Book 7, Chapter 80 - On The Eve of War (2/2)

Revenant’s voice cut into her thoughts. “Are you going to see him?”

After a moment’s pause Luciasha shook her head. “No. He doesn’t need any distractions. Besides, we’re from different worlds now. It’s enough for me to know he’s ok.”

Sometimes meeting old friends brought nothing but trouble. Looking up was hard, just as hard as looking down, and Cloudhawk was at the top of a mountain she would never climb. If there was no reason to trouble him then why should she? Luciasha also knew Cloudhawk, and he would be happy just knowing she was somewhere safe.

“Let’s get ready to cross the gate.”

The line toward the gate moved quickly. In less than forty minutes the portal loomed before her. It swirled like a vortex, four meters across. Three people could pass through abreast. What waited for them on the other side? Judging by the looks on the faces around her, Luciasha was not alone in wondering.

But the choice had been made. A terrible war was on the horizon and there was nowhere left to hide. This was the last, best option. Escape to a place where the war couldn’t touch them.

Luciasha turned her head and looked out over the city they’d crossed through. She didn’t know if she would ever have an opportunity to see it again. It was possible her next steps would bring her away from this world forever. She thought about the last twenty years of her life, of everything that had happened. And before her… a question mark.

What would her new life be like? What would the future hold? Luciasha took one final look at the child in her arms and stepped forward. She vanished. Revenant was one step behind.

The mass evacuation was only beginning. Denizens of all the Elysians lands and non-combatants from all across the wastes were streaming into the city. Although the process was quick, the sheer scale of people they were trying to move was mind-boggling. Families of soldiers fighting in the war had priority, and others would follow afterward.

Cloudhawk sat within his fortress with the towering form of Legion by his side. Together they watched the ceaseless stream of humans passing through the gate. Every passing minute was more people, escaping destruction.

“Everything appears to be going well,” Legion noted.

Cloudhawk wasn’t happy with the rate of progress. “It’s too slow. We should open up several more portals to make sure everyone gets through. We don’t need these women and children here when the fighting starts. Only soldiers.”

Legion did not express an opinion. For a moment he tilted his head, distracted, and said, “The Cloud God calls me. He’s learned something.”

Cloudhawk and Legion both went to seek out the former Supreme. “What is it?”

The Cloud God’s ‘voice’ boomed in his mind. “Sumeru’s vanguard will arrive soon.”

Cloudhawk’s face darkened. “This fast? What’s going on?”

The Cloud God answered by linking his consciousness to Cloudhawk’s. Images flooded his mind and he saw it clear. A colossal force stretching out across space, rapidly approaching. His enemy seemed to have felt a change in the earth. They knew Cloudhawk was preparing to fight back. To answer this several dozen divine ships were dispatched from the main force. They were enveloped in staggering power and streaked toward earth at tremendous speed.

Judging by what he saw, they would arrive soon. Cloudhawk turned to Legion. “Prepare for war.”

The battle between man, god and demon was about to begin.