by Bryan Cohen
Portal Combat
By Bryan Cohen
Ted Saves the World
Book 3
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PART ONE
Chapter 1
Sela Fortbright cracked her knuckles as she guarded the gateway between two worlds. She was stout, like most of the members of her family, but the light souls had said she was something special. That's the reason they gave for taking her away before she could know who she really was. As a result, she was part of an esteemed order of defenders who made sure all the realms were safe, but she wondered how her life would've been if a different path had been presented.
The same thoughts clouded her mind as she saw three hooded figures approach the gate. It was an odd sight, as few strangers came within a league of her station. Most of the travelers who needed to pass from this world to the Realm of Souls or another destination were familiar faces. The dim lights of the gateway arch reflected against the black hood of the man in the front of the trio. He seemed about as tall and wide as she was, so he wouldn't present much of a problem if things went south. His two counterparts were each the width of several men, and a faint gurgling sound emanated from one of them. Sela gave her knuckles one final crack before crouching into a defensive position.
"State your business."
The man in front lifted his hood just enough to reveal a smile. "Don't get your tights in a bunch, noble gatekeeper. We're simply passing through to Earth." He extended a glowing document to Sela. "I believe you'll see that everything's in order."
Sela relaxed her shoulders and took the document. She leaned against an ancient stone behind her, which once formed a great castle that towered above everything else. Now, like most of the world, it had been abandoned and seemed more likely to crumble than offer any sort of protection. Built into the stone was an arch that was as wide as her powerful metal staff. The stones that formed the gateway itself glowed with mystical energy, much like the document Sela leafed through. Through the arch, there was a hole that seemed to lead to nothingness. Without Sela's assistance, that's about where the people attempting to pass through would end up.
Sela handed the document back to the man in front. The journey to her station would take a toll on most, but the leader of this pack seemed unfazed. When his fingers brushed hers during the handoff, Sela's first instinct was to tear his wrist off.
"Documents can lie, but eyes can't. Remove your hoods."
The man's crooked smile beneath the hood gave Sela a hint of recognition. The hint changed to a flood of memories when he removed his hood.
The man was a boy the last time she'd seen him. Pink cheeks had since given way to a thin, black beard. His hair was the same color, though it now hung down around his shoulders. The man's eyes were the same dark green hue as they'd been when the two of them grew up together.
"Hello, sister."
Her face strained to smile; it'd been so long since she'd done so. The warmth inside threatened to cut through the ice that had surrounded her heart. Sela shook her head.
"Brother." She was half-startled by the laugh that escaped her mouth. "You were running around the house naked the last time I saw you."
Cal Fortbright chuckled. "Little has changed, Sela."
The laughter was far different from the coos Sela remembered him for. Would the revived love for her brother and family change everything she'd become?
If Cal sensed her thoughts, he didn't let on. "I'd love to catch up, but my associates and I really should be leaving."
Typically, Sela didn't mind keeping small talk concise. After all, her training taught her that sentences should be short and battles long. Her current chat with her brother might have been the lengthiest exchange she'd had since she was assigned this gate.
As her brother took a step forward, Sela moved to block him. The warmth had given way to a warning in the back of her mind.
What you see can't be trusted.
The training had informed many of her actions up to this point, and the lessons she'd learned tended to emerge exactly when she needed them.
Sela put up a hand. "Brother, forgive me, but we're not through here."
Cal crossed his arms. "You're not sure it's really me, are you?"
Even as a child, Cal had been perceptive. He was the kind of precocious kid who would tell adults how things really were. When he guessed why people were acting a certain way, he was typically right. But his perception alone wasn't enough to convince the gatekeeper.
"It is a time of war." She studied her brother. "Precautions must be taken."
Cal nodded. "Ask me anything you want."
Sela rambled off question after question that only Cal could answer: the location of their house in their home village, their mother's ancestors and even a nickname she'd had as a little girl. Cal answered all of them without hesitation. Still, there was something unsettling about seeing her brother here after all these years. It reeked of an appeal to the heart by the dark souls.
"I'm sorry, Cal." She stood up as straight as she possibly could. "I believe you're my brother, but I'm going to have to deny you passage."
Her brother's eyes glistened. His sly smile told her he'd been expecting this outcome all along.
"You know, Sela, I even still have that scar on my arm from when we were little. Would you like to see?"
Cal removed the cloak and tossed it to the ground. The sweat covering his arms and chest made his rippling muscles stick out in the dim lights of the gateway. As Sela glanced at the scar on his right arm, her worst fears were confirmed. She fought the anxiety that built in her stomach as she spied the dark soul tattoo that had been painted all around the childhood injury.
"See, Sela?" Cal removed a sword from its scabbard. "I really am your brother."
Sela pulled the metal staff from her back pouch. "My brother is dead."
She let Cal strike first. The sword clanged against the staff, sending a vibration through Sela's hands and generating sparks with the impact. The other members of Cal's party removed their cloaks as well. They were green, lizard-like creatures that Sela recognized as Draconfolk. Carved into the scaly appendages of one creature were the same images as the ones on her brother's arm. The other creature was tattoo-free. The blood glistening on one of its claws made it apparent that the gate had not been the trio's first stop that night.
Cal grunted and spun his weapon toward Sela again. She moved to counter with ease, causing another blast of sparks to illuminate the four of them.
Cal pressed down with his sword, attempting to bring Sela to her knees. "The light souls chose their gatekeeper well."
Sela pushed against him with all her might, causing Cal to stumble backward. "Jealous?"
As one of the two Draconfolk got within range, Sela pushed off her staff and kicked the beast right in the chest. The creature clutched at the spot and let out a wheeze. Sela planted both feet on the ground and swung the staff into the head of the other beast. The creature groaned and tumbled to the ground.
Cal let a flurry of blows fly, each one sending Sela a little further back. Her arms grew sore, but she ignored the pain. When she made contact with the wall, she took a big swing with her staff and sent both weapons to the ground.
Cal winked. "Guess we'll settle this like brothers and sisters should. With fists."
Sela's brother crouched down, and she mimicked the position. This time, she opted to take the offensive. She swung her fists with such speed that even the dark soul couldn't block more than a couple. One blow hit Cal's face so hard that she felt a tooth pop loose. Ano
ther cracked him on the temple and caused him to lose his balance. Sela wiped her bloody knuckles on her side and stepped toward her brother.
"How many people did you have to kill to get to me?"
Cal rubbed at his eye, which began turning black and blue. "Eleven. Twelve if you count your dear, sweet brother. You'll make 13."
Just then, Sela felt a sharp pain through her back. She looked down to see the point of her brother's blade exiting her stomach. She didn't need to turn around to realize that the Draconfolk without the tattoo had thrown the sword like a spear and scored a direct hit.
Sela could barely hear the chanting noises above the pounding of her own heart. The pain from her back and chest made it impossible to feel the burning sensation on her arm. She looked to see the dark soul tattoo brandishing her flesh before glancing back into the smiling eyes of her former brother.
"There's a living soul on Earth. He'll kill you. Easily." Sela coughed out blood as she went to her knees.
Cal touched her shoulder and moved around to her back. "As long as he doesn't kill you, the war is won."
Sela felt her brother pull the sword out of her body as she took her final breath.
Sela's eyes opened and she felt the burden of the past dozen years disappear off her shoulders. All these years of protecting the realms and secluding herself were over. She looked down at her abdomen to see the wound closing up.
"Welcome to the other side." Cal offered her a hand.
She took it with a smile and brought in a deep breath. The quiet night sky falling over the desolate land surrounding her was no longer oppressive. The infinity around her wasn't lonely – it was a chance for freedom.
"What's the plan?"
"You always were impatient." Cal gestured to the arch. "I'll tell you on the way."
Sela nodded. She picked up her staff and slammed it into the ground. As she did so, a small, blue sphere formed in the center of the arch. It grew taller and wider and cast its bright light on the four of them. Before long, it had formed a glowing portal.
Cal stood in awe for a moment. "It's mesmerizing."
Sela smirked. "You'll get used to it. Shall we?"
She took Cal's hand once more and the two of them walked through the portal to Earth.
Chapter 2
Ted gripped the armrest tightly as the government-chartered plane shuddered once more. The plush seats and furnished décor reflected what he'd been told was the latest in aeronautical technology. He'd give it all up for a propeller plane and a smooth ride. Ted looked over at Agents Vott and Harding. Vott was going over some documents and seemed like he barely even noticed the turbulence. Harding was asleep. He was always asleep.
Ted reached for a cup of water, but another shake caused it to spill over. He blotted the liquid off his pants with a napkin. "Are we safe in this thing?"
Vott glanced up from his work. "You're safer than we are. If we go down, you can just fly out of here."
Ted knew Vott was right, but the fear sensors in his brain still hadn't quite gotten used to his superpowers. He attempted to grin for Vott, but it wasn't very convincing.
"Don't worry, Ted." He looked back down at his paperwork. "We'll land as soft as a pillow in a couple of minutes."
Ted looked at Vott again, this time concentrating on what he was thinking. After wading through thoughts of Vott's wife and the man's last bank statement, Ted found that Vott truly believed his words. In Ted's two and a half months away from Treasure, he'd used his new mental powers constantly, though he'd only applied them to gather information. He'd promised Erica he wouldn't use the powers to change someone's mind, and if he couldn't see the girl he loved, he had to maintain her trust. He wished keeping his word let him hold her in his arms again.
As Vott had predicted, the plane landing was uneventful despite the torrential downpour. The three of them, as well as a few other Department of Homeland Security agents on the special project, exited the plane. Brandishing umbrellas and microphones, reporters of all kinds stood outside in the havoc that was Hurricane Winston. Beside them were Ted's supporters, hoping for autographs and a chance to shake the hero's hand. Ted was relieved the crowds were less than half as large as usual. He hoped that most people had evacuated the area as instructed by the state's governor.
Harding opened an umbrella above Ted's head. "You've got about five minutes here. Don't forget, you still have to sign a football for my niece."
Ted didn't understand why it had to be a football, but he nodded regardless. They walked down the steps to cheers and questions all at once. The wind blew stinging rain into his face. After dealing with fires and mudslides earlier that season, Ted figured he was getting close to his elemental merit badge. He did his best to smile and nod for the cameras as he signed everything from t-shirts to the self-published and semi-authorized biography Dhiraj had commissioned over the summer. Between the squeals of fans came the stumpers.
"Ted, will you be going back to high school in the fall?"
"What's it like saving the lives of hundreds of people every week?"
"Will you go to college next year or be a full-time hero?"
The last question was one he'd been pondering all summer. And all the time he'd spent thinking about it didn't get him any closer to an answer. He let out a polite "no comment" before Harding brought Ted into a vehicle that seemed to combine an SUV and an armored car. This was the kind of vehicle they built for hurricanes.
Ted wiped his face on a DHS embroidered towel and looked up at his handlers. "So, how are we gonna do this?"
Vott smiled. "I like it when you're all business."
"Two weeks left." Ted turned his head to the side, allowing the accumulated liquid in his ear to dribble out. "I might as well do as much good as I can."
Vott explained they'd go just outside the city's most populated area. Once they'd set up camp, Ted would go off and do his thing. They'd be in radio contact the entire time through the earpiece Ted was putting in place. Just as Ted thought the vehicle was about to speed away, a man who seemed vaguely familiar popped into the seat beside Ted.
It was becoming instinct for Ted to learn as much as he could about a person by doing a quick scan of his thoughts. Before he could help himself, he often knew the name, occupation and general disposition of an individual. As the man began to speak, Ted already knew everything he needed to.
"Ted Finley, it's an honor."
Senator Christopher "Kit" Kable looked stronger than most politicians he'd encountered, and during the last few months, that number continued to grow. Congressmen in particular had a thing for roping him into selfies. Kable filled out his black suit from top to bottom and had a beaming smile that illuminated the vehicle.
"Senator Kable." Butterflies fluttered in Ted's stomach. "I'm surprised to see you off the campaign trail."
Kable smirked. "It's a trail with many paths. Your associates here said I could have a few minutes of your time."
Ted raised his eyebrows at Vott and Harding. The latter gave him a shrug in return.
"Sure." Ted fumbled with his earpiece. "If you're trying to get my vote, keep in mind that I won't be 18 by Election Day."
The senator let out a belly laugh. While his physique was that of a body builder, his laugh reminded Ted of a cartoon Santa Claus.
"Of course. Of course. Despite that technicality, you hold a lot of sway in this country. After the earthquake in California and the wildfires in Colorado. Heck, what you did off the coast of Louisiana was–"
"Senator."
"Please, call me Kit."
Ted had been given too many names to remember this summer. He wished people hadn't given him the permission to be more personal.
"Kit. What do you want?"
"All business, I see." The senator straightened his tie. "Ted, I'd like you to endorse me for President of the United States."
Ted had figured that was coming. With election season impending, he'd been asked to join dozens of campaigns, from the school boa
rd to the office of local representative, but none of them came close to a request for a Presidential endorsement. Ted didn't know much about either candidate's platform; all he knew was that his parents voted for President Blake in the last election.
The car pulled to a stop. Agent Harding hopped out and Vott made a gesture that showed how little time they had to talk.
Ted nodded. "I'm flattered, Senator... Kit. Get up with my manager, Dhiraj Patel. He handles these kinds of decisions. I just do the dirty work."
Kable laughed again. "And you do it so well, Ted." He extended his hand. "Good luck out there."
Ted thanked him and followed Agent Vott to a makeshift shelter. The howling winds were so strong they almost pushed Ted over.
"He sure went to a lot of trouble." Ted yanked the shelter door closed behind him. "And I can't even vote."
Vott furrowed his brow. "If you told people to vote for Kable in November, he'd win the election."
Ted didn't need to read Vott's thoughts to know that was true. He also wasn't sure that was the kind of responsibility one person should have.
A gruff-looking man in his late 50s greeted Ted and the agents as they walked into an emergency operations center for the city. The man barked orders to over a dozen people sitting in front of laptop screens. It was like a disaster movie, and he was the reluctant star. With Ted's help, this would be the team that would save as many lives as possible during the Category 3 storm.
"We're happy to have you here, Finley." The man had a gruff tone of voice to boot. "What you've done in just the last few months has been inspiring."
Pride ballooned in Ted's chest. "Thanks, sir. How can I help?"
The first pressing need was a levee that was about to break on the east side of town. Vott and Harding radioed in the directions on his headset as he took to the skies. Flying through the rain and wind took some getting used to, but it was much easier than zipping through smoke and fire in a full fireman's getup as he'd done in Colorado. By the time he reached the levee, Ted could see the problem. There was so much water attempting to stream through the sandbags, it would be a matter of seconds before things got hairy.