DOOM SAGA I - I'll be home tomorrow

Day 144

Argent d'Nur

She felt strangely energized as they sneaked down the stairs and over the bridge towards the unguarded tower. The red moon was hidden behind clouds this time and the darkness seemed much deeper tonight. They'd planned her escape the night before, and she thanked the gods for this perfect chance.
She held the priest's hand as he pulled her behind him, onwards to their goal. His palm was sweaty and he looked as alarmed as she was. Or was it her palm?
"You know how to seal the portal behind you? As long as they can't reach you-", he looked back at her and swallowed. She ignored the worry in his eyes.
"I know. Find the portal, then find him."
They kept close to the wall as they walked underneath one of the heavily guarded pathways. Lights moved above them and shadows danced in the barren scape to each side.
"You don't need to be scared of him even though he is a big and scary man. But you are no threat to him or anyone else. The hardest thing will be to get him to listen to you. But..."
He shrugged as they now climbed up the stairs.
"If you actually find him and he doesn't wonder how you did that... then he must be stupid. Really stupid.", he said and she saw a little smile on his face in the dark. They had already reached the top platform where the portal was set. While he searched for the notes in his pocket her hand touched his cheek. He stopped and looked deep into her eyes. His demeanour had changed immediately and his eyes were sad, but he smiled nonetheless.
"You met him.", she said. It was less of a question than a fact. Her fingers travelled along his scar.
"He saved my life. Mine and my families. My father, my uncle, my brothers -  they'd all fallen to the demons. I was too young by then, but I... I needed to defend my older sister and her child."
He sighed and clasped her hand with both of his, planting a gentle kiss on it.
"I saw mothers and grandmothers fight to their death that day. Fight with a vigour I have never seen in any man. Except for him. If we had trained them for this too, many more would still be alive today. I see this exact same vigour in your eyes, Io."
Her lower lip started to quiver but she suppressed that stinging emotion. Moving lights appeared in her blurred vision coming down the path. Guards. And they were fast.
She looked into his face, searched for the same fear she was feeling, he smiled at her.
"They won't lay a finger on a Deak. Go."
The portal opened within seconds, and she looked at him once more. He nodded with an encouraging smile. Through she went.


The Fortress

She threw the bags of supplies to the side as soon as she felt the ground under her feet.
Io. I was waiting for you-
"Lock the portal! NOW!", she panted and hectically pressed buttons to see if someone was following. The portal finally closed.
Okay. This portal is now locked.
"And lock all other entrances coming from Ar... Argent d'Nur! J-just... just lock all of them!", she stammered, bowing forward to take a breath and calm her pounding heart.
Okay. May I ask why?
She sat on the floor, her arms stretched out on her knees, her hands shaking. For the moment the view of Earth was much more enjoyable than it had been before.
"Just consider them unwanted in the Fortress. If there is any activity, warn me immediately, and... deploy our safety measurements.
I understand. Has your journey been successful?
Wiping the sweat off her face she got up again. She took a moment to take some deep breaths. Just a few more days, she told herself.
"I need a portal to Ingmore's Sanctum."
This information is not available.
"I know, I know, that's why I brought this."
Lights flickered throughout the Fortress as SODIA upgraded from the tech the priest had given her. The little thing moved and melted with the metal and circuits of the control panel.
There is no direct path to it. The only known path traverses through Jekkad. You will need to pass through the Blood Swamps, an incredibly dangerous place, even without active demon activity.
She sighed. There was a lot to do before she could travel to Jekkad. She knew a bit about what waited for her there, but much more important was knowing her way. SODIA could still not assist her over there, since she carried no technology with her that was suitable for such a complex AI.
The excitement of getting closer to her goal was giving her strength, letting her forget the pain.

She had started to eat more, knowing this wouldn't be easy and there was only one chance. She had washed her clothes and herself, tried to get rid of the itch that slaved her in multiple places, without success. A handful of days of rations and as much water as she could lift was all she could carry along in her schoolbag. In addition, she had some clothes for him, since her information suggested that his armour was not held in the same place as he was.
She knew that it didn't come without the risk of being hunted by... hell people. But a small knife and a handgun were all she felt comfortable carrying. She had planned to stay out of their way, believing that they might not be watching for her in their own realm. That, and that she had never used a gun before.
Ready she stood in the large hall, the floor moving as the portal built in front of her.
Good luck, Io.
Focused she glared at the world in front of her. She took a deep breath, a silent payer sent, and walked into the shimmering blue.