Verelion by Matthew Rosenberg

Author:Matthew Rosenberg [Rosenberg, Matthew]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science-Fiction
Publisher: Leaf & Literature, LLC
Published: 2023-11-05T16:00:00+00:00

14

“Eriah… how did you find us?” Fiara said. We all drew our weapons, mine came out significantly slower than Raz and Fiara’s. Our shields ignited simultaneously, a wall of transparent blue now in front of us as I fumbled briefly with the launcher until I had it squared at the man.

“General,” he corrected. “And I found you based on logical conclusions. We arrived in Adahaal to take Liam Blake into our custody and were promptly informed he had escaped. After some interrogation, I discovered that you hadn’t taken crystals from the mines beneath Adahaal, that you seek Eka, and that you believe it to be near the ruins of Orpha. The only place to supply your crystals based on that route would be here,” he said with a grin. Eriah moved forward, out of the shadow that had cloaked him.

“So,” I said, mustering up what courage I could. “You here for a rematch?” The launcher shook slightly in my hand.

“Liam Blake. Nephew of Dominic Blake. Our worlds are truly far too small. It is nice to finally make your acquaintance, properly, that is.” One of his hands held his helmet, and the other grasped a mace. The shining black weapon reflected the blue light around us, the ridges on the blunt instrument created moving patterns in the cavern as he playfully twirled it. “And no, I am not here for a rematch.”

“Then why are you here?” Radnazia asked, his finger on the trigger of his launcher.

“I am here,” General Eriah’s tone shifted, sincerity, or faux sincerity eased its way into his words. “To simply take Liam Blake into the custody of Imperias. There will be no rematch.”

“Come on then,” I said. “You’re outnumbered.” I was still scared, scared out of my wits, but more than that, I was angry. I thought of the slaves, and of the man being decapitated before me. I thought of my parents, and… somehow, in this moment, Eriah became all that had hurt me. But he was alone, and we were more than a match for him. “I dare you.”

His eyes widened and slowly came out of view as he slid his helmet on. “A dare I am rather willing to accept.”

From the shadowy area of the cave that General Eriah had himself stepped out of, a half dozen others piloting the copper-brown power armor. Along with another dozen armed Verelians, all grasping various weaponry, they scowled through dented helmets and hollow eyes.

“Oh no,” Radnazia said. The power armor pilots held maces and launchers, with the others carrying various melee arms.

“I will give you the option to surrender Liam, do not allow your selfishness to hurt your friends. There is still time to give yourself up and allow a ceasefire between the two provinces,” Eriah spoke, his words muffled but audible, carried through the cavern.

I couldn’t tell if he was being honest, or if it was simply a tactic to get me to surrender. I thought about it for a moment, looking quickly at Raz and Fiara…

They were my friends, I thought.

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