The Veil (20 page)

“The same place you are keeping our teammate?”

“Trust me, their accommodation will be vastly different. I know you think I am a bad man, Huntmaster, but I seek only to create hardened soldiers through training. I encourage sternness, but I do not condone outright cruelty.”

Gabriella gave a slow nod. “Well, it’s a start at least.”

We kept going in silence for a while, and I was about to ask just where we were going when Aegis lifted his communication bracelet to his mouth. “Order the Shuttlemaster to stop at Scholaris station.” He pressed a finger to his ear and nodded as someone we couldn’t hear replied. A moment later the Lightrail slid to a stop at a blackened platform, where old electronic signs sparked and the walls were a mosaic of jagged cracks. A second later an electronic voice poured through a hidden intercom, speaking in Qi’lern.

Citizens, this is a quarantined area. For your safety do not alight. We will progress momentarily. I repeat, do not alight.

The doors to our carriage slid open and Aegis gestured out in front of him. “After you, Guardians.”

Gabriella and I stepped out of the carriage and the shuttle pulled away almost immediately, vanishing like a shimmering bullet in the distance. A loud pop of electricity cracked near my ear and I flinched away from a blaze of blue fizzing at the end of a dangling cable the width of a snake.

“What is this place?” I asked, frowning around at the chaos. Whatever had happened to this station, it hadn’t been good.

“Follow me,” said Aegis instead.

We moved along the station platform, which was a hard task itself. We had to weave through ruined pillars that had collapsed together like card houses and climb over vast mounds of rubble, buzzing with electricity and pissing water from broken pipes that had presumably once been part of a beautiful feature like the ones around the rest of the city. Only when we finally reached a set of glass elevator doors at the far end of the platform did Aegis shed some light on the situation.

“This is Scholaris, the academic district. It was where the children of the city once went to school.” His voice was thick and heavy.

“The children of the privileged, you mean.”

As soon as Ella spoke, I knew it was the wrong time to attack. Aegis gave a pained expression as the comment washed over him, and Gabriella shifted uncomfortably. The warden pulled away the broken door and we stepped into a precariously balancing elevator. He pressed a button and the cab made a groaning sound as it pitched and shuddered its way down several hundred feet, to the bottom of the district.

“This is what remains.”

He pressed a button on the elevator and a set of reverse doors hissed open. I gasped.

In front of me was pure destruction.

A low-hanging swirl of putrid green clouds covered the area like a vortex, white lightning streaking across the thick, blanket-like veins – reminding me of the scene in my mind when I had battled the Darkness. Once-majestic buildings had been reduced to cinder and crumbled blocks. A spired building had been caught in the process of falling down and now jutted out of the chaos like a broken bone. Water still streamed from broken pipes and had sunk deep in the pavement, making it swell and crack. The grassy areas around them had been reduced to a marshy mire of mud.

“What happened?” gasped Gabriella.

“There was a rare aerial attack eighteen Earth years ago. The worst Fenodara has ever seen. We were sabotaged from the inside by a rogue Luminar, and the needle was deactivated, rendering us defenseless. Our enemies used Umbra magic-infused weapons of massive size, which unleashed attacks of incredible power and devastation. We fought our hardest, but we were just too unprepared. They hit us right where they knew it would hurt the most.” He gestured to one side with a trembling hand. I followed his gesture and my stomach turned to lead. A suppressed scream escaped Gabriella’s throat, and she clamped a hand over her mouth.

To our right were the remains of hundreds of children. Their skin had been reduced to dark leather, and they were stuck to the ground with thousands of thin strands of a glistening cobweb-like substance, as if it were the train and veil of some supernatural wedding dress. They were locked in various positions; their lives taken before their bodies could even react. Some were still mid-sprint, limbs wide with exertion. Others had fallen and were reaching out to friends for help.  All had their mouths wide open in expressions of pure terror. They had been so close to escaping…
moments
away. But then the cruel hand of the Umbra weaponry had snatched them from salvation.

They intentionally targeted children.

Dizziness rolled through my brain, and I had to hold onto the door of the elevator for support. Gabriella took one look too many at the children. She burst from the elevator and sank to her knees, convulsing as she vomited.

Aegis’s eyes shimmered with emotion as he stared out over the scene of destruction, and his voice wavered when he spoke. “Two hundred and eighteen adults, and nine hundred and forty-two children in total.” He clicked his fingers. “Gone.”

“Why are you showing us this?” I choked, stumbling over to where Gabriella was trying to pull herself together.

“To make you understand what we are facing,” he replied. “This is the truth of the war we are in.”

“So you left this area like this to use as a
point?
  There are
children
here, for Christ’s sake! Don’t you think they deserve to be buried?” I glared daggers up at the Highwarden as I placed a comforting hand on Gabriella’s back.

“You think I would be that cruel?” Aegis pointed at the swirling mass of clouds in the distance. “That is a Miasma cloud, similar to that which spewed forth from the mouth of Gorgon – one of the great Six Dragons – millennia ago. Elementals only know how the Umbra were able to recreate such a deadly attack. Regardless, this place is toxic. We managed to contain it with Fae magic and keep it localized. We are relatively safe here, but if we were to venture much closer to the cloud we would become sick and die. To answer your question, we
cannot
clear our dead. We cannot restore it.”

“But what about the children right
here?”
Gabriella said, standing up and wiping her mouth with a handkerchief she’d removed from her robe pocket. “You could get to them!”

Aegis nodded. “We could. But place one bit of exposed skin on them and you would be dead within a week, as would anyone you came into contact with. Their remains are that toxic. I care much about those we have lost, Guardians, but I care about those who are still living more. I will not run the risk of creating a pandemic in my city just to bury the dead.” He gave a deep sigh. “So instead these poor children serve another purpose…that of a stark reminder. A reminder of what our species will be reduced to if we give up or lose focus.”

He gestured down at the ground next to us. “Before any potential Lightwardens are given their Warden Honours, they are forced to spend an entire day and night right here without sleep…to watch and witness…and understand.” He turned back to face us, his voice rising as he grew more impassioned.  “The Ageless War is cold and it is ugly, Huntmaster. There is no pride in killing defenseless children – no possible honour to be gained from their deaths – only the creation of fear and misery. This attack was carried out on Hades’ orders, and that monster is prepared to do
anything
to destroy the Luminar. You might judge me as evil for what I have done, but I am simply doing what I must to keep my kin alive
.
”

“But you have to give people a
choice.
The ability to refuse to fight,” said Gabriella, but her words were far less confident than usual. They almost sounded like a question.

Aegis shook his head. “Huntmaster, there is no choice left. The war has seeped into every corner of Pandemonia. It is why we never rebuilt the school in another part of the city. It is why the combat centres are the only form of education we offer, and why those who are healthy enough in the Partition are forced to train. Every single person in this city who has something to contribute, contributes to the strengthening of this city, be it money or labour. The time for books and arts and culture and everything that you all take for granted on Earth has long since passed in this world. What is available here are the mere echoes of those past celebrations – a façade to create the sense of normality. War is all we really know, and all we will ever know, until the final body falls on one side or the other. These poor souls you see in front of you were children, but those who leave the Partition to fight for us do so as
warriors.
Ones who can prevent things like
this
from ever happening again.”

I glanced out at the horror, each frame of the scene feeling like a hot knuckle pressing down on my intestines. “How long will that miasma cloud stay around for?” I asked.

Aegis took a deep breath. “Forever.”

12

Gabriella

My stomach was nauseous and my nerves frayed as Aegis Caria led Alex and me away from the dreadful destruction of Scholaris and onto another summoned Lightshuttle. My mind felt like a rock, sinking deeper in the mire of Pandemonia. I held onto the support rail of the carriage, my head spinning.

This is too much.

The things we were seeing – the injustice and chaos, were pushing me to the limits of what I could handle, and we hadn’t even ventured beyond the walls of Fenodara. I’d witnessed death before, I’d seen cruelty and I’d seen destruction, but within understandable parameters. It was always a case of “bad guys have done this, go do that to stop them.” Even when we had been forced to defend the Warren –
twice
– from the evil of Hades’ Earth-dwelling forces, it had been something I understood. But this…this was different. This was child soldiers
.
This was social inequality to a degree I’d never seen. This was
mass genocide.
There had never been a question in my mind about whether or not I would follow Alex through the Veil, and I would die before abandoning him, but we had been here less than twenty-four Pandemonian hours and I’d already seen and heard enough to make me question everything I thought I knew about Pandemonia. And we were going to be here for the foreseeable future. 

How the hell can we handle something like this?

I took several deep breaths until my nerves calmed.
We are here for a reason, Ella…focus. As bad as everything is, it’s irrelevant until after we complete our missions.
I found comfort in turning to the soldier side of me – familiarity –
and it wasn’t long before the thoughts of what I had witnessed had been locked away in my unconscious…ready to creep into my dreams the moment I tried to sleep.

“This is it,” said Aegis as the shuttle slid to a halt at a station around five stops beyond the ruined remains of Scholaris. We stepped out onto a platform that was full of Lightwardens. I scanned, counting fourteen of them, five at either end of the station and four waiting right by the elevator. They all looked over and the closest group motioned to join, but the Highwarden raised a hand and they stopped in their tracks.

“We will be proceeding alone. This way, Guardians.”

He gestured towards the waiting elevator, which one of the wardens had pinned open with one hand. We passed by a station sign that read:
Temple of
Accession.
Below it was another warning sign, written in bold red letters.

Citizen access strictly prohibited. It is a level 5 offence for non-Lightwardens to enter this area. Worshiping can be performed at the Light of the Elementals temple in the Divine District or the Temple of Cetus with prior Lightwarden permission. If you have alighted here in error, inform a Lightwarden and they will wait with you whilst a Lightshuttle arrives to take you to the correct station.

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

The elevator took us down and opened into a stunningly bizarre part of the city that stole my breath. A giant ring of crystalized ice had turned the area into an enclosed chamber, the smooth surfaces glinting in the sunlight like diamonds. Some were huge mounds, reaching well over a hundred feet in height. Others had split into stalagmites that splayed out from the ground and stretched out towards the sky like vast fingers, trying to catch the suns. Thin tendrils of vapour rolled from the tops of the icy mountains and from the crystalline ground around us. The strange thing was that although we were surrounded by a millions tones of ice, the area was no colder than the rest of Fenodara – not even in the shadowy spots that blocked the suns.

In the centre of the haunting area stood a majestic temple, which appeared to have been carved from the ice itself. Large blocks had been stacked to create towering pillars, and great shield-bearing statues were housed around the building in arched alcoves, staring blankly forward with their glass eyes. Lanterns hung from a beam that ran around the temple, casting the figures in a warm glow, reaching where the light from the suns couldn’t touch. Near the top of the colossal temple, the great maw of Cetus rose from the ice, as if the Elemental were breaking free from inside.

And emerging from the very top, like a tree bursting through an abandoned building, was the Tower of Accession. 

It was beyond tall, the sort of height that made you feel small and insignificant. Even with my neck craned right back I couldn’t see the apex – it had its own vanishing point.

“
Bellisimo,”
I breathed, as I stared at the area.

“This place is incredible,” said Alex, his mouth hanging open.

“It is,” agreed the Highwarden with a smile, clearly relishing the compliments for a change. He swept a hand out towards the thick patches of ice. “Lunafell water always solidifies into these crystals around the temple,” he explained. “No one really knows why, but the more religious among us believe that it is due to the divine nature of the area.” He gave a chuckle. “Then again, those who are more scientifically inclined think it’s because of the core surface temperature of this spot. Either way, it is nothing short of a miracle.”

The Highwarden led us towards a grand set of steps that led up to the temple –I was surprised to find that the ground wasn’t really like ice at all; my sandals gripped the ground the same as if it were concrete. We passed by dozens more Lightwardens as we moved towards the temple, all who stood in absolute silence, watching us without hint of an expression on their statuesque faces. I counted forty-two of them in total, all armed and ready to fight.

This place isn’t just spectacular, it’s damn important too.

We climbed up the steps and waited whilst two Lightwardens heaved open a set of sweeping doors with a loud creak, sending thick reams of vapour rolling through the interior. It was cooler inside, and I felt goosebumps rise along the exposed flesh of my arms. The entrance hall beyond was filled with dozens more statues and ornate tapestries as well as a colossal fire urn in the middle. Several Elves in grey robes and white-powdered faces walked barefoot and silent around the temple. Others were on their knees around the flaming urn, shaved heads bowed in reverence as a superior of some sort – his face covered in religious markings and wearing a glinting jewel on his forehead – cast handfuls of dark powder into the flames. He made melodic chanting sounds as he scattered the grainy substance into the fire, making the flames crackle and release a strong, bittersweet aroma. After a moment, I recognised the powder as Blackshade.

“These are the Pale Ones,” whispered Aegis, his voice still somehow managing to echo around the large chamber. “Fenodara leadership is divided into two camps – the military, which is myself and my Lightwardens, and the divine, which is governed by the Elders. The Pale Ones serve the Elders and report their wishes to us. Most reside here, but others are based at the various temples around the city and offer guidance to those who follow a religious path.” I could hear a slight note of scorn to his voice, and found the somewhat agnostic edge to his words surprising, considering that his gods
literally
existed, beyond any doubt – Alex had even met
one of them.
Then again, I imagine that a lifetime of war and death would be enough to make all but the most devout waver in their faith.

As we moved through the temple, I noticed that none of the Lightwardens had made an attempt to enter with us. It seemed that here at least, there was a limit to their power.

Aegis led us past the ritual. Not a single Pale One turned their head or made any other sign of acknowledgment as we passed. Their focus was on the icy floor, where they pressed the crowns of their heads and responded to the melody of their leader with a low chorus of uniform chanting. I let my gaze wander from the bizarre monks and towards two gates that led to a twin set of glass steps, which spiraled all the way up the to the temple ceiling and beyond. When we reached the stairs, the Highwarden turned and gave the sincerest smile he’d given since we’d first arrived.

“I hope you are both feeling energetic. It is a long way up.”

Aegis pulled open a gate that led to the rightmost steps and started to climb. Alex leaned forward and glanced upwards, his eyebrows rising. “Okay, now I really wish I’d gotten more sleep.” He fell into step behind the Highwarden and I followed, gently closing the gate behind me.

We climbed.

Soon we had broken free of the large hole in the temple roof and moved into the brilliant sunlight beyond. The higher we went, the more of the brilliant city I could see beyond. I even caught sight of the dark patches of low hanging sky that covered the Partition areas, like a blanket of misery. My hands coiled into fists automatically. I was still toying with the idea of telling the Council of Elders exactly what was happening in the shadows of the city, but the more I saw and thought about it, the less sure I was becoming.

As much as I hate to admit it, Aegis has a point. The Alliance has people our age and younger fighting all the time, and we’re still only seventeen. I can’t forgive him for what he is doing, but can I really condemn him?

Aegis kept moving a few steps ahead, his cloak billowing around him as the unfettered breeze toyed with it.

“No elevator?” said Alex breathlessly as we climbed.

“None, I’m afraid. The climb is supposed to produce mental clarity.”

The only thing that the monumental climb produced in both Alex and me was severe breathlessness. Out of pure curiosity, I had started counting the number of steps we took as we made our way up the sweeping stairs that wound around and up the vast column of the tower, but gave up after two thousand, which was still a long shout from halfway. We rose so high that even the tallest buildings seemed like miniature models far below us. I gripped hold of the silvery rail that ringed the steps as a wave of vertigo rushed through me.

For the first time, I could see the creeping fingers of chaos pressing against the beauty of Fenodara, and my stomach knotted in dread. On the horizon, collapsed buildings and ravaged landscapes were twisted and scorched into almost unrecognizable shapes. A blanket of dark clouds covered the distant skyline above them, producing faint rumbles and misty rain. Alex glanced back at me, his expression mirroring how I felt. This was like Scholaris on a far bigger scale.

A worldwide scale.

The higher we climbed, the more unsteady I felt. Above us was nothing but brilliant blue sky. An unpleasant sensation swept through me – as if gravity had reversed and at any moment I was going to tumble into the sky itself. The air was thin at this massive altitude and hard to catch; my head swam and spots flickered in and out of my vision. Regardless of Earth’s numerous mountains that had been scaled by the adventurous and the reckless, there was something different about being high up in Pandemonia – as if the corruption of the world had seeped into the sky itself.  I knew beyond a doubt that no human could make the climb without oxygen…if at all.

Finally, when I felt like I wouldn’t be able to take any more, we reached the apex of the tower. As we climbed the final few steps, my legs were in danger of giving out, and my heart hammered in my chest. A large door stood on a small platform in front of us, barring our way forward.

Aegis turned to me, wearing a grim expression. “If you are going to tell the Council of Elders what you have seen, then I can’t stop you. I would only ask that you consider what I have told you and what you have seen.”

“Don’t worry, Highwarden, your secret is safe…for now,” I replied breathlessly.

Aegis nodded. “Thank you. Now, when we enter, be polite and never question their words.”

We both agreed.

The Highwarden pressed a hand against the door and a loud pulsing
sound escaped from the centre, followed by a silvery wave that echoed outwards like a shockwave.

Six voices emerged from within, all speaking in unison.

Enter.

The door swung open of its own accord, and Aegis stepped across the threshold. Alex took hold of my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. I took a deep, difficult breath and we both followed. As soon as we passed the threshold, I instantly felt my weakness depart and my breath return.
This place holds a lot of power.

The apex of the tower was simple, yet powerful, despite its austerity. One other door stood at the opposite end of the circular platform we were now standing on. There were no railings to prevent the deathly drop over the sides, just the edges and then…nothing. Six throne-like chairs ringed the platform at even points, five of which were occupied by Seelians – four male and one female – all dressed in flowing black robes trimmed with gold, just like Sage Faru’s. And just like our leader, they were old to the point of agelessness; their skin was almost translucent and their eyes as blank as balls of ice. A familiar third eye marked the centre of the two foreheads that could be seen. The other Elders wore a variety of head garments that hid parts of themselves away.

Mounted on the columns that stood between each chair were large, stone gargoyles, hunched over their perches, heads bowed and wings folded, their claws clutching onto the edges as if for safety. Like the seats, one of the columns was empty.