Chapter 14

The Warning

“Everyone, scatter!” Eddie’s shout sent the room into motion. Meredith grabbed for her blade and dodged towards one of the crates, while Emil floated upwards. Only Vivian didn’t move, bow in hand as she loaded one of her energy arrows.

“There’s no need to run from these,” she said. The pack of vicious dogs zeroed in on her, snapping their jaws before pouncing. “They’re just mutts.”

The arrow was let loose, ramming into the first of the attacking dogs. It carried the creature backwards, up against the ladder before the beast disintegrated. Meredith’s eyes narrowed; they were definitely made of the same stuff that the Beastmaster had used multiple times before. However, the more pressing issue was that Vivian’s attack had splintered the bottom rungs of the latter.

“Are you an idiot? That ladder is the easiest way up!” she said to Vivian. The girl ignored her, turning another arrow towards a different canine. Meredith grit her teeth and climbed up one of the stacks, only to jump off and bring a blade slicing through an attacking beast.

“Your point? We’ll just use Emil’s magic to get out, then.”

“I’m not a personal taxi service, Viv,” Emil said. The girls looked in his direction to find him careening downwards with a spin, his blades glowing. “Gravity Impact!”

Neither of Emil’s blades left his hands, but his own magic flew out as an orb of crackling black energy. It hit a grouping of the marauding dogs, crushing them underneath before breaking the floor and sending them plummeting. Meredith rolled her eyes, and she wasn’t alone.

“Emil, how about we don’t break the floor? There are four of us here!” Eddie said. A dog bounded for him, and he formed a flaming arrow like before, weaker than it had been in the ruins. Meredith’s best friend tossed it all the same and it tore through the dog. Another came at him from the side.

“Eddie!” Meredith shouted. Her best friend didn’t ignore the call, but was already acting, slamming his hands to the floor. With a crackle in the air, a stone shield erected itself between him and the dog, the creature colliding with it. She breathed in relief and turned her attention to slicing through the nearest creature she could find. It flew into the crates, breaking them apart and vanishing.

“Honestly, I don’t really care about the rest of you, so just stay out of the way,” Vivian said.

“Now isn’t the time for grandstanding.” Meredith slashed her blade forward, cutting the creatures around her in a wide arc. Unlike the past mantis and wyverns, they were easy to go down, slicing through like warm butter.

“Honestly, do you two ever stop fighting? It’s like watching reflections talk to each other.”

“Shut up, Emil,” they said simultaneously. Vivian fired her energy arrow. Meredith slashed through. At another part of the room, Eddie froze the floor, locking the enemies in place. After a quick roll of his eyes, Emil zipped off to take care of them. Meredith drew her sword closer while she backed up, only to find herself against Vivian.

“You mind? You’re in my way,” Vivian said. The dogs were surrounding them, and though their numbers were thinning, there was still a decent number to go.

“Funny, I was going to say the same thing.” The first ring of dogs leapt forward. Meredith ducked, jabbing one through its smoky body before kicking at another. Vivian fired her bow straight down the center. The attack ripped through that column of them, barreling along for Eddie and Emil. The latter grabbed the former, right before Vivian’s attack screamed through the air and pierced the side of the room they were in.

“Next time watch your aiming!” Emil yelled. Eddie didn’t argue back, sending short, compressed bursts of wind at the enemies below them. “We gotta work together here!”

“That’s rich, coming from you! Aggh!” A dog had leapt up, and in Meredith’s periphery, she could see that it had broken through Vivian’s blind spot to bite into her arm. Other than the scream, she hardly looked wounded. “Defensive Enchantment, Tri-def. Offensive Enchantment, Quadra-strike. Scattershot!”

Meredith ducked, seeing the widespread, indiscriminate attack coming before Vivian fired. One of the dogs dove for her ankles, but as she bent low, Meredith slashed through it, rolling over to use one of the crates as a shield. Vivian’s bow gathered energy and then fired four arrows of enchanted air, glowing brightly before breaking apart.

The arrows rained down like small knives, cutting through the enemy and covering the room in a thin black mist from how many were taken out. Splinters of wood and stone were sent flying through the air, obscuring everyone’s vision, including Vivian’s, the blonde standing confidently.

It was the kind of pride that made her oblivious to the sole vicious creature that remained. Meredith stood, but knew she wouldn’t reach the girl in time. Rather than biting her, this dog rammed into Vivian, sending the blonde towards the ground. Her hand let go of her bow, the weapon flying into the air, and there was a moment where Meredith could swear that the dog was following the weapon’s arc. That provided the lone distraction needed for Meredith to leap over the crates and jab downwards. The dog gave a light whimper upon being impaled, and then vanished like its brethren. Meredith’s hand stretched out and caught the falling bow before it hit the ground.

A loud heartbeat thrummed in her head, her body locking up for a moment. Something pulsed inside, a key turning in a lock, and her eyes rooted themselves to the bow in her hand.

So…hearing…again…Time…here…The voice was murky, underwater, yet now that it was in her hands, she could definitely say she heard it. More than a whisper or a buzzing in her ear, but a very clear voice speaking. She wanted to ask it what was going on, how it was going on, but before she had the chance to contemplate more than a couple words or solidify her focus, the bow left her hands.

“I’ll thank you again to not touch my stuff, trash,” Vivian said. Meredith blinked. The voice was gone now, the moment passed, and she tried to drag herself back into reality. “Though I guess I should thank you for…whatever.”

“I’m not thanking you, Viv! What were you trying to do? Kill everyone?” Emil yelled. He and Eddie touched back down to the ground, the blades in his hands retracting back. Vivian gave a predictable scoff in response. Now that Meredith was recovered, she noticed that the room looked to be in total disarray, the weapons and food from the crates and bags littering the floor. Whoever this belonged to wouldn’t be happy when they came down here. “But man, monsters down here, and a lot of them. You think they were the forces gathered for that planned attack?”

“Maybe. Or a distraction,” Eddie said. No one had any clear answers, that much was obvious, but Meredith couldn’t shake the unsettling sensations on her soul. This seemed like far too small a force to lay any sort of assault on the Metropolis, especially with the Beastmaster, himself, nowhere nearby. Eddie may not have been far off. In any case, she didn’t want to think about it, or the voice she’d heard, and she shook her head to clear the cluttering thoughts away.

“Let’s just see where we are, okay?” she finally suggested, pointing towards the ladder, still intact. Emil didn’t need it, but when she tested it, Meredith found it remained sturdy, and she climbed up without any argument from the others.

As they neared the top, Meredith looked down, seeing half the room frozen, wooden splinters littering the place, with a gaping hole in the middle of the room and pockmarks of destruction everywhere from Vivian’s final attack. They were all indiscriminate, with no rhyme or reason, and Meredith shook her head. She really didn’t want to team up with them again any time soon.

Reaching the top, Meredith pushed upwards on the trapdoor that was there. It moved with ease, light blossoming on the outside and allowing them access. She was the first through, but the others weren’t very far behind. They found themselves in a curved hallway, doors on the side that led inward while windows opposite them let light inside. Eddie ran for one of those, but his uncertain frown said that they still didn’t know where they were.

“Stairs,” Emil said. Everyone followed his finger to where a set of straight stairs led upwards, either to another floor or perhaps the exterior of the building they had found themselves in. Vivian took the lead once more, ignoring the rest of them, but they still followed. Meredith shut the trapdoor before she did, too. “Place is quiet, huh?”

Vivian picked up her pace, and Meredith sought to match her. Their bodies were starting to feel exhaustion at this point, despite the rests they’d taken. Even Vivian, who seemed prouder than most, was sagging a bit as they began the trek up the stairs. With every step, the wind grew louder, howling in their ears, until they emerged into sunlight and fresh air.

“Oh, finally! Sun!” Emil exclaimed, dropping to his butt. Eddie had done the same right next to him.

“Let’s take a nap…” he mumbled, falling over onto Emil, who pushed him upright. Meredith puffed out, noticing that her breath was slightly visible at their new altitude. She rubbed at her eyes, rotating her body to get a clearer view while Vivian walked to the edge of the space they’d found themselves in.

“It’s a stadium…” Meredith said. She rubbed her eyes one more time, hoping to not be delirious, but when she looked again, nothing had changed. The awed expression on Eddie’s face was enough to help prove it.

Before all of their eyes was a large coliseum, stands lining the massive arena in a ring, television screens mixed in around them. It looked relatively plain and familiar from what had been broadcasted on the news. Meredith didn’t have the time wrack her brain for where she’d seen all of this before when Vivian spoke up.

“It’s no mere stadium,” she spoke up, voice carrying over the wind. “It’s the Trial of Power.”

“How do you-? Oh…” Emil’s voice changed from interrogative to downright surprised. Meredith had to wonder the same question her male companion was going to ask, but she got her answer just by turning around, a gasp leaving her lips involuntarily.

The only reason Vivian could say with certainty that this massive stadium was the Trial of Power was because just a short distance away, an hour by walking, was the most sprawling and massive cityscape that she had ever seen.

Skyscrapers towered upwards. Skyships came and left. Houses of all shapes, colors and sizes filled the space, with all of it tied together in three distinct areas, from the form of a large broadcasting station, the tallest skyscraper in the city, and what looked like a presidential estate. Surrounding the city was a small but protectively armed wall, through which the dots of people were passing through unhindered. It was a magnificent sight, even from a distance. A place to get lost in, and a place to find everything. Meredith felt her legs give out from beneath her, falling on her butt at the edge. Even Vivian took a seat.

“We made it…The Metropolis…” Meredith said. She wanted to laugh. Their unknown days of trekking through the darkness of the ruins had finally been rewarded, and though her strength had all but given out, she felt a new surge of energy at seeing the largest city in the world resting before them.

“Everything looks fine from here,” Eddie said, hand over his eyes.

Meredith nodded. For all their rushing, it didn’t appear to matter all that much. The Metropolis was still thriving and bustling, with people continuing about their way, even if she couldn’t see them. There’d been no attack. Whether it was a result of Masters putting the Corps on high alert, or her just being wrong, Meredith allowed a sigh to escape her lips.

“Of course, it’s fine. It’s the Metropolis,” Vivian said next.

“You been there before?” Meredith asked. For once, she replaced her animosity with curiosity. Vivian blushed a bit, embarrassed about something or other.

“I…maybe…as a little girl. I don’t remember much, though.” Meredith quirked an eyebrow and chose to not embarrass the proud girl further. Despite her misgivings, they had just walked through dusty ruins together for the better part of a couple days. “Either way, the Metropolis is like a promised land. It was built on the site of the last remaining kingdom when the desertification began, and was a safe haven until the world got its act together in the face of the still mysterious threat.”

“The once shining kingdom of Valorda, or so they called it. Legend now,” Eddie said. Vivian didn’t expound on the subject anymore, but appeared impressed with Eddie’s knowledge.

“Well, that said, I look forward to getting there, once my legs move. A hot shower and some quick shopping for new clothes are what I need.” Meredith couldn’t agree more.

Expelling a tired sigh, Meredith leaned back on her hands, closing her eyes to let the new, clean breeze wash over her. The desert was long behind them now, and the city that lay ahead, full of so many possibilities, teased itself in front of her closed lids. She smiled, and inside, those strings and connections stirred.

Her fingers twitched, and around her the world felt like it was blossoming with life. The grass below, the wind above, and the three next to her…no…four. There were four lights next to her. Beyond, though, was more intriguing. For there was not light, but darkness.

Not the predatory kind she had felt once before, but a simmering one, waiting just below the surface. She opened her eyes and sat forward. The Metropolis was safe…but only because the plan hadn’t happened yet.

The need to get to the city arose once more. Meredith stood with no hesitation, looking out at the gleaming city that was across the way. The others looked at her curiously, but their attention was diverted by the sudden screeching and screaming that came from below. Each stood while Meredith walked to the edge, trying to find where the voices were coming from.

It didn’t take long to find, the source being loud and visible against the lush, green grass and the pristine surfaces of the Metropolis. Jet black creatures were screaming from a distance, aiming for the entrance to the Metropolis. The flash of darkness settled in Meredith; the very same she felt earlier. The attack had begun, those winged creatures signaling the force to come.

Above it all, a voice rose up, authoritative and echoing across the plains from the height they were at.

“Metro Regiment! Take aim with cannons and fire on the marauding beasts! Make safe the Metropolis!” The closer she moved, the better look Meredith received of what was to occur, including a sight of the gate at the base of the wall. Black boars were charging across the way, their tusks alight with fire. A whirring sound was heard, and cannons mounted along the walls swiveled, aiming towards the flying creatures. “Fire all!”

Boom! Boom! Boom!

With extraordinary force, the magic-mounted cannons fired their artillery, piercing the air in such a line that the four atop the stadium could feel the heat from it. They impacted with the wyverns and other assorted creatures, disintegrating them in midair. It was a quick and short work, of which the same was done by the troops on the ground. As the boars made contact, the men there sliced upward with a weapon of their choosing, or used the various magics at their side to put an end to the assaulting creatures.

The battle was over in a matter of seconds.

“Ha! Look at that!” Vivian said, smug once more. “Like I said, it’s the Metropolis. Barring Lacardia or the base of the Corps, this is the most defended place on the planet. Though I guess you telling the commander helped them do this quicker.”

“Mission accomplished, then?” Emil asked, joining the two girls to survey what was once the battlefield. Meredith could only stare in awe, unable to give an answer.

The Guardians below were giving cheers, their defense of the city done. No more monsters assaulted them. That small army had been so utterly obliterated in such an instant that Meredith could hardly blame them. Seeing the full Corps at work, unlike the dinky garrison back home, was nothing less than inspiring. The city was made safe, and she smiled with relief. Eddie clapped a hand on her shoulder.

“Good thing you told Masters. Now there’s no need to worry.”

“Yeah…”

“Hey, you four! What’re you doing up there? Trial’s closed today!” The quartet turned, noticing that they were no longer alone. Joining them on the upper plinth of the stadium was a Guardian, bedecked in armor that showed him as a trial administrator. “How’d you even get here?”

“Floated, of course,” Emil said, his cheeky grin causing the girls to roll their eyes. At the very least, he demonstrated using his magic. “We wanted to see the Metropolis from a different view.”

“Yeah? Well, maybe do it some other day. You could’ve been seriously hurt,” the Guardian said. His hand was waving, a sure sign to get them off the roof of the coliseum. His impatient tone and frown gave them no other option, and they made their way towards him. Meredith gave one last look towards the Metropolis and the Corps members that had pulled back, allowing citizens to depart from the city again. A truck even drove in, straight from one of the rivers that flowed into the city. “You, too, girl.”

“S-sorry,” Meredith said. She stopped watching the Metropolis and followed after the others, with their new Guardian escort taking up the rear.

“So, why’s the trial not open?” Emil asked once they were back in the hall they’d entered by. The Guardian continued pushing them along, over the now camouflaged trapdoor, and towards a separate set of stairs leading downward.

“Corps is busy. You must’ve seen those monsters, right? The Metropolis received a message from Commander Masters that an attack may have been imminent, so they had all the battle stations manned, which meant pulling some Guardians from here,” their escort spoke. He stifled a yawn soon after, but continued prodding them down the stairs. “Not that it mattered. Made short work of them, and the ones before. As if monsters could attack the Metropolis…”

“So, we couldn’t take the trial now if we wanted?” Vivian asked next, sounding disappointed.

“Nope. Come back in a few days, maybe a week, and we’ll have it prepared. These things take time, and sleep’s been short enough as it is.” Vivian deflated further. Meredith gave no expression on her face, though the very thought of having to wait a week simply because a Guardian was too tired annoyed her. Their group was eventually ushered past the final step of the stairs and into a large atrium with giant doors on both sides. They were pushed towards the one exiting the stadium. “You should go have fun in the Metropolis in the meantime. Safest and most entertaining place in the world! Especially with that laughable attack taken care of.”

He continued pushing them until the quartet was out the door and walking down the biggest set of steps so far, leading to the grassy plain. It made the stadium seem so much bigger than before, and each of them continued watching it until they heard the creaking of doors about to close. Eddie stepped forward before they could.

“Oh, will we need any credentials to enter the city?”

“Nope, long as you’re not wanted, ha ha. Be safe now, kids. See you later!” He wasted no more time in shutting them out. Vivian blew her bangs upward.

“Well, he was unhelpful. How did he ever become a Guardian?” She stomped off. The others pursued. It wasn’t long before Emil, in his usual jovial way, struck up conversation again.

He swiftly got in front of their party, hands behind his head, and said to them with a grin, “Well, we sure got lucky, huh? We know when the next Trial of Power is. We saw the Corps outright obliterate the threat on the Metropolis. We even got through those ruins alive, maybe even stronger for it!”

“No thanks to you,” Vivian said. She tried to outpace Emil, but even walking backwards, he wouldn’t let her.

“Come on, Viv! Traveling with us wasn’t that bad, was it?” She declined to comment, allowing Meredith and Eddie to watch her with bemused smiles. “You know you enjoyed it.”

“I’d rather shower with a bear, thank you,” Vivian said. The only warble in her words was when she turned back to look at Eddie. “Though, I guess your food is passable. Better than Max’s, even if your combat skills leave a lot to be desired. Your magic’s…all right, as well. Nothing on my enchantment magic, but…helpful. I guess. Though, are you sure you even want to take the trials?”

“Oh…uh…” Eddie stumbled over himself, unable to provide an adequate answer. Vivian wasn’t listening, anyway. She passed Emil and made tracks for the bustling entrance of the Metropolis without caring to listen. Eddie still talked under his breath with a blush. “Thank you.”

“She’s such a sourpuss,” Emil said. He changed the direction of his body, drawing even with the Lumarina travelers and slinging an arm around Eddie. “Your cooking is pretty great. Got any tips? You know, cooking tips for magic lessons.”

“Emil, do you ever shut up?” Meredith asked, the previous exhaustion returning with a vengeance. Her head hurt once more, the buzzing returning and a roiling present inside her with each step closer to the city. Emil looked sheepish and backed off.

Only slight relief was gotten from that, and Meredith’s mind was all too soon distracted from the buzzing inside her head. The wall of the Metropolis loomed over them, and while it was only a few stories high, the shadow it cast informed each member of the quartet that they had arrived at the great city. Some Guardians were still on the walls, along with other non-Corps-affiliated forces, but no one was on the ground anymore, allowing each person to pass through without incident.

The general hum of the city grew louder, joined in by the announcements coming from screens that decorated the city, each saying the same thing over a collective news channel. People were coming and going, laughing, smiling or otherwise focused on their own tasks. Meredith’s feet picked a faster pace, eager to see the interior of the city. The closer she got, the more distinct the announcements became.

“…egotiations continue today between the Guardian Corps and Lacardia, and we’ll be bringing the news to you as soon as its available,” a reporter’s voice echoed. “In attendance are Chief Commander Marcus and Commander Royston Masters, meeting with Lacardia’s President Parradyne and Ministers Baroné in the vaunted Fountain Square, and many expect…”

Meredith stopped paying attention, matched with Vivian in steps as the two crossed over the threshold of the Metropolis together. It was like entering into a gleaming, never-before-seen world. Awe and wonder entered all of them, and just like that, there was a trembling through Meredith’s entire body. The buzzing increased, sharp and discordant, like multiple waves bouncing off each other. There was something there, in the air, though she didn’t know what it was. All she knew, as her steps briefly paused, was that something was stirring deep in her soul.

The monster attack had only been the beginning. A mere herald.

Everything was still gathering in the Metropolis, and the bubble, like the ringing in her head, was about to burst. Knowing that, Meredith stepped forward nonetheless.