Nikolai held his hands up innocently. “I'm afraid I must confess. The only reason I brought my warriors here was to eliminate White Shadow, which, in hindsight, was unsuccessful. But then again, perhaps I could say that the evening was a success, as I've managed to once again prolong—”
“Enough!” Skye screamed. “Archie's inside the tower! Are you going to help me kill him or not?”
Nikolai looked down at Skye. His smiled broadly, then erupted in a fit of laughter. He held his hand to his head and saluted Skye, then disappeared.
Skye looked around to ensure that Nikolai was indeed gone. “Are we on our own? Is Nikolai in the tower, or has he left?”
Juliet gasped. “He's gone. But, I think the others are coming—Kai and Hana.”
Skye gritted his teeth at the thought of the impending threat. “I don't know what to do.”
“You've been misled; the president's not inside,” Daye admitted, his expression grave.
“Skye, enough!” Ren screamed once again, tired of listening to the pointless dialogue. “Get up there!”
“Juliet and Romeo are in danger,” he said into his headset. “I need to get them out of here before the others come.” He turned to Daye. “And what do you mean the president isn't inside? How could you know that?” he demanded.
“Goodbye, Skye,” Daye said. “You'd best get them to safety.” He took one last look at the defenceless youths before his illusion vanished.
Skye stood momentarily, confused and agitated. He was uncertain what to do next. He didn't know whether or not to believe that the president wasn't inside. If he ascended the tower, he risked Juliet's and Romeo's lives. If he left, the mission would be an utter failure, but the others might just live through the night. He had to decide quickly.
Without warning, Juliet slumped to the ground, unconscious. Skye caught her before her head hit the ground. “No,” he gasped. He was too late.
“Juliet, are you okay?” Romeo asked, surprised.
“It's Hana. She absorbs energy from a distance and transmits it to Kai. Romeo, get out of here now. Run!” he ordered.
It took Romeo a moment before his legs started moving. He sprinted back in the direction they came, terrified once again for his safety. His heart pounded in his chest as he ran as quickly as he could, not daring to look back.
Skye stood up, swinging his sword high as he did. He had seen the technique and tactic before, and knew to expect a deadly projectile in the form of energy, not unlike Tahlia's craft.
His inference was accurate; he swung with precision, just in time to slice the golden ball in half before it hit him. Bright yellow energy lit up the courtyard and tower before scattering on the ground like embers from a fire.
He looked around, trying to locate the hidden enemy, but Kai and Hana were nowhere to be seen.
“Skye, are you alright? Talk to me.”
“I'm fine. Kai and Hana are here. But I don't think the president is inside.”
In the distance he saw a bright glow; another projectile was coming his way. He turned and ran, leading them away from Juliet's unconscious body and Romeo.
“That's impossible! Don't believe a word that Daye said. The itinerary said that they'd be stationed there right now.”
Skye spun around and dove out of the way of the deadly yellow ball. It crashed into the concrete path, sending sparks of energy into the air.
“Skye,” Sierra called, emerging from the darkness, “I've lost Tahlia.”
“Incoming,” he said as he watched another glowing ball of energy fly at them.
Sierra held her crossbow up and fired clean through the deadly sphere, dissipating it into the night sky.
“We need to get out of here,” Skye said.
“Skye, you need to get inside that tower! The president must be in there!”
“Ren, it was all a trap!” A wave of frailty began to surge through Skye as he felt his life being sucked from his body by an invisible force. “Hana's attacking me.” He forced his legs to move. He flew into the shadows, away from the threat. He found a nearby tree and took shelter.
“How could Daye possibly know that?” Ren demanded.
“I don't know. I can't talk right now. Sierra, what's your position?”
“Behind you,” she uttered, startling Skye.
“We'll have to get back to the van,” he said. “I feel exhausted already. We need to stay away from Kai and Hana.”
“Agreed.”
“Skye, no! This might be our last chance to stop Archie!”
“We need to grab Juliet,” he instructed, ignoring Ren.
He turned and carefully ran out from behind the tree and back into the exposed courtyard, with Sierra inches behind. His mind felt lethargic by the sudden loss of energy. Kai dropped from out of nowhere and landed in front of them, swinging a long glowing stream of energy at them like a whip. Skye reacted instantly, throwing his blade at Kai. Sierra held her crossbow up and fired several bolts at the man.
He deflected the sword and bolts with his beam of energy, then swung it at them again. It appeared to have a mind of its own as it pierced through the air at a strange angle and headed straight for Sierra. She dropped to the ground and avoided it with ease—her speed was enough to save her life from the deadly stream.
Skye used his mind to recall his sword as it fell to the ground. He hurled it at his opponent one more time. Kai saw it coming and held the beam up. His reflexes were fast enough for him to wrap the energy around the sword, stopping it mid-flight. Skye jumped forward and grabbed the hilt. With one quick movement, he pulled the sword back and dislodged it from the beam.
Sierra fired two more bolts from her crossbow, one aimed at each of Kai's legs. He saw the attack and dragged the energy downwards, deflecting the bolts and only just stopping them from tearing through his limbs.
Skye saw the opportunity to attack and, in the blink of an eye, jumped upwards and raised his steel high, ready to slice off the head of his enemy. But Kai saw his intentions and raised his beam again, clashing with Skye's sword and countering the attack. The force sent Skye flying backwards. He turned his body in the air and landed on the ground with perfect precision.
He gasped when he felt his life drain from his body once again. His muscles went rigid as severe fatigue enveloped him. He knew Hana was sucking his energy, but he couldn't see where she was hiding. He fell to his knees, his mind and vision starting to fade.
Sierra fired another bolt at Kai, aiming straight for his face. Again, the man saw the flying metal projectile and deflected it. Sierra then turned around with lightning speed and fired another bolt behind her. This one was not aimed at Kai—it was aimed at the woman in red who suddenly appeared behind them.
Sierra hit her target perfectly. It pierced through Hana's clothing and ripped a hole through her abdomen. A horrified sound emerged from her mouth as her organs were severed by the bolt.
“No!” Kai screamed. He released his energy stream and raced over to his wife, catching her just before she fell to the ground. Blood began to pour from her wound.
Skye turned around, only half conscious, and watched him cradle her head in his arms.
“Sierra,” Skye whispered, suddenly realising she had directly attacked the Tianzu. She may have just started the war that he and Ren had been trying so hard to avoid.
Kai stared down at his soulmate's bloodied torso. His eyes filled with both fear and rage.
A moment later Tahlia appeared, surprised by the sight before her. She bent over and grabbed onto them.
Sierra wasted no time in aiming her crossbow at her nemesis. Tahlia stared at Sierra abhorrently, her face contorted with rage. Sierra fired, just as the trio disappeared into the evening. The bolt flew off into the shadows.
Skye struggled to his feet, swaying a little. It took all of his might to stop from collapsing with exhaustion. “We need to keep moving,” he said, barely audible.
Sierra ran over to Juliet, who still remained unconscious, and
picked her up.
“Skye, are you inside the tower?”
“We were attacked,” Sierra explained. “We're coming back to base.”
“Out of the question!” Ren roared.
Skye shook his head, disgusted that Ren didn't even ask if they were alive. “It's over, Ren. We're coming home. It was all a trap.”
“Impossible!” she shrieked. “Black Dawn could not have possibly fabricated this itinerary. Nikolai doesn't have the abilities to do so.”
“Ren, that's enough!” Skye barked back, expending vital energy with his rage. “We're lucky to be alive.”
“Skye!” Tango called, stumbling into the courtyard with Echo draped over his shoulder. “Are you alright? Echo's unconscious.”
“So is Juliet. Apart from that, we're fine,” he responded.
Tango looked around. “Where's Romeo?”
He never received a response. Skye grabbed Tango and threw him roughly to the ground. Echo's body fell in a heap. “You could've killed us all!” Skye blared. “You left us to die!”
Tango shot him an angry glance. “I was doing what I thought was necessary.” He climbed back to his feet and pressed his mask against Skye's. “I was trying to find Kai and Hana.”
Skye kicked him hard in the abdomen, sending him to the ground once again. Skye swayed, his body at its limits. Sierra watched on, confused by the altercation.
Tango winced in pain. He looked up at Skye, his eyes burning with fury, but also knowing that Skye had every right to feel the way he did.
“It's over, Ren,” Skye loudly declared. “White Shadow is officially dead. Tango and Echo abandoned us, and we were almost killed. And then Sierra shot Hana with her crossbow.” He looked across at Sierra, who just stared back vacantly.
“What?” Ren asked, more shocked than infuriated.
“I said she shot Hana. Sierra has just declared war on the Tianzu for us. So now we're all as good as dead.” He terminated the call, not willing to discuss the matter any further.
Cautiously, Romeo emerged from hiding, creeping toward the others, terrified. “Is it over?” he asked, his voice a frightened whisper.
Skye rubbed his eyes. “No, it's not over,” he admitted wearily. “In fact, it's only just beginning.”
“I didn't have a choice,” Sierra defended. “They were trying to kill us.”
Skye shook his head. “They were never going to kill us. Nikolai won't allow anyone to kill me.” Part of him wondered if he even believed his own words. Kai had launched the spheres of energy with deadly accuracy, and had certainly shown no signs of feigning an attack.
“But they were trying to kill us, Skye!” Tango bellowed back. “We have a right to defend ourselves!”
Skye stared down at his teammate. “Is that so? And do you also have the right to abandon your friends? If we had stayed together, they wouldn't have attacked!”
Silence fell across the courtyard. White Shadow stared at each other, uncertain of what to do, or what to make of the situation.
Skye stared up at East Tower, unclear as to how they were able to fall for the trap. It suddenly dawned on him that their mission was over, and that Archibald was going to be sworn in as the ninth president of Athenia. Once in office, he'd pick up from where he left off last year with Paul, and spread heinous propaganda once again. The beautiful nation was about to enter its darkest hour yet.
“Let's go home,” Skye murmured as he started walking back to the van. Sierra followed, with Juliet still draped over her shoulder. Tango lifted himself from the ground and picked up Echo. Romeo stood motionless, in awe of what he had just witnessed.
“We're all as good as dead,” Skye moaned aloud one last time.
Thirty-three
The van drove along in silence. Juliet remained in a deep sleep on the floor while Sierra drove back to their warehouse headquarters in Nanping.
Romeo sat in the back, exhausted and petrified with fear. The whole day had been a struggle for him, and it was certainly not getting any easier. “What was that?” he asked while removing his mask with a trembling hand. “What just happened?”
Skye rubbed the fatigue from his eyes. He didn't have the strength to be a mentor to Romeo right now, but nevertheless leaned over and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “It was a trap, and they had planned it from the beginning.”
“We were almost killed ... again.”
“I know,” Skye acknowledged. “And I'm afraid this is the life we live. Any of us could be killed at any time. This is why we always stick together.” He scowled at Tango, who sat over Echo's unconscious body.
“We found Kai and Hana. Or, they found us,” Tango spoke through gritted teeth, justifying their absence. “I think it's safe to say we're at war now, Skye.” Tango glared at Sierra, trying to shift the blame to her.
“Ren wants to know our whereabouts,” Sierra said, adding to the conversation. Her comm was still linked.
“Tell her we're on our way home,” Skye said.
“We're on our way home,” she repeated. Seconds passed. “She's ordering us to go back to the tower.”
Skye reached across and waved his hand across Sierra's wrist communicator, terminating the call.
“How could they have planned it, Skye?” Tango asked, changing the conversation away from one of blaming each other.
Skye shook his head. “I don't know. It's impossible.” He looked out the front window and stared absent-mindedly at the city streets. “Maybe Nikolai somehow fabricated the itinerary to lure us to the tower.”
Romeo put his head in his hands and started to weep to himself. It was too much for him to bear. Skye clenched his fists, annoyed. Keeping his team in check was already beyond difficult, let alone tending to Romeo's innocent needs. Once again, Skye shook his rage off. He climbed into the back of the van and put his arm around him in an attempt to comfort the distraught young man.
“I know it's hard,” he said, trying to empathise. He felt compassionate earlier in the evening, but now lacked the time, strength, and patience to lead. “It's a lot to take in. But I promise you'll soon understand everything. And you'll become a much stronger person than ever before.”
Romeo wiped away his tears and groaned loudly, trying to compose himself in front of the others. “How can you be so ... calm? You look like it doesn't even phase you. Is it because you know they won't kill you?”
“No. Far from it, in fact. Nikolai won't kill me, but Kai and Hana are a little more independent with their thinking. Nikolai would rip them to shreds if they harmed me, but it doesn't exactly mean they're his most obedient soldiers either.” The attack certainly came as a surprise to Skye, but he knew that it wouldn't be unlike Kai and Hana to defy Nikolai. The thought of the Tianzu actually obeying Nikolai was ludicrous.
Romeo looked up at his senior. “So how do you do it? You seem so normal.”
“Practise,” he replied, “training, time, growth. Remember, you've come this far, so it's only natural for you to evolve even further. Don't be too hard on yourself for being human. After all, you lived a typical life a few weeks ago. It's a difficult change for anyone to grasp.”
Romeo sighed. “It just doesn't seem real. I feel like I'm in a dream.”
“It hasn't sunk in yet. And it probably won't sink in any time soon either.” He cut the conversation short, and climbed back into the front of the van.
Romeo began to calm down a little after revealing his feelings.
“Were you like me?” he asked. “When you first changed, did you find it hard to cope?”
“Of course,” Skye replied, secretly hoping the questions would end. His mind was too drained and confused to discuss the matter. “But it was a little easier for me because I wasn't pursued by Black Dawn. So I can imagine how hard it is for you at the moment.” He turned and looked down at Juliet, who breathed deeply in and out. “She had a very hard time coping too. She's a little younger than yourself, so it was especially hard. But now she's doing fantastically
. And she's really training herself to control her ability.”
Skye slunk deeper into his chair, reminding himself that the inauguration was getting closer with every second that passed. He was confident they would have killed Archie by now, but the opportunity had since been lost. The prospect of success was rapidly deteriorating.
His vibrating comm caught his attention. He didn't bother to answer Ren's call, as she refused to believe that the president was not present. Instead, he closed his eyes and rested his head against the back of the chair, impatiently waiting to return home.
Thirty-four
Hana gulped in deep breaths of air, calming her body and nerves from the near-fatal attack on her life. Usually a careful and adept fighter, she had greatly underestimated Sierra.
Kai examined her abdomen and the deep wound that Tahlia held her hand over. Within seconds, the gash had been healed, leaving a dark scar.
“Thank you,” Kai said, not normally willing to show gratitude to Black Dawn.
Tahlia offered a courteous smile, a little surprised to hear the words. She walked across to the large window of Nikolai's penthouse in West Tower and gazed at the city below. In the heat of the earlier moment, it seemed to be the safest and easiest place for the three of them to retreat to. The villa was far too crowded, and the risk of the president's staff seeing the bleeding Hana would have raised many questions.
Kai held the crossbow bolt up, carefully studying the deadly projectile. “That woman will die for this,” he declared. “I'll kill her myself.”
Tahlia spun around, pleased to hear the warning. “That would be wonderful,” she admitted. Nikolai had hardly offered her the protection which he had promised. Ending Sierra's life would bring Tahlia a great deal of peace.
Kai embraced his wife, wrapping his arms around her and resting his head against hers. “How could you be so careless?” he asked, more relieved than aggravated. “You should have stayed hidden.”
She nodded with agreement, disappointed in her actions. After everything she'd endured in her long life, a simple and honest mistake had almost resulted in her death.
Eternity's War (Books 1-3) (Eternity's War Boxsets) Page 18