Plague of Mybyncia (40 page)

The red curtain suddenly flaps back and Vix
and Able rush through, the girl with jet-black hair carefully
treading in behind them. Reid and Tucker both glare at her before
focusing on Able who makes his way over with a beaming grin.

“No shit… really?” he slaps hands with each.
“
Rox
? Rogue Leader? Jace—what’s up man?” he turns to me,
equally ecstatic and pulling me into a hug. “Fallon! Can’t believe
you’re actually here!”

“Can’t believe you’ve been here all along!” I
squeeze him tightly, ecstatic to see my best friend again. “Thought
you were gone.”

“What… dead?” he laughs, releasing me. “No…
definitely
not
dead. Why’d you think that?”

“Where else would you be?” Jace chuckles.
“Couldn’t find your body, man.”

“So you assumed I died?”

“That or you vanished.”

“Or got eaten,” Werzo adds.

“Oh…Werzo… you’re here too, huh?” Able nods,
glancing toward Pratt and Booker. “Hey Pratt! You doing
alright?”

“Hey Able,” she grins. “Doing good.”

“Good,” he moves towards Booker. “What’s
going on, man?”

“Rogue Commander.”

Jace elbows him. “No need for titles.”

“But…”

“No, he’s right. You can call me Able,” he
slaps hands with the last Rogue before glancing between Tucker and
Reid. “So when’d you get here?”

“Just now,” Jace says. “Like twenty minutes
ago.”

“And the Zingfinolds got you, huh?”

“Weren’t here more than a minute.”

“Yeah… they’ll do that. Kind of thought I
might die…” he chuckles uncomfortably, “…when we first
arrived.”

“It’s because we almost did,” Walker
laughs.

“Yeah,” Able nods, the memory replaying
behind his eyes. “We’re blind and bound and then they sit us in
front of this huge motherfucker and he tells us about these three
tasks one of us needs to complete or else we’re all dead.
Kinda
shit my pants when he said that. We’re on Harrizel and
the next second, we’re here, captured with no way of telling
anyone.”

“You had Vix…” Pratt tries.

“Yeah, but she had no pull. None of us
did.”

“Is it only you guys?” Tucker asks, gesturing
to Walker and Vix before allowing his eyes to roam to the girl.

“Only us…” Able nods. “Why? How many people
were missing?”

“Not a lot,” Tucker shakes his head, “but…”
he glances at the girl again, “just want to know who else might be
here.”

“Just Vix, me, Walker,” his eyes flicker to
Reid, “and…”

“Perry,” Tucker nods.

“Hi boys,” she smiles. Moving slowly into the
room, she stops near Walker and arches a brow as though waiting for
the controversial greeting.

I’ve seen her before. Long, straight black
hair pulled into a tight pony-tail at the crown of her head, which
is petite, just like the rest of her. She has dominant dark
features, which are both beautiful and frightening. Beige and black
animal hide adorns her flawless caramel skin, covering the
necessities while revealing just the faintest bit of cleavage.

And her name…
Perry
.

I’ve heard it before. At some point on
Harrizel, when I wasn’t paying attention. But when? And why?
Perry
. It stuck with me, but not in a positive way, like it
was said during some uncomfortable or stressful conversation.

“Why am I not surprised you survived this?”
Reid crosses his arms.

“I take it you’re not happy to see me?”

“No one’s ever happy to see you.”

“Aw…” she feigns a pout. “Just like Rox. You
were always so moody.”

“And you were always so bitchy. Nice to know
nothing’s changed.”

“Lots has.”

“Yeah, you don’t have anyone’s lives to fuck
up anymore,” his eyes flicker to Walker. “Or are you still doing
that?”

“I do as I’m told…” she shrugs. “It’s never
personal.”

“Just business?”

“That’s how it works,” she pops her hip to
the side, “you should know that better than anyone.”

“I know
good
business,” he growls in a
menacing tone. “Not
betrayal
.”

“It was survival.”

“It was bullshit and you know it,” he’s red
with rage and spins towards Sampson to keep from losing it. Tucker
and the rest of the Rogues look between each other, glancing toward
Perry and an uncomfortable Walker, as though trying to decide if
interfering is the best option. Maybe they should just let them
hash it all out? It looks like Tucker is about to say something but
Perry pushes past, not quite reaching Reid since the Rogues make it
a point to create a barrier between them.

“What did you expect me to do when I played
both sides? I had a system to run too, you know.”

“Yeah,” Jace shakes his head. “Way to look
out for your girls.”

“I didn’t force anyone to do anything.”

“Just a gentle push?”

“Fuck off, Jace,” she snaps.

“Might it be prudent to speak of something
else?” Sampson finally interjects with an authoritative tone. “With
the mixed company…”

Perry rolls her eyes and retreats back to the
wall. Her eyes dart from Sampson to Tucker and Able and finally
back to Reid. Everything is quiet for a second until Clarence
clears his voice, shifting to the center of the room.

“Well, we’re glad to know you all are
alright,” he glances to Vix and the others, “but we have news of
our own,” he inhales deeply, readying himself for a long
explanation. “In case you haven’t figured it out—we were able to
liberate Harrizel after the Vermix invasion. Everyone who was able
to go home did,” he offers a fleeting glance to Reid, “and
afterward, we waited to hear for word on Blovid’s location—remember
he’s the one who ordered the cease-fire during the Ellae massacre.
And because he exposed Reuzkimpart’s crimes on Harrizel, he’s been
forced into hiding and took refuge in Mybyncia until he was
discovered. There was a small Vermix invasion to bring him back to
Dellapalania, but he fled again before they caught him.”

“Where is he now?” Able asks.

“We’re not sure…” Sampson says. “But Qippert
knows. He’s been directed to tell us only when we’re on our
way.”

“And where is Qippert?” Vix glances
around.

Sampson and Clarence exchange looks, Clarence
clearing his voice after a minute. “He was badly injured. We had to
leave him on Mybyncia.”

“What happened?”

Clarence takes another full breath. “We went
back to Harrizel in search of a Tregmint. That’s why we’re here—we
need the Nazual to cure the toxin spread in Pryncbia. It’s poisoned
half the city,
including
the chancellor and two of the
princesses. We must return with it or everyone infected is going to
die,” he exhales with exhaustion. “We’ve tried… several things
before coming here. A diluted plant that reduces the symptoms, and
then its straight source which we had to steal from the
Gorgen…”

Vix is the only one that gasps, her hands
flying to cover her mouth.

“And our last endeavor was a mistaken return
to Harrizel. Vermix were everywhere and Qippert was struck and
badly injured…”

“Will he survive?” she asks.

“We’re optimistic.”

“What about you?” Able glances between all of
us. “Are you guys all okay?”

“We’re fine,” I say. “The toxin has no effect
on us.”

“But if we don’t retrieve the Nazual, the
Mybyncians won’t stand a chance if Reuzkimpart decides to invade
again.”

“But he was just looking for Blovid?” Able
glances between Clarence and Sampson who clears his throat.

“He was… but it was also a good excuse to
seek his other objective.”

“You mean…” Vix starts, her face hardened at
the news.

“We’re afraid so.”

“What?” Able asks.

Sampson glances around all of us, quickly
deciding that it’s time we knew. He takes a deep breath and after a
second, starts. “Within the Three Worlds—Dellapalania, Mybyncia and
Nerwolix—there are Three Gifts, one granted to each World before
the first of days. The Gifts are not to be on the same World at the
same time, nor should they be possessed by anyone other than their
host planet… it is a way to ensure peace is kept, as together
they’re the greatest source of ultimate power.”

“What are they?” Able asks.

“Dellapalania houses
Sight
, the last
piece of the glass chamber which was destroyed two centuries ago.
It depicts the future.”

“Whose?” Tucker asks.

“Whoever looks into it. They see the most
significant occurrence in their life.”

“Like a prophecy?” I ask.

Sampson looks straight at me. “Exactly.
Nerwolix houses
Knowledge
, the Floating Ruby. You’re able to
ask anything—anything you want. Something to solve a great dilemma,
perhaps? Anything you want will be answered, but only the
one
question.”

“And then Mybyncia,” Clarence chimes in,
“houses
Ability
, which is contained in the Shadow Bag. Once
you’ve seen the future and asked your question, you place your hand
in the Shadow Bag and it will provide you with what’s needed.”

“Sight. Knowledge. Ability,” Sampson says.
“The Three Gifts bestowed to the Three Worlds.”

“And Reuzkimpart is seeking the Shadow Bag on
Mybyncia?” Able asks. “Why?”

Another deep exhale from Sampson, “…We
believe he’s acquiring the Three Gifts to eradicate the Arizals and
protect himself from the prophecy.”

“What prophecy?” Walker asks.

“The prophecy of
Human conquering
Dofinike
. It is known throughout our people and is depicted as
a great war between the two. That’s why Reuzkimpart worked with
Beshib in forming a reanimating human army. So he can unleash it on
the Arizals and then Earth, while he brought his forces in to
finalize the end of your race. All of this is about destroying
your
race.”

A long minute of silence passes before Walker
starts, “So this is all about a
prophecy
?”

Clarence nods. “Unfortunately.”

“Do you believe it?”

Clarence and Sampson look to one another,
Sampson answering first, “I believe it may exist in some form, but
I’m not convinced it is the end of Dellapalania, nor the
Dofinikes.”

“So why is Reuzkimpart so worried?”

“He’s the one who looked in the glass,”
Sampson explains. “
He’s
the one who saw the prophecy.”

Another long minute of silence before Vix
steps towards Sampson, resting a hand on his shoulder. “But he has
not located the Shadow Bag?”

“No, he hasn’t. But he will try again.”

“And here?” Reid asks. “You think he’ll come
after the Floating Ruby?”

“Oh yes…” Sampson nods, “… this is just the
beginning.”

“We’ve got a war coming,” Clarence says as
the room grows eerily quiet. “So far Nerwolix doesn’t want any part
of it. But we need Mybyncia strong and on our side,” he glances to
Tucker, “we need that Nazual.”

All eyes follow Clarence’s, landing on the
suddenly tense Rogue Leader. He simply nods in response, as if
finally realizing the importance of the task he volunteered
for.

“So…” Sampson breaks the stark silence,
“we’ll get through tomorrow, stay as guests on Tucker’s behalf and
head out again.”

“And Walker and I will remain here?”

“For the time being,” Clarence says, “we need
to dispense the antitoxin back at Mybyncia and once well enough,
Qippert will lead us to Blovid. Then we’ll be able to come back
here and strategize the next phase of this war.”

“But Hozfin wants nothing to do with it,” I
look between Sampson and Clarence. “Will he allow us back?”

“He will if you stay on as our guests,”
Walker nods. “I don’t see why not.”

“But if Reuzkimpart knows Blovid’s hiding out
here, wouldn’t that be more reason to invade?”

“How would he know?” Clarence shrugs. “Right
now he has a majority of his troops combing Harrizel and the other
half monitoring Dellapalania. Until he comes after the Floating
Ruby, he won’t know Blovid or Sampson are here.”

“But it
is
inevitable?” Reid asks.

“Oh yes… Reuzkimpart will invade,” Sampson
nods, “whether Hozfin believes it or not.”

“What about Thias?” Vix asks. “Should he be
warned?”

Sampson’s face hardens, his eyes instantly
falling to the ground. Clarence gazes at his old friend with
sadness, finally breaking the quiet by answering Vix. “He has not
been notified at this time. But he’ll know once the Nerwos have
become involved.”

“And you do not think we should bring this to
his attention?”

“No,” Sampson shakes his head, looking up
again. “He won’t want anything to do with it... he won’t want
anything to do with me.”

“Perhaps if Blovid…”

“Clarence is right,” Sampson refuses the
possibility. “They’ll be involved when Reuzkimpart involves them.
Right now, the plan is return to Mybyncia, cure the infected and
once Qippert is well enough, seek out Blovid.”

Everyone nods, a new quiet settling. Tucker
looks like he’s about to ask Walker something but Perry pushes her
right hip out and with arms still crossed, focuses on Sampson. “So,
are we coming back with you?”

Reid’s eyes flicker over her. “You look
comfortable here.”

“Wasn’t talking to you, Rox.”

“Good—my prayers have been answered.”

“You need to get over it already,” she spins
to him with a deep glower.

“And you need to
not fucking talk to
me
.”

“I wasn’t!”

“This is bullshit,” he spins. “Should just
leave your ass here. Have a better chance of survival without you…”
he mumbles, pushing past the long red drape.

The Rogues all exchange glances, Tucker
shaking his head at the others. “I’ll go,” and he quickly follows
Reid outside.

Once he’s gone, Able glowers at her. “Way to
go, Perry.”