Martin King and the Prison of Ice (Martin King Series)

by James McGovern

  “I feel almost bad about this,” said Diagoras. He had a surprisingly refined voice despite his monstrous appearance.

  “Don’t,” said Martin, raising his sword.

  “I’ll let you start,” said Diagoras. “Nymon has set up video screens. Both sides of the army are watching the battle. I’ll make it look like you had a fighting chance.”

  Martin leapt forward; he stabbed at Diagoras’ leg with the sword. The alien easily dodged it. Martin tried again, but missed. Diagoras brought his axe down on Martin; it hit his white helmet and rebounded. Martin didn’t feel anything. Diagoras looked amazed.

  Thanks, Falcon, Martin thought.

  Taking advantage of Diagoras’ surprise, Martin thrust out with his blade again. It easily penetrated Diagoras’ black armour and pierced his stomach. The Axis Lord cried out with rage and tried to attack Martin with the axe again.

  The axe bounced off Martin’s body armour and the back of it collided with the alien’s face. Martin jumped up and stabbed the blade into the Axis Lord’s arm. He could have stabbed him in the heart and ended the battle—but for some reason, he couldn’t bring himself to kill Diagoras. He had never killed anyone before.

  Suddenly, Diagoras began to laugh. His face began to ripple, and his body began to shrink. A few seconds later, he had transformed into an exact replica of Darcy, although he was still wearing the black armour. His stomach and arm were still bleeding.

  Martin stepped back, horrified by the transformation.

  “What’s the matter?” said Diagoras, in Darcy’s voice.

  He knew that it wasn’t Darcy, but the disguise was so realistic. The alien had captured her likeness perfectly—her flawless skin, her blonde hair, her blue eyes. Martin raised his sword, ready to strike Diagoras again. But he couldn’t do it. Martin lowered the sword.

  The alien laughed. Martin knew that he was being stupid. But he couldn’t bring himself to kill the alien when he had Darcy’s face. Diagoras, still in Darcy’s form, tore off the front of Martin’s armour. He didn’t try to fight. He stood facing Diagoras, his chest bare.

  The alien raised the axe. Then he swung it at Martin. The weapon pierced his chest; he could feel blood pouring out, and he began to lose consciousness. He looked up at Diagoras, who still looked like Darcy, and the last thing he saw was its laughing face…

  Diagoras kicked the body over the edge of the platform.

  *

  The real Darcy watched in horror as Martin’s body came tumbling down from the white platform. Tommy tried to hold her back, but she went running towards him.

  “MARTIN!” she yelled.

  His body was broken and crumpled at the bottom of the platform. He was covered in blood. Darcy screamed and grabbed his arm, trying to find a pulse.

  “It is no use,” said Slater, who had appeared at her side. He was holding up his pocket watch, scanning the body. “There are no life signs. Martin King is dead.”

  Slater tried to lead Darcy away from the body but she was grabbing hold of it so tightly her nails were digging into the flesh.

  “No!” she screamed. “He can’t be! He can’t be dead! Martin!”

  She felt like she was in some terrible nightmare. The world around her seemed to blur away. It couldn’t be true. Her boyfriend couldn’t be dead.

  “He’s half Axis Lord,” she cried. “He can fix himself—just like you did.”

  Slater shook his head sadly. “Look at him, Darcy. He’s dead.”

  Agamon had walked up to them. He took one of Darcy’s arms, and Slater took the other. They began to lead her away. Falcon watched Martin’s corpse sadly.

  But as he watched, Martin’s skin began to glow.

  “Look!” he shouted. “Look!”

  Darcy broke free from the aliens and turned around. She ran back to her boyfriend, but kept a safe distance. The glow around Martin became brighter.

  Please, thought Darcy desperately, please don’t be dead. Stay alive—for me. Stay alive…

  The glow vanished. Darcy knelt down next to Martin. He still wasn’t moving, but the blood had vanished, and his bones didn’t seem to be broken anymore. Then his eyes flicked open.

  “Darcy,” he said.

  He leapt to his feet, filled with a sudden energy. Darcy kissed him.

  “I can’t believe it,” said Slater. “I didn’t think you would be able to rejuvenate yourself.”

  “I did,” said Mulciber. He put a hand on Martin’s shoulder. “I did a scan of you when you were inside my ship. I knew that you had the capability to rejuvenate. I’m so proud of you—I knew you would want to be a champion.”

  “Where did you get the idea to volunteer as a champion?” said Falcon, narrowing his eyes.

  “There was this book in your ship,” said Martin, “I was flicking through it, and—”

  Darcy turned on Mulciber. “You left that book under his seat on purpose, didn’t you? You knew he’d volunteer.”

  Mulciber nodded. “Yes, I did. I implanted the translation key into Martin’s brain so he would be able to read it.” He turned his neck. The Axis Council were sitting on their flaming horses in front of their troops. “And it’s not over yet.”

  “I’ll go back up there,” said Martin. “I can carry on fighting.”

  “No!” Darcy shouted.

  “You do not need to fight anymore,” said Falcon. “I will volunteer to take your place.”

  He took the sword from Martin’s grasp and weighed it in his hands.

  “That will not be necessary.”

  They all turned to see who had spoken. It was a large golden soldier. It was even bigger than Diagoras and twice as wide. Enormous muscles rippled beneath the golden flesh. Martin could hardly believe it. It was Abaddon.

  “I apologise for the delay,” said Abaddon. His voice was surprisingly clear and gentle. “I received your message, Martin, and I travelled to Earth as quickly as possible.”

  They watched, awestruck, as the golden soldier marched over to the members of the Axis Council, carrying a golden sword.

  “I volunteer as champion,” said Abaddon.

  CHAPTER 15: THE GOLDEN SOLDIER

  Aurora King stood up and ran towards Martin when she saw him coming. Martin hugged his mum.

  “I’m sorry,” said Martin. “I just didn’t want anything to happen to you or the others.”

  “It’s all right,” she said. “I blame your grandfather, not you. I found out what he did—leaving that book for you to find.” She sighed. “He was always so obsessed with members of the King family being heroes.”

  “Don’t blame him,” said Martin. “I’m glad he did it. And it’s worked out for the best, because now Abaddon is our champion. We can’t lose.”

  Aurora looked less certain. “Abaddon is definitely a legend,” she admitted, “but Axis Lord technology is much more advanced now. It is still possible that Abaddon will lose.”

  “Well, we’ll just have to hope,” said Martin.

  There was a cheer and a round of applause as the soldiers noticed Martin’s arrival. Levanté clapped him on the back.

  “Well fought!” he said.

  Martin grinned. “Thanks.”

  He walked over to Darcy and Tommy and sat on the snow with them. Martin had never felt so vital, so alive. He remembered how full of energy Slater had been after his rejuvenation.

  “I’m still mad with you,” said Darcy.

  He grinned. “I’d be mad if you weren’t.”

  Martin looked over at the rest of the soldiers.

  Several video screens appeared again. Abaddon was standing on the raised white platform, opposite Diagoras. The Axis Lord was wearing a new suit of armour, and was back in his original form.

  “Let the battle begin!” shouted Nymon.

  They all watched the screens. For a few seconds, neither Abaddon nor Diagoras moved. Finally, Diagoras took a step toward the golden solider; he swung his axe—Abaddon gently took hold of the axe and ripped it from his grasp.
>
  Diagoras looked astonished. He cowered as the golden soldier began to step closer towards him…

  “Stop!” Nymon shouted. “Stop!”

  They couldn’t see Nymon; his army was on the other side of the raised platform. The Battle Stage began to quickly descend, and Diagoras scrambled from it.

  “There will be a slight change of rules,” came Nymon’s voice. “The right of both armies to fight by champion has been revoked. We will engage in normal ground combat.”

  “He can’t do that!” roared Agamon.

  Martin, Darcy and Tommy stood up. The golden soldier stepped backwards to join the army. Now the two armies faced each other again.

  The other Axis Lords sat on their fiery horses, raising their guns for an attack. It had all been for nothing—he had died for nothing. There was still going to be a normal battle after all…

  Nymon raised an arm. He seemed to be about to give his troops the signal to begin the attack.

  But then two figures appeared between the two armies, wearing dark suits and black shoes. Martin squinted, hardly able to believe what he was seeing. But it was.

  It was XO5 and the Wheelmaster.

  “He looks like you,” Levanté whispered.

  Martin nodded. “Yeah. Long story.”

  Nobody else spoke. XO5 and the Wheelmaster just walked up and down on the snow, taking in their surroundings. Finally, the Wheelmaster raised his hand.

  “All gather,” he said.

  They all heard his voice. Both sides of the army quickly made their way over to the two figures. The 200 soldiers stood around XO5 and the Wheelmaster, keeping a respectful distance.

  “Do you know who I am?” said the Wheelmaster.

  Nymon bowed. “You are the Wheelmaster. All Axis Lords are taught how to recognise you.” He pointed at the snow. “No footprints.”

  “Very good,” said the Wheelmaster. “We do not have any actual physical presence here, so we do not leave any visible mark upon the planet.”

  “We are here because you are all in danger,” said XO5. “I don’t really help people, as a rule, but this is different.”

  Martin frowned. “What do you mean?”

  The two beings of almost infinite power turned to face Martin.

  “Martin, hello again,” said XO5.

  “We haven’t actually met,” said the Wheelmaster. “Please, step forward.”

  Martin pushed his way through the other soldiers and stepped nervously in front of XO5 and the Wheelmaster. The Wheelmaster stretched out a hand, and Martin shook it. It felt strange—he could feel the hand… and yet he couldn’t. It was like shaking hands with a ghost.

  “I owe you my existence,” said the Wheelmaster.

  It was weird. The Wheelmaster looked just like Martin. And yet he didn’t. An immense power seemed to radiate from him. It was terrifying.

  The Wheelmaster turned to the crowd of soldiers. “There will be no battle here today. There is a greater evil coming. Humans and Axis Lords must fight alongside one another against the coming danger. Because I will not be able to help you.”

  “I don’t understand,” said Martin. “What danger? And why can’t you help?”

  “XO5 is not the source of this particular evil,” explained the Wheelmaster. “I’m sorry, but your parents will beget the darkness.”

  “That’s what everyone keeps saying,” said Martin.

  The Wheelmaster sighed. “I think it’s time you heard both of the Custodian’s prophecies in full.” He clicked his fingers and two scrolls appeared in his right hand. “The Custodian is famous for producing two particular prophecies—both of which involve the immediate future.”

  The Wheelmaster unrolled the first scroll and began to read to the 200 assembled soldiers.

  “In the year of the Silver Dragon, a new empire will rise from disarray. Valdragor Slater, Mulciber King, Agamon VII, Falcon Salamaz, and four humans will rule the empire, and it will grow to outshine even the mighty empire of the Axis Lords.”

  Falcon breathed out slowly. “Why did the Axis Lords keep this a secret from us?”

  XO5 laughed. “They were scared. They thought that if they hid the prophecy away it would never come true.”

  The Wheelmaster unrolled the second scroll. “The second prophecy is more alarming,” he said, and began to read.

  “In the presence of Martin King and Darcy Williams, the entire universe shall cease to exist. Charles King and Aurora King, the bringers of darkness, will wilfully cause the destruction of the whole of creation.”

  Martin glanced at his mum. She had become pale.

  “The whole universe is threatened,” said XO5. “Your parents—Charles and Aurora King—will destroy the entire universe. And we cannot stop them.”

  “We would never do such a thing!” Aurora said.

  “I’m afraid you will,” said the Wheelmaster.

  “But you both have unlimited power,” said Martin, looking at the two figures. “Why can’t you stop it?”

  “We don’t fully understand,” said the Wheelmaster. “All is not yet clear.”

  “Then how do you know the universe will be destroyed?” said Darcy.

  “We can see the future, if we both agree to do so,” said the Wheelmaster. “But when we try to see past a certain point in time, we cannot. There is only emptiness. We even know the exact date. The universe will end on the 25th December next year.”

  “Christmas Day,” said Tommy.

  “Forgive me, Lord,” said Nymon, looking at the Wheelmaster. “But can you not change the course of events?”

  The Wheelmaster shook his head. “Remember—the Axis Lords once created an object that could circumvent both of our powers—the Isis Crystal.”

  “The Isis Crystal was destroyed,” said Martin.

  XO5 nodded. “Yes, but it proved that some things can be more powerful than us. The prophecy is unclear and indistinct, but we know that we can do nothing to stop it.”

  Martin swallowed. He still couldn’t quite bring himself to believe that his parents would ever try to wipe out the universe. Surely it was all a big mistake? But the Wheelmaster’s face was grave.

  “In simple terms,” said the Wheelmaster, “XO5 and I exist outside the bounds of creation. But the danger comes from inside your universe. If anyone can stop it, they must work from the inside.” He smiled at Martin. “And if anyone can save the universe, I believe that it will be you.”

  Martin nodded quietly.

  “Now,” said the Wheelmaster. “Remember what I said. There is to be no more fighting here.” He turned to Nymon. “Go back to Hope, and leave the Earth alone. Remove the satellite so that the Axis Lord prisoners can leave if they wish. No matter what you do, you cannot stop the rise of the new empire.”

  Nymon bowed his head. “Yes, Lord.”

  The Wheelmaster took one more look around the snowy island; then he and XO5 vanished.

  “All of my soldiers please return to Hope,” said Nymon, defeated.

  The enemy soldiers walked quickly back to their flaming horses, and climbed onto them. The Axis Lords rode off back into the clouds, and then they were gone.

  CHAPTER 16: A NEW EMPIRE

  Martin was standing in a dark field with Laser Wolf and his parents. It had been two weeks since the battle, and Martin almost felt normal again. He still had more energy than before; Mulciber had said that an Axis Lord’s second body is always stronger than the first.

  Laser Wolf’s new ship, the Prestige, was parked in the field. His parents were going to travel with Laser Wolf to the planet Vortus to do some shopping, and then take a long tour of the five galaxies. They had been apart for so many years, and they needed to get to know each other again.

  The stars were starting to appear over the ship.

  “You’re sure you’ll be OK getting back?” said Martin’s mum.

  “I’ll be fine,” said Martin, grinning. “Flying is the safest way to travel, you know.”

  Martin’s dad clappe
d a hand on his shoulder. “I never said—” He paused. “I never said how proud I was of you. On the Battle Island, I mean, volunteering to be the Earth’s champion. Your mum told me everything that happened. You were so brave.”

  “Thanks, dad.”

  Laser Wolf smiled. “Martin had already saved the world once before. I wouldn’t have expected any less.”

  The Axis Lord flicked a switch on his pocket watch; the door of the Prestige began to open.

  “We’ll be back before you know it,” said Aurora. “I love you, Martin.”

  “I love you too, mum.”

  Martin hugged his parents and shook hands with Laser Wolf. Then the Axis Lord, the Axis Lady, and the human stepped inside the Prestige. Martin watched as the ship rose into the air and shot off towards the stars.

  He paused for a moment, standing in the dark field. Every time he thought the Earth was safe, something seemed to happen to make everything more complicated. But he was still convinced that his parents would never do anything to harm the universe. They were good people.

  He sighed, and started to rise into the air. He turned around, trying to get his bearings. When he had settled on his direction, he increased his speed and flew off back home.

  *

  Martin, Darcy and Tommy had been invited to a very important conference by Mulciber. Tommy had managed to bring Fire Opal along. They didn’t know the exact reason for the conference, but Mulciber had said that the political future of the entire planet was at stake.

  They were all sitting in Martin’s flat, waiting for a car to pick them up. Eventually, the doorbell rang, and the four friends left the flat. They were shown into a large black car; when they got inside they realised that the windows were darkened so they couldn’t see where they were going.

  “This is weird,” said Tommy.

  “Mulciber said that the location of the conference is a big secret,” said Martin. “There are hundreds of political and religious groups that would blow up the conference if they knew where it was being held.”

  “That serious?” said Darcy. “I wonder what this is all about…”