Extracts

Preparing for war

The sky was covered with dark clouds. The rough stone tiles on the ground were wet and muddy from the previous rain. Lou as well as June and Francesco were in the town square. All of the dark city had gathered. Most of them were there because of the rumors going around. Some of them were there because of Lucio's command. And some were there just to see how the young diablo Francesco would embarrass himself again.

Lou stepped forward. Having Lucio on their side gave her hope. Seeing all the people gathered here, gave her hope. She still doesn't know how she felt about the dark city. She isn't doing this for these people. At least that's what she's telling herself. But seeing everyone here. Seeing the glimpse of hope in people's eyes. Seeing the possible future of this city right in front of her. A piece of her hoped that this was the right decision.

"People of the dark."

the people quieted down and turned all their attention to Lou as well as everyone standing behind her. June, Francesco. Ath and Harold. The other members of the resistance.

"We are the infamous resistance of Lecreya."

An unsure mumbling went through the crowd. No one has ever seen the resistance nor was there ever confirmation that they were real. Yet not they stand before them as if they were their leaders.

"Though we have no connection or incentive to serve Lecreya. I know what you might have heard. That we are a cult. Or crazy folks that want to rebel against the people of this town. But we are so much more than the rumors. The only rumor that is true, is that we have declared war against the light."

Shock went through the crowd. Intense whispering. Some seemed pleased, some seemed angry. Lou started to lose her grip. Panic started rising. Anxiety took her tongue. She started breathing heavily. Francesco noticed so he stepped next to her. So did June.

Francesco continued, "We are tired of seeing the way you have to live. Limited food rationing. Dirty water. Our children dying from diseases. Dirty streets and broken-down houses. This is not living. This is barely surviving. Our people have no jobs. Our mothers have no protection. The only way to make money down here is through being a criminal. And the only reason is that the light won't share. I've been up there. They have drinking water flowing through fancy fountains. They have free food stands. Their streets are clean. Their kids are healthy. They are living life without even realizing how much we have to suffer every day. I say that's not fair."

Some people in the crowd cheered. Francesco put his hand on Lou's back. 

June continued, "We didn't start this war because of mindless spite for the light. We are doing this, so no more kids and loved ones disappear without a trace. My little brother was taken away from me by the light. I know so many mothers whose children were stolen. I know plenty of Tombos whose husbands were taken away. The Enkies that had their ears cut short. The Frienkles who were used as toys and if they returned they were too crippled to survive. Look at the things we have to just accept. We don't even have health care. Not even an infirmary. But the light city has a hospital big enough to take care of us. Think of everyone who we had lost during all the flu seasons because we didn't have the medicine to take care of the fevers. All the bodies we had to bury simply because the light locked us up and threw away the key. I say no more."

The crowd cheered. June looked at Lou who nodded back at her.

"Now you might think," Lou said, "what do we have that can fight the light city? They have the guns, they have the men, they have the power."

Lou paused to look around in the crowd. Even though Lucio said he would be by her side, she wasn't really sure if he meant it. She couldn't see him. She was sure he had changed his mind.

"But you're wrong. We have something that they can't get close to. No matter the guns, or the army, or whatever other sick shit the light has."

Lou's eyes started glowing bright yellow. Her hands created two electricity balls that were almost dancing with each other. The crowd gasped at the sight of her magic. It was strictly forbidden to do magic of any sort, especially in the dark. Francesco was being surrounded by red light as he grew in size and turned into his bigger more animalistic self. June summoned her shards and made them hover around her.

"We are chosen. Born with the gifts of a god. So, I stand here before you. Asking you. Will you stand by our side and take down the light city?"

The crowd was quiet. No one was quite sure, going to war with the biggest force in all of Opal was risky. Even the dumbest idiot would know that. One person stepped forward. He stood out from the crowd and as he walked forward everyone quickly went to the side. He stood before Lou, she couldn't tell if he was going to attack her or not. To her surprise, he did something nothing thought was possible.

He kneeled down in front of her and said, "I stand with you and I will obey your command."

Everyone was in shock, Francesco and June, Harold, all of the resistance, the crowd as well as all of Lucio's henchmen. Quickly the diablos kneeled down as well and repeated what he had said. The rest of the people followed. The biggest and scariest guy. The very person who had been controlling the dark city. The person everyone feared and respected and deemed their leader. Had given his power to Lou.