Chapter 86: Ready to Go?

Chapter 86: Ready to Go?

Xerxes stood and reached to the hilt of his sword. But before anything else could happen, he noticed something strange. His own shadow, on the wall right in front of him.

What the hell?

His shadow grew more distinct, and he was being bathed in a yellowish, orange light. From behind.

He looked over his shoulder. Descending toward the city was an enormous, flaming meteor. It was impossible to judge the size, but compared to previous meteors hed seen, it seemed plausible that this one contained a high-level juvenile.

He looked back down to the street below. Soldiers and mages in the procession were staring up into the sky as well.

Simeon had cat-form Dasi in his hand, but wasnt looking at her. Nor was she moving around. Her cat eyes also seemed fixed on the fire in the sky.

Xerxes formed a plan. Stepping forward, he put his foot onto the parapet and jumped out into the air. His cloak flared around him as he pulled out his sword, dropping down two stories to land on the paved street below.

The sight of the massive, fiery rock had so transfixed the soldiers that none of them looked at him. The young mage at the far end of the procession was similarly distracted.

But Simeon noticed.

Xerxes put his sword into the Tail guard and started walking forward.

Who are you? Simeon said. Cat-form Dasi yowled and tried to get her claws into the mages forearm, but he tightened his grip, causing her fur and skin to stretch so tight she could barely move.

Give me the cat, Xerxes said, eyes flitting to Simeons feet. He wasnt in a good fighting stance. Nor did he have his hand on his sword. Would it be wise to lunge in with an attack before the man drew his weapon?

Only now did some of the soldiers notice him. Five or six of them put their shields up and rested their spears on top of them, pointing in his direction.

Simeon looked at the cat he held. He tightened his grip further, until Dasi squeaked pitifully. Simeon looked back at Xerxes. Dont take another step forward or Ill rip the cats head off. Tell me who the hell you are. A rebel?

Xerxes jerked a thumb over his shoulder and tried to make his voice deeper than it really was. That meteor is going to crash into your city in a matter of seconds and youll have a stage five or six juvenile Abhorrent to deal with. Give me the cat.

My city? So youre one of the foreign mages.

Fuck. Im not cut out for this espionage stuff.

The city street was growing brighter, and the shadows crisper. There wasnt time for this. Dasi, said Xerxes. Lets get out of here.

The cat in Simeons hand flowed into a different shape, growing larger as Dasi reverted to her human shape.

Shit, Simeon said as he lost his grip. He put his hand on the hilt of his sword, but Dasi kicked him in the pit of his stomach. He flew back into one of the wagons.

Dasi spat a bronze key out of her mouth into her hand and started running toward Xerxes.

Lets go, she said.

Sheathing his sword on his back, he dashed into the nearest alleyway, and she followed.

Behind them, soldiers shouted. Simeon yelled, Stay in place!

The light grew brighter and brighter as Xerxes and Dasi ran through the streets toward the appointed rendezvous point.Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m

To Xerxes, it felt like an hour had passed since the mage Simeon grabbed cat-form Dasi by the neck. In reality, barely two minutes had passed.

The city was waking up. Shouting could be heard, as well as screams. Windows were opening, and people were sticking their heads out. Individuals were appearing on the street as well, defying curfew.

Thats the place, Xerxes said, nodding his head in the direction of the prison building.

How do we get inside? Dasi asked.

Xerxes put his hand to his component pouch. I dont know for sure. Im going to try the quick and dirty method. Kash, can you be ready to help?

Sure. The bearded mage loosened his own component pouch.

Striding toward the main entrance of the prison, Xerxes filled his palm with stibnite talc and traced the Asgagu Sebum rune. Once finished with the rune, he reached back and touched the tip of his sword. The magical effect spread as he drew the weapon.

Stepping up to the door, he pulled his sword back then swung the blade at the side of the door, where he knew the hinge was on the inside. The white, burning blade bit into the thick wood. He pulled his sword back and slashed the door again. And again.

It took fifteen seconds.

The smoking door fell inward to reveal the guard room, and the soldiers with shields raised and mouths hanging open.

Leave, Xerxes said.

The trembling soldiers eased out of the room and ran off into the night.

They entered the prison. Thankfully, Xerxes knew the way. There were no more personnel until they reached Gandashs cell. The same sergeant Xerxes recognized was there. He had a mini crossbow in his hands.

Get back! the sergeant growled.

The Minor Augmentation had long since faded from Xerxes sword. Keeping the tip down in the Innocent guard, he said, I dont want to hurt you. But I will. Open the door.

I cant, the sergeant said.

Xerxes eyed the crossbow and felt a tingle in his neck where hed once been pierced by such a weapon. All the sergeant had to do was pull the trigger, and that dart could do a lot of damage.

The building trembled.

W-whats that? the sergeant blurted, and he looked across the hall to a barred window.

Xerxes jumped forward, lifted his blade, and reached to grab the crossbow. The tip of his sword entered the sergeants throat and stabbed clean through it. Xerxes' other hand latched onto the sergeants wrist just before the crossbow twanged.

The dart shot harmlessly off to the side. Xerxes pushed the body off the sword, then squatted and yanked the key ring from the belt.

He opened the door.

Ningsummunu stood there, his hands clenched into fists and his knees bent, as if he was ready for fighting.

Xerk? he said.

Ning, Xerxes said. He grinned. Is everybody ready to go?