Sometimes timing sucks. I could've been fucking Jack, but instead I'm dragging her to the Necromongers' ship. I still can't believe that I'm doing this. It's completely against all my survival instincts. The same instincts that have kept me alive in the most psychotic and treacherous slams. But then again, if this is what Jack wants, then it's what I want.
Right now, I've to focus on getting us in the ship unnoticed. I'm half-dragging, half-carrying Jack. I really don't want to be rough with her, but a few bruises are better than being dead. I quickly glance at Jack and see that she's enacting her role well. She's transformed herself into a scared woman, just like I told her. She's taking small hesitant steps, with her arms wrapped around her. Even her posture seems resigned.
But her eyes could give her away. There's absolutely no fear in them. She's determined to face the enemy and get Ziza out. I'm not looking at Jack. I'm looking at Kyra.
Through my tangled hair, I see that we're approaching the ship. I don't know why it's called a ship. It looks more like an ancient gargoyle. The dark towering body has a strong presence, but there is a solemn and somber feel to it. The light that pours out of the main entrance onto the steps isn't bright, it's smoky. Riddick won't need his goggles.
As we come near the steps, Riddick's grip on my collar tightens and he starts dragging me more roughly. Surprisingly, nobody even gives us a second look. We climb stairs for what seems like centuries – now I understand how the Necros stay in shape.
Finally, we reach the massive portal. I stride purposefully into the large Basilica and take the first turn to my right. After a few more rounds, I spot an almost empty corridor, except for a lone couple. Luckily the man is about my size, and the woman resembles Jack's. With but a slight nudge, Jack knows what I have in mind.
I march towards the couple, and within a few seconds, both of them are sprawled on the floor. I start taking off my armor and quickly change into the lightweight dress cloak. I cock an eyebrow when I see Jack take off her clothes to wear the pale green robe. She smirks at me knowing what effect she has on the Big Evil.
"This will let us wander around the ship," Riddick says as he covers his head. He watches Jack cover her hair and neck with a matching green scarf.
"It'll be easier to hide weapons in this," she mutters as she pulls up her dress mid-thigh to hide the shivs. She shakes her head as she realizes that she needs something to hold the shivs in place.
"This will do," Riddick growls as he tears two parts of her old tank top. He then bends down and holds the shiv on her thigh and ties the cloth around it. He repeats it again on her other thigh. As he gets up, he smacks her hip. "Let's go."
How can Riddick have the nerve to smack me? And then he just disappears around the corner before I can get him back. He'll pay, if we make it out alive. Why am I thinking about Riddick when I should be concentrating on finding Ziza?
I know the answer to that question. I'm scared. Jack who's killed, maimed and tortured is scared. But not for myself, for Riddick. I don't want him to die, especially if I live. I prefer being locked up in Crematoria with the hope that he'd come for me, instead of being free and knowing he's dead.
For once, Imam's God, please make things right.
Jack finally caught up with me. I can see that something is bothering her, but now's not the time to talk. Now we need action. I take her hand and we walk around the ship. After an hour, we go back to where we started - the Basilica.
From the side, I see the Lord Marshall seated on a throne, with three large statues at his back, soaring over him. In front of him, there are a few dozen people. They're definitely non-converters. I can tell from their posture, their smell of fear and resignation, and most of all, because I see a small girl.
Ziza. She's alive. I want to run to her, but at the same time, my legs feel like they're going to drop from relief. I allow myself a few seconds to gather my thoughts and take a large breath. Seeing her won't be enough. I need to get her out and to Lajjun.
I quickly scan the area. Behind the non-converters, there are about one hundred Necromongers. There are also guards stationed every few meters along the walls. The only way to get close to Ziza is by passing the guards and going to the front of the crowd. I look at Riddick, and he signals me to follow him.
We advanced soundlessly into the crowd. The Lord Marshall is tantalizingly close, but Riddick squeezes my arm. He wants to wait for the right opportunity.
I'm running through the possibilities. If we just snatch Ziza and run, we'll never make it beyond the Basilica. If I grab her and run, Jack dies. If Jack grabs her, I die. Fuck. In every scenario, we'll die. Even if we make it out alive, they'll find Lajjun and then we'll die. I'm not a pessimist, just a realist.
But if I create a diversion, a really strong diversion, Jack might have a chance of sneaking up to Ziza and taking her during the chaos. And there's only one way to get such a big diversion – kill the Lord Marshall. The thought is extremely enticing. The animal is enjoying the chase. The beast will enjoy the kill, hopefully.
Fuck Riddick. I know that look. He's going to do something extremely dangerous. The way his silver gems stare down at me, I know he's going for the Lord Marshall. I see a flicker of emotion in his eyes. Maybe it's a bit of love. Maybe it's a bit of sadness
Before I can even reach out to him, he barges through the crowd, leaps and lands a few steps away from the throne, with a shiv in each hand. He lunges forward to stab the Lord, except he's not there anymore. Riddick turns around to see the Lord waiting for him on the main black marble floor.
Riddick once again runs towards him, but the Lord Marshall pushes him with such strength that Riddick gets slammed halfway across the floor. I watch Riddick quickly spring to his feet. Just as he taught me, he flicks his wrist and throws a shiv at the Lord Marshall. But the Marshall caught it. Or what looks like his ghost.
The Lord Marshall has an astral self. Now I have a new mission, to kill him, both of him.
I lunge at him over and over again, but he always pushes me or kicks me with such brute strength, that I'm now completely dazed. I'll continue to fight, as I always do, but my blade has only slashed through air.
Bruised and battered, I attack him once more, but this time the Lord Marshall's blow makes me smash my head against the pillar. As blood pours out of my mouth, I see the Lord Marshall hovering over me. I glance sideways to see that both Ziza and Jack are gone.
I close my eyes as I feel the Lord Marshall extract my soul. Who would've thought that I had a soul?