Legends of Amacia Attack on Tartarus

Leila’s Warning

The next morning at six in the morning, Hannibal and Selina awoke to a cry of pain and terror. They looked at each other and he asked, “What was that? Is it Rachel again?”

Selina looked over at Rachel and said, “No. She’s still asleep.” Then they heard sobs coming from Leila’s bed.

They looked over and saw her sitting up in a fetal position, face to the wall, blankets pulled up around her. She was sobbing hysterically. It was a cry Hannibal knew all too well, as did Selina. It was a cry of utter terror. “All right,” Hannibal said plainly. “Here we go again.” He kicked the blankets off and rose, going to Leila. Selina followed right behind him. They sat down on the edge of the bed. Hannibal reached out, touching Leila on the shoulder, cooing, “It’s all right, Leila You’re safe. No one’s trying to hurt you.”

Leila recoiled from his touch, looking around wildly, eyes full of terror and not recognizing Hannibal. She lashed out with her claws bared and Hannibal caught her arms so fast Selina marveled.

“Leila! Wake up, honey! It’s Hannibal and Selina!” Hannibal cried urgently, holding her arms by the wrist, keeping her claws from gouging him.

Selina moved in behind her, wrapping her arms around Leila saying, “Calm down, sister! You’re safe!” She purred for her as she and Hannibal restrained her. At first, Leila resisted, but then she began to calm down, exchanging her violence for sobs.

Hannibal scooted closer and put an arm around her, saying, “Shhh. It’s all right. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”

Leila slumped over on him, crying on his shoulder and wrapping her arms around him. Selina laid her head on Leila’s back, cooing, “It’s all right, sister. We’re here for you.”

Hannibal gently probed Leila’s mind telepathically to see what was going on. He became concerned by what he saw. “Leila. Leila,” he called to her softly, but urgently. “Is there something you want to tell us?”

Leila suddenly cried out in pain as if something had stabbed her, flinching visibly. She grabbed her right shoulder with her left hand. Hannibal and Selina held her firmly as she writhed in pain. “What’s wrong, Leila? You have to trust us. We can help, but we must know what is happening,” Hannibal said urgently with authority.

“THEY’RE COMING! I CAN FEEL THEM!” Leila cried in pain.

“Who’s coming?” Selina asked.

Leila continued grasping her right shoulder and breast in pain, crying, “THEM! THE DARK ONES, THE DARK RIDERS! THEY’RE COMING!”

Hannibal didn’t understand because what he saw in her mind was full of shadows, concealing it somewhat. “Leila. I’m going to look into your memories for a moment to see what it is that torments you,” Hannibal announced.

Fresh terror filled her face and Leila cried, “You mustn’t! They’ll get you! They’ll see and kill you!”

Hannibal ignored her protests and invaded her mind with the stealth and subtly of a snake. She didn’t even realize he was there. He moved back through her memories and didn’t have to go any ways back till he found what he was looking for. It was a memory of the fall of Caveria where she was mortally wounded. He saw the pitched battle on the ramparts of the city and he gasped in astonishment for he saw Caveria was the city of his dream where he was nearly killed by the Old Ones. He watched intently through her eyes as the battle raged around her. She was literally fighting for her very soul. The legions of the Emperor were everywhere. He then saw that the Emperor’s legions were not alone, for with them were the Old Ones in all their abominable glory. The sky was filled with drakens and flying machines as well as Rakshasar and other nameless flying things defying description. Then he saw the incident. She was fighting off seven soldiers when a Rakshasar dove at her on its flying werack. The werack was different from the ones that he had seen before, looking more like drakens. The werack dove at her and knocked her down from behind, clawing her as it did. It also dispersed those who were fighting with her, killing three of them.

Leila felt a flash of blinding pain when the monster hit her, and then as she rose, there before her was a Rakshasar in scarlet armor, looking like a demon. It dove off the werack to finish her off. In less than a second, she noticed the werack he was riding on behind her. Hannibal could feel the incredible levels of adrenaline and fear racing through the memory. The Rakshasar said nothing as it stood there. In less than a second, the werack lunged at her, meaning to eat her. She stepped aside as the monster snapped at her, flailing her blade and connecting with its neck, cutting off the head in one swipe. The head dropped with a sickening thud as body reared up and fell off the ramparts.

“You’re dead, feline bitch!” the red Rakshasar growled gutturally. She shrieked and fell on the Rakshasar and they fought fiercely, she for her very life. But the red armored demon was just a bit stronger and faster than she. He found an opening and exploited it, running her through the right shoulder as another werack mounted Rakshasar landed behind her. She didn’t see the other one. The Rakshasar she was fighting shouted in triumph as she shrieked in pain, dropping her sword, clenching at the red devil’s blade with her left hand trying to pull it out. The Red Rakshasar twisted the blade and she shrieked again. He pulled his blade out and stood back as she dropped to her knees, clenching her shoulder in fiery, agonizing pain. She heard a familiar voice calling out an urgent warning over the battle. Looking up beyond the Red Rakshasar, she saw Hannibal in platinum armor cutting down everything between him and her, pointing insistently at something behind her.

At that point, Leila heard heavy, rasping breathing behind her and managed to look, seeing the werack with a gleam in its eye and a black shrouded Rakshasar on its back. Her heart fluttered as all hope faded away. In less than a second, the werack chomped down on her side. It lifted her with a growl as she cried in agony, helpless as the werack shook her like a rag doll. Because of her armor, the werack wasn’t able to bite completely through and let go. She fell to the ramparts where she had been fighting.

Hannibal was in tears as he felt her pain and saw her last sight that day: the red Rakshasar standing over her laughing, his twin coming to her rescue, and then Ezra storming in with reinforcements, driving off the Rakshasars. At that, he vacated her mind, sobbing softly.

Leila was suddenly aware that Hannibal was crying and stifled her sobs, though her pain was still there. “Why are you crying?” she sobbed softly.

Hannibal looked at her, wiping the tears away. “I saw it,” he declared softly with great emotion. “I know what happened to you that fateful day so long ago and why you are in pain now. I saw your last fight and the Red Rakshasar that ran you through the shoulder with his cursed blade. I saw the werack crunch you and throw you down. I even saw the guy that looks like me in platinum armor shouting a warning to you just like I dreamed. I saw it all, everything from your eyes. You’ve fought the Dark Riders before. The wound the Red Rider gave you has never healed properly, even after all these ages. So, you can sense when they are near.”

Leila’s eyes grew wide and she asked, “How did you know? I told you not to look.”

Hannibal calmed himself and said, “I am gifted telepathically more than you realize. I can hide myself if necessary when probing a mind. You didn’t even know I was there. I don’t like doing that, but sometimes it is necessary to get at the truth. Forgive me for going against your wishes. You were in severe distress, reliving that terrible day. I had to see for myself so we’d know how to respond to your distress. Please, forgive me.”

Leila was truly astounded and marveled. She had calmed down by this time and the pain was subsiding. Selina’s purr had caused her to relax some. It was only then that Leila realized that Selina was embracing and purring for her. “Thank you, sister,” she said softly, “I appreciate what you did. You too, Hannibal; I had no idea that you were such a powerful and skilled telepath. Not many people can do what you do.”

Hannibal patted her on the hand, saying, “Well, I had some very good teachers. Selina has been a very skilled telepath for a long time as has her sister and mother. And I’m sure the teaching machines contributed too.”

“You mean you can use the Teachers?” Leila asked, marveling.

Hannibal smiled, saying, “I can do more than that. The Teachers have allowed me to become master of the machinery not just here, but back at Tiamat too.”

Leila’s mouth hung open for a few moments, and then she smiled as the pain dissipated. “You are full of surprises,” she declared. “There is so much I have missed. When do you think we could go on that little walk down memory lane that you spoke of? I think I’m ready for it now.”

Hannibal looked at her, saying, “Any time you’re....” He was cut off by an urgent knock on the door. It just wasn’t a knock. It was a pounding.

“Hannibal! Selina! Are you up?” Harry’s voice came through the door in an urgent tone. “Come on in, Harry!” Hannibal answered as he pushed Leila back. Selina remained there holding Leila, keeping her purr going for her. Hannibal rose as the door opened.

Harry came in, followed by Joshua, Enoch, Nemesis and Ana. They came in to see Hannibal standing in front of Leila’s bed and Selina latched on to Leila, gently rubbing her back. As they came in, Rachel woke, calling out while rubbing her eyes with her miracle hand, “Daddy, what’s going on?” He went to her as everyone came in. They sported very grave expressions.

“I don’t know, Rachel, but I’ve got a feeling we’re going to find out,” Hannibal replied.

“You don’t know the half of it,” Harry stated grimly. “Tell ’em Enoch.”

Leila looked at Enoch and Hannibal with amazement and fascination. They looked like twins to her, except that one was six feet and the other was over ten. The only other difference she noticed was the silver tint in Hannibal’s eyes Enoch didn’t have. “Who is that?” Leila whispered to Selina.

“That is Enoch Caverias, Leila: the descendant of Thoth and Ariel,” Selina replied softly. “He has a brother and a sister, and they have an unbroken lineage back to Thoth and Ariel, as does Hannibal. However, Enoch’s line back goes through a different child than Hannibal’s does.”

For a moment, Enoch didn’t speak, but his demeanor spoke for him. It was grave and very concerned. “We have been seen,” Enoch stated grimly. “Argus, Aeolus, and his brood intercepted three Rakshasar just inside the energy field that the Tower creates. They managed to drive them off, but I can safely say that the Emperor’s eye is on us now. Whatever you’re planning on doing, you’d better do it quickly for we are running out of time.”

Hannibal wanted to swear but restrained himself because of Rachel. When the Rakshasar were mention, Rachel went pale, as did Leila. Hannibal noticed Rachel’s reaction and said confidently, “Don’t be afraid, sweetie. We won’t let them hurt you. But still; this is not good. I thought we’d have a little more time. Just so everyone here knows, Leila can sense the Rakshasar. One of them mortally wounded her in the Fall of Caveria. It overpowered her, ran through the shoulder, and then she was chomped on by a werack just as I saw in the dream, which explains the poison.”

“How do you know?” Joshua asked pointedly.

“She awoke not more than a half hour ago screaming in terror,” Hannibal explained. “We tried to calm her down, which we were able to after nearly twenty minutes. In an effort to find the source of her terror, I gently probed her memories to find what the problem was. She was crying the Dark Riders were here. She was also clenching her right shoulder in great pain. So I took a little peek and immediately found the problem. I saw her fall in the battle of Caveria. Needless to say, I was surprised by what I saw. Not only was it exactly as I saw in the dream, her memories also shows the Emperor used the Old Ones to overrun the city as well as his troops. I really don’t like having to poke around in someone else’s head like that, but sometimes that is the only way to find the answer. Because of her being wounded by one of them, she can sense them coming. When did this encounter happen with the Dark Riders?”

“Not more than forty minutes ago,” Joshua stated. “Once the drakens had repelled them, they reported it to us.”

Rachel was getting scared and moved close to Hannibal. He put a sympathetic arm around her, saying, “It’ll be all right Rachel, you’ll see.”

Ana spoke up then, adding, “If Leila there can sense them, then we may have an edge.”

Harry looked at Ana, asking, “What do you mean?”

“Well, if she can sense them, they’ll not be able to sneak up on us,” Ana explained. “Is it true that you can feel them when they come near, Leila?”

Leila nodded, saying, “Yes. It’s very painful too. I don’t believe that the wound has completely healed.”

“This is a good sign,” Nemesis stated flatly. “But the time for action has come again. It’s time to finish this.”

“You are so right, my friend,” Hannibal replied. “All right, this is what we need to do. First, is the strike team ready to lay waste Kartoom?”

“Just awaiting your orders,” Nemesis replied stoically.

Hannibal nodded, saying, “Good. What about the team for taking the flagship and destroying the fleet in Stygia?”

“They’re ready too,” Nemesis answered. “Horace, the Captain, and Josephine have been very valuable to us and the Captain is eager to stick it to the Emperor.”

“I’m sure he is,” Hannibal answered, smiling wryly. “This is good news indeed. I’m so blessed to have people who know what to do. It allows me to concentrate on that which is important.” The air of nobility had returned to him as he added, “Gather them in the portal chamber. Today is the day we rip off the Emperor’s right arm. Next thing we need to do is send a scouting party to Srandi, to ascertain any problems on that front. The word needs to be spread that we are going to be moving on to Srandi shortly. Get the people ready.”

Leila watched with wonder and astonishment as Hannibal looked more and more like the king as he issued his orders. “Srandi,” she whispered. “Long have I wanted to see its shining towers.”

Selina gave her a friendly squeeze, saying, “You shall see it, sister. I promise.”

Enoch spoke up, saying, “We have already scouted Srandi.”

Hannibal looked up with surprise, saying, “Really? What did you find?”

“It was deserted,” Nemesis said gruffly. “The keep is locked and no one is able to get in it, but the rest of the fortress we were able to scout. The place is a ruin, like every other ancient city in these savage lands. The ancient dead are everywhere, still lying where they fell in battle. It looks like a great battle took place there long ago.”

“Is it safe?” Hannibal asked bluntly. “Did you encounter creatures or monsters there?”

Nemesis shook his head, saying, “No. We didn’t. It appeared to be long deserted. The desert has encroached on the fortress. We found not a living thing. But we did find water: fresh water in one of the fountains in the courtyard. It seemed to be bubbling up from the bottom like a spring.”

“Indeed? Water you say?” Hannibal returned with heightened interest. “This is good. So you think it is safe, great bear?”

Nemesis nodded, saying, “Yes. It is a most impressive edifice, almost as big as the Black Fortress. Yet I got the strangest feeling when we were scouting it, almost like we were being watched.”

Hannibal rubbed his face. “Is that so?” he murmured. “Watched you say.”

Nemesis nodded as he replied, “Yes, watched, but it didn’t seem that whoever or whatever was watching seemed too terribly upset that we were there. I never got the feeling that we were in peril.”

“And you couldn’t get in the keep?” Hannibal probed even further about the surprise operation that he knew nothing about.

Nemesis shook his head, saying, “No. It was sealed shut from the inside. It appeared to be heavily damaged on the surface, but looked structurally sound. It seems to me that we were not supposed to open it.”

Hannibal thought for a moment, saying afterwards, “You’re probably right. I’m going to have to open it. They may have set it up so that only Thoth’s heir could open it.”

“Seems so,” Nemesis stated. “But we already have secured the rest of the fortress and are getting things ready for the people. I remember you saying some time ago that we were going to have to do that.”

Hannibal nodded, saying, “That I did. I sure am blessed to have such good friends who have a little gumption about them. I really appreciate that. Have you seen it, Enoch?”

Enoch shook his head, saying, “No. I’ve been busy with the strike team for Kartoom. But all is set. One question I have is what are we going to do about this place? We can’t let the Emperor find it.”

“I’ve been thinking on that quite a bit here lately,” Hannibal admitted. “I think the machinery itself may be the solution. This place is like Tiamat: a planetary engine driven on the magnetic fields and molten rock of the Earth itself. At Tiamat, we discovered and utilized its machinery to shield and cloak the place from prying eyes. The cloaking is so perfect that someone could stumble around on the mountain it was carved out of without realizing that it was there. I engaged the shield and cloak myself before we came here to keep the puppets of the Emperor on the surface from getting their mitts on it. I’m thinking we can do the same thing here. Because this is an island, it will take them some time to martial their forces and get them here across the sea of Calui, even with their heavy-lift aircraft. It is my intention to leave a skeleton crew here while everyone else goes. We will destroy Kartoom and I will make a point of letting the Emperor know where we are going and dare him to attack us. This will send him into a rage. After we destroy his manufacturing base, he’ll be willing to chase us into hell itself. He will be forced to cross the wastes of Azrael to reach us. Without a portal generator, they will have to cross it the old-fashioned way. We will meet him in battle on our terms, not his. It will be his undoing.”

“Oh, I see!” Ana stated in epiphany. “You will use the desert against him. It will slow him down and diminish his ranks before reaching us.”

Hannibal smiled, saying, “That’s correct. From what I understand, the Wastes of Azrael are even more dangerous than the terrain around Amacia. But you are forgetting one very important detail.”

“The Rising,” Joshua stated.

“Yes, Joshua, the Rising,” Hannibal answered. “By time he has marshaled and moved his forces into the Dune Sea, the Rising will be upon us. The Rising will diminish his ranks even more. What do you think will happen when the roof of this cavern cleaves and rends as the Earth vomits this place out? Only the heaviest and sturdiest of fortresses are going to survive that. Lord have mercy on anyone who is outside when that occurs. I’m not going to even pretend what kind of event can do that, but I do know it will happen. The prophets have foretold it from the beginning.”

Just then, Bruce rushed in, saying, “A thousand pardons for this intrusion. But we have word from Srandi! There are people coming in from the northeast: thousands of them and they are not of the Emperor’s people. There are hundreds of women and children with them and they appear to be from all over the caverns. How did they know where to come?” Bruce was flustered and very anxious.

“You’re sure they are not of the Emperor’s people?” Nemesis stated flatly.

“Absolutely!” Bruce replied, “Without a doubt. They’re mountain folk like the Cimmerians but they don’t look like Cimmerians. They look kind of like Elle somewhat. I’ve been told that we have picked up stragglers from Arionath and even Khitia and Cushar. I don’t understand this. How did they find out?”

“Relax, Bruce,” Hannibal told him as he looked at Rachel first, and then at Leila and Selina with a mischievous grin. “You seem to have forgotten one crucial thing. Remember the messengers that came from all over on the caronadons to Kaal Bek right after I arrived with my team?” Bruce nodded and Hannibal looked at him knowingly, saying, “Most of them went back to their people with the news of us and where we were going. Obviously, there were people that we knew nothing about. Once the messengers returned to them, they must have believed the message and set out to reach Srandi on their own. It seems to me if I remember the map right; to the northeast, the distance between Srandi and the mountains isn’t far, easily accomplished in a couple to three days travel by foot from the mountains to the fortress. Though the trek through those mountains is as about as difficult a path as marching straight through the wastes like the Emperor is going to have to do. So don’t worry. They’re friends. Have they begun to help with cleaning up the place?”

Bruce nodded, saying, “Yes. As a matter of fact, they are.”

Hannibal shrugged with a smile, saying, “Well then. They’re friends, so treat them as such.” He paused a moment, then said, “All right ladies and gentlemen. We have a purpose. Let’s see it done. We’ll be out in a few minutes. Enoch, have the teams gathered and ready for battle in the portal chamber in two hours. That’s when we start the operation.”

“All right,” Enoch replied, “We’ll be ready for you.” At that, those who had come in left, closing the doors behind them.