“You’re as much a fool as Dominus if you think handing Dr. Rhodes will offer you any salvation. You know how the Shadow Government rewards failure, and you and Dominus really caused a big upset by entering Botulinia’s domain and almost destroying their long and hard effort,” said Rush.
“I told that gorilla what would happen, but he didn’t listen!” Geminae began to switch between personalities, the fire and ice alternating.
Rush was losing the fight to keep Geminae sane long enough to find Dr. Rhodes, but he always had a backup plan. While Geminae tried to control her switching personalities, Rush flicked a small device toward her, its small tentacle-like claws attached itself onto her jacket and then climbed inside her inner pocket. He would find Dr. Rhodes with or without her help. The device would track her location, and then he would have Dr. Rhodes once more.
“No!” screamed Geminae, her hair bursting into flames. “I’ll not have the same fate as Dominus! I’ll return Dr. Rhodes back to them. He was my only saving grace. I’ve no other choice!” Geminae swiped her arms in the air, creating bursts of fire and ice, striking Rush’s barrier.
Rush had given up on reasoning with her and decided it was time to unleash his own attacks. “If you’ll not listen, I’ll make you listen.” He slammed his fist into the ground causing the ground beneath them to shatter.
Geminae rolled across to safety, barely evading the falling pillar that crumbled around her. “You’ll bury us alive!” she roared.
Rush smiled and rotated his hands, creating a force of red energy.
“Dark matter! The whole place will collapse!” shouted Geminae.
He ignored her and concentrated his attack into a singular line of pure energy which penetrated her barrier, the force knocking her off her feet and into the wall behind her.
As the dust settled, Rush started another attack, this time with the hope to completely shut her down. Little did she know, this was just a tactic for her to run and lead him to Dr. Rhodes before the other Blades arrived. He could sense them; they were so close now. Their power was stronger than Dominus, and it seemed that the Shadow Government had sent some of its best to capture Geminae.
It had worked. He could sense Geminae’s energy vanishing. She was trying to flee. Rush stopped his attack and walked through the broken wall. He smiled to himself, congratulating his efforts on carrying out his plan. As he turned to leave, an unknown force knocked him down, and hundreds of hands made of ice clamped him to the floor. He cursed under his breath and tried to break free, but as he removed one hand, another reappeared. Geminae was cleverer than she appeared.
“I’m not as stupid as you think,” said Geminae. She remained hidden, but her voice broke the chilling darkness.
Rush focused all his energy to break free, but there was something else prohibiting him from moving. It was as if he was unable to control his energy.
The sound of a rolling stick alerted him to the glowing blue rod traversing across the floor. It stopped just far enough out of his reach. A Seeker’s rod!
“I picked this up at Bellum. The fallen Seeker wasn’t going to use it anymore. Konrad had done a good job of that.” Geminae’s sneering laughter put Rush on edge. “I’m sure the Blades who are nearby will enjoy my gift to them. Perhaps, it’ll buy me extra favor…or time.”
“Geminae! Don’t do this!” said Rush. “Kry, your nephew, is your only family. Don’t turn your back on him. You can be the savior!”
A misty fog enveloped the room. The Seeker’s rod shimmered, enforcing its will on Rush and making sure he could not gain enough control to break free. He could sense Geminae’s presence fading, but at least he still had the tracker.
He heard something rattle by his side, and he turned to his right to see the broken device next to him.
“Your tricks won’t work on me,” said Geminae.
This was not how he had expected things would go, no, not how he expected at all! He had underestimated her mind. She was still in control of herself, and perhaps that was a good sign that what he thought about her was true—there was still somebody worth redeeming. He just had to convince her.
“Oh, and Rush,” said Geminae from deep within the fog. “He’s not my nephew. My sister was diagnosed infertile when she was a child, so whoever you say he is, he’s not my nephew.”
Rush’s heartbeats quickened. He was losing the only sanity Geminae had left. Kry was the link, but now…
“But…I’ll find out who he is,” said Geminae. “And when I do, I’ll break him and his friends for killing Dominus.” Then Geminae was gone, her energy vanishing completely.
Rush was furious with himself for allowing this situation to get out of control. The Seeker’s rod was emitting energy next to him making sure he could not escape the hold of the freezing grips. And now, Geminae was on a mission to find Kry. His plan had failed, and the device was broken. It would be another painstaking journey to find out Geminae’s next location. There was still Bellum, though. He would have to return there eventually, but he hoped he would rescue Dr. Rhodes before then. Michael and Sarah still needed his help.
Rush tried to grip at the clasping hands, but they were like steel straps pressing his weight to the floor. Not only that, the Blades were approaching and could hear them coming.
****
Kade and Rafal entered the catacombs. They had felt the presence of both Geminae and Rush and quickly made their way through.
“You’d have thought Geminae could have found a better place to hide than this stink haven,” said Kade. He puffed on his cigar, the white rings of smoke drifting into the darkness.
“Brother, don’t complain. We’re doing God’s work,” replied Rafal. He was proud to be sent after the rogue User, Geminae, for her failure, and he was glad Dominus no longer existed.
“Shut your nonsense. We’re here for a job, not because of some divine mission. Get your head out of the clouds,” said Kade as he kicked the sewage which flowed through the tunnel.
Rafal ignored his rebuttal. “Come, I sense a battle up ahead. They must be fighting.” He clenched his hammer and smiled with a fervor betraying his faith. “Let us join the glorious battle, brother!”
Kade sighed and stubbed his cigar on the wall. He hated that they had to wade through this stinking catacomb, especially the way his suit was getting dirty just traversing through these ancient tunnels of the dead. “Whatever you say.”
Rafal led the way through the darkness, his hammer glowing with energy lighting the way. He smiled like a madman, hungry for punishment for the unfaithful. He saw everyone as unfaithful who angered the Shadow Government. That was why he was so favored among them. They used his passion against others and fueled him like a weapon. That was what the Shadow Government did best.
They entered the ossuary and saw the devastation around them. The remains of the dead were scattered across the floor. One part of the wall had been ripped open, and rubble was everywhere. A misty fog blurred their vision, but they could make out enough to navigate the room.
“I don’t sense their presence,” said Kade, bored of this search already.
“Patience,” said Rafal, raising his finger to hold his speech. He looked around the room, analyzing each clue. His eyes were eager to see punishment. “It’s unclear who won the fight.”
Kade pulled out another cigar. “I hope Rush slowed her down. It’d make this a lot easier.”
Rafal turned to him, his face touching his. It was a look of anger. “Remember, Rush is also a rogue User. He must be punished as much as she!”
It was a rare occasion to see Rafal lose his temper, but it was legend among the Blades that it was never a good idea to make Rafal angry. Kade had seen it only a handful of times and was wise enough to back off. Kade raised his hands trying to placate him.
Rafal calmed and turned to inspect the room. “Here, there’s a Seeker’s rod!” He went to pick it up, but suddenly a blast of energy knocked him down. “It’s him!” shouted Rafal.
There was another blast, and it almost made contact with Kade, but he dodged to the side, dropping his cigar. “My cigar!”
Rush had just barely released himself by the time they arrived. The rod’s energy faded once Geminae had left and with it the power over him. He wondered if she meant it on purpose. She could have easily killed him herself while he was in that state. This was as perplexing as meeting the two Blades now blocking his escape.
“Rush, you’ll face the wrath of the Shadow Government!” Rafal wielded his hammer and charged at him, but before he could reach Rush there was a flash of white light, and then Rush was gone. Rafal slammed his hammer into the tunnel wall as Rush smiled to himself several miles away.
Chapter 8 – Mind Games
The mood was somber as everyone sat together in the cafeteria for breakfast. No one wanted to talk, preferring just to sit and eat in silence. Kry was becoming tired of everyone watching them as if they were some zoo animals. The fact that he showed what he could do in the barrier training did not help matters. Rumors were already spreading around the university regarding how he and Abel had stood together against the New Order. This had only angered Sonus even more. Kry did not want any of this extra attention, and Eclipse’s fight with Svana, which had no clear victor, intensified the interest their group was receiving. It was as if all the other factions were measuring them and seeing where they belonged in the hierarchy of strength. Eclipse dominated Yuri and easily beat Svana’s Iron Maidens. Eclipse was as much a threat to everyone as was Kry, perhaps even more. Her combat skills and vigorous training were forged through countless hours of being trained as a child by one of the most powerful Users, her mother. She was far ahead of most students with her secret background, but there were still obstacles before them. Svana, just like Sonus, was no doubt planning against them.
Already, just two days in and they were the most talked about students in the whole university. Only the champion of the Cube seemed to be above all this. The champion was a position of power and authority that matched even the professors. Every faction wanted its head to be the champion. The only students who seemed to have no interest in vying for power were the factionless, the students who were too weak to compete or had other personal reasons. Abel was one such student. It was evident among students and professors that Abel had an unnatural control of his User abilities. He never liked to show them in public and always preferred to remain in the shadows rather than to stand at the front and be noticed. Kry found Abel the most interesting student here. Abel was a mystery, and he was not sure where Abel stood in the student rankings. Abel may very well be one of the strongest, possibly even a match for the champion.
Despite all this, the new members of their group were in awe. Akira and Inessa were impressed with Eclipse’s ability in combat. Her finesse in positioning and movement and her skills in wielding her deadly black blade were surprising for many. Akira and Inessa had both recovered from their encounters with their rivals. Akira now watched Eclipse carefully, trying to study her and perhaps even learn from her. Inessa, on the other hand, had found a powerful female companion in Eclipse. This gave her an inner strength to fight harder in the same way Eclipse had fought for her.
And then there was Thrace, the former faction head of the Americans, who had been forced out due to his relationship with Inessa. Both of them were outcasts before they met Kry. Thrace was booming with pride as he would retell the events of the barrier training to any student who would ask. This was despite the fact he had been knocked out and was unconscious for most of the encounter, but that did not stop him from talking with enthusiasm and cementing his status in the ladder of hierarchy. Thrace smiled as he thought about all the possible realities that his new group could achieve.
“I know none of you are in the mood for talking, but we should see all this in a positive light,” said Thrace.
Kry knew what Thrace was thinking; he could see it in his face. “We did what we had to, but we should keep a low profile from now on. There’s too much attention on us since the events from yesterday.”
Eclipse was in agreement. “We do as Kry says.”
“I like the fact that everyone is interested in us,” said Whisper. “I want to learn everything I can to prove that I belong here.”
“Kid, you do belong here,” said Thrace. “You contributed to holding our barrier as long as I did before Sonus tried to win unfairly.”
Kry knew Whisper doubted his abilities as he was the youngest here. Everyone else was so much older, and Whisper still could only communicate with his mind, the mental block still hindering him from speaking vocally. “As Thrace said, you do belong here. We all do.”
“What about him?” asked Whisper.
At another table, Abel sat alone as he always did.
“I think we can get him to join us,” said Thrace, excitedly.
Kry stopped him. “Leave him be. He wants to be alone, and I respect that. He helped us, and he might do so again, but I think we shouldn’t force the issue.”
Thrace could not help but chuckle to himself. “Who said anything about forcing him? In time, he’ll join us willingly!”
Kry was anxious about his plan.
“What do you have in mind?” asked Eclipse.
Thrace winked at them. “Let’s just say that I believe Abel has been watching us as much as the others. Friendship blooms from common enemies and his enemies also happen to be ours.”
The bell rang, and students hurried off to their classes. Kry was not sure if Abel would join them, but he would be glad to have him as an ally. He sensed a deep connection when they fought side by side against Sonus, and he believed Abel sensed it, too.
“Anyway, you say you want to keep a low profile, but I think that’s going to be difficult,” said Thrace.
“Why is that?” replied Kry.
“Our next class is with Professor Himura where you learn to control your mind and read the minds of others,” said Thrace.
Eclipse appeared interested. Kry wished that she could join them, but again her classes followed a different schedule.
“Let’s go. You’ll see for yourself what I mean,” said Thrace. “Let’s just say that it’s not always easy to conceal your thoughts when there is another in your mind.”
Kry was unsure of what Thrace was speaking about but recalled his brief introduction to the class when he was with President Katar. Students battled with the mind alone, and there was no actual physical interaction. Today would be the day he would find out how true Thrace’s words were. He also wondered if the lock he had on his mind would prohibit his abilities. He did not want any dark secrets being known by another. It was important that the Shadow Government and Bellum Industries remained a secret.
“Enjoy your lesson with Professor Himura. I’m doing barrier training today,” said Eclipse. She looked at Kry. “Stay safe.”
Kry was thankful of Eclipse’s presence. “I will, and you also.”
Eclipse left with Akira and Inessa while Kry joined Thrace and Whisper to attend their class. It was not long before they arrived in front of the telepathy building. They entered and found almost every seat was taken. Kry noticed Abel sitting at the back, understanding his desire to stay unnoticed. The only seats left vacant were at the front where the only student he recognized was Athena. She was vigorously writing notes down before the class had even begun. How studious she was thought Kry. She was so much like Rhea but not…
As they took their seats, a bell sounded throughout the auditorium, and then from out of nowhere, Professor Himura appeared on the stage behind the long glass table.
Kry was surprised by his sudden appearance. It reminded him of how Rush was able to disappear and appear at will; he called it ‘blinking.’ Professor Himura’s eyes showed a wealth of intellect which by all means fitted his current position of mental control.
“The class will now commence!” said Professor Himura, his voice reaching every mind in the auditorium. “Are you ready to begin?”
“Yes!” the students called out in response.
“Power stems from here. Every thought and action is born in the mind,” said Professor Himura.
Kry could feel the power in his voice.
“What is true strength? Is it how strong you can create a barrier? Or perhaps, the type of barrier you produce? Maybe it’s how fast you are, how physically strong you are, or the knowledge of combat you have been trained in? It’s none of these things. Strength stems from inside your mind. It doesn’t matter how fast you are or how powerful your energy is. What matters is how much you can take and how much you can endure. Moving forward is never easy, but what’s important is to resist the urge of giving up. You are your greatest enemy. There’s no one else fiercer than the doubt that lurks within the recess of your own mind.”
Kry listened to his every word. The truth in his words took a heavy toll on his mind as he remembered his own weaknesses of the past. Kry listened with renewed commitment. He would endure, and he would fight back. The doubts inside his mind were his greatest weakness.
Professor Himura massaged his neck and rolled his head in a circular motion. He then clicked his fingers, and giant words formed on the overhead display above him. The words ‘Mind Games’ were written in bold and underlined.
“Power of body. Power of spirit. Power of mind,” said Professor Himura. With his mind, he drew a circle around the words on the display. “We’ll continue testing the strength of your mind in today’s class.” He walked toward the students and looked at the front row. “The new students. I’m pleased. It’s always a pleasure to see what strength I find in your minds!”
Kry did not like the sound of that. If Professor Himura planned to dig inside his mind for inner strength, then this might not end well.
Professor Himura laughed. “I can sense your wariness, but I’m no trespasser. I’ll not look into your mind. Not without your permission…of course.”
Whisper’s dark green eyes caught the attention of the professor. “Ah…who do we have here?” said Professor Himura, looking intently at Whisper. “Hmm, they said you were young.”
Rise of the Young: Warriors are not made; they are forged (The Ascended Book 2) Page 14