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Wake up, New Vilirth! Chapter 10 Let the daylight in
The beast turned its attention away from me and for a moment,
the fear that had that iron grip on me subsided.
Until the beast barreled towards Sasha.
It slammed into the wall. Sasha!
For a moment, dust obstructed my vision, but then I spotted Sasha
and Tuula hurdling into the mineshaft behind them.
Relief washed over me, but not for long.
The krenir's attention was still on Sasha.
Willow, shoot it! I'll get the krenir in position.
Willow nodded, but I noticed something about her I hadn't
before. She was pale and sweating.
Her fingers were clamped around her sniper rifle, turning white.
Something's wrong! My words disappeared beneath the
roaring of the krenir, and Räsänen's shouts.
This way! She released a round of bullets.
The krenir turned towards us, and Willow raised her rifle,
pointing it towards Tuula's device on the ground.
But her hand shook. Räsänen!
She didn't respond. She was too busy getting the
krenir to run towards us. Get ready, Willow!
Räsänen shouted as the beast was above the device.
The shot didn't come. Willow's eyes were fixed on the
krenir, and it came towards us. Her finger slacked, and the gun
clattered from her hands. What are you doing?
Willow, shoot it! With trembling hands, I loaded
my own gun. Räsänen nodded at me and ran
around the krenir. She shot at it.
This way, you stupid beast! Willow still stood there,
shaking and unmoving. But the krenir was where it
needed to be. Do it!
I heard Sasha half-hidden in the cavern.
I shot and missed. I stumbled to load another shot.
This time, I hit the device. It blasted apart underneath the
krenir. The beast writhed intensely from
the impact. My body trembled as violent as
the cavern around us. Did it work?
The krenir got up and shook off the dust.
It turned towards us where we stood.
Do you have any idea what you're doing?
It's not dying! That was supposed to do it!
Now what? I didn't pretend to have things
under control anymore. This was it.
We were going to die. I locked eyes with Sasha who
peeked out of the tunnel, huddled together with Tuula.
You have to go, Sasha! She shook her head.
Rhea, the bullets! Räsänen glanced up at the eggs
and then at Willow. Come on!
Die! I screamed at the krenir and
shot again, but the beast barely reacted.
Räsänen grabbed my arm. Get them out!
What? Now!
Get them out! I'll finish this!
The krenir prepared itself to leap at us now, like a bull that
had spotted red. I hesitated for a moment.
I wasn't sure why. Räsänen's actions and calling
the krenir before Sasha and I could get out seemed like a ploy
to get me killed, or at the very least teach me a lesson.
But Räsänen's eyes were on the krenir, who wasn't going to stop
and had its beady eyes fixed on us.
Now, von Leirkov! I started moving.
Go around the left side. I'll distract it.
I nodded and ran off. But as I started to run, I heard
it. The crack began where the beast
had smashed against the wall, right above where Sasha and
Tuula were hiding. I watched Räsänen reload her
gun, eyes fixed on nothing but the krenir.
She shot one of the eggs. The beast roared again, but it
sounded different, almost anguished.
While it was distracted, Räsänen slid under the beast and shot at
its belly. It thrashed, and as it did, its
tail smashed against the wall. The crack snaked upwards.
Too late. The impact rumbled through the
cavern, and then the walls broke.
But the cave was already crumbling.
Get away, Konstantin! Get back!
Through the falling rubble, I watched Tuula pulling her
further into the tunnel. Before I could get to them,
Räsänen slammed me against the ground.
I covered my head with my arm. The cave roared, or maybe it was
the krenir. Any second now, a rock or the
beast wouldn't finish me, crush me to pieces.
I was protecting myself, but I should have been the one to push
Sasha out of harm's way. Had she been crushed like the
miners had? Was that the irony I deserved?
A part of me hoped the rocks would come and end me.
Minutes passed, and nothing happened.
The cave echoed on for a long time, and then the sound faded
out, retreating into the dark halls.
Only once it was silent, and remained silent, I dared to
unfold. I heard Räsänen and get up, but
I didn't see anything. The flashlight had gone out.
Most likely it had been smashed or knocked over.
I fumbled for my own flashlight and shone it around the cave, or
what was left of it. The eggs, too, were nowhere to
be seen, and there was no longer a hole that led into the tunnel.
Sasha! I pushed myself to my feet and
tried to rush forward, but Räsänen had grabbed my arm and
pulled me back. I noticed the pile of rocks I
had been about to step on. Obsidian.
A claw stuck out from under the rocks.
I tumbled back. Is it...?
I doubt it. I noticed she was trembling.
Willow... Lu...
No response came. I noticed Räsänen was bleeding.
Blood dripped over her nose and down her chin.
She hurried off in the direction where Willow had stood.
Von Leirkov! It was the first time I heard
genuine fear in her voice. I followed her on autopilot,
avoiding the krenir with a large arc.
In my shock, I couldn't think, couldn't make decisions, so I
moved on Räsänen's orders. Räsänen knelt next to Willow,
who lay under a pile of rocks. Bile rose in my throat.
A piece of stone had smashed Willow's shoulder to bits.
Räsänen pushed the stone away to free her.
Help me get her away from here. For a moment I could only stare.
Konstantin! Now!
I jumped into action and helped her move Willow further into the
opposite hallway, away from the cave.
Stay here! She ran back to where we had
found Willow. She knelt and started digging
through the rocks. In the middle of the cave, the
krenir stirred slightly. What are you doing?
We have to get out of here! The rifle!
I need it! It has more bullets.
I have bullets! These are different.
They have Neekh poison. She continued digging.
I didn't dare look down at Willow.
I felt light in my head. Instead, I stared at the place
where I had last seen my cousin. The beast's roar snapped the
last of my restraint. Run.
I had to run. I glanced at the tunnel we had
come through. Would it go after Räsänen or
would it follow me? The krenir rose from the stack
of stones. It shook itself off as if the
rocks were nothing more than a pile of leaves.
But no. No, it was slower.
It almost seemed confused, disorientated.
The krenir followed the line of light coming from my flashlight
and roared. I stumbled back and fell over
Willow's body. The beast roared again.
It was crawling towards me, a limp in its step.
Please, don't kill me! I scrambled up, cutting my hands
open on the stone in my frenzy. My legs were like jelly, but I
was running. Räsänen lay on the ground and
had hit the beast directly in its belly.
The beast stumbled, but still it headed for her.
Shot after shot came from Räsänen's barrel, nestling into
the beast's open wound. She pulled the trigger again,
but no bullet came out. I expected her to run, but
instead she threw the sniper aside and took out two large
knives. She ran directly at the beast,
and the beast wasn't running anymore.
It was writhing, but it still had its teeth and its claws, and
it was going to rip her apart. Räsänen stabbed both her knives
upwards into the beast's belly, and gore splatted onto her.
I could only stare as it crumpled to the floor, nearly
missing Räsänen. Instead of stepping back,
Räsänen plunged her knife into its belly again, and it
disappeared to the hilt. She had to avoid the thrashing
legs of the animal as she continued stabbing it again and
again, until she was covered in black blood from head to toe.
I childishly expected something to happen once the krenir was
dead. Perhaps the krenir would
dissolve into dust particles, a beam of light.
Nothing of the sort happened. The thing just... stopped
moving. Now it's dead.
She was dripping with blood and gore.
Bile rose up in my throat, and I turned to the side to throw up.
She turned to where I stood. Coward.
I heaved again. My legs shook under me.
In a valiant effort, I brushed the dust from my suit pants.
My eyes wandered to where Sasha had been standing.
We have to... we have to call a rescue team.
I thought this was a secret operation.
She knelt next to Willow and set her flashlight on the floor.
It bounced off the shimmering walls above them.
I can't leave her under there! —She'll die!
—She's dead, von Leirkov! I wasn't sure who she was trying
to convince. We need to get Willow help.
I pushed past Räsänen and walked towards where Sasha had been.
My determination ebbed as soon as it came.
A slope of rocks had formed against the wall, cutting the
chamber in half. As I looked up at the pile of
rocks, any hope I had began to wane.
Could they have run fast enough to get out?
I whirled towards Räsänen. What were you thinking?
We were supposed to get out first!
Räsänen lunged forward, her knife stopped just short of
piercing my chest. What was I thinking?
You let us here with half the information, putting my whole
team at risk! You never told us your plans
either! Räsänen leaned closer.
The tip of her knife slid through my shirt.
Blood welled up through the white fabric.
What did you expect, Von Leirkov?
We were going to breeze in here? You should have trusted us with
the map of the mines. You chose to join us.
You brought your cousin. I should have trusted you?
What about you? You kept me in the dark about
everything! I wanted to rip something apart,
throw something, scream! You paid us to solve your
problem, not to indulge your insecurities about worthiness!
You have no right! I, Sasha, had no idea what she
was getting into! If you think she didn't know,
you are doing your cousin a disservice.
She managed to keep her voice a lot calmer than I did.
I was breathing raggedly. Panic coursed through me.
But I had nothing left to say. We fell silent.
Räsänen stepped back and sheathed her knife.
I should kill you for what you did.
Well, why don't you? You still need to pay us!
She spat on the floor in front of me, before turning back
towards Willow. I wanted to crumble apart, but I
couldn't. Sasha was still underneath
there, likely in pain. I turned to the mountain of
rocks. I started to climb.
Räsänen had no right. She was wrong.
She had put all of us at risk. She had done this to Sasha!
I kept climbing. The motion soothed me.
I had to carefully think about every step, taking my mind of
what might be underneath the rocks.
Sasha! Sasha!
My voice multiplied in the cavern.
A chorus of desperate Konstantins echoed back at me.
I heard something. Was it my own voice, distorted?
No. No, that wasn't it.
Something, or someone, was definitely making noise.
I lifted a rock and threw it away.
It wasn't big, but I was already out of breath.
Sasha! There was definitely a voice on
the other side. I selfishly hoped it was Sasha
instead of Tuula. We need to start digging.
I can call a team to come help. Räsänen didn't reply.
Come on, we need to be quick. What if she has no oxygen?
I looked over my shoulder and froze.
Someone stood behind Räsänen. A gun pressed against her
temple. I didn't recognize the
dökkálfar, but I did recognize the New Vilirth Police
Department badge shimmering on his chest.
And I also recognized the man who stepped into the flashlight.
Well done, Konstantin. The voice of my father echoed
through the cave. He looked at the krenir and
seemed genuinely impressed. Kazimir walked forward.
It could still be alive. It's dead, alright.
How did you kill it? It was damaged in the
explosions. We used Neekh poison-infused
bullets. Clever.
I admit I never thought of that. I too had to admit that it was
clever. And absolutely insane.
Neekh poison was not easy to come by.
There was probably a way to get it at a high cost.
And it clicked. A high cost of, say, five
million shards. I glanced at Räsänen.
She bared her teeth at me. I squared my shoulders.
It wasn't easy, but I thought it was worth a try.
That's why I didn't want to tell you yet.
In case it failed. It wouldn't have been worth
bothering you with. Of course.
Kazimir nodded. I had no idea if he believed
anything I said. I got them involved to get the
toxin and kill the beast. I didn't want to risk our
troops. I didn't dare look at Räsänen as
I said it. Kazimir nodded again.
Of course. And afterwards you could deliver
me a dead krenir and a key member of the Oneiroi Vanguard.
I hesitated. Right.
Of course. I parrotted my father.
Now you have grounds to arrest her.
Kazimir turned towards the police officer.
What can we make of it? Breaking and entering into
private property. Buying illegal weaponry.
Damaging property. To name a few.
The officer grinned. His sharp canines shone bright.
I shivered. The police force behind my
father and the officer moved forward.
Räsänen's yellow eyes remained fixed on me as she was cuffed
and taken into the darkness of the cave.
One of the officers knelt next to Willow and did a quick
medical check before carrying her away in handcuffs as well.
Kazimir squeezed my shoulder. Nails digging into my skin.
How did you know where to find me?
Miss Minayeva was worried. You hadn't come back home when
she expected you to. You're lucky to find a fine wife
like that. She's smart.
They rarely are. Yes.
Lucky. The words left my mouth as if it
was a robot saying them. My men will get your cousin out
of the rubble. Get yourself cleaned.
You have an event to attend. I stood in a sea of luxurious
fabrics. Sasha and Nadya stood on either
side of me. Sasha's face was pale enough to
mistake it for still being covered in dust.
Her eyes drooped. She hadn't said a word to me
since they had gotten her and Tuula out of the rubble.
Tuula had been promptly arrested as well.
The night had dragged on into the morning and into the midday
until evening had come again. I had wanted to sleep, had
needed to sleep, but I hadn't been able to.
My body faltered, but my mind was racing.
I doubted I looked any better than Sasha.
I spent the two bells before the event drinking several coffees.
A waste of resources, but a necessity.
It only slightly helped my physical state.
The intensity of my anxiety had only worsened.
My father stepped onto the stage.
Welcome, everyone. Thank you all for coming here.
Donations are flowing tonight, and I encourage you to keep it
going. I assure you, every shard raised
will help the families that were hurt during the mine collapses.
Yesterday, you were able to get most of our valued workers out.
Of course, the families unfortunate enough to have lost
someone will receive compensation.
If you want to speak to the initiator of this special night,
I direct you to Erasmus van Vught, leader of the New
Democratic People's Party. Please, he deserves an applause.
Erasmus stood in front of the stage.
He took the smattering applause with a small bow.
I flinched at the loud noises. Could I sneak off?
I had shown my face. Now, even though this night is
about charity, I want to shift the focus a little.
As you have heard, today the monster that has been
terrorizing our mines has been caught.
Another round of applause, but my arms remain slack beside me.
And I have someone in particular to thank for that.
Too late. I should have ran when I could.
I stepped back, but Nadya grabbed my arm and pulled me
forward. Don't you dare.
Her nails dug into my skin. Without him, we wouldn't have
been able to perform the rescue. So give him an applause.
My son, Konstantin von Leirkov. Come on up here, son.
I glanced at Sasha. But Sasha was staring straight
ahead. Go!
She gave me a push against my back.
I walked forward, almost mechanically, and stepped onto
the small stage, then took my place next to my father.
After a second, I remembered to smile.
I want to take this moment to not only thank him.
He placed his hand on my shoulder.
The weight of it almost pushed me through the stage.
I have been readying him for this moment for years.
And I think tonight, he has proven he has earned it.
My head whipped around towards my father.
My father's eyes narrowed slightly.
I resettled myself and wiped the shock from my face.
From this day on, I want my son to take over as Chief Operating
Officer. Together, we will manage Von
Leirkov Mining Corporation. And, if he doesn't screw up, he
will take over as CEO within the next five years.
I fabricated a smile, not too broad but polite and ever so
slightly conceited. Lights flashed, illuminating the
face I had so carefully constructed.
I was positive everyone in the audience could see the cracks.
Mr. Von Leirkov is covered in bruises.
He looks tired but relieved. Mr. Von Leirkov, how are you
doing? This is not about me.
This is about the miners and their families who will no
longer have to fear for their lives when they go to work.
I'm glad we are able to assure that safety again.
There's been a lot of criticism on the response of the Von
Leirkov mining corporation. How do you respond to that?
We understand people are afraid but please know that we will
always put your safety first. As you now know, we have been
working to solve the problem behind the scenes for the past
weeks. Unfortunately, as it was an
ongoing investigation, we were unable to share anything with
the public. Is it true that the Von Leirkov
mining corporation hired the Oneiroi Vanguard to kill the
krenir? I understand the confusion but
we would never work together with a criminal organization
such as the Vanguard. We found out it was the krenir
causing the disruptions at the same time they did and instead
of helping the people, they decided to use the situation for
their gain. While we are relieved the
problem has been taken care of, we in no way approve of their
actions and are glad to see them brought to justice.
How did the Vanguard find out about the krenir?
That was the interview. Mr. Von Leirkov has answered
everything he needs to answer. Does the Von Leirkov mining
corporation have ties with the Vanguard?
This interview is done. Thank you Mr. Von Leirkov for
the interview. We wish you a speedy recovery.
Back to the studio with Hanish Mital.
My body was stiff from sitting on the floor.
Faint light came through the window of my cell, accompanied
by the sound and smell of waves. It must be morning again, but I
stopped counting which morning it was.
A hatch in the door opened and a hand shoved a plate of stew
inside. Wait!
The hatch already slammed shut. Get me one of the officers.
I need to talk to them. No one responded.
I pulled the food towards me and began to eat.
The stew didn't taste like anything.
I drifted through the rest of the day.
The books they had left were dull.
There was only the sound of the waves to distract me.
Likely I had been isolated from other prisoners.
Footsteps outside announced another meal.
I stared at the latch, waiting for a hand to come in and
attempting another call for an audience, but it wasn't the
hatch that opened this time. The door unlocked and creaked
open. I jumped up.
The barrel of a gun appeared first.
Two guards stood in the doorway. One walked towards me to shackle
my hands. He checked the shackles at my
feet. I let him and waited.
What unfortunate circumstances we meet under, cousin.
Izno stepped inside. Are they alive?
The words that had been at the front of my mind tumbled out.
I didn't care how desperate they sounded.
They are fine. Well, fine enough.
The mechanic had some respiratory problems for a few
days, but she seemed to be recovering.
Your other friend... ...the pretty one...
Well, her shoulder, it's a shame.
It was smashed to bits. They are still trying to recover
it, but she might have to borrow some of your mechanic's
prosthetics. They were alive.
I almost slumped back in relief, but I had already given away too
much. Izno knew it too.
What are you doing here? Am I not allowed to gloat?
Piss off. Get out.
But sir... Izno pulled the gun out of his
hand. Out.
They hurried out and closed the door behind them.
Izno stepped forward, his fingers tapping on the gun.
He stopped in front of me, close enough I could feel his breath.
Now that you're in here, it's time to finally make yourself
useful, Rhea. You're going to help the
Vanguard get what they want. And why on earth would I help
you? Izno grinned, showing off his
perfectly sharp canines. Because it'd be a shame if your
friend succomed to her injuries after all.
I could have strangled him. Fine.
What do you want? Wake up, New Vilirth!
It's a bright morning in our wonderful city.
Forget your debt, your pain and your guilt.
It's time to wake up to a different world.
Enjoy your stay. Hi, this is Iris-sanne, Director
of Wake up, New Vilirth! On behalf of our entire team,
thank you for coming along for the ride and listening to Season
1. It means a lot.
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