A Hero in the Dark: 2nd Edition

Chapter 19: Garde Assemble

I'm exhausted; I think we all are, but I'm sure it isn't any easier for Marina. Adelina was standing right underneath that boulder, and not only could she not get out of the way in time, but Héctor didn't either. He basically threw himself at it, and ultimately, what happened? It crushed them both, and I couldn't do anything.

So, that's it then. I did end up kicking one of their deaths down the line. I was afraid it was going to be Henri, but it was Adelina instead. Even after sticking by her side in Santa Teresa to retrieve Marina's Chest, she still didn't make it. I didn't change anything. Was her fate always meant to be sealed? Héctor? Is Crayton's fate sealed too? Henri? When are they meant to die? How do I change it?! What am I supposed to do? I never wanted this... for any of them...

Now, on our way to the John Hancock building, I can't help but think of what's waiting for us there. Did Six and Sam really rescue Number Nine? Will they be there at all? Will it be empty?

By the time the elevator dings on the hundredth floor, a big brute is waiting. "Ay! 'Sup, fellow aliens! I'm Number Nine. Welcome to my crib!"

Six is on the couch in the living room. Nine—he's taller and broader than I thought he'd be and just as confident. He leads us through the luxuriousness of the penthouse and gives us a grand tour. I'm far too tired for it; I fear I may collapse any minute, but I force myself to trudge on.

I retreat inside one of the many bedrooms the first chance I get, which is more spacious than I deserve. It's got a queen-sized bed, a small writing desk, and its own bathroom too! It has everything I could ever ask for, including fresh clothes and towels. Pixie and I settle on the bed.

I don't bother changing into comfier clothes; I merely fall into a deep slumber.

***

It's 6:37 p.m. by the time I wake.

Marina cooks dinner but doesn't say a lot—my fault—and we gather at the table, John at one end, Nine at the other. I sit beside John only because it's the last seat available.

Six tells us what happened in West Virginia, of Sam getting captured when he tried to look for his dad. She said that she was barely able to escape herself, even with her invisibility.

Henri and John open his Chest to pull out the Macrocosm, and from there, we talk about Number Five. "It looks like he's travelling," Eight observes, marvelling at his blue dot.

"Right," Henri notes. "Once he stops, we can decide whether we'll go after him or not."

"I don't think that's the best idea..." I murmur.

"Why not?"

"Um, Five... he isn't who he seems," I tell them. "He's a traitor. He joined the Mogs a long time ago—when you and Henri were leaving Florida, John—but before then, he was island hopping with his Cêpan. Once Rey—er, his Cêpan—passed, he wanted to return to civilization."

"What the hell would make him join those bastards though?" Nine asks.

"His Cêpan didn't die to one of them; I guess that's why," I answer. "He died to a human-related illness, so Five—he sort of lost faith in the Elders for that. I don't know how it happened exactly, but when he met the Mogs, and they mentored him like Rey was supposed to, and now he follows Setrákus Ra." No one says anything, so feeling pressurized to keep talking, I do. "But... I think, if we find him—if I find him—I might be able to talk him out of it and bring him back to our side."

"Are you sure?" Marina asks, rather critically, I think.

"I think so," I tell her. "I can try. I'll regret it if he's does something bad to you guys."

"Pfft," Nine scoffs. "Like that nutjob can ever do anything to us. I'll run my pipe staff through that stupid little head of his if he tries."

"Or if you guys do anything bad to him," I correct before taking a breath. "Look, point is: Five isn't bad. He's just misguided. I know I can still reach him."

"If you're certain," Henri says. "I guess it's settled then. When he stops, I'll take you to wherever he stops at, and you can try to talk some sense into him."

"I'll go too," John adds. "If he sets up a trap or something, one of us should be there to fight back."

"One of us?" Eight asks. "Will that be enough?"

"Hell, I'll take a trip to wherever that idiot's headed to," Nine says, raising a hand.

"I don't suggest that," I counter. "From what I remember, he tends to have a short temper. If you upset him, Nine, he might snap and do something he regrets."

"All the more reason to upset him then! Let him regret his decisions and come crawling back begging for forgiveness!" I sigh. If only it was that simple...

"Like I said," Henri restates, shaking his head. "I'll take Emily. John, you can tag along. Six can come as well since her Legacies are a good asset in case things go wild. How does that sound?"

Nine makes a noise of disapproval and leans back in his seat but nods with all the others. He clearly isn't thrilled about being left behind; I guess I shouldn't expect him to be.