The Ballad Continues…
CHAPTER 7
Seven gates surrounded them. Seven arches of molten night. Constellations glittered in pools of liquid onyx. Same as Smoke’s eyes.
All gates surrounded the Heart of the Stars. On a diamond pedestal perched a fist-sized metallic gem. Same as Cage’s eyes.
This was their destiny. The thought curdled in his stomach. He wanted to retch. Smoke wanted to break. But the sky split, and the earth rumbled, and there were people here—innocent, blameless people—who would die if they did not succeed.
Fei glanced at them both, hands clasped within her robes. “There are seven gates. Behind each lies another world, a different arena. Each Chrome corresponds with one of the Fallen Seven, a monster in each biome. I cannot tell you which, for I do not know.”
“Of course you don’t,” Smoke murmured, dagger in hand. She wore a hooded robe of black silk, belted with a silver braid, same as Cage.
“Of course,” Fei said, gentle, kind as she sent them to their bloody demise. “You are Wardens now, Keepers of the Gates. May luck follow you. May fate have mercy. The worlds are in your hands.”
Cage swallowed. It was too fast. Too much. He was not quick enough to fight. Not strong enough to win. But time had run out, sand through a sieve, and Smoke urged him forward, soft, tender as she was with no one but him.
“You will not die,” Smoke whispered. “I will not allow it.”
Cage smiled despite his fear. Smoke acted as if she could command death, and for a moment, a heartbeat, Cage pretended she could.
“Together,” she said.
“Together,” he echoed.
She stepped forward, and he followed. The first gate enveloped them. It felt like nothing. A bodiless emptiness. A cataclysmic horror.
Then they were gone.
Oiiii Halo, what an adventure.
Ohh, 7 gates, 7 worlds, 7 battles?