Diamond Bonds (38 page)

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A loud knocking prompts Era to jump to his feet in the rocking craft.  He shoves the door open, filling the cabin with wind.  Fighting his fear, he carefully leans outside and observes the city below.  He locates a particular pair of spiral towers, and he follows those north to locate the palace and adjoined military barracks.

He turns to Jem, shouting over the wind.  “READY?”  Jem nods, and Era slams the roof, indicating to Pearl they’re jumping.  Taking a deep breath, he squeezes his eyes shut and dives from the sky boat.  He activates his pressure pack, and the high volume of wind immediately works to slow his descent.

As he gets closer to the roof, he can start to make out the details.  Watching carefully for any signs of life as he lands, he reaches his legs out and finds himself with a surprising amount of momentum, and he frantically works to cut the rune off before being yanked off the opposite edge of the building.  The rune deactivates, and he comes to a stop just in time to avoid a fall.

The noise from Jem’s pressure pack is quieter than he expected, which brings him relief.  He rushes to his partner, and they stash the packs next to the edge of the roof, having planned to use them to escape if necessary.

The two crouch low in the darkness, taking a planned break to evaluate the situation before proceeding, but there are no indications they were noticed.  They bump fists and move quietly along the rooftop until they find a hatch.  Jem rests her ear to it before signaling Era to move it.  The thief pops a latch and removes the wooden covering.  After confirming the room below is empty, she slides her legs off and lowers herself into the hole.

Era waits up top while dangling his arms down, ready to pull Jem out if needed.  When she signals for Era to descend, he does so with uncharacteristic grace.  Jem points to a small table in the corner, which Era immediately retrieves.  He places it below the hole and climbs on top to test it, ensuring they can use it to escape.

The intruders pause to take in their surroundings.  Large crates line one wall of the room, and military uniforms hang over the edges.  It becomes apparent this is the studio of a tailor.

Footsteps approach from the hallway outside.  Era and Jem each dive behind a box on opposite sides of the room.  The door creaks open, and a tall, lanky man walks in.  He gets about halfway into the room when he notices the moved table.  As he walks up to it, he barely notices the opened hatch above before Jem shoves him against a wall, covering his mouth while Era hurries to close the door.

Jem draws her shattered dagger and pushes it into the man’s neck.  “Tell me where you keep your prisoners,” she mutters in a low voice.  She uncovers his mouth slowly while adding pressure with her knife.

The man’s eyes widen in shock at the sight of an Allerian.  “I-I-I’m just a tailor!  I’m not armed-”

Jem covers his mouth and twirls her blade in intimidating fashion.  “You only get one more chance.  Tell me where you keep your prisoners!”

He nods his head, and Jem removes her hand once more.  “Th-The jail is outside town.”

“Outside!?” Jem repeats.  “There are no prison cells here?”

“Th-There are some in the basement, b-but those are only used for high-profile prisoners.”

“We’re looking for a short, blond girl named Di,” Era says with hushed urgency, cutting to the chase.  “Do you know of her?”

“Y-Yes!  She’s in the b-basement as well.”

A wave of excitement sweeps through Era’s body.  “Where are the stairs?” he demands.

“O-Outside.  To your left.”

Era glances to Jem.  “Anything else?”  When she shakes her head, he clocks the man in the head with a newly-formed club.  The tailor falls forward, unconscious, and Jem lowers him to the ground.  Era grabs a cloth from a nearby table and gags his mouth while Jem ties his hands behind his back.  They lift him and dump him into one of the crates full of uniforms.

The two move to the door, again confirming no one is outside before making a dash for the stairwell.  They descend quickly but quietly down the stone stairs, masking their sound as best they can.  The barracks is built four stories high, creating a long trek to the basement.

Era glances through the stair’s entryway to find a narrow hallway illuminated by light runes embedded in the ceiling.  There’s no choice but to run all the way down without any cover, hoping no one rounds the far corner while they’re making their move.  He signals the information to Jem, and she nods in confirmation.  They dash into the open, with Era taking the lead and Jem watching their backs.

It feels like it takes an eternity to reach the end of the hall, but they manage to do it without anyone happening upon them.  Surveying his options, Era targets a large and heavy door.  He pushes it open and hurries inside, and Jem files in behind her partner.

“H-Hey!” a guard calls out from the back corner of the cell area.  “Who are you?”

Era wastes no time tackling the private.  Jem closes the door, dejected to find the cells are all empty.

“HELP!  HELP!” the guard cries as he kicks Era into a nearby cage wall, causing further racket.  Era manages to trip him, and Jem swiftly brings her dagger’s handle down on his head to end the fight.  The two freeze, desperately hoping no one heard the ruckus, but they soon hear a set of footsteps approaching.  They hurry to hide behind the door.

The door swings open, hiding them from view as the new arrival steps into the room.  The person stands in the doorway for several moments before noticing the unconscious warden.  Rather than rush to his side, he carefully searches the room from his vantage point before swinging the door shut to check behind it.

Era attempts to tackle him, but their opponent had been prepared for an attack and throws Era to the side instead.  Jem tries to kick him, but he grabs her foot and twists it, forcing her to the floor.  He draws his sword as the two intruders leap to their feet, only to find their opponent is none other than Commander Galen.  The officer is stunned by their presence.  “You two!?”

Era panics, knowing they can’t beat him.  The commander’s last words to him echo in his head, promising he would kill them if he ever saw them again.

And yet the commander just watches them, making no aggressive movements as he especially seems to study Jem.  He sheathes his sword, almost amused.  “You two are here for the girl?  I’m impressed you’ve made it this far.”

Surprised by the attempt at conversation, Era forms his earth sword and directs it at the skilled warrior.  “S-Surrender!  We have you outnumbered!”

Amazingly, Galen raises his hands in the air.  “You’ve got me.  But if I may ask, what exactly is your plan here?”

“We’re asking the questions here!” Era insists as he awkwardly holds his blade up to the commander.  “Tell me where-”

“What is your relationship with that girl?” he asks.  “How is it you know her?”

“Di is just a young girl who wants to go home, and we’re trying to get her there,” Era spouts.  “Why do you even want her?  You’re inhuman for putting her through all this!”

“So you truly have no idea,” Galen mumbles, confirming his suspicions.  “You’re involving yourselves in something you’d do well to forget.  If you want to survive, forget about the girl and leave now, before you’re found out.”

Jem is confused by the casual nature of the conversation, but Era isn’t so taken in.  “You’d sure like that, wouldn’t you?”

“That girl isn’t who you think she is.  She’s no daughter of a mayor, and that’s the least of her surprises.”  Solemnly, he adds, “She will not leave with you.”

The partners meet eyes.  Their knowledge that Di isn’t the daughter of Canterin’s mayor gives weight to Galen’s words.  However, Era’s determination outweighs his uncertainty.  “She’s our friend.  We won’t abandon her.”

Galen remains unmoved by the display.  “Then your lives are forfeit.”

Era aggressively pushes his earth blade forward.  “Where can we find Di?”

“Head into the hall and turn left.  Take that until you find the large sparring room.  You’ll find her there, but you should hurry, because she’s due for an audience shortly.”  Galen surveys his surroundings and asks, “So will you lock me up in one of these cells?”

Era grows frustrated by Galen’s casual response to his predicament.  “Y-Yeah, we’re locking you up!  Shut up, already.”  Galen meanders into a cell, allowing Era to close it behind him.  “That won’t hold him for long.  It’s likely he has a way to create fire.”

Jem shakes the cell door.  “But these bars won’t just melt, either.  We should have time.”  She looks at Galen, annoyed to find him continuing to study her.  Ignoring him, she makes her way to the door and verifies the hallway is again clear.  “Come on, let’s go!”

Galen sits on the stone floor as he watches the two exit the prison room.  He crosses his arms and thinks about the Allerian, realizing it’s the first time he’s seen her in good lighting.  “There’s no mistaking it,” he mutters to himself.  “That’s definitely her.”

Chapter 22

Era and Jem creep down the hallway, moving swiftly while looking for the room Galen described.  Though Era is intent on finding their friend, Jem’s thoughts are stuck on the way the commander had acted.  Dread starts to creep in as she wonders if this is their last chance to make a clean escape.  “E-Era, I…”

Era signals for Jem to stop and wait as they approach an entryway.  He peeks around the corner, observing the room inside, and he swings around energetically. “She’s in there!” he whispers.

Jem peeks around Era, finding Di amidst a group of soldiers.  “What is she doing?”

“Who cares!?  Are you ready?”  His partner swallows hard, and Era’s eagerness drops as he watches her hesitate.  “What is it?”

“It’s just what the commander said…”  Shaking it off, she looks back at Era resolutely.  “No, never mind that.  We’ve come this far, so let’s go get her.”

He dashes boldly into the room, an earth club drawn and ready.  He runs behind a soldier, who turns just in time to get smashed in the face by Era’s blunt weapon.  He turns to another and slams him in the gut as Jem sweeps her opponent’s legs out from under him.

The rest of the soldiers clumsily draw their blades and rush toward the two intruders, leaving Di to watch in disbelief as her guardians pick a fight.  “E-Era?  Jem!?  You’re alive!!” she squeals with excitement.  However, realizing the two are still outnumbered, Di clenches her fists and hurries to join in.  She assaults a soldier from behind by kicking out his knees and yanking him forcefully into the wall.  Admitting to herself that a ponytail is far more suited for combat, she slugs Jem’s opponent in the back of the head with solidified air around her fists.

Jem’s jaw drops.  “Di?  What in the world!?”

Di beams proudly at Jem and moves to help Era, but he finishes his opponent before Di can join in, smashing his side with his club and kicking him to the floor.  Not wasting any time, he runs up and embraces Di.

The girl hugs him back, clinging tightly to him as she holds back tears.  “Era, I thought you were dead!”

“Not yet, at least!”  He places his hands on her shoulders and looks into her eyes.  “We’ve come to save you.  Let’s get you home.”

Though at first exhilarated, Di’s heart sinks as she grasps the reality of the situation.  “N-No, Era!  I can’t leave!”

“It’s okay!  We’ve got a safe way out, but we have to move
now!
”

Era tries to tug at Di’s arm, but she pulls back, refusing to go.  “Era, I can’t explain it right now, but you have to leave me here!  I’m not… I’m not who you think I am.  I can’t go with you!”

The wave of terror crashes back over Jem.  “That’s what the commander said,” she realizes.  “What’s going on here?  Why are you wearing a military uniform?”

“I have to listen to him!  He’s making me fight… and kill.  And he’ll make me fight you, I know it!”

Era furrows his brow.  “You’re not making any sense, Di!  Just explain it later, but come with us now!”

“She isn’t
capable
of leaving,” someone calls out from the entrance of the room.  “That’s what she’s trying to say.”

Di’s eyes widen in terror at the sound of Graff’s voice.  Without looking back at him, she urges, “Hurry!  Leave NOW!”

Era refuses to heed Di’s advice, instead stepping between her and the general, holding his sword ready.  “Who are you!?”

Graff ignores Era, instead setting his sights on the girl behind him.  “See, Diamond, this is what I’m talking about.  Here’s an Allerian, standing right before you, and you haven’t killed her yet?  Shameful.”

Di throws herself on the ground and bows.  “Please, I’m
begging
you!  Let them go!  They don’t understand!”

The general raises his head back and strokes his chin.  “Ah, now I get it.  So these two were the ones who caused poor Commander Galen all that stress.”  Addressing the intruders, he says, “How brave of you to infiltrate this place.  You were her abductors?”

Era points his sword at the general.  “
YOU
were her abductors!”

“You grasp nothing,” Graff says as soldiers enter from behind him.  Era and Jem watch helplessly as the men swarm in, prompting flashbacks to the forest outside Canterin.  However, when the soldiers see Graff and Di, they merely step back and observe.

“Don’t worry about them.  They were coming for a demonstration,” Graff says as he motions around.  “It seems we’ll be starting early, but this should be even more effective than what I had in mind.”

Di turns and hugs Era, gripping him tightly.  “I’m so sorry, Era…” she squeaks out, her voice trembling.  “I never meant for you or Jem to be hurt.”

“Jem?” Graff asks, interested.  “Is your name truly Jem?”

“None of your business,” she sneers.

“I once knew a man by the name of Colonel Jemson.  Perhaps you’ve heard of him?”  Jem’s eyes widen, prompting a scoff from the general.  “Your reaction is enough.  So you’re Colonel Jemson’s daughter, all grown up?  I wonder if Galen ever realized it was you he was pursuing.”

Focused on the threat around them, Era mutters, “Di, you can fight.  You two need to break through the line and make a run for it.  I’ll keep this guy back.”

The small girl again pleads, “Era!  You have to listen!  I can’t-”

“To everyone who has now gathered,” the general announces, “these brigands are personal friends of the weapon.  It wants desperately for them to be safe.  Keep that in mind as we move forward.”  He looks to Di with cold eyes.  “Diamond, I think it’s time to begin our demonstration.”

Tears streaming down her face, Di falls to her knees.  “
Please! 
I’ll do anything!” she shrieks.

“You already do that,” he says with a devilish grin.  Graff extends his hand outward, his hand symbol glowing as he orders, “Let’s start out slowly.  Diamond, disarm that man.”

Confused, Era glances at Di just in time to notice her make a diving lunge at him.  He stumbles backward as she assaults him, kicking him in the gut before punching hard at his left shoulder.  Jem watches in shock as Di shows no sign of letting up.

“Di!  What are you doing!?” he calls, but his friend continues her attack, and it’s all he can do to defend the strikes without dropping his sword.  He desperately tries to grapple Di, but the runic twirls around him and kicks him from behind.

Stumbling forward, he runs wide to put space between them.  “What did you do to her!?” he shouts at the general.

“I did nothing,” he coldly states.  “This is what Diamond is.”

Di solidifies the air around her hands into blades, and Jem watches in horror as the girl charges Era, swiping at him with her deadly weapons as he skillfully deflects each attack with his own elemental blade.  As the sounds from the skirmish echo out, even more soldiers pour into the room.  Cut off from any chance of escape, all Jem can do is watch her two friends duel.

“Di!” Era cries as he gasps for breath, growing exhausted from the struggle.  “Di, snap out of it!  It’s me!”

The air shaper swings at him harder and harder, and it’s clear she’s taking great pleasure in each blow.  Era finds himself barely keeping up with his miniature opponent, and he determines to take the offensive.  He defends an attack and swings a club at Di’s head, but she deflects the strike with both blades and knees him in the stomach.  She slams her weapons into his earth blade, which sends his left arm out, leaving him entirely defenseless.

Mercilessly, Di steps forward and swings her blade up alongside Era’s body, cutting into the underside of his left shoulder and slicing straight through.  Her weapon passes through the tissue as if it isn’t there, and, for a moment, Era doesn’t even realize he’s been cut.

Jem shrieks as Era’s arm lands beside him.  The combatant grabs his shoulder with his remaining hand and screams in pain.  Not letting up, Di follows through with her momentum and kicks him so hard that he rolls along the ground before coming to a stop.  Jem rushes to him and slides to her knees.  She rips her vest off and forces it against his shoulder as she pulls him up into her lap.  Tears stream down her cheeks as Era’s face twists in agony.  “No… Era…!” she squeaks out.

Di dispels her blades, and Era’s blood splatters to the ground at her feet.  However, her mission complete, the warmth returns to her expression, and tears well up instantly as she realizes what she just did to her friend.

“Ha!” Graff bellows.  “That was a literal interpretation of ‘disarm’!  Well done, Diamond!”

Di grabs the sides of her head and falls to her knees, her entire body trembling.  “N-No! I… I…”

Jem caresses Era’s head as her vest soaks with blood, and he bites his tongue as he continues to grip his wound.  His blood covers her, but she holds him tightly as her own tears drip onto his cheek.  “It’s really over…”

“Diamond,” the general calls out.  She squeezes her eyes shut and covers her ears, horrified of what she knows is coming next.  “He’s suffered enough.  Kill him.”

The entire room watches in silence as the weapon gets to her feet.  She forms her blades and plants her feet, ready to strike.

Jem lays Era’s head gently back against the stone floor.  “J-Jem…!” he groans as she gets to her feet.

She wipes her eyes and gives him a look that says, ‘it’s okay’.  Despite the situation, she somehow feels no regret as she draws her broken dagger and steps between Era and his aggressor.  With a determined look in her eyes, she screams at Di, “You think you can treat him like this?  After all he did for you!?  I won’t let you touch him!  I won’t!”

Di races at Jem, her blades pulled back as she closes in on her target.  The Allerian brings her weapon up in defense, but Di stops several feet short and spins, bringing her blades jointly from the side.  Jem has no time to react.  She squeezes her eyes and braces herself for the fatal strike.

“STOP!” Graff barks, and Di freezes in place, her blade mere inches from Jem’s neck.  All the soldiers in the room are murmuring as they point at something off to the side.  Even Jem and Di, despite their situation, realize something is amiss and turn to find Era’s dismembered arm engulfed in flames.

When Graff approaches, it abruptly extinguishes as a gust of wind breaks forth from the limb, and the entire thing crumbles.  “What the blazes?” he mumbles as he kneels beside it.  He touches the pile of wet dirt that used to be an arm, confirming it is as it appears.  “Mud?”

“Congratulations, General!” a voice calls out from the back.  The soldiers step aside, allowing Ares to stroll into the room.

The general glares at his informant, who is strutting in with as much confidence as ever.  “What do you want, Ares?  I thought you were searching for the other weapons!”

Ares grins.  “I was indeed, and I found one!  Then I followed him here.”  He points at the arm on the ground and says, “I guess I was too late.  I see you already broke it.”

“What?” Graff barks, glaring at Era.  “This kid is another weapon!?”

Recovered from her commands, Di’s eyes widen in shock at the revelation.  “He’s the same as me?” she whispers.

“What do you think will happen if a rune loses a limb?” Ares asks, playfully teasing his audience.  “Earth, water, air, and fire comprise these weapons, and to these elements they return, as you just bore witness.”

Though perplexed by his words, Jem suddenly notices most of Era’s blood on the ground and on her clothes has turned to earth.  Her previously blood-soaked vest is now a muddy mess.  Even Era’s hand is covered with a mix of dirt and blood.

“I don’t…” Era starts, fighting through the pain.  “What’s going on?”

Graff eagerly turns to Era.  “It seems you’re a rune, just like your friend here. What luck that you should bring yourself to us.”

“Too bad you had to cut off his arm to find out,” Ares chides, “but that won’t slow him down.  He’ll be as effective as Diamond, even with a single arm.  Runics are extraordinary.”

“Yes, I would believe that,” Graff says as he moves toward Era.

Still failing to understand the situation, Jem shifts to place herself between Graff and Era.  The general, not amused, raises his hand toward Di, intent on making the Allerian move aside.  However, before he can issue an order, a loud clamor emanates from the hallway outside.  “What’s going on out there?” the general barks.

Soldiers start streaming into the hallway, but a small figure bursts into view.  Fire shoves her way past the soldiers and races for the group in the middle.  She leans close and yells in a hushed voice, “Close your eyes, NOW!”

“Contain her!” Graff shouts, and the entire room starts closing in on Fire.

As the mass of soldiers moves in at her, Fire reaches into her pocket and withdraws three small, white balls.  Squeezing her eyes shut and turning her head away, she throws them into the floor.

A blinding flash floods the room.  The soldiers start running into each other as they grab at their eyes in agony.  Even Graff falls prey to the attack.

“MOVE!” Fire screams, herself half-blinded as she grabs Di’s arm and stumbles through the masses.  Jem gets Era to his feet and makes her escape as well, stepping over soldiers as they writhe in pain.  The group races down the long hallway and up the stairs, with Fire dragging Di as Jem helps Era along.  The assassin turns and beckons with her arm, not happy with how slowly the other two are moving.  “Come on, come
on!
”