The Lotus Effect (Rise Of The Ardent)
Page 42
He nodded, straightening his posture to finally match the position of power he held for so many years.
“You ready?” Xander asked, instilling focus back into me—into the both of us Emersons.
We turned to face him. We didn’t need words to know that our faces confirmed our answer.
Chapter 46
The Blackened Source
We arrived in a large, open field, much like the Requiem—only this time Walkers, both large and small, sat unmoving in droves, awaiting the command to join in on the Purge of the city.
I motioned for my father and Xander to look along the southern side of the encampment. Five men stood around a central data-core control console, systematically pushing buttons and opening side compartments as they tinkered with the wires inside.
“They’re trying to repair the Edge’s barrier dome. They want to prevent further incoming attacks,” my father whispered to the both of us.
A blue aura flickered in and out of power above us as the men continued their restoration of the dome. Light blue of the dome. Gray of the sky.
“We cannot allow them to succeed,” Xander said neutrally at my side as we three lay prone against a mound of dirt that acted as our cover.
“I believe Amelia, your grandmother, had something to do with why the dome came down in the first place. That . . . woman.” Father pursed his lips in an irked, but amused fashion. “I can see how her blood runs thickly through your veins, Lily.” He sighed, making me smile. “And I know you wouldn’t care to think so, but strongly through your mother’s too,” he added sadly, his eyes starting to glaze in sorrow.
I shook my head, regretful. “I know now that Mother was braver than us all. She hid her true self my entire life just to keep me safe. Just because I’m different.”
Father cleared his throat. “Take care to keep the dome inactive while I make my way inside,” he instructed suddenly, his face becoming serious. “I will shut down the Walkers. You two—you do the distracting.”
“No.” I shook my head, frowning. “You’re not going in there alone. You’re not even wearing any armor. Nothing!” I retorted, struggling to keep my voice low as we lay hidden behind the dune.
“Sometimes the best armor cannot be seen my dear. I think you know this better than any.” My father shifted on the dirt and palmed my cheek in his calloused hand. “It has to be this way. Goodbye, Lily.” He looked past me and nodded to Xander.
I frowned not understanding what transpired between the two.
“I’m sorry,” Xander whispered into my ear before he suddenly deployed his wings and grabbed me around the middle.
“No!” I screeched as he lifted us both into the air, leaving my father behind—the silhouette of him becoming smaller and smaller as we gained altitude until he eventually disappeared beneath the white haze of the clouds.
I cursed as Xander squeezed me tighter. He wasn’t going to release me no matter how much I squirmed.
“Damn you, Xander! He’s going to die in there!”
Knowing my curses fell on deaf ears; I unholstered my axe and held my shield out before me. Taking a deep breath, I willed my blood to cool and my mind to focus.
At this vantage, I spotted three of the Akkadians engaging the Walkers alongside the eastern edge of the encampment. I could only hope no harm had befallen my grandmother since I last saw her. She was a brazen one and self-sacrifice was never below her. Or my mother. I envied their energy, their passion. It was as if they had been waiting for this moment, a chance to make a difference for a very long time now.
Her blood runs thickly through your veins.
Thinking of my father’s words, I was suddenly emblazoned with an overwhelming sense of courage and pride.
I looked up to Xander. “If a diversion is what my father needs, then let’s give them one hell of a distraction.”
Xander grinned and nodded.
I activated the Defyer, gathering as much weight and energy as I could before we reached the data-core. Xander hardly even dipped in altitude. He had well-adjusted to the Defyer’s effects, judging by the many times we’d already used this particular trick before.
We soared quickly overhead, reaching the location directly above the console.
“Do what you do best, Lily. Go wreak some havoc,” Xander called out to me above the roar of the wind and the energy that swam around us.
Ignoring the force that weighed down my skin and bones, I spotted the group of men below us and bared my teeth. Taking a guess, I released the pressure and instantly surged towards the data-core like a projectile bent on devastation.
One. Two. Three. My legs hit first. The sound that erupted around me as the data-core crumpled inwards could alone shatter the senses as metal and sparks surged upwards from my impacting feet like sharp, electrified puzzle pieces.
I waited for the shards to stop falling before I gauged my injuries. Legs, arms, chest, head. And just like the other times I was sent speeding through the sky, I was unharmed. Only the heels of my feet throbbed and the calves of my legs burned, but I could tell no bones had been broken.
I coughed and tried to stand. The dome surged a brilliant blue above my head before flashing out like an extinguished star. My head swam as I stumbled from the pile of debris. Broken bits of metal and torn wires underfoot caused me to slip at first, but I soon trudged my way back onto solid ground.
“Xander?” I tried to call out, but started into another fit of hacking coughs after I caught a whiff of the rank and acrid smell of burning plastic and wire.
A small explosion popped from behind me, making me duck. I turned and watched as fire erupted and grew from the central pile I just crawled away from.
Covering my mouth with my forearm to block the smoke, I looked to the others around me. The five workers, similarly in shambles, were too knocked astray by my attack—three of which lay sprawled with faces to the ground, their pristine white lab coats tarnished by the dirt.
A twinge of pity went through me at the sight. They were scientists—scientists who were only doing their job.
A commotion at my side caught my eye and I looked up just in time to see Xander finishing off a semi-conscious worker who produced a bronzed dagger from beneath his coat.
Not so innocent after all.
After the man had fallen to the ground, Xander deployed his wings and soared to my side. I gave him a weak thumbs-up in greeting before spying the handle of my axe, which had broken loose in the impact and lodged itself under a large sheet of charred metal.
I reached down to retrieve it and when I stood up again I could see Xander’s eyes widen in alarm—even through the slits in his helm.
He tried to grab me around the middle, but his hands were suddenly forced backwards at an odd angle. I frowned, looking down at my waist, not understanding why my own arms were unwillingly being forced to my sides. My knees were drawn together suddenly and roughly forced to the ground.
“Not so fast . . . how is it that you always manage to find a way to disrupt any and all of my plans?”
I gritted my teeth upon hearing Briggin’s voice. I tried my best to spin to meet his face, but my neck wouldn’t move. My body was locked firmly into place.
He tsked. “I was so impressed by how you two used the E.M. device in the last round that I had some immediately brought to me. Funny how these things work.”
We were forced to kneel before him by the electromagnetic devices that the two guards held at our sides—our armor transforming itself into our own prison.
Taking full advantage of the situation, Briggins approached from behind and forced Xander to slam face first into the ground as though he had kicked him. “Bow to me, boy,” Briggins spat in a low tone as he rammed his armored foot onto his back and placed the E.M. device to his helm like a gun, pushing him further into the dirt. “Deploy your wings . . .” he commanded angrily. “You broke my Walls, so I shall now break you,” he growled. When Xander didn’t respond, he pushed his head down furt
her. “Do it!”
I watched in alarm as he waved over a large unmanned Walker. After forcing one of Xander’s arms outwards and then behind him in an unnatural angle, Xander was forced to deploy his wings.
He’s going to rip him apart. In front of my eyes.
“Stop your crying, Briggins. My head hurts enough as it is.” I said, acting unaffected, hoping to draw his attention. He removed his boot from Xander’s back and casually approached my front.
I could barely contain my venom.
Briggins glared at me as he walked around Xander, ignoring my taunt, though meeting my face. I now saw that Briggins wore a suit much like the one Scottie had. It was flashy, but I could already see weak points. Weaknesses I couldn’t wait to test with the blade of my axe.
Briggins looked me over with a smug expression, his eyes pausing momentarily on the satchel slung across my chest, but ultimately returned to my eyes, disinterested.
“Briggins . . . is that what you’re calling me now? No Mister Briggins? Sir Briggins even?” He looked to the sky and smiled as if he smelled something sweet. “Oh yes, I do enjoy the sound of Sir Briggins quite well.”
Xander shifted at my side as he tried to resist the E.M. device that was rendering him immobile, the tightly coiled veins on his exposed hands rose like snakes—the only visible sign of a struggle.
“You do not deserve to exist Briggins, much less have a courtesy title to honor the filth in which you’ve become,” I scolded.
Briggin’s face flushed red. He approached me rapidly. With brutal force he backhanded me squarely across the jaw with his gauntleted fist.
The sting of the blow didn’t compare to the anger that boiled within me. Spitting a mouthful of blood into the dirt at his feet, I raised my eyes to meet his again.
“You need to be taught some manners, young lady. Your rudeness will not be tolerated.” He grabbed my shoulder; the one I dislocated, and placed the E.M. device at the joint. He watched in pleasure as my shoulder flew back painfully after deploying the button. I grunted, but didn’t cry out.
“Leave her alone,” Xander growled, his bare hands clawing into the dirt from his rage.
Briggins smacked his lips at Xander’s suggestion. “You know? You’re right. A few years locked in a room with the despair of a Shadow Kane might do her some good. Maybe then she’ll have harnessed enough hatred to become one herself! The thought of a female Shadow Kane!” he said, spraying spittle as he laughed and looked to the guards that stood behind us.
“Once I find your grandmother that will be her fate as well—” he said evenly. “Though, I can imagine one with age such as hers, will not survive the process.” He sobered and looked back at me.
I had enough of this.
Gathering the remaining coppery substance in my mouth, I spat again, this time in his face—bracing myself for the attack that was sure to come.
I judged his pride correctly.
He snarled and suddenly charged me, knocking both myself and the guard that held me down to the ground. He wrapped his hands around my neck, squeezing as tightly as his fat fingers could manage.
From the corner of my eye I saw the second guard go down, Scottie standing behind him with a large piece of broken console held in hand. “Father! Stop this!” he yelled as another guard ran at him.
The unmanned Walker straightened to engage.
The blood rose hotly to my head as he squeezed. “You bitch. You turned him too, didn’t you? My son?” Briggins growled. I slammed my fists into his temples, trying to dislodge his grip—but even still, he held tight. My back arched off the ground as I reached for his eyes, my nails clawing into his skin at his cheeks. I heard another commotion break out at my side. Xander rolled to his feet, his blades creating sparks as he swung them against the approaching Walker’s legs.
“Hang on Lily! Fight him!”
My vision started to blur as Briggins, red faced and snarling saliva, intensified his grip around my windpipe. “You won’t get away with this—your resilience to dying is becoming tiresome, my dear,” he spat out. He brought his face even closer so I was forced to look into his bloodshot eyes, the tip of his nose almost touching mine. “I crave to watch the life leave your eyes Lily Emerson.” I batted at his hands, but he pressed his fingers inwards, his fingernails beneath the gauntlets gouging into my skin. “. . . much like how I watched it leave your mother’s.”
Anger.
Anger blossomed in my stomach and spread quickly throughout my body. I could feel its hot and vibrant power, searing a path through my chest. So hot that it felt cold.
Despite his hands squeezing the air around my throat, I screamed.
I screamed not out of fear, but from rage. Screamed for the citizens. Screamed for Mrs. Fawnsworth. Screamed for my mother.
Dropping my hands from his wrists, my fingers clawed into the earth as my body spasmed upwards in my hatred.
Briggin’s eyes flared wide in confusion and yet his grip tightened. No longer toying with me, he was now killing me.
Clenching my teeth, I clutched at the dirt, remembering the moment I bowed my grief into this very soil at the news of my mother’s death. With no thought, I ran my mind along the web of gathered energy I had left there. Finding what I needed, I harnessed the potent emotions of both anguish and anger and stared straight back at Briggins. I could feel his grip begin to slacken.
His eyes widened and his brow furrowed as a hard brown substance—thick as tree bark—began to spread across the surface of my neck, becoming a barrier between his hands.
“What is this you witch?” he cried, involuntarily bringing his face away from mine.
My mother loved me. He murdered her. He watched her die.
The ground beneath my hands began to shake, but I didn’t care. He was a murderer. He killed my mother. Tortured Mrs. Fawnsworth.
“Lily! Stop!” I thought I heard Xander’s voice break through from beyond the fury, but I didn’t care. There was a murderer before me. A disease I had to eradicate before it spread.
“I shall have my retribution!” A voice not of my own sounded deep from within me, scalding my throat as it escaped, healing my crushed windpipe as it crossed the threshold of my lips.
With a look of sheer horror, Briggins released my throat.
Sitting up, I dug my fingers further into the earth, and smiled. Absorbing the power. The earth’s sweet embrace.
Suddenly and with unnatural speed, I seized the neck of Briggin’s armor in his retreat, bringing his face close to mine. “I will watch the life flee from your eyes.” My voice this time. But still not my own, something older. Something powerful.
“Lily!” distant warnings call to me, but I cannot hear them over the blinding, vibrating energy.
As I held the diseased one close, the skin of my wrists darkened, becoming hard as had my neck.
I did not care.
The ground beneath me rippled; fissures opened at my sides. My hair swirled around me in the bitter storm of energy and malevolence, my eyes perceiving the surrounding area as a dark kaleidoscope of iridescent light. The stench of his rot permeated the air around me, causing my nostrils to flare. And like a whip, my eyes locked upon the man in my grasp. A silhouette, black as coal, radiated outwards from his frame, outlining him for judgment.
Diseased.
I wrapped my fingers around his wrists as he pulled back in fear, holding him in place. I smiled as he screamed, my hardened fingers scorching the flesh of his skin, and even so, I squeezed tighter, taking pleasure in the way it bubbled beneath me.
I will extinguish this life. I will sever this scourge from its meager existence.
My duty. My burden.
I shall not fail.
Releasing the sloughed skin of his wrists, I quickly captured the sides of his head, twisting my fingers deep into his hair until my nails bit into his scalp. I could feel the power within, the furnace of energy that blinded me in my rage. I dove into its welcoming arms and tunneled it from my chest, directing it towards the bloated creature that was Briggins in my hate.
“Lily! Hear my voice. Come back to me. You must stop!”
Afflicted. Tainted.
Verdict?
Eliminate.
The tips of my fingers dove through his skin like butter, reaching centimeters from his skull. Eliminate. Thinking of the injustices, I growled and dug deeper, my fingers piercing the bone with a deafening crack. The diseased made a pitiful gurgling noise as I reached through the small gap, gripping both edges of the cranium in each hand. Eliminate. The power seared me in its rage, demanding attention—with one savage yank the bone broke away, shearing into halves.
As if time had slowed, Briggin’s lifeless body fell at my feet, first to his knees, then to his belly, disposing the volatile remains of his head into the earth. Soiling it, tainting it—with murder.
“Mercy . . .” the airy voice, one made of many voices, brushed itself like a cooling salve across the bitter hatred in my mind.
“Mercy, Lily.” My mother’s voice?
Just one word spoken and suddenly—I was ashamed.
—I gasped as my vision was returned to me, the terrible scene transforming to only moments before, Briggins still alive, my fingers hovering, nails piercing his skin.
Preparing to rip the root of the pestilence from its source.
Eyes wide, I froze. What is this? Did I . . . ?
“Let him go! Please!”
Scottie?
If I didn’t stop . . . I would kill Briggins.
I am no better than he.
My eyes blurred with tears. Blinking rapidly, I gasped a horrible sound, feeling as though someone had just stomped on my heart, reviving me from the edge of death. My lungs thudded painfully against my burning chest in realization: This was no nightmarish terror I could wake up from. This was real. Happening now.