The Other World

Archon - Part 2

Once again, Sara opened her eyes and realized she could see nothing after the transfer.

At least I know I'm in the right place.

Although she couldn't see, Sara was able to notice the coarse linen robe covering her body. But something was different this time. Her head was resting comfortably in something she wasn't sure of, and one side of her face was buried in more cloth. Sounds of footsteps crunching the grass beneath her filled her ear, yet she could tell that her legs weren't on the ground. Rather, they felt as if they were dangling over the edge of something and her body was floating through the air.

"Oh, look who's finally awake." The closeness of Dom's voice startled Sara.

Sara blinked several times and the figure of a person's head came into focus. Sara's heart jumped as she realized she was staring up into Dom's face. He was carrying her as he walked, one of his arms holding her head and the other under her knees.

Sara was petrified.

"Can you walk?" asked Dom.

"Yes!" Sara replied firmly, but when she tried to move nothing happened. Sara felt her cheeks turn red as blood rushed into them.

She was beyond uncomfortable.

Why won't I move?! And what on earth gave him... gave it the right to pick me up and carry me? I don't care if it is just a program, they put personal space requirements in games for a reason!

"Err... I'm going to put you down now." Dom said after a moment and gently set Sara down onto her feet.

"Thank you." Sara paced a few steps back from Dom and took a moment to survey her surroundings. They were now in a sea of well-kept grass. Smaller buildings were not far away, but Sara and Dom were now about a quarter-mile from the large structures downtown. Around the outskirts and running through the center of the field was a sidewalk dotted with park benches. Several large trees were near them in the center, but Sara could tell they were not earthly.

Just like I thought. This is a game; it's not real.

Still, a question burned at her thoughts. "I thought you said it was our job to take care of the people here. Why did you... What did you do to that man back there."

Dom sighed. "I know what happened was a lot to take in," Dom spoke in a quiet tone. "But you saw the situation as well as I did. There were too many variables. Law enforcement was getting ready to intervene. He had already said he wasn't going to give up." Dom shook his head. "This was the best option to keep the most innocent people safe."

His answer sort of made sense, but it still didn't sit right in Sara's gut.

"And from now on, you should wait until we get back to headquarters before you go into a meditative state." Dom looked over his shoulder. "We're not safe out here."

We're not safe? Aren't we basically ghosts?

Sara watched Dom as he surveyed the surroundings like a falcon. He snapped his head to the left as if something caught his attention. Sara looked and listened but only heard the faint rustling of wind sweeping along the grass. She turned her attention back to Dom and noticed a swollen, dark circle beneath his right eye she hadn't seen before.

"Were you hurt? What happened while I was gone?"

"I'm fine," answered Dom. "But after the incident in the lobby, while you were... distracted, the Others tried to take you. Luckily, I got to you first. Cowards," he spat.

"Others?"

Dom stood perfectly still as the wind continued to whisper against the grass.

"He's back," Dom sneered.

From between the blades of grass behind him a white mist sprung up, almost as if a cloud had erupted from the ground. Dom spun around and raised his arm in front of his face. An audible thud sounded against his forearm. Dom remained motionless. The cloud in front of him began to take shape. Starting at the point on its arm that struck against Dom, it slowly formed into the figure of a man in a tattered and discolored ivory robe.

"You know you're gonna have to do better than that," Dom mocked.

The hood over the attacker's head cast a shadow over his eyes, but it couldn't hide his face wincing in pain.

Nice one! Sara knew from her self-defense training that you could make your opponent pay for striking you with a good enough block. Sara watched the two intently, waiting to see who would make the next move. She always had loved to dissect a good fight. The robed attacker's eyes shifted away from Dom and towards Sara for a split second.

Oh, so this is what his game is. From the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of a faint white mist rising from the ground behind her.

Bring it on.

Sara began to spin and raised both of her arms to block. Her adrenaline surged. Fighting instinct and proper training honed her mind. Time seemed to slow down.

"Sara! Behind you!" Dom shouted.

Ugh, I already know. The cloud of mist expanded in front of Sara. Which way will I throw you today, she pondered, waiting for an arm to appear in the fog. To her surprise, both arms did, and they were coming at her fast.

Trying to grab me? She started to make out the rest of the body as it solidified. And you're leaning forward? Bad idea.

Sara took a small step to the enemy and pushed her leading arm into his. She waited for the sensation of contact.

"Found you."

Sara twisted her wrist and slid it down the enemy's arm until she reached his hand. She grabbed ahold tightly. With the agility of a dancer, she pulled him towards her while simultaneously spinning past him, all the while never letting go. With her free hand, she reached for the pressure point on his elbow and dug in deep with her knuckles. Her enemy was now bent over at a ninety-degree angle at the waist, unable to stand up.

"Goodnight," Sara smiled. Her feet firmly planted, Sara twisted her hips and kicked her attacker in the face with her shin. Follow through, she reminded herself. Sara continued to swing the kick upwards long after, destroying any teeth that were misfortunate enough to be in the front of the enemy's mouth.

Her attacker was almost lifted into the air with the force of the blow and was knocked flat on his back. Sara looked over her shoulder at Dom - he and his attacker still standing as they were before.

"You... you can fight?"

Sara looked at the body lying on the ground, then back at Dom.

"Yeah. I can fight."