Chapter 14

  A new mission

  Three days later, Aaronn and the others arrived at the megacity of Ornéa. The desert had given way to lush vegetation a day earlier. Yet a gray, monotonous atmosphere had settled over everything as well.

  They were riding in a small merchant’s cart loaded with fresh fruits and vegetables, following the road that led to the city gates.

  “I didn’t think we’d make it here without trouble,” Linart admitted, seated beside Lunamilla and facing Aaronn. “Didn’t our escape alert anyone?”

  Aaronn frowned. He didn’t know what to expect from the warriors of light, but it was true—the absence of obstacles left a bitter aftertaste.

  “Let’s enjoy it while it lasts. We’re almost there,” he said, lowering the hood of his cloak.

  Linart and Lunamilla did the same.

  Aaronn leaned back to look ahead. The beasts pulling the cart moved slowly, their hooves striking the ground in a steady rhythm. On the horizon, a thick mist partially veiled the city of Ornéa.

  “Get ready, we’re almost there!” called the man driving the cart.

  Soon after, the cart left the dirt road and rolled onto the smooth stone pavement of the megacity. The jolts lessened—but the newfound comfort was quickly drowned out by the tumult of the crowd flooding the streets.

  Most of the men wore long black robes; the women wore fitted garments. They walked briskly and evenly, as if hurrying to their next appointment.

  “I don’t like the city,” Lunamilla said. “I’ve never liked it.”

  “It’s true the atmosphere isn’t pleasant,” Linart replied. “Everyone rushes to fulfill their role and pretends to be a model citizen… Aaronn, if what you told us is true—that every Eleusian can awaken—how do you plan to spread that message to people like these?”

  “The first step is to show respect to others, Linart,” Aaronn replied, frowning. “I thought you wanted to help these people. Why speak of them with such condescension?”

  The response cut Linart short. He shifted slightly and studied the expressions of the passersby more carefully. Most were impassive, but some betrayed anxiety or fear.

  “You’re probably right,” he conceded. “It’s just that I can’t stand inaction and conformity. It only strengthens our oppressors.”

  “That’s not entirely wrong. But if you turn against those you want to defend, you give valuable help to those you want to defeat. Everyone fights their own battle.”

  “I agree with Aaronn,” Lunamilla added. “Let’s stop judging one another. Isn’t that one of the roots of conflict?”

  Aaronn and Lunamilla exchanged a brief smile of understanding.

  “Tell me, Luna—why did you join the resistance?” Aaronn asked.

  She froze, clearly caught off guard.

  “I… I…”

  “This is where I stop, ladies and gentlemen!” the cart driver announced. “If you don’t mind, I’ll ask you to step down.”

  He had stopped in front of a produce shop on a side street.

  “Of course,” Linart replied. “Thank you again for your help.”

  “My pleasure.”

  Aaronn and the others climbed down and continued on foot. Lunamilla had used the interruption to avoid Aaronn’s question. He noticed—but chose not to press her. There would be a better time.

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  “Are we still far from the meeting point?” he asked.

  “Almost there,” Linart answered. “Just a few more minutes.”

  They reached the main avenue, paved with wide stone slabs. Aaronn saw with his own eyes how different Ornéa felt from Celestaem. The mist—mixed with smoke from factories—wrapped the city in a gray, lifeless haze that matched the expressions of its inhabitants.

  An immense square opened before them. At its center stood a statue of a winged child, holding a stone fountain that poured water endlessly from its vase.

  “He’s there,” Linart said. “I think we can convince him with your story, Aaronn. Unlike most Eleusians, he knows about life beyond this planet.”

  A nobly dressed man stood waiting by the fountain, sheltered beneath a black umbrella. Why carry one? It wasn’t raining.

  Suddenly, he left his position and began walking through the crowd.

  “Where is he going?” Aaronn asked.

  “Relax,” Linart said. “He’s inviting us to follow. He doesn’t want to be seen by the warriors of light.”

  Aaronn spotted several of them posted atop spires and along the rounded rooftops of noble buildings.

  They followed discreetly. They crossed the square, went over a bridge, then descended to the riverbanks at the heart of the megacity, finally catching up with him beneath another bridge.

  The man stopped abruptly, the structure’s shadow falling over him. He closed his umbrella with controlled confidence and turned. The umbrella’s black matched his perfectly styled hair.

  “Linart,” he said coldly, “explain to me who this stranger is.”

  “H-he’s an… an ally. It would take too long for me to explain. I’ll let him speak.”

  Aaronn stepped forward cautiously, as though a single misstep might doom him.

  “I—”

  “Stop right there,” the man ordered gravely. “I don’t trust you. That’s why I was against sending you to that mine,” he added disdainfully. “Linart, I can tolerate. But Lunamilla…”

  His eyes scanned her with contempt.

  “A girl like you isn’t made for fighting.”

  Lunamilla fell silent under the blow. She wanted to answer—but no words came. Was he truly wrong?

  “You shouldn’t belittle her efforts,” Aaronn replied calmly. “Her very presence here proves her strength of spirit. I would ask that you show her more respect.”

  He knelt as he spoke.

  Lunamilla’s chest loosened slightly.

  “Aaronn, you don’t have to…” Linart whispered.

  The man’s expression sharpened, a faint mocking breath escaping him.

  “And who are you?”

  “My name is Aaronn Karselfeni. I’ll be direct. Our mission had to be cut short. The Eyes exposed us, and we decided to relinquish our gains.”

  The man’s brows knit tighter.

  “Our mission? Start by explaining why you’re here. I don’t recall seeing you when they departed.”

  “Of course. I am a man from beyond the stars, seeking to help establish peace with Eile?n. The full reasons for my presence are long, but you may trust that much. Upon arriving on Eleusia, I lost a light duel against Prince Magnus and was sentenced to the same mine as Linart and Lunamilla.”

  “It is true a divine punishment streak was seen in the sky some time ago. But what proves it was you? And even if all this is true—what do you really want?”

  Aaronn glanced at his companions before answering.

  “To speak with the leader of the resistance. I possess information that could help you win this war.”

  “He speaks the truth,” Linart added firmly.

  The man locked eyes with him, gauging sincerity, then turned back to Aaronn.

  “A visitor from the stars, hmm? By revealing yourself, you hope to gain my trust so I bring you to my superior? You understand how difficult this is to believe—especially when there are inconsistencies. If the Eyes exposed you, how are you alive? And why abandon your gains?”

  “That is a fair concern. We do not understand the warrior’s reaction either. We judged it safest to leave. As for the rest…”

  Aaronn materialized a large sheet summarizing his origins and purpose, handing it over. The man’s expression shifted as he read.

  “What sorcery is this?” he muttered. “Who are you really?”

  “With respect, it’s written on the page. Where I come from, some master a power called Will. It allowed me to create that sheet—and it’s why we abandoned our gains. Believe it or not, I can accelerate the universe’s ‘give and take.’ I want to place that power at the service of the resistance.”

  He repeated the explanation he had given Linart and Lunamilla.

  “And if I believe you—how long until this lost amarite returns?”

  “It isn’t lost,” Aaronn said. “I assure you, we will recover it all within a month at most.”

  “Do you understand now, Niel?” Linart pressed. “We took the risk of this mad gamble.”

  Niel stroked his chin thoughtfully, his expression softening.

  “I understand. But you jeopardized your mission by trusting a stranger. And if he is a disguised warrior of light, he now knows far too much. You place me in a delicate position. Bringing him before me alone could end the resistance.”

  Linart knew that—but they would not win without risk.

  “I’m aware. Still, I chose to trust him. If he were a warrior of light, he could not manifest the power of the Sword and the Shield. And as hard as it is to believe, what he says makes sense.”

  “He could not manifest the Sword and Shield… That is true,” Niel admitted. “Yet it remains difficult to accept. I could only trust him if I witnessed this phenomenon myself—for the sake of our cause. And my superior will be even more cautious than I.”

  “What can I do to earn your trust?” Aaronn asked.

  “Let me think… There is one thing. The election for Chief Senator will take place in a month. I want you to gather information on Jaje Neima, one of the candidates. We suspect him of feeding Eile?n information about runaway or protected Half-Chosen. If you can prove his involvement—and recover the lost amarite—you may earn the trust of the entire resistance.”

  A confident smile spread across Aaronn’s face.

  “That’s perfect,” he said. “We’ll handle it.”