Mine Imagination: Flight of the Hummingbirds
By: T. M. Ashley
Flower 3: Meddling Monster
The darkness cascaded from the ceiling door like a torrential waterfall, flooding the chamber of doors with a gleaming pool of treasures. As the door slammed shut, a heap of gold coins shifted, revealing the purplish-blue plush beaver's head.
Glancing around, the plush beaver sighed, "Uh, Cap’n? Where'd ya go?"
There was a loud snap and the man appeared sitting beside Gunther on his throne and asked, “You called for me, Gunther dear?”
Gunther jumped up and wrapped his arms around his neck, “We’re really free!”
“I told you it was only a matter of time. We weren’t going to be bound forever.”
“How long has it been since you were locked out of space and time?”
“If I calculated the time it took to tell the story to Bazpo is correct it should have been six hundred sixty-eight years, dear.”
Gunther's jaw dropped, his eyes widening in disbelief. "Seriously?" he exclaimed, his stomach growling loudly in response. "No wonder I'm so hungry."
“I’m famished as well dear, but don't you believe we deserve a breath of fresh air?” Mine asked.
The purplish-blue plush beaver nodded his head until his hat came off and Mine couldn’t help but laugh. He stood up and his throne-like chair sank into his shadow. He and Gunther made their way toward the spiral staircase that would lead back to the throne room. However, the treasure blocked their only exit.
The man snapped his fingers and all the treasure vanished instantly. He snapped his fingers again and they appeared reappeared behind the throne. The helmet on the seat of the throne came to life again and sighed, “Back so soon?”
“So soon?” the man asked, as he walked to the front of the throne with Gunther perched on his shoulder. “I feel like its been ages.” Gunther smiled and waved at Kingston.
“Hi Gunther,” Kingston said and then the glowing orb behind the mask began to pulse. It glared at Mine and growled, “How are you free?”
“Bazpo was just what I needed,” he said, “A sway pool deeper than the expectations of their life.”
“Sounds like a sacrifice,” Kingston stated.
Mine rocked his head side to side and shrugged, “I guess, but it was a willing sacrifice dear. Stop trying to make me out to be a bad guy.”
“You are!” Kingston roared.
“Depends who you ask dear, I’ve always been on my way home. It isn’t my fault things happen when I’m around.”
“Where’s my body?” Kingston asked.
The man pressed his finger to his chin and said, “Nowhere, I’ve collected it. I can do the same for you as long as you promise not to come after me. I’ll find you someplace to guard that won’t be so…” he looked around and said, “Lonely. What d’you think dear.”
The helmet groaned and asked, “Do I have much of a choice?”
“I mean, if you want to see the rest of you again,” the man said as he twisted his wrist and summoned his cane. He leaned on it and looked up at the helmet with a devious smirk. “Whatever you decide make it quick. I’m on my way home.”
“Fine,” Kingston snapped, “I refuse to be part of your shenanigans.”
The man mimicked him, rolled his eyes, and snapped his fingers. The helmet disappeared and the man looked up to the former domed ceiling of the throne room and took a deep breath. He sighed and was ready to leave his prison behind when the hairs on the back of his neck stood up and he whipped around.
“Help! Help us!” Someone cried out from the chamber of doors below.
The man exchanged a perplexed look with Gunther, finding mirrored confusion in the plush beaver's expression. Their attention snapped back to the stairs as the cries for help intensified, accompanied by approaching footsteps that echoed nearer to the staircase's summit.
“What’s that Cap’n?”
“I’m not sure Gunther dear,” The man said with a broad smile, “This is exciting isn’t it.”
Suddenly the tangerine sky grew dark and purple clouds began to gather and swirl overhead. The man and Gunther watched the phenomenon in awe as the clouds moved unnaturally in the sky then suddenly ceased.
“What was that Cap’n?” Gunther clung to Mine’s head completely terrified of what was happening around them.
“I’ve got no idea dear,” the man said as he started to laugh.
“You used to know everything,” Gunther cried out and clenched his eyes shut.
“Things change after six centuries, dear.”
Gunther trembled and then his nose wrinkled. He relaxed for a moment and sniffed the air. “Urgh gross,” He said as he jumped off the man’s shoulder and disappeared.
“The least you could do is tell me what you smelled before you leave me to deal with it, dear.”
Gunther poked his head from behind the man’s leg and said, “Kids.”
“Baby goats? I love baby goats, dear.”
“No,” Gunther shook his head, “Children.”
The man grew nauseous and gagged, “Kids are gross.”
“That’s why I’m leaving before they get here,” Gunther said as he saluted the man and vanished behind his leg.
“Where’d they come from?” the man asked. He looked around and thought aloud, “I should hide, maybe they won’t see me.”
“Who don’t you want to see you?” An unfamiliar voice asked from behind him.
“The children, dear,” the man said and shushed the voice.
”Oh, do you think they’re dangerous or something?”
“Probably,” the man said, “Most of them don’t wash their hands and are incredibly smelly. More disgusting than dangerous.”
The boy looked down at his dirty hands and nodded his head, “You’re right.”
The man peered down at the boy with dirt-stained hands, instinctively drawing away. Brushing off his clothes, he growled, "Did you touch me?" His gaze darted between the black-haired boy with brilliant blue eyes and freckles decorating the bridge of his nose, and the small gold-skinned girl with raspberry-colored hair, eyes, and nails, who clung tightly to the boy.
"Where did you come from?" he demanded, his tone edged with a mix of surprise and suspicion.
The boy couldn’t help but laugh at the man's obvious disgust. He flashed a grin that was missing a tooth. He shook his head and said, “I didn’t touch you. I’m Trey Storm, I don’t know how we got here. We were running from-” The boy turned to the stairs and sighed with relief, “We must have gotten away from them.”
The man narrowed his eyes and leaned on his cane and said, “I’m sorry to inform you, dear. Bazpo is unavailable at the moment. Best be on your way, back to your mother now.”
“You know my mom?” Trey asked curiously.
Before the man could respond the clouds started to swirl again. His eyebrow raised and he looked to the stairwell and back to the awestruck boy. The girl however was glaring at the door as if she knew what was to come next. The man noticed a writhing black ring around her neck before she turned back to him with pleading eyes.
“Woah! That’s beautiful,” Trey said absently.
“Now isn’t the time dear,” Mine quipped, he moved toward the throne and asked, “Who was following you?”
“His name is Alpine Kane, he’s a Knight of Leivviel. He was chasing Molly and I rescued her of course,” Trey said as the sky returned to normal.
“How’d you get here dear?”
“We went through a door and ran up the stairs.”
The man’s brow knitted together, “That’s impossible.”
“Anything’s possible in Tucy, Cap’n. Especially if we opened a door by mistake,” Gunther said nonchalantly appearing on Mine’s shoulder with a pickle.
Molly’s eyes widened when she saw Gunther and she let go of Trey and reached for him. Trey started to laugh, “I think she likes him.”
“Too bad, Gunther’s mine,” The man said raising Gunther over his head and sticking out his tongue.
“No, I’m not,” Gunther said, “You are Cap’n Mine Heart.”
The man’s eyes widened and he covered the purplish-blue plush beaver’s mouth and said, “Hush, there’s power in a name and we should’t give it freely.” He looked at Trey and Molly who stared at him clearly bewildered and said, “Don’t mind him.”
An unusual buzzing sound seized their attention, causing them to looked up and discover drone hovering overhead. Without warning, it dropped a metal tube with a flashing light on one end in between them. Reacting instinctively, the man dashed toward Trey and Molly, snapping his fingers the moment he made contact with them.
***
Meanwhile, in the chamber of doors, a small man with orange skin, prominent horns sprouting from his forehead, and a slender spiked tail, observed the screen hovering above his watch. He spoke urgently, "Um, sir. We have a problem.”
The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
A handsome man, adorned in an intricate gold and black suit of armor, his majestic gray wings elegantly folded behind him, meticulously polished his broadsword with a growl of irritation. "What is it now? I'm not opening another of these doors," he grumbled in frustration.
With a swift motion, he sheathed his sword and casually tossed a cloth over the remains of a bug-like creature, neatly halved and lying in front of a closed door.
“I lost them sir,” the orange skinned man said quietly.
“Your supposed to be the greatest tracker at Madame Monroe’s disposal. How are you this bad at keeping up with yout target?” The handsome man asked. He sighed and asked, “Why are we after the Voskia child again?”
“She is part of Madame Monroe’s entourage and apparently the boy kidnapped her, sir.”
“What a waste of my time. I’m Alpine Kane, a sworn Knight of Leivviel. My duty is to the planet not to pursue the monarchs whims.”
With a loud snapping sound, Mine reappeared in front of the two men, shielding Trey and Molly behind him. "Excuse me," he began, his tone firm, "were you the ones responsible for that smoke grenade?" He raised an eyebrow as he glanced up at Alpine Kane, who towered almost a foot taller than him.
Alpine Kane looked the old man up and down, “And if I was, what are you going to do about it?” He poked Mine in the chest and smirked. Soriel stared at Mine curiously and tilted his head as he tried to figure out his identity.
Mine watched Alpine’s finger and brushed off his clothes. He started to laugh and turned to Molly who was holding onto Gunther and Trey and said, “Do me a favor dear, go through the third door on your left and I’ll be right behind you.”
Trey frowned, “What are you going to do?”
"Exercise, my dear," the man exclaimed, clapping his hands together with a smile. He glanced at Gunther and instructed, "Keep the little ones safe."
Gunther saluted from Molly's arms, replying, "Aye, aye Cap’n."
"Don't you dare move," Alpine barked.
Meanwhile, Mine turned back to face Alpine, gracefully twirling his cane before tossing it into the air. With a deft catch, Mine wielded an emerald-encrusted cleaver-like sword, displaying mastery over it.
Alpine smiled and inquired, "And who might you be?"
"There's power in a name, not to be given lightly. Mine is Mine, and it belongs to me. You may call me Mr. Heart, for that's who I am, dear," Mine replied with a confident tone.
Trey hesitated, torn between staying with the enigmatic old man and following Molly's lead. Yet, Molly's unwavering determination prevailed as she forcefully pulled Trey along, sprinting toward the door Mine had directed them to. However, Soriel intercepted their path, looming menacingly in front of the door.
Gritting his teeth, Trey yelled, "Out of my way!" Summoning all his strength, he executed a drop kick, propelling the door open as Soriel deftly evaded his attack. Seizing the opportunity, Molly flashed a smile at Trey's bold move and swiftly crossed the threshold before Soriel could impede them further. With a resounding slam, the door shut in Soriel's face, leaving him as a witness to the unfolding battle between Mine and Alpine.
The two men glared at one another and in a split second their blades clashed with a shockwave. The two men smiled at one another before retreating and clashing again. Everytime their blades met thunder resounded in the chamber of doors. Soriel could barely keep up with their speed as they clashed repeatedly trying to gain the upper hand. When Alpine cut through a door to attack, Mine retreated to put space between them.
“The doors are off limits,” Mine growled.
“They mean nothing to me,” Alpine said as he cut another door in half.
Mine’s eyes widned, “Do you have any idea where you are?”
“It matters not,” Alpine roared as he spread his wings and took flight. “I’ve been graced with a demon to be slayed, my blade hungers for your demise.”
"Oh, really, dear?" Mine inquired, a challenge in his tone. He drew a deep breath and tapped his cleaver-sword against the ground thrice. In response, the remaining doors slammed against the walls, creating an expansive space for them to engage in battle to their heart's content. Soriel swiftly ascended the stairs leading up to the throne room, determined not to be caught between the two formidable opponents.
A sudden surge of vibrant green energy materialized into a blade, hurtling upwards towards Alpine with such speed that his only recourse was to block it swiftly with the broad side of his sword.
Alpine grit his teeth, the attack was significantly stronger than the others. He had to take evasive measures and get from in front of it. He used his wings to push off and deflect the surging blade into the ceiling, gouging a hole in the floor of the throne room. Alpine flipped in the air and hurtled himself toward Mine.
“Show me how strong you are,” Mine yelled with an enthusiastic smile on his face. “Let me see what the universe has in store for me.”
Alpine wasted no time, swiftly swinging his sword and conjuring a radiant golden energy blade. The golden guillotine descended with determined force, aimed directly at the smiling man who greeted it with open arms, embracing the glow of the attack. A valley was carved into the terrain as the golden blade made contact. Capitalizing on the opportunity, Alpine swooped down, launching a barrage of smaller golden scythes that cascaded into the cavern created by his initial strike.
“May Excalibur’s blades chase you into the arms of your after,” Alpine said breathing heavily as he sheathed his sword.
“I’ve met her already dear, she was quite exhausting,” Mine said. Alpine whipped around to see Mine stretching. The smile hadn’t faded from his face and he was seemingly unscathed except his suit was brown with cream accents, “You said you have Excalibur as if there’s only one which piece of the collection do you have?”
Alpine looked back to the valley where his attack landed and said, “I saw you be eviscerated by the attack and for good measure I-“
Mine waved him off and said, “Yeah, yeah, yeah, that happened over there. Now, I’m over here. Pay attention dear, you're bound to go a bit batty when dealing with a masterpiece.”
The knight steadied himself, gripping his sword tightly. "In my possession is Elix, Sixteen of Excalibur," he declared before launching into a lightning-fast blitz. His blade was drawn with such velocity that it seemed to vanish into thin air.
Mine tilted his head, but not before the golden blade grazed his neck as Alpine sped past him. Yet, Mine's smile widened, almost bordering on madness, and he nodded in satisfaction. "Yes! Yes! Yes! Glorious exercise, thank you, dear," he exclaimed, vanishing and reappearing overhead, spinning with his cleaver. A halo of emerald energy formed around him as he descended.
Alpine roared furiously, swinging his sword with both hands in an attempt to end the battle decisively. When Alpine's Excalibur clashed with Mine's blade, a shockwave erupted, propelling them in opposite directions. Agilely flipping in midair, Alpine flapped his wings to regain balance, scanning the area for any sign of his opponent.
Mine forcefully slammed his blade into the ground, arresting his backward momentum. Spinning around, he ended with arms outstretched and a smile across his face. Simultaneously, they locked eyes and surged toward each other at lightning speed. The clash of their weapons reverberated through the structure like thunder. Mine deflected one of Alpine's descending strikes and began to laugh.
"Meet Mae, my dear cleaver. Isn't she lovely?" Mine managed between his devious chuckles. "This is even more exhilarating than I anticipated, dear."
“Why must you hinder my quest?” Alpine growled as he blocked a horizontal slash that was aimed at his midsection. “I’m only here to catch a thief and rescue a girl.”
Mine tilted his head and his smile faded, “I thought I was a demon put in your path to be smited. Are you getting tired and nearing your limit dear?”
A scowl crept across Alpine’s face, “You dare…” a yellow light began to emanate from his armor… “Mock a Knight of Leivviel? Fool…” a brilliant light flashed and Alpine’s entire body started to glow. His aura changed and Mine performed a series of backflips putting distance between them.
“Oh my,” Mine said in a crouched position as he brushed off his clothes and looked up at Alpine’s display, “I wonder what all that shimmer is about.”
“This is the light of a knight and I will smite all monsters in my way,” Alpine said as he raised his sword over his head. Through the crack in the ceiling Mine could see the sky and it seemed to react as the purple clouds gathered over the structure as if it were the eye of a storm. Mine stood up and watched the sky, then looked back to Alpine just in time to see him disappear in a flash of light.
The scene unfolded in a whirlwind of unexpected maneuvers and shocking revelations. Mine, initially taken aback, instinctively raised his blade, only to be propelled into the air by Alpine's sudden attack. Hurtling across the ground, Mine collided multiple times before slamming into one of the doors lining the wall. Groaning, he struggled to comprehend the sudden surge of strength from Alpine.
Unexpectedly, a radiant Alpine hovered overhead, emitting a glowing aura. "Your survival is a surprise," he remarked. "I've been eager to test this new power bestowed upon me by Circe Kirke herself, the Enchantress."
Pushing himself up, Mine retorted through his pain, "New power? Ha, vintage is always in style." Blood trickled from his forehead, staining his glasses.
Alpine, radiating with glowing runes framing his face, arrogantly countered, "What's old is meant to be forgotten. Farewell to what shouldn’t exist." In a blink, Alpine vanished and reappeared before Mine. His sword thrust upward, sinking into Mine’s abdomen. A spray of blood showered Alpine's face, but the blood didn't belong to the man he stabbed. A searing pain enveloped him as he turned in slow motion, witnessing his left arm separated from his body and spinning beside him.
"Oh dear, I’ve taken your arm," Mine chimed in a sing-song tone. "Your swiftness means nothing when faced with true technique. Tremble in fear now, for it's my turn to show you true power."
The tense confrontation unfolded with Alpine facing Mine, grappling with the terrifying reality of his opponent's resilience. Unable to retrieve his sword from Mine's midsection, Alpine flew into the air, seeking refuge from the monstrous adversary. Whispering incantations under his breath, he directed the yellow runes to gather around his stump, cauterizing the wound as he ascended higher into the sky. A sharp whistling sound approached him swiftly, prompting Alpine to roll in the air and narrowly evade his own sword's attack, which chased him through the hole in the ceiling.
Elix arched in the sky, spiraling towards the ground as Alpine pursued his blade, unaware of Mine's whereabouts. Descending rapidly, Alpine caught sight of Soriel cowering behind the throne. Landing beside him with a heavy breath, Alpine sheathed his sword, the burden runes fading gradually.
"S-Sir Alpine! You're alive," Soriel exclaimed with tearful relief, peeking from behind the throne. "Did you defeat him? Where is he? Where did he go?"
"Of course, I faced that monster," Alpine growled, his gaze fixed on his glowing stump. "He cut off my arm."
Soriel, visibly shaken, stammered, "D-Di-Did you win?"
Alpine's response was filled with frustration, "I impaled him with my blade, but he kept fighting. I couldn't find his weakness.”
"That's because I don't have one, dear," Mine announced, emerging from the hole in a red suit with black accents. He nonchalantly adjusted his clothes, twirling Mae before it transformed back into his cane. Observing the two men, he sighed, "Don't be too hard on yourselves. I've honed my skills for three hundred years. My creations can endure more than you imagine. Where would you rank me among the strongest people you know?"
"Amongst the Matthew's brothers," Soriel responded promptly.
"Oooh, strong, are they?" Mine inquired.
Soriel nodded, affirming their strength. Alpine, tense and determined, gripped his sword tightly, urging, "Say no more, Soriel."
"You're not finished?" Mine asked eagerly. "Shall we continue our duel?"
Alpine turned to his companion, "Do you remember the door we used to get here?"
"I can find it," Soriel replied uneasily, then questioned, "What about the girl?"
"Find the door," Alpine growled, his resolve firm. "There's no need to discuss our mission. This monster needs to be dealt with."
Mine clapped his hands excitedly, “You really do mean to end this. Well, let me not disappoint you.” He took off suit jacket and tossed it on the ground, he rolled up the sleeves of his crisp white shirt and slammed his cane on the ground and it turned into Mae again. He kicked it up to him and brandished it with masterful ease.
“Fine,” Alpine said as rose into the air and pointed his sword in Mine’s direction. “I am Sir Alpine Kane, Knight of Leivviel, officer of the Orbit Police and keeper of peace in the Universal Tribunal Union’s territories. Before my time here comes to an end I will vanquish the monster that has appeared to obstruct my mission.” As he took his stance, the runes started to gather around his face and glow again. His aura manifested around him like a cloak of yellow light.
Mine inclined his head and to witness the beautiful dance of the clouds as Alpine’s power surged. He didn’t bother to look at the glowing man and instead yawned. He heard Alpine’s furious roar and felt him approaching faster than he had moved previously.
Alpine could feel his muscles tearing and regenerating rapidly as he moved toward the man with rage coursing through him. He roared from the sheer pain that moved through his body and the anger that fueled his attack. He had become so consumed by his fear that he became angry with his own weakness. He had overcome all obstacles, effortlessly bound over hurdles, and annihilated any hindrances that appeared between him and his goal. As he closed in and raised his sword he made eye contact with smiling man. He felt unease and changed his trajectory but as he closed in Mine stared through him. Alpine switched his position and attempted to attack from every blind spot he could imagine in the blink of an eye. However, Mine followed all of Alpine’s movements while standing perfectly still. Alpine’s legs suddenly felt weak and he retreated to Soriel’s side. Sweat formed on his brow as his ragged breaths caused him to shudder. His knees buckled and he fell to one of them and stabbed the ground with his sword to keep him upright.
With a mixture of amusement and sincerity, Mine taunted Alpine, reveling in his adversary's struggle.“What happened dear? Couldn’t find an opening? I told you, I’ve taken my time cultivating my skills, dear. You’re gonna have to do a little more to catch me off guard.”
Despite his dimming glow and severe injuries, Alpine refused to yield, reaffirming his determination not to fall to a mere "meddling monster."
As Soriel announced the discovery of the exit, Alpine, clinging to his last ounces of strength, seized Soriel and leaped through the hole in the floor, disappearing from Mine's sight. The purple clouds gathered overhead and became a halo. By the time Mine made it to the hole and looked down into the chamber of doors Alpine and Soriel were gone.
Left alone in the throne room, Mine mused casually to himself, seemingly unfazed by the battle. Mine's enigmatic demeanor persisted, unaware of the lasting impact of the encounter, confident that his name would be remembered. With a nonchalant shrug, he followed through the hole, his shadow reached up to catch him and slowed his descent. He brushed off his knees as he looked around with an air of bemusement.
“What door did I tell those kids to go through again?”