Restart Again: Volume 2 by Adam Scott (hardest books to read txt) 📕

I pushed off from the wall and put my good hand on her shoulder. “That’s a story for when we’re not in a hornets’ nest. For now, there’s nobody out there coming after us, and I’m tired.”

She eyed me suspiciously. “Are you sure you’re alright?”

“I’d rather avoid a fight, if I can, but I’ve got enough left in me to help,” I said confidently, standing a bit straighter to sell the idea. “Enough about me. Where’s Val? Did you find the Conduit?”

“Val’s at the door to the Council chambers,” she answered. “I know that the Strategist and the General are in there, along with some other guards, but...I haven’t seen anyone that might be the Conduit yet.”

I pursed my lips and nodded. “Wherever they are, the Strategist will know. Let’s go ask him.”

Lia led the way out the door and back into the hallway. “It’s only a few halls down this way, and then we’ll—” Her head snapped to the side and stared directly into the wall. “There are more guards heading towards Val.” Without another word, we both broke out into a sprint down the dark corridor. Though I felt better as more time passed since the fight in the plaza, every footfall still sent a shockwave through my body that ached in every joint and muscle.

As we sped around a sharp corner, the sound of metal impacting metal pealed out from somewhere ahead of us. I dropped my head and pushed my muscles harder, panting loudly from the effort. Lia increased her speed to match mine, clearly having held back to ensure I didn’t fall behind in my impaired state. Our goal came into view just ahead; light spilled into our hallway around a ninety-degree turn, and the sounds of combat echoed close by.

My momentum sent me skidding across the polished stone floor into the light of the next hallway as I followed Lia around the final corner. There was a brilliant rainbow flash as Val’s shield twirled around her wrist and extended out to its full length, catching an Unbound soldier under the jaw with a sickening snap. Without a pause, she bent back and heaved the full length of the shield over her head in a dazzling crescent down onto the skull of the last soldier who stood behind her, who crumpled without a sound. With a single pump of her arm, the greatshield slid up the length of her arm and clicked itself back into a centered position.

I bounced off of the wall at the far side of the hall and spun awkwardly to keep my balance. Val turned to us with her arm pulled back in a ready position, her face set in the familiar scowl of life-or-death combat. Her jaw dropped in tandem with her shield when she recognized us, and she ran to meet us on our approach. She slipped past Lia without acknowledgement and stood before me silently.

“Hey, Val,” I said, panting lightly, “thanks for waiting for—”

My thought was interrupted as she stepped forward and hugged me tightly against her chest, wrapping her shield-covered arm around me. I had the odd feeling that I was being cocooned as her shield covered my back and my chin rested on her armored shoulder. My eyes opened wide with shock as I stood motionless, confused as to whether I should return the gesture or not. Before I could decide, she pulled away and moved back a few arms lengths, looking down at my feet as she spoke. “Lux. I did not think...I would see you again.”

I caught Lia watching the display with an arched eyebrow out of the corner of my eye, and I quickly took a step and patted Val on the shoulder in an effort to dispel the uncomfortable aura. “And yet, here I am.” I scanned past her down the hallway towards the large wooden double doors and the large pile of bodies around it. “It looks like we’ll each have a story to tell when we’re not...” I motioned around in a vague circle with my good hand, “...finishing up business.”

Val nodded, and the three of us moved back to the Council chamber doors. “They have no doubt readied an ambush for us on the opposite side,” Val whispered, gesturing to each wall. “I would guess the door is barricaded as well.”

I turned to Lia and found her with her eyes closed, breathing deeply as she focused on her mana. “The door is secured with a big metal crossbar. Four men are watching it with crossbows, two on each side behind some benches. The General and the Strategist are at the back of the room behind the councilors’ bench. The lady in white robes from the speech is there too.” Her brow furrowed for a moment before her eyes popped open and met mine with concern. “Is she...a wizard?”

“She’s definitely trained to use magic,” I answered quietly. “Val, do you have any experience fighting magic users?”

She nodded. “I have countermeasures for most traditional forms of combat magic.”

“Alright then.” I took a deep breath and readied myself for the imminent danger ahead of us. “Lia will break the crossbar, which will let Val kick open the doors. The guards will take their shots, which Val will block, and then we’ll move in. Lia takes care of the guards on the right, Val goes left. When they’re taken care of, we can push into the center of the room behind Val’s shield.”

“Wait,” Lia cut in, “I’ll break the crossbar?”

“That’s right,” I answered. “Val, does that plan work for you?”

Val gave me an affirmative nod, then moved to her place at the center of the doors. “No, wait,” Lia continued to protest, “I’ve never done that before. I don’t know how to do it.”

“You’ll do great,” I whispered, moving behind her to guide her gently into place behind Val. “I’ll help you, I promise. You just have to trust me.” Looking between my two companions,