by J. C. Fiske
“Oy, who’s this bloke ‘ere, Gizzy? He don’t look none too friendly,” Phil said.
“He’s . . . yeah.” Gisbo didn’t quite know what to say.
“A friend. Phil, is it? I think we need to find a place to palaver. You and me. Is there such a place we can do so privately?” Foxblade asked.
“Aye, sir, follow me and I’ll palaver you all ye want!” Phil said.
“Wait here, Gisbo, if you would. I feel we have a lot to discuss,” Foxblade said.
“Why can’t I come?” Gisbo asked.
“It is going to be hard enough to get information from him without you around to ask stupid questions. Wait here,” Foxblade said as they both turned and walked down a tunnel.
“Jeesh, what a guy . . .” Gisbo mumbled to himself as he let himself lean against a wall and then slide into a sitting position, letting both arms drape over his knees. He watched the people running around busily when, suddenly, they began to move at a slower pace and he felt hundreds of eyes upon him. The feeling was best described as uncomfortable. It felt nearly as awkward as the time he challenged Ranto to an eating contest and all eyes of Heaven’s Shelter burned into him.
Suddenly, he heard his name shouted. He turned to see Nina with a big, genuine smile across her face as she skipped toward him. Gisbo stood to meet her.
“Well, hi there!” Gisbo said. He then leaned in and whispered to her. “Why are they all staring at me? Do I have something on my face?”
Nina laughed, a very contagious laugh that was sweet to the ears. Gisbo made a mental note to try to make her laugh more often.
“No, you goof, they’re staring at you because of what you’re wearing!” Nina said. Gisbo looked puzzled for a moment as he looked down at his clothes, half expecting himself to be in his underwear or something.
“You’re a Renegade, Gisbo, don’t you understand what that represents?” Nina asked. Gisbo had been around Renegades for the past two years. It did not even cross his mind that they were indeed in hiding and extremely rare nowadays. In the days of old, he knew the people looked up to people wearing such uniforms for guidance and inspiration. The pressure of it all hit him all at once and suddenly, his uniform felt very heavy.
“Could we, ugh, get out of here? My anxiety is going through the roof right now,” Gisbo said. Nina grabbed Gisbo’s hand without warning. Her hand was soft to the touch around the many scars. Gisbo felt a tinge of lightheadeness, but this time it felt pleasurable.
“This way, you can tell me how everything went,” Nina said. Gisbo wanted to say something until Nina gripped his hand a little tighter and began to lead him through the busy workers. Before she did so, she turned and gave him an excited smile as she glided down a series of tunnels before they came to a cove of sorts where a bedroll was placed, as well as a dozen or so books all piled around. Gisbo had an immediate deja vu of his own shack of a home back at Oak County, seeing the books as they were. The only difference was the large, sleeping lioness upon the bedroll.
“Have a seat! Tell me how everything went,” Nina said as she sat down upon a stack of books. Gisbo did the same across from her. “You know, I’ve only seen you in this uniform today. You look quite handsome in it,” Nina said as she leaned forward and placed her chin in both hands, grinning at him.
“I, thanks,” Gisbo said, squirming and feeling blood rush to his face.
“Well, this is different,” Nina said.
“What’s different?” Gisbo asked.
“You didn’t tackle me this time and try to kill me,” Nina said.
“I told you! I didn’t know that was you! And I wouldn’t hurt a girl,” Gisbo said.
“I know, only kidding,” Nina said with a giggle. “Goodness, you’re high-strung.”
“Not really, just got a lot on my mind these days,” Gisbo said. “Plus, I’m exhausted.”
“Well, if you want to, go ahead and take a nap. I won’t be offended. I’ll wake you when we need you, okay? Go ahead and lay down next to Arielle here. She’s quite the cuddle bug!” Nina said as she began moving some things aside, grabbed a blanket and pillow, and laid it out for him.
“Thanks, I think I’ll take you up on that,” Gisbo said as he stretched and laid down. Before he knew it, he was fast asleep and Arielle had wrapped a big paw around him.
The dreams weren’t so pleasant, however. He dreamed of his father in his starved state with his head sunk. He dreamed of Kinny, face in anguish, being pummeled by Malik as he was chained to a pole and forced to watch. And then there was darkness, and within that darkness, he heard the cries of his friends at Heaven’s Shelter, pleading and crying out to be saved. Lastly, there was the door again in the forest of his inner world, rattling, always rattling, and the scream of a woman and flashes of carnage, and then he was awake as something pressed against him.
He awoke to see a blonde head in his face as Nina squirmed closer to him and pressed her body against his. He felt warm and tingly all over. Then he realized she was crying.
“Just, could you just hold me, Gisbo? Please?” Nina asked through sniffles. Gisbo complied as he slowly wiggled out of Arielle’s massive paw, reached for her, and pulled her in close. Never had he been so close to a girl and he couldn’t have imagined how natural and great it felt. Nina wrapped her arms tightly around Gisbo and put her head onto his chest and sobbed. Her head seemed to fit perfectly against him. How was that possible? Gisbo haphazardly rubbed her shoulders. They were thin, but strong.
“I’m . . . I’m sorry. It’s just,” Nina started.
“You don’t have to explain yourself,” Gisbo found himself saying.
“Thank you,” Nina said. She hugged him tighter and loosened her grip. Gisbo realized she had fallen asleep. He found himself smiling, feeling her warm, slow breaths on his chest. At that moment, something came over him. What it was, he couldn’t quite explain. All he knew was that, no matter what happened, he felt a strong urge to protect this girl from all harm. He thought of Foxblade’s warning, but what did he know? He wasn’t falling for her yet, they were just cuddling. Cuddling, that was all it was, and he was quite content with it. And with that thought, Gisbo found himself drifting back to sleep, feeling a contentedness he had not felt in a long time. This time, there were only pleasant dreams.
When Gisbo awoke again, he opened his eyes to see another pair looking into his own. There was a soft smile beneath it.
“Hi, sleepy,” Nina said. Gisbo just smiled and she hugged him tighter.
“I’ve been waiting to do this for a while. I’ve had my eye on you, Mr. Gisbo,” Nina said.
“Oh yeah?” was all Gisbo could say.
“I just feel a little guilty,” Nina said.
“Why’s that?” Gisbo asked.
“Well, I know practically everything there is to know about you and yet you really know nothing about me,” Nina said. At this, Gisbo broke from her and sat up.
“What are you saying?” Gisbo asked. Nina leaned up and looked at him with deepest sincerity.
“I . . . I don’t know quite how to put this,” Nina said. She noticed Gisbo was twitching nervously. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing . . . I’m just, a bit taken aback by . . . all this,” Gisbo said. Nina smiled and reached for his hand. She grabbed it softly and massaged it.
“You mean this?” Nina said, with a slight smile. Gisbo breathed deeply, trying to catch his breath.
“Yeah, I . . .” Gisbo started.
“You’ve never been this close to a girl, have you?” Nina asked.
“What? Of course I have! I’m seventeen, for crying out loud, I’m not some closet case loser, jeesh!” Gisbo blurted out.
“There’s nothing to be ashamed of, Gisbo. I know you haven’t. And you don’t need to be nervous around me. You can trust me,” Nina said.
“So, what were you trying to tell me just now?” Gisbo asked. “You said you know everything about me. What, what exactly do you know about me?”
“I know wha
t you are, Gisbo, and more importantly, I’ve seen what you become,” Nina said. Gisbo looked at her, confused.
“Excuse me?” Gisbo asked.
“I know you are Vadid the Valiant’s successor. The Man-Phoenix. I know of your troubled past and the obstacles you have overcome. And more importantly, I know what you could or could not become,” Nina said.
“How could you possibly know this?” Gisbo asked.
“It’s hard for me to really say,” Nina said. “And, yet, you don’t doubt what I have to say. You don’t think I’m . . . crazy, do you? If you do, I’ll leave you alone. Promise.”
“No, not at all. I have a friend who is a lot like you. He sees things that can’t be explained, but has saved lives because of it. I used to be a skeptic, but not so much anymore. I’ve seen too much to doubt. But what do you mean when you say what I could or could not become?” Gisbo asked. At this, Nina turned her eyes away for a moment and she turned quiet.
“Nina?” Gisbo asked.
“I . . .” Nina started, when suddenly there was a purposeful cough behind them. Gisbo spun to see Foxblade standing there.
“Oh, hi, Mr. Foxblade,” Nina said, grinning.
“Hello, Nina, good to see you again,” Foxblade said. He sat down on the ground beside them.
“So, what did you find out?” Gisbo asked.
“I will speak to you of that later. Right now, I would like to speak with Nina,” Foxblade said.
“Me?” Nina asked.
“Yes, I am going away tonight with Gisbo. But, in my place, tomorrow, I am sending somebody here to spend a lot of time with you for the next two weeks,” Foxblade said. “His name is Rolce Moordin. He is Gisbo’s best friend. You can trust him.”
“Okay, but, what for?” Nina asked.
“Have you ever heard of a Sybil, Nina?” Foxblade asked.
“I don’t think so,” Nina said.
“Whether you have heard of the term or not, I believe you are one. In most circumstances, these rare individuals are never found, but in times of trouble, the best parts of ourselves are revealed. This is no different with Sybils. Only trouble brings them to the surface and, right now, trouble is what we’re in. Have you ever seen events in your dreams that have come to pass?” Foxblade asked. She looked at Gisbo and then back to Foxblade.
“Yes, yes, I have,” Nina said.
“I won’t have you share, that is personal. However, you have special powers inate to you if you are indeed a Sybil. Rolce, Gisbo’s friend, is a Sybil. I am sending him here to help Phil organize this platoon you have amassed and to help you awaken your abilities. He is a Renegade as smart as he is strong. He might even be smarter than me at this point. You can trust him with your life,” Foxblade said.
“Okay, I will, but where are you and Gisbo going?” Nina asked.
“We have something very important to do that will consume our time. Everything has been set in motion now; the preparation for the coming battle begins. Rolce will be in constant contact with me and, soon, you will be able to contact me, too. I hate to be so vague, but every second counts. Gisbo and I must be off right away,” Foxblade said, rising to his feet.
“Like, now?” Gisbo asked. Foxblade reached down and grabbed his earlobe and tugged him to a standing position.
“Ow, ow, okay, okay!” Gisbo said.
“Rest for now, Nina, I will be in touch on a need-to-know basis. Follow Rolce’s instructions. That is all you need to do. Everyone else has their orders, as well,” Foxblade said. “And do take care of Arielle, she has a special connection with you. We are going to need her help, as well.”
“Okay, sir, I will,” Nina said. “And Gisbo . . .” Nina started. She looked like she wanted to reach forward and embrace Gisbo in a hug, but she stopped herself and settled for an awkward wave. “I’ll see you soon, okay?”
“Yeah, okay,” Gisbo said. An awkward silence filled the room.
“Farewell, Nina, and good luck. Follow me, Gisbo,” Foxblade said with a twirl of his cape. Gisbo stood in the entrance for a moment as he stared at Nina and vice versa. He opened his mouth to speak when he heard Foxblade’s gruff voice from down the hallway.
“Now!” Foxblade bellowed.
“Bye,” Gisbo mouthed and he followed. They made their way out into the foyer where so many boys and girls, both young and old, were going about fashioning weapons for war. They stopped what they were doing at the sight of the two warriors clad in blue. A girl made their way up to them and spoke in a shaky, nervous voice.
“They always told me . . . that you weren’t real. I always believed. Whatever side you are on, I will be too, sir,” the girl, no more than 15, said with a make-shift Renegade salute and a shaky smile. Foxblade only put a hand on her shoulder and gave a brief smile as he walked through them rather coldly and up the stairs. Gisbo followed, looking back only once. As they ascended the stairs, Gisbo tried to engage Foxblade in conversation, only to be met with grunts.
Once they reached the mouth of the cave, Foxblade stopped, put both hands on his hips, and gave out a deep sigh. Gisbo walked up cautiously beside him.
“Are you alright?” Gisbo asked.
“I’ve never been comfortable with being looked up to. That is all. And all those boys and girls down there . . . it saddens my heart to know they were all outcast from their homes in one form or another,” Foxblade said.
“Well, at least they found each other, right?” Gisbo asked.
“Yes, all for the sake of dying on our part. They are not ready for war, nor can they be. They are fighters with stout hearts, but no Renegades. They do not deserve this fate. And this fate, according to Phil, they have dreamed about. They all felt Phil’s presence. He’s special, Gisbo. He has no idea what he truly is, either. There is another side to him that comes out occasionally. It is this side these boys and girls flocked to. They dreamed of him, felt a calling for something bigger than themselves. And this calling came from IAM, they feel. Yet, they do not know what grisly fate they face. It hurts me to know that IAM would bring children to our side, just to die for us. It sickens me. Can he not do better? CAN YOU NOT!?” Foxblade suddenly shouted. Gisbo shuddered at the sudden fierceness in his voice. He had never heard the calm, cool, collected Foxblade ever raise his voice before.
“I’m sorry, Gisbo, I should not have said that. My heart is torn, that is all, always has been. That is the price for being a not-so-nice guy who tries his best to be nice. You are never sure of yourself or what you feel,” Foxblade said. Gisbo was a little taken aback by this reveal. He felt a deja vu of his father speaking to him by the pond last year after Purah’s death. He never would have expected Foxblade to open up as he just had.
“Enough of this. Now comes your part,” Foxblade said, turning to match Gisbo’s eyes. “Right now, with your arm the way it is, you are entirely useless, if you weren’t entirely useless before,” Foxblade said.
“You know just how to build a guy’s confidence,” Gisbo said.
“But that will change or you will die,” Foxblade said matter-of-factly.
“Huh?” Gisbo muttered.
“Your father taught you how to fight with your bare hands. Show me,” Foxblade said. Without warning, Foxblade pummeled Gisbo in his midsection with a straight kick, throwing him off his feet and to the floor, hard.
“Gah! What the hell!” Gisbo said, wincing and slowly rising to his feet.
“Pathetic, just as I figured. A father can never bring his own son to his true potential. His love and urge to protect you gets in the way. I have none of these things. Come, on your feet,” Foxblade said. Gisbo gritted his teeth and rose. The ever calm Foxblade stood in an odd stance, leaning back with both arms crossed in front of his chest, swaying. Gisbo charged with a fake knee forward and threw a curved right punch to Foxblade’s chin. Foxblade nimbly moved with the punch, grabbing Gisbo’s fist as he did so, and yanked him down off balance, giving him a knee to the gut that collapsed him back to the floor on his knees.
&nb
sp; “What have you been doing these past three months with your father? Again!” Foxblade said. This time, Gisbo was up and charged again and again, giving him everything he had in a flurry of kicks and punches. Even so, Foxblade dodged every hit, arranged himself behind Gisbo, and kicked up one of his legs from behind, causing Gisbo to almost fall into a split as he moved off balance. Foxblade then spun around a leg and swept Gisbo off his feet completely. Gisbo fell, huffing and puffing for air.
“No lungs whatsoever. You lack stamina completely and yet you expect to go to war? In just a few swings, you will be out of breath and praying for death. We cannot have that. I don’t even want to see how your skills with a weapon are faring. These next two weeks, Gisbo, are going to be hell on Thera for you. If you cannot survive with me, then, quite simply, you won’t. These two weeks will be a constant fight just to hold your life intact. To survive and, if you come through it, maybe, just maybe, you will survive this war and earn your Renegade title. To the portal; we are going to my homeland,” Foxblade said as he turned and walked out of the cave. Gisbo rubbed at his woozy head and followed reluctantly.
Oh man, why is it always me? Gisbo thought to himself.
They reached the portal and, after several jumps, they had arrived in Soaria. Again, Gisbo saw the black dome that contained his home, Heaven’s Shelter, covered in a spiraling, disgusting mass of blackness.
“I want you to look at it, Gisbo. Look upon it well, and do not forget it. Should we fail, everyone you know, everyone you love in there, will die. The Renegades legacy will be survived by kids who have not yet even received the title of Renegade. They are not ready and, eventually, the last beacon of hope left in this steadily decaying world will die out. Are you ready to do what it takes? Are you ready to finally stop your foolishness, become a man, and be the hero you are meant to be, Man-Phoenix?” Foxblade asked. Gisbo looked at him.
“I don’t have much of a choice, do I?” Gisbo said. At this answer, Foxblade gave him a lightning fast backhand across the face.
“I asked if you are ready! Give me another smartass answer and you will get my knife instead,” Foxblade said coldly. Gisbo flashed an intense stare of anger toward Foxblade, who smiled.