by J. C. Fiske
Chapter Seven: The Door in the Dark
After the festivities were over, the Renegaras, as well as Class Masters, all made their way back to their rooms for a well-deserved, early night’s rest. Gisbo found, however, he could not sleep. He tossed and turned, but to no avail, and he desperately craved fresh air. He wasn’t sure if he was allowed to do what he was about to do, but he figured he needed to if he was going to get any sleep at all.
Gisbo threw back his sheets, got dressed, and tiptoed silently across the family area, through the kitchen, and out the front door. All was quiet, except for the flickering of torch light and the humming of dwarf suns about the cave. Gisbo saw several drunken Flarians crashed across tables and strewn across the floors, fast asleep and snoring loudly. They were his only company as he made his way around the balcony and down the stairs toward the entrance of the Flarian home.
He always found it strange they never even had a name for this place until Phil said the Flarians didn’t consider this place their true home. It was only temporary. What that meant, Gisbo could only guess. As quietly as possible, he creaked open the first set of double doors and walked through the hallway where he met Malik only a month ago, and through the next big set of doors with Vadid the Valiant carved across them. And there it was, the dead end, as well as his destination.
Gisbo stared at the wall before him and slowly raised his hand and placed it against the cool, smooth stone. Nothing happened. Gisbo sighed and took his hand off the wall, and then stared at his ring finger where the ruby stone glittered back at him in the torchlight. He gripped his fist and ignited his essence, feeling the warmth of power rush across his being as his veins began to glow with fire. He placed a hand on the wall again, and this time, odd symbols lit up in red upon his touch. Gisbo smiled to himself and spoke the last line in Vadid the Valiant’s poem.
There was the familiar, unpleasant rush like before and a flash of red. It seemed even more intense this time as he was the one initiating it. As quickly as it had started, the feeling passed and, when Gisbo’s eyes settled, he was in a torchless cave.
It had worked!
He disengaged his essence and, instantly, the symbols across the cave wall disappeared. Gisbo stepped back and felt light-headed for a moment and braced himself for an upchuck, but nothing came. He smiled and then turned around, only to smile much bigger and wider than before. Through the cave’s entrance, he saw them.
Stars . . .
Gisbo bounded forward and out of the cave, sloshing through the twinkling white sands of the Flaria desert in his bare feet, and found himself plopping to the ground on his back. He took a deep breath of fresh air and breathed a contented sigh as he stared at the beautiful night sky, a sky he hadn’t seen in nearly a month’s time. Then he found himself smacking himself in the head.
“Oh my gosh! Fao!” Gisbo said, thrusting himself upward. He quickly ignited his essence and raised his ring to the sky.
“Fao!” Gisbo cried. Instantly, a puff of red mist appeared beside him. Before he could even react, the great white wolf jumped from the haze and tackled Gisbo to the ground, lapping his face in between happy barks. Gisbo laughed and tried to push her off him.
“I know, I know, I missed you too, girl! Sorry, but I figured you’d be happier back at Heaven’s Shelter than cramped up with me in the Ronigade’s place. Damn, Fao, you’re getting heavy. Get off me, girl!” Gisbo said. Fao finally obliged and Gisbo raised himself up to his feet.
“Boy, we are really far away from the shore now, huh, girl?” Gisbo said. He ruffled Fao behind the ears and she moaned deeply. “I’m so sorry, girl. Things have just gotten so busy around here lately I didn’t even think to summon you until now. Don’t worry, you’ll be coming back with me tonight, okay? Just, uh, let me know when you got to do your business and I’ll summon you back to Heaven’s Shelter. I don’t want you pissin’ and crappin’ all over my uncle and aunt’s place.” Fao barked in response. Gisbo smiled and sighed again, feeling absolute peace.
“It’s so beautiful out here . . . I think I could,” Gisbo yawned. “Think I could fall asleep right . . . here . . .” Gisbo started to drift off, when suddenly he felt a boot slam down into his groin, and immediately the wind was knocked out of him. A few seconds later, the pain came on heavy as the boot twisted itself deeper and Gisbo couldn’t even find the breath to scream as the nerves of his entire body cried within him. Through blurry vision, he snapped his gaze upward and saw Malik Strife standing over him.
“I know what you are . . . Man-Phoenix,” Malik said. Gisbo tried to answer, but couldn’t.
“No need to call for your wolf; she has her paws full,” Malik said with a toothy smile. Gisbo managed to look up and saw Fao circling round and round a jet black wolf with deep yellow eyes. They snarled at one another, each waiting for one to make the first move.
“The Man-Phoenix is supposed to be strong. Vadid was, but you, you’re not. You are a cheap replica by blood and I’m going to prove it to you,” Malik said. Gisbo’s eyes contorted into fury. “Oh, stop with the scary look. Does wittle Gizzy wanna hit me? Sorry, chum. I don’t believe in fair when it comes to fights. Life is one big battle and you, you let your guard down. Man-Phoenix . . . remember who did this to you. Malik Strife’s the name, smell ya later!” Malik said.
Suddenly, Gisbo’s groin was free from Malik’s foot. In one swift motion, Malik brought all his weight down again and, in one stomp, crushed Gisbo’s nose. All Gisbo heard was the initial crack and felt the warm burst of blood and a white pain flash across his eyes before he lost consciousness.
The blackness lasted only for a moment, however, as he suddenly heard a female voice shout his name. Gisbo opened his eyes and gathered his bearings. He was no longer in the desert of Flaria, but a familiar meadow at nighttime. Gisbo realized he was back in what Fao called his inner world, his own personal one, but this time, there was no pleasant feeling of purpose, clarity, and that everything was right. Every breath he took was a struggle and every movement felt as if razors were scattered throughout his joints. He reached up and felt his nose. It pulsed with pain and felt loose and dripped considerably.
“You forgot me . . .” Fao said calmly.
“THAT SNEAKY BASTARD! I’M GONNA KILL HIM!” Gisbo shouted, shaking with rage. “I’ve never hated anyone more in my entire life! THAT LITTLE BASTARD! He’s DEAD!”
“Are you done?” Fao asked. Gisbo breathed heavily and let his rage simmer down. He collapsed to the ground and held his nose to stop the bleeding.
“Yeah, yeah, I am. I . . . ugh, was meaning to . . .” Gisbo started.
“You forgot about me, Gisbo, just admit it,” Fao said, acting a bit hurt.
“Yes, okay, I did. There was a lot going on and, yeah, I’m sorry,” Gisbo said.
“Many people forget to listen to their hearts. Life has a funny way of snuffing out such a voice. It won’t be the last time, so I am not offended. A little piece of me always resides in your soul. We are linked. I was practically howling at you with all my strength this night to summon me,” Fao said.
“Is that why I couldn’t sleep tonight?” Gisbo asked. Fao nodded.
“Yes, that is why. It was downright exhausting. I gave it my all. I’ve been trying to reach you all month,” Fao exclaimed, letting out a heavy sigh.
“But how did you bring me here if I didn’t even ask? And where did the pleasant sensation go? I feel just the same as if I were back in Flaria. My damn nose and my balls are killing me! This sucks! Was that just a one time deal or what?” Gisbo questioned.
“If I am by your side when you slumber, I am able to contact you and bring you to this place. In a way, you are dreaming, and while in such a state, time indeed passes, therefore, that feeling cannot be had or you would languish here and waste away your life. The rules work differently if I choose to bring you here myself. It is necessary for time to pass here so you may bring the powers and abilities you learn back with you . . .” Fao said.
“
Hm, I see now. So then, obviously you needed me for something important. Just what might that be?” Gisbo asked. He felt Fao’s heart flutter in excitement.
“Your tournament is in just a few days. You have that period of time for a reason. I’m not the only one who is restless this night,” Fao said. “I already feel the Boons are on the move. Your training with me begins now, Gisbo Falcon,” Fao said, cocking her oddly human-like smile. Gisbo smiled, as well.
“I get it now. That bastard Malik must have known that. He waited for me . . . that jerk! This must have been what Falcon was telling me about. We have to learn how to fight as one, you and I. And I get some cool new powers in the process. Am I right or am I right?” Gisbo asked.
“You are indeed correct. We have three days, and we will need all of it. You must be ready to face your opponents, but I do not only refer to the ones in the tournament . . .” Fao said. Gisbo looked at her curiously.
“What are you getting at?” Gisbo asked.
“I feel something in the wind. Within this past month, something tragic has happened that could lead to something worse. I feel a battle approaches quite soon and you must be ready. Gisbo, I need your all; I need you to trust me as you once did. Only then can I share my power with you. Will you comply?” Fao asked. Gisbo smacked his fists together.
“I’m ready. Anything to allow me to cause more pain to Malik when I finally go square with him. That bastard . . .” Gisbo said with a scowl. Fao shook her head.
“No, something bigger is going on, much bigger than simple rivalries. But first, you need to awaken. Get your body to a safe place, a nearby cave, one free of a slither if you can help it,” Fao said. Gisbo nodded.
“Ok, easy enough. Then what?” Gisbo asked.
“Fall asleep, and your training begins. You may not wake for three days, so your body must remain in a safe place,” Fao explained.
“Gotcha,” Gisbo said.
“This training is not necessarily exhausting as much as it requires much concentration on your part, and we both know that is not your strong suit. We will need all the time we can for you to master this initial ability which will eventually evolve into more complex powers. You will be able to hold your own in the tournament and what lies beyond it with what I am about to teach you, something very similar to what the previous Man-Phoenix, Vadid, did. He completed this training at your age. Perhaps you can do it, as well,” Fao said. Gisbo frowned.
“Yeah, but I ain’t Vadid. I’m no prodigy. Things don’t come easy for me,” Gisbo said.
“I understand that. And you’re right, things did come easy for Vadid. He was brilliant. But you, Gisbo, you have something society doesn’t give enough credit to. You have guts and stubbornness about you to never say die. If you can channel it into your training, find a reputable base for it to lean on, then that is far more important than things coming easily for you,” Fao said, smiling. “Need I remind you what Falcon told you?”
“No, I’m not in the mood for any long speeches. I’m too pissed off right now and hurting all over due to some asshole, and no matter what I got to do, I’m doing it,” Gisbo said. Fao frowned.
“Gisbo, you will not retrieve power from hatred and anger alone. You must realize this. Now, awake,” Fao said.
As soon as she finished speaking, Gisbo’s eyes snapped open to reveal the starry night sky above. Fao was by his side, cocking her head oddly. Gisbo got up and scratched away the dried blood from above his lip. His nose still pulsated with pain and his stomach still lurched, but he could bear it now. He ignored the pain and limped slowly toward the nearest cave he could find.
Gisbo walked along in the pitch blackness. Just when he thought he might walk straight into a slither’s mouth, he felt the stone surface of a dead end. Gisbo sighed with relief. He leaned against the back wall and Fao curled up around his feet. Within a few moments, he felt his eyes getting heavy and he was off to dreamland.
“Welcome back,” Fao said warmly. Gisbo snapped his eyes open and looked about, seeing he was back in the small clearing.
“Okay, what now?” Gisbo asked, rising to his feet.
“We begin. Follow me,” Fao ordered. She hopped off the rock she was prancing upon and trotted along in the direction of the dark forest.
“Ugh, I thought you said you didn’t like what was in those woods,” Gisbo asked. Fao frowned for a moment.
“I do not. We all have darkness in our souls, Gisbo. Even the brightest ones always cast a shadow. This represents yours. You are not ready to face it yet. The toughest journey for every warrior is the journey inward, to the darkest parts of one’s soul. As it is said, one who is the master of many is strong, but one who masters himself is stronger still. Like every Renegade before you, you will one day have to face this darkness, but not now. You are not prepared. Now, follow me . . .” Fao said. She turned and trotted into the darkness of the trees. Gisbo gulped and reluctantly followed behind.
As soon as Gisbo set foot into the eerie woods, he felt uneasy. Everything around him seemed ready to claw at him and rip him to shreds. He heard scurrying and felt slimy things brush by his legs. Loud stomping and growls could be heard the deeper they walked and always came from the direction that glistening, blinking white eyes pierced the darkness like unholy stars. Gisbo felt his heart race and wiped cold sweat from his brow. The worst part of it was this uneasiness, this twisting feeling in his stomach, felt so familiar, as if repressed memories were about to surface once again. He and Fao walked side by side in silence and in nearly complete darkness, except for the full moon and stars adorning the sky occasionally twinkling through the branches.
Finally, Fao stopped. There before them was an iron-clad door with what seemed like dozens of chains and pad locks littered across it. Gisbo scratched his head at this oddly placed thing in the middle of the woods, for it was standing on its own, and a perfect, almost purposeful, moonbeam stretched across its surface. Gisbo began to pace around it, only to realize that, from the back, the door was completely invisible! He trotted back around to see the front of it and, as he suspected, it still stood eerily erect. A slight breeze blew and the chains clinked and clanked like windchimes.
“Fao, what is this door doing here?” Gisbo found himself asking. Fao turned her head with solemn eyes.
“I did not wish to come this way. Even I lose my sense of direction in this darkness. Some doors, Gisbo, should remain closed,” Fao said tonelessly. Gisbo reached up and felt at the chains. As he did so, a rush of scenes raced across his mind. They went by too fast to understand, but whatever it was looked and sounded terrible. He saw blood, lots of it. He heard wailing and tortured screams and saw light dancing off slashing metal and the sound it made when it collided with the density of bone and meat. Then it was gone. Gisbo stepped back from it, shivering.
“Fao, what is this? What aren’t you telling me?” Gisbo asked. Fao looked to the ground and shuffled a paw.
“Please, Gisbo, please speak no more on the subject,” Fao said.
“I’m not changing the subject, Fao. What is going on here!?” Gisbo shouted.
“This is for your protection. I did not expect you to see this,” Fao said.
“Protection? Protection from what? I WANT ANSWERS, DAMN IT! NOW!” Gisbo was practically shaking with rage. He didn’t quite understand why, either. For a moment, he was brought back to his wild mood at Oak County.
“THERE! Don’t you see? That’s what I’m protecting you from! YOURSELF! YOUR RAGE!” Fao shouted. Gisbo took a step back.
“My . . . myself?” Gisbo asked. Fao sighed.
“I can feel it, flowing through you even now. Gisbo, have you ever wondered why? That sometimes you can’t explain it, but you’re angry for no apparent reason? Ever wonder why sometimes the anger just takes a hold of you and you lose yourself? It has not happened for a while. The people of Heaven’s Shelter have been good to you. Your unpredictable anger is what happens when the locks on this door . . . loosen,” Fao said. As she said so,
the door rattled on its own accord.
“What’s behind there, Fao?” Gisbo asked.
“A memory. One so horrific nobody should have it linger within one’s mind. Should it ever be recovered, it could change you,” Fao said. Gisbo looked at her, then at the door with heavy eyes. Fao sighed and continued speaking.
“When you were a boy, something got into you before you could handle it. Your reasoning skills weren’t developed. You were still a child, and when something like that happens to a child when they can’t process it fully, well, it could alter who they are. This was the enemy’s plan, and they somewhat succeeded. Sybil Honj had to intervene. He entered your mind and blocked this memory from your sub-conscious with this . . . a powerful barrier,” Fao said.
Gisbo walked up to it. Even now, he could feel a terrible, uneasy force lingering behind it, slamming itself into it and clawing to get out.
“Renegades and their secrets . . .” Gisbo said.
“Don’t say it like that. It was a precaution. Without even knowing you were the Man-Phoenix, they sought you out, Gisbo, because of the power and strength your father had. You were his offspring, and if the enemy couldn’t have your father, they were going to get you. If only they knew who they were really targeting, things might have gone differently. If only they knew you were, indeed, the Man-Phoenix, if only they knew such powers are passed down every other generation by blood. The enemy figured it randomized, given to the most powerful of the generation. They thought wrong,” Fao said. Gisbo continued to stare at the door. As he did so, his head began to pulse.
“It calls to me, it’s practically screaming. This thing wants to be opened, Fao,” Gisbo said, clutching his head.
“You musn’t ever open this door, Gisbo. It could awaken something you may never be able to be put to rest,” Fao said. Gisbo reached his hand upward to feel at the chains once again. The temptation was incredible.
“Gisbo, DON’T!” Fao shouted. Her voice firm and loud. It snapped Gisbo back to reality and he took a step away.