{"id":751,"date":"2015-09-13T12:42:55","date_gmt":"2015-09-13T12:42:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=751"},"modified":"2015-09-14T12:22:33","modified_gmt":"2015-09-14T12:22:33","slug":"fortunatus-light-of-dark-part-13","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=751","title":{"rendered":"Fortunatus Light of Dark – Part 13"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fortunatus Light of Dark<\/span><\/h2>\n

by AJ Marks<\/span><\/p>\n

Part 13<\/span><\/p>\n

Ami made her way down the road along with the rest. She had gained some information from conversations going on around her. From conversations she knew a battle was going on, and they were headed towards it. She also got the feeling that it went against what Gregory wanted to do. His shouting carried across to where she walked.<\/p>\n

Mary still walked beside her, seemed almost giddy with anticipation of an upcoming battle. She checked her gun almost constantly. Ami felt none of the anticipation of the others. The group start to slow down much to her relief. It seemed like they had walked for two days straight to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe time is almost here, so exciting!\u201d Mary said, checking her gun once again. Ami merely looked over at her unsure what to think about the woman. She had learned the woman had killed for the fun of it. She viewed killing as a game to her, bragging she had killed over a hundred people, but the authorities only found out about a dozen of them.<\/p>\n

The tone of the woman caused Ami to shiver slightly whenever she spoke of killing. Mary seemed to like it so much that Ami wondered if the woman was even human any more.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not excited? Oh, that\u2019s right, you killed differently, through explosives,\u201d Mary said.<\/p>\n

The group stopped, as several important looking people ran around shouting out orders Ami did not understand. She watched groups of people run off at the orders. Gregory then shouted over at them, motioning her and Mary over.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on,\u201d Mary said, forcing Ami to follow. She looked around figuring that she might finally have a chance to leave this group, she would keep her eyes open for her chance.<\/p>\n

She walked with Mary coming to a clearing where a table had been set up. Ami noticed several faces that she wished she did not recognize.<\/p>\n

\u201cThose blasted scouts, I told them to avoid engaging,\u201d Gregory said, pacing back and forth.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow were we to know troops would be here,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut now that bitch knows, and she is here! She somehow beat me here? Anyone want to explain that?\u201d he raged. \u201cOur task is now twice as difficult.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe tell her that you\u2019re heading back home,\u201d Kelly said speaking up. \u201cPerhaps they will allow us to go peacefully?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ami had to admit that sounded logical and wondered why they had not tried it.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is a catch for this, a side-effect for this world,\u201d Gregory said. \u201cIt releases a creature that they fear. So they will do anything they can to protect it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA creature?\u201d Mary said. \u201cWhat type?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s just say it isn\u2019t that pleasant for them,\u201d Gregory said with a slight smile. \u201cIt\u2019s this creature that will unlock the portal to our world.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure about that?\u201d Kelly asked. \u201cWhat if it goes and attacks us?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are immune to it, don\u2019t worry about it, it goes after magical beings,\u201d Gregory replied.<\/p>\n

Ami felt unsure about how all that would work, especially if this creature was the one she heard about not long ago. She had no idea how they were to go back home with this thing, as she heard nothing about any unusual magical side effects. Ami thought that perhaps Gregory hoped some sort of magical gateway opened up. She had her doubts about what might happen, however, the others believed in him.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd we\u2019ll be able to go back?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, like I said, the release of this creature is a side effect that we won\u2019t be around for,\u201d Gregory said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHmm, we go back and release a killing creature on this miserable world, I like it,\u201d Ben said after a few seconds.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course you would, but I think I need my head checked?\u201d Mary said, from where she stood. Everyone looked over at her in shock.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d Ben said glaring at her.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I agree with you,\u201d Mary replied, flicking him off earning a growl in response.<\/p>\n

\u201cEnough!\u201d Gregory yelled at the two of them. \u201cWe still have to figure out where it is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSimple we look for where the Empress is protecting the most,\u201d Ben said. Ami thought that as logical enough.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat bitch has no idea where this place is, she lucky to be here,\u201d Gregory said. \u201cIt took me years to learn as much as I have.\u201d<\/p>\n

They looked up as a Soulvier walked up to them. Ami recognized her as the one who seemed to be helping Gregory and had to think to recall her name, Teniv. The rumble of thunder rolled through the assemble group causing them to look up to the darkening clouds.<\/p>\n

\u201cPerfect,\u201d one of them said. Ami had to agree, she would rather be inside, than out here doing something stupid like this. She was no soldier but wanted to be pampered by someone like Tess. That thought caught her by surprise. Was she pampered by Tess? She was a slave, but had been treated better than at almost any time in her life since her parents died.<\/p>\n

\u201cSet up the tent, and bring the maps,\u201d Gregory said. Ami watched several people come running over, setting up the requested items. Soon enough there were several tents as a small headquarters was set up, hopefully providing some relief for the coming rainstorm.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow long will this last?\u201d one person asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost of the night probably,\u201d a reply came back.<\/p>\n

\u201cTell the troops to hunker down,\u201d Teniv said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe attack,\u201d Gregory said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn such conditions it would be suicidal,\u201d Teniv said, this time not backing down from Gregory. \u201cWe have to act carefully in such weather and conditions, this isn\u2019t like where you came from. Besides, our scouts can work better like this, helping us pinpoint our attack as you still don\u2019t know where to attack.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ami watched Gregory grit his teeth staring back at Teniv. Neither one backing down which caused Ami to wonder exactly who was in charge? They both seemed to have their own agenda about this. That thought caused Ami to wonder what the Soulvier\u2019s goal was.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, come on, we\u2019re going to settle down for a while,\u201d May said to Ami.<\/p>\n

She left quietly a bit glad to get away from the group. She really did not want to stay around and therefore looked around. The rain had not started coming down yet but it was only a matter of time before it did.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

Tess looked out from the tent seeing the sheets of rain come down. The roof of the tent remained strong despite the torrent of water. She glanced over at the others who had grown quiet. The elderly couple remained under the tent. The side of the tent was brought down when wind started blowing the rain into the tent. She made her way over to where Lisa sat. Becca had gone over to another tent where some other captains were.<\/p>\n

\u201cLousy weather,\u201d Lisa finally said, looking out at the rain again.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, the only real good part is Gregory has to deal with this as well,\u201d Tess replied. She could only imagine him frowning at the weather. She had more of an idea about where this creature, Enokrad, was than he did though, so for now she held an advantage. Her biggest problem came from if he managed to resurrect the creature. How would she stop it then?<\/p>\n

She liked to know everything about a battle before entering it. The many different outcomes and how she might handle it. She wished she had a plan in case Gregory succeeded in his plan. She had no way of planning for something so powerful and unknown.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou worry about the creature?\u201d Gallic said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, it\u2019s the one part of the battle I can\u2019t plan for,\u201d Tess replied. \u201cHow do you defeat it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDefeat it, you don\u2019t,\u201d the elderly man said calmly.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing is impossible to defeat,\u201d Tess finally replied. \u201cHow did they stop it the first time?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was lost to history I\u2019m afraid, the cost was so great that it must never happen again,\u201d the man said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut the creature will be awakened again, this I have foreseen,\u201d Galllic said, looking at them.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo if it is to be awakened then how do we kill it, what is it capable of?\u201d Tess asked. Perhaps if she had some information about it then she might finally create a plan.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s magic is beyond anything you\u2019ve ever seen. Besides being able to use all magic it can absorb magic,\u201d the old man said. \u201cIt is a terrible creature that has no master.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen why do some people want to resurrect it?\u201d Lisa said from where she sat.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey hate life,\u201d Tess replied. She could relate to that. If she had met Gregory ten years ago she might be the one leading that army. She did bother to say that to anyone and instead walked over sitting down.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think they will attack in the morning?\u201d Lisa asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf it rains all night, yes, it will make for terrible conditions out there,\u201d Tess said. She always hated the weather as it usually benefited the defenders causing her to plan extra hard. \u201cI suggest most of get some sleep while we can.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSound advice,\u201d Becca said, shaking water off her as she moved inside the tent. \u201cAll captains report their squads are mostly in position. It\u2019s going to be a miserable night for the soldiers, but they know what\u2019s at stake.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tess nodded knowing that it would be a long day.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

Ami opened her eyes hearing her voice being called out. She glanced around frowning that the color had gone out again. She looked around spotting the strange man in a grey robe who she had seen twice before. The first time when she went though the wormhole and the second time that next morning after getting up from bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho are you?\u201d Ami finally said, not seeing anyone else around. The rain had stopped and while she still appeared in the tent she had no idea where she might be.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe question is who are you?\u201d the figure replied. \u201cYou don\u2019t even know yourself. The time is approaching where you must figure it out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe, what are you talking about?\u201d Ami replied, now thoroughly confused about the conversation. This figure kept talking to her and she wondered exactly who this person was.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, you, figure out who you are,\u201d he repeated to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just me, a no one who came here by mistake,\u201d she finally said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are no mistakes,\u201d the figure finally said. \u201cOnly those who don\u2019t think there are mistakes think that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ami thought he made no sense in that last sentence. He seemed to make no other move.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe time is at hand for you to choose,\u201d he finally said.<\/p>\n

Ami opened her mouth to reply when everything changed and she looked up into the eyes of Mary. The woman looked down at her.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, wake up, let\u2019s get going,\u201d Mary said to her. \u201cWe\u2019re moving out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ami glanced around confused by what happened. Had she somehow dreamed that just now? She stood wiping the sleep from her eyes seeing that the rain had stopped, and the first glimmer of dawn had come. She wanted to turn around, crawl into bed and go back to sleep.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere,\u201d Mary said, thrusting one of the guns into her hands. She took it but only reluctantly. She wanted nothing to do with what would happen but had found no way to get off this crazy adventure ride.<\/p>\n

She walked outside, feeling the muddy ground under her feet and took care of where she stepped. She looked around seeing a lot less people around than before.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve engaged the Empire\u2019s troops,\u201d Ami heard someone say. She looked over seeing Gregory standing with a person in armor.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood, we\u2019ll push them back a bit, the entrance must be on that hill,\u201d the Soulvier, Teniv said. \u201cThere is no other hill that is protected except for the neighboring one which our spies say has the Empress on it.\u201d<\/p>\n

That information caught Ami\u2019s attention. Tess was close by. If she could break away in the fighting and get to that hill she would be reunited with Tess.<\/p>\n

\u201cMary, take the newbie with you,\u201d Gregory said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, let go,\u201d Mary said.<\/p>\n

Ami walked silently not wishing to anger anyone. So far she had no way to get rid of her holder. Mary had done a good job of keeping her eye on her for the most part. They trudged along the wooded, damp terrain which only made Ami miserable. She wanted to go home!<\/p>\n

She looked around seeing no one but she could hear the sounds of battle, metal clanging and explosions going off. She wondered what a battle with magic looked like before she realized that to see it she would have to be there. That she did not wish to encounter.<\/p>\n

Ami stopped suddenly when a figure crashed though taking out Mary. Ami froze in fear, hoping that she had not become part of the battle. She looked at the two people in front of her suddenly realizing that one seemed very familiar to her.<\/p>\n

She watched until they both seemed to stop moving. Ami wondered if they were both dead? She cautiously approached realizing that her first instinct that the woman was familiar was right.<\/p>\n

\u201cJanice!\u201d Ami said quickly, moving to the woman. She rolled her over seeing a large stain across her chest. The woman looked up at Ami before finally speaking.<\/p>\n

\u201cFinally caught up with you, heh,\u201d she said with a slight smile. \u201cMy magic is almost all gone when that happens my wound will kill me. The Empress is nearby, I have done my duty to the Empress.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHang on please,\u201d Ami said.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, if what they say is true, go find the Empress, she\u2019ll believe you,\u201d Janice said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll drag you if I have to,\u201d Ami said, not wanting to give up on anyone.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad I believed, glad I didn\u2019t think you were one of them, believed in your heart,\u201d Janice said.<\/p>\n

Ami felt Janice go limp. \u201cNo, come back,\u201d Ami said. She finally had a friendly face only to lose it again.<\/p>\n

A massive wall of flames followed by the rumble of earth broke her back to reality. She was pretty much in the middle of a warzone and needed to get out. She had no idea where to go and looked around, before deciding that she would head off in a direction away from both Gregory and the battle. Taking off at a run she broke through the underbrush in front of her using the gun as a way to beat back bushes.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

Tess looked down at the map seeing the different groups of soldiers moving around as she gave orders for counter moves. Couriers moved rapidly quickly, using their magic to carry out the orders. She looked over seeing a few eating quickly as they rested knowing that they might be the next.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s trying to thrust through here,\u201d Lisa said, pointing to a spot on the map. Tess looked at the spot seeing the same thing. So far their defensive positions had held, but Gregory seemed to have an almost unlimited supply of men. Tess wondered how he gained such a large army.<\/p>\n

The sudden vibration of her bracelet caused her to look down. It detected Ami closing in on her. Tess felt a bit nervous that Ami was heading into the battle. She could be hurt or worse in Tess\u2019 mind.<\/p>\n

\u201cSend this group to reinforce here,\u201d Tess said, pointing to two spots on the map. Becca quickly wrote down the message handing it to one of the couriers who sprinted off as light as a feather.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey don\u2019t seem to be impeding our messages?\u201d Lisa said quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cHmm, you\u2019re right,\u201d Tess said thinking about that. She had to assume that Gregory would know about the way they communicated, despite his adversity to such items of magic. He hated all magic, but she could not imagine him not wanting to use it to destroy it. He would have no problem doing something like that.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d Becca said.<\/p>\n

\u201cLisa\u2019s right, he isn\u2019t intercepting our messages, and he has to know where we are,\u201d Tess said, looking over at Becca.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think he\u2019s up to something?\u201d Becca said looking up from where she stood at the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes I do,\u201d Tess said. \u201cWe\u2019re assuming that he doesn\u2019t know where the Enokrad is and that he,\u201d Tess pointed to the elder man, \u201cis the only one who did know. What if someone else knew, who wanted this creature alive and passed that knowledge down as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Enokrad Cult, they do not know, nor have they known,\u201d the man replied, obviously listening in on the conversation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy is that?\u201d Tess said, looking at the man wondering why she had not thought of that before.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf they had then why have they never moved against us before?\u201d the man replied. \u201cIt\u2019s not like we could move the creature.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s got a point, if this creature has been here for thousands of years, why haven\u2019t they?\u201d Lisa said, speaking up in the conversation.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey must need something to break the enchantment,\u201d Tess said, now pacing around the table thinking to herself. \u201cWhy would this group probably work with Gregory? What did they each have to gain for this? \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo we have a way to know where he is?\u201d Becca asked, making Tess think about that. She finally realized she might have a way as she looked down at the bracelet.<\/p>\n

\u201cI might have a way, but I\u2019d have to go,\u201d Tess said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou? Why you?\u201d Becca asked looking over at Tess.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause it would require me looking for Ami,\u201d Tess finally said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat slave that ran away?\u201d Becca stated in disbelief.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think she ran away, not according to the reports,\u201d Tess replied. She held onto a slim hope that the girl had not betrayed her.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe is a Zero-Mage, it\u2019s what they do,\u201d Becca said.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s a Zero-Mage, they are all evil,\u201d Lisa said.<\/p>\n

\u201cNever trust a Zero-Mage,\u201d the elderly man said.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe isn\u2019t like that, and I know more about them than you do, a lot of information that isn\u2019t made public,\u201d Tess said, quickly as they looked at her. She realized she needed to give them all some brief details about the Zero-Mages. \u201cThey seem evil because they are all mass murders or criminal masterminds from where they come from. I met the first one, he was imprisoned in the dungeon when I took over. No one ever talked to him. He wanted to speak, say he was sorry for their mistake.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI doubt that,\u201d Becca said as the others agreed with her.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe isn\u2019t like the others, I won\u2019t argue about this, but she is different,\u201d Tess said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou like her,\u201d Becca said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, she\u2019s been the best slave I\u2019ve had in a long time, so you bet I like her,\u201d Tess said angrily.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen find her,\u201d a quiet voice said causing everyone to look over in that direction. Tess noticed Gallic standing there looking rather feeble and ancient, but steadfast.<\/p>\n

Tess looked over at the others then looked down at her bracelet. She worked it a bit as it gave more information being closer to her now.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s headed here, if I can find her she might have information about what Gregory is doing and his troops,\u201d Tess stated. \u201cIf nothing else we can gain some information, she obviously never took off her collar.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOr it\u2019s a trap,\u201d Lisa said. Tess looked over at her for a second before replying.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen send a few people with me, but I\u2019m going,\u201d Tess stated, checking her armor to make sure everything was all right.<\/p>\n

\u201cFine, wait a second and I\u2019ll get a squad,\u201d Lisa said, heading off to gather one of the Royal Guard squads.<\/p>\n

End Part 13<\/p>\n

Continued in Part 14<\/a><\/p>\n

Comment below or send to AJMarks01@aol.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Fortunatus Light of Dark by AJ Marks Part 13 Ami made her way down the road along with the rest. She had gained some information from conversations going on around her. From conversations she knew a battle was going on, and they were headed towards it. She also got the feeling that it went against […]
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