On The Run

Bloodied blisters lined their feet, hands, and shoulders. Muscles ached in exhaustion and begged to stop. Food supplies were all but spent. They hadn’t found water in two days. Everything hurt. But the end was in sight. After nine days of walking nearly non-stop, through darkened tunnels, across ravines, rivers and gorges, all the while in near darkness, they finally saw light ahead.

At the front of the convoy was Azag, still in Esca. He could see the path opening ahead and knew it meant the only thing left was the Dead Field. In many ways, this would be the most dangerous part of the journey. Far above them, through every ring of the undersocieties were the elevated plates of The Silence’s domain. In a strange phenomeon of nature, the area had never closed. It was as though a great tear had ripped the earth open, all the down to its ancient bedrock.

In the years after The Fall, as the undersocieties went deeper and deeper into hiding from The Silence, they found the field. Nothing dangerous existed there. It was simply that The Silence’s scouts and weapons could see all the way down from their high perches and spy on anyone who crossed the opening. To cross the field meant exposing yourself to aerial assault from the out of reach aggressor.

Still, if they wanted to reach the final leg of their journey and cross the barrier into the Shores of Time, they had no choice.

Echo was at the front, looking ahead with Azag as they neared the opening. From the back, Sayane knew that danger awaited, but she still craved to feel the sun on her skin after all this time, even if it was muted.

“It’s a clever move, by The Resistance. To set up their operation so close to what many would consider the most dangerous place in the underrealm…” Echo said in approval.

“Does The Silence truly not know that The Resistance hides nearby?” Azag asked in surprise.

“No. They think The Resistance is spread across the second and third ring. In all my days I never heard any notion of such a place as this. Well done,” Echo laughed.

“Close to danger is far from harm, I suppose?” Azag chuckled.

“Last place The Empire would look would be right under its nose.”

Attis joined them. He retrieved a small green crystal from his vest and clamped it into a golden ring. Doing so caused it to glow ever so slightly.

“We- The Revolution used tunnels to exit from the opposite side. This side is simply an emergency exit if needed. But we cannot reach those tunnels from here. This is our only option.”

As he looked at the open field, he held the crystal up to his mouth.

“A voice from the past that carries weight. Beyond my burden, I have eighty-three tears yet to cry. I wish to lay them at the shores so that Time may carry them away,” he spoke in code.

The crystal bobbed in silence, then an echoing voice spoke from within.

“Long lost voice, your words are welcome here, but you will not be escorted across the killing fields. You will see the shores, but to do so, you must reach them on your own. Crossing fields shall reveal open doors.”

Attis inhaled and nodded as Echo stood in understanding. Esca’s eyes glowed as steam exited her shoulder gauntlets. Behind them, Sayane looked for a signal. A gaunt, bear-like creature named Enmot stepped beside her with a nervous glance.

“Songstress, will they let us in? Will The Revolution turn us away?” she asked.

“I think they are asking now. Have faith that we will soon be safe,” Sayane said with a false calmness.

Inside, she was frantic. Though she was no military tactician, she knew a wide open field was welcome target practice for the murderous drones waiting high above.

“Why don’t they think anyone would hide here at the Shores?” Sayane asked aloud.

Can-Mo joined her and Enmot.

“This place was once sacred. It was believed that all souls passed through here to the afterlife. It was said to visit here while living would curse one to die early. So, for most of time, those that came here only came here to kill themselves…” Can-Mo explained.

His answer brought no relief, only more dread. Though Sayane was not overly superstitious, considering she was now a singer with magical abilities, she could not put anything out of the realm of possibility. Regardless, they had no choice. Ahead, she could see Esca rising in preparation as her massive metal arm raised in notice.

Nerves jolted Sayane into full focus. They were set. It was time to run.

“They’re going to let us in…” she sighed in slight relief as Azag moved Esca close to the crowd.

“All who are unable to run or are too tiny, to me. I will carry you first! For those who can run, leave everything except your water and mementos! This is the end of the journey! Run until you cannot! If you feel pain, know that it will pass soon. But death will not! DO NOT STOP RUNNING!!” he commanded as he held out his hands.

Can-Mo slid forward into Esca’s left hand. Every tentacle held on to a small creature, so that Can-Mo itself was carrying a dozen companions.

“Fear not, my tiny loves. I shall not drop you. And Azag shall not drop us!” Can-Mo said with a nervous smile.

Then three elderly beings climbed into Esca’s right hand. With that, she stood and thudded towards the opening. Her head turned back slightly, and Sayane felt it was Azag inside, looking back at them for one final time, just in case. Everyone else stepped back as Esca’s leg funnels began to glow.

“Esca, burst mode. Release restraints.”

Esca’s blue flames returned with a devilish roar. The sand beneath her feet instantly turned to glass.

“Hold on. I will not drop you. You will see the other side, I promise,” Azag shouted from within as the blue flames spun and crackled in preparation.

Esca’s legs bent slightly, then she exploded out into the open field. Her leap covered a third of the opening in a single jump. Shakes of nervousness caused Sayane’s legs to tremble as she clasped her hands over her chest and watched Azag’s movements.

There was no sound, but within seconds a single silver beam fired down, missing Esca by over a dozen meters. The booming impact crater spun like a wheel as all of the field was ripped upwards into a whirling mess that exploded out. But Esca was already jumping forward once more. She was almost to the other side now. Another shelling struck the ground but missed even worse.

“He’s doing it!” Echo whispered in awe.

Indeed, with one final explosive leap, Esca was across the thousand yard opening unscathed. A massive stone wall of ornate pillars and foreign engravings greeted her, with a single otherworldly portal spinning at its center. Esca burst through without stopping. All the rest of the refugees waited in silence to see her massive metal body return. Every second bled by with dreadful intensity. Sayane found herself standing on her toes to try to get a better view. Then Esca was roaring back, empty handed, bursting forward like a mythical beast from the beyond.

Another shell struck but it once more was far behind. She was simply too fast.

“Everyone ready yourselves! Leave everything except your water and your memento!!” Sayane shouted as she watched Esca getting closer.

It was time.

“Now I’m on a strange path, and the dark is coming!

Not alone, but I’ve gotta start running!!” Sayane shout-sang as nerves shook her whole form.

Esca slid before them and immediately turned back to the opening.

“Not alone, but I’ve gotta start running!!”

“Not alone, but I’ve gotta start running!!”

“I will shield you if I must! DO NOT STOP!!! You’re not alone but you’ve got to stay running!!!” Azag shouted in acknowledgement.