Atticus & The Blade King

by M K Drake

  Khan follows suit, and strikes the mace with such force that it, too, becomes nothing more than a memory. He smiles at Atticus. “See, getting stronger.”

  Atticus acknowledges Khan before holding his blade to the neck of the Knight. “Enough! Show yourself!”

  The Knight stands and removes his helmet. “You are both indeed worthy. And the Sword of Ages, one of my greatest blades, is surely in good hands.”

  Atticus stands back and looks up. “You, you are the Blade King?”

  The apparition looks down at Atticus and Khan. “I am the embodiment of him. I guard this temple, to guide those who are proven worthy to find my true self. But right now, I am trapped.”

  “How do we free you?” asks Khan.

  “With the combined swords of power. The trinity. Combine the swords, and I will be free.”

  Atticus looks at Khan, and then back towards the Blade King’s spirit. “We have the Sword of Ages, and the Sword of Al Amir. But we do not know where the third sword is.”

  The Blade King smiles. “Ha! I sense Kazmagus didn’t tell you?”

  Atticus shakes his head. “He didn’t tell us a lot of things.”

  “Just like my brother. He rarely makes things easy! The sword you seek is much closer than you think. Kazmagus left instructions to leave the Great Stone Sword with or near his tomb, his palace grounds.” The Blade King begins to fade. “You must hurry, the yellow sickness is stronger now. Kazmagus’ power is so far gone he unleashed this unknowingly.” He paused, as though taking a deep breath. “This form is taxing. The closer to the time of Razakel’s apocalyptic return arrives, the weaker I become. The torment is too strong. If you do not hurry, my spirit, my body, will decay to nothing, I will be gone, and then we are all doomed.”

  Atticus, frustrated that all he has heard are more riddles, more puzzles, when what they need are actual answers becomes angered. “Is that all? Is that all you are going to give us, after what we have been through? After what we have lost!”

  The Blade King frowned. “Boy, you will lose much more if you do not go now. Leave!” The ghostly apparition waves a hand in the air, creating a bright flash of light, and then the chamber is empty, thrown back into darkness.

  The Majjai Journals

  It’s almost as if fate wishes to pull me away from my brother as soon as I am reunited with him. It is an impossible situation

  Khan should never have kept this secret from me, but I guess that also proves where his loyalty lies. He is more concerned with honour than love. What more can I do or say to persuade him otherwise?

  My brother is also a fool. So much lost time, and for what reason? He was always stubborn! Hasn’t changed. But I have sensed something else, proven by his words.

  He wished he had the chance to forgive Attossa! I couldn’t believe what he was saying! She betrayed our whole family! Father died because of the stupid war she triggered.

  But then he reminded me of the days when we played, when all we knew was sibling love. We were bonded, we were together, we were a family. I do miss those times. They were beautiful.

  Father never stopped loving our sister, even when he died. But she is gone and now I need to find a way to restore my brother’s strength! The potion from Mage Avipaul helps Elric; I hope it does the same for Ismail. But it is far from a permanent solution.

  I’ve been having more dreams about the third realm. And others.

  I’ve read many theories on multiple realms, not just the demon realm we now call Skarvak, or the third realm, but many more. Multiple layers of the same universe sitting on top of each other. The Scrolls may be powerful enough to punch a hole through to all of them. So it isn’t just our world at risk, not just our realm... there are so many lives, in so many places. To lose is unthinkable.

  I think these other realms are scared. They sense the danger, so they reach out to me. I really need to speak to Elric and Atticus about this, when I get a chance.

  I’m also truly worried about Khan, even if I am angry at him right now. He has falsified his recovery. And all to try and keep me safe, I know it. He will never trust anyone else to ensure my protection, his stupid honour sees to that. But now that I know Ismail is alive, I can twist his arm to order Khan to no longer be my protector. It’s a role that surely can be handed to another!

  Words will be said after we rescue Mage Callan, if we even can!

  Princess Safaya Mirza

  Chapter 24

  Proteus

  Atticus shakes his head, trying to shake off the dizziness that the teleportation from the Blade King’s apparition caused. He spies Khan sitting on the ground, also looking queasy. Hearing voices just ahead of him, Atticus realises that they are back at the bottom of the temple’s mountain as he recognises Ju Long and General Crawford shouting.

  “Great catch Ju Long! That could have gone for a six!”

  Atticus helps Khan to his feet and they both make their way through the foliage into the clearing, where they see the General, Ju Long, and the other Majjai, engaging in a game of cricket with the Dark Majjai. It appears they have made some makeshift stumps and bats from the trees, and are using a smoothed-out rock for the ball.

  “Look! They’re back!” shouts Pali, who leads the charge to greet Atticus and Khan.

  “Welcome back lads!” says General Crawford. “Did you find him?”

  Atticus nods his head. “Sort of. We found his ghost. But he did give us another clue. We need to get back to Wysardian Manor. The third sword of power is there. We find the sword, we find the king.”

  “Is that it? After all that, we have to go back to the start?” asks Ju Long. “I could have stayed home, played Fortnite!”

  “Well,” Khan replies, almost sympathetic to Ju Long’s words. “At least now we know what the sword is made of. The ghost called it the Great Stone Sword.”

  Ju Long stares at Khan blankly, shakes his head and walks away. “Fine, whatever. I’m packing up, let’s go home.”

  The others agree and begin preparations to leave.

  Atticus is about to follow them when he sees Kukulkan waving him over with one of his wings. He walks over tentatively, making sure the others see him making the journey over. Although the Mayan deity had been somewhat accommodating, Atticus has learned not to be too trusting. He does wonder why a god that is purported to be evil is now protecting those that are more vulnerable.

  Stopping what he hopes is a respectful distance from the serpent, Atticus bows slightly. “Thank you for allowing us passage. We shall leave you all in peace now.”

  Kukulkan begins to move along the clearing’s edge as Atticus follows by his side. “You are welcome, Atticus. Now come, walk with me for a while.”

  Atticus keeps pace, continually checking back to make sure the others are okay. “Can I ask you a question?”

  “Of course.”

  “Why do you protect the Dark Majjai?”

  Kukulkan smiles, his snake-like tongue flicking the air a few times in quick succession. “You ask this question because you consider me evil, or at least what you perceive to be evil?”

  Atticus nods his head, somewhat sheepishly, hoping he has not offended the Mayan god.

  “You would not be alone in thinking so,” the serpent says. “This is one of the reasons I wanted to speak with you. You took an important step today Atticus, when you decided to stop fighting an enemy, and offered a hand in friendship instead.”

  “Thank you, but that doesn’t really answer my question.”

  “No, it does not. But the reason why you stopped should.”

  Atticus is now more confused than ever.

  “Oh Atticus. Not everything is black and white. I prefer to see everything as different shades of grey. What you perceive as evil is simply a different point of view. When the Mayans’ thrived, I offered them choices, some chose war and in turn I gifted them victory. To them, I was not evil, I was their saviour. I served a purpose, but with the Mayans now long gone, I have reflected on my own cho
ices and my purpose.”

  Atticus, growing slightly tired of riddles for the day, replies curtly. “What, and you became good?”

  “Ha! Again, when was I ever not good?” Kukulkan stops, and looks sternly at Atticus. “Even deities get old, Atticus. I’ve lived longer than the Earth existed, but now even I am tired. Reflection is a part of growth. Everyone has a purpose, a goal, a place they want to get to. I missed the worship the Mayan people offered, and I found these lost ones, rejected by your people, and gave them shelter with my protection, my guard. In return, they give me the warmth of their piousness.” He pauses for moment, to allow Atticus to think about the words he is speaking before turning back towards the Majjai. “These beings that you call Dark Majjai, they are a perfect example of these different greys.”

  “In what way?” Atticus asks. “Loki rambled on about similar things. There is still evil. Razakel cannot be considered good!”

  Kukulkan chuckles. “That is true enough, but... when you find the Blade King, ask him a question. Ask him what Al Amir’s first name was.”

  “Wasn’t he one of the brothers in arms, with Kazmagus and the Blade King?”

  “There is much to the tale you do not know, Atticus. But I digress. Yes, Razakel is perhaps the epitome of evil, or what you perceive as evil. But for him, he has a plan, a focus. His motivation is clouded, even to us Old Gods, but he still has one. Skarvak, and the Skarvakians, not all are bad. I know of many who do their master’s bidding purely out of fear. They live, they breathe, they have wives, husbands... children. But you only see them as cannon fodder.”

  Atticus bristles at Kukulkan’s use of his own earlier argument. “They attack, we defend!”

  “You kill! Do not whitewash your actions!” Kukulkan snaps. “Trust your better judgement Atticus. Just as you did today. Your power is potentially limitless, but you are still blind.”

  Atticus tries to understand. The Dark Majjai and the demons of Skarvak have to be different, how can they not be? He also wonders if Kukulkan is just trying to confuse him—is this just another game, from another player on this chessboard of insanity that he now lives on? “But how do you tell? How do you see these shades?”

  “You are much, much older than your appearance suggests Atticus. One day you will learn. Tell me, if I said to you the words, Proteus Eternal, would that mean something to you right now?”

  “No, it has been mentioned, but not explained. I have heard the word Remnant? Does that relate?” Atticus quizzes, hoping to get an answer for one of his jigsaw puzzles.

  “Perhaps. But if you are unable to connect the dots yet, you are not quite ready,” Kukulkan sighs, seemingly frustrated, as if he wants to tell Atticus everything he needs to know, but aware that doing so, could risk the path that needs to be walked. “You know, the council of elders, us Old Gods, we talk about you.”

  Atticus is almost flattered, that gods of old would find him interesting at all. “Really? And what do you talk about?”

  Kukulkan chuckles. “Often we wonder how someone so small can cause so much mischief and imbalance.”

  Atticus is about to retort but is interrupted when Kukulkan continues quickly.

  “The reason we wonder about the imbalance is because your existence is supposed to bring balance. To bring understanding. To achieve this within the Majjai world, to make every single living being in the universe realise... balance.”

  “But, how do I bring this balance? There is too much chaos. And I am scared.”

  Atticus pauses, he just realised his admission, his fear. He has thought it many times, but this is perhaps the first time he has ever spoken it. “I’ve held back, because, I know…, I know that if I truly let go... I do not know if I can ever come back.”

  Kukulkan smiles again. “And that Atticus, is why you need to find your own balance. And when you do, you will be ready to learn your true origins.”

  Atticus looks over to his Majjai friends and can see they are ready to leave, he wonders one more thing before he leaves with the others. “Would you fight with us? Against Loki? Against Razakel?”

  “Ha! Atticus, I’m far too weak. I would be more of a liability than an asset. I hear the Reaper himself calling, and you already know he is not one to be trifled with. But, I will tell you this: the Old Gods and I, we are mostly on your side. Razakel’s rule would not be good, for any of us.” Kukulkan points to Spitfire, who has morphed into his jet form. “It’s time for you to leave. You have much work to do.”

  Atticus nods. “Thank you, again.”

  “You are welcome back any time Atticus, you have made friends here.”

  Atticus grins, glad they are leaving this island on a much brighter note than when they arrived. “I may well take you up on that offer one day.”

  He rushes back to the others, climbs aboard Spitfire, and looks down through the window as they leave, trying to make sense of everything Kukulkan told him, but also wondering how to free the Blade King. And how to find this balance, not just for himself, but for everything.

  The God Chronicles

  Hel was right. This new generation of Majjai are certainly interesting. This Atticus, the Proteus, he is different. If he knew about his creation, who provided his very construction, he may well be more confident.

  I almost wish Hel didn’t have a plan. Loki will suffer this day, but for Atticus…, his suffering is yet to come.

  The other Majjai are almost irrelevant. Pointless. Although Hel did find the dragon one intriguing. To be honest, I found his humour tiresome, and insulting.

  It is good they did not find the Caretaker. That would have made things very awkward. My story of why I am here would have faltered.

  I do sense a problem however. Those pesky Bhandari Clan Majjai are planning something. I’ve masked my presence from them as much as I can. I may need to borrow a guardian myself. Why should the Norse and the Greeks have all the fun? I will consult with Ra! He always has some interesting toys!

  Hel keeps summoning me to discuss progress. She needs to understand that I have my own tasks to complete. I’m helping her now purely out of curiosity. This relative peaceful time has become boring.

  What she has planned... at least makes things interesting again.

  Kukulkan

  Chapter 25

  The Stone Blade

  “We have been at this for hours!” Ju Long exclaims. “How many more scrolls do we have to go through?”

  Atticus sighs. The Tomb of Kazmagus feels ever more claustrophobic by the second. They have been through almost one hundred scrolls now, and not found a single mention of a stone blade. He looks over to Elric who is conversing with Professor Morgan and Professor Sprocking as they overlook another set of scrolls. “Have you found anything on yours?”

  Elric turns and shakes his head. “No. But, Ju Long is right. I think we need to take a break, fresh minds will help. Why don’t you go out and get some air in the courtyard?”

  Ju Long doesn’t wait for any confirmation from Atticus or the others and flies out as quick as he can.

  The others follow Ju Long out, it is the tail end of the school day and students at the Manor are preparing to leave.

  Atticus watches as parents pick up their Majjai and non-Majjai children. Most of them have no idea what is going on. There are fewer Majjai students present in recent days, so many are affected by the yellow sickness. Some parents have shielded themselves away, thinking it will protect them from it. But from what Atticus has learned and heard so far, this thing does not spread like a virus or a bacterial infection. The only ones who seem to be protected fully are the Majjai Six themselves. Only the Blade King has the cure for the illness, which is another reason they need to find him. And that is before they attempt to persuade him to help take Loki’s head.

  Atticus is distracted from his thoughts as he hears Pali sigh despondently. He turns to see her switch off a holographic image of her brother, Mage Kayban, the leader of the Mecha Knights. She bows her head down and starts to
cry.

  Ju Long runs over to her immediately and hugs her tightly. “What’s wrong? What did your brother tell you?”

  Pali wipes the tears from her face, and steps away from Ju Long so she can turn to the others. “A Mecha Knight, in America, where the yellow sickness started... She died. The first to be taken by this thing. I knew her, studied with her. And now she is gone.”

  The others gasp, the dark realisation that this disease is more real than ever. The news of the first death brings them all back into focus.

  Olof nudges Ju Long. “Go, look after her,” he says, pointing to Pali.

  Ju Long nods and heads over to take Pali’s hand, but she pulls away again, crying some more.

  “There is something else,” she says as she pulls up the sleeve on her non-bionic arm. “It has me, too.” Pali turns to reveal a small yellow patch of skin. “It’s been growing quickly. Faster than the first-known infections. That first case was just a few months old. Kayban tells me that the new cases…, they are accelerating. The infections are growing faster, spreading violently. I don’t think I have much time.”

  Ju Long gently kisses her cheek. “Hey, I tamed a giant Minotaur. I think I can help find a cure.”

  Pali smiles, as a tiny sparkle returns to her eyes. “You also fight dragons.”

  “Yes, yes I do. You trust me right?” Ju Long cups his hand gently against Pali’s face. “I will save you.”

  Pali nods and sniffs, wiping away another tear as she does so, before hugging Ju Long tightly.

  “Right!” Atticus affirms. “Let’s find this damn sword shall we? What do we know? For certain?”

  Khan bends down and picks up a small pebble. “Well, we know it’s made of stone. And we know it is here.”

  Atticus nods. “Yes, and we also know that it cannot be wielded by human hands. But what does that mean?”

  Joyce opens a book handed to her by Safaya. “Look, these are all the swords we have taken pictures of inside the Manor. None of them are made of stone, and none appear to be unwieldly for a Majjai.” She hurriedly flicks through the pages.