The Final Mission

Everything around her was spinning as she came to. Disoriented, she was ambushed with a sudden burst of agony that infected her entire body, with every move she made. What was happening? Why was it happening? More importantly, how was it happening? Something went wrong. She was never supposed to wake up. It was not part of The Plan.

Her dizziness dulled to a low hum, allowing her a moment to better focus. She tried to move again, only to be met with resistance once more as another wave of icy fire washed over her, seeping to her bones. She lied there for what seemed like ages, until she felt her body calm enough to make another attempt. After finally being able to prop herself up, Mel took note of her surroundings in the sector, or what was left of it, rather. All but one wall and a fragmented column still stood, almost as if laughing and daring to go another round. Her vision blurred as she lost count of all of the bodies that littered the ground surrounding her. She choked back tears and swallowed the scream that threatened to escape her, as she realized there were no other survivors. How could they all be dead? It was only supposed to be her.

Her hands slowly found their way to her chest. Taking a deep breath, she gripped the handle of the dagger lodged there and pulled, inch by inch, until she could see her blood dripping from its point. The blade suddenly exploded into an indigo dust before disappearing completely, leaving only its hilt in her hand to remain. As the blade vanished, the hole it had left behind healed, save for a sliver of a faint blue scar.

She stared incredulously at the handle, examining its intricacies closely. Her confusion deepened, raising even more questions. It looked different than it did before. But how? That could not be. It was impossible! The Spirit Dagger was supposed to be indestructible. She was not supposed to be here. She racked her brain for any kind of explanation, but to no avail.

A heavy fog started encroaching minutes away, snapping her back from her recall. She moved swiftly to hide behind the remaining column, ducking down as low as she could. Quickly pocketing the Spirit's hilt, Mel glanced above to the stars at the timer. It had stopped. Panic inched its way down her throat to her stomach, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth. The Timekeeper had always been there, since the beginning, since before even the Architect herself. What was happening? Mel's ears started ringing as she thought about what it could mean. No timer equals no map. No map equals no Location. Without her Location, she was in the dark.

Mel began looking for a way out. To where, she did not know. She didn't have much faith that any of the other Sectors survived the fallout, but she also didn't want to stick around for whatever was coming in that fog. As it closed in, she watched for the blind, a weak spot in the fog's shield. There! She was scared it might be too narrow, but she didn't see any other way. She whispered a final goodbye to her fallen Allies, mustered the last bit of strength she had, and made a break for the blind. Clenching her teeth, she stifled the pain that ripped through her veins as the acrid fog touched her skin, racing through, trying to evade their grip. She made it to the end, just as a Fogrin reached out and brushed her shoulder with its acidic fingers, scarring her flesh.

Mel burst through the blind, clutching her shoulder and collapsing to the ground, gasping for air. She knew that, even though the Fogrin didn't get to latch onto her, it was still enough for a brand, which meant it was more than enough to track her. She had to find a pod and fast. With no timer and no other Allies, she was exposed.

She looked around the sector before her, absorbing its perfection, a stark contrast to the one she had just left behind. As if under a spell, Mel couldn't believe what she was seeing. What sector was this? Why had she never heard of it? Why, there wasn't a flaw in sight! Of all the sectors she had protected, she had never seen anything like this one.

Struck with the sudden realization that she was on display, Mel quickly looked for a place that might offer some cover while she considered her next move. She scanned for a nearby pod. She was sure at least one would be close enough, but from what she could see, there wasn't even a base for one. A sector with no pods? What is happening? Hearing someone approaching, she quickly darted behind a retaining wall, ducking down in its shadows, hoping it was enough.

"Amelia Sorenson, I know you're there," said a velvety, yet firm voice.

Mel's eyes widened at hearing the sound of her name in its entirety. Slowly creeping to peek over the wall in the direction from where the voice came, she found herself staring into the darkest eyes she had ever seen. They were lifeless pits set into a perfectly chiseled face that was so exquisite, it was almost painful to behold.

"Amelia," he said again, "Please, we don't have much time."

"Where am I? What sector is this? What happened to the timer? Who are you? And how do you know my name?"

"Never mind all of that. I need your help, Amelia. We don't have long."

"Never mind? No, I don't think so. WHO are you? Are you an Ally? What am I doing here? What is happening?!"

"Amelia..."

"Mel!" she snapped, annoyed at hearing her name again. "It's Mel!"

"Okay," he replied slowly. "Mel, I'll explain everything later. Right now, though, you need to come with me. It isn't safe for you here."

"WHO ARE YOU? And what do you mean it isn't safe? Isn't this place perfect? How could it NOT be safe?"

"No, Amel...," he started, quickly stopping when she shot him a look that could sever the tongue of a Disconnector. He tried again. "No, Mel, it isn't perfect. It's far from it."

"What are you talking about?" she asked, looking around again, not grasping what this stranger was telling her. "I have protected millions of sectors. Never have I seen one like this," her eyes soaking in everything around again until finally returning to his.

"I know, but this is not what you think, Mel. It isn't what it appears."

"Oh? And why should I listen to you? I don't even know who you are! Are you an Ally? What sector?"

"No, I'm not an Ally."

They stared at each other briefly before Mel finally broke, her frustration echoing back from the silence.

"Okay, so?! WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?" she growled, low on patience.

"I think you know who I am, Mel," he replied, eyeing her carefully.

"No, I don't. How about we stop with the pretense, shall we? I am not going anywhere with you unless you affirm!"

"You already know," he claimed again.

"No, I don't. I never forget an affirmation, ever. Tell me. NOW!" she urged him.

Letting out a heavy sigh, holding her gaze, he cautiously told her, "I'm Alaystin."

She took a step back, awash with disbelief.

No! It can't be!

"Mel, we have to go. It isn't safe for you here."

"And I will be with you?!"

"Like, I said before, I will explain everything as soon as we leave here and are somewhere safer, but I need you to trust me."

"Trust you? You? THE Alaystin?"

"Please, Mel...we need to move," he reiterated, outstretching his hand.

She scoffed at the idea, offended that he would dare suggest such.

"No, absolutely not! You can forget it. Leave me here! I'll take my chances!"

However, he didn't waiver. He kept his hand outstretched, pleading for her to take it. She looked from his face to his hand and back to his face. Something in his lifeless eyes told her he was telling the truth.

She replayed The Plan in her mind one more time, searching for any kind of clue, something she missed, something that she did to cause this. It doesn't make sense. I followed everything to the letter. Everything! She looked around the sector again, trying to find a flaw but could not. As she stood there longer, an unease slithered up her spine, as she realized it was, perhaps, too perfect. She knew something was wrong. She knew he was right; it wasn't safe for her here. For the first time in 317 years, she was going against everything she had been taught, everything she believed. She did not see what other choice she had now but to go rogue.

"Okay, Prince Alaystin. My trust is yours," she told him, reaching her hand to meet his, just as all went dark.