Crusade across worlds, p.17
Crusade Across Worlds, page 17
Including Tucker.
He’s been silent for the last couple of days, trying to keep to himself, but Reid is constantly around him, which means the rest of the Rogues are as well. Even Walker tries to get in on it, joking with Jace and Able, hoping to crack a smile on the Rogue Leader’s face. I see one appear every so often, but I think it’s mainly for show, so the guys think their efforts aren’t in vain. Otherwise, Tucker remains tightlipped, listening to instruction from Sampson or Clarence, helping clean the FH or patrolling outside on the Millix.
“How’s he doing?” I step over a boulder.
Tucker just left for another sweep outside the FH—his third today. We’re all still cleaning up the Docking Station, moving broken fragments of the domed walls to one collective heap at the far end.
“Eh…” Reid pauses with a decent-sized rock on his shoulder. “Good as can be expected, I guess.”
“Is he talking any?” I reach down and select a smaller stone.
“A little. More so than yesterday.”
“Is he saying anything about her?”
Reid shakes his head and continues walking. “Just keeps talking about getting back to Nerwolix, poor guy.”
“Do you really think it’s over?”
Reid shrugs with one shoulder. “You tell me.”
“It sounded like she was breaking up with him.” I replay her words and frown. “Really? He hasn’t said anything?”
“I doubt he wants to jump into deep conversation over it. Tucker just needs time to…think things through. We’re trying to keep him occupied during the day but you’ve seen him,” he gestures to the pool in the middle of the room. “He keeps going out on patrols. He’d rather be alone to think, and if that’s what he needs…” Reid shrugs. “I’ve got to respect that.”
“I just feel bad for him.”
“You and me both,” he throws down the rock and starts back for the other end. “But there’s nothing we can do.”
“What if he went back to Nerwolix?” I toss my stone in the pile. “He wouldn’t see her when she came back. That might be easiest on them both.”
“Believe me, I asked. He keeps coming up with excuses to stay. ‘They need my help with patrols’ and ‘the FH won’t fix itself.’ Honestly, I think he’s torn. Part of him wants to go back but a bigger part is making him stay. Like he’s hoping she might change her mind or something,” Reid slings another boulder onto his shoulder and spins for the other end of the room again. “I wish I could bear it for him. I really do. I can’t imagine what he’s going through.”
“Guys!” Tucker calls, his voice bouncing around the open space, surprising us all. He’s on his Millix, in the pool in the center of the Docking Station. “The Muskos are here—in the city!”
“What?” Reid drops the rock.
“They’re heading west. There’s a whole swarm of them!”
Reid applies his helmet one-handed while using his other to pull me behind him. We race over to the pool just as the rest of the Rogues arrive.
Lalu, are you near?
“Are the guards out there?” Mae asks, her arm snug around Able’s neck as the two hobble closer.
“Some,” Tucker looks down at the water by his feet. “Not as many as before. But the Muskos aren’t attacking.”
“Not attacking?” Werzo frowns.
“They’re moving through.”
“Moving through?” Jace throws his helmet on. “Moving through where?”
I am here, Fallon, just under the Docking Station. There is much fighting in the water.
Can you come up? We need you.
“I don’t know,” the Rogue Leader looks between us. “They’re swarming below, but heading west.”
“Call your Millix,” I command the others, just as Lalu emerges next to Tucker. “Even if the Muskos aren’t attacking, they’re here for a reason.”
“Are you going?” Mae whispers into Able’s shoulder.
“Yeah, but you’re staying here with Pratt,” the Rogue tries transitioning Mae over, but Pratt takes a step back.
“Oh no you don’t—I’m going! I’ve been left behind too many times.”
“Pratt,” Reid starts as I climb onto Lalu, “I need you here.”
“Why? Why can’t I go?”
“I can’t be out there thinking about you. You and Mae stay here with Sampson where it’s safe. We’ll come back as soon as it’s secure,” he climbs onto Lalu behind me. “Do this for me. Please.”
Arms folded, she lets out an aggravated sigh before acquiescing. Holding out her hand, she helps Mae wrap an arm around her shoulder, assisting her wobbly stand.
One by one, Millix heads burst through the water and Walker and the Rogues jump on, securing themselves with the Bairs. I offer the girls one last look before asking Lalu to dive below the surface and when she does, I silently curse to myself. The scene is the same as it was only days ago. White flares blast through the water while Millix and Stancimises rush past, narrowly avoiding them. It’s too chaotic to make out who is who, except that a fierce force pushes in one direction—west—while trying to dodge and fire on the white flares that are aimed in hitting them.
“Where are they going?” I ask as Lalu swerves us lower, efficiently avoiding an Enidd’s white blast.
“They’re moving out of the city,” Tucker replies, confused. “But why?”
“What’s outside of the city?” Able asks.
“Nothing,” Reid says behind me. “Just smaller communities. Little provinces.”
“What else? Watch out!” Walker curses as he and Jace dive left to avoid being hit. “Come on… they’ve got to be going somewhere. Unless they’re trying to draw us out.”
“So they can attack again!” Werzo spits. “These bastards think they can—oh shit! Watch out!” he and Booker swerve left, narrowly missing an Enidd’s white flare.
“But they’re not coming back,” Tucker points as the battle shifts westward. “They’re leaving. They want to bring the fight somewhere else.”
“But why would they?” I ask. “There’s nothing to draw us to.”
And it hits me.
Of course.
“It’s the Gorgen Fields…they’re leading us to the fields. Varielle must’ve had the same idea about the Shadow Bag.”
“So why bring us?” Jace asks.
“Blovid said it—what army do we have to fight the Gorgens? None. They want to use us as a distraction. This is all a diversion so they can search for the Gift.”
“But how—” Werzo starts just as a white blast shoots between us. “Motherfuckers!” He fires back but the Musko withdraws, waiting for us to follow.
“I’m telling you—this is how they plan on getting the Shadow Bag. They’re using us.”
“So what do we do?” Jace asks. “Tell everyone to abort? Stop fighting?”
“If we don’t go, they’ll continue to attack here in the city. Too many innocent lives,” Reid shakes his head. “And with half the guards gone with Ariana…”
“It could be a trap,” Booker says. “Draw us from the city and when we’re away, they attack the FH again.”
“Could be, but our main objective is getting them away from here. Fallon can alert Sampson to what we think they’re doing. He can have Maris rein in some of her guards to protect the city and the other half can go with us. And we’ll see where they’re drawing us to.”
“And if it’s to the fields?” Able asks.
“Then I guess we’ll have another problem to worry about. Fallon?” He pushes off Lalu and swims up. “Switch with me. “Need you talking to Sampson while I drive, okay?”
I scoot back and Reid climbs on in front.
“Conserve your ammo—fire only if necessary. We’re not here to win this fight, but to expose their intention. If Fallon’s right, and they’re leading us to the Gorgens, we’re holding back. Engaging with the Gorgens is not our objective. Everyone understand?”
“Then what is?” Walker asks.
“Survival.”
I forget Walker and Able haven’t seen a Gorgen, much less fought one or felt the agonizing stab of a tooth. Reid is right—if the Muskos are leading us there, it’s best if we don’t engage. At least we’ll know their plan is to obtain the Gift, but it makes no sense to actually fight them or the enormous spider-like creatures.
Lalu takes off and the four other Millix follow her speed, racing through the water as white blasts explode around us. Closing my eyes, I grip Reid around his stomach and concentrate.
Sampson…Sampson I think the Muskos are leading us to the Gorgen Fields.
A moment.
Why would you say that? Are they not outside the FH?
They’re leading us away. I think they’re using us as a distraction so they can search for the Gift. In case it’s a trick, Maris needs to keep some guards in the city. From what I’ve seen, it looks like most have gone after the Muskos.
I see. Yes, you are right—it could be either. A distraction or a trick. I will notify Maris at once. But Fallon…if it is a distraction they are using you for…just don’t do anything reckless. I know you voted with me…
We’re just following them, Sampson. Reid’s ordered no one to engage.
Okay. Okay good.
I’ll let you know once we get there.
Thank you.
“I told Sampson what we’re doing,” I squeeze Reid’s waist. “He’s going to tell Maris to guard the city just in case it’s a trick.”
“Good.”
“So what do we do when we get there, Boss?” Jace asks. “Sit back and enjoy the show?”
“We need to help any Arizals that get injured. Bring them back to the city.”
“What if Perio comes after us?” Able asks. “Or Varielle?”
“We’ll kill them,” Tucker growls.
The journey to the Gorgen Fields takes a little less than an hour and we stick to the back of the fighting swarm the entire way there. Arizal Mybyncians shoot at the Muskos who only fire back enough to keep them engaged. Otherwise, the Muskos keep ahead, racing faster and faster, bringing their much-needed army behind them.
“We should be getting close,” I glance over, finding the Rogues on my right. “Walker, Able—you guys haven’t seen this before; you don’t know what you’re walking into.”
“I’m sure whatever it is—”
“No—the Gorgens are huge and they spit acid and have legs covered with razor-sharp teeth. This is not your everyday walk in the park.”
“I’m sorry,” Able coughs. “Did you say spit acid?”
“Razor-sharp teeth?” Walker echoes. “What kind of creatures are these?”
“Uh, the worst kind,” Werzo says. “Hence the ‘nay’ vote.”
“We’re not engaging,” Reid repeats his earlier order. “Unless it’s away from the fields and it’s Perio or Varielle, we’re staying out of it. There’s too much at stake if we—”
Screams erupt ahead, the water filling with a series of white blasts. Black shadows crawl over the nearby rock formations and orange flares suddenly fill the watery space. Millix circle and swerve, trying to dodge the colorful explosions whistling through the ocean, but some don’t make it. A few fall with agonizing last cries toward the Dilly fields as black-legged beasts swarm down. But the Muskos circle overhead, drawing the Arizals closer.
“They’re insane,” Tucker growls.
“Uh…what are those?” Able points.
A Gorgen flies out of the field, launching itself at a small herd of guards. A stream of orange acid flies, catching those that attempt to flee from under it. More screams erupt and the Gorgen hits the ground with a hard crunch, leaping for another herd seconds later.
“Gorgens,” I gesture ahead. “This is their home and this is where the Gift is.”
“And the Muskos expect to actually find it?”
“Like I said…” Tucker mutters, “…insane.”
“Yeah, but how could they expect—?”
An orange blast shoots between us. We jet back and as I look up, a dark shadow descends with another bright explosion. I don’t have time to scream before Reid jerks us out of the way and we’re racing around the multi-legged beast.
“Guys!” Reid yells. “Move!”
We’re jetting to the far side, keeping parallel to the fields and working our way toward the furthest point of the battle. Orange blasts shoot overhead and on either side, cutting off our exits. The four other Millix follow Lalu as Reid steers her up, higher and higher, hoping to outrun the Gorgen near the surface’s light. But a Musko cuts us off, firing his Enidd.
Reid shoots back easily but another Musko appears and another and soon, a thick blanket of the army sits overhead, like an armed ceiling for our escape.
“They’re trying to block us in,” I squeeze Reid just as an orange blast shoots past, nearly hitting the Muskos. But they move in time, firing back down at us and the encroaching Gorgen below. Reid swerves to the side and the Rogues follow, but with the turn of direction, we’ve entered the area above the fields.
My heart stops.
It’s a whole nest of them. Black limbs crawl over one another, launching themselves up, colliding into the Muskos and Arizals that fire at each other with white blasts. How they thought this could work is beyond me. Both sides are being pummeled by the giant, beastly creatures. Orange sludge flies through the water, igniting screams as Mybyncian and Millix bodies fall into the wavering green stocks below.
“We’ve got to move!” Reid shouts, jerking us to the left, then to the right again.
I’m about to demand our return to the city when I notice something up ahead. It’s another rock formation, just like the several surrounding the field, but this one sits in the direct center of the nest, nearly camouflaged by the tall, billowing Dilly weeds. None of the Gorgens are near it—they’re too busy fighting their intruders, spitting orange acid and leaping onto herds of smaller bodies. But something is moving around the central boulder. I squint, trying to get a better view, but with the helmet, it’s difficult to make out. And then, as quickly as I noticed it, the movement disappears.
Lalu, what is that place up there?
She dodges back, avoiding a blast of orange sludge. It is the Gorgens’ home.
I thought this was the Gorgens’ home? Here. This field.
They breed and nest and feed here. But that is their origin, she swims higher, that is where they first emerged.
Is there an entrance?
Yes.
Then that’s it. That’s where the Gift is.
“Reid,” I point past his face. “Over there. That’s where the Shadow Bag is. There’s an entrance.”
“What?” Doubt colors his tone. “That rock?”
I nod, even though he can’t see me. “That’s where it is. We have to go—if only to keep Perio from getting it.”
“You found it, Fallon?” Able asks then darts to the side, narrowly avoiding a white blast. “Holy son of a bitch that was close! If there’s an indoors anywhere around here, I say let’s go!”
“We don’t know what’s in there,” Tucker says.
“We sure as hell know what’s out here,” Walker quips.
“I vote inside!” Werzo shouts. “Like now!”
A bright orange flare comes straight for us but we all duck at the last second, waves of water rippling us closer.
“Alright,” Reid decides, motioning Lalu forward. “Come on!”
We take off for the rock formation in the middle of the field. Once we shoot pass the last few Gorgens on the outskirts, we head for the dark structure in the distance, and to the black gap toward the bottom, nearly camouflaged in the wavering green stocks. The opening sits maybe six feet in height and less than that in width. Reid dismounts from Lalu and swims up to the opaque darkness. He peeks in and then glances back at me. Anything could be in there. Anything. Perio, the Muskos, baby Gorgens waiting for willing prey to wander in. There’s no way of knowing. But the Gift—the ancient Shadow Bag offered to this World eons ago—sits somewhere in its dark depths. I know it. We’ve made it all the way here, and we’re too close to turn back now.
Armed with his Enidd, Reid enters first. I follow and Walker and the Rogues enter after us, blackness taking over. Outside, in the Gorgen Field, the water is lit up with white and orange blasts but in here, there’s nothing. No light. No way of telling if we—
A blast shoots overhead and we duck, grazing the rock floor.
“Strange that our Gift is hidden in such a place, no?” Perio’s voice calls from the other side of the blackness. “Although…perhaps it is not so strange after all. The Shadow Bag is hidden amongst the darkest of the shadows. Perhaps…it was more obvious than we realized.”
Another bright flare comes our way, hitting the rock structure behind us and sending pieces crumbling. Water ripples around and suddenly Werzo shouts, a string of curses following.
“What hap—your leg!” Booker announces. “Boss, Werzo’s stuck.”
“Did someone get hurt?” Varielle pouts, the tiniest hint of remorse in her voice. “Too bad. I was hoping for everyone.”
“Booker,” Reid keeps his words low, “get the rocks off Werzo’s leg. Able, Jace, help him. Then get back to the city.”
“But—”
“Now.”
“It is not wise to send away half your party when you are here in the dark with us.”
“Yes…” Varielle coos. “You should let them stay so we can kill you all at once.”
“Fuck you, you psychotic murdering bitch,” Tucker fires his Enidd into the blackness ahead.
It lights up the space for only seconds at a time, like bolts of lightning illuminating a night sky. But in the few seconds of visibility, Perio and Varielle’s faces appear closer than I expect. They’re maybe twenty feet away and on the opposite side of a soaring boulder that sits between us, right in the middle of the tight space. The rock is constructed like a pyramid, growing narrower as it rises, with a flat shelf occupying where the tip would be—maybe thirty feet up in the water.
