by John Corwin
"You will bow before the Destroyer," Cephus said.
The seraph dropped to his knees and placed his face to the ground. "The Primogenitor has sent our deliverance and destruction at last. I am ready to follow."
I saw other Seraphim looking my way. Soldiers broke from their ranks and converged on me. I started to back away, but Cephus gripped my arm. "You must let them acknowledge you."
I felt sick to my stomach. Shame gripped my heart. Another contradictory feeling rose in my guts—pride. The religious zealots, Uoriss and Thala, would have denied me the help I needed. I'd single-handedly taken the power necessary to do what needed to be done. All that remained was claiming this victory and leading an army to Eden.
Murderer. Savior.
Which am I?
Before long, I was surrounded by Darklings, all bowing and scraping as if I were the best thing since sliced pickles. Beyond the throng of supporters, however, I saw dozens of Seraphim staring at me, dark looks in their eyes. Some of them clenched swords as if they wanted to use them.
"There will be those who do not believe," Cephus said. "You must force them to follow."
"Force them?" I shuddered at the meaning behind his words.
Already, those among my new followers were taking notice of the nonbelievers. A group pushed a seraph to his knees. Two crowds burst into a loud argument. Some among them thrust their swords into the air. This place was about to catch fire.
My guts knotted. Without really thinking, I waded into the throng. The crowd parted before me, giving me wide berth. I reached the closest skirmish. "Stop!" I bellowed over the raucous noise of clashing swords and screaming people. At least two dozen Seraphim were either fighting with swords, or punching the living daylights out of each other.
Either they didn't hear me, or they ignored me.
I shouted again to no effect.
A seraph screamed and went down with a sword in his guts. Another went down hard as his opponent slammed him with a wall of Murk.
Rage inflamed my blood. I spawned. This time, the change hit me almost instantly and I burst into my half-demon form. More experienced Daemos like my father could pull off such a quick transformation, but I'd never managed it before. Though it was a pleasant surprise, I didn't have time to high-five myself.
"Stop fighting!" I roared. My guttural demon voice echoed throughout the courtyard.
As if they were charged by dying batteries, the soldiers slowed their attacks and backed away. Two seraphs continued to slash at each other, completely ignoring me. I tromped over to them, gripped their arms, and shoved them hard to the ground. A growl rumbled deep in my throat. As I looked around, I saw every eye on me. Even those on the disbeliever side looked like they were about to crap their uniforms.
The believers dropped to their knees and started the bowing thing again. Some of the Seraphim on the flip side fell to the ground. Only a few remained standing. One gave me a defiant look.
"This is mere trickery," she said. "You are nothing more than a charlatan."
Anger surged in me. I blurred to her position and towered over the sera. "Test me."
She gulped. Her hand rose toward my face. I bent over. The sera ran a hand along my horn and gave it a tug. Her eyes widened. "How is this possible?"
"I am not from Seraphina. I come from Eden." I straightened and let my body melt back to normal.
The sera shrank back from me, eyes flaring. "I must say, you are very convincing."
"If you can't trust your eyes and your hands, what can you trust?" I noticed all eyes were on me. "There will be no more fighting! Put away your weapons and go about your business peaceably."
The crowd thinned, though many stood and stared at me. Either they were in shock, or just plain rude.
I turned and walked back to Cephus where he spoke to a small group of people. I had to admit I was at a loss for what to do next and he seemed to be the best person to ask. I pulled him aside and walked back toward the ministry building.
"How may I serve?" he asked as we walked.
"You surrendered to me. Does that mean I'm in charge?"
He nodded. "All that remains is a formal announcement by the Trivectus—" he cleared his throat. "I mean, by me. Although all citizens have seen the news by now, I must still legally transfer the power."
We entered the building. I stopped and turned to him. "After that I'll have full control of the military?"
"Indeed."
"The moment I do, we march for the Alabaster Arch." I noticed a handful of people in the lobby staring at us as we spoke.
He raised an eyebrow. "That is not what was promised."
"Promised?" I gave him a confused look. "I didn't promise anything."
"According to Primogenesis, the Primogenitor will send his Destroyer if the faithful do not purge the Brightlings from the land." He seemed to struggle with what he was saying, as if he couldn't believe these words were coming from his mouth. "Only then can we travel to the Promised Land."
It took a moment for his meaning to register. "Eden is the Promised Land?"
Cephus nodded. "I will draw up the necessary papers and make the announcement tonight. Tomorrow you may inspect our troops and tell us what we must do."
"Just like that?" I simply stared at the seraph, unsure what to make of all this. "I murdered two members of the Trivectus and killed dozens of soldiers." My mind hardly knew what to make of the unfolding circumstances. "I should be arrested for what I've done, but here you are, eager to give me control of the entire country."
His eyes flared with alarm. "Please don't speak like that." He pulled me into a corridor well away from curious eyes. "Primogenesis is a cancer to my people." His lips peeled back in distaste. "The believers will blindly follow you. Unbelievers are in the minority—"
I stopped him right there. "Wait a minute, you proclaimed full belief in me a few minutes ago."
He shrugged. "I simply do not know what to believe right now."
"Or else you never believed."
Cephus's nose wrinkled with distaste. "Whether I believe or not is immaterial. You are powerful beyond belief and thus the only one who can drive the Brightlings from Pjurna and back to the very capitol itself."
My stomach lurched at the thought of how long it would take to follow through on a campaign of such magnitude. My strength would fade the longer I was here without feeding from humans. The more power I used, the faster it would diminish. I had to convince my new army to follow me to Eden.
For now, I'd play along. "I need to know what capabilities the soldiers have before I can plan anything."
"As I said, there are several things I must do before you can inspect the troops." The worried wrinkles on his forehead smoothed out. "You should eat and rest."
My stomach grumbled at the thought of food. "I don't need to see the troops right now, but I do want all available information on your military."
"I will send you the information." He touched the gem on his collar. "Kalissa, report to me at once."
A female voice replied. "At once, Minister."
Cephus led me to the levitator. At first, I feared we were going back to the ministerial chamber, but we stopped a few floors below the top. My guide motioned me toward an open doorway down the corridor. After charging a gem in the wall, steaming water began to pour from a slit in the ceiling like a miniature waterfall and into a pool. The clear water filled a T-shaped section of the room all the way up to the window, giving the impression of a sheer drop. Much like the ministerial chambers, the room held no furniture.
"This chamber is used by visiting dignitaries from other provinces." Cephus pointed to the small gem on the wall next to the door. "You may choose furniture of any configuration by simply thinking of what you want and directing a charge of Murk into the gem on this wall."
I imagined my bedroom from the house where I'd grown up and zapped the gem with Murk. Ultraviolet tendrils of mist rose from the floor. They wove together like thread, forming cloth, woo
d, and even metal until every bit of furniture from my old bedroom stood before me exactly as I'd remembered it, including the spaceship bed.
"How is this possible?" I asked.
Cephus seemed pleased at my astonishment. "The city hovers over a massive aether vortex. We trap this energy in crystalline structures we call aether wells." He held up his thumb and forefinger and wove two threads of Murk into a strand of cloth. "Individually, we do not possess enough power to weave Murk into such intricate configurations. By channeling directly from the aether wells, we're able to entwine the complex patterns necessary."
The rush of nostalgia from seeing my old bedroom was almost enough to help me forget I was a stranger in a strange land. Almost. "How long until I have the information about the military? I want to go home tonight and return in the morning to sign whatever documents you require."
His eyebrows rose. "Home? To Eden?" Cephus shook his head. "The way station you left was under attack. It would be unsafe and unwise to return."
I was about to counter his assertion when I realized I hadn't told him about the attack. "How do you know that?"
His cheeks reddened a bit as if from embarrassment. "I still retain some memories from looking into your mind."
"Some of my memories?" I'd seen my entire life replay during his brain scan.
He shrugged. "It takes some time for the memories to fade."
"Whatever." I waved away the unimportant topic. "I want to see Elyssa the minute Pross heals her."
"You must speak with several provincial leaders," he said quickly. "I may even have the documents ready to sign today." He waved his hand around the room. "Relax and enjoy yourself. It will likely take Pross quite some time to heal your beloved. If you stay here, we may finish the formalities with plenty of time to spare for your return."
I stared at the flowing water as I considered his proposal. If he could really get me the papers ready today, it'd be a lot better if I stayed. "How do I contact Nightliss?"
He touched the gem on his sleeve. "Pross, please reply."
There was no answer.
Cephus tried again a couple more times, but failed to reach Pross. "They are likely on the skyway over the ocean by now." He gave me a reassuring look. "There is a great deal of interference to communications out there. I'm sure they are fine."
"Don't you guys have something like cell phones?" I asked.
He raised an eyebrow. "Cell phones?"
"Long-range communication devices."
"The gems are also for long distance." Cephus's expression turned regretful. "I wish we could contact them, but I'm afraid it will be impossible for now."
At least they're almost back to the arch. I hoped with all my might that Pross was as good at healing as she claimed. I couldn't wait to hold Elyssa in my arms again. Violent images of the carnage from earlier interrupted that blissful thought. My god, what have I done? What will Elyssa think of me? My guts twisted and knotted painfully. I'd never liked killing in the first place. I could rationalize what I'd done as self-defense, but my conscience laid bare my guilt.
I am a murderer.
"I must go now." Cephus backed out of the door. "You shall have the requested military information within the hour." He closed the door and left me alone with my thoughts.
I paced around the room for several minutes, stopping a couple of times to touch my old chest of drawers and to feel the fabric of the science-fiction themed blankets on my spaceship bed. I even found a copy of the Princess Bride video sitting next to my laptop. Unfortunately, my laptop didn't work. In fact, when I tapped it, it sounded like a hollow shell. The chest of drawers held a pair of my favorite superhero underwear inside the top drawer. They were several sizes too small since they'd been my favorite when I was nine.
Even magic has its limitations.
I took out my arcphone and tried to contact Nightliss for the hell of it. Amazingly, I heard ringing. It sounded as if someone answered, but all I heard was static before the line went dead. Arcphones used ley lines to transmit communications, so it made sense my phone might be able to contact another phone in the same realm. Then again, maybe not. I tried twice more, but failed to elicit even a ring.
Having run out of entertainment options, I touched the ankle of the Nightingale armor I wore. It retreated from my feet. I dipped a toe into the bubbling pool water and found it to be nice and warm. "Might as well get my feet wet." I shrank the armor down to something resembling bikini bottoms since it didn't have a setting for long shorts. Despite being alone in the room, I felt silly. Even so, I didn't let it stop me from slipping into the pool. The frothing water massaged my aching muscles. I leaned back and closed my eyes.
Tortured screams tore from the distorted faces of burning Seraphim as I raked them with Brilliance. Thala and Uoriss's eyes flashed wide as bloody blades burst from their chests. I looked at my hands. Blood seeped from every pore in my skin. I backed away in horror. My heart turned to stone in my chest. No, this can't be happening. "This can't be happening!"
A massive explosion shook every bone in my body. I jerked awake as the water in the pool swept me toward a gaping hole in the window and the empty air beyond.
Chapter 9
"Holy crapballs!" I shouted as the current of the draining water tumbled me head over heels toward a long plunge to the hard ground below.
A light flashed in the room and an alarm chimed.
Survival instinct overcame my shock. I flung a strand of Murk at the wall. Instead of adhering like a web, it slid off. I shot another aether rope at the glass waterfall. It refused to stick. My feet pressed hard against the bottom of the pool, but the tiles were so slick they couldn't stop me from sliding. My hands grasped for the side of the pool, only it was too far away.
I had once last chance. The jagged edges of the hole in the window loomed close. I grasped a shard jutting in my path. My feet flew out from beneath me and into the dusky sky. I cried out in pain as the glass sliced my hand all the way to the bone. My back slammed against the building and I dangled at least a hundred stories over the streets below.
A group of four Brightlings hovered in the air about a hundred feet from the building, white wings blazing behind them. One of them thrust his hand forward and a white meteor streaked toward me. I watched helplessly as death closed in. I couldn't let go with either hand. It was all I could do to maintain my grip on the slick, bloody glass. That meant I couldn't protect myself. Or does it? Seraphim could channel from any part of their bodies. That was what made levitation possible. Unfortunately I didn't have a full grasp on that ability just yet or I'd simply let go.
On the other hand, I knew how to channel from other parts of my body. Back braced against the unbroken glass, I stuck out my bare foot and channeled a burst of Murk from it. The shot intercepted the meteor. A halo of sparks showered from the impact. The Brightlings didn't seemed deterred. They spread out and launched a volley of fireballs my way. I desperately tried to shoot down the projectiles, but my hands slipped further. Blood dripped on my head and trickled down my arms. Agonizing pain seared my palms. I hit one fireball. Missed the next. By the time I adjusted my aim, it was too late. I was about to be fried bacon. There was no choice.
I let go.
Fear clawed up my throat as wind rushed into my face. I'd avoided becoming bacon, but I'd simply exchanged it for another breakfast food like, say, a pancake or a fast-food breakfast burrito. I'd nearly plunged to my death after my fighting Qualan on a flying carpet. At the time I'd been in demon form which in and of itself wasn't particularly strange, at least not in my world. What had been odd was when I sprouted wings. The only other time that had happened was during my short stint at Arcane University.
I'd been able to reinforce the wings with aether and use them to slow my fall before hitting the ground. I just had to figure out how to manifest them first. It had only taken me a few seconds to reach this conclusion, but mere seconds remained before I wrecked the walkway a few hundred yards below with my
face. I thought back to the fight with Qualan and what I'd done just before the wings appeared.
I channeled both Murk and Brilliance at the same time.
I unclenched my bloody hands, formed a sphere of creation in my left hand and destruction in my right. No wings. I channeled through my feet and willed myself to levitate. It seemed as though I slowed ever so slightly. This tiny deceleration wouldn't make much of a difference since my body was still traveling at terminal velocity.
"Where are my damned wings?" It suddenly occurred to me that my Seraphim side was a lot like my demonic side. To get the most use from my inner demon, I had to will it free from the psychic cage I locked it in. Manifesting into my half-demon form was like utilizing muscles I didn't use a lot. Just like my former classmate, Bucky Jergens, who could flare his nostrils and wiggle his ears on demand, I could make myself grow horns and a tail.
But all the demon powers in the world wouldn't make me fly, and so far, the only muscles responding right now were my tightly clenched butt cheeks as the ground loomed. Drawing upon more aether, I sent it coursing into every pore of my body until my skin glowed. I felt an itch in my shoulder blades. Concentrating on that itch, I sent more aether into that spot and imagined the pain that occurred the last time I'd grown wings.
A stabbing sensation pierced my back. I saw the tips of wings in my peripheral vision as they unfurled. The left was ultraviolet while the right was snow white. They flamed like pure energy. I sent every ounce of power into my new appendages.
The ground was less than thirty yards away. Horrified pedestrians looked up at me. Wind caught my wings. Twenty yards to impact. I shouted with effort. People scurried back and forth as they cleared the impact zone. Ten yards. "Fly you stupid bastard! Fly!" I drew on all the aether in the air around me and squeezed my eyes shut as the ground rushed to meet me. The wind tried to tear out my wings by the roots.
The only sound was my terrified scream.
A few seconds passed, and I suddenly realized my feet were standing on something. I opened my eyes and my cries of terror faded to a whimper. Wide-eyed spectators stared at me. I looked at the coagulating blood on my sliced hands as they slowly healed, at my bikini bottom armor, at my huge wings. They spanned at least twelve feet. My skin glowed with aether.