Reia- A Novella (COMPLETE)

Chapter 12

The streets of the city were disconcertingly quiet, and now completely empty. Nonetheless, the screens on the buildings cycled through over sixty different 'wanted' signs, as if the streets were packed with watchers. The sun was sinking through the burning sky, casting shadows on wide boulevards and storefronts.

Suddenly, there was an announcement.

"Attention, all residents and visitors of Reia," the screens said. "A message from Kisa Goiya, member of the Four."

People now appeared suddenly in windows, pressed up against the glass or leaning out on balconies as if they'd been waiting all evening for this. Fear danced in their watchful eyes as Goiya appeared on the screen.

"My fellow people of Reia," he said gravely. "I'm afraid that this announcement marks the end of our city as we know it."

Millions of people tensed at once, clinging to Goiya's every word as fiercely as they clung to each other.

"I'm afraid," Goiya said, without a hint of doubt, "that the Four has fallen to pieces." Goiya rubbed his hands together nervously. "Rha Parulo, Bola Ehkra, and Toran Hora have turned against our city."

All of Reia gasped at once, and the sounds of panic, confusion, and disbelief filled the streets.

From her office, Rha Parulo snarled at the screens below.

That traitor will pay, she decided. She tapped the keys on her console a few times, sending a simple message to her commander.

Kill the power. All of it.

Parulo smiled to herself, watching her old friend on the screen below. "I know these times seem daunting," Goiya was saying. "However-"

There was a click, a hiss, and a pop, and the screen went dark. Streetlights, houses, buildings all across Reia followed like dominoes. Screams and shouts of panic echoed through the streets and narrow alleys, ringing in the ears of every inhabitant and lingering in the air like smoke.

Goiya was in his office, staring at the darkened streets below. He bared his teeth with rage. "Parulo," he spat bitterly. "She shut off the power! I want her head. I want all of their heads!" He roared, spinning around. His guards rushed out the door, preparing to gather themselves for a fight.

Toran Hora was standing out in the streets, beneath the dark screens. He'd always been the most stable of the Four, even now. No- especially now. While Hora was keeping his head down, trying to maintain the peace throughout the paranoia, they'd all resorted to foul play! The only fair one of the Four was himself, he decided. He'd have to take them all down- for the good of the city. And it was with a heart full of righteous fury that Hora bent his head and went off towards the Tower to gather his resources.

The electrical power had gone out in the experimental labs. Ehkra wasn't pleased with this. She had stood by the door, watching Goiya give his ad hominem "announcement", and knew that it was no coincidence that the city's electrical system had collapsed then. It was going to be a dark night- a bloody night. But Ehkra had the lab under her control. She'd go out into the streets and confront her old friends. Her guards would beat the passcode out of Marfa, even if it took hours- and then she'd be unstoppable.

Each of the Four had power in the city. As part of their leadership privileges, they each had over a thousand soldiers to command directly.

The sun was sinking towards the horizon, and the city was swallowed by darkness.