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

by Ruben Stelliswolfe

  “I'll have her on the next train to Nishihama. I want her to personally lead the operation.” Xu left the room, not willing to waste another second.

  Two approached Meili. “I'll escort you back to your office.”

  “Thank you.” Meili stretched, her body stiff from the hours of research.

  Two held the door open and allowed Meili to leave first. “You've done well. This government thanks you.”

  Meili cocked her head and smirked, surprised to hear the compliment. The Athenian President Guard were revered throughout the entire Union for their regimental demeanour. “Thank you,” she said.

  Two nodded, then began walking, her automatic weapon firm in her grasp.

  Meili raised a hand to her eye and rubbed the fatigue from it. She'd learnt much that day, and was both surprised and disappointed to discover that another clan of shengxian had surfaced. She had no idea who Black Dawn or White Shadow were, but knew that both would have to be eliminated.

  However, such danger also brings opportunity.

  She smiled. She'd spent years trying to find a way to implicate the Tianzu. Always a secretive and cautious sect, they were foolish in involving themselves with Black Dawn and White Shadow, and subsequently becoming embroiled in a political conspiracy.

  Which means that Kai, Hana, and Raien are now enemies of the Union.

  The government would be actively seeking to put a stop to this group—by any means necessary—and it will only be a matter of time before the remainder of the Tianzu are also implicated.

  Which means the Tianzu will be destroyed by the very people they're sworn to protect.

  With any luck, sister, we'll finally have revenge for what the Tianzu did to our clan.

  Her smile grew.

  It had been twenty-three years since the assault on the Xingzu, and not a day had passed in which Meili hadn't thought about retribution for her clan. And now, she was finally in a position to eradicate the Tianzu.

  Once and for all.

  Preview

  Eternity's Solace

  The First Day

  Ren snapped out of her tired trance and sat up in the bed. She was restless; sleep had eluded her for most of the night. Her heart rate began to escalate, her breathing becoming heavy.

  What was that?

  Slowly, she crept out of bed and grabbed the carbon pistol from the small table next to her. Whatever had started her, it was loud.

  She walked out of her room, silently, cautiously, and entered the main room of the warehouse, her eyes darting left to right. She appeared to be alone. It was dark; the sun had not yet risen.

  She jumped in fright once again as she heard another thunderous bang. It was coming from the front door. The entire room shuddered as whatever it was pounded against the metal exterior.

  She gripped her pistol even tighter and made her way to the main entrance. Her mind began to race. Is it the Tianzu, she wondered.

  No, impossible. The Tianzu wouldn't knock; they'd merely break in and murder her in her sleep.

  Ren grabbed the front handle of the large metal door, taking in a quick breath, bracing herself for whoever, or whatever, awaited on the other side.

  She pulled the handle hard and swung the door open, raising her pistol at the same time. Her reaction was met with hostility. Five figures stood on the other side, each with guns of their own raised.

  Ren recognised the uniforms of the local police before her and lowered her gun, her mind all too aware of what would happen if she provoked the authorities. In front of the officers stood a tall woman and man, both of whom appeared to be aged in their forties, and both with athletic builds.

  “Thank you for lowering your firearm,” the woman said, her expression somewhat monotone.

  Ren studied her up and down. The woman wore dark clothes and armour. Ren's eyes widened when she noticed the insignia on her sleeve: it was the Dong Yue Armed Forces, the Union's own military. She instantly knew why they were there.

  “How can I help you at this hour?” Ren asked in an annoyed tone, feigning ignorance on the matter. She knew she had to choose her words carefully. Part of her had expected such a visit given her involvement in the recent events in Athenia.

  “We'd like to ask you a few questions,” the woman said. Without wasting any time she held a small tablet in Ren's face, showing a photo of Skye. “Do you know this man, Xia Qiuyu?”

  Ren's heart continued pounding. She looked at the photo momentarily and squinted, acting as though her memory struggled to recognise such a face. “No. I've never seen him before.”

  The woman waved her hand in front of the screen and revealed a photo of Nikolai. “What about Nicholas Sweeney? What's your relationship with him?”

  Ren cringed internally at the word 'relationship'. She needed no reminder that she was once intimate with the man. “I don't know him,” she lied.

  “But you do,” the woman retorted, her tone becoming serious. “I have several photos of the three of you on numerous different surveillance systems over the years. Please do not lie to us, Ms Matsuoka.”

  They know who I am.

  Ren studied them both, committing their faces to memory. Something told her they wouldn't be leaving her alone anytime soon. She continued looking them up and down, something else catching her attention—the pair each wore badges on their collars, both depicting two different birds; a hawk and an eagle.

  “May we come inside?” the man asked, speaking for the first time. He didn't wait for an answer before proceeding to walk forward.

  Ren placed her arm in front of the doorway and blocked the entrance. “You may not,” she said, lowering her eyes at him. It was obvious they'd come to arrest her for conspiring to kill the leader of the nation.

  He took a step back and stared at Ren. The look on his face indicated they'd be entering the warehouse whether Ren gave them permission or not.

  “Do you know these individuals?” the woman asked, showing the identity card photos of Tango and Echo.

  Ren swallowed hard, knowing there was probably no point lying. Athenia was a nation crawling with surveillance, and there was bound to be thousands of images of White Shadow together.

  “I do,” she responded, not hiding the frustration in her voice.

  “They were found deceased on Saturday, Ms Matsuoka. What do you know of their deaths?”

  Ren clenched her fists, infuriated to think that the military was accusing her of taking part in the murder of her two dear friends. “I know nothing of it.”

  “What do you know about Winterton Limited?”

  Ren froze at the mention of Paul's company. “Winterton?” she asked, cautious to not give herself away. “I may have heard of it. Why? What does that have to do with me?”

  The woman didn't respond. Instead, she began showing photos of Sierra, Juliet, and Romeo. Ren realised in that moment they were all in danger. The government was clearly monitoring them after what had happened on the day of the inauguration.

  The tablet also contained photos of Sabina, Aurelius, Tahlia, and Night. It came as no surprise that they were implicated in the conspiracy as well. Ren said nothing as the woman showed her the images and stated their names.

  Ren's eyes suddenly widened as they revealed images of Kai, Hana, and Raien. She let out a soft gasp.

  “You know them?” the woman pressed.

  Ren didn't know what to say. The military was not only pursuing White Shadow and Black Dawn, but the Tianzu too. Their war had just become a lot more complicated.

  “No, I don't know them,” she lied again.

  “You just reacted when we showed you the photos,” the man said, his tone serious.

  Ren's mind began to race. She never expected that the authorities would also be seeking out the Tianzu. It didn't seem to make any sense—the clan were far from reckless, and certainly not foolish enough to be detected.

  However, she thought, if the Union was treating all shengxian as fugitives, it might just work in their favour;
if Black Dawn and the Tianzu were arrested or killed, it might just mean White Shadow could survive.

  That is, if they weren't arrested or killed themselves.

  “Ms Matsuoka, tell us how you know them,” the woman ordered.

  Ren snapped out of her thoughts. “Why are you here?” she asked, changing the subject. She glanced at the three police officers standing by. All of them stood ready, as though they were awaiting the order to place her under arrest.

  “We believe you're involved with the failed assassination attempt on President Denning,” the man stated, his voice authoritative.

  Ren scoffed. “I don't know what you're talking about.”

  The woman took a step closer, as did the three officers. “I think you do, Ren. And we need you to come with us. We have further questions for you.”

  The man raised his arm, ready to grab Ren, but she took a step back inside the warehouse.

  “I don't think so!” she said, raising her voice. “I'm not going anywhere.”

  “Yes, you are,” he spoke. “We're placing you under arrest for conspiracy.”

  “But you have no evidence of this!” Ren screamed again, unable to keep her temper at bay.

  “We don't need evidence,” the woman said. “The law of the Union dictates that the military is able to arrest anyone they believe is a threat to national security.”

  Ren smirked. She knew she now had the pair exactly where she wanted them. She was prepared for such an altercation, if it were to ever eventuate. “You're referring to the Statute of National Security of the East Yue Union?” she asked.

  The woman nodded. “That's correct. You're required to come with us.”

  Ren let out a smug laugh. “Actually, I'm not. That statute only pertains to nationals living in the country of question.”

  “But you're a Shizuno national, and you're currently residing in a Union state. Therefore, we're arresting you under Union law.”

  Ren's eyes became dark. “Irrelevant,” she spat. “The law you're referring to only applies to nationals of the country in which they're suspected of conspiring against the Union. As a Shizujin living in Athenia, you may only legally arrest me if I pose an imminent public threat—which clearly I don't—or if you've obtained admissible evidence; I can't simply be arrested on suspicion alone.”

  She looked back and forth between the pair, who exchanged a speculative glance. It was a piece of dialogue Ren had memorised long ago. If the authorities had evidence to prove she was involved in a conspiracy against the Union, they could arrest her without hesitation. But she knew that the law stated only nationals residing in their own respective country could be arrested merely out of suspicion.

  “Very well,” the woman said, her tone surprisingly calm. “We'll return with evidence. I don't imagine it will take very long to acquire.”

  “In the meantime,” the man said, pointing a finger at Ren, “you're to wait here. Don't even think about leaving.”

  Ren screwed her face up at them. “I have every right to leave my own home. I'm not being detained, and therefore refuse to be treated as a prisoner.”

  He stepped forward again. “You're a suspected terrorist. We have authorisation from the Ministry of Defence to kill anyone we believe is a threat to the Union. If you leave, we'll know you're a threat.” He turned and walked away before Ren could say another word.

  The woman whispered something to the police officers before returning to her vehicle with her partner. The three officers nodded, then each moved to a different location surrounding the warehouse.

  Ren's face fell. The police are guarding me. I can't leave.

  She watched as the man and woman drove away in a large black van. She shot the pair a final vicious glance before slamming the door shut and locking it tight.

  She pressed her back against the wall and lowered herself to the ground, trying to regain control of her breathing. Ren knew she was now in incredible danger, as were the others. It wouldn't take the government long to find the evidence they needed to place her in prison.

  They know about Winterton Limited. They know what I stole.

  But ... how?

  She had been confident of her hacking abilities for many years now, but after what had happened the day before with her computer system, she knew she was now being monitored. And whoever it was, it looked as though they were smarter than she was.

  She rested her head against the wall and stared at the desolate warehouse, wondering what her next move would be. Their base was no longer safe for her. But she was also unable to leave.

  And even if she could, Ren wouldn't be able to bring herself to leave Athenia. Not until President Denning had been stopped.

  She looked down at the clock on her comm. It would be dawn soon. She needed to warn Skye and the others about what had happened, and that they'd be next. No doubt the military would be well aware they've travelled to Shizudera.

  And then I need to find a way to stop Archie immediately. This has gone on long enough.

  She paused, a curious thought suddenly popping into her mind. The military showed her photos of Black Dawn too, including Nikolai. Which means that Archie must have finally turned on Nikolai.

  Which makes sense. Nikolai's in Shizudera. It's the perfect time—the only time—for the president to be able to organise a strike against Nikolai.

  And the rest of the shengxian.

  This is bad, she thought to herself. We're all now the Union's number-one enemy.

  Her heart skipped a beat. She looked around the warehouse, wondering what she was going to do.

  This is going to be a long day.

  Two

  Skye leaned on the balcony rail, staring at the quiet street at the base of the hill below. It was early morning, and the city was slowly beginning to come alive for another day. Vendors were preparing their stalls for business, and children were walking to school.

  He tilted his gaze up to the horizon. Kitadera was a large city, but also relatively flat. The largest buildings were no more than a few floors tall, presenting a spectacular view from where he stood. Surrounding the city were low-lying mountains, protecting the landscape from the northern ocean winds. Kitadera was nothing like the other major cities of the Union.

  “Lovely, isn't it?” Hiroaki asked as he joined Skye on the balcony. He breathed in the crisp air. “I know it's still summer, but I'm beginning to feel a coolness in the morning breeze.”

  “I'm looking forward to winter,” Skye said, his gaze back on the citizens nearby. “It's been a frustrating summer for us.”

  “So I've heard. How did you sleep?”

  Skye shrugged. “Restlessly.”

  “And how's your wound?” Hiroaki asked, lifting Skye's shirt and exposing the bloodied bandage on his abdomen.

  “I think it's mostly healed. I should be alright.”

  “You were lucky. If that bullet was any higher, you may not have survived.”

  “Perhaps,” Skye agreed.

  “It's another reminder of the dangers of war,” Hiroaki said.

  Skye let out a soft laugh. “I suppose so. But I imagine that you were born long before warfare involved conventional firearms.”

  Hiroaki smiled. “You're not wrong. I've lived a long life and have learnt much. You too could live a long life, if you wish. Living for an eternity is something that humans seemingly long for, yet so many of those who manage to achieve this are also devoid of purpose.”

  Skye flinched. “That sounds like something Nikolai would say.”

  “Maybe so, but it's an important lesson for all shengxian to learn. Daye would have explained this when the two of you first met. If a shengxian isn't mindful, they risk becoming hollow.” Hiroaki returned his attention to the world below. “I often come here to practise my mindfulness. I watch the locals. Each of them has something to offer the world, much like how each of us evolved warriors have a purpose.”

  “Our purpose is to kill each other, it seems,” Skye admitted.


  Hiroaki closed his eyes. “Sometimes it appears as such, but it need not be that way. I've always found it ironic that the most advanced minds in society are unable to work together for the greater good. Instead, they choose conflict, obliterating one another. The shengxian may be the greatest beings to ever walk the earth, but they're only humans, after all. And they're just as prone to the corrupt, imperfect ways of thinking that society has imposed on them.”

  Skye yawned, partly still fatigued, and partly not in the mood to hear the dialogue.

  “You should continue resting,” Hiroaki suggested. “You've endured much these past few days.”

  “No time for that,” he dismissed. “Our enemy's out there, and they need to be killed.”

  Sierra stepped out onto the balcony, her hair dripping wet from the shower. “What are you talking about?”

  “Nothing much,” Hiroaki smiled. “I was just suggesting to Skye that you should all spend today resting. None of you are in any condition to fight.”

  “No resting,” she said. “There are too many people that need to be killed.”

  Hiroaki laughed softly, but was also disturbed by the group's willingness to kill. Their attitude made him question his and Daye's decision to bring them here. “Actually, there are only four whose deaths may be warranted.” His body froze as he said the words. He'd long ago sworn off violence, but found himself trapped in a situation in which he had to admit that allowing the groups to fight may be the only road to peace. “Although, no death is truly warranted,” he corrected.

  “What do you mean, four?” Skye asked, confused.

  “Who?” Sierra chimed in. “Who do you want us to kill? Is Tahlia one of them?”

  Hiroaki held both hands up. “We'll tell you everything you need to know. But we're in no hurry. For now—”

  “We are in a hurry,” Sierra interrupted. “Our enemies are trying to find ways to kill us. The only way we'll survive is if we kill them first.”

  Hiroaki smiled. “You're quite intriguing, Marion. Daye told me of your obsession with killing Tahlia, but now it seems as though you want others to die too.”