Emergence Read Free Page A

learned, in secret, the ability to manipulate sussa, until I got to a point where I could make my own ribbon and escape. When I did, when I first stood in that grey void, I had a dual vision of apocalypse; in one of which all was laid waste and you were dead, in another all was laid waste, and you were alive, with me, and we commanded scores of men to stand against the Freilux. I knew I had made the right decision, because only if I left could I grow stronger, and marshal the forces necessary to break the Freilux.”
    She kissed him tenderly on the cheek. “I love you, Toby. Never leave me again.”
    He kissed her back, softly on her lips. “I never will, sweet Lissa.”
    Wiping away a tear, she asked; “so . . . what happens next? Do we attack the Freilux?”
    Toby flopped back and sighed. “I haven’t had a vision since I was near the Sphere. The Sphere somehow channels one’s power, focusing it. Without its presence, I have had to concentrate every hour of every day to increase my dexterity.” 
    “Nemesnik!” shouted an aide outside. “Nemesnik, come quickly -- there is a transmission!”
    “Nemesnik?” asked Melissa, as they both scrambled to their feet.
    “One must have a title,” answered Toby. “One can’t go around being called ‘Toby’ by the rabble who follow him.”
    She followed him out, disturbed by how much the usage of ‘Nemesnik’ reminded her of ‘Freilux.’
    They gathered inside a large tent around a small, glowing bulb which hung by a thin reed-like stalk. The grey-uniformed Generals huddled close, with their aides conferring at the perimeter. Suddenly, a small, translucent figure appeared beneath the bulb; the Freilux.
    “He looks . . . thinner,” said Melissa. “What happened to him?”
    “The Sphere -- its effects on a skilled Archsussa can be quick and dramatic,” grumbled Toby. “Now listen.”
    “ I, the Freilux, announce to all in range of my voice, that the apocalypse is over! Despite predictions of decimation and devastation, Imathrin has survived. I have assumed the title of Provni Archsussa, and work to restore our capital city to its former glory .”
    “ I am aware of the many refugees condemned to harsh life on the surface, but even now I send out legions of ships to bring you all back! The Centric Sphere has been restored to the Cup of Allkthea, and with it I have stabilized Imathrin. We are recalling Archsussa from all across the ovoid to assist in the resurrection of the cities we lost .”
    “ I promise, people of Iqui, that within three months time, you shall be restored to living in the skies, away from the frigid wasteland of the surface. The future is secure; we have weathered the storm, and it is time to sow crops and harvest our good fortune! ”
    “What is he doing?” asked Melissa, as the Freilux’s image faded. “This is so . . . benevolent.”
    “He means to pacify and mollify our people with warmth,” replied Toby, with a crestfallen face, “kindness and sweetness, dull their wits and blunt their blades, so none would ever again stand against him.”
    “It is the most insidious kind of warfare,” added the arrogant-looking red-eyed General, whose name Melissa learned was Ruger. “No intelligent person would refuse the Freilux’s help, nor relocation back onto Imathrin. And once they have food in their belly, music in their ears, they will forget how the Apocalypse came to be in the first place.” Ruger glanced skeptically at Melissa. “And yet, we can do nothing without a third Archsussa. How long before she is ready?”
    “That is none of your concern!” snapped Toby, as his eyes lit with red fire. “You prepare your troops, and I will prepare my sister.”
    Ruger bolted to his feet. “We are all in this together, Toby, and I --”
    Toby motioned with his hands, twisting them in the air, and Melissa suddenly felt a pull like a whirlpool. Ruger’s aide was at the center of it, and as they looked on, his body collapsed in on itself