Page 7 of Souls of Steel
I knew better than to think I would’ve won this with my meager skills, but the magic itself seemed to understand there were no enemies here to fight. It was only a massive mistake, and like my mother so often said, we were all children of Gaia.
Unfortunately, this realization had come a little too late, and not just for the people that had been swallowed by the ground. I’d just hijacked a very powerful chimera, one I didn’t actually know how to control. The real ramifications of my decision didn’t strike me until another chimera appeared. It looked like a massive, three-headed dog, and fire danced around its paws and snouts.
The screens of the Sphinx lit up with an incoming transmission. I flailed, trying to figure out how to accept the message. The other pilot must’ve lost his patience, because the attempt for a discreet approach stopped.
An authoritative male voice echoed over the chaotic remnants of the gathering, sending shivers down my spine. “Pilot of the Sphinx, release the chimera and exit it at once.”
At the back of my mind, the Sphinx hissed in displeasure.“Arrogant human. Who is he to order me around? I have chosen you as my tamer. He cannot change my mind.”
“Right, but he doesn’t know that, does he?” I reasoned with her. “Maybe if we just explain…”
The Sphinx snorted.“I highly doubt that’s going to work. But by all means, young Selene, do make the attempt. I will be watching and if anyone attempts anything suspicious, I will consume them.”
It looked like my new friend had a thing about consuming her enemies. If the stories about her past self were even remotely correct, that made sense. But I didn’t find it scary. It was reassuring to have someone willing to support me in a situation I was so unfamiliar with.
I pushed back my nerves and focused on acquiring more information. “What chimera is that?” I asked the Sphinx. The distinctive look of the new mecha was a clear hint to its identity, but I couldn’t be sure I was right. “The Cerberus?”
“Yes. I’m afraid I’m unfamiliar with his tamer, but his arrival is not good news. That creature would only allow himself to be tamed by someone as volatile as he is.”
I tried to remember if I’d read anything about the Cerberus and his pilot, but I couldn’t for the life of me come up with a single bit of information. I knew the legend of the great beast, but nothing else. Then again, the Chimera royals kept their secrets close to their chest, so this particular chimera and his pilot might have never been displayed in public before.
It didn’t matter. He was only a person, one of Gaia’s children. A man, yes, but that didn’t give him a real edge over me.
That thought anchored me and I managed to take proper control of the Sphinx’s coms. “Pilot of the Cerberus, please disengage your weaponry. I am collaborating with the Sphinx to capture the terrorists and make sure the people are safe. I ask for your assistance in this matter.”
For a few seconds, the Cerberus’s tamer didn’t reply. He must’ve decided he believed me, though, because he replied, “Request approved. Status report needed.”
Then again, maybe he was just pumping me for information and waiting to see what I’d do. I didn’t care. I needed to help the injured, neutralize the terrorists, and find Louise.
“As I’m sure you already know, this presentation was attacked by a group of extremists. At this time, I’ve secured them and suppressed their magic, but there are still a lot of casualties.”
“Reinforcements from The Grand Judiciary and The High Temple of Gaia are headed here as we speak,” the pilot replied. “We will do what we can while we wait.”
The other tamer and I started digging through the rubble, finding trapped people and helping them out. The Sphinx was far better at it than the Cerberus and she gloated whenever she tracked down a person faster than the other chimera.“Ha! Take that, you arrogant wolf.”
Her behavior distracted me from my increasing anxiety. I was even more grateful to the Sphinx when I found Louise among the people trapped.
She was a little bruised and terrified, but for the most part, she hadn’t been too hurt. I still wanted to sob in relief when I saw her.
I’d been the one to drag her down here. If she’d gotten hurt because of me, I would’ve never forgiven myself.
“Louise! Thank Gaia you’re all right!”
Louise gaped at the Sphinx and through the displays of my chimera, I could see her pulse had just accelerated. “Selene? Are you…? How…?”
She sounded frightened, but since we were still surrounded by men, she didn’t ask anything after that. A pang of distress coursed through me at the confirmation of what my selfishness had done to my friend.
I wasn’t sure what to do about Louise, but in the end, I was able to deposit her at the edge of the plaza. Since she wasn’t badly hurt, she’d be able to make her way home and not get in trouble because she’d sneaked out with me. The pilot of the Cerberus didn’t make a note of my brief detour, but I had no doubt he’d noticed. So be it. If it became an issue, I’d just have to explain it had all been my fault. If I hadn’t insisted on coming to see the chimera, Louise would’ve never had to go through such a traumatizing experience. Getting her out of here now was the least I could do.
“Not everything is about your friend,”the Sphinx pointed out, having obviously caught onto my train of thought.“If you hadn’t been present, I would’ve been stolen and those terrorists would’ve done far more damage.”
That hadn’t occurred to me until now. Yes, my actions had endangered Louise, but I’d saved another friend and so many innocent people. That was important too.
“That’s exactly right,”the Sphinx purred.“Don’t be so hard on yourself, young Selene. There will be plenty of people more than willing to do that in your stead.”
She was right in that regard, and I was forced to face this when the reinforcements the pilot of the Cerberus had promised finally arrived. As the other ships and chimeras descended from the sky, the stranger opened the communication lines again. “We’ve secured this space,” he said. “Leave the chimera and identify yourself.”
Disgruntled, I opened the cockpit of the Sphinx, but didn’t get out. “Selene Renard. It’s a pleasure.”
