Chapter 77
Seventy-Seven
The interior of the room was dimly lit. Lights flickered on and off at a rapid pace. Heavy chains hung from the ceiling, swinging, and Autumn could’ve sworn a leg accompanied them as well as a severed head. Metal cargo boxes were stacked on all sides of the room, covered with Xs.
A monster towered at least fourteen feet tall, coated in sharp black iridescent scales, with his back turned to them. His floor-length tail thumped against the ground in rhythmic movements. Three toes scraped on either foot, nails clicking against the metallic tiles like a velociraptor.
Beneath him, Dante was on his knees being beaten senseless. His nose was bloody and deep purple bruises littered the flawless blue skin of his face. Drones buzzed overhead capturing the horrific scene.
She shuddered from head to toe —the Grand Supreme.
Autumn went back into the hallway hyperventilating with her hand over her mouth. She had to help him, but how? She’d never seen Dante suffer such defeat. Her dad’s eyes grew wide with terror beneath his silver frames. The saber rocked in his hand.
“Autumn, I can’t let you go in there. There’s no way. There’s nothing we can do?—”
“Dad, I have to help him. I can’t leave him like this. You have to stay here where it’s safe,” she reached for her pocket, unzipping the opening. The silver marble portal to the 25th Universe slid between her fingertips. She handed it to her dad, and he stared at her strangely. “If I don’t come back, I need you to open this. It’s the only way you’ll be safe from him.”
“Autumn,” he went to grab her, but she brushed his hand away from her arm, ignoring his plea. He remained in the hallway like she requested, peeking through the doorway.
She took hold of her saber with both hands, tiptoeing against the floor. The drones buzzed all around her. Everyone could see what she was up to, whether she wanted them to or not. A lone drop of sweat rolled down her back. She had to stop him no matter the cost. Everyone in the universes and everyone back home was counting on her to succeed.
She got as close as two feet from his back, saber raised high above her head, ready to strike him square between the ribs. She inhaled. What a mistake she made.
In an instant, Emperor Izzo whirled around, and she went airborne, dropping the saber on the floor with a loud pang and crashing into a pile of steel crates. The boxes crumbled and exploded all over the floor in a heap.
The wind knocked from her lungs and dozens of stars crossed before her eyes. The Grand Supreme let Dante fall to the floor and he approached her. Her heart raced. Dante lay on his side, still conscious but barely.
“For an Imperial Guard, you sure have some nerve interrupting me.”
Dante groaned in the background and Emperor Izzo turned around. “Don’t go anywhere—I’ll be with you in a moment.” His yellow jagged teeth curled into a smile, dark-purple eyes lifting high on his face.
Autumn crawled backwards as he approached her.
Dante lay on the floor, his vision fading at the corners. He blinked several times to keep himself from nodding off. Both of his legs were broken along with many of his ribs. Sharp pain shot through his torso. His temples throbbed with a migraine. He took his glove, wiping the fabric over his nose and lips to stop the bleeding. His mouth tasted of salty blood. Drones buzzed overhead adding to his humiliation. His beating was being broadcasted. Everyone would witness his end, including his own family. And worst of all, Autumn. She didn’t need this on top of everything else.
He reached into his pocket to search for the metal vials gifted to him by Luz only to discover they had rolled out during the fight. A wave of panic washed through him until a glimmer of blue caught his eye against the wall. If only he could get closer to consume them, but he didn’t want to risk drawing attention from the Grand Supreme. He’d surely destroy them.
He squinted, drawing his eyes back to the commotion. Who was this foolish Imperial Guard wielding and outdated saber, and what the hell was he thinking? Although he was grateful the pain had temporarily ceased, he would soon be among the dead. He was short and scrawny, much smaller than the others, reminiscent of the child who had sacrificed his life on Varz. He had no skill set whatsoever.
What a numbskull , he should’ve fled when he had the chance. There was nothing he could do to help him. He shook his head with what little strength he had left.
Then, his eyes connected with Autumn’s father who peered around the corner before disappearing again. He too held an archaic saber. Oh no, please no, he begged the gods, although he doubted they’d listen to him. He didn’t deserve their help, not after everything he’d done. It couldn’t be, but nothing else made sense.
Autumn .