Gods From the Machine (17 page)

“
Some might see this as a declaration of love.” He felt the intricate design in his hand. “I thought you didn’t believe in love?”

“
I think I’m starting to.” Quinn smiled.

9
. The Call

B
y the time Nick strolled in a large group of soldiers had gathered around the big screen monitor in the Grand Hall. Wearing a grin on his face, he was still elated from finding a suitable compromise to his dilemma. He joined Matt in viewing the video projection that captured the attention of everyone in the room. The projection showed people running out of a collapsing building, their faces filled with fear and hopelessness. The strangest part was that the buildings, as well as its surroundings, were covered in ice. Cars, trees, nothing was spared. The screen switched to close up shots of several people who were frozen into statues. It was an absolutely terror to behold.

His feelings of joy were suddenly sapped.
“What is this?” Nick said.

“
Fyria. We thought Doctor Numerous was our only problem. We were wrong. It’s far worse,” Matt said.

“
He’s just torturing them now, and putting them all in this big show,” Paul said. “He’s creating irrational fear, breaking down whatever hope they have left.” He punched a nearby wall. “Damn him!”

The emerg
ency distress signal blared loudly, echoing throughout the stations. It relayed the messages from nearby cities and Garrisons currently in danger and in need of assistance. The red lights that accompanied the sound were also flashing wildly, indicating the level of the threat. Nick had never seen it at red before. Nor had he witnessed an emergency call that gathered such a large assembly of soldiers and knights at one time. This was the first time he had ever heard the distinct sound, the only other times he had known it to be used was when older knights regaled tales of the Second Coming.

“
Why is everyone standing around? It’s a distress call. We should answer it!” Nick shouted, outraged by everyone’s calmness.

“
We have,” Daniel said. “We’ve responded to them hours ago. But, they still keep calling. They must be in really bad shape over there.”

“
Why haven’t any troops been dispatched? We have to hit the threat right now and hit them hard. They’re one of us! They’re our brothers and sisters! And yet everyone is standing around doing nothing!” Nick shouted.

“
While you were busy wasting time doing who knows what, the archangels and our Supreme Commander have been going over a plan of attack. We’re on standby until they give us our orders to proceed. Until then, we sit tight,” Paul said.

At a nearby table,
Lucius and Bartholomew stood as the only two people not watching the horrors on the projected screen. They loomed over the map of Fyria, speaking in hushed whispers, moving around miniature scaled objects they placed over it, testing out positions. Where were Gabriel and Peter in all of this?

Gabriel entered the room. He made sure he had everyone
’s attention before he spoke. “Plans have changed. We’ve made preparations to go to leave their tonight.” As usual, he was in his full uniform with his sword slung over his back. He glanced around the room and pointed at Nick. “I was looking for you. You are no longer part of this mission, kid. Peter’s orders.”

“
Why?” Nick said.

“
Our sources have identified and confirmed that one of the Crowned Princes has been seen with Doctor Numerous. Considering the lack of training you have had ever since your powers emerged, it has been decided you will do us better a service if you stayed behind,” Gabriel said.

“
Which Crowned Prince is behind this?” Nick glanced at the screen and saw the icy wasteland and realized he answered his own question. It was Bergice the Blizzard, the fearsome manipulator of ice who was responsible. But the fact that his mere presence was unnerving for everyone was a testament to the strength of this member of the Crowned Princes. How could such a powerful entity be defeated?

“
Bergice, the Lord of Fear. He’s not to be taken lightly, even against our army and archangels,” Gabriel said.

Nick had heard stories
about the one known as Bergice, the demon involved in the infamous Frozen Fifty incident. There wasn’t much information to study him by, as was the case with most of the Crowned Princes due to their elusiveness. However, there were always the same common characteristics people used to describe him. He was regarded as an unstoppable killing machine known for his brutal and merciless tactics. Every encounter with him had ended in death. Despite knowing all this, Nick was still determined to go. If the prophecy was right then he would have to face him eventually. What better time than now when they needed him most?

“
Why fill my head with delusions of grandeur just to have me stay home? I can help—I want to help!” Nick said.

“
You will, in time. For now it’s still too soon. You haven’t even had a chance to properly fight your first real demon yet,” Gabriel said. “You’ll have your chance soon enough and when you do, you’ll be glad we left you behind.”

“
I’ve been training for this. I know I messed up before, but I can control it now. I’ve beaten one of the Crowned Princes before, right? That means I can beat the others,” Nick argued.

“
Flawless logic, but you have to remember that what happened in the past doesn’t mean the same outcome will occur again. The person standing before me and the person in the past are two very different people. The Agrian that killed Durenth was a full-blooded demon. You are a man with a demon’s soul,” Gabriel said.

“
I think you’re being unreasonable right now. You don’t have faith in me,” Nick said. “None of you do!”

“
Is that what you think? Fine. I’ll let you come, but on one condition.” Gabriel folded his arms.

Nick raised an eyebrow.

“I want you think about what you just said. Think real hard and be completely honest with me. Do you really believe what you’ve said? Do you really think you’ve been able to control Agrian the way you want to? You think you’ve truly mastered the demon inside? If you have no doubt that your transformation won’t end up putting yourself or those around you in danger then you can come along,” Gabriel said.

Nick didn
’t want to think about it. He didn’t want to search for the answer because deep down he knew Gabriel was right. He wasn’t ready. This was just having another relapse from the demon within. Like a constant addiction, he was drawn to bloodshed and destruction. Since the trials, Agrian was starving for battle and it was affecting the way he perceived things. The loss he suffered created an insatiable desire to seek redemption.

“
No,” Nick said finally.

“
Alright then.” Gabriel patted Nick on the shoulder. “Don’t be so disappointed, kiddo. You’ll have your time to shine. Fate has already determined that. But by that time, you’ll be wishing you didn’t.” He walked off, lugging the sack of weaponry over his shoulder.

At this point Nick did rounds throughout the halls checking for peop
le. Empty. Everyone had gone. He went to the briefing room to find only Peter, who was gathering some documents into his briefcase.

“
Supreme Commander, I need to talk to you,” Nick said.

“
I assumed Gabriel explained my reasoning for taking you off this mission,” Peter said.

“
Please reconsider. I have to go back for her sake.”

“
That’s precisely why you can’t. Going back will tear at the seams of your already fragile soul. You’ve been carrying that burden for quite some time, but you’ve never learned to let go. If you want to honor what Susan Stillwell stood for, then you will obey my wishes,” Peter said.

“
Who is going to run things while you’re gone? Who will the people here turn to?” Nick said.

“
I can’t expect to have the support of the Garrison if their own leader isn’t willing to stand at the frontlines with them in battle,” Peter said. “Bergice is Ozarael’s right hand, and without question the second most dangerous demon in existence. Doctor Numerous is also with him, and the only human who possesses intimate knowledge of the inner workings of their demon hierarchy. If we hope to prevent a full-scale war, then we must stop Bergice and capture Numerous. With the elusive alchemist in our custody, we could pinpoint the location of Ozarael and put down any chance of a demon uprising. We cannot pass up this opportunity.”

Nick couldn
’t argue with that reasoning.

But was Peter up to
leading his army? His Supreme Commander was using his cane more often than before. Even though Peter was powerful in his old age, it still didn’t change the fact that it would be more risky to go into live combat. None of this eased Nick’s mind.

“
So what am I going to do all alone here?” Nick had always been chaperoned at one point or another by someone in the Garrison. Being on his own was a very new concept.

“
Don’t worry you’ll have company. I’ve assigned Matthew and Daniel here as well as Paul in the event something should happen,” Peter said.

“
I can understand Matt and Daniel, but Paul? I hate the guy. I don’t care if he is the president’s son, I refuse to follow the orders of some sociopath while you’re gone.”

“
I am aware of the ongoing conflict between you two, but we need a more seasoned knight here, one who knows the protocols and Paul fits the bill. Even though President Evans requested him to stay, I firmly believe he’s a good influence on you. Despite his somewhat questionable nature at times, you’ll see, this will be a good experience for the both of you,” Peter said.

Nick could almost feel the vomit almost burst through his mouth. The words
“good influence” and Paul Evans were two concepts that did not work together in a sentence, let alone real life. Opposite attraction only worked between people who had redeemable qualities. There was nothing redeeming about the pompous, privileged Sir Evans. The fact that Peter believed there was a possibility they could learn to like each other when they could barely be together in the same room was laughable.

“
Right.” Nick decided to at least humor the old man’s request before he left.

“
There’s also something I wanted to talk to you about before I take my leave.” A knowing smile broke through Peter’s stern visage. “I know why your mind’s been scattered the last couple of months. You’ve been seeing a girl outside the Garrison, haven’t you?”

“
What are you talking about?” Nick tried to keep his composure.

“
A little birdie has brought to my attention the conflict you have between your duties,” he said. Peter walked to a file cabinet nearby and skimmed through the manila folders. “Was I lied to?”

“
That depends who told you,” Nick said.

Peter laughed, and he gave Nick a paternal look.
“Do you believe Paul was the one to inform me? Can you believe he wanted me to punish you? I don’t know why you kids try to keep these things from me. I was young once too, if you can believe it. I can see it in your face. You’re happy, a lot happier than you’ve been these last couple of years. You’ve obviously fallen in deep with this young woman, and I’m glad you’ve learned to share yourself with another person, but I don’t have to remind you about the repercussions your actions can have, do I?”

Nick nodded.
“Knights aren’t allowed to fall in love, unless it is with another member of a Garrison. Their lives are dedicated to the safety of the people they’ve sworn to protect. I know. I know all about the strings attached.”

“
It’s only for the best, my boy. Especially since you’re now the most wanted man in the world, you can only bring danger to this girl’s life.” Peter sighed.

“
Well anything that was there is now gone.” It was a blatant lie, and Nick felt guilty for saying it, especially when it came to Peter—he couldn’t even look at the old man right now.

“
I’m sorry to hear that, but it was for the best. If this girl feels the same for you, think about how much strain you’d put on her if she knew you were risking your life as Agrian,” Peter said.

“
I understand.”

“
I thought you’d be more upset. I’m surprised. You’re taking all of this rather well.”

“
I kept my distance so she doesn’t know about my past. My real past. It figured it would be better this way, right?” Nick said.

Peter raised a brow.
“Yes, you mustn’t let anyone outside these walls know the truth about your heritage. They wouldn’t understand. How could they? Humans were taught to despise your kind. Even though we don’t feel the same here, history has made it impossible for them to see it any other way.”

“
I know that. Did you think I wanted her to find out I’m a monster?” Nick said.

“
Sadly, I can say it’s worse for my own granddaughter. Unlike you who can run with our Garrison, she must live in exile for she is considered a threat to the Crowned Princes. I think about how she feels sometimes, always living life behind a glass prison.” Peter sighed. “I hate myself for putting her in that position, but it’s for her own good, even if she doesn’t believe it.”