by Lake, Edward
“Certainly.” Ignas stood up, backed away and got in a fighting stance. “Attack.”
I faced him and put my tiny hands up. I inched forward and watched carefully.
Ignas circled around me, stalking me with his experienced eyes. “Attack, Emily.”
I bounced on my feet for a second. And after building up the courage I needed, I ran at him and tried to kick his leg. He easily side stepped me and I fell to the floor. I laughed as I got up and shook off the slight pain in my arm. “This is impossible.”
“Why would you attack from my vantage point?”
Bashfully, I looked around and threw my hands in the air. “Because I can’t fight. I don’t know.”
“Everyone can fight, Emily. However, you must use your advantages.”
I chuckled. “What possible advantage do I have against you?”
Ignas gave me a look like I already knew the answer. He waited, but I couldn’t think of anything.
“Come now, Emily. It is obvious.”
I sighed and put my hands on my hips. And right then, he tried to kick me. I quickly jumped out of the way and rolled to my feet. I froze and looked up at him.
He smiled. “You see?”
I grinned and gave him a pondering stare. “I’m…faster?”
Ignas nodded. “Precisely. Use your speed to move around me. And never attack from my vantage point. If I can’t see you—I can’t strike you.”
I nodded and got in a fighting stance. Ignas watched me closely. I slowly stepped forward. He swung at me, and I leaped out of the way. I ran behind him and kicked his leg. He turned. I quickly slid through his legs. I lifted and kicked him again. He tripped me as I tried to run. I stumbled forward and fell down—landing on my butt.
Ignas chuckled as he walked to me. “Very good, Emily.”
I smiled and looked up at him. “How was that good? I lost.”
He reached down and helped me up. “No. I told you to attack me, and you did.”
I brushed some dust off my shirt. “Thanks.” But not wanting to stop, I eagerly got into a fighting stance. “So, what’s my next lesson?”
“I want you to practice your movements. Go to the forest and use the trees as targets. Find a good rhythm. Strike the trees and quickly move away.”
I relaxed my body and nodded. “I’ll do that.”
“In time, you will become an excellent combatant.”
It was an honor to be praised by a former Champion of the Mamluks. I imagined all the great soldiers and Champions he had trained, wondering if I could really be as good as them.
As I looked up at Ignas, I paused and studied his face. My eyes got wide when I realized something for the first time. He looked like Adomas.
I stepped closer. “Wait a minute—you’re not just a former Champion. You’re the former Champion.”
Ignas nodded.
“Adomas defeated you.” I grew a big smile. “You’re his father.”
“Yes. I am.”
“But—why such secrecy?”
“When the spawn defeats the Champion—the former Champion must fade into obscurity. The spawn has proven their maturity—and should be free from further guidance.”
I nodded, giving him a nosy look. “So…what about Dalia?” I paused and waved my hand around before continuing. “I mean…do you two still…?”
Ignas grinned. “Yes. We will always have our nights. She is…magnificent.”
I smiled and crossed my arms—thinking about Dalia sneaking out at night to get her groove on.
It was thrilling to hear these new details. It made me appreciate how blessed I was to be part of a royal family with such rich tradition.
Chapter 66
A few days passed, and we were ready to leave. But as the realization sunk in, I broke down and let my emotions take over. Saying goodbye to Robert and Elos was the hardest thing I ever had to do.
First, I hugged Robert. “Stay strong, my friend. My brother.”
“I will. And God bless.”
Madison hugged Elos and kissed his cheek. “Take care, Elos.”
“Farewell, Madison.”
We switched. I hugged Elos and Madison hugged Robert.
“You’re my hero, Elos.” I stepped back and looked into his eyes. “Search the world for others who have managed to escape—and share with them the knowledge you gave us.”
Elos nodded. “You are extraordinary, Andrew—a leader among your kind. Farewell…my friend.”
Hearing Elos call me a friend for the first time gave me some peace of mind. I smiled and gave him another hug. “Thank you.”
Robert’s eyes watered as he held Madison. “I love you, Kid.
She released some tears and kissed his cheek. “Take care, Rob.”
Before we headed to the ship, Robert gathered everyone for a prayer.
“Dear Lord, give Andrew and Madison the strength to send an inspiring message to the rest of the world. Let their actions speak to those who suffer. May it help the people of Earth rise once again, and show the Mamluks that the human spirit can never be broken. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.”
Madison and I slowly backed away—never taking our eyes off Robert and Elos as we headed to the ship. I opened the ramp and we waved goodbye. Robert and Elos waved back.
We went inside and got in the cockpit. I closed the ramp. Out the window, we could still see Robert and Elos. We paused and gave them a warm stare.
Then, I looked down at the control board and pressed a button that brought up a holographic map of Earth. I reached out to the map and touched North America. It got bigger, and the other continents got smaller. I pressed Southern California and held my finger down for a second. The ship made a noise, telling me our destination was set. Finally, I pressed another button on the control board to confirm it.
We leaned back in our chairs, and the metal straps came out and locked us in. I grabbed the handle and pulled back. We went up, and the ship slowly turned. Letting out a long sigh, I caught one last glimpse of Robert and Elos.
And at last, I pressed the button for acceleration. Madison reached down and took my hand as the ship sped up. We closed our eyes, and within seconds, the ship blasted away.
Part Six – Return to Los Angeles
Chapter 67
I was on the roof of our building with Dalia. She was headed overseas to check on a few production sites. Unfortunately for me, I wouldn’t be accompanying her on this trip. Instead, she wanted me to stay behind and keep an eye on the breeding of slaves.
“When will you return?”
“Soon, Emily.”
Waving goodbye, I watched her board the ship. Dalia smiled and waved back.
Afterward, I went downstairs to the security room. Adomas was there with a few soldiers, going over the security updates sent from Marsden. After the tragic deaths of Ilona and Henrikas, he vowed to keep everyone safe.
Now, every ship was built with a tracking device that was linked to the authentication system—and the older ships had them manually installed. Also, the ramps were reprogrammed so that only a code could open them.
But the most important revision was made to the prisoner collars. Now, if the device was somehow broken, every sija in the area would be alerted, rather than just the Champion’s sija.
It had taken some time to develop the security updates and have them sent from Marsden. I could see the relief on Adomas’s face as he read the report on his sija. “At last, we are more secure than ever before.”
Thereafter, an alert came up on one of the holographic monitors. We all turned and stared at the screen. The alert was making a loud beeping noise, and there was a blinking red spot on the screen.
Adomas got closer and narrowed his eyes. He pressed a button on his sija that made the blinking spot bigger. “There is an unidentified ship approaching.”
I shook my head. “But how is that possible? All the ships have tracking devices now, right?”
Adomas nodded and looked away.
Adomas looked back at the screen. “No, consider the model. It is an older ship, one I have not seen since—’’He paused and his face became enraged. Then, slowly, he calmed and crossed his arms. “My prisoners have returned.”
Chapter 68
We were drifting through traffic, looking around at all the progress they had made. It was stunning to see the Mamluk city from this view, in an area that was once a city I called home.
We concentrated on the landscape, looking for something familiar.
“Over there,” Madison said, pointing.
I took a quick look and nodded when I saw the building she was pointing at. “Yeah, that’s it.”
All I needed to see was the massive garden on the far right of the building. The balcony overseeing it made me think of the last time I saw Emily.
I exhaled deeply and looked at Madison. “All right—this is it.”
She looked at me and smiled. “Let’s give ‘em hell.”
I paused and stared at her for a moment. “Madison…I— ’’
She quickly reached over and put two fingers on my lips. “Don’t say it.” Staring back at me, she carefully leaned over.
My heart throbbed as she inched closer. Then, I leaned forward and we closed our eyes at the same time. Finally, our lips touched, and we kissed for a while—then gradually pulled away.
Madison smiled and put her hand on my cheek, rubbing along my beard. I gently placed my hand on her head and brushed her hair back. She gave me a solemn look, telling me she was ready.
I turned back to the window. “Okay.”
Madison turned to the window and took a deep breath.
And right after, suddenly, a message came over the speakers on the control board. “Ship #7428. Identify yourself.”
We ignored it and carried on.
Within seconds, another message buzzed from the speakers. “I repeat. Ship #7428. Identify yourself.”
I huffed and glanced at Madison. She gave me a quick nod and wiped some sweat off her forehead. I nodded back and activated the force field.
We were right over the building now. “OK—you want us to identity ourselves? How about this?”
I readied the laser on the ship and shot at the building with rapid-fire. Within seconds, a group of ships in the sky changed course and flew at us from all angles, blasting us with rapid-fire.
I kept shooting, adjusting the laser to a faster speed. Out the window, I could see soldiers, servants and slaves running from the building.
After a few minutes, I landed on the roof. We quickly stood up and activated the force fields on our sijas.
“Do you remember where the security room is?”
Madison did a speedy nod. “Yes—when we get out there, follow me.”
Chapter 69
I opened the ramp and followed Madison outside. We ran to an entrance at the end of the roof that led to a stairway. We hurried down the stairs as lasers bounced off our shields from above.
We made it to the top-floor hallway and ran to the next stairway. Madison led me downstairs to the third floor and into a room with a bunch of holographic monitors. We looked around for a second, then backed into the hallway.
I aimed my sija. “All right, ready?”
Madison nodded and aimed her sija. We fired together and destroyed the control board. To finish, went inside and blasted everything. After a few seconds there was nothing there but scraps of metal on the floor.
I quickly backed into the hallway. “That’s enough. Let’s get back to the ship.”
We went back to the top floor and ran to the stairway that led to the roof.
I stopped Madison before she could run up the stairs. “Wait!” I listened for a moment, trying to pick up any activity from above. But surprisingly, the area sounded clear. “All right, come on.”
I jogged up the stairway. When we got to the entryway, I leaned against the wall. Madison got in position on the other side and held her sija up. I held mine up and gave her a nod. She nodded back, and together, we ran onto the roof and fired a shot.
There was a soldier in the distance, firing a laser back at us. Our shots collided in midair and disappeared.
I lowered my sija and narrowed my eyes as I looked through the force field. Finally, I checked the roof and realized our ship was gone.
I heard a group of soldiers marching up the stairs behind us. We turned around and backed away. But then, we spun back around as the soldier on the roof walked forward.
The soldiers rushed out of the entryway and gathered along the perimeter, surrounding us. I looked up and saw a group of ships flying over us like a swarm of bees. Madison and I gave each other a sorrowful look. Still, I knew we had accomplished what we wanted. We turned back to back as the soldiers aimed their sijas.
The first soldier we saw walked closer. “Stand down, my soldiers.” He stopped in front of us with his hands held behind his back.
I looked up at him and realized who he was. “Adomas.”
He smiled. “So, you remember me, Human. Good, because I remember you.” Adomas walked away. “Are you responsible for the deaths of Ilona and Henrikas?”
I looked around at some of the soldiers and saw fury in their eyes. “Yes, I am.”
The soldiers rambled heatedly.
I squeezed my sija and prepared to shoot.
“Calm yourselves, my soldiers.” Adomas walked back to me. “Before we came to Earth—I studied you humans for some time. I believed it was impossible for one of you to kill one of us.”
I glared at him, breathing hard through my nose.
“What is your name, Human?”
I stood tall and said, “Andrew.”
Adomas nodded. “Release your shields. I will give you a chance to be free.”
I turned off my force field and stepped up to him.
Madison reached out to me. “Andrew—no!”
“This is what we wanted, Madison.”
The soldiers laughed.
Madison looked around for a second. And finally, she apprehensively turned off her force field and got beside me.
Adomas smiled and turned his back on us. “Now—if you can kill me, Andrew—my soldiers will allow you and your ally to leave.”
Some of the soldiers taunted us and crossed their arms.
I glanced at Madison and saw her nodding.
Proudly, I nodded with her and looked back at Adomas. “All right.”
He turned around and put his arms out. “Attack.”
Chapter 70
I jumped in front of Madison and sparked my laser. Adomas ignited his laser and got in a fighting stance. He fired a laser beam at me, but I quickly fired one back and blocked the shot. Then, Adomas rolled backwards and shot at us with rapid-fire.
We ran toward the crowd of soldiers. Adomas pulled his fire back as we got close. Without pause, the soldiers pushed us away. I stumbled forward and shot at Adomas with rapid-fire. Madison ran to the other side of the roof and sent him rapid-fire.
He stood still and created a laser orb around his fist. All of our shots bounced off the orb and faded away. We stopped and glanced at each other. Then together, we held our sijas out and created laser orbs of our own.
Adomas screamed and leaped through the air. He landed a few feet away and swung at me. I staggered backwards and put my sija up, blocking the shot. Adomas swatted at me again. I held my sija up high and blocked the shot, but the force knocked me to the floor.
Madison came out of nowhere and blocked another strike with her sija. Adomas slapped her away with his other arm. She flew across the roof and landed hard, dropping her sija.
I quickly rolled through Adomas’s legs and tried to swipe him with my orb. But he put his hand down and blocked me. The lasers sparked against each other, creating a flash of light that blinded me. Adomas tried to kick me, but I ran out of the way just in time.
I g
lanced to my left and saw Madison dazed on the floor. In a hurry, I looked back at Adomas and saw him aiming at her.
“No!” I ignited my laser with no time to spare and sent him rapid-fire.
Adomas put his hand up and blocked my shots with his laser orb. Then he held his arm out and created a massive laser beam. I ran to the corner of the roof—toward a group of soldiers. They spread out, giving Adomas a clear shot. I turned around and created a massive orb. Adomas aimed at me. The laser beam grazed the sandstone floor and sent tiny rocks flying through the air like popcorn. And right then, it connected with my orb.
The light from both lasers blinded me as I staggered toward the edge of the roof. I screamed as I felt the power of the beam weighing me down. Finally, it faded away—and I was still standing.
I heard a collective gasp from the soldiers. I looked at Adomas and saw intense confusion in his eyes. Quickly, he became irate, and he ran at me. I held my sija high and slid through his legs. Adomas spun around. In the corner of my eye, I saw Madison staggering to her feet, picking up her sija.
Adomas aimed at me and fired rapid shots. Thereafter, he rolled to the side and lunged at me, still shooting. He landed right next to me, and I quickly slid through his legs. But this time, I lost my balance and flew down. I glanced at the floor, realizing there was a split in the roof. I spun my head back and saw that the split went past Adomas’s feet.
I hurried and aimed my sija. “Madison, the floor!”
An eerie silence came over us.
She caught on and quickly aimed her sija.
“My Champion!” a soldier called out.
“Now!” I yelled.
We fired together and sent a massive laser beam to the split in the floor. Adomas tried to jump out of the way, but it was too late. The floor caved in, and he went tumbling down. He slammed into the edge of the crumbling roof and made a bigger opening.
Madison lost her balance and fell into the hole.
“No!” I cried out, trying to get up. The roof kept breaking up, and I stumbled into the wreckage.