Arabella squinted, her mind struggling to grasp what it was seeing. “What ... is that?”
“It's some sort of energy,” Two explained. “I don't know what it is, but I remember feeling in danger when I saw it. I decided to start evacuating the area.”
Veronika held a hand over her mouth, suddenly understanding what it was that Two was referring to in their meeting earlier. Who are these people?
On the screen, Two held her gun to Tahlia's head, only for her to be kicked in the face a second later.
Veronika gasped. “It looked like the woman didn't even move.”
“Keep watching,” Xu said.
The footage showed Tahlia suddenly on the ground, writhing in pain.
“What's happening?” Arabella asked.
“I'm not sure,” Xu said. “Keep your eyes on the woman.”
The area around the convention centre was now relatively deserted, as most civilians had fled from the scene. The only remaining people on screen were Tahlia and the unconscious Guard Two.
But in an instant, Tahlia was gone.
Veronika gasped again. “Where did she go?”
Xu tapped the screen, returning the footage to a few seconds earlier. They watched again as Tahlia lay on the ground momentarily, and then vanished into nothingness.
Arabella stared at the screen, wide-eyed. “She's ... gone.”
Xu removed the drive and placed it in her pocket, removing the video from the screen. “Remember,” she said again, “this footage is classified.”
“But ... how?” Veronika stammered. “How did she—”
“We don't know,” Xu shrugged. “All we know is that Sweeney and his people are dangerous, whoever they are. And there's more—tell them, Two.”
Veronika and Arabella turned their attention to the president's guard.
“Some of my soldiers reported this,” Two said. “They told me they were stationed in the villa, guarding the president's suite two days ago, when Sweeney disappeared into thin air.”
Arabella sat in silence for several seconds, astonished. Veronika had the same reaction.
“We need to put a stop to them. All of them,” Minister Li said. “This explains how they were able to infiltrate the government. They pose a very real threat to Athenia and the Union.”
“I ... I can't believe this. It's impossible,” Veronika whispered.
Xu walked back over to the door. “Obviously not. I don't know how these people are able to do the things they can, but ...” She paused, unable to finish. As levelheaded as she acted, she too was unable to wrap her mind around what was happening. Despite all that Li Xu had endured, the abilities of their enemies were nothing short of incomprehensible.
“So, what do we do?” Veronika asked. “What's our next move?”
“Return to work,” the minister ordered. “I have Sun Meili en route from Sujian. I need her help discovering everything we can about Sweeney. Until then, I don't want to risk taking any action. If we underestimate our enemy, it could backfire.”
“What about President Denning?” Two asked. “He's in the presence of one of Sweeney's men.”
“I know,” she said. “But right now I believe he's safest if we don't engage Guard One. We need to be cautious. Until we have enough information to act, we'll keep performing our respective duties.”
Guard Two flinched. “Are you sure that's wise? The president's life may be in danger in the presence of Guard One.”
“I agree,” Veronika said. “I don't feel comfortable that the president is alone with one of Sweeney's soldiers. It's risky.”
Li Xu nodded. “It is. But no matter what course of action we take, there'll be risks. However, attacking our enemy headfirst would be a poor decision. Our best move right now is to allow Meili to gather as much information on Sweeney as possible. Once I believe we have enough, I'll issue the order to have them detained. Or executed, if need be.”
“Thank you, Ms Li,” Arabella said. “The situation is delicate, and we need all the help we can get. I just hope Archibald remains safe.”
“As do I,” Xu said. “The last thing we need is for any harm to befall Athenia's leader. I'll do everything I can to keep President Denning safe. However, it's my duty to protect the people of the Union, which is why I believe this is our best move.”
Arabella offered a weak smile. “I trust your judgement. Good luck to us all.”
The minister of defence saluted the other three women and left the room.
Veronika stared at the carpet, still in a state of shock from what she had just witnessed. “These people ...” she said.
“I know,” the deputy president agreed. “They're unlike anything I've ever seen before.”
Two clenched her fists. She had no idea at the time what kind of enemy she had encountered back outside the convention centre. Her face ached from where Tahlia kicked her. “I'll return to work,” she said. “Please update me if you find anything.”
“We will,” Arabella said. “And remember, not a word of this to anyone.”
Seventeen
The Second Day
Skye slowly opened his eyes. He lay on the futon, waking from a restful sleep. Despite his body being more evolved than the non-shengxian, the last few days had taken quite a toll on him. He rose, feeling more energised than he had for some time.
“Sorry, did I wake you?” Delta asked. She stood behind him in the kitchen, pouring hot coffee into a mug.
“No, it's fine. I should wake up anyway.” He turned his head to see Sierra sitting out on the balcony, basking in the sunlight. “When did she come back?”
“Late last night. You were asleep.” Delta walked over to Skye and knelt at the table in front of him. “She called me and said she was lost. I had to send her our address.”
“It's a big city,” Sierra defended, overhearing the conversation.
Skye laughed. It brought him comfort to hear this. Despite her extraordinary fighting ability, even a warrior such as Sierra was still only human.
“Morning, Skye,” Charlie said as he emerged from the hallway with wet hair. “Would you like a shower?”
Skye smiled broadly. “Absolutely. I haven't showered in days.”
“Hurry up,” Sierra's voice said, suddenly standing at the end of the futon.
“Easy, Sierra,” Delta said. “We have plenty of time to find Tahlia and the Tianzu.”
Sierra glared back at them and said nothing. Instead, she slumped to the ground and crossed her legs, impatiently waiting for the others to ready themselves for the day ahead.
Skye slicked his long wet hair out of his face and stared at his reflection in the mirror. The shower had been a rejuvenating one, but his face appeared worn, as though the events in Athenia had aged him. He looked down and noticed several bruises and scratches across his torso. After what he had been through, he was lucky to be alive. It was an important reminder, he thought to himself, that life was a precious gift, and he should not be arrogant in assuming he was invincible. Nikolai might not harm him, but the Tianzu wouldn't hesitate to end his life if they had the chance.
He placed his hands behind his head and rubbed his shoulders. They were tense, no doubt from the stress he'd been placing himself under as of late. As he studied himself in the mirror, he thought about Night. While there was no doubt the obscure man had to die, he was unable to forget the sickening crunch of Night's head as it ripped in half. Just thinking about it made his muscles feel tight.
He dressed himself in a set of clean clothes that Charlie had left for him, and joined the others in the living area. “Shall we?”
“I need a weapon,” Sierra said, turning to Charlie and Delta. “Do you have anything I can use?”
Delta raised an eyebrow. “That didn't stop you from jumping off the balcony yesterday. What would you have done if you ran into Tahlia?”
Sierra shrugged. “I suppose kill her with my bare hands.”
Charlie shuddered. “How gruesome.”
&nbs
p; “Well, we don't have much anyway,” Delta explained. “At least nothing as lavish as the military weapons Ren ordered for us.”
Sierra glared at Skye. “I should've brought my crossbow.”
“No, you shouldn't have,” he dismissed. “There was no way you'd get that into the station alive. The police would've tried to arrest you, and then you probably would've fought your way out.”
Sierra frowned, appearing offended by the remark. “I'm not a murderer, Skye. I wouldn't have harmed the police.”
Delta reached into a nearby drawer and removed two objects, throwing one to Skye, and the other to Sierra. “This is all we have.”
Skye caught the small wooden ornament, and removed the blade from its scabbard. It was no longer than his forearm. “Just a dagger?”
“It's called a kaiken,” Delta said. “It's not much, but it's all we have.”
“Your sword was property of the military,” Charlie joked. “We found this in an antique shop and sharpened it.”
Skye frowned at the tiny blade, not satisfied he'd be able to use it to defeat the Tianzu, but accepted it with gratitude nonetheless.
“What is this thing?” Sierra asked, even less impressed with her weapon. It was akin to a small knife with a handle and loop at the end.
“It's a kunai,” Charlie said, noticing her lack of enthusiasm.
She threw it with great force at the wall. It dented the wood, then fell to the floor. “It's not even sharp,” she complained.
“It will do for now,” Skye encouraged her. “I'm sure you're strong enough to kill Tahlia with it.”
“We can sharpen it later,” Charlie suggested.
“I don't want it,” she muttered, and left it on the floor. “What weapons do you have?” She looked back and forth between Charlie and Delta.
Almost synchronised, the pair each removed a carbon pistol from a holster behind their backs.
“Those are the same as Ren's gun,” Skye observed.
“That's right. She ordered them for us,” Delta said with a smug grin.
“I want your weapon. Give it to me,” Sierra said, walking toward them.
Charlie stood in front of her and held his hand up. “We need these more than you. We're not all expert assassins such as yourself.”
Delta opened the front door to the apartment. “Let's go,” she suggested, hoping that Sierra wouldn't try to disarm her on the way out.
The others obeyed, slowly walking outside and descending the dark stairwell.
They reached the ground floor and entered the heat. Summer was almost over, but the sun was beating down relentlessly.
“Do we have a plan yet?” Skye asked, uncertain what to do. He gazed around at the busy day in the Tennari ward around him, watching everyone go about their business.
Charlie shook his head. “There is no plan. This is what we've done every day for the last three months.”
“Except now the Tianzu will no doubt be actively looking for us,” Delta said.
“We should split up,” Sierra said. “We can keep in touch with our comms.”
Skye grinned, impressed with the proposal. “It makes sense, but Delta is the only one that can locate the others. There'd be no point in splitting up.”
“Agreed,” Charlie said. “Let's stick together. If we split up, we're all in danger.”
Sierra crossed the road hastily and started walking north, eager to get to work. The others followed after her, but at a more leisurely pace.
“I'm assuming she's trying to find Tahlia,” Charlie said.
Skye nodded. “Of course she is. That's all she cares about.”
“It sounds like the last few months have been interesting for you,” Delta laughed. She had been devastated by the news of the loss of Tango and Echo, but permitted herself the opportunity to embrace the present moment with her old friend, Skye.
“They have been. Sierra can be persistent, but she's an excellent fighter. I'm not going to deny that.”
The trio walked along, keeping a close eye on their surroundings at all times. While Delta was confident she'd be able to detect any impending threat, they were wise enough to remain on high alert. None of them knew how many Tianzu there were, and none of them knew how they'd even be able to defeat them.
Eighteen
Shin stomped as he climbed the busy escalator inside Totobashi Station. It was a busy morning in Nishihama, with wave after wave of commuters and tourists arriving from Kitadera.
“That was such a waste of time!” he shouted, startling several of the people around him. “Master, why don't we ever take the maglev? It's only a thirty-minute ride.”
“Be quiet, Shin,” Karatsu instructed as he ascended behind him. “I've told you several times before; this route is more direct. The maglev requires changing trains. Besides, we're in no hurry.”
The dozens of people around them stared at the teenage boy, and were even more shocked to see the hooded Karatsu, whose concealed face was nothing short of intimidating.
“But I'm in a hurry!” Shin grumbled. “It's been three months since I've killed—”
Karatsu quickly grabbed him and placed a hand in front of his mouth. “I said to be quiet!” he hissed. “Stop talking like that, especially in public.”
Shin reluctantly obeyed and kept his mouth closed. He turned his head and looked up at the businessmen and women frowning down at the loud youngster. He stared back at them with contempt. Seconds later, their frowns lifted, and they were smiling at the boy.
“Enough!” Karatsu whispered again, squeezing Shin's arm and causing him to flinch. “Stop manipulating their minds.”
They continued ascending the escalator until they reached ground level and exited the station. When they were far enough from the other commuters, Karatsu stopped walking and roughly grabbed Shin's hand.
“Do not do that again,” he ordered. “You've already been warned. If you use your ability on the public again, I'll report it to Raien, and he'll order your execution.” Shin tried to pull away, but his master's grip was firm. “Am I understood?”
Shin leaned back, using his full weight to attempt escape, but his efforts were in vain. His face fell. “Yes.”
Karatsu released his hand and continued walking. He reminded himself to be mindful and shake off his frustration. The boy's company was far from desirable.
“Will we be returning home now, master? Or are we going to start looking for our enemy?” the boy asked. He was hopeful for the latter, but tried to sound ambivalent.
Karatsu kept walking, not bothered by the perplexed stares coming from the passersby. It brought him comfort to keep his face shrouded. He considered himself a faceless warrior, one who needed no acknowledgement for his efforts.
“We'll start looking,” he said. Despite Raien's directive to take no action, Karatsu's loyalties were to the Tianzu, and not necessarily to his leader. He respected the hierarchy, and was not one to defy a direct order, but in this instance disagreed with what had been instructed. He was eager to discuss the matter with Kai and Hana while Raien was out with Kitsune the night before, but Raien left his projection behind the entire time.
While the decision pained him, Karatsu decided he would do what was in the interest of the greater good. He'd be unable to forgive himself if Black Dawn or White Shadow took the lives of any innocent civilians.
Shin could barely contain his excitement. He quietly jumped up and rejoiced upon hearing the words of his master.
“Shin,” Karatsu warned. He wasn't facing the boy, but could sense his jubilation.
“Where should we begin?” the boy asked, ecstatic to finally be searching for the others. “Should we go to the castle?”
“No. I doubt they'd be there. My guess is that they'll be in Denba-ku. It's more central.”
Karatsu continued walking south, following his instincts. Shin ran after his mentor, and resumed walking alongside him.
“How should we kill them?” The boy made no attempt to keep his vo
ice quiet. He realised his mistake when a woman walking past stared at him bizarrely. “How should we kill them, master?” Shin asked again, this time whispering. He flinched, waiting for Karatsu to scold him for talking so noisily.
Karatsu kept moving. “Discreetly. If we're cautious enough, we can lure them somewhere quiet and attack them there.”
“How do we know what they look like?”
Karatsu tilted his head, glancing down at his junior. “You don't remember their faces from Athenia?”
Shin shook his head.
“Well, I remember them. If I see any, I'll be sure to advise you. That is, if they haven't already killed you.”
Shin laughed smugly. “No one's going to kill me, master.”
Karatsu groaned. “Your arrogance will be your downfall, Shin. Don't ever assume you're more powerful than your enemy.”
“But I am more powerful,” he defended.
Karatsu stopped walking and stood over his juvenile protege. “Have you learnt nothing from my tutelage, Shin? You are a powerful warrior, yes, but your ability is useless if you're unable to identify your target. If they attack you from range, you'll be dead before you even realise.” He turned and continued walking, frustrated from repeating himself. No matter how many times he taught the boy such vital lessons, Shin never seemed to absorb the information. Karatsu often wondered if it was because the child's mind had evolved while it was still developing, or if Shin was just pretentious and foolhardy.
Shin glared at his master as he walked away. He gritted his teeth, not appreciating being spoken down to. “Be careful what you say to me,” he whispered, barely audible.
Karatsu spun around, hearing the warning. His eyes widened with fury. “Shin,” he began, his tone low, “do not ever threaten your master again.”
Shin grinned in a childish manner and offered a short bow. “My apologies.” He walked after his leader and continued strolling alongside him.
Karatsu closed his eyes and tried to dispel the rage from his body. He was a proud warrior, and detested being the mentor to such an immature member of his clan. Spending every minute of his life with Shin was, at times, worse than death.
Eternity's War (Books 1-3) (Eternity's War Boxsets) Page 53