The Lotus Effect (Rise Of The Ardent) (39 page)

My stomach soared to my throat as the energy propelled me downwards. Two stories I had fallen before I felt the air cascade past with enough force that it already knocked Scottie’s Walker to one knee beneath me.

One second, two seconds—I slammed hard onto the Walker and it took everything I had to not lose hold of my shield and axe from the collision. My body bounced and I spun, my palms squealing against the metal as I slid. I grunted at the effort it took to grab at the slippery surface. I was falling and falling
fast
.

Reacting on instinct, I spun my axe and rammed its spiked end into the joint of the Walker’s neck. It took hold thankfully, though it was now my only anchor. I swung in a dangerous arc from the end of the hilt; my back slamming hard into the Walker’s shoulder with Scottie’s every jarring movement.

At this point Scottie realized that he too, like Giles, had been mounted. He swiveled and threw his large iron-laden arms around, trying to shake me. He removed the sound barrier. “Good to see you’ve joined us,
Mistress
,” he shouted, his voice odd and distorted behind the mask.

The axe anchoring me came loose and I was thrown upwards onto the crevice of his shoulder and upper arm. I quickly spun the axe around again and jammed it into his mech’s shoulder, once again using it as a pick to hold me in place.

Scottie’s Walker reached up with its left arm to grab at my swinging legs, but soon found us both flying through the air. —Xander had somehow directed Giles’ Walker at a ramming speed directly into us.

Using Giles’ shoulders as a kick-start, Xander engaged his wings and shot out at Scottie’s head with a crushing impact.

All three of us; Scottie, Xander, and I, were sent tumbling through the street, rolling several times over. I tucked my body close to the mech, fearing we’d both be crushed beneath the Walker’s massive weight. Holding my breath, I waited until this surreal moment of uncontrolled flight was over—the faint hue of Xander’s blue jets passing before my eyes like a blurring comet.

Finally our spinning slowed, but Scottie didn’t hesitate to try and right himself again with me still perched on his shoulder. Xander shot off towards Giles, who was now charging us, tackling his midsection, and slamming him backwards into the brick siding of a dilapidated store front.

I looked down. Scottie was having trouble trying to get the massive legs of the Walker beneath him.

Using the opportunity, I yanked at my axe, removing it just before jumping down to the dusty street below. Using my shield to help push myself to my feet, I rolled away and ran to gain cover. I skidded to a halt, peeking my head around the corner of the nearest brick building.

My mind ran frantic, searching for a way to disable him and thinking of what had happened to Hugo.
I have to get that net away from him.

I looked to the gleaming surface of his arm, my mind focused momentarily to decipher its inner workings.
If I disconnect the wire that controlled the directional mechanisms for the harpoon, I could then sever the link between him and his weapon.

Perfect.

Timing my next attack would be crucial. I was very aware of the threat of not only severing the inner workings of the joint, but also my own hands should they get trapped in the Walker’s overlapping armor.

Swallowing hard, I calmly took a step forward into the open street, gripping my axes as I waited for him to push himself from the ground. Just as I’d hoped, Scottie’s Walker bent low, using its arm as leverage to help push itself to its feet.

—I broke into action and sprinted towards the mammoth, sliding just beneath him. Using the momentum, I drove my axe into the joint at his elbow. An oily brown substance spurted from the slashed metal—but not at the rate I would’ve hoped. My face blanched, quickly realizing I needed another hit to fully break through.

I grunted furiously as the brown oil dripped down the front of my helm and into my mouth as I yanked on my axe, trying to pull it free. Throwing my shield down, I spat the vile substance and growled loudly as I grabbed hold of the axe with both hands and lifted my feet into the air, using my body’s weight to finally dislodge it.

Scottie wouldn’t have any of that.

I cried out as I felt an explosive blow to the side of my body, my breastplate doing nothing to protect against the Walker’s massive left-handed assault.
  

Soaring through the air, my back slammed into the brick building behind me. I thought I heard Xander call out my name, but I was unsure—my only thought was a searing white pain that was now erupting in my side.

An odd and unfamiliar sound escaped me. My lungs were not doing their job. I started to panic as I found I couldn’t pull in the oxygen that I needed, a pathetic gasping sound being the only indication of my current predicament.

I stumbled away from Scottie’s swinging arms in a daze, holding my side, finding my shield and dragging it along the ground. I staggered inside the nearest building and slumped against the wall. I threw off my helm. Old papers, tattered and stained and still pinned to a board, tickled the tip of my head.

Through the warped and broken windows, I could see Scottie still struggling to get his Walker back onto its feet.

My vision blurred, swayed—I was so dizzy.

I closed my eyes to the pain and tried to slow my racing heart. I held my sweaty palm to my breastplate, willing my rapidly rasping chest to function like it should. The grooves of the tree trunk carved across it felt rough across my fingertips and an indention now drove itself inwards towards my ribs.

Xander is still out there. Get UP!

Spots danced before my eyes and I angrily tried to blink them away. The walls of the building started to careen inwards and pitch at unnatural angles.

I couldn’t breathe.

I panicked even more, knowing I was going to pass out. There was no denying it now as I felt my body tilt towards the ground, it too forfeiting its duty.

No!
My mind screamed at the will of my body.

Only a small haze of my vision remained as I stared through the fog. The last thing I had the energy left to witness was a shape appearing beyond—across the broken room. It approached slowly towards my helpless form.

Xander? But wasn’t he just outside? Fighting with Giles?

Even in my weary state, the thought sounded illogical.

The dark shape crouched to inspect me, a curious tilt to its head. It was the last thing I remember before my vision failed me completely, rendering me into the waiting arms of unconsciousness.

Chapter 42

Soured Friendships ~ Going Numb

“How tragic is it that the very armor Xander designed to
protect
you is going to be the very element of your demise? Judging by his dedication to perfection, I would assume it’s going to be a rather long and treacherous one,” an oddly mechanical voice said just beyond the edge of my subconscious.

I shifted uncomfortably only to find that I had no control of neither my hands nor my feet. My heart rammed itself in my throat as I jolted awake. Memories of what had taken place flooding back to me.

“Ah, yes. I see you have joined us in the land of the living. Welcome back, Lily.”

I realized my labored breathing had thankfully returned to normal.
 
Though when focusing my bleary eyes, the dark shape of the person before me coalesced into view.

“Percival?” I asked warily, trying to keep calm as I attempted to figure out my situation with only the sideward glance of my eyes.

I was kidnapped and bound. That much was clear. And wherever I was . . . it smelled awful, like hot soured meat.

“Where’s Fin?” I asked as I tested the strength of the clasps that stretched my wrists and ankles painfully to my sides, holding me up vertically.

“Ah, Fin . . .” he tsked, the sound not coming from his mouth but from the voice box below his chin. “Fin is sadly no longer with us. I had no use for him.”

Rubbing my lips together to mask my surprise, I looked at him. “So you killed your partner?” I asked carefully, gauging how to better read him. He was mad, and a madman with a temper was even worse.

Percival shrugged, frowning as if the task was of little concern to him.

“They all leave one way or the other,” he said through his clattering voice box, his mouth unmoving, a hidden vehement hostility locked within his gaze.

Percival showed no emotion through his features, though I could tell he held an unbridled fury just beneath. A maddening rage. He was seething within, always seeking his just retribution. Like Xander he was patient to attack at the opportune moment, the moment that will cause the most hurt. And unfortunately for me . . . it appeared that time was now.

 
Unlike Xander, Percival had nothing to lose and
that
terrified me.

“I wouldn’t bother trying to slip from your bindings. You’ll only make it more painful for yourself.”

Bloody
Bones
. He was right; the clasps were iron tight and chafing my skin raw.

“Xander still respects you, you know?” I lied. I needed to buy some more time. “You had to do what you had to do. You deserved better than an abusive uncle.”

“Oh, so I see he’s told you my story.” He turned his head towards me, his eyes darkening oddly. “Did he also tell you that he left me? Deserted me when I needed him the most? Needed his friendship? An abusive uncle is the least of it! The things that monster did to me! The serums he injected . . .” Percival shook his head slowly. “Xander should’ve been at my side in my moment of victory.” Percival stepped closer to me, his face turning red and strained, a frothy spittle gathering in the corners of his mouth even though the only sound that emitted was from his throat.

He
was
mad. And now I’ve provoked him.
Just
great, Lily
. . . .

“Xander lost his parents too—they were murdered. He feels remorseful for leaving you like he did. He was protecting you from
his
mistakes. He told me that leaving you was for the better.”

Percival’s lips curled into a sinister smile as he regarded me with an awkward tilt of his head. It was like my words were what he wanted to hear all along.

Percival laughed. “My dear, you can refrain from the lies. They won’t save you. If what you say
is
true, then he would’ve left you
long
before now.”

This wasn’t working.

I needed something else. Something else to distract him with.

“You said you were injected with serums? The same that created the Shadow Kanes?”

He didn’t respond.

“The Council hired your uncle to perform such tests. It isn’t Xander who you should hate.” I took a breath. “Help us so we can find an antidote. I promise as Mistress that when this is over, I’ll do everything in my power to help you.”

Percival laughed again, the box at his throat moving up and down from the motion.

“The serum does not concern me. It, if anything, has made me stronger, made me act on my behalf when before I would’ve done nothing. Would have accepted my cruel fate . . .” He reached up and placed his gnarled hand upon my cheek, his black and broken nails scratching at my skin. “You are a lively one I must admit. Much vigor in you. It’s a shame, really.”

Seeing that my trial at negotiations had reaped no benefit, I dropped the ruse. “And how is it that I fit into this plan of yours?” I said drolly.

Percival clapped, almost delightfully. “And
that
is the question of the day my dear. Allow me to introduce you to my companions.”

I surveyed the room as quickly as I could while he had his back turned. My heart leapt when I spotted my axe, helm, and shield lying strewn across a table in the darkened corner.

My body went numb with dread when I noticed
something else
moving in the same shadowed corner. Ironclad talons clicked and clanked onto the floor excitedly—like a dog waiting for permission to go after a scrap of meat.

“Don’t be shy, Newt. Come say hello to our newest fffrriend,” Percival called out absently, his voice box having trouble delivering the last word. Percival tinkered with something on the table.
A remote
? It was hard to tell with him blocking my view.

As if on command, a small robotic beast leapt from the corner and shook with pent up energy, ready to please its master.

Percival crouched low to stroke the bronzed imp-like creature affectionately. Its green eyes were almond in shape, set close to a mouthful of razor sharp metallic shards shaped like teeth.

“Lily, meet Newt. I was ever so
overjoyed
to hear I had acquired the Venator specialty for the Barrage. I was hoping to have the chance to create such lovely helpers.”

Helpers
. Plural.

I’d forgotten Venator was allowed
two
creatures.

“I didn’t expect you to choose the axe with Dimachaeri. Well done I must say. You are rather adept with them. Flashy, but talented none the less,” he said causally from across his shoulder.

“Watch out, if you continue to praise me like you do someone may think us friends,” I taunted dryly. I was tiring of trying to see the good in him. To convince him to let me go.

Maybe his weakness was in his anger
? It seemed like a long shot, but I was running out of options. My shoulders and wrists throbbed painfully. I tugged on my clasps once again, becoming desperate.

Percival looked at me smugly, the ends of his mouth curving up in a slight smile, ignoring my taunt. “And I believe you’ve already met Sa’Vas . . .”

“Have I now?” I asked, my voice thick with ire despite having no idea what he was referring to.

“Yes, indeed you have.” Percival nodded, but then clasped his palm to the side of his face in mock embarrassment. “Oh how daft of me! I shall power him on for you.” The voice box made a shrill noise in his excitement.

Percival pushed a series of buttons on the same data-pad controller and smiled.

At first I didn’t understand what was happening as the metal surface at my back began to move in a rhythmic fashion. Almost like a living, breathing . . . .

I dared not look up, but found myself not being able to resist. I sighed and closed my eyes in despair as I took in the enormity of the creature I was chained to.

I continued to keep my eyes clasped tightly even as I heard Percival’s unnatural voice chime in.

“Yes, Sa’Vas is a sight to behold. Not for the faint of heart.”

My stomach clenched. It dawned on me that the odd odor I’d been smelling all along was the rotting essence of human and animal skin. It was grafted in haphazard pieces, sewn together as if it were a quilt and bolted onto the creature behind me. Large nodules and tubes exited the top of the mammoth’s head and iron-shaven teeth slipped ominously over the crevice of its mouth.

The impish varmint, Newt, bounced on the floor, influenced by his master’s satisfaction.

This isn’t good.
As much as I hated to admit to it,
I was helpless and had no idea how to get to my weapons across the room.
Maybe he’d only put them there to watch me dance around the hope of retrieving them.

Sa’Vas continued to breathe. In and out. A function, no doubt, programmed into it for no real purpose other than to make it appear alive—the extension of its belly on the exhale tightening at my restraints uncomfortably. I didn’t want to think what it was going to feel like if it
actually
moved.

“Newt here, I’d like to think, handles the more delicate of tasks whereas Sa’Vas . . . is the muscle of the operation. A handy pair of allies I’ve created.”

“Yes, they’re quite fascinating,” I said with little enthusiasm.

Percival frowned and approached me slowly.

“You know, Lily, there’s no need to be rude.”

“Where are we?”

Percival cocked his head, dissatisfied by my unpleasant change of attitude.

“With the way you’re acting, I’m not sure I should divulge
any
of my secrets. I am however feeling generous so I shall give you this one last boon,” he said quickly.

He walked to the wall and swung open a dirty and tattered curtain, revealing the light from outside. “Tell me, Lily, what do you see?”

“I see nothing.”

“Very good!” He clapped. “And do you know why that is?”

I stared at him, waiting.

“Oh, you’re no fun. You see nothing because there
is
nothing
to see at this height! We’re in the Manufacturer’s Tower of course, directly below the Key.”

My eyes widened.

“You’ve been
this
close to the Key, and yet you care
nothing
for it?” I shouted.

Percival shook his unruly mop of hair with a humored frown. “If I retrieved the Key then this game would be over. I live for this, Lily.
Nothing excites me more
.”

“The Barrage is not a game!” I spat out at him, not caring how my restraints dug sharply into my skin.

“You understand I’m not referring—” Percival paused and cocked his head slightly, listening to a not so distant noise.

“It appears our time here has ended. I bid you farewell, friend. May your death be a glorious one,” Percival’s voice box recited to me hastily, mimicking the words spoken at the Genesis Ceremony. “Sa’Vas—if you’d be so kind as to do me the honor . . .”

I squirmed and gasped when I felt the creature behind me come to life. It stood, vibrating behind me, stretching me until my bones felt like they might snap.

If I didn’t have my armor on, they would already be torn from the joint . . . .

That’s what Percival had meant when I was first coming to. He meant to make me a martyr. To drive Xander’s guilt into an unfathomable depth. While wearing my armor, I was to die a slow and painful death as the creature moved, jerking me apart limb by limb. Gritting my teeth, I could feel the pressure building in my arms and legs with its every breath, every small twitch.

The metal abomination roared and reached to the ceiling above us, knocking shards of roofing to the floor. I cried out as it punched outwards with its right arm, dragging my body with it.

I coughed and choked as my face and mouth was then pelted with the thick white dust of the ceiling. Iron rods groaned their own protest as they fell by my side, clamoring to the floor below. I watched in horror as the creature created a hole just large enough to fit both arms through.

With one great powerful tug—it pulled both of us onto the roof.