Chapter Thirty Five: Everything Comes Undone

Hayden and Roselyn stood on a rooftop at a distance watching the crowd chant in favor of killing Arkain.
Roselyn
I am ready. We won’t have much time. My trees will hold but not for long. Once they begin firing I give us ten minutes maximum.
Hayden
That should be enough time. We must retrieve him and leave.
Roselyn
Also, I will be giving a lot of energy to this project. It’s a defense that requires a lot of energy.
Hayden
Noted. Are we ready?
Roselyn
Yes. You may proceed.
Roselyn slammed her flat hand onto the ground below.

Ximendos
He should be dead by now.
Akasha
Yes, he has stopped screaming. What a pity, I did not think it would be this short.
Ilias
I agree. Well, one cannot always hope to be satisfied by every feast.
He turned to Gemma.
Ilias
Gemma, why don’t you check if he’s still alive.
Gemma looked up in surprise.
Gemma
Me?
Ilias
Yes, unless you know of any other Gemma in our camp.
Gemma
What shall I do brother?
Ilias
Take the stick down by the cross with the sharp silver end and stick it under his ribs. Would that be too difficult for you?
Gemma
No.
Gemma stood up and walked down the steps. The crowd cheered as she approached.
Ilias
This should be entertaining.
Akasha
A bit cruel, but I like it.
Gemma picked up the spear and held it for a moment staring at the silver in the sun.
Ilias
Quiet.
The roaring crowd all shut their mouths and all that could be heard was the wind.
Ximendos
Now, witness the last and final blow.
Gemma walked under Arkain and stuck the blade under his rib on the left side.
Arkain
Gemma!
The blood fell on her face and she dropped the spear.
Gemma
Arkain?
The ground began to shake as Gemma put a hand over her mouth and fell to her knees.
Iris
This is going to be a problem.
From the ground around giant trees came up and separated the humans from where the Shadow regime sat and where Arkain was held on the cross.
Amya
Roselyn!
Ilias
Run!
The humans began to scatter away from the wall of trees. The trees were fifty feet tall. The sun was beaming down from the top.
Amya
I’ll get rid of the trees.
Before Amya could touch the wall of trees a storm of arrows rained down from the top of the trees.
Iris
Stay!
The arrows fell on an invisible wall and hovered in the air and then fell to the ground.
Ximendos
Show yourselves.
The ground shook next to Arkain and dust covered Arkain and Gemma.
Hayden
It’s been awhile, Ximendos.
Ximendos smiled.
Ximendos
I do not recall inviting you to this party, Hayden.
Ilias
Fire!
The ground began to shake as the Gears fired on the trees.
Hayden
Roselyn, you know what to do!
The cross that held Arkain bent from the bottom and laid itself on the floor and then disappeared into the ground leaving Arkain on the ground.
Hayden
You’ve nearly killed him.
Ximendos
Don’t worry; we can still finish the job.
A rush of green flames erupted from the ground in front of Hayden but stopped an inch away from him.
Hayden
Ximendos, you’ll never learn.
From the flames in front of Hayden’s eyes came a blade. Hayden barely had enough time to fall backwards onto his hands as Ilias flew past him.
Hayden
I have no time for this.
Hayden spun around and connected his foot with Ilias’ shoulder and Ilias flew into the trees. Roselyn landed next to Hayden.
Roselyn
We haven’t much time. Eighty percent is all that’s left of the wall.
They both jumped backwards from each other as a giant pulse of electricity came their way.
Amya
My dear Roselyn, I’ve missed you.
Amya stood a foot away from where Roselyn had just landed.
Roselyn
How dare you speak to me!
Roselyn stood up straight.
Roselyn
Are you ready to kill me?
Amya
Anything for you, my daughter.
They stood and faced each other ready for battle.
Akasha
Well Hayden, we finally meet.
Hayden
You’re as beautiful as I’ve heard. Please go, and you can keep your face.
Akasha laughed.
Akasha
What a lovely thing to say. Thing is, you’re in no position to bargain with me.
She stood there ready for combat.
Akasha
Let’s see what you got, Elf.
Hayden looked behind her to see Ximendos and the rest were gone including Ilias behind him. He noticed Gemma was still collapsed on her knees by Arkain.

Twenty minutes ago.
Cameron awoke to a warm wet feeling on his face.
Cameron
What the hell?
As he opened his eyes he could see a white tail above his face.
Cameron
What are you?
He still did not have the energy needed to pick himself up.
Fallen
What I am is a fox and who I am is Fallen. Please to meet you, young Cameron.
Cameron
You’re a fox.
Fallen
Thank you. I was wondering when I’d figure out that mystery of life. Do you think you could tell me if I’m a male or a female fox next?
Cameron
I’m not laughing.
Fallen
Funny, neither am I. I’m just commenting on how stupid it is to tell a fox he is a fox. By the way, I am a male one if you didn’t notice.
Fallen pounced off his chest onto the ground next to him and sat by the side of his head.
Fallen
How are you feeling?
Cameron turned his head to look at Fallen.
Cameron
I can’t really feel my body. It feels as if that drug they used on me has taken my energy for good.
Fallen
Well, for days, but not for good.
Cameron
Still, there are things to do.
Fallen
Like saving Arkain?
Cameron
The others are doing that.

Present time.
Akasha pounced forward toward Hayden only to receive a foot to the face. Akasha fell backwards onto the ground a few feet away.
Velis
Always wanted to do that to that bitch.
Hayden
Well done, Velis.
Amya stood just staring Roselyn down. Suddenly a silver cord wrapped around her neck and lifted her into the ground and then tossed her into the trees.
Malic
I think that’s twenty points for me.
Roselyn
Thank you, Malic.
Malic
Don’t mention it.
Amya and Akasha stood up to face their now two opponents.
Roselyn
Hayden, sixty percent left!

Ten minutes ago.
Fallen
Do you think they are the right ones for the job?
Cameron
I think they can manage.
Fallen
I think they need you. Well, if anyone does, it’s Arkain.
Cameron
They’ll help save him and your people can have him back. That’s enough to show you guys we can be trusted.
Fallen
I overheard your little speech to your friends after. The whole trust thing doesn’t go to far when I know your true motives.
Cameron was shocked.
Fallen
Perhaps you shouldn’t let your guard down so easily. Now, knowing your plan, I don’t find any reason to stop you.
Cameron
Really? A White Coat member not feeling heroic?
Fallen
You could say that. I’d like to call myself God like. I take the theater approach to things. Although I see horrible things happening, and though I can do things to help stop them, I’d rather just sit back and watch.
Fallen winked at Cameron.
Fallen
I don’t see the incentive anymore. So thus I’ve decided to play the part of the talking wind in your story. My fellow Coats do not need to know of this conversation just as they do not need to know of your plans. Correct?
Cameron
Yes.
Fallen
Well, let me say this quickly before you go.
Cameron
Go?
Fallen
Let me finish. Well, let me begin.
Fallen laughed.
Fallen
There is a story. It’s called the tale of the Sky Walkers. Not many are familiar with it, but even the ones who are know very little about them. The Elf are the only ones who truly know all there is to know about them. As for the lucky few who do know a tad bit we can only hope to pass it on before death. I’m sure there are others who know of this. No, I’m quite positive there are. Otherwise Arkain wouldn’t be so important to the Empire.
Cameron
What is the story?
Fallen
Quiet, I’m talking. The Sky Walkers are said to be the destroyers of life. They wield power beyond comprehension. Power even the Elf are afraid of. Why you may ask? Well the Elf are the reason Sky Walker no longer walk this earth. Yes, even Hayden knows this. Well, these Sky Walkers are supposed to be monsters disguised as beautiful beings. Legend tells that if one were to come to life, it could mean the end of the world. That is of course, if it was twisted to doing so. If one were to persuade it differently, one could control life on Earth as we know it. Now, knowing that is a possibility, one might not even want to trek down that path. So thus the Sky Walker should be killed before it even realizes its full potential. If Arkain unlocked his power he could kill us all or he could be controlled by words. The wise would not even think of doing any of that, the wise one would just kill the Sky Walker. This is a hard task. They are said to be nearly impossible to kill. The only known method of killing one is Elvin bone. If Arkain was to fully put together his power, we’d have to stop him or own him. Now Arkain is a precious piece to any puzzle, to any movement. Now my question is, do you think you need a certain piece to your plan?
Cameron
It would seem so.
Fallen
My advice to you is persuading Arkain to fight for your side. Once that is done everything will come undone. He just might be the only way possible for you to beat the Empire and the White Coats.
Cameron
What about you?
Fallen
I will always be a White Coat.
He rolled his eyes in reference to his coat color.
Fallen
But when things come undone, reason follows. After you’ve secured Arkain to your camp, I’ll move along with you.
Cameron
How will I accomplish that?
Fallen
You’ll figure it out. Sometimes the right words can only come at the right moment. Trying to plan it out will only lead to failure. I have faith that Arkain will understand your way. I may be wrong, but this time it will be him who listens to you.
Cameron
What do you mean?
Fallen
You’ll figure that out soon enough as well. Until then, you need to go save Arkain before Hayden and Roselyn do.
Cameron
I can’t even move.
Fallen
You don’t have to worry about that. I’m about to give you enough power to challenge even Hayden.
Cameron
What are you talking about?
Fallen
Just go with me on this.
Fallen’s fangs glimmered in the sun. He sprang forward and sunk them into Cameron’s neck as Cameron yelled in pain.