Eternity's War (Books 1-3) (Eternity's War Boxsets)

by Ruben Stelliswolfe

  But Charlie made a very good point, Skye thought, and he didn't trust Nikolai in the slightest either. The only assurance he had was that Nikolai wouldn't allow him to come to any harm. The same couldn't be said for the other three, however.

  Nikolai took charge again and pointed to the map. “I think a plan is in order. The smartest move, in my opinion, is for the five of us to storm the building simultaneously. It will catch them off guard and give us the advantage.”

  “The boy should be our priority,” Delta added.

  “You're not wrong there. From what you've described to me, he's in possession of a rather powerful ability. I like to think that we're all quite adept at physical combat, so killing the little juvenile would be wise. No one has the right to wield control over another's free will.”

  Skye stared at him, shocked. “Says the man who wants to rule Athenia.”

  “No time for bickering, Skye. The sun's beginning to set. I need to ensure that you're as keen as I am to vanquish these four. If but one of us isn't committed, we may as well surrender now.”

  Sierra joined them at the table. “Tell me the plan.”

  “We're going to attack them,” Nikolai explained. “All five of us, simultaneously. Agreed?”

  Sierra nodded, not having any concerns with the plan.

  Charlie and Delta looked at one another, both with the same expression, and both fearing that Nikolai would betray them.

  “Agreed?” Nikolai asked again, louder this time, looking in their direction.

  “Agreed,” Charlie and Delta both said.

  Nikolai turned his attention to the remaining person. “Skye?”

  Skye looked at him, far from certain about the plan. Part of him wanted to remind Nikolai that he'd kill him if he tried to betray them, but knew this would only please the man all the more. “Fine.”

  Nikolai grinned happily. “Very good. Then let us get ready, shall we?”

  Thirty-eight

  Kitsune faced west, watching the sun set over Azuma-jo once again. It was a dull orange, not quite as bright or colourful as the ones in Kitadera she watched every day for the past three months.

  “Have you thought of your answer yet, Kitsune? Surely the question doesn't require this much thought. Every passing second makes me wonder if you're no longer as loyal to me as you once were.”

  She shook her head slowly from where she sat, her shoulders tensing. “How can you talk about loyalty, Raien?”

  “Does my contempt for Kheree offend you? I don't imagine my feelings toward him should come as that much of a surprise to you.”

  “That's not what I mean.” She turned and stared up at him. “I'm talking about your loyalty to the people of our world. You've instigated war because it excites you to have meaning, purpose. You're intentionally endangering the lives of every man, woman, and child down there just to give your life meaning.”

  “I respectfully disagree with you. I understand the point you're trying to make, but you need to realise that the Athenian clans are a threat to us all, including innocent civilians. White Shadow intends to kill the Athenian president. How could you possibly justify that?”

  Her shoulders tensed even further. “I can't justify it at all. But I especially can't justify a needless attack on them.” She rose from her position. “Raien, you asked me if I would join you. Do you truly believe you're fit to lead a clan of your own?”

  His eyes widened, her answer surprising him.

  “It's not my place to question your leadership,” she continued, “and it pains me to do so, but I'm worried about the state of the Tianzu. I don't agree with what you've done.”

  Raien turned his gaze back to the city as he listened to her words. “That wasn't the response I was hoping for.”

  “I've been loyal to the Tianzu. However, I'm loyal to myself first and foremost, and I can't bring myself to do something I don't believe in.”

  Raien accepted her response. “Very well. What would you propose then? If you were in my position, if you were leader of this sect, what would your command be? How would you eliminate our enemy?”

  “You keep saying 'eliminate our enemy'. Are they truly against peace? Or are they only our enemy because you launched an unprovoked attack on them?”

  Her leader shook his head. “I'm surprised to hear you talk this way, Kitsune. We've known each other for the longest of times. Why are you suddenly not willing to fight for what's right?”

  “Because I'm tired of fighting, Raien. I no longer have the desire to engage in combat.”

  “I know,” he said. “As I said to you yesterday, I've noticed it. Which is why I didn't tell you about my decision to send Shin and Karatsu to Athenia.”

  Her expression hardened. “So, you admit it. You purposely neglected to tell me because you thought I'd disagree.”

  Raien nodded. “You're a wise person, Kitsune. Wiser than I, at times. I knew you'd disagree with my decision, and possibly even intervene, so I kept the information from you. And I know you don't have the desire to fight anymore, but that doesn't mean you wouldn't be a welcome addition to my clan.”

  She closed her eyes, allowing her face to soak up the last remaining heat from the setting sun. “I don't want to fight for a pointless cause.”

  “Careful, Kitsune,” Raien warned. “My clan would not be a pointless cause.”

  “Wouldn't it? It seems that our existence in the Tianzu is nothing more than to kill other shengxian. We either recruit them, or kill them. How would your clan be any different?”

  Raien took a step closer to her. “We kill them because they're a threat to humanity.”

  “They're no more a threat than any of us!” she shrieked back, her patience wearing thin again. “You purposely attacked a group of people who you blindly brand our 'enemy'. Answer me honestly, Raien; do you truly, deeply believe that if we let this group live they'll harm the citizens of the Union?”

  “Of course I do.”

  She narrowed her eyes at him. “Or are you just excited to have a new clan to fight with?”

  Raien held his hands up innocently and smirked. “I offer no apology if I'm excited by the prospect. You say my clan would be pointless, but life without meaning is also pointless. So, the answer to your question is both. I'm doing what is right and just, for both the people of the Union, and for myself.”

  Kitsune frowned. “I'm disappointed in you, Raien. I expected more from someone as old as yourself. I couldn't believe what I was hearing when we spoke in Kitadera yesterday.” She stepped onto the ledge of the building.

  Her movement caught him off guard. “Where are you going?”

  She shrugged. “I'm not certain. I need time to think.”

  Raien gritted his teeth. “You've had all afternoon to think.”

  “An afternoon isn't long enough. From the time I was a child I was taught and trained to respect the hierarchy, even if I disagreed with my elders.” She glanced back at him, her eyes fierce. “It's time I make decisions for myself, just as you've decided to make decisions for yourself.”

  Raien looked back at her, lost for words. He knew she was right, but didn't care to admit it. “You've served me for countless decades, and I hold you in the highest regard, which is why I want you to be the first to join my clan. But if you leave, I may have to consider you to be a threat.”

  She stood still on the ledge, once again staring at the streets below. “To the Tianzu? Or to yourself?”

  “Both.”

  Sadness crossed her face. “What if my mind is already made up?”

  “No, I don't believe that. Step back onto the roof,” he ordered.

  Kitsune held her position. She turned her gaze back to her leader. “Tell me something, Raien: why is it that you wish to start your own clan?”

  He bit his lip in an attempt to fight back his frustration. “I already told you why. I don't trust Kheree. He ruined this clan when he allowed the Xingzu to decimate us.”

  She stared at him, allowing the wor
ds to sink in. It was something she'd thought about several times in her long life, but she was never able to accept the truth of it until now. Her three months of solace in Kitadera had given her more than enough time to reflect on what the Tianzu actually are, and why they exist.

  “You're right, Raien. Kheree's actions certainly did ruin this clan. But it was long before the war with the Xingzu. He ruined it the moment he stole it from its original founders.” She paused, amazed to hear the words pour from her mouth with such honesty. “When I first met Daye, I disagreed with his view on peace. I'd often wonder how he, Hiroaki, and Hongxue could possibly promote peace without bloodshed. As you say, they're pacifists. But I understand them now.”

  Raien clenched his fists, his body beginning to tremble with rage. “No, you don't. There's nothing to understand. Those three proved that a lack of force is dangerous when dealing with the enemy. The only way we'll ever achieve peace is by fighting for it. Kheree once understood this, but has since grown weak and merciful.”

  Kitsune shook her head. “Oh, Raien. You're disillusioned. Daye and the others had the right idea when they formed the Tianzu. The true path to peace is by educating the world on it; not killing one another. If all of the shengxian were to be killed, how long would it be before a new enemy rises? Surely you understand that war will never end with your way of thinking. It will go on for an eternity. Every person in this world may have different ideals, but it's our job to accept these differences; not kill each other because we fear what we don't understand.”

  Raien glared back at her, saying nothing.

  “Kheree ruined the Tianzu when he took over the clan,” she continued. “He instilled his belief that we need to fight to maintain peace; the same belief you have. But where does it end, Raien? By fighting, when will we ever achieve peace?”

  He took a brief moment to think of his answer. “Never,” he admitted. “As you said, there's always a new enemy. We'll never achieve peace, because peace is something we need to constantly fight for.”

  She offered a weak smile. “You're right. It is something we need to constantly fight for. We need to do it every day.” Kitsune turned and faced the golden sun once again. “But not through violent means. There are other routes to peace.”

  “Kitsune,” he said, taking another step forward. “I'm going to ask you one last time to step down. If you leap off that ledge, I'll consider you to be an enemy of my clan.”

  “Answer me one last question,” she said, ignoring his warning. “You've admitted that Kheree is your enemy, so if you were to form your own clan, would you declare the rest of the Tianzu to be your enemy too? Would you go to war with them? All of them?”

  She turned and waited for his answer, despite already knowing it. She watched his face as he searched his feelings.

  “I'll fight anyone who I believe is a threat,” he finally said. “If Kheree and the Tianzu are a threat, then so be it.”

  Kitsune frowned at his response. “The Tianzu are no more a threat than the Athenian clans are. How long will it be before you order an attack on your own clan?” She turned away, not bothering to look at his face. “If you convince yourself that everyone is a threat, Raien, you'll make them all your enemy. At least in your own mind, anyway. So when will you learn that you're the one who's actually the most dangerous of them all?”

  Without looking back, she threw herself from the ledge.

  Thirty-nine

  The water was still. Night had fallen, but the city was still bright with neon glow. Takoshima Park was empty, except for the five lone figures standing on the edge of the bank, hidden in the trees.

  “Where am I looking?” Skye asked, eager to know where his enemy was.

  Nikolai and Delta both pointed straight ahead, able to detect the Tianzu's presence with extreme accuracy in such close proximity. Across the river was a small and inconspicuous house, nestled awkwardly between several buildings that were significantly taller.

  “All four of them?” Charlie asked.

  Nikolai nodded. “All four of them.”

  Sierra began twirling her kunai, ready for battle. While Tahlia wasn't present, she had no problem assisting White Shadow in eliminating the Tianzu. Patience was not usually her virtue, but she was finally beginning to accept that killing her nemesis wasn't something that could be accomplished overnight.

  Skye turned and looked at the group. “Let's move. Every second we waste is another second they might realise we're here.”

  “Agreed,” Charlie said, then began jogging to the nearby pedestrian bridge that crossed the river. “Remember, we need to take them out immediately.”

  Skye followed suit, along with Delta and Sierra. All of them knew the danger they were about to face, and all of them had to function as one unit if they had any chance of survival.

  “Remember, the boy is our priority,” Delta reminded everyone. “If we don't take him out first, we might not get out alive.”

  “Followed by Hana,” Skye added. “She's our next priority. With both of them gone, we should be able to take out Kai and the other man.”

  After running for a moment, Skye stopped and turned around. Nikolai was still standing on the bank, his mind deep in thought. “Hurry up,” he called.

  Nikolai smiled and faced his makeshift comrades. “What's our hurry?”

  Skye's face fell, although he was hardly surprised. He sprinted back over to the towering man and stared up at him. “Don't do this to us,” he warned. “You promised you'd help us.”

  “And I did help you.” His smile grew. “I located those treacherous Tianzu for you. Now you can go about your business and eliminate them.”

  The other three returned to the spot and surrounded Nikolai.

  “You're not going to join us?” Charlie asked, his frustration evident.

  Delta was just as furious. “I thought you wanted them dead as much as we do.”

  Nikolai held his arms upwards and stretched. “I do, of course. But I'm not one for combat. I think the four of you are formidable enough to take them on.”

  It dawned on the group that their chances of success had now plummeted. Skye ripped his kaiken from its small scabbard and tried to stab into the man's chest. Naturally, Nikolai was far too quick for him and moved out of the way.

  “Don't be offended, Skye,” he said. “I agreed to help you, but I never once said that I'd be engaging in combat.”

  Skye stared at him with wild eyes. “But you stood there and discussed a strategy with us!”

  Nikolai dodged another slice from the dagger and decided to snatch it from Skye's grasp. “I offered you a strategy because I was trying to help you. As I said, I never once agreed to fight the Tianzu. And especially not four of them. We've only been in Nishihama for a day and a half. Let's slow it down a notch, shall we?”

  “If you don't help us, Skye might be killed,” Sierra suggested. The group looked at the short woman, surprised to hear her issue such an ultimatum.

  Nikolai laughed aloud and placed his hands on his hips. “I have my doubts. I hold Skye's fighting ability in a relatively high regard, so I imagine he'd survive.”

  Skye spat, disgusted by the defiant Nikolai. While he didn't need him to protect his well-being, it was frustrating to hear him speak so callously of his life.

  “Besides,” Nikolai continued, “much of one's growth and strength is obtained by being thrust into the heat of battle. We'll only ever be as strong as our strongest opponent. Skye has spent far too much time looking for Archibald, who is a useless foe. It's time for you all to engage in true combat.”

  Skye gritted his teeth loudly, his mind racing. There was no denying that Nikolai was powerful, and a huge asset. He alone would be enough to vanquish the four Tianzu.

  “Let's go,” Charlie said, his eyes still locked on to Nikolai. “We're wasting time. We'll fight them ourselves.”

  “And I wish you the best of luck,” the great man added as he returned Skye's kaiken. “It would be in your best int
erest to kill all of them. You wouldn't want them to flee the city and warn the others. Although, for my sake, I do hope you let some of them live. I'd hate for this chapter of my life to come to an abrupt end.”

  Skye turned and began walking away, not wanting to hear any more of Nikolai's pitiful excuses.

  Sierra walked alongside him. “We don't need him. You and I are strong enough.”

  Skye cringed. “I admire your confidence, but don't underestimate any of them. This clan is far older than any of us.”

  “They haven't moved,” Delta said as she and Charlie followed closely behind. “All four of them are still inside. If we go in there now, we can surprise them and kill them all.”

  And when we're done, we can kill Nikolai, Skye thought. Nikolai was beyond infuriating at the best of times.

  They arrived back at the pedestrian bridge and were about to start climbing the stairs when Nikolai suddenly appeared in front of them.

  Skye raised an eyebrow. “Changed your mind?”

  “Somewhat. I have a new strategy for you.”

  “We don't want to hear your strategies.” Skye pushed past him and began ascending the staircase.

  “You'll want to hear this.” Nikolai's voice had a serious tone. “I don't think it's at all fair that the four of you are going to launch a surprise attack. Where is the honour in fighting as such?”

  Skye continued upwards, ignoring him. Once again, he was reluctant to discuss anything with the hypocritical Nikolai.

  Delta glared up at her traitorous former friend. “Don't lecture me, Nikolai. It was your suggestion to launch a surprise attack.” The others followed up the stairs.

  “I ask you again,” Nikolai called as they continued moving away from him, “where is your honour?”

  This time Skye stopped. He spun around with clenched fists. “Enough!” he screamed. “You are far less honourable than anyone, including the Tianzu! You condone killing people for entertainment!” He stared down at him from his position on the stairs. “And now you're abandoning us, letting us kill your enemy for you. Where's your honour, Nikolai?”