Interphase (26 page)

The man nodded and moved aside to let them pass. Analara sensed his worried gaze, and a memory of Varlath echoed within her. They passed through a large room into a long hallway filled with doors. At the end of the hall she was startled by a small room that moved beneath her. Finally they stepped though a strange door and outside.

Sunlight bathed Analara's face. She found herself gazing into an expansive blue sky. Strange puffs of white hovered above stone houses taller than anything she could have imagined. With a shock she realized that she was in David's world, no dream or story, but the real world. She clung to him as he led her down a wide avenue.

They stopped at a large plaza filled with enclosed gardens and fountains. David took her by the shoulders and searched her face. "Are you all right?"

Analara shook her head and started to cry. "No."

David sighed and wrapped his arms around her. "I'm so sorry, Analara. You were dying. I… I couldn't bear to lose you."

"He killed Jessica, didn't he?"

"He destroyed her mind. Your body was being consumed by his infection. We tried the only thing we could think of to save either of you. We merged you together."

Somehow, it had worked. Analara began to sort through the chaos, slowly understanding some of the differences she felt within herself. A deep grief grew inside of her. In the span of a single day the threads of her life had come completely undone. The Siathrak betrayal, the flight from the city of her birth, the escape into David's story world, the battle with Shalaron, and Jessica's final moments…

Analara looked up and saw Thomas approaching. He stopped when their gazes met. She saw something flare in his eyes, and a look of wild hope spread across his face. An invisible dagger twisted inside her stomach; she knew his hopes were in vain. David turned toward him as he walked closer. "I don't know how, Thomas, but it worked," he said in disbelief.

Analara heard a strange tone. David stiffened and glared at the black band around his wrist. "It's from VERAsign. I'm probably about to get fired for breaking and entering." He sighed in resignation. "I have to take care of this, but I'll be back as soon as I'm done, I promise."

"I…" Thomas began, then coughed to clear his throat. "I can stay with her until you return."

David nodded gratefully, gave Analara a quick hug, then turned and ran down the street.

Analara sat down. The grass here was short and prickled her legs. She stared up and down the unfamiliar street, trying desperately not to think of all that she had just lost.

Thomas sat down beside her and smiled. Analara watched him out of the corner of her eye, uncertain what to say.

"That was quite the adventure, wouldn't you agree?" he asked. She tried to think of a response, but he continued on. "That world was truly marvelous. More beautiful than Eternity, and more exciting than anything I'd ever experienced." A strange look filled his eyes. "The distraction by the walls was perfectly timed. I didn't get a chance to thank you before we had to flee. I was proud of you for standing up to that Shalaron fellow as well."

Unease crept up Analara's spine. She wasn't sure who Thomas was actually talking to.

"I was so worried about you after the fight, but I'm glad that you're all right." He scooted over next to her and laid his arm around her shoulders. "Please don't scare me like that again, my lady?"

Analara hastily nodded, but froze as she felt Thomas move toward her, his face drawing close to hers. She jerked away from his embrace, standing to hide her discomfort.

Awful realization dawned in Thomas's face, and Analara watched tears well up in his eyes. He buried his head in his hands and whispered between sobs, "I'm sorry."

Analara could feel her own eyes becoming moist, and she sat again, some distance from Thomas. Silently, they mourned together and waited for David's return.

***

Totarakh paced across the central chamber of the Temple like a caged feranal, ready to strike at anything that dared approach him. It had been hours since his soldiers had entered the wilderness in pursuit of the traitor and her demons. If they had eluded capture, the High Priest vowed that someone would pay a steep price.

Footsteps sounded from the stairs, and Totarakh turned. Sarolkh entered at a brisk pace and rapped his spear against the polished stone floor in salute. "Your Holiness—"

"Have you recaptured the traitor?" Totarakh demanded.

"No, my lord. She and her companions escaped through the black door, and my warriors were unable to pursue them. We suffered several casualties. However, we were able to acquire some malan root on our return."

"That will be useful for keeping the child sage's powers suppressed. Has he or the old fat one said anything regarding the invaders?"

"No, Holiness."

Totarakh snarled. "Then let them rot in the cells. Deprive them of food and water, and see how long their defiance lasts."

Sarolkh dipped his head in respect. "My lord, I do bear grave tidings. We have found the Sage, Shalaron."

Totarakh's eyes widened. "Where was he found?"

"Near the dark gateway, Holiness. Please, come with me. You may wish to see this." Sarolkh led him out of the Temple and down the stairs. A group of four soldiers approached, bearing a litter. As Totarakh drew near, they set it gently upon the ground. Shalaron's body was clearly visible by the light of their torches.

"Dead?" Totarakh asked and knelt for a closer look.

"No, my lord, but badly wounded," Sarolkh responded. "We found him lying against a tree, near the gate. It looked as if he had been thrown there. We've not been able to rouse him." Totarakh inspected Shalaron carefully. There was a deep wound in his right shoulder, and a dark bruise covered his forehead. There was no response to the probing of his wounds.

"So," the High Priest muttered, "the mighty Sage of Ilinar has been brought low. Defeated by a mere child and her demonic cohorts." He straightened and turned to the soldiers. "Take him into the Temple and send for the Artisan of Healing. Spread the word to the citizens that their Sage has fallen to the invaders." The Siathrak warriors saluted and lifted the litter, bearing it up the stairs.

Totarakh smiled. This might yet serve his purpose.

Word of Shalaron's injuries spread quickly throughout Ilinar. As the stars came out overhead, a crowd had gathered outside of the temple demanding to know their ruler's condition. Totarakh stepped out upon the upper stairs, his arms uplifted in the flickering light of the torches.

"People of Ilinar," he said, "events are far worse than I had feared. Your Sage has been rescued, but at a terrible cost. His injuries are severe, the result of brutal torture at the hands of our enemies. We know not whether he will survive."

Cries of sorrow filled the evening air, growing into shouts for revenge. Sensing movement behind him, Totarakh turned to see Halathas emerge from the Temple, looking tired but clearly angry. The crowd quieted at his approach. Halathas surveyed the assemblage before speaking. "The Artisan of Healing has tended to the Sage as best he can. Shalaron sleeps comfortably, but we do not know when he will awaken."

"He has suffered much for his people," Totarakh shouted. "Are we to let his sacrifice be for naught?"

The crowd answered his question with a thunderous roar.

"If Shalaron stood before you now, he would caution patience," Halathas interjected. "Do we know for certain that this was the work of the people beyond the gateway? We would be wise to wait for Shalaron to awaken and hear his words."

"We can not afford to wait," Totarakh cried. "It may be many months, and that only if he does not succumb to his injuries. Can justice be withheld for that long?" He turned to face the crowd. "Servants of Siath, we can not let this aggression go unanswered. These black-hearted villains have taken the best of us, and they will return in far greater numbers. The time has come to show them the might of Analath!"

Several of the young men gave shouts of approval.

"If you would take up arms in defense of your city and your world, stand now and fight beside the armies of Siath. Let the invaders tremble before us!"

The response was deafening. Large clumps of people jostled their way through the crowd, to kneel before the assembled Siathrak warriors.

Totarakh turned and smirked as Halathas walked away. His devotion to Shalaron and his concern over the Sage's health robbed him of the strength to oppose Totarakh; he was no longer a threat.

Beckoning Sarolkh, Totarakh whispered to his captain, "Once the Artisan is finished, and Halathas is distracted, have Shalaron thrown in the cell with the other traitors. Tell Halathas that the invaders must have returned to abscond with the body.
Do
not
forget to give Shalaron a strong dose of the malan root."

Sarolkh bowed his head, his lips curled in a grin. "And the fresh soldiers?"

"Set up a camp outside of the city. The first divisions from the nearby regions will be arriving soon. Give each of the recruits a weapon. At first light of dawn, we march on the black gateway."

Chapter 22

The game was in the final quarter, and the Mars Warbringers were leading by two. Thomas caught a pass and took off for the active goal. The entire stadium erupted in screams, the Titan fans urging him on, while the Warbringer patriots shouted for someone to stop him. He was almost in range for a shot when a defender swept in and threw the neg ball. Thomas tried to dodge the neon sphere hurtling his way, but it tagged his shoulder, locking him down for the next thirty seconds. The goal ball fell from his motionless hands, and the nearest Warbringer scooped it up.

=Thom, hit the benches. I'm pulling in Kale to cover your quad,= Steve said over the team's channel. =Don't sweat it, guys, we've got time to pull this out!=

Thomas jogged off the field, frustration and embarrassment radiating from him. He hadn't been called out of a game in three years, but he knew that Steve's decision was fair. He just couldn't focus after the events of the previous day. He wasn't even sure why he had bothered to show up to the game; the Titans had already secured a playoff berth. A loss here would do nothing to change that. The pain of his grief festered close to the surface, and his shame only intensified when he caught David's gaze on him as he sat on the bench.

David had brought Analara to the game. Thomas could only guess that they were cheering him on while his one-time rival made the most of the situation. Seeing Analara watching him from behind Jessica's eyes, as though the body of his love was some kind of costume, caused a black heat to course through his veins. David tried to send him a tell, but he ignored it. He let his head fall into his hands, and the sounds of the game turned into background noise.

Suddenly a strange horn rang out over the hubbub of the stadium, startling Thomas and silencing the crowd. It sounded like it had come from the upper seats. He stood up, looked around for the source and caught a sight that nearly made his heart stop.

A figure stood at the far row of the arena, a spear gripped in his hand. He stood in front of a glowing doorway that opened into blackness. Another person joined him, then another, and another, until an entire squad of armed warriors looked out over the stadium. A command was given, and they lifted their weapons and charged.

Thomas accepted the waiting tell. =David, are those Anrathians?=

=I don't know how, but it has to be. They shouldn't have been able to leave the command core though. I sealed the castle gateway, and it's the only access in or out.=

=They're going to start killing! We've got to get everyone out of V-Net immediately. Take Je… Analara and get out of here
now
.=

=Where are you going? Thomas, do—=

Thomas closed the connection and dashed back onto the field, loading Kalath as he ran. Streams of warriors poured from the gateway, striking wildly at anyone within reach. Most of the spectators near the portal had already logged out, vanishing before the eyes of their assailants; others tried to flee and spilled onto the play field.

Screams rang out as the alien warriors caught up to their targets. A terrified woman nearly plowed into Thomas, and he grabbed her by the shoulders. "Log out of here, now!"

She looked at him with horror in her eyes. "I can't. The system won't let me out!" Thomas looked around in shock. All around the stadium, he couldn't see anyone else disappearing from view. Something had locked down the network.

=Steve, get the spectators into our bench area. They're locked inside the system. We have to set up a perimeter,= he shouted over the team channel, running toward the front ranks of the Anrathians.

=Rean, Sorr, Elk, round everyone up. Load any sort of combat programs you've got and guard them. Kale, Wens, Lufkin, you're with me. Time to kick some terrorist ass!= Steve sent.

Thomas shook his head silently. He had nearly reached the fighting when a familiar scream ripped his attention to the stands. David stood in front of Analara, sword drawn. A spear protruded from his shoulder. David swung his blade in a wide arc, driving his attackers back. A warrior ripped the spear out, and David staggered and fell backwards, tumbling over the railing to the stadium floor.