Damian's Oracle

Two released Damian from the bonds and lifted him over his shoulders. He made his way through the crowded halls, grunting under the weight of the man. He followed a familiar path through a narrowing hall and looked at his palm for the three codes written in green ink there. Three doorways, three codes. The walk was familiar, though he didn't recall ever taking it before.

He took Damian outside to the rock where he and kiri had watched the stars once long ago and set him down. He gripped his head, which pulsed at the flood of images and kiri's own sobs.

"Don't cry, kiri," Two said.

He knelt over Damian and pulled the ring from his finger. He placed the necklace in Damian's hand and closed it gently.

"From kiri," he told the unconscious man. "She loves you, and she's sorry."

He turned and made his way through the doors he suddenly remembered traversing many times the past few days. And now that he'd done what she asked and saved Damian, he would return to kiri to convince her to return to his head, before his master killed her.

Two's chest clenched at the thought, and he was afraid. He didn't want kiri to die. She was his. She was all he had. As he stumbled through the halls, he heard the alarms blare.

He had to hurry.

*****

Alarms sounded a few moments before the doors exploded off their hinges.

"What did you do?" Czerno roared in an inhuman voice.

Sofia darted off the table, staring at him as he entered, trailed by Two and the man with green eyes. The man with green eyes leaned over to Two, whispering to him. Two bowed his head, and the green-eyed man was gone in a sparkle of light.

"How did you free him? How did you alert them?" Czerno demanded, snatching her arm so hard she cried out.

"I've been right here!" she said, shoving at him and his black memories.

His backhand sent her world reeling. Fire lit up half her face, and she tasted blood in her mouth. She landed hard. He kicked her in the stomach, and she gasped. Czerno snatched her arm, his other hand raised for another blow.

"Master, they've penetrated the perimeter!" a voice shouted from down the hallway. The Black God looked from her towards the direction of the voice. He pushed her down and stepped over her, striding quickly to the door.

"Two, bring her," the infuriated Black God ordered. Two obeyed, lifting her off the floor and carrying her. She gazed up at him as he followed Czerno, looking again for some sign of life in his still gold eyes.