Plague of Mybyncia: Arizal Wars, #2

By C.G. Coppola

Fallon and the others await word on Blovid's location—the Dellapalanian Leader who stopped the Ellae Massacre. Their search takes them to Mybyncia, Harrizel's water-neighbor, where they encounter more than they bargained for. With a psychotic loyalist threatening the group's very survival and a sudden plague incapacitating the royal city of Pryncbia, Fallon and the others must do everything to help the damaged kingdom restore itself before joining up with the fleeing Arizal Leader.

• Language: English
• Publisher: C.G. Coppola
• Release date: May 23, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201366704

C.G. Coppola

C.G. Coppola is the author of the fantasy adventure series, Arizal Wars, and the contemporary romance series, Better Than This. In addition to short stories that explore magic and the paranormal, she writes books that involve a lot of kissing, kickass heroines, and fighting alongside best friends. When not writing, C.G. Coppola can be found watching Netflix, playing with her dogs, Appa and Regis, or dancing to Meghan Trainor in the kitchen.

Book preview

QIPPERT

Wicked.

Jace is smirking next to me, an inch of blonde hair whipping around his face but the rest of it—his neck and everything below—is lost to the sparkling purple fogginess that surrounds us. We’re traveling from Harrizel to Mybyncia, in the cloudy lavender transit with Clarence, Pratt and Mae, the last of the five percent who aren’t able to return home to Earth, to their life before this. We finally left Harrizel only seconds ago, when a smaller, unfamiliar Dofinike appeared and told Sampson that Blovid had been located. Without much information, we were ushered into two circles and grasping hands, we jetted up into the sky as the billowing purple wind engulfed us.

Jace grins to my left. I forgot how cool this was.

How long will it take? Pratt’s voice asks to my right.

Only a few seconds more. Clarence’s eyes shift to her. It doesn’t take long to travel from Harrizel to Mybyncia, as we’re part of the same solar system. But from Earth to Harrizel and back, it would take some time to cross galaxies. This will be a shorter trip than what you’d remember. Clarence’s smile turns down as he looks at Mae next to him. How’re you holding up, Mae?

The ends of her jet-black bob whip around her oval face. She’s staring down, her dark eyes lowered.

Okay...

I don’t know how she’s able to deal with all this. She arrived on Harrizel right before the Vermix invaded the Castle, before a quarter of the humans were slaughtered by whips and Chaisles and Traxpires, hunted through the jungle and chased into the black fortress we’d known as home. At least the rest of us had time to prepare. We knew what was coming—sort of. We had anticipated the Vermix’s arrival; knew they were there to kill us, to see our demise. But Mae arrived at the tail end, with very little time to acclimate to the well rehearsed lie.

And then, to be attacked...

Sometimes I’m still surprised that we won. That we fought our way free from the Vermix’s entrapment when it seemed impossible. That we managed to send the others back when it was believed they had no home to return to. The Vermix kept it from us—all of our past lives and all of our memories of it. Designed and orchestrated by Beshib and the Vermix Leader Reuzkimpart, we were trapped under a lie that the world we had come from was gone, destroyed by our own hands. But it never happened. Earth is still there, still turning today, and we were being abducted. Collected.  So the Vermix could experiment on us to create an army of zombie-like soldiers that they could pin against the Arizals, Dofinikes like Sampson and Clarence.

But it didn’t work. Not towards the end. Once discovering Sampson was a Dofinike, things changed. Once learning of his macabre past on Ellae where he’d escaped to live free as an Arizal, we had a chance. We had someone on our side. But it wasn’t until I discovered what the Vermix were doing to the humans that something actually shifted. Sampson and Clarence and Vix were slaves for their crimes on Ellae but this... the death and mutation of every person... this was what we needed. Atrocity. A cause for the Arizals to finally stand against the Vermix in a splintered culture on the verge of civil war. Ironically, our own demise had become our ticket to freedom. And once the split cracked wide open, there was no turning back. For any of us—the humans who needed to fight to return home or the Arizals who’d been hiding quietly in Dellapalania, afraid to voice their beliefs in The Way and The Three Gifts. Because all Dofinikes are supposed to be Vermix and any choosing to live as an Arizal—accepting an ideology of universal peace—are treated as traitors.

So Sampson and the other Arizal Dofinikes had to hide in the beginning, seeking refuge in the deep mask of the Harrizel jungle until the Ellae Massacre, when the Dellapalanian Leaders ordered the immediate genocide of all humans. Only a few were spared, their memories erased while the Arizals were imprisoned at the Castle alongside their former human friends or worse... sent to collect more, and for reasons unknown.

But that’s all in the past now that the battle is over, now that we’ve fought our way out, fought our way free. It ended when Sampson killed Beshib in front of everyone and the rest of the Vermix fled back to Dellapalania. And we’ve spent the last week traveling through Harrizel’s lush environment, waiting for our next move—when and where we need to meet up with Blovid, the Arizal Leader that ordered the ceasefire during the Ellae Massacre.

It came with a visit from a smaller Arizal Dofinike, telling us we were needed on Mybyncia, Dellapalania’s water neighbor. After a month and a half on Harrizel, I was finally leaving. And for the others—like Reid who had been there for almost four years, or even Sampson, who had been there for much longer—it was time to finally go.

We’re on our way to a new place, a new world—one completely submerged in water. I have no idea what it’s going to bring, but whatever it is, I’m sure we can handle it. We’ve handled worse, faced worse. But Mae hasn’t. She’s new to all this, to surviving terrible odds. No wonder she’s quiet, keeping her voice like a whisper in my head. She won’t even look at us, her eyes focused on the purple nothing below.

Clarence exhales with a frown. We’re nearly there.

Are we landing near the others? Pratt’s voice rings in my head, a few inches of her hair whipping about.

On the North Shore, yes. But be prepared—the Vermix might not have fled. We were given very little information about the state of things so when we arrive, keep close.

We were given practically no information, other than that the Vermix attacked Pryncbia, Mybyncia’s royal city. Blovid was hiding there after his escape from Dellapalania once it became too dangerous for him to stay. But word was leaked on his location and the Vermix invaded. The Arizal Leader fled, but not after damage was inflicted on the water planet. And we still don’t know where Blovid went—only that he’s safe. For now.

Do you think the Vermix are still attacking?  All eyes fly to me, then to Clarence for an answer.

No. Once they realized Blovid fled, I’m sure they abandoned the search. It will still be dangerous though, so keep close to me.

I wish we could travel like this all the time, Jace grins, this is sweet.

Remember that young Rogue—we may have to.

Soft, almost malleable texture hits my feet and I nearly stumble to my knees. It’s not like landing on Harrizel’s hard dirt, but trying to balance on a moving cushion. The others have difficulty standing too, but Mae immediately collapses to her knees. She looks around, wide-eyed and confused at the gobs and gobs of sand around us.

We’re on a beach.

In one direction, the yellowy-beige material leads to towering walls of grey limestone sheathed in green and brown fauna. It looks like ivy, but drapes between each jagged formation, connecting an island of sky-scraper-sized rocks. Monstrously huge, they soar into the clear sky while mammoth-sized bushes and walled shrubbery nestle between them, creating a thick, nearly impenetrable barricade.

But I can’t stop staring at the vast sapphire abyss enveloping the shore around us. I’m only a yard from the ocean, which sits quietly and, rather strangely, completely undisturbed. There are no waves or ripples or wind washing the water towards us. It’s as if there was nothing underneath the blue-glass surface, nothing but silence and stillness.

Everyone alright? Mae? Clarence moves for her.

I’m fine, she stumbles back to her feet, eyes on her dirty white tennis shoes.

Where’re the others? Pratt asks.

Hmm... Clarence scratches his chin, must have landed a ways down. Hold on, he concentrates on a sight in the distance but makes no movement. After a moment, he nods. They’re over this way. Come on.

We follow Clarence down the beach, shifting inwards toward the grey limestone walls. Everything seems quiet—but what do I know? Ever since Sampson killed Beshib—hell, even back when he coordinated our initial takeover of the Castle—we’ve all been leaning on him to guide us, to set a course. Clarence has been his second in command and Reid, a close third, but we’re really just following blindly. None of us have any idea what to expect. We’re taking it one day at a time, hoping there will be a tomorrow, just like we did on Harrizel.

Mae? Fallon? Clarence tosses over his shoulder, You keep close back there. We still don’t know what’s around us.

Shouldn’t we have our rifles ready? I ask.

I don’t think it’s necessary. Just keep close and once we reach Sampson, we’ll find Qippert below.

We walk for another minute when a soft scratching rustles the nearby fauna. Pratt and Jace merely glance over but Mae doesn’t even hear it. She’s right on Clarence’s heels, her head low and focused on the sand as she crosses it. Another rustle and I slow.

Clarence? I draw my gun to my front.

Just a little farther... they should be around this boulder.

Clarence... I’m watching the walled shrubbery but it’s silent. Still, again. Maybe I’m imagining it. I catch up with the others but keep my gun ready. Another shuffle sounds and I hold the rifle up, aiming as I stare into the green camouflage.

There you are! Clarence’s voice calls ahead. I wonder why we landed so far apart?

Not sure. Sampson approaches, Reid and the Rogues on his tail. They approach with the same caution, eyeing the nearby shrubbery as they keep their rifles close to their chests, Any issues?

It’s been quiet. And you?

Same.

Now where did Qippert say he’d be meeting us?

Another rustle in the shrubbery but it’s further up this time, nearing the two Dofinikes. It’s passed Mae and almost reaches Sampson who is busy pointing in the direction we just came. Clarence shakes his head and folds his arms.

No, I think he’ll come to us.

Clarence! I jet forward, following the rustling.

Hmm? he turns, just as the smaller Dofinike who landed on Harrizel steps through the walled fauna.  He’s dressed in a long brown and black wrapped tunic, similar in color to Sampson’s floor length robe. Ah—Qippert! Weren’t sure where we’d be meeting you.

I dig my heels to a halt.

The newcomer approaches Sampson and Clarence. I tried getting a destination but you landed some distance away. Are these all of them? he motions to us.

Yes, Sampson nods. These are them—the rest of the humans from Harrizel.

They could not go back?

Clarence selected them as we used to—those with no other alternative. All except Reid here, he indicates to him.

My chest tightens as I look over the only person I’m constantly aware of, the only figure I feel like a force. I try not to catch his eye, which I’ve grown used to this past week, but it’s hard. Too hard, like not using your sight. Reid has a fiancé back on Earth, but he chose to stay here, to continue on with us. And I’m still unsure why. He gave me a Callix flower—supposedly the symbol of love—on Harrizel after the invasion, but asked that I wait. We haven’t spoken since, and it’s been a little over a week. He hasn’t tried and I’m doing my best to respect his request. But it’s difficult and most times, nearly impossible... especially when he’s looking at me like he is now.

Reid can return to his former life at any time, although he’s assured me he is staying, Sampson turns to Qippert, and what of Pryncbia? Was the queen or chancellor injured?

They were not on the shore at the time of the attack.

Well, that’s lucky.

There has been no threat made on them, Qippert leans in, lowering his voice. "They seek Blovid."

And where are they willing to follow him?

He has expressed discretion on his whereabouts until we have aided and restored Pryncbia on his behalf. At that time, he requests I bring you to him.

And how long will that take?

You should see for yourself, Qippert begins leading Sampson and Clarence through the limestone walls.

Suddenly, the shrubbery up to my right rips apart and a Dofinike the size of Sampson flies out, hurling itself at Mae. She screams just as Sampson and Clarence morph into their true forms, all three Dofinikes knocking the assailant to the ground. Mae scampers away as Sampson pins the Vermix to the sand, his talons pinching the Dofinike’s neck on either side of his three red lines—an indicator of his Vermix status.

Speak, he orders.

The Vermix snarls short, curt sounds.

Sampson pinches his neck harder, interrupting him. And why would you think we’d know where he is?

Another spout of hisses as the Vermix tries to wrestle free.

Well, had you paid attention to your history, you would know I have been sentenced to Harrizel since the Ellae Massacre, which would mean Blovid and I have had very little communication. I promise you, his whereabouts are just as much a mystery to you as they are to me.

A mouthful of snapping sounds escape but Sampson shakes his head.

Quite impossible—you see, you aren’t headed back to Dellapalania. For the crimes you’ve committed, you will be detained here by Chancellor Keller, in Pryncbia’s FH prison.

FH? Pratt asks.

Clarence turns to the side with a mumble, Foreign Headquarters.

The Vermix writhes beneath Sampson’s hold but gets nowhere.

Don’t make this harder on yourself. You knew what would happen in the event of a Vermix invasion.

He hisses out a spout of snarls.

"Oh—but you did, Sampson interrupts him. You knew exactly what would happen and now you should know what comes next, he renders him immobile with a jab to the throat. Sampson gets to his feet. Turning to Qippert, he changes back to his human form, Clarence quickly following. Any twine or rope on you?"

Qippert shakes his head. And he is probably not the only one.

Should we just leave him? Clarence asks.

There will be more, Qippert motions ahead, walking towards the limestone slabs again. "The Northern and Southern Shores were badly ambushed. I would not be surprised if a few Vermix were still in pursuit of Blovid, believing he has simply been relocated within Mybyncia. I am certain Chancellor Keller will have the beaches swept clean by nightfall."

How many do you project may still be lingering about? Sampson asks.

A loud, piercing sound rips through the air—it’s Pratt this time. She’s far away, barely visible behind one of the grey boulders.

I race over, grasping her by the shoulder. Pratt!

She’s rigid, her finger pointing to the masticated Dofinike on the ground.

Bile instantly rises as I push her behind me.

Pieces of flesh lay strewn across the sand, staining it with specks of dried crimson. The body itself is mostly a skeleton although a few gobs of fat and skin still remain in some places. All the organs are gone and both eyes have been plucked free.

Arizal or Vermix? Clarence asks behind me.

Vermix, Qippert answers immediately. There are no other Arizal Dofinikes currently on Mybyncia. Except for the three of us, he frowns. Where is Vix?

We’re not sure, Sampson moves past Pratt and I, heading to investigate the corpse. She wasn’t accounted for after Beshib’s attack. I can’t hear her, he bends down, scanning the chewed snout. She could be anywhere.

Surely she would seek you out if she could, Qippert steps closer.

"Yes, which leads me to believe she cannot, he looks up with a sad sigh. She’s being held somewhere. I have a few ideas where that might be and I mean to seek her out at the next available opportunity."

Which will not be for a while—you must know this? Qippert raises a brow.

I do, Sampson shifts the Vermix skull to the side, examining the bite marks in a patch of skin still attached. They can tell, can’t they?

Tell?

Vermix from Arizal, Sampson looks up with a cautious frown.  I doubt her majesty would be too keen to find that all her aides have been eaten.

The peace signal has gone up, but I cannot guarantee safety. Pryncbia is in panic. Fychu, Qippert steps forward, lowering his voice, please, let me escort you and the others inside.

Are we any safer there? Clarence asks.

You will be under Chancellor Keller’s personal guard, but we must get you down there immediately. I have Salva waiting with Gala in the Holding Station.

So we’re just going to leave him here? I gesture to the corpse and then to the immobilized Vermix, And that one too?

Sampson stands, For now.  We can do a more thorough search once we better understand the state of things. But first, we must present ourselves to the queen and chancellor.

Uh... Qippert turns to us—the humans. "It is Queen Ravan and Chancellor Keller. They will not expect you to address them, so please leave all communications to the Fychu, he nods at Sampson and cuffs his hands behind his back, resuming his stance. Please, we must get inside immediately."

Everyone keep close, Clarence ushers us to the center, falling behind Pratt, "no one meander."

Sorry, she shrugs.

How far inland are we traveling? I ask.

A fair bit, Qippert says without turning around.

How come we didn’t land closer?

Dofinikes only land where they can see, Sampson tosses a glance back at me. The Four Shores are known throughout Dellapalania, so it was easy to pick such a recognizable spot. And with the ongoing crisis, we couldn’t attempt a landing in the rocks. It would be far too dangerous and we’d have never found Qippert.

How did you know it’d be safe on the shore? Reid asks.

We didn’t.

And do you think there are a lot of Vermix left? I keep to Sampson who’s picked up speed with the others.

A few, perhaps, Qippert calls from the front, they are mostly hiding out—spies for Reuzkimpart. The majority left once discovering Blovid was not here.

And what will Reuzkimpart do now?

Focus on Dellapalania’s issue. Out of the seven Leaders, three known Arizals have been assassinated. The forth, Blovid, is on the run. The other two remain loyal to Reuzkimpart, so only Vermix sit on the council. But Arizals have come out and there are riots in the streets daily. They are gaining power and popularity, so Reuzkimpart will stay on Dellapalania and deal with this. He will not allow them their revolution if he is present. And there will be very little mercy, Qippert stops suddenly, and, with his hands still clasped behind his back, he tosses us a sad glance. For the first time in two hundred years, our home is officially at war with itself. Your father, he lowers his head, peeking at Sampson, he misses you, Fychu. He... speaks of you often... and fondly.

And is he well? Sampson keeps the line moving.

He is. He has been given extra guard, all his movements carefully monitored.

Good.

But... Reuzkimpart wants him to speak on behalf of the Vermix.

And he’s agreed?

He has managed to stay out of it so far. He is a highly recognized and respected Vermix, but has refused to speak on the uprisings. He will have to say something soon, though. He cannot evade Reuzkimpart forever.

I don’t think it would matter much what my father would say, Sampson follows Qippert to the end of a boulder and between two others. He hasn’t been a Leader in some time.

Reuzkimpart thinks your father is the very thing Dellapalania needs.

Why?

Qippert pauses again, "Many of the Arizals were loyal supporters of Theon during his service.  Reuzkimpart thinks—hopes—that if Theon speaks, he will be able to sway the Arizal revolution to a halt. He was counting on this grand, unbeatable army and now, with recent events, he has none. Reuzkimpart needs this war to be over. And that includes killing Blovid. As long as he lives, the uprisings will continue."

He will never find Blovid, Sampson leads us through the limestone walls, especially now that Mybyncia is involved. Reuzkimpart must have been panicked to send in such a force. He doesn’t realize it yet, but he’s just gained massive support for the Arizals with this attack.

He knows it. That is why he needs your father’s support more than ever. He must suppress the Arizal uprisings so Dellapalania can stand united and prepare, Qippert inhales. Reuzkimpart expects an attack from Mybyncia.

But Nerwolix will remain out of this?

Yes—Blovid has no immediate plans to involve them.

I told you he fled to one of the moons, Sampson glances at Clarence.

Best we not discuss that here, Qippert motions around. "Nerwolix will remain neutral, as I expect they would want to. This war will go one of two ways. Either Reuzkimpart will win over the revolution and bring the Vermix to Mybyncia with a promise of war if they retaliate. Or, Blovid will rally the Arizals and bring the war to Dellapalania. Make no mistake, this will get ugly."

Then best we get to the FH before anymore unnecessary bloodshed, Sampson agrees as he follows Qippert through another patch of rock walls, And once we get there? Am I to speak with the queen and chancellor at once?

Yes—they are quite anxious with everything that has happened... they want a meeting as soon as you arrive from the Docking Station. The humans will attend with you. Afterwards, we will leave you to your quarters for some rest.

When do we eat? Werzo gripes.

Uh... Qippert glances back at him, then to Sampson, later, at the feast.

Feast? Jace perks up.

Yes, we shall attend the customary banquet... Come, he dodges walls of shrubbery, passing more limestone boulders, we are nearly there. Now, he glances back at us, when you meet the Mybyncians, do not be alarmed that—watch out!

I’m hit before I even see what happens. Thrown backwards, I slam into the Rogues as Clarence leaps overhead in his true form. He races to assist Sampson and Qippert who are battling three Vermix when another two drop in. Hands reach around my arms, yanking me up and I’m vaguely aware of someone touching my face, examining my stinging cheek. But they’re gone and I’m still trying to make sense of the scene ahead. With my skull ringing from the hit, it takes me a minute to recognize the angry firecracker bursts.

Bullets.

I drop to the ground, unsure where they’re coming from.

Two more! someone shouts and the bursts ring again.

With my back to the wall, I reach for my AK, scanning the scene.

Pratt is across from me, curled up in a ball with her hands on her ears. The five Rogues have themselves lined between us, three facing one direction and Tucker and Reid on the other, all firing up at the impending Vermix who drop like bombs into our narrowly walled prison. To the far left, Sampson, Qippert and Clarence have started scaling the limestone boulders, racing higher towards the retreating Vermix.

Someone screams.

My eyes dart to Pratt but she stares back at me, hands still clasped to her ears, just as confused as me.

It’s Mae.

She’s to the right and retreated so far that she’s been separated from us by a Vermix. Lunging for her, it drops seconds later in a heap, but she only stares at the dead Dofinike, wide-eyed and in shock. In a panic, she takes off in the opposite direction, flying through a net of the ivy-fauna and disappearing through a new set of limestone walls.

Mae! I jump to my feet and race after her, hearing my own name called.

But she’ll be dead if she disappears, so I have to stop her while I have the chance. For someone so short, she’s fast, dodging in and out of boulders in a panic and it’s taking all my speed to keep up. Selecting another route at random, she staggers to a stop, her body frozen and I nearly crash into her.

Then I see it—the something up ahead feasting on a Dofinike corpse.

Face down on the bicep, it feeds with urgent fervor, pleasurable grunts escaping as it rips into the greenish-brown flesh. Mae gasps and the creature slows its voracious chewing, raising its irate orange eyes to us. It looks like a woman, except for the sage skin and red, matted mane imbedded with bits of seaweed and sand that falls past her shoulders. Pulling away from the Vermix, she sweeps her tongue over her teeth, lapping up the remaining blood.

Get behind me, I shuffle Mae to my back.

The creature rises to a complete stand, bits of skin still hanging from her mouth.  Her orange eyes pour over us and I know that at any second she’s going to launch herself and Mae and I will be dead. What do I do? I can tell Mae to run—give her a chance—but something tells me this thing will be able to kill both of us quite easily in a matter of seconds.

Shit.

MYBYNCIA

Settling into a lunging position, her orange eyes focus on me. Holding my breath, I squeeze Mae’s hand behind me, praying for a final miracle. But as the creature leaps forward and I know I’m about to be ripped to pieces, Booker and Jace barrel into the moving force, all three tumbling to the wall. I watch in horror as she tosses them aside with ease, jumping to her feet again with a voracious growl. Jace leaps on her back and they struggle before she throws him into a stampeding Booker, the two hitting the ground again. Her focus flies to us, but just as she takes off, a nearly-invisible net flies around her, tripping and trapping her to the ground.

But I barely see it.

With a hard slam, Mae and I are thrown to the ground, Reid’s body covering ours, sheltering us from the impending attack. He holds us here, focusing on the commotion to his left and once satisfied, he climbs off, extending his hand. I take it first and Reid pulls me to my feet before offering Mae the same assistance. Hesitantly, she allows him to pull her to a wobbling stand.

You two okay?

I’m still piecing together the last few minutes. I think I manage a nod but he’s gone before I see him leave, jetting over to Sampson and the others. My arm bristles in agony and as I look down, I find the bandage wrapped from the Vermix’s whip is blotched in red again. It hasn’t bled since the day of the invasion, when Reid and I were chased through the tunnels and a Vermix followed us in. His whip lashed out and cut a shallow crater down the length of my forearm. I must have landed on it when Reid knocked us to the ground because it’s opened again. Covering the damp material with my hand, I make for the hissing creature wrestling under Qippert’s net.

"You will stand down, he commands. Queen Ravan and Chancellor Keller are expecting them."

The creature pauses immediately, replying in a long bouquet of sing-song-like sounds.

"This is Fychu Smypse, Clynse and the humans of Harrizel. They are allies to Blovid and her majesty. They are to see no harm when here."

She replies with another series of soft sounds, glancing around to us.

Qippert nods and removes the net, Then do it quick. They are expected immediately.

She rises and with a final scan, scampers back up the limestone walls, disappearing behind a lush ceiling of shrubbery.

"What was that?" Jace pants, hands on his hips.

A mayan, Qippert explains, a female Mybyncian. She is alerting the others of your arrival. The queen and chancellor will know soon. Come, he turns to Sampson and Clarence, we must go immediately. We are nearly to the entrance.

Qippert rushes past the next few boulders, Reid sandwiched between Sampson and Clarence who go back and forth about the Vermix attack. The Rogues follow behind them and then it’s Pratt and I, and a few feet back, a shaking Mae.

Fallon! Pratt grasps me. Your arm!

Reid whips around, followed quickly by the others, all eyeing the red stain before I’m able to hide it. They halt, Sampson making his way to me and lifting my arm to investigate. Fallon... when did this open?

Its fine, I pull back. Don’t even feel it.

It shall be attended to before the feast, Qippert says. Please, we must get inside. It is right this way.

Guilt sweeps Reid’s face but he moves along quickly, following Sampson as we’re led through two more walls which narrow into a carved shelter ahead. Qippert enters first, then Clarence and the Rogues. Reid and Sampson wait, allowing Pratt, Mae and I into the dank darkness first, before following us in. Suddenly, the three Callixes traveling with us—including the one Reid gave to me, which I’ve kept around my wrist—glow like hidden flashlights, lighting our way with a soft, rosy hue.

Through here, Qippert calls from the front, steering us into a densely shadowed passage, water dripping from the stone ceiling and down the dark walls. It hits the ground in wet rhythmic beats, creating a moist, echoing chime.

Forced to travel in a single line now, Sampson tries keeping to my side, peering down at my arm. We’ll apply some Vilbrees on it later.

You have some?

A little. I was hoping I wouldn’t have to use it so soon, but that arm will need something if it reopened so easily. Though... and now he sighs to himself, they’ll probably have the Healers take a look.

Here we are, Qippert calls, leading us into an enormous space with wet, bulbous stone walls and a giant pool of glistening blue. Besides the Callixes, the only light reflects off the shimmering water, illuminating the cave in a glowing cobalt tint. Qippert points to the center pool. This is the entry down to the Holding Station. Salva and Gala are already waiting.

What are we suppose to do? Jump? Werzo snorts, Uh—newsflash, we don’t breathe underwater.

Qippert exchanges looks with Sampson and Clarence before returning focus to the Rogue. Yes, I am aware. It is merely a mode of transportation, designed specifically for non-Mybyncian use.

So we’ll be able to breathe? Pratt steps closer.

Just as well as me, and I need air just as much as you.

Where exactly does this lead? I ask.

The Holding Station—a very similar atmosphere, he holds his hands up, gesturing to our wide, wet cavern, except, much deeper. And from there, we will head to Pryncbia’s Docking Station in the Foreign Headquarters or, the FH.

And once there?

Salva and I will present you to the queen and chancellor who should be expecting you very soon. Quickly now, I shall go first, then the rest, he nods at Sampson and Clarence before jumping in the pool. Swallowed by the glistening blue, he disappears and the surface stills again.

Is this really safe? I ask Sampson.

Indeed.  And he’s right, we need to make this quick so, he motions me over, ladies first?

Gulping, I step up to the pool’s edge just as Mae starts shaking behind me. No... I can’t, I can’t do it.

Mae? Clarence rushes over.

I can’t go down there, her bulging eyes focus on the pool. No, I can’t... I can’t... I can’t.

You’ll be able to breathe just fine.

I can’t. I’ll... I’ll—

Fallon, go, Sampson nods. We’ll get her down there.

My heart races as I peer into the solid abyss below. There’s no light on the other end and with Mae carrying on, it’s harder to make the jump. Will I survive this?

Please don’t let me die.

Holding my breath, I take a step over the edge and submerge completely.

At first I think I’m dead—or will be any second, the water about to pollute my lungs. Except it’s not water. Not really. It’s cool and fluid and coats my skin, but doesn’t flood my nose or mouth.  Still refusing to inhale, I try saving all my oxygen and it’s only when I think I’m going to pass out that I allow a deep breath, air finally filling my lungs as they should. Relieved not to be drowning, I finally open my eyes and take a look around. It’s too dark to really see anything other than the enclosed tunnel is at an angle, pulling me down. I’m not falling—I’m sliding. My feet are nearly parallel with the rest of me and I can see them if I left my head. I can also see my rifle and the tips of my fingers down by my hips too. I’m not sure how long I’ve been going when my feet hit something hard and I’m upright again.

I’m in the same sort of space—a low lit cavern with wet, dripping walls. Three torches line the room and under the farthest one, Qippert and one of the sage-skinned creatures converse in quiet words. Both look up at my arrival just as Pratt pops in behind me, quickly followed by each of the Rogues. Werzo is the last to arrive and doing a quick scan, I turn to Pratt.

Where’s Mae?

Having a panic attack, she frowns. I think they’re going to have to subdue her.

She’s freaking out is what she is, Jace chuckles. "Big time."

Clarence appears next, landing on his feet. He shakes his head with a light laugh. Well that was fun.

What happened? Reid crosses his arms over his printed green tee.

Had to knock the poor kid out. She wouldn’t have come otherwise.

You knocked her out? Pratt’s jaw dropped.

"Well, not physically, Clarence laughs. But there’s a certain pinched nerve that will send you easily and painlessly into sleep."

Is that safe? I ask.

I’ve seen Sampson do it a hundred times.

But through there? I motion to the