The demon horde, although reduced in size, was still large enough to cause us grief if they got to the entrance. The Aborigines had already taken huge losses, but if anything seemed more determined than ever. The six safari clad people had taken up position at the rear of the demon horde and were still helping with the removal of the fallen Aborigines. They consisted of three females, one being Jean, and three males that seemed to be paired with the women. I didn't recognize any of the other five but was extraordinarily pleased they were here. Periodically one or more of them would fire on the demons, bringing one of them down, and then firing repeatedly until the demon was dead. I think they were trying to irritate the demons into reversing their field, thus pulling them away from us. It would usually take anywhere from two to four shots to keep a demon down, and the safari people reloaded every six shots. It apparently wasn't working because the horde kept plugging away trying to get to the mountain.
Whenever a demon went down, scores of Aborigines would scamper out to it, surround the body, and poke it with their spears . . . a lot, as in lying in a green puddle that was their own ichor. Then they would run over to the next demon and repeat the same process. The demons effectively ignored them and spent no time trying to stop the mutilations.
The demonic hordes had been virtually stopped at this point in the battle and were beginning to fight laterally. I think they had finally had enough of the Aborigines picking away at them from the sides. We all knew they needed sufficient numbers when they got to us if they theoretically wanted to see tomorrow.
One of the demons blew a battle horn and rallied the horde in the direction of the trees to my left. It would give them a tactical advantage of slightly higher ground, coverage, and the original attack came from that side. Maybe the demons thought the Aborigines were protecting the trail to their village. I had the same thought earlier so maybe there was something to it.
It caused an immediate reaction from the Aborigines, and that in itself gave the demons an edge combined with a resurgence of hope. That's a bad combination if you happened to be one of the good guys. The demons also began picking up the spears that had been originally thrown at them and started throwing them back. The whole field surged in the direction of the trees and the defensive lines broke into two pieces, neither strong enough to keep the demons back.
The safari people saw this as a bad thing too and opened fire on the flank facing them. The demons, however, were not to be denied.If anything, they moved with greater speed in their haste to acquire the trees ahead of them. I guess it was a boon for those of us in the mountain, but for those already in the trees it spelled potential disaster.
The natives to our right immediately closed the gap, and as they got to any demon injured or dead, they skewered them making sure they didn't get back up.
A gap formed close to the trees at a forty-five-degree angle to the left, and the demons drove toward it with abandon. They knew it would take them to the mountainside and higher ground, effectively beyond the range of the shotguns. The safari people saw it also and headed immediately toward the mountain's entrance. It would be a dead heat race to the opening. Glancing over to my compatriots, I could tell they saw it as well. This was it, and there were still way too many demons left to keep them out for long after they arrived at our doorstep.
The Aborigines, realizing they'd been outflanked, also reversed fields, and began sprinting toward the mountain's opening. If it hadn't been so potentially lethal, I would have laughed. I've seen young children playing soccer long before they understand the intricacies of the game. They resemble little goats, all after the same prize, in their case, the ball. In today's fracas it was the mountain's doorway, but everyone still looked like goats. From the distance covered already, it looked like the demons might actually get to us first. Another example of Murphy's Law in action, anything that can possibly go wrong, will.
In the mix of so many folks running directly at us, the safari people somehow managed to pop out in the lead. Those six missed their calling; they could have easily been Olympic track stars. Arms pumping, and legs blurred, they began to outdistance everybody. Okay, Murphy blew it this time, but they weren't going to beat the demons by much. The four of us standing across the entrance moved to one side, allowing the safari people into the mountain with just enough time to close the gap. Jean's group stopped quickly and gasped for breath, while we got ready for the onslaught.
I noticed when I looked back at them, three had moved to one side and three to the other, staggered to keep from being hit by friendly fire. You could tell at a glance this wasn't their first rodeo. There was no way to achieve eye contact with Jean thanks to my helmet, but she nodded with a big smile on her face. She definitely saw the irony and humor of her presence here at Mt. Arcadia.
Then a solid wall of demons ran into us, and I increased the weight of the suit as I felt myself being pushed back. Famill leaned into Tanicur, and her head swept the first row completely out of sight to our left. Famill's swords danced in the light, and demons dropped at his feet until it began to look like a seawall to hold back water. I saw two demons lifted into the air and flung out so far that I couldn't even see where they landed. Tanicur roared, and a gout of flames covered the next row. They peeled off to one side trying to put the fire out as it enveloped their bodies.
A flash of light changed the daylight into the equivalent of a solar flare to my right, and the demons that had piled onto The Ariella spontaneously combusted, catching the row behind them on fire as well. Queen Mother’s clothes had probably burned off in the heat and she stood in the shape of an "X" glowing like the sun. I really need to talk to her about that. It isn't normal, no matter where you come from.
I let them run into me and grabbed them as they bounced off. Then I used them like playing the cymbals, simply crashing them together and dropping them to the floor. If they rolled to my right they combusted, due to the heat coming off Queen Mother. If they rolled to the left, they were set on fire from the gouts pouring out of Tanicur. Dragon fire is one of the hottest known fires on Earth and it's very difficult to put out before you're cooked to a crisp. The downside is that it doesn't last long enough to go through this many demons before it winks out. She was definitely putting a dent in the enemy though and stopping them dead in their tracks, and it would continue to do so until fire faltered. I hoped the bulk of the demons were killed before that happened.
Jean and the safari people were waiting behind us, but so far nothing had made it past us. I glanced back and noticed they had widened their positions and were swaying back and forth as they watched. They actually looked eager, and I found that just a tad unnerving. What kind of person gets excited about being overwhelmed by demons, right? There were only ten of us and that was counting the safari people. The rest of our crews were hiding God knows where, and I was totally good with that.If the demons gained entry to the mountain there would be wholesale carnage and a lot more room for them to utilize tactically.
I was heartened by the fact they had used up all their Projector Bolts. They would go through leather armor like it was butter, and Queen Mother wasn't wearing anything at the moment.
It was bound to happen, there was just too many of them for it not to. The demons began building on top of each other like ants, and a minute or two later they went over the top. Swarming and screaming like the Bain Sidhe, a subspecies of the Fae on planet 367, they ran over each other and ran through the safari people. Jean’s group fired almost simultaneously, and the first few demons went down squirting ichor as they fell.
It felt as if they were replenishing their numbers even though I knew they weren't. There was just so many of them. We were now fighting on top of the dead and trying to push back the tidal flood of demonic bodies.
The demons were also being attacked from behind, and the number of Aborigines was mounting higher by the minute. The noise was so loud you couldn't hear yourself think, and like any cacophony, it was difficult to hear anything.
Queen Mother grabbed one of the demons as he scrabbled his way over the dead and managed to secure his head in her hands. He was pulling one way while she yanked the other until with a ripping noise his head came completely off leaving the twitching body to collapse in front of the safari people. One of Jean’s men shot it in the chest and the twitching stopped.
Ichor was literally everywhere you looked, and the way the demons fought was reduced to manic desperation. They could sense the impending loss and stepped up their game in an all out attempt to perform the impossible. This is when people are at their most dangerous.
Behind me, somewhere in the distance I detected a sound that was very familiar. It was the sound of a Gate opening to another place, hopefully to Mt. Drago. In the next few minutes there were a number of new sounds, getting louder with every heartbeat. Snarling, both canine and feline, roars that were definitely reptilian, and my personal favorite, the sound of metal on metal.
Then with no forewarning whatsoever, there was a familiar voice in my head, abrupt and overwhelming. It was the Black Wyvern, Basiliskos, King of the dragons.
"Pull back, Emerald Warrior, you have fought long enough. We'll take it from here."
I felt myself being pulled back just as assuredly as if he had grabbed me. Queen Mother, Famill and Tanicur were moving in the same way as me, and the remainder of the demons flooded into the Main Cavern of Mt. Arcadia.
The Aborigines, with nothing to stop them came creeping as well, slowly at first, and then with more aggressiveness. The battle had just left the field and come inside. The Aborigines joined in, successfully trapping the demons, and removing the possibility of them having a place to run.
It was pure carnage and very one sided. You'd think the demons would have thrown down their weapons and surrendered, but they fought to the destruction of the final one. Then it got very quiet, and each and every person began to look around like they couldn't believe there weren't more just waiting to pounce.
Then there was cheering, and yelling, people dancing, a different kind of chaos, but one I liked.
The Aborigines were leery of the Hounds and Sabers, even more leery of the mountain’s demons, but they stopped and watched how everyone else was acting. Admittedly they seem confused, but it was only a matter of time before they got caught up with how things were supposed to work.
Queen Mother had found a robe and was now a tad more publically presentable. She sent a rather large contingency of troops to what was left of the opening at the side of the mountain, and told them to keep an eye out, no more surprises. She also wanted every fallen demon outside pulled, pushed, dragged, or mopped into the Main Cavern. Nobody on the outside world needs to see any of this.
The Aborigines understood the concept of a funeral pyre and volunteered to bring in enough firewood to make a massive one. We couldn't leave what was left to rot in the Common Area of Mt. Arcadia. After a few hours there was enough wood to burn half the continent inside the Main Cavern, and the pyres began to burn. The industrial fans did their job, and although it was still smoky, it was livable.
During that time, we also sent volunteers to help the Aborigines with their injured and dead. The natives that had entered our mountain left after about an hour and were carrying the wounded back to their village. Most of the non-essentials were sent home to Mt. Drago, and I noticed we now had a new dimensional generator and replacement parts for the Blast Doors.
Queen Mother kept most of the dragons and their riders at Mt. Arcadia for fear that the attack might not be over. What if the Wizards showed back up, or God forbid, they brought in more demons? We lived through the first time; I couldn't guarantee we'd survive another round.
Both Kings were now inside Mt. Arcadia and were pacing like they expected something to happen any minute. I wanted to disagree with that sentiment but couldn't come up with an argument that sounded like it had any merit.
A few hours later, the Pyres burned themselves out, and even though they were still hot, Queen Mother had teams come to clean up the remains. I could hear the sizzle as the men poured water on the hot piles of ash and soot.
I heard cheering behind me, and as I turned around, Queen Mother was walking over toward the Blast doors. I followed and heard several men say the Dimensional Shield was up and functioning. From the outside world we had simply disappeared without a trace. She stood there looking out at the scene now, barren of carnage and quiet. The memories would stay with us, and I know I will go out there periodically where it all happened so I will never forget.
One of the crewmen gave Queen Mother a signal and she clapped her hands and then performed her patented "Happy Dance" to the amusement of the crew. They too were doing the high five, their equivalent of her "Happy Dance" and acting raucous. The Blast Doors were finally functional and ready to be closed.
She told them to leave them open, but to double the guard. She wanted the cavern to air out as much as possible before sealing it, making it into a tomb.
I finally located Jean and went over to her for fear she'd disappear again. Turns out she went to help with the local village people and hadn't made it back until a short time ago.
I came up behind her and cleared my throat.
"So, Jean, you want to tell me how you managed to become two completely different people?"
She smiled, acting almost coy, and then giggled.
"I wish you could see the look on your face right now. It certainly needs to be filmed. Just don't understand how the mighty Tanis Theatra could be fooled by the likes of me? Oh Sugar, the other Wizards never knew either. They were so sure of their own superiority, they never once stopped to question mine, I mean, woohoo, they don't think anyone else has any. That's what made it so easy. It was all I could do not to laugh at how frustrated I made you. And I never remembered who you were . . . You, the Metal Emerald Warrior, God’s gift to the world. How that must have socked you in the macho."
She was right, it did hurt my pride, but I'd been so sure I had read her character correctly. I was never openly rude, or anything was I?
"Okay, so why did you do it?"
She folded her arms as if trying to decide whether or not I had the right to know.
"Well, I guess under the circumstances you probably should know, and I have information that could be helpful to you as well. I'm the head of The Watchers and it's our job to, well, watch everybody. Especially those who act in suspicious ways, kind of like you, and the rest of the Wizards. Well, more them than you, but you know what I mean. I actually was a little worried for you and your boys the last time you came in. The Wizards there tried to kill you guys and didn't give you anything but obscure clues to help. They didn't think you'd get anywhere with them. That was pretty shrewd on your part; I'm glad you didn't die. Oh, I don't work there anymore, news flash, right? We, you know, the Watchers, have reported the Wizards’ actions to the Elder Tribunal and I wouldn't want you to be around when they show up . . . a bit of a sticky wicket, you see."
I think I like this Jean better than the other one. The old one talked but had nothing to say, while this one seems to want to say everything every time she opens her mouth. At least this one actually speaks coherently. God's gift to the world? Ouch.
"The Wizards are probably not even on this planet by now."
She giggled and looked just a bit embarrassed.
"Oh, they're not going anywhere for awhile. Not after I broke all their precious machines. I'm pretty sure they'll still be at the Headquarters when the Elders get there. That should be exciting."
The Elders are a gnarly, old group of men that delight in knocking down power hungry individuals after they've been found out by their peers. They are, without a doubt, the most powerful people on the planet and as long as you don't do something stupid, they're willing to let other folks ferret out wrong doings and then deal with them on a more local basis. However, once you get on their radar, things happen swiftly, and the situations are solved in a rather more permanent method.
Jean was gazing at me in what I thought was a meaningful way, and I wasn't following why.
"That would leave a top-level position open, and with you heading up the offices, I could get my job back. You don't want to see me lose my four zero one K plan or my retirement, do you?"
I don't know where my head was, but it certainly wasn't where Jean was going, that's for sure. I wanted that job like I wanted warts.
"Oh, you are not going to suggest to the Elders that I need that job. You wouldn't do that to me, would you? This is great, I go from thinking you're dumb, to thinking you're mean, and all this so you can get your job back?"
She got that faraway look on her face.
"Queen Mother agrees with me. Imagine controlling all of the advanced technology on this planet. Now imagine how that could help Queen Mother and your boys. I'd say that was a win-win scenario, wouldn't you?"
Okay, if she puts it that way, the job might just be worth thinking about.
"I'd still need time for Demi and Bubo, there's no way I'm going to let them down."
Queen Mother walked up to us from one side.
"No one says you have to. You could move most of the day-to-day work to Mt. Drago and include your two dragons."
Jean looked over to Queen Mother, and then to me, nodding her head vigorously. I was being pressured, but somehow, I didn't mind it, not really.
"Let me think about it."
"YES!" both women replied in unison.
For all I knew, the Elders were already there at the Wizard headquarters chopping heads. There again, time would tell, and until that time I probably wouldn't be told anything.
It was decided that I was to stay at Mt. Arcadia until the bugs were worked out in the security and the Blast Doors. The Wizards were still unaccounted for, and nobody trusted what they would do until they were apprehended. Needless to say, it didn't feel safe, and wouldn't without everything in working order here at Mt. Arcadia.
There were dozens of dragons thumping around the mountain now, and their riders were armed to the teeth. It was unlikely we would get caught with our pants down again, but we've also learned some very valuable lessons in the last few days. Like where to look for vulnerable points or how easy it is to sabotage the security that we thought was solid.
Toward the end of our ordeal when the reinforcements came through, it was a direct result of Mt. Drago’s Gate opening up. At that point ours was still nonfunctional, and I'm to understand, it still is. I think that single thing bothers me the most. Knock the Gates out, and you strand dozens of people in parts of the world that would be difficult, if not impossible, to get home from. Up until the last few days it had never happened to me, and I'm not keen on it ever happening again. I know Mt. Drago has a redundant backup system, but it went down as quickly as the one here, so maybe redundancy isn't the answer. Maybe an entire second system sitting dormant out of the reach of an EMF blast might be the answer. At least that way you're back on-line in a very short amount of time, and certainly not what we experienced here at Mt. Arcadia, which was a nightmare.
Then it hit me, Ley Gates or better put, the lack of them. With control over the Wizard Clan, I could put Ley Gates outside each of the mountains and kill two bats with one stone. Go through a Ley Gate and exit right at the River Styx Ferry Dock, from there simply go through another Ley Gate to where you want to go. Choose the correct one and you could literally use it like a mass transit system. If we'd had one here, I could have gone through, chosen the Ley Gate assigned to Mt. Drago, and been home in a matter of minutes. Admittedly, my leaving wouldn't have saved the mountain in Australia, but I could have transferred supplies, equipment, or other people, and that would've definitely made a difference.
The cavern crews had set up another two of the industrial fans and put them in strategic spots by the Blast Doors. The smoke and fumes were lingering, and I think it was mostly the acrid qualities of ichor. I realize that substance acts in the same capacity as blood for the demons, but it looks and smells more like battery acid. It had stained the floor in multiple spots and was resistant to everything but dragon fire. The noise level in the Main Cavern was elevated due to the fans, but still nothing like the river. It was like a pervading wind that just never quit.
I was surprised and heartened by the fact that nobody during the big attack had been seriously injured. Actually, it seemed like a miracle, but one I would take in a heartbeat. The Blast Doors during the attack, albeit the fact that they were nonfunctional, had been set to be closed. Even though they didn’t work, they successfully blocked half the opening and limited how many could get to us at any given time. Ultimately, it allowed four people to hold back the horde for an extended period.
I felt bad for the Aborigines; they took some pretty heavy losses, and worse, it wasn't even their fight. We will always be in their debt, and other than help with their medical issues, I'm not sure what else we should do. Moreover, we haven't seen them since the last of their fallen had been removed. It's been eerily quiet.
Queen Mother was already talking to Jean and her crew about taking supplies to the local tribe. We need to keep them as friends, especially since they not only know of our existence, but the exact location of the door leading in. It's not the way we usually handle things, but this mountain has been different since day one, and quite frankly, it's too late to leave.
Queen Mother decided to close everything up now that the air has cleared a bit and the Blast Doors are working. Paranoia is a wonderful thing, and it has run rampant since the attack. The only reason to keep the doors open has been the air quality, but with the fans running it should be fine now.
These new doors have klaxons on them and as soon as they started moving into position, the horns went active. There will never be a question as to whether or not the doors are moving, that's for sure. They are incredibly loud and give the feeling of finality. The very second the doors latched the noise stopped, and for the first time since I arrived, it felt secure. When the boys and I came to dig at the river the Dimensional Shield was in place, and it never occurred to me that I should question the security. With that in place, no one can get in, and in theory, that should be enough.