Escape

“We should hurry and leave the city.” Ralf quickly walked past them as they reached the entrance to the council building. “This Rahl is probably already trying to convince everyone else to capture and hand us over. People like him are too fixated on themselves to see the greater picture.”

“And this Zarah will do anything to protect the city,” Sonja added. “Which would be admirable, if she wouldn’t throw us and the world under the bus at the same time.”

“We have one problem, though,” Tom mumbled next to her. “The entrance is still blocked.”

“I’m not sure, if I can get through that block,” said Sonja from her other side, “but I can try to get out at another point.”

Right, she’s a mage. It was easy to forget that they had all somehow gotten a special ability. It didn’t quite make sense to her why, if they wanted to sacrifice them from the get go. Without those abilities they would’ve been trapped at the monastery.

“You got her?” Sonja asked her boyfriend, then let go of Nia. “Stand back.”

“The council dem-, uhm, asks that you return to discuss how to proceed.” Trewalis had followed them into the antechamber. When Nia turned her head, she was sure that he was still a bit haughty, probably because he thought that they couldn’t get past that block. “They want to find a compromise that works for both parties.”

“Oh?” Nia sneered at him. “Do they really think they can hand half of me over? Or just tell Saesquar to only half-torture me to death?” She shook her head. “Tell the council that there are some circumstances where no compromise is possible, and if they still want to sell us this nonsense, then they’re insulting our intelligence!”

A yellowish glow appeared in front of Sonja, drawing Nia’s attention. The girl had her eyes closed and her mouth moved without producing a sound. The magic still obeyed her, started to coalesce and vibrate in a complex pattern. Nia was sure that she’d have to see this several times before she could even begin to replicate it, especially since Sonja seemed to generate a core in the center, then a thin layer of air and then the fire as an outer shell.

“You’re wasting your energy! You won’t get past the barrier stone. It’s best if you return to the council chamber right now,” Trewalis called.

Sonja then send her orange-sized ball on the way. It accelerated slowly, but build speed quickly. Sweat glistened on her forehead as she steered it not at the barrier stone but toward the wall right next to it.

“Wait. What are you doing?” Suddenly Trewalis sounded concerned.

Ralf barred his way, the red sword in hand. When had he picked that one up? “Don’t move.”

“Everyone, open your mouths. I fear this one will be big.” Sonja made a few steps back, and the ball hit the wall. Nia could see how it deformed slightly and then there was a massive explosion that pushed them backwards. She was almost sure that the stones of the wall were thrown outside and down the vast stairs there, with some raining down on the market place.

It took a moment for some of the dust to settle. When it did, there was a big hole in the wall. The sound of the market place came rushing in, with people screaming in terror.

Tom pulled her forward. Nina and Sonja overtook them immediately, Ralf probably had their back.

“Stop!” Trewalis’ voice was almost lost in all the noise. She recognized the magical patterns in the air. Stones rumbled and moved.

“Stop it!” Her own voice disrupted the patterns and the stones stopped moving. Tom pulled her through the wall and Nia stumbled over some of the raised stones.

Tom caught her and smoothly transitioned to carrying her, only setting her down when they arrived in the remains of the market place.

The magical stone secretary wasn’t following them. With a lot of magical power comes a lot of muscle atrophy. Note to self: Don’t let it come that far.

“Sonja, what was that ball?” she shouted as they kept running through the crowd.

“A TNT-Ball,” the girl answered. “Chemistry classes were far more useful than I thought.”

“You can just create TNT?”

“It’s simpler to keep in mind than the mixture known as black powder. I just thought I’d try. It’s good that I scaled it down though …”

Right. I imagine a typical fireball to be more the size of a melon. All of that as TNT might have killed us. Or them. A shiver ran down her spine.

Suddenly, Mother Clemens ran by them. “Please, be more considerate of the citizens,” she chided them. “They haven’t done anything wrong.”

“Sorry,” Sonja looked behind her with a guilty grin, “we’re new to all of this.”

“Yes we’re sorry. But we also don’t want to die or stay here. Does anyone have an escape plan?” Ralf was panting slightly as he tried to keep up. “I, for one, don’t want to fight the city guard.”

They all looked at Mother Clemens, who had somehow the least problems keeping up with them.

“I … I’m a priestess of Luaria. I don’t have a need for a secret way …” There was indignation in the priestess’ voice.

“Maybe the twins know,” Tom suggested. “They said to meet them at Achim’s.”

“And where’s that?” Ralf looked around as if he could see – and read – a sign that said Achim’s.

“I … Follow me,” Mother Clemens pulled her long robes up and hurried down the a side road.

“Here, hold this.” Ralf handed her the sword that had been used to kill her for the second time. He hefted his ax and followed the priestess.

Why are you making me carry this? It’s not that I’ve fully recovered!

Tom showed no mercy and just pulled her along. That she only almost stumbled a few times was a miracle. But her legs felt heavy and they burned.

Mother Clemens was fast. The older woman plunged into an ally, just as Nia noticed the first guards behind them.

They slowed down, just as they emerged on the other side of the alley. The people here were talking wildly. They’d probably heard of the commotion, but they weren’t afraid enough to run around. Some of them wondered whether they were being attacked, others if Saesquar was taking over. There were some that told of the fire red explosion and the hole opening up in the council building, but it sounded as if they had only heard the story. According to them, stones had crushed most market stalls and there were several injured people.

“We’re almost there.” Mother Clemens spoke barely loud enough for her to hear it. Most people were too busy to notice the priestess, but those that did got in their way, wanting a blessing from the woman.

“Everything is fine. There was a large accident.” Mother Clemens tried to soothe the crowd and pushed past them.

This is all fucked up. Nia looked around. Some weren’t believing the priestess and wanted to leave the city.

“You can’t leave now. The Period of Darkness is upon us!” shouted someone else.

This feels like the prelude to a catastrophe. Like Independence Day. Maybe worse.

Nia looked to the sky for a moment. The planet had climbed a good distance over the horizon.

The planet will block out the sun for some time in a few days. The people here are trapped. Shit. They probably don’t have any choice but to try and stop us.

They didn’t have one either, if they wanted to live.

“It’s not our problem,” Tom whispered as if reading her thoughts.

They met the twins outside of some kind of tavern. At least it looked like one. Nia still couldn’t read the sign, and the sigil on it didn’t look at all like an A.

“What happened?” Torax asked. Or Erax.

They filed inside the tavern. It was a bit quieter there, but there were several guests that were drinking or looking at them. Some questioningly and some leering. For some reason, Nia felt a cold shiver run down her back.

“What happened?” the other twin distracted her from the various patreons there.

“Saesquar happened.” Ralf shook his head. “To make a long story short: The dark goddess gave the council an ultimatum to hand us over or she’d destroy the city. Which means we have to leave right now.”

Both twins turned to look at Mother Clemens.

“They’re right.” The priestess sighed and didn’t meet the twin’s eyes. “If Saesquar gets her hands on the saint, things might become much worse.”

“Wasn’t the saint summoned to defeat the dark goddess?” Erax and Torax spoke together.

Mother Clemens looked at Nia. “Saesquar probably won’t attack herself and Nia here was killed by a high priest that has defected to her side. He was immortal as well and we don’t know who else has turned traitor.” The priestess sighed.

“’I don’t think it’s a good idea to have her fight the dark goddess right now. If she looses, she’d probably only serve to strengthen her. At least that’s what I believe the Seer’s vision is all about.”

“So you want to buy her more time,” one of the twins concluded.

“With Saesquar out there, I have to assume, that every other saint has failed. And they were less … clueless.” Mother Clemens’ words stung.

“Speaking of which. What happened to the other saints?” she asked.

“They disappeared. We always thought that they fulfilled their duty, but since High Priest Qiin was compromised …” The priestess shook her head.

“We need to get going,” Tom said. “They’re sending the guards after us. We don’t have time to discuss the other’s fate when ours is on the line.”

“I hate being called a saint,” Nia admitted. “It compels me to do something about this.” She looked at the priestess. “Is there anywhere the people can flee to and be safe during the period of darkness?”

The twins looked at each other. “They could flee to the surrounding villages.”

“At least some of them,” the other added. “But the truth is that the villages won’t be able to host this many refugees.”

“Helping the people here is all fine and dandy,” Tom interjected, “but this is really not our problem. We need to leave. Now. Without being seen.” He took a deep breath. “Maybe if you tell Saesquar that we fled, that we teleported out of the city, she’ll leave you alone.”

“Teleported?” Mother Clemens looked at them.

“It’s how we escaped them the first time. Nia created a big pillar of light and whisked us away.” He looked at her. “Can you do it again?”

“I don’t know.” Nia bit her lower lip. “I don’t quite know, how I did it. I prayed or sang in my head, but that’s not really how my magic works. I guess a lot was just … desperation?”

Back then I didn’t care how it worked, just that I wanted to get away. But I still want to know how it works. I want to use my magic reliably. And it work with strengthening myself. But my subconscious tells me that I can’t think about it …

“Please, try?” Sonja looked so very hopeful that it made Nia’s stomach lurch.

Nia averted her gaze. “I’ll try,” she whispered, but didn’t really believe it would work.

Closing her eyes, she tried to recall the prayer.

“Luaria, my goddess of light,” she began to whisper the melody,

“please learn of my plight …” Nia trailed off. How had she continued back then?

Move us to distant lands,

out of the darkness’ hands.

I feel my end is near …

But I don’t want to die here …

Nothing happened. Nia shook her head.

Maybe it’s because the end doesn’t suit our situation? She bit her lower lip.

Saesquar’s on our heels? That didn’t feel right, even though it was true. I have to meet up with you? Also true. They didn’t even get to ask the council how they could meet Luaria, and Nia very much doubted they would’ve told her.

This is a tricky situation, so bring us out of this nation. She snickered to herself and got strange looks from the others.

Might as well try. Nia shrugged and began to sing.

Her magic didn’t even respond to her first few lines. Frowning, she tried the strengthening prayer. It didn’t work either.

“What’s wrong?” Sonja was in front of her face. “Can you do it?”

Nia shook her head. “No. It’s like my magic is gone.” She wanted to talk to her subconscious again, but didn’t know how. Was she even still immortal?

“We can just defend the city,” one of the twins said.

“Against a goddess?” the other asked, taken aback.

“Think about it. If Saesquar is really as powerful as everyone thinks, then why is she giving the council an ultimatum? Why does she need others to capture Nia for her? That means she’s probably still weak.”

Everyone in the room looked at him.

“She’s bluffing. Using her reputation against us,” he continued, though his voice wavered. “If we just give in, then she really is that dark menace again. But what if we just don’t give in to her? If we resist?”

“He might have a point.” Ralf nodded to himself. “It wouldn’t be the first time she, or rather they, have lied to us.”

“Okay, Torax,” the other twin said. “I believe you’re right. I’ll lead Nia and the rest out of the city. You’ll organize a defense.”

Torax nodded and took his brother’s arm, who returned the gesture. “Come back soon. We’ll probably need all the help we can get.”

“I’ll hurry back as soon as I can,” Erax promised and smiled at Nia. “Achim?” he called. The burly bartender stopped cleaning a mug and looked at them. The cloth he was using was surprisingly white.

“What is it?”

“We need to use the special exit.”

“Are ya kiddin’ me? Ya ask that with a priestess around?”

“It’s important, or I wouldn’t.”

“It’s okay. I’ll go outside. Torax, let’s try to organize the people,” Mother Clemens said.

“What’s happenin’? Has this to do with that loud noise?”

Erax nodded. “Yes. It has. It’s important that we get them out.”

Achim sighed. “I don’t like it, lad. Not one bit.” The bartender shook his head, but lifted a portion of the counter up. “Come here, I’ll show ya the way.”

Nia felt paralyzed. Leaving them all to their fate felt wrong. Is there anything I can do?

“Are you coming?” Tom asked. Nia sighed and turned toward him, her answer was interrupted by her growling stomach. She tried to ignore it. Hunger was negligible right now. Or had to be, at least. She followed the rest into the back room, where Achim had opened a trap door that led down and into the cellar. She felt cold as she descended the fragile looking wooden ladder.

She stepped into a paradise of stacked boxes full of meat and fruits. Her stomach growled again and her mouth was watering.

“Here, lass, take one for the way.” Achim handed her a strange yellowish fruit with spikes and went further into the darkness. “You know the way?” He directed that question at Erax.

“Yes. I know where to bring them,” the twin answered while Nia bit into the fruit. The outside was leathery but the inside tasted like a sparkly raspberry. She started slurping and ate as fast as she could as the cold yellowish liquid calmed her growling stomach.

She had finished the whole fruit, skin and all, before she followed the rest into the dark corridor, that was hidden behind a stack of boxes in the corner of the room.