Rupture: Rise of the Demon King (33 page)

29: Plunge

12 Seek, 112 AV: Day 201

They made camp that night several hours from Caligula. The four of them had found a relatively clear part of the forest and slid off their kitseans, resting with little worry for the first time in weeks.

Hannet looked to the bright ring crossing the sky. “You shattered the Shadow of Dawn, hero. They will never rebuild again, for fear of incurring your wrath.”

Keith nodded. “My brother is broken. He was evil, but maybe now he will change.”

“I don’t know if he was any more evil than the forces he fought,” Hannet said.

“How can you say that?” Mori said. “He kidnapped you and forced Keith to steal from his friend to gain more power. Before that, he was robbing caravans! And he and his bandits destroyed my house!” Mori stared at the silver-eyed girl.

“Greg was a lot of things,” Seeko said, jumping in before a fight could start. “But he did make me think about the necklaces. I haven’t ever used the necklaces for their primary purpose: creating a portal.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Seeko,” Mori said. “I don’t like where this thought is coming from.”

Seeko exchanged glances with the rest of the company. They seemed to agree with Mori. The red-clad girl moved closer to Seeko, so that only he could hear.

“I worry about you, Seeko. Those portals are evil.”

Seeko looked away. “It’s not for an evil purpose. Maybe I can make the portal go back home.”

“And leave your quest unfinished?”

“You know I can’t do that.” Mori gave him a look that could melt even Keith’s frozen face. “I’ll be back.”

Mori grabbed his hand. “Promise?”

Seeko nodded instantly. “Promise. I just have to know how to do it.”

She let go of his hand. “No you don’t, but I won’t stop you.”

Seeko walked for several minutes in the darkness, using a small green fireball hovering slightly in front of him for light. When he found a flat area in the forest, he stopped and pulled out the necklaces. He looked at the three necklaces in his hand. The topaz, garnet, and aquamarine necklaces shone in the unnatural light, each one able to open a portal to the demon world. Could these necklaces open portals to Earth as well?

Seeko reached into the topaz necklace for no better reason than it being the first one he obtained. He found its spark, the color matching the necklace, orange and bright. Drawing more dark power from it, Seeko materialized a small dark orb in his hand. He inserted a finger into the black ball and it went through, peeking out on the other side. Knowing it wasn’t a portal yet, Seeko poured more magic into his orb, willing it to become a portal. The orb grew little by little, stealing magic from both Seeko and the necklace itself. Seeko gingerly placed the orb on the ground and continued to channel power into it.

The orb was about three feet tall when Seeko cut off the flow, exhausted. Both his spark and the necklace’s were dull, almost spent. He frowned, knowing the portal was also too small. He picked up a rock and threw it into the orb. It flew through and landed on the other side.
Still not a portal.

“There is a reason why there aren’t hundreds of portals around, hero,”
Kerodesis said.
“If it were this easy, I would have gone home ages ago.”

“But I’m stronger than almost every human and most demons now … Why can’ t I do it?”
he asked the Voice, where it was seemingly common knowledge. After listening to it for a while, it made sense.

“So I can only activate a portal if I channel both light and dark into it, and I have to be strong enough on the other end to make it there as well. Fine. I give up.”
Seeko waved his hand and his proto-portal disappeared. After another moment, he headed back to camp.

Seeko returned to hear the others muttering. He huddled down nearby and listened in.

“… He’s losing to the demon,” Keith was saying. “Every day it gets stronger.”

“He’s still Seeko, Keith,” Mori replied.

After a moment, Hannet’s high-pitched voice spoke up. “What are you two looking at me for?”

“You can see the future. Tell us Seeko’s,” Keith said.

Seeko edged closer, eager to hear this.

“… I cannot see it. The vision-branches are too crazy …”

“Are you hiding something?” Keith asked. “Does he kill us?”

Silence. Silence that destroyed Seeko. Was he going to kill his friends? He was shaking.

An unsteady Mori said, “Seeko would never hurt us.”

“But what of Kerodesis?” Hannet said quietly, almost too quietly to hear.

Silence again. Seeko stayed where he was. Did he lose to Kerodesis? Was he to take over? Despairing, Seeko shouted into the night.

Within seconds, Keith was at Seeko, claymore drawn. “What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Nothing. Just stubbed my toe,” Seeko lied.

Keith’s facial expression went cold. “Let’s get back to camp. Mori has been worried.”

Are you worried too, Keith?
Seeko wondered as he made the march back to camp. Worried I might kill you? He dispelled the thoughts. I wish Lorissa were here. She would know how to fix this.

Sure enough, Seeko was greeted back at camp with a hug. Mori held him close and asked him what happened. Seeko didn’t respond, still angry for losing the trust of his friends. He couldn’t really blame them, but the thought still cut deep.

“Seeko,” Mori said, “I can’t pretend to know what you’re going through, but we’re here for you if you want to talk. You’re helping our world. The least we could do in return is help you.”

Hannet swallowed. “Take the plunge, hero. Trust us, if you want us to trust you.”

Even Keith had something to say: “Seeko, tell us how you’re doing. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from being with you and Mori, it’s that it’s not healthy to hide everything from everyone. Talk to us. We’re here for you.” The words were particularly moving coming from stoic Keith.

Seeko nodded. “It’s a terrible burden I bear. I’ll try to be more open in the future.”

“Why not start now?” Mori asked. “Talk to us.”

He looked away. “I’m not ready. Give me a little time.”

Even though the others wanted to prod further, Seeko retrieved his blanket and went to bed, his mind in turmoil.

/ / / / /

They made quick progress upon the kitseans; by afternoon of the next day, the quartet was leaving the forest valley, taking the wide mountain pass that headed west. The trees thinned as they reached the top of the pass, and once they crested it, they saw a woman camped on the other side. She waved as they descended.

“Who is that?” Mori asked.

Keith grunted. “I know who it is.” He hung his head. “It’s Bianca.”

The woman held her reinforced longbow like a staff, helping her stay balanced on the rocky slope. Her brown hair was wavy and messy, ending at her neck, and her brown eyes shined in an otherwise unhappy face. She wore a black cloak that covered her upper arms and chest. Dark fur boots and long gloves matched well with the black leather chest-plate and tight black leggings she wore.

She waved again as the four approached, with Hannet on the far side of the group, next to Keith.

“Keith!” Bianca shouted.

Keith looked away. “If you ignore her, she’ll go away. Like a cat.”

The company rode slowly past her, ignoring her cries for Keith. As they passed her, they heard her curse and suddenly a rock wall appeared before them, blocking them.

“Keith!” she yelled.

Keith faced her, anger in his normally calm eyes. “What?” he said.

“I want to go with you.”

His eyes grew wide, and his jaw dropped. “No. No.”

Hannet rode to the rock wall and placed a hand on it. Using her earth magic, she collapsed the section of wall she touched. “The path is clear, Keith.”

Keith turned back to the entrance. “Let’s go.” He snapped the reins and they rushed through the gap …

… only to find Bianca waiting there on the other side. She rode on a small gray kitsean. “You can’t outrun earth, Keith, no matter how hard you try.” She smiled.

“What’s wrong with her, Keith?” Mori asked. “I sort of like her.”

Seeko agreed. “We could always use another fighter. It feels better when there are five, you know?”

Keith sighed. “Why do you want to come?”

Bianca directed her answer to Seeko. “I know the Halcyon Empire well. I know how they dress and act and I know how to get into Vornal Castle.” Bianca rode up beside Keith. “I’m also going to tease you of course, Keith!” She punched his shoulder. “I do know a lot about the Halcyon, though.”

“Why would we need to get into Vornal Castle?” Seeko asked.

“Because there’s a demon portal there?” Bianca said as if stating the obvious.

Hannet rode on the other side of Keith, and when Bianca saw this, her cheer disappeared. “Hannet,” she said, her name rolling of her tongue like venom. “I didn’t know you survived.”

Hannet gave her a nervous smile. “Nice to see you too, Bianca.”

Bianca sent back a smile that could scare a snake and then went silent. The company of five traveled on, Seeko revising his view of Bianca. There was something wrong with this woman, something Seeko couldn’t place.

/ / / / /

As the days trudged on and the group got closer to Vicussa, Seeko became increasingly aware of the strange dynamics within the company. Both Bianca and Hannet were vying for the quiet Keith’s attention, with Hannet winning for the most part. Bianca would scowl and protest when Keith was taken away, but Keith ignored her when he was with Hannet.

The pouting Bianca would then annoy Mori, who liked her less and less as the journey continued. Mori would complain to Seeko, who in turn would nod and agree sycophantically.

“She’s like a baby,” Mori was saying. “Baby can’t get her way? Boo-hoo. Tell it to someone who cares.”

Tell me about it …
Seeko nodded. “That is so right. She shouldn’t be like that.”

“And she thinks I care? Just because I’m a girl doesn’t mean I care about your failed romance.”

It was all Seeko could do to keep interest. “Yes, Mori.” He watched her lips move, talking more and more. It was mesmerizing. He lost focus, thinking about kissing her.

“Seeko? Are you even listening to me?”

“Yes,” he said.

She didn’t skip a beat. “So like I was saying, Bianca should do …”

He rolled his eyes.
Oh my God.

/ / / / /

The dynamics on Seeko’s end were simpler. He was, like usual, getting along well with everyone, even Bianca. However, he still detected that the others were growing increasingly distant. As a result, he tried to open up to the company, telling them about the demon voice and how he was constantly fighting it. This only sent them further away. Once more, Seeko would wander away from them when they camped, losing himself in the beautiful Kismetian nights.

I’m just a monster to them.
Seeko sat on a large rock, knees to his chest, watching the stars.
They’ll never see me the same again.
He thought of Mori, thought of her revised opinion of him, and frowned.
Stupid!

He was so involved with his pouting that Seeko did not notice someone sit down beside him. Only when she cleared her throat did he notice, jumping.

“Mori! You scared me.”

She grabbed his hand. “I’ve been looking for you. Where do you go when you leave?” She drew close.

“Uh … the stars are beautiful tonight.”

She giggled. “You don’t come out here to stargaze, do you? What’s on your mind?”

Seeko took a deep breath.
Take the plunge …
“Uh … You, Mori. You’re always on my mind. I can’t stop thinking about you! Everything you do is just …” He took his hand from hers. “I … I want to …” He looked away.

She placed a hand on his face, turning him to her. Then she kissed him firmly on the mouth. They closed their eyes and the kiss lasted for an eternity.

Seeko drew away. “Please stop torturing me! I can’t be with you!” His eyes watered.

She held tightly on to his shirt, which Seeko hadn’t noticed until then. “Seeko! Why do you say that? Can’t you see what I’m doing for you?”

“I’m a monster. You all think it; I can see it in your eyes when you look at me.”

Mori looked into his red eyes. “I’m afraid of you, Seeko. But not for the reason you think.”

Seeko looked away, a tear rolling down his face. “Then why? Why are you afraid of me?”

“Because I … I see things. In your eyes.”

“What? Do you see the lives I’ve taken, the pain I’ve caused, the—”

Mori covered his mouth with her hand, silencing him. “I see a future.”

He faced her, and before he knew it, she was on top of him, kissing him. Their simple kissing evolved into something more and the couple forgot all their worries, if only for a night.

/ / / / /