Harmonizer's Evolution (Balancer's Soul cycle) (88 page)

If it could be possible, Sorono’s jaw would be dragging along the ground from this very altitude. Even at a chance glance at S
arah, she too was dumbfounded. His
plan was flawless if not completely insane. If
they
were to win this fight, some insane risks needed to be taken.

“Connor, are you
absolutely
sure about this? Have you thought of
every
eventuality
and possible outcome?”
Sorono finally asked after the long silence.

He
nodded, but Sarah thought to the two of
them
“He wouldn’t have come up with such an idiotic plan to if he hadn’t. It is foolish, but Conner will pull through. He always does.”

“Since he didn’t fail me awhile back, I’ll
consider this solution. You will need to tell me more
specifics
later, Connor.”
He
nodded to him.

Connor
then finally looked over and
saw that Sarah was supporting his
decision, even though there were
many
risks to pulling a stunt like this. She knew this
i
s going to be a fight that would result in causalities. This solution
c
ould
possibly
save many more lives. This was all or nothing.

By noon
they
arrived at
the
destination.
They
had to create a large
thunder
cloud to aid
their
descent because
the
group would be too big to land in the forest that bordered a city. It took about thirty minutes to make a decent
size
rainclo
ud, but once it began to pour they
all flew to the ground
in secret
.

By the time all of the Keepers landed many of the carried Balancers leapt off their carriers.
Jack and Jillian
were one of the few who were finally glad to be on solid ground. The Keepers who also carried a crate
checked which ones held the food or the weapons. Those few that carried the weapons were opened completely.

While Connor continued showing Sorono his plan
she
walked over to a crate to help those that
she
’d fight with.
Sarah
grabbed two large gym-bags that were filled with swords, spears, spikes or whatever else the forgers had in mind. Judging from the tension on the straps of the bag, there were several hundred pounds of metal sealed inside the bags.
She
wouldn’t need
it
, but someone else surly would.

She
didn’t know what to
say as Connor stood beside
her
. H
is arm laid across her
shoulder
calmly
, but his emotiona
l climate
felt
as uncertain as hers
.

Thirty minutes after landing
,
the Balancer Elders approached the Keeper Elders along with
her
and Connor. Head Elder Poseidon locked his green eyes on Sorono and said “It has been an honor knowing you over the centuries. I didn’t realize you were the Head Elder until Connor flushed you out, but I could always
come and
talk to you like a friend rather than my superior. Thank you.”

Then he and the other Balancers bowed in deep respect.

“Have a safe journey and a victorious fight.”
Sorono said and bowed back with respect. The other elders followed his example.

“Sarah,” her
gaze shifted to Head Elder Amphrite. She looked calm, but she said something she didn’t truly want to. “it is time for us to go.” She knew what it was like to be separated from her mate and knew it
would be even harder for Sarah
beca
use this fight would separate them
when
they
needed
to be together
most
. Lo
gically it was only right for Sarah
to fight with
her
ancestors, but emotionally being separated fro
m Connor
i
s like cutting off her
own arm with a dull
and rusty
butter knife.

Sarah
looked up into Connor’s deep and penetrating eyes and saw only love. His eyes showed how deeply he wanted
her
, but his emotions were pained
because it was time for
sepa
ration. He opened his arms and she
embraced him. His warmth and unmist
akable smell assaulted her
senses, but this wasn’t time to get distracted.

When
they drew away she
stood on the very tips of
her toes. He knew what she
wanted because Connor wanted the same thing.
Their
lips met, but
they
didn’t put on a show.
It was simply
a quick kiss, under the stressful circumstances.

When
her eyes reopened she
spoke barely above a whisper. “Connor, I hope your plan is a success. Don’t do any more than you have to and when I’m done, I’m coming back to you.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” His smile and ho
nesty resurrected the dead butterflies in her
stomach
and sent them
fluttering again.

She
grabbed
the
two bags and made
her
way over to Amphrite and Poseidon
s
ince the
y had two primary jobs; lead the
army and also be
Sarah’s
protection
. Everyone carried their two gym bags along with their backpacks. The crowd went silent and b
egan to move as the Elders and Sarah
began making
their
way north.
Her
last look at Connor showed his jaw muscles flexing and his entire frame locked
, to stop himself from following
. He didn’t want to watch
her leave just as much as she
didn’t want to leave his side.

Since
not
much time
remained they
began running through the forest, every Balancer ran through the entire
uninhabited woods
. Sarah
ran behind the Elders, but it was
a pace that could be kept in her
sleep
, but be suicidal for humans
.

They
no longer had the luxury of secrecy as
they
needed to reach
the
destination and set up defenses
beforehand. That meant they
ran through the forest, crossed highway’s
and even ran through cities. Their
foot-speed couldn’t be matched by the human
s and their
minds were able to process
the
visual inform
ation so fast that they
didn’t collide into anything or anyone. No one could catch or even recognize
them
so
the
massive group didn’t bother with secrecy as long as
they
just kept running. Even
the
slowest Balancers we
re still able to keep up
without getting tired.
They
didn’t even stop to rest once
until
night fell.

By the morning of July third, the day before the attack, every Balancer had made it to New York City. The streetlights were all beginning to turn off and those who worked or partied during the night were heading home while those who were working during the day were getting up and heading to do whatever they did. The streets were crowded and car horns could be heard
blaring
in every
possible
direction. Young children were coming out of their homes to play before it
got too hot in the day.

The buildings ranged from suburbs to massive skyscrapers that you needed to crane your neck all the way back
,
just to see the top. Some streets were clean and the smell was bearable, but in other places, let’s just say it needed to be
cleaned and in a h
urry
.

Before even enter
ing
the city
,
the
orders were clear. Each four man squad needed to find a priority target
location
and set up their defenses. Each and every
Balancer squad separated once they
entered the city. The main targets that
their
enemies will be after will most certainly be the skyscrapers. If they destroy one then that one could crush thousands
inside and
if
it
fell in the right direction. The
main goal is to protect those structures by getting inside them and defending them.
They
already came up with several plans to keep as many people away as possible.

The only people that
Sarah
recognized
at the moment
were Amphrite, Poseidon,
Jack, Jillian
, Amber and Ben.
Their
g
roup was the largest because they
were seven
,
rather than four.
Their
main station will be in the fifteenth tallest building in the world and the
most recognizable
one in New York City, The Empire State Building.
Everyone knows that that building holds much meaning for the human’s and if Keepers have had ten years to plan this attack then this single building is a
definite priority
to be targeted
. Plus they
already have a way in. Apparently Poseidon was a silent backer of the project back in
the nineteen thirties. As such
,
he has his own private room on the one hundred and second floor. Not many ar
e privy to go that high. Today they
all were.

By noon
they
made
their
way there and entered the lob
by
to find it
fairly crowded, but they
were lucky that Amphrite and Poseidon decided to change out of their robes and into the usual human variety. Unfortunately
they
were stopped by a person behind the desk because seeing seven people carrying large gym-bags and ba
ckpacks were seen as suspicious,
a
lmost
terrorist looking in fact.

They
walked straight up to the desk before security could be called.
Poseidon spoke calmly as he spoke to the middle aged and balding receptionist. “Might I ask your name, Sir.” The Head Elder hid his ancient accent very well.

The man pointed to a tag on his shirt. “My name is Marty. Please open those bags or else I’ll have security do it for you.”

Poseidon’s tone changed to cold and slicing. “Watch you tone with me or I’ll have you fired before you open that
accusing
mouth again.” The Elder pulled out both a golden key and a
some kind of
badge
from
his wallet. He held them both up to the man. “Even a new secretary
,
only on the job for an hour should recognize this.
This should let you understand just who you’re messing with. I’m one of the few who actually own this entire building and everyone rents the office space from me. Do you understand?”

The man had gone from suspicious to worried and apologetic at just a glance from whatever Poseidon showed him. “Yes Sir, I… I understand. Please g…go right on ahead and forgive me for my mistake.”

By now many heads were turned in
their
direction, but the Head Elder
casually tucked the badge
in his wallet
and slid it in his back pocket.

He turned around, picked up his bags and began walking while still holdin
g that gold key in his hands. They
all followed in behind him
,
made it to one of the elevators and only
the
seven went inside. Once the door closed Amphrite began laughing and saying “I enjoyed that show thoroughly.”