Emerali: A War Song Tapestry

Chapter 17

"Great Ariel's Light!" exclaimed Governor Fasimedes sinking into his chair. "In all my years in office, I've never heard of such as diabolical scheme against Elysea. We're talking complete annihilation!"

The three friends were gathered with the governor in his office discussing the situation at hand.

"I've no love for the Asmodians, but I've no stomach to eradicate the entire population," Devaen said, shaking his head.

"Thank Aion and Emerali here, we put a stop to it, but that's not enough. We've got to cut the drynac's head," Thori said.

"That's it. Bakren is the source of this evil; we've got to end him, or he'll just find another way to try to destroy Elysea. I wouldn't be surprised if he's got a Plan B up his sleeve," Devaen mused.

"Neither would I," Emerali reflected. "That's why we've got to take action now."

"Well, first things first," said Fasimedes. "We've got to find and destroy those bombs."

"Find them, yes, but not destroy them, sir," Emerali said.

Three pairs of eyes turned to stare at her.

"Hear me out. We can turn this thing to our advantage if we can collect these bombs, disassemble them, extract the Vile Death component and use the reassembled bombs to draw Bakren and his army out. Elyos scouts can use the Vile Death against the Asmodian army, too. I know firsthand the damage it causes; we could gain the upper hand in no time, I'm sure."

"That sounds like a very dangerous plan, Emerali," Fasimedes said, brows knitted sternly.

"It's a tremendous gamble, it's true, but it could work, sir. We've got our own Technists, haven't we? If they can reassemble the bombs, we can take them into the Abyss and detonate them there, letting them drop into the endless void where they can't hurt anyone. Bakren wouldn't know the difference as to where they've gone off, and he'll be on the move. That's where we would come in," Emerali explained.

"Who's 'we'?" asked Fasimedes. "Surely you don't mean the three of you? You wouldn't stand a chance against the alliance Leiva spoke of."

"Of course not," Emerali said. "So the time has come to expand our numbers."

"Emerali?" Devaen and Thori looked at her inquiringly.

"Sir, I promise you that we will get the necessary numbers to handle the situation. In the meantime, may I be so bold as to suggest a plan of action?"

Fasimedes nodded.

"The locations of the bombs have been disclosed to us; put out the order for their collection to every Daeva in Elysea. Once they've all been gathered, send word to me or my friends here, and we will begin carrying out my plan."

Governor Fasimedes was silent for several minutes, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. At length he nodded. "Very well, young Daeva. It shall be done as you say. It is in the darkest of times that we must exercise the greatest faith. I entrust this mission to you. Walk in Ariel's light!"

"So where are these great numbers gonna come from?" asked Thori, as the three walked out to the street.

Emerali turned to face her friends with a sigh. "I've learned a lot from you both and from the stupid mistake that I made. It almost cost me my memory once again, and I put our friendship on the line. I'm still regretting that decision. But from my errors, I derived wisdom. I know now that no one--not the strongest, brightest of Daevas--can do everything on their own. Being a part of the Daevic Order I learned that the best of leaders must also know how to follow; follow the needs of those who serve under them.