Savage Redemption: A Dark Urban Guardians Fantasy

by Anni Antoni

  The wagon started up again. She ran alongside it, put her hand on a rail and pulled herself up onto the wagon. As it moved away, she leaned out waving happily, and I was left standing in the middle of the dirt track clutching a few small flowers.

  I shivered, waking abruptly. The sun had gone behind a cloud and a chilly breeze blew across my shoulders. Where was I? Then I remembered, and I also remembered the dream. Funny, it was only a dream, but I felt lighter, and I smiled at the vivid recollection of Rachel.

  Nothing would happen, I realized now. Coming here was foolishness, and I had important matters waiting at home to deal with. Still half asleep, I moved to get up off the ground and noticed my hand balled into a tight fist. When I opened it, I saw four small white daisies.

  Had my dream been a real experience? I looked on the ground and noticed I was sitting on a bed of the daisies Rachel had loved so much. Could I have clutched a handful of daisies in my sleep? Surely, the plants hadn’t been there before I fell asleep. I would have noticed.

  Whatever had happened, whether it was a real experience or merely a dream, I had been given a precious gift. Rachel had set me free. I would never forget her, but now her memory would forever be tied to peace, happiness and white daisies.

  Now I was free to love Kat, a vibrant, living, young woman in deep trouble. She needed me and, what’s more, I needed her just as much.

  Full of gratitude, and with hope for a better future, I flashed home. The Challenge loomed before me and I needed to prepare myself and Kat to face it.

  Chapter 22.

  The Challenge

  The day of the Challenge had arrived. We were well prepared and well rested because I had insisted on it. Today, in the short time before leaving for Council headquarters, Esau, Kat and I relaxed in the communal living area after a light meal.

  We had practiced solidly over the last few days. Now a different type of preparation was needed– one of the mind. I wanted to ensure everything went to plan.

  “Kat, make sure you sit next to Esau, if anything goes wrong, go with him. Is that understood?”

  Kat frowned. “Nothing will go wrong, will it?” Her eyes searched my face.

  I allowed my face to soften into a smile. The only sign she gave that this was not a normal day, was her unusual pallor.

  “Most likely not. However, anything can happen in combat, and it will help my focus to know you’ll be safe, no matter what the outcome. Promise you’ll go with Esau if he tells you it’s necessary.”

  “I promise,” she said.

  “Good. That’s one less thing I need worry about. Today, your job is to stay calm – no matter what you see. That will also help me to focus. Got it?”

  “Yes Joe,” she whispered, her solemn eyes lingering on my face.

  “Thank you, I know I can rely on you.” Although I wanted to hug her and reassure her everything would turn out fine, this was not the time. Discipline was essential under the circumstances.

  My attention turned to Esau. “Allow me to say this again, Esau. Today, your job is to protect Kat. Let me focus on the Challenge. If anything goes wrong, get Kat to safety.”

  “Don’t worry Joe, I’ve got it. But I know you’ll ace it.” He grinned.

  “Of course,” I said, returning his grin, more for Kat’s sake than anything else.

  I was already dressed for fighting, wearing loose white cotton pants and carrying two swords in scabbards by my sides. Esau and Kat were dressed in white martial arts uniforms.

  “Ready?” I asked, and was met by Kat’s nod and Esau’s, “Go get ‘em, Joe.” Putting my arm around Kat’s waist and linking arms with Esau, we flashed to Council headquarters.

  Marron was waiting for us in the reception area. Hands behind his back, he turned to face us in mid stride, as though he’d been pacing. Was something wrong?

  “Ah good, you're here, and early too. I'm glad to see you. Come into my office.” He led the way behind the reception area.

  Once in his office, he turned to face me. “A slight change of plan has been announced. The Council has declared, in the interests of everyone’s safety, this Challenge will be a closed combat. That means no one except Council members, the combatants plus two senior council officials will attend. Esau, I'm sorry, but you must wait outside the combat area.”

  Esau and I moved as one and grabbed his shirt front.

  “No!” I cried. “Kat must sit with Esau. He’ll be her protection while I'm… occupied.”

  “Sorry,” said Marron, “but it's impossible. I'll sit with Kat and make sure nothing happens to her. The Vigilante will have to wait outside while his second and you fight. She will be safe, I assure you. That’s why the Council took this measure – to keep everyone safe.”

  I took a deep breath, to regain my composure. Esau's eyes darted around as though he planned something foolish.

  I forced my hand to my side.

  “Calm down Esau. Trust Marron.” Esau let go of Marron’s shirt front too.

  “Marron.” I said, grasping his shoulder. “Please promise, if anything happens to me, you’ll get Kat to Esau.”

  “Nothing will happen to Kat while I'm here, I promise Joe,” said Marron, smoothing down his shirt front. Sincerity shone from his eyes and I believed him.

  I still had one arm around Kat, and noticed her trembling. I had to stay calm for her sake.

  “No need to worry,” I said, forcing myself to smile. “It’s a small matter.”

  Soon, everyone relaxed again while we waited for the Challenge to get under way.

  Marron glanced at a clock on the wall. “It's time. Everyone must get into place before proceedings can start.” he said.

  He led us down a passageway and indicated a door up ahead. “That's the exercise room, where they’ll hold the Challenge. Esau, come this way.”

  He led him to a door off the passage, immediately before the exercise room. “This is the waiting room -- right next to the Challenge area so, if necessary, I can flash Kat to you immediately.” He pushed the door open, and Esau looked inside, appearing satisfied.

  Marron addressed us all. “Is everyone clear about what's happening?”

  Only our silence met him – no questions.

  “Just one other thing.” said Marron. “What secret weapon did you decide on, not that you need to declare it.

  “No secret about it,” I said. “I'm just going to use two swords to fight the Vigilante.”

  Esau laughed. “It’s not the weapons, it’s what he does with them. That’s the real secret. Two handed combat at Joe’s speed is impossible to beat. I doubt the Vigilante will see it coming.”

  We left Esau in his room standing with his hands on his hips. “Good luck Joe.” he said.

  I gave him a thumbs-up sign.

  We entered the exercise room -- a large, open space, with a wooden floor, benches along the side walls, and a raised platform with a table and four chairs at one end. Marron led us to the side and sat down beside us.

  Kat was ominously quiet. I took her hand and kissed it.

  “Don't worry Kat, everything will go to plan. Remember to stay calm, no matter what happens.” Even though reassuring her, I couldn’t be too complacent. A restless, uneasy feeling took root in my stomach, and I expected treachery of some kind.

  Kat responded with a nervous smile. I hated that she had to experience this, but, with luck, she would soon be free from the Vigilante. No, not luck, it was essential I made it happen. Any other option was unthinkable.

  The Vigilante’s second came in, with a senior Councilor, and sat opposite us. I almost laughed when I saw who the Vigilante had chosen. He was big, taller than me, and bulky, with the type of muscle that slowed people down. I'd have him sorted out in no time, I was sure.

  Then more Council members walked in, four of them, and took their seats behind the table on the platform. After they spoke together for a few moments, one of them stood.

  “This is round one of the Vigilante Challenge. The s
econds will compete in this round. Take your places.”

  Kat whispered, “good luck Joe.”

  I stood and took a deep breath. “See you in a moment,” I said. Smiling at her, I picked up my sword.

  The Vigilante’s second and I strode into the center of the room, then stood facing each other.

  “Do not start until we give the command,” said the Councilor in a clear voice.

  Fair enough, I thought, as I stood there sizing up my opponent. Sure, he was big, built like a bull, but he didn't look fit. I wondered what the Vigilante had over him to make him challenge me.

  The Councilor’s voice rang out again. “This Challenge is yield only. When one party yields, he forfeits the Challenge and the contest is over. Get ready to commence.”

  Eager to get this over with, I raised my sword and took a defensive stance.

  “Go,” yelled the Councilor and a gong sounded.

  Sword raised, I strolled towards the Challenger. His eyes darted left and right, indicating he had no plan of attack.

  He put his sword up in a defensive position. I moved to his left and continued circling around. He kept turning to face me and moved around in a smaller circle. Gradually, I drew near, then feinted to the right and he smashed down with a sword strike, slow, laughably slow.

  I darted to the left, and he slashed at me with his sword, but I had already moved way out of his reach.

  No sense in dragging this out. I swept my leg out and caught him behind the knees, sending him down hard, on his back, still holding his sword, waving it helplessly in the air.

  I flipped my sword under his, caught it, and sent it skittering across the room. Then I put a foot on his chest and my sword at his neck. “Yield, I said.

  There was nothing he could do. He had no weapon and he was flat on his back. Any movement he made would cause my sword to cut into his throat.

  “I yield,” he called.

  Round one to me. I turned and walked over to sit with Kat and Marron.

  The Vigilante’s second pulled himself off the floor and slunk out the door.

  We were alone for a few moments, so I stood, stretched then sat again. The waiting was making me restless.

  ◆◆◆

  A Councilor stood. “Round two of the Vigilante Challenge. The Vigilante and the Protector will compete in this round. Take your places,” he said.

  The Vigilante Guardian burst through the doors taking his place in the center of the room. He sneered at us, his hatred so strong it hummed in an invisible cloud around him.

  I stood, picked up my other sword and walked out to meet him. It didn’t seem fair I would face him with two swords when he only carried one.

  An immense sadness filled me as we came closer. Rage, hatred and suffering twisted his features. Guilt and grief were behind those emotions, driving him to the point of madness.

  My mind travelled back to the time when guilt and grief consumed me…

  Focus, I must focus and drive all feelings of compassion away. I had no choice but to kill this Guardian. Kat had no part in his twisted plans of vengeance.

  As if confirming my resolve to kill him, the Councilor spoke again.

  “This Challenge is to the death. It can only finish when one party is dead, unless the victor allows his defeated opponent to yield. Get ready to commence.”

  I raised my swords, waiting for the command to start.

  The Vigilante Guardian moved closer. Did he have a death wish?

  “Abomination lover.” He spat the words at me in a voice dripping with venom, and shook his fist in my face. Hatred rolled off him in waves, so strong I almost recoiled from it, but I stood fast, staring at him.

  “Go!” yelled the Councilor. A gong sounded, and the Vigilante Guardian flung a cloud of something from his raised fist, that stuck to my face and entered my eyes.

  They burned. Immediately I jumped back, instinctively knowing a sword strike would follow. His sword whizzed past me, so close I felt the air move.

  I squeezed my eyes shut. and flashed to the end of the room, to give myself more time to recover. I threw one of my swords down and passed a hand across my eyes. The burning increased.

  I forced my eyes open and looked down the room. Through a haze of dark green, I saw the shape of the Vigilante, standing still, waiting to see what I did next. I pretended to stumble and looked around, unfocussed, as though I couldn’t see.

  He decided to act, and ran towards me, his sword raised.

  I sidestepped, slashed hard with my sword, and felt it hit home. The Vigilante grunted in pain. At least I had wounded him.

  Once more, I flashed to the opposite end of the room, squeezing my eyes shut again. Passing my hand across my eyes, I forced them open. A cold sensation of dread lodged in my guts. Darkness was all I could see. I was blind.

  Chapter 23.

  Be my Eyes

  Something was wrong. When Joe flashed away from the Vigilante, I was puzzled. What strange tactic was this?

  Joe never ran from an opponent, he was all about relentless attack and he would encourage his opponent to attack him, so he could spot weaknesses or mistakes. I had absorbed a lot by watching Joe and Esau practice.

  The Vigilante had made a throwing motion at Joe’s face, but I saw nothing leave his hand. Had he thrown something to harm Joe? Surely not, Joe was invincible.

  Joe turned as the Vigilante ran towards him, sidestepped, and slashed his opponent. The Vigilante had sustained a deep gash on his shoulder and there was a lot of blood. Thanks to Joe’s training, I expected nothing less and remained calm.

  When Joe flashed away again, I was certain something was wrong. Panic threatened to rise in my chest, but I pushed it down. I had to stay calm, no matter what, I had promised.

  Instinctively, I breathed in and opened my mind in case he wanted to use mindspeak… in case something had gone wrong.

  Kat, Kat. Yes, he was trying to contact me. Again, I pushed the rising panic down.

  Yes Joe. I’m here. I sent back.

  The Vigilante has damaged my eyes. I can't see. Remember what we did in gym practice, when you guided me? You were my eyes then. Be my eyes today. Can you do that Kat?

  This was no game. I must do it. Joe depended on me. I sent back a firm, confident reply. Yes. Give me instructions.

  Joe turned, with his sword at the ready.

  Where is he Kat? Show me please. Transmit the picture of him with your mind, just as you did with the fruit and vegetables in the gym.

  I focused. The Vigilante hadn’t moved from the spot where Joe cut him – a deep gash on the shoulder of his sword arm. I sent the image to Joe. The Vigilante moved his sword from one hand to the other, as if testing which one functioned best.

  Can you see him Joe? I needed to make sure.

  Yes, I can, he’s wounded. That’s why he’s taking his time to attack. Thank you, Kat. You’re doing great.

  Grateful our mindspeak was working well, I focused with a single-minded intent – to transmit images in a stream to Joe, as clear as possible.

  More mindspeak came from Joe. Keeping my focus on transmitting images, I listened. The words were faint, but I understood the message.

  I want to position myself, so my back is to you. Transmit images as though looking over my shoulder, when he comes for me. And he will attack me, because he thinks I’m blind. But we know better, eh Kat?

  My heart almost burst with love on hearing those words. Joe’s life was in danger, he was facing my sworn enemy as my Protector, yet he was trying to reassure me.

  Yes... I sent the brief message, so he would know I’d received his. He sent more instructions.

  Show me what's ahead of me so I can walk towards you.

  I sent the pictures to Joe. Stop… I sent to him, when he was almost in front of me. He did as I asked. Turn now and you’ll be in position to face him when he comes for you.

  Wonderful, Kat. Now I'll have to attack him, with your guidance. Concentrate, focus and we can do it.
>
  Was it even possible? My heart hammered in my chest. Joe's life depended on me. I needed to stay calm and I must maintain focus. I willed my heart to stop hammering and breathed, deep and slow. Watching and scanning the room for Joe, I sent streams of images to him.

  The Vigilante was recovering, his shoulder already healing as he walked towards Joe's end of the room. I focused on him and sent the images to Joe.

  Do you see him? I had to be certain.

  Joe replied. Yes, he’s walking towards me. If I look away and you transmit the images, he won't know I can see him. Let's take advantage of that.

  Joe put his sword up in a defensive position, looking around unfocussed, as though he couldn’t see his surroundings. I admired his calmness in the face of danger. It inspired me to keep going.

  The Vigilante moved closer and I kept watching and transmitting his movements to Joe. Then the Vigilante held his sword in front of him and charged.

  Joe kept looking around as if he couldn’t see. At the last moment he sidestepped, turned around and brought his sword back so it slashed the Vigilante deep across the abdomen. He dropped to his knees, wounded, blood gushing over the hand he clutched to his abdomen, with a surprised look on his face.

  Sickened, I focused on the image for Joe.

  Joe moved towards him, and, with a powerful, swinging kick to the chest, knocked his opponent to the floor. Taking his sword and slamming it down with all his strength, he pinned the Vigilante to the floor. I focused on the image, for Joe, as the Vigilante screamed in agony.

  “Yield!” Joe yelled.

  “Never!” The Vigilante yelled through gritted teeth. “I will not yield.”

  “I don't want to kill you,” said Joe.

  “Do it. Do it! I have nothing to live for,” he screamed.

  I wanted to look away, but Joe needed me. Focusing on what was in front of Joe I kept transmitting the images to him.