Shadow Walkers (16 page)

Allison screams and struggles to break free, but the guards grip doesn’t give. Even as the guard guides her over a shadow, she finds herself unable to shadow jump. She couldn’t even summon her weapon. She looks behind her and sees that Nick was having the same issues. Allison screams and looks at Hector.

“Hector! Do what you have to do, just don’t be an idiot!” Allison screams her last message before the doors to the King’s room close behind her, and she and Nick are carried off deeper into the Invert’s palace. She had barely escaped Valus and now she was being captured by the Inverts. She stops struggling and takes deep breaths. There was nothing she could do.

As much as she hated it, her life now rested entirely in Hector’s hands.

Chapter Sixteen

Hector

There were so many things going on that Hector had no idea how he was supposed to feel. This random man just practically proposed to him and offered him a spot in Eros royalty. Hector knew that was objectively a good thing. After all, who didn’t like money and power? What he didn’t know was why he couldn’t answer the Invert prince’s question.

“Hector, snap out of it.” Damon whispers. Hector looks at the boy that he met not even two weeks ago, and something clicks in the back of his head. He looks at Zerik and crosses his arms over his chest.

“Bring them back in here.” He demands.

Zerik frowns. “Sorry, no can do. We need to come to an agreement first. And besides, your friends won’t be able to succeed in your mission until your captain wakes up. You shouldn’t be worrying about them right now.”

Hector laughs. “So instead I should be marrying some random nutjob who I just met? Your priorities seem kind of out of whack. I’m not interested in working with people with messed up morals.”

Zerik smiles. It’s a charming smile, but it sends chills up Hector’s spine. “You are quite troublesome, half-breed. Luckily for you, we see a lot of potential in you. My father and I don’t want to lose your assistance, so we’ve even prepared a second option.”

“I’m listening.” Hector says.

“Well, option one has already been put out there. Join me and we’ll rule together as the two kings of Eros. Option two is to prove your worth to us and agree that, when we need you most, you’ll come to our side and help us out with our most important task.”

Hector bites his lip. Neither option seemed entirely ideal for him, but in the end he was at the Invert’s mercy. “If I pick option two, will my friends be freed?”

“Of course!” Zerik says, clapping his hands together. “You’ll be free to go, but when we need you, you’ll have to show up. And before you ask, yes- those are your only two options.”

Hector couldn’t believe the situation he had been forced into. The last thing he wanted was for his friends safety to rely on his choices. But with nothing else to choose from, Hector forces himself to answer. “Option two it is. So how exactly am I going to prove my worth.”

Zerik frowns. “I guess it will take a while longer to convince you of my own worth. Anyways, are you familiar with the Invert known as Serena?”

“I’ve heard her mentioned here and there, but I didn’t really pay attention during school. If I need to do a pop quiz to prove my worth to you, then you might as well kill me where I stand.”

Damon sighs, reminding Hector that he wasn’t alone with the other Inverts. “Serena was the strongest Invert in history. She was equal in strength to the three Walker siblings who founded the Guard. During her lifetime, she created a giant fortress that she made her home, right here in Eros. However, before leaving to battle the Queen of the Void with Lydia Walker at her side, she left a message- ‘
Only the Invert who brings two halves together may unlock the doors to my home, and only eleven others may they invite to follow them inside. Shall they prove themselves worthy on the 8th of May, my greatest power will await them
’.”

Zerik nods, showing his approval of Damon’s quick history lesson. “You see Hector, once we heard about you from Damon here, we immediately knew that you were very special. Serena was unlike the other Inverts in that she was quite fond of the Shadow Walkers. Every May, we have every Invert try to open the fortress that was once Serena’s home. Nobody has been successful over the past three hundred years. We believe that you may be the Invert she was alluding to. And that is why we need you, Hector.”

Hector shakes his head. “I mean that sounds great and all, but what do you need so badly from her home? So much so that you’d hold my friends hostage until I agree to help you?”

“Serena’s Ring.”  The King of Eros suddenly bellows from his throne. The guy reminds Hector of Council member Axus, and he’s suddenly convinced that the two are secretly long lost brothers. “Serena had a ring that contained the ultimate Invert power. You Walkers copied it, and made one of your own. Though I’m sure that only the Council and the Midnight Order knows about it. Those two rings together make the ultimate strength of both the Walkers and the Inverts. Their power can alter dimensions, break down barriers between our world and the humans. They are the ultimate force, and the only way for one race to visit another’s world without the help of a Void, as Serena did to visit her friends from the Pit. Do you see what I’m alluding to here?”

“Not at all.” Hector says. He really didn’t understand why any of this discussion about a ring or Serena was supposed to matter to him. “So what if the ring allowed an Invert to go to the Pit and vice versa. Do you want it so you can invade the Pit or something? Because if that’s the case then you-”

“Fool.” The King says, shaking his head. “We may think lowly of the Walkers, but our grudge is long gone. Another rivalry with the Walkers would go against what we are trying to accomplish. You see, Hector Avern, when both rings come together in the presence of a Void, their power can even open a rift between our world and the Void itself.”

Hector gasps. “You can’t mean that…”

“Yes.” Zerik says with a completely serious expression on his face. “We want to get Serena’s ring so that we can go into the Void and slay their Queen. If we can do that, then we can forever get rid of the one species that preys on our kind, the Walkers, and the humans. There would be no more chaos. We could finally live without our children being murdered by monsters. But, as much as I detest it, we would need to work together with the Walkers to do such a thing.”

Damon smiles. “See, this is what I was talking about on that first day that we met. Wiping out the Void
is
possible, but we need Serena’s ring in order to do it. When I met you I knew that you had to be special.”

“But is it even realistic?” Hector asks as the pressure starts to push down on him. “There are so many Void that we would be slaughtered the moment we step into their realm. Isn’t that why we’re supposed to be stopping the Void from breaking the gates to our realms? Then on top of that the Queen is supposed to be crazy powerful. Could an army of Inverts and Walkers even kill her?”

“If the power of the two rings lives up to the legends, then it’s definitely possible.” Damon says. “The Queen has just awoken from her slumber and is only at about a quarter of her power. It will take a while before she breaks the curse put on her so long ago and returns to her former strength. To be honest, I see the chances of the Inverts and Walkers winning at about 50%. In the end, if we can get Serena’s ring, you guys will have enough power to be on an equal playing field. Of course, to do so you’d have to invade
before
my mother regains all of her strength.”

“How long should that take?” Zerik asks.

Damon shrugs. “I’m not sure, but at the rate that she has the Void working, I’d say no longer than by next June.”

“So we have a year before the Queen can overpower us.” Hector gulps. The sudden progression in their discussion frightened him. The destruction of the Void could depend on him being the Invert that Serena envisioned. “Why do you think I’m the one Invert who can do this?”

Zerik laughs. “Isn’t it obvious?
Only the Invert who brings two halves together may unlock the doors to my home
- that’s what Serena said. You’re a mix between Walker and Invert, the two rival races. We have no doubt in our minds that you’re the one Serena was alluding to.”

“So I’m the chosen one. That’s not really my thing, but I guess I’ll take it.” Hector mutters.

“Don’t be a fool!” The King of Eros shouts. “This isn’t destiny or fate, but simply the way things have turned out. It just so happens that you’re the first mixed breed to show up in three hundred years. Anyone else could have been made to fill your role, so don’t feel too special.”

“I’m way ahead of you.” Hector says as he gives the King a thumbs up. “I think I’m actually the most boring person on my team. I’m not really the type to get a big ego.”

“So what do you say Hector?” Zerik asks. “Now that you understand why we need you, will you come back to Eros next year to assist us in our mission to destroy the Void?”

Hector’s heart felt like it would jump out of his chest and start bouncing around the room. A couple weeks ago, he was a nobody. Now he might be the key to bringing down the Void forever. As much as he hated being the center of attention, he knew that it would be foolish to deny their request. “I guess if I have nothing going on that day I can help you out. But I don’t even have any Invert powers yet. How am I supposed to balance mastering my Invert skills and breaking my second and third Chain?”

Zerik frowns. “Don’t overthink it all. Since you already know how to manifest shadow energy, it should be a piece of cake for you to-”

The doors of the King’s throne room come flying open with a loud bang. Three guards walk in wearing worried expressions. The one in the middle salutes to the King. “Void have invaded Eros. An especially monstrous one that we’ve never seen before is being guarded by 6 elite Void.”

Zerik looks at the King. “Father?”

The King of Eros nods. “Go, Zerik. Take Hector as well. He could benefit from seeing Inverts in action.”

Zerik smiles and walks towards Hector and Damon. Before Hector can react, Zerik has his hands on the two of them, and the throne room disappears from sight. Hector recognizes the sensation and realizes that it’s almost exactly the same as shadow jumping. The only difference being that they’re now surrounded by nothing but bright white light. That is until they emerge into open air.

Zerik grins at Hector. “Mirror jumping. It works the same as shadow jumping, but instead it uses mirror energy to travel through any surface that shows a reflection.” He stops and stares out at the area around them. Hector takes in the sight of Eros, and sees that they were now standing on a small bridge connecting two large pyramid like structures. Hector figures that, based on their size, it must have been part of the palace he was just inside of.

The same material the palace was made out of is everywhere beyond and below the pyramids, which were floating in the air high above the ground. All of the buildings in Eros shine and dazzle from being hit by sunlight, and most of them seemed to be built in a symmetrical fashion. But even though everything looked so similar, each building had it’s own sparkle that made it stand out. The sight of Eros was breathtaking, and Hector would have taken a lot more time to go sightseeing if it weren’t for the Void invading the place.

Zerik’s voice pulls Hector out of his daze. “Stay behind me, the Void are here.”

Hector looks back and forth on the bridge connecting the two halves of the palace. “What are you talking about?” But before Zerik can give an answer, four clouds of purple smoke suddenly appear about twenty feet away. When they solidify, four Void stand and smile at the group. Thankfully, Valus isn’t one of them.

“Zerik,” The one in the center says, “You were quick to respond this time. And Damon, what are you doing off of Valus’ leash? You should respect your siblings.”

Hector raises an eyebrow and looks at the Invert Prince, then to Damon. “You know this guy?”

Damon scowls and clenches his fist. “He’s a member of the Queen’s Hand- a group consisting of the top ten strongest Void alive, excluding the Queen herself of course.”

The man smiles and runs his hands through his dreadlocks. “That’s correct! Name is Brutus. I’m sure you’ve never heard of me though, and I guess it makes sense. The Walkers only care about Valus for some reason. I mean, even though he’s the top ranked elite, that doesn’t mean the rest of us are forgettable!”

Hector laughs. “You seem kind of upset that I’ve never heard of you. With an attitude like that, you must be ranked number ten.”

Brutus frowns. “Number ten? Ignorant kids really should keep their mouths shut, ya know? I’m actually ranked number-”

“Leave now, Brutus, or we’ll have to dispose of the three of you right here and now.” Zerik says flatly.

The Void man smiles, and in a flash he disappears. He reappears next to Zerik, who doesn’t look too surprised. The Invert prince reaches out and grabs Brutus’ wrist as he swings in for a punch, his fist stopping only inches from Zerik’s face. Brutus smirks.

“You know better than to let my Stitch hit you.”

Zerik pushes the Void away, and his back hits against the bridges railing. The Invert Prince holds out his hand, and a golden light appears in his palm. The golden aura suddenly forms into the shape of a sword.

Zerik stands in a defensive position. “Hector, you’re used to Walkers only mastering one type of power, and occasionally using some of the others to a lesser extent. Well, every Invert has access to the same pool of abilities, as long as they possess the materials necessary to activate a specific power. This sword here is a spirit weapon, and it is my number one offensive ability. In fact, here in Eros it’s known to be the most effective power at killing Void. That’s why I can talk so casually right now- Brutus is well aware of my powers.”

Hector watches as the energy formed blade shimmers. The shape of the sword never alters, making it seem more like a solid object than a creation of energy. Hector wonders what strange powers the Inverts possessed, and how this
spirit weapon
was any different than a dueler’s Chains.