“I don't have a choice,” she defended. “I'm involved in this war, as much as I don't want to be.”
“Not to mention that you attacked Hana back in Athenia,” Skye added.
She shot him an aggravated glance. “Don't blame me for that. The Tianzu were your enemy before you and I ever met.”
“I can help you, Marion,” Hiroaki said, changing the subject. “I can teach you mindfulness. In order to prevent a shengxian from becoming hollow-minded, we need to—”
“Call me Sierra,” she said.
Skye raised an eyebrow. “You prefer your White Shadow code-name over your real one?”
She shrugged. “Like I said, I'm involved in the war now. So it's probably for the best that I choose a side.”
“I don't think you have much choice,” Skye laughed. “You obviously can't join the Tianzu. And you especially can't join Black Dawn.”
Hiroaki watched the odd pair converse. Hosting the group left him feeling conflicted. On one hand, having such youthful shengxian in his presence brought with it a fresh sense of knowledge and culture. But on the other, White Shadow lacked the wisdom that was so desperately needed to put a stop to the war before it escalated even further. Once again, he questioned if what he was doing was actually right.
But then again, he thought, perhaps it's true that nothing in war is neither right nor wrong.
He turned and retreated, deciding that imparting his knowledge would be better left for later on.
Sierra held her kunai up and admired its sharp edges. “I'm starting to grow fond of this thing. What's it called again?”
“I don't remember,” Skye said. “It certainly proved useful last night though. You don't miss the crossbow?”
“I do, a little. My crossbow had a longer range than this, but it still didn't help. Tahlia's obviously still out there.”
Charlie emerged and joined the pair. “I heard about your crossbow,” he said. Skye and Sierra both turned around and saw him holding a longbow. “But I doubt it was as effective as this.”
“Where'd you get that?” Skye frowned. “Is that Hiroaki's? Put it back.”
Sierra snatched it off him and held it up. It was even longer than she was.
“I found it hanging on the wall,” Charlie said.
Skye shook his head. “We're guests here. You should respect his possessions.”
Sierra pulled on the bowstring. “I don't like it. It's too big.”
Charlie took the weapon back. “Then stop complaining about the weapon I gave you yesterday. This has a greater range than your crossbow.”
“I doubt that,” Sierra dismissed.
“It's true. Longbows have a longer range. This would be far more lethal than your crossbow.”
She stared at him, sceptical. “You're trying to tell me that this thing is more deadly than a military-grade crossbow?”
“Please stop,” Daye requested, appearing on the balcony beside them. “I brought you here because I'm requesting your help. Respect your host—stop rummaging through Hiroaki's possessions, and stop brandishing weapons in public view.”
Charlie offered Daye an apologetic look. “Sorry. I'll put it back.”
Daye sighed at the group's obnoxious behaviour. It wasn't at all what he expected from those with evolved minds. He watched Charlie walk inside and mount the bow back on the wall.
“Why does Hiroaki have that weapon?” Sierra asked. “If he's as peaceful as he claims, why does he feel the need to own a bow?”
“It's an ancient artefact,” Daye explained. “He has no intention of using it ever again, but that also doesn't mean he feels it's necessary to destroy relics from history.”
Sierra wasn't convinced. “Sounds hypocritical.”
“Hiroaki said that he'd warrant four deaths,” Skye said, changing the subject to something relevant. “What does that mean?”
Daye looked back at him. “We'll explain everything soon.”
“Or you could explain it now. I don't want to stand here all day waiting for answers. We should be attacking the Tianzu now while we have the upper hand.”
Daye cringed. “You hardly have the upper hand, Skye. There's so much more to this war than meets the eye. We need to explain it to you properly so there'll be no more needless casualties like Karatsu.”
Skye and Sierra exchanged surprised glances. “I think we have different priorities then, Daye. I can appreciate that you consider every death to be needless, but we don't have much choice when the Tianzu are trying to kill us. You weren't there last night. You didn't see what we were up against.”
“It was bad,” Sierra agreed. “We were almost killed. All of us.”
“I could imagine,” Daye nodded. “It pains me that it has to be that way.”
“So then what would you suggest we do? Obviously we can't take no action at all, otherwise we'll be killed.”
Daye stared back at him, his expression hardening. “I know. There's no clear solution to this war, which is what makes it such a dangerous situation for everyone involved.”
Skye waited for the answer to his question, but it never came. “So, again, what do you propose we do? I'm grateful for any information you can provide us, but we're not going to be limiting ourselves to killing only four of our enemies. The list is a little longer than that.”
“It is,” Daye agreed. “But not all deaths are required.” He turned and began walking back inside. “Just spend the morning resting. We'll talk with you all soon.”
Skye groaned. “I sure hope we haven't wasted our time by coming here,” he called after him. “I was under the impression you'd be helping us; not hindering us.”
Daye wheeled around. “My job is to help save people from being eliminated unnecessarily. If your group is successful in killing all of your enemies, then I'll have failed.”
Sierra glanced up at Skye. “What's he talking about?”
“No idea,” Skye said, his jaw clenched. “But so far this has been a complete waste of time. We should be out there searching for our enemy; not standing here debating which members of the Tianzu get to live.”
“I agree. Delta said the boy's nearby. If he's alone, we should go and find him. He's not strong enough to take on all four of us. We'll just have to ensure we launch a surprise attack on him.”
“That would be wise. And it certainly sounds better than staying here.”
She looked inside, checking that they were out of earshot. “Do you think we can trust Daye?” she asked.
“I'm not sure,” he admitted. “At times, I believe we can. But it seems as though he's doing what's in his best interest; not ours.”
The pair stood in silence, both contemplating their next move.
Sierra twirled her kunai. “So ... what's the plan?”
Skye lifted his shirt up and removed the bandage. The wound underneath was now nothing more than a dark scar. “I say we take your advice and find the boy. He's the biggest threat we face right now.”
“I'll ask Delta to monitor him,” Sierra volunteered, then vanished back inside the large wooden home.
Skye remained on the balcony alone, his mind distracted by the challenge ahead that was killing the remaining Tianzu. In a way, he could respect Daye's and Hiroaki's views on peace, and their methods of achieving it. However, there was no time for pacifism, especially when White Shadow's list of enemies was constantly growing.
He glanced at the world around him, breathing in the clean air from the mountains surrounding Kitadera, enjoying the gentle breeze.
But little did he know that the war was about to become even more deadly than he could have ever imagined. The usually peaceful city was about to be transformed into a battlefield.
And not everyone would leave alive.
Three
Li Xu moved quickly through the halls of Government House, taking one long stride after another. There was no time for rest; not when there were wanted fugitives roaming the streets of the Union.
Up ahead she saw Eagle and Hawk,
the pair who had attempted to apprehend Ren earlier that morning. Eagle was talking into his headset in a hushed tone. Hawk stood beside him, waiting for an update.
“Who's he talking to?” Xu asked when she arrived. She kept her voice low, not wanting any nearby personnel to hear their confidential discussion.
“Falcon,” Hawk said. “She's in Nishihama with her unit.”
“Not for long,” Xu explained. “I just spoke with her myself. I'm having her rerouted to Kitadera. The bogeys are on the move.”
Hawk raised her eyebrows with surprise. “Really?”
Xu nodded. “One of my analysts in Sujian sent me surveillance footage from a train station in Kitadera. It looks as though four of them arrived late last night—two of them I've never seen before. I find it incredible that the list just keeps growing.” She turned around to ensure they were still out of earshot. “Have you spoken with Meili?”
“Yes, but there's still no update.”
Xu sighed. “Hopefully it won't take her long to find the evidence she needs. I want Matsuoka Ren in custody by noon. I'll check in with Meili shortly for an update myself.”
Eagle ended his call. “That was Falcon,” he explained. “She says you're having them redirected to Kitadera.”
“Correct,” Xu said. “But I've ordered her to keep several of the contingent behind in Nishihama. It looks as though Sweeney's still there somewhere.”
“Have you ordered them to shoot to kill?” Hawk curiously asked.
“Of course. Their orders are no different than yours; if anyone is to resist arrest, they are to be executed discreetly. These extremists are dangerous, and not to be underestimated.” She had seen what the shengxian were capable of, but it was impossible to put into words.
Hawk held a hand up, indicating for her superior to remain silent. “Careful. The president's coming this way.”
Xu spun around. Sure enough, a short distance away was the elderly president. Alongside him was Timothy Basterfield, the ghastly and loathsome individual posing as the head of the Presidential Guard. Xu had informed the three raptors that the Athenian president may be under duress, and that they are to exclude him from the entire operation.
Archibald made his way over to the trio. “Good morning, minister,” he said, his voice unsurprisingly fatigued.
“Your Excellency,” Li Xu greeted.
“And who have we here?” Archie asked, eyeing off the pair standing behind her. He immediately noticed the guest passes around their necks.
The strangers both saluted the nation's leader. “I'm Hawk,” the woman said.
“And I'm Eagle.”
Night gawked at the two soldiers, uncertain what to make of them.
“What are your real names?” the president asked.
The pair said nothing.
“They only have code-names,” Xu said on their behalf. “Their personal identities are classified.”
Archie was far from impressed. “Even from the president of Athenia?”
“Yes,” Xu said, much to his annoyance. “They work for Union Security and Intelligence in Sujian, and that's all I'm at liberty to disclose.”
“I see,” Archie accepted. He didn't appreciate having his authority undermined, but nor could he be bothered disputing the matter. “And what business do you have here in Athenia's Government House?”
“That's also classified,” Xu explained, her voice carrying with it an undeniably authoritative tone.
Archie groaned, his mood shifting. “Excuse me?”
“I said it's—”
“I heard what you said, minister, but I'm not willing to stand by and listen to it. I don't care if you want to keep their identities safe, but I'm the leader of Athenia, and I have every right to know who enters this building.”
“Not true, Your Excellency,” Xu respectfully disagreed.
Archie gritted his teeth. “Please stop using red tape to keep your leader in the dark, minister. I'm the president, after all, and I demand to know why you have military personnel stationed here.”
“We both know I don't serve you,” Xu defended. “I'm under no legal obligation to divulge their business to you.”
“Your secrecy suggests you're hiding something, which is why you keep bringing people from Sujian to Government House. First that woman I met last night, and now these two. If you don't start complying, Xu, I may have to find another minister of defence.” Archie felt confident saying the words, and only wished he had the bravado to speak to Nikolai in the same manner.
“Don't you dare threaten me,” Xu spat. “I work for the Union; not your government. You have no authority over me.”
“Careful,” Night warned. “You shouldn't talk that way to Archibald. He has more authority than you know.”
“Archibald?” Hawk repeated. “You refer to him by his given name?”
“Correct,” Night replied, a sinister look on his face. “I am his head of security.”
“What are your ranks?” Archie pressed, still curious to know more about the pair.
“That's also classified,” Xu said again.
Archie's face began to grow red. “This is absurd. I'm the leader of this nation, and you won't even do me the courtesy of telling me their military ranks?”
“How rude,” Night agreed, a ridiculous grin on his face.
The trio said nothing, ignoring the question.
Archie clenched his fists. “Then at least tell me which branch of the military you work for. That's an order.”
“That's an order,” Night repeated.
Xu snapped her head in Night's direction. “Stop talking. You, of all people, have the least authority here.” She turned back to the president. “I'm not willing to discuss this any longer with you, Your Excellency.” She turned around and walked away from the pointless discussion. Eagle and Hawk followed closely behind.
“I don't appreciate secrets in my presence,” Archie called after the group.
Several workers turned and stared at the president, his raised voice catching their attention. But Xu and the two raptors continued walking, not willing to stay and chat.
Archie turned around and saw over a dozen sets of eyes focussed on him. “Back to work,” he ordered, then walked in the direction from which he came. Night's body crunched as it turned around and hobbled alongside.
“Would you like me to do something about her defiance?” Night asked.
Archie stared up at him, bewildered and wide-eyed. “Be quiet!” he hissed. “You'll do nothing of the sort.”
“But she was disobeying a direct order from her president. You shouldn't allow that to happen.”
Archie shook his head. “It doesn't work that way. She's right—I have no authority over her. Li Xu works directly for the East Yue Union.”
Night stopped walking. “You're saying she outranks the Athenian president?”
“She doesn't outrank me,” he muttered. “No one in Athenia outranks me. But I also don't outrank her either.”
Night resumed his awkward stroll. “I don't understand. She's the minister of defence for Athenia. How is it that you have no authority over her?”
“Because the military is controlled by the Union.”
A sly smirk spread across Night's face. “If you have no control of an army, then you're hardly a leader at all.”
Archie held a hand up. “That's enough.” He kept walking, waiting until they were far enough from anyone else. He turned and looked up at Night. “Do you think those two are here to work against Nikolai?”
Night looked away, not interested. “Who cares ...”
Purchase Eternity's Solace here
Also by Ruben Stelliswolfe
Eternity's War
Eternity's War
Eternity's Deception
Eternity's Redemption
Eternity's Solace
Eternity's Nation (COMING SOON)
Boxsets
Eternity's War (Books 1-3)
About the Author
Eternity's War is his debut series, and the first of many to come.
Website: http://www.stelliswolfe.com/
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/b3FSAn
Twitter: https://twitter.com/stelliswolfe
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ruben.stelliswolfe
Table of Contents
Title Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
BOOK ONE
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Fifteen
Sixteen
Seventeen
Eighteen
Nineteen
Twenty
Twenty-one
Twenty-two
Twenty-three
Twenty-four
Twenty-five
Twenty-six
Twenty-seven
Twenty-eight
Twenty-nine
Thirty
Thirty-one
Thirty-two
Thirty-three
Thirty-four
Thirty-five
Thirty-six
Thirty-seven
BOOK TWO
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Fifteen
Sixteen
Seventeen
Eighteen
Nineteen
Twenty
Twenty-one
Twenty-two
Twenty-three
Twenty-four
Twenty-five
Twenty-six
Twenty-seven
Twenty-eight
Twenty-nine
Thirty
Thirty-one
Thirty-two
Thirty-three
Thirty-four
Thirty-five
Eternity's War (Books 1-3) (Eternity's War Boxsets) Page 69