Hi guys!
Thank you very much for the lovely reviews! I say it every week but I really appreciate it. I especially appreciate those who have been with me since the start of this story, almost three years ago! I know it's been a long run but we're almost at the end now! I hope you've all enjoyed it as much as I have!
Answers to reviews:
- I'm glad you like the long-lasting impact of Legacy. I thought it wold have a major effect on her and it's also cool to make Ella seem really mysterious.
Please read on and enjoy!
Chapter 52 – Mandatory Evacuation
Marina
I can hear the mogs before they round the corner. Their guttural snarls fill the crisp morning air, and the volume of their voices shows their arrogance as they stroll around the city; they're not concerned about meeting rebels in this part of the city. Their boots on the cobbles echo around the small, enclosed courtyard of the shopping mall and I can hear the rustle of their long, floor-length coats. One of them laughs and I wince at how loud it is, my heart thundering in my chest. I hold my breath. Next to me, Maren's lip curls slightly with contempt, as we remain hidden in the entrance of a nearby shop. Opposite us I can see Adam tilting his head slightly, listening intently to the Mogadorian language and trying to find out anything useful. After a few moments, he shakes his head, his lips pursed. There's a sound of a bird's call, only it's not a bird, it's Nine, giving us the warning of a change in plan.
The Mogs walk past us.
They don't even see us, even though Maren and I are completely visible. I take in the ten of them, an easy number compared to what we will have to face soon. They wear long coats, the hoods hanging down the back of the jacket and the belt with the mogadorian blasters, and their bare skulls with Mogadorian tattoos. Some like to show off their tattoos and others like to hide them, depending on rank. They walk on a little further, completely oblivious to the hidden threats dotted around this courtyard, as they grin and laugh about something. One of them lightly shoves the other jokingly, in a surprising show of comradery.
Then Ella steps out from behind a column.
They come to a screeching halt, some reaching for their guns and others even taking a few steps back. For a few moments, they fall silent, staring at Ella. I wonder if some of them recognise her from her appearances with their Beloved Leader, and that's the reason for their surprise, or if they're just stunned that a small, thin girl would be smirking at them in such a way. For a moment, my old fear comes rushing back to me; the fear that she's too young for this, too weak and too vulnerable.
But when she speaks I know my fears are irrelevant now.
"Where is the main evacuation taking place?" she asks softly, her voice compelling. A few of the mogs exchange confused looks, and I can see from my vantage point that some of them do recognise her. But they're clearly not aware that she was taken from Setrakus; they're actually confused to see her roaming the streets, instead of by her grandfather's side.
"Ma'am, we should escort you to your grandfather at once," One of them murmurs, stepping forwards. Ella laughs but it's not a happy sound, more unimpressed.
"You didn't answer my question," she says again. "Where is the main evacuation taking place?" I can hear the change in her voice and the smooth tone in it. The mogs stop moving, staring at her in complete transfixion.
"In Lore Street," The main one speaks. "We were heading there now to aid the process," he says monotonously, Ella's convinco rendering him incapable of saying only the truth. The other mogs are just as ensnared, not reacting or protesting to the information giving.
"Are you under command?" Ella demands. "Do you have a squadron leader, anyone to report to?"
"No," the mog shakes his head robotically. "All mogs soldiers were tasked to show up and help. We go where we see our help is needed,"
Ella nods. "Perfect," she smiles, flashing a sweet smile. "That was very useful,"
She must let go of her control over them because I see some of them shake their heads, looking around in confusion. Seeing Ella in front of them, so small and petite with her red hair framing her face, she doesn't look like a warrior. But then I remember just how much power she's wielded over these mogs.
"We've got everything we need," Ella says and the mogs mutter something in confusion. "They're all yours,"
No sooner does she speak then Joseph and Nine appears in front of the mogs, Joseph dropping Nine's hand. The mogs react at once, grabbing their guns but the boys are faster. They slice into the first two before they can even defend themselves. Most mogs try to fight back automatically, but two from the back turn to run, sensing an ambush. They turn and pelt back the way they came and right towards Maren and I. She turns invisible at once as I reach for my bow and arrow, knocking a normal arrow to my bow string. I wait, holding the position, taking in the target as it races past me.
I let it go. It goes flying through the air and then hits the mog straight through the back and into the heart. It collapses to ash before it hits the ground and its coat and clothes fall in a heap around the ash, my arrow landing on top. The other mog skids to a stop, turning to see me in the corner of the shop. It's hand twitches for its gun and then the gleaming tip of a sword appears through its chest. It barely has time to look down in shock and then it explodes into ash. Maren appears behind it, grinning and exhilarated.
I turn to see that John, Joseph and Nine have finished off the others in no time. Ella stands nearby, smirking, and there's a weird energy to her this morning. Vengeful. She's been so quiet and mysterious recently but now she looks ready to make Setrakus pay for everything he did to her. If anyone deserves to make him suffer for what he's done to people, it's certainly her.
We walk over to the others quickly, the pressure of time weighing down on us. John tosses Maren one of the coats. I take one from Joseph, slipping it one, the thick material heavier than I expected. It's long too, brushing the floor and as I tighten the belt around my waist I pull the material up enough so that it frees my feet and means I won't trip. Ella, being the smallest, is easily drowned by her coat and not even belting the fabric up helps her.
"Does this make me look fat?"
Even now, Nine still manages to find to joke around, comically struggling to move his arms freely in his too-small coat. Ella giggles nearby, and Maren rolls her eyes, muttering something rude. I try to manage a smile but I find it's weak and fake.
"Nine, concentrate," John says calmly, a smile playing on his lips.
"Just asking a question," Nine grins. He whistles when Adam slips his coat on. "Looking good, dude," he teases him. Adam doesn't find it funny. He looks far too uncomfortable in the coat, even though it eerily suits him and fits him perfectly. He stuffs his hands into the pockets, looking down, and the resemblance to a mog citizen is so creepy I look away.
"He said Lore Street," Ella is saying to John. "I'm not sure where that is but…"
I zone out her conversation with John, even when Adam jumps in to help with directions. I struggle with the last button on my coat, my fingers shaking so much that it's a struggle to do it up. The button keeps slipping form my trembling hand. Then someone reaches out and gently does it up for me. I look up in shock to see Joseph watching me kindly.
"It'll be ok," he murmurs.
It's such a huge lie and he knows I can tell. I reach up and take his hand in mine, squeezing tightly, and I can see the fear written all over his face. In fact, it's over everyone's face; despite Nine's jokes, and John's smile, and Maren's determined expression the fear is obvious to me now. It doesn't reassure me but it makes me feel better about feeling terrified too.
"I love you," I whisper to him and he smiles, his green eyes lighting up. It feels important telling him this. He has to know.
"I love you too,' he replies, squeezing my hand again. "I-"
"Everybody ready?" John interrupts the moment, looking around. We nod, and pull our hoods up to conceal our faces. The hoods are large enough that no one can see our side profiles but only get a look at us from staring directly at us. I stuff my hands in my pockets, making sure to hide every part of me that could give my identity away.
"Then let's go," John decides.
We set off away from the scene of crime. It only takes us a few minutes before we hear signs of the evacuation. We cross the desolated shopping mall courtyard and enter another wider street, with barren shops and blocks of apartments all ahead us. The concrete is covered in a light layer of frost and my breath fogs in front of me in the cold morning air. The great towers and buildings of the inner-city loom above us, the Training Centre so tall against the skyline that I have to tip my head up to look at it. A few electronic screens nearby flash images of our faces, with 'warning' signs underneath and even ransoms for our capture. Staring at the faces of my friends on a board in the middle of the Capital feels even more threatening than the deserted city.
We're close to the main street when I hear the tinny loudspeakers: by order of Setrakus Ra, all citizens must proceed directly to the Training Centre. Please continue to move orderly… I zone out, but the tinny echoes of the voice continue to send shivers down my spine. We continue moving as a group, our boots crunching on the frosty tiles of another courtyard. Adam leads us to a short tunnel between some buildings and apartment blocks above, and through the gap I can see a steadily moving crowd on the other side, faces looked straight ahead and not even looking left towards us. I exchange a brief look with Maren as we hastily walk down the steps and head towards the tunnel.
"When I say, we move out," John whispers. "Ella, keep us in contact," he whispers.
"Got it," she nods.
We pass under the arch, and the sea of bodies gets closer. Despite the heaving number of people, it's almost silent apart from some murmurs here and there, and the clatter of heels on cobbles. Straight ahead, I can see the city centre spread out in front, open and inviting. I look at the large buildings ahead of me once, awed, before we hit the crowd. Then I drag my eyes away, having to act like a mog soldier would. They wouldn't be impressed; they'd be focused entirely on the job at hand.
"Out," John whispers.
I grab the stolen mog blaster, holding it in the ready-position like many mog soldiers do and Maren and Ella do the same next to me. John, Joseph, Adam and Nine head off into the crowd at once, as Maren, Ella and I, push through the crowd to walk on the other side like we planned. A large group of seven might attract attention, especially if they're aware of the height difference; most mogs tend to be around the same height after all. As we pass through the crowd, most mog civilians pass to let us go without a bother, thinking we're here to protect them. I keep my eyes lowered but I can almost sense the cloying fear in the air. It's suffocating. It's infectious.
We merge through the crowd and get to the other side, walking along the edges with the other civilians. Many other mog soldiers walk through the crowd too, calmly and orderly, as if looking out for any Loric spies or scouts. I grip my gun tightly, my heart thundering in my chest. Every now and then there are tanks parked on the roadside with mog soldiers stood on top with guns, seemingly higher ranked than the mogs we stole the uniforms from. I keep my head lowered as much as I can without drawing attention.
Ahead I can see we're close, much closer to the Training Centre and the Promenade than I expected. Alongside us, governmental buildings loom above us, the white marble columns, stained glass windows and porches completely untouched by the war; there hasn't been fighting here yet. I can see elegant metal gates guarding some steps that lead to these regal buildings along the road. These embassies have balconies too and I watch as more mog soldiers stand, watching and looking out for Loric, guns in hands. Up ahead, a long way ahead of us and in the direction we're going, is a great arch, with white and gold motifs decorations. Lampposts with glass streetlights light up the morning, and a few banners flap in the gentle breeze, and it almost appears beautiful. But I'm not fooled by appearances.
I know enough about this part of the Capital to recognise the arch leads to the entrance to the very centre of the city, the very heart of the Capital. I know from experience that there's a large courtyard beyond the arch and if you turn left once past it, you reach the Training Centre's main entrance. Normally most civilians are denied access from this building and I bet me and my friends might be the only ones in this crowd who've been in the Training Centre before. Directly opposite the Training Centre is a large wall that stretches out from the arch for several hundred metres; the wall is really the side of the seating along one side of the Promenade, with seating opposite too. Once you reach the end of the wall, you get to the great walkway. This is the civilians' entrance and it's where many mogs would go to watch parades for the Games or watch speeches. It also leads straight to the Temple.
That's what we want to do.
We keep walking. Footsteps echo on the cobbles and I can hear the occasional cry of a child, the coughing of an adult or the murmuring of some other civilians nearby. I can't see Joseph or the others but I don't hear shouting or shooting so they must be hidden still. Ella and Maren walk next to me on either side, neither speaking. The tinny voice telling us to be calm continues to echo overhead, unsettling me further. I almost make eye contact with one civilian when I spend too long analysing the mogs along the road and after that I keep my head firmly down. Seeing the armed figures standing above us, looking at every person in the crowd terrifies me, especially as some of them wear the awful helmets so you can't see what they're looking at.
We near the arch. I can see a few temporary queue barriers have been put in place as mogs check identity cards. I wince as a few mogs stop those with hoods up, tossing them back and checking the faces of the mog civilians. I exchange a look with Maren but I don't say anything. In our soldiers' coats, we might get away with not being stopped. I keep walking, my hands curling up into fists in my pockets. I take a deep breath.
We meet up with the others just before the gate. Ella says in my mind and I'm sure that Maren and the guys are hearing her words too. Head towards the centre. I'll track your movement and we'll meet you halfway. I'm sure that last part is to the guys but Ella tells Maren and I so as not to give us a shock.
We keep marching, closer and closer to the arch. Ella cuts through the crowd easily, leading us so we can meet the guys halfway. I can't see them but she seems confident in her abilities. I look straight ahead when I feel a pair of eyes on me, a child's eyes. The young girl stares at me and at Maren and I can see the confusion on her young face. I lower my eyes, trying to keep my face hidden but I know she recognised me. There's a voice in Mogadorian behind us and I freeze, not sure whatever the mog behind me said and who it was talking to. Nearby Ella's eyes widen. I continue walking, and the voice talks again, more impatient and angrier. Up ahead the girl starts to point at us. My heart beats faster with panic and I grip my gun tighter. The voice behind me in Mogadorian gets louder and then a hand lands on my shoulder.
Then the sound of an explosion rips the silence apart.
I duck to the ground automatically, as screams echo through the air. A few rocks rain down on me, and the acrid smell of smoke chokes my lungs as I turn to see a nearby balcony crumble from the impact of the missile. Before I can react, do anything, a second missile streaks through the air and strikes one of the buildings to the side, sending the mog soldiers on the balconies and tanks flying. Screams fill the air as the civilians fall to the ground at once, throwing their arms over their heads as they protect themselves. I peer behind my shoulder to watch the mog soldiers leap to their feet, guns in hand but they're shot down immediately. Bullets fly through the air, ricocheting off the side of buildings and the metal barriers keeping the crowd enclosed.
"Rebels!" Somebody screams.
I peer up, trying to see but also trying to keep low as the crossfire continues. That's when I manage to see them; the crowd of rebels slowly moving forwards, guns out and firing steadily. A lot of them look beat up and there are a lot less than there were when they all set out, but even from here I can see their determination. They press forwards in a huge mass, shooting steadily at the mogs on the tanks and balconies. The mogs had seemed so terrifying earlier but now, in plain sight, they're shot down easily. Mogs by the arch move forwards, past the queue barriers, and firing at the rebels behind us. We're right in the middle of a crossfire and the bullets whiz over us, closer than I'd like them to be. I press my hands over my head.
"Ditch the hoods!" Maren snaps next to me, wrestling off her uniform. It once protected us but now it's a hindrance.
I tear off the belt and strip off the coat in seconds, bearing my rebel uniform and weapon underneath. Nearby more people scream, and a nearby mog soldier lunges for me. I don't even have time to react but I don't have to; Ella throws her hands out and the force field billows out from her, passing through me innocently and striking the mog. It bursts into ash and the screams increase.
A missile races through the air again and strikes another building with mog soldiers on, sending chunks of concrete into the crowd. I shut my eyes tightly against the screams. For a moment, I want to stay ducked down here and do nothing as the bullets and screams and shooting goes on and on and on. It seems never-ending. Then I hear shouting and I peer behind me to see the rebels moving forwards. They're coming towards us and honestly I'm not sure they're obeying our earlier rules of not harming civilians. They seem so focused on winning and getting to the town centre that I can't be sure that me and my friends will be safe. I'm not even sure they'd recognise us in this chaos and if they'd shoot before realising who we are.
"Come on!" Maren jumps up and grabs my arm, heaving me to my feet. "Tell the guys to meet us beyond the arch!" she screams to Ella, who nods, face pale. I snap to at once, getting to my feet.
We run. We keep low as bullets ricochet around us, sometimes hitting people, other times biting into the concrete bellow our feet. We're hunched over as we run, ducking out of the way of shots sometimes, and racing past hunkered down mog soldiers who try to protect themselves whilst shooting at the rebels. I throw a desperate glance behind me to see the rebels advancing towards us and I hurry along.
"They'll meet us there!" Ella screams and Maren nods, face urgent.
Up ahead there are more concrete barricades, presumably to stop the rebels but in this chaos, with people running about, there aren't any mogs guarding them. We race up to the concrete structure, vaulting over them and ducking down on the other side. A missile slams into a building nearby and I shield my head from the debris. Peering through a gap in the barriers, I see the rebels and mogs are fighting almost hand to hand and that the mog civilians are caught in-between. A bullet hits the concrete close to me and I whirl around, pressing my back against the structure behind me, breathing heavily. I hear the clang of bullets hitting metal, shouts and screams and then another whistle of a missile followed by a booming behind us.
A mog lunges for us nearby and Maren kicks out, snapping its neck with the sheer force behind her kick. She grabs the gun from it, shooting down another two mogs who were coming our way. In our black, rebel uniform we're clear targets now. A mog lunges for us from my side and I rear up, grabbing my dagger and stabbing it frantically in the chest. It explodes to dust, coating me in a layer of ash. Nearby Ella presses her hands to her temples, communicating with the guys probably, and a mog jumps for her. Dropping my dagger, I grab an arrow and knock it to my bow, shooting it at the mog before it can hit Ella. It flies back, hitting the ground nearby exploding into dust. Nearby Maren kicks a mog in the chest, knocking it onto its back and then she shoots it. She turns to us, her face already covered in ash.
"Come on!" she yells over the noise.
We run forwards, vaulting over the next barricades in our path, Ella easily keeping up with us despite her lack of training. We race through, heading towards the arch up ahead, which is so close now but so far. Bullets race through and I duck down, sometimes stalling when I see it hit another person instead of me. A missile shoots over our heads and knocks into a building close by, the force so strong that I'm knocked into Maren. She steadies me and we carry on running, reaching the arch. There are mogs here but they're so busy fighting back they don't even notice as we race past them. We run through, entering the large square, the Training Centre looming over us to our left, people clambered by the closed entrance. I see them banging on the great doors, screaming in desperation, as mog soldiers race away from them and towards the rebels. Up ahead in front of us is the Justice Building, even more terrifying than I remember it being. Mogs pour out of the doors of this building, marching towards us. Along our right side there stretches the wall before it abruptly ends. Then there's the entrance to the Promenade, almost opposite the Training Centre. I see it stretch away from us, the temple gleaming in the distance.
A missile races over our heads from the mogs and smashes into the arch behind us. We keep running, ducking down, hunching over as we run, but I throw a glance behind me to see the great arch's columns destroyed and the structure goes tumbling to the ground. There's now an impassable blockade for the moment, although I'm sure the mogs and rebels will scale it in moments. A plume of dust rises up in the air behind it and I wince when I hear the screams and yells.
"Joseph?" I demand Ella desperately. "Did he make it?" She pauses for a moment and then nods.
"They all did!" she yells. "Come on!"
We move forwards still, ducking out of the way of a rolling tank with its blaster firing into the crowds behind us. We pass by the Training Centre, the crowd of people growing by the second as they heave and try and get to safety. The wall still continues to our right, some people huddled down by it, as if hoping to be hidden. We run alongside the truck, bullets hitting the armoured side and I wince as one almost hits me. We reach the end of it and all three of us duck down behind it, appreciating the moment of calm. Then there's a great booming sound and the truck shudders, tipping back. It was hit by a missile, the force sending it careening over on its back. I throw myself out of the way, Maren and Ella rolling to the other side. The burning hull of metal sends smoke billowing up into the air and I choke on the acrid smell, pressing my sleeve to my mouth.
In the chaos, I'm separated from Ella and Maren. Someone grabs my arm and I react at once, turning to fight them off. The mog is faster though and the punch hits my temple before I can block it. Stars dance in front of my eyes as my head spins. The mog drags me to my feet, head-butting me once and I stagger back, dizzy and dazed. I barely see the handcuffs in its hands. Panic, so pure and intense races through me as I realise that it's going to take me to the Justice Building. Not again.
A shard of ice protrudes from my hand, so thick and sharp and lethal that it shocks even me. I shove my hand forwards and before the mog can defend itself, the shard of ice pierces its chest. It looks shocked for a moment and then bursts into ash. I duck down as bullets race around me, pressing my hands to my head as I search for Ella and Maren desperately. My healing kicks in and my vision clears almost at once, my thinking becoming clearer. I see a nearby stone barricade, and throw myself down next to it, hunching over and catching my breath.
I can't see the others. I can't see anyone. All I see are bullets and fire and death and destruction. I can see a few rebels marching forwards but most are still beyond the remains of the arch, still fighting the brunt of the mogs. Mostly I see civilians running in a panic, not sure where to go. The Training Centre was supposed to be safe but it's now a war zone. Seeing their panic, seeing them cut down by stray bullets as they try to run makes me angry. Furious even. I grit my teeth, turning to see the Temple in the distance. The coward isn't even here to see his people die. He's not even here to defend them.
Getting to my feet, I start towards the Promenade again. I can only hope to find Ella and the others there. Civilians run along with me, maybe hoping to go the promenade too to escape the bombs and bullets behind us. Missiles strike the ground behind us, and the earth shakes. One time the explosion is so severe it sends me falling to my knees. I get to my feet to see the giant mog a few steps ahead of me. He recognises me at once and runs for me. I grab my dagger as he raises his own baton but I duck and roll out of the way. As I rollback to my feet, I slice his leg with my dagger and he stumbles with a cry. I jump up in a second, stabbing him in the back and it bursts to ash.
Seeing someone fight back, more mogs come at me. My training kicks in and I duck and slash and weave with my dagger. Every time I try to get my bow, another mog is on me and attacking before I can grab my weapon but my dagger does surprisingly well against the sword and guns. My ice legacy is even better. I flash freeze them or send sharp icicles straight into their hearts or freeze their feet to the spot before they can kill me. I don't know how many I kill, ten, fifteen maybe, but they start to wear down in numbers. One mog lunges at me from behind, gripping me by the shoulders and heaving me around, slamming me to the ground. I swing around with my legs, tripping up the mog and sending it tumbling to the ground. I pin it down before it can fight back and then stab it in the heart.
No more mogs come for me. Panting, trembling from the effort, I get to my feet as more people rush by me, shoving into me in their desperation. Someone knocks me down again and I have to fight to get to my feet, my body aching. I catch my breath when I hear the laugh: cruel and distinct in the sea of screams. I turn to see another mog aiming with his gun. It shoots at me.
Something hits me and I go tumbling to the ground with a painful landing on my hip. I barely have time to react when a shower of dust rains down on me, almost choking me. And the person on top. Joseph grins at the look on my face, reading my relief at my survival and his too and the others. Then he gets to his feet, hauling me to mine. Behind him, John, Adam and Nine fire back at the mogs with mog blasters; they must have snagged it from someone.
"Thanks," I gasp.
"Where's Ella and Maren?" he demands in return. We duck down from more shots, still heading towards the promenade. It's so close now.
"I have no idea, I lost them in the-" I shout but then the two appear, clutching hands from Maren's invisibility. They must have seen us regroup and come to join. Relief at their survival makes me almost feel light-headed.
"Come on!" John yells. We take off at once.
Up ahead a crowd has formed by the entrance to the Training Centre now, as the mogs try a disorganised attempt at making them queue. I can't see the rebels right now but I can still hear the gunfire and the missiles and the explosions. I hope the mog civilians get to safety. We finally reach the entrance of the Promenade, the route stretching out ahead of us. Its empty of mogs and civilians, although rubble scatters the straight surface and there are a few barricades placed by the entrance. It seems such a paradox when compared to the chaos just behind us. We vault over those easily. On either side the seats are completely empty of spectators and the flags that used to hang along the walls behind the seats have been ripped to shreds. There are scorch marks on a lot of the concrete and marble.
"We should help them," Adam looks behind at his people struggling to find safety. "We can-"
He's interrupted by a whistling sound of a missile. I watch, my horror almost making everything seem ten times slower, as it races through the air, over the heavy fight between the mog soldiers and Loric. I watch as the stream of fire races towards the Training Centre, and then hits the building just above the crowd. I look away from the flash of fire and concrete raining down on the crowd below but I can't escape the screams. Horror and fear and grief rushes through me, but it's worse for Adam. He looks shell-shocked as he stares at the remains of a once-heaving crowd. There's nothing we can do. It's too late to save most of them.
"Come on," Nine says gently, patting Adam's shoulder. "We've got to go," Adam nods numbly, moving forwards robotically. There are tears in his eyes.
The promenade stretches ahead of us, empty, silent and long. My ringing ears can barely make the gunfire and explosions behind us, and when I look back at the destruction, the smoke and fire seem so far away. The temple looms ahead of us on its great foundation with the great podium and staging area cut into the stone, except these features have been destroyed by some fighting here. Rubble litters the walkway and I can see a lot of the stone benches have been destroyed in the bleachers too.
But the Temple hasn't been touched. It looms above everything, the braziers still burning and the marble still as black as night.
Next to me, Ella shudders and goes white. Her eyes shine blue with Lorien and I watch as her skin flickers blue for a moment before turning pale again. Curious, I turn to look at John and I see that he's surrounded by the tiniest aura of gold. It's eerie and he doesn't seem to notice; his eyes are locked ahead and seem blank, as if he's seeing something different. It's terrifying and yet reassuring to know that Lorien is with us.
"He's waiting," Ella whispers and her voice echoes with power. She points ahead of her. I follow the direction of her gaze.
He may be more than a mile away but I can still see him clearly. He's so tall, taller than anyone else I've known, and he stands with his staff and sword, waiting for us. Even from here, a flicker of dark energy flashes through me and I'm sure he can see us from there. I can sense his power too and I know somehow that this is the strongest he's been. I can sense his presence from here. For a long moment, I stare at him, standing by the entrance, watching us.
"Tell him we're coming," Nine snarls, his lips curled back. He doesn't seem scared. He seems furious.
"Tell him we're going to kill him," Maren vows, just as angry.
Next to me, Joseph reaches out and takes my hand in his. He's trembling as much as I am and I squeeze his hand. I keep my eyes on Setrakus.
For a long moment, he does nothing. Then he raises his staff once, almost in a greeting, and I shudder at the flames licking the end of his staff. The braziers along the side of the Temple suddenly light up with a fierce green fire.
Then he turns and walks inside the Temple.
Hope you all enjoyed! So I plan on two chapters for the major fight and then another major chapter for another important event :D POVS will be: Maren, John/Maren, and then Maren once more for those three chapters.
Please review!
