Gods From the Machine (29 page)

“
It’s an obvious trap, but at this point we don’t have a choice,” Matt said.

“
No, Bergice isn’t like that. He’s…he’s different than most demons,” Nick said.

“
Damn, so they must have discovered the secret underneath the building,” Garreth sighed.

“
What secret?” Daniel scratched his head.

“
I had my tower constructed differently than other buildings in Hyperion. It has a research facility, a communications center, a training room, and a laboratory that is a small scaled replica of Fyria’s Garrison.”

“
Even if you shrank a Garrison fifty times, there would be no room to house it within the confines of that tower of yours,” Paul said.

“
It’s underneath the tower,” Garreth said.

“
I thought you hated the place. Why would you want any reminders of your past?” Matt said.

“
Being a whitesmith was a significant part of my life. Building a miniature version of it was the only way to come to terms with my departure,” Garreth said. “That was years ago. I have kept most of my old Garrison research there. Compiled through the years, it’s more than enough information to give the Crowned Princes a definitive edge.”

“
Why would he choose Hyperion in particular? According to your research, Doctor Numerous had been seen in several cities, but he always returned to this one. What would be his reasoning?” Nick said.

“
The Holy Shield is my guess,” Garreth said. “That would explain why he would want to black out this city. As the central hub to all other shields, taking out this one would cause all the others to disappear.”

“
Then it’s up to us to stop them as soon as we can,” Daniel said.

“
It is easier said than done. Now that they have Peter’s granddaughter, they know we’ll stop at nothing to save her. We’re completely at their mercy,” Paul said.

Daniel raised his hand.
“Did you all forget there’s an impenetrable layer of ice? Not even the fires of Agrian can melt through to the tower fast enough.”

“
That is why we can’t take him head on. We use our training and knowledge to find another option. There has to be a way around this, as knights we’re supposed to find solutions to every problem,” Nick said. Matt looked at him and nodded with a knowing smile.

“
What makes you think you’re coming with us Cunningham?” Paul said.

Matt
’s face dropped. “Why not? You’re not the boss of me, Paul!”

“
Peter gave me authority in his absence. Do as I say or you’ll give me no choice but to physically enforce it.”

“
Why don’t you just try? I want to save her as much as you guys do! Besides, I have to pay Bergice back for what he did to me!” Matt said.

“
I’m sorry Matt, but he’s right. You can’t come this time,” Nick said.

“
In your condition, you’ll only end up only being a liability,” Paul said. “And if you happen to get into trouble, I don’t want to have to go saving you too. I don’t want anything to detract me from our main priority.”

“
Unfortunately, I agree with them,” Garreth said.

Daniel nodded as well.

“So that’s the majority vote, huh? Fine then I’ll stay behind.” Matt folded his arms. “What are you all going to do about Bergice though? We were all powerless against him. Even when we did, no attack fazed him. He’s like a walking machine of destruction.”

“
Unfortunately, a demon of that caliber is much too advanced for me,” Paul said. “We resealed the shield so there should be minimal demon threats within the tower. We also outnumber him two to one. Assuming everyone here is competently trained, I see little room for error.”

“
So what, we rush the place, find and rescue her, and then move out as quickly as possible?” Nick asked.

“
Precisely,” Paul said. “I assume those instructions are easy enough to follow for you?”

Nick shot him a dirty look.
“How can we do that if we can’t even get in the building?”

“
I agree that’s no good.” Garreth fixed his glasses. He was looking out the window and to his tower. “There are security cameras all over the first floor. It’s much too risky.”

“
Prior to betraying us, Doctor Numerous was part of the Wisdom Unit, which meant he displayed a low combat ability. That compounded with the fact that he has aged quite a bit since he had any formal training means that he has gone over his peak,” Paul said. “If there is a confrontation, I’m sure it can easily be dealt with it.”

“
Remember, he’s also an Infernal now,” Matt said. “Time is on his side. He must have changed significantly over the years to rise so quickly.”

“
I doubt it. He’s just an alchemist,” Paul said.

“
None of that matters if there’s no chance for you guys to get to him through that ice,” Matt said.

“
Fortunately, I already have a solution to that problem,” Garreth said.

“
What—have you got shovels for us dig our way through?” Paul retorted.

“
No, there’s a passage at the bottom of my building. I created it as an escape route in case of emergencies. We should be able to get in through the sewers,” Garreth said.

“
If they knew about your secret laboratory, then the sewers will be trapped too,” Daniel said.

“
No one but me knows about that passage,” Garreth said.

“
That’s all well and good, but since Paul’s plan is out the window, what do we actually do when we get inside?” Nick asked.

“
Like I was saying, my company has a secret basement level, but I closed it down after I became too busy with managing the Holy Shield. Once we get access, we’ll be at the entrance of the labyrinth,” Garreth said.

“
Labyrinth?” Paul said.

“
I created it specifically as a defense mechanism against trespassers. Don’t worry, I have memorized the pathways to get to the laboratory and according to what Bergice said, that is where Doctor Numerous is currently holding Alyssa,” Garreth said.

“
Very good. Now all we need is to better equip ourselves,” Paul said. “Unfortunately we’re not in Glenhaven and don’t have access to personal belongings. However, I did prepare a small arsenal in the event a situation arose.”

He went to the other room and came
back lugging two giant cases. He opened the lids to reveal an assortment of tactical equipment and weapons.

Nick browsed through the col
lection for the upcoming mission and was finding it difficult to put any of it to use. Garreth sifted through the sizes to find an appropriate knight uniform.

Paul and Daniel had brought their own custom combat uniforms.
The Garrison battle suits they had on bore a very similar design to Nick’s own coat, but that was because he had based it on their template. Instead of being pure black like his, they were completely white, with silver trim and intricate gold shoulder pauldrons. They also wore standard leg straps and a belt with pouches and holsters to carry assorted weapons. Paul’s suit was slightly different than the one Daniel was wearing in that it had a golden feather crest on the right breast of the jacket, symbolizing his experience. Nick ultimately decided to change into fresh clothes and replace his worn out boots.

By the time he got to
the weapons rack Paul had brought, he felt completely lost. There were too many choices available, both extravagant and seemingly unnecessary. Battle axes, broadswords, whips, flails, knives, spears and just about any other melee weapon were represented. Most were too high of a risk to use effectively and quite bulky to take on a simple rescue mission.

“
I know it’s been a while for both of you, but choose equipment that bests suit this type of mission.” Daniel stuffed some knives and holy water into his pouches. “Usually less is better, but I try to prepare for every situation.”

“
I’ll stick with my katana. The walls of the labyrinth don’t permit the use of using such colossal weapons,” Garreth said.

Nick was
compelled to grab one of each, but decided against it. He came to the conclusion that he didn’t need a sword or gun or any weapon at all. Since he wasn’t particularly well versed in any of them, trying to fight with them now would be a terrible decision. He realized he should stick to what he had spent years cultivating, and that was close combat with his hands. He also wanted to be able to fight freely when he transformed, and any other excess armor like greaves would be out of the question due to the flames he produced.

“
I’ll just use what Agrian was born to fight with.” Nick made his hands into fists.

“
Wait, what do we do if we cross paths with Bergice?” Daniel asked.

They stood silently around in a circle. They hadn
’t discussed in detail the possibility of that occurrence just yet. Nick hoped they wouldn’t have to talk about the ice demon anymore. He did not want to admit it, but he was still rattled by the last encounter. Unlike Astaroth, whom he was able to decimate with some effort, Bergice was still a wildcard when it came to his true potential. However, he had already delivered him a humiliating defeat. Even with a fourth person, the chances of besting the ice demon in a fight were very low.

“
There’s nothing we can do to prepare for him. Combat varies with the times, but the strategy has always been the same. Breaking your opponent down is half physical and half mental. Our training is all we can rely on,” Garreth said.

“
I’ve heard stories about Bergice. His ability to read his enemies is incredible. He is a master at preying on the fears of his opponents through his presence alone,” Paul said.

“
All we can do is hope we don’t run into him,” Garreth said.

“
What if we can’t help it? What if Bergice gets hold of one of us and we can’t escape?” Daniel said shakily. He was looking quite concerned; his voice was cracking.

Nick couldn
’t blame him. The young knight had never been sent into true battle. The only time he had a taste of demons was when he fought Nick and lost miserably. The idea of meeting another Crowned Prince in battle must have been especially nerve wracking.

“
The chance we do meet Bergice means the possibility of death is imminent. However, this has always been the case for knights and demons. We will engage the demon and if death comes knocking at the door, then we will welcome him for we tried our best. This is why we were created and the reason we continue to fight. If any of you decide this is too much to handle, feel free to stay put. I could do without cowards on this mission,” Paul said.

Garreth nodded.
“I couldn’t have said it better myself. Despite no longer being affiliated with any Garrison, I am still a knight.”

Nick turned to Daniel.
“Don’t think so much, it’s the only way to keep your fears from getting the best of you.”

D
aniel nodded and swallowed hard. “I’ll be fine.”

“
Right now, Alyssa is our main priority. Once we save her, we rendezvous back to my place through the same route we took to get into the tower. As long as we work together, and quickly we should have more than sufficient time. However, if anything happens and it should take longer or we should happen to come across a hypothetical scenario, then I believe it should be every man for himself,” Garreth said.

They all nodded
.

“
Then if everyone is settled, let’s move out.” Garreth had slung a brown twin corded rope over his shoulder.

Nick and the others followed
and took the elevator of his loft to the ground level floor. Garreth folded back the Pailean rug to reveal a large manhole. He lifted the lid as Matt securely fastened the corded rope to a hook on one of the building support beams.

“
Good luck, may the Heralds watch over you all,” Matt said.

Garreth tossed the rope
into the darkness and one by one they slid a hundred feet to the sewer floor. Nick lit his hands to form a makeshift lantern, which revealed the one-way tunnel. Soon they were on their way to the underground secret entrance.

As they trekked
deeper, the water was significantly deeper than they’d expected, but Nick knew it was due to the melted snow that recently washed down the drain. The high level created resistance in their strides and slowed their movement, but thankfully they didn’t have to go far. After sloshing around the slimy green water for some time, Daniel stopped dead in his tracks.

“
What’s wrong?” Garreth asked.

“
Is it just me, or does the water level seem to be rising?” Daniel said.

He was right. T
he water was indeed very high now. Within seconds it had reached to his upper chest with no signs of dropping. To avoid extinguishing his flames he raised his arms over his head.