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    #8 Shades of Gray- Land of the Twilight- Closing of Days
    #8 Shades of Gray- Land of the Twilight- Closing of Days
    #8 Shades of Gray- Land of the Twilight- Closing of Days
    Ebook373 pages5 hours

    #8 Shades of Gray- Land of the Twilight- Closing of Days

    By Kristie Lynn Higgins

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    About this ebook

    The Shades Of Gray Series follows the adventures of Kat, a woman with no memory of her past who is called the Pandora Project by those who hunt her, and Kim, a woman leading the life of a legal assassin called a Life Closer. The world they live in is plagued by clouds that prevent the sun from shining down on the land called Dry Clouds, making all who live in Noir forced to live in endless night.

    Kat searches for clues to her past while androids called Un-Men and human bounty hunters try to kill her, and Kim searches for who murdered her mother. The two women's paths collide, and they form a shaky partnership to unravel the mysteries that haunt their lives and they try to protect one another from those who do not wish for them to discover the truth.

    Everyone's soul is marked by a color. Which shade of gray will they hold to?

    #8 Shades of Gray: Land Of The Twilight- Closing of Days:

    The end is near...
    Hope has been crushed...

    Nothing can turn back the hands of time, and Anubis moves to invade Noir.

    Twilight has broke...
    The Closing of Days nears...

    **Shades of Gray Series**

    (STARTING POINT QUADRILOGY)
    #1 Shades of Gray: Noir, City Shrouded By Darkness
    #2 Shades of Gray: From Moscow, With Love
    #3 Shades of Gray: Cerberus Versus Pandora
    #4 Shades of Gray: Sisters

    (ZOMBIE TWILIGHT QUADRILOGY)
    #5 Shades of Gray: Night Of The Twilight- The Chimera Strain
    #6 Shades of Gray: Dawn Of The Twilight- Outbreak
    #7 Shades of Gray: Day Of The Twilight- Patient Zero
    #8 Shades of Gray: Land Of The Twilight- Closing of Days

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherKristie Lynn Higgins
    Release dateJan 2, 2012
    ISBN9781465767394
    #8 Shades of Gray- Land of the Twilight- Closing of Days
    Author

    Kristie Lynn Higgins

    You can also check out my author page on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/author/kristielynnhiggins

    Read more from Kristie Lynn Higgins

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      #8 Shades of Gray- Land of the Twilight- Closing of Days - Kristie Lynn Higgins

      Prologue

      The Chimera Strain, for the moment, had been halted at the gates of the Sphinx Corporation Third Branch Office. Mr. Griffin and the S.C.Ms. prepared to fend off Anubis and his army of xombions. Orthos moved forward with his coup, and the three members of the Furies searched for the third element to the Chimera Strain, Arcamedes' Closing Of Days. Adam Greenhouse neared the release of the Gorgons, and the Council and Brian dealt with the effects of the PP BL-S.

      Chapter One

      Land of the Twilight

      The year 32 A.D.C.

      October 32...

      UnDay...

      (9:14 A.M...)

      Hellenistic Sector, Business Vicinage...

      Sphinx Corporation Third Branch Office...

      Fire consumed the Play Room as it roared about like a hot elemental dragon. The flames burned away the flesh and clothing of the three dead bodies along with the examining chair and computer equipment. What once had been a hellish torture chamber to a girl in her pre-teens was now a nightmarish memory to Kat. Would it fade as dreams do with each waking moment or would she come to find out she was still in the nightmare? Would she discover that she could never wake from it?

      She made her way through the hall away from Dante's blazing vision and paused at the corner. Flames lapped at most of the walls in the area where the dark shockwave blasted its way out of the building and across Noir. Level 13 would soon be an inferno; and if she didn't leave soon, she would end up like Kim. She would end up like the charred remains of her once friend.

      Kat's view...

      I pause at the corner, feeling numb, numb to all things good. I seem only to experience dark emotions. They are the kind where I want to destroy everything living and nonliving. Don't I care about anything? The heat the fire generates doesn't bother me. Do I secretly wish that the flames would consume me? Consume me as I have devoured all happiness? Or do I urge this infernal plague, urge it to destroy all of Noir?

      I lean against the wall where the fire has yet to touch it. I don't dare turn and look back at the Play Room. What am I afraid of? Am I afraid I'll feel something besides rage and hatred when I look at Kimberly and Stephanie's burning bodies? Do I fear I'll feel remorse over what I've done? Or do I pray that some sort of conscience will arise and plead for me to go down the road to redemption? I wait. No moral voice rises, and no ethical petition fills my thoughts only the rage that lies within me like a sleeping leviathan occupies my mind. It's a fanged behemoth that has its belly full of innocent blood, and it's a dark creature who will not sleep forever. Its craving for destruction will make it ravenous again.

      The stench of Kimberly and Stephanie's cooking flesh fills my nostrils along with the rotting smell of the baking Frogga-mutation. I can't think about Kimberly or Stephanie anymore. It hurts too much. They're part of my past, and the Twilight is my future. Kimberly... You... You're part of a past I can't return to. One I can never return to, and that makes me sick to my soul. My future is burning before me and my past is turning to ash. Is there any hope? No, I snuffed out the small glimmer with one careless, one very careless and stupid act. An unforgivable action that I would do anything to take back. My blackening heart pleads for it to be a lie, but my mind tells me it's true. I'm a murderer. I killed my best friend. Someone who was like a sister to me, and the winged dragon within me shrieks in victory. It knows the path that lies before us and knows the darkness I have embraced. The winged dragon has won, the Chimera Strain has won, and I have lost everything. How did this happen? How did I get to this very point? What went wrong? I look at my palm that no longer bears the puncture mark of the Frogga-mutation's stinger. Anubis. He did this. He's at fault. Him. A rage so searing brands my soul and darkens it with hatred. I will kill Anubis. I will destroy Anubis. He's the one who brought about the Chimera Strain. He's the reason I was infected. He's why I killed Stephanie. Why I killed Ki... The red and black tears roll down my face. Why did I wait till now to cry? Why when they do me no good? I feel empty inside. Dead... No, that's not right. I do feel something. Rage. It flames within me like the fires that devour this floor. I continue to shed tears as the winged dragon insists I move on. We have things to do, so I wipe away the warm liquid from my cheek.

      Kat moved around the corner and headed for the nearest staircase.

      I stare at the red and black streaks on my hand. I'm a monster. Tears are... tears are for those who have hearts that do more than beat. Tears are for those who can experience grief. I'm beyond that, right? I'm beyond caring, right? I shouldn't be crying, so why should I care if I am? It doesn't mean anything, right?

      Minutes passed.

      I am fixated on this bizarre phenomena. Why now? Why am I crying? So many times I wished the tears would come. I wished they would fill my eyes and give me some relief from the sorrow and heartache I have experienced over the past year. But for them to come now... Why am I crying?! Sheez! Am I sad that I ended Stephanie's life? That I actually killed someone? Crap! This is so freakin' ridiculous! I had worked so hard not to kill anyone, so maybe I am. No, maybe I was. Do I really care that I eliminated my enemy? Do I care that I eliminated someone who had been trying to kill me? Someone who took my place as Kimberly's sister? I feel a smile spread across my face. No, I guess not. She got what was coming to her, and to think she thought she was the better project.

      Kat pushed open the exit door and started down the stairs.

      So why am I crying? If I truly have no remorse over Stephanie's death, why are bloody tears rolling down my face? I wipe my cheek again and look at the red and black liquid. I know the red is blood, but what is the black? Is my dark soul seeping out? And why haven't I asked myself the other question? Why am I ignoring the second body that I left behind in the Play Room? I divert my thoughts. I have to think of something else, but what? Right. Anubis... If I'm to close him and his minions I need to gather the H-Chies, but are there enough of them? Are there enough to face Anubis' hordes? Maybe I should create more. All I need to do is change a couple hundred and I should have enough. His main forces have started moving down. I can sense this. So how do I... Without warning, my legs give in and I collapse to the floor. My knees and palms smack on the hard surface as I'm barely able to keep up my heavy frame. It's a body weighted down by guilt and shame. My body shakes. At first, I don't know why. Then I realize, oh God... I realize I'm sobbing. One that I can't control. Stop it! I yell at myself. You're the Rushlight, the one who brings about the Twilight. The one who will bring about the Closing Of Days. I shouldn't be weeping like some child; but I can't stop it, and I sob for several minutes. Images of Kimberly bombard my mind. Why did I kill you? You only wanted to help me. Why did I kill one of the few people who meant anything to me? If I'm a monster, why does it hurt so much? Why do I feel like I'm dying inside? Not the light side of me as blackness takes over and crushes it. That has already happened. The side who is dying, is the me now. Why?! I'm wicked, I'm vile... Why does this hurt so much? Why?! I'm not suppose to care about anyone, so why?! Why do I feel like I want to rip out my own heart? Rip it out so it no longer infects me with its... its... its tormenting anguish. Why?! Blots of red and black drip to the white tiles.

      Kat lifted her head and wailed, Kimmie, why did you leave me alone?!

      My dear, listen, a faint voice called out to her. Katharine listen. The voice in her mind was Ginn. You have to...

      No! Shut up! Why didn't you do something to stop me?! she screamed. You knew I would kill Kimberly didn't you?! Why didn't you stop me?

      Stop you? Ginn questioned. What could I do to stop you from going down the path of destruction? You had to go. You had to understand the darkness in your soul. Now listen... There is still time to stop the Twilight. There is still...

      No! Shut up! It's too late! Kimberly's dead and I don't care what happens now. Do you hear me?! I don't care what happens now!! She stood and her eyes glowed black. This world is going to burn! I'm going to destroy everything! I'll bring the Closing Of Days!!

      Chapter Two

      Another Surprise From The Xombions

      Earlier...

      Before Kat killed Stephanie...

      8:31 A.M...

      Anubis opened the door leading to Level 300 and uttered, Puck! I don't ever... want to walk down... that many stairs again. Never! He put a hand to his bare chest as he heaved for the exertion. Puck! I can't believe... how tired I am. How many floors did we walk down?

      Jacob and his Guardian-mutations followed. The dozen silver skinned hybrid-xombions encircled Jacob as if he was the President of a corporation visiting a rival company that had already tried to take the President's life twice. The Guardians maintained a ten foot perimeter. None of the other xombions were allowed anywhere near the witness. They made no noise, nor did they seem as mindless as the Commons or other hybrids. They had an intelligence to them, a predator like smarts that they used to protect. They watched their brothers and sisters, and studied them for any signs they may attack. The Guardians knew the meaning of their existence, and it had only one purpose. They were to protect the one who would behold a new age, an Age of Xombions.

      Anubis repeated his question as the blood-red outlining of his skull tattoo faded slightly, How many floors did we walk down?

      I... Jacob stopped once he had moved about twenty feet from the exit, then bent, and rubbed his bad leg. I don't know, too many. He also breathed heavily. And you can't say we walked. It felt like running to me, at least in the beginning. He mumbled, Once I couldn't keep up, one of the Guardians threw me over his shoulder and bolted down the stairs. Again, I was carried around like some damsel in distress. For the love of Patty! I'm a man not some persecuted maiden! He muttered, Pucking demon... Dragging me everywhere... Who does he think he is? Satan reincarnated?! Puck! Make a good God fearing man curse! After sulking some more over the demeaning treatment, Jacob questioned, Why were we running? What's the hurry?

      I do have a Twilight to bring, Anubis told him as he watched as xombion after xombion filed in through the exit and started in one of two directions.

      The Guardians blocked the third direction. They wouldn't allow them to enter the hallway straight ahead where they had created a protective circular wall around Jacob. For the most part, the other xombions knew to stay away. Their master had ordered it.

      Anubis added, Why make everyone wait?

      You make it sound like a vacation bonus, not the end of the world.

      I guess I'm very excited about what's to come. Anubis stretched out his senses, those that told him where his children were; and for the most part, they traveled down from the hundred floors above them, making their way to their master.

      Jacob peeked through his fleshy cage of mutated bodybuilders and questioned, What kind of new world am I going to see?

      Undead, Common, and hybrid alike staggered in from the stairwell as rigor mortis took its toll on the human part of their bodies. Decaying flesh and rotting blood oozed from bullet holes and wounds from earlier battles with pre-hosts. Darkening shades of red splattered the Commons and an array of aged purple blood covered the hybrids.

      What kind of world? A utopia beyond your worst nightmares. I'll create evil and...

      Create evil? Jacob interrupted. Evil's already in all of us. You can't create it.

      No, but I can nurture it. Anubis was proud of his children and soon he would bring more into the fold, but the task before them wouldn't be easy. He had already sent Frogga-mutations to scout ahead. The Chairman and an army of S.C.Ms. waited for them on Level 370.

      Can't wait, Jacob said and then he thought Anubis was insane. Jacob looked around the area that he could see past his Guardians and asked, Why are we on this floor?

      One of the Common Xombions stopped mid-lumber and turned to the pre-host as something stronger than the master's will took control of him. The Common Xombion smelled Jacob's tantalizing life liquid. He growled and the Guardian-mutations glared back at the feral xombion with their bright blue eyes. The Common pushed his way through the massive stream of undead until he reached the corridor that had been deemed off limits.

      Anubis started to answer the gimp's question as he noticed the one infected go astray, It would seem I need to make sure of my bond with my children. This one ignores my commands. I'd deal with him myself, but the new ones need to be tested.

      The Common tried to force his way through two Guardian-mutations. One of them grabbed the Common by his throat and lifted him high in the air. The Common clawed at his arm as the Guardian moved from the ring; and as the one left, the other Guardians repositioned themselves to better protect Jacob. The Guardian with the Common in his grip walked to the end of the corridor toward the exit and stopped where the hallways connected. He dropped the Common, and the Common immediately moved to go after Jacob. The Guardian shoved him back with each attempt; and on the Common's sixth try, he grabbed him by the head and broke his neck. The Common's body limply fell to the floor, and the Guardian returned to the circle.

      Jacob looked on with calloused eyes; he had already seen so much death. What was one more life snuffed out?

      Anubis finally answered Jacob's earlier question, We're on this floor because this will be the staging area.

      Do you still plan on attacking the Chairman's forces down stairs? What about Orthos and his men up stairs?

      Him, yes. I've also been wondering why the Head of Security hasn't done anything yet, Anubis stated. What's Orthos up to? Maybe he's waiting to gather all their forces and between him and the Chairman's forces sandwich us in. A move like that would work, but then I remember we number a little over 3000. That would make us about a fourth of their strength. Actually 3000 isn't correct. I would say about 4000, but I'm having problems communicating with about seven hundred of my children. All the Frogga-mutations and Guardian-mutations are accounted for. It's the members from the other three groups that are out of sync with me. Anubis scratched his shaven head as he noticed Jacob gave him a blank look, so Anubis said, I'm getting off subject. Even if they do outnumber us four to one, with each bite and sting we'll add more to our numbers. Five might fall, but twenty will rise in their place.

      Jacob long ago had tuned out his' rantings. When he once again focused on what he was saying, he snapped back to his surroundings, waited till Anubis finished, and asked, Why are we stopping here?

      Why? Oh right, the why. We are here to mass the troops for an all out attack.

      Even with the apes you have watching me, I don't feel safe; so tell me, are you going to send me to the front line? Jacob questioned.

      No, of course not. I don't want you dying by anyone's hand, so I'll keep you safely away from the battle, but still close enough to see it.

      The infected mobilized from all across the mega-building and gathered on the floor; and with their slow trudge, it would take a while. Only about ten percent had arrived. Anubis stretched out his senses, and he could detect those who were infected by the Chimera Strain like Kat; but unlike her, he couldn't sense the H-Chies. Anubis didn't even know they existed, so he didn't worry about missing xombions or the possible repercussions they might bring upon him and his horde.

      How long before they were all there? How long before all his children assembled for their battle to come? Those who were there now were already on the lower levels. The ones they started with on the higher levels were still hours away, so how long? Minutes went by, and Anubis thought of something else. The Katharine woman, the Rushlight... He focused his mind to isolate one infected signature among thousands. He searched for a signal the body emitted that was unique to each individual kissed by the super-virus. Good thing for him, her Chimera Strain Fingerprint was strong and shouted, "I'm Here!" Well maybe not so good. Puck! She wasn't dead. Somehow she was able to escape his children. No, not escape; she was able to defeat the ones he left behind to kill her. Those xombions were still up there, and they weren't heeding his call to gather. They were too damaged to do so. He didn't understand. How could she defeat so many? The numbers should have overwhelmed her.

      How are you going to do that? Jacob asked, interrupting Anubis' thoughts.

      Do what? Kill the Rushlight?

      No, Jacob answered as his worries were single-minded. Before he had cared about other people, if they died or lived. Now... Now his only concerns were about his own survival. I don't care about that. How are you going to keep me safe during a fire fight? And don't you have another problem?

      You're going to watch the battle from the safety of a Security Station– Anubis pointed to a camera mounted on the wall above. –that way the machines will be in harm's way and not you. As for your second question, what's my other problem?

      From our previous conversation, that is if I understand it... Jacob said to him. You're wanting to spread the contagion across Noir; but if I understand the Chimera Strain correctly, there's one snag in that plan.

      Anubis waded through his children and moved closer to the gimp and his Guardians, and then he questioned, What do you mean?

      The Closing Of Days loop, the music you keep referring to... Don't you need it to complete the infection? Jacob pushed one of the Guardian-mutations to the side, so he could directly talk to Anubis.. And how are you going to set up a video room so that I can watch the feed? None of your xombions really look computer savvy.

      I've already thought of a solution to both of those questions. Anubis grinned like some wolf who had found a baby lamb standing all alone. Some time ago, I created another hybrid to help you out, and it was very clever on my part. Very clever indeed.

      Another hybrid? I don't understand. What can another hybrid do..?

      Anubis interrupted him, My HandOfTheGods has improved greatly with the passing of time. I'm a complete genius, a pure brainiac. He placed a hand to his chest. Not to puff myself up too much.

      Too late, Jacob mumbled.

      What did you say?

      Nothing of importance. You were saying you created a new hybrid?

      Yes, and here they come now. Anubis turned and looked to the exit as he said, You'll understand my brilliance when you see them.

      Small round creatures waddled in from the exit and dispersed through the crowd. They couldn't be called men or women because they had no sex identifiers just like the Frogga-mutations. They also looked alike as if they'd been cloned from the same weird organism from outer space. They were about four foot tall and as wide. They reminded Jacob of a donut, a donut that walked around like a duck. They seemed to quack every once in a while. There was a hole through the center of their chest about two foot in diameter. The hole wasn't like a wound where bone, organs, and flesh hung into it. It was more like their body naturally formed the aperture. Their faces were elf-like, but not jolly like the ones he had seen in commercials. They didn't seem to express any emotions like the other xombions. They had a bob hair cut and they all seemed to be wearing the same black and white striped jumpsuit. Jacob then realized that the jumpsuit wasn't clothing but their skin. They were naked. He made a face as he counted forty of them and more were coming.

      What happened to their chest? Jacob questioned. It's like a canon ball was shot through them.

      Do you like them? They're Mimic-mutations. The second ones I've named. If the author of the Chimera Strain reports believes my creations need names, I should be the one to name the rest of them. Anubis had earlier gotten his hands on a H.H.C. and viewed the reports from the unknown author. He liked the names and adopted them.

      Rest of them? You've created more hybrids?

      No, not yet, but I imagine I'll create many classes within the xombions that specialize in one thing or another. Anubis looked over his diverse children. Yes, I'll create many classes with my HandOfTheGods.

      You keep referring to this HandOfTheGods; so demon do you see yourself as a god?

      A god? No, I see myself as god among gods. I'm more powerful than Zeus himself!

      You're more delusional than I thought, Jacob muttered and asked, What do these Mimics specialize in?

      I encoded in their basic makeup the Closing Of Days loop, and they mimic the sound constantly with their specialized vocal cords. Their bodies then act as an amplifier. Anubis closed his eyes, listening to the third element of the Chimera Strain and then he asked, Can you hear it?

      Hear it?

      Yes. Can you perceive the Closing Of Days music booming through the very marrow of your bones? Can you feel it pulsating through your blood? Can you detect it calling to you?

      Jacob strained his ears and then replied, No, I don't hear or feel anything.

      Anubis pointed to one of the Mimic-mutations and ordered it, Go. Stand before the witness. The Mimic didn't hesitate and moved toward him, and the Guardian-mutations noticed the hybrid and started to react, so Anubis commanded with his resonating voice, No! Do not hinder the Mimic.

      The Guardians looked to the new hybrid, to each other, and back to the waddling creature. They weren't sure what to do. The master commanded them, but their programmed instincts to protect were screaming at them to stop the Mimic. They resisted for now and stood as plastic soldiers. The Mimic stopped a few feet from the wall of bald hybrids.

      Jacob stared at the donut-duck, and he said, I still don't hear anything.

      Increase volume, Anubis ordered.

      The one Mimic's body vibrated as it increased volume. Jacob's face contorted as he heard the horrible noise, and he stated, This isn't music... It's... It's... As the horrendous grinding of sound grew louder, he put his hands over his ears and yelled, This is awful! Yes, I can hear it. Turn it back down. Turn it down! I can't hear myself screaming!!

      That's enough! Anubis shouted. Return the volume to normal. Now gather with the others. The Mimic-mutation turned and joined the flood of decaying bodies as Anubis stated, You see how I solved the problem with the loop. Even if Sphinx is able to find the original and destroy it, it's too late. There are already over fifty replicas. At least two Mimics will travel with a Pod and as my minions infect others with their blood, the loop's there to complete the transformation.

      Yes, I'll have to admit it seems you've solved the problem, but how do these things help me with the video camera? Jacob asked.

      They can attach themselves to electronics, bond with wiring and mechanisms, and make the device do its will or more like my will. I'll have two Mimic-mutations accompany you and the Guardians. Like the Guardians, the new infected do not have the desire of the Hunger. If the need arises they'll infect to keep their numbers up.

      Jacob questioned, Now what?

      Now we need to find you a Security Station and have one of the Mimics link it to the cameras in the Main Lobby. Wait... Anubis listened to the Hive Cognizance as one of his children reported in. He filtered through the bumbled thoughts of the xombions and found the one calling out to him. One of my Sepio-mutations has found an old Security Station nearby. It's perfect for what you'll need it for.

      Y-a-y... Jacob uttered unmotivated and glanced at the Mimic-mutations, asking, Will these things obey me like the Guardians?

      Yes, but only the two I'll send with you. Go, take your mini-army and continue through the corridor. If the Sepio-mutation is correct, the Mimics should have the old station up and running in an hour or so.

      Jacob asked, What are you going to do?

      I'm going to start arranging my pieces on the chess board. I'd like to get this battle going before lunch. Though... the more I think about the upcoming battle and the Rushlight the more I...

      Remember how she kicked your butt? Jacob questioned.

      No... Anubis glared at him and said, I wasn't thinking about that. Anubis remembered the sensations he experienced. In a way, she had rocked his world, but without sexual intercourse. The Rushlight and me, we connected on some level. It's hard to explain. It was unlike anything I've experienced before; and I think I'd like another hit, but that would mean...

      Jacob interrupted again, That would mean not killing her on sight; or should I say, her not killing you on sight.

      Sometimes– Anubis envisioned himself popping off his head. –I wonder why I keep you around.

      At times, Jacob also wished the demon had killed him.

      Chapter Three

      Why She Is Called Pandora?

      (9:34 A.M...)

      On the staircase between Level 17 and 18...

      Smoke filled the stairwell as Kat who was burdened with grief traveled down the endless steps. The heat of Level 13 no longer lapped at her skin, but the intense heat of her wrath dominated her thoughts and emotions. She continued her descent to where she knew Anubis and his minions gathered. Kat sensed the Chimera Strain within them. She didn't know what kind of connection she had with it, but she knew there was one; and with the connection, she could locate anyone with the infection. Kat sent out the call for all H-Chies to assemble with her, and she had told them, We'll eliminate the fake master, transform or destroy the xombions, and we'll restore the Twilight to the path that will bring about the Closing Of Days. Her rantings reverberated and fueled her dark determination. "Yes, I'll make the Jackal of Death pay. Anubis and his minions are at fault. They're... They're the ones who first brought death to the building, not

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