(Previous chapter - Gauge and gang track down the dagger thief. She is revealed to be Ceraphilla from the tournaments. She discloses the contract on Gauge's life issued by Yggdrasil.)
Var reminded Gauge of their conversation,"Remember when I told you, we might have to return to Floravere? I am not surprised."
Gauge cussed,"What did I do? We did save her village, didn't we?"
Var tried to explain,"That is—"
Xerxes interrupted,"That might be the problem. Your power to defeat such a being and free the village might have posed you as a threat."
Var thought to himself, That's what I was about to tell. Gabriel and the champion reached the spot. Gabriel exclaimed,"Just as I thought, it was a trap. What did our little thief tell us?"
(Var showed him the contract.)
"Oh god, this isn't good. Yggdrasil must have noticed these flames. Well of course she would. If Mimir can do it, then she can too."
Var suggested to Ceraphilla,"Maybe instead of killing Gauge here, which you clearly can't, let us work together and find a solution."
Ceraphilla sighed and responded,"Just because your boy here can take on six Aegians doesn't mean he can take on a god."
Xerxes placed an arm on Gauge's shoulder as a sign of approval. He responded,"This one is quite capable. I can vouch."
Ceraphilla grinned. She answered,"Fine, but why do you guys want to help us? What do you want in return?"
Var replied,"That's just how we are."
Gabriel interrupted,"In any case, we'll have to reach Lucia. In case you don't remember, we have a problem to solve there. Once we are done with it, we can use Mimir's lab to find a route to Aegis."
(He paused and looked at Ceraphilla.)
"You can join us. We might need your help. Lend your aid now and we'll help you later."
Ceraphilla remarked,"Now that is a more trustable offer. I will help you, if you release me from these shackles."
Var released the pressure of his hands. The shackles liquefied into blood. He then instructed them,"Let's get going. There's a city in need of saving."
Everyone in the scene started walking toward Gabriel's space research station. From the top of one of the buildings that still stood, a mysterious figure watched this encounter.
Moments laterOuter Rafter – Space Research Station
Gabriel, Gauge, and the entire gang arrived at the station. The station was relatively old compared to Gabriel's lab in the Chamber of Truth. Steel buildings, rusted debris. At the center of all of this stood a large spacejet — silver and gold painted, almost a sparrow-shaped vessel.
Gauge looked at it with awe. He asked Var,"What is that?"
Var, brought back to consciousness by Gauge's question, answered,"That is a spaceship. It can traverse the free extent of space. Looking at its design, it must be an advanced model."
Gauge pondered,"Travel the space? Horses in these planets sure are vigorous."
Gabriel burst into laughter. Everyone else followed him in laughter. He remarked,"This one is quite funny."
Lucian Marcus looked at Gabriel curiously. He whispered to Var,"He is never like this. I've seen him for years. He is always serious."
Var also whispered back,"Yeah… Gauge has that kind of effect on people. He lightens the mood, no matter their character. Even our judge here is entertained by the boy."
Xerxes looked a little embarrassed. Lucian pondered, That can't be normal, can it?
Gabriel then spoke out,"Welcome to my Space Sparrow. The first ever space jet invented. Now, if you all climb aboard, we can set off on our journey to Lucia."
As he entered the ship and sat in the cockpit, everyone followed, but only Gauge, Var, Lucian, and Ceraphilla could be seated. Xerxes noticed the space inside was sparse and suggested,"You warriors go ahead. I won't be any help in battle anyway. Solve the problem and return for us. Meanwhile, I will take care of our Aegian friends."
He looked at all the Aegians with threatening blue eyes. The Aegians, fearing for their lives, answered hastily,"Please… lea… leave without the lady. We'll be safe."
Ceraphilla still looked worried. Var informed her without even gazing at her,"Your people will be fine. Unless they try any funny business!"
He smiled deviously at her.
Ceraphilla muttered to herself,"I am not going to like this."
Gabriel flicked several switches. Two thrusters in the front and two in the back turned toward the ground. The thrusters activated. Zwsshhhh Intense green flame hit the ground, lifting the jet. Once in the air, all the thrusters became retroboosters. Fwwoozz. They disappeared into space.
City of Lucia,Orryphis, Moon of Scaelith
The jet, along with the squad, arrived on the moon. Gabriel softly landed the Sparrow. The doors opened and everyone jumped out. Lucian was the first to lay his eyes on the current state of his own city.
Lucia, once the well of astronomical knowledge. Everyone in Lucia knew how to read the movement of stars to predict outcomes. Everyone had top-notch riftcores and telescopes in their hands all the time. But now, the city looked like uninhabitable ruins, overridden by people who were walking dead. The skies of Lucia no longer revealed stars. Instead, they were covered by an ominous mist. Demons prowled about the sky and the grounds.
Lucian fell to his knees. He started sobbing. Tears splattered on the dead sands of his kingdom. His hands trembled. He spoke,"Is this what he promised to give me back? That monster! We had a deal! My people were the healthiest you could find in this sector of the universe. Now the spines on their backs are visible. The streets… they used to be filled with people. Now barely a few remain. What did he do to them?"
Var tried to soothe his pain,"I am sorry for the state of your city. But we can still save the few left alive here. We need a way to get to that demon quick."
Gabriel asked,"Well then, it's up to my brilliant mind to conjure up a strategy."
(Everyone looked at Gabriel, expecting a plan.)
"No, I do not immediately have one. Give me time to think!"
Lucian remarked,"We do not HAVE time, doctor."
Suddenly they all noticed something. A demon grabbed hold of a woman. He asked her,"Where are your offsprings? Isn't it the king's orders that women like you are to give birth to as many offsprings as your mortal body can?"
The woman, weak in her voice, answered,"My husband was killed by you monsters! How can I reproduce without him?"
The demon tightened his grip on the woman's neck,"You dare question his royalty? Who you sleep with to produce more doesn't matter. We just need living flesh. If you still refuse to reproduce on your own accord, then you will reproduce with me… HE HE HE HAAHAA HAAA!"
Lucian urged,"No! NO! Somebody save her, please!"
Gabriel remarked,"That would risk us losing our element of surprise. To save one woman, we would have to compromise the safety of others. That is, strategically, the worst move."
Meanwhile, Gauge had already devised a plan,"Say, if a group of civilians protested against this demon, where would they be taken to?"
Gabriel answered,"Realistically, the king. But do you really think people are gonna— Ahhhh! That is really a smart plan. Not bad, son."
Everyone else looked confused.
Next chapter - Disguise and Demons.