Chapter 9: Dual Awakening

Wandering through the industrial haze, Tobias and Lydon stumbled back into the forge. No light from the sun reached through the metal cracks. Fog made its way unabated. Early salt licking the weary morning eyes. The Forge yawned, adding its breath to the air. Scales on both of their faces retreated. Hands on their knees they both groggily moved forward. The silver on Lydon’s back retreated. His shirt on the back torn to shreds from the claws.

At least his leg is ok. What is with the silver though? It’s almost the same as the hilts. Tobias thought and trailed off.

“Hey you alright? Your body has changed a bit. Almost like mine.”

“Well, I do feel better after throwing up all that shit. Changed, no way that’s some ace detective skills. Did you not see my---” Lydon exclaimed. His rant stopped as they passed by a foggy window. He wiped away the fog, then again and again. Like a madman.

“What the hell is this!” With his tired hands renewed with vigor from the shock, he poked at his face. The scales faded and his eyes went from slit silver back to normal.

Unsurprised with his reaction, Tobias walked by him. Rose a hand and put up a hand. The way they came filled with fog and faded into obscurity. Hidden from the expanse of the forge. Sleep could not find them as they went back to their hotel. Onyx leaned against his hide legs against a rusty pole. Pipe in his mouth. Ears perked up at their footsteps. With an exaggerated breath from the smokeless pipe, Onyx placed an eye on them.

Grant took a step outside. Hammer in both hands he glared at them. Onyx shrugged down to all fours then took a seat between the two. A scowl grew across Grants face as he threw on his welding helmet. The eye hatch open he spat and tasted the salt and dirty air.

“What a nice fresh morning. Hope I didn’t miss anything. Time to go, hope your rested.” Grant said. Boots smashed the wet morning ground. Vapor from the mist filling the holes he created. Tobias held out a hand to stop Grant. That quickly was thwarted though as he smacked himself. That’s right. Meet up with the Forgemaster. Traveling to Ovoroth in a week is becoming less likely.

Lydon brought his nose to the tip of his index finger. Nearly cross eyed while they converged to the tip. The smallest sparks of silver flame shot out. Shimmering out against his pale white skin he cocked his head. Face scrunched with disgust he faced Tobias.

“How in the world did I manage to create a flaming silver wall of fire to save your ass back there?”

“Well mate, have you seen me do anything like that, yet?”

“Ok well yea…uhh how about old scales? Must know something I imagine.”

“We can ask but so far his help and wisdom have added up to a whole lot of nothing.”

Smoke rose from the hilt. Graels body unraveled against the cool mud. With a huge breath steam rolled out of his mouth.

“Well yes young ones. I can answer this for you. Some of my power, as well as the hilts now flows through you.”

Grunts and cursing filled the momentary silence. Lydon held out his hands and shook them.

“Could you take them back now? As much as I appreciate the power boost, having scales and what not isn’t going to fly.”

Black and silver claws grazed Graels ancient facial scales. Strands of whiskers straightening with each brush.

“No. It is yours now. A gift that you chose to accept willingly. Whether consciously or not, this is the result. In dire need from life about to be forever extinguished. Axiom Coalesce. Is the ancient term I still use.”

“Great one step closer to becoming like them. Damn it!” Lydon shouted and ran up to catch with Grant.

“Was that a misstep on my part? Feeling pity for him.” Graels said.

“No don’t worry about that airhead. It is like when I pulled the sword on that smug Forgemaster. If we appear to have fewer human features, well people will react more harshly to others. If not, then it’s for damn sure they are degrading and being hostile in their minds.”

Grael took in his words. With more people wandering into the streets, he returned to the hilt. Tobias filled him in on the details of losing parts of their humanity. How much Mare Clausum and Insmourn, despised Grayland and their offers. Zealots were just another notch on the post.

Grant and Lydon were not but a few paces ahead of them. Both adamantly talking amongst each other. Loud enough for Tobias to catch bits of their conversation. Grant was concerned over a nightmare he had. One he had discussed with them about the creature coming out of the forge. Hammer clashed against Grants light shoulder armor. His welding helmet created sparks as he forcefully brought it back up.

Lydon’s hands flailed in the air. Flung to either side of him. He was recalling the night. Assaulted by maggots, shadow eel beast from hell and nasty other worldly beings chasing them down.

“It may be hard on him. Power being siphoned from the three of us into him. Not usually something that happens. Even when fighting against the dividers.” Smoke from Graels nostrils bellowed out as he spoke.

“Three, what do you mean?” Reaching for the hilt of the sword. Tobias remarked.

“Me, yourself and the hilt. It has only spoken once in the time since its name reached my ears. Independent, idle and mostly unconscious.” Grael said. Gray and black light sparked out of the hilt at the remark.

Green light flashed in front of Tobias’ face as he drew the hilt. Closer he inspected the blade. Something he had not bothered to do yet. It was always taken out for emergencies. That had saved them in a couple tricky situations already. Vaporous and ghostly the blade revealed delicate runes and carved patterns on its base. From the tip of the sword a serpent-like tail wove around a quarter of the way down. Before spiraling into what looked to be a sun. Comets trailing off on either side as smaller etchings. Droplets of water ran off the edges of his brow. The mist got denser as they went. Small black particles came up from the periphery. One slit eye watched them intently.

Any idea why the sword did not cut through those creatures? Tobias asked. Speaking in his mind as Grael had returned.

It could be any one of these things. I observed as we moved through that place. Through the battle as well. First, those colossal creatures could have given them power. Second, they have evolved too much in my time. Third, the sword lost power. Through the battle or healing your friends wounds somehow. Fourth, you are too weak. Grael summarized.

Well, three of them sound great. Last one what a shocker. Just started to use this bloody thing. Tobias thoughts suddenly spun.

As if a blast of strong wind had hit him, Tobias staggered as someone ran right into his shoulder. Steel flashed as he drew the sword and brought it to the stranger’s neck. After being stalked by shadows and having an unpleasant surprise, he wasn’t taking any chances. A hood draped over its head. Two deep red circles swirled in front of him. With matching wires tinted black. It wore a long gray trench coat. Black pants for the bottom half. What caught Tobias off guard the most was a small scythe and double-barreled pistol gun at their side. A black bandana veiled what would be their mouth. Tobias shoved the blade closer. With his head arched back and clenched teeth. Onyx charged up from behind going straight through Tobias legs. Clank! Clank! Clank! Furiously Onyx was swiping his head side to side, pipe in his mouth as a weapon. It struck the strangers apparent metal legs. Then ducked as a leg swiped at him. On his hind legs he clawed and clawed to get the intruder off. With no luck he ran to his side and growled defensively.

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“Ah! The Spark that has been spoken of so much. I have been waiting so very long to meet you.” The stranger said. Hands at their side. One slowly moved to the sickle, the other pointed at Onyx. Grant and Lydon stopped when they noticed it was rather quiet when they tossed a question his way. The clangs of steel had them spin around. Tobias held up his free hand to them.

“Spark? Whatever are you on about. Got some circuits loose up there?”

“Plenty. Actually. Just a quick warning. It has stirred deep under the scrap. I can feel it moving.” The stranger said. Dread filled Tobias stomach as the mechanical neck dug into the blade. Face to face with a complete lunatic.

“Great. Thanks for the warning. Now go take your dump somewhere else, thanks.”

Trails of black smoke escaped from the fingertips as Tobias face was grabbed by its mechanical hand.

“I would love to dispose of you and your friends’ corpses. Sadly, I have been given the order not to intervene. Might cause some conflict sooner than our leader would like. Pitiful.”

Tobias’ feet left the ground. His head yanked and forced at an odd angle. The stranger hurled him at Grant and Lydon with ease.

Onyx lunged striking nothing but smoke. Laughing while taking steps back the stranger bowed. Strands of black spread in different directions as the body faded. Black particles remained; slightly bigger than the ones he previously saw.

“I am sure he won’t mind if I kick things off a bit early. Do take care young sparks. We are not done getting acquainted.” With the sounds of blades clashing, the stranger vanished amongst the black particles and smoke. Absently staring ahead Grant and Lydon rushed over as he pushed himself up. Onyx barked at the air before going to Tobias side.

“You alright there Tobias?” Grant asked lifting his vizor from the welding helmet up.

“Sort of. We need to be careful. Whatever or whoever that was, made me sick. Just like the monsters that have been after us.”

“Hard to do when everything that comes at us seems to pop of nowhere.” Angrily snapping his fingers, Lydon said. Bits of silver flame coming to life with each snap.

“This is just like my nightmare last night. Save for the words and all. Less blood and chaos so far, which is good.” Grant said.

“What a great time we are having. Let’s get our visit over fast, shall we? Then we can hope for a night’s rest after we leave this dump.” Tobias replied.

Grant took slight offense as he loved every little bit of the forge. Not wanting to add oil to a pointless and contained fire, he dropped it.

Hills that stretched for miles and miles began to turn from a dark green to a bright white. Until all was cleared away in a fine white sheet. Weary from being medicated and tossed across the cavern, Maxwell woke. Melaine was fast asleep on top of him. He brushed her long brown bed head and smiled. One arm around her back, the other brought her head to his chest, kissing her forehead. The medical staff would likely bar her from returning if they found them like this. He did not care at the moment. Black particles slowly drifted through the vent systems. Inside to the room they went. Harmlessly they drifted around the room.

The blinds were drawn shut, and the room was quiet besides their breathing. All the tubes and wiring had been taken out. Oxygen mask and other materials set neatly aside. On the bedside table his holoframe went off. For just a split second he thought about checking it. Having a break from the current situation was nice. He tossed the thought aside along with the holoframe being there and held Melaine a little tighter. Often, they had been separated due to work. Lone investigations missions sure did not help his case. If she woke and saw him talking or replying to anyone in regarding his current work. He would likely get chewed out and put in another coma.

Her breast pushed up against him. Melaine stirred from sleep as a loud THUD came from just outside the door. The rest of her body just as soft. Lazily their cheeks pushed against each other. One hand pushed up against his chin, then all the way up the face. Like last night’s meal the smell of toast graced his nostrils. Deviously he kissed her just as she as closed her mouth from a yawn. A bit awkward as planned, Melaine gave a quick gasp of air. Not startled by the act itself, she pushed into him, and they continued to kiss.

“Morning to my lone ranger. Must have had a good night out on the prairie.” Melaine said soothingly. With a long sigh and stretch, her hands reached and brought them down on the sides of his head.

“Sure did. Felt alive and free. No tricks, just a long, serene trot. Felt like I was close to the ground, on all fours.” With surprise he met her glance. Confused, as she tugged on his ears. Softly he took her hands and lowered them to his cheeks. Melaine sat up on him. Leaning forward with amazement she poked his cheeks. Then went right back to his ears. They did feel strange but so did everything else. Must be getting senses back after knocked out.

She stopped and examined his face carefully with lips pursed up in interest.

“Maxwell, did you ask for any reconstruction? Your ears are so…straight and fluffy. Like a dog!”

He chuckled and went to feel them. This clearly wasn’t a dream. No way did he apply for reconstruction. Would have been considered a Graylander if so. Soon as his fingers touched them, he froze. The ears gave a slight wiggle as his finger left.

“See! Also, there is a rather large marking on your forehead.” She said. Mouth wide open and hands on either of his shoulders.

He pinched her side and gave her a quick smack on the butt, as he moved to get up. The blankets and sheets slid off. Melaine took Maxwells hands as he stood. Immediately they fell to her sides. He gave her a quizzical look, as she stood frozen. Wide eyed she pointed to the mirror, while scanning him up and down. Everything felt normal for the most part. No hospital gown was on which was a little strange. Thinner was his stomach, strangely the toes had taken a different look. Elongated and clawed. Before he even got close to the mirror his pace slowed to a crawl. Cautiously he went in for a look. Poking at his face and body. The ribcage nearly exposed all his upper body may as well have shown the insides.

More jackal than human now. Maxwell was speechless. Pointed ears, a morphing face into a long snout, clawed hands and feet. On his forehead that couldn’t be missed, the large marking that Melaine spoke of slowly turned. More like symbols than anything else, they moved. Slowly like a clock the inner and outermost symbols turned. Then locked into place. Claws caused cracks to ripple through the ground as he took steps. Nervously he turned to Melaine who was rocked with shock. Carefully he picked up the sheet and attempted to wrap it around his waist. Instead, holes tore through the fabric. Melaine came over and smacked his hands then helped wrap it around.

“Uhm honey. What is going on?” She said.

“No. Clue.” Maxwell replied. Voice sounding more like a whine.

Trying hard not to laugh, Melaine punched him in the side and ironically or uncomically, howled with laughter.

“We need to find a nurse, doctor anyone right away!” Maxwell said. More panicked than ever. Melaine couldn’t hold back the laughter. Clawed fingers tried to open the door handle. No luck there. Followed by furious jabbing at an emergency button on the door. While laughing from his wife continued, his ears perked up. The door opened and a body fell through. With only a brief look it was frozen with shock. Black blood pooled out of their mouth and eye sockets. Soon as the head hit the ground. It shattered into hundreds, if not thousands of black dust like particles that lingered in the air.

Maxwell hurried and took Melaine. Hiding her gaze from the corpse.

“What happened!” She yelled into his chest. Then began to cough.

He did not answer right away as he moved to investigate the hall. All that awaited was silence. The bright fluorescent lights of the hospital shone bright. Black stains covered the walls. The halls thick with black haze. The last symbols on his head slammed into place and he doubled over in pain. Thick empty hallow eye sockets burrowed into him.

“They come. I.. cannot be..there physically…” The wolf he had seen outside the station and in dreams spoke.

“This….is all I…can do. Wield me well. This power belongs to you. Don’t forget…mongrel pup. We. Are. Always. Watching…”

Through the hallway a worker dressed in scrubs burst through the door.

“Help! The hospital! Hell, all Clausum Mare is---”

Melaine was dropped to the floor and Maxwell lunged at the voices location. Sharp fangs pierced through the skin with ease. Violently teeth shook the body, that struggled briefly before going limp. With a strong hand he grasped the head while pulling with his fangs. Black blood seeped out of the wounds. Clawed fingers dug into the skull like dirt. No longer a yelp, a loud roar filled the hall. Maxwell tore the head from the shoulders. Entrails of the neck spilled out as the body hit the floor. With a fury she had never seen, Melaine watched as Maxwell rose back his arm. Snarling and roaring he punched the head into the wall. Adding another black stain to the hospital walls.

Out of the corpse maggots and wormlike creatures the length of the human arm wiggled to Melaine. Screeches filled her ears. Maxwell’s clawed form dug into them as he jumped in front of her. Scraps of their bodies flung against the wall as he punched, ripped and bit into them.

After the carnage was over, he slowly turned to her. Eyes blazed a bright gold. The bed head was even stronger now on her. Briskly a finger moved some of the hair away from her face.

“Are you okay?” Maxwell asked as he embraced her.

“I’m good, I’m good. Not worried at all. Insanely worried! Maxwell what is going on?”

“Nothing good my love.”