Rise of the Red Harbinger

by Khalid Uddin

  Just as Badalao and Marshall turned away, Sindha came running to Desmond. “Let me help you! There’s no way you will be able to maintain this!”

  “No! There aren’t enough o’ us ta be doublin’ up! Protect another area o’ the House! Once everythin’ falls down, we’re all dead! Repel the attacks on another front!” She listened, nodded, and ran off. Desmond was relieved.

  All around him, Descendants lay injured or lifeless. Bloodied bodies were strewn throughout the room. Marshall, Badalao, and several others carried body after body down the stairs at the back of the room. Where the hell is Marlowe in all this? Coward. Anger spiked within Desmond, but he pushed it back down. Focus. Save yer strength fer the wall. The whole House needs ya. He closed his eyes, breathed several times, and then reopened them. Once he refocused, Desmond knew he hadn’t nearly reached his manifestation’s capacity.

  Desmond maintained his position for over an hour and finally allowed himself to kneel down. If he had gotten a full sleep and had eaten breakfast, he knew he would still be standing. It didn’t help that he also had to fight back his anger. He couldn’t be sure if he were angrier at their attackers or at Marlowe for allowing the attack to happen and then not even showing his face. Maybe he’s dead. I guess we wouldn’t be so lucky. Keeramm said he wouldn’t die ‘til he was much older. Shame. A piece of the wall slammed to the ground at one end of the room. Desmond shook his head and refocused.

  Marshall came running back. “Hey! You think you can hold for a little longer? I have an idea!”

  His breathing was starting to labor. “I’ll stay here ‘til it kills me. Just get everyone ta safety an’ figure out how ta fight back!”

  “It doesn’t have to be that difficult! They have Maximilian down there. The ceiling caved on him—broken back. But Linc and Delilah are sure they can heal him. If he has enough energy...”

  Desmond saw Marshall’s plan, “Then he can transfer his stored energy ta me! I could keep the whole damn House up with that kind o’ energy!”

  “I’ll get him as soon as he’s ready! Do not die before then!”

  Desmond gritted his teeth and stood up once more. The amount of iron balls hovering had more than doubled. He could see portions of the night sky clearly through all of the wall fragments. It almost looked as if lightning was coming down from the sky. But it’s not rainin’. That Raish?

  ***

  Savaiyon ran through another alleyway, then through the yellow-fringed doorway and into a field of tall grass. Every time he looked back, his pursuer was right behind him. His method is faster than mine. I cannot outrun him. His back and side ached. Savaiyon wasn’t even sure if the blade was still in his back, though it wouldn’t have fallen out on its own. His back was at least starting to numb a little. He knew if he didn’t outsmart Maqdhuum soon, he would die running.

  He formed another gateway over the water outside the House of Darian, designed to fall from the sky. As he fell, he created another gateway that brought him further up. Savaiyon created gateway after yellow-framed gateway, each time fluctuating his altitude, hoping that Maqdhuum would be lost in the confusion. In the process, another dagger struck him in the back of his left arm, just below the shoulder. I dazed him when I threw him. Is he missing my head because he is dizzy, or on purpose? Every time Savaiyon turned around, Maqdhuum was right behind him. Even in this darkness, he knows exactly where I am going. How?

  The gash in his abdomen hadn’t stopped bleeding. He could have just killed me. Why didn’t he? He ran on as he clutched his stomach. Focus on what matters. No time for questions. First, hurt him or kill him. Second, find Lincan. Third, put the gateways back up to protect the island. Savaiyon turned his head before stepping through another gateway. Still there. He ran across the wet sand along one of Gansishoor’s beaches. I need someone else who can hurt him. Quickly. Something like…fire. What a terrible, terrible time to not have Baltaszar. No time to find him; he might not even be in the same place by now. Who else? Reverron? No. Cannot risk hand to hand combat. Someone who can strike from afar.

  Savaiyon ran through another gateway that brought him back to the grounds of The House of Darian. Another dagger struck him in the calf. Savaiyon maintained his focus. Embracing his manifestation helped against the pain. He ran on through more gateways. Every time he created a new one, Savaiyon already knew where the next one would lead. He can see through all of my bridges. He has traveled. He always knows exactly where I’m going. Savaiyon had even led Maqdhuum into the Never a few times already, but could not shake him.

  His muscles were tearing where the knives stuck in him. Despite his tolerance and focus, his body would give out soon. Horatio. I need to find Horatio. Find him, then go back to him a few times. No time to stop and talk. Savaiyon had no clue as to where Horatio would even be. He had seen lightning strikes, despite no evidence of rain clouds. He knew Horatio must be alive. The novice wing was collapsing. Horatio’s quarters were at the very end of the top floor. That side of the building was in the process of collapsing.

  Three outcomes. He made it to the first floor and is alive somewhere there. He is trapped in his room. He is on the roof. Start in the room. If he is trapped, I can save him. Another blade sliced into Savaiyon’s back.

  ***

  Maximilian lay face-down on the cot next to Reverron. Lincan and Delilah stood over him, discussing something. The only reason he knew that Lincan’s hand was on his back was because he no longer felt pain anywhere in his body. What if that is not Lincan? What if I have no feeling any longer? As soon as the ceiling had crashed down on him and Reverron, Maximilian had immediately lost feeling in his body halfway down his back and through his legs. Reverron had been unresponsive ever since. He hoped that the boy was only unconscious.

  Strangely enough, Maximilian still felt energized. He absorbed energy for a week at a time, then transferred it every Lionsday to the grounds to help the gardens and plants grow. If he remembered correctly, it was Abraday morning. Two days away. Still a great deal of power. If they can heal me, I could aid in a great attack on our enemies.

  He felt the slightest tickle pass through his back. The sensation remained for several moments as Lincan and Delilah whispered to each other. Even his hearing felt numb. Perhaps they were not even whispering.

  The numbness dissipated somewhat and the pain intensified. He could feel his face and head once more, though he hated the fuzzy stinging as his nerves returned to life. “Your head should be able to move and feel now. Nod if you can hear me.” Maximilian did as he was told. “Good. You’re probably feeling some pain now, Maven Maximilian. I still have you partially numbed, but that’s mostly to make the pain bearable. Your spine is fixed and just as it used to be. I would suggest lying here for a short while until you get used to the pain.” Lincan crouched down, his voice close to Maximilian’s ear. “I would truly keep you numbed the entire time to ease your pain, but there are too many others down here to see to.”

  He had so many questions, but the only thing he could muster was, “Reverron?”

  “We’re almost certain that Rev will be fine. Delilah and I will heal him, then keep him a while to make sure his head and eyes feel normal. As long as there’s no cause for concern, he’ll join you back upstairs in a little while.”

  “Turn me over.” Lincan and Delilah rolled him so that he lay on his back. His body felt sore, but Maximilian was glad to be feeling anything at all. The past hour or two had been hazy. He knew Reverron had saved his life and he knew that the ceiling had fallen on them both, but not as badly or directly as it could have. Maximilian had been lucky that Reverron happened to be nearby. The room shook. “Am I free to return upstairs? I can handle the pain.”

  Just as he asked the question, Marshall came rushing down the staircase. “Now?” Maximilian looked at him and back at Lincan. Lincan scratched his head and breathed deeply, “Yes you can take him now, Marsh.” He turned to Maximilian, “This is the eighth time within the hour that Marsh has come to check o
n your status. He and Desmond apparently need you up above for some grand scheme. It’s only a matter of time before this ceiling comes crashing down. Any extra minutes that you and Desmond can give us means more Descendants’ lives are saved.” Lincan reached his arm out for Maximilian to grasp.

  He gladly clutched Lincan’s and Delilah’s hands and stood up. He was much more steady and balanced than he thought he might be. “Thank you. Both. From the bottom of my heart. When you’ve healed Rev, share my gratitude with him as well. Only the Orijin knows whether any of us will survive this to be able to give thanks or share endearing sentiments.” He bowed deeply to Lincan and Delilah, then gestured for Marshall to lead the way to Desmond.

  They rushed up the stairs to the back of the common room. Marshall waved his hand for Maximilian to follow. “Hurry! If the front wall falls, then all of this is pointless!”

  As he reached the top, he saw Desmond on one knee, arms raised. Above, hundreds upon hundreds of wall fragments and cannonballs hung in the air like a new wall meant to deflect further blasts, exactly as cannonballs were always described. Maximilian had only ever heard of cannons and cannonballs; they were as mythical as the stories of people from other lands beyond Ashur. If cannons were real, they were in grave trouble.

  He ran toward Desmond and knelt next to him. Desmond turned and nodded excitedly, but didn’t say anything.

  “What is the plan?”

  “No plan, Maven. Just keep up the wall fer as long as possible. Marsh an’ I had an idea that ya could help keep my energy up by transferrin’ yers.”

  Maximilian placed his hand on Desmond’s shoulder. “I will have to maintain contact with you the entire time. Keep doing what you are doing.” He opened himself to his manifestation as he grasped Desmond’s shoulder tightly. “I have a wealth of energy. I am going to transfer it to you gradually, so that you can handle the power without being overwhelmed. Be overly careful! It is incredibly easy to become lustful for such a wealth of power! What we are doing is extremely dangerous!”

  He started to allow the energy to escape him and flow into Desmond, who turned to him and grinned widely. “We might just save the House.”

  ***

  Horatio held tightly to the wooden shingles with both hands. What a stupid idea. Who goes on the roof of a building this high while it’s falling down? The only reason he had come up here in the first place was because his room was on the verge of collapsing. The only option had been to climb out of the window and up to the roof. Luckily, he had enough time to run to the front of the House before the back of it caved in.

  He didn’t see the ships until he ran to the front of the building. Row after row sat in the water surrounding their island, all firing projectiles toward the House—projectiles which now hung suspended in mid-air along with large blocks and chunks of building. Horatio had never seen or imagined anything like it before. The only logical explanation was that Desmond was holding up the fragments, otherwise most of the front of the building would also have caved in by now.

  Horatio was doing his best to help Desmond and the others. The only issue was that he could not see all of the galleys in such darkness. Only the ones floating at the front of the formation were visible.

  He summoned down lightning on as many galleys as he could see. If those caught fire he would have a better view of the ones behind them. The barrage on the front of the House had somewhat died down, but that no longer mattered. The front of the House was going to collapse soon unless Desmond or another Descendant could hold it up longer. Horatio knew he was likely the only one with this vantage point; he would have to destroy as many ships as possible, despite the darkness. Where the hell is Marshall when you need him? I could really use some light right now, he thought.

  As he tried to think of how he might destroy the ships that were further away, Savaiyon appeared through a gateway, followed by a dark man with long, stringy hair. As quickly as they appeared, Savaiyon was through another gateway and the other man disappeared in an instant. A few seconds later, Savaiyon reappeared, gasping, “The next time I…” and disappeared through another doorway. The other man briefly glanced at him before disappearing. Horatio only then realized he had stopped attacking the ships and had released his manifestation.

  Savaiyon appeared again, gasping once more, “Next time, come with me!” He disappeared once again, as did the shadowy man who followed him.

  A few moments later, the gateway opened right next to Horatio and he immediately started running alongside Savaiyon. He’s littered with daggers! How is he still running? How is he still alive? Another gateway appeared before them.

  “When I come back, summon the lightning down everywhere you possibly can! Don’t worry about hitting me! Lightning everywhere!” They appeared near the mountain containing the touch portal to the House of Darian. Normally Kadoog’han would be hiding within the boulders in front of the cave. He desperately hoped Kadoog’han wasn’t still there.

  Savaiyon formed another gateway as Horatio stopped to wait for his return. As he wiped the sweat from his forehead, something cold struck him right between his shoulder blades and knocked him face-first to the ground. The impact of the ground against his head left him in a daze. He lay there for several minutes. Don’t…black…out. Don’t…black out…

  His head dropped again. Horatio summoned all of his strength and pulled himself up to his forearms and knees. He barely heard a shout in the distance, but was too dizzy to know where to turn. He blinked several times. A few moments later, he heard the shout again.

  What the hell just happened? He looked around and realized where he was. Why am I back here? Once again, he heard shouting nearby, though this time he recognized his name was being yelled. Horatio shook his head vigorously and turned to the source. Savaiyon! What is he doing? He saw Savaiyon, being chased by another man, leave through a gateway. Lightning! He wanted me to summon the lightning!

  The next time Savaiyon appeared, Horatio was still in the process of standing up and getting his bearings. The world was still blurry and he swayed, but he was coherent enough to open up to his manifestation. However, by the time Horatio had fully grasped it, Savaiyon and his pursuer were gone again.

  A few minutes later, Savaiyon appeared out of the gateway a few yards away from Horatio. As soon as the other man appeared, the man felled Savaiyon with a dagger to the hamstring. Horatio wasted no more time. He growled. Anger and hatred filled him. He called forth as much lightning as he could and filled nearly the entire landscape, looking at the mysterious man the entire time. Horatio thought, for the briefest moment, that he’d caught him. The man fell, but disappeared in the process and Horatio could not be sure if he had really been hit. Horatio continued the lightning for several minutes, just in case the man dared to return. He hated the man for attacking them, but deep down, something else fueled his hatred for the man.

  The surge of energy left Horatio exhausted. He took a step toward Savaiyon, who lay on the ground, unmoving, and collapsed once more.

  ***

  The common room had thankfully been cleared of people except for Marshall, who kept it lit. Maximilian was providing Desmond with enough energy to prevent further damage to the House. The power and energy that flowed through him were intoxicating. Desmond felt as if he could destroy every single one of his attackers.

  The front of the House was completely reduced to dust. Desmond focused solely on the cannonballs, as Maximilian had called them, keeping them from crashing into anything. He yelled to Maximilian, “Why are they only firin’ these at us? Why aren’t they rushin’ us and fightin’?”

  “Because they do not have to! Look at all the destruction they have caused. If we hadn’t reacted so quickly, they could have killed almost all of us by just firing from their ships!”

  More cannonballs came and Desmond held them. Dozens upon dozens of the metal projectiles filled the air. With the force that they’d been fired, Desmond was surprised he was able to stop them, especially since the f
ront of the building was no longer a barrier against them.

  They had already been there for hours. Aside from some sleepiness, Desmond had a wealth of energy. “How ya feelin’, Maven? We goin’ ta have ta stop any time soon?”

  Maximilian chuckled. It caught Desmond off guard that the man could find some levity in a time like this. He was almost annoyed, but there was definitely no time for fighting with their own. “I have at least half a day left! Hold as many as you can! Sooner or later, they will have to run out!”

  This stupid place. If Marlowe’d been doin’ his job, I woulda thought o’ this hours ago. Maybe he’ll banish me fer attackin’ just like he did ta Tasz. “That’s not what I had in mind! We’ve been here long enough! Let’s turn the attack back on ‘em! Raish is helpin’ from somewhere with all that lightnin’! That’s too much fer it ta be natural! I need a stronger output from ya, though! I’m gonna fire these things right back at ‘em!”

  “Are you sure? That much power, Desmond. I fear for what it might do to you!”

  “We don’t have a choice right now, Maven! There is no ‘might’! We only have right now!”

  Maximilian nodded. Desmond felt a surge in his energy. He stood up and extended his arms out at his sides. He felt connected to every single cannonball in the air. He closed his eyes to focus. With more power than he’d ever used before, Desmond launched every cannonball back out into the night toward the ships. Toward the ocean. Toward the fires. He could feel them breaking and cracking into things and people. The impact was terrific and terrible all at once. Finally, he could no longer feel them. He smiled and looked at Marshall and Maximilian.

  “Take advantage o’ the moment ta rest a little! Soon enough, more ships’ll push through an’ start firin’ at us again! I’ve given us some respite. If there’re as many ships as I think, then we still have lots more work ta do. Maybe half an hour at most ‘til more o’ ‘em reach us. Both o’ ya should go down ta the infirmary an’ relax with the others. It’ll be safe there fer now.”