Ch. 19 Prisoners
This is a continuation of the Apocalypse Saga
For the other chapters in TAS, click here
For more stories in the world of Astra outside of TAS, click here
“Are you ready?” Akashi asked, looking to Seijun.
Seijun nodded. They stood before the looming black wall of the prison. High above their heads, guards patrolled the walls, and searchlights scanned the rubble of Caaremen. They had been scanning the wall for a while, trying to find the best way in, but after far too long of looking, Akashi came up with a new plan.
“Okay… I haven’t done this in years – and if we’re being honest, I only ever did it in a training setting, so –“
“Not instilling confidence, dead man.” Vey grumbled from where her incorporeal body leaned against the wall nearby.
“You’re not helping either, auntie.” Seijun was nervous. Akashi assumed he was just tired of things blowing up in his face.
“We’ll be fine.” Akashi said with a grin. “Okay, how is this going to work?” He asked himself. He brought his hands in front of him, and they disappeared into smoke in the air. “Okay… okay okay okay.” He pressed his wrists up against the wall, and felt his hands take form inside. “Whoa…” He whispered, “We were right. There’s tech in the walls. Power Lines running up and down. Walls shouldn’t be so porous if they’re loaded with stuff like this.”
“So, it will work then?”
“I think so. Maybe. Let me try something.” Akashi’s wrists moved and twisted. They worked inside the wall, and more of his body began to seep in as his hands worked away. “This is going to be tricky.” He moved his hands and let out an, “aha!” And looked to Seijun, “I think I got it. Quick, get down!”
Seijun covered his head, and Akashi disappeared. The wall blew open sending debris and bolts of energy blistering out from the wall. Seijun quickly recovered and stood up. He had a small scratch across his eyebrow where a chunk of debris caught his face.
Akashi saw and shrugged, “My bad, Seij.”
“I’ll be fine.” Seijun pressed his thumb into the wound, trying to stop the bleeding as quickly as he could. “Let’s just get this done quick. Before they call for help.”
“Absolutely. We know how Zanth’s reinforcements are.” Vey added. She disappeared into ribbons, rejoining Seijun. “Let’s move, boys.”
“That we do.” Akashi reached into his coat and pulled out his revolver, “Let’s get to it.”
Seijun ran through the hole in the wall but immediately met with a dozen guards holding energy rifles.
“Keep it moving, Seij! I got these guys!” Akashi shouted. In a blur, Seijun bolted past them, faster than any of them could react. “Sorry, he’s in a bit of a hurry.” Akashi said with a smile. He raised his revolver skyward, and gestured to the soldiers, “I’ve got time though.”
Seijun grabbed ahold of a side of the prison building and launched himself up into the air, catching the railing on the next level, “How do we find her?” He asked Vey.
“I believe that finding her would take too much time. Perhaps we should focus instead on releasing all the prisoners. Lead a breakout. A revolution maybe!” She replied.
“That sounds messy. Our allies would be completely unarmed against fully equipped soldiers. I think we’re risking too many lives that way, auntie.” He launched himself over the rail and ran down a catwalk. Beneath them, they heard the sound of gunfire. Thunder rolled overhead, and lightning crashed.
“If we don’t release everyone, you’ll die searching. Besides, the child claimed that there were more protectors here, and perhaps they will have the advantage in these tight corridors! Think about it. If you free everyone, they may not be well equipped, but these are protectors, nephew. They’re resourceful warriors.”
“That’s a good point. You’re right, auntie.”
“I know. Now listen, a prison like this will have a control station. Head up a few more levels. It should be obvious.”
“Like that up there?” Five levels higher, and further down the catwalk was a large black box of a structure with red tinted windows.
“Yes. Exactly like that.”
Once he had a place to go, he moved quickly. He swung across railings, lept from one level to the next, and before long landed with a heavy clank against the metal. Seijun leaned against the cold, black wall. He placed his ear carefully against the door. There was commotion on the other side. It sounded like they were panicking inside – trying to figure out if they needed to sound the alarm or not. Even from here, Seijun could hear the sounds of a gunfight far below them. If Seijun could intervene now, the alarm would never go off.
“Well, what are you waiting for?” Lady Vey asked. “Kick the door down!” She commanded.
Seijun smiled, “Yes, auntie.” He backed up to the railing behind him on the walkway, then stepped forward and kicked as hard as he could. The shock of the contact rocketed up his leg, making his nerves tingle. It almost distracted him to the door crashing down to the ground.
The room was dimly lit and contained five people working at computer stations with one person standing in the center of the room panicking.
Seijun grabbed the one in the center by the collar, “Let everyone out of their cells.”
“Y-yo-y-you mean like a… like a -”
“I don’t care how you do it. Let. Them. Out.” The worker nodded, shaking as they reached behind them and flipped a switch. There was a ubiquitous clanking sound that echoed across the walls as every door in the prison opened.
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It had been years since the goddess had spoken to Selina. Years since her daughter had come into the world. Even longer since she herself had been reborn. Trapped in her cell, Selina’s energy was depleted. Her embers melted to the ground in ashes. She could stick her tongue through her cheek, and her vision had dipped to half of what it once was. Her left arm had faded in the weeks since her imprisonment, and her leg was barely able to function outside of a pained limp. Even though all hope felt lost in that moment, she did what she did every day and prayed.
“My goddess, my Duchess, speak to me. Show me the path. You taught me to control the fire. You brought my ashes to embers. You showed me the way. Where do I go? What do I do from here? I have been patient. I have been calm. What sign do I await? What am I to be patient for this time? Give me a sign, my love of another realm, what am I waiting for?”
She was met with silence. She had spent years building the protectors up. They had begun to fight in the open before she took control, but as she became the goddess’ given leader, she had militarized them into a fighting force. Under her rule, they were disbanded - taken in the night during what they thought were peace talks. She fell for the lie of war.
She took part in it instead of fighting in the shadows. The guerrilla tactics of the protectors were thrown out for strategy and battlefield plans. It was her greatest mistake – except for ever trusting Zanth negotiator’s lying mouths.
She sighed, “Duchess, please hear me.” She raised her voice. “I’ve spoken to you. Every day. Every moment of my time has become yours. I pledged to you, but to do this - to lead - to do right by my people – our people - I need your help. Say something to me!” She slammed her fist into the ground. Her scars were no longer filled with the soot of the divine. She was no longer Selina the Fire Tamer. She was just a prisoner who worried for her daughter’s fate.
Time passed and she spoke up again, “Just tell me what to do…” She whispered. “Tell me what to do. One more time.” An explosion rocked the building. Selina flinched, the image of bombs falling fresh in her memory again. She blinked and looked around her little black cell. The cell bars looked out into the interior of the prison. She looked out on the barren, concrete courtyard from the floor of her cell. She couldn’t see anything from how high up she was, but she did see smoke rising. She heard hundreds of prisoners begin hollering out in confusion. Gunfire echoed across the prison.
“Protectors!” She called, a painful smile on her face, “Steel yourselves for this moment!” There was a roar of agreement across the prison. A guard jammed an electric prod into Selina’s cell, stabbing it into the metal wall. Her entire cell became electrified, sending Selina into spasms.
“Keep your mouth shut!” The guard snapped. Selina got up onto her knees – no matter how much it hurt, she refused to stand down to this soldier of everything she ever hated.
She stared up at the guard within a scowl of hatred, “The fire will consume you.” She growled.
“Don’t make me do it again.” The guard put the prod to the wall and threatened to turn it on again.
Selina lowered her head, “Please, goddess, let this be a sign.” As the words spilled from her mouth, the cell doors flew open.
There was a silent moment where the two stared at each other, confusion on both of their faces. Selina jumped on the opportunity first. She threw herself back, creating space between them. She staggered to stand, but the guard walked into her cell, helped her the rest of the way up, and threw her against the wall. They stared into each other’s eyes.
Selina smiled, “The goddess is on my side.” she spat in the guard’s eye, “Can you say the same?”
The guard growled. She lifted her prod up and it crackled to life, “That was your last mistake, you nuisance. All you protectors are worthless li -” The guard let out a gasp, then tensed up. She let out a yelp as her grip loosened, and she dropped the prong. Before it hit the ground and risked electrifying the entire cell, a hand caught it from behind her stunned body. Another hand reached onto the woman’s waist and pulled a pistol from its holster.
“And touching our leader was your last mistake.” The voice of a young woman announced. The guard’s body dropped to the ground, a blade dug deep into her back. In front of Selina was another protector - a much younger protector. Her face was covered in dirt and grime. She handed the prod to Selina and gave her a reassuring smile. “We free our people today. The goddess may be with us, but so are you, Sister Selina.”
Selina nodded, “I will always be with my people, Sister Jessup.” Sister Jessup wasn’t much older than Selina’s own daughter. She was about 14 – maybe younger. Selina wasn’t sure. Jessup was always reliable though. She had trained with Selina’s daughter for years, and she was able to not only keep up, but excel as a mortal child. It wasn’t Sister Jessup’s place to fight in a prison, but Selina reasoned it wasn’t her who brought her here. It would be her that got her out though.
Selina took the prod in her hand and shifted it between her fingers. “These monsters are too dangerous to be kept alive.”
“We’re forming groups of Protectors. Making plans to overpower, take the armory, and hold weapon control. Then, we’ll drive them out of our borders. Many of the foreigners they brought in are already joining our cause. We’ll overpower them, Sister.” Sister Jessup bent down and pulled her shiv from the back of the guard, “We have been preparing for the right moment to strike.”
“The Duchess gifted us with this moment.” Selina announced.
“Don’t be so sure, Sister Selina.”
“No?”
“Two men. I saw them in the courtyard.”
“Who? Outsiders?”
Sister Jessup shrugged, “I think so, Sister.”
“Then we can only hope these outsiders will help us find our salvation. Then we can thank the Duchess for sending them. Don’t let your faith waver, Sister.” Selina began to stand, but her movements were uneasy.
“Sister, you’re hurt.” Jessup said with concern.
“I was weaker the day I put the fires out. I was weaker the day the bombs fell. I was weaker when I was chosen. I’ll be fine.”
“Then we fight to the exit.”
“No. I need to find the general.” Selina activated the prod. They jolted to life, electricity dancing as it reflected off the black, metal walls.
“The explosion we heard, sister,” Jessup said as she tried to help Selina leave the cell, “some of our protectors said they saw a hole in the wall.”
Selina pushed Jessup off her, refusing the help. “That means there’s hope. Rally the protectors. Find the hole. Get everyone out. I’ll kill the general. I trust the protector’s safety to you, sister.”
“Yes sister.”
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Seijun climbed down the side of the railing into the main courtyard. His eyes darted around, “How will I know who the protector’s leader is?” He asked. In the chaos of battle, guards were being thrown over the edges of the rails and down into the courtyards. Freed prisoners were fighting for their lives with their bare hands. Several more had energy weapons and electric prods. Seijun assumed they stole them from guards they overpowered.
A prison guard noticed Seijun and fired an energy bolt directly at him. Seijun blocked the bolt. The energy began thrumming up and down the blade, as though it was waiting for him to do something with it. Seijun focused his energy. The sword grew red hot as he pulsed his strength into it. Then, he swiped the sword back at the guard. The energy bolt blasted back, slamming into his chest and knocking him to the ground.
“You learned much from my dear, Cherize.” Vey said with pride. “I see you’re gaining more comfort with all of balance, not just water.”
“I’m starting to understand better. The push and pull of the universe. I feel like I only see the tip of the iceberg, and yet –“ Seijun was cut short as he ducked beneath another bolt of energy,
“We can discuss later!” Vey shouted over the chaos. “Let’s try and find the girl’s mother!”
A puff of smoke appeared next to them. “Any luck?” Akashi asked as he took form and looked around them.
“Not yet.” The prison guards were being overpowered as they were disarmed in the tight corridors and thrown over the railings. Seijun ducked as another bolt blew past him. Akashi retaliated and fired back at the attacker. They staggered into the dust of the dry courtyard as lightning crashed and hit the top of the prison.
“We got a plan?” Akashi asked.
“Find the mother of the girl.” Vey said.
“Not a plan, V.”
“Wait, who’s this?” Vey asked.
Approaching them was a young girl in a simple tunic, her face covered in mud. She wasn’t as young as the child they had met before, but she was by no means an adult. Still, she held a makeshift knife in one hand and an energy pistol in the other.
“You’re the men who freed us?” The girl asked, sounding more official than either of them expected.
“Uh, yep, that’s us.” Akashi replied.
“Wonderful! We thank you, but now that you’ve made it in, we must make it out together. We ask that you assimilate into the escape effort and allow Sister Selina to do as she needs.”
“Sister Selina?” Seijun asked.
“Yes. Our fearless leader, The Fire Tamer. We will evacuate this place, and she will end the life of the general. Now, come with us.” The girl turned back to the courtyard, “Protectors!” She screamed, “Today, we are free! End these invaders and make haste for the exit!” There was a roar of approval as the battle raged on. With a look of hunger on her face, the girl turned away from the trio and ran back into the fray.
Akashi shrugged, and gestured to the battle, “Shall we?”
Seijun nodded and ran into the fray.
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Selina’s limp fought against her as she made her way towards the general’s quarters. She sidestepped a guard, throwing herself against the wall as she jammed the prod into the soft exposed fat of their unarmored side. Their body shuddered down to the ground with a hiss, and Selina walked on. She heard the sounds of victory cries. As she looked down over the railing, she realized just how many people were brought from lands far away to be imprisoned here alongside the protectors. So long as they were in Caaremen it was her responsibility to keep them safe. She swore on that much. She thought they may also make for good recruits as she could see many of them fighting alongside the protectors.
But that wasn’t the matter at hand.
Selina found herself pushing open a door into the interior of the prison. The General’s quarters weren’t far from here. It was more a torture chamber than his quarters. She had been there more times than she cared to count. The scars of spikes that tore through her flesh were a painful memory she couldn’t forget every time she laid down in her cell’s excuse for a bed. It was more than enough to fuel her anger. She looked up at the stairwell that led to the chamber, and pounded her fist to her chest, and let out a low growl, “You will feel the anger of my people.” She repeated the mantra as she began her first steps up the stairs.
Each step brought a new challenge. She felt her old broken leg falter. She could taste the pain of her memories on her tongue. She remembered the flavor of old concrete. Her vision blurred, as she felt her strength waver, but only for a moment. The anger inside her was enough to bring her coherence. She gripped tighter with her only hand, dropping the prod. Her defiance told her she could go on without it, and so she left it in the stairwell to decay. The fire in her heart would have to be enough. Still, she prayed for real fire as she made it closer and closer. Her tongue flicked about as she gritted her teeth, the moisture seeping through the hole in her cheek. She could feel the boiling of her blood, and with each step - though she felt weak and tired - she felt a power rising inside her.
Until she was at the door. With a leg which screamed for reprieve, an arm that called for mercy, a body that wanted rest, she thought about giving up. But she screamed it all into submission and forced the heavy door open.
The general was ready, and she quickly stepped back from the doorway in time for a bullet to blister past her. She felt its heat and smiled. Selina walked into the doorway and faced him. The general was a disgusting horrid man as far as she was concerned. Had she been asked to describe him, the only words she’d say were monster, and terror. After today, she would never need to think of him again, for he would be out of this world, and out of her mind. She was far from worried, as she took another step closer. Another bullet combusted into the air. Selina staggered back as her shoulder screamed in pain.
But she took another step forward.
The general was shaking. He shot again and completely missed.
Another bullet missed. Another and another and another.
One hit. Her knee buckled, and she could feel the blood seeping through a ripped tendon.
“Every bullet,” She seethed through clench teeth, “every pain you’ve caused me… my people… my home…” She pushed herself back onto her feet, “It will all be worth it to see you suffer.” He pointed the pistol at her head. Selina snatched it from the air. “To watch you die.”
There was a reign of silence between them, but then Selina noticed something strange on the general’s desk. A sign of hubris. The general’s greatest folly. She smiled, “Do you like to relax candlelight, general? Up in your safe metal tower?” She threw the pistol over her shoulder and reached for the flame. The burning of the candle accelerated, and the heat in the room became too much to bear. The general collapsed onto the hot metal floors, as the fire began to spread. The desk went up in a blaze before anything could be done. The general’s eyes crept up to meet Selina’s. Her form had returned. Her lost eye was a fire, her cheek restored to an ember haze. Her once lost arm was like wood cooking in a fire. There were swirls of light crisscrossing her body where old scars hurt too much to remember but were too clear to forget.
Selina grabbed him by his throat and lifted him into the air, walking him to the window that faced away from the prison and overlooked Caaremen. She smashed his body into the window, shattering the safe red tint.
“You don’t deserve to be cleansed by fire, you monster. I hope the next general to come here finds your body and knows to fear me. Never again will I be fooled by the likes of you again. The next to come will. Burn.” Without another word - without hesitation - Selina dropped him. She watched his body cascade through the air from the highest point in Caaremen. His body floundered as he plummeted to the Astral earth, and with a muted thud, the general who had taken everything from her was gone. It didn’t feel as good as she wanted it to. It never did. Still, she took solace in knowing it had to be done.
“Sister Silena?” Sister Jessup stared from the doorway. Silena turned around, wreathed in fire.
“Have you found the exit?” Her voice seeped out like curling smoke amongst the flames.
Jessup stared back in awe, “Everyone’s out, sister – even the ones who freed us. I came back for you.”
“Good,” Selina said with a nod, “Then let us go. I wouldn’t want to keep our godsent allies waiting.”
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Seijun and Akashi stood on the hill at the edge of the fields. Next to them, the little girl with the much too large sword who only wanted her mom back waited anxiously beside them.
“She’s not back yet.” The girl fussed. The young girl kicked grass next to Seijun. He stepped back.
“Your friend went to check on her.” Akashi replied.
“She’ll be back.” Seijun added, “The invaders from Zanth are gone, and your protectors are free.” Behind them, protectors and civilians alike were reuniting, crying tears of joy, and celebrating.
“And look at all that smoke.” Akashi added, pointing to a spire of the prison that was billowing smoke.
“That can’t be smoke…” The little girl said without hesitation.
“Why not?” Akashi asked.
“They don’t let us have fires anymore. We worship the Duchess, and they said no more fire because of it, so that can’t be real fire.”
“What if it is? What would that mean?” Seijun asked.
“Well… that would mean that she’s free. That would mean she’s coming back for me! For everyone!” She turned to the crowd of questioning villagers, but hesitated and turned back to the prison, anxiously waiting for any news at all. Then, two figures stepped out of the hole in the prison wall. Like a fire that moved with the air, Selina and Jessup stepped into view.
The crowd began to cheer with joy. The little girl squealed with excitement and ran to her mother. Selina snatched her up, spinning her in the air as she squeezed her close, “My Little Ember! Look at you.” She said, “My Little Ember, I’m so proud of you. My young Protector.” Though she called her ‘Little Ember’ Sister Selina was only a couple inches taller than the girl, making the name seem almost in jest. The little girl cried into her parent’s fiery shoulder. Her tears caught fire, and the two of them ignited together in a moment of pure happiness. The others gave them space as they reconnected with each other as well. Seijun and Akashi stood quietly to the side, attempting to show respect.
Sister Jessup approached them, “Thank you. You have our gratitude.”
“We were only the catalyst to your flame, protector.”
Akashi smiled, “We’re happy to help.”
Selina approached them, holding her daughter’s hand. Her face was stern and rugged. The scars of many battles glowed with a faint fire on her face, “Thank you for giving us the push we needed to save ourselves. We are grateful, though I worry our meeting isn’t fate.”
“You’d be right. We were sent here by Centu. Know anything about her?” Akashi asked.
Selina shook her head, “I am sworn to my people and my people only. I serve the Duchess. I don’t know about much outside of Caaremen.”
“And that is completely fair, but-”
“Champion of the Duchess,” Seijun cut off Akashi, “We work to serve all people. We work to save our realm from falling into disarray. We were sent here by Centu - for what purpose we do not know - but we are happy that we were able to assist in your liberation.”
“And for that we will be eternally grateful.” Selina replied.
“I hope we cross paths on the right side of the line. Especially to see your little warrior again.” Seijun nodded to the girl.
“My Little Ember is the living Duchess. She is all I could ask for. She is powerful, and that she took up my mantle in my absence…” Selina ruffled her daughter’s hair and smiled, “She will be a great Protector one day.”
“I would never doubt it. From one Protector to another, I wish you and your home well. Be well, Little Ember.” Seijun lowered his head in deference to Ember. She smiled, tears in her eyes, and bowed her head back.
The duo walked down through the little village. Stragglers of escapees were still wandering about, looking for what was next for them. Akashi turned as they were creating distance between them and Selina,
“Wait! We didn’t get your name!” Akashi yelled to Selina.
“I’m the Duchess’ Fire Tamer!” She shouted back.
“That can’t be her name.” Akashi said with a chuckle
“It may not be her name, but it is who she is.” Vey replied.
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“See, cousin? I call that the best outcome possible, don’t you>” Centu announced with joy.
“First of all, I’m not your cousin. You aren’t even from the same realm as me. Secondly, I will admit yours and the Five’s champions performed well.” The Duchess’ shoulders relaxed. She sat atop the ledge of a snowy mountainside overlooking the distant city-state of Caaremen. Though Centu couldn’t see her face, she knew her sharpened, defined features anywhere. She could even imagine the way her teeth would bite, and her eyes would blaze as she continued, “They didn’t step on the feet of my people, but they still performed a service.” The Duchess sighed. The snow around her had melted away, and her foot dangled off the edge. Her crown of fire flared up around her head as she raised a hand to adjust her long brown hair.
“So,” Centu began, “are you going to join the coalition?” She knew to skip the pleasantries with the Duchess.
“Your coalition is strong, but I don’t think it’s enough. If the end is coming, I wonder if it can be stopped if you don’t even know where Carja will be. You still don’t know, do you?” Centu stepped out of the snow and onto the barren rocky ledge.
“Well, no – or at least maybe. I have an idea in my head, but there are only two who know for sure – though I think The Dragon Mother knows as well, but of course you know how she is. But the other two have already joined us, though they know better than to reveal what’s hidden from the tyrant.”
“So you think. You have no confidence in this, and it gushes from every word you say. It’s enough to put me off entirely.” The Duchess bit back.
“Your point is heard, but still my question stands.” She popped open her umbrella as a gust of wind blew snow from behind her.
“You have my support, Centu. I am on your side, but -”
“- but?”
“What you’ve done for me isn’t enough. I want one more thing from you.”
“Okay, go on.”
“One day, I will call upon you to help me liberate my people. When my child upon Astra is old enough for the ceremony, I will call upon you. And when that time comes, I’ll destroy these people of Zanth who threaten my people. Promise me you won’t shy away from me in my people’s hour of need, and I will do whatever you need done.”
“Done, Duchess.”
“Remember, we are gods. Your word –“
“Is my bond. I know.” Centu finished. “Please, cousin, don’t treat me like I don’t know the importance of the divine word.”
“Then we’re in agreement. I will help you, and one day you’ll help me. The word has been made.”
“Thank you, Duchess.”
“My time’s out.” The Duchess turned to Centu, “Get our affairs in order. Speak to me when you have a complete plan. A location. I must tend to my people.” A cyclone of fire spun around her, and as it faded, the Duchess was gone.
Another chapter down!
As I said before, this chapter was originally inspired by a dream! Funniest thing, I had this weird dream of Seijun (I’m not the only one who dreams about my characters, am I?) climbing up the scaffolding of a large prison complex. From there, I built this part of Seijun and Akashi’s story around it. Also, if you’re looking for a hint of what direction future Astra stuff goes in, I wondered years later (about 3 years ago), what might happen to characters from this story after this. So, if that sounds interesting to you, boy do I have the novel trilogy WIP for you!
Anyway, we’re in what I’m considering the home stretch now! We’re so close to the end, and I’m so excited for the end to come! It’s going to be… well, it’s going to be awesome! Thank you for sticking with me throughout this journey! I can imagine it isn’t easy keeping up with something this long on a week to week basis. It has been a huge undertaking, and it also has probably been my least successful thing if we’re being honest, but I acknowledge that has more to do with length than quality (I hope at least). I’ll catch you next week for Chapter 20, Zephyr’s Pass.
Another brilliant chapter! The part where Selina's power returns was especially vivid, and it was so satisfying to see the prisoners escape and our heroes victorious!