Book US Format - DarkandDay-Book1

8/22/2019 Book US Format - DarkandDay-Book1

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The Boy with the Broken Heart

By

Cover Art by AndrewInterior Art by Israel Grey, Andrew Hou, Tyler Edlin, Lokman Lam, Lianna Tai & Arseniquez


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Excerpt from the Biblios

The Revelations of Wood

9! And t"us t"e rule o# an$els #orever %"an$ed

9 He t"at on%e de#ended t"e balan%e o# li$"t and dark, w"ose #iery

%"ariot %arried li$"t a%ross t"e sky, was most distrau$"t w"en t"e old

mot"er's li$"t re%eded

9( )*ite %onquered His t"ou$"ts and verily t"e sevent" an$el over t"eeart" "ad lost "imsel# to t"e endless +it

9 T"e eart" was torn and t"e +it o# t"e abyss o*ened

9- .arkness went u* out o# t"e *it, like t"e smoke #rom a burnin$

#urna%e T"e sun and t"e air were darkened be%ause o# t"e mark o# t"e

+it

9/ T"e old mot"er )ol, lookin$ u*on "er des*erate #lo%k, o##ered untot"em "er only sun

90 1blivion o##ered only darkness

92 .ark and .ay were t"usly se$re$ated

99 T"e #i#t" an$el sounded, and t"e sevent" an$el, lost amon$st t"e

endless abyss, a**eared as a star #rom t"e sky w"i%" "ad #allen to t"e

eart" T"e key to t"e +it o# t"e abyss was $iven to "im

9!3 His de%eit was set to reveal trut" unto t"e *eo*les o# Eart", be#ore

t"e li#tin$ o# t"e veil

9!! T"e "erald an$el o# t"e abyss returned as kin$, wit" 4ud$ment over

#ate, between oblivion and li#e beyond

9! His name in t"e %ommon ton$ue is A*ollyon


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Chapter One

The Wizard Invasion

ntil t"e sirens blared, +olari was t"e sa#est town in t"e .ark

End T"e *ermanent %ano*y o# twinklin$ twili$"t was "ome to

sim*le #olk o# bla%kro%k miners and mus%ow "erders T"e sky $ave

everyt"in$ in t"e slee*y town a tint o# blue 5ar #rom t"e "ustle o#

steamy %ities and me%" bases, t"e *eo*le livin$ in t"is quiet valley

would "ave never known mu%" about t"e .ay i# it weren't #or t"e

*ro*a$anda #rom t"e %a*ital %ity, Eies

U

A%ross t"e .ark End o# Eart", *osters *lastered t"e sides o# bri%k

buildin$s and wra**ed around buzzin$ lam**osts, alarmin$ %itizens to

t"e "orrors t"reatenin$ t"eir *ea%e#ul way o# li#e )oldiers wit" *ower#ul

me%"ani6 installed in t"eir bodies looked bravely #rom t"e *osters to

s"are t"e same dire warnin$7

Magic was coming.

8aybe not t"is wake, and maybe not t"e ne6t, but at any moment t"e

.ay %ould strike wit" a barra$e o# ma$i%al s*ells and an army o#

dra$ons, basilisks, and torto$res All it would take was t"e sli$"test

e6%use7 one stray me%" *atrol, one missin$ .ay di*lomat, one tiny s*arkto start t"e #ire

:o small s*ell is sa#e;


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Chapter One

anti>ma$i% bunker

.on't be %au$"t under t"e .ay's s*ell; ?now your emer$en%y sa#ety

*lan;= said anot"er

@nder Twili$"t, *eo*le o# all s*e%ies"uman, alien, and t"e rest

lived at *ea%e wit" t"e notion t"at t"e belli$erent *oliti%s t"at roused t"e

tem*ers o# t"e Lords o# t"e .ay or t"e Em*ress o# t"e .ark End were a

distant t"reat T"ey walked t"rou$" t"e sta$ed anti>ma$i% drills,

"uddlin$ in bunkers and *ra%ti%in$ %overin$ t"eir eyes #rom in%antations

as t"ou$" it was a 4oke

@ntil t"e sirens blared

T"e s"rill noise e%"oed t"rou$" t"e $rassy valley as t"e dreaded "erald

o# war arrived wit"out re$ard to t"eir *ast indi##eren%e It o##ered notime to ease into t"e end o# t"e world, no *atien%e #or t"eir dream o#

neutrality T"ere was only time to s%ramble to t"e %losest s"eltered nook

and "o*e #or t"e best

)"eri## Burt T"oone kno%ked over "is %o##ee as "e tore o## a dirty

a*ron and lo%ked a burst%annon onto "is metalli% ri$"t arm T"e rest o#"is diner's *atrons "uddled beneat" t"eir yellow tables T"oone twit%"ed

"is "andlebar musta%"e wit" #ear and determination

It's ma$i%, s"eri##,= $as*ed Corbin .obbs, wit" sweat streakin$ down

t"rou$" t"e bla%kro%k dust on "is #a%e T"e .ay is %omin$ #or us;=

Let's "o*e to t"e stars it's not 'all stay down and quiet= T"oone

mustered "is %oura$e and t"undered out t"e door Bet", w"at do we

"aveD= T"oone w"is*ered to t"e bioneti% %ommuni%ator installed in "is

brain He $rima%ed as t"e answer %ame into "is mind

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The Wizard Invasion

A bell above t"e door ran$, 4oinin$ t"e %"orus o# blarin$ "orns *la%ed

on ea%" %orner o# 8ain )treet +olari looked abandoned

A lar$e wooded *ark stood at t"e %enter o# t"e town wit" t"e %a*ital

buildin$, bank, and s%"ool lined around it T"e last o# t"e *eo*le still in

t"e streets s%rambled out o# si$"t, w"ile Gus, t"e only 4unker o# a battle

bot +olari %alled its own, stood on a %orner lookin$ around like a lost

do$ Its rusty "ull was s*e%kled wit" *atrioti% sti%kers likeI got your .50

caliber magic right hereand Cast a spell on this! stu%k onto t"e bot'srear end

T"oone waved "is arms at ma%"ine

Gus s"ru$$ed :o one "ad bot"ered to u*date t"e bot wit" t"e terrible

news

izard;= yelled )"eri## T"oone over t"e sirens

T"oone noti%ed Gus #reeze, 4ust #or an instant T"e bot "ad seen war

and knew e6a%tly w"at t"e warnin$ meant )*ells +i6ie #ire Burnt

%ir%uits and melted wires Its *ast %ombat #iles a%tivated and in an

instant t"e slu$$is" bot en$a$ed its arsenal o# let"al and sli$"tly less

let"al wea*onry It stom*ed a%ross t"e street as )"eri## T"oone waved it

toward t"e old s%"ool a"ead o# t"em

Groandrin$ Elementary "ad seen better wakes Its blue *aint "ad been

#lakin$ o## #or years, but it was t"e *o**ed red balloons and "al#>"un$

Welcome Back si$n t"at made t"e wake o# #ailed %elebration all t"e

more tra$i%

Bet", tell me t"is ain't true,= T"oone said

Her %"armin$ voi%e re>entered "is mind )till no si$n o# ma$i%al

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Chapter One

dis%"ar$e, but t"e wizard was last seen enterin$ t"e nort" side o#

Groandrin$ 4ust be#ore t"e bell ran$ I "ave t"e witness and "er mot"er

"ere wit" me now Cameras %au$"t a s*ark o# oran$e be"ind t"e s%"ool,

but t"e lab %an't %on#irm it was a s*ell quite yet=

ou tell me t"e instant t"ey %an=

1ur wizard #riend must "ave t"ou$"t "e %ould sneak a%ross t"e .awn

wit"out a tra%e .idn't %ount on a town bein$ out "ere in t"e middle o#

now"ere=

T"oone $lan%ed at t"e battle bot beside "im He *robably didn't

%ount on old Gus eit"er=

)"eri##, one e6>soldier and one busted down battle me%" isn't $onna

%ount #or mu%" i# we $ot more t"an a rank si6 wizard in t"ere :oo##ense, Gus Is t"ere any %"an%e we %an 4ust let t"is .ay Ender move

on t"rou$" and let t"e Em*ress' army "andle itD=

Too late #or t"at,= said T"oone I# t"e wizard was aimin$ to move

on, "e'd "ave done it T"is ma$e is "old u* in t"e s%"ool e %an't

abide by "osta$e takin$ or, stars #orbid, blood ma$i%=

BurnFem wizard;= Bet" swore "at kind o# *erson "ides be"ind

%"ildrenD=

T"oone starred at t"e windows to %at%" any si$n o# movement T"e

.ay, t"at's w"o ?ee* your eyes ti$"t on Groandrin$ and you let me

know i# so mu%" as a blade o# $rass moves #unny "at do we "ave t"at

%an see t"rou$" invisibility %a*esD=

1nly C"ester "as t"e latest eye installs, and "e's out on va%ation I

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The Wizard Invasion

%ould brin$ down t"e $o$$les, but w"o knows w"at ty*e o# %a*es t"e

.ay is usin$ t"ese wakes=

:o, Bet" ou stay *ut Gus and I are $oin$ in to test "is metal=

Beaten metal doors leadin$ into t"e "alls o# Groandrin$ %reaked as

t"ey o*ened Gus s"u##led in wit" t"e s"eri## be"ind "is t"i%k metal "ull

Listen Gus, I know you were de%ommissioned #rom bein$ a %ombat

bot be#ore $ettin$ le#t wit" us, but t"ere is no mar$in mistakes "ere

T"ese #olks ain't built #or ma$e #i$"tin$ ou and I are +olari's only

line o# de#ense I# we #all "ere, t"at wizard %ould en%"ant t"e w"ole

town wit" no one to slow "im down I# "is wand "and twit%"es, you

twit%" #aster, you "ear meD=

Gus nodded

Bet", send me and Gus t"e witness' sket%" e need to know w"at

we are lookin' #or=

.one=

An ima$e o# a wizard in a t"i%k blue %oat and #urry "ood "overed over

Gus' arm T"e wizard wore a stran$e mask and %arried a ba$ o# wands

on w"eels

Burn'em .ay #olk %an't "andle t"e %old,= muttered T"oone "y

%an't t"ey sti%k to t"eir suns"ineD=

T"e two o##i%ers %re*t down t"e "allway as li$"ts #li%kered and *oster

boards on t"e walls rattled in t"e dra#t around t"em T"e s"eri## *ointed

to t"e #irst %lassroom

Gus, $et your eyes in t"ere and "ave a look=

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Chapter One

Gus looked ba%k at "im s"ee*is"ly

Go on Get ou're metal e %an #i6 you=

Gus *eered into t"e room wit" "is round metal eyes T"e bot *ulled

ba%k #rom t"e %ra%ked door and nodded

e $ot %on#irmation on t"e invader,= T"oone said Gus, lo%k in on

to t"e tar$et e move in ni%e and easy, but be ready #or trouble=

T"oone *eered t"rou$" Gus's metal s"ieldin$ as t"e door o*ened

)tudents were "uddled below t"eir desks All t"e ma$i% drills sin%e

birt" %ouldn't *re*are t"em #or w"at it #elt like to be truly under sie$e A

bo6 o# name ta$s "ad s*illed around t"e war*ed linoleum #loor

C"ildren s"ook wit" #ear and some %ried as quietly as t"ey %ould

mana$e, but #rom below one desk in t"e ba%k %ame a stuttered

me%"ani%al breat"in$

Curled below "is desk, onot"on yer was on t"e ed$e o# tears T"e

nine>year>old boy "ad *ulled "is #urry blue "ood over a mo* o# brown

"air and t"e old breat"in$ mask t"at "u$$ed "is #a%e like a #o$$y

#is"bowl He %lun$ to a lon$ metal ma%"ine on w"eels t"at "ad two

wires snakin$ #rom a #las"in$ *anel to disa**ear under "is s"irt His

*aralysis was t"e *rodu%t o# a li#etime o# anti>.ay *ro*a$anda T"e

#ra$ile boy was #ri$"tened to t"e ed$e o# deat" as t"e sirens e6%laimed

t"e war o# ma$i% a$ainst ma%"ine "ad #inally arrived

T"oone ste**ed %autiously into t"e room

Gus, relay your si$"t ba%k to t"e station Bet", ask t"e witness =

He *ointed at onot"on Is t"at t"e wizard s"e sawD=

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The Wizard Invasion

A%ross t"e Line, a youn$ $irl's #ri$"tened voi%e re*lied, es=

)"eri## T"oone lowered "is %annon and #rowned Burnin$ stars= His

"and s"ook and "is voi%e %ra%ked wit" relie# T"anks, darlin' Gus, %all

it o## Let t"e mayor know it was a #alse alarm It was a mistake about

t"e yer boy= T"oone *ointed at ono's me%"ani%al %ontra*tion Gus,

does t"at look like a wand %arrier to youD=

Gus s"ook its metal "ead

8e neit"er= T"oone si$"ed Come on out, kids T"is was all a bi$

misunderstandin$=

A#ter a moment, one student rose and t"en anot"er until all but ono

"ad %rawled out #rom beneat" t"eir desks T"e *oor kid's breat"s still

%ame in errati% w"eezin$s He was likely so a#raid "is "eart mi$"t burst

alto$et"er

T"oone leaned down and tried to *ut on t"e most sym*at"eti% #a%e "e

%ould muster a#ter nearly be%omin$ t"e e*i%enter #or t"e ne6t world war

Tou$" way to start o## your #irst wake at s%"ool, e" onoD= T"oone

tried to smile, but it %ame out like a sneer T"e $ood news is we all $etto kee* on livin$=

ono's breat"e was loud and me%"ani%al as "e in"aled and e6"aled

T"e end o# t"e world may "ave %ome and went, but "e would not be so

easily %onvin%ed

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Chapter One

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Chapter Two


onot"on's nervous breat" #o$$ed u* an old $lass window and blurredt"e tiny Congratulations Graduatesbanner t"at "un$ alon$ t"e wall o#

t"e s%"ool in t"e distan%e T"e w"ole town looked mu%" #art"er t"an it

was down t"e $rassy "ill #rom "is "ome

It "ad been two years sin%e "e was trans#ormed #rom t"e si%kly boy

nobody knew into t"e notorious mistaken wizard "ile t"e stin$ o#4okes and *retend s*ell %astin$ "ad lessened, t"e situation "adn't

im*roved mu%" T"e dama$e was done, and t"ere was no undoin$ it

ono "ad always been s%rawny and e6%e*tionally *ale blue veins %re*t

out o# t"e ed$e o# "is #a%e to %om*liment "is %loudy blue eyes A mo*

o# brown "air #ell over "is #a%e and made "im look like s"i*wre%k

survivor

He was not an avera$e kid #or "is town He wasnt even a normal kid

#or "is #amily His sister was unsto**ably %on#ident and "ad more

#riends t"an even s"e knew His mot"er was loved in t"e town as t"ou$"

s"e'd raised t"em all, and "is #at"er was a risin$ star at t"e environment

%onditionin$ *lant But be%ause o# "is #ra$ile "eart and #eeble lun$s,

ono wasn't any o# t"ose t"in$s

His "ome rested on a "ill outside o# town "enever "e %ame down

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Chapter Three

into t"e valley, "e would breat"e in t"e t"i%k EC va*ors mi6ed wit" t"e

minin$ dust t"at lin$ered in t"e air and $o into a severe %ou$"in$ #it

He wanted to $o ba%k to bed and "ide beneat" "is %om#orter He

wanted to lose "imsel# in t"e stories o# he d"entures o# Illiust"at "ad

been "is %losest t"in$ to a #riend

A blonde "ead *o**ed u* #rom below t"e window and "is sister,

.a"lia, be$an *u##in$ "er %"eeks a$ainst t"e war*ed $lass Her %urly

"air boun%ed around "er %"eer#ul #a%e

ono #rowned at "er sense o# "umor, but .a"lia was eternally un#azed

)"e waved at "im to %ome out and ono be$rud$in$ly met "er outside

t"e #ront door .a"lia wore a red sweater wit" t"e Groandrin$'s

8araudin$ 8us%ow mas%ot on it

ono doubted a mus%ow "ad ever done anyt"in$ %lose to maraudin$ in

t"e entire "istory o# t"e universe, but "e was never asked "is o*inion on

t"e matter

A $entle breeze $ra%ed t"e yer's ri%kety *or%" on t"at mornin$ in

eweleye T"e stars twinkled bri$"ter in t"e summer, and t"e t"ermalsteam *i*es made t"e air warm enou$" #or everyone but ono to walk

around wit"out wearin$ a "eavy %oat

.a"lia wra**ed an arm around "er youn$er brot"er and $azed *roudly

at t"e town below t"em our last wake at s%"ool ou made it

t"rou$"=

I don't "ave my test ba%k= said ono

.a"lia lau$"ed Are you 4okin$D ou'd %rus" any kid in t"e .ark at

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The Recruits Reward

mat"ometry and "al# t"e adults down t"ere too; And I bet t"e Em*ress

would kidna* and brainwas" anyone in t"e .ay t"at %ould %ode like you

do our s%ores will be more t"an $ood enou$"=

How did you doD=

.a"lia win%ed 5ine, I $uess But it's wasn't t"e same #or me=

ono nodded It wasn't t"e same at all :ot #or .a"lia or anyone else

in +olari T"eir lives would barely %"an$e, w"ile #or "im, everyt"in$would

ono looked down t"e "ill I don't know w"at "a**ens ne6t=

I do,= said .a"lia ou're $oin$ to make it in T"at deal's welded I

%an tell=

:o one %an tell t"e #uture=

.a"lia smiled I %an T"in$s are $oin$ to look very u* #or you=

"at i# I'm not readyD=

:o one's ever ready ou 4ust learn as you $o )oD= )"e nodded to

bubbly musi% wandered u* #rom a de%orated #ield beside Groandrin$

)"all we $oD=

.a"lia ra%ed down t"e "ill a"ead o# "im, likely ea$er to meet "er

#riends at t"e End o# )%"ool 5air

Everyone would be t"ere, w"et"er t"ey wanted to or not T"e last

wake o# s%"ool every year was always %elebrated wit" rides, $ames, and

enou$" mus%ow bur$ers to #eed an army To everyone else t"e test

s%ores were 4ust anot"er e6am, t"e last t"in$ between t"em and summer

break T"ey would be #ree to $o to "i$" s%"ool and $o on $et 4obs in t"e

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Chapter Three

mine, wit" t"e "erds, or work remotely #or t"e %a*ital But #or onot"on,

t"ose s%ore "eld t"e key to one o# two #ates I# "e "ad *assed, "e would

be w"isked away to a li#e in t"e military w"ere *ower#ul installs would

#i6 everyt"in$ t"at was wron$ wit" "im and $rant "im amazin$ *owers

to de#end t"e .ark But i# "e #ailed, "e would be doomed to a s"ort li#e

$ras*in$ #or breat" t"rou$" "is deterioratin$ me%"ani%al mask

Eit"er way, "is destiny already written down in a %ode o# s%ores >

)u*erior, Good, Avera$e, Tolerable and @na%%e*table All t"at was le#t

to do was #ind out w"at it was

ono stra**ed on "is mask and w"eeled "is "eart re$ulator be"ind "im

T"e s%"ool wasnt a #ar walk #rom "ome, but t"e dread o# arrivin$ #or

t"e rambun%tious wake made every ste* "eavier t"an t"e last He

sto**ed at entran%e to Burts Beers and Bis%uits, and stared at t"e *oster

on t"e diner's door A #riendly soldier saluted a red star and said7 Be all

the Machine you can be! $oin the %mpress& army! T"e soldier looked so

*roud and invin%ible t"at ono doubted "e %ould ever be like "im

)"eri## Burt T"oone waved t"rou$" t"e diner's window wit" a $iant

smile beneat" "is $rayin$ musta%"e He *ointed to a ba%on $lazed donut

on t"e %ounter

T"e bell above t"e door ran$ and ono #ound "imsel# at t"e %ounter

wit" t"e last #ree donut "e may ever "ave s"oved "al# way in "is mout"

T"at'll *ut $rease on your $ears= T"oone said wit" a lau$"

ono smiled, but never knew w"at to say 1ld Burt T"oone didn't

mind He %ould always talk enou$" #or t"e bot" o# t"em

Can you believe t"at I learned to bake t"ose ba%k w"en I was a %adetD

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The Recruits Reward

T"is was at Crossrid$e, mind you, not indom, wit" all t"e te%"y

$eniuses like yoursel#, ono :ow t"at s%"ool, stars above, t"at would be

t"e *la%e to $o i# I were to enlist a$ain= T"oone would %arry on as "e

was"ed dis"es and i$nored t"e loud snores t"at %ame #rom t"e wran$le

"aired 8ister .obbs, s*rawled out in a yellow ben%" a#ter a slee* "ours

s"i#t in t"e mine, T"ere was t"is time at Crossrid$e, my squad and I

would $o out on trainin$ missions so %lose to t"e .awn t"at a %ra%k o#

oran$e %ut a%ross t"e "orizon like t"e Eart" was %uttin$ t"rou$" t"e dirtand sky like a sword on #ire I was wit" LeAnne esler at t"e time, s"e's

t"e yeton lady in %"ar$e o# t"e steam season ea%" year, you've seen "er

around town, I'm sure ell LeAnne %ame ba%k to Crossrid$e s"owin$

t"e world "ow t"e sun "ad tanned "er w"ite #ur )"e was so *roud, but I

don't t"ink an ele%tron mi%ros%o*e %ould'a told t"e di##eren%e 1l'

LeAnne would s"ow o## "er tan like s"e "ad baked in t"e dead desert

itsel# T"ose were t"e wakes I wouldn't trade my time at t"e a%ademy

#or t"e stars t"emselves=

ono looked down at ba%on #ra$ments on "is *late He nodded at t"e

s"eri##'s stories and tried to avoid lookin$ at t"e %lo%k be"ind t"e%ounter T"oone noti%ed and leaned in wit" a #riendly smile

ou know ono, out t"ose doors, and 4ust one blo%k over is t"e start

o# li#e so #ull o# adventure you're $onna "ave stories to tell #or a

"undred years 1ut t"ere you'll make best #riends wit" a new squad ea%"

year and be stron$er 1ut t"ere, you'll be doin$ t"e Em*ress' workkee*in$ ma$i% at bay 1ut t"ere, you'll be a "ero ou 4ust $otta take t"e

ste*, t"at's all Let t"e world do t"e rest=

I $uess I s"ould $o= ono slid o## o# t"e %"air and t"e bell above t"e

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Chapter Three

door ran$ a$ain He sto**ed T"anks #or t"e donut, )"eri## Burt=

Any time, Cadet yer= T"oone said as "e dried a mu$ wit" t"e

towel on "is a*ron Any time=

ono #ound "imsel# on t"e ed$e o# t"e blo%k T"e s%"ool loomed only

a blo%k and a "al# a"ead and, as t"ou$" ste**in$ *ast 8ortimers 8e%"

8er%"andise and onto t"e new blo%k si$naled t"e brea%" o# t"e event

"orizon o# a bla%k "ole, ono si$"ed, embra%ed "is #ate, and walked on

T"e %rowd o# noisy students and #a%ulty were every bit as intimidatin$

as ono "ad ima$ined


20/444

The Recruits Reward

A%ross t"e #ield "e %ould see Aram Holin$er "an$in$ u*side down as

.a"lia %limbed a#ter "im.id you use your ti%kets #or t"e slin$ bowl

yetD= said Aram as "is %oat sli**ed o## "is s"oulders to #lo* over "is

#a%e

.a"lia yer s"ook "er "ead, "er blonde %urls bobbin$ side>to>side I

was waitin$ #or Layla, but s"es too busy "el*in$ 8ister


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Chapter Three

kidna* kids=

"y would t"ey kidna* kidsD=

To use in t"eir *otions, stu*id C"ildren's blood is *ure and

inno%ent=

.ietri%" lau$"ed I'm not a#raid o# some s%rawny wit%" wit" a

slee*in$ s*ell; 8y da' "as a model )J Crun%" Ho$ I'd love to see a

wizard try to sto* t"at me%" on%e it's rollin$;= .ietri%" mimed a #railwizard wavin$ a sti%k 1" no; 8y stu*id #ire s*ell isn't workin$ on si6

tons o# rein#or%ed steel; )*lat;=

ono t"ou$"t t"ey would %ontinue strai$"t to t"e End o# )%"ool 5air,

but .ietri%" $lan%ed to "is side 4ust in time to %at%" ono tryin$ to make

"imsel# invisible

T"e boys sto**ed

.ietri%" strolled over to t"e %ement %orner, lookin$ down on ono wit"

e6a$$erated %on#usion on "is #a%e He a%ted as i# "e wasnt sure t"at

ono %ould see "im at all .ietri%" leaned over, "is "ead %lose to onos

mask, and ra**ed on its leat"ery #ore"ead wit" "is knu%kles

Look w"o it is;= .ietri%" said in mo%k kindness Hey, 8ister

izard, we were 4ust talkin$ about your #riends ou mi$"t want to take

noti%e t"at t"ere's a #air $oin$ on


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The Recruits Reward

.ietri%" leaned in a$ain, smiled, and $ave ono a #or%e#ul sla* on t"e

s"oulder T"ose are .ark Enders T"ey won't bite=

yer's s%ared t"ere's a wit%" in t"e weeds,= said anot"er boy I bet

"e's wet "issel#=

at%" out, yer; I'm a wizard "ere to za* you wit" my li$"tnin$

sti%k;= .ietri%" said to a %"orus o# lau$"ter ou stay vi$ilant, ma$e

"unter e're $onna $o over "ere and "ave some a%tual #un=

T"e boys 4oined t"e #estivities, leavin$ ono to #eel even lonelier

I'm not s%ared,= ono mumbled to "imsel#

It was all "e %ould do to stare at t"e %ra%ks in t"e %old $round7 loud

breat" in, loud breat" out His mask's eye *ie%es #o$$ed u* w"en "e

tilted "is "ead down, and "e didn't bot"er to wi*e t"em o## He

wondered w"at made *eo*le be%ome like .ietri%" .uLa% as "e

over%om*ensatin$ #or ot"er *roblemsD as "is #amily mean to "imD

as it a natural, $eneti% tenden%yD

ono si$"ed and lean more %om#ortably a$ainst t"e wall

T"inkin$ was t"e only t"in$ "e %ould do well It made "im #eel better

to *onder "ow t"e world worked and w"at made *eo*le t"e way t"ey

were It took t"e stin$ out o# insults, t"e terror out o# monsters under t"e

bed I# "e %ouldn't be stron$ or das"in$, ono was determined to be

wise

ono s*otted .a"lia a%ross t"e #ield t"e instant a#ter s"e broke "er $ri*

wit" Arams "and and t"ey bot" went soarin$ into t"e air T"eir *added

bodies looked like blue $azberries as t"ey #lew well above t"e s%"ool

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Chapter Three

roo# T"eir landin$ and subsequent boun%e brou$"t t"em ba%k above t"e

rim o# t"e bowl T"ey #inally boun%ed to a rollin$ sto*, burstin$ wit"

lau$"ter

A smile %ra%ked t"e %ontours o# onot"ons #a%e T"at really was a

$ood slin$

In t"e s*irit o# o**ortunity, or be%ause "e body was sore #rom sittin$

on %ement and mo*in$, ono stood and w"eeled "is "eart re$ toward t"e

%rowd

8ister )ni##en, t"e only muste%rat tea%"er at Groandrin$ Elementary,

was 4ud$in$ a "andstand %ontest w"ere t"e students balan%ed u*side

down in t"e air wit" t"eir "ands *ressed a$ainst small #loatin$ *ads

)ni##en stood only as tall as t"e %"ildren, and "is *lum*, #urry body and

w"iskers t"at a%%entuated "is toot"y smile made "im everyone's

#avorite

udy u*iter, t"e s%"ool %ook, was "andin$ out mus%ow bur$ers under

a *lain w"ite tent )"e wore a %on%erned smile as 8ark os"iburi

stu##ed an entire bur$er into "is mout" and t"en darted o## wit" "is

%"eeks *u##ed out like balloons

our ti%ket, sir,= said a voi%e be"ind ono

onot"on turned around to #ind "is tea%"er, 8s Ein"art, "oldin$ a

yellow ti%ket in #ront o# "im

It's #or t"e ra##le, 8ister yer,K s"e stated wit" a kind nod to a *ile

o# assorted items t"at looked like *resents on a Gi#tmas mornin$

ou may be interested to note t"at t"e library "as donated a lar$e

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The Recruits Reward

%olle%tion o# used books #or one o# t"e winners=


25/444

Chapter Three

onot"on was runnin$ to "is sister be#ore "e knew "e "ad even stood

u* He was dea# to roars o# t"e %rowd's %"aos All ono saw was "er

lim*, red sweatered body

He ran a"ead o# t"e rest, *us"in$ "imsel#, des*erate to $et to "erto

save "er His #eet beat a$ainst dirt and *us"ed "im %loser and %loser

until "e #roze 5or one terri#yin$ instant, "is "and moved to "is %"est at

t"e realization t"at t"e %ables %onne%tin$ "im to "is "eart re$ "ad ri**ed

out T"e %ri**lin$ sensation s*read t"rou$" "is limbs "is body went

lim*, "is le$s twisted ono tumbled and %ras"ed #a%e>down in t"e dirt

and $rass

He stru$$led to look u*ward t"rou$" im*enetrable $reen blades

Everyt"in$ in "im #ou$"t a$ainst t"e *rison o# "is own body tryin$

des*erately to rea%" toward t"at tu#t o# unmovin$ blonde %urls until

everyt"in$ went bla%k

onot"on breat"ed in loudly

It "ad not taken lon$ #or t"e nurse to resus%itate "im

ou really s"ouldn't *us" yoursel# like t"at Ever,= t"e nurse insisted

:o matter w"at "a**ens, ono, you %annot lose %ontrol ou'll 4ust

%ause more dama$e to yoursel# t"an w"oever you're tryin$ to "el*=

ono a$reed wit"out really listenin$ 1n t"e wall "un$ a *oster wit" an

army medi% "oldin$ a lar$e syrin$e 'cience heals! Magic is poison!He

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The Recruits Reward

#elt #or t"e *lu$s %onne%ted to "is %"est He didn't #eel "ealed

.a"lia's #ine,= said t"e nurse ust a broken arm ou're alri$"t to

$o ba%k to %lass but be sure to $o strai$"t "ome a#terwards=

ono slid o## t"e nurse's %"air and *ulled "is "eart re$ beside "im as "e

le#t His relie# #or .a"lia did not"in$ to ease t"e an$er "e #elt at "imsel#

He #elt broken and useless He was su**osed to better t"an t"at He

s"ould've been able to *rote%t ot"ers, like Illius did in all "is stories

ono made "is way to "is %lassroom, #indin$ it em*ty as neit"er t"e

ot"er students nor "is tea%"er "ad %ome in #rom t"e #air yet ono "eld

ba%k tears t"at stun$ t"e %orners o# "is eyes and sat motionless at "is

desk until t"e ot"er students #inally s"u##led into t"e %lassroom

onot"on told "imsel# "e didnt %are w"en Terran%e 5un$ston s"ook"is "ead at "im

8s Ein"art s"ut t"e door a#ter t"e last $irl s%uttled in T"e room was

#ull o# %"eer#ul %"atter disturbed only by onot"on's dee*, me%"ani%al

breat"in$

8s Ein"art %leared "er t"roat to quiet t"e %lassroom I "o*e you "ave

all "ad an en4oyable wake It's always a little sad to say $oodbye, but

t"ere was somet"in$ *arti%ularly s*e%ial about t"is %lass I know w"at

you've been waitin$ #or,= s"e said in a li$"t tone KBut you don't "ave to

worry I was very im*ressed by t"e turnout o# your s%ores Cumulative

marks were u* nine *er%ent over last year ou s"ould all be very *roud

o# yourselves=

)"e went down t"e rows, "andin$ ele%troni% *a*ers to ea%" o# t"e

%"ildren As s"e *assed by onot"ons desk, s"e slid t"e *a$e #a%e down

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Chapter Three

ou $ot "i$"est mat"ometry s%ores I've ever seen #or your $rade= s"e

w"is*ered Good lu%k, ono=

ono's "and "overed over t"e *a*er He "esitated, t"inkin$ about t"e

in#inite *at"s "is li#e %ould take and "ow "is o*tions were swi#tly

narrowin$ down to one Everyt"in$ "e would or wouldn't do de*ended

on t"e a%%om*lis"ment o# t"is one t"in$ He took a dee* breat" and

turned t"e *a$e over 1n t"e )GAT@ s%ale o# )u*erior, Good, Avera$e,

Tolerable, and @na%%e*table, onot"on "ad re%eived t"ree )s, #our Gs,

and only one A

onot"on yer's breat" was silent as "e starred knowin$ly at t"e

*a*er in #ront o# "im

He "ad done it

Everyt"in$ would %"an$e

onot"on %olle%ted an assortment o# trinkets "e "ad ke*t in "is desk

over t"e years7 a %olor#ul *en wit" s%ales on it, a s%roll wit" "al# its

viewin$ *i6els blanked out, and a small *lasti% a%tion #i$ure o# t"e

myt"olo$i%al Titan arrior "e'd brou$"t wit" "im on "is #irst wake o#

s%"ool #or $ood lu%k

He #ound an old *am*"let "e re%eived at t"e assembly at t"e end o#

ea%" year It was labeled(riends )on&t *et (riends )abble in Magic!

+eport Illegal 'pells at ,nce! ono "ad never seen anyone use ma$i%,

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The Recruits Reward

but at every assembly t"e *rin%i*al warned t"em "ow dan$erous and

addi%tive it was )tay vi$ilant,= +rin%i*al Hair$rave would re*eat

1*en eyes %an save lives=

ono was t"e last to leave t"e %lassroom and by t"e time "e started on

"is way, t"e streets were quiet wit" all t"e ot"er %"ildren "ome and sa#e

be"ind $lowin$ oran$e windows ono buttoned u* "is t"i%k blue %oat

and *ulled "is "ood u* to $uard a$ainst t"e $rowin$ %"ill

His every ste* alon$ t"e #amiliar %ement sidewalk was %al%ulated as "e

wondered i# "e would ever look at t"ose *arti%ular %ra%ks a$ain T"e

%ement soon $ave way to $ravel, and t"e $ravel was soon lost amid t"e

$rass

His nervous "eart %ould not sto* its *a%e #rom qui%kenin$ at t"e si$"t

o# .a"lia sittin$ on t"eir ri%kety *or%" ben%" as s"e waved wit" "er one

$ood arm

C"e%k it out= )"e lau$"ed, li#tin$ u* a %ast>%overed arm $lowin$ a

#aint $reen ou 4ust "ave to "old it u* to a li$"t #or a w"ile=

oure alri$"tD= said ono

1# %ourse= .a"lia s"ru$$ed as t"ou$" s"e'd %"eated deat" twi%e a

wake be#ore break#ast .'you $et your marksD=

ono nodded

.a"lia turned "er "ead wit" obvious %uriosity AndD=

ono meekly nodded a$ain and sat ne6t to "er on t"e ben%" .a"lia

didn't say anyt"in$ )"e *ut "er $ood arm around "is s"oulders and t"ey

wat%"ed dull li$"ts #ill u* t"e windows o# "ouses in t"e valley

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Chapter Three

T"e smell o# steamin$ noodles #illed u* t"e "ouse and #o$$ed t"e

windows C"arles yer slur*ed u* t"e noodles bein$ as loud and

*lay#ul as "e %ould be .a"lia lau$"ed and mimi%ked t"e te%"nique

Beky yer slur*ed *olitely and brus"ed a #allen strand o# blonde "airba%k into "er bun T"at is truly #antasti% news, ono I'm *roud o#

you=

I knew you %ould do it all alon$,= said "is #at"er How do you want

to %elebrateD=

e %ould $o to u*iter Gor$e= said .a"lia T"ey added a new ride

down t"e %anyon=

e %an't #or$et t"e s"rine= said "is mot"er It would be $ood i# you

%onsulted t"e an$els be#ore you leave, ono ou may not $et anot"er

%"an%e=

ono s"ru$$ed I'm kind o# tired already I may 4ust $o to bed and

read=

His mot"er nodded sym*at"eti%ally I like t"at idea e don't "ave to

do anyt"in$ e6%itin$ It's ni%e to 4ust savor a quiet evenin$ at "ome=

:ot many o# t"ose le#t,= said .a"lia

C"arles ki%ked "er #rom below t"e table and $lared

1w;= .a"lia rubbed "er s"in )orry=

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The Recruits Reward

A#ter ono #inis"ed dinner "e retired to "is room on t"e se%ond #loor o#

t"e ri%kety "ouse His windows looked out at t"e slanted "illside Grass

rustled in an uneven breeze T"e "ill and t"e town and distant mountains

all a**eared motionless and *ermanent, as t"ou$" "e were lookin$ at a

$iant's *aintin$

ono didn't know w"at else to do, so "e turned away #rom t"e o*en

world and %limbed into bed He *ulled t"e red %om#orter u* to "is %"est

and slid an o*en book #rom t"e end table 1ran$e %andle li$"t #li%kered

over t"e *a$es and "el*ed t"e words dan%e to li#e

He s"ut out t"e world and alon$ wit" it a #uture %omin$ too qui%kly

ono buried "is mind onboard t"e de%k o# t"e Inte$ress wit" Illius at t"e

"elm He %ould almost #eel t"e burstin$ sails above "im and t"e $entle

ro%kin$ o# t"e wooden de%k beneat" "im as t"e s"i* s*ed a%ross liquid

seas He #or%ed "is ears to i$nore t"e subtle ti%ks and to%ks o# t"e %lo%k

on "is wall and instead ima$ined t"e kawo# sea$ulls and t"e %ras"in$ o#

waves

He lost "imsel# to t"at world o# wonder He #ell aslee* wit" a smile on

"is #a%e as t"e weary #lame beside "im died wit"out a w"is*er o#

dissent

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The Recruits Reward

Chapter Three

The Recruits Reward

ut o# t"e still world %ame a mu##led t"um* It beat t"ree times

t"en silen%ed A#ter an un%ertain *ause, it beat t"ri%e more like

an ea$er, nervous "eart

OT"e *oundin$ "eart beat a$ain, #ollowed by somet"in$ %reakin$ and

s"u##lin$ alon$ wood and linoleum #loor onot"on woke He blinked

and rubbed "is eyes T"e t"um* a$ainst t"e door beat twi%e more be#ore

t"e %ranky lo%k and %reakin$ "in$e silen%ed it #or $ood

T"e #ront door o*ened as C"arles' tired voi%e %ra%ked out, HelloD=

onot"on *eered out o# t"e window as warm steam rolled down t"e

"ills like it always did w"en t"e summer was still youn$ He slid out o#

bed, wra**ed t"e %om#orter around "im, and %ra%ked o*en "is bedroom

door > 4ust enou$" to see t"e t"ree soldiers t"at stood on t"e #ront *or%"

T"ey looked *ower#ul and im*osin$ T"eir metal armor was bulky, wit"

4a$$ed *lates %olored in dark blue wit" trims o# silver T"eir "elmets

were w"ite in t"e #ront wit" 4uttin$ %"eeks and "ollow eyes t"at

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Chapter Three

resembled a monstrous skull

ono #eared and admired t"em

C"arles yerD= $runted t"e soldier in t"e #ront o# t"e *a%k

es, sir=

T"e %onvoy o# t"e 5orty )e%ond Bri$ade o# Her :oble Em*ress'

Army "as arrived in your = T"e soldier %leared "is t"roat illa$e

e "ave been in#ormed o# t"e su%%ess#ul a**li%ation o# military

a%ademi%s by one re%orded at t"is residen%e, a mister onot"on Amlet"

yer Is "e *resentD=

C"arles was #lustered He was a t"in man wit" a %aramel %om*le6ion

and t"i%k bla%k "air He was e6%e*tionally $ood at many t"in$s but

didn't take too well to sur*rises

es, o# %ourse "e's "ere, but =

ono's eye %au$"t movement #rom t"e door a%ross t"e %orner #rom "is

own .a"lia's blonde %urls bobbed out o# t"e darkened room )"e

looked at t"e o*en door below t"em and t"en to t"e one e6*osed eye o#

"er little brot"er, "er #a%e #ull o# %on%ern

ery $ood,= t"e soldier interru*ted Have "im $at"er "is belon$in$s

and we'll take "im to t"e %onvoy wit" us ou will re%eive %on#irmation

o# "is sa#e arrival to t"e %ity in 4ust under=

But it's t"e middle o# slee*,= said C"arles

T"e soldier sto**ed He looked like "e was 4ust a%%osted by an

absurdity o# #alse lo$i%

e were told we "e wouldn't be leavin$ until two wakes #rom now,=

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The Recruits Reward

said C"arles

T"e soldier looked at t"e dis"eveled man, un#azed His %len%"ed,

e6*osed 4aw beneat" t"e "elmet indi%ated "e wasn't $oin$ to bend to

ridi%ulous s%"edules t"at in%luded a re$imented bed time

C"arles *leaded )ir, t"is wake we *romised to take "im to t"e

an$el's s"rine be#ore "e le#t e need time to say $oodbye as a #amily=

T"e soldier *o**ed "is %len%"ed 4aw An$elsD .ay Ender nonsense,="e muttered He su%ked in a dee* breat" t"rou$" "is nose t"en e6"aled

in #rustration T"e %onvoy is s%"eduled to disembark on


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Chapter Three

T"e li$"ts in t"e kit%"en were already on w"en onot"on woke #or t"e

se%ond time T"e "ouse seemed bri$"ter, and "e sus*e%ted t"at "is

mot"er did it on *ur*ose > more li$"t to bri$"ten t"eir moods

ono %re*t down t"e stairs A %"o%olate %orn %ake wit" one deli%ate

blue %andle waited #or "im on t"e dinin$ room table His *arents and

.a"lia were already $at"ered in t"eir *a4amas at t"e wobbly kit%"en

table

KBreak#ast is served;K said C"arles :ot"in$ but t"e best to $et t"e

wake started, ri$"tD Ha**y re%ruitment wake, ono=

Ha**y wake,= .a"lia and "is mom added

ono #or%ed a su**ortive smile, s"ut "is eyes, and blew out t"e %andle

He *retended to be makin$ a wis" but %ouldn't wei$" t"e various

%onsequen%es o# ea%" t"ou$"t t"at %ame to "is mind He ended u* not

wis"in$ at all

T"ey all %la**ed and wis"ed "im a "a**y re%ruitment a$ain as C"arles

stood u* to %ut t"e %ake T"ey "ad all known, or "o*ed, or more ri$"tly

worried, t"at t"is wake would %ome

It was at t"e wise>old>a$e o# seven t"at C"arles sat ono down on t"e

ro%kin$ ben%" and e6*lained to "is son "ow "e was $oin$ to live

In t"e .ark End o# t"e world, t"e Em*ire o# Eies "ad establis"ed a

*ro$ram t"at o##ered t"e *oor and si%kly a %"an%e to over%ome t"e

re$rettable lot t"at "ad been dealt to t"em > a li#e destined to end too

s"ort I# a %"ild, not unlike onot"on, survived to t"e a$e o# eleven and

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The Recruits Reward

was 4ud$ed o# use#ul intelli$en%e t"en "e would be taken to Eies, t"e

%a*ital o# t"e .ark End, and under$o t"e sur$eries t"at would #i6 all t"at

was wron$ wit" "im

He would #inally be%ome w"ole > a real boy

T"e only %ost was "is #reedom ono would be #or%ed to 4oin one o#

t"e $reat military a%ademies in t"e .ark and be trained to serve t"e rest

o# "is li#e in t"e army o# t"e Em*ress

ere lu%ky enou$" t"at %onvoy is %omin$ t"rou$" +olari,= ono "ad

over"eard "is #at"er mention mont"s earlier 1t"erwise, I don' know

"ow we %ould $et "im to t"e %ity He %ouldnt breat"e t"rou$" t"e dust

on t"e mineral rail, even i# we %ould a##ord t"e ti%ket to $et "im on=

T"e #our yers sat quiet at break#ast, s*oonin$ %ake into t"eir mout"swit" awkward smiles on t"eir #a%es

In a s*ark o# re%o$nition, .a"lia dro**ed "er #ork and das"ed away

#rom t"e table A#ter a #ew %on#used moments, s"e returned wit" "er

"ands be"ind "er ba%k

e $ot somet"in$ #or you,= s"e said A reward #or all your "ard

work makin$ it into t"e a%ademy=

)"e looked to "er *arents, w"o nodded, and t"en s"e s"owed it to "im

In "er outstret%"ed "and was a tiny %o**er *o%ket wat%" 1n its %over

were t"e embossed ima$es o# a *"oeni6 and a %a*ri%orn, bot" stared

u*ward to a distant star

onot"on %are#ully took it #rom "er "ands and %li%ked o*en t"e %over

At #irst it was 4ust a sim*le %lo%k wit" a time dis*lay, but w"en "e ran

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Chapter Three

"is #in$ers over its #a%e, t"e %lo%k disa**eared Above a blank s%reen

#li%kered a "olo$ra*"i% ima$e o# .a"lia Her tiny "and waved ba%k at

"im

Hi ono;= t"e ima$ed squeaked wit" a sli$"t ele%troni% version o#

.a"lia's voi%e

T"e tiny .a"lia ste**ed aside and t"e ima$e re#o%used on t"e outside

o# t"eir "ouse, w"ose li$"ts $lowed oran$e a$ainst t"e blue world

t"anks,= "e stuttered, not knowin$ w"at else to do

.a"lia "u$$ed "im, t"e wat%" squis"ed between t"em Tears burned

under "is eyes, and "is *arents knelt and 4oined in t"e "u$ His mot"er

kissed "is #ore"ead and wra**ed "er arms around "im

By t"e burnin$ mot"er,= s"e w"is*ered, unsu%%ess#ully tryin$ to "old

in "er tears, you %ome ba%k to visit w"en you %an, okayD=

ono knew "e "ad to be stron$ He %ouldnt %ry, be$ to stay, or try to

"ide He %ouldnt live wit" t"e t"ou$"t o# leavin$ "is *arents wit" any

re$ret w"en "e knew t"ey made t"e ri$"t %"oi%e, as "ard as it was

ono swallowed "is last *ie%e o# %ake and em*tied a $lass o# mus%ow

milk He didnt know w"at to do ne6t, so "e sat still in "is %"air, soakin$

in t"e #eelin$ o# t"e only "ome "e ever knew, silently sayin$ $oodbye

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Chapter Four

The arrow !ath

"e )"rine o# t"e )era*"im was a #ew kilems outside +olari

alon$ a ro%ky dirt road t"at wound into a t"i%k #orest w"ere

towerin$ trees and wild mus"ru*s $rew untamed

T8ost *eo*le in t"e .ark didn't a**rove o# anyt"in$ to do wit" an$els

or ot"er su*erstitions, but bein$ so #ar away #rom t"e %a*ital, *eo*le in

+olari looked t"e ot"er way wit"out in%ident T"e Twili$"t "ad a

re*utation #or inde*endent t"inkin$ T"e land was rou$" and livin$ was

sim*le, so i# you #ound t"e ri$"t *erson to do t"e 4ob, it didn't matter i#

t"ey believed in an%ient stories or not

As #ar as onot"on %ould dedu%e, %onsultin$ t"e an$els was almost

always a #ormality It was more like tryin$ to #ind *ea%e wit" a de%ision

you've already made and 4ust need t"e e6tra oun%e o# %on#iden%e to $o

t"rou$" wit" it

T"e last time t"ey "ad $one to t"e s"rine, it was a#ter mont"s o#

F*assionate' Mmeanin$7 loudN Far$uments' Mmeanin$7 re*eatin$ t"e same,

seemin$ly sound reasonin$ a$ain and a$ainN made by t"e two %"ildren

o# t"e yer #amily about "ow bene#i%ial it would be i# t"ey were to $et

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a were>*u**y A#ter deliberation on *arental side o# t"e debate, "is

mot"er took t"em to %onsult t"e an$els @n#ortunately, but to no sur*rise

to onot"on, t"e w"is*ers o# t"e an$els in#ormed "is mot"er o# a *olite

but de#initive, :o

A#ter an "our o# rattlin$, t"e yer's rusted yellow tru%k sto**ed in

#ront o# a vine>%overed %otta$e "al#>eaten by t"e t"i%ket o# trees T"e

road ended "ere Beside t"e #lower in#ested "ome, t"ere was a *at" t"at

led dee*er into t"e #orest Blo%kin$ t"e entran%e sat a sturdy yellow

$ate

T"e %otta$e's red door %ra%ked o*en, and an auburn>"aired "ead in a

*ointy red "at *oked out T"e #i$ure looked around be#ore "e re%o$nized

t"em and %ame out T"e s"ort, skinny %aretaker in a red %oat trotted over

wit" a wide and $enuine smile His %lot"es were ba$$y and #lo**ed

about as "e "urried over

Ale6sayter Aquinas was a tumnkin He "ad mostly "uman #eatures,

but "is body and #a%e were trimmed wit" #ur His ears were lar$e and

*ointed outward )"ort, %urled "orns $rew out o# "is t"i%k, %urled "air It

was a rare t"in$ to see a tumnkin nort" o# t"e .awn

el%ome, wel%ome;= Aquinas %"eered as t"e #amily unloaded #rom

t"e tru%k

Aquinas met t"em in a line and s"ook all t"eir "ands vi$orously

T"is is a #ortuitous wake indeed,= said Aquinas )u%" a de%ision to

be made; Come I s"ouldn't kee* you waitin$ #rom your %allin$ T"e

woods "ave been a #lutter wit" w"is*ers #or some time now Alt"ou$"

#or $ood or ill, I %annot make out amon$st t"e s"adows and noise=

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Chapter Four

Aquinas *aused and #or a moment "is #a%e #las"ed wit" a nervous

look @nless, you'd rat"er sto* inside #or a ti%k and a to%kD I %ertainly

don't want to *us" you alon$ t"e *at" T"ere's no rus", nor worry I've

made #res" tea and t"ere are bis%uits and %ookies=

I t"ink we s"ould *robably "ead out, 8ister Aquinas,= said C"arles

Ouite ri$"t,= said Aquinas wit" an u*li#tin$ smile I "ave tea ready

in t"ermoses on Celeste #or t"e trek=

T"e yer #amily #ollowed Aquinas around t"e ba%k o# "is "ouse to

w"ere t"e vines $rew ram*ant over an old wooden stable @nder t"e

wood *lanks and vine %overed %ano*y stood a lar$e yellow bird about

t"e size o# a dusk"orse It "ad #our %lawed le$s, a lon$ ne%k, and a t"i%k

tail wit" s%ales on its underbelly T"e ridin$ bird "ad t"i%k win$s on

bot" sides, but onot"on was quite sure su%" a "eavy beast was unable

to #ly

Aquinas walked u* to t"e bird, stroked its bus"y #eat"ers, and

ti$"tened a series o# leat"er sat%"els beside its saddle Celeste %ooed as

t"e tumnkin atta%"ed anot"er lar$e *ou%" to "er side Her eyes s*arkled

in t"e dim li$"t

Alri$"t, %ome alon$, onot"on,= said Aquinas )"e's ready to $o=

Aquinas "eld out "is "and ono walked over to "im, "is "eart

re$ulator bum*in$ alon$ be"ind "im As t"e tumnkin ste**ed #orward

"e took t"e small ma%"ine and li#ted it into t"e new *ou%", ever %are#ul

not to disturb t"e deli%ate $reen and yellow wires t"at %onne%ted to

ono's "eart Aquinas was only a "ead taller t"an ono, des*ite bein$

#ull $rown and quite *robably older t"an ono's *arents, alt"ou$" "e

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didn't look it

ust "old my s"oulder,= said Aquinas, and *ut a #oot on my knee=

ono "esitated

ark= Celeste titled "er "ead im*atiently T"e %urve o# "er beak

"inted at a smile

ono smiled ba%k He lea*t and slid onto t"e saddle

ell done,= said Aquinas, takin$ *leasure in t"e small su%%ess 1##

we $o;=

T"e *at" t"rou$" t"e

#orest was narrow and

t"e lus" $reen

de*t"s t"at

surrounded t"em

were littered wit" *ale

$lowin$ mus"ru*s

T"e #orest

%ra%kled and

squeaked wit"

li#e A #lo%k o#

#larks #luttered

amon$ t"e

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Chapter Four

bran%"es, #lyin$ in a "eli6 *attern An embermander sto**ed mid>ste*

u* t"e trunk o# a tree In a *u## o# steam, its molten skin %ooled and a

dark bla%k %rust #ormed over its body %amou#la$in$ it amon$st t"e tree

bark

T"e 4ourney t"rou$" t"e #oreestwould take t"em most o# t"e early

wake

Aquinas "eld Celestes' reins as t"ey walked In a$es *ast, t"ere used

to be t"ousands o# s"rines a%ross t"e .ark rin$s, but now, you're lu%ky

to "ave one o# t"e #ew a%tive ones so %lose=

"at "a**ened to t"emD= ono asked

T"e Em*ress "a**ened= Aquinas si$"ed 1", s"e didn't send

anyone out to tear t"em down or anyt"in$ so blatant, o# %ourse Herma%"inations are o# a mu%" more subtle nature )"e let t"em drain and

wit"er 8any remote s"rines #ell into de%ay and were #ollowed by t"e

inde*endent towns all a%ross t"e .ark T"e weaker t"ey be%ame, t"e

stron$er s"e "as be%ome 8ore and more *eo*le were #or%ed to move

dee*er into t"e .ark End > %loser to "er iron $ras* Tra$i%, really It

stands to no reason to leave warm lands #or t"e %old=

T"is was not t"e #irst time ono "ad "eard bad t"in$s about t"e

Em*ress Every wake %loser to "is enrollment in t"e army, "is doubts

$rew, but "e %ontinued to i$nore t"em

T"ese wakes, most *eo*le on t"e .ark End "ave to travel #or many

wakes on end to %onsult an attended s"rine,= said Aquinas I $uess it

4ust makes all t"ose t"at remain ever t"e more *re%ious )"e %an't take

t"em all, not w"ile t"e 5ellows"i* %an still %ross t"e $lobe=

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.o you know o# anyone w"o "as $one into an a%ademyD= asked

ono

I "ave known a #ew, sent #rom +olari like you, and ot"ers under

di##erent %ir%umstan%es= Aquinas s"ook "is "ead I a*olo$ize I "ave

no *la%e to wei$" your s*irit down wit" t"ou$"ts o# mine, onot"on

ours is a tenuous *redi%ament=

I don't know anyone I don't even know w"at to e6*e%t=

It will be many years be#ore you %ould ever earn t"e #reedom to

return "ome, even #or a visit 8ost o# t"e re%ruits I've known never do

+er"a*s t"ey #ind it easier to sim*ly %ut o## t"e li#e t"ey on%e knew

+er"a*s somet"in$ t"ey e6*erien%e, or somet"in$ t"ey be%ome under

"er %ommand, makes it "ard to #a%e t"is "umble way o# li#e a$ain T"ere

was a youn$ man w"o returned a #ew years a#ter I #irst %rossed t"e

.awn to +olari T"ere was a $reat %elebration, but t"e 4oy was s"ort

lived It was not"in$ "e e6*ressly did, but t"ere was a di##eren%e in "im,

and t"e town knew it T"ere was somet"in$ im*ortant in "is s*irit t"at

was lost=

.o you t"ink I'll be like t"atD= asked ono

Aquinas smiled "atever %ourse you tread, I "ave #ait" t"at your

"eart will $uide you well=

T"e "onest bit o# %on#iden%e *ut ono at ease and $ave "im a swell o#

*ride .o you t"ink it was t"e Em*ress t"at %"an$ed "imD I "eard at

s%"ool on%e t"at s"e "as a webmind and %an %ontrol "er army wit" a

t"ou$"t=

It is true t"at s"e %an %ommand ma%"ines by t"inkin$ )ome say s"e

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Chapter Four

is a ma%"ine, "ersel# 1nly #ollowin$ "er *ro$ramin$ as it deteriorates

into maddness I %annot know i# it was "er t"at %"an$ed "im, or i# it was

t"e li#e s"e #or%ed "im t"rou$"=

Have you ever seen "erD=

Aquinas bowed "is "ead :o But I "ave seen w"at s"e is %a*able o#

I've seen my s"are o# deserted "omes and abandoned %ultures I've seen

t"e #ields at Eve's .ale=

"ere t"atD I've never "eard o# it=

Aquinas looked u* at "im, and t"en looked ba%k at t"e $round He

didn't answer

T"e *at" "ad led t"em so dee* t"at t"e li$"t #rom t"e %otta$e was now

lost in t"e %anvas o# trees, s"rubberies, and vines As t"ey %ontinued on

t"e windin$ trail, Aquinas ke*t #urrowin$ "is brow and mutterin$ to

"imsel# T"e *roblem,= Aquinas #inally blurted, is not wit" "er rule, as

su%" :o, s"e would boast a noble, #ree, and *ower#ul kin$dom, but

t"erein, you see, s"e would %laim su%" ends are "er virtues to own T"at

s"e is in all t"in$s benevolent and $ood; But i# you were to s%rat%"below t"e sur#a%e, i# you were to see t"at trut" s"e "ides to all below t"e

bla%kness, you would be stri%ken to know su%" "orrors were laid bare in

order to build "er nar%issisti% enter*rise ono, t"ere are dark deeds t"at

"aunt t"e "alls o# t"at %ity > t"e %ity t"at burns a$ainst t"e bla%k ni$"t

It is your *osition,= Aquinas w"is*ered $ravely, t"at tells t"e tale o#

"er true %"ara%ter T"e least o# all o# us, is you > t"e weary, t"e down

trodden And #rom you, and ot"ers so des*erately in need, s"e takes "er

dee*est ta6 Her "ar*y's stin$ %uts into t"e weakest o# "er brood and

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The Narrow Path

usur*s t"eir *otential #or "er %onnivin$ ma%"inations; )u%" ambitions

t"at s"e kee*s t"ere is no $ood in it, onot"on 1# takin$ a li#e in

e6%"an$e #or w"at are trinkets and tras" to "er, but would mean li#e #or

youD ere I *ossessed o# su%" aid I would $ive t"em to you #ree,

un%onditional But to $rant li#e only to demand t"e same in *aymentD

"at monstrousness is t"atD It surely takes a steel, dead "eart to ti%k

wit"in t"e bosom o# t"e Em*ress o# Eies > bla%k as "er ni$"t, bla%k as

"er me%"s and t"e oil t"ey bleed 8ark me, ono, it is a si$n alon$ a*at" best not trodden=

T"e wei$"t o# "is words brou$"t u* all t"e doubt and #ear onot"on

"ad *us"ed ba%k He didn't want to $o, but to stay would be a deat"

senten%e, %ondemned to be not"in$ more t"at t"e #rail boy "e was now

ono t"ou$"t o# Illius and )"eri## T"oone He a%"ed to be brave and

kind like t"em T"ey were always surrounded wit" #riends, and even

kin$s and mayors %onsulted t"em #or t"eir wisdom T"e *ri%e #or t"at

#uture didn't seem so "i$", and still "e was a#raid to *ay it

Twistin$ t"rou$" a t"i%k nest o# trees, t"e small %aravan #inally %ame

u*on t"eir destination

T"e s"rine was a s"ort w"ite>bri%k buildin$ wit" a metal tiled roo# t"at

*eaked "i$" in t"e middle and %urved low at its base Around it were

stone tem*les and ro%k s%ul*tures t"at barely *oked out #rom t"e dense

underbrus" A #en%e ran alon$ t"e buildin$ on eit"er side so t"at you

%ould $et to t"e area beyond only by $oin$ t"rou$" t"e s"rine

It was meant to be a *la%e o# se%lusion, mediation, and *rayers to t"e

sera*"im t"at wat%"ed over t"e world > and o%%asionally, a *la%e o#

answers

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Chapter Four

Celeste walked u* to t"e s"rine, and t"en Aquinas "el*ed ono

dismount His *arents and .a"lia arrived wit" en%oura$in$ yet

re"earsed smiles

Here is t"e attunement brot",= said Aquinas as "e "anded a bottle to

C"arles It is *otent enou$" #or t"e $ate to re%o$nize it, but I "ave

diluted it a $reat deal due to bein$ drunk by one so youn$ and small I'll

leave Celeste wit" you Take all t"e time t"at you need=

T"e tumnkin tied Celeste's reins to t"e bran%" o# a sa*lin$

Celeste %an $uide you "ome w"en you are ready I# you need to s*eak

wit" me, 4ust *us" t"at button on t"e T"inker's belly= He *ointed to a

statue o# a %"ubby $nome t"at sat %ross>le$$ed

onot"on,= Aquinas said as "e rested a "and on "is s"oulder 5ollow

t"e *at" and listen to t"e w"is*ers alon$ your way T"ey %ome t"rou$"

t"e %alm, t"rou$" t"e %ore o# your true sel# .on't try to #or%e t"em or

%"an$e t"em ust listen Let trut" be trut" and %are not #or all ot"er

%on%erns=

Aquinas *atted ono on t"e s"oulder, waved $oodbye, and t"en

disa**eared down t"e *at" ba%k to t"e %otta$e

T"e s"rine's doors %reaked as C"arles *us"ed t"em o*en )i6 wood

*illars "eld u* t"e roo# T"e only li$"t %ame #rom steady %andles wit"

t"i%k, *er#umed smoke .e%orative markin$s and symbols were %arved

into t"e wood )i6 statues lined t"e walls > $uardians o# di##erent virtues

and environments o# t"e world, t"ey re*resented t"e an$els t"emselves,

t"at "eavenly *rote%tion over t"e s*"ere, but one was missin$

T"e sevent" an$el, Ariam, t"e brave and wise, was t"e s"rine's *atron

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The Narrow Path

and "er statue lay at t"e end o# t"e narrow *at"

T"e #our yers removed t"eir s"oes on t"e wooden #loor and set t"em

in slots by t"e wall T"e air was %lear enou$" t"at ono did not need "is

breat"er mask, and "e set it beside "is s"oes In%ense burned #rom

lanterns on ea%" o# t"e buildin$'s su**ort beams, t"eir s%ented smoke

wa#ted u*ward in lazy %urls and out o# "arm's way

To$et"er t"ey ste**ed onto an elevated $reen #loor and knelt on *ur*le

mats Everyone e6%e*t onot"on bent over T"ey w"is*ered *rayers #or

"is sa#ety and #or t"e wisdom to make t"e ri$"t de%isions T"ey would

"ave been lau$"ed at by most *eo*le in t"e .ark, but more t"an a #ew o#

t"eir #ellow +olarins "ad made t"eir way to t"e s"rine more t"an on%e

T"ey "eld t"eir "ead in t"eir "ands "is mot"er t"umbed t"e beads o# "er

ne%kla%e and asked t"ose t"at wat%" over t"e Eart" to *ay s*e%ial

attention to one undistin$uis"ed boy

ono leaned toward "is #at"er .o I "ave to $oD=

ono, w"at else %an you doD= C"arles w"is*ered ba%k e %an't

i$nore your %ondition and "o*e t"in$s will $et better I'm your steward

and t"at is a duty t"at %an never be s"irked T"is "as been our last

%"an%e T"is is my last $i#t to you T"ere are #ew %ertainties in t"is

world, onot"on, and w"en o**ortunities arise, I want you to seize t"em

Take it w"erever it leads you I want you to #ind #riends t"ere, and 4oy

and lau$"ter Let yoursel# be w"ole T"ere is no $reater "onor you %ould

do me t"an to take t"e o**ortunities I "ave steered your way and make

t"e very most o# it=

I'll try,= ono said wit" %om*lete "onesty

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Chapter Four

ou will do $reat, ono I know it Here Take a si* o# t"is= C"arles

*oured t"e amber brot" into a small %eremonial bowl and "anded it to

"is son And w"en you $o t"rou$" t"at door wait a moment to let it

s%an you ou'll #eel kind o# #unny at #irst, but t"at s"ould subside=

ono took t"e bowl and li#ted it to "is #a%e It smelled bitter and

unwel%ome, but it would be a terrible sli$"t to %ome so #ar and not drink

it T"e stran$e brew ti%kled as it went down It #elt warm $oin$ down

"is t"roat even t"ou$" t"e drink was %ool

It will "el* you "ear t"eir w"is*ers and see any si$ns t"e an$els may

send,= said "is mot"er T"ey are subtle, so be wat%"#ul Go a"ead

w"enever you're ready=

A#ter a moment o# absorbin$ t"e tin$ly new e6*erien%e #rom t"e brot",

ono %autiously walked *ast t"e $ray stone statues t"at seemed to *eer

down at "im wit" un#lin%"in$, 4ud$mental eyes He #elt small and #ra$ile

%om*ared to t"e %om*lete %ommitment o# t"eir stone bodies it" every

ste*, "is $aze turned nearer to t"e $round

1n t"e #ar end on t"e s"rine, t"ere was anot"er area #or s"oes beside

two ornate wood doors He rea%"ed t"e end and looked t"rou$" t"e

s"elves #or a new *air o# s"oes, but t"ey all seemed insurmountably

lar$er t"an "is own #eet He looked ba%k at "is #amily, but t"eir "eads

were all down > as t"ey were su**osed to be

ono *ut on t"e smallest s"oes "e %ould #ind T"e doors to t"e *at"

were solid and "eavy ono *us"ed, but t"ey didn't bud$e He tried

a$ain, and t"e most movement %ame #rom t"e rattlin$ o# t"e metal

kno%kers He was about to turn around in #rustration w"en "e realized

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The Narrow Path

t"e lat%" was still down He li#ted t"e lat%" and t"e doors o*ened $ently

onto a lon$, narrow *at" t"at %ut t"rou$" t"e lus" woods

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Chapter Five

"his#ers in the "oods

ono ste**ed onto t"e narrow dirt trail and #elt a tin$lin$ in "is

"ead He walked on, #eelin$ li$"t, like "e $lided a%ross t"e

$round T"e *at" itsel# was smoot"ed no lar$e ro%ks or roots obstru%ted

t"e way T"e dirt seemed to "ave been %ombed Alon$ t"e strai$"t *at"

ran a silver "and bar

J

ono tried to breat"e slowly and listen #or t"e w"is*ers, but t"e #orest

was vibrantly alive wit" twinklin$ *i6ie #lies and $lowin$ mus"ru*s t"at

$rew #at on t"e $round or t"in on t"e trunks o# trees T"e Terralunis

li$"t illuminated t"e #orest, t"e massive %ity t"at %overed t"e w"ole t"e

moon s"one bri$"tly down at t"em

onot"on s"ut "is eyes, took "old o# t"e silver bar, and walked t"e

sera*"im's *at"

At #irst "e %ould only "ear t"e %"ir*s and rustles o# t"e #orest Time

lost its meanin$ "is body #elt %onne%ted to all t"e sounds around "im

T"ere were near in#inite layers o# sound, %lose and #ar, loud and so#t >

di##eren%es to every rustle o# leaves, to every %"ir* or s%ra**in$ %law

a$ainst bark

T"e instant "e "eard it, ono almost lost "is $ri* on t"e bar and #ell

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It was a breat" o# a voi%e nestled between t"e rustles o# two trees He

looked around but saw no one in t"e s"adows T"e #urt"er "e went alon$

t"e *at", t"e more it seemed as t"ou$" "e %ould "ear t"em T"ey s*oke

t"rou$" t"e trees and t"robbin$ li$"t o# t"e *i6ie #lies 8ore and more

voi%es 4oined t"e %"orus all around "im, but t"eir words were "us"ed

and "urried and "e %ouldn't understand w"at t"ey said He strained to

"ear, but t"eir words were always beyond "im

:ear t"e ed$e o# t"e *at" stood t"e "ull o# a massive metal me%" It

was an%ient and rusted t"rou$" Holes riddled its #rame and tore u*ward

like *etals on a #lower A t"i%k tree "ad $rown u* t"rou$" t"e me%" in

t"e de%ades sin%e it #ound its rest in t"e #orest 8us"ru*s and #erns

s*routed over t"e #or$otten remains o# a battle no one remembered

ono starred at t"e skeleton o# t"e me%" and wondered "ow many

*ilots it took to %ontrol How many *ilots died w"en t"e monstrous

ma%"ine %ras"ed to t"e #orest #loorD How many ma$es did it take to

brin$ it downD "at s*ell %ould tear t"rou$" solid metalD

He let "is mind wonder at t"e si$"t o# t"e em*ty tomb T"e w"is*ers

lurked in t"e s"adows, yet "e be$an to $ras* t"e tone o# t"eir words

It was a dee* and %"illin$ dread

Between t"e $narled s"adows o# metal and *lants w"is*ered a terrible

se%ret in a lan$ua$e "e %ouldn't understand Above tree limbs, t"ey

rustled a warnin$ dri**in$ wit" #ear A "owl bellowed #ar t"rou$" t"e

trees A distant bran%" sna**ed T"ere was a $rowlin$ over"ead and

t"en it surrounded "im all at on%e ono's "ead *ulsed wit" t"e "ars"

w"is*ers on t"e wind T"e $rowlin$ $rew louder and louder until it

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Chapter Five

roared over and t"rou$" "im like t"e eart" itsel# was moanin$ Lar$e

bla%k s"a*es darted a%ross t"e sky, and t"e woods bowed to t"eir terrible

ma4esty t"en s"ivered ba%k as t"e %reatures disa**eared

T"e s"adows around "im $rew lar$er and lar$er T"ey %re*t onto t"e

*at", stalkin$ "im It was t"is t"at t"e w"is*ers were warnin$ o# t"ey

were %omin$ #or "im;

ono $rabbed "is "eart re$ and %"ar$ed madly t"rou$" t"e underbrus"

He smas"ed t"rou$" bran%"es and #erns, runnin$ as #ast as "e %ould

anyw"ere away #rom t"em ono #or$ot all about t"e *at" as "e *assed

t"e *oint w"ere t"e #orest be$an to %rawl u* t"e mountain side

His body a%"ed and *leaded wit" "im, and eventually "e sto**ed to

look around as "e $as*ed #or air He was lost in t"i%k blades o# $rass

and *lum* mus"ru*s ono *anted and leaned a$ainst t"e to* o# a "u$e

mus"ru*s It *u##ed $lowin$ *arti%les into t"e air Its trunk was sturdy

but still swayed

under "is wei$"t He

%ouldn't see t"e stars

t"rou$" t"e t"i%k

%ano*y

T"e nearby

underbrus"

rustled

and

4erked

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ono's attention to t"e $round 5ern #ronds swayed )omet"in$ $ur$led,

$rowled, and t"en %"ar$ed #orward

ono #roze

T"e %reature burst #rom t"e #olia$e ono s%reamed and #ell ba%k on

t"e $round be#ore "e %ould see it His "eart ra%ed, but "is re$ulator was

still *lu$$ed in He "adn't seen t"e monster t"at would soon devour "im

alive, but t"e #ear o# im*endin$ deat" made "is mus%les %len%" "ard as

stone

ust as "e was about to die o# #ri$"t, a w"ite wran$le>#urred #ro$

"o**ed $in$erly onto "is knee


55/444

Chapter Five

t"e ro%k w"ere t"e #orest and mountain met

A trail o# underbrus" rustled in "is dire%tion be#ore t"e woolly #ro$

"o**ed into t"e o*en and squatted beside "im

lea#ed *lants wra**ed around its entran%e ono *us"ed t"e leaves aside

and *oked "is "ead in T"e %ave was wide, but no more t"an ten #eet

dee* > a *er#e%t ty*e o# *la%e #or a *un$rus or mire bear to "ibernate

a#ter a "earty #east

T"e woolly #ro$ "o**ed boldly inside and looked around Its #eet

%ra%kled a$ainst t"e $round, w"i%" was odd be%ause as #ar as onot"on

was aware, stone or mud did not %ra%kle w"en walked u*on

He %rawled inside t"e %ave and brus"ed t"e less muddy dirt aside

Below it was stran$e and $ray and not natural at all He du$ at it some

more He tried to $ri* it and *ull it u*, but t"e #lat *lasti% matter s*read

out wide and was *inned down by layers o# dirt and *lants

T"ere was a "ole in t"e $ray *lasti% moss $rowin$ alon$ its rim

ono $lan%ed ba%k at t"e woolly #ro$ t"at stared %uriously u* at "im

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I don't su**ose you know w"at t"is is, do youD=

T"e woolly #ro$ 4ust sat t"ere wit" its bla%k eyes, re#le%tin$ ono's

#a%e ba%k at "im wit"out o##erin$ t"e %ourtesy o# a re*ly

T"e "ole was an in%" lar$er t"an "is #ist, so ono #ollowed t"e only

lo$i%al %ourse o# a%tion and stu%k "is "and into t"e bla%k unknown He

"adn't t"ou$"t "is "and mi$"t "ave been %"om*ed o## by a violent

%reature "idin$ below, but by t"e time t"at idea *o**ed into "is brain "e

was already %ommitted, elbow dee* It was #ortunate #or "im no su%"

monster lived in t"e *it, or at least it wasn't "ome at t"e time

His #in$ers du$ into t"e dirt

All "e #elt was more dirt and mud, but t"en "is #in$ers tou%"ed

somet"in$ %old and "ard It %ould "ave been a ro%k but t"e s"a*e o# it%onvin%ed t"e "a*"azard e6*lorer t"at it was somet"in$ else, somet"in$

metal

onot"on *ulled a mysterious metal ob4e%t #rom t"e "ole and "eld it u*

to t"e dim li$"t It was %ir%ular, like a medallion, wit" a red s*"eri%al

4ewel in t"e middle on bot" sides ono took t"e odd reli% out o# t"e %aveto $et a better look at it

T"e woolly #ro$ #ollowed "im wit" %ontinued interest

8us"ru* li$"t $listened o## its rou$" and 4a$$ed silver ed$e Alon$

t"at round ed$e were stran$e writin$s, eroded and ille$ible

ono *us"ed t"e %enter $em in, and t"e reli% *o**ed out o# "is "and It

#lo**ed t"rou$" t"e t"i%k $round leaves and t"en *lunked into t"e

muddy $round

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Chapter Five

T"e woolly #ro$ "o**ed ba%k It looked u* at ono, ba%k at t"e

$reenery w"ere t"e ob4e%t lay, and t"en it darted in t"e o**osite

dire%tion, disa**earin$ into t"e #orest

T"e metal %ir%le lay on t"e $round wit" its t"ree divisions sti%kin$ out

T"e inside o# t"e $em blinked wit" red and yellow li$"ts t"at lit u*

onot"on's %on%erned #a%e He *i%ked it u* a$ain, *us"ed t"e %enter

$em to make it s"rink, and *ut it in "is *o%ket

T"e #orest was quiet

I need to $et ba%k,= ono w"is*ered aloud

onot"on #ollowed t"e %li## #a%e ba%k t"e dire%tion "e "ad %ome He

"o*ed to on%e a$ain #ind "is way to t"e %ave His body #elt less tin$ly

a#ter all t"e runnin$ and e6%itement, but "is "ead still swam #rom t"ebrot"

T"e w"is*ers "ad le#t t"e woods alto$et"er, and ono took %om#ort

t"at at least t"e s"adows didn't seem so alive and mena%in$

T"e ro%ky mountainside %urved ba%k to t"e *at" T"e narrow dirt road

now "ad ro%ks sti%kin$ u* #rom it

ono %limbed t"e stairs at t"e end o# t"e *at" He brus"ed t"e *ur*le

%urtain aside and entered t"e %ave o# t"e sevent" sera*"im

Inside was indeed t"e statue o# Ariam t"e wise T"e arms o# t"e on%e

burnin$ 8ot"er wra**ed around "er #rom be"ind T"ere was a %ra%k

down t"e %enter o# bot" statues Any 4ewels t"at de%orated t"em were

now %"i**ed o## and littered t"e #loor T"e "eads o# bot" $reat an$els

were s"attered at t"e ends o# t"eir barren ne%ks

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T"e %ave "eld no answers at all

"en onot"on returned to t"e s"rine "e was met wit" smiles and

"u$s T"ey were sur*rised at "ow muddy "e was, but didn't ask a sin$le

question o# "is %onsul

ono was 4ust "a**y to be done wit" it

As t"e yers trud$ed ba%k t"rou$" t"e woods, ono s*otted t"e

#olia$e a"ead movin$ It s"u##led violently be#ore a red "at *oked

t"rou$" t"e $reen leaves

Kou won't believe it;= Aquinas burst out, *antin$ )"e = T"e

tumnkin stru$$led to %ontrol "is breat"e

Aquinas;= said Beky Are you alri$"tD=

)"e = Aquinas w"eezed is %omin$=

"oD= asked ono *arent's in unison But Aquinas's wide, #ear#ul

eyes told t"em It was "er

Are you sureD= ask C"arles

es,= Aquinas said

ou %an't be serious, 8ister Aquinas,= said Beky T"ere's %ertainlyno reason #or it at all;=

At least none t"at we know,= Aquinas re*lied 5or w"atever t"e

%ause, t"e Em*ress "ersel#, mistress o# all t"e .ark End, will be "ere on

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Chapter Five

t"e morrow; T"is is a tellin$ omen to be sure=

ono's #amily looked at ea%" ot"er, %on#used and unbelievin$

Aquinas's $aze #i6ed on t"e youn$ boy as well as t"e red and silver

me%"ani%al reli% t"at *oked out o# "is 4a%ket *o%ket

By t"e stars, onot"on;= Aquinas $as*ed "at did t"e w"is*ers tell

youD=

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Chapter Six

The $riend%y &er'eant To()s

FH ome', t"ey say, is a #eelin$

It's a sense o# t"e #amiliar, a *la%e t"at is a *art o# you w"ere everyt"in$

is set in t"e ri$"t *la%e 1r even i# it's not ri$"t, it's yours, and t"at's

enou$"

In "is #inal "ours at "ome, onot"on #elt t"at sense o# ri$"tness sli*

away He didn't want it to %"an$e, but t"e wind doesn't sto* blowin$

4ust be%ause you stand in it

onot"on sat on "is bed and *us"ed t"e red 4ewel on t"e old reli% > in

and out, in and out

T"ere was no $oin$ ba%k

T"e army would take "im away to a w"ole ot"er world, leavin$ "is li#e

and "is #amily be"ind

In some ways it was everyt"in$ "e "ad wis"ed #or He would travel t"e

world But it #elt like a lie

T"e #a%t t"at t"e Em*ress "ersel# was %omin$ to +olari was truly

remarkable, but it seemed to "ave le#t Aquinas #ar more s"aken t"an

anyone else

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Chapter i!

Aquinas "ad asked to see t"e reli% onot"on "ad #ound His #urry "and

s"ook w"en "e tou%"ed it

.o you know w"at it isD= ono "ad asked

Aquinas s"ook "is "ead, but "is breat"in$ $rew more ram*ant as "e

looked it over I "ave seen drawin$s, quite similar to t"is, but t"at was

a li#etime a$o I'm sorry, but I "ave to leave=

Aquinas das"ed t"rou$" t"e underbrus" and was $one

"en t"e yers *assed t"e %otta$e, oran$e li$"t $lowed #rom every

window T"ey %ould see Aquinas was inside, walkin$ in a %ir%le, talkin$

to "imsel# as "e #li**ed t"rou$" books and t"en tossed t"em onto t"e

#loor

ono squirmed in bed He *i%ked u* t"e book ne6t to "im, o*ened it to

a red velvet bookmark, and buried "is mind in it

Illius stared across the desert- beyond the sparkling old city and

toward the distant sea. o him- the world beyond the suare earthen

walls and bustling ba/aars- beyond that glistening barrier- all was

unknown. is #ather stood silently behind the thin drapes o# their castle

balcony- praying his son would change his mind- praying he would stayand one wake be king. Within his kingdom- no one aged. here was

ne"er drought and ne"er #ear- and nothing could e"er change. It was a

kingdom o# peace and bliss- #ro/en in time. Illius stared down at the

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The Friendl" er#eant To$%s

barrier o# water #rom which no tra"eler could return.

onot"on's li*s mout"ed t"e words as "is "ero s*oke t"em > t"e words

t"at "ad been #orever im*rinted on "is mind

1What am I- i# I #east on #ood I&"e been gi"en and rest in beds I ha"e

not made2& Illius whispered to himsel# and to the night o# a world under

a mo"ing sun. 1Is that all there is to li#e2 o sleep and #eed2&

1'ome may say such a li#e makes you lucky-& replied the 3ing.

1It makes o# me a beast- no more.&

Illius stared back at his #ather- who knew the bold words o# his heir

were true.

1re we here to let all our capabilities- all our reason- #ust in us-

unused2&

It was lon$ into slee* "ours be#ore t"e wei$"t o# "is eyelids #or%ed

onot"on to #inally s"ut t"e book He knew it would be t"e last time "e

would read in "is bed, in "is "ome, wit" "is #amily near to "im

He *ulled t"e %overs ti$"t over "is s"oulder He dreamed o# 4oinin$

Illius, sailin$ t"e liquid seas, #i$"tin$ monsters, and res%uin$ maidens

In "is dreams, "e was never a#raid, never weak

onot"on dreamed o# w"o "e %ould be I# only "e wasn't w"o "e

was

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Chapter i!

As moments o# dread o#ten do, t"e wake %ame #ar too swi#tly

1n t"is *arti%ular wake, onot"on's dread was waitin$ #or "im A

stran$e man sat at t"e kit%"en table, eatin$ a bis%uit "e "ad di**ed into a

steamin$ %u* o# %o##ee He wore t"e same soldier's $arb as t"ose t"at

"ad %ome t"e wake be#ore, e6%e*t "is seemed dull and worn T"e skull>

like "elmet %overed most o# "is #a%e, but t"e stubble on "is %"in stu%k

#reely below it )trands o# lon$ blond "air dan$led out t"e ba%k

T"e man was %"atty and ener$eti% %om*ared to t"e sullen #a%e o#

onot"on's #at"er His mot"er took anot"er bat%" o# bis%uits #rom oven

)"e look $lan%ed u* at "im wit" worry in "er eyes

"en t"e soldier noti%ed ono %omin$ down t"e stairs "e waved wit"

a "earty smile des*ite t"e "al# %"ewed bis%uit in "is mout" 1i t"ere,

re%ruit; I was 4ust tellin$ your #at"er, "ere, w"at an e6%itin$ time it is to

be 4oinin$ t"rou$" t"e a%ademy=

ono %autiously ste**ed down t"e #inal stair and a**roa%"ed t"e table

T"e Terraloonies are lookin$ weaker t"an ever, on a%%ount o# t"e

resistan%e to t"e blo%kade we've been *rovidin$,= t"e soldier %ontinued

I sus*e%t by t"e time you $raduate, we'll be $uardin$ *ast t"e

atmos*"ere a$ain;= He winked t"rou$" "is mask and took anot"er

%rumblin$ bite o# t"e bis%uit T"e .ay *retends w"ile t"e .ark

as%ends, e"D=

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The Friendl" er#eant To$%s

ono, t"is is )er$eant Tombs,= C"arles said, #ailin$ to "ide t"e

tremblin$ in "is voi%e It seems t"e army is ea$er to "ave you on your

way=

Ouite ri$"t,= said Tombs It's a "abit o# maintainin$ e##i%ien%ies, but

you'll learn all about t"at I do "ave a bit more #or you to si$n, 8ister

yer=

T"e soldier du$ t"rou$" "is ba$, retrieved an ele%troni% s%roll, and

*la%ed it in #ront o# ono's #at"er T"e words moved u* and disa**eared

#rom t"e *a$e as C"arles s%anned t"rou$" t"e do%ument t"en si$ned

beside t"e J at t"e bottom

T"at takes %are o# all t"e te%"ni%alities,= Tombs said Time to $rab

your t"in$s, ono 1", and you s"ould $rab some break#ast be#ore we

$o Lon$ travels a"ead T"anks #or t"e $rub, 8isses yer=

.o you "ave to leave nowD= asked Beky

Time's more #leetin$ t"an you know, ma'am I'll be takin$ t"e re%ruit

down to t"e %onvoy, and we'll be o## to t"e %ity in qui%ktime=

ou're not stayin$D= asked C"arles T"e Em*ress is %omin$ t"is

wake=

1"= T"e soldier was visibly taken aba%k by t"e *ro*osition He

%leared "is t"roat T"ere's t"at, yes 1# %ourse, we're on se*arate

s%"edules, you know T"e Em*ress and us dre$s, e"D I "ear t"ere'll be a

bit o# a *arade in "er "onor


65/444

Chapter i!

Tombs *aused #or a moment, "is smile #rozen on "is #a%e As you

like it= Tombs snat%"ed onot"on's "and and s"ook it Let me be t"e

#irst %on$ratulate you, Cadet yer el%ome to t"e side o# t"e $ood

$uys=

Beneat" a tear in t"e soldier's armor, ono noti%ed t"e lower "al# o# a

tattoo7 a %ir%le wit" 4a$$ed %ra%ks It was a symbol "e'd seen be#ore but

only on $ravestones It was t"e symbol o# t"e dead sun, )ol

Tombs %la**ed "is "ands to$et"er )"all we be o##D=

ono lu$$ed "is "eavy suit%ase down t"e stairs t"at t"reatened to sna*

under its wei$"t T"e soldier waited on t"eir *or%" as t"e #amily #iled

out t"e door

Have all your t"in$s, do youD= Tombs smiled at ono ouldn'twant to leave anyt"in$ *re%ious be"ind=

ono nodded T"e memory wat%" was #irmly atta%"ed to "is s"irt, but

it was t"e stran$e, dented reli% in "is *o%ket t"at "e #elt #or

I've $ot it all,= ono answered

Good lad,= said t"e ser$eant wit" a "ard sla* on ono's ba%k

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Chapter Seven

*n +(#ress in !o%ari

8 ain )treet was a 4un$le o# a%tivity

.es*ite s"ort noti%e #or su%" a $rand o%%asion, +olari "ad t"e streets

de%orated wit" *atrioti% #la$s %elebratin$ t"e .ark End and t"e %a*ital

%ity T"e symbol o# Eies, a red %ir%le $ear wit" it %entral s*ire tou%"in$

a star, "un$ down #rom banners on nearly every buildin$ Gi#tmas

de%orations were re*ur*osed to $ive t"e ot"erwise drab street lam*s and

buildin$ walls a $arland o# $reen, red and silver

.a"lia su%%umbed to a $iddy smirk at t"e %rowd o# e6ited *ride

around t"em .es*ite t"e revelry t"at took "old o# t"e town, ono

%ouldn't s"are "is sister's emotions


67/444

Chapter even

looked around, but )er$eant Tombs was now"ere to be #ound

"ere did "e $oD= asked .a"lia

C"arles s"ook "is "ead I don't know=

Anot"er soldier ste**ed #orward It was t"e one #rom t"e wake be#ore

ou're late=

1nly barely,= said Beky, and wit" all t"is %ommotion #or t"e arrival

o# t"e=

es 5ine Is t"is t"e re%ruitD= T"e soldier nodded toward at ono

es, sir= re*lied C"arles T"is is onot"on=

e'll be disembarkin$ s"ortly


68/444

&n '$press in Polari

lid He looked out a view slot on t"e side o# t"e interior wall Every time

"e looked, #ewer soldiers seemed to be "an$in$ around t"e %onvoy

T"ere was a loud %lank as t"e door "andle twisted ono s*un around,

unsure i# "e was already doin$ somet"in$ wron$ He we met by t"e

smilin$ )er$eant Tombs

Hey t"ere, boyo=

Hi,= re*lied onot"on in an unsure tone

It turns out t"e %onvoy's not leavin$ #or sometime a#ter all T"ey said

it's on a%%ount o# resto%kin$ issues, but I wa$er t"ey're all sti%kin$

around #or a $lim*se o# t"e Em*ress t"emselves I'm *robably not

su**osed to be lettin$ you out o# your %a$e, but, stars, t"ese %"an%es

don't %ome around o#ten, do t"eyD= Tombs $rinned below "is skulls"a*ed mask Come on I'll sneak you out into t"e %rowd and we'll $et

a $lim*se o# our #earless leader=

.on't you t"ink we'll $et in troubleD=

:ot a las";= T"e ser$eant lau$"ed 8ost o# t"e troo*s "ave already

s"u##led o## T"ere's no one around to re*rimand us #or t"e same %rime

t"ey're all %ommittin$=

ono looked around It was true > t"e %onvoy was nearly abandoned

To$et"er, t"ey "id be"ind t"e $i$anti% tire o# one o# t"e %arrier tanks

w"ile anot"er soldier wandered *ast ono and Tombs du%ked and darted

t"rou$" t"e west $ate, snaked down ba%k alleys, and made it to t"e

t"ron$s o# *eo*le w"ere %olor#ul balloons and streamers *ulsed alon$

t"e +olari 8ain )treet

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Chapter even

1n a nearby street %orner, a man "ad set u* as a one *erson band His

two "uman arms *layed drums and a keyboard, w"ile "is #our

me%"ani%al arms *layed a $uitar and a sel#>blowin$ trum*et

T"ey *us"ed t"rou$" t"e %rowd to a dessert %art %overed in %"o%olate

rasbun%"es and vanilla twis*s Tombs bou$"t ea%" o# t"em a twis*

Let's $o around t"e ba%k o# t"is buildin$ and %ut around to t"at s*a%e

over t"ere,= "e said, *ointin$ to a $a* in t"e sea o# *eo*le at t"e risin$

ste*s o# t"e +olari Trust Bank e'd $et a better view=

ust as Tombs was slidin$ between a rat"er lar$e man and a bri%k wall,

somet"in$ #amiliar %au$"t t"e %orner o# onot"on's eye He sto**ed to

*oke "is "ead t"rou$" t"e 4un$le o# arms, le$s, and bodies to s*ot

)"eri## T"oone a%ross t"e road

ait;= ono s"outed over t"e musi% to Tombs I want to say

$oodbye to someone=

He %len%"ed "is "eart re$ %lose to "is %"est wit" bot" "ands and

lun$ed #orward, s*illin$ drinks and t"um*in$ elbows as "e went

ono, %ome ba%k;= yelled Tombs T"e soldier squeezed #rom be"ind

t"e lar$e man, but ono was already lost in t"e %rowd

ono s"oved "is way t"rou$" t"e mess o# elbows and le$s until "e

#inally broke t"rou$" to t"e o*en street As "e rea%"ed t"e middle o# t"e

road, "e #roze

1n t"e #ar end o# +olari, *ast t"e nort" $ate, a bla%k s*ire emer$ed

t"rou$" t"e mist > a %arria$e $rowin$ out o# a %loud Around t"e

%arria$e #loated smaller vessels ono squinted T"e #lyin$ ob4e%ts

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looked like *eo*le, only wit" bla%k>metal win$s and roboti% bodies T"e

%arria$e %ame down t"e weat"ered street, "overin$ above old buildin$s >

towerin$ and intimidatin$

Alon$side t"e %arria$e mar%"ed t"e Em*ress's me%"$uards T"eir

bodies were #used wit" bioneti% me%"ani%al arms and le$s T"e me%"s

took t"e s"a*es o# monsters7 towerin$ tyrannosaurus, snake>bats,

$orilla%s, and wolvyerns T"e wave o# mar%"in$ bla%k metal s*read over

t"e town like a #o$ o# %"ar%oal

T"e Em*ress was "ere

Alon$ t"e *eaks o# t"e bla%k %arria$e, s*arklin$ li$"t i$nited Cannons

boomed, and t"e #o$$y sky eru*ted in dazzlin$ waves o# red, w"ite, and

$reen 5ireworks #ormed %reatures t"at swam t"rou$" t"e %louds be#ore

%rumblin$ into $litterin$ rain

T"e %rowd "ad been silent until t"at *oint, but at t"e si$"t o# t"e

brilliant #ireworks, +olari's %itizens e6*loded into a roar o# %"eers

ono du%ked into t"e %rowd

He *us"ed t"rou$" a row o# %"ildren t"at 4um*ed and %la**ed at a

#irework butter#ly He %ouldn't see "is t"e s"eri## anymore He looked

ba%k a%ross t"e street and realized "e'd lost )er$eant Tombs as well

ono realized t"at t"e ot"er soldiers may leave be#ore t"e *arade ends,

and "e mi$"t not make it ba%k in time

T"e $round vibrated as t"e me%"$uard ste**ed %loser and t"e %arria$e

o# t"e Em*ress $rew nearer

Hordes o# *eo*le *us"ed *ast ono He was kno%ked #orward and ba%k

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Chapter even

and t"en slammed a$ainst a bri%k wall ono *ulled "imsel# %lose to t"e

wall He was blo%ked o## #rom t"e road He "ad to $et ba%k to t"e

%onvoy He s"ould "ave never %ome to t"e *arade

ono s*otted an o*enin$ in t"e %rowd and darted #orward He turned a

%orner 4ust as a burly man ste**ed in "is way T"ey %ras"ed into ea%"

ot"er T"e man ste**ed ba%k, but ono boun%ed o## and rolled to t"e

%ement A #oot %ollided wit" onot"on's stoma%" and anot"er %ras"ed

down an in%" #rom "is #a%e

I'm sorry I'm sorry,= insisted ono, alt"ou$" "e was t"e one t"at "ad

taken t"e brunt o# t"e abuse

ono's "and tou%"ed "is "eart *lu$s, and "e was relieved to #ind t"em

inta%t T"en "e saw t"e reli% "ad sli**ed #rom "is *o%ket It slid alon$

t"e %ra%ked sidewalk onot"on rea%"ed #or it, but a %areless #oot ki%ked

it into t"e %rowd T"e reli% sma%ked a$ainst t"e base o# a lam* *ost, its

red $em "it squarely, and t"e reli% *o**ed o*en

T"at e6a%t se%ond, t"e *arade o# me%">$uards sto**ed

ono %rawled t"rou$" t"e #orest o# le$s, snat%"ed t"e reli%, and t"en%losed it :o one "ad noti%ed anyt"in$ "ad %"an$ed T"e %rowds still

%"eered as s*arks o# #ireworks rained down on t"em

ono *eered u* at t"e dark metal $uards only a #ew blo%ks away A

%ree*in$ #ear in#e%ted "is blood T"e dee* breat"s "e took t"rou$" "is

mask $rew #aster as t"e noise o# t"e %rowd be%ame slower and muted

T"e *eo*le t"emselves were slowin$ down, t"eir motions drained until

t"ey weren't movin$ at all Arms remained u* in t"e air, e6%ited

e6*ressions %arved on *eo*le's #a%es

71


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T"e vibrant %"eers and bursts o# #ireworks melted into e%"oes until an

eerie silen%e *ossessed t"e world T"e last twinklin$ %olors des%ended

quietly #rom t"e "eavens as ono stood in t"e %rowd o# statues

T"e %arria$e 4olted, and t"e me%"$uards %"ar$ed #orward > not

mar%"in$, but in #ull s*eed down t"e road

ono "eld "is breat" in s"o%k He was t"e only one not #rozen "at

was $oin$ onD )"ould "e *retend to be still like t"e ot"ersD )"ould "e

run and "ideD

In a roar o# en$ines, a $rou* o# #lyin$ me%"$uards soared over"ead

T"ey zoomed u* t"e road to$et"er in a line t"en s*read out T"eir "eads

turned le#t to ri$"t, t"eir eyes s%annin$ t"e %rowd in sear%" o#

somet"in$

ono tried to ste* into %rowd He "o*ed to "ide between le$s and

#rozen bodies to blend in Ea%" %entimeter "e m

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