Mantle of the Gods

I got hit by splinters.

I opened my eyes to see a huge hole in the side of the building.

Savyn ran out, followed by the other members of the Black team.

“Get out of town.” The deadly man glared at us, “It’s too dangerous.”

“You’re not with them..?” I’d found my voice, but that hadn’t stopped my knees from shaking.

His blue eyes bored into me like I’d just asked a stupid question. He started walking around the building towards the front.

“That was…” Rals was staring where the bandit had just left.

“Whisper Err.” My heart was still thundering in my chest so loud I could hear each beat in my ears. I looked at the tree people still inside. “What about them?”

“Mundane idiots.” Savyn was the first to regain her composure.

“We need to help them.” I grabbed the side of the hole.

“Don’t.” Rals grabbed my arm.

I turned to look at the red-haired man in black metal armor, “Why?”

“They chose to be here. If you try to save them, they’re just going to try to get back and will endanger everyone.” Rals shook his head, “We were supposed to get them topside and we did.” He nodded in the direction Whisper had walked, “If he told us to run, we need to run.”

“What about your teacher?”

I looked in the room again, “Trent said you had someone.”

“The old guy killed her.” James answered, “Then threw us in there.”

I closed my eyes as I tried to think, “Fine.” I looked at Rals, “Get your team to your base and get out of here in your Chasers. If you can make it to the dock maybe you can get the mainland to send help.”

“Why can we just..?” James looked down at his CB, “Oh.”

“Our CBs are being jammed.” I swallowed, finally able to moisten my dry throat, “Which also means that we can’t call our teachers.”

“Good enough for me.” Savyn straightened up, “We’ll get to the dock and call for help, though it won’t arrive for hours.”

I had an idea, “Call Celia’s base in Vefe, tell them to use the Tunnel on the fourth floor.”

That surprised her, but she just slowly nodded.

“Let’s go boys.” Savyn turned and started running towards Celia’s building.

I watched the Black team leave. I wanted to follow them, but I couldn’t leave without Gesai. I pulled up my CB and began typing a message for Ether.

Get everyone in the Chasers and get to the Dock. Black team is heading that way. Call Tres and let him know what is going on. I’m getting Gesai and Rix, then we’ll follow.

I had a feeling that Celia probably had reinforcements that could be mobilized pretty quickly, but that might not be enough. My other two options for calling in reinforcements were the Cathedral and Tres. Of the two of those, Tres would probably be able to get help here faster.

The only problem was that it was a few hours for them to reach the dock. Even if there was an army waiting, it would be morning before any help arrived.

I thought about telling the party that Whisper was here, but Ether wouldn’t get it and the ones who were with me in that bunker and saw what he could do would have a similar reaction to the one I had. Except Rix. I had no doubt that Rix would try to kill him on sight.

I put away my weapon and headed towards the fighting. I hoped I’d be able to find her before she found Whisper.

I doubted he’d be as gracious to her as he had been to me.