Charlie extended a hand outwards and helped Skye up. “Get some rest,” he suggested. “The only solution right now is for us to be patient. Tomorrow, we'll start searching.”
Ten
“Have we learnt anything?” Nikolai's voice boomed as he stormed back through the entrance to the hotel suite.
Juliet turned around to face her new leader. “Actually, yes. Tahlia has given me some good advice with developing my ability.” While she swore no allegiance to Black Dawn, she was grateful for the progress she had made in the last hour. Her confidence in herself had never been higher, which only confused her all the more regarding White Shadow's intentions for her.
“Really?” Nikolai asked, half surprised. “Well, I had no idea that Tahlia had it in her.” He shot the woman in black a sly glance.
Romeo sauntered into the room, deep in thought. He barely took any notice of the others.
“Are you alright?” Juliet whispered as she walked over to him.
He looked into her eyes. “Yeah, I'm fine,” he finally responded.
“Where did you go? What did you talk ab—?”
“Let us plan,” Nikolai proposed, interrupting her. “Everyone gather round.” He raised his hands and beckoned the others to join him.
The trio made their way over to the round table where Nikolai sat waiting, each finding a seat.
“Now, if we are to successfully eliminate the Tianzu, we'll need to have a solid plan in place, along with several underlying contingencies. Tahlia, what are your thoughts?”
Tahlia's eyes widened with surprise. It was the first time her superior had actually asked her opinion when it came to strategy. “I think we should kill Marion first.”
Nikolai smiled. “That answer hardly comes as a surprise. Romeo, what do you think we should do?”
The young man stared off into the distance, trying to think of a suitable response. “I'm not sure,” he admitted.
“An honest answer. Jacinta, what are we to do?”
She stared back at him, uncertain what to make of the bizarre conversation. “I don't know.”
Nikolai laughed. “Your answer was not unlike Romeo's. Well, I can assure you that you're all wrong—the correct answer is that we need to track down the Tianzu, one at a time, and kill them.” He rose and paced over to the window, his traditional place whenever he delivered a group speech. “Killing the Tianzu will surely be no simple task. And, as certain as I am that I will not die, I'm not foolish enough to dismiss them as weak. They're a formidable group, and the only way to defeat them is to divide and conquer.”
“How?” Juliet asked. “Have you forgotten that neither of us can fight?” She gestured to Romeo and herself.
“Fear not, for you shall be trained,” Nikolai rebutted with confidence. “Unlike Ren, who wasted her time searching for the world's most elusive old fool, Archibald, I want to actually invest time and effort in training you to master your ability. Together, the four of us will make an unstoppable team.”
“I have no intention of fighting,” she said. “I'm only here because you would've killed me if I didn't join you.”
“Marion is coming,” Tahlia gasped. She raced over to the window and stared into the distance.
Nikolai let out a short laugh. “Is that so? Well, I suppose she's not one to waste time, is she?”
“What did you two talk about?” Juliet whispered, making the most of the few seconds she had alone with Romeo.
The boy's eyes were glazed over. “Nothing much,” he dismissed, not feeling the need to discuss the matter further.
“Tell me,” Juliet said. “You feel confused at the moment.”
Romeo turned to her, remembering that she too was able to pick up on emotions. “I'm fine. I am a little confused,” he admitted, “but I'll be fine.”
“I can't sense her yet,” Nikolai complained, his eyeless gaze looking out the window.
“She's coming this way!” Tahlia shrieked. “She must know we're here.”
“I doubt that, my friend. She's probably just smart enough to head into the city centre, correctly assuming that it's where you'd be stationed.”
Tahlia paced back and forth. “No, she must know I'm here. She's coming straight for us. You said the other woman can track too.”
“Who? Delta?” Nikolai scoffed. “Her tracking abilities are no better than mine, I can assure you. There's no way they'd know where we are yet.”
Tahlia was far from convinced. She tried to keep still, but the thought of Sierra barrelling down after her was a distressing one. “Can we please kill her now? I don't want to wait any longer.”
Nikolai moaned and walked back to the table. “Calm yourself down. I told you, she couldn't possibly know where you are.”
Several nerve-racking moments passed before Tahlia eventually breathed a sigh of relief. “She's turning away from here,” she sensed.
“Very good,” Nikolai said. “Now, come back here. We have business to discuss.” She obeyed and took her rightful place at the table. “Although I don't know why you fear her so. Do you not realise the Tianzu probably outnumber us greatly, with each one more powerful than Marion?”
The statement offered her little comfort. She sat quietly and fiddled with an idle set of chopsticks, all the while keeping her mind locked on Sierra's location in the distance.
“Now, as I was saying,” Nikolai resumed, “I need the two of you to train. Jacinta, I want you to practise with Tahlia as much as possible. Her telepathy will be of great benefit to you. And Romeo, I'll be training you myself. I anticipate that we'll have more than enough time on our hands during our stay here.”
“Or we could just kill Marion and the Tianzu now,” Tahlia suggested. She turned her head to face Nikolai's cold stare.
“And where would the fun in that be?” he asked. “Have you learnt nothing from our time in Athenia?”
“I learnt how to sit and waste my time.”
Nikolai laughed. The defiant remark caught him off guard. “Then you have indeed learnt nothing. Killing them all swiftly would be purposeless. My success comes not from the end result, but rather the journey itself.” He smiled and looked into the aggravated eyes of Tahlia and Juliet. “And, evidently, our journey is destined to be a tumultuous one.”
Eleven
Daye took his time as he hiked leisurely up the hill, not in any hurry to reach his destination. He turned around and glanced at the gaping metropolis before him. It was a hot and sunny day in Daixuan, and he was pleased to be home at long last. His three-month stay in Athenia had been a trying one, with nothing fruitful eventuating from the unconventional endeavour.
He continued climbing northwest, away from the city below. The botanical gardens nearby were crowded, but few people traversed the trail he walked. He saw children in the distance, chasing one another. He smiled; it reminded him there was still innocence in the world, and came as a comfort that none of them knew the horrors of war that he'd been exposed to in his long life.
His smile quickly faded. He thought about Juliet and Romeo, the two young Athenians who had been recently recruited by White Shadow. Daye knew that, if they weren't cautious, the pair could easily be moulded to obey the will of another. The mind of a shengxian was wondrous, but also easily altered if one was not perceptive enough. It was something he'd witnessed in both the Tianzu and Black Dawn, and the result of which was a group of fighters devoted to a cause they were unable to truly grasp.
He hiked for another thirty minutes before arriving at a small clearing in the middle of the sparse hill. A Xiade woman in a shirt and jeans stood before him. Much like the other shengxian, the Tianzu usually elected to wear civilian clothes. To the evolved mind, the concept of fashion was trivial, but it certainly allowed for easy assimilation into society.
“Welcome back,” Huangdian said, not genuinely caring for Daye's regard.
He bowed. “It's wonderful to be back. How have you been?” he asked in Xiayu.
“Fine.”
“He's not here,” Huangdian said, seeing how eager Daye was to speak with Kheree.
“I figured as much,” Daye responded with a smile, seeing the man's absent body. “Where is he?”
“Sujian, lecturing Mingyue.”
Daye nodded and sat on the ground too, patiently passing the time. Kheree's consciousness could return at any second, or any hour.
“Do you have anything to report?” Huangdian enquired.
“Much.” For the sake of keeping the peace, he was happy to maintain honesty when dealing with Kheree, but hoped he'd be compassionate enough to Juliet's and Romeo's amnesty.
Daye watched the sun illuminate the beautiful city below. Kheree's chosen hill offered one of the best views in Daixuan—a relatively flat city—and had quickly become his favourite location to spend much of his time.
Most of the morning had passed before the bald man's eyes eventually opened. His mind had returned to its body, revealing an expressionless face. “Daye, you've returned.”
Daye rose at the mention of his name and bowed to his leader. “Kheree, how have you been?”
“What news do you bring?” he asked, ignoring the question.
“Much has happened,” Daye began to explain. “The inauguration was a success, so Archibald Denning is now the president.”
“We know,” Kheree said. “Every news outlet reported it yesterday.”
“The situation is a complicated one, I'm afraid.” Daye sat back on the ground and faced the Tianzu leader. “Have you spoken with Raien recently?”
Kheree nodded. “Several times.”
“Did he inform you that he ordered an attack on White Shadow?”
Kheree froze. He exchanged a confused glance with Huangdian. “He did not.”
Daye's head fell. It was as he had feared. “Three months ago, shortly after we arrived in Athenia, there was a skirmish between Black Dawn and White Shadow. Unfortunately, and seemingly out of nowhere, Karatsu and Shin arrived and took the life of one of the White Shadow fighters.” Daye's expression became grave as he relived the horrific event. “I could sense them coming, but I had no idea what they were intending to do. After the attack, they left, and I haven't seen them since.”
Kheree continued staring at Daye, his face tensing. “And you believe it was Raien who gave the order?”
Daye nodded. He could sense Kheree's frustration growing. “It gets worse. Raien came to Athenia this week and attacked them himself. There were several casualties yesterday.”
Kheree looked to the ground and breathed sharply through his nose. He remained silent for several moments. “Why would he do that? I told him to be vigilant, but I never once said to start a war with the other two clans.” He closed his eyes. “This is exactly what I was trying to avoid.”
“You're correct in believing it started a war. Both groups attacked Kai and Hana.” Daye was apprehensive in saying the words, not wanting to give the Tianzu another reason to continue fighting the others, but also knowing Kheree would find out regardless. It was in Daye's best interest to maintain his position and try to find a solution from within the ranks.
Kheree snapped his head up. “Did any harm befall them?”
“No. They're alive and well.”
“Who attacked them?” Huangdian demanded.
“Her name is Marion,” Daye admitted, “but she goes by the code-name 'Sierra'. She works for White Shadow.”
Huangdian clenched her fists, already knowing what events would transpire henceforth.
“Then the remainder of White Shadow will need to be eliminated,” she said.
Daye's face fell, despite already foreseeing the consequences of Sierra's attempt on Hana's life. “It was out of defence,” he added. “I witnessed the entire event. Kai and Hana attacked first.”
“And rightfully so. But you already knew they were a threat to the Union, Daye. Please don't try to justify their actions.”
“Where are they now?” Kheree asked. “Are they still in Athenia?”
“No. From what I've seen, they left for Shizudera in pursuit of Kai, Hana, and Raien.”
“They'll need to be destroyed immediately,” Huangdian said. “What of Black Dawn? Did they attempt to harm Kai or Hana, or yourself?”
Daye nodded slowly, again apprehensive to admit to the recent events.
“And where are they? In Shizudera too?”
“I believe they are.”
Huangdian turned to Kheree. “I've heard enough. Let's go to Shizudera at once. We can't risk wasting another second.”
Kheree continued staring down at the ground, his expression passive. “We'll remain here,” was the order.
Daye looked across at Huangdian's frustrated face.
“Out of the question,” she challenged. “They're obviously two very dangerous clans and need to be stopped. What if they murder any of the Tianzu, or any civilians?”
Kheree held his hand up to silence the protest. “No.”
“But the entire point of allowing Daye to go to Athenia in the first place was to determine if they're a credible threat. We now know for certain they are, and they need to be eliminated.”
“I said no. I don't want to order the execution of a rival clan so recklessly.”
Huangdian stood with her hands on her hips, unimpressed by her leader's lack of motivation. “Reckless? Be reasonable, Kheree. If we take no action, it will be a repeat of what happened with the Xingzu.”
“Enough,” he whispered, ending the conversation.
Huangdian trembled with rage, but knew there was nothing that could be said or done to convince him otherwise.
“There's more,” Daye continued. “There are two newly evolved ones from Athenia; a boy and a girl. They're only young, and have not yet sworn allegiance to either group. I wish to request that we leave them be, for they may live long and virtuous lives.”
Huangdian stared at him. “Have they been recruited by either clan?”
Daye nodded cautiously.
“Then they may need to be eliminated too.”
Daye's jaw dropped, but he tried to hide his sorrow. “They're only innocent,” he defended. “They're no different to any of the other evolved that I seek out. They've hardly spent any time with either group.”
“But any amount of time is enough to corrupt them, Daye. No doubt they've already been misinformed that the Tianzu are their enemy. Those fears are hard to reverse.” She looked down at Kheree, who said nothing. “I understand they may be innocent, and they're most likely only fighting for their respective causes, but we can't have them harm the people of the Union, or any of the Tianzu.”
Daye stood up, ready to take his leave. “Please reconsider going to war with these clans. I know they may appear to be a threat, but understand that Raien is the one who instigated war with them. If he hadn't intervened, they wouldn't be seeking revenge.”
Kheree offered a weak smile. “Thank you, Daye. I always appreciate your input.”
Huangdian was far from convinced. “However, I can't ignore an attack on our clan. We're peacekeepers, and any rival sect who attacks us is a threat to the people.”
Daye closed his eyes, sorrow filling his face. “I understand, but—”
“Furthermore,” she continued, “we don't know what events would have taken place without Raien's intervention. If these groups are as malicious as you say they are, then perhaps an attack on the Tianzu was inevitable.”
Daye said no more. He felt his eyes water after hearing Huangdian's words. Protecting the people of the world was one of the reasons he started the Tianzu long ago. Having his once-virtuous clan stolen from him was regrettable, and served as a permanent reminder that the evolved are no more incorruptible than the remainder of humanity.
He bowed a final time before taking his leave.
Kheree's eyes widened upon hearing the suggestion. “I'm sorry?”
“I said we need to kill Raien,” she said with murderous eyes. “If Daye's correct, then Raien could be an even bigger threat to the Tianzu than these two clans.”
Kheree rose to his feet. “That's enough!” he snapped. “Raien is our brother. How dare you even consider harming him.”
Huangdian stared back at her leader with disgust. “He's instigating war, Kheree. His actions weren't authorised. How is that keeping the peace?”
Kheree paused for a moment and tried to think of an explanation. “His actions were questionable, I agree, but it's against Tianzu law to murder our own.” He turned his gaze to the blue sky above and felt the warm sun on his face. “I'll speak with him directly and ask what his intentions were,” he said as he lowered himself back to the ground.
Huangdian's face was one of outrage, once again exasperated with her leader's ineptitude. “You're weak, Kheree. Raien is answerable to you, and clearly his defiance is an act of aggression against us. You know full well what happened with the Xingzu, and now you're letting it happen all over again. If we sit idly by, what's to stop Raien from manipulating the Shizuno Tianzu and ordering them to launch an assault on us?”
Kheree was aghast. “How can you possibly think that? Our clan is sworn to protect one another. Raien has no reason to harm us.”
Huangdian bit her lip in an attempt to hold back her rage. “You're a fool! You sit here, wasting time, with no intention of taking any action. You won't order a strike on Raien, or the Athenian clans. You're terrified of reliving the war with the Xingzu.” She crouched down in front of her leader, almost pressing her face against his. “But if you continue taking no action, it will be the end of us all.”
The bald man narrowed his eyes at her. “I won't hear any more of this. Our job is to prevent war. You're too eager to take offensive action. We need to carefully consider our options.”
Huangdian shook with fury. “Isn't it obvious that Raien blames you for what the Xingzu did?” She rose and trudged off into the shrubs, leaving Kheree alone. “You're supposed to be a leader. So lead,” she called back.
Eternity's War (Books 1-3) (Eternity's War Boxsets) Page 50