesuvia, but this one radiated a certain type of beauty that spoke of its opulence.
It made Sara wonder if humans could ever build such a thing. “Where are we?”
Nibiru raised his hand to the sky. “As I said before, the name escapes me.”
Day suddenly turned to night as a massive black orb blotted out the sun.
Sara didn't know what was happening, but then remembered what Caycee had seen in her vision. Pure terror filled her as she bore witness to a world being stripped away into darkness. What she had imagined was nothing compared to actually seeing it firsthand.
Nibiru stepped out of the cave, next to Sara as she fell to her knees with tears in her eyes.
The once immaculate city was now completely black and looked desolate.
As the darkness rapidly approached, Nibiru placed his hand on Sara's shoulder and both were instantly teleported back to the balcony of his throne room.
In full view was the planet, and it vaguely resembled its former self. Everything from the oceans to the continents had fallen into darkness.
“Why?” Sara asked.
Nibiru almost seemed confused. “If you are attacked, you defend yourself, do you not?”
“Attacked?” Sara said, facing Nibiru. “Those people didn't have a chance! What did they do to deserve that?”
“You must understand that I am on a quest. A journey to right a wrong.”
“You're a monster.”
“No,” Nibiru said, leaning on the rail. “I am...the beginning. It was only me. Self-aware, yet without form. Ages went by with no reason, no purpose. Nothing. And then, in one moment, a spark that turned into the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. But no matter how much I tried, no matter how much I wanted to, I couldn't touch it. It pushed me away into the shadows. This...existence, this cruel existence was forced on me by this thing you call light.”
Sara realized what Nibiru had said. “Light? It will kill you, won't it? Like a Vesuvian.”
Gazing at the dark planet, Nibiru felt a tinge of disappointment. “For now. At any time I choose, I can send your world into darkness just like this one.”
“Then why the invasions?” Sara asked.
Nibiru turned to Sara. “Leon. Unlike you or anyone else I have encountered, his natural ability to withstand the light is of an unnatural source. I could replicate it for myself. If only I could convince him to join me.”
Sara couldn’t control her shaking, and couldn't remember being so scared. “Leon knows, doesn't he?”
Nibiru held his hand out and conjured a small shadow seed. “Which brings me to my offer. Take this and become one of my Myrmidons.”
Floating to Sara, the black ball dripped with crimson energy as red bolts of lightning danced across its surface.
“You're crazy,” Sara said. “I would never join you just to save my own skin.”
“Words I’ve heard many times before,” Nibiru said, moving behind Sara. “But consider this. Joining me would grant you not only strength and speed you can only dream of, but also everlasting youth. Imagine being as beautiful as you are for eternity.”
Feeling helpless and desperate, Sara stood there refusing to speak anymore as she stared at the shadow seed in front of her. For a few moments the urge to touch it was almost irresistible.
“You can’t stop me, Sara,” Nibiru said. “No one can. I am giving you the chance to spare yourself the fate that awaits everyone else on your world, or you can join them and become a mindless drone with no will of your own when I decide to take it.”
Out of the corner of his eye, Nibiru spotted movement from an opening in the ceiling. Playing it cool and shrewd, he began walking towards his throne. pretending he'd seen nothing.
As Sara considered her options, an orange portal suddenly opened next to her. Leon leapt from the ceiling and practically tackled her through it.
It happened so fast the portal closed before Nibiru could see it. He sat with a sinister smile and absorbed the shadow seed back into himself.
Marduk emerged from the shadows near the door. “By my count, that would be the fourth time you let him escape.”
Nibiru let out a small sigh of agitation. “Why did you go to the Netherworld?”
“Forgive me,” Marduk said. “I sent a Corinthian with the order to retreat. We’ve lost many soldiers, and I believe we’ll need as many as possible for the battle ahead.”
The openings in the ceiling opened up, revealing more of the sky.
“Why not simply capture and torture Leon until he decides to join?” Marduk asked.
“Vesuvians don't feel pain like some other creatures,” Nibiru replied. “And I believe poor Leon is about to receive more scrutiny than he would like, now that his little secret is out.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
In New Haven, the Pelasgians had to fight hard for every yard of ground gained. Human soldiers wearing armor similar to the Corinthians were proving themselves to be just as tough.
The fighting had gone several blocks beyond the city wall. Buildings were ablaze and dead bodies littered the streets, making it difficult for Arthur and Richard to navigate.
“We better pick up the pace,” Arthur said, turning into a narrow alley.
“How do you know where they are?” Richard asked. “They could be dead, for all we know. I mean, I don't think they're dead, but they could be anywhere.”
Arthur had to kick his way through a small mound of empty baskets. “If I know Thomas, he'll be falling back toward the Citadel. Plenty like him who think it's the most important building in the city.”
Pelasgians walking past the alley spotted the men, and ran in after them.
“Move it,” Arthur said, going as fast as he could.
Richard knocked over crates and barrels to slow the Pelasgians down while trying to keep up with Arthur. Dividing his attention between the two in the maze-like alley, he soon lost track of his partner.
“Arthur?” Richard called, stopping for a split
second with the Pelasgians only yards away. He made another turn into an alley with an exit.
On the street, Richard found Arthur waiting with a line of archers several houses down. He was only halfway down the street when the Pelasgians bumbled out of the alley.
“Get down!” Arthur yelled.
Having a clear line of fire, the archers brought down any Pelasgian standing in the street with a hail of arrows.
When the coast was clear, Richard got back to his feet. “Sorry, I lost you back there in the alley.”
Arthur shrugged. “If it makes you feel any better, the route we took only had two exits. Both leading to this street.”
“Thanks. I'll try to remember that.”
One of the archers approached Arthur. “Sir, we're needed elsewhere.”
“Thanks for the assist.” Arthur saluted.
Richard said inspecting another alley. “I hope the guys are close.”
With so much going on, it was hard for Arthur to tell where any of the noise was coming from. “Why don't we try sticking to the streets this time? It sounds like there's a lot of fighting over there.”
Peeking around the corner at the next intersection, they could see human soldiers clogging up the street with heavy resistance against the Pelasgians.
“I don't see them,” Richard said. “Doesn't look like we can get through, either.”
Arthur was growing anxious. “Nothing we can do here. Let's go around and see if we can help.”
“What about the guys?” Richard asked.
“We can't spend the whole day searching. Not with this going on. Cross your fingers, maybe we'll run into them.”
As Arthur and Richard ran further, a group of four Corinthians on griffins descended upon them, landing in front and behind.
“I've got these two,” Arthur said, circling around as he parried. When one of the griffins jumped at him, he rolled out of the way and stabbed it in the heart.
The creature rolled over, giving Arthur his chance to kill the rider.
Richard dispatched one of the griffins and its rider in a similar way, then immediately killed another griffin by tossing his equinox into its neck. As the animal fell, the Corinthian hopped off.
Richard grabbed a sword and exchanged several swings with the Corinthian before striking the final blow from behind.
Arthur was backpedaling from the last griffin. “Come on,” he muttered. “Just one opening.”
The griffin lunged sideways, giving Arthur what he thought was his chance, though Corinthian swung out with his sword deflecting Arthur's attack and giving him a small cut across the cheek.
Rearing its head up, the griffin knocked Arthur to the ground. The creature squawked, about to pounce, but Richard's equinox slammed into its side.
From the opposite direction, another equinox sailed into the Corinthian’s chest.
Arthur turned to see Thomas, William and Jacob running toward him. “Look who's here.”
“You're welcome,” Thomas said, retrieving his weapon.
William and Jacob helped Arthur.
“What happened to you guys?” Richard asked.
“What happened to you?” Thomas shot back. “We fell back with the army toward the Roivas Estate. I thought you were ahead of us.”
“Yeah,” Jacob added. “Thomas wanted to go all the way back to the Citadel.”
A Satyr's loud battle cry down the street drew several Pelasgians to the scene.
“Get ready!” Arthur said.
Within seconds, human soldiers ran into the street and joined the fight as the Pelasgians clashed with Arthur's men.
On their own, Richard and Thomas skillfully dispatched any Pelasgian that came at them. They used their equinoxes as mostly defensive weapons, parrying blows long enough to eliminate their enemies with talons.
William and Jacob fought with a style that was not necessarily back-to-back, but neither of them had to worry about it. One locked up with his opponent as the other moved in from an angle and quickly dealt the killing blow. It required fast movement in unison. One slipup and the result could be less than satisfying.
Arthur disposed of a Corinthian before setting his sights on an incoming Cyclops. He leapt in, slicing the creature's neck with his halo.
The sound of a loud horn filled the air, sending the Pelasgians into retreat. Centaurs and Corinthians, however, stood their ground from a distance as they began to unleash volleys of arrows. The friendly fire was unavoidable, but many managed to break away from the fighting.
Richard took cover around a corner, looking for his friends.
On the opposite side of the street, Arthur took a Satyr down, before being struck from behind by an arrow.
Witnessing this, Richard made a mad dash for Arthur with no regard for his own safety. There were still plenty of Pelasgians in the way, and he showed no patience or mercy.
Thomas knew something was wrong when he saw Richard fighting in a berserk state. And in the next second he, Jacob and William saw why, as Arthur weakly fought off a Corinthian and was struck by two more arrows.
As Arthur fell, the men joined Richard in slaughtering the remaining Pelasgians. All of them pressed on hard with everything they had, suffering cuts and bruises they normally would have avoided.
Soon the area was clear of the enemy, and the soldiers moved on after those running away.
Richard dropped to his knees picking Arthur off the ground.
Arthur's breathing was very shallow as he opened his eyes slowly.
“Hang in there,” Richard said. “We're gonna get you help. You're going to be okay.”
William cried, feeling it should have been him lying there.
Thomas and Jacob knelt beside their Arthur. All of them knew Richard was lying.
Arthur coughed. “Got a lil’ careless there.”
“Don't talk,” Richard said. “Save your energy.”
“I'm done,” Arthur uttered, handing his equinox over. “You give this to Sara. You understand?”
Richard reluctantly took the equinox. “Yes, Sir,” he said, watching in sorrow as Arthur passed away.
CHAPTER TWENTY
“I wish it were that easy,” Gavin said, as he and Marus entered the Council's building. “But the rite of passage is a secret.”
Both stepped onto a platform.
Marus tugged the rope to begin their ascent. “I don't believe you, Gavin. There's a good chance we could all die, and you'd rather keep your most powerful form to your House instead?”
Gavin laughed. “Really? Come on, mate. We had this discussion before. Remember, about a hundred years ago? You know well it's not possible for anyone outside the House of Liro to attain it.”
“But I hear things.”
Gavin was getting annoyed. “Folks always start to hear things at times like this. If I was lying, the Orloks would have discovered it, the Siena would sense it, and the Kanara would've ripped it from somebody's bloody mind by now.”
“Okay,” Marus said conceding. “Sorry. I get caught up in the gossip sometimes. But, can't you put more Liros through the rites?”
“Of course I am! I'm trying everything. Problem is, when you're not ready, you're not ready, and my lads just aren't ready.”
After a moment of silence, Marus softly banged his fist on Gavin's chest. “By the way, I owe you big time. Thanks for saving my skin back there.”
Gavin shrugged it off. “It was nothing. You'd have done the same.”
The platform finally reached the top. Marus stepped out and found the Council waiting.
“Marus,” Denzso called. “Has Leon returned?”
“No. I haven't seen him since he went after Sara.”
Denzso laughed a little. “The Pelasgians are regrouping on the outskirts of our city and he's busy chasing after a human.”
Marus gave Denzso a sideways look. “Could be worse. He could be watching from the safety of the Council building while his men do all the fighting.”
“Watch
your tongue,” Denzso said with a scowl. “Leaders lead. They don't fight.”
“You're the strongest, fastest Vesuvian,” Marus said. “You should be ashamed of yourself.”
Denzso slammed his fist into the table.
The arguing wore thin on Alexia. “Enough, both of you! We have enough problems as it is without you two at each other's throats.”
Marus glared at Denzo with contempt as he sat.
Gavin took a seat. “Oy, what's the deal with the Pelasgians?”
“It's like Denzso said,” Helen answered. “They're regrouping on the outskirts of the city. In some areas they advanced as far as borders of the urban sections. The rural parts have been mostly overrun.”
“More Pelasgian portals have opened up.” Jaren added. “Guess what's pouring through.”
Marus took his hat off and ate another blood marble. “We should take this time to solidify our defenses. If the Pelasgians get a foothold of any part of the city, we're in big trouble.”
Sagan rolled out a map of the city across the table. “The Turin's section of the city was largely spared, and the Underground seems to have gone unnoticed for now.”
Alexia studied the map. “Obviously the Pelasgians want to avoid low visibility and narrow spaces.”
“Which may be to our advantage,” Sagan said. “We should try and draw them into these places, or if need be, we can use these as escape routes.”
Denzso was baffled. “Escape routes?”
“In case,” Sagan replied.
“Retreat,” Denzso scoffed. “Leave it to an Orlok. There will be no retreat.”
Sagan flashed his teeth as he leered at Denzso.
No one said anything for a moment. The tension in the room was high.
Alexia placed several wooden tokens on the map. “That's a decision we will all make.”
“I say we attack,” Denzso declared. “Attack now, when they least expect it.”
Gavin smiled. “Ah, so now you're an expert in Pelasgians, eh?”
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