NOVEL NEXT Unity Part II
2020, Hailey, Age 13
I grumble as I stumble into the house. Even if Ryan always helps me, I don't want to be the one constantly getting saved. That's my job. It hurts, but it toughens me out. Besides that, I've also started following a solid workout regiment and had Dad teach me to shoot a pistol in case of a break-in or something. On the way home, some of those punks who used to bully me got a bit physical. I was able to fend them off, though not without my fair share of bruises, and I just wanted to sit down. Dad wasn't home, as usual, for a night shift cop, leaving only Ryan and me alone. Speak of the devil, he came out, the scent of smoke filling my nostrils. He must have been trying to cook again. His eyes widened in shock as he hurried to me, "What happened?"
"Don't worry about it," I answered, barely paying him any mind. To this day, I still don't get why he cares so much. He hates me yet always wants to save me. The frustration with that only grew every time he saved me. Slowly, my attempts to bond with him became fewer and fewer, not that it really mattered.
"Too late for that. Now answer me," He ordered. No, it was more like begging, "This has been happening more and more, and every time you just say 'Don't worry about it' or 'Why do you care'?"
"Yeah, and what do I get? I get repeatedly told that you're not my brother and how you still hate me, never once answering me!" I snapped, finally letting it out, "Do you know how upsetting that is?! When you first came here, I was so happy at the idea of having a brother! But all I got was a moody brat who, despite insisting he'd be so much happier if me and my father were gone, still feels the need to save me, so I can't even at least pretend to be a good big sister! So no, I won't answer, and you shouldn't even bother asking!" The room went silent. I didn't entirely mean it. I just wanted him to back off and let me handle it, but that didn't matter. He went back to the kitchen and made dinner, and I just sat there with an itching regret in the back of my head. That was the last time we really talked. We continued our lives, and then... he was gone.
One Thousand Years Before Summoning Day, Eliza, Age 15
I sigh as I finally stand up from my meditative position. Even with Spirit Magic's enhanced range, the number of injured soldiers was proving to be greater than I could just casually do. Still, it was worth it to see their grateful faces, "My, someone's quite chipper." I nearly jumped out of my skin, turning around and seeing Mother behind me. She had a warm smile, one I wish I could have seen in my time, "That's quite impressive. Even with my staff, I don't believe I could have done that."
"Yeah. King Shay taught it to me. I'm still learning, though," I answered nervously. How could I possibly be normal about this? Still, I try to bear it, "Is this everyone? Not what I expected from the history books."
"Maybe things get better in the future. Right now, though? We just have these camps, hiding away while we prepare for the next big battle against the Tyrant King."
"Father never talked much about that. Was my grandfather really that evil?"
"Who's to say?" She asked with a shrug, "The masks we show around our family are not the same as the ones we show to strangers. He was always kind when my family visited the castle, but can you argue with what you saw when you arrived? I'm surprised I never taught you that." That last part left me silent. Immediately, she pieced parts of it together, her eyes turning somber, "Am I...?"
"You... gave your life protecting the people. I was still a baby at the time." She looked further saddened by my answer but not at all surprised. Was she maybe expecting something like that?
"I see. That is truly terrible, but... I'm just grateful you lived to see fifteen. I must have done something right then." That statement was somewhat heartwarming. I had always worried my mother would be sad that she wouldn't get to see her baby grow up, but if she still feels that way in a thousand years, then I'm satisfied.
"I assume you weren't here for small talk?"
"Quite right. Thaddeus is sending us all out on missions while he works on the portal," She explained and I followed without question. As nice as this is to see my mother, I need to go back home and protect my kingdom, not the kingdom of the past. I followed her back into the leader tent where everyone was waiting. Both teams of heroes as well as Father and Zeddral all gathered around, "Everyone's here. What's the plan?"
"Ah, good! I was worried she would be too exhausted," Father replied with a genuine smile, "Originally, I had assumed this would take far longer, but thanks to our new allies, I believe we can simply divide and conquer. Our primary goal is to liberate the Demi-Human slaves and leverage that for aid. To do that, We will need a large distraction. Slave camps are relatively light on guards, but reinforcements can show up in an instant. We need something big, something they dare not ignore. Which is why the bulk of our army will siege Eltaria's front gate!"
"Excuse me?! You're insane!" Zeddral exclaimed
"Are you saying you don't want to do that?"
"Don't be ridiculous! Of course, I do, but we don't have the resources!"
"We didn't have them. But now..." Father slowly turned to us, "That walking tank of yours can break into smaller tanks, correct?"
"We call them Goliaths, but yeah..." Ryan answered nervously
"Then that's what we'll use. Let me be clear on one thing. I want a siege, not a slaughter. Am I clear, Zeddral?" Zeddral growled, clearly wanting to argue, but denied himself due to the crowd
"Fine, if you wish for us to seem weak, that's what I'll do."
"Moving on, while he and Xandric distract the army, I will send you off to different camps to liberate them and send them our way."
"Must be weird for you, having to liberate camps, huh, Wehner?"
"Be silent, Jack!" Jacob huffed as I remembered the journal. I guess they had some large war in their world around the same time as ours? Nobody fully explained it to me, but I assume they're on opposing sides.
"If no one has any complaints, let's move out and please, come back safe." His voice held genuine concern, which was not what I would expect given our environment, but I guess that's just how he's always been. Saying our goodbyes, we each departed on our missions.
Three Days Later, Xandric, Age 116
The trek to the gates was long and hard. Father insisted that we don't use the Goliaths yet so that they will be scattered when we arrive. This man was so different from who knew. The Father I knew was gentle, kind. He kept his Void under control no matter what. But this man who shares his name is so angry. I could feel pure malice coming from him. As we walked, he must have noticed my unease, "You okay, kid?" he asked, snapping me from my trance, "You've been really...exaggerated since we first met. Do you know me in your time or something?"
"Know you? That's an understatement," I answered with a nervous chuckle, "You're... my father, the Demon King Zeddral." His eyes widened as he turned away, disbelief painted all over his face
"I see. I won't pry too much. It can be dangerous to know one's fate, but if I were your father, why side with our enemies? Did I do something?"
"Not exactly..." I answer, carefully trying to think of how to phrase it, "It's more what you didn't do. The generals, the Shadows, even my power comes at the expense of our people. Regardless of who wins, I just want this war to be over so we can quit with these needless sacrifices." Once the shock faded, his face became unreadable. No, it was more a brief flash of disgust that quickly turned somber, "Is something wrong with that?"
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
"No. It's just that what you want is impossible. No matter what you want, it can't be achieved without sacrifice. I'm sure even Thaddeus understood that when making this 'perfect world,' you describe."
"Trust me, I know. But, if anything is going to be sacrificed, it should be us that go first. Our people had no say in our war. We should accept the responsibility, not thrust it onto them." There was that flash of disgust again, though it quickly turned into something almost like admiration
"You truly believe that? Fine. Try to hold onto that, and don't let go." Those words brought me some comfort. Maybe the Father I knew wasn't a total lie. We marched out to the field just outside the Capital walls. It provided a terrifying view. Bodies I could deal with. I've seen my fair share of them. But these people were alive, lashed to crosses, stripped of all clothes so the word 'traitor' could be seen carved into their flesh and left to die. I wanted to cut them down, but Father held me back, "Don't. Look at them closer." I had no desire to, but complied anyway. That's when I saw they weren't just tied in place. Nails were hammered into their palms, feet, and shoulders, affording them very little movement. Even if I got them down, they wouldn't live long enough to receive treatment, "The best we can do now is win." From there, the army surrounded the city from all ends, ensuring nobody got in or out. I quickly summoned my Bat Goliath, as well as the three attachments the others acquired, as they let me borrow them. After getting over the initial panic, the enemy came rushing out the gates, only to be destroyed the moment they left the gates. Those make for quite the choke points. I'll make them pay for what they've done.
Meanwhile, Eliza, Age 15
"So, this is the place?"
"Sadly, yes..." Mom answered as we looked down from the cliff face. In the boundless jungles of what would one day be Animaria was a small enclosed camp. Guards were fairly light, not necessary when slaves have lost their will to fight back. Still, they were whipped and bound in chains as they were forced to grow food. One Demi-Human even dared to sneak a bite from it and was punished severely. It was disgusting, nearly impossible to watch while keeping a level head. Eventually, a small detachment of the guards were called away, and Mom pulled summoned a large white staff with a snowflake ornament on top "rewoP oreH layoR!" Upon reciting the spell, she was engulfed in light before revealing a white hero outfit. This one was different, though, much more bulky around the vital points, a long flowing cape, and instead of the wings on the helmet, the top formed a crown, "With Calm Royal Mind, Royal Hero White!" I stared in awe, never imagining I would actually be able to see it. I guess it was obvious because she seemed confused, "Did Thaddeus never show you this?"
"No. The staff's been missing since you died, and even if it didn't, I doubt he'd teach me. He barely lets me leave the castle on my own," I answered, and the result was a strange aura from Mom as if she wanted to come with me just to give Dad a piece of her mind. For now, though, she just jumped down into the camp without a word. What remaining guards there tried to engage her, but most were launched by the time they got in range of her staff. It was like watching a Goddess of War smashing mere ants. One tried to blast her with a rocket launcher, but I was quick to disarm them by firing an ice spike. Mom looked at me with a soft nod as I continued. I would only get in the way down there, so I would rain down ice and lightning. In no time, they were all down, and the freed Demi-Humans were told where the camp was if they really wanted. It should have been as nice as it felt. Still, I couldn't help but smile, "Thanks, Mom. That was fun."
"Not exactly the context I thought I would hear that in," Mom noted, causing me to hide my face in my hands like a little kid. I heard her burst into laughter and lightly bonk me with the staff, "Here. Take this." I glanced down as she just dropped the staff into my hand, and she turned back to normal, "You said this thing vanished when I died, right?"
"Y-Yeah but... Don't you need.."
"Not right now, obviously. I'm just going to show you how," She assured as she sat down on a rock, "You did say yours vanished when I died, so here you go."
"But what abou-"
"Look, from everything you've told me, you need all the help you can get. Even if you don't end up being the same daughter I eventually have, let me help you out," She interrupted, her tone very firm before softening as a smile crossed her lips, "Besides, you said I die anyway, right? What does it matter if I have it? Now get ready. Channel all the Mana into the staff instead of your body, then recite the formula." I reluctantly complied, closing my eyes. Figuring out the magic formula is always the hard part of any spell. The uneducated think it's just backward speak, but that's just the release mechanism.
'H2O/32*5' I thought in my head, going over the various details to get it just right before releasing with "rewoP oreH layoR!" With that phrase, the world around me turned into a blizzard. I was encased in ice before it shattered, and I wore the armor my mother was just wearing. I could hardly contain myself as I jumped for joy. "I did it!!"
"That you did. Now the staff will save the formula for you, and you're good to go," she said, a warm grin crossing her face as she took the staff back, and I reverted, "I'll give it to you when we're done. Let's go back to camp."
Xandric, Age 116
The siege was fairly mundane. Anyone who exited the gates would be blown away by the Goliaths. Come to think of it, I'm glad I was put on this mission as opposed to the others. I doubt they could handle this. It's much easier to put down something that doesn't look like you. I watched from the back; my anger had long subsided, and now it was purely business, "You seem calm. What happened to that rage earlier?" Father asked, a sadistic grin crossing his face
"They still deserve it, but at this point, they're just cannon fodder. Hardly any concern," I answered as I saw him twitching, "Remember what Thaddeus said. Siege, not slaughter."
Father scoffed at my reminder, crossing his arms, "It's easy for a rich brat to say that. It's hard to be measured when your slavers are at your mercy. I'm itching for an excuse to kill them all."
"No, you're a better man than that."
"And how do you know that?" He hissed, seeming angered by my statement. He backed away, though, clasping his twitching hand. He went to speak, but before he could...
"General! Two soldiers are coming this way!"
"Just two?" I asked in shock. Father, on the other hand, looked deadly and serious. Without a word, he approached as that grin crawled onto his face.
"She's here..." Those were the only words I could make out as I shifted and pursued him. Bodies flew into the sky across the battlefield, their screams filling the air. All the while, Father's excitement only grew before he screamed out, "Banshee!!"
"Zeddral!!" A voice returned when two familiar figures jumped over the army straight to us. Now scattered, the enemy rushed out of the gate. The Goliaths took down many, but what had started as a mere siege had turned into a full-on battle. My eyes widened as I looked at the two. Despite actually having a face, I recognized the man by his bulky armor with a lion on the chest. The other one, though, was quite a shock. She lacked her demonic features, but there was no doubt she was my mother, "You've got quite some nerve, sieging the capital like this! It's almost cute."
"Nerve, eh? That's something you'll be missing when I'm done with you," Father growled, prompting me to step back. Is it odd that the two seemed to be...flirting? I looked at the baby-faced Leon as he put his helmet on his head. A familiar green glow came from Father as the weather began to change around us. There was no formula spoken. He simply did it. Lightning nearly struck where Mother stood, but she quickly dodged. I had little time to watch as I dodged Leon's shield charge before kicking him in the back. He looked at me, panting heavily.
"So, you're just like that stranger who entered the palace. Are you two comrades her something?"
"What? No, not anymore! I woul- wait... So he's here?"
"It matters not to me! If you would do my general harm, then you will fall!" He declared and tried to slash at me with his sword. I quickly dodged as a large gap was left on the earth I was standing on. That cut was much stronger than anything I had ever seen Leon dish out in my time. I was snapped from my confusion as I dodged another attack. This time, though, he actually left a cut in my armor. Hero suits are meant to be the pinnacle of magical and scientific knowledge. So how? Regardless, I continued the fight, engaging him in close quarters. I wasn't safe either way, so it was best to fight in the position I was most comfortable in. His strikes were quick, but that's the benefit of precognition, I suppose. If only I had foreseen the next event. As the cracks in the earth continued to form, the ground collapsed from under us, sending us into the dark pit below.
Zeddral, Age 22
Our fierce battle was cut off as we felt the ground shake. Turning to the source, Banshee and I could only see as Xandric and Leon fell into the abyss. We both ceased and hurried over, hoping they grabbed onto a chunk of stray rock or Xandric dug his spear into the sides, something! Why do I even care? He claims he's my son, but there's no proof, and I don't want to know too much. Gritting my teeth, I turn to Banshee, using her flustered and confused state to knock her out. Grabbing the back of her collar, I throw her over my back like a sack. It took everything I had not to command my men to slaughter them all, but out of respect for my friend and my 'son,' I said the words I despised the most: "Men, retreat!! Walking Tanks, return to your masters!" I had no clue if they could truly understand me, but they all ran in different directions while we pulled back
Later That Night, Jarred, Age 17
I sat in my cell, grumbling as I waited. I could honestly get out at any time, be it with my Hero Powers or good old-fashioned magic, but for now, I'll wait. If I can take out the King, I can weasel my way into Thaddeus's good graces, and when I get back to my time, something will change. It's risky, but I don't have many options. I heard the sound of metal against the stone floor as guards approached my cell, "Stand up, prisoner. The King would have a word with you." It seems my time will come sooner than expected.