The Other World

Archon - Part 4

Sara felt as if she were frozen in a block of ice; cold and unable to move. Yet, her body was surging with energy, waiting for her brain to give the command to run to safety.

No order came.

All she could do was watch the Archon's hand inching towards her, completely frozen in horror as she fell backward. The last thing she expected was for something as large as the Archon to dash across the field in such an explosion of power.

The only thing Sara found herself able to do was gaze into the hollow eyes of its expressionless mask. The giant was made even more frightening by the fact there appeared to be nothing inside of its helmet but an onyx void. The only feature that stood out on the Archon's otherwise plain mask was a stain of crimson beneath both of its eyes. The shapes that the red color formed made the Archon appear that was weeping blood.

Its hand was now nearly upon her. Sara continued to fall in slow motion, but now her torso had now fallen inside of the doorway and into headquarters.

Into safety.

She felt something push at her waist.

Did it get me? Sara was shocked as her body was shoved through the doorway and away from the Archon.

How did I?

Sara was so fixated on the monster she hadn't noticed one of Dom's arms was now wrapped tightly around her middle. Miraculously, he managed to outrun the Archon and was in the process of tackling Sara, attempting to push them both through the portal. Sara was sent flying backward and slid across the marble floors of the cathedral on her back.

She lifted her head to see Dom sitting on the floor between her and the portal, but the door was wide open. The Archon was still diving to reach them from the other side.

He's not going to be able to shut it in time!

Suddenly, Dom shouted something and raised the palm of his hand towards the door a few feet away. A bluish glow of light radiated from his fingertips. The wooden door slammed shut, then faded into nothing. Dom sat motionless with one hand still in the air.

"An Archon," he exhaled, relaxing and falling onto his back. "I haven't seen an enemy Archon in... centuries." Dom stared into the ceiling as he lay sprawled out on the floor.

Sara sat herself up and looked around. The two of them were safe inside the giant cathedral again. She could see some of the other robed figures gathering to look at the two of them and whispering to one another.

"Thank you," Sara mumbled. The words slipped out of her mouth before she knew they were there.

"No," Dom shook his head. "Thank you!" He smiled and sat back up. "I haven't had that much fun in millennia."

That's his idea of fun?!

"I would have died if you hadn't pulled me through." Sara massaged her sore leg and clinched her teeth.

"That's a little extreme," Dom cocked his jaw. "You know were immortal. That Archon would have buried us so far into the ground it would have taken a few centuries to get back to the surface, but dying?"

"Oh, y-yeah," Sara stammered. "I didn't mean literally."

Immortal or not, Sara's heart was still pounding from the experience. The more Sara thought about it, the more she realized Dom was right about the encounter being fun. If I'm honest, I've never played a game that actually made me afraid for my life. Or one that had such good combat programming.

The two of them stood up and brushed themselves off. Dom focused his eyes on Sara and put both of his hands on her shoulders. His expression of enjoyment was swept away by one of curiosity.

"Do you have any idea how important you are for them to send an Archon after you?" Dom flashed a grin that showed all of his teeth. "I knew it when I saw you; there's something special about you."

Sara looked down at her feet as she began to blush. Stupid game. You'd think with all the games I've played growing up, I'd be used to flattery from an imaginary person.

"I think that's more than enough excitement for one day though," Dom chuckled. "I now would be a good time to call it a day and go meditate for a while. Now that you're in training to be an Alraie, you get your own meditation chamber. Would you like me to show you where it is?"

"Sure," Sara nodded. I get it now. The meditation chamber must be the designated save point. This must be one of those games that keeps playing even if you don't

The two began the trek to Sara's chambers -- through massive marble archways, between rows of white columns and up a large spiral staircase.

"Here we are." Dom pointed to a door at the end of a hallway. "Rest up. I'll get the report filled out for today's mission so we can start on your training as soon as possible." Dom turned and began to walk away. "And be proud!" he called over his shoulder. "If you have half the potential that I think you do, you are gonna make our enemies fear the name Sara."

Sara stood at the door to her room and watched Dom disappear around a corner. She let out a sigh of relief. Sara turned to open the door to her room, ready to log out, and in the proper place this time. The last thing she wanted was to log out in a bad spot and log back in to find someone carrying her again. Sara pushed the door open and peered inside.

You're joking

On the other side of the door was a square, windowless room just big enough for Sara to be able to lie down inside. In the middle of the floor was a large, plush cushion. She stepped inside and closed the door. The room was pitch black.

I really need to do my homework. Jace is gonna be furious.

"Log out."