Muse 9 (ONC 2020)

Chapter 15

I spent the night in the base of the tower, wanting to be rested for my return trip through the Shadows. The following day, I climbed the hundreds of stairs back up to the main platform of the Library.

Once there, I hesitated on the landing, staring out at the open chamber separating me from the tunnel back home. When I stepped out of the tower, I would be attacked by the Shadows again.

This is how my mother died.

If she couldn't do it, how can I?

I carefully checked my rifle, ensuring it was still in excellent working order before I left. Then I made sure the Orphoid was safely stored in my pack. Drawing one of the daggers from my greaves, I straightened and took a deep breath.

"Here goes nothing," I murmured, then I walked out of the tower.

I heard the whispers before I saw the shadows.

Sable Huntris. Sable Huntris. Sable Huntris. Sable Huntris. Sable Huntris.

Running forward, I shot a cable towards the other side of the moat and jumped. I swung down into the gorge, grunting as my boot soles slammed into the rock face of the opposite cliff wall. Hitting retract on the control panel, I felt myself get tugged up the side of the cliff and braced myself for the flashbacks.

No, Sable Huntris.

Memories flanked you going in. Now, darkness will flank you going out.

She. Died. Here.

I shook my head savagely. No! Emotion killed Dad. Think about why you're doing this. Luktor. Luktor is depending on you.

I reached the top of the cliff, rolled up over the lip, and started to sprint for the tunnel.

Immediately, the Shadows surrounded me. I held out my rifle and started blasting, twisting left and right to hit as many as possible.

My vision winked out and I staggered, unable to see. Lifting my dagger, I slashed wildly, hoping to keep the Shadows at bay. Instead, I felt the needles sink into my skull.

Sable Huntris. You know how your mother died?

I screamed.

Do you want to know exactly how she died?

The Shadows didn't give me a chance to respond, just dove straight into my mind.

And suddenly, I was in the tower again.

But this time, I wasn't myself. I was my mother, Megana Huntris. A heavy hunter's rifle rested on my back, smaller auto guns holstered to my legs. I drew them and charged from the tower, heading for the moat.

I can't get out of this.

The voice ran through my head, but it didn't belong to me. I remembered that voice, from so many years ago. The strong and confident sound of my mother. Even in defeat, she retained her strength.

I can't win. But I knew this would happen. The Drain instinct, I suppose. I can't take Luktor and Sable to the safe house yet. I can't pull them from the world yet. The Drain isn't a place for children.

I forgot about that when I brought them here.

Today, I die. But they won't have to.

I, or rather Megana, jumped into the moat and shot a grappling line across to the other side.

Why? I wanted to scream at her. You didn't have to die.

Yes I did.

Her voice snaked into my brain, wrapping around me like a chain. Sable, honey, if I hadn't died, you would have.

Before I could question that, I heard her voice again. I went to the Library to read the Muse 9 texts. I was going to find it and hold it, keeping the Ninth Era from ever reaching completion. But it wasn't for me to do. You learn things, when you run through the Shadows. What did they show you?

They showed me Luktor, Mom. And our fighting.

There was silence. I reached the lip of the cliff and started to run. The darkness converged on me.

Then go save him, Sable. Save yourselves.

There was despair in my voice as I answered her. I can't face the darkness.

I fell to one knee, pain ripping through me as I felt the needles tear into my skin.

I couldn't survive the darkness, Sable. But I faced it. You will face it and live. Don't let the fear drive you. The Shadows are nothing but memory, thoughts. If anyone can beat them, Sable, it's you.

The image tore from my mind and I could see again, no longer reenacting my mother's death. The Shadows surrounded me, their heads all bobbing in sync. The needles were gone from my skull, for now.

Slowly, I crouched, slipping my dagger back into my greave sheath. Then I stood, slinging my rifle over my shoulder.

"I'm done being afraid of you." My voice sounded small in the large chamber, but it didn't shake. Reaching into my belt, I pulled out my stylus. "I don't care what you do to me, but I'll take you out with me."

You do not give the orders here, Sable Huntris.

Gripping my stylus tightly in one hand, I stared around at the Shadows. "For you, Mom," I muttered. "For Dad. For Luktor. And in honor of everything Eurykhan taught me."

Then I charged forward.

The darkness converged on me as I aimed for the Shadow in front of me. Lunging forward, I jabbed my stylus into its blank, featureless face, letting out a scream as I felt the needles dig into me. But the memory that was my father, getting torn about by emotions and darkness, faded as my stylus plunged deeper into the Shadow's face.

The usual feel of flesh tearing wasn't there as everything went dark again, but this time it was only momentary. Then I was seeing the memory structure of the Shadow.

Every victim, every event, flashed before my eyes as the needles retracted from my skin. It was all too much to take in as I adjusted my grip on the stylus. I caught a quick glimpse of my parents but that was all. The Shadows all went immobile as I stood, my stylus plugged into the memories of the darkness.

There was silence and everything was still.

Mnemosyne.

The Shadows spoke, their voices quieter and more submissive than the last time they had spoken. What be your wishes?

I didn't know what to say. The sudden change in the demeanor of the Shadows was startling, to say the least.

"Stand down," I ordered after a moment of hesitation. "Allow me to leave in peace."

The Shadows bowed simultaneously, even the one with my stylus still in its face. My skin went cold as its dark head brushed my hand. As you command, Mnemosyne. We are now and forever yours.

That was quite the change from "You do not give the orders here," now, wasn't it?

I withdrew my stylus and began to walk towards the tunnel, slinging my rifle down. I glanced over my shoulder. The Shadows simply stood and watched me go.

You won, Sable Huntris. You won today, but our brethren still await you.

Your mission isn't over yet.