Charles was hearing, was seeing things so fantastic he could no longer give them a name. He didn't know what they were. Thoughts, he guessed. They sounded both like and unlike people. The kaleidoscope of half-formed words, sensations, emotions, feelings – that's what they looked like. Yet they were so different. Charles noticed flashes of lights at the edge of his awareness. Minds were shining like guiding fires in absolute darkness where he was spending his days. There was no movement in this world and yet there was no stillness. He wanted to come closer and just like that he did. The echo of recognition slowly died inside – he must have known them in another life. Six lights – so bright and beautiful.
How amazing! He was noticed. Charles sought to reassure a wary mind and announce that he doesn't have any bad intentions – still, he doesn't know how. He could perceive their presence but couldn't speak. Well, there's no harm in trying. He concentrated and engulfed the feeling that he had in his time… long ago… it doesn't matter. He'll remember later – it resembled a hug, something warm and friendly and comforting. Yes, why not. Fine. He can share it with this person, because there definitely was a person, behind that suspicious mind.
For a moment he was distracted – someone was approaching at great speed and the powerful intention emitted by the light was so pure that Charles was very tempted to touch, if only briefly. Was it alright? It was so focused that Charles didn't want to break its concentration. He instantly drew back.
Once again he distantly felt his own body and soft cold hands lifted him off the bench. This time something has changed. No one gave him the drink. He felt the light scratching of fabric on his skin – it chilled his body very nicely. When their hands touched his skin, he could feel the buzz of foreign consciousness, but when he tried to communicate, all his efforts met a dark void, so profound and so ancient that he was momentarily paralyzed with primal fear. Someone put a palm on his forehead and Charles' mind was flooded by memories not his.
They served us. The keepers of this world…He's coming. Epochs passed and he returns as predicted… will devour this world first…
Vivid images flashed before his eyes. He was seeing stars, entire constellations and planets, universes, vast spaces and flames… the beginning and the end.
We are eternity. You, our child, the fire in your blood…
It was wrong. Cold harsh stone surface under his back – he can't move a finger, though his mind was freed from the mist… Water, they were drugging him. Perhaps, he can try now.
They have forgotten long ago. They don't hear us anymore.
There was eternal sadness, grief and loss, but he, Charles, he doesn't want to give up.
There must be another way – he tried to protest.
We have tried. But the protection we have granted them made them… You rest… Soon we shall end it… You come with us into eternity.
Wait, cold blade pierced his skin. Don't do this – he struggled, but mist of a different sort has made him weak. Did you forget? I can help you, I can still hear them. Don't or else…
He shall come…
Charles struggled to move, but was only able to open his eyes. Sunlight was obscuring his vision. You're wrong – he tried to say – lips were numb and didn't obey. You mustn't shed blood. He'll come because you forgot who must stop him.
Someone is watching us.
Emma decided that the communication duty should lie on her shoulders. It was overly amusing to start a mental conversation and watch them jumping in surprise. She could get used to that.
The Lost City was spread before her eyes in the closed-off valley. Its pristine stone walls were white and gleaming under the sun. It was not as big as she has imagined, but still impressive. They were close now and Emma could discern eloquent traces of destruction on monumental walls.
'This's amazing!' doctor was frantically wiping his glasses with his own sleeve. 'Who could have built it? These stones are bigger than those I've seen in Egypt. I dare say that the block work…'
Emma turned off the sound. She certainly doesn't need to hear the rest. Another presence was still there – doesn't seem like one of local monsters. Emma clenched her teeth in disdain – she was never sure whether they were close or not. She just can't read them. Their luck - the hairy savage has an excellent hearing, the animal. He was also very ruthless and efficient on the battlefield. He was tearing those white things apart like a beast and Alex didn't like to be left behind. He suddenly decided that Emma needs his protection and was following her every step. Isn't this cute?
'Damn!' she shuddered.
'What's wrong?' immediately snapped Alex.
Not what, but who… So I think. Someone with extra fondness… Spare me.
Emma was overcome with powerful sense of affection and tenderness.
They entered through a crack in the wall – must be left by the earthquake. Emma felt like coming home – she somehow knew where to turn and what to do. She knows, finally she knows that the city must be destroyed. It no longer serves its purpose.
Her self-promoted bodyguard suddenly gasped and fell to his knees.
'Hey, are you sick or what?' Emma tried to come closer and touch his shoulder.
'Stand back!' Alex rasped and looked up at her: there were odd flashes of crimson light all around his figure.
'Lady, please, take cover!'
Emma would gladly do it if she had time, but, unfortunately, she was hesitating for too long. She's heard doctor's determination – he was already dragging Sean away and Logan's decision to cover Moira with his body.
Alex cried out and his figure was for a moment engulfed in piercing fire red light. Air exploded and Emma tried to cover her head with both hands – the force of explosion hit her in the chest and she had hit the stone wall hard. Goodness, she thought. She didn't feel anything. Emma opened her eyes and stared. Her hands were glistening. Fantastic! She turned around and laughed – wonder mixed with relief. Her preferences in jewelry had manifested in the best way possible. Emma's skin was sparkling and shimmering under the sun rays and she was bathing in pure ecstasy. So amazing!
Crimson glowing died out and Alex stared in awe.
Emma felt a surge of bashfulness all of the sudden.
How do you like it?
'Yes, I do. Very much,' he breathed out in a rasp and Emma let herself bask in the glory.
Logan was hissing and swearing until the burn on his back healed.
'Next time, a little warning would be in order, right!' he spat on the ground.
They needed to get to the temple. Must hurry. Emma walked ahead with confidence – her sparkling skin has vanished, but she would be able to turn into diamond anytime she wished. She knew it.
'The city is built in the form of octagonal star and we need to get to the central square, right?' doctor's excitement never ceased to amaze her.
'And everyone gets a surprise on the way,' muttered Alex. 'Who's next, I wonder?'
They came closer to the large open space – the conical building in the center was dominating the landscape. Its shadow, dark and sharp, resembled something familiar... Of course, the watch!
This space is one huge shadow clock. The secret must be somewhere here. She knew that they couldn't cross it just like that.
Hurry…
The voice in her head was weakening – so much help from that. Any more instructions? Hello there?
She squinted at the gigantic structure. Emma had seen the architectural wonders and landmarks all over Europe and those of England, but she's never seen something so imposing and formidable at the same time. Her newly born powers were struggling inside her being; instincts screamed that she turns back and leaves and yet here she is. One mortal woman facing eternal monument to senseless bloodshed with purpose long forgotten.
The same thoughts were currently worrying her companions.
What do they do? Can't stand here in the open and wait for white creatures to catch up to them and can't move forward without a plan. She was seriously considering pushing Logan ahead – at least they can see what will happen.
'Sean, pass me the watch.'
He nodded and obediently pulled it out of the bag. Sean was the only one who was still carrying around completely unnecessary papers and lots of other junk – to make records, he told them. He cherished Xavier's diary like a holy bible. Emma honestly admired such determination. Indeed. If boy dies, it would be a great loss for some research society.
Emma shook it and looked at the engraving. Well, it's high time for something to happen.
Nothing.
'Mister McCoy!' she called and doctor materialized behind her shoulder.
'Look here, we have to figure out how to enter the temple. We can't step there, by the way,' Emma motioned to the slabs covering the ground.
'Maybe, it's a catalyst of the kind. It has something to do with supernatural abilities…' he was useless, sighed Emma.
Having let others play with the key, Emma concentrated.
Logan warned them that white-faced were close. There's no time to wait. She focused and her body sparkled with million reflected suns. Emma raised her chin and took a few steps. The invisible force tossed her back to the wall. Alex was frantically jumping around and asking if she was alright, but Emma silenced him with a curt gesture. The passage between the houses they come from was empty, but for how long.
'There's a wall out there!' blurted out Sean.
'Are you blind or what?' she half-heartedly scolded him but he continued.
'I'm… This is…' he was waving his hands around and Emma was about to let Alex backhand him – because she also had her limit of nonsense.
'Hey, calm down!' Logan dared to wink at her. 'So, Sean, I suppose you can feel it. Tell us what it is.'
'It's the air, some kind of pressure… can't explain, but if you promise not to laugh I want to try…'
Everybody looked at him with ill-disguised skepticism.
Come on, just don't waste my time.
'I think you have to close your ears, preferably. If you think about the difference in the altitude…'
'Alright, just shut up!'
Alex was the first to do like he said.
In the end, Emma didn't see anything. She felt a strong wave-like earthquake – the strange part was that it took place in the air. That's it. Powerful wind swept through the area one last time and everything went quiet.
Well, apparently, her diamond form protected her from the effects because Alex on her right was visibly swaying on his feet.
Together they ran across the open area to the temple and faced a massive stone door. Emma broke off the lid of the watch and pushed it into the opening on the eye-level. The key, indeed. Doors parted slowly and she breathed in the dust and stillness of the centuries.
The pictures in Sebastian's mind were promising tons of gold and precious stones but she saw nothing.
It was empty.
This huge tomb has been emptied long ago.
In the middle there was a big raised platform with intricate stone engraving on its surface. Sunlight was spilling from above and the large glowing crystal was proudly standing in the center. There were alcoves cut out in the blocks and Emma dared a look. It was filled with seemingly ordinary armor ominously glistening from the shadows. Helmets were occupying a separate corner. They were undoubtedly old – and weird, foreign.
Doctor picked up one and gently wiped the dust.
'The alloy is certainly interesting…'
Emma involuntarily shivered and turned away.
Someone played with Sebastian memories. His mind was infected. Who did it to him? She didn't believe that the colonel could be interested in gold, hidden in the depth of goddamn jungles. Why send snoopers so far if you can always kill and rob somebody at home?
Next alcove was dark and empty and Emma went to the third – Sean was standing there holding tiny spheres made of misty glass.
They're too careless – realized Emma. Walking around like lost children. This place emanated strong sense of longing and despair – its imprints were crawling inside her heart and she also was grieving together with the temple, mourning over something out of reach.
We're leaving. And we're leaving alive.
I need your assistance.
She waved Alex and he joined her at the platform.
Everybody, take care!
Together they approached the crystal in the middle. The stone pattern under their feet and the crystal itself were stained with blood. This is the last time – frowned Emma. She'll make sure that this is the last time those creatures desecrated the place.
Emma is making it right.
The city shall be destroyed.
Ready? I'll help you.
Alex met her eyes and nodded in grim determination.
Crimson light filled the pedestal and the crystal broke into millions of pieces.
There was a horrendous rumbling coming from beneath their feet.
And now we run…
Erik was not succumbing to despair, but he was close. The traces, barely visible as they were, vanished just at the root of the mountain range. That's all. No secret passages or crevices that he could find. Cliffs were vertical and steep and Erik earned himself deep gashes on both hands which were bleeding on occasion. Time's running out and he's still running in circles. Erik decided to change his strategy when he reached the peak of frustration. His idea seemed crazy even to himself. If he was doomed to fail... at least he would try – any means to an end. Let them take him too. Erik stopped hiding his tracks and promptly sat in the open for two days which according to his inner voice were longer than two hundred years. He waited. It was the most difficult thing he's done so far.
He was not exactly ready when time came. At first, he'd heard familiar voice and rushed, delighted, in the direction – eager to hear him again, to finally see Charles, but part of his mind – that one comprised mainly of survival instincts – remained alert. His conscious mind split in two. When they tried to make him drink, he drank. And then, did his best to trigger his gag reflex. Drug was potent. He was lucky that they left him alone – he could take his time and sneak out of the window on the ceiling – not an easy task, by any means.
That was really the Lost City – the name as meaningful as it has to be. There were no treasures there but complete and utter desolation. Everything was gloomy and empty as if time sucked out life from this place, turning it into an enormous cemetery. The inhabitants on the city lived somewhere in the shadows… Pale and constantly silent, like ghosts.
Where's Charles? Erik was tormented by never ceasing anxiety. He looked through all houses he could enter. The only place left was the lone construction in the city center. He was vaguely surprised that the locals, weird creatures indeed, were visiting the central building always at the same time. A church or a temple? Erik nearly died when he decided to follow them. Bruised ribs were his smallest concern. Fortunately, the incident fueled his determination.
He found the answer by chance.
There have to be sewers. Even in the place as ancient as this one, even not functioning, but they have to exist in one form or another. After all, white-skinned creatures weren't leaving exclusively on air.
Journey through the abandoned sewage turned into a terrible nightmare. Several times he was sure that he would never make it. Everything in the city was made of stone – strangely white and as far as Erik might say – awfully resistant. There was that one moment he had to stop – Erik could swear that he's been touched by someone painfully familiar. Charles – he silently gasped. It surely felt as if Charles has passed by and clapped him on the shoulder. Feeling lost and bewildered, Erik had to shake it off. He can't afford to space out. Erik was always good in finding the needed direction.
Climbing inside the temple through the narrow passage worried his injured hands – as the result, he was leaving bloody handprints all along his way up. Erik firmly kept his mouth closed – he wouldn't utter a sound.
Finally, he made it to the surface and lay down to get back his breath.
There was always too quiet here.
Erik suspected that the mysterious inhabitants of the said city had a specific way of communication. He was observing them enough to come up with this conclusion.
He rolled on his stomach and then stood up. Hhm… he was in the right place. Charles? Erik looked around – he was in the corner of the temple, in the place which resembled an alcove or a niche. Carefully, he peered out of his hiding place. The huge stone pedestal drew his attention to the center of the temple. Ghostly silhouettes were crowding around it and Erik didn't see what was going on.
Exhausted, Erik leaned on the wall in the alcove as inconspicuously as possible. Each second of rest brought immense relief. Erik knew that he pushed himself to his limit – various minor injuries and general drain made him vulnerable. He didn't remember the last time he ate and even like this – Erik clenched his hands into fists – even like this, he'll do it. He'll find Charles and take him back home.
Erik quietly watched the creatures gliding away like ethereal shadows.
At last. Now, he can take a look.
His quiet gasp echoed from the walls.
Instantly, Erik stilled inside. He turned himself into a shadow and darted to the pedestal. Of course, bitterness seized his throat; this is cruel fate playing with him again – he'd never come on time.
Charles was lying in the stream of golden sunlight, plain white cloak thrown over his own tattered clothes. Arms outstretched. His blood was flowing from vertical cuts on his hands – very efficient, his mind dutifully supplied – the pattern on the stone was filling up with crimson liquid… Erik moved in a flash. He has to stop the bleeding. His hands were almost steady. Almost. Erik grabbed Charles' hand with his bloodied palm – look what you have done; now you've mixed your blood – added tiny voice in his mind. He quickly tore some strips of cloth – they will do for now. He tightly bandaged one wrist. It's cold. So cold. He swallowed hard and finally raised his eyes.
Charles was still breathing; he saw the rise and fall of his chest. His bright blue eyes were open but unseeing. Erik gently touched his forehead with his lips. Too cold. Charles shouldn't be so cold.
Who are you? Did you...
Erik almost pulled back, startled by light echo of the voice inside his head. He restrained himself. Charles was talking to him. It doesn't matter how he does it, but Erik shall always recognize his presence.
He hurriedly whispered in response:
'I'm Erik! I came for you… Charles, there's only one thing I want to ask you – please, hold on… Could you do it for me?...'
I remember who you are!
Charles sounded like himself. But so weak. More distant.
…must apologize to you… I remember…
'No – what are you talking about? You've done nothing to apologize for. I, on the other hand, should do it. Apologize and say something important to you…'
'Charles?...'
After four unbearably long minutes Erik let his fingers slide down – no pulse.
Charles has just stopped breathing in his arms and yet… Here he sat on the cold stone floor blankly staring at his immobile face.
Nothing is going to happen.
Their relationship ended before the start.
When Erik was informed about the fire in Eisenhardts' mansion – fire, which killed his foster family – Erik had nearly murdered a man in cold fury.
He will not react – this time all his pain stays with him. He will not share.
Erik gathered Charles in his arms with care – head nestled on Erik's shoulder – like dozen days ago in the cannibals' settlement. Charles was breathing then.
He embraced Charles closer, dug his fingers into soft thick hair – how he dreamed of doing it – and leaned his head against his own chest. He will not… Erik will not let go of him any more – no matter what.
Charles shouldn't stay here – this rotten place doesn't suit him at all. Erik has to take him away – as far as possible from this cursed city.
When he was getting up he clumsily slipped on the blood. Blood… single word was beating in his mind… Charles' blood.
His palm has inadvertently landed on the crystal and Erik's head nearly exploded from blinding pain.
Who? Who are you… Blood… Our child… Again…
Voice simultaneously crushed and burned his mind. Erik was overcome.
Please, whatever you are, help Charles – he wanted to say.
The city shall be destroyed.
Warm liquid was flowing dong his face from eyes and nose – smells like iron.
Please, save him!
Our children live forever…
Pain stopped abruptly and only then Erik realized that all this time he was screaming aloud. He shifted and tried to process the subtle change he's just felt. What exactly?...
Charles snapped and looked up – fire was blazing in his eyes.