Breaking In (2)

--Gatix—

Ms. Queen shielded her eyes when the armor's exterior lights turned on. It didn't escape my notice that only half the lights were working.

“Sorry about shooting your castle.”

“You'll make it up to me in the future.” Ms. Queen blew out a breath. “Are you okay?”

“Nev says the plates around my neck are messed up, but nothing major. You?”

“Uninjured, but feeling the drain on my magic.”

“Then let me take point. Save your energies for the alchemist.” I re-clipped Scythe and took hold of Fang. Ms. Queen's magic wasn't the only thing that needed to recharge.

Screeches filled the corridors as we walked. The shadows dancing on the walls heightened the tension, but no fake knights were to be seen. For a moment, I wondered how the corridor would be lit, but the scorch marks along the walls answered my question.

The narrow corridor did surprise me. I'd expected one to leading towards the throne room to be more grandiose. “Let me guess, this is a servant's passage?”

“Yes.”

“Where should we go?”

“Straight ahead until it stops, then turn right.”

“Nev, see anything?”

“I detect many signatures, but none are heading our way.”

“Wonder why they're not attacking.”

I debated that puzzle as we continued forward, checking each room as we walked past. No enemies were to be found. My question would be answered at the end of the corridor. Multiple cracks spread across the ceiling while a large heap of rubble blocked any access to the rest of the castle.

“I guess my shot must have cleared more than just the knights. Any way around this?”

“Not unless we go around. We'll have to make another entrance.”

“Scythe should be able to do that.”

“Yes. Come with me.” Ms. Queen started running down the corridor, briefly stopping at the door to the first room before shaking her head and continuing. “Over here!” She waved me closer before disappearing into the third room. I didn't hear any combat as I stepped closer, but I still flexed my fingers around Scythe's grip before I stepped inside.

The room's contents were strange. A large sphere stood atop a pedestal in the middle, with various contraptions pressed against the walls. The only object I recognized was a couch facing the sphere, except each cushion was U-shaped. An entertainment room, perhaps?

I spotted Ms. Queen standing against the opposite wall, gently running her hand over the bricks. “Right... here.” She tapped twice against a section. I half expected a hidden passage to open, but I was disappointed. “The corridor on the opposite end will lead to the throne room.”

“Want me to break it down?”

“Yes.”

“Will do.” I clipped Fang against my hip. “Nev, glove!”

“That functionality has been disabled.”

“Scythe might be a better fit.” Ms. Queen stepped back. “Its blast should clear the corridor for us as well.”

“Swell.” My visor reported its heat levels at thirty-eight percent when I unclipped my weapon. Not where I wanted it, but better than before. “Nev, quarter power.”

“Set.” I took a couple steps backward and pressed the weapon against my shoulder. “Would be best if you stood behind me, Ms. Queen.” I waited until she was in place before I aimed.

BANG.

***

The sounds of battle carried through Donkor's makeshift door, rising above the chanting I'd become accustomed to for the last two days.

“It seems the owner has returned.”

“So it would seem, your eminence.” The alchemist lowered his hands before turning to me. “I would not be worried. While I am surprised she survived our previous encounter, I doubt her powers would be at their peak.”

“You would be wise not to underestimate your foe.”

“With all due respect, your eminence, I have fought against her and her bodyguard twice. They possess significant potential for combat, but they have not bested me yet. I can't see them doing so in her weakened condition.”

“You wish to fight her?”

“Not only fight, I believe I can complete the ritual. We are so close, we only require the final catalyst.”

“Hmm...” I turned my attention to the white orb floating in the middle of the room. Donkor had a valid point. Its presence, despite the loss of two connections, proved the ritual had already become self-sustaining. It would be ready given some additional power, but my reservations would not be set aside. “I share not your enthusiasm.”

“We can make it work, your eminence. The legions of spirits will distract her while we complete the ritual.”

“You say that after they have not only penetrated your forces, but fought through them to reach the throne room?” I held up a hand to silence any further protests. “No, the ritual can be repeated. You may stay should you wish, but I will not risk the lives of the Chosen, nor let my involvement be known.”

“But, your eminence...”

“I have made my decision.” The room fell into silence when I raised my hand and gave a signal. One by one, each of the seven mages let their arms drop, retreating through the portals after giving me a single bow. The white rings disappeared shortly afterward. Only a single portal remained active, one I intended to use shortly.

“With all due respect, your eminence, I believe your decision to be in error.”

“Then I look forward to apologizing should you survive.” I reached into my pocket and presented the alchemist with a single vial of dark liquid. “I can part with this little. You may use it should you attempt to complete the ritual.” The alchemist took the vial without a word. “Farewell, Donkor.” I cut off any responses by turning around and walking towards the portal, giving the throne room a glance before I stepped through the ring.

***

The wall ceased to be, along with a few fake knights if the confused but quickly silenced screeches were anything to go by. I was slightly worried others might use the opportunity to leap inside the room, but Ms. Queen swiftly moved around me and slammed her palms against the ground.

Golf!

Several screeches filled the air as the wave of fire flowed into the corridor. “Let's go!”

Our footsteps broke through wisps of black mist as we ran. Scythe's blast seemed to have cleared the corridor, but I could hear several thundering footsteps closing in.

“How far?!”

“Around the corner!”

Forty-five percent... I glanced at Scythe's temperature gauge. Higher than I wanted, but it would work. The footsteps couldn't have been more than ten meters behind me when Ms. Queen turned the corner and yelled an arcane word I hadn't heard before I spun around and dropped onto a knee. My instinct had been right. The first knight was close enough that I could see the magical fire within its eyes.

BANG.

Multiple screeches echoed as Scythe's slug tore through the hapless knights.

“Gatix!”

“Coming!” I didn't wait to see whether I missed some. More would come shortly enough. Around the corner, I found Ms. Queen standing in the middle of the corridor. While it continued further along, the massive doorway was clearly the centerpiece. One door close to four meters tall lay against the opposite wall, while the other door barely managed to hang on. I doubted the mass of tendrils blocking the entrance was part of Ms. Queen's design.

“We're on the right track.” I stopped next to Ms. Queen. “This is the entrance.”

“Best not to keep him waiting, then.”

BANG.