Jupiter Rising

Chapter Twenty Four- Boom

Beneath the earth was dark, and wet, cold too as night progressed past midnight. We moved slow, and stayed alert. The tunnel system that the Gloam had created was vast, and each Kingdom seemed to have a tunnel system heading toward it, just as he had hit Olamoore, it seemed he intended to hit the other five.

Olamoore and I were the intended target of Gloam, and with his eyes firmly on my throne and his insane ramblings about succession, it was clear I would have to lead the attacks. I had sent word to the Queens that I would mount an attack by nightfall within the tunnels he had emerged from. Sorcha had sent a reply that had reached me just as we were about to depart. Thistle would join us. Mirren had to be located, and Emerald too.

Sorcha's fallen were at the location we had marked within the letters by the time we too reached it.

"Rowan" Sorcha greeted, coming from within the shadows "Howfur dae yi'll waant tae dae this?!"

I turned my eye to the soil above us, the sounds of a meeting taking place, a loud booming voice addressing a crowd. "Quietly doesn't seem appropriate" I suggested, looking back to her piercing stare.

Sorcha nodded her confirmation " 'greed"

Linden came to my side, our scouts had news "They are directly above us" he confirmed "a hundred or so from what we can tell, a briefing before they leave for the tunnels... and Thistle"

Sorcha smirked "A've saved him th' trip"

"But where is the nearest tunnel with access to it" Ash asked.

Linden gestured left of us down a dark narrow tunnel "it is five minutes that way, but it comes out far from this location. We don't have time"

Above us a crowd cheered. "Thanks to little red here and her fountain of knowledge, we have the mountains of Thistle covered. Our entrance is now clear...Sorcha is next. Take out the vipers nest and the rest will tumble to the ground"

A thick Scottish accent heard in return "Mah Mither wull have Ye fur breakfast"

A menacing laugh roared in response, unbothered "She won't be alive by breakfast"

There was a slight commotion and then a scream of anger"Ah will murdurr ye"

The laugh echoed once more. "Oh Mirren" came a female voice "read the room... who do you think the rope is for..."

Sorcha's eyes began to glow bright green... her anger sending her magic projecting right out of her. The ground beneath our feet vibrated, and I reached for her hand, joining her.

"Down" I commanded, gesturing for all to drop to the floor.

I didn't know what would happen when I let my magic be free, but as the self restraints fell away from me, and the magic flowed freely, like a river breaking its banks, the entire tunnel flash a blinding white light, pierced with green blades.

Boom

The ringing in all of our ears was deafening as the ground above us fell from the sky.

There was panic from above, bodies clambering to escape the ground which swallowed them. Gloam's soldiers fell around us, swords driven home, claiming one after the other for the After. Sorcha and I broke our connection, and she followed calmly after the fallen whom mounted the ground attack, they were zapping those that ran with their magic, holding them captive in slow motion as one by one Sorcha passed them and with a defiant motion with her hand upon their throats, ended them as their eyes met hers.