“They want to make an example. They want to scare both us and the people into further submission,” Omari continued. “The people, they need hope, but as you all know, Arius wants nothing to do with that, hence the way his guard has been operating as of late. While some may not be aware, the people of Coren are being oppressed, more of their rights taken away with each coming day. King Arius plans to force the people into submission and then once they are broken, rule with an iron fist with Legion ensuring his dominance. He has the power to bend one’s will, so it is safe to assume that those in the higher ranks are in complete alliance with his wishes.
“As previously discussed, if for some reason Arius is to show, disengage immediately and regroup outside of the city limits. Roughly six years ago, not long after the awakening of his powers, Arius was able to assume complete control over an individual’s body. In the time that has passed since then, it is only fair to assume that his powers have grown. It’s safe to say that at this present moment, Arius is the strongest of the Abnormals. Confronting him directly could destroy our whole operation.”
Emil cringed, tightening the hold on his leather gloves as he reflected on the life that he and his brother once shared. Before his very eyes, he witnessed the birth of a demon and the rampage of a monster. He should have killed him six years ago, but now, because of his mistake, his sins had come full circle.
“That being said, the chances that he shows up are miniscule, but a chance exists, nonetheless. It is always best to be prepared. Hence, our positioning. As we discussed earlier, Marona will be amongst the crowd before the execution takes place, serving as eyes on the ground. For that reason, she is outfitted in everyday clothes and is not be seen conversing with any of us until we meet back here. Skye, you are to assist Marona with her scouting and are to aid potential casualties amongst the townspeople if things are to escalate. You should be able to pick up on any planted Abnormals in the crowd once the operation begins. Emil, you are in charge of crowd control. After we prevent the execution, chances are the guards will be looking to stop us. Protect the people. We need them on our side. I will take care of saving the victim, as well as securing the perimeter. With my ability to warp, it will be easy to take out the archers, if any, as well as rescuing the victim, a local blacksmith, Eric Crane.”
“It doesn’t make any sense for them to seize him like that,” Marona interjected.
“Like I said, they’re trying to send a message. Crane has strong ties to the people of Everrmore. Though he is no alley of ours, he is perceived as a threat for unknown reasons. Most likely because if a revolution were to start, he’d be an asset as a skilled laborer.”
“Talks of a rebellion have already been under way for a while now. Rumors have been spreading since Nerai was destroyed. Everyone is whispering,” Marona responded.
“Yes, that is true. There are rumors of a band of salvage Abnormals that burned Nerai to the ground. Others speak of revolution from the people. With the information being withheld, the people are growing nervous. Taking out Crane serves as a slap on the wrist and a—”
“A preemptive strike,” Emil chimed in coldly, cutting off Omari in the process. “Eric Crane is human blacksmith…a source for weapons and a perfect scapegoat for their cause. Since Nerai was destroyed, you’re right, Marona, rumors have been spreading. The officials tricked the general public into believing it was the act of renegade Abnormals and that Eric was one, as well. Of course, that’s not the case. Hugo burned Nerai to ashes, and Eric had no ties to him other than being forced to help arm Arius’s infantry by law. This is just a cover up. The people are scared. They have no idea what to believe as a whole. The less informed believed the king’s lie. Abnormals should die. They wanted an answer so they didn’t question it once one came. Mass paranoia. The well informed fought to defend Eric. It’s part of the reason why the execution has been put off for so long. Like Marona said, people are talking. Those who know Eric knew he had no connection. It’s an attack on us. They know that we’re nearby.”
“Precisely. That is why it is imperative that this operation is a success. If we as Abnormals make a public appearance and save Eric, it’ll be a step in the right direction. When the people see that we are not their enemy they will no longer be afraid,” Omari resumed. “The king and the officials can say what they want, but with Eric as an open voice, the people will believe him rather than the king. If they band together, Arius’s men won’t strike them down. Through saving them, we’ll effectively give birth to a rebellion.”
“Or, once we save him, the guards twist it and make it seem like a joint effort,” Emil said as his eyes gazed down at the wooden table that his arms rested on. “I know you said you’d handle it, Omari, but the latter is also a possibility, and we should all be aware of it.”
“Indeed, it is, Emil. The road that lies ahead is dangerous, but it’s something I know we are willing to fight for. If we lose the heart of the people, we save them anyway. Aside from us, few people have the potential to do what we set out to do. If they hate us, let them hate us. If they follow us, let them follow. If Arius continues his rule, we will all die. And once we can no longer fight back, the people will die, too. I love all of creation, Emil. And like you…like all of us, I believe that we should be able to live together in peace the way God intended it to be. For that, I’d die for. And for that, I fight. There are far greater problems in the world than obsessing over our differences. I pray that the people of this town, and this nation, realize this truth soon, or else we may be done for.”
***
The words of resolve echoed in Emil’s heart, much like the church bell that boomed throughout the city streets of Everrmore. From where he was standing, Emil could see the throngs of people flooding into the square below him, unaware that he and his allies were to be their guardians. Omari was also with Emil. Omari’s primary task was to disable any guards stationed upon the rooftop, ensuring the smoothness of the operation as well as maximizing their field of vision from up above. The few guards that were on watch were stealthily taken out effortlessly by Omari, allowing for Emil to observe the crowd at ease.
Down below, Marona was well submersed in the crowd, wearing a blue bonnet and plain red dress. She remained relatively unarmed, only caring a hidden knife on her person. Her crossbow was stashed nearby behind a stack of debris in case the situation called for more extreme measures.
As she kept to herself amongst the crowd, she peered out at the surrounding guards outfitted in red, stationed at the entry points of the perimeter, before gazing off in the direction of her stashed weapon of choice. Though she had the will to fight, deep down, she wished that it wouldn’t have to come to that. An execution turned into a massacre was the last thing she wanted to see. Omari and Skye would agree as well, but both Marona and Emil shared a special bond on that matter. Both of them witnessed firsthand the destructive capabilities of the king’s men when provoked.
A gust of wind blew behind Emil; an ethereal nothingness that he knew was not nature, but a friend. “It seems like we’re right on time,” Omari said as both he and Emil overlooked the flooded city square. The guards marched single file on the paved street as they escorted Eric, his hands in chains. He had been roughed up, bruised, but not beaten. Only hurt enough to deter him from speaking, lest he be answered by another blow. The crowd was outraged at the sight. Their voices rippled like a bustling storm, although their faction had been split in two. From the ground, Marona heard cries pleading his innocence, while others prayed for Eric’s death. The roar of the crowd only grew louder as Eric took the stage with the guards who were assigned to end his life. Marona looked in the direction of her hidden crossbow, as well as to the alley were Skye remained hidden, stationed in case she was to act as an emergency medic. In the sea of people, Marona felt small. The overbearing cries of the crowd dulled her senses as she franticly tried to maintain her cool.
As she weaved within the crowd, she watched as fights broke out like fires on a d
ehydrated plain, only to be stopped by the second coming of the foot soldiers that rallied in her direction. Marona’s blood turned cold as the crowd grew silent. With every step as the infantry grew closer, her heart siphoned frozen needles through her veins. Within minutes, they surrounded the perimeter, armed and ready to uphold the ‘peace’ by any means necessary.
From the rooftops, Emil gritted his teeth as the general who stood on the wooden stage thumped his lance against the brazen surface, demanding he have the floor.
“This man, Eric Crane, is to be put to death today for massacre and the burning of the village of Nerai. Though the Abnormals he has worked with have not shown their faces, Eric Crane has been caught and has been identified as a primary conspirator, and we will not stop until we purge the world of these demons that plague our society. As per request of King Arius, this man’s trial was made public, and also per request, so will his execution. Due to the nature of this crime, this man is to longer be treated as a man, but as a monster. All rights, such as final words, pardons, and/or requests will be denied as we do God’s will in sending this beast back into Hell!”
A mixture of revenant joy coupled with disdain echoed from the square. One of the two guards behind the general then came to the forefront where he covered Eric’s face with a thick black mask. Like a wounded animal, Eric lay still as they placed the fabric over his face. He said nothing even as the noose they tightened around his neck began to constrict his airways.
“I’m innocent! I’m an innocent man!” Eric finally screamed at the top of his lungs, but his cry was drowned out by the organized chaos that ensued amidst the crowd. The people had turned their ears away from the voice of reason. They were afraid. Arius needed a scapegoat. The situation was perfect.
Eric stood defenseless as his hands and feet remained bound together. From the crowd, a stone thrown from the onlookers pelted him in the face. Eric’s head bobbed backwards but the noose that tugged on his neck encouraged him to keep his footing. The black bag over his head tightened as his contracting breaths drew the fabric in, only adding to the mental duress he was already experiencing. Both the general and the guards around the perimeter watched in silence as the rapidly growing majority expressed their hate towards Eric. The general’s smile widened. A stark contrast to Emil, who grew restless at the sight of blatant martyrdom.
“Omari,” Emil scowled, “do something or else I will!” The chants from the people grew boisterous as Eric continued to endure his torture by the hands of the people. Omari glanced over at Emil, as if confused, distraught at the how quickly the situation had escalated. There was no fear in his heart, only a stinging sadness that his people were quick to believe the lie that their oppressors told. “Watch my back.” Were Omari’s final words before he sprinted from the roof and vanished into thin air.
The floorboards creaked with the added weight from a foreign body. Both the crowd and the guards grew silent as the figure of a man appeared on stage, outfitted in sleek black armor.
“This man, Eric Crane, is innocent! As a town, you all have seen him in your day to day routines. He is no killer. He is one of you. He is one of us! The village of Nerai was burned by the king, himself!” The crowd stirred once more, returning to its former glory, only tenfold. More so than ever, the people were afraid. “His men carried the mandate. His men slaughtered your friends, your family, your loved ones. Do not let his ruse blind you from the truth! Your taxes have risen, his guards patrol the streets, and for what? Not to protect you, but to enslave you!” Just as Omari finished his sentence, the men who shared the stage with him attacked. They rushed him in a coordinated effort, but Omari nullified their offense with ease, leaving the three men who attacked him alive but unconscious.
“I do not seek war, but peace, and for that King Arius’s tyranny must come to an end. I know in your hearts that you find this to be true as well. I also know that some of you are well aware that I walk among you as the Saint of Everrmore. Behind this mask, I too, am but a man. A man who has suffered just as you.”
From the perimeter, the guards that stood watch began to move through the crowd, making their way to the stage to apprehend Omari, but the crowd purposely impeded their progress. As Omari continued to speak, Emil surveyed the city square as both the people and the guards grew more aggressive. Through his mask, his eyes peeled away at the layers of people in hopes of finding Marona safe, but he failed to find her. He then looked for Skye, who was properly hidden, but ready if needed.
Things are beginning to get out of control, Emil thought to himself as he dashed across the rooftops. His primary objective was to reach Omari on the center stage and be his shield until the extraction was complete. Marona will just have to manage until I find her.
On the ground floor, Marona found herself buried in the heart of the chaos that ensued. Before her very eyes, she witnessed the guards indiscriminately rough up the towns’ people as they marched towards the stage, eliminating any possible threats. Weary of the guards’ position, Marona kept her right hand ready as she paced through the crowd. If she were to encounter any danger, the knife she carried was easily accessible from the hidden pocket on the side of her dress. Unfortunately, the hidden weapon only provided her with a negligible sense of security. She was armed but in no position to fight if the situation rose. It was best to been seen as a non-threat to the king’s forces. Even with an advantage of some sort, she was still human, and they were trained soldiers. She knew she could kill one, no problem but the possibility of her taking out multiple soldiers with a short-range weapon was highly unlikely. Dealing with the unruly crowd would land her in the same scenario. As much as she valued her own safety, it was the least of her concerns. Her sights were set on tracking a mysterious man who seemed unlike any others who were presently at the square. For some time now, she had been stalking him from a considerable distance. The blood-red hooded cloak he wore and unmoving face had been troubling her since she’d seen him appear before the general’s speech. No doubt about it, he was different. He had been relatively calm, almost reassured throughout the whole ordeal, as if monitoring the situation for his own reason.
Throughout the square, Marona followed him despite the turmoil that erupted on all sides of her. The deeper she immersed herself, the more savage they became. Pockets of discord surrounded her, but the slender, hooded man gracefully navigated through the conflict, whereas Marona had been cut off.
Just who is he? Marona thought as she watched the back of his hood effortlessly blend into the sea of chaos that surrounded him. Something isn’t right about him. Like a ghost, he faded away, seemingly unaware of the Hell the square had plunged into.
From where Marona stood, she watched as the guards from the perimeter of the square cleaved through the pockets of mobs that were once a crowd. No longer did it seem like a town, but the beginnings of what was to be a battlefield.
“Emil…” Omari calmly stated.
“On it,” he replied.
Emil’s body tensed concisely as a rush of sky-blue energy outlined his figure. His job was simple. To keep the peace and to protect those who were at risk of being in harm’s way. This won’t be another Nerai! Emil jumped into the air above the crowd and threw a cascade of shuriken at the approaching guards. Illuminated with Emil’s light, the shuriken accelerated and hit their marks, lodging themselves into the armor the enemy. Now! From the shuriken, the light that encompassed them grew in intensity before bursting in a compact explosion of light, injuring all who were afflicted. A series of gasps and screams erupted from the crowd as Emil landed in the center of the square, still radiating with his own energy. The horror of the people faded and transformed into awe as Emil’s energy danced around him like a slow burning flame. “I’m on your side.” More soldiers were in the area so he had to move quickly. In front of him, more guards awaited as well as the source of all the commotion. I can’t waste any more time. The fire around Emil’s body ignited as he stepped forward, leaving only a blue streak of
energy as he rushed towards the foot soldiers.
Officially, the Vanguard’s job was to keep the peace, but it was evident that they did what they pleased. Rather than whole-heartedly attacking the Abnormals, parts of their aggression was aimed at the supporters who were caught in between. “Leave them alone!” With his father’s sword, Emil cleaved through the opposition without mercy. Damn it! It’s all gone to Hell. Nothing’s making sense. Why are they attacking the people?! “Skye! Omari!” Emil cried out as he surveyed the battlefield. “Marona!” Emil paused as he scanned the area repeatedly but nothing stood out. Over the clinking metal and sounds of war, he knew his voice could no longer be heard. In mere minutes, they had lost complete control over the square. “Skye! I need you down here. People are hurt!” Emil scanned over the carnage that was still underway. “Omari!” Emil turned back to the center stage but Omari, along with Eric Crane, were gone. “Damn it!” Emil scrunched his fingers into a fist as he looked over the chaos once more. “Marona!” he cried, but again his allies failed to answer his call. In his wake only trouble followed the brave wanderer, for it seemed that history was destined to repeat itself. “Marona! Marona!” Emil yelled franticly as he weaved through the crowd, neutralizing the enemy as he searched for his comrades. His shoulders rose and fell unevenly as he siphoned air into his mask. “Omari! Skye!” A foreign blade sliced at Emil, grazing his body before he slipped past the blow.
“Out of my way!” Emil yelled as he cut into his enemy effortlessly, ignoring the hot streak that traveled down his back. With stone eyes, Emil gazed upon the solider he had afflicted. The diagonal chasm fissured into his plated armor radiated blue as he lay helplessly on the ground. He wasn’t dead, but possibly dying. Emil averted his eyes from the wounded man’s body to the beaten path that lay ahead. We weren’t supposed to kill, but I suppose now things are different. If they live, Skye can deal with them. I have to find the others.
All Things Eternal (The Last Light Book 2) Page 2