Black grinned devilishly as the dolls moved from their chairs. It had been necessary to have active dolls facilitate the takeovers by new dolls. Some things just had to work in particular ways. As far as Black was concerned, that element simply added to the fun, increasing the terror of the individual.
Twelve dolls in human form stood among their political peers. Each opened their mouths, beginning to wretch violently. However, it wasn’t vomit but burlap and straw that issued forth onto the floor. This much simultaneous commotion had caused everyone to stop and take notice. At first the mortals tried to assist their comrades. After they realized what was coming out of their fellows, they stood back in horror.
Sacks fell out onto the floor, inflating like balloons, even as others issued forth after them. The inflating dolls took more human forms with button eyes, threaded mouths and straw for hair. As if this had not already been bad enough for those present in the chamber, the parliament members could not manage to find a way of escape. And the dolls had begun to leap upon their intended victims, lashing them with chains and dragging them into their yawning body cavities.
Hundreds of men screamed bloody murder as they were overcome by Black’s creatures. Their cries rang throughout the House of Commons like music to his ears. The Breed simply watched the drama unfolding, though a few looked rather hungry. Left to their planning, London would have become a killing field. However, Black’s takeover would be more subtle. Only those experiencing it would know about it. At least as far as mortals were concerned.
The Descendant races were very familiar with this war. Most of them either endorsed humanity’s downfall, or remained impartial about it. They fought to gain what had always been denied them, like the Breed, or they desired to be left out of the matter, as did Lycean and his Lycans.
The only problems were rare individuals, like Oliver James, who opposed him. They were dangerous to his cause, undermining his efforts among the Descendants. Best to deal with them swiftly and be done.
However, Oliver had so far been quite clever. Almost certainly he had managed to escape the destruction of his disguised manor house a night ago. If only he weren’t so limited by the Heavenly realm in these matters. Nevertheless, it had been this way even in the days of Job. The Fallen could only go as far as they were allowed by the Almighty with regard to humanity.
Some things were forbidden. Others, like this assault upon Parliament, oddly were allowed to go on. Black did not pretend to understand why matters were ordered this way. He simply took advantage of every opportunity that he could find to fight back. As far as he was concerned, the one sitting upon the eternal throne remained woefully out of touch with what was happening upon the Earth. He had no other explanation for why his plan remained on track before a supposedly ever-watchful eye.
Black nodded to the Breed warrior currently overseeing the others, then he vanished from the room. Materializing out in the street, Black began walking. No one outside of Westminster Palace appeared to have any idea of the horrors taking place within its walls.
Dressed in all his finery, with black cape, top hat and cane in hand, Black made his way at a leisurely pace, waiting upon his servant to arrive. He had summoned him by thought a moment ago and knew that Sinister would arrive within moments. He was an obedient servant and had always been very reliable. Only his recent thought of rebellion had tarnished that impeccable record.
Black smiled beneath his hat, savoring the moment again when Sinister contemplated taking action against him. He might have been a valuable servant, but he was certainly not irreplaceable. Black simply delighted in the torn emotions of anyone around him.
He had known that Sinister’s sister was with Oliver and the boy that night. And Black had known the kind of reaction he could expect from Sinister when he destroyed his Breed warriors in the fire. He didn’t have to be able to read minds in order to know that Sinister would consider betraying him in anger.
However, rather than act on that desire, Sinister had backed down. He had been left feeling disgruntled, fearful and hopeless to do anything except obey. That was exactly how Black wanted his servants: knowing that their loyalty could not simply be withdrawn. They had no other choice.
A raven’s shadow passed overhead. The next moment Sinister was walking beside him. Pedestrians completely ignored the transformation. Almost all Descendants had some ability to weave a glamour in order to protect their true appearance, and most mortals never noticed the difference.
“My lord,” Sinister began, “all scheduled acquisitions for the next month have been reset for today, as you commanded.”
“Excellent,” Black said, walking leisurely down the sidewalk, his cane tapping out the cadence of his stride.
“I trust the acquisitions at Westminster are going well?”
“As planned,” Black noted. He could sense some need for reassurance in his servant’s tone. Good. Sinister was obviously still uncomfortable about their near confrontation the other night. Best to keep him anxious.
Sinister nodded, but did not say anything further, waiting on any command his master might have for him.
“Any news of the boy?” Black asked finally.
“None, my lord,” Sinister said.
“There will be,” Black confirmed. “Oliver James may be an adversary and a fool, but I have not found him to be without cunning. “They have escaped for the time being, but they will be found.”
This was no suggestion, but fact. Sinister understood this.
“Yes, my lord,” he said. “We will keep a watchful eye for any signs that they have reemerged in London.”
“You do that,” Black said. He stopped and turned to face Sinister. “That includes any sign of your sister.”
Sinister’s hands clinched into tight fists, the knuckles making an audible popping. Now he knew what he had not known earlier. His own sister had gotten involved in Mr. Black’s business. She had finally stepped over the line. He could no longer defend her actions or her life. And, quite possibly, he would be called upon by his master to perform the awful deed. Black grinned just before his human form evaporated like smoke on the wind, leaving Sinister standing alone on the street.
Tidus
The corridor leading us away from King Lycean’s throne room contained painted hieroglyphs much like we had seen in the outer hall. However, these were even more detailed and had been maintained with such care that I might easily have mistaken them for having just been carved and painted. Sophia walked beside me, watching me as I looked around us, pretending not to be looking at her. I thought that perhaps she wanted to ask me something, but she kept silent.
We came to a massive golden gate. Beyond the gate there was movement, but somehow the view was clouded so that everything seemed indistinct. As we approached, the princess spoke a word I did not recognize. The gate parted before us, allowing us to pass into the city beyond.
Whereas the activity and landscape had previously been indistinct, now it came into vivid colorful focus. We had stepped out onto a massive courtyard that descended by steps to the streets below. A fertile valley spread out away from us on all sides, surrounding Tidus which was nestled at its heart like a jewel. Every building had been constructed of marble and sandstone and adorned with precious stones and wrought gold.
The inhabitants were dressed in the linen tunics and skirts common to ancient Egypt. The past had come alive here. To my surprise, almost everyone was walking about in their human forms. Only the soldiers wore the similitude of Anubis.
“Wow,” I said, surveying the city.
“You are pleased by what you see?” Sophia asked.
“It’s absolutely beautiful, Princess,” I replied.
Truly, it was difficult to pull my gaze from the splendor of it. To see Egypt now, one might never be able to comprehend its former luster. But here in Tidus grasslands and a river that flowed through the heart of the city complimented the glory of Lycean’s dynasty.
Almost immediately,
I took notice of great blocks of sandstone drifting over the ground. I thought for a moment that my mind might be playing tricks on me. The blocks appeared to be moving all by themselves. There were men around, but no one was actually pulling or pushing them with ropes.
“How are they doing that?” I asked, gazing in wonder.
Sophia peered after me. “Oh, that construction?”
“Yes, how are those blocks moving all by themselves?”
“They’re not,” she said. “Movers push or pull the blocks, while the Shapers fashion them into different shapes.”
“I don’t understand. What are Movers and Shapers?”
“We could go watch them, if you like,” Sophia said. “Of course, it’s some distance unless you transport us there.”
“Transport us?”
“Yes, like your father does all the time,” she replied.
“My father?”
“Isn’t Mr. James your father?” she asked.
“No, he’s just a friend who’s helping me.”
“Oh, really?” she replied with a puzzled look. “I just assumed, because you both look so much alike, that you must be his son. I’m sorry. I thought you were a great Superomancer like he is.”
“What’s a Superomancer?” I asked.
“Someone who can do all the kinds of things that Mr. James can,” she said. “I’m not sure of the definition. My father used the term. I guess you aren’t who I was expecting.”
That stung my pride a bit. After all, at the moment, I would have liked to be whoever she wanted me to be.
“Well,” I said, “I can do some things.”
“Really, like what?” she asked, perking up.
My pride had now put me on the spot all for the sake of a beautiful young girl. I wanted to thump myself in the forehead for even opening my big mouth. “Well,” I began, my mind going completely blank, “I can change into different animals. I fought the Breed as a Kodiak bear.”
“That’s interesting,” she said in a way that wasn’t exactly convincing.
What was I thinking? This princess changed into a wolf at will along with her entire race. Animal transformations weren’t going to impress her at all. I vaguely wondered why I was trying to impress her at all. Nevertheless, my mouth kept opening aforethought.
“I can also control fire,” I offered, hoping that might be more interesting. Really, how was I supposed to know? These descendants of the Fallen were able to do all sorts of things that I had never seen before. They dwelt in realms beyond the mortal world, or at least secretly in conjunction with it. Why would any ability I possessed cause the slightest bit of wonder for a girl like Sophia?
“Fire?” she asked as though she hadn’t quite heard me.
“Yes,” I replied, feeling a bit better about saying it.
Sophia swallowed noticeably then, and her eyes seemed to dilate as though she were in danger and about to bolt away from me.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
Oliver and Lycean stood upon a high balcony overlooking the grand city of Tidus. From this vantage point they could see the river flowing between the massive pillars of the magnificent Temple of Anubis. There were many great temples within Tidus, though no one worshipped at them. They had been erected as monuments to Lycan ancestors of particular importance. For the most part, they provided spacious gardens and pools of water for the enjoyment of the people. Oliver and Lycean watched Brody and Sophia walking slowly toward the construction of one of these new temples.
“Does the boy know?” Lycean asked.
Oliver watched Brody as he talked with the princess, making their way through one of the gardens and past a fountain with curls of water jutting from it. His shoulders sagged. He sighed before answering.
“He has no idea,” Oliver said. “I’m still not sure myself.”
“Really?” Lycean asked. “From what you’ve told me, I would have thought it an easy matter to discern. He has the ability to control fire, likely the other elements as well. He can perform animorphosis at will. Just because you haven’t tested him on the other things doesn’t mean he lacks them. He’s just like you, Oliver. He even looks like you.”
Oliver sighed again, casting a sidelong glance at Lycean.
“That in of itself should have told you something,” Lycean said. “No wonder Black wanted him destroyed. Having you for an adversary hasn’t done him any favors.”
“The boy is unprepared for this,” Oliver said.
“You know it must be done,” Lycean countered. “Otherwise, you’ll end up facing Black again, and you won’t be so lucky. As soon as he can strike, he will. You’ll be powerless to stop him, and the boy will die. Better to take your chances on your own terms while you can.”
“I suppose you’re right,” Oliver conceded.
Lycean looked out over Tidus to his daughter and Brody. “At least you can give the boy a night in Tidus before you have to go. He’ll have our grand city to remember.”
Oliver smiled as he watched the two adolescents far away now. “I think it may be a young woman that he remembers the most about this visit.”
Lycean gave him a stern look.
“Then again, you won’t be staying that long,” he said.
They both eyed one another for a moment before breaking into mild laughter.
“Come, Oliver. The children can see to themselves for awhile. I can at least see to it that you have a feast before you depart.”
Oliver clapped a hand on Lycean’s brawny shoulder. “My friend, considering where we’re going, I accept.”
It bothered me that Sophia was avoiding the subject of my being able to control fire. The look she had been giving me while we walked toward the construction site was a mixture of fear and awe. I didn’t like it. After all, considering all of the other things I had seen so far, what was the big deal about controlling fire?
“Please, Princess, I feel I’ve made you uncomfortable,” I offered. “If that’s the case then I’ll leave you and see that Oliver and I depart soon.”
Leaving was actually the farthest thing from my mind. I was enjoying Sophia’s company, and Tidus was simply a marvel to behold. However, I hoped she wouldn’t want me to go as much as I didn’t want to go.
“It’s not that,” she said. “I’m just surprised. Not many can do what you say…not many at all.”
“But why not?” I asked. “I’ve already seen things that boggled my mind. Surely those who control fire can’t be so few.”
“It’s just that we receive the gifts and talents and abilities of those we are descended from,” Sophia said. “My people descended from Anubis as you’ve seen depicted on the walls that show our history. He was one that elevated an entire civilization. There were many born to him in ancient times and many have been born in our line since.”
“What about me and the line I came from?” I asked.
“Not many,” she said, but I could tell there was more to say.
“Do you know who I am descended from, Sophia?”
I could tell that she knew, or thought she knew. It was written all over her face, and she seemed afraid of that knowledge somehow. I was beginning to be afraid as well, but I felt that I had to know.”
“Please, Sophia. I only desire to know how I came to be the way that I am. Is that so wrong?”
“No, of course not, Brody,” she said. “But I think that is something that Oliver would want to discuss with you. My father would be very angry with me, if I took it upon myself to reveal things that might not even be true. After all, I’m really not very knowledgeable about such things.”
I wanted to believe her, but I didn’t. It was obvious that she knew better than she was letting on. But I decided that I would leave the matter alone for now. I could discuss it with Oliver later as she had suggested. After all, I didn’t know how much time we might have together and I wanted to enjoy Sophia’s company while I could.
When we finally reached the construction site, the large b
lock I had seen from the initial gate into the city had already been positioned into its place. However, another was already in transit. As I had seen before, many men were present overseeing the move, but none of them were actually touching the stone which stood almost two stories.
“How is that possible?” I asked Sophia.
“Look there,” she said, pointing. “Those men are Movers.”
I watched the men more closely now. They held their hands toward the great stone seeming to push against the air. In fact, there were nearly thirty of them performing this levitation of the block in conjunction with one another. Each of the Movers concentrated intensely on the task. Slowly and carefully the stone moved through the air, ascending now to its position in the new temple.
Others stood near what would become its final resting place. These men worked their hands frantically in various patterns. As they did so, small pieces of the block were shaved away along with a great cloud of dust. By the time they were through with these gestures, the block had taken on a more precise appearance. It was then lowered into place by the Movers, and seemed to fit almost perfectly. Upon further scrutiny, the two men, one on either side, made a few more gestures, removing a bit more stone, so that its weight settled it even more securely in the building.
“Are those the Shapers you mentioned?”
“Exactly,” Sophia replied. “The Movers were born with the ability to move objects with their minds. The Shapers are simply Movers using more controlled forces upon the stone to cut away and shave the blocks so that they fit well together.”
“How long have you built structures using these methods?” I asked, admiring the precision with which they worked.
“For millennia Movers and Shapers have been among the Lycans, building the kingdom we rule,” she said.
“I had no idea Lycans had such abilities.”