by R. J. Batla
Oh. Duh. “Ah, OK, got you. Sorry.”
“Anyway, it’s the last two powers – Ignis Oculus and Morsenube.”
“What about them?” My head hurt. I should know this, but I couldn’t think straight. Then I got it. “Oh. Oh crap. Oh crap!”
She sighed. “There you go. Do you remember the last person to have the Ignis Oculus?”
“Yeah, and that was over five hundred years ago.”
“It was also a time the world needed a hero to save it. They say Fire Eyes is the purest Quantum Power that has ever appeared. You know, the ability to use any other power regardless if you have them, empowering the soul of those around the user, increased intellect…” She paused. “Something big must be happening. And you’ll be right in the middle of it.”
“Oh,” was all I managed. Great. I just got these powers and now it sounded like the Fire Eyes was supposed to save the whole damn world.
More and louder shouts echoed down the hall. Both of us turned to look, and when they died down, Leona went back to work with the stone.
I asked, rather tentatively, “So, that one sounds well and good. But there’s that little Morsenube power that we haven’t talked about yet.”
She didn’t look up, just kept pressing the stone on places and then removing it, purple light flaring each time. I could feel my arms and legs better now, and my head felt like it was only slightly split. Leona was close to me, and it was nice – I never really had time for girls back home with three jobs and school, and here I was being tended to by one of the prettiest I had ever seen. She smelled like flowers. A stray strand of hair kept falling across her face and she would brush it away.
She didn’t look at me when she answered. “You know Morsenube translates to ‘Death Cloud,’ right?”
“Yeah, I know.”
"And that it’s the darkest power known to man?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Now I was getting sick to my stomach.
“And that every person – every person – who has possessed the power turned evil. The most recent being Malstrak.”
She didn’t need to ask me if I knew who that was. Everyone knew. A Senturian of incredible power. Genius. Also hot-headed and responsible for all the assassination attempts, disasters, and terrorist attacks in the last twenty years. Not to mention insane. Who changes their name to Malstrak? Before he went nuts, he was Azle Goree. When he lost it, he went to one name like he thought he was a god or something.
The only reason the East Side was able to banish him to the West Side of the Breaks was because he was only a level two Morsenube user. Much higher and no one would be able to stop him. They say the Morsenube drove him insane, twisted his mind to crave power and destruction.
Would that happen to me? Was I slated to be a destroyer, a killing machine?
“Um, Leona, I know you just met me and all, but what do you think? If I’m going to lose my mind and turn evil, then maybe it’s not worth it. I don’t feel like I’m going to do anything bad.” I looked up at her. “Am I screwed?”
She cocked her head to the side, then shook it. “My instincts tell me that you aren’t a danger, aren’t going to turn evil, and are a good person. That’s part of my Guide powers talking, I think – enhanced intuition. That being said, mine isn’t the opinion that counts.” She inclined her head toward the escalating voices. “Their opinion is, and they’re debating whether to kill you now before you turn on them, or take a chance and let you live.”
Jangling armor announced the men before they arrived. Leona and I stood up at the same time. I figured out she was just slightly shorter than me, around five-foot-eight.
“What’s going to happen?” I asked.
She whispered, “I imagine the mini-council here will decide what to do with you. Basically be put on trial.”
Oh damn. I panicked a little. “This may sound odd, but will you stay with me? If they’ll let you, I mean.”
Smooth, Jay, real smooth. Look like a scared rabbit in front of a pretty girl, even if you might die soon. Leona had been very nice, and even though it was only minutes, it felt… right.
She hesitated, bit her lip, and shuffled back and forth, just as two fully armored Senturian corpsmen with spears walked into the room. She slipped her hand into mine. It was soft and smooth, warm. I guess I got my answer. I almost relaxed. Almost.
“Jayton Baird, you are to be escorted to trail,” the lead soldier said. “I’m sorry, son; walk in front of us please. Straight down the hall and into the middle of the council chambers.”
“Can she come with me?”
The corpsman hesitated, glanced at his counterpart, then nodded, “Yes, but she must stay on the edge of the chamber: only you can go into the center. Understood?”
I nodded, and I felt Leona relax. I led the way through a stone hallway where the soldier pointed. We walked for maybe a minute before I whispered, “Thank you” to Leona. She squeezed my hand in return. I was glad for her warmth and support, especially for someone she didn’t even know.
“You bring out the best in people,” my mom always used to say. I guess only in some people, judging by the angry voices still echoing down the hallway.
Another minute and we were almost blinded by a bright white light as we walked into the court room. I shielded my eyes but kept walking, and I felt Leona squeeze my hand again and release it, taking a seat right inside the doorway in a row of chairs that lined a circular room with a dirt floor. That was a short-lived security blanket.
Eight feet of wood separated the floor from several rows of wooden benches in a half circle, where a mob of people faced me and argued amongst themselves.
“ORDER!” shouted a Dwarf, banging his war hammer on a stone dais directly in front of me at the top of the wall of wood, sparks erupting from the impact. A huge boom echoed through the chamber. Silence followed. “Thank you. Jayton Baird, you have been brought before this committee of the nations to decide your fate. We represent the Council in this matter, as each Awakening has been assigned autonomy and the duty to decide the fate of any lawbreakers during the event, or if anyone receives a power deemed dangerous to society. For generations, Senturians have guarded the East Side, defending our people and way of life from the horrors on the West Side of the Breaks.
“According to the bylaws, when a Senturian is Awakened with the Morsenube, the committee of nations is to meet and quickly determine the character of the individual. It’s highly suggested that the person, despite any findings, be executed before the deadly power is fully realized and presents a danger to all.
“Everyone here has given their opinion on the matter,” the Dwarf said, as he paused and eyed the crowd behind him, daring them to interrupt. “But before judgment is passed, we would like to hear a few words from you. What say ye?”
Um, what?
And…ye? Really? Who says that?
Everyone stared at me. Oh, right. I was supposed to be arguing on behalf of myself. Get it together, Jay!
“Everyone, I’m not sure exactly what’s happened or why this burden has been placed upon me. I’m a simple man from Portland. I had to work hard to pay my entrance fee to be Awakened. I don’t want your pity, but if you’ll give me a chance, I’ll prove history wrong. I will not give up. I will never quit. I will not turn to darkness as all those cursed with this power before me. I will not turn on my country or my people. Most of all, I will not turn on my friends and family. For whatever each of you feels it’s worth, I give my solemn vow that I will not succumb to the darkness. I will fight.”
About two seconds of silence was cracked by an eruption of shouts. A bang from the hammer silenced the group.
The Dwarf said, “Delegation, he’s spoken his peace. You have five minutes to decide among you how you’ll vote. The time begins…now!” he said, slamming his hammer down again with a bang and sparks. Looking around, the crowd was divided as it was on the stage at the Awakening – Humans, Elves, Manus, Phoenix, Dwarves, Helion, Tempus, Reka, and Aeren. Nine r
aces to determine if I should live.
Ever had five minutes to think through your life and the fact that it might end in like, oh, five minutes? If so, I feel for you. If not, I don’t recommend it. Every emotion rolled through me as I recalled every good and bad time, every little moment I could think of, every feeling I ever felt. Fear, hope, desperation, joy, depression, love. Yeah, pretty much everything.
And what if they decided death? Should I run? Could I even run? Would they just spear me right here in front of everyone?
Then, two seconds later – OK, maybe it was the full five minutes – the hammer banged again. “Phoenix, Fire Senturians, what say ye?”
A bright red female Phoenix with spiky hair stood up. “The Phoenix are keepers of the fire. Fire is life. We vote life,” she said simply and sat back down. YES! One vote for life. I would need five for a majority vote to live. Assuming they used a majority….
The crowd started getting rowdy, but the Dwarf banged his hammer again and the ground jumped with it. “I want no outbursts until this is finished, understand?” After the entire crowd was nodding their heads, he continued, “Helion, Ice Senturians, what say ye?”
The icy blue man stood. He was eight feet tall with what looked like some sort of white fur lined pants and shirt, and snow-white hair. He took a deep breath before he spoke. “We vote nay.”
Well that was quick. Crap. Tied.
No noise this time except another hammer bang. “Tempus, what say ye?”
A deep blue man in a red vest, bare arms and khaki pants stood with his hands behind his back, his long blue hair streaked with green tied behind with a bandana. “As guardians of the ocean, though vast and strong, we would be unable to stop this power if it were to get out of control. We vote nay.” Double crap – two to one.
Hammer, Reka, ye, and I did a double take. Princess Aurora herself stood and I did my best to look innocent and manly at the same time. Must have been off, because she opened her mouth to speak but had to stop, gave me a funny look, and started again. Maybe since we had both just been Awakened…
“Water is the element of change, ever flowing, ever forming, always in a cycle. We cannot control destiny, but this danger is one we can control. We…agree with our brethren. We vote nay.”
Damn! Three to one. I think I started to sweat. Or I peed myself, but I really can’t remember now.
Bang. “Aeren, what say ye?”
The good-looking lady from the Awakening stood, and she had everyone’s attention. “In the air, it’s all about balance. Our ancestors unbalanced the earth, leaving it how it is today. There is potential for great good and great evil in all of us. Before we condemn one, let us see what he is truly made of. We vote life.”
I almost jumped in the air – three to two!
Bang. “Manus, what say ye?”
A yellow and orange clad man stood. “We’re open to a lot of things, but a fifteen in Morsenube? We could not in good conscious let this go. I’m sorry, boy, we vote nay.”
Crap crap crap! This was it – one more and I could put my head between my legs and kiss my butt goodbye! Now I know I was sweating – it kept getting in my eyes. My hands were shaking, too, but I kept my expression blank. Don’t let ‘em see you sweat – er, panic.
Bang. “Elves, what say ye?”
Purple robes seemed to rise from the floor itself, and a beautiful pointy-eared lady Elf stood. “The Elves believe that anyone can be healed. It will take many people and a great deal of effort, but even the Morsenube can be overcome. As such, we vote life,” she said as she sat down.
Yes! Four to three! Come on, come on…
Bang. “Rangers and Senturian Corps, what say ye?”
A woman from the Awakening stood, wearing a tan shirt and a sword strapped to her side. “We’ve always accepted almost everyone into our ranks. No person is too small for greatness. Since we would be the ones to train the boy, given his large number of Quantum Powers, we took our vote very seriously. We vote life – let’s give him a chance to prove himself.”
Oh my God. Four to four! It all came down to the Dwarves!
There was no bang. The look on the face of the Dwarf with the hammer said it all. He took a deep breath, both his hands and his full weight resting on the podium. “I was hoping the Dwarves would not have to vote in this matter. I hoped it would be decided beforehand. There is logic on both sides. Life or death. It’s not fair; we can only vote how we feel best serves the world as a whole.” He took another breath, and my heart dropped to my feet. “The Dwarves vote nay.”
Chapter 5
Just then, a flash of blinding blue light appeared next to me with a loud bang, causing everyone to shade their eyes. When the light died, two men stood there, one in the tan outfit of the Rangers, sword across his back, short cropped blond hair, and a middle-aged face with a square chin and bright blue eyes; the other wore a white robe that fell almost to his feet and extended slightly over his hands. He had a long brown beard and hair, a weather-beaten face that looked as if it had seen too many days in the sun, and deep-set eyes with pronounced white eyebrows.
The crowd immediately started murmuring and pointing.
Bang. “Order! Councilman Ames Talco, what brings you here, sir?” the Dwarf said.
Ames Talco looked up, as if awakening from a dream. “Royn Crowell fetched me as soon as he could, but it took him a while to find me in Harlingon. Where are we with the vote, Master Dwarf?”
Someone from the Helion said, “Harlingon? How could you –”
“Quiet! Haven’t you ever heard of Teleportation? We have voted,” the Dwarf said.
“And the result?” Ames asked.
“Five to four, in favor of death.”
“Mm,” Ames said, nodding his head. “Has he been sentenced?”
The Dwarf flexed his fingers on the hammer. “Negative, Councilman, not yet.”
“Then there’s time for one final statement, and then an opportunity for any of the nations to change their vote, correct?”
“Yes, per the rules and regulations – chapter ten, section eight, clause nine,” the Dwarf said, with a glint in his eye. “It would be our pleasure to hear what a councilman has to say. Please proceed, sir.”
“Thank you, Master Dwarf. Know this – the Council stands by this trial’s final decision, whatever it may be. The system is in place, and if you have the system, you must trust it,” Ames said, and began to pace back and forth between me and the crowd, hands behind his back.
“Whatever happens, stay close to me,” I heard, but it came from inside my head. I almost screamed, but at the last second, caught a warning glance from the Ranger, Royn, who had moved closer to me on the pretense – I assumed – of getting out of Ames’s way.
I thought, “How –”
I heard, “Not now, listen…”
So I did.
Ames addressed the crowd: “Everyone knows the danger of the Morsenube. The last Senturian to possess the power was Awakened a hundred years ago, and has been a constant threat to us from his stronghold on the West Side. However, there’s a big difference in this case – this young man also has the Fire Eyes. This alone should be enough to spare the boy’s life. Alas, fear makes us forget the good in the face of the bad. There’s something else you should know before your final vote is cast. The Council has suspected for a while, but not wanting to spread unwanted panic, we have kept it a closely guarded secret. It has just been confirmed, that despite our best efforts to prevent it, there is an invasion coming. And Azle Goree will lead it.”
The group erupted in shock. I heard many different perspectives.
“What? Invasion? No way. The Wall protecting us from the West Side is too strong.”
“We must prepare immediately – why were we not told?”
“He’s lying! We’re all safe!”
“The Wall will protect us; it will never fall!”
BANG, BANG, BANG! It took three hammer strikes to calm everyone down.
T
he Dwarf said, “Councilman Talco, that is indeed disturbing news, which we will need to discuss in further detail, I am sure. But what has that to do with the fate of this young Senturian?”
My head rocked back. He’d called me Senturian. In the face of death, this still brought a swelling of pride. I might die, but I’d die a Senturian.
“Because,” Ames Talco said, “this morning our Oracles came to us.”
Oracle?
Those who have potentially prophetic dreams. Others are mathematicians and scientists who deal in probabilities, meaning the future, something said in my head.
Um, where is this coming from? Am I going insane on top of everything else?
No answer.
Despite my interruption to, uh…myself, Ames continued talking. “The Oracles said that very soon, a Senturian with the Ignis Oculus would be Awakened. They said he would be the key to victory or defeat in the coming war – and believe me, ladies and gentlemen, it is coming. They said the fate of Terraunum would rest with him. With him, we rise above our enemies, or watch our lives burn.”
I literally heard crickets chirp, and after a second, even they stopped.
Ames cleared his throat. “Ladies and gentlemen, take this information and present it to your respective leaders. Also, there will be a Council meeting in one month, all nations must be present, to determine our course of action – this will serve as your official notification. With that being said, is there anyone who would like to change their vote?”
Daring to hope, I looked up. No one moved.
I heard in my head, “Have faith.”
That was easy for the strange voice to say – he wasn’t the one with the knife at his throat. Then, to the crowd, Royn Crowell said, “If it makes any difference, I’ll personally be in charge of his training.” The crowd murmured.
The Dwarf looked around and shook his head slightly as he raised his hammer. Well, it was a good try.