Xenofall (The Wasteland Chronicles, Book 7) (29 page)

A jagged island rose from the Sea of Destruction, perhaps halfway from the shoreline to the Point of Origin.

Go there,
I said to Quietus.

Quietus complied, switching her course toward the island.

Makara’s eyes were closed – both she and Samuel were uninjured, but both were utterly exhausted. I wouldn’t have been surprised if they hadn’t gotten any sleep last night, which would have made for two nights in a row. Anna gave them the rest of the water from her canteen, but even that did little to revive them.

At last, both dragons glided toward the black rock rising above the ichor. There was only one flat area – at the very top – that was large enough for both dragons to land on. Even then, they landed gingerly, not having much room to maneuver.

Once they landed, I was the first one off. Soon, everyone followed me, immediately lying down on the black rock, closing their eyes. They were past the point of exhaustion.

“Um...should we wake them?” Anna asked.

I looked out at the Point of Origin, watching the Two Seas meld into one. A beam of light shot straight up, illuminating the ceiling far above. It was like a beacon, leading me to my final destination.

“They haven’t slept,” I said, turning to face Anna. “It’s a miracle they’re even alive.”

Anna looked at the light beaming upward. I saw it reflected in her eyes. I just watched her for a moment, completely taken by her beauty.

She looked at me. “I guess we have a chance to relax, too.”

“Relax,” I said. “Yeah, right.”

Makara stirred, forcing her eyes open. “We...we need to...”

“Go to sleep, Makara,” I said. “It’s alright. Really.”

She nodded slowly, closing her eyes.

Anna turned to face the land. It was far away, and I couldn’t see anything moving over there. The dragons hadn’t followed us out here.

Maybe even
they
were afraid of her.

For now, though, I felt like nothing was watching us. It was strange, to be this close and to not have to worry about anything attacking us.

“Alright,” Anna said. “We can keep watch. But we can’t stay too long.”

I looked over at everyone again. They were all so still. If I had come upon them like this, I would have thought they were dead.

Both of the dragons sat on their haunches quietly. Quietus fluttered her wings, giving a loud snort.

Are you alright?
I asked.

I am well enough for a place as evil as this.
She looked in the direction of the Point of Origin.
She watches us, even now. She waits for you,
Elekim.

How did you and Askal get down here, anyway?
I asked.

I know every passage, every path in this labyrinth,
Quietus said.
It helped that most of them were empty. I knew, if you were ever to reach Askala, you would need our help. I thought that Askala would direct you to the Sea of Destruction, it being far more dangerous. So, that was where Askal and I began our search. We found everyone else, but you and Anna were nowhere to be found. We searched the Destruction shore, until Askal suggested I bring my search to the other side.

We saw you,
I said.
We saw you flying above us, yesterday, but we didn’t know it was you.

Yes,
Quietus said.
That was me, arriving for the first time. I searched, on my way to the Twin Seas, but I didn’t believe you were going to be there, so I didn’t stay long. Much time could have been saved.

It doesn’t matter,
Anna said.
We’re all safe now.

Elekim.

I looked at Askal.

I feared you were dead.

Yeah. Me too.

And now we are near the end.

I smiled grimly.
Don’t remind me.

I want you to know...you won’t be fighting alone.

What do you mean?

We’ve decided,
Elekim...
we are coming with you, as far as we can. Even into the Point of Origin.

What?

We will follow you as far as we can,
Askal said.
There might be a time where we can no longer follow...but until that time, we will stand by your side.

There’s no need for everyone to die, just for my sake.

It has already been decided. We fight together. We
Elekai
live and die together.

Anna touched my hand. “We can
help
you. Remember with the writhe? Without me, you would have died. Can you imagine how much stronger Askala will be?”

Anna had a point, but I’d already set myself up as the sacrificial lamb. I didn’t want everyone else to die with me. At the same time, though, they had to watch
me
die. Why would they do this, when there was a still chance they could save themselves?

“There’s a chance we can defeat her, Alex,” Anna said. “But we all have to work together.”

“One thing’s for sure...when we enter the Point of Origin, there won’t be any coming back. We
all
die, not just me.”

“Askal is right,” Anna said. “This is how we do it. This is how we win.”

I remained silent. I didn’t want to be the one to tell them it was okay to die when it might serve no purpose.

“The Nameless One told me what I have to do. I...have to join my consciousness to Askala. Such a thing would mean I’d
become
her, in a sense.”

I turned, looking at Anna. I wasn’t sure what was she was thinking, though I could tell she hadn’t expected that.

“Winning means immortality,” I said. “Forsaking my humanity. Dying would be so much easier, but my sacrifice will be more than that. I have to live forever.”

Anna didn’t speak for a long time – out of shock, more than anything.

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I don’t know. Because I feel like there’s nothing we can do it about it. It’s the price I have to pay.”

“No, it’s not,” Anna said. “Is that what you
want?
You would live forever. Forever is a long, long time.”

“If you have another solution, I’d love to hear it,” I said. “This is all we have. Even the Wanderer said I had to sacrifice myself, and the Nameless One said the same thing.” I looked at Anna. “What greater sacrifice is there than to become your own enemy, to live forever and give up your humanity? I’d die in a second if that was all it was, and I know all of you would, too.”

“We have to fight back,” Anna said. “I won’t let you do this. I’ve said that, over and over. The others...we talked, before the battle, about how we were going to do it together. Either we all do this together, or not at all. That’s how it happens. Something tells me you’re not going to make it very far without us, even in there.” Anna pointed to the whirlpool, churning between the Two Seas.

She waited for me to respond, and suddenly, I knew Anna was right. We had to do this together. I couldn’t explain it, but I felt a sense of peace about it.

“You’re right,” I said, finally.

Anna grabbed my hands, pulling me to face her. “Of course I’m right. And I wouldn’t have cared what you said, yes or no. We were going to do this, anyway.”

I smiled. “Good thing I agreed, then.” Quickly, my smile went away. “What will it be like, though? Do we die, the minute we enter that whirlpool?”

Anna couldn’t answer that question, so I turned to Quietus and Askal. It was Quietus who provided an answer.

The Point of Origin is the meeting of the physical world and the world of the
Radaskim
consciousness. When you enter, yes, you die to this world, and your minds will enter the consciousness. It...is a strange place, far different from the physical world. Within the
Radaskim
mind, you must find Askala and join with her consciousness

She doesn’t exist physically?
I asked.

No,
Elekim, Quietus answered.
Otherwise, she could merely be destroyed. But you cannot destroy that which has no physical manifestation. You must conquer her mind, and that can only be done by entering the Point of Origin.

And all of us can enter it?
I asked.

Yes,
Quietus said.
It would be death for anyone who did not have the xenovirus, but the virus will allow you to enter the
Radaskim
mind.

Even as an
Elekai?

Yes. Even as an
Elekai.
There are deeper rules, deeper realities, within the melding of consciousness. An
Elekai
may exist among the
Radaskim,
but a
Radaskim
may not exist among the
Elekai.

This has to do with the dominance of the
Elekai
virus?

Yes, and it is also why a
Radaskim
can never learn the Secrets of Creation, which are housed within the consciousness of the
Elekai.
If ever a
Radaskim
entered that consciousness, they would immediately become
Elekai.

And that’s what will happen, when we enter the Point of Origin?

Quietus paused.
It is not so simple. Askala will be fighting on a familiar front, a front that is unfamiliar to you or any of the
Elekai.
Her greatest strength would have been in destroying you before you ever arrived here. You have evaded her so far,
Elekim...
but it isn’t over, yet. The
Radaskim
consciousness is like a maze, and you would do well with a guide.
Quietus paused.
That is why I’m going with you, along with Askal.

You’re both going with me?

Askal looked at me intently. It seemed like everyone, dragons included, would be fighting with me once we passed through the Point of Origin.

Now sleep,
Elekim, Quietus said.
Askal and I will keep watch. I do not think she will attack you – not here. Besides, the
Radaskim
fear you, and they will cling to the safety of the Destruction Shore. Rest, for where we are going, you shall need it.

***

D
espite Quietus’s ominous tone, I fell asleep as soon as I lay down. It was a long time before I stirred, and when I opened my eyes, it felt as if I were in a dream. The swirling black Sea of Destruction crashed against the rocks far below.

I sat up, focusing on the Point of Origin. It looked the same as it had before, but it still awed me with its immensity and power. The Two Seas, Creation and Destruction, fell into the maelstrom, melding into one. I couldn’t see the very center, hidden by the tumultuous waves, but I knew that was my end point. It wouldn’t be long until we were all entering it.

Around me, everyone else was waking. Everyone stood, stretched, and looked over the edge of the rocks at the roiling sea below.

“Crazy,” Michael said. “I wonder what Julian would think of all this.”

“Or Ashton,” Anna said.

“Jesus,” Michael said. “I can’t believe they’re gone.”

“I just want you guys to know,” I began, “that you don’t have to do this. I know you have people waiting for you, up above. I have nothing there. Everything I have is right here.” I paused, trying to collect my thoughts. “If anyone decides to take one of the dragons to the surface...no one will judge you for it.”

Everyone was silent for a long time.

“There’s no shame in turning back,” I said. “Michael, I know you have a family...”

“I’m this far,” Michael said. “I’m not turning back. I’m here until the end, wherever that is. I’m doing this to protect my family, and you’ll need me, Alex. I’m not backing down now.”

The others nodded. I looked at Makara, Samuel, and Ruth.

“I’m with you,” Makara said. “This is the moment I’ve been waiting for.”

Ruth didn’t say anything, only giving a slow nod.

“We’re all in this together,” Samuel said. “As we all agreed earlier.”

As one, we turned to face the whirlpool, watching its swirling ichor fall toward the center.

“If everyone is ready...”

“Let’s just stand here, for a little bit,” Makara said. “I have stuff to say.” It was a moment before Makara continued. “Whatever happens down there...it’s been good, fighting with you guys. I have no idea if it all ends right here. It probably does. But I couldn’t have asked for a better crew, and I would never have imagined we’d be standing here, like this. We made it a lot farther than I ever thought we would. The fact that we’re standing here, at the center of it all, is an amazing achievement.” She turned, looking at each of us. “Don’t forget that.”

We continued to watch the Point of Origin. Finally, I had a few words to say.

“I was planning on doing this on my own, as much as possible. But I learned a valuable lesson. When you try to do everything on your own, everything proves to be impossible. Just knowing I don’t have to face this alone...it makes it easier. And a part of me thinks we have the strength to do this. The Wanderer told me a prophecy. Though a thousand worlds will fall, one will remain.” I looked at everyone. “I think that’s
our
world. We won’t let our world fall, and we won’t stop until the
Radaskim
have been defeated. Like Quietus, they’re imprisoned in there. But we have the power to free them. Even Askala. I can defeat her, but I will need your help to do it.”

“We’re all with you,” Makara said.

“I know. There might be a time, though, where there’s something that only
I
can do. If that time comes...then watch my back. Make sure I do it. It still all hinges on me, and there’s a time where I’ll have to go the final distance alone. If there is...promise me. Promise you’ll stay back, and get out, if possible. That’s my condition. That’s the only way you get to come with me.”

It was a long time before anyone else spoke. I had no idea where those words came from, but I felt, deep down, that there was some element of my needing to do something alone. I was
Elekim,
and in a sense, to be
Elekim
was to be alone. Only I had the power to infect Askala, and none of my friends could help me with that.