Chapter 116 The Return
The drive back to the Spire was silent.
The battle ended in our favor even though we did not achieve complete victory. Our exploration reached the Earth's core where we encountered the god's mind and destroyed the hive intelligence that threatened to consume our planet. The entire world should have celebrated our success.
The atmosphere inside the Beast carried a sense of sadness.
I observed the vehicle's interior from my position at the back while the grey landscape outside the window moved past me. The Rot had not disappeared. It had just... stopped. The trees remained in their black glass state. The mud continued to exist as harmful sludge. The monsters roamed the abandoned territories, no longer forming an army but hunting like solitary wolves.
"The head has been severed, but the body continues to thrash," Ryker said while cleaning his Star-Metal sword from the black ichor stain using a cloth.
"The situation has become worse than thrashing," Dr. Sato explained. She studied atmospheric patterns through her datapad while hunched over her work. "The Rot organisms enter a hyper-metabolic state because the Queen's broadcast signal has stopped functioning as their regulatory mechanism. The organisms consume all resources including their fellow organisms. The ecosystem doesn't recover, it Ryker. The ecosystem consumes itself.
The driver's seat of the vehicle held Vane who struggled against the heavy steering wheel. "So we now have a zombie apocalypse instead of an organized invasion which I preferred because the Queen had predictable schedules.
We reached the highest point of the last hill.
The Spire emerged into our line of sight.
The structure maintained its existence. The huge glass needle towered above the Terrarium's center although its surface showed signs of damage. My beacon light had vanished, which left the city in the dim light that exists during an overcast period.
The gates had something wrong with them.
"Vane," Ryker leaned forward. "Why are the blast doors closed? The enemy siege has ended and the spiders left hours earlier.
Vane thought people were being extra cautious although he sounded uncertain about it. He turned on the Beast's headlights which emitted three long beams followed by three short beams. The recognition signal.
The sealed doors remained in their closed position. The enormous steel doors stayed shut.
I tapped my earpiece and said "Jaxon isn't picking up the comms. I can hear a carrier wave but there is no voice transmission. I hear... shouting.
"Baron," Ryker ordered. "Get on the turret. Be ready.
The Beast's engine produced a loud chugging sound as we approached the main entrance. The Beast vehicle stood still while its engine created a loud rumbling sound.
The main entrance door opened slightly to reveal a worker who entered through the small service hatch. A face appeared—a young Grey Knight soldier. He looked terrified.
"Identify!" the soldier squeaked.
"Open the damn door soldier," Ryker barked into the external speaker. "It’s the King."
The soldier hesitated. The soldier checked behind him as if he needed to verify something with another person.
"I have orders to maintain lockdown so I can't let anyone who might be infected enter,” the officer said.
Ryker kicked the door of the Beast open. He stepped out onto the cracked pavement which made him look exactly like a Warlord from his role. His armor was destroyed, his skin was covered in both soot and blood, and his eyes glowed with a burning gold.
"Ryker growled I am not 'personnel' to you. I saved your life. Open the gate, or I will peel it open like a tin can.
Inside the building, people were talking urgently while hydraulic machines created a loud grinding noise.
The blast doors opened slightly to create enough space for the Beast to pass through.
Our vehicle drove into the main public square area.
I expected relief to arrive. I expected a medical team. I expected Jaxon.
Our vehicle drove directly into a standoff situation.
The plaza had two separate areas.
The Human faction—the Unions, the militia, and the frightened civilians occupied the left side. The Unions and militia members along with frightened civilians who made up the Human faction formed the left side. The protesters carried operational pipes while they possessed only a limited number of rifles.
The right side of the area contained the Wolf Clans. They were not standing in formation. They were prowling. They showed signs of unrest and aggression.
The New Citizens who had been affected by the Rot sat near the fountain. Their hair contained vines while their skin appeared green. They were surrounded.
"What is this?" I whispered as I stepped outside of the vehicle.
The plaza existed in complete silence which created an experience of choking danger.
Ryker walked to the center of the chaotic arena. He did not draw his sword, but his hand rested on the hilt.
"Jaxon!" Ryker roared. "Report!"
Commander Jaxon emerged from the Human crowd. He looked like he hadn't slept in a week. A bandage covered his head because he had suffered a severe head wound.
"Sir," Jaxon said. "Welcome back."
"Why are there guns pointed at civilians? The New Citizens Ryker demanded to know their purpose.
"They aren't civilians anymore," a voice shouted from the crowd.
A large man stepped forward. He was Gareth who led the Ironworkers Union. Ryker had pardoned him during the initial riots.
"People who carry disease," Gareth shouted while pointing his heavy wrench at a woman whose body had moss. "The scientist said the air was clean, but look at them! The Rot is in them! They need to know why the Queen has disappeared but her green body remains.
"Because it’s part of them now, you idiot, Vane snapped while jumping down from the driver's seat. "Genetic mutation doesn't just wash off.
The back of the room saw a woman scream We don't want them here! Exile them! Before they turn into monsters!
"Silence! Ryker commanded.
He turned to the Wolf side.
"Why do you pack threaten the Unions? Ryker asked pack members who stood before him. We still possess a treaty with you.
Baron stepped out of the Beast while he showed signs of an injured body.
"Pack! Baron barked. "Stand down!
The wolves remained in their positions.
According to tradition, pack members had to obey Alpha commands. But today, they showed hesitation. They looked at Baron—battered, bleeding, smelling of human medicine.
A massive wolf with black fur and a scar extending down his snout moved forward. He stood tall while maintaining his gaze with Baron.
Karn served as the second-in-command of the River Clan.
"You smell weak, Baron," Karn rumble-growled at him while showing his contempt. "You smell like prey.
Baron stiffened. "I smell like victory, Karn. We killed the Queen."
"You left the city," Karn countered, taking a step closer. "You took the elite guard and you ran. You left us in the dark to die. You abandoned the Pack to save the Humans."
Karn gestured to the breach in the North Wall, visible in the distance.
Karn stated that "The wall is broken" because "The city is open. The Rot is wild. We need strong leaders. Not pets who fetch balls for the Human King."
The insult hung in the air like smoke.
Ryker stepped between the two of them.
Ryker said that "Baron is my brother" before his voice fell to a dangerous whisper. "He fought a god while you hid behind a wall."
Karn sneered at Ryker while he said "And look at you." The Hollow King. Your army has disappeared Ryker. Your Grey Knights are dead or scattered. Your walls are broken. You are just a man with a fancy sword.
Karn turned to face the Wolf Clans.
Karn shouted that "The truce is over!" The Humans want to exile the Mutants? Fine. Let them fight over the scraps. The Wolves will take the North District! We will rebuild the wall ourselves, and we will rule our own territory!
I stepped closer while I showed the faintly glowing cracked Origin Stone. "We are one ecosystem. Our relationship is essential to our existence.
Karn looked at me. He looked at the ring.
Karn laughed that "Your light is dim, little Queen" because "The sun is setting.
He turned his back on us.
Karn called out to the Wolves to come to his location.
About half the pack—maybe two hundred wolves—moved to join him. The pack turned to face away from Baron and Ryker while they displayed their teeth toward the Humans.
Baron growled about mutiny while he reached for his shotgun.
Ryker spoke quietly when he said that he wanted to release the captives.
Baron looked shocked when he asked What? Ryker, if they take the North District, they control the armory.
If we fight them now Ryker said while he looked over the plaza. This area serves as a refugee camp for civil war activities. The humans are terrified. The shooting will lead to the slaughter of New Citizens who are caught in the crossfire.
Ryker raised his voice.
Karn, leave the North, he ordered. But know this—if you harm a single civilian, Wolf or Human, I will come for you. And I won't bring a treaty.
Karn spat on the ground.
The current state of the streets belongs to those who possess strength according to Karn. The King must remain within his tower.
The splinter faction marched out of the plaza, heading toward the ruined North District.
The plaza felt emptier, yet it created a more dangerous atmosphere.
Ryker turned to Gareth and the Human Union.
Ryker accused you of wanting to exile the New Citizens according to his cold stare.
Gareth insisted that they were dangerous, yet he shrank back under Ryker's gaze.
Ryker said that the citizens of the city established their existence in this area because they built their city. The citizens who created this city and produced your food will remain in this place today.
He pointed to the Spire.
The Spire District is under martial law according to Ryker. The law states that anyone who raises a weapon against their neighbor will be thrown out the gate. Into the Deadlands. Do I make myself clear?
The crowd spoke in quiet voices while they showed signs of both anger and fear. Their weapons dropped but they still felt afraid of the Alpha.
Jaxon, Ryker ordered, needs to establish perimeter control. The East Wing will serve as a safe zone for the New Citizens. It will operate as a protective area. Dr. Sato needs to establish a lab that will enable infection rate monitoring.
Jaxon responded with Yes, sir but he appeared relieved to receive fresh orders.
Ryker faced me with complete exhaustion. The mission had destroyed his body because he lost all energy from the adrenaline high.
Ryker said "Welcome home" in a dry voice.
I told him that we had exchanged one war for three while I observed the Wolves who were leaving and the Humans who were showing their anger.
Ryker observed Karn's banner fade into the ruins. The Queen united us with fear. Now that she’s gone we have to find something else to hold this mess together.
He looked at the cracked stone of the fountain.
Vane, Ryker called out, needs to bring the Beast into the garage. We need more of them for our upcoming fleet.
Vane said On it while he rubbed his face because he felt exhausted. No rest for the wicked.
The blast doors closed behind us after we entered the Spire. But the danger wasn't outside anymore. It was everywhere.
The Warlord Era had begun.