The Divine Apprentice (The Divine Series)

by Allen J Johnston

  “Mother, stay with me!” Kade said, his voice thick with panic. “We must find Father!”

  He turned toward a side alley, praying his father went in that direction. As he started toward the narrow path between the buildings, the fifty-foot structure creaked loudly and continued to moan as it picked up speed in its fall. It was coming down. He turned in time to see it topple and hit the ground with a loud crash. Kade’s head turned so quickly toward the other tower, you would have thought he had been slapped. As he feared, Morg had moved to the edge of the platform to stare at the fallen structure. Kade knew, without a doubt, that it was only moments until Morg would be there. He watched in alarm as Morg quickly swung over the platform and descended the ladder so fast it almost looked like he was falling.

  “Morg is coming!” Judeen screamed. Kade felt his heart racing and panic threatened to overwhelm him.

  With a firm grip on his mother’s hand, he turned to run for the alley, but before taking two steps, he bounced off an unseen, solid object, sending it sprawling. Kade knew instantly that it was his father and quickly scrambled forward. Just as Morg hit the ground, Kade’s hand closed on a leg. Morg was moving toward them at a run. Kade found his father’s arm, and with more strength than he had intended, jerked him to his feet. With an iron grip on both his mother and father’s wrist, he raced for the alley. Just as he was leaving the main road, Morg let out a yell. Kade glanced over his shoulder and saw Morg pull something from under his cloak. The street was instantly a dust storm. Buildings started to rattle dangerously, and signs flew by impaling walls and trees. If the small party had been in the street, they would have been sent flying. Buildings started to give way as the wind increased considerably.

  The ground started to erupt randomly, sending dirt flying in all directions. Kade was amazed at the amount of callings that Morg was able to cast so quickly. This just had to be impossible. Callings this powerful had to require too many moves. The more powerful the calling, the more difficult it was to perform, and the more complex the steps involved. This calling that Morg was using had to be immensely powerful and very intricate, but they were coming so fast it was impossible, and yet…they were happening.

  Kade raced out of the alley and into an open area with very little cover. He stopped just behind one of the trees and quickly released the Silence Calling he was under, also releasing the one his father was under. His heart was pounding so hard from fear he thought it would burst.

  “Father,” Kade whispered frantically. For just a moment, he wanted to be the kid again who counted on the parent for safety and then it passed. It was up to him and he knew it.

  “Blood and ash, Son!” Garig swore loudly. Kade quickly shook his parents free, and as fast as possible, performed the Silence Calling to include them all. “What happened back there? I tried to talk to you but you were not answering!”

  “Father, I can’t explain right now, but I need you to stay calm while I work on getting us out of here,” Kade pleaded, trying to keep his own fears in check.

  Before they could take one step, the ground exploded just behind them, sending Kade and his parents sprawling. Kade looked over his shoulder in time to see Morg exit the alley and aim something at them, as he spoke in the ancient language. Another blast struck the ground just past his head and set off an explosion so loud that Kade’s ears range violently. It was impossible for him to focus as his eyes rolled back in his head from the concussion. There was dust and dirt showering the area, blurring his vision. Kade shook his head and then his anger and hate erupted. The Divine Power crashed into him, filling every part of his being. He let it consume him. He welcomed it. The more hate he felt, the more of the Divine coursed through his veins, matching his fury. It was a raging torrent of power that demanded to be used and Kade was not going to deny it any longer. If Morg wanted a fight, then so be it.

  He is soon to find out that he is not the only one who can command the Divine! Kade thought vehemently.

  Kade launched into a move that would have left the most practiced dancer in awe. Lightning burst forth from his hands in an explosion that could be heard for miles. It raced toward its intended target with blinding speed. The concussion shook the ground and Morg’s eyes flew wide. At the very last possible moment, the evil Chosen waved something in front of himself. The bolt slammed violently into the man, sending him through the wall of the building behind him. Garig felt hope as he watched his son deal his share of justice. His ears rang furiously, but he was more than ok with it. But, to Kade’s complete horror, the evil Chosen emerged from the wreckage of the building.

  Kade felt the anger and hate grow even more, and he welcomed it. He let the blackness take him completely and the power consumed him. He spun into his next calling and Divine Fire shot forth. Kade felt the adrenaline coursing through his body and felt invincible. At that moment, he felt power beyond his wildest dreams. His gift was alive, firing rapidly. The flash from the lightning had him seeing stars, but he never slowed. He wished with all his being that he had another devastating calling to use, but it was not to be. He returned to the Lightning Calling, and just as he let loose, something tore into his shoulder, sending him reeling. He hit the ground hard and rolled, coming to one knee with his right foot planted firmly. He tried to raise his arm but it was dangling uselessly at his side. Kade looked up through pain filled eyes to see that Morg had staggered from the impact of the lightning.

  At least some of it had an effect, Kade thought. Something shimmered around Morg and then winked out. The evil man’s cloak was smoking and his hair was singed. The Master Chosen struggled to stand and was soon on his feet.

  “Son!” Judeen screamed in horror. “Son, where are you?”

  Kade looked on as the feeling of euphoria was replaced with horror. How could Morg have survived that? he thought with despair. No! NO! Kade thought as he slowly stood. He still had his strength, and if he had to die while strangling Morg with his one good arm, then so be it.

  “You almost got away with it,” Morg said as he pointed at them with his right hand and brushed his badly torn cloak with his other. “I could have found you sooner, you know. But, better later than never, I say. You can drop the calling,” Morg said with arrogance enough for ten men. “It was that tower falling that got my attention. My pet wanting to get to it made me think. It all made sense,” he said as he barked a laugh.

  Kade squinted to see through the dust but he could not make out what it was he was seeing. Was Morg holding something or were his eyes playing tricks on him? He could not get his vision to clear, but it did not matter. With his increased strength came an increase in speed. He judged the distance and prepared to charge.

  “Kade,” Garig said.

  “Mother, Father, you must stay silent. No matter what, when I make my next move, you need to run for all you’re worth. Run or all I have done will be for nothing. Find Darcienna,” Kade said, leaving no room for argument.

  “Kade,” Garig said, as he found his son’s good shoulder.

  If it had been the other one, that touch would have sent him to the ground in agony. There may be no physical pain in that touch, but the feel of his father’s hand made his failure hurt. He wished his parents didn’t trust him as much as they did. Now, he knew he was going to let them down, and they were all dead because of him. Kade felt his rage return, and his determination to rip the life right out of Morg redoubled. The pain in his shoulder dulled considerably as the Divine Power returned in full. It might not be useful as a weapon right then, but it did dull the pain. Kade flexed his legs, ready to charge no matter the consequences.

  “No, Father! Right now, I am in charge and it is my plan. If you do not do as I say, then Mother will die,” Kade said, playing on his father’s protective role as a husband. He knew he was putting his father in a position he could not refuse, but it had to be done. Judeen sobbed Kade’s name once but he ignored it and refocused on Morg.

  “Give up young one. You have no chance,” Morg said with
a sneer.

  Kade was certain that Morg only wanted him to drop the calling so the evil Chosen could look him in the eye as his life was violently torn from him. At that moment, Kade would have given anything to rip the life from this man, but he knew it would take a miracle for that to happen. He crouched, ready to spring, hoping he would give his parents the much needed diversion to escape. It was all he had left and he was going to make the best of it.

  “Have it your way,” Morg said boldly.

  As the evil Chosen raised his arm and started to speak the ancient language, Kade launched. Something black flew from the dark, landing on Morg and raked his face with its razor sharp claws. It sank its teeth viciously into his shoulder and tore. Kade had only taken two steps when he skidded to a stop. In the next instant, he realized the creature was a fraction of a second too late as the blast raced directly for him. He only had time to grit his teeth, hoping to survive the impact.

  *CH10*

  A bright, blue explosion blinded Kade and sent him sprawling to the ground. He gasped as he lay on his back, half blinded from the flash. He was clenching his jaw and every muscle in his body so tightly that he trembled. His mind raced through his arms and legs, checking for pain and injuries. There was nothing more than the throbbing in his shoulder. He quickly ran his good hand over his chest, and feeling nothing, leapt to his feet. But that would mean…something had intercepted the calling. Something unseen had come to his aid. And then…his eyes focus on the familiar, green barrier directly in front of him.

  Kade recognized Darcienna’s shield. He turned to see the green light coming from a spot thirty feet behind him. An image of her holding out her hands popped into his head. It was short lived as the pain from his shoulder drew his attention.

  Kade struggled to his feet and quickly ran to where he had left his parents. He looked back and saw Morg swing at something that was no longer there. The shiny, black animal was already gone. Kade decided the next time he saw that beautiful creature he was going to feed it until its stomach burst.

  “Mother, Father, follow the green light. Hurry,” Kade said through clenched teeth as he drew on the Divine Power. If nothing else, it was good for numbing the pain.

  Rayden, be ready, Kade thought as he stopped next to the green light that appeared to be coming out of thin air. He lifted the Silence Calling and heard a roar that he was sure was going to make his head throb for hours. He considered keeping the Transparency Calling but it was going to be virtually impossible to get his parents on the dragon, much less get Rayden to understand what was going on if he kept it intact. Regretfully, he let the calling go and everyone shimmered into view. Darcienna had her hands up with the green energy radiating from them. Her son was looking over her shoulder, wide-eyed. Kade looked upon Darcienna’s face and thought it was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. He needed her and she was there.

  “Rayden, I know I am asking a lot, but I have two more that need to go with us. These are my parents. Please allow them to ride,” Kade said. He was relieved to see Rayden kneel quickly. Kade turned to see both Garig and Judeen standing there, speechless, as they looked on in awe.

  “Kade!” Darcienna exclaimed as she saw his shoulder. He waived away her concern, but he had to do it with his left hand.

  “Mother, Father, get on!” Kade yelled. “Now!” he commanded as he propelled them forcefully toward the dragon. “You will sit in front of the wings and we shall sit behind,” he added.

  Kade looked over his shoulder, waiting for the ground to explode around them at any second. The man was nowhere to be seen. Kade closed his eyes and used the Reveal Calling. He was shocked to find nothing.

  Why would he just leave? Kade thought, and then he recalled the dripping, green ooze he had seen coming from Chance’s fangs when they had first met.

  “He is poisoned!” Kade said with hope. “Let’s get out of here.”

  Kade went to help lift his father up and stopped, clenching his teeth hard as the pain racked his shoulder. Although the Divine Power did a great job of numbing the pain, it did not keep it away. Pain or no pain, he was not using that shoulder. Kade sagged to the ground, waiting for the agony to lessen.

  “What would you do without me?” Darcienna asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “And yes, we are going to have a very long talk about that stunt. If you think this was bad, wait until I get done with you,” she said as she laid her hands on his shoulder.

  That familiar, uncomfortable squeezing that happened as his muscles pulsed and writhed, spread all through his shoulder. He winced as the damage mended itself right before his eyes. Kade smiled weakly at her as she glared furiously at him. He was sure she meant everything she had said and wondered if giving up to Morg might have been a better choice.

  After several long moments, Darcienna took her hands away and staggered over to the dragon, panting hard. Kade flexed his shoulder and found it tender but it was usable. He quickly moved back to his father and lifted him easily onto the dragon to sit in front of the wings. He then lifted his mother up to sit in front of Garig.

  “Darcienna, are you okay?” Kade asked. She turned and glared at him so hard he hesitated to get within striking distance. She was every bit of fire and ice all rolled into one. Her hands were balled into fists and Kade was sure she was considering delivering a clubbing he would not forget. “I will take that as a yes,” Kade said, keeping his distance.

  “You could have died if I were not here to save you, you empty-headed flea brain,” Darcienna scolded hotly.

  “But, I needed you and the dragon to get out of town. There is no chance they would not have found the dragon,” Kade pleaded as he glanced back where Morg had been.

  “Yes, fine then. Send the dragon away, but I could have stayed,” Darcienna said adamantly.

  Kade sighed, desperately wanting to be away from here as fast as possible. He shook his head and held his hand up to Darcienna before she could continue to speak. She clenched her jaw in anger as she glared daggers at him.

  “Enough of this talk,” he said firmly.

  He vaulted onto Rayden’s back and held his hand out for her. He was not sure if she was going to bite it or take it. She reluctantly passed on biting and took his hand. Kade easily swung her up to sit behind him, relieved and eager to be away.

  “Rayden, head to the east,” Kade said as he worked the Transparency Calling. He followed with the Silence Calling. The tree next to them exploded, sending shards of bark in all directions. Obviously the poison was not going to solve our problems, Kade thought. “Run Rayden, Run!”

  The dragon launched as the ground erupted where they had just been standing. Kade was ready for the bolt of speed. He had quickly reached behind him and grabbed Darcienna’s arms and wrapped them tightly around himself, knowing what was coming. Just as his father fell back against him with the added weight of his mother, he latched onto the boney wing-joint. Kade’s muscles bulged hard as he strained to hold the weight of his parents along with Darcienna and the boy’s. A vein bulged in his neck as he held on tightly. The dragon’s back sloped dangerously behind the wings, making it more difficult to hold on. His sweating fingers were starting to slip but he had come too far to fail, especially with escape this close. He pressed his lips together in sheer determination and closed his fingers around the bone. They reached their top speed rapidly, allowing him to relax his grip.

  The blasts continued, but the more they ran, the less of the explosions he saw. Kade heard a scream of fury so intense that the hairs on the back of his neck stood up. He took a deep breath, looked where his parents sat and smiled to himself. He looked over his shoulder and knew he could not have done this alone.

  Kade tuned out Darcienna’s torrent of words as she hotly chastised him. Knowing that he had saved his parents right out from under Morg’s nose was an intense satisfaction that allowed him to weather Darcienna’s rage, for the time being. Sooner or later, she had to let up.

  Kade marveled at Rayden’s abil
ity to carry so many people with hardly any effort. The dragon showed no sign of slowing, even with four people on its back. Well, five if the boy was to be counted. The ride behind the wings was a little bumpier for Kade because he was sitting right over the hind legs, but he wasn’t complaining, considering the alternative. After an hour into their travel, Kade let the Transparency Calling go. That seemed to help everyone relax. Almost everyone. Darcienna was still angry as she glared daggers at him. She may no longer be yelling, but she was far from done talking.

  “Kade, can you hear me? I will not let this go. Why didn’t you tell me what you were planning? If I had known you were going to do something so foolish, I would not have let you go alone. Can you hear me?” Darcienna asked, barely taking a moment to breathe.

  Kade considered not answering, but if he let her continue on like this, his parents were sure to think she was a tyrant. Of course it might be too late, but this constant verbal attack needed to end. He sighed and rolled his eyes, preparing to attempt to disarm the situation.

  “Yes, I can hear you,” Kade said, trying to assert that he was in charge.

  “Well?” Darcienna asked.

  “Well what?” Kade asked, feigning ignorance.

  “Well, why did you do that?” Darcienna asked, exasperated that she had to explain when she was sure he knew very well what she was asking.

  Before he could answer, he heard his name whispered while his parents talked. He was going to ignore them when he heard his mother say just a few words that got his attention. “Couples fight” and “work it out” and something like, “her side” but he could not make out much more. He narrowed his eyes as he studied the back of his parents’ heads.

  “Because I didn’t want you to be in danger,” Kade said as he returned his attention to Darcienna. “I needed you to be away so I wouldn’t have to worry about your safety and my parents. And yes, I did know you would try to come with me. That’s why I didn’t tell you,” Kade said roughly, angry at the fact that he felt like he had to defend himself. He was supposed to be the one in charge. She was supposed to do as he said. That was the rule. He considered making that clear when he noticed for the first time in a while she was not talking. Kade was going to continue on about how his word was law and that she was not to question his judgment when he heard a sound from her he hoped never to hear again. She was crying a cry that comes from deep within the heart. It was one of pain and loss. He immediately hated himself for causing it.