The Gilded Empire

by Ryan W. Mueller

  "You mind if we stay in here?" asked one of the soldiers.

  "Not at all," Daniel said. "It's probably safer for you that way." He pulled on the nearby lever, and the door came open a little, creating a space large enough for them to crawl. "I don't want to open it any farther. Can't have the crowd rushing in."

  "Are you sure it's wise to leave the soldiers free?" Nadia asked. "They could pull that lever as we crawl through and crush us."

  "You have our word that we won't do that," said one of them, but Markus wasn't sure he could trust their word. They'd been trying to kill them not that long ago. Sure, Daniel had saved their lives with his whirlwind, but that didn't mean they'd act with honor.

  "Forgive me if I can't trust your word," Daniel said. "It's a good thing I brought one of these." He held up the device that other soldiers had used before to erect force field around Markus and Nadia. A moment later, blue force fields came to life around these two soldiers. "I'll let the force fields die once we're through. You have my word on that."

  The soldiers nodded. They had no choice but to trust him.

  "I'll even leave your weapons here," Daniel said, dropping the plasma rifles on the brown stone floor. Then he motioned for everyone to crawl through the opening.

  Nadia, Berig, and Lara went first, fitting through with ease. Markus's chest felt tight as he watched, and he took deep breaths, trying to ignore what he was about to do. He remembered all too well the way he'd felt crawling through those tunnels in the Fire Mountains. Thankfully, this door was only about five feet wide, but it still bothered him.

  "Go on," Daniel said. "I'll go through behind you."

  Markus took another deep breath, then hit the floor. He kept low to the ground, crawling beneath the open door. As soon as he passed beneath it, panic tightened its grip on him. Deep breaths, he told himself. Deep breaths.

  He crawled as fast as he could, reaching the other side in almost no time. When he hopped to his feet, the others stood nearby. The riot appeared to have moved a few streets over. Only a few people milled about near the temple. Some looked injured, others merely dazed.

  Daniel crawled out from beneath the gate, then pressed a button on his force field generator. It was only a few moments before the soldiers closed the door behind them.

  "Cowards," Daniel said.

  "So what do we do now?" Berig asked.

  "It's time to leave this city and return to New Washington. We have a Machine to destroy."

  Chapter 51: The Way Home

  Kara's stomach churned as she watched the gate of Krinir's fortress come open. She had thought he'd expect their arrival, but she hadn't expected such a welcoming gesture. Something told her there was a mystery here, but she couldn't decipher it.

  Eliza frowned at the gate. "I know they said the fortress would respond to me, but I didn't expect it to be this easy."

  "I guess we're just gonna walk through," Rik said. "What's the worst that could happen?"

  Eliza put a hand on his shoulder. "Perhaps he realizes now that I'm his daughter, and he wishes to see me. I have no other explanation."

  "I wish I could believe that," Kara said, "but this is the same man—or god, whatever you want to call him—who tried to kill us not that long ago."

  Eliza nodded. "And that's why I'm confused."

  "I think we're all a bit confused," Rik said.

  "Well, we might as well see if we can enter through the front gate," Kara said. "We know nothing of this place, so it's the only option we have."

  The others nodded their agreement, and they started forward. The closer they grew to the fortress, the more imposing and evil it looked. The mist seemed colder than ever, as if it were seeping into Kara's bones.

  It also reminded Kara that this was the end of her journey, one way or another. Either they'd find a way home or Krinir would kill them.

  As they walked up the black stone steps leading toward the entrance, the enormous double doors swung open, revealing a bright chamber beyond. Kara's heart climbed into her throat, but she kept putting one foot in front of the other.

  This was the most foolish thing she'd ever done. How could they hope to survive this?

  Krinir stood a few feet beyond the entrance, watching them approach. He made no threatening gestures, but Kara was on edge. He could kill them with little effort.

  "I've been expecting you," he said. "Come inside."

  Kara exchanged a nervous glance with Eliza and Rik. They both nodded, and then all three of them stepped through the doors, entering the bright chamber beyond. There was no choice, really. If Krinir wanted to kill them, he would. It was best to follow his commands.

  Two other people were already seated in the chamber, on cushioned chairs. One of them was a young woman Kara thought looked vaguely familiar. The other was Warrick.

  "This is Danica," Krinir said, gesturing to the woman.

  Kara felt another flicker of recognition. "Danica? You're from Crayden, aren't you?"

  "I am. I remember seeing you in the forest after it burned." Danica cast a dark look at Warrick, then shook her head. Kara understood all too well the thoughts running through Danica's head. It had taken a long time for Kara to accept what Warrick had done. In truth, she wasn't sure she had. She doubted she could ever forgive him.

  And yet she'd seen the good man he could be.

  But had Krinir already destroyed that side of Warrick?

  Krinir studied them with a slight frown. At last, he said, "My daughter. I've been waiting a long time to meet you."

  "We met once before," Eliza said. "You tried to kill me."

  Krinir chuckled. "Oh, did you think I was trying to kill you back in those caves? Believe me, if I'd wanted to kill you, you'd be dead."

  "Then what were your intentions?" Eliza demanded, shocking Kara with her boldness.

  "I had to make you use the teleportation stone so that you'd arrive here at the right time. The Webs of Fate have been guiding me to this moment for a long time." He smiled. "After so long in this prison, I will return to my rightful place in the world."

  "Not if we stop you first," Kara said.

  Krinir chuckled again. "I appreciate your boldness, but there's a point when bravery is simply stupidity. What I did in those caves—that was nothing compared to my true power. I will return to Terra, and you can't stop me."

  Though Kara hated to admit it, she knew he was telling the truth.

  "Then why bother with us at all?" Kara asked.

  "Oh, I have my reasons, but I'm afraid I can't share them." He turned to Danica. "It's time."

  Danica's face turned a ghostly white. "I don't think I'm ready."

  "You have no choice. You remember our deal. If you don't do it, I'll kill these people. Now go to the room with the machine. Warrick and I will follow you shortly." His gaze became stern. "And don't even think of trying anything without me. I'll know."

  "But aren't they coming with us?" Danica asked.

  "I said I'd spare them. I never said I'd let them come home with us."

  "But they'll be stuck here," Danica said. "That's just as cruel."

  "This fortress is comfortable enough. My servants will take good care of them."

  Danica shot him a venomous look. "You're a monster."

  "No, I'm a god, and an impatient one. Go on. Do as I told you."

  Danica opened her mouth as if to continue arguing, but then she shook her head and marched out of the room, entering a nearby corridor. Kara felt as if a hand had tightened around her throat. She couldn't fail to get home, not when she was this close.

  Once Danica was gone, Krinir turned to Warrick. "Kill them."

  "But you promised Danica you wouldn't hurt us!" Rik shouted.

  Krinir smiled. "I never said anything about Warrick."

  He marched out of the room, leaving them alone with Warrick. The emperor wasn't as powerful as Krinir, but they stood no chance against him either. For the moment, he was looking at them, conflicting emotions raging behind his e
yes.

  "You don't want to kill us," Kara said. "I'd like to think we became friends on the road together. Whatever control he has over you, it doesn't matter."

  Warrick's face twisted. "Run. I'm fighting against his compulsion, but it won't last. Get far away from here. Please."

  They all sprinted toward the door, but they found it closed. No matter how hard they pushed against it, it wouldn't open.

  "Krinir's sealed us in!" Rik said, glancing wildly from side to side.

  "Then we'll have to hide somewhere else in the fortress," Eliza said. They took off running, listening to Warrick grunting with exertion as he fought against Krinir's control. They couldn't head toward the place where Danica had gone, not without running into Krinir first. Not to mention, Warrick would surely return to Terra through the portal as well.

  But where could they go in this fortress? Where could they hide?

  * * * * *

  Danica connected with the machine as she had so many times before. This time, she was prepared to die, prepared to end this game. After all, it didn't matter how much she resisted. Krinir would have his way in the end. She closed her eyes as the power thrummed through her.

  The connection felt different this time. It felt right.

  When she opened her eyes, she was staring at a sight she hadn't expected. Instead of brilliant sun and green plants, she saw a ruined city lit by greenish magical light. Was this still part of the Shadowed Land? She had hoped to see the beauty of her home world again, but perhaps it was not meant to be.

  "I knew you could do it," Krinir said.

  "I don't understand. That still looks like the Shadowed Land." Then she took a closer look at what she was seeing, and realized the truth.

  She was looking at the Underground City.

  "I see you've realized what you're seeing," Krinir said. "Yes, it is the Underground City. You may or may not know this, but it is the easiest access point between the Shadowed Land and Terra. It's where I expected to go. Thank you."

  "I'm not doing it for you." I'm going to keep this portal open as long as I can, she added silently. Give the others a chance to get home.

  "I know, but the result's the same." He stepped toward the portal, his eyes alive with excitement. "Wait for Warrick. Then you'll let the portal die. And then—"

  "And then I'll die."

  "Yes." Krinir stepped forward through the portal.

  * * * * *

  Kara, Rik, and Eliza raced through the corridors of Krinir's fortress. Warrick wasn't right behind them, and he was probably still fighting against Krinir's control. But how long could he resist? How could they avoid him and still find their way home?

  Kara could not accept that they'd be stuck here forever.

  Footsteps sounded behind them. She turned to see Warrick racing toward them. Had he already lost his battle? His dark eyes were full of determination. He pointed a finger at them, but then he hesitated, as if still fighting his battle.

  The lightning that surged from his fingertips was not as strong as it could have been. Rik raised his staff, conjuring a shield around them. The lightning fizzled when it struck that shield, and Warrick remained where he was, his expression twitching.

  "We have to run," Eliza said, and they took off again, pushing through a nearby door.

  The room beyond was unlike any place Kara had ever seen. All kinds of lamps filled the room, glowing with light that reminded her of the sun. It was so warm and inviting that she almost forgot she was in the Shadowed Land.

  Warrick entered the room, moving with jerky motions. He was still fighting, but it looked like his control was weakening.

  As Kara stood beneath the strange lamps in this room, she felt something stirring within her. It was the same feeling she'd experienced after going through the Nexus. Magic. She felt suddenly as if she could feel colors within her, as if she could weave these colors together. It made no sense, but that was how she felt.

  Warrick was about to cast another spell, but then he stopped. "Kara, I can feel that strange magic within you. It's more powerful now."

  She took a hesitant step toward him. "I feel it, too, but I don't know how it works."

  Rik tugged at her arm. "Shouldn't we get going?"

  "No." She pulled away from his grip, stepping toward Warrick again. "Are you in control, or should we keep running from you?"

  He grimaced, as if still fighting his battle. "Krinir has gone to Terra. His hold on me has grown weaker. It's still there, but I can fight it." He shook his head. "But I have to return to Terra, where I'll be back under his control. While he's been controlling me, his ability to create dark strands has been weakened."

  Kara frowned at him. "What do you mean?"

  "I've seen the path to victory over Krinir, or at least bits and pieces of it. For it to work, I must return to Terra and submit myself to Krinir's control. You must return as well." He grimaced again, still fighting. "Remember what I told you about my secret code. It's the only way I'll know that I can trust you. In the end, though, it will come down to Tylen."

  "Tylen?" Kara said.

  "I can't see clearly enough. There are still too many dark strands. But Tylen has the power to bring me back to myself, to set me free from Krinir's control once and for all. You and Tylen have to stay close to me." His expression twitched. "Do you understand?"

  "I understand," Kara said.

  "We need to get through Danica's portal before it closes," Warrick said. "I'm not sure how much longer I can fight. Sensing your magic brought me back to myself, but only for the moment. When we return to Terra, you should keep your distance at first. Come to me later."

  "I will," Kara said. She couldn't stand to see Warrick like this. In the time she'd spent with him, she'd come to care about him. She'd never expected that, but now she saw that he was not evil. He'd been controlled by Krinir for most of his life.

  Krinir was the true evil in this world.

  "Follow me," Warrick said, and they raced through the corridors again. Soon they reached a room filled with strange machines. Danica sat on the stone floor, trembling, struggling to keep her eyes open. In front of her was the image of a ruined city illuminated by green light.

  Tears trickled down her face. "It's going to kill me."

  "I'm sorry," Warrick said. "But your sacrifice will matter."

  "Are you out from under his control?" she asked, trembling more fiercely.

  "For now. But it won't last long."

  Danica fixed her gaze on all four of them. "Please, kill Krinir for me."

  Kara fell to a squat beside Danica. "I'll do everything I can."

  "We all will," Eliza said.

  "Good," Danica said. "Now step through the portal. I can't keep it going much longer."

  Warrick entered the portal first, vanishing as soon as he made contact with it. Rik and Eliza followed, leaving Kara alone with Danica.

  "Don't waste any time," Danica said.

  "Can't you follow us through?"

  "It doesn't work that way. It has to kill me. That's the price I have to pay." Danica fixed her determined gaze on Kara. "But you have a chance to return home, a chance to change the world. If I have to die to give you that chance, then I accept my fate."

  Kara didn't know Danica well, but still had tears in her eyes. It was hard to watch anybody sacrifice themselves like this. Kara wished she could do something, but she couldn't. Not now. Her path stretched ahead of her—a path leading to Krinir's defeat.

  She had to follow that path, had to make Danica's sacrifice worth it.

  So many had died to bring her to this point. She couldn't fail them.

  With a deep breath, she entered the portal.

  * * * * *

  As soon as Kara stepped through the portal, Danica let it die. Cold permeated every part of her body, and she felt so weak she couldn't move at all. Her vision grew blurry, then dark.

  Then she knew nothing more.

  Chapter 52: The Battle of Bradenton

 
Garet and Cyrus returned to the place where Gram was waiting for them, staring uneasily at the statue that had blocked their progress earlier. Cyrus handled the statue easily with his magic, and then they returned to the entrance chamber of the building. The Silver Wisps were not around for the moment.

  Cyrus led Garet and Gram to a door at the left side of the chamber. When they stepped through it, Gram's eyes widened. "A teleportation chamber," he said. "Didn't expect that."

  As Garet stepped onto the platform, he said, "Where are we going?"

  "With the barrier down," Cyrus said, "we can teleport anywhere in the world. In fact, now we can do that from any teleportation chamber."

  Gram nodded. "Then we should return to Bradenton. After all, I can get us into the teleportation chamber there if we need to go somewhere else." He smiled. "I've always wanted to see the world beyond the Empire."

  Cyrus's expression became grave. "You may not find it to your liking."

  Gram shrugged. "We'll see."

  Raising his right hand into the air, Cyrus said, "Bradenton, market district."

  A moment later, Garet's feet left the floor. The world blurred, then darkened as it spun around him. After a few moments of disorientation, his feet hit solid ground again. When he opened his eyes, he stood in bright midday sunlight on Bradenton's cobblestone streets.

  A few people were outside, looking at the sky.

  "It's not dark anymore," said one woman. People all around raced from building to building, informing everyone that the darkness had passed.

  "Looks like it worked," Garet said, feeling as if a weight had left his chest.

  But then that weight returned a moment later when he saw Imperial Guards marching toward them. Had the Imperial Guards seen them appear in the street? Did they recognize who they were? Now that they'd handled the immediate threat, they were enemies again.

  An Imperial Guard commander stepped forward from the group. "You have returned, I see, but where is High Commander Adams?"

  "He died in the Underground City," Cyrus said.

  "You killed him, didn't you?"