Stormhaze

Chapter 9: Family first

As they flew over the ashen-covered fields bordering Argead, Gillien felt a shiver run down his spine. His sweaty hands shook from the flight, and every time the gunship rattled he could feel his stomach churn. Piloted by General Xianwei herself, it had taken them thirty-six sleepless hours to finally reach the capital from Trawlton, but now that Gillien saw the true consequences of the Stormhaze Event, he no longer wanted to enter the city.

Thick bouldering storm clouds awaited them, unleashing the deafening sound of thunder and heavy droplets constantly drumming against the window as they neared the capital. Like Gillien had done when first entering Ryken, he could see ash and smoke rising from the blackened landscape below. The land looked so desolate even the flames seemed to have starved to death.

Tears trickled down his cheeks as more and more buildings came into view, the faint smell of ash filling his nostrils. Charred buildings lay dead and collapsed onto each other like the bodies of a battlefield, covered in a veil of fog and ash.

He turned his eyes away from the window, not having the strength to gaze at the devastation. But as he did, Gillien caught Zenobia's hazel eyes staring back at him for only a second as she strode out from the cockpit. The two had never held a proper conversation before, even during Gillien's service under her brother they had simply passed by with only a quick glance—never saying more than a necessary greeting.

All Gillien truly knew about her, other than that she was Kilas' younger sister and Vice Arkon of Erylon, was that she always carried one or two books with her. He had never visited her private quarters but had been told by Kilas that she had literal towers of books stacked on top of each other, like some strange paper city. She also always seemed to present herself in one of her several fine dresses, which Gillien admitted were magnetic to the eye... Especially the way it caressed her beautiful—

Gillien shook his head slightly and stood up, presenting a firm and sharp attitude, walking towards the cockpit as he shut away the thoughts. And as the door opened, he could hear General Brodd and Xianwei discussing among themselves.

"The power grid seems completely dead," said Xianwei to Brodd's deeply concentrated look. "Restoring that should be our first priority, but it will require some serious manpower while our soldiers maintain order."

"We can't afford to lose the assault when rescuing Kilas. We will need recruits, many and quickly. I suggest we use the Ezirell trial to decide—"

"That method is barbaric." said Xianwei.

"It's the only way. We don't have time to go through a month-long recruitment course. I need soldiers ready within three days maximum."

"I won't allow it." Xianwei said firmly.

"You need loyal soldiers to maintain order while rebuilding the power grid, I need loyal soldiers to rescue Kilas. If we don't do this quickly, Argead will eat itself alive before it gets a pulse."

"Fine," Xianwei sighed after a while, "but only for the three days you need. After that, such trials will be abolished for good."

Gillien felt a sudden unease at Xianwei's words. Only recently the Ezirell trial had been abolished due to its grotesque nature. Gillien had himself been subjected to it sixteen years earlier, and even now he could feel a chill run down his spine at the mere thought of its resurrection.

"Look!" the pilot's voice said from across the cockpit.

Gillien looked out. The grand city had always been defined by its waterways and deltas that spread across it like hundreds of arteries. But instead of fresh water in crystal blue that gave life to everything it touched, all they saw were a black tar-like substance clogging the veins like a deadly infection. Argead, once the richest city on the planet of Erylon, had burnt to rubble.