The Apocalypse is a Side Quest: Book Three, page 18
Fuge marched toward Nathan and passed him the paper.
She’s safe. I knew her.
Nathan trusted that Anand knew what he was talking about with his ex-colleagues… even if he’d missed the brainwashing, apparently.
Nathan nodded. “Let’s finalize the allegiance transfer. One condition—your people must be checked for brainwashing.”
Ava’s eyes widened. “Of course.”
“Then let’s do it.”
“Just like that?”
“The parliament will vote formally later, but for now, I have discretion.” Nathan looked to Fuge.
“Yes, my lord. And I doubt the parliament will oppose you.”
Nathan nodded. “Done.”
Ava blinked, then nodded back. She opened her menu, tapped a few commands, and a prompt appeared before Nathan, requesting her allegiance transfer. He accepted.
“Set up your portal at the outpost. Simplest solution. We don’t need you as a logistics hub like before.”
Ava stood, offering her hand. “A pleasure working with you, my lord.”
Nathan rose and clasped it. “Agreed.”
“Are you absolutely certain of this?” Gius said. “What if she was lying?”
“I don’t think so. If Anand vouches for her, that’s good enough for me. Besides, we have bigger matters to attend to.”
“Like what?”
Nathan leaned back. “Has Anand kept you in the loop about the brainwashing?”
“He has.”
“Well, it seems things have just gotten worse.”
Nathan explained what he’d learned from the person who set the fire—about Gabriel seemingly being possessed by B32.
“So, it seems there are very few limitations,” Gius said. “It’s far worse than we could’ve anticipated.”
“Looks like it.”
Fuge suddenly spoke up. “But it’s also an opportunity.”
Gius turned toward him. “What do you mean?”
“Have you not put it together yet? When did this sudden burst of paranoia happen?”
Nathan’s eyes widened. “It was after we released that video exposing him, wasn’t it?”
“His legitimacy was attacked,” Fuge said. “And he doubled down, making things worse. Now, if he’s escalating the brainwashing, we can keep undermining him. Let’s find one of these newly brainwashed people and film them. Gabriel will have a meltdown. The more he uses this tactic, the more obvious it’ll be that we’re telling the truth. He’ll keep alienating his own supporters. It’s a feedback loop.”
Nathan paused. “A lot of people are going to get hurt because of this.”
“A lot more will get hurt if we do nothing at all.”
Nathan didn’t move for a second—then nodded.
“Get a team into the city. See if you can find one of the arsonists. Get Chad involved, too—you know he’s good with video stuff like this.”
“Understood, my lord.”
Nathan was about to respond when a sudden jolt raced down his spine. He looked at his hands—they were turning bright blue again. His core pulsed like a timer, and his skin burned. It was a rapid, painful sensation.
It was just like earlier, after he’d consumed the weird heart thing, and it nearly caused him to explode.
Nathan dashed out of the meeting room door.
Clarence stared at the video on his screen. Mechanically, he moved his finger to replay it for what felt like the third time.
Multiple people had sent it to him via private messages, all asking the same question: Is it true?
Clarence didn’t know. He’d tried to corner Gabriel multiple times, but the man had ignored him.
Not this time.
Clarence slammed open the doors to the council room. Gabriel was alone, muttering to himself. Clarence stepped right in front of him.
The man didn’t so much as glance in his direction.
“Gabriel.”
Gabriel didn’t respond, preoccupied with something inside his menu.
“Gabriel.”
Still nothing.
“Gabriel!”
Gabriel’s finger stopped moving. He mechanically tilted his head to look at Clarence. “What is it? I’m currently otherwise engaged.”
“You owe me an explanation. You owe everyone an explanation.”
“I’m sure I haven’t the faintest idea what you’re speaking of.”
“Another video came out. Some guy claimed that you touched his shoulder, and instantly, his mind was awoken. Suddenly, he could see the truth.”
“Nothing more than enemy propaganda.”
“Oh yeah? Then why are several people I know claiming they had the same experience? That when they think about fighting you, all they remember is the moment they pledged themselves to you?”
“I’m sure they’re simply remembering their duty. There doesn’t have to be some malevolent brainwashing scheme at play.”
Clarence slammed his fist onto the table. “Then why did you execute nine people for no reason?”
“They were traitors.”
“They were my friends! You still haven’t explained what they actually did!”
Gabriel was silent. He stood and walked around the table, locking eyes with Clarence. For a moment, Clarence let his guard down.
“Listen, Clarence, I know—” Gabriel started to reach for his shoulder.
Clarence stepped back. His heart pounded in his chest. “You were about to do it. You were going to do it to me, weren’t you?”
Gabriel’s hand froze midair. “That’s absurd.”
“Shut up. The rumors are all true, aren’t they? Everything. I’m just another one of your victims.”
A flicker of hurt passed through Gabriel’s eyes, and Clarence almost wanted to apologize—before realizing it was probably the brainwashing in action.
Clarence turned and walked toward the doors.
“Best of luck, Gabriel. Hopefully, your new friend will give you the power you so desperately crave.”
He shut the doors behind him.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Nathan dashed out of the portal and slammed right into a dockyard worker. A piece of lumber tumbled to the ground as Nathan hurriedly ran past.
“Sorry about that!” he shouted.
He didn’t pay attention to the response, already sprinting toward the ocean. His eyes darted across the water, searching for another Golden Realm portal.
His core pulsed faster.
He dove into the ocean.
Nothing. No hint of light, no ripple of energy. He’d gotten lucky the last two times, finding a Golden Realm portal—now, his luck had run out.
Nathan swam in frantic circles, scanning for any sign of a gateway. Still nothing.
His core hammered against his ribs like a relentless drum. His hands glowed so brightly they could’ve been used as flashlights.
Nathan surfaced and gulped down air. The moment he did, his core’s rhythm accelerated even further.
He needed stability; he needed his core to stop exploding. What could he do, what could he do–?
The last time this had happened, the Golden Realm had somehow stabilized him. It was his best shot.
But where could he get access to it?
His teeth ground together as he scrambled for solutions. Maybe if he returned to Vee—maybe she’d made a breakthrough while he was gone—
Wait.
He still had the weird glow-y water from earlier.
Nathan opened his inventory, selecting the water. As soon as he did, it poured out in front of him, refusing to mix with the ocean like oil on water. The liquid coalesced into a massive sphere.
Nathan stared at it. His core pounded erratically, a frantic, desperate rhythm.
No time. Let’s hope this works.
He lunged forward into the sphere.
His senses short-circuited. A sudden falling sensation gripped him—then, his eyes snapped open to the familiar rush of mist as he plummeted through the spirit realm.
But more importantly, his core began to slow its rapid beating.
Minutes later, the light in his hands faded. His body settled back into equilibrium.
“That was a little too close,” Lily said.
Nathan glanced at Lily, perched on his shoulder. “No kidding.”
He channeled energy into his back, the pins-and-needles sensation flaring as he slowed to a stop. Above him stretched the endless, fog-choked sky.
“I don’t think I have a lot of time left,” Nathan said.
Lily stayed silent for a long moment.
“Do you really think so? That feels… sudden.”
“I can feel it. Every time I use my abilities, it strains something. What I have now isn’t natural. Nobody was ever supposed to have this hodgepodge of powers.”
Thanks, Thalassa.
Would using the pearl and upgrading his class even help anymore? He had a sinking feeling it might just kill him.
“Only two towns left,” Nathan muttered. “Just the capital and one more.”
“What are you thinking?” Lily asked.
“That I have to finish this—fast.”
“Maybe if you study further, you’ll figure out why this place stabilizes your magic. Why it doesn’t just… boom.”
“Maybe. But Vee hasn’t made progress. I haven’t found anything. I’m out of time.”
Lily didn’t answer. When she finally spoke, her voice was small. “What happens to me?”
“You’ll split off. You can do that, right?”
“I guess…” She hesitated. “What about the pearl? You should try it anyway.”
“It won’t appear unless I’m completely out of options. When that happens, I’ll try. That’s all we’ve got.”
Nathan lay on the ground, letting his body recover for hours before pushing himself up. As he’d done countless times before, he crafted a staircase, timing the surge of energy to his feet before pulling it back. At the top, he burst through into the water.
He moved toward the entrance to the soulbound town—
Then froze.
At the edge of the grassy plains stood a figure.
Nathan’s instincts prickled. Something about them set him on edge. He approached cautiously.
“Hello?”
No response. The figure wore a black cloak, features completely obscured.
“Hey. Turn around,” Nathan said.
The figure turned. Nathan’s heart lurched into his throat.
Clarence.
Nathan immediately reached for his fishing rod and whipped it out.
“Wait, wait, wait!” Clarence shouted, throwing his hands up.
Nathan ignored him and threw the hook forward. Clarence jumped to the left, and the hook continued on, embedding itself into the ground. Without missing a beat, Nathan yanked it free and cast again, this time catching Clarence’s sleeve.
“I’m trying to tell you—” Clarence began, but Nathan pulled hard, dragging him forward.
Clarence twisted his body and pulled a small dagger from his boot, slashing the line. “Just listen to me!”
The ground suddenly shook beneath them. Dozens of vines ripped out of the earth and wrapped around Clarence, throwing him to the ground. He struggled against them, drawing a second blade from his waistband and hacking at the tendrils.
“You almost killed Mara,” Lily’s voice growled from below.
“That wasn’t me!” Clarence gasped as the vines tightened. “Uh, not totally, anyway.”
Nathan circled him warily. “You were involved?”
A thick root exploded from the soil and pointed itself at Clarence’s chest, its tip sharpening to a deadly point. Clarence’s eyes widened.
“I—I was the one who leaked the plans you had!” Clarence said. “I’m sorry!”
“Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t kill you,” Lily said.
The root pressed against Clarence’s chest, drawing a drop of blood. Sweat poured down his face.
“Because I can help you, damn it!”
The root paused but didn’t withdraw.
Nathan was about to tell Lily to finish it when he hesitated.
“Why would you betray Gabriel now?” Nathan said. “After everything you’ve done for him?”
“Because I have freaking eyes! He killed them! He’s just… he’s completely lost it!”
The vines tightened again, and Clarence cried out in pain.
He’s lying, Lily’s voice hissed in Nathan’s mind. He’s Gabriel’s pet. Always has been.
More roots erupted from the ground, wrapping around Clarence’s neck.
“Wait,” Nathan said aloud. “Lily, wait.”
He tried to kill us.
“All true,” Clarence choked out, somehow hearing her accusations. “I’ve done… terrible things. But you need my help.”
The roots tightened further. Clarence’s face began to turn purple.
Nathan, Lily’s voice wavered slightly. You said we shouldn’t kill defenseless people, right? But is he truly defenseless? Is he worth the risk?
Nathan moved closer, studying Clarence’s face. “If you’re lying…”
“I have proof,” Clarence gasped. “Inside pocket. Plans… coordinates…”
Nathan cautiously reached into Clarence’s jacket, finding a folded parchment. He opened it to reveal intricate diagrams.
What is it? Lily asked, the root at Clarence’s chest trembling slightly.
“It looks real,” Nathan said quietly. “Plans.”
The pressure on Clarence’s throat slightly eased. He gulped air desperately.
“Why come to us?” Nathan asked. “Why not just run?”
“Because I can’t stop him alone.” Clarence coughed. “And because… I need to make this right.”
Nathan found himself cracking a smile, though it was tinged with wariness.
You really believe we shouldn’t kill him?
“You’re right,” Nathan nodded. “We shouldn’t. Not like this.”
The vines slowly unwound from Clarence’s body, though several remained coiled nearby, ready to strike. The threatening root withdrew into the ground, but the earth continued to rumble.
Clarence slumped forward, gasping and rubbing his throat. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank us yet,” Nathan warned, still gripping his fishing rod. “So, what brings you to my little town? And this time, start from the beginning.”
Clarence wavered unsteadily on his feet, his gaze flickering between the ground and Nathan with unmistakable fear.
Nathan resisted the urge to chuckle. If only he knew the full extent of Lily’s power here. Vines coiled everywhere—the entire place had become her personal fiefdom, a fact few were aware of.
“So, you’re saying you’re here as a friend?” Nathan asked. “You’ll have to forgive me if I don’t take you at your word.”
Clarence’s hands shook. “You don’t understand—I didn’t know. I didn’t want to know. I really believed he was a hero, a good guy…”
“There’s no way you missed the signs. You followed him everywhere, from what I’ve seen.”
Clarence fell silent for a long moment.
“I wanted a hero so badly that I ignored every red flag. But—” His head snapped up, eyes locking onto Nathan. “I was one of his victims. Every time I started to realize the truth, he did that thing.”
The last words dripped with such venom that Nathan raised an eyebrow. “Thing?”
“The mind control. I can’t believe I didn’t see it—no, I should be surprised I saw anything at all. Every time I was close to figuring it out, he’d do the same thing. A hand on my shoulder. A whisper. That’s how it worked. Physical contact. It used to be subtle, but now it’s blatant. Everyone knows, he just—taps you. And then you’re a different person.”
Nathan’s frown deepened. That was far worse than he’d expected. Had the ability evolved because of B32? He needed to take Gabriel down before it grew any stronger. And when the time came, he’d have to isolate him—cut him off from potential puppets.
A thick bodysuit might not be a bad idea either.
“So why come here?” Nathan asked.
“He has to be stopped. Before he hurts anyone else. I want to help you take him down.”
“How?”
“I have a plan. Two stages. If it works, we can isolate him completely. But you’ll have to trust me.”
“That’s a tall order. Not long ago, we were trying to kill each other.”
“The situation’s changed.”
Nathan rubbed his chin.
“I can’t trust you,” he said. “But I’ll hear you out. And if your plan’s good enough…”
“That’s all I’m asking. Give me a chance, and we’ll end this bastard for good.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
“What exactly is your plan? Wait a second—why are we even trusting this guy?”
Nathan chewed his bottom lip. At the moment, Clarence was being stared down by Fuge, Bree, Kason, Chad, and Mara. None of them had appreciated Nathan’s claim that Clarence had come in peace. In fact, Nathan was fairly certain Mara had been about two seconds away from blowing his brains out right then and there.
But cooler heads had prevailed, and Nathan had managed to avoid Clarence’s neurons being scattered across the ground.
That didn’t do much to ease the tension, though.
Clarence shuffled from foot to foot.
“I know this will sound unbelievable, but I’m no longer a member of the Harrowed Hand.”
“You’re right. That does sound unbelievable.” Mara’s hand twitched toward her inventory, likely reaching for a gun. “I think we should save ourselves the trouble—”
“Mara. Can we not?”
She shot Nathan a dirty look but relented.
Clarence cleared his throat.
“As you know, only two towns remain. One has defected to your cause; the other three were taken out by you in battle.”
