Chapter 98: Brilliant Light

Chapter 98: Brilliant Light

Black Jackal Company destroyed the Abhorrent that had retaken the Gateway complex with no casualties. Purattu led the way to the platform and used the Gateway Key to force a tunnel open to Humusi above. Purattu explained that Xerxes and Katayoun would be staying behind with him to help with a confidential task. No one asked any questions. They were all obviously relieved to be leaving.

Ningsummunu offered to be the first go through, not only to explain the incoming arrival of dozens of soldiers and accompanying mages, but also to send an urgent message ahead to Sin-Amuhhu.

After a group of Unsighted followed Ningsummunu, it was Kishars turn to leave. She had a tearful parting with Katayoun, then disappeared.

More troops went through. Then came Teucer, who embraced Xerxes, then stood in front of him with hands on both his shoulders. See you again soon, right?

Yeah, Xerxes said. Say hi to Mystic Rabya. And keep practicing. I expect you to give me a run for my money next time we spar.

You got it.

Teucer left.

More troops went through. Some, he knew. Stratos. Tustimant. Mazlauwa. They offered sincere salutes that he returned with full formality.

Kashtiliash stopped in front of Xerxes. He had his sword in his hand. To us, he said.

He lifted the sword in a salute.

Xerxes returned the salute.

Kashtiliash lowered his sword, flipped it around, and sheathed it at his back. Take care, Xerk. I want to hear good stories next time we meet.

Same.

Kashtiliash left, and more troops followed. Finally, Gandash prepared to go in. He bowed deeply to Katayoun and gave a crisp salute to Purattu.

Then he was in front of Xerxes.

Good luck, Xerk, he said. I hope you do a lot of good out there.

Yeah, Gandy. So are we you know?

Gandashs brow furrowed slightly. Are we what?

Xerxes looked awkwardly at Katayoun and Purattu, who were standing only a few cubits away.

Seeing his expression, Katayoun grabbed Purattu by the arm and pulled him out of the room.

The light of the Gateway danced as Xerxes looked back at Gandash, then lowered his gaze. Friends, he said. Are we still friends?

Oh. A long moment passed. Xerxes, everything I said before it still stands. Were different people now. Moving in different directions in life. I respect that you had difficult decisions to make, and you you did what you had to do. It was the same with me. I dont have any hard feelings. But at the same time, I realize we need to go in different directions.

A tight, piercing sensation lanced through Xerxess chest. He ignored it. I understand.

Gandash took a step forward and extended his hand. No hard feelings?

A flickering fire burned inside of him. He quashed it, reached out, and took Gandashs hand. Of course not.

Gandash shook his hand firmly, then stepped into the Gateway.

Xerxes stood looking at the shimmering light for a while, then stepped around to the control station and severed the connection. Then he looked once more at the empty portal, and thought about everything. Tears welled up, but he brushed them away. Then he composed himself and walked out into the hallway beyond.

Purattu was leaning against one wall, with Katayoun opposite him. They had been talking, but once he appeared, they stopped and looked over.

Theyre gone, Xerxes said.

Purattu stepped away from the wall. No complications?

No.

Good. Now, lets get out of here and to a safer place. Thats where Ill explain what were doing next.

**

I think so, she said. Do you have any more of those energy pills?

I do, but you cant take too many. Another round tomorrow will be fine, though. Ill wake you in the morning.

True to his word, Purattu started them out before the sun rose. Encountering no Abhorrent, they stuck to roads. They made excellent progress.

More meteors fell throughout the day.

The night went smoothly, but they ran into some Abhorrent the following day. And from there, the journey became harder. Meteors fell endlessly, and more and more Abhorrent filled the lands through which they traveled.

The spawn, and even the low-level juveniles, were easily dispatched. Xerxes taught the Swordmasters Vengeance to Purattu, who was suitably impressed, but had suggestions to improve it. Using the improved version, they took down large juveniles with ease.

Toward the end of a week of travel, stage four and five juveniles became more common.

The endless running and fighting weighed on Xerxes. And the further they got away from the Gateway complex in the mountains, the more he thought about what he was leaving behind.

Temperatures got hotter, and the air, more humid. Eventually, they reached a city with a large harbor and thick walls. It was clear that the place had suffered some Abhorrent attacks, but not enough to destroy the city. Yet.

It was remarkably easy for Purattu to hire a boat. After all, he had a lot of money. That reminded Xerxes of the loan he still needed to pay back. Purattu brushed off mention of the outstanding debt, saying that it didnt matter anymore. But Xerxes wasnt going to forget it. Hed pay back the loan one day.

Once they were out on the open water, the Abhorrent werent a problem. Purattu remarked that water-dwelling Abhorrent were known to exist, but apparently hadnt been part of the invasion force.

After three days of sailing, they reached a chain of islands. The captain was surprised when Purattu asked him to drop them off and return to the city. But he complied without asking any questions.

Located in the depths of the island was a crumbling facility that Xerxes would never have guessed to be a Gateway complex. It was in the middle of the maze of weathered stone walls and pathways, inside a cave. The facility was in such ruins that, even with his knowledge of Gateways, he would never have guessed its true nature.

And here we are, Purattu said. He walked to the far end of the platform, to where a pile of vine-covered stone rose slightly above everything else. Im guessing this is the control station.

Are you sure its functional? Katayoun asked, squatting and plucking a flower from a crack in the stone.

Yes, Purattu replied, producing the Gateway Key. Come over here.

Katayoun put the flower behind her ear as she and Xerxes joined Purattu at the control station.

Purattu used mage touch to clear the vines and dirt from the rubble. As he did, Xerxes realized that the stocky mage was right: it was a control station.

A moment later, Purattu inserted the Key into what had once been a dirt-filled hole.

The ancient Gateway trembled, and melam surged within it.

Purattu grinned. Were in business. Based on what I can sense, this Gateway can open seven unique tunnels downward, four parallel, and one upward.

Wait, Xerxes said. Parallel?

Purattu nodded. To other Stricken starisles. You want to go to see your family, we can probably make it happen.

We want to, Katayoun said firmly.

Then we will. He did some things with mage touch. The downside is that I can sense the passageways, just not where they go to. So it might take some experimentation to reach a specific intended destination. But I promise you, well get there. With this Gateway Key, were more free than you can imagine.

Brilliant light illuminated the area as he opened a passageway. Then he pulled the Key out of the control station. Itll remain open for two minutes. Lets go.

Not waiting for them, he strode across the open space and stepped into the Gateway, leaving Katayoun and Xerxes alone.

You sure about this? Xerxes asked.

At this point, she replied, what else are we going to do? Run back to the other one?

He smiled, leaned forward, and kissed her. She kissed him back.

Lets go together.

She nodded.

Holding hands, they walked into the brilliant light.

The End of Immanent Ascension Book 1