Fire Eyes Awakened: The Senturians of Terraunum Series (Book 1)

by R. J. Batla

  Ames said, “The main point being: the Morsenube is such a strong power, such a vital part of Malstrak’ s plan, in my opinion, that he won’t want another user to oppose him.” I gulped. “Some think he wants you on his side, that another Morsenube Senturian would virtually guarantee his victory.”

  I gulped again – is that what the ghoul had been talking to me about?

  “So that means,” Ames continued, “that he’s either going to try to recruit you, or…”

  “Try to kill me,” I finished for him.

  “Or try to kill you. I’m sorry, Jayton, that’s part of the burden you bear. As for the second point, it’s a bit more philosophical. When the world was first divided into East and West, there were those who thought it was a bad idea, that the division would create resentment and hatred for the other side. That, too, has come to pass. Those people fought to keep the world together, as one, and to root out the evil once and for all. But fear won out, and the world was divided anyway.

  “My ancestor was one of those people, and I believe as he did: the world must be reunited. It must be one world if we are to be any kind of successful. Evil, left to its own devices, grows upon itself. And our practice of only Awakening those who pay for it does not bode well for the East side. There is a rift, even here, between the Senturians and those without powers.”

  Wow. OK. A lot to process. This wasn’t the first time this had happened. Evil had tried to take over before. But we won; the Light won. That gave me a little hope.

  “If he’s so powerful,” Euless asked, shaking me out of my daze, “why hasn’t he invaded before? Why now?”

  “He has tried before,” Royn answered. “But always alone and never with such a large following. He’s never made it past the Wall. He’s killed hundreds of good men and women. My soldiers. It cost us dearly each time he’s tried. But this time, he isn’t alone.”

  “He’s mustered an army,” Councilman Talco said. “It seems he’s learned from his mistakes and has enlisted the help of not only the vast number of powerful creatures, but also the Lords of the West. They’ve lent their support to him, and that’s another reason for even more caution.”

  “Well, all right then,” Celeste said. “Then why don’t we just march on over to the West side, find this Malstrak bugger, and kill him? We’ve got the Fire Eyes over here, and we’ve got an elite squad assembled – why waste time and energy with the Tournament? Wouldn’t offing him be easier?”

  “It’s not so much a question of finding him – no one wants to take him on, even in a group,” Ames said. “Those who have tried, every single one, no matter their power or size of the group, was sent back to the East Side in pieces. Literally.” We all gulped. “Azle…Malstrak, he’s…he’s special. Always was. Before he turned, he was the pride of the East Side, performing amazing works, things I’ve never seen done before or since. Now imagine that, but working the other way around. Terrible things. Horrible. Unnatural.”

  He took a deep breath. “So, Jayton, do you understand now the enormity of your situation?”

  I swallowed. “I think I do. Let me know if I’m right. So I have to one – defeat this Uland and keep the artifact away from Malstrak.”

  “Correct.”

  “While at the same time, not getting recruited or killed by this same person, who happens to be the most evil and powerful Senturian in the world?”

  “Correct again.”

  “And, when it’s all said and done, I have to make two groups of people – who have spent the last thousand years hating each other’s guts – get along and work together?”

  Ames smiled and nodded. “An accurate summary, yes.”

  I’d never had one, but I thought I felt a migraine coming on.

  I must have looked faint, as Councilman Talco got up and moved around his desk, “Take heart, young Ranger. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded. But to those who are in need, who fight for those who cannot fight for themselves, strength will be given.”

  The next morning, I literally jumped out of bed and pounced on Gilmer. “Get up, man, it’s weapons day!”

  “That’s fine, Jay,” he eked out, “but it won’t do me any good if I can’t breathe. Get off me!”

  “Sorry, right,” I said, speed dressing as Gilmer moved ever-so-slow. “Well, I’ll grab some food in the common room while I wait on you. Hurry up, man.”

  He grumbled something about needing a better alarm clock than me as I rounded the corner and ran smack into Leona. “Ow, sorry!” I said. “Hey, you’re back! How was your trip? Did you get your weapons?”

  Her face lit up. “Oh, yeah. It was amazing, Jay. Hang on, let me show you,” she said, and ran back in her room, emerging almost as quickly with her weapons strapped on over her pajamas – a silver metal staff crossed her back, a leather armguard with different colored stones all along the outside strapped to her left arm, and a long knife with black grips hung at each hip, tied down on her legs to keep them from flopping. “What do you think?” she said, spinning around.

  You’re gorgeous. That’s what I think.

  “Cool! What do they do?”

  She grinned and grabbed the end of the staff – which turned into a short sword of the same length.

  “Whoa, that’s awesome!”

  “And that’s not all,” she said, grabbing the sword right in the middle, where a swirly mark was engraved in the metal, and it turned into a bow, with a string of energy in the back. She pulled back the string, and an energy arrow formed out of thin air.

  “Wow! That’s amazing!”

  “Thanks!” she said with the biggest grin on her face. “The arm guard helps with making shields of each element and combining them, see?” She squinted and a half dome of fire and energy appeared between us.

  “Nice!”

  “Thanks!” she said again. “And the daggers are just daggers, but they’re supposed to stay sharp and never dull! I also got armor that morphs to match whatever clothing I’m feeling at the moment. I don’t have it on, obviously.” Then she looked to the door at our room, and asked, “So when you leaving?”

  “Jay, let’s go!” Gilmer said, bounding across our room and out the door. “We’re gonna be late!”

  I turned back to Leona. “Now I guess. Hopefully mine will be as cool as yours!”

  “Yeah, they will be! I know these things!” she said with a wink. We stood there staring at each other.

  “Jay, come on, man!” Gilmer said again.

  “OK, coming!” I called back. “I guess I’ll see you when we get back. I’ve missed hanging out,” I said, patting her on the shoulder and turning to leave.

  Leona grabbed my arm and pulled me into a hug. “Be safe, Jay.”

  “I’ll be OK, Leona, don’t you worry.”

  She reached up and kissed me on the cheek. “Good luck,” she said, and she went back to her room. I somehow made my way out the door to find Gilmer.

  “Finally! What’s with the cat who ate the canary look?”

  “Nothing,” I said, but my grin only widened. “Just ready to get our weapons.”

  “Well, let’s go then! Here’s your pack – Royn’s going to teleport us most of the way, but we’ll be walking the last part.”

  I didn’t care. I could walk to the moon right then.

  We met Royn at the base of the East Tower, where he said, “’Bout time. Grab my hands.”

  “Wait, just a minute,” a voice said from the shadows, the executioner stepping out. Great, I’d forgotten about that rat. “I do believe I’ll accompany you on this trip. Our friend might just lose it and have to be put down.”

  Royn narrowed his eyes. “I suppose you have to come with us.”

  “But, sir,” I started.

  “Ha,” the executioner said. “Your commander knows the rules. He would never defy the council and prevent an executioner from doing his job.”

  Royn’s eyes narrowed even more, and he reached out his hand. “Make sure you get a good
grip. This teleportation is tricky business.”

  The executioner grabbed Royn’s hand with his own gloved hand.

  Great. Now I had to get my weapons with death basically sleeping next to me.

  “You two ready?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Then here we go!” he said and we were blinded by blue light.

  Chapter 28

  Malstrak raised his glass and the Lords of the West raised theirs in turn. “To a brighter future.”

  “Hear, hear!” they replied.

  Malstrak loathed these formal meetings, these types of people in general. As he downed his entire glass of wine, he pondered how much easier it would be if he could avoid them altogether. Or just kill them.

  They had gathered in one of the Lord’s elaborate manors – he couldn’t remember which one – in his equally elaborate dining room, using his over-the-top utensils, food, and servants. The whole place reeked of flaunted riches. Malstrak had to repress the urge to unleash the Morsenube, reducing it all to a smoldering heap.

  Instead he said, “Gentlemen, I must say, I’m excited to see you here, and to further enlighten you on the plan and how your generous support will be rewarded once we conquer those who have treated us like dirt for so long.”

  Lord Byers drained his glass as well. His bald head shone, the few gray hairs he had left hung off the sides, and his overweight frame barely allowed him to move. Sickening. “My dear Malstrak, we’ve all donated considerable funds, as well as equipment, men, and other resources. We have eagerly awaited your plan, and how we will be…compensated.” He wrung his hands and licked his lips. Anger and frustration rose up in Malstrak, the Morsenube pulsing at the slightest provocation. He would have to release some of the power shortly or he would lose control at an inopportune moment.

  But not now. He nodded at the disgusting Westerner. “And rewarded you will be. Each of you will be given land on the East Side to rule over as you please, only paying tribute to me, and deferring to me as supreme ruler.” Several of them exchanged glances but nothing more. They must be watched. “Gold, jewels, slaves – everything you could possibly want or dream. All I ask, once you’ve seen my plan, is to swear your loyalty to me.”

  Several more were physically taken aback, but no matter.

  “Phase One has already begun. The Darkstone has been delivered as the prize for the tournament, and the Easterners have taken what they assume is the correct measure in sending the newly Awakened Ignis Oculus Senturian as their entry.”

  “Phase Two, we will bring down the Wall, and then the Gates, using various creatures, the massive army that I’ve been building, and the incredible powers that I will bring to light as necessary. The Darkstone will play a part in this as well.” He grinned. “And grand surprises they will be. A two-pronged attack through the Breaks and up the Trinity. And maybe even something extra special – who knows!”

  “Death to the Easterners!” someone shouted and it was echoed by the rest.

  “Yes,” Malstrak said, “but not too many deaths. You will need subjects, to work the fields and mines and do the manual labor. I can offer you a way to control the Senturians, to use them as you see fit.”

  Whispers broke out among the lords – this was something they could get behind. Killing, riches, control over the populace. It was almost too good to be true.

  “Lord Malstrak,” the weasel looking Lord Edom said, “please, we have to know – how are you going to bring down the Wall? We’ve tried ourselves and I can’t imagine what could possibly –”

  Balls of black energy burst from Malstrak’ s outstretched hands, swirling around the room, disintegrating various objects. Candles toppled over, chandeliers fell, holes burst through tables. It happened so fast, the servants barely noticed that the trays they were holding had disappeared.

  Malstrak brought his hands together, and the spheres coalesced and swirled above his wriggling hand. He had their attention. “It might look something like that. Remember who you’re talking to. Master of the Morsenube. Master of a thousand deaths. The most powerful Senturian ever. The Wall will go down.”

  He closed his hand and the Morsenube disappeared; the lights in the room actually brightened again.

  “Lord Malstrak, we do not doubt your power or your plan. You’ve just shown but a sliver, and we are in awe of your power.”

  What was this one’s name? Lord Snook, Malstrak thought. He owned one of the largest kingdoms on the West Side and had been one of the hardest to convince to join him. “With the army you’ve mustered, you would have no trouble with the pitiful defense the Easterners are going to put up.” Snook nodded before he continued, “However, why go through all the trouble of having the Fire Eyes Senturian enter into the tournament? Why not just kill him and be done, remove the threat?” He sat back and took a drink of wine.

  Malstrak’ s stone gaze never left his face. “Why, Lord Snook, I would never be so simple-minded.”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “If the young Senturian is engaged at the tournament, he can’t possibly be fouling up plans elsewhere. If he’s at the tournament, and he’s winning, he’ll have even more scrutiny, and the people will build up even more animosity toward the East. Besides – you don’t take a dull blade to the battlefield,” Malstrak pulled his large black-bladed weapon from its sheath, and in a fluid motion, cut through a metal column holding up a vase. Nothing happened for a second, until the top of the column slid off the bottom, a clean angled cut right through the middle. “You hone it to a razor’s edge.” He sheathed his sword.

  “So he’s a weapon then? That's your plan?”

  “Lord Snook, that is one of my many plans. There are many possible uses for one with such a skill set, all of which will serve our cause.” He grew tired of this nonsense. He raised his glass once again. “So can I count on your support?” Malstrak stared at each of the lords in turn to make sure he saw their nod. Especially Snook. Once he did, he said, “Each of you will expand your lands, and your rule, once we are in control on the East Side. You will be the heads of those lands, but you are not in control of the armies, or of any powers that may be found there. You will report and defer to me. Is that clear?”

  Again, he got nods all around. The leaders on the West were on board.

  Malstrak smiled – as soon as he was ready, the attack would start at the Wall. Those Easterners wouldn’t know what hit them. “Then let’s go start a war!”

  A round of cheering erupted, and the party started breaking up. “Lord Snook, a word, if you please,” Malstrak said, motioning him outside on the balcony.

  As soon as they were out of view, Malstrak grabbed Snook, hurtling him against the cold stone wall of the manor, a blade at his throat and spheres of Morsenube floating around his head. Snook trembled, but wisely didn’t resist. For a second. Malstrak sheathed his knife and pulled a red-hot iron M from his belt, put his hand over Snook’s mouth, and stuck the rod in his belly, the smell of burnt skin and hair filling his nostrils as the muffled scream from Snook died in the Morsenube spheres.

  When the pain had lessened enough where the man wasn’t screaming, Malstrak dropped him, where he fell in a heap. Malstrak leaned down and pulled his head back by his hair. “It is only because of your position that you are not dead right now. That brand is a special marker. From now on, if you are not loyal to me, if you speak ill of me – if you even so much as disagree with me or tell anyone what just happened – it will explode, turning you inside out. Try to tamper with it, it will explode.

  “Know this, rodent: you exist only because I allow it. If you don’t make yourself useful, when this is over, I might just let it explode anyway. Never question me again.”

  Malstrak kicked the man in the stomach as he walked off.

  He had a ghoul to call.

  Chapter 29

  “What do you mean, he left?” the boss man said. He’d called the meeting with the executioner as soon as he heard the news that Jayton Baird had been call
ed to get his weapons, yet here stood his executioner who was supposed to be with him at all times.

  He was also infuriated that Jayton Baird was still alive. He should have been killed. He wanted to scream, to lash out. But not in his office, not where people could hear him.

  “Do you need me to repeat it?” the executioner said.

  He huffed, but didn’t do anything more. “Why haven’t you killed the boy?”

  “Because I haven’t witnessed any wrong doing; you know the law.”

  “You were there when I attacked him in the woods. You saw him use the power! Saw him lose control! Why isn’t he dead now?”

  The executioner stood his ground. “Yes, I was there, on your request, holding the others still while you attempted to kill the boy. Yes, he lost control, but I wasn’t supposed to be there at all. What you were doing was technically illegal, so I shouldn’t have actually seen anything. If you hadn’t pressed him into using it, he wouldn’t have blasted the trees I was hiding in, releasing the others, and forcing us to retreat. And might I remind you, even your best attacks failed against the Morsenube. Sir.”

  The boss stared venom at the executioner, but quickly conceded the point. “True, but there has to be something! He has the Morsenube power, for crying out loud!”

  The executioner didn’t blink. “Again, you know the laws. I have to witness any loss of control personally.”

  “And yet you let him leave?”

  “I didn’t let him do anything – he’s off to the Smith’s to get his weapons. And I was left behind.”

  His boss physically forced himself to calm down. “Well, when he returns, I want no more mistakes. Kill. The. Morsenube. User. He is a threat to everyone East of the Breaks as long as he lives. I didn’t get to the position I’m in just to let my people be killed by some…freak,” he said, sweeping his robes behind him as he faced the bookshelf, stroking his beard.