“Sure,” she replied, to Jonas’s surprise, “but do not expect much. I will not hold back in what I’m going to explain to you tonight.”
“I should be honored that you’re willing to tell me,” Jonas said.
“Indeed,” Medusa replied. “Just be aware of those who approach you. Few people will allow a human to continue breathing in this place, no matter what you do. You’ll be thought of as the easiest target.”
“What about you?” Jonas said after he swallowed a glass of water.
“I’ll let you decide that. But if you were weak, I certainly would not exchange words with you like this.”
Jonas chuckled. Somehow he knew he was not getting a better compliment than that from Medusa. She mixed a little kindness with harshness and beauty, completely different from her counterpart, Athena. That thought made Jonas remember Athena’s role in a legend. If any of it was true, Medusa certainly wouldn’t be here chatting with him. He had so many questions to ask but knew getting an answer to them would take time. He decided to ask the biggest of the riddles.
“Do you mind sharing what you know about this sword?”
Medusa’s expression hardened. “I’m afraid that is something you must find out for yourself, Jonas.”
Jonas figured that getting answers would not be easy, but he couldn’t give up. He’d ask again eventually.
After breakfast, the duo parted ways. Unlike Jonas’s class, Medusa’s class was sent to a place called the Observatory. Jonas noticed Bacchus and some others and followed them. The Roman-style arena was decked about six hundred meters across. Orline directed the candidates to sit together.
“Servant, explain why our meeting was canceled this morning,” a blond boy said. Jonas noticed a few strange features about him compared to the other candidates. A small, white halo hovered above his head, transparent wings stuck out of his back, and faint, pinkish light, perhaps an aura, outlined him.
“I was simply told something came up and to take Class Dragon to the arena. I’m afraid that is all I know, Cupid.”
“Then why are we here?” Cupid challenged.
“To get to know your class a bit more,” Orline answered, possibly annoyed.
“I have no intention of befriending this class,” Thor said, seated away from the other candidates. “It’s obvious that I’m the only one who will be able to control Zeus’s lightning. This whole trial is wasting everyone’s time.”
“Someone’s a little overconfident,” a brunette-haired girl said.
“My abilities are undeniable, Venus,” Thor said. “Even the humans write epics describing my power. Zeus invited me because the main thing we have in common is the understanding of lightning and how to control it.”
Venus sighed. “Anyone with magic can learn this skill. Besides, this invitation isn’t just about—”
“So are you saying someone as weak and fragile as a human could wield it?” Thor interrupted. Venus’s gaze briefly shifted to Jonas. He hoped he didn’t blush from the radiance of her beauty. Her golden eyes seemed to pulse right through him.
“I bet he’ll make it further than you.”
“A weakling like him couldn’t take out a fly, much less me.”
Heated, Jonas stood up, his hand on the handle of his sword. “Are you sure about that?”
Thor stood up too, hammer in hand. “Yes.”
“Enough of this foolishness,” Orline snarled. “Sit down! Human or titan, you are the future of all realms.”
Jonas and Thor sat, with unbreaking glares. Jonas disliked people like Thor with egos bigger than their heads. He wanted not only to stand up to him but to dethrone him. Jonas noticed a smile curled across Venus’s face before she turned.
“If you all are going to be a team, set aside your differences,” Orline said.
“With all due respect, my lady,” Bacchus said, “there’s going to be one winner. What’s the point of getting fluffy with everyone only to be stabbed in the back?”
Orline scowled at him. “You’re missing Zeus’s point! At this rate, not a single one of you will pass his greatest test.”
“That is why I am here.”
Jonas felt his chest ball up as the man from before—his disbeliever—walked in.
“Good morning, class, I am Larius, your instructor. I’m a little late for the king’s meeting, but I couldn’t resist saying hello.” No one spoke, not even Orline. Larius’s gaze inspected his class before landing on Jonas. “I also want to personally welcome our human guest. Will he be the first human to control even a fracture of Zeus’s lighting, or face incineration?” He laughed, gave the candidates a bow, and then left the area in awkward silence.
Orline made sure he was gone before speaking.
“Instead of fighting, how about you get acquainted with each other. Each of you come from different places, some of you different realms and lifestyles.”
“I’ll pass.” Loki stood up, a smirk perched on his face. “I’m only here for myself, and nothing else.”
“On the contrary,” Venus said as she too stood up. “I’m very interested in my fellow competitors, especially you, Jonas.” Her golden eyes bathed Jonas with warmth. “I have a feeling you will unleash something greater than we’ll ever comprehend.”
“Or you can admit that you have a sick interest in humans,” Thor said with a laugh.
“Prince Thor, what is your problem?” Venus bellowed. “Where’s Sif when you need her?”
Jonas glanced around. He almost forgot that Sif kept Thor’s mouth under control. Without her presence, Thor would probably never shut up.
“Sif is running errands,” Bacchus said. “She’ll be here for the afternoon meeting.”
“Whether she is here or not, I will speak my mind,” Thor said.
“Odin’s sons. What a shame,” Venus said as she sat down.
“Don’t lump me together with ego brain over there,” Loki said. “Unlike him, I know how to enjoy life.”
“You call pranks a way to enjoy life?” Thor snarled. “How about admitting that you’re a failure, adopted, shame to our family, and that’s why father selected me to succeed him.”
Jonas stood up, unable to stand Thor anymore. “That’s your brother. How can you shame him in front of everyone?”
Thor didn’t bother standing up this time. “Look, human, you’re better off staying quiet in a corner somewhere until I knock you out of this competition.”
Orline motioned for everyone to sit, before Jonas could tell Thor off. He wasn’t done yet. Someone needed to stand up to him and smash his mouth shut.
A servant entered the area, walked to Orline, and whispered in her ear. After the servant left, Orline said, “Jonas, your lemming awaits you in the message room.”
“I have no idea where that’s at,” Jonas said.
“I can show him the way,” Venus said.
“No, I want Bacchus to show him. He has a message from his realm.”
Bacchus nodded. “Come on, Romeo, let’s go.”
The two silently walked, neither feeling up for a conversation after listening to Thor. Just as they approached the message room’s door, a body launched from it and landed a foot in front of them.
The duo quickly inspected the body. The man dressed in gray robes, possibly an instructor or a member of the staff, was dead. They gazed at the open door, silently debating whether to proceed or flee. Jonas looked at the dead man again, speechless, sick to his stomach. Then the realization of the situation hit him. A murder had happened right before his eyes, in the open. That possibly meant that the murderer had attacked the palace. If he ran from this, he’d end up regretting it. This place was not home but the key to saving it. He could not let this tragedy spread any further. Jonas unsheathed his sword.
“You do realize that this realm’s affairs have nothing to do with you, right?” Bacchus said.
“Well I can’t exactly run away,” Jonas said. “What if he’s waiting in ambush? Besides, this may not be home,
but I’m not going to stand by and watch it fall apart. Even if no one respects me.”
“No one respects you?” someone said. Jonas spotted a man dressed in familiar, spiky black armor, approaching them from the message room. He wasn’t the same man, but Jonas knew they worked together. He might be after revenge. “Lucky for you, I am not the one who is going to behead you. I commend you for saving us the effort of hunting you down, boy.”
“Do you know this man, Jonas?” asked Bacchus.
“He works with the group that attacked Athena for this sword.”
“We are Lord Abaddon’s Sabers,” said the man. “Remember that name in the afterlife.” He unsheathed his sword. “Lord Aaron is on his way, but before he gets here, I’ll have you provide some entertainment.”
“You didn’t do a thing,” Bacchus said. “How will your master know where to find you?”
“Obviously telepathy and . . . our noses.” The Saber laughed and then charged Jonas. “I can’t wait to see you sliced in pieces! For our brother!”
Chapter 17
The Saber’s sword almost made contact with Jonas’s face. Bacchus intervened at the last second by blasting the man backward using only his palm and an orb of light that emitted from it. Jonas had no time to comprehend it—the Saber quickly recovered and charged him again. This time, Jonas was ready. He blocked the strike, pulled back, and countered. The blade almost hit, but the Saber blocked just in time.
“Damn!” the Saber charged again. Jonas parried three of his strikes before kicking the man to the ground. He pointed his sword at the Saber’s face.
“Talk.”
“You really think you’ve got the upper hand?” The Saber rolled to his side, kicked Jonas’s hand, causing him to drop his sword, and then recovered. Jonas was sure that he’d pursue, but the Saber didn’t move, his eyes locked on Bacchus.
“You’re not even interested in the fight,” the Saber said. “Only observing. Yet interfere out of convenience.”
“Do you even know who I am?” Bacchus said.
“Should I even care? I am a blood sword of Abaddon!” The Saber rushed Bacchus. He dodged his light spheres and tackled Bacchus to the ground. Jonas refused to let him make the kill. He grabbed his sword, sprinted over to them with all his might, and plunged it into the Saber’s neck before it was too late.
Bacchus pushed the lifeless body to the side. “I owe you my life, Jonas.”
“You saved mine first,” Jonas replied. He watched as the Saber’s body morphed into slime and then fizzled into smoke seconds later. “Let’s get the hell out of here.”
“Speak your reason. You’ve shown me that you’re not the type to cower from a fight.”
“I was taught that a smart fight is a fight that I can win. This Aaron is sure to have a group with him. We barely took down one of them. It is foolish to stay here and die, outnumbered.”
“You’re right,” Bacchus said. “Let’s report this to Lady Athena’s servant.”
The two rushed back to the classroom, relieved they didn’t come across anymore Sabers along the way. They pulled Orline to the side and explained their encounter. Her face paled.
“I’ll alert higher ups.”
“I think they know already,” Bacchus said.
“You’re right . . . but maybe I should tell other servants.” Orline headed to the door but suddenly stopped. “Where’s Lare?”
“Who is that?”
“Jonas, Lare is your lemming. Did you not see him?”
“No, he wasn’t present at the scene,” Jonas said.
“We can’t leave him out there,” Orline cried.
“Servant, explain to me what’s going on this instant!” Thor commanded as he approached the group.
“The palace is under attack,” Bacchus told him.
“Second day here and this place already shows its lack of security. Pathetic.”
“These are no ordinary intruders,” Orline said. Thor started toward the exit. “Hold it, Prince, you couldn’t possibly—”
Thor looked at her with disgust. “Who is more suited than me to deal with a few intruders? Do not forget who I am.” Thor continued walking.
“Shouldn’t we tell the entire class?” Jonas said.
“You two catch up with Thor and make sure arrogance kills him not. I’ll have everyone else check on the other classes.”
“Aye,” Bacchus said. Just then, Loki hopped from his seat and dashed out of the arena. Jonas knew that he was in pursuit of Thor and wasted no time following.
***
Jonas gasped as he witnessed Thor raise his hammer high into the air. Bolts of lightning rained on the six Sabers, incinerating them, leaving ash in their spots. Jonas felt that until now, he truly had no idea who he was up against.
“Prince Thor, that was incredible,” Bacchus said.
“Why did you not leave one alive for questioning, ego brain,” Loki said as he folded his arms. Thor ignored him and turned to Jonas.
“That is merely a fraction of what I’m capable of. For your own good, bail out of this trial and go home. Humans have limitations. Accept it.”
“Now is not the time for this,” Bacchus said as he stood in between the two.
“Humans do have limitations, but like I said before, don’t look down on us. We can adapt to anything. In fact, I’m glad this trial is difficult. It will be more satisfying when I beat you.”
Thor’s face reddened with rage. “I’ve had enough of your insolence, human!” Before he could advance toward Jonas, a voice grabbed their attention.
“Lord Aaron, look! I also smell the fall of more of our brothers.”
Ten Sabers, led by a blond man, stopped in front of Jonas and the others. The blond man, dressed in a pale white tunic and black pants, gazed at the ashes of his dead men and then unsheathed his sword.
“Men, we mourn our fallen brethren later,” he said.
“Yes,” his men replied as they also unsheathed their swords.
Thor laughed. “How cute.”
“Men—”
“Too slow,” Thor said as he brought down his hammer. Bolts of lightning rained over the heads of Aaron’s men. Ashes remained in their spots. Jonas felt a small thrill of terror shoot through him. Thor was more terrifying than his legends. “Those that witnessed my greatness do not write folklores of me for nothing. You should’ve known from the beginning that your mission was in vain. Now talk. Who commands you?”
Aaron laughed. “You are pretty good, but you could have been better if you didn’t miss.”
“Miss? Are you—” Thor’s eyes widened as he saw all ten of the Sabers reappear in their spots. “That’s impossible!”
“Your attack was quite predictable, Mr. Overconfident. Men, gather around. I want to set an example to those that mock us.”
“And you call me overconfident,” Thor said as he rushed Aaron. His speed looked like a blur in Jonas’s eyes. Jonas was sure that Thor would annihilate Aaron. However, Aaron blocked Thor’s electrically charged punch with one hand. At that moment, he kicked him to the floor so hard that Jonas flinched. A sense of approaching death struck Jonas. He sprinted from his spot and blocked Aaron’s sword at the last second.
Chapter 18
“Impatient, are we?” Aaron said. Jonas rushed him as soon as he pulled back his sword. Aaron parried his blade and then attempted to kick Jonas.
Jonas predicted the attack and dodged. He strained to counterattack but missed. Aaron outmaneuvered his strike with sheer speed. He smashed the back end of his sword into Jonas’s face, drawing blood, and then knocked him over with a single spin kick. Before Jonas could recover, he found himself staring at the tip of death. One move, and that sword was sure to plunge to the other side of his head. Intense pain raided his face.
“Ironically, I had my doubts about fighting you,” Aaron said. “Lord Abaddon described it as the most powerful sword of all time.” He shook his head. “Maybe Lord Abaddon’s the only one who can trigger its power
.”
Then it happened. The blade plunged forward. Jonas was sure that he had met his end. Abruptly, a burst of wind bashed Aaron backward. Thor stood at Jonas’s defense.
“Get up, human,” he said. “I must see more. I’ve never heard of a human fighting on par with a demon. This fight is yours. Show me why I shouldn’t look down you.” He smirked. “Entertain me.”
“Thor, this is a serious situation. Shouldn’t you eliminate these intruders already?” Bacchus said. Thor ignored him.
Jonas could hardly believe his ears. Thor actually NOT insulting him. Filled with confidence, Jonas stood up, sword in hand, and faced Aaron. Please help me through this obstacle of my journey, Jonas thought.
At that juncture, his sword shimmered many times until it held a glow as bright as the midday sun. A warm feeling coursed through him, providing him with energy. White light spilled from the sword and outlined Jonas. His eye color also changed with the wish, from green to orange, as if the sword’s power occupied every cell of his body. Jonas felt stronger, even lighter. He asked for help. The sword gave him a miracle. He dashed toward Aaron and reached his position in half a second.
Jonas could only think of one thing. He focused on all of Aaron’s fast movements, dodged accordingly, and then delivered a huge stab to his chest.
Victory.
But victory wasn’t that easy. Aaron still stood, breathing slightly heavily, face reddened. He charged at Jonas and delivered a heavy series of attacks. The collisions between their swords produced large sparks.
Jonas felt empowered. He blocked Aaron’s follow-up attack with his sword. He balled his other hand into a fist and smashed it into Aaron’s face. The force of the blow propelled Aaron to the floor. His eyes remained open, blinking rapidly, but he didn’t get up.
“Are you ready to talk?” Jonas said as he pointed his sword at Aaron’s neck.
Fragment Page 6