Chapter XCII : Ambushed

  Latenight of Quartus, Third Day of Duskmoon

  Mica prepared herself for the upcoming battle against Virgil’s forces. Fortunately, it was inside an underground military complex that Bram knew quite well. He could point out every twist and turn the enemy could exploit and explain how to turn them into a tactical advantage.

  He believed the actual battle would take place in a cistern located just outside the compound’s entrance. The Substratum was designed to serve as a bunker that could withstand long sieges, so it needed to store weeks’ worth of water for hundreds of troops at a time. However, when drained, the cistern resembled a wide open basin, supported by columns where the enemy could lie in wait. It was the only way in from the sewers, and since Virgil planned to take Bram through it, he knew it had to be drained. And the trap, already armed.

  He planned to lure the enemy out of hiding to an area where he and Quon had a melee advantage. Matthias would defend against enemy scholars by dispelling their AMF’s and ensuring their attacks misfired. Wizards on the battlefield tended to drain their manna quickly, and it was easy to outlast them by sticking with defensive magic. Matthias chose to store his manna inside his staff and use it as a totem. That way, if an enemy thought to ensnare him with an AMF, his staff wouldn’t be affected, and he could use it to dispel the field.

  Lastly, Mica’s role was to support Bram and Quon as they held back the enemy’s advance. Both were seasoned warriors, but against dozens of enemy soldiers, they needed enchantments to survive. Fortunately, these were Mica’s specialty.

  There was just one thing Mica felt was important enough to discuss before the battle.

  “I don’t want to have to kill anyone.”

  Bram’s voice was reassuring. “You won’t have to, Mica. Just stay in back and make sure Quon and I can take on the enemy, ourselves.”

  “But that’s just the thing,” she argued. “Angkor’s whole army is under Abaddon’s control. They’ve been forced into acts of savagery and malice against their will. They don’t want to fight us. They’re probably scared.”

  Matthias sighed. “But what would’ya have us do, Lass? This is war, and we can’t hold back when it comes to defendin’ our lives.”

  Mica lowered her head. She hadn’t spoken to anyone about her experience at the Judiciary Center, but it was time the others knew what happened.

  “I need to tell you about what happened when I died. I think it’s important you know.”

  Bram seemed to recognize her need. He spoke on her behalf. “Then we’ll listen. Quon, Matthias, please give Mica your attention.”

  She was grateful. “Thank you, Bram, but … it doesn’t give me any satisfaction to tell you this. In fact, I’d prefer to forget all about it. But I can’t. Not after what I’ve seen. Not after what I felt. What I … experienced. And I think, once you hear it, you might feel differently about those enemy soldiers.”

  Bram acknowledged her with a nod, and the others stayed silent out of respect. Part of her wanted to back out and keep it to herself—not just because it meant reliving the pain, but because of what she’d have to admit out loud. Even so, the truth gnawed at her. She wanted to blurt it out and be rid of it. Now was her chance. She had to take it.

  “I remember when we were taken captive, back on the streets of Angkor. I felt the spells of enemy scholars put me to sleep. I didn’t fear death at the time, though I knew it was a risk. Perhaps, even likely. But, my faith in Gaia was strong. So strong that I ignored the fear. I believed with all my heart that my spirit was eternal, and the Goddess would protect me.”

  Her heart felt heavy as she continued her story. “The next thing I felt was an abrupt awakening, like getting splashed in the face with cold water. I was disoriented, but it’s not like I ever woke up. It felt like waking from one dream into another. The world didn’t appear like it does while conscious. I saw only bits and flashes, more like a … basic awareness of what was happening. I saw … or rather, experienced … my own death. But from the outside, like I was a spectator, looking in.”

  She saw the look on Quon’s face, his eyes shut and lips pressed so tightly they formed a thin crease. “Master Nan, please don’t feel guilty for what Abaddon made you do. I know it won’t matter what I say, because it won’t change what you experienced. Just know that I don’t hold you responsible.”

  He hung his head, and his expression fell into a deep grimace. “Just tell me you didn’t suffer.”

  Her hand went to her chest, which weighed heavily. “I didn’t feel pain, if that’s what you meant. But I can’t tell you there wasn’t a sense of dread as my body and the rest of the world faded away. We tend to take our lives for granted so easily. I don’t mean we don’t appreciate them, but we don’t think about our sense of grounding. We are constantly made aware of our place in the world, because of what we see, what we hear, and what we feel. But when our body loses its ability to experience those senses, we become untethered. It’s like floating alone in a great abyss of infinite blackness.”

  Bram looked like he wanted to say something, so she urged him to do so.

  The Knight spoke. “When I found your spirit, Mica, I believe it’s because the power of anima allowed me to travel into the Zohar. But I experienced something very different. It was the opposite of blackness. It was vivid and chaotic, visually disorienting, with no sense of up or down. Almost as if my senses were overwhelmed.”

  Mica shook her head. “Perhaps it was because you still had your body. All I saw was darkness. I was alone and afraid. I accepted that I had died, but I expected my spirit would eventually find its way to Gaia. So I wandered for what felt like days or weeks, and nothing ever changed. I tried summoning my faith. I don’t know if you’ve ever felt it, but when you believe in something so strongly, it gives you a sense of comfort, deep in your heart. I remembered what that felt like when I was alive; but as a spirit, I was empty. I had no strength or conviction. No feeling at all. The only thing I felt—if you could call it that—was an overwhelming sense of longing. I wanted to see and hear and feel things like I used to. But I couldn’t, and it made me angry and bitter. I felt like my life had been stolen from me, and I doubted that I would ever feel again.”

  Quon looked stricken with sadness. “What are you saying? That the Goddess … She—”

  Mica shook her head. “There is no goddess, Master Nan. There is only infinite nothingness.”

  A tear rolled down his cheek. “We don’t tend to talk about it openly, but Katharina and I have long practiced the old religions. There are many in Koba that still do. But if you, as one of Her own chosen priestesses, found nothing after death, then ….”

  Mica sighed. “I’m sorry. Earlier, when we were on the surface, the demon mocked my faith in Gaia through your voice. At the time, I thought it was nothing more than a feeble attempt to rattle me. But now, I realize the cold, hard truth.”

  Matthias scoffed. “You really want to take the word of a demon? It also said that Gaia was some kind of horrific creature that would soon be under its control. It sounded more like mad ravings t’ me.”

  Mica shook her head. “All I know is that Gaia is not the Goddess I thought She was. I was dead for what felt like an eternity. Bram told me it was just seconds, but my spirit wandered in that darkness for what felt like months or even years. You have no idea what that did to me. The horror I endured ….”

  The old scholar looked apologetic. “Ah don’t mean to make light of your experience. Ah’m just glad t’ have ya back.”

  Mica nodded, noting a set of three somber faces. It was time to finish her story. “My point in telling you all this is so you realize how precious life is. I don’t know if I experienced something worse as a result of having my life cut short, or if we’re all destined to wander alone for eternity, or if our spirits eventually fade away until there’s nothing left. But, now that I experienced even a moment of it, I don’t want anyone else to die before their time. Wandering alone without my senses was torture beyond words. No one deserves that fate, much less innocent men under the control of a demon. Somehow, we must make it to King Richard through non-lethal means.”

  She looked at her companions pleadingly. “We have to try.”

  Bram nodded. “I agree. But, how?”

  Matthias’ eyes went wide. “Bram, ya can’t be serious. We’re surely to be vastly outnumbered, and Ah don’t know what non-lethal combat even looks like. Whatever it is, we certainly don’t need t’ be takin’ on any additional handicaps!”

  Mica had an idea. “What if we created an enchantment for Bram’s sword and Master Nan’s knives that puts them out of phase, like when you pass an object through a solid wall. That way, they’ll pass right through their target. You can then add a secondary enchantment that causes a small shock to stun the enemy.”

  Matthias looked thoughtful. “Ah suppose it might work, but Ah’m not sure we should be experimentin’ with complicated spells in a battle for our lives.”

  Quon approached the old scholar. “Master Deleuze, I’ve been forced to commit atrocities so damning that it has stained my soul black. You might think that killing enemy soldiers is trivial by comparison, but not to me. I can’t take another man’s life for as long as I live. I’m willing to take a risk, if Mica’s enchantment can make my knives non-lethal. Even if she fails, I will use my bare hands and fight until my final breath before I release my blades and take a life. So, I ask that you please assist Mica with her idea. For all our sakes.”

  “Mica won’t fail.” Bram spoke with confidence. “Matthias, this is not a normal battle. We’re here to stop a demon that uses crimes against humanity to its advantage. As counter as it might seem, we’ll only survive by showing mercy. I know it won’t be easy, but let’s think it through together.”

  Mica smiled. Said like a born leader. Like a Savior.

  Matthias stroked his chin. “Ah kind of figured you wouldn’t make it easy for me, Bram. Although, Ah do like a challenge. Let me talk it over with Mica.”

  Matthias took her aside to think through the magical theory of her proposal. She was overjoyed to benefit from his expertise. His knowledge of sorcery and wizardry were equally impressive. After ten minutes of refining her strategy, she ended up feeling more confident.

  “You really do have amazing ideas, Master Deleuze. Did you learn any of it from that library you went to at the Crevasse?”

  He grinned. “It’s a product of a lifetime of experience, mae dear. But, you’re probably right that a month studyin’ in the greatest library in history probably helped, too.”

  Mica felt humbled to be in his presence. “I wanted you to know how grateful I am that you’re here. Looking back, I was pretty na?ve to come. I was overconfident, thinking my faith so strong that nothing could hurt me. I felt a duty to retrieve Minoa’s sunstone, and I figured that with Bram as the Savior and you as the world-famous ambisanguinous scholar, we couldn’t lose. But now … I’m scared. I think we can make it past the trap that Virgil laid for us, but after that ….”

  Matthias’ rigid expression seemed to melt. “You’re a smart young woman, Mica. Christian trained ya well. Have confidence in your powers, and don’t let doubt distract you. Stay focused.”

  Mica smiled. The praise was almost too much, but she appreciated his advice. “Thanks.”

  Matthias smiled, too. “Ya know, you remind me of mae daughter, Angela.”

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  Mica perked up. She didn’t know Matthias had a daughter. “Oh, really? How old is she?”

  The old scholar winced, but his happy face returned quickly, as if nothing happened. “She was, ah … born during Summermoon. She’ll be sixteen.”

  It was quite a bit younger than Mica expected. Or, perhaps Matthias wasn’t as old as he looked. “Do you expect her to take up magic?”

  Matthias seemed to strain to hold his smile, and his eyes looked misty. “She’s, uh … with her mother, now, so … Ah suppose we’ll have t’ see. Ah’ll ask how things are goin’ next time Ah see her.”

  Mica sensed something amiss, but she didn’t want to be nosy. It almost sounded like Matthias was separated from his wife and didn’t get to speak with his daughter very often. She figured it probably made him sad.

  She tried changing the subject. “Well, I think we’ve settled on a plan. How about we check in with Bram and Master Nan?”

  Matthias agreed. They headed back to the two warriors, who still practiced their moves. It looked like they were trying out a few new techniques to leverage Bram’s defense and Quon’s agility. They made very good battle partners.

  Mica sent them praise. “Looking good, Bram. That’s a really good move, too, Master Nan. Are you both ready for your enchantments?”

  Bram raised his bright silver sword, which seemed more radiant than Mica remembered.

  “Is it just me, or does your sword seem brighter?”

  The Knight grinned. “It’s not just you, Mica. When I was a Gnostic, I was able to amplify my blade with certain emotions. Like an intensity to win or contempt for the enemy. If these emotions grew powerful enough, so too did the sword. I think this Grigori blade is similar, but not in the same way. Instead, I think it grows based on the courage I have for protecting my companions. It was forged with the magic of anima, so I believe it’ll grow stronger the more we work together.”

  Mica was impressed. “Bring it to me. You too, Master Nan.”

  “Please, call me Quon from now on. Like Bram said, we’re more than just traveling companions. We’re a team. And now that my Kenju are gone … you’re my family.”

  “Same goes for me, too, Mica,” the old scholar instructed. “Ah’m your elder no longer. Today, Ah’m your peer.”

  It meant a lot to Mica. Hours earlier, wandering around the vast nothingness of death had taken its toll. She had spent so much time feeling longing and regret that she was ready to cast away her memories of life and fade away. But Bram crossed into the Great Beyond to save her. The same man who was a guilt-stricken Gnostic Knight, who groveled at her feet for forgiveness, convinced her to live. And she was grateful.

  He was once the epitome of mercilessness and injustice. But if a man like him could reject the Gnostic Knighthood and redeem himself as the world’s true Savior, anything was possible. Perhaps that included overcoming the odds to defeat one of the greatest forces of evil the world had ever known.

  She reached out to her friends. “Bram, Quon, hold out your weapons.”

  They stood before her and kneeled. The Knight balanced his sword on outstretched arms, while the Kenju Master exposed his knives through his knuckles.

  Mica began her incantation, and Matthias added his. Her blue manna flowed with his red like the weaves of a cloth, guided by synergistic words. Her menis tasted sweeter than she had ever experienced. Its gentle hum and faint caress, more soothing than ever before. When she finished, the weapons glowed briefly before becoming blurry and indistinct.

  “I think it worked,” she announced.

  Quon looked his knives over closely. “Should we test them?”

  “Not unless ya wanna get the shock of a lifetime,” Matthias warned, smirking. “Don’t worry. Ah can sense the magical signatures, and Mica did beautifully. Even better than Ah thought possible. In fact, this technique will penetrate both flesh and metal, allowing you to stun even the most heavily armored foes.”

  Bram looked pleased. “Well done, Mica and Matthias. I know we’ve only had a short time to prepare, but I feel our task is more urgent than ever. Is everyone ready?”

  Mica nodded and braced for battle, the words of several spells already on her lips.

  Bram took a deep breath and let it out. He looked uncertain, but only for a moment. He faced his friends. “Quon, Matthias, would you mind if I spoke to Mica privately? I’ll be brief.”

  The scholar and Kenju Master nodded, leaving Mica to wonder what could be so important to postpone their most important battle so far. Her nerves stood on edge.

  He spoke in a low voice. “I’m sorry for pausing so suddenly, but there’s something on my mind, and I felt I needed to say it.”

  After giving her space to divulge her own thoughts minutes ago, Mica felt it was fair to give her friend the same courtesy. “It’s no problem, Bram. Please tell me.”

  He peered into her eyes, looking gravely serious. “Whatever happens from here on out, just remember that faith, courage, and hope—they’re all related.” He paused, as if trying to start over. “One of the things Christian kept telling me was to have faith. I’ve only started to realize he wasn’t just talking about belief in Gaia. He wants us to have faith in ourselves, courage that we’re doing the right thing, and hope that our efforts prevail.”

  It felt like a pep talk, which seemed unnecessary. Mica nodded, though merely to humor him. “Absolutely. Trust me when I say I’ve never felt more confident.”

  Bram shook his head. “What I’m trying to say goes beyond our next battle, Mica. Listen. I know your faith was shaken, and you experienced the most agonizing kind of death. At least, I can’t think of anything worse than losing all the joys of life, while watching everything you’ve ever known or loved disappear.”

  She didn’t need to be reminded. She tried to stop him. “It’s alright. I now know the truth about what death has in store. Agonizing or not, we can’t change it. We can only celebrate life while we still have it.”

  “No, Mica.” Bram was insistent. “I know it doesn’t make sense right now, but one thing I’ve learned about this world is that the more we learn, the more we realize just how ignorant we are. I know you can’t deny what you experienced, but I believe what happened to you isn’t supposed to happen. And I want you to leave room for the possibility that there’s more to both life and death than what we know right now.”

  Mica felt her eyes well up, but she didn’t want to believe in false hope. She tried to speak through choked up emotions. “Why are you telling me this? I’m not ready to place my faith in anything else right now.”

  Bram’s face looked grief-stricken. “It’s because I think you should, Mica. Your faith was something beautiful. Just because it wasn’t the same as you imagined, doesn’t mean it’s better to have no faith at all. I think your faith gave you power, and I think you should try to find that power again.”

  Mica couldn’t hold back. Tears slid down her cheeks. “Okay. After we find the sunstone and bring it back to Minoa, we’ll look into it. If you think the answers lie with anima, I’ll do what I can to help.”

  Bram looked hopeful. “So you plan to return to Minoa?”

  She understood the implication of his question. Should a woman who lost her faith continue to live in a faith-based community?

  “It’s my home. I suppose I haven’t thought it through completely, but I can’t turn my back on my family. They’re precious to me.”

  Bram gave a reassuring nod. “Your love for them will aid you in the battles ahead. We must make sure everyone can return home safely.”

  Mica felt encouraged. “Then let’s go. I’m ready.”

  She followed her companions into the cistern, ready for anything. As she marched, she cast enchantments on Bram and Quon to increase their stamina and agility. She also coated their skin with flame and electrical retardant and readied a shield to deflect projectiles.

  She knew her enchantments would only last a few minutes, so it was important not to waste time. Once they ended, she would need to spend more manna to recast them. It didn’t take long, though, before she spotted Angkor’s heavily armored sentry guard waiting for them in the basin. Bram and Quon readied their weapons.

  “Matthias, to your side!”

  Mica shouted a warning after spotting wizards at their flank. The old scholar raised his staff and deflected their AMF’s. Fire and bolts of lightning whizzed overhead, carefully rerouted by Matthias toward the sentry guard. The magic struck the tilework on the ceiling, causing large fragments of stone and grout to rain down.

  With the sentry distracted, Bram leapt forward, his blade slicing through the air with precision. Each time it reached its target, it went through armor as if nothing were there. The soldiers hit the ground, stunned by Matthias’ enchantment.

  The Kenju Master dove past the sentry guard to attack a wave of archers that already had their bows knocked and ready. With the grace of an acrobat, he plunged his knives into several of them before they had a chance to fire. Mica shielded him, just in time to deflect a barrage of arrows. He finished the rest before they could ready another shot.

  “Fall back!”

  Bram shouted his order, which anticipated additional waves of soldiers on their flanks. Sure enough, dozens of swordsmen closed in from all sides.

  One of them dashed toward Mica. She shrieked, but the man went down, paralyzed by Matthias’ magic.

  He ran over and grabbed her hand. “Thank me later. We need t’ move, or they’ll have us surrounded!”

  She ran back to the entrance, another part of Bram’s plan. But more wizards awaited them there. Matthias raised his staff.

  “Now, Mica!”

  She cast a force bolt to disrupt their concentration. She followed with an AMF. Without their magic, Matthias finished them off with another paralysis spell. They hit the ground in unison.

  “How’s your manna?” she asked.

  “About half spent, but there’s more in mae staff. Yoo?”

  “A little more than half.”

  “Good. Help Bram and Quon.”

  The warriors fended off the remaining swordsmen, but they were surrounded. One of them stabbed the Kenju Master in the back. Mica used her force bolt to knock the attacker off balance, while Bram took him out. She then sealed the wound with her magic. He’d need more healing later, but she stopped the blood loss.

  Quon was back on his feet and able to dodge more blows. Mica cast more force bolts, when she saw them deflected with magic. A wave of sorcerers appeared, using their magic to resuscitate fallen comrades. They were protected behind a line of pikemen, whose spears were long enough to fend off Bram’s and Quon’s attacks.

  Matthias aimed a spell toward the floor and caused an eruption, flinging rock and creating a plume of dust. Mica recovered and cast her AMF at the sorcerers. But there were too many, and fallen swordsmen rejoined the fight. Bram and Quon looked overwhelmed.

  Matthias shouted instructions. “Mica, activate the mechanism behind that column. This is gonna t’ take every drop of manna Ah’ve left.”

  Mica used her magic to search where the old scholar pointed. She sensed a large wheel, which she turned remotely. A pipe over the sorcerers and pikemen gushed water, which she realized must have come directly from the waterways.

  Matthias raised his staff, which glowed bright white. The pipe water froze and became a deluge of ice shards. The enemy crouched for cover, giving Mica a chance to disarm them.

  Bram and Quon took advantage of the distraction to clear out the remaining soldiers. Mica recast her earlier enchantments, making sure her friends had the stamina to vanquish anyone left standing.

  The sorcerers and pikemen fell quickly, as did the remaining swordsmen. But just as Mica thought the fight might be over, four Royals entered the cistern, looking far more intimidating. She cast her force bolts, but they bounced off their bodies due to some kind of magical resistance. Only Bram and Quon could pierce their defenses, but they were outnumbered.

  The Royal’s attacks were fast and fierce. Even though Bram and Quon had their own enchantments, they could barely keep up, parrying two sets of attacks at once. Mica wondered what she could do, other than double down with her enchantments. But if they weren’t enough already, she’d soon run out of manna.

  Just then, Bram’s armor turned white, and the Royals averted their eyes. Quon seized on the distraction and pounced, sending his adversaries to the ground.

  She ran over to make sure her friends were unhurt. “Did you do that, Bram?”

  He was coated in sweat and out of breath, but he didn’t seem injured. “I think so. I might have found another power built into my armor. I’m not quite sure how I activated it, but I think it had to do with the urgency.”

  He faced the Kenju Master. “Quon, how’s your wound.”

  Quon reached behind his back, just below the right shoulder. “It’s sore, but I don’t think it will impact my performance.”

  Mica used her magic. “Let me take a look.”

  She sensed the injury under the flesh and mended it. “You’re lucky the swordsman didn’t damage any major organs.”

  While she healed Quon, Bram went to each of the Royals and removed their helms.

  Matthias took note. “Recognize any of ‘em?”

  Bram shook his head. “No.”

  He looked disappointed, as if he had hoped to find someone in particular.

  Mica felt drained, but she was proud of what she had accomplished.

  Bram seemed pleased as well. “Well done, everyone.”

  Mica wanted to celebrate, when she heard a faint rumble in the distance.

  “Did you hear that?” Quon asked.

  Everyone stopped to listen. Again, a faint vibration rattled the walls of the cistern.

  “A quake?” Quon suggested.

  As soon as he spoke, a much louder explosion thundered, somewhere high above the cistern. The basin shook, and grout from between the tiles rained down.

  Matthias closed his eyes and waved his hands. “There are airships over the city. And they’re releasin’ firebombs. And we’re right in th’ line o’ fire! We need t’ get out o’ here.”

  “We can’t leave yet,” Bram told him. “As soon as that flash of light came from my armor, I sensed the sunstone’s location. It’s down below … in the depths of the Substratum. Richard is using it as we speak.”

  The old scholar crossed his arms. “Now just hold on. If this place collapses, there’s no way out. The sunstone won’t do us much good if we’re trapped! Or dead ….”

  Bram shook his head. “This is our only chance. Think about all we’ve been through. We need to stop it from happening again. We must press forward.”

  Mica pointed to the fallen soldiers. “What about them? Even if we succeed, we can’t leave all these men unconscious. They’ll be buried alive.”

  Matthias shook his head in disbelief. “Be sensible! It took all our strength t’ defeat ‘em. We can’t have ‘em attackin’ our flank as we descend deeper into the Substratum!”

  “They won’t,” Bram insisted. “I’ll free them of their curse.”

  Matthias stood firm. “It doesn’t mean they won’t still be our enemy!”

  Mica understood the old scholar’s reservations, but she was certain. “Bram is right. I was able to sense their pain while they fought us. No one wanted to be here. If Bram can free them from Abaddon’s control, they won’t pursue us.”

  Matthias sighed. “Fine. Go right ahead. Ah just hope you’re right.”

  Mica smiled. She didn’t owe Angkor’s soldiers anything, but somehow she felt a sense of pride. It was just like Bram said. She had always followed Gaia’s teachings, but this time it wasn’t the Goddess driving her. She was merciful and compassionate because it felt right. These were gifts that gave her purpose and defined her as the priestess she was always meant to be. It was time for her to define her own creed. Her own way to honor life. Her own way to live.

  She kept her eyes fixed on Bram, curious how he would manifest his powers. She watched as he closed his eyes, looking calm. Peaceful. Focused. He extended his arms, and a bouquet of light rays shot from his body in all directions. She averted her eyes, unable to see. But as soon as things cleared, she noticed the soldiers begin to stir.

  Bram urged her to follow. “We can leave, now.” His voice was commanding. Assuring. “They won’t pursue us.”

  Bram led her and the others into the Substratum. The old scholar looked over his shoulder constantly, but it seemed Bram was right. The soldiers fled in the opposite direction. Mica hoped they would survive the blasts and escape the city. As for her, she intended to stay by the Savior’s side. Soon, things were going to be right again.