by A McKay
A login screen came up right away, a hacker would have trouble getting in to this system, they would have to hack through everything, the government uses, and refuse other traps set up by the Sanctum while getting through. Slade typed in the one name that would bring up a check, Slade entered his password. The screen read welcome agent Slade. Slade knew the agents would be swarming down on them soon, but he had no choice. He wanted to know why they weren’t kill right away, why the agency wanted them so bad.
After a few minutes of not finding any directive that gave them a hint to why they were, being hunted alive instead of dead Slade had to use other resources.
"Let’s go get some books, maybe we can find something else out.” Slade said typing stuff on the computer; Zach was clearly more interested in the computer then getting books.
"Why, did those nymphs let us live." Zach thought aloud. He was right that nymphs usually drained their victims.
Slade grabbed several books that the agency disguised and only could be read with the sunglasses on. The pages were thicker and hid secret pages inside that the sunglasses could see, and these books held all the secrets. The Sanctum knew they couldn’t put the books all in their place, so they hid them among the many libraries.
Slade went back to the table where Zach was busy typing away on the computer, Slade didn’t know what he was all doing, but figured he would have some fun with being on such a secretive site. Slade’s eyes started to cross as he went through the stack of books like a dog went through a fresh steak.
Zach sighed, which brought Slade back to reality from the books. "Zach you find anything."
“Orders were just given to come to this library, for two rogues.” Shit, Slade thought to himself, he didn’t want Zach to be involved, but it was too late for both of them.
“They must have taken that attack personal.” Slade paused not knowing where that joke came from. “I guess congrats on becoming a rogue agent without even joining the Sanctum.”
“Thanks, I needed a promotion.” It was so much easier for Slade to act non-military like with his brother than with anyone else, including his father that died.
A father that died at a bar, and didn’t do any kind of military work at all. Slade didn’t believe alcohol killed him, but that he pissed someone off and they kill him. He never seemed to drink that much at the bar, he never acted out of character, and he was always calm and steady. He actually was more like his father now than he ever was. That actually scared him for it took all this time for him to do that.
They both always stared over their shoulders for; well Slade looked for demons and agents. They both could see the wide picture of everything, and both knew how to fight. Actually, that was where Slade learned most of his fighting from, before the agency made the moves faster and stronger.
Slade’s father always was proud of Slade’s size and helped Slade use it to a level that a smaller man would be proud of. Usually big people like Slade were clumsy or loud, but Slade was taught to be quiet. If he didn’t know better, he would say his father was training him to become an agent for the Sanctum.
Somehow, that sounded to close to the truth. Slade started putting things together in his head. He acted how Slade acted now, always cautious always alert. He first thought it was from the drinking, but his father never did act drunk just smelled of it. That could have been done with a simple shot of whiskey. His father always had bruises, but he always said he bumped some metal, but he was never clumsy. He spent a lot of time with Zach’s father, who also had un-explained injuries.
“Zach, search for James Wesley!”
“You father, why?”
“Just do it, it’s a hunch but if I’m right then…” Slade couldn’t think straight, was their fathers agents?
Zach typed the name, and Slade leaned over to see the screen. “There, there he is.” Zach clicked on the folder and files flew open.
“What the hell is this Rob?” Slade didn’t correct him this time.
Slade started to read the screen.
Mission: destroy the tribe before they become full again
Two guardians have been sighted; they have the strength and speed without the injections. They know how to avoid being followed and every attempt to kill them has failed. Agent Robertson it is up to you to find them, follow them, learn if others exist. Eliminate the targets. If you achieve this task, you will be promoted to Captain.
“Zach, they said targets, your father, my father, they were fighting the agency. “ Slade saw the words promoted to Captain, and knew it was his old boss that killed his father, but how.
“Yes, but why, and why didn’t they tell us?”
“They didn’t want us to be killed.” Slade studied the files. “Look, update, the day before and day after.”
I have found the two targets; first name is James, last name Wesley, second target, first name Brad, last name Preston. I have seen them attack agents and without hesitation killed them with ease. Our agents are not trained or equipped to deal with such force. Our queen will be held back if these guardians find the secret weapon. Worse if they find the gateway that the queen set up for us to enter the other land. I will kill them tomorrow by poisoning their drinks. Both men take one shot of brandy or whiskey from the bar; I will be the deliverer for I believe they can see through our disguises.
Slade wanted to reach through the screen and grab Captain Robertson’s neck and hold it until her his feet stopped kicking. He was sure Zach felt the same.
I am excited for my new position even though I only was able to get one at the time, the other will take more time, for he didn’t take the shot. I am pretty sure he will be much harder than Mr. Wesley; maybe we can use their sons to finish the job. Mr. Wesley has a son named Rob and we will use him for sure, for he is growing to be the size of giant. I have searched the system and both sons have been trained in a specialized sniper unit. In addition, when I searched the system, the queen must have put his name in the system prior to their enlisting. We will enlist Rob now and will enlist Zach Preston after his father is terminated. They will both work together for us.
In addition: Both sons could be guardians; the queen would like to inject both of them with shots to hide this trait. We will put the special injection with Rob’s new injection and will give injection to Zach Preston with his annual checkups. We have won.
Slade had tears of anger and pain running down his face, Zach was shaking with anger. “They had this set up the whole fucking time, Slade we were nothing but their pawns from the beginning.” Zach slammed his fist on the table.
“Our fathers, they tried to bring them down with just the two of them.”
“I know, but they were hunted down, like we are, they were killed by the Sanctum.” The other visitors at the library stared but no one dared to speak, not with both of them trying to hold it together.
“Let’s find out this guardian thing. Maybe we can find a way; we will get revenge for our fathers.”
A smaller beaten up book of an unknown ancient tribe stood out from the rest. Slade looked at Zach who now was shutting the computer down, and back at the book. “Zach did you grab this book?” he asked not remembering that he grabbed such an older book.
“No, I was on the computer, finding out that the Sanctum was planning on using us like a fiddle.”
“This tribe disappeared and was believed to be the oldest tribe in the world.” Slade said looking at the first page, “I was told about this tribe by my father,” Slade took a gulp of the large lump that was in his throat. “It was the…”
Slade was joined in saying the title by Zach, “Guardians and the protectors of the land.” Slade eyed him for a while and realized it had to be what their fathers were, they both were told stories about them.
It was a smaller book, but Slade read the first sentence. "The guardians who are the protectors of the land are an ancient tribe that believed they were created before the gods were created. They have no rulers, just honor in their protection of
the land”
Slade turned the pages and found a heading of protector of the spirits. "Here,” Slade read, “The tribe traveled the land in peace no tribes challenged them, instead offered a place to rest. It also states that the ancient ones believed in different elements, they had a total,” Slade turned the page, to find the page missing. “Shit, it doesn't even say what the elements are, the pages are missing.”
Slade was about to close the book, and a page turned while closing the book Slade presumed for Zach yelled, "Wait." The shushing started again and a librarian was walking over.
“I thought you didn’t read,” Zach pointed to the heading.
"Blood brother ritual." Slade read aloud.
"Sirs you will have to leave now, for you are disturbing the other patrons." Slade heard the words but he tried to ignore it, the key word was trying, when the Librarian with force, slammed the book close, and then took it away like candy from a baby.
"I'm calling the police.” The librarian said. Slade stood, Zach followed, and the librarian took a gulp with such massive men in front of her.
"No need we are leaving." They walked away from the library, having learned a few things. One thing was for sure, they formed the ritual of the ancient tribe that united Slade and Zach more ways than one at least that is what Slade thought. He needed to read more.
"Let’s go shopping!" Slade said leading the way to a grocery store. Zach followed slowly.
8
Night came to the land, and they were again in the middle of the woods, no one in sight. It was somewhat peaceful, able to hear if anyone was coming. Nobody was talking and nothing at the moment chasing them.
The air blew in the cold that eluded them during the day. The fall air was here and to get this ritual to work was going to be interesting. Zach was working on the tent, while Slade worked on getting stones, and some wood. Slade also got a pail of water for the steam. His theory was that if you could be hypnotized and see an ancient life; well maybe if you mediate, with the help of sweat tent would let them see their former lives. That is if they had one.
Slade started walking back to where Zach was pitching the tent, wondering if whatever they were going to do was going to work. One thing was for sure, Slade pretty much was crossing two practices that haven’t been used together before. Deep meditation and sweat tents were only practiced with Indian Chiefs. Basically, a sweat tent helped you get there but not as deep as he wanted to go. As Slade approached the tent, he was honestly surprised at how fast it had gone up and how well it was made.
"Does this work?" Zach asked circling the tent with some lumber over the flaps to seal in the steam to develop a good sweat.
"Yes, this is perfect;” Slade walked closer. "You know this might not work at all right?”
"Yeah but what do we have to lose? I am sick of being hunted because you quit a job." Zach said this like it was an everyday event. This ripped Slade up on the inside; he wished he could take it all back. He knew he couldn’t.
Slade couldn’t let benevolent creatures die without cause. Something inside him fought it since the Secret Sanctum found him, but he didn’t listen.
He crawled in a hole that he flipped open and set the lumber up and the rocks. He took a match, struck it, and started the dry leaves under the logs, and soon the wood ignited. The stones were put on the edge of the flames, so when water was dumped on them, steam would rise, and basically cook them. Zach now entered the tent and sealed the makeshift door with a heavy stone. They sat on the other side of the fire, while the flames grew.
The heat grew in the tent; Slade took his coat off, then his shirt and started to take his pants off.
"Wait, what the fuck are you doing?” Zach asked taking his jacket off.
"To do this right we need to be nude."
"The things I will do for you." Zach then continued to strip his articles of clothing off as well. Slade sat there naked in front of his blood brother, the way they were born.
A big difference was made between Zach and Slade. Slade had the rock hard keg of a stomach, while Zach had the washboard abs. Slade’s eyes were double the size of Zach’s. Three bodied of Zach’s could fit into one Slade.
Slade poured the first ladle full of water on the stones and the water sizzled, steam exploding from the droplets. The steam was staying in the tent perfectly. Slade started to closed his eyes, and felt Zach staring at him. "You need to concentrate,” Slade said without opening his eyes.
“I better not feel you touching me.” Zach smart-ass told him making Slade open his eyes a little to laugh his thundering laugh. Again, Slade quieted his mind closing his eyes and soon trying to shut off his brain. Slade perfected this in his jail cell at the Sanctum and knew it would be easier for him to get in the mind set.
Zach sighed but closed his eyes. "We will start by resting every bit of our body, start at the nails on our toes. Relax the nails, now the toe. Continue to the ankle. Then move up to the leg." Slade started to imagine the images. When Slade reached the top of his head, warm color water fell from the sky. Slade heard water sizzle and the steam hitting his body. The warm color pumped through him now, and soon a bubble appeared around him. Slade started to open doors that he had imagined laid back in the deepest parts of his mind. A door then appeared in the middle of the sky, and soon he was there. The door was warm. Slade reached for the handle and slowly turned the knob.
Slade saw something that he never could have imagined. It was an island kingdom that was by the way the water broke protected by a giant reef. This island seemed not have been touched by man with today’s technology, for trees, land, and even sand covered the vast majority. Slade saw great waterfalls, but on a huge river that ran through the island was a castle. The grounds were protected by what seemed to be moving stones.
“Beautiful isn’t it,” a man said that appeared next to me. The guy had hooded blue eyes that were like two pools of water. His curly, blood red hair was worn in a style that made you aware that he was a warrior and untamed. He was tall and was equal to Slade in statue. He looked fierce but Slade didn’t feel like he needed to defend himself. Nor was he afraid of the giant man; something about him was very familiar.
“Yes, where is this?” Slade asked the man
“The place you have been seeking, the place that you will protect.” He took a breath. “As a guardian, we have a choice to stay and protect or move on. I wanted and still want to move on, but no one has stepped up to protect it when I left. Now the fate of the world can be saved by the guardians again, the blood has grown in strength and our tribe will grow once again.” His voice grew in excitement.
Slade looked at him confused, but was cut off when he saw two dragons flying over the island; one looked to be red and the other, “her!” Slade recognized the dragon now. He knew now where to find the bitch, the bitch that almost killed him and more importantly Zach. She was going to pay for her actions, as soon as Slade went to the island that is.
“You have met?” the warrior asked now giving the same puzzled look; Slade just gave to the warrior.
“Yes, she’s been trying to kill us,” Slade stared at the way she flew around the kingdom. It almost looked like the two dragons were chasing each other, not in a fierce way, but in a playful way. He laughed inside thinking that dragons knew how to play.
“Your dad would not have been surprised; he never got along with them before but he figured due to that reason the gods would make his kin fall for them.”
Slade’s eyes got wet right away, his dad, his dad the hard man, did he know the man. “You knew my dad?”
“Yes, he was the one that was supposed to start the fight, him, and his brother both fought well. Their lives ended short though, the demon witch found them before I could protect them.”
“Zach’s father?” He nodded, and sorrow took his face.
“May both guardians rest in peace and in honor for they had died fighting for their world. Now though, their sons need to fight to protect more than just one.
”
“How could this be, I mean, my father, Zach’s father, they went to the bar to drink.” Slade read the missions log, but something inside him still wanted his dad to be just normal person.
“First you must find the kingdom, my old home, and then help find other kingdoms, they all are to be protected, and one day guarded not only by guardians but knights again like you and your brother.” He brought out two necklaces; they seemed like beads but black like. “You will be protected by these necklaces. They will keep you from being seen by magic eyes.” He put the necklace over his head on his neck. “The ones that can taste, feel, and hear will know who you are.” He put his hands on his necklace. The necklace seemed too warm, no not warm; it was starting to burn. Slade tried to remove it but he was held down by man’s giant hands. “Let the loadstones hide you, let it melt into you.”
“NO,” Slade screamed, but he could feel the skin melting away, the necklace beads melted into the skin on his neck. Slade was burned before but that was worse, it was killing him in pain. It rested on the collarbone, when the beads hit the bone, another wave of pain hit, and Slade went black.
The next thing Slade knew was that water was being dumped on him jolting him back to reality. Slade blinked and then saw Zach over his body his face concerned and if not mistaken in pain.
"Dude you okay, you were starting to freak me out.” Slade right away felt his neck and almost screamed in a holy shit moment. There were bumps. There was definitely a necklace burned into his skin.
"What happened?” Slade asked
"I don't know, I went out too, and then my body must have tipped over hitting one of the buckets of water. It woke me up right after the most burning and gruesome pain I ever felt.” Slade could see the marking on his neck too of burned skin together. Slade went to touch his collarbone, but he backed away, “do you know how bad that hurt?”
“Yeah I do,” Slade rolled his head to side so Zach could get a better look at the same markings, and he stared at his neck and could see the markings.”