Night of Nyx (The Nightfall Chronicles 2.5) (5 page)

They arrive a few blocks away from the Inquisition perimeter, and everyone takes their positions. Nightfall and Trix head into the sewers to make their way into the building with hostages. Zorin and TR keep a look out from the building across the street, TR setting up his sniper rifle at the window. They each wear an eGlass synced with Nightfall and Trix, so they can see and hear what’s happening.

As the two women trudge through the mud and filth, they begin to talk about their mothers. Nightfall must be using this chance to bond with her General.

Zorin mutes the feed, standing by the window facing the apartment building Nightfall is infiltrating.

TR paces at his side. "They're taking too long," TR says.

"They are on target. They should arrive at their destination in a few minutes."

"You seem entirely too calm right now," TR says.

"Because I'm not bouncing around like a child jacked on caffeine?" Zorin crosses his arms over his chest. The video feed from his eGlass shows the dank sewer path Nightfall is taking.

"That's your problem," TR says. "You don't care enough. To you we are all expendable. That's why you don't understand the flaws in your plan to make new Nephilim. Because life has no meaning to you. When you live an eternity, the frailty of humanity doesn't register."

Zorin glares at the man next to him. "I am quite aware of the frailty of humanity. You don't think I see the value in lives? I have lost every single person I have ever loved."

TR smirks, though there's no joy in it. "So soothing. I'm glad our lives are in your hands."

"Your lives are not in my hands," Zorin says. "They are in hers." He tilts his head toward the street Nightfall is under.

"A young girl with a superhero complex. Not sure that's better."

Zorin resists the urge to smack the man. "Then why are you here, TR? Why are you a Dark Templar if you care so little for the Nephilim you’re trying to help?"

TR is silent as they both listen to the women in the sewer discuss blasting a hole in the structure's floor.

"Ah, I see," Zorin says. "You are here for Trix. And I am here for Nightfall. So I suggest we both put aside our personal grudges and focus on doing what we can to keep them alive."

TR gives a curt nod as Trix, on the video feed, flies up and thrusts her open hand against the ceiling. A ring of red explodes from her palm, turning the stone into lava and then ash.

As Trix falls back down, so does the white dust, revealing a hole with a steel building on the other side. Nightfall and Trix jump through to the floor above and land in a wide hallway. Trix grabs her rifle and scans the area. "We're clear," she says into her eGlass.

"Evie, hack the cameras," Nightfall commands her AI eGlass. Zorin's feed changes to images from a different room. The hostages are all in one location, surrounded by ten Zeniths. The terrorists wear thick blue armor, military grade, making them look more machine than human.

The top level is dark, the windows covered in metal. A lantern on the ground lights one side, casting the shadow of someone sitting alone. Zorin can't make out details through the haze, but the hair on the back of his neck stands on end, and he pushes closer to the glass as if that could bring him closer to Nightfall. He changes the feed to the room where she and Trix scout their surroundings, the feed that Nightfall hacked with her eGlass.

Trix points her rifle at the double doors before her. "What's the plan, N?"

"We request a meeting. Evie, the military helmets will be equipped with eGlasses. See if you can contact one. Tell them Nightfall wishes to meet their leader."

"N, they're here," Trix says.

Zorin's heart beats faster as he changes the feed to Trix's point of view
.
Two armed Zeniths enter through the doors. None of the camera's showed anyone near by. They must have been—

"The cameras have been tampered with," Nightfall says. TR is no longer pacing. He's staring at the feed with as much intensity as Zorin, waiting to see what happens.

Zorin switches his view to the room's camera
.
He sees Trix clench her jaw, finger on the trigger, no doubt ready to shoot
.
Nightfall raises a hand, gesturing her to hold.

One of the Zeniths speaks. He sounds as if he's speaking through a radio. "Nightfall, we are here to escort you to our leader. He is very eager to speak with you."

Nightfall is quiet, and there is panic on her face. It is gone in an instant, and Zorin wonders if anyone else noticed. "We have many things to discuss," Nightfall says.

The Zenith tilts his gun at Trix. "You must come alone."

"I will, but my companion may not be harmed," Nightfall says.

"Very well."

A new voice, male and heavily modified, enters the feed. "Don't go with them, Nightfall."

"Who is this?" she asks.

"Call me Crixus, leader of the Red Eagles."

Zorin and TR exchange looks. Nightfall has been trying to set up a meeting with other rebel leaders, but this doesn't feel right. Zorin begins to scan his eGlass for hacks. Someone is playing with them, and it won't end well.

Two shots explode from behind Trix and Nightfall, hitting the Zeniths in the head. They collapse, and Nightfall turns. Through her camera, Zorin sees two people in the same heavy armor. But unlike the Zeniths, their armor is black. A red eagle is painted across the chest.

The voice in their eGlasses continues. "These are two of my soldiers. You can trust them. They will escort you out of the building."

"No. I need to save the hostages," says Nightfall.

Zorin’s hands curl into fists. She needs to see reason. She needs to leave while she can.

The voice sighs. "My contacts have informed me this is a trap. If you stay, you will be captured."

Trix moves her gun from one soldier to the other. "N, what's going on? Why are the Red Eagles here?"

"They want to help," Nightfall says
.
"Why?" she asks Crixus.

"You and I share an enemy. We can be very useful to each other," he says through the eGlass.

"Why are you contacting me now?"

"Because trust is a rare thing in our line of work, and I want you to trust me, Nightfall. So please, accept my help."

"I will free the hostages."

Zorin frowns and TR begins pacing again.

"Very well," says Crixus. "My soldiers will depart. But remember, I offered help in a time of need." His signal ends. The soldiers turn and disappear around a corner.

Trix keeps her gun at the ready.

Nightfall has her hand on the hilt of her sword
.
"Evie, how did Crixus contact me?" she asks.

"He hacked your eGlass," says Evie.

Trix gabs Nightfall's shoulders. "N, you still want to do this? What if their leader doesn't want to listen?"

"I can be very convincing," Nightfall says.

"Not if they put a bullet in your head."

"We have no other choice," Nightfall says.

"I know, but this… this doesn't feel right."

"I know." Nightfall taps her eGlass. "Evie, contact them."

"What shall I say about their two dead men?" Evie asks.

"Tell them to check their cameras," Nightfall says. "I had nothing to do with it. I seek a peaceful solution."

"Very well. I've made contact."

Zorin checks the cameras. Four armored Zeniths enter an elevator, heading towards Nightfall and Trix. So not all the video feeds have been edited.

"They're on their way," Nightfall says. "Evie, loop the video from here to the room adjacent to the hostages, but keep my feed original. Trix, take position. Be ready for plan B."

"Okay, N. Be careful." Trix disappears around the corner.

A moment later, the Zeniths arrive and surround Nightfall, escorting her to an elevator. "Where's the other one?" one of them asks.

"She left," Nightfall says.

The elevator stops at the top floor, and the Zeniths lead her to a door at the end of the hall. Zorin checks the other feeds. Trix is in position.

His eGlass beeps and a text message pops up.

You have eyes on Trix?

It's Nightfall.

TR responds, adjusting his rifle.

Have eyes on her and the hostages.

She writes back.

Don't act without my command. The situation is delicate.

Done with texting, Zorin speaks through the eGlass. "If it's between you and the hostages, I will choose you."

The Zeniths open the door and gesture Nightfall to enter. When she does, they leave, closing the door behind them.

The floor is tiled marble. The room is large, but empty except for the lantern and the man. He sits cross-legged, his back to Nightfall. His breathing is deep and slow. His hair is dark brown and twisted in a ponytail. He stands, his body tall, thick and muscled. Black and gold armor clads his body, but it's not the armor of the others. It's thinner, shaped for his figure. It's the armor of a Knight. As he turns, the light catches his black cape. And Zorin sees the golden raven.

Varian.

Nightfall whispers the name, jumping back.

The King grins. His voice is deep. "You wanted to talk. So let us talk."

She is so young. Probably his daughter's age. Varian watches her for a moment before speaking. "You wanted to talk. So let us talk."

She yells into her eGlass. "Trix, get the hostages out, now."

Varian waits patiently. Nightfall still believes this is about hostages. He finds her naiveté refreshing. This isn't a hardened foe like Nyx. This is just a girl trying to help people. But she cannot go against the Orders without consequences.

Someone is speaking to her through her eGlass. She responds. "It's Varian. He's here.
"
She unleashes her silver wings and flies toward the door.

Varian stands slowly, drawing one of his blades. It extends, turning into a whip. He snaps it forward and it grabs her ankle mid-air, yanking her to the ground with a thud. He does not delight in fighting this girl, but he must. Too much depends on it.

She manages to untangle herself from the whip and struggles back to her feet. Varian stands, waiting, his whip recoiling back into a sword. His eGlass projects video feed from the fight happening outside these rooms—Trix attempting to rescue the hostages, fighting off Varian's soldiers. "This is your weakness," he says. "Choosing to rescue them."

Nightfall draws her sword. Her face, even partially covered in a mask, is fierce, silver-blue eyes glowing. "You'd use innocents to lure me? You'd lie to your people?"

Varian chuckles, though he feels no humor. He is playing a part, like they all are. And so he gives her the lines she expects from a tyrant. "The people are pawns, and I their King. I will manipulate them again and again to win. But, innocents… Nightfall, you disappoint me."

He watches as the realization changes her face from confusion to shock to fear. "Trix, get out of here!"

She is too late. Varian whispers into his eGlass and on the video feed the hostages rise, drawing pistols from under their clothing. They aim at Trix. She shoots one down, then a soldier hits her from behind. She falls to her knees. All ten remaining soldiers aim at her. "There were never any hostages, Nightfall."

Her eyes are filled with tears as she screams "Stop!"

"Don't hurt her." Varian whispers to the soldiers, and they hold their position. He smiles at Nightfall. "Tell me, what happens next?"

"I surrender," she whispers.

"That's it?" He shakes his head. "You are nothing compared to Nyx." Varian taps his eGlass. "Execute the Shadow of Rome on my command."

"No, please. I'll come with you," Nightfall begs.

His voice is cold. "You will come with me, and the Shadow of Rome will die."

Nightfall charges at Varian with her sword.

He blocks her easily, like sparring with a child, and knocks her back.  This is not a fight, but an expert swordsman destroying a novice.

She drops to her knees. "Please. Let her go."

Varian ignores her. On the screen, a soldier presses a gun to Trix's head.

"Run, Scarlett. Run. I'm coming.” Zorin turns off the video feed and extends his wings. He flies through the window before him, shattering the glass, and drops to the ground in front of the next building. The windows to Varian are shut with steel. He needs to find a way in. Fast.

His eGlass buzzes and he answers, hoping it's Nightfall.

It's Carter.

"Zorin, what are you doing?"

"What I have to."

"You have to let her go. You can't save her," Carter says. "You couldn't defeat Varian last night. What makes you think today will be different?"

"I don't have to defeat him," Zorin says. "I just need to save her."

"At what cost?" Carter asks softly.

"At any cost.”

His hands clench. His palms are sweaty. Through his eGlass he hears Nightfall scream. "Zorin, save Trix!"

No.

Nightfall has to come first. Without her, they lose. He will carve through the steel if he must. He will save her. He summons his blade and steps forward.

A voice whispers in his ear.

“I thought Nyx was gone now.”

Danika. Her memory stands behind him.

“I must be him again,” says Zorin.

She tilts her head at the building. “For her? Or for yourself?”

Zorin pauses. He knows what is right. He knows what he must do.

“Thank you, my love,” he says. And he dashes upwards. He crashes through the window and into the room. The room where Trix is held.

And the dance of death begins.

He moves through the Way of Erebus, striking down the soldiers before they can react. It is quick. Easy. They do not even scream.

Zorin stops moving, the wind rushing behind him. He helps Trix to her feet. They share a glance. And they know what they must do.

***

Varian watches as his soldiers are killed. They were good men, ones he could trust with a secret. And Nyx slaughters them all.

This needs to end, now, before more lives are lost. "He's here,” says Varian, sneering. He steps toward Nightfall. "Let's see how long you last."

She flies for the door.

His whip catches her. Poor girl. She is slow. Nyx did not train her well.

She talks into the eGlass. "Leave me. Leave me, or we're all dead."

So, she is a selfless leader. Or so she thinks. It is easy to be selfless when your life is already forfeit.

Varian stands over the girl. He can see her silver eyes. There is no anger. Only fear. Only sorrow.

He lifts his sword.

She clutches something around her neck. A fury fills her face. And she jumps at him. She tries to grab him.

To Varian, she moves slowly, and he wonders at her motive. Is this a last feeble attempt at freedom, or is this something more? A plan?

And then he remembers a tale. A tale of a Nephilim who could order others to do its bidding. Order them with a touch.

So, this is the reason behind her success.

It will not serve her here.  

Varian brings down his sword.

And cuts off her hand.

She collapses, frozen. And then her eyes meet her hand. It lays beside her, limp and pale. She screams. Her face becomes one of death. Varian has seen it before, on the battlefield, on soldiers who realize their life is over. It comes right before the darkness takes them.

It is time to end this. Varian lifts the pommel of his sword, ready to knock her unconscious. He strikes.

He stops.

The ground below him is burning, turning red. He jumps away as the floor turns to ash, and Nyx flies through the dust.

***

Zorin’s dark sword clashes with Varian's silver blade.

Trix melted the roof of her room, providing them with a way to Nightfall. Now, while he distracts Varian, Trix will get Nightfall out. Even if he can’t win. Even if he dies, Nightfall will be safe.

The thought fills him with peace.

He parries Varian’s blade. They land and dash across the room, never standing still, weaving around each other.

"Nyx. You look different without your armor," Varian says.

"Nyx is dead," Zorin growls.

"Not yet," Varian says. "But he will be soon."

Trix helps Nightfall walk over to a barricaded window, and Trix uses her powers to burn a hole to the outside. They are almost free. Soon, Zorin can stop fighting. Soon, it will be over.

"N, you need to fly us out of here," Trix says.

Nightfall pauses. She looks at Zorin and he hesitates, Varian using the distraction to strike him in the chest. Pain burns through him.

Leave,
he tries to yell, but he is struck again, and his jaw clenches shut.

"He'll follow us," Trix says. "N, we need to go now."

Surely, Varian has reinforcements on the way. Nightfall needs to leave now. But he can see it, in her eyes. She won’t go without him. Stubborn girl.

It is why he chose her for this. Why he chose her to lead.

She cares for others more than herself. She cares for Zorin.

And he…

He cares for her.

You can still save us, Scarlett. You may not be stronger than Varian, but you are smarter. That is why you will win.

Her eyes dash around the room. She is thinking, planning. Zorin will give her more time. He fights harder, faster. Varian may be more skilled, but he is fighting for himself. Zorin fights for others. He moves through the Way of Erebus, rage filling him. And then, he switches to the Way of Nyx, the simplest of the forms. It catches Varian off guard, and Zorin strikes a blow.

The King stumbles, then attacks. His movements are quick. Quicker than Zorin can follow. This is the end.

And then he hears her voice.

“Evie,” she says, "hack into all the eScreens. Play my conversations with Varian."

An eScreen in the room lights up and speakers throughout the city boom with Nightfall's voice. "You'd use innocents to lure me? You'd lie to your people?"

In the video, Varian chuckles. "The people are pawns, and I their King. I will manipulate them again and again to win." The video loops. People yell in protest.

And Varian hesitates.

It's only a split second. But it's enough.

Zorin pulls away from the battle. He grabs Trix and Nightfall. And he carries them into the sky.