Cross was having the definition of a bad first day. He had lost control of the situation all too fast. He couldn’t control his hate of himself.
He needed to do something. He rose to cast a spell, but his side ignited in pain. He looked to see a black arrow in it. He fell slowly down and landed hard on the ground.
Brogg suited friend and the twins had broken free of their trace and now were in quite the rage. The rain had washed away the petals and the ground had returned to normal
He held his side and when he looked up he saw the new girl. Ashley was her name he thought. He gestured her to lean him up against her.
She complied immediately. She didn't seem to mind the blood. She ripped a piece of the..... She was dressed in nothing but rags!
She had no shoes and her hair was almost down to her waist. From head to toe, she was dressed in nothing put brown clothing made of one piece of the rags, She ripped it so it came above her thighs. She placed the make it against his side.
He nodded approving the strategy while dealing with the complicated feelings inside of himself. He looked out on the makeshift battlefield. He saw Rick dead body lying in a pool of water and blood. Dynames stunned face and he was showing no sign of moving.
He has lost Cross thought. His plans for the boy had been changed several times. Cross could think of no way to rectify the situation and adjust the plan anymore. Then he remembered his first plan. One he had written off entirely
Before Cross had met the boy, he had made a cruel plan for him to awaken. He had dismissed it and went for a more peaceful approach. He realized the condition to his original plan had finally come. He needed to act fast, with regret he knew he had to do it. He removed the cloth from his side and stab his hand into it his new wound.
He cried out forcing his cries and tears back. The pain pulsated and he nearly lost consciousness. Blood streamed down his side like a stream.There was a small puddle around his right side now. He placed his left hand in it and began to draw. In seconds the design of a magic circle was being made.
His hand remembered every turn and spec of the draw he had spent years drawing and redrawing over and over again.
Once he finished, he inspected the shape of it. It was a large circle with three smaller one on the outside. Each filled with a magic symbol. In the inside, he drew two backward C's back to back. He drew to imprints of line shaped like a seven. Then he drew two more backward C's. He drew one inner circle filing it with years of mesmerized symbols and ancient letters. He had done the best he could. He was starting to shake from the loss of blood. Hs vision clouded all too often.
He exhaled and place his full weight on the girl. He kept his eyes trained on Dynames.
Brogg was walking slowly toward him. He kicked Rick’s immobile body out of the way. Cross heart nearly broke from the sight. He grabbed Dynames by the collar and lifted him up.
Cross couldn't see him very well but he knew the boy had given in, but he need one more push for Cross’s plan to be put into action. The second condition was almost meet.
Brogg was saying something. He saw Dynames move a bit. However, he showed no sign of fighting back. Brogg then threw him up a bit and then grabbing his head.
With a steel covered hand, Brogg started to add pressure. Erica's screams filled the air. Her volume was ear piercing, but they were drowned out by the sound of the thunder from above. The rain just pounded harder against the ground.
Cross looked up to see what was left of the ceiling. Only the section near the students wasn't damaged. So they were safe from the pouring rain. Cross wished he could read lips. He needed to understand what Brogg was saying.
Brogg seemed to be squeezing slowly. He must be trying to keep it slow and make it hurt. Brogg slapped Dynames left side causing it to bleed more.
Brogg brought the boy in close and whispered something in his ear. He then fully extends his arm and started laughing. He soon stopped abruptly. Cross saw it too it was the sign.
On the steel arm of Brogg was Dynames's hand. He knew it was the time. He placed his hand on the circle and began to chant.
“Thy creature that nest in the earth, may your rage and love come forth. In your name and power, I ask thee arise and protect that which is yours. Reclaim now oh great one. May your appearance blind all.”
The circle began to glow. Shot of red lightning shot out and hit the silver box. Cracks started to form and white light was pouring from them.
The light faded and spikes of earth shot from below Dynames shooting Brogg back. A hand of earth caught Dynames and brought him back slowly becoming a sphere.
Just when the last hole was filled the box burst open and a blinding white light shot into the sphere of rock. Brogg recovered from the shot back. Stood up and looked at the ball.
“IF YOU think that will stop me you are sorely mistaken!” Borgg shouted at the clump of earth.
“No, the sphere won't stop you. It's what come next that will” Cross whispered to himself.
Brogg ran full force at to break it. He was slapped to the side by a tentacle make of rock and dirt. More soon formed around the sphere. The sphere shot up supported by a giant pillar.
Never had Cross thought the day would come when the dirt and rock would scare him so much. He and everyone could feel the killer intent from the cold pieces of dirt.
Erica had found her way next to Cross. She eyes were red from the crying. She placed the amulet in his hand and he felt the healing come in.
Cross thought it was half way done when it shattered into pieces. A wind swept the pieces away like a dust. Cross managed a low laugh.
“Of course I can't have any luck like that.” He said with a little more life in him now.
Erica didn't see in the laughing mood nor was anyone else. He sensed this so he stopped.
Erica looked out at the field of rock whips. She then looked at the circle and back at the sphere.
She looked back at him with a serious face.
“What did you do exactly?” she asked
“A little summoning spell” he answered very seriously.
“So you are controlling all that out there?
Cross gave a defeated look. “I'm afraid not. I only managed to summon her, and that was as far as I had planned.”
Erica gave confused look then looked afraid and then settled on anger. “What do you mean planned? You summon a....” She seemed to realize she didn't know what he had summoned.
“So what or who in this cause did you summon?
Cross though for a moment how to explain it. He coughed a bit and brought both the girl in close.
“I summoned a god.....”
“You summoned a god here! Something that could very well kill us all!?”
As she said that Cross noticed more of the black arrows come there. He grabbed both Ashley and Erica and shield them with his body. Explosions filled his ears. He looked back to see a swarm of small rock whips had blocked it.
“There does that make you feel better,” Cross said to Erica.
Ashley slid out and touched on of the whips. Cross expected the worst, yet nothing happened.
“So you summoned her?” She said cautiously “It been a while, Gaia.” She said to the stone.
“I see you still breath young one.” A low voice whispered back.
“So.... that boy is him.” She said.
“Yes,” Gaia said with a little more happiness in the voice. “He will soon be back to us.”
Cross studied the situation. The way she as familiar with Gaia and the way the fire in her eyes burned. He had only met a few people that had that. He then knew who this girl in rags was. He pointed a finger at her.
“Your Ashley Walker aren't you?”
“Ashely who?” Eria wore a baffled look.
“Ashley walker otherwise known to all her enemies as the “Eternal reaper”.”Cross decided he should explain. He knew much of the person between him and Erica. “A mercenary for hire for six years now. Currently working under the eighth king. Your skills are renowned through every person who studies combat skills.”
She nodded. She flipped her wild hair out of her face. and let the seriousness come back to her.
“That would be me,” she responded like it meant very little to her. Her eyes did darken a bit at the mentioning of the eighth.
“Let's drop that for now”. She pointed at Erica. “What kind of magic do you use girl?” She said with authority in her voice. Cross saw the burning light of life more clearly in her eyes now.
Erica hesitated but told her. Ashley processed for a second and told her to make a simple scythe out of her sand.
She did she formed the staff of it and gave it a long curved blade.
“Will that work?” She asked curiously
“Perfect” She grabbed the base and close her eyes. A strange flow of magic went into the sand shape scythe.
She opened her eyes and told Erica to drop the sand. The sand fell to the ground revealing a real scythe.
It was the same shape but the blade was real steel. Its shaft was nothing more than a black rod.
“How did you......?” Erica was about to ask but was interrupted
“No time, now you and I are going to be a distraction for the guy in there.” She said pointing her thumb at the sphere.
Erica seemed to lose the need for an explanation. She looked ready to fight. It was good to see some teamwork for once since coming here. thought Cross
If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
They both rush passed the whips and stood firm and ready to fight.
Cross thought of stopping them, but he knew why the were doing it. The magic needed to summon Gaia was a large amount of magic and with what little was left in the area. She had a short window and needed every second of it.
Cross wondered what the light was that enter the sphere. It was not part of the plan and he had a feeling it was going to be a game changer.
A few student found there way to him and pulled him back toward the larger group were a few of them started to heal his wounds.
They had formed groups and were chanting spells to put up a barrier around them. They could handle it for a bit. He closed his eyes and rested his body.
He told the nearest student to wake him in five minutes. He will need to see the event at that time.
Dynames
I was in complete despair. I felt my will to fight fade. My will to live followed close behind. All I could see was Rick lifeless body and all the guilt it left me. All the memories came flooding in. I saw many things and felt many emotions.
My tears fell just like the rain around me. I felt hollow like a tree. I felt myself slipping into a deep depression. I have nothing left.
The shock of seeing Rick body kicked like a common pebble sent me in deeper. I was grabbed by the collar and dragged up, but I had no will to make it stop.
Why did you save me, Rick? I thought many times. The memories, I had gained, left the impression Rick was a lot stronger than he ever let on. He had lots of potential and he would've been a great mage one day.
I heard something from Brogg. He was shouting a victory speech or something. I chose to listen a little.
“…..You pathetic bug. I thought you would be more fun, but at least I finally got to kill someone. I wish he had died a little slower, though. I bet his screams of agony would have been great!” Something surged in me. I didn't know what is was.
He kept waving me around like a dead animal he had just killed. Lighting and rain were all that I could hear after the long silence he left with those words.
“I really thought you were going to be fun. Let's see which one of them to kill next. Hey, if you are still alive, I've decided to kill that annoying girl dressed in black. I wanted the teacher but looks like the others got him already.” More feelings that I had never felt before surface, but I had no way of expressing them.
k…k...k
“I think making you watch as I kill them one by one will be a fun way to kill you.” He said with the biggest smile. His eyes full of hate and lust to kill.
ki…...ki….ki
I felt it again stronger this time. It flowed through my body like lightning had just struck me. My body was thrown like rag doll in the air just to have his cold steel hand grab my face in mid air.
He brought me in close till I could feel his breath on my ear. “I think I'm going to mount that first one I killed it front of all the kids first. Then make an example of it by ripping it to shreds to show no mercy to even the dead and that should even the score I have with you boy. I might even rape those girls you like so much for fun!” He said with lots of joy.
kil……..kil…...kil
I was extended and I felt the pressure on my head increase. He was trying to crush my skull with his hand! I thought as pain shot through me. The emotions I was feeling burrowed deep into me.
Then it all became clear. The emotion I was feeling was easy to understand.
Murderous intent.
I felt my body move and before I knew it, I had a gripped the arm with a vice grip.
The event to follow were like an avalanche. First, Cross started saying something weird. A bolt of red lightning struck the box, then the earth rumbled and shot out whips that knocking Brogg away from me.
Then a hand made of earth grabbed me and pulled me farther away till I was in a rather spacious sphere of earth with a shining light.
I still had yet to find the strength or the will to move. But the ground below set me to lean against the nearest wall. A second light appeared but it was taking the form of a woman. When the light faded, it revealed a tall slender women in her near thirties if I had to guess. She had long black hair and flower in her hair. She was dressed in a purple robe that seemed to be glowing. Her skin was a light tan. Her green eyes were locked on me.
Even as she stared at em, I didn't feel fear. In fact, something far different filled me. they were filled with tenderness. Just as I could have named the emotion in my body, the strange feeling she was giving off calmed it down. She made her way over. She started to get closer slowly. As she approached I saw she was covering her mouth with her hand and tear were streaming down her beautiful face.
Her figure reminded him of a supermodel, but it seemed to resemble something else. Then I remember why she looked so similar. Her figure matched the white light I had seen in my dream.
She was standing above him When she fell to her knees and embrace him. I felt the desire to hug back. My nose was filled with a light, yet refreshing smell from her hair. Her hold on me was strong. I gave in and hugged back.
“Thank goodness you're alright my son!” Her voice was light and yet it had a trendiness to it. I felt at peace until I processed what she had said.
“Wait? What!!!” I yelled. I felt like I had just been slapped. I was in shock again and I felt the need to do something. I stood for the first time since the incident and I backed away from her. Then fell, but I leaned on the wall. My wounds had reopened.
“You can't be my mom! Both my parent are dead!” I yelled. Having a god as a mother wouldn’t have been possible. They had been sealed long ago. I lowered my head in shame. I had just taken my anger and guilt out on this women.
She was taken back by this, but she rose to meet my gaze unphased by what I had said.
“Raise your head, my child.” She wrapped me in her embrace again, “It okay let it all out.” I felt the sadness in me rise. “I am your mother and that all you need to know. Now shut up and cry for your lost friend.” The sudden forcefulness threw me off, but it was still nice to hear for some reason.
She placed her hand on the back of my head and stroked it gently. “It's okay to cry no one can remain alright from that.”
All at once I let out all the hate and sadness. I spent minutes yelling and getting it all out. I said more than just Rick's death. I let out all the years of sorrow and loneliness I had endured. The pain of being scorned by the other kids. Even some things I had never been aware of myself. Her gentle touch on me never faltered.
“It's alright my son. I know you been through a lot. I never let you out of my sight again.” she said with a little shutter. She herself had been crying with him.
“Why didn't you come sooner or even try telling my you were there?” I said through all my tears.
“You were taken six years ago, and they placed the distasteful relic on you.” She raised his hand to show the last ring on my hand.
“This blocked me and the others from making contact with you. Even if we did get through, your memories were overwritten so you wouldn't recognize me nor them.” She paused for a moment and then continued.
“Thanks to the action of your friend. I was able to break through”
“So Cross summoned you here,” I asked
“Yes, but Dynames I need you to be strong for me. I know what I'm about to say may be cold and a little much, but please bear it alright?” I simply nodded thinking my words would betray me.
“As much as I want to take you away from here; I need you to stay and fight those men.” I was silent for a bit processing it all. I decide, to be honest with her.
“I don't know if I can. I already lost one person to the thought I could win against them.” I felt am my voice rise. “I'm just not strong enough for them. I'm just too weak.”
She stood firm and show comfort this time. “I figured you might be down in the dumps so I brought someone with me.”
I looked around just in time to see a fist hit me and sent me back. I struggle to get up and see a familiar face.
“Did that wake you up a little bit you stubborn shit,” yelled Rick. He looked just same way he had before he was killed. He did have a new glow to him, though.
“But your..” I was about to say it but he did for me
“Yeah dead I know.” Rick place himself on top of me and continue to beat me up. Until I raised my hands and finally answered his question
“Yes, I'm awake now fuck!” I yelled. Rick paused. He almost looked to be deciding whether or not he would get off me. He finally did and he dusted himself off. Then he offered me his hand I took it greedily and without hesitation. I didn’t have the nerve, however, to meet him face to face or stand up.
“Good now stop this mopping crap.” I started to say something but he cut me off mid-sentence.
“Now listen here I may be dead, but I don't regret anything I did. I want you to use the life I saved to go be better than an anyone in the world. Now I'm not saying go all crazy and go out in a blaze of glory. Use the memories and gain what you need from them.” His offered hand still there. I laughed a little it was a good yet guilty feeling to laugh.
I was hesitant to speak. I felt like I didn't deserve to be helped by him. I had gotten him killed and that was all I could think of.
Rick gave me no time to think anymore. I was pulled up to where we were facing each other.
“I’m here to tell you to stop being a little bitch! You need to push past this and get stronger. Not for some reason for revenge, nor for a fragile thing like justice. I want you to get stronger so you can be you!” He nodded his head as if agreeing with himself. He smiled faintly and rubbed the back of his head smiling.
“Alright, it seems I have used up all the time I was allowed.” His feet started to disappear in a cloud of light. He just kept his usual happy face about it.
He stuck his finger out at me. “Now remember I died and I can't be brought back, nor do I want too. But I'm still rooting for you. No little thing like death is going to stop me.” He smiled and it was like a new light had formed in front of me. It was so warm. Now he grabbed the back of my head and brought me in close
“Kick some ass for me Dynames. Let go of this restraint you have and embrace who you are.” He gestured to the last ring. “Take it off when you want to accept my idea.”
I was overcome with regret and a longing for more time. I longed to say I'm sorry, but I felt it was not the right word for this situation. I place my hand behind his head and braced myself.
“I....I have seen all the things you have had to do Rick. I saw through all of them and I know something is missing from them. Only now do I know what you kept for yourself.” Through all the sadness from the dreams of Rick. Much of them were his being employed to be my guardian and all the secret hate he had held for me was something I couldn’t bare until I saw what he had kept to himself. All the people he had killed and the loss of his family in front of his eyes to the very men he now worked under. “I will love you no matter the blood on your hands.” His crisp voice filled my ears.
“Don't get too crazy you selfish wannabe gangster,” I said summoning all my strength to send him off with a smile, though a few tears were visible.
“You little..” he faded just before he could finish his sentence.
I turn to face the women again. I felt changed as if I was finally ready to take the first step away from this place.
“Now, how do I get so more power?” I asked the women. I felt it too weird to start calling her my mom. She gestured toward the light a crossed from them.
“He will guide you the rest of the way.” she said to me with eyes full of seriousness.
“A ball of light is going to give me power,” I said sighed a bit. This stuff just is too weird for me. I realized the ball had begun changing shape.
It now was a long silver lizard. Its head had two antlers with three points on each one. With a vine wrapped tightly around each of them. It clear red eyes looked like to rubies. It had long spurts of white hair around the base of its head. It had too small arms and it was at least the size of both my arms put together. It had no hind legs just a very furry tail.
It looked ready for something and the women pushed me forward. I stumbled trying not to fall. I stop right in front of the lizard.
“So are you ready?” it voice was clear and it was a little high pitched.
“For what exactly?” I was very hesitant toward it. I stayed still, afraid if I move too much it would try to kill me.
“You have passed my test and I wish to give you your reward you fool.” It was clearly irritated. “It has been a hundred years since I was last free and know I'm about to give an idiot my power.”
“What power are you talking about?” I was all sorts of confused. It closed its eyes for a second and reopened them.
“Boy, I am a dragon. I have got my many names, but you may use the name Danzeth the silver dragon. I have come to the decision to bestow my power on to you.” at this point my brain was having such a meltdown, I couldn't form words to explain my surprise anymore.
“I sense something great from you and I wanted to test you, but I was interrupted by the crippled fool.”
He must mean the chairmen. "Now after seeing the event to pass I have decided to give them to you."
“Now I will simply need to to extend your left hand and let me bite it,” Danzeth stated calmly like it wasn’t odd to request. I was reeled back and kept my hands away from him.
“You mean I have to offer my hand to you in order to get this power?” I questioned this, but I felt the press for time and I could hear battle sound coming from outside.
“I would hurry your friends are in deep trouble.” I had made my mind up then. I walked forward and offer my left hand. I was ready to do this.
It opened it’s mouth and revealed many sharp teeth. It bit down and pain shot through my body, but at the same time, a hot force ruptured from deep within me. I light shown from where it was still biting me. The dragon released is chomp and moved back
Danzeth eyes were filled with confusion “Your .....”He was interrupted by the women.
“Now go. Release it all.” I felt a pulsation in my soul. I felt the dropped all the walls I had kept around myself. I felt the power want a direction; it was starting to hurt. I started to scream and it bubble over. I felt the ring shattered.
I felt the sensation like I flew up and I saw many things as the power scatter in many directions. I saw many places and then a reverse flow came rushing back at me.
It was I this moment, I saw someone else. His hands were extended toward me.I grabbed his hand. A rush of memories bombarded me. It finally dawned on me what I was. I let a light laugh go.
I found myself standing in an open area of complete white, but there were black chains laying at my feet. I saw a blue sky so vast the end of it was beyond thought. I became more aware of seven chains coming out of each of my limbs save my head.
When compared to the other chains, which were black and rusted, Six of the seven stilled had a shimmer of silver to them. The seventh one was nothing like the others ones. It was so rust, that fungus had formed on it and the original shape was anyone's guess.
It was broken and clearly beyond repair, but I felt the urge to fix it or mend it. The feeling changed when I saw that the chains lead to seven people. I couldn’t tell any details, mostly just gender. There were five boys and two girls. The chains all lead to them. The distance from each was different, but I could tell they were important. They had had the feel of importance to them.
Yet the one with the broken beyond repair one filled me with hate and a sense of murder. I forgot it, as the world around me closed and opened my eyes for the first time in forever.
“Let’s go Danzeth”
“Yes, my king”