by J. C. Fiske
“This is . . . your power is greatly increasing, Gisbo, abnormally fast,” Fao said, surprise and worry in her voice.
“Fao, I’ve never felt so alive in all my life! I feel something changing within me; this is amazing! I . . . what the hell? The hell is this . . .” Gisbo stated. He gritted his teeth as he felt a transformation over his body. His fists quivered, and he felt three viscous prongs begin to tear at the skin between his knuckles from the inside. He gritted his teeth in pain, only to feel his inscisors begin to quiver. It hurt terribly and the nerves in his teeth erupted, causing him to scream out in pain.
“Gisbo!” Fao yelled, worried. She watched as three dark brown appendages shot out from in between the knuckles on each of his fists in a burst of blood. Gisbo screamed and looked down to see claws.
“Gisbo! You’re absorbing my essence into you! On your own . . .” Fao said. As she said so, Gisbo saw she was slowly dispersing into a red, sparkling mist. It began spiralling and absobing into Gisbo’s chest like the moon fire before it.
“Gisbo, I need to stop this! You aren’t using soul energy! I don’t even know what you’re using! Stop this now!” Fao yelled. Gisbo shook his head.
“Whatever this is, Fao, it’s powerful! Soul energy or not. You said to let me keep going and I’m going to! This . . . hurts so much, but it feels so good!” Gisbo said, almost laughing maniacally. Fao looked at him, worried.
“Gisbo . . .” Fao said.
“Don’t worry, Fao, this will have to do for now. I’ll come back to finish the training. I promise! With this power . . . wow, there’s no limit to what I can do!” Gisbo yelled with a crazed shrill to his voice.
Fao whined and let herself lay upon the ground as the rest of her body slowly dissipated into a full mist cloud, and entered Gisbo’s being. As she did so, Gisbo felt the essence within him go haywire. He felt almost as if his heart might burst as it pumped faster and faster. Thick, red energy that was strangely laced with blue began pouring out of Gisbo’s being and, before long, his whole body looked to be surrounded by a blazing fireball. It flickered and pulsated around him with no control whatsoever. The edges of the ball lashed out like long whips, igniting everything around him it touched. Luckily, he was in an open area and all it seemed to touch were fallen leaves and moss.
The pain intensified greatly now, causing Gisbo to scream as changes continued to erupt around his body. His inscisors stopped quivering and now began to grow out in pointed edges over his bottom lip. They stabbed above his chin and caused twin trickles of blood to flow under his jaw. Gisbo’s hair stood up on end and grew thicker on his forearms, hands, shoulders, and around his chest and abdominal muscles.
The hair on his head, as well as the newly formed hair on his body, suddenly began to drift from its shade of dark brown to a snow white, and the hair on top of Gisbo’s head grew out into a thick mane that stretched over his shoulders. The hair danced in the air as if in a high wind from the power his body was emitting.
Then his ears began to swell and stretch as they took on the appearance of a wolf’s, up and alert. They twitched about as Gisbo’s eyes were suddenly thrust open. Red veins stretched all the way to the pupils and the hazel color faded into ice blue eyes, the same eyes as Fao.
The pain dulled and seemed to stretch across his being, pulsating lightly and now bearable. It was a fine trade-off, however, as Gisbo felt a power within him that might have even rivaled the time the Phoenix allowed his power to flow through him. Almost as if his feet moved on their own, Gisbo found himself walking toward the pond and staring at his reflection in the moonlight. He fingered at his teeth, looked down and felt the claws jutting from his knuckles, and ran a hand through his thick, white mane. He didn’t know quite what to make of it, but felt incredible strength and energy within him. He shook from it. It was as if every attribute of his body was enhanced in this wolf-like form and he meant to test it.
Gisbo trotted back a ways, broke out into a running start, and leapt high into the air when he reached the shore line of the pond. He felt himself soar over it, as if he were flying, and he landed neatly on the other side. He wasn’t through yet, however. Upon landing, he struck out at a nearby tree and shattered the base of it as if it were a piece of pottery. Gisbo stared at the splinters in his fists, breathing hard, then up at the full moon in the sky and howled. Without any effort, the image of Malik’s face entered his mind.
“You’re mine, ass face,” Gisbo said, his voice sounding more beastlike than human. Suddenly, his eyes rolled to the back of his head. The energy about him immediately dispersed and he fell to the ground. Fao’s essence left him and she reformed by his side in a red mist. She quickly laid a paw on his chest, closed her eyes, and concentrated.
“I don’t understand. He didn’t even absorb the moon fire. He eradicated it! The power flowing through him now is greater than it. Through repressed pain, somehow, he managed to find common ground with me to combine our powers . . . a power I didn’t even know I had. If not moon fire, if not soul energy, than what? What common strand of mine was he able to latch onto to unleash that power within him?” Fao asked herself. Suddenly, it came to her. She stared off at the door and shook her head.
“How can so much rage lie within one boy? He cannot ever know what lies behind that door. If this much power can leak through just from it rattling, I cannot begin to imagine what would happen should it open. His anger, his fury… It is beast-like, feral . . . too much for one man to bear,” Fao said. Suddenly, her eyes went wide as the realization suddenly occurred to her.
“ . . . a human, connecting with a beast’s feral nature. That’s it! He found a common strand of beast-like fury within me and latched onto it! That explains everything! If he could do that, then he could connect with the other beast’s power that lies within him . . . the Phoenix. The traces of the blue fire . . . that is why the moon fire was snuffed out; the boy managed to latch onto a piece of the Phoenix’s energy! At this level in his training, this should be impossible. His body is nowhere near ready to embrace such power at will, especially in the reckless, rage-filled mindset he embraces to use it,” Fao said as she backed away and strutted about, thinking.
“Oh IAM, he’s found a way to release a portion of the Phoenix’s energy that flows within him through his raw fury! If only the enemy knew what they were doing that day. Should he fully access that power early, it would do irreparable damage to his body, and no telling what damage he could do to others, let alone himself! It could kill him!” Fao said. She stopped and turned to look at the unconscious Gisbo.
“No, not yet. We still have one saving grace. He cannot stay in that form long. His power wastefully pours out all around him like a running faucet. That should help. Either way, what have I done?” Fao said to herself.
“You must return to me, Gisbo, you promised . . . not just for your own good, but for those around you now,” Fao said to herself. She turned in the direction of the door with a worried stare. “And worst of all . . . it isn’t even your fault . . .”
Chapter Eight: Round One, FIGHT!
Gisbo’s eyes fluttered open to the greeting of a full moon and stars above him. He sat up and rubbed his eyes and, strangely enough, did not feel an ounce of pain at all. He reached up to feel his nose and was shocked to realize it wasn’t loose, but perfectly healed. He turned to see Fao seated next to him, staring off across the pond.
“Thanks for fixing my nose. I didn’t know you could heal, too,” Gisbo said. Fao shook her head.
“I cannot; you did that yourself,” Fao said. Gisbo looked at her oddly and felt at his nose again.
“The hell you talkin’ about?” Gisbo asked, rising to his feet and stretching. Fao turned to face him.
“Gisbo. You must never use that form you learned while you were here,” Fao said. Gisbo’s mouth fell open.
“Um, run that by me again?” Gisbo asked.
“In the tournament and thereafter, you must never use that wolf form you just learned,”
Fao said. Gisbo crossed his arms.
“And why not?” Gisbo asked.
“Because, Gisbo, if you want to continue being an Elekai’ warrior, you won’t. Should you use that form again, it could obliterate your essence, as well as do damage to your body, and you will never fight again,” Fao said.
“This isn’t funny, Fao,” Gisbo said.
“I’m not joking,” Fao said.
“So all of this was for nothing? I’m going to be the only fighter in the tournament who can’t use his soul energy? I’m gonna lose big time!” Gisbo pleaded.
“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be harsh, but it is for your own good. I can’t quite tell how your body will react. It could be the next time or the time after that. Either way, it’s best you just not take the risk and don’t use that form. Have a seat, and I will explain why. None of this is your fault.” Fao said. Gisbo sighed loudly and sat back down with his face in his hands.
“Why is it nothing can ever go right for me?” Gisbo asked.
“Adversity is the only way to get stronger. With the amount of adversity you’ve overcome and will continue to, you will be quite strong,” Fao said.
“Yeah, but now you’re saying my form is too strong for my own body! That is what you’re saying, isn’t it?” Gisbo asked.
“You were wondering why your nose is healed? Do you remember back in the cave when you went against Shax and you first unleashed your Phoenix powers?” Fao asked.
“Of course,” Gisbo said.
“Do you remember what happened when you unleashed it? It has a built-in healing power. It healed all those you cared about around you. You can imagine how important the Man-Phoenix role is on the battlefield. When people fought beside Vadid, all they had to do was look in his eyes and believe they would be alright and they were. That form you just took? You unleashed a portion of the Phoenix powers on your own, and when you did, it healed you,” Fao said.
“I did? How did I . . .” Gisbo started.
“Your fury, Gisbo, is nearly feral in nature, and so you were able to grasp onto my feral nature and, in place of the moon fire, grasp onto the Phoenix’s feral nature, as well, at least a portion of it. Your elemental essence is still growing. It is not ready even for a portion of the Phoenix’s power that flows within you,” Fao said. Gisbo thought for a moment.
“But . . . how was I able to use that power in the cave back then? It doesn’t make sense. I didn’t even use a portion, either,” Gisbo said.
“For that one, small moment, the essence in your body prepared itself from your birth. The Phoenix allowed just enough to enter you to get the job done and not harm your essence or your body. That is why you could not unleash your essence that day in class with Perry. Even then, your body was still preparing itself, knowing that moment was coming. Sixteen years in the making. Sixteen years for your body to be able to hold that Phoenix power for even a short amount of time. Imagine how much damage you could do should you forcibly insert it through your rage. Do you understand why you cannot use it again?” Fao asked.
“I understand, but it doesn’t mean I like it,” Gisbo said.
“I know, but that is why you are going to return to me so you will be able to do it correctly. Just a little patience, and you will be able to use soul energy as normally as everybody else, trust me,” Fao said. Gisbo lowered his head.
“Every freakin’ time . . . I’m always playing catch up. Still, even if my Flarian essence went away, would that be so bad? I’d have the use of the Phoenix essence, instead. That’d be way better! Besides, the blue flames look so much cooler . . .” Gisbo said with a grin.
“No. You see, just like you need the moon fire to connect with me because of the common trait from the Star of Fire that created the moon, you need your Flarian essence to coincide with the Phoenix’s. Remember, that star created the Phoenix, as well. It is still a beast, but a powerful one that IAM directly speaks through. It is a good creature. Without that Flarian essence, you would have nothing in common with it and your Man-Phoenix powers would become impossible to reach. That is the harsh reality, I’m afraid,” Fao said. Gisbo rolled his eyes.
“I’m really trying here. I want to use that so badly. It felt great, Fao, knowing I was able to use that much power on my own. Well, with your help, of course. But I trust you. I promise I won’t use it. I’ll learn the right way. You have my word,” Gisbo said.
“You say that now, Gisbo, because you are in a calm state of mind, but the tournament worries me. Should you end up having to fight Malik, and if he uses his soul energy, you must not respond with that wolf form of yours to counter him. You must take the loss. Don’t let pride enter into it. Evade him. Remember, soul energy does not last forever. Don’t let your pride and fury consume you. You will lose your clarity of thought and reasoning,” Fao said.
Gisbo did not respond; he only tightened his fists and gritted his teeth at the thought of it.
“Promise me, Gisbo!” Fao said.
Gisbo ignored her.
“Gisbo!” Fao reiterated.
“FINE! I promise! But it ain’t gonna be easy. Everyone is going to be watching. How can I just let him beat me?” Gisbo said through gritted teeth.
“Think of the big picture, not the tree from the forest. Control yourself. I believe in you. It is still possible to outlast his soul energy. I don’t know what it does, but it is still possible to outlast it and win. Just more of a challenge. Nothing comes easy for you, remember?” Fao said with a smile. Gisbo chuckled.
“How could I forget?” Gisbo said.
“You can beat him, I know you can. You’re a natural. Remember where you came from. Both Falcon and Vadid’s blood flow through your veins, and that is saying something. Besides, wouldn’t it be better to beat him without your soul energy? Imagine the embarrasment he would feel knowing you didn’t even need to resort to yours,” Fao said with a smile. Gisbo grinned at that thought.
“You know, I never thought of it that way. I kinda like the sound of that. Thanks, Fao,” Gisbo said, rubbing her behind the ears.
“It’s what I do. Now, it’s about time I send you back. Good luck, and I will see you after the tournament. Farewell, my boy!” Fao said. Upon Fao’s final words, he felt the cold stone wall behind his neck and heard Fao sleeping across his lap. He could already see the sun rising up out of the cave entrance as the beams slowly stretched through the darkness. He was back to the real world once again.
Gisbo gently woke Fao and she rose with a yawn and a snort and got off his lap. Together, they strutted outside into the morning light. Gisbo looked down at his wolf and clenched his fists, disappointed the training didn’t go as well as he thought it might. Hopefully, his opponents had the same luck, but something told him that just wouldn’t be the case.
It seemed as if everyone finished at the same time since Gisbo saw everyone gathered at the cave entrance, ready to teleport back into the cave. For the first time, Gisbo saw all of his friends’ Boons as they were gathered together. The Strifes, however, were nowhere in sight. Kinny walked up to greet him, a tan wolverine by her side.
“There you are! We’ve been waiting for you! First one to finish fighting training, but last one to finish Boon training, I see,” Kinny said. Her face brightened as she spotted Fao. “Wow, Gisbo, your wolf! She’s beautiful! What’s her name?”
Kinny bent down to pet Fao, who gladly complied. She groaned with pleasure as Kinny scratched behind her ears. Gisbo looked down at the small wolverine beside her feet.
“Her name’s Fao, and who’s this guy?” Gisbo said with a smile. He bent down to pet Kinny’s wolverine, who let out a shriek and bared a fierce row of teeth. Gisbo ripped his hand back.
“Uhm, that thing looks nasty . . .” Gisbo said.
“Sorry, Rend doesn’t let anyone pet him until I say it’s okay. You want to?” Kinny asked. Gisbo looked at the wolverine, who hissed. He shook his head.
“I think I’ll pass . . . Did everything work out in your trainin
g? Where are the Strifes at?” Gisbo asked. Kinny smiled.
“It sure did. Wait till you see my new powers in action! As for the Strifes, who knows and who cares. Looks like we finished up our training first! One up for the Renegades!” Kinny said. Gisbo sighed and rubbed the back of his head.
“Grandfield, how about you?” Gisbo asked. In the dumbass category, Grandfield was at least on par with him. His hopes of not being the only one to not gain Boon form quickly died as Grandfield gave a thumbs up and bent down to pet his boar.
“Me and Burger did just fine. You guys are in trouble now,” Grandfield said.
“You named your boar Burger? That makes no sense. What about ham, bacon, or . . .” Gisbo started, and Grandfield quickly shushed him, holding his hands over his boar’s ears.
“Don’t say those words! Gah, have you no soul, man? Jeez, you know I’ve vowed never to touch pig meat again. It was Burger’s idea. A Boon names themselves, remember? Besides, I like it. The name helps remind me to have a burger instead of any of those taboos you just mentioned,” Grandfield said. Gisbo saw Glinda shake her head.
“And your Boon is okay with such a decrepid name?” Glinda asked.
“Hey, better than your stupid Boon’s name! The hell kind of a name is Orbs for an owl? I think of boobs everytime I hear it,” Grandfield shot back with a wink. Glinda clutched at her chest and stomped her foot in retort.
“It’s because of his eyes, you dolt!” Glinda said in a huff.
“I just think of boobs every time I hear it. Sorry,” Grandfield said.
“Because you are just a stupid, uncivilized man! No, you’re not a man; you’re a boy! A fat one, at that,” Glinda said. Grandfield rolled his eyes and sighed.
“Really, you had to throw that out there, didn’t ya . . . your boobs are small, anyway,” Grandfield muttered. Glinda snapped a look to Gisbo.