Ashes to Ashes Chapter 10 :
Modern (Psychic) Warfare
** (Max's Mind, Harbinger's PoV, Outside of Max's hometown) **
Just as the Guivres were about to fly over the fortress' walls, the barrels in the strange metal dragons started spinning. After a few seconds, the dragons started unleashing their breath...
For the next few seconds, time seemed to stand still for Harbinger.
When the dragons unleashed their breaths, he was expecting fire to come out, not this: the strange dragons with hovering wings were, for a lack of better word, shredding his beloved Guivres with strange metal pellets.
He tried to protect all of his creatures with a magical shield but it only held out for so long before it collapsed on itself...
Of course, his Guivres managed to take out some of these dragons out but only because they were attacking them "en masse".
Understanding that he could not keep this up for much longer, he decided to step up his attack and called back his Guivres, making them slowly disappear until they were no more.
After that, he put his hands up in the air and began to chant something quite loudly, sounding like a madman...
"The origin of all things, Mother Black. The heat that will scorch all creation, Fire Red. And finally, the critical point of everything, Burning Gold. Burn up! I summon you, PHOENIXES! "
The air then started to distort, much like when there is a heatwave.
Creatures started to appear but this time they were much more different than the Guivres.
These creatures were the total opposite of the winged snakes from earlier: the Guivres were hideous but these ones were strikingly beautiful: they were the famed birds of legends, the phoenixes.
Harbinger had spawned three of the birds: they were about two meters tall and five meters long, making them very impressive and quite intimidating.
What was even more intimidating than their size was the element that was covering their entire bodies: fire. It covered everything from head to talon.
Their eyes were also something to behold: they were a very deep shade of blue that shone of intelligence and wisdom.
These phoenixes were experienced.
** (Max' Mind, Max's PoV, Central Synapse Node) **
Max was staring at the live video feed from his recon UAV, waiting for Harbinger to make his next move
I wish I could hear him. Too bad this UAV isn't equipped with laser microphones.
I'm wondering what he's going to try this time...
His question was soon answered.
The screen began to flash a warning message: the UAV was detecting something and it required Max's attention.
What the fuck? The sensors on this thing must be broken! This is NOT possible!
What Max was staring at was still the UAV's video feed. This time, however, it was in thermal imaging mode, showing various colors that indicated what the temperature was. Blue meant cold, red meant hot. Simple.
The problem was that the area in front of Harbinger was getting so hot that instead of giving a color to indicate what the temperature was a giant "\\ERROR" message was displayed, meaning that the temperature was through the roof...
When Max switched the UAV's vision mode to optical imaging again, he saw what Harbinger had spawned…
Holy shit! Are those things Phoenixes? This just keeps getting weirder and weirder by the second.
I'll destroy them like I did with the Guivres.
Computer, send remaining Commanches to attack new hostiles. Have the AA52s on standby in case they try to fly over the walls.
\\ Command acknowledged. Sending RAH-66 to attack designated targets.
** (Max's Mind, "Harbinger"'s PoV, Outside of Max's hometown) **
"Here come his metal dragons again! Phoenixes, attack!"
The birds screeched loudly and then took off, ready to meet Max's forces.
They flapped their wings quite rapidly and in no time they were upon his helicopters.
The RAHs were ready to greet them and their gun barrels started spinning, indicating that they were ready to fire.
This time, however, it was Harbinger's forces who got the initiative...
The three birds opened their mouths and unleashed a stream of molten lava aimed at the RAHs that punched right through their hulls, sending them spinning into the ground...
** (Max' Mind, Max's PoV, Central Synapse Node) **
\\ Warning! RAH66 squadron A1 has been destroyed. Recovery impossible.
\\ Advised course of action?
Have the remaining squadrons break formation.
They are to retreat and circle around the tower.
\\ Command acknowledged.
Man, I'm in deep this time... I just hope the AA cannons will be able to stop them...
** (Max's Mind, "Harbinger"'s PoV, Outside of Max's hometown) **
- His Dragons are wounded! Time to finish him off! Advance!
** (Dragon Riders Academy, Aylin's quarters) **
Aylin was peacefully sleeping in her bed. She was thinking about her Dragon and the world he said he was coming from. How could he say there wasn't any magic in his world when his people could do all these things?
She could have mused on his world for much longer if it wasn't for a strange feeling that was coming from her Gedwey Ignasia.
What's this? What's happening? Is Max in trouble?
With that, she woke herself up and started heading for the door. However, just before turning the knob, an intense feeling of dread came through her bond...
Oh no! What's happening to him...
Just then, a vision assaulted her: great birds made of fire were advancing towards her hatchling, holed up in a strange-looking tower...
I've got to help him! Someone's attacking his mind!
I'm going to need help! Aidan's room is nearby, his people experience with magic is greater than mine, he'll be able to help me.
** (Dragon Riders Academy, Damian's quarters) **
Huh? Are those footsteps? Who's wandering the halls at this time of the night?
-Farkas!
-Hmm? What is it?
-There's someone walking down the hall. Should we check it out? The students are supposed to be in their beds by now.
-I guess so, since you woke me up…
-Sorry…
** (Dragon Riders Academy, Aidan's quarters) **
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
-Who's that? Show yourself at once!
-Shhh!
-What? Aylin? What are you doing here?
-I fear for my Dragon. Someone's trying to break into his mind, he's in great danger!
-How? Master Eragon put wards to protect the school from such attacks. Those things are not supposed to get in unless….
However, before Aidan could continue, Damian stopped in front of the door, Farkas in tow.
-Aylin? What are you doing inside Aidan's room?
-Someone's trying to break into the mind of my Dragon! I came here to seek Aidan's help because he's more skilled than me in magic…
-What?! We were supposed to be safe inside of the Academy! How can something like this happen?
-I think that the attack is coming from the inside, not the outside.
-But who would do such a thing? The war is over! Galbatorix's troops have been disbanded!
-I don't have the answer. But for now we must hurry, I fear Aylin's Dragon is not going to hold out for much longer. We must all lie down and extend our minds towards Aylin's hatchling. Acheron, Farkas, you're also coming with us.
- Yes.
They all lied down and started drifting off to sleep, worried about Aylin's Dragon…
** (Max' Mind, Max's PoV, Central Synapse Node) **
\\Warning! Last RAH-66 down! Course of action?
-Fuck! They're almost inside the town! Computer, activate machine guns! Fire them on my mark!
\\Command Acknowledged.
-Wait for it, wait for it…. FIRE!
The machine guns started spitting out their bullets at an amazing rate of fire. However, when the first salvo approached, something unexpected happened…
The Phoenixes body temperature was so high that the lead in the bullets was already melted by the time it hit. The flattened tips only served to piss off the great birds of fire even more…
- Hahahahahahahahah! Your things cannot save you this time! Are you ready to meet your demise at the hands of me, Harbinger?
-No! Never!
-Then how are you going to beat me? Your dragons are wounded or dying!
-I still have one ace up my sleeve!
-What are you talking about? Bah, it doesn't matter. If anything it'll just entertain me a little more before the main dish. PHOENIXES! ADVANCE!
However, as the Phoenixes were starting to advance, the air in front of them started to distort…
What the fuck! What's happening! Computer! What's this!
\\Unknown. Closest match in the database would be an external mind trying to enter.
What? But who would try to enter my mind? Either it's more of those bastards or….
Of course! It's Her!
-Aylin, do you hear me?
-Max! I am so glad to hear you! Are you well?
-For the moment yes but I fear I'm not going to hold out for much longer. I'm in serious need of help.
-Hang on for a little longer! I am on my way with Aidan, Damian and their Dragons.
-Alright! Hurry up!
Max then focused on the current battle again.
Computer, what are my options before this bastard reaches the CSN ?
\\Analyzing… Done
\\Remaining effective defenses:
\\Mistral Missile Batteries * 6
Six missile batteries? This will do.
Computer, arm all missiles and lock on to the Phoenixes. Fire on my mark…
** (Max' Mind, Aylin's PoV) **
Aylin and the others were slowly appearing inside of Max's mindscape. They spawned on a plaza near a strange tower that seemed to be made of light. Before they could take in their surroundings, a deep voice echoed across their collective minds…
FIRE!
They were not prepared for what happened next: all around the plaza strange metal objects started belching smoke and fire. After a few seconds, the metal objects started flying towards the great birds of fire…
- Max, what in the seven hells is this?!
- Just wait a little longer and you'll see…
However, as the objects were approaching the phoenixes, another voice rang out across their minds...
NO! Phoenixes, fire on these spears!
All of them started unleashing a stream of fire towards these "spears". They managed to hit about half of them, making them explode in a ball of light that shook her and the others…
Right before the remaining spears hit the phoenixes, something unexpected happened: the top part of the spears opened, followed by an explosion. This one appeared to do some damage to the phoenixes because they started going down. Most of them were killed when they hit the ground but one of them managed to control its trajectory and landed right in front of the group…
After regaining its bearings, the massive creature moved its head towards Aylin, looking her right in the eyes. It started opening its beak, ready to unleash another stream of fire…
** (Max' Mind, Max's PoV, Central Synapse Node) **
Yes! I managed to kill those fuckers! Now, …
Oh hell no! Aylin! I won't have the time to get down! What do I do?
Computer! Are there any emergency defenses at the base of the tower?
\\ Checking…..No match
Fuck! Any alternative?
\\ There is a crate of Javelins nearby
Great! But, wait, how is she going to use those…
Computer! Activate external speakers!
\\ Command Acknowledged
** (Max' Mind, Aylin's PoV) **
- Look! The beast is charging its attack! What do we do now?
- If only I had my bow…..
- I suggest we start to run…
- But to where? The only exit is blocked by that phoenix!
The group was trying to find a solution but it seemed that all hope was lost…
However, one voice started coming out from the tower, drowning all other noise, except for the steady whine of the phoenix fire attack.
- AYLIN! Listen carefully! We don't have much time! Do you see the crate at the base of the tower?
- Yes!
- Good! I want you and the others to run to it as fast as you can! Inside you'll find something to defeat the phoenix!
- Alright! You heard him, run!
After a few seconds, Aylin and the others were in front of the crate.
- Max, what do we do now?
- I need you to pick up the launchers…
- The what?
- Look, I'll explain everything later, for now you must pick it up and rest it on your shoulder, just like that…
An image popped in front of them, showing a man in uniform with the "launcher" on his shoulder…
- Do we have to look into it like the man?
- Yes! Now aim it at the phoenix and wait for the lock-on signal!
- What is it?
- When it says FIRE on the screen just press the big red button!
- Alright.
Aylin and the two boys started aiming. They watched intently as the "lock-on", whatever that was, started flashing on the screen until it stayed on screen, emitting a steady whine…
DO IT !
They pushed the button. "Spears" came out of the tubes, these ones much larger than the ones who attacked the phoenixes earlier. Aylin and the others watched as they rose in the sky, belching flame and smoke in a manner that reminded her of a dragon's fireball. After a few moments, the three spears did a spin in mid-air and started coming back down, aimed right for the Phoenix's head...
SHIELD YOUR EYES! NOW!
- Wha…
However, before Aylin managed to shield her eyes, the spears made contact with the phoenix. What followed next was an explosion so loud and so bright that she thought the phoenix had been struck by lightning…
After the dust settled, nothing remained of the once proud bird of fire. Not even ashes…
The only proof that it was ever there was a blackened stain on the pavement…
- Max? Whatever that was, it worked! Is it a weapon from your world?
- Yes…
However, before Max could explain what it was, Harbinger appeared behind the group, clapping…
- Well done, well done. I did not expect you to defeat my creations. I guess that I'm going to fight you myself…
- And just who are you?
- My name is…
- Harbinger, douchebag-in-chief and pale copy of the original one…
- How dare you, you puny hatchling! I'll make sure that your Master watches when I'll rip your heart out!
- Max! What did you mean by "pale copy"? Do you already know him?
- Nah. Look, to explain it in detail would take at least several minutes, minutes which we don't have right now… Just kick the bastard out of my mind and I'll explain it to you and the others, alright?
- Yes.
- Enough! You! I challenge you to a duel! You will pay for what You have done! En garde!
With that, Harbinger launched a spell to create a bubble around the two of them. The others were totally helpless as they watched Harbinger summon a blade. It was a wicked-looking katana with a serrated blade that looked like it was made of obsidian…
-END OF CHAPTER 10-
And that's it. I leave you with a little cliffhanger :)
I also wanted to apologize for not writing sooner but, well, you know how life is….
At least now that I'm writing fanfics I know why some were never updated for months….
Next Chapter you'll get a swordfight !
As usual, don't forget to fave and leave a review, even if it's a bad one ;)
Let's reach 50 reviews !