The Ones Who Survived

“Omilitis tis Alitheias Antinea, what it happening?” Socrates Staniadis rushed into the woman’s office as the bells went off.

“I do not know but I am not waiting around to find out. Where are the others?” By others she meant other leaders of varying degrees.

“Nigel and Dr. Lemaire, Sr were on their way to the Airship. Last I saw the other Dr. Lemaire was in the tunnels.” Staniadis reported.

“Well, let us just hope they make it,” Antinea replied, as she put the last of her things quickly in a sack. “What about Pascal?”

“I do not know. I believe he had gone into the tunnels but I have not seen him since.” The Greek man said.

Antinea sighed. “Well, hurry up and get what you need. We can’t wait for anyone.”

Staniadis quickly did just that, putting in his bag the symbol of the cult, two small Arundan statues, the log book from which the pages had been torn by the still unknown thief, and a few other things. He went back to Antinea. “I am ready. What about the followers?”

“They knew the possibilities, they are on their own, I’m afraid. Maybe some will be able to get elsewhere.” Antinea replied as the two quickly left the building.

As they wandered the streets they saw the destruction left by Big Red but thought it might have been one of Lemaire’s creations and were not about to investigate either way. Making it to the docks a few minutes later.

From the docks, the chaos could be heard in the distance but seemed to be dying down. They were met by Frank Boswell, the dock Master. “Omilitis tis Ali…” He began before getting cut off.

“No time for all of that,” Antinea snapped, “Quickly get us to the airship.”

“Yes, Miss.” Frank responded. He wasn’t a member but the Children of the Sea paid the man a great deal of money to keep his mouth shut and offer help as needed. Money he supposed now he would be missing. Still, he showed Antinea and Staniadis to the Airship, the Katharó Neró (Clear Water).

As reported, Dr. Lemarie, Sr, Nigel Baddington were both on the airship but there were no signs of the others. Antinea asked Lemaire's father, “Do you know where your son is?”

The senior Lemaire shook his head. “Damn fool, probably got himself killed. He wasn’t in the lab when I went back. The Orc was gone and the rat was dead.” He paused. “I however procured a sample of the last formula he was working on. It seemed to work on the rat but had no effect on the Orc. However, it might still be useful.”

“We’ll have to be cautious and patient with it. Bide our time before using it again, and be far more cautious with it this time. Do not use it until I say so.” Antinea ordered. “Anyone seen Pascal.”

“I saw him in the tunnels, he was healing an injury. He said to go on without him.” Nigel responded.

“Very well then. Let us go then.” One of the cult members happened to be the Captain of a ship and he had only hired other cult members to work on his crew Into the sky they went, out of Paris, and in a few hours out of France, to other lands.

Meanwhile….

Pascal had managed to heal his injuries, he had hidden in one of the lesser-used rooms as the chaos went on around him. He watched Big Red eat the followers from a distance. People he knew, including Huron the dock worker who had found that Arundan, Ritikos, - demon that was the feeling- part of the huge demon’s feast.

The Empirical Mage had recognized Sung, from when he knew that he and Lady Elizabeth would show up at the magic guild together. He wondered about all of that but there wasn’t time to ponder on it. He needed a plan, something The Children of the Sea needed back and he assumed Lady Elizabeth had it in her possession. It was a guess, but an educated one.

Pascal watched the Demon destroy a building and wander off, that’s what it looked like from where he was. It was safe to move again, he vanished from sight….his big move would be made tonight.

******
Iris had watched in horror as the Children of the Sea, as it was in Paris, all came crashing down. However, that horror came with a slight bit of relief as she watched the large whatever it was feast down on Lemaire, she never did like that man. Watching the people she had known most of her life die similarly left her with a sick kind of sadness.

She didn’t know what to do now. No idea where Ritikos was or she might have gone to him. No real family here, they were all back in Greece which might as well have been the moon. No money, no way to get anywhere. The young woman ducked into a side street and prayed for a solution to her predicament.