Chapter 27: Preparations

While Samuel and Zsasha sparred with their swords, and the civilians began preparations for the next assault, Jowee exited the medical tent.

A metal mask with a red machine eye was grafted into one side of his face.

"It's not permanent." Jowee explained to Heather. "It's like an incubator that speeds up natural healing. I'll be almost completely fine in a few days."

"You look like a cyborg." Heather giggled.

Jowee smiled at the remark.

"In 2 days time we will be ready to assault the third relay." Zsasha said. "We currently outnumber Salem in his control over the citizens, and they are preparing to use the Robosa factories to strengthen our forces. For now, we should focus on training, and getting some rest."

"I'm going to bed." Jowee said. "Long day for me."

He then walked into his battle tent.

Heather stood up and looked at Zsahsa. "Want to spar?"

Zsasha smiled. "Is that a question?"


Jowee lay down in his temporary bed, and went to sleep.

Even after all he had done, his friends were there for him.

For a moment, it seemed like everything would turn out alright.

Then the dreams came. The Nightmares.


Jowee saw Mari in her cell, locked away. He knew that Mari wouldn't be a helpless stereotype of a hostage, but things had gotten worse for her ever since she tried to escape.

Mari was surrounded by the remains of several Shadow Walkers. Apparently, she had been forced to fight 2 a day, as either a means of punishment for her or amusement for Circi.

Mari was covered in bruises and scars, her hair was torn and matted with blood, dark circles had formed under her eyes from lack of sleep.

Despite this, Mari hadn't given up hope. Jowee could still see the determination in her eyes. He could still see the stubborn girl he had been the friend of all his life. The stubborn woman he loved.

The cell door opened, and Circi walked in. She wore robes of dark and gothic coloring and fashion, and she wore a mask similar to Salem's, only it covered more of her face, and was black like a Shadow.

"What do you want me to fight today?" Mari asked bitterly. "What monster are you going to force me to claw at with my bare pawns?"

Circi drew out Mari's hero sword, threw it unto the ground, and drew out her own sword. "Me."

Mari looked at Circi for a moment. The Queen of Shadows was arming her prisoner and telling her to fight her captor.

Mari quickly picked up the sword and lunged at Circi.

Circi did not attack, merely blocking Mari's attacks. With each strike Mari sent, Circi blocked and simply waited for Mari to attack again.

They 2 combatants backed out of the cell and continued to fight, eventually making it into the Hall of Darkness.

The whole time, Mari had been attacking, with Circi merely blocking her attacks.

"You're clumsy." Circi said. "I can tell what you're going to do before you do it. Now, it's my turn."

Circi then quickly struck with her sword and, in a flurry of movement, disarmed Mari and sent her sword clattering across the floor.

She then hit Mari in the face with the butt of her sword, and subdued her enemy.

"What was the point of all that?" Mari said, coughing up blood. "Are you just trying to break me?"

"Perhaps." Circi said. "Or perhaps I'm inflicting torture upon you to express my own anger. Perhaps your relationship with Jowee reminds me of Wilfre, and I am simply taking out my rage on you. Or perhaps I'm a sick sadist who enjoys hurting people."

Mari shook her head. "Your obviously not the last thing. No matter how evil you've acted, ever since I learned that you were Circi I knew it was about passion. You blame the Creator for what happened. That's why you've been torturing me. A part of you may be sadistic due to the Shadow's influence, but mostly it's because you see to much of yourself in me."

Circi looked down at Mari for a moment, then sighed. "Why must I be the enemy of such intelligent people?"

"Well," Mari said sarcastically, "MAYBE it's because you tried to conquer the World and corrupt everybody!'

Circi shook her head. "You know as well as I do that that's not my endgame. You know what I want."

"You want to make the world a better place." Mari said. "You want to find a way to draw in the Book of Life without creating demons so that you can make a utopia. You want to succeed where Wilfre failed."

The last remark made Circi flinch. "Then why are you fighting me?"

"Because you're wrong." Mari said. "Just because the Creator limits our access to the book doesn't mean we live in tyranny. Look at what the Galactic Jungle has accomplished. Look at the cultural and artistic achievements of Watersong!"

"I remember Watersong only too well." Circi muttered.

"The point is," Mari said, "We don't need to draw in the Book. Even if the Creator is manipulating where our society is going, we've prospered under him. You might give us "freedom", but at what cost? And what makes you think you can find a way to use the book without creating Darkness and Evil?"

Circi's expression was stone cold. "I can try."

With that, 2 Shadow Walkers picked up the dazed Mari and dragged her back to her cell.

Circi then walked to a balcony, and looked out at the sky.

"A new age is coming."


Dr. Cure tended to the injured of the previous battles. One of them was wide-eyed and bloodshot. Panic was in him.

It was Kaine.

"Darkness coming." He muttered. "End Times at hand."

"Relax." Dr. Cure said. "You've been traumatized by Salem."

"No." Kaine muttered. "I see Dark. I see Hate. I see End of Days. Circi tamper with powers beyond control. Darkness coming."

Dr. Cure was concerned by that. Circi seemed like the one who would go to any lengths to fulfill her goals.

"We're fighting her." Dr. Cure said. "Everyone will be fine."

"It won't be enough." Kaine muttered. "Never enough."