“Okay, just as we practiced in the other realm. We’ll wait for Eva to determine their weaknesses, and then we’ll use whichever element is most lethal. Do not waste energy here. It’ll run out much faster than in the Mother of All’s realm. We have to be smart about our attacks.”
I felt their agreement through our shared bond, so without any more delays we moved. I started fast, dodging through the crowds, and stepping deeper into the war zone. Eva was right by my side.
“You doing okay with all this?” I said, my voice low. “I know you’ve kind of gotten thrown in the deep end and there hasn’t been much time for you to catch up.”
She reached back and grasped the hilt of her sword, but didn’t pull it out just yet. For obvious reasons. It was totally not easy to run with a long-bladed weapon, especially in a crowd this thick.
“I’ve been in the deep end since my family were killed. I know nothing other than pain and battle now. I’m … actually doing okay. I don’t feel quite so empty when we’re joined together, and battle stops me from thinking about everything I’ve lost. The adrenalin dulls the pain for a few moments. I don’t think, I don’t feel, I just react.”
It was the longest speech I’d heard from her since she’d told me what had happened to her family. Her pain was like a beacon; it broadcast from her very pores. I would hazard a guess that the agony was no less debilitating today than it had been the day she lost everything.
They say time heals all wounds, but something told me that was bullshit. Time might eventually dull the edges, but nothing heals wounds this deep. And as Walkers, we couldn’t even hope that old age and death would soften the memories before returning us to our loved ones.
Of course, the Seventine might change all of that. They could definitely kill us, and then Eva would see her family sooner rather than later. It was what a part of her wanted, but I was selfish enough to hope it would never happen. I hoped she stayed with us as part of my half-Walker family. That one day we’d be enough to ease some of the pain.
Thousands of eyes locked onto us as we ran, taking in the unusual sight of seven half-Walkers with permanent marks and a menagerie of sacred animals. Relief and respect simultaneously crossed most faces, especially those that belonged to the Walker clans. The crowds scattered, getting out of our way and giving us a clear run to the field. Most of the faces were drawn, tired and dirty. I wasn’t sure I’d seen Walkers look this beat up before. Usually they were all shiny and new-like.
I knew from Delane that in these preternatural battles, there was no downtime. They took shifts so that they could still get some rest and keep a solid line of defense. The princeps and leaders of the other races never stopped. When they weren’t coordinating everything they were fighting themselves. The leaders did not hide behind their people. They were out in front.
“Princeps,” a male called from my left.
I quickly turned to acknowledge him, but he was already lost in the crowd. Others bowed their heads respectfully to our group. A sense of relief was filtering through them; they thought the cavalry had arrived.
“No pressure, hey?” Eva almost smiled. “I’ve never had anyone look at me like I’m Christmas and pudding all rolled into one.”
Christmas. That was a dream from my life on Earth. I used to read the books. I saw the fat, jolly man in the red suit. But Olden had not celebrated any holidays. Lucy and I had promised ourselves that one day, when we got out of the Compound, we would have Christmas. Oh, well, had to survive this battle first.
I grinned at Eva. “Yes, no one believed half-Walkers existed. We’re sacred and mythical creatures to most of the Walkers. You’ll get used to the staring eventually.”
“I don’t get stared at much anymore,” Fury said, all casual-like.
I chuckled. “Strange, because you’re generally so likeable. Maybe they didn’t appreciate the way you flicked them in the eye when they got too close.”
“I totally am likeable,” she agreed, choosing to ignore everything else I’d said.
I chuckled again. Most Walkers had learned pretty quickly how sharp Fury’s tongue could be. I knew she was a big softy on the inside, but you had to dig through layers of attitude to find that out.
As we closed in on the active section of the battlefield, focus descended over our more battle-ready halves. Delane held her weapons now, wings slightly elevated as she used them to glide through the crowd. Lina was close to her side. The unicorn possessed a similar strategic mind and would be assessing the battle too. The sacred animals were so tuned in to us. They knew what we needed, and could maneuver themselves accordingly.