While we went through the glimmering entryway, the recognizable views and sounds of my hometown rushed to greet us. The aroma of newly cut grass alongside the soft background sound of traffic was almost unsettling after experiencing the endless disorganization of the Phoenix Organization.
But the feeling of relief that should have come as a result of our escape was affected by a sharp increase in unease. I felt unsettled after the Architect said his final words, and his gaze lingered on me as we returned to our reality.
“What did he mean by that?” I whispered, more directed at myself than at anyone else present.
Chase, continuing to hold my arm, looked at me with some concern. “What did who mean?” he asked, his brow furrowed.
While I was trying to respond, a deep, echoing chuckle spread across the surroundings. We all started to spin, reflexively going into a defensive position, only to notice The Architect and The Raven standing calmly just a couple of paces away.
With a gleam of amusement in his ancient eyes, Brianne’s.
With a face showing only grim determination, Detective Morris directed his gun at the two intruders. “Stay back!” he barked. “Each of you, come back through the door, now!”
Still, The Raven just smiled, staring down at us with a barely held disdain. “Gosh, Detective, I find you quite disappointing. Didn’t the Architect point this out? There is no escaping this.”
The Architect’s hand rose, stopping Detective Morris from becoming angry. “At this point, let’s refrain from acting quickly. All I wanted to do was… commend you all for your brave attempt at rescue.
Step forward, positing himself between me and the cosmic forces. “What do you want from us?” He required, his voice brimming with nearly controlled fury.
Want?” The Architect replied, wearing an expression that feigned innocence. “Why, nothing at all. All I really want to do is… educate you.
For the first time, a hint of annoyance flashed across the features of the Raven, and his eyes narrowed. “That’s enough of the theatrics, Architect.” Tell them.”
The Architect breathed out heavily, as though painfully giving in to her request. “Very well.” He looked at me, and his expression was nearly… understanding. “Oh, Brianne, I hate to say it, but their attempt to save you was already dead on arrival?”
His words sent a chill down my back, and I began to understand the seriousness of what he said. “What do you mean?” I put the question out, resenting how my voice quivered.
“Essentially,” The Architect went on to explain, “I have eyes and ears existing everywhere. Even within your own environment, I have… support. If you will, informants who update me on every detail of your actions.
Chase strongly shook his head. “No, that’s impossible. Our planning was so careful and so precise. There’s no chance you could have been aware of-”
“Ha, but that’s not the case, young man,” The Architect said, flashing a bemused grin that pulled at the edges of his lips. “I have a friend that is exceedingly close to you, someone you would never guess. And he said he has been providing me with information since you made the decision to implement this… rescue effort.
The consequences of what he said affected me as if it were a tangible blow. A person near us, someone we trusted, turned against us and informed The Architect and The Raven. In a flash, I cycled through everyone I knew, every single acquaintance, trying to understand who might be allied with these cosmic forces.
“Who?” I gasped, the word hardly louder than a whisper. “Who is your man inside?”
The smile on the Architect grew broader. “Absolutely, that would be revealing, wouldn’t it?” Let’s just say…
What you believed about your saviors turns out to be quite fake.
Next to me, I was aware of the others becoming tense, their likely suspicious minds working overtime. Detective Morris had the appearance of being rattled, with his hold on his firearm trembling slightly. Zoe’s complexion had lost some color.
“As such,” said The Architect, “you realize that your plan was already in vain from the outset. I had knowledge of each step you would take and every move you would take. I permitted it to happen, because…” He stopped, his eyes glowing with a near childlike exuberance. “Well, because it amuses me.”
I felt the Raven’s dark stare fixed on me as she stepped ahead then. “Was there a reason we permitted this little rescue effort to happen, Brianne?” her voice was dripping with malice, she murmured, “Because we know everything. Each worry, every wish, every ambition you keep. We understand the reality of your broken identity and the necessity of your burdens. We are aware that you, my beloved, are the cornerstone of it all.
My breath became abruptly constricted, as his words weighed down on me similar to a physical load. “What are you saying?” I pulled it off, speaking very softly.
There was a hunting quality to the Raven’s smile. I’m pointing out that we are forever one stage in advance of you. We predict your every step before it happens, due to our presence in spots you can barely imagine.
She inclined near me then, her countenance only inches from mine, and I struggled not to draw away. Breathing hot on my cheek, she said, “So share with me, Brianne.” Why, in your view, do I seem to recognize all of your intentions and frequently step in to either stop you or assist you?
I had no solution, my mind spinning with the meaning of what she said. Both The Architect and The Raven were informed about everything concerning me, concerning Lucy, and the shattered essence of my identity. They had been playing us, deceptively, right from the outset.
As The Raven moved farther away, his look ebullient, I felt a wave of despair come over me. How can we really think we can overcome these forces, when they seem to control everything? When every maneuver was known prior to our undertaking it?
Still, a familiar warmth emanating from deep within me was Lucy’s presence, steady and sure. Realizing that was the instant, I understood we needed to keep going. We needed to keep struggling, no matter the situation.
Because everything about the multiverse depended on what happened.
“This… has just gotten more interesting,” The Architect mused, surveying us with an amalgamation of amusement and anticipation.
As the gravity of his words came down on us, I understood that our real fight was only just ahead of us.