Shadow Mystic by Justin Sloan

Author:Justin Sloan [Sloan, Justin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Elder Tree Press
Published: 2019-05-12T22:00:00+00:00

17

Rieldren

The Noraldian flew to Rieldren. When they were close enough for scans, it became clear that the once-great city was in ruins. As the ship came in for a landing outside the city, Sam finished telling Dex and Jackal what had happened on the enemy ship.

“We’re making our last stand here, it would seem,” Dex said, looking around at the place and shuddering. “Rieldren was once a place of nightmares for my kind. A land where the enemy came to live after fighting off my kind.”

“And now?” Jackal asked.

“I embrace it.”

They emerged to see much of the city in ruins. Glaynor appeared from the temple to welcome them. She strode over in no time and nodded to Dex and then Jackal before turning to Sam with a raised eyebrow.

“So, we’re set?”

“We are,” Sam replied. “The fight here?”

“One of many attacks. More came through before you left than we first realized.” Glaynor gestured to her left, where androids seemed to be moving bodies. “Dealt with, but… that will hardly be the last of it, especially now.”

“I’m sorry for your loss,” Sam said.

Glaynor nodded, then gestured for her to follow. “We must get you set up.”

“Set up?” Sam asked.

“All we have to do,” Glaynor said, “is ensure the temple is in one piece when Hadrian arrives. More specifically, the heart of the temple. The defense of one location should be easier than everywhere at once, so we might stand a chance.”

As she led them back to the temple, Jackal did a double-step to catch up with Sam. “All of this, it’s moving so fast.”

“Does it ever not?” She flashed a smile, but it was forced. She couldn’t have agreed more, preferring to have some time to sit back and process it all, to plan better. To be more in the loop so she knew what to expect next.

“If you…” He started, but paused at a look from Dex.

“What?” Sam asked.

“He was going to say you can still pull out,” Dex explained. “But you really can’t.”

“Pull out?”

“They’re going to ask too much of you, Sam.” Jackal leaned in, clearly not wanting Glaynor to hear. “For me, for Dex, sure. But you’re still young, you’re just…”

“What? A girl?” Sam scoffed. “After everything I’ve been through, I’m not just anything.”

“True enough,” Jackal admitted.

“And there really is no other way,” Dex said.

Sam paused, causing Glaynor to come to a stop ahead. She didn’t turn back, though, instead giving them their moment of privacy.

“Let’s assume I had a choice,” Sam said, voice low. “Would I turn back? Knowing anything about me, would you think that is something I’m even capable of?”

“Not at all,” Jackal said.

“If whatever this is they want me to do helps save the Earth, my mom… everyone else.” She frowned. “Of course, I’ll do it.”

“All of us joined the Shadow Corps knowing full well where that might take us,” Dex said. “Dying if unnecessary would be foolish, but in the line of duty, if it’s the only way to save millions or billions of lives? Not one of us would balk at that, I imagine.

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