Chapter 14 – Why guard duty should be taken seriously
Lucius's POV
There it was, our target. A settlement beneath the surface in a gigantic cavern. It had a distinctive beauty to it. On the one side, it was an installation with functionality in mind. The largest buildings were hewn in stone at the edge of the hollow. The rest of the structures would narrowly follow like a cascade towards a plaza in the middle of the village. The four main roads would lead right towards it and would bring every visitor inadvertently in front of a massive black obelisk with carvings in it.
Areti told me that obelisks such as these represented the emperor and the different carvings were blessings and greetings from his people towards him. If one entered the settlement for the first time it was custom to go there and recite one of these blessing while infusing some Mana into the respective lettering, which would then start to glow.
The function was obvious: the exhibition of the imperial might. However, such an ever-present display of power would have soon had the reverse effect on the minds of the people and thus the obelisk was encircled by stony imitations of trees with glowing marbles representing fruits in it. That gave the act of bowing towards and greeting a lifeless stone a somewhat mythical nuance.
Not only this, but over the years a lot of influential people stayed and trained in here. Even if it had always been only for a short while, many aristocrats remembered their time here dearly and donated either statues or commissioned engravings into the building's walls. It was probably the most beautiful village I ever saw in my life.
[Hmmm...how should I best burn it down?]
Basically, my plan was to set fire at multiple locations in an attempt to produce as much of a commotion as possible. We then would wait in ambush for the guards who would rush to the scene. The deal I had made with the demons was to set them free after we were in our respective positions.
On my way here I had made a list of hard and soft targets in the village. From various books I knew that attacking a city required a set of targets. In this occasion hard targets would be the barracks and the teleportation-hall. [ What would a soft target be...]
Right now we were hidden behind stalagmites. 18 humans and 33 mounts. On our way here we didn't try to hide, though I sent two people out ahead to warn us of any enemies. Five trainees had the misfortune of crossing our path, which we defeated in the time it took for our auras to reach them. That is, in an instant.
Being so close to the edge of the village, I couldn't help but notice a peculiarity. The building with the teleport-circle was quite close to us. It had three floors with one big balcony and was one of the largest buildings with it's back going over into the cavern's wall. Two guards were at the entrance in front and one trainee was just leaving, heading right for our direction.
“Hmm...”
“What is it?” (Brensek)
“We are going to ask that demon for some informations about the inside of the hall. Areti, you are going to stay on the road, while we hide here. Try to get some informations out of him but do not fight.”
“Me?”
“Yes, you.” She shouldn't have already forgotten that her only option was full cooperation with us, so I wasn't too concerned with giving her such a task. I didn't want to fight and risk exposure, hence such a way was chosen.
As he came closer Areti changed her posture from a little arrogant noble into that of a frightened girl. It was amazing that she had enough courage to walk like this when she was merely a captive. With a somewhat shaken voice she greeted him.
“H-hello! You just came out of the teleport-hall, didn't you? C-could you tell me if the guard with a scar instead of an eye was in there?”
She played her role well. There was no hint that the young trainee noticed the 50 people hiding behind the massive amount of stalagmites. Still, I never let go of her sight, searching for any kind of treacherous signs in her behaviour. If there were any, I was not able to see them.
“Greetings! The guard with the scar? Why would you want to know that?”
Areti, looking down and touching her elbow with the other hand went on with spinning her tale.
“Please don't laugh, but when I first teleported here I accidentally gave him some orders, not knowing that they would only follow the emperor's chosen, the black demons. I made him really angry...”
“Let me guess, you want to teleport out but are too fearful of another encouter with him. Is that why you asked? Ha! Don't worry, he's not in there.”
The young demon's face showed amusement over what seemed to be a fun display of weakness combined with a little bit of cuteness. She caught on to it and brought an index finger to her lips, even letting out a small tear.
“A-are there any other guards in there?”
“Hahaha....you don't have to cry. I only saw the two guards at the entrance and a receptionist in the main hall. You don't have to be so fearful. But say...if I am not mistaken that crest on your shoulder belongs to the house Sa 'Wa. Since when are they so whiny?” [Considering it's importance as the only life-line of the settlement, it's rather lightly guarded...]
Areti immediately dropped her act after hearing this, the look in her eyes changed. It was the same kind of look she had when she was about to kill the baroness. I knew what was going to happen. Just like with me, she used her tail to impale his heart. To the surprised boy she only had to say one thing.
“Never let your guard down around a Sa 'Wa!” [Something I'll keep in mind...]
When I came out she preemptively apologized.
“He knew who I was.” Then she ripped the insignia of her house off. The other demons, witnessing her actions did the same, not even one commenting her murder. I didn't had the time to reprimand her either. It seems her modus operandi was getting results through defiance and I wouldn't waste my energy on a demon with which I would part ways in the next hour, anyway.
Instead, I addressed her and Nrewen. The hall seemed to be a much easier target than initially thought.
“How does a teleport-circle work? Is it a one-way-type of transportation or can you summon something with it, too?”
“Summon? Not exactly. Just for a moment such a circle turns you aetherical and then gives you enough of a boost to instantly catapult you to the other side of the world, if necessary.”
“Aetherical? Very impressive.”
The possibility to make things go through walls. That was truly remarkable in my eyes. Nrewen and Areti, on the other hand side were a little startled over my remark. I got the distinct feeling that I said something ignorant, though they were to fearful of me to say anything about it. They knew about our difference in power and most likely regarded me as a tyrant who didn't want to hear any differing opinions.
“It will be worse if you keep things hidden from me when I say something wrong.”
For a moment, Nrewen looked at the ground, unsure whether he should answer but he still mustered his courage and said.
“Turning something aetherical isn't what is impressive about them. Even I can do that. The impressive part lies in the mathematical equations used to determine the desired destination. You don't want to suddenly become solid inside a mountain again.”
“Or you might be sent into the ocean without anybody ever seeing you again. There were a lot of such stories when the first teleportation-circles were made without proper knowledge of coordinates.” (Areti)
“Yes, when my father set up a circle inside our mansion we had to calibrate it for two months, sending aetherical packages through it, until we had the first successful transport.”
Somehow or the other, their means of transportation seemed like it was closer to a certain sci-fi series, than a fantasy world. One other question wasn't answered yet, though.
“Why is there a need for another teleport-circle then? Couldn't you just use the coordinates of a known location to exactly teleport without a circle?”
“How would you be able to pinpoint such an exact location? The necessary equations would be incredibly complicated. A circle functions as a beacon that pulls aetherical beings towards it, as well as a starting point.”
[So their problems lie in determining the exact coordinates. Something that isn't impressive for someone from my world, at all.] When I was talking to Aoi or Crence there was no need to hide my lack of knowledge. I could trust them and there were no real detriments in showing it. From now on I should be more careful about such remarks, though. It would be wiser to keep my ignorance regarding this world hidden.
It's more like high-speed movement instead of teleportation. When I heard teleportation, I thought it was something like ripping space apart and stepping through a dimensional rift to come out at the desired location...
“I have two last questions. Answer this one first. Will a circle attract all kinds of aetherical beings and give substance to them?”
“Yes. But there is a certain insignia that defines the maximum distance to 50 metres. Otherwise you might attract spirits and ghosts.”
[50 metres. It is shorter than I had hoped for...] My plan to set fire was bad at best. The buildings were out of stone and chances were high that we would be discovered too soon. There might be another way, though.
[If they have no shields I should simply teleport a photon torpedo onto their bridge.]
“This insignia...can you erase it so that it would pull aetherical beings from a wider range towards it?”
“Yes, but why would you need that?”
“For something special...”
Anxiously waiting for an answer, Nrewen followed the path of my eyes and saw what I was looking at. They widened in realization and he stuttered with a fearful tone.
“A-are you going to ask me t-to make lava aetherical?”
“Exactly! Change of plans, folks. We are not going to set fire in different locations. Instead, we are going to take over the teleport-hall and then redecorate it with a lava-stream. This should be better than anything we could do. Demons, you are free to leave after this.”
Out of the 33 demons present, four (including Nrewen) were able to use the required spell 'Whisper of the Aether'. Those were the lucky ones who were too valuable to use in direct combat.
“Alright! Brensek, take five men and ten demons with you and get as close to the hall as possible. Then become aetherical and teleport inside. I will lead the frontal assault and attack from the outside at the same time. This should overwhelm the guards quickly enough. You two...” I motioned two other 'Children'. “...After we were able to secure the building, you will take the four demons who can use the 'Whisper of the Aether' and go to a lava-stream...We also need a contingency plan. No matter what happens, if the four demons have any Mana left after turning the lava aetherical, you are to collapse as many passage-ways as possible. If we fail to take the teleport-hall, you will pour everything into this plan. After you've blocked the way, you'll let the demons go and wait in ambush there to disrupt any attempts at clearing the way. If any of the guards miraculously know about an ambush you are free to tell them everything about your four friends here.”
Atleast one of the four demons was able to use earth magic, so much I verified during the attack on the guard earlier. It might buy Randalph's group some precious minutes, though I saw how destructive the guard's magic could be and didn't cling to any delusions on how long a collapsed ceiling would stop them. I also had to let go of my trusted mount, Nrewen. Before this, I confirmed that another demon knew which part of the circle had to be destroyed. He would also stay in the second line during the attack.
“Any questions before we attack?”
“Why aren't we simply concentrating on destroying all the corridors?” (Nrewen)
“Nobody asked you, demon!” Brensek came closer and gave him a blow to the head.
Initially, I also had the same thought as Nrewen. However, using such a tactic would tell the guards that we were trying to buy time. Our aim was to focus all of their attention here and entice them into leaving the main cavern alone. There was also no telling how many other unknown routes exited, so we could suddenly be in a position where we would be attacked from behind. Lastly, I simply had no confidence that our demons could destroy the corridors faster than the guards could clear them out. No! We had to act aggressive in order to fool them.
“He's right. Nobody asked you! Alright then, let's move out!”
“””Understood.”””
It's really wondrous how the 'Children' agreed to my taking command, despite my lack of experience. A high wisdom stat seemed to hold that much of an authority to them. On the other hand side I made it to Randalph unmistakably clear that this was my operation and some might say that I coerced him into going through with it. However, I only took volunteers and they all agreed to my command.
The dungeons interior, plastered with stalagmites and stalactites, as well as the location of the teleport-hall at the edge of the settlement, really proved to be working in our favour and allowed for a rather covert approach. It was akin to walking through a dense forest. We waited for Brensek and his men to turn aetherical and disappear in a flash. It really resembled the way Gene Roddenberry imagined it. Turning transparent first, then disappearing with some glitter.
At the same time 10 humans and 19 demons went calmly forward out into the open. Us humans were covered in cloth. Though we were obviously a suspicious group, the guards did not immediately attack us, though still readied their halberds. Furthermore, the sound of fighting could suddenly be heard from inside and they were at a loss on how to react for a moment. When they were about to move inside and protect the more important circle, I gave the order to fire a volley of magical attacks to the idiots who would turn their back towards us and storming forward with the prepared battle-cries leaving our throats.
“To the teleport-circle! It's our only chance of escape!”
The prior fight against the single guard showed me how to gain victory against them. Neither desperate, nor heroic actions were necessary. What was needed was a calm and steadfast, but aggressive approach. Randalph told me that such a tactic would force the enemy to fall back on their trained patterns and didn't let them enough time to come up with anything else. Like this, their behaviour in combat became predictable to a certain degree and you could prepare for it. He called it the importance of taking the initiative.
So far, so good. The problem lied in the fact that their trained reactions were incredibly well. My force consisted of pretty much the same number of people as in the fight before, when one guard was enough to cope with all of the demon's attacks.
One of them erected a five metre high earthen wall as cover. From behind this barricade two fiery beams came out left and right, probably the attack of the other guard, and both bent in mid-air to aim directly for me.
[It took them only a glance to distinguish the leader. If that's the case, then...]
“Concentrate all your efforts on attacking! Do not defend me!” I took the comment of Randalph to heart, when he said that a more spirited attack by the demons would have prevented the second splitting fireball. We would occupy them until Brensek would hit them from behind.
I was more than ready to sacrifice myself here. Everything was already set in motion and I wouldn't really be needed any longer.
“I can deal with their attacks by myself!”
Actually I couldn't, but I hoped my blatant lie would coerce the demon, whose field of vision was obstructed by their own wall, into another attack aimed at me, thus buying the others more time to get close and use their auras.
To Areti and my other mount I whispered.
“Throw me off and get out of here. You've earned your freedom.”
Understanding what I meant, she didn't abide at all. Instead she threw some kind of glassy ball that shattered into glimmering dust which functioned as a deflective barrier of some sort, bending the two beams once again towards a path slightly above the demon's heads. The other mount created a tiny ramp in front of us that led into the ground. It wasn't much, only 50cm at most, but the combination of their efforts barely allowed for our survival. Even then the heat was fierce enough to leave a burning mark on my bald head. I felt blood flowing down into an eye.
“If we had thrown you off just now the other humans would have killed us.”
[Right...]
“Do you have more of those balls?”
“This was the only one.”
Two other beams were already coming. This time, however, they bent completely upwards, began to uncontrollably spin and hit the ceiling 60 metres above. Brensek finally decided to interfere, as the sudden explosions behind the wall indicated.
“Rip his barricade apart! You and you.” I motioned four 'Children'. “Come in from the sides!”
Concentrating fire on the wall would either force one demon to continuously renew it or ultimately break open a direct path towards them. In both instances we already won with Brensek behind them.
“Do you have magic that can be thrown over the wall like a stone? If so, use it now!”
One demon took my words literally and forced a small boulder out of the floor that he tossed over the wall, while another one had an archaic type of grenade with him that he threw. The instance it flew to the other side the earthen blockade disappeared and we could see that one guard had created a hole in which the grenade landed and enclosed it. A small eruption could be felt throughout the floor.
[Can't you just give up already?]
The two of them were simply defending at this point, hoping for the other guards to arrive soon. A clear mistake. Surrounded, already hurt from Brensek's attack, and in range for offensive auras, they were already dead. It would just take them a couple of painful seconds longer to finally accept that fact. [This is the end for you.]
As if to mock my thoughts a third guard, decoyed by the noise of battle, appeared on the balcony. [The intel was wrong...]
“Shoot the balcony, destroy his footing!”
I should have ordered this from the start so as to drop it on the two guards below. Nevertheless, it had the desired effect and the rubble buried those two beneath it, though the third guard elegantly jumped on a not yet broken part of the balcony. Unfortunately for him, we also shot it without allowing him to take a break, so he frantically leapt to the next one but still gained a considerable speed through his efforts and got close to the entrance.
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“Block off his path with a volley!”
More than 15 trainees were shooting at it from below in a massive salvo. Having his path cut off he simply began to jump from one falling piece of debris to another and ultimately pushed himself off the wall with his feet. Pivoting around his own axis, he drew a large arch away from it. His agility while wearing an armour was already astonishing but nothing new, considering the acrobatics that they showed during their defence against magical attacks. Granted, I never thought he would have the confidence to safely land from the 3rd floor.
[If he so wanted...] Down here only death inside our auras waited for him. A demon was thoughtful enough to create sharp spikes at his presumed place of landing, which the guard immediately flattened again.
Still, his end was decided. He knew it, too. Earlier he had already created a barrier around his body against the proprietors of fire magic, only blocking around 1/3rd of all spells. If I were in his position I would have used my last strength to shoot a final magical attack at my enemies. He, on the other hand side, brought a horn to his lips with his last action and blew it, telling everybody in the vicinity of the impeding emergency.
[Not as if anybody in the settlement didn't already notice the explosions.] When the fighting broke out, I had already seen a couple of demons sticking their heads out of the windows in the adjacent buildings, only to quickly hide themselves again after they realized what was going on.
Still in mid-air, as the guard was hit by multiple spells, the tension of somebody who would land safely left his body. In the end he dropped like a sack with a nasty noise. One of the 'Children' commented on it.
“Damn persistent! Their mastery of body strengthening techniques is really a pain.”
[He really could have landed safely...]
We had no time to admire them, though.
“Brensek, take your men and search the building for other guards. What about the receptionist?”
“Dead.”
“Good. Then go.”
“Fillion, take some demons and create pitfalls with earth magic in the vicinity. But don't take too much time.”
Then I pointed towards the trainee with knowledge about the insignia.
“And you...disable the circle's safety mechanism!”
The entrance to the building was cleared from the debris. Surprisingly, a guard was still somewhat alive. Despite his various wounds and broken bones his will to fight was not gone. Dazed and lying on the ground, he held the broken staff of his halberd and tried to keep us away. For a moment only I hesitated but then decided to use the 'Aura of the blazing Sun' to give him his eternal rest. They were simply too dangerous to be kept alive, even in such a state.
The teleport-circle was a five metre large installation on the ground. For the most part it depicted a pattern, which was embedded with gold that vaguely reminded me of an old nautical map from earth. Respectively, the gold had also elaborate carvings out of silver in it. Everything was encircled by another 10 cm broad golden ring.
[This massive amount of riches was only guarded by three men?]
The trainee knew where to look for the insignia and found it without further ado.
“We just have to destroy this ward here.”
He pointed towards a scripture of about one metre in length in the outer ring.
“Do your work! As for the others, create a path with earth magic from the circle towards the entrance so as to guide the lava on to the main road. Hurry!”
Every demon that had no task was ordered with silently creating a hole in the wall leading into an adjacent house, that would serve as our escape route. Sending three men and six trainees ahead to clear it from any occupants, I ordered them to prepare everything so we could make our last stand there.
Brensek came down with his men. He was walking on his own two legs! In his hands he held a weapon. The staff was black with inscriptions out of obsidian. The blade itself had a detailed pattern cauterized in it. It's appearance was completed by a spine and a spearhead. A halberd.
He noticed my gaze and performed a swing through the air. I had once already witnessed a similar weapon. The black demon Bagrat Ver 'do San tortured me with an axe. That gave off the same ominous feeling.
“It seems you have found something interesting.”
“I found two interesting things. This one is for you.”
From his belt was a flanged mace hanging. Swords, spears, bows...such things I had already seen in museums. Various martial arts and cultures have been formed around these weapons. However, none of them became a symbol of political power as much as the mace which evolved into a sceptre. The one that Brensek presented me with was not such a ceremonial one, though. It's purpose was clearly visible. An 80cm long metallic shaft with a brutal looking head, made for smashing the enemy's bones underneath a shield and armour; a tool for war. Areti was the first one to speak out.
“Cursed weapons...beautiful.”
“It's even better than this. I can't believe I'm holding such a thing in my hands. Not only is it a cursed weapon that would damage the opponent by adding magical attacks, but it has also a blessing. It's as if I would use a body-strengthening technique. Whoever created this was a genius! I thought you could only ever have either a cursed or a blessed weapon but never a combination of both.”
“Is that so?”
“We obtained some blessed weapons from the elves during the war and questioned them about it...”
I put out my hand for Brensek to lay the mace into it. The moment my palm touched the grip I felt the distinct sensation of strength. How could I explain it better than with the word 'enticing'? Holding it, trying out a swing...this weapon itself promised it's bearer to serve well. A dangerous feeling, since you could easily get drunk on this power and overestimate yourself.
Magical weapons... The one in my hand had nothing of the mythical radiance one would expect from such things if he, for example, heard of the legend of Excalibur. There were no fateful strings attached to it like becoming a king, no epiphany either. The man holding it would define this weapon, not the weapon it's owner. Still, I was able to walk on my own legs, though somewhat shaky. There was a definite increase in my body's strength but only to a degree where I could barely jump 30cm by my own. [Better than nothing...]
On a hunch I ordered a demon to perform the spell that could display stats on me. The luminescent letters in the air confirmed my assumption.
Level:1Strength:11Agility:11Stamina:12Intelligence:14Wisdom:124Mana:1
The weapon itself seemed to increase Strength, agility, and stamina by 10. [My stamina rose by a point again. Crence will be devastated]
“A body-strengthening technique will give you an increase in stats?”
“Not always. Some will also make your skin more resilient against natural attacks, though these are admittedly the most difficult ones. These weapons seem to grant you a minor rise in stats, which is exceptional in itself but nothing compared to a properly cast spell. Notwithstanding, this blessing will not lose it's effect as long as you hold onto the mace.”
Fillion barged in to interrupt our talks.
“A column of soldiers is coming! 30 men and counting. They will be here any minute now.”
“Understood. Demon, what of the insignia?”
“D-done!”
Barely a second after he spoke those words a glowing mass appeared inside the circle and materialized into a constant lava-stream. Exuding great heat and toxic gases it took the prepared path out of the hall. Our work was done and we left into the next building.
There I turned towards the demons. I had captured them against their will, basically used them as slaves. Finally standing on my own to feet and looking down on them, I realized how small they still were but there was no place for sympathy towards them inside of me.
“You are free.”
My business with them was done. Not even waiting for their reactions I went upstairs to observe the situation. Our demons barged into the outside, running in a panic onto the road in the direction of the plaza straight towards the soldiers Fillion had spoken of. Areti was smart enough to not follow their example and forced herself an entrance into a different house. 25 guards were coming in two columns with one officer in the front. Five others were organizing an improvised squadron of 50 to 60 trainees somewhere further behind. Numerous alarm sounds could be heard throughout the settlement.
[That's it, huh? Maybe I can negotiate and stall for some time this way.]
As I was quietly watching this scene, something strange happened. Firstly, the guards stopped in their approach. Obviously irritated by the suddenly appearing lava, the officer ordered them to spread out and create a dike with magic. Secondly, motivated by the arriving guards some servants left their houses and frantically pointed towards our former mounts while yelling something. It seemed they wanted to warn the soldiers of a possible sneak attack from treacherous forces.
The result was bloody. Without hesitation he ordered a barrage of magical attacks and forced the young trainees to flee right back towards us. Some tried to find security inside other houses but the officer was merciless and bombed every building they entered. If he decided to do the same with our position, we wouldn't be able to hold out longer than a minute.
Hurrying down I looked the returning remnants of the trainees into the eyes. Only half of them made it back, one or two began to cry, they had lost all hope. The demon who destroyed the ward was also with them, though his arm was uselessly hanging down due to injury and half of his left ear was missing.
From my perspective I just regained extremely valuable resources.
“All right, Listen! The guards turned against you, however...there is still a chance for you. You will help us blast our way through the walls from house to house! They have not yet identified all of you and you might be able to abscond along the way.”
Little other choice did they have, they immediately understood and followed my command. This is when suddenly a glowing blob of 30cm in diameter emerged out of thin air and fell on a 'Child', as well as a demon in a fiery mass, killing both of them.
“Get moving! We can't stand here any longer! Stay close to me and my 'Sanctuary-Aura'!”
Forcing our way into the next building I witnessed another one of these blobs burning down a resident that didn't belong to us. Initially, I had thought this was the doing of the guards, but glancing out of the window I caught sight of numerous such occurrences on the outside, too, starting fires everywhere. Even the guards were hit and had to defend themselves.
Ordering everybody to stop, I turned towards the earless bastard of a demon.
“Why didn't you tell me that the lava would start to materialize all over the place?”
“I-I didn't know! T-The circle must've been damaged by the lava and now went out of control. There is no other explanation.”
Looking outside again, the guards were in serious trouble, collecting their dead and wounded after an enormous mass of lava had materialized itself over their heads. They were still preoccupied with fending off against other, smaller drops of lava and shot them down.
[What an extremely fortunate turn of events...] I couldn't help but smile at this chaos.
“Listen up! Gather at the windows and let out a volley of magical attacks at the guards while they do not reckon with it. Then immediately move up to the next building!”
If I saw correctly, the officer was hit by a violet beam at the back of his head.
-------
Randalph's POV
The messenger gave his report while we were on the move and left after he finished. Godmother commented on it.
“It seems that this is a very resourceful 'Child'. Tell me about him. Why did you let him lead such an attack?”
We freed as many captives from the main cavern as possible and made way towards our camp at the bridge. More than 100 of us were on our way.
What should I have told her? That I was simply swayed by him? That I saw no possibility to overrule him? That he may be possibly the next in line for command?
“He was the first one to break free from the curse and forced the trainees to help us.”
“Breaking free from the curse? Not even I was able to do this. How did he accomplish this feat?”
“I do not know. It might have something to do with his incredibly high wisdom.”
“For you to praise the wisdom of another one. How high is it?”
I hesitated with a response, for I could not bring it over my heart to tell her everything about him. Aoi, who was right behind us and noticed the deferment of my answer, took that decision from me.
“124.”
Godmother turned towards her. She didn't mind the interruption by an unfamiliar 'Child' and instead, with surprise in her voice, replied.
“124, you say? Randalph, can you confirm this?”
“Aye, Godmother. It is as she says. This is Aoi Wolfcleaver, his beloved.”
Aoi performed a slight bow with her head at my introduction and began to speak again.
“This is where I will part from you. We freed you but I will go to him.”
Lucius had asked me to keep her with us at all costs and warned me in advance that she would surely follow him. [I can atleast do this much for him.]
“Aoi, you want to go despite his explicit wish for you to stay? I won't allow such a thing to happen. He made me promise to him that I would not let you go.”
“Nevertheless, I will go.”
“I order you as a captain to stay. If you do not abide out of your own free will, I am prepared to tie you up and force you to come with us.”
It was a blatant threat that would have offended most people. Most likely it would result in her hating me but she just mildly smiled and reacted in a composed way.
“I don't want us to part on bad terms. We have suffered too much together for any bad blood between us. However, please don't be mistaken about one thing. You do not hold such an authority over me. If anyone has it, it would be Lucius. That is why I will answer to him directly for disobeying his wishes, not to you.”
Godmother had followed our exchange in silence up until now but decided to speak up after Aoi's rejection.
“'Child', do you understand what you are about to do? He freed you and you are going to betray him in such a way?”
“It would be a much greater betrayal if I were to leave him alone in this place. Randalph, you weren't awake then, but he once overcame the torture of a black demon. Since that time he had been destroyed on a regular basis by the guards. Lucius might think that he can survive this on his own but you and I should know better. We should not harbour any delusions. They will not let him allow to revive ever again. Therefore I won't spend our last moments apart from each other.”
With this she forced her two demons to turn around. Albeit her 'Aura of the silent Moon' had a small radius it was still effective enough for her mounts to abide by her commands.
Completely speechless, I couldn't stop her. Although Lucius said that he could dispell the curse again, he knew all too well that his fate was probably eternal death. That is the reason why he insisted for Aoi to flee with us. As I was about to go after her, Godmother stopped me.
“Wait Randalph. We've been together for far too long to hide things from each other. There has been something that you have not told me, yet. Your eyes speak of it.”
[I could never hide things from her...]
“It isn't import-”
“It is important. Otherwise you wouldn't have made such a grim face, although we were finally able to see each other again.”
There was no turning back now. I knew what would happen if I told her. With endless sadness, I looked into her eyes and said in a low tone.
“He was able to feel your presence.”
She was enraged.
“You foolish man! And you let him go?”
This is why I loved her. Not a single thought did she waste on herself, always thinking about the 'Children of the Dawn' first.
“I will take 20 'Children' and go after him.”
“Take 30! I just noticed that someone teleported in from afar.”
Sending a suicide commando to save another suicide commando. We could not afford to wait for him to respawn and go through the effort of unchaining him again. It would just take too much time. So I assembled my men and prepared to leave. I would fulfill her order and bring him back even if I had to stay back.
The reunion with Godmother was far too short, overshadowed by the impeding threat of the demons and the foreboding of her end. Turning towards her once again I said with a voice that reflected all of my desperation.
“Alpheia, your time is not yet up. How cruel can the world be if it would let us finally meet, only to wrench you away from me again?”
With her anger softening after hearing my words, she gently caressed me with her hand.
“Randalph, my love. Look at what my leadership has done to you. You don't even have the strength left to walk on your own feet. Please, bring him back. We will need him.”
Then she gave me a kiss and sent me on my way.
Our blessed ground had chosen her as the next Godmother just two months prior to the death of her predecessor.
[Just how much time does she have left?]
End of Chapter 14
Afterwords:
I know that you can't beam photon torpedos. I also know that imperial star destroyers have some shields.
Whoop! Whoop! 400 Followers! I hope I can make you all happy. I read every reply at least three times, even if it's just a simple 'Thanks for the Chapter'.
Merame, did you think I wouldn't notice that you did not reply for Chapter 13? Have you stopped reading? I'm anxious.