Cameron and Arkain stood looking out into the ocean as the sun rose. They had been doing so all night talking about different ways they could infiltrate the empire’s castle.
Arkain
You know, I still don’t trust you fully.
Cameron
I understand.
Arkain
But I want to. I want to know the Cameron I met before isn’t really this one.
Cameron looked towards Arkain.
Cameron
I’m not. Believe me, even I am surprised.
Arkain
Well, we’ll see.
And then it happened. Arkain fell backwards. Cameron tried to catch him but Arkain fell in the sand unconscious.
Cameron
Arkain, are you alright?
It was to no use. Arkain was out cold. Velis and Malic appeared next to Cameron and Arkain looking towards the hill towards the opposite direction.
Cameron
What are you doing?
Velis
Relax, he’s still weak from his wounds.
Cameron realized this is true and Arkain would be okay.
Malic
We have some bad news.
Cameron walked towards Velis and Malic
Cameron
And that would be?
Velis
We’re being watched.
Emmylou
We’re running out of gas.
Suri looked at the tank meter.
Suri
Damn. I saw a sign that said there is a gas station three miles from here.
Emmylou
We’ll make it. I wish we didn’t have to stop though.
Suri
If only we could fly.
Emmylou laughed. She almost woke Conor and Ian up. They are sleeping in the back.
Emmylou
So that’s not the power you have, I guess.
Suri
No, my power is actually my strength.
Emmylou took her eyes off the road for a second to look at Suri and then back at the road.
Emmylou
You’re telling me you’re very strong?
Suri
That’s right.
Emmylou
Like wonder woman strong?
Suri
You can say that.
Suri yawned.
Suri
After we get gas we should find somewhere to stay.
Emmylou
Well you’re going to have to go in my bag and get a hair tie.
Suri was confused.
Suri
Why do I have to do that?
Emmylou
Well the man driving said he recognized you from the television. If that’s the case, you can’t go walking around with your same old hair.
Suri
You have a point.
She reached into the backpack at her feet and found one. She put her hair up.
Suri
How do I look?
Emmylou laughed.
Suri
Hey, what’s the supposed to mean?
Emmylou
You look like a really pretty boy.
Suri punched Emmylou’s arm. With no power of course.
Emmylou
That’s it?
She laughed.
Emmylou
I thought you’d be stronger than that. If that’s your power we’re screwed.
Suri
You bitch!
They laughed and Conor woke up.
Conor
It’s cool guys, we’re not sleeping back here.
Suri
Oh shut up.
Conor rubbed his eyes.
Conor
How long have we been driving?
Emmylou
About 8 hours. Luckily for us when we got the car it had a full tank.
Suri
And now we need to get more gas.
Conor
I thought you just said it’s a full tank.
Emmylou
It was. Usually when people drive, the gas gets used.
Conor
Smartass.
He mumbled.
Emmylou
We’re almost there.
5 minutes later they pulled into a gas station.
Emmylou
I’ll go pay the lady, you put the gas in.
Conor
Where did you get money?
Emmylou
I did lead a normal life before all of this.
She got out of the car.
Conor
Why don’t I pump the gas?
Conor got out of the car. Emmylou walked into the little liquor store.
Worker
Welcome. How can I help you?
Emmylou put forty bucks on the counter.
Emmylou
Forty on seven, please.
Worker
No problem.
She said goodbye and walked out.
Conor
How do you do this thing?
Suri looked out Emmylou’s window.
Suri
Are you stupid?
Conor
No! I have just never done this before. How does not knowing how to do something I’ve never done make me stupid?
Emmylou
I’ll do it. Get back into the car.
Conor got back in and turned to Suri.
Conor
You know, you don’t have to be so mean about it.
Suri smiled.
Suri
I’m only kidding. You know I love you.
Conor
Yeah, whatever.
Worker
Excuse me!
The lady was now walking towards the car.
Suri
Let’s go Emmylou.
Emmylou
It’s not finished yet.
She was getting closer.
Conor
Shit on my nuts, shit on my nuts.
Conor held sleeping Ian in his arms, afraid.
Emmylou
There.
Emmylou put the nozzle away and opened her door.
Worker
You forgot your receipt.
Emmylou
Oh, silly me.
She grabbed it.
Emmylou
Thank you.
Worker
No problem. Where you kids headed?
Emmylou
Just a road trip.
The worker looked inside the car.
Worker
Hey, you looked familiar.
Emmylou grabbed at her gun in her back pocket.
Worker
You look just like my grandson. I miss that little rascal.
The worker looked up at Emmylou again.
Worker
Well you kids drive safely.
Emmylou started the car and they drove off. The sun was now rising.
Conor
That was so fucking close.
Suri
I thought I was going to have to get out the car and take her out.
She laughed.
Emmylou
Well, I was ready to shoot her.
Suri
Well good to know you’re serious about this.
Conor
I’ll shoot someone if I have to shoot someone.
Suri looked back and then forward.
Emmylou
Well, I told you.
Conor
Told me what?
Emmylou
Not you. I told Suri.
Suri looked at her.
Suri
Told me what?
Emmylou
That you look like a boy.
They laughed.
Suri
Her grandson must be one beautiful boy.
They drove off laughing to the nearest hotel they could find.
Anna
How did you sleep?
Nicholas
Not so well. A lot on my mind, you know?
Anna sat at the desk aside from Nicholas who sat down also.
Anna
It will go away. You’ll be sleeping well within a week.
Nicholas
Will I?
Anna
I hope so. We can’t have you working on an hour of sleep.
Nicholas
That’s true.
Nicholas was going through papers.
Nicholas
It says here we have a total of five thousand people, three thousand fighters and the rest civilian.
Anna looked up from her papers.
Anna
That’s right. Most of the civilian are women and children.
Nicholas
I see. Any women capable of fighting?
Anna
Yes, and they’ve been trained already. Women have a part to play in this war also, Mr. President. We will lay down our lives for this just as men will.
Nicholas
That’s what I wanted to hear.
The door opened and Amros stepped in.
Amros
Good morning.
They both said good morning to him.
Amros
I’m afraid I come with what might be the worst possible news I could imagine.
Anna looked up.
Anna
Hit us with it.
Amros
Fallen of our regime is dead.
Nicholas
We’re sorry to hear that.
Amros
I’m afraid that isn’t the bad news.
Anna
Everything just has to get worse.
Amros
Fallen was guarding our White Cell area. This cell holds Ximendos’ past allies. They are known as the Syn Clan. Together they wield a substantial amount of power.
Anna
So how did you lock them up in the first place?
Amros
We figured out a plan to separate them and take them out one by one.
Anna signed a paper.
Anna
Well, you’ll just have to do that again.
Amros
It’s highly unlikely that it would work. First time things can work out if the enemy is unaware. A second time would only be a wasted attempt.
Anna
Well then we’ll have to think of another strategy.
Nicholas
I’m sure we can figure something out.
Amros
If Ximendos has those pawns once again, this war will drastically tip in his favor.
Nicholas and Anna didn’t know what to say.
Amros
We have to call off the attack.
Anna
What?
Amros
We have to wait for them to strike first.
Anna
That is madness. You heard what General Kasper said.
Amros
General Kasper has already agreed to postpone the attack.
Anna stood up.
Anna
Well then, what are you speaking to us for?
Anna walked out past Amros.
Nicholas
I’m sorry, she is just overwhelmed.
Amros
No apologies necessary. Humans can only take so much. On that note, I have to speak with Hayden. Goodbye, Nicholas.
Amros grabbed the knob.
Nicholas
Is there any hope, Amros?
Amros didn’t look at Nicholas, but he answered.
Amros
My mother once told us, that even in the darkest times; the tiniest light will shine through. With the darkest night, comes the brightest day.
Nicholas
Amya once told me that.
Nicholas lowered his head.
Amros
I knew she would. It is what my sister and I stand by.
Nicholas
Do you miss her?
Amros paused.
Amros
Of course.
He walked out. Amros was now going to look for Hayden when Supriya found him.
Supriya
We heard the news.
Kegan popped out.
Kegan
I knew Fallen didn’t have what it takes. Now he’s dead.
Supriya gave Kegan an evil look.
Amros
It seems Fallen did not betray us after all.
Supriya
That is relieving. Still, we have lost him.
Amros
We must keep it together. We have a lot of work to do.
Kegan
Hell yeah!
Supriya
The battle hasn’t even started yet.
Amros
No, not it hasn’t. But when it does, we’ll be ready.
Supriya
For Fallen!
Kegan
For Fallen!
Amros
For Fallen.
Ximendos sat in the office room of the palace with Akasha, Iris, and Ilias.
Ximendos
What news?
Iris spoke first.
Iris
Father, the Gears have done a successful job of wiping out those who oppose us.
Ximendos
Excellent, and?
Iris
This means we’re ready to start the cleansing process.
Ilias
It would be wise to do it sooner than we thought. I imagine that is why you left Amya out of this meeting.
Ximendos
You are indeed my son. Yes, that is exactly why I only have you three in here discussing this with me. Amya, though she is a queen, may have links to the outside. We cannot afford to take risk with her. If anything, our enemies will think they have a week to act.
Ilias
How long do they really have?
Akasha
How long will it take you two to get ready?
Ilias
At least five days.
Ximendos
Good. That takes two days from them.
Iris
The problem is father; we still have no idea where the White Coats are hidden. Our eyes do not see all. As of now, they’re nonexistent.
Ximendos laughed.
Ximendos
They might as well be. There is nothing they can do to stop us. You may all leave.
Ilias was the first to walk out.
Gemma
Hi.
Ilias smiled.
Ilias
Good morning, Gemma. I was expecting you.
Gemma
I’m glad. I didn’t want to be annoying.
Ilias
No, you’ll never be annoying. Let us go to my room, we have things to discuss.
Gemma
Just what are we discussing?
Ilias
You.
He grabbed her hand and led her. Iris stepped out the door and saw them walking down the hall.
Akasha
Are you against their relationship, my daughter?
Iris looked up to see Akasha’s head above her.
Iris
I’m worried about him, mommy.
Akasha set her hand on Iris’ head.
Akasha
He’ll be okay, my love. He is a powerful and grown man. You have nothing to worry about.
Iris
Mommy, it’s having nothing to worry about that worries me.
Akasha
Set your mind at ease. Gemma is not the enemy.
Iris was thinking about it.
Iris
Perhaps you’re right, mother. I just don’t want anyone to take away my brother.
Akasha took her hand off her head.
Akasha
That’s not for you to decide, young Iris. Ilias will leave you at some point or another.
Iris didn’t say anything.
Akasha
He’ll always love you, Iris. Just as your father and I do. No matter how far we go, or even if we die, we’ll always love you.
Iris smiled.
Hayden stood in front of Merdos and Masato.
Hayden
You must go, quickly. We haven’t much time.
Amros walked up to them all.
Amros
What is going on here?
Hayden turned to Amros.
Hayden
Suri, Conor, and friends have gone missing.
Amros
Is this true?
He looked past Hayden at the two tigers sitting on the floor. They nodded their heads up and down.
Hayden
My duty is to remain here. They will find them and return them.
Amros
I have faith these two can do just that. Now go.
Merdos and Masato were gone in an instant.
Amros
I’m sorry, Hayden.
Hayden
I don’t know what I will do if something happens to her.
Amros
Hayden, it will all be fine. Merdos and Masato will get there in time. We have a week, remember?
Hayden
Yes, you’re right. I just have a bad feeling, is all.
Amros
Every day you become more and more human. Well, like us, to be more exact.
Hayden smiled.
Hayden
I can’t help it. I love my daughter.
Amros wondered, could Hayden turn into Ximendos at the loss of his loved one?
Gemma sat on the chair at Ilias’ desk.
Ilias
Make yourself comfortable.
Gemma wished she could see the room. More than that, she wished she could see his face.
Ilias
Gemma, I wanted to say, before we begin, that if you are going to plea with me to let Arkain live, it is hopeless. Arkain will die, and that is set in stone.
Gemma gulped.
Gemma
There is no way?
Ilias
No. I won’t say I’m sorry Gemma, because it has to happen. You must let him go. If my father finds out you want to save him, he will kill you.
Gemma was almost at a loss for words.
Gemma
I just want everyone to be happy,
She almost lost her voice.
Gemma
And alive.
Ilias
Sadly, your desire is pointless. Arkain will die.
Gemma
Who is going to be the one to do it?
Ilias
If he dies during the cleansing, that would be me. If not, it could be anyone.
Gemma
I wish this would all stop.
Ilias
But it won’t. Gemma, there are more important things than the life of Arkain.
Gemma
What is more important than a life?
Ilias
More lives. The fate of the world rests on the death of Arkain and his friends.
Gemma
What is the fate of the world?
Ilias
That’s what we’re here to discuss, as well as you.
Gemma
I’m not sure if I want to hear it.
Ilias
You must. As it is, you’re just about blind. We can’t have you mentally blind as well.
Gemma looked down.
Ilias
Gemma, you must let go.
Gemma
Of Arkain?
Ilias
Yes, and the fact that you killed his mother.
Gemma looked to where she thought Ilias was standing.
Gemma
If I let go, I won’t have anything else to hold onto.
She felt a hand grab hers.
Ilias
Hold onto me.
Velis
I heard foot steps. Four or five motherfuckers are watching us.
Malic
Damn, we were hoping Arkain would be ready to fight.
Velis
Oh well, we can handle it.
Cameron began to take off his coat.
Cameron
Well, let’s get this show on the road.
Five figures landed in front of them.
Shadow 1
We’re not here to fight, friends.
Shadow 2
I wish we were. I’d like to kick the blonde ones ass.
Velis was ready to attack.
Shadow 3
I want the boy, if we must.
Shadow 5
I’ll eats the boy in the back.
Shadow 4
Always going for the weaker ones.
Shadow 1
Quiet, if you tease a dog, they will attack.
Velis stood up straight knowing the mysterious figure was talking about her.
Cameron
What do you want, strangers?
Shadow 1 stepped forward.
Shadow 1
We actually want you.
Cameron moved his hair with his hand.
Cameron
I warn you, be careful with your next words, or they will be the last ones you ever speak to me or your friends. Why do you want me?
Shadow 2
You have no right to talk to him like that. Take your words back kid or you’ll be fighting me.
Velis
Not unless you can get passed me.
Shadow 2
It’ll be my pleasure, toots.
Shadow 1
We’ve come to join you, young Cameron.
Cameron was shocked. How did he know his name?
Cameron
You know my name. That means you were sent by someone who is aware we’re going to stand up to the empire. Did Fallen send you?
Shadow 2
Bingo!
Malic
You talk way too much.
Velis
Like you’re one to talk.
Malic
Hello, I’m on your side.
Cameron
You guys, enough.
The all stopped talking.
Cameron
So you’ve been sent by Fallen.
Shadow 1
That’s right. He made a deal with us for our freedom.
Shadow 2
I wouldn’t really call this freedom though.
Shadow 3
Shut up idiot, we have settle to score.
Cameron
Who are you?
Shadow 1
I am Syn. This is Pathion, Vesper, Darby, and Tusa. We are the Syn Clan.
Velis & Malic
Oh shit.
Cameron
I can’t believe my ears.
Syn
Well you better start believing Mr. Cameron, the wars about to start.
Holy Crap!!..i cant believe this..so now whats gonna happen...with everyone..aghhh...you leave me hanging!! :D
ReplyDeleteBtw loved it all!!
OHhhhh my gawwwwdd! The Syn Clan xD
ReplyDeleteI like that Suri and the other kids though they are standing up for something and being all bold and courageous and whatnot are still have some semblance of being kids, with the way they are to each other.
I have a feeling one of them is going to die. I don't know why, but it sure feels that way. Personally, I hope it's Conor. Then again, I also think it will be the little brother. :(
I like how the bad people don't always appear to be so.
Velis and Malic summed it up very good..... OH SHIT lol. Very captivating chapter, makes things much more interesting with the new twist added. Very well written chapter once again. =)
ReplyDeleteDude this is intense stuff!!
ReplyDeleteI cant believe what is happening with Gemma and Ilias. I feel that Ilias has thing for Gemma cuz he tells her to hold onto to him and let go of Arkain. Im curious to find out whether she will let go of him of continue to thin about him and hold the feelings she has.
Ximendos plan is finally coming into fruition! I cannot wait to see what my favorite character does in the next chapter. Seems like there is going to be some fireworks.
Suri and the youngsl ads are getting closer to being recognized. Even when she puts her hair up people mistake her for a relative. What does she have to do in order for them to just leave her alone? I have a feeling that someone may recognize her and it will go downhill from there.
The Syn Clan!? Thats intense stuff right there. I did not expect them to be there looking at Velis and Malic. Can they be putting up a character in order to gain Camerons trust and take them down from the inside? This will be interesting to find out and see hat happens.
What is Arkain going to do when he comes back from his "nap"?
Lets go onto the next one!!
Like what Velis and Malic said,
ReplyDeleteOH SHIT.
I'm glad Arkain and Cameron are finally at peace with each other. Sorr of, in a way, they get along.
They have different motives, but hell they're on the same team and I've ALWAYS wanted that. :D
As Suri and company continue their journey, I admire the way they handle things even if in a very dangerous situations like this.
Connor actually reminds me of myself. I like him more now hahaha. :P
Fallen's dead.
I still don't understand why and how.
The Syn Clan?!
With Cameron's team.
uhm. WOW. didn't expect that.
I like Akasha's relationship with her kids.
How Iris calls her mommy.
It shows... that really she loves being a wife and a mother.
As for Ximendos, his focus, of course is still the same. It seems, it will go in his favor. maybe.
Gemma and Ilias.
WHAT?!
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Look what love can do to someone.
freakin' amazing chapter like always.
ReplyDelete:)
I would make it longer like I have here...
but... hmmm. not yet. xD
I find the more seconday plots going on, the more it deviates from the actual meat of the story, the main focal point I mean.
ReplyDeletehate to say this, but I couldn't care less for Suri, Emmylou, Conor, etc......
I think this thing is getting so big - perhaps too big - for it's own good. The intimacy between the main characters is lost because there's way too many ppl to keep tabs on now. Nicholas has become useless.
I knew Syn and Cameron would cross paths though. It was just a matter of time :)
no gemma and ilias are so wrong for each other -.-
ReplyDeletehaha they're about to throw down
wait wait wait WHAT?! the ending what the hell!
ReplyDeletehahaha poor suri. and i feel bad for amros...he must be getting really torn up about amya...Ilias is brainwashing gemma! if it continues, arkain will always have a reason to be angry with her!
IM so happy that they will be on the same forces
ReplyDeleteespecially since cameron and the white coats are suppose to be throwing down against ximendos
ximendos wont see this ish coming
its gonna be the battle of battles
shit is gonna be so craaaaazyyyyyy
now back to ilias...he seems to have really fallen in love with gemma
i wonder if gemme will be a factor in the later story for iris
like it makes me wonder will iris try to kill gemma and ilias sees this and abandon his sister
and leave iris crushed
im just wondering what kinda drama and what hell can break loose with the pairing of those two
or will gemma even return the feelings for iliad
i wonder if ilias is jealous of arkain
im dying for arkain to awaken
i really wanna see what the syn clan has
they shud be incredible
the story continues to pull me in
and it never gets boring
wonderful writing once again
i avoided dealing with suri and emmylou
on purpose but i must say i aodre conors character
i find him to be witty
im still wondering about masato and merdos
i still wanna kno them
also i was LMFAO
when conor was saying shit on my nuts
shit on my NUTS
dude i was imagining the seen and him shitting bricks
it was classic
<3 <3 <3
:)
and im pissed with fallen
like he is just pissing me off
u kno
smfh
and i cant wait for him to reappear if he even does
maybe i was wrong about him being reborn
ok now i am done with this comments
muahz
:)
Syn Clan! in the New Order! oh shits about to go down!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhere do I start? Haha. Awesome chapter as always!
ReplyDeleteFallen, this guy... He seems so annoying to me. Idk, it's just that everyone finds him mysterious, as do I. What are his motives? Like, why would he sacrifice himself for? Why would he send the Syn Clan towards Cameron?
So many questions XD
It's taking too long for Arkain to show his real skills. Damn. But all in all, this chapter has revealed much and really fun to read. :D
FUCK YEAH! Yet another amazing chapter. Things are getting thick and I can't wait for more to happen! I don't even know what to say for these comments because I just want to say "Amazing!" and move on to the next one because I'm so immersed into this I just want to find out what's next!
ReplyDeleteepic fight about to go down. I am making it to the home stretch of this series, Steven. I will finish!
ReplyDeleteWhat??? Why does the Syn clan want to go against Ximendos when it was him that brought them together! And I really get all giddy when I read the bits between Ilias and Gemma, they are just so cute and put a smile to my face. I can't believe that I didn't realize that the 5 shadows were the Syn clan! I guess it just threw me off when they talked about eating humans, and I guess when I heard they were locked up, they sort of left my mind. Anyway, I really want to know why they're leaving Ximendos' team and why Syn isn't pairing with Akasha.
ReplyDeleteThats so nice to see Emmylou and Suris friendship beginning to grow! How sweet!
ReplyDeleteI like how you made Conor, Emmylou, and Suris friendship be the same way a real friendship is! Laughing and bullshiting!!!
Hahaha I thought they would have to kill the worker! Whew!
Fallen is NOT DEAD! He can't be!!!! NO!
Akasha actually knows what she is talking about, when she was talking to Iris about Ilias...
O but can Gemma really let go of arkain?! Really?!
Holy crap! It's the syn clan! They live!!!!!
There is just so much to wrap my head around that I do not know where to begin.
ReplyDeleteSuri and the others come closer and closer to blowing their cover, what do they have to do in order to not be given any trouble, seems like it would have to something pretty drastic and I do not think that is what they want to do.
What is going to happen to Cameron? The Syn Clan seems to not be trustworthy and I do not think that Cameron is stubborn enough to not realize a danger in the making. The only thing to say is that Cameron needs to keep his enemies closer, no friends, friends only get you killed. He is in a battle and needs to look out for himself before he allows people too close.
Ximendos is incredible! His plan and his vision are one of a kind and there is no stopping it! Waiting and waiting for the the plan to fulfill itself and all hell will be unleashed!!
When I read the part with suri and the others, I felt like for those moments everything was normal for them and that it would be easier for them. Finally Hayden has realized that they are missing but when they finally find Arkain, will the stay with the white coats or will they join Arkain? What will Suri do if she loves Arkain but her dad is a white coat and she has been one since she can remember.
ReplyDeleteHoly, good lord! The syn clan is joining Cameron and his new order, my mind has been blown! What will Ximendos say once he finds out?
Gemma and Ilias, and the anger iris is feeling, did her mother really talk her down or does she still have resentment for gemma. Can gemma let go of Arkain just as easy as he thinks he can let go of her; but if Arkain wants gemma dead and ilias has feelings for gemma and iris wants her brother to herself and suri loves Arkain but her dads a white coat….ugh my head is spinning I can’t wait for the next chapter!