A Hero in the Dark: 2nd Edition

Chapter 62: My Strongest Card

I dart awake, my chest beating but body calm. My hands shine; they're brighter than ever, but that's not all. There's a weight on my bust beneath my itchy dress. I pull the collar forward to see six silver amulets, five of them belonging to the Garde—the other brand new. It looks the same: silver with blue markings and heavier than the others with an ominous glimmer, but I can't tell if it's from the ergokinesis or if it's like that on its own. I recognize the symbol though... unity.

I let it go, then hear Many-Voice: So long as you keep it close, from this day forth, you shall share my power.

I'm left in awe and can't help a smile. I glare up at the ceiling; it's much further than it was before—of course it is—I'm at the bottom of a well.

I may be inside, but with MV bonded to me, I'm fully aware of what's going on. It's like Setrákus and the Mogs are just in a distant room. I need to hurry, or else he'll think something's up.

An explosion rattles the cavern walls, and I jump and blast out. By aiming a glowering palm below me and another above, I blast and shoot upwards, out of the well, and through the temple's top.

There, I hover. I hover above it all, a hundred feet from the peak of the ancient shrine, above the Mogadorian army and above Beloved Leader, atop jungle trees. Nothing holds me up except the ergokinesis. If it weren't for MV roaming in my veins, this height would terrify me, but it doesn't. I know I'm safe. I meet his gaze. You're late, he says.

I was a little busy, I tell him. I'm sorry. Don't open fire. There's no need. I have what you seek.

Even from this distance, I see his teeth. I hear everything—birds, heat, aliens murmuring through their teeth. I see more than I used to, including the silver ship. He tells me to return, and I do as I'm told and land in front of him and his soldiers. "You did it?" he asks.

I nod. "Yes, Beloved Leader." I pull out the four pendants he gave, minus Five's and the Entity's. I'd rather not let him take the latter. If he asks, he asks, but I want to keep it. I hand the others back. "Thanks. You can have them back."

He looks at me, but hesitates, then he closes my fingers in on them. "Keep them," he urges. "They are safer with you."

I'm surprised. "Are you sure?" He nods. So be it. I place them back around my neck and let them hang below my chin. He turns, tells Phiri to pull the pipeline in. "Um, Beloved Leader?" I call out again, and he turns to face me once more. "There's something else I need to tell you."

"What's that?"

"The Garde... They'll be here soon."

"What?" I can't tell if he's mad or disappointed.

"The Garde will—"

"How? What have you done? If you've gone behind my back—"

I shake my head. "I didn't." I wouldn't. "I'm sorry; I thought you would've wanted me to. See, they trust me still. I thought maybe you'd want to set up an ambush or something, or if not, it would give me the chance to try to pull them to our side."

He grins and slaps me on the shoulder. "Excellent idea! How would you like to play the bait in that case?"

"Bait?" Doesn't the bait usually die?

"You may wait in the clearing. My army will camouflage themselves in the jungle," he explains. "If they threaten to take you back, give me a signal and I will put an end to it."

"An end? But—What about Ella? If she's there—"

"We'll get her back," he assures. "Nothing will happen to her. Do not fret. Think you can do that?"