"War? There is no war. No Avarice, no Vitriol...not anymore. The world's been gutted from the inside out, and this is all that's left….a common goal, a common purpose, a new age."

"So you're saying, the blood spilt is arbitrary, that it doesn't matter?"

"It is the price of paving the way, you don't reach greatness without sacrifice…you understand this is worth more than their lives. Kings have to make difficult decisions. "

"I know, but these aren't small numbers, Victor."

"You can't get queasy over death counts, not when it's the very thing that keeps us in control...think of how much better the lives of your citizens will be. Can you really say it's not worth it in the long run?"

"No…"

----------------------------------------

Jude's voice broke with the static. My heart fell to my stomach, my head spinning. So he's really a part of all this.

Murray clicked pause on the recording, stepping back from the monitor. "Sobering, isn't it? I only recorded this a few weeks ago."

I nodded my head. "Kendall sounds like a cult leader." Rubbing my tired limbs, sleep had eluded me. I tried to lie down and nap earlier, but I only drifted in and out. The idea of facing Alaric left me restless. I stifled a yawn, pacing between rows.

"He certainly acts like one." Lewis pulled a thumb drive from his laptop, throwing it my way.

I caught it, blinking back at him.

Lewis rolled his eyes. "Plug that in any port that looks like this-" he tilted his computer.

I scowled at him. "I know what a USB is, it's just…" my words petered off. Lewis stuck another drive in his laptop.

Lewis nodded his head. "Perfect, they may try to shut me out as soon as the virus starts spreading, but the more computers we hit directly, the better chance we'll have of getting past their security measures." He pulled out the second drive, handing it to Murray.

Murray rubbed his chin. "Seems simple enough." He pointed to Gwen and Lewis. "You two stay here for forty-eight hours, if we don't return, you can head back to Avarice."

I blinked at Murray. "You're coming with us?"

Murray laughed, "Wasn't that the plan? You draw attention away, so we can strike. Before long all of Vitriol will know what we know."

"Ya, just-"

"I have a better chance than any of you of staying undetected," he said, slipping the drive in his pocket.

I rubbed my eyes. "That makes sense. I just didn't think about the logistics."

Raine stepped around me. "All eyes are going to be on you." She pulled out a hair tie, twisting my hair up in a ponytail. "You don't have the option for stealth."

"What are you doing?" I laughed.

She took the drive from my hand, slipping it into my ponytail. "They're not going to search your hair. You can't fit a gun in there."

"So I guess that means I don't get a gun," I grumbled.

Murray shook his head."That'll alert suspicions and besides they'd take it away immediately."

Raine grinned at me. "I'll carry an extra one if things get dangerous."

"You would anyway," I scoffed.

"True, but I'll be ready to loan it," she said, tilting her head back to Murray. "I trust you're smart enough to bring your own weapons."

"Of course." He lifted the corners of his jacket, guns on either side.

"Perfect," Raine said, looking over the room. "Anyone seen any rope?"

"Right," I huffed. "I'm supposed to be a prisoner."

Gwen snapped her fingers, opening drawers. "I saw some somewhere." She reached into the last drawer, pulling out a bundle. She tossed it to Raine.

Raine scrunched up her face. "I wish I didn't have to, but this is gotta be believable." She unwound the rope.

I sighed, moving hands behind my back."Do what you have to do."

Knotting loops, Raine tightened the rope around my wrists. "You think you'll still be able to feel your fingers in a couple minutes?"

"It's fine." I pulled on the binds, they stayed snug. I pushed down feelings of being trapped, fighting the panic. I took a deep breath.

Raine tore fabric off of her shirt, a long strip, swirling it into a band. "I'm also going to gag you, that's what I would've done if this was real."

I gave a fake grin. "Wonderful."

"They'll cut it off when we arrive." Raine slipped the fabric around my face. Tying it tight, it rubbed on the corners of my mouth.

Murray pulled out his phone, walking over. "I have a picture of the Governing Hall in Vitriol," he said. He showed the image to me. A huge archway over the entrance, grand pillars lined the front of a building. The sun shone off the silver domes on the roof. More elegant than the Tower, and also much smaller.

Murray cleared his throat. "Is that enough to get us there?"

I nodded, the gag digging in my smile. I hate this.

Raine grabbed my tied wrists. "Whenever you're ready," Raine said.

Murray put his hand on my shoulder, I reviewed the image in my mind. Gwen stood up, her arms crossed. "You guys make it back safe."

Murray tilted his head. "If you get too worried, Lewis has my phone number."

Gwen scowled back. "I'm only worried you'll leave me to clean up this mess."

Murray smiled. "I'll be back, promise."

Gwen's frown faded. "You do that."

He stepped back, giving me a nod. Here we go.

I shut my eyes and disappeared. Jumping through space, we stumbled through, crashing into a street corner. I hit the brick wall. Raine, catching her balance, she lifted me up.

"Careful," she mumbled.

Murray stepped back, straightening his jacket. "I'll find you guys later," he said, walking ahead. "Don't let them drug you," he called, before vanishing into thin air.

Raine nodded, pushing me forward. The ropes chafing, I bit down a hiss. She marched ahead with fervor. Passing the corner, the shadow building loomed over us. A great bridge led up to huge red-brown doors.

"Follow my lead," she whispered, pulling a gun. Is she insane? People along the street gawked at Raine, pointing at us. That's gonna get us shot.

She turned her head, spinning to face the crowd. "You can tell Alaric I've won his war," she shouted. "I have the teleporter, I have his secret weapon." Gasps from the crowd grew to murmuring. She tsked at them. "Not good to keep him waiting, huh?"

I pulled back, trying to get away. Fingers tight, she yanked back. "No you don't," she hissed. Shoving me up steps, she dragged me over them. I kicked my feet, trying to worm free.Tugging on my arms, Raine growled, "Stop fighting." I glared back at her, the gag turning my words to spit.

Guards whispered to each other, moving in front of the door. We reached the top of the stairs.

Raine threw me down towards the ground. My arms bound, I was unable to break my fall. Spinning my shoulder, I slammed onto the stones. I hissed a curse.

She stood over me, pointing at the guards. "I need an audience with Alaric. I have a prisoner for him."

One guard broke away from the line, retreating inside. The others stood their ground, a silent wall ahead of us.I glared at them.

Raine laughed at the group, "He'll see me, just you wait."

One of the men pointed at me. "Who's the girl?"

Raine ruffled my hair, lifting me up from the dust. "Avarice's secret weapon." Raine grinned at him. "You can tell your grandkids you met the woman who caught the teleporter."

His eyes went wide, he stuttered, "...So it's true."

Raine snickered, "That's all I'm going to say. You're not Alaric-"

Another guard ran out, his breath ragged. He darted his eyes at us, and back to the center guard. "He wants them in the main hall...we let them in."

Raine laughed, "Told ya!"

The head guard waved his hand, turning back. "Come on then." He motioned to us. "We'll show you in."

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

Raine tightened her grip on my binds. "Thank you." She grinned, following after him, she pushed me towards the door. I stumbled, catching my feet.

The doors dragged open, moving closer to a well lit room. The entrance spun, my head feeling dizzy. Being dragged inside, I fought the panic. Light poured in from paned windows, shining off the black tiled floor. Raine loosened her grip, giving me a wary glance.

Waiting for us, stood a woman in a stiff burgundy uniform, her arms crossed. Dark short hair and a vicious snarl. She was with Alaric in Idyllic.

The soldier cleared her throat, "We've been worried, Raine. You've gone dark for a long time."

Raine shrugged, letting me go. I landed on my knees. She raised an eyebrow. "I've been a little busy, Jo. You didn't think I'd jump ship, did you?"

Jo tapped her fingers on her arm. "There are rumours, you know, mixed allegiances. We both know loyalty is not your strong suit."

Raine blinked at her. "What? Who said that? I want names."

Jo tsked at her. "No need to be hostile, Alaric doesn't pay much mind to malicious gossip." She smiled, motioning to me. "And besides, you brought one hell of a peace offering."

I tried to shake off my gag, glaring at her. Jo stepped back, straightening her uniform. "I hope you understand that we still have to search you, Raine."

Raine sighed, walking out along a silver table. She set down her gun, lifting her hands. "I'll try not to be offended."

Two guards patted down Raine, searching her pockets. A portrait of Alaric hung on the wall beside them. One guard pulled a gun out from inside her coat."Found another gun," he said.

Raine rolled her eyes."That and a switchblade in my left boot," she snorted. They pulled it out, setting both the guns and the knife in a box on the table.

Jo pointed at me. "Search her too." She peered at me like a scientist dissecting a frog. "Why doesn't she disappear?"

Raine smirked. "Ask Kendall if some of his anti-teleporting serum has gone missing."

The guards lifted me up off the ground, searching my own pockets, my shoes.

Jo pursed her lips, staring her down. "You're rather comfortable ticking him off."

"Maybe Alaric scares me more than Kendall. Who would you prefer to tick off?"

Jo stiffened. "Alaric is my chief, don't you dare suggest I'd be disloyal." She darted her eyes. "Cut off the teleporter's gag, I'm sure he'll want her to speak."

One of the guards pulled out a knife, sawing at the fabric till it snapped. I loosened my jaw, spitting on the ground. "You're going to pay for this," I hissed. "Once I get free-"

Jo raised an eyebrow. Raine snorted, "That's why I gagged her, she's quite hostile."

Jo took a deep breath, turning. "Alaric's big enough to deal with a few insults, you know that."

"Yes, Ma'am," Raine said, taking hold of my wrists.

"Follow me," Jo said.

Alaric's portrait glared with fiery eyes. A shadow of the real thing, I shivered, following Raine's pull. She smirked at the guards as she walked past them.

The three of us walked down the corridor, an elevator coming up along the wall. I struggled to keep up.

We stopped in front of the door. Jo clicked the button, resting her hands behind her back. "I would take her myself, but Alaric asked for you to stay."

Raine's face fell. "Did he sound mad?"

Jo tilted her head. "Not very." The elevator door rolled open. A bell dinged, signalling our entrance. We followed Jo inside.

"Great," Raine grumbled, dragging her heels. I gritted my teeth, staying silent. The elevator rose.

Jo laughed, "Don't be nervous, Raine." She shifted her feet.

"I'm not nervous. I just ate something funny." Raine frowned.

I hung my head. "Please don't throw up here."

Jo cleared her throat. "We would all appreciate it, if you kept your stomach contents to yourself."

"Noted…" Raine nodded her head. Silence cluttered by her tapping her shoe.

I coughed, shaking my hair out of my eyes. "What's going to happen to me?" I asked Jo, staring her dead in the eye.

"That depends completely on Alaric."

"What about the Pacesetter?" I said.

Her eyes shifted. "Why would she be relevant?" You're naive. Jo scoffed, "Idyllic has no authority here. No one from there will save you." Of course not. The door opened, she beckoned us to follow. "This way."

Raine pulled me from the elevator, taking me down a hall of doors. More portraits lined the walls, the same uniform, different faces. The leaders of Vitriol glaring at me from the grave. It almost seemed silly, such an audience. I clenched my jaw, as the hallway grew shorter.

Jo burst through a pair of double doors. Swinging wide, the doors rattled against the door. Raine tightened her shoulders, slowing as we followed through. The light dimmed, windows blocked out by curtains. A chair sat at the end of the room, a red carpet leading up to it.

Alaric leaned on his arm, taking a deep breath. Fiery coals for eyes, he glared back, tapping the aim of his chair. "So we're finally here…"

Jo bowed her head. "Presenting, Raine and her prisoner."

"Thank you, General Jordon." Alaric nodded his head, sitting up. "You may leave now."

She froze, stuttering, "...as you wish." She kept her head low as she walked away. Confusion knit on her brow, she left without objection.

The door slammed shut, Alaric straightening his shoulders. "Now, Raine, cut Ms. Okie loose so we can talk better. You probably still have a knife on you, yes?"

Raine chuckled, pulling off her boot. "They didn't check the other boot." She flicked open the blade.

Another laugh from Alaric, "Wouldn't have expected anything less."

Raine sliced off the ropes, loosening my wrists. "Jo made it seem like you were in a bad mood," she grumbled. "Thought you'd be mad that I ignored all your phone calls."

Alaric's smile fell. "You I can forgive, there are others I can't."

"Oh?" I rubbed my wrists, shaking off the stiffness. "Having some complications, Ruler of Vitriol?" I hissed.

Alaric snorted, "I think we are both experiencing complications, teleporter. I've heard about your fall from grace. I wonder what changed?"

"Conflicting philosophies," I muttered. "I don't see eye to eye with them anymore."

"Maybe we can get along better." He leaned closer. "I've had the same issues with Avarice." I see.

I laughed, "You really think there's any chance of us getting along?"

Alaric stood up, shrugging his shoulders. "I don't know, Raine may be skilled, but capturing a teleporter? You want to be here."

I frowned. Smarter than he looks.

Raine stepped forward. "Listen here-"

"Say that you're right," I called. No use denying it. "I want to be here...why would I want to work with you?"

Alaric stepped past the chair, pacing."I sense none of us are particularly fond of being controlled. That includes the knife wielding mercenary."

Raine snorted, "I appreciate being included."

Alaric circled back to the window, curtains drawn. "It seems the same people hunting you are also putting pressure on me." He stopped, his rusty brown eyes burning. "The enemy of my enemy is my friend, I think that applies here."

Shivers down my spine, I shuddered. Augustine said those same words. I glared back at Alaric. "So what, I help you win the war and you do what?" I'm not making a deal with the devil, no matter how convenient.

"Who cares about the war!" He raised his hands. "I just need to kill the leeches."

Raine snorted, "Getting paranoid, chief?" She motioned back to the door. "Is that why you kicked Jo out of the room, do you think she's a traitor?"

He darted his eyes. "It's not just Jo, it's everyone. My entire government is scheming behind my back. It's only a matter of time before they take me out, replace me with someone more malleable." He tightened his fists. "I'm only still standing here because they're cowards."

Raine raised her eyebrows, slouching. "Or you're losing your mind."

He moved his eyes to me. "You've seen their work. You think if Vitriol was under my control, you'd end up in Idyllic first?"

"I don't know." I crossed my arms. "It seems to me that an army of abilities or expanding my borders is something you'd approve of."

Alaric bared his teeth. "I may be many things, but greedy is not one of them." He slipped his hands in his pockets. "I am content ruling Vitriol. These are my people, my lands, that's all I need."

I searched his eyes. Is he actually not a part of this? "Sorry if I don't trust your word-"

"Can you afford not to? They're afraid of me, but they're certainly not afraid of you."

I raised my chin. "Everyone is so quick to tell me what to do. Honestly I'd rather see what I'm capable of, than use my listening ears."

"Quaint." He stepped closer, straightening his jacket. "But you can't do this alone. I'm not calling you incapable, they're just ready for you."

"No, they're not and neither are you." I frowned at him, my eyes catching a door behind his chair. Didn't Raine say something about a broadcast room?

Reading my eyes, he stiffened. "What are you planning?"

"We're not friends Alaric, I'm not telling you any secrets." I walked forward, looking back at Raine. "Am I going in the right direction to the broadcast room?"

His head tilted, something changing in his eyes. "What is this-"

Raine flicked the blade back open. "Go, I'll keep him busy." Here we go. I pursed my lips. Raine shifted her stance. "Figure it out," she hissed.

I nodded, running for the door. Alaric lunging after me, red faced, he shouted, "You deceitful, little-"

Raine threw a strike, Alaric stumbling back. "You're an idiot to make an enemy out of me. I will crush you," he roared, swiping back at Raine.

I ran for the door, refusing to look back. I have no idea what I'm doing. What on earth am I doing? Struggling with the handle, Jo's voice came back from behind. "Sir, there's a problem…" her voice pettered off. Shoot.

Yanking open the door, I left Raine behind. A grey background hung from the ceiling, adjacent to a film camera. Cords tangled to a desk computer, jumbled shelves, clutter. Where do I even start?

A thud hit the wall. No time to second guess myself. I scattered to the desk, pulling the USB from my hair tie. Fingers searching for the right port, I plugged it in. I waved the mouse, the monitor flickering on. A tab popped up, I madly clicked at it, pressing open the first few files.

Images appearing over the screen, Murray's audio file started up, "But what about the war? How can we do anything while we're still fighting-"

I hit the mute button, rolling back in the chair. I stared blankly at the screen. Now, how do I start a broadcast?

The camera on a tripod, a little on-and-off switch near the top. I could at least turn the camera on. Walking over, I pressed the button, a little red light flashing. I frowned, scratching my chin. What next?

"Phyn? ...Are you trying to film something?" Lewis's voice caused me to jump. I ran back to the computer screen. He waved, his face in a box on the screen.

"Lewis?" I stuttered.

"I'm taking control of the computer. You turned on the camera, yes?" He blinked at me, the sound bar moving up and down. "Are you trying to film something?"

I sat back down, peering over the screen. "You can do that? Control this computer from the base?"

Lewis nodded. "Once you plugged in the USB, you gave me a back door, but never mind that," He paused, clearing his throat, "if you get in front of the camera, I can take care of the rest."

"Alright." I rolled back my chair, taking a breath. "I want to send a message to as wide an audience as you can."

"I'll do my best."

Walking around the camera, I swallowed a gulp. This wasn't the plan...I don't have a speech. Fidgeting, I stared into the lens. How do I address an entire country? A deep breath, I pressed my fingers against my scar, my heartbeat gave a steady song. Tell them that...give them a battle cry...even if it's more of a whimper.

I raised my head staring into the camera. "Tell me when you're ready."