Chapter Fifty-Six: Into the Forest

Ximendos, Akasha, Amya, and Ilias entered the throne room in the palace.

Akasha

Who was that man?

Ximendos

An old friend. One I never thought I’d see again.

Amya

Funny how they always turn up at the most random moments.

Ilias shut the doors.

Ilias

He works for the White Coats?

Ximendos

Yes. He is a magician. One of royal blood.

Akasha

A magician?

Akasha had a puzzled look on her face.

Ximendos

Yes. They are a rarity. Very few of them now live. There is a last family hidden above the Atlantic Ocean.

Amya

Do you know these magicians?

Ximendos

Very well. They trained me a long time ago. The one you saw today was one who had a change of heart. Their kind is prone to evil. He and another young magician ran from their order a long time ago.

Ilias

Interesting. You said you know them, does this mean you’d be able to persuade them to our side?

Ximendos

I believe so. They aren’t very fond of the human race. I will go to them tomorrow.

Ilias

Good. The more allies we have the better. If you’ll excuse me I must return to Gemma.

He walked towards the doors.

Ximendos

Are you fully recovered?

Ilias

No. I will be in the morning.

Akasha

As will Iris.

Ximendos

Good. In the morning I need you to command the humans to bring up an army of Gears. You must be prepared for battle if our enemies wish to attack again.

Ilias

That can be done. Goodnight.

He left the room.

Amya

I will be leaving right now.

Ximendos

At this time of night? Whatever for?

Amya

To recruit an ally. If you’re leaving tomorrow I should go now. That way I’ll be back when you leave.

Akasha

And who might this ally be?

Amya

My husband.

Their mouths almost fell open.

Pathion

So what do we know about Orthak?

He said to the others as Orthak stood ankle deep in the water below him.

Darby

We know very little. From what I’ve gathered he can absorb any type of attack.

Pathion turned back and looked at Darby.

Pathion

So how do we fight him exactly?

Darby

He is an invincible demon. I have yet to conclude how we can defeat him. Let alone, hurt him.

Vesper walked forward past Pathion.

Vesper

I’ve had enough of talking. It has been far too long since we’ve fought.

Tusa

That it has been. Let’s do this!

Pathion

Fuck it.

Pathion’s fangs popped out.

Pathion

If we die, we die.

Darby flew forward first towards Orthak. There was a scream. Darby swung his small blade at Orthak and Orthak dodged each hit. Orthak screamed again.

Vesper

Keep him occupied.

Darby pulled out a second small blade and slashed away at Orthak. Even when the blades touched they did nothing to Orthak.

Tusa

So weird seeing Darby fight. He is always so calm when he does.

Pathion

That’s because he’s boring.

Pathion flew forward to join the fight with Darby. Pathion’s foot connected with Orthak’s chest but went right through. Darby jumped back and planted his hands in the sand.

Darby

Boom.

All the sand on the beach flew up covering the entire area. Orthak could not see. Darby flew forward and his blades again went through Orthak. Pathion landed next to Darby.

Darby

We have to think of something else. There is no point in me even using my actual powers because he will only absorb them.

Pathion

We can’t even touch him.

Vesper turned to Tusa.

Vesper

You should be getting in there.

Tusa

Right, right.

Tusa ran down the hill towards Darby, Pathion, and Orthak.

Vesper

Now!

The ocean water began to come towards Vesper.

Vesper

Let’s see him devour the entire ocean.

Giant waves covered Orthak and the Syn clan.

Vesper

Mama is home.

Fallen

Here is fine.

Cameron

How can we stay anywhere if that thing is going to follow us everywhere?

Syn turned and looked back towards the way they’ve come.

Syn

Vesper has been activated. The first of us all.

Fallen

Do you think she can hold him off?

Syn

With ease.

Fallen
Good. None of them can beat Orthak. Not even myself.

Cameron

So then why did they stay behind?

Syn

A distraction.

Arkain

Brilliant.

Nick

So where do we go from here?

Fallen

We stay here until the others return.

Arkain

Won’t Orthak be back though? Isn’t he after me?

Fallen

Yes. He most definitely is after you. He might even want Cameron.

Arkain

Well then you all should separate yourselves from me. I’ll be the distraction.

Malic

That’s not a wise move.

Nick

You could get yourself killed.

Arkain

He won’t stop until he captures me. I’ll only be putting you guys in danger.

Cameron

Stop it, Arkain. You’re too valuable for us to just give up.

Arkain

Who says anyone is giving up? With my new training and my sword I can take him!

Cameron

No, you can’t. Orthak is a demon beyond any of our comprehension. Next to Ximendos he is the one to fear most. It is even said that he is part of Ximendos.

Fallen

We’re not too sure what he is. The only one with the answer is Ximendos.

Syn

It is a monster that cannot be defeated.

Velis

You’re staying with us, Arkain. Like it or not. The black bitch will go back to Ximendos once he sees he can’t get to you.

Arkain

What makes you think he’ll stop trying?

Velis

Ximendos doesn’t let his play thing stay outside for too long.

Fallen

That we are hoping on.

Pathion and Darby ran on the ocean over waves.

Pathion

She’s a beauty.

Darby

Truly.

Vesper made the ocean rise to her will. Suddenly a black hole appeared in the middle and the water began to fall in it.

Pathion

There he is!

They saw it.

Darby

This power is far greater than I thought.

Tusa appeared next to them drenched in water.

Tusa

What the hell are we going to do?

Pathion

Just keep up with us. Vesp and Darb have a plan.

Darby

And it’s the only one we ever formed in case we ever fought him.

The continued running on the water around the black hole.

Vesper

Die monster.

The black hole continued to absorb the vast amounts of water.

Amros and Hayden stood in the President’s office.

Hayden

It’s Orthak.

Amros

The power fighting him is enormous as well.

Hayden

The idea of going to it is tempting.

Amros

Tempting as it is, we can’t.

Hayden

You should rest. You’ve put in a lot of hours in the past couple of days.

Amros

You’re right. I shall retire.

Amros walked towards the doors.

Amros

It has been awhile since I’ve shut these eyes.

He left Hayden to himself.

Vesper appeared next to them.

Vesper

I don’t know if this is going to work.

Darby

Give it time. How much energy have you wasted?

Vesper

Very little.

Tusa

Amazing how you can do all this without even batting an eye.

Pathion

I’m not impressed.

They heard Orthak scream.

Vesper

The water has stopped being pulled in.

Darby

Wait for it.

And then they saw him. Orthak was no longer the pitch black figure he always was.

Pathion

What the hell just happened to him?

He was now silver.

Darby

It was just an idea.

He turned to Pathion.

Darby

A long time ago I hypothesized that Orthak could only consume so much energy at one point. He had to become a solid when he reached his maximum level of consumption.

Vesper

Magnificent, Darby.

Tusa

So now we can fight him.

Darby

Yes, but he is now more powerful than any of us.

Pathion

Just by swallowing Vesper’s ocean water?

Darby

Ocean water fused with her energy.

Pathion

Just great. Now we’ve made an unstoppable bullet.

Darby

I said he is stronger than us. I never said together we can’t do it.

Pathion

Enough. You talk very little normally. Put you in battle and you don’t shut up. Let’s kill this thing.

Darby

It’s our only chance at actually doing so.

Orthak stood at a distance as they watched his silver body sway with the water. Suddenly three more figures submerged from the water.

Darby

That changes everything.

Suri felt a sudden cold on her wrists.

Suri

Ian!

Ian woke up after closing his eyes.

Ian

Yes, Suri?

Suri

I think I found our way out.

She thought about what should happen next.

Nicholas sat on his bed. He could not believe all the things that have happened.

Nicholas

I have to make a speech for everyone.

He grabbed the pen and notepad on the table next to his bed.

Nicholas

It’s time we humans play a part in this story.

Emmylou stood up from crouching down next to the bloody corpse.

Emmylou

It’s hard to tell with the missing limbs, that are probably scattered, and the bloody face, but I think this is, well was, Anna Molly Carter.

Conor

Who is she?

Merdos

The Secretary of Defense.

Conor looked at Anna’s body.

Conor

What was she doing out here? Wasn’t she back at the base?

Merdos

Something must have come up while we were gone.

Emmylou

My thoughts exactly.

Emmylou looked up.

Emmylou

You said the Empire’s palace is directly above us so she must have came from there.

Conor

How do you figure?

Emmylou shot him a dirty look.

Emmylou

Because she’s here.

The ground shook and in the blink of an eye, they were surrounded.

Conor

Shit on my nuts.

He said as three Gears units circled them.

Gemma opened her eyes as Ilias came into the room.

Gemma

Everything all right?

Ilias got onto the bed.

Ilias

Never better.

They fell asleep.

Pathion

Four Orthaks?

Tusa

As if one wasn’t enough.

The four silver Orthak’s stood watching the four members of the Syn clan.

Darby

On the bright side, we can touch them now.

Vesper

Let’s get this started.

Vesper raised her arm towards the Orthak’s and aimed at the middle Orthak to the right.

Vesper

I haven’t lived in so long.

A blue beam shot forward and hit the Orthak in the chest sending it flying backwards almost a mile away.

Vesper

That one is mine.

She turned into water and fell into the ocean below.

Darby

Well then.

He put his two blades away. A silver blade appeared from his sleeve.

Darby

We have a lot to do.

He flew forward towards the Orthak’s.

Pathion

Let’s go, fatty.

Tusa

Hey!

They both got into the action. Pathion jumped on top of the Orthak he chose and they both fell under water. Tusa wrapped his arms around his and began to crush it.

Tusa

I like you better now.

Orthak bashed his head into Tusa’s and Tusa fell backwards into the water. The Orthak dived into the water after Pathion.

Vesper

You can’t hide from me.

The water rose to the black sky lifting the silver Orthak up.

Vesper

Are you ready?

Vesper ran up the rising water with a long blade in her hand.

Vesper

Die!

She swung the blade but Orthak parried.

Vesper

Still quick.

Orthak flew forward and slammed himself into her stomach sending them both into the water below.

Darby

Damn.

He said as Vesper hit the water. The Orthak flew forward quickly. Darby fell back narrowly dodging his attack.

Arkain, Cameron, and Nick got away from the others.

Cameron

I wonder how the others are holding up against Orthak.

Nick

Aside from that, can you guys really trust this Fallen guy? Well, fox.

Arkain looked at Nick wondering why he’d ask that.

Nick

I mean, doesn’t he strike you as a little shady? Calling the shots.

Arkain

I never noticed. Hey Cameron, aren’t you the head of the Order?

Cameron

Yes.

Arkain

So why is he calling the shots?

Cameron stood quiet for a moment.

Cameron

I think I’ve been a little too caught up with some personal things that I’ve allowed him to take the reins. Relax though, New Order is mine. I’ll let him get us to the top but once we get there we’re on our own.

Nick

So I thought about it and I want in.

Arkain

Into the Order?

Nick

Yes sir.

Cameron

I don’t know if we can fully trust you though.

Nick

You can trust me. I’m trustworthy.

Cameron

That really doesn’t make sense.

Nick

The point is you can trust me.

Arkain

He doesn’t seem like he’s the lying type.

Cameron

Very well. You’re one of us.

Nick

Awesome sauce.

Cameron

But you’re going to need to stop saying that.

Nick

Not digging the sauce?

Cameron

No.

Nick

Hater.

Arkain

So it’s us and who else?

Cameron

Velis and Malic. They hold their allegiances with me.

Arkain

Good. We just have to make sure we use the Syn Clan and Fallen the right way.

Cameron

We will. Like I said, we just have to wait until we’re on the palace grounds.

Fallen

For what?

They turned to see Fallen behind them.

Arkain

What?

Fallen

You said you just have to wait until we’re on the palace grounds. For what?

Syn approached from behind followed by Velis and Malic.

Fallen

What then?

Merdos

I’ll distract them. You two just run.

They were about to run when a Gear spoke.

Gear 1

Are you Merdos?

Merdos looked up at the Gear that spoke.

Merdos

Yes!

Gear 1

My name is Elijah.

The Gear unit made noise and then the leg opened up. Elijah stepped forward.

Elijah

Lady Roselyn said you’d be coming. We will be your escort.

Darby’s sword missed each time he swung. The Silver Orthak’s are faster than the black one, he thought. Underwater Pathion slammed his fist into Orthak’s face. As the Orthak flowed down the other grabbed Pathion into a headlock in order to rip his head off.

Pathion

Shit.

He said underwater. A sword flew past his head and into the neck of the Orthak that held him.

Vesper

Don’t let your guard down.

Her voice flowed through the water.

Pathion

Below you!

He tried to say but only bubbles came out. Vesper was pulled down by her ankles by the Orthak Pathion was first fighting. Another Orthak appeared and grabbed her by the head.

Pathion

Damn!

It torn her head off. Her body dissolved into water. A silver sword burst through Pathion’s chest. He looked down at it even though it was hard to see with his blood in the water also.

Vesper

Stay calm, Pathion. Do not release yourself.

Tusa appeared and socked the Orthak behind Pathion out of the way. Pathion pulled the sword out of him and swam up quickly with Tusa.

Darby

Welcome back.

Darby landed next to them as they stood up on the water.

Pathion

Why is it only she gets to release herself?

Three giant splashes were made. Three Orthak’s faced them.

Tusa

They’re indestructible. I can’t even eat them.

Darby

I’ve been able to keep mine busy.

They were surrounded.

Pathion

I’m already bored.

A giant circled water wall blocked them from the Orthak’s.

Vesper

I can’t do much with you all here.

Pathion

Just do it!

A thin blade of water flew so fast it cut three of the four Orthak’s in half. The Orthak Darby had fought was just thrown back a few feet.
Vesper

Are you three okay?

All three of them were now underwater in two pieces each.

Vesper

I missed one.

All three of them returned to the surface.

Pathion

Well that was bloody painful.

Vesper

My apologies. If it’s of any consolation, we only have to deal with one now.

The three Gears units landed on the Palace grounds. Elijah, Bonka, and Kota all exited their units.

Merdos

What are you all doing here?

Elijah

We’ve been stationed in the Empire by Roselyn. She believed we’d be useful at some point or another.

Merdos

She thought right.

Kota

What do you all want here anyways? Lady Roselyn only said we’d have to help you. She never told us why.

Bonka

It would seem like you children have a death wish.

Emmylou stepped forward.

Emmylou

We’re here to save my dad and a friend.

Kota

Yeah, death wise alright.

Conor

Do you know where they keep prisoners?

Elijah

We do. It would be unwise to go now.

Emmylou

We need to get them back as fast as possible.

Bonka

It would be suicide. If the alarms wake Ximendos we will be murdered like Secretary Carter.

Conor

Who killed her?

Kota

Ximendos himself.

Conor looked at Emmylou.

Emmylou

Do you know where James Gunner is?

Elijah

Is that your father?

Emmylou nodded.

Elijah

He is always in the control room. It will be rather difficult to get to him.

Bonka

Again, suicide.

Elijah

It would be best to wait for morning. There is more movement so it will be easier to get around. Right now all the alarms are up and ready. If we proceed it will most likely end with our deaths.

Conor

Where can we stay until morning?

Bonka

In our units. Each unit has a small area for passengers or prisoners.

Merdos

Very well. We wait until morning.

Tusa

On the bright side, one isn’t so bad.

Pathion ignored Tusa.

Pathion

The other clones were cut in half except for him.

Vesper

They weren’t as strong as he is.

Darby

This is the real fight.

This time it was Orthak who attacked first. Orthak landed on Pathion’s shoulders and pulled his head off.

Vesper

Pathion!

A beam of energy shot out from the water towards Orthak but he dodged it and landed next to Tusa. Tusa swung but Orthak ripped his arm off. Then his other hand went into Tusa’s neck. Darby moved towards Orthak as Tusa body fell underwater. Orthak blocked each attack from Darby’s sword with his arms. He didn’t need to dodge anymore. Orthak tried to grab Darby by the neck but Darby outmaneuvered him.

Akasha

What is it?

Akasha said from her bed as Ximendos suddenly stopped talking and stood still.

Ximendos

Orthak.

Akasha

I can feel his power so far away. Is he in danger?

Ximendos

I’m not sure. He feels stranger.

Akasha

How so?

Ximendos

I’ve yet to figure that out. He is more powerful than usual though. He has almost even passed me.

Akasha

How could he become that powerful?

Ximendos stood silent for a moment.

Ximendos

Someone must be feeding him.

Akasha stood up and held Ximendos’ hands.

Akasha

I see.

Vesper

Now!

Pathion jumped from the water towards Orthak. He held him from the back.

Darby

Revenant!

His silver sword turned black and he plunged it into Orthak and Pathion.

Pathion

Shit!

Pathion jumped back and held his wound until it healed.

Darby

Time to die, Orthak. This sword, when turned black, is made out of you. Fear my Revenant.

The sword began to drain Orthak of his energy. He screamed.

Suri took a deep breath.

Suri

Here goes nothing.

The now silver hand cuffs shattered. She stood up quickly.

Suri

Ian, I’m coming.

Ian

Okay.

She pulled the cell bars apart and then did Ian’s cell bars. She saw little Ian for the firs time in what felt like months. His face was black with dirt but his blue eyes still sparkled.

Ian

How did you do that?

Suri

I have the power to break things.

Ian

Like a superhero?
Suri

Yes Ian.

She broke his cuffs and held him close.

Suri

I’m going to get us out of here.

She looked up the stairs to the giant grey door above.

Suri

We just have to wait until someone opens those doors so we don’t make a lot of noise. Then we’re going home.

Ian

I like home.

Suri

Me too, Ian. Me too.

She held him closer.

Amya walked into the forest.

Amya

I’m home, Forest.

She said softly.

Forest

I’ve been waiting for you.

A giant pulse of electricity hit Darby and sent him flying into Tusa who had just came back up from below.

Pathion

The bitch is here.