The Ark of Power

by David Barco

  "Man, stuff just got real," Jaylen says, breaking the silence in the room.

  "Come on, let's just head back to our rooms," Harrison says.

  They open the door and walk out. He glares at the wall and sees a normal wall. Sprinting down the hallway quietly, they all head to their rooms.

  ◆◆◆

  After breakfast, Harrison lets out a monstrous yawn.

  "You have been yawning all morning," Joseph says, as they walk to their Power Flow class.

  "I couldn't sleep last night after what I heard. It upset me a little," Harrison replies.

  "Yeah, I don't blame you," JT places his hand on Harrison’s shoulder. "It upset me too."

  Harrison gazes at him with a blank stare.

  "What?" JT asks.

  "Coming from the person that was snoring ten minutes after his head hit the pillow, I bet you were real upset," Harrison replies.

  Jaylen and Joseph laugh as they all line up on the field. They wait for Mr. Drake to arrive.

  "What are you all doing?" Mr. Drake walks on the field. "I told you that we are partnering up for now on. I should see two lines, not one."

  The class rushes to form two lines.

  "See, this is another reason why I can't sleep well at night-"

  "Join the club," Harrison whispers under his breath while Mr. Drake is speaking.

  "What was that young Grady?" Mr. Drake stands in front of him. “I know, I heard you say something.”

  Tommy and a group of friends walk by the field. They turn their heads away as if trying to avoid seeing Mr. Drake’s class. "Tommy, come over here," Mr. Drake says, grinning.

  Tommy walks over with his head down, standing next to his dad.

  "Yes, sir?" Tommy says, fidgeting nervously as his dad signals him to wait a moment.

  "Answer my question," Mr. Drake glares at Harrison.

  "I just said join the club. But I wasn't meaning it in a bad way. I was just saying it because I didn't get any sleep last night either.”

  "You didn't get any sleep?" Mr. Drake laughs as he puts his hand on Harrison's shoulder. "What makes us lose sleep is completely two different things. You can't sleep at night because you probably are stressed over homework, tests, and your next class. I can't sleep because this generation doesn't know how to listen to directions."

  Mr. Drake puts his hands behind his back. Harrison tightens his abs and squints his eyes slightly as he prepares for an energy blast. Mr. Drake chuckles as he looks at Harrison trying to prepare for a blast.

  "Stop it, boy, you don't deserve another energy blast from me. You're not that worthy.”

  Harrison relaxes. He stares at Mr. Drake as he puts his hand on Tommy's shoulder.

  "But I tell you what, we will do a little assignment just for you, young Grady, with the help of my son Tommy," Mr. Drake taps Tommy on the back.

  Tommy glances down at his watch.

  "Dad, I really need to get to math class. I’m already late-“

  "Be quiet. I am an instructor. All I have to do is tell them you were helping me in my class for a little bit.” Moving in front of Harrison, Mr. Drake looks down to him. "You were the only one who couldn't properly harness his energy into his hand the other day. That's disappointing, young Grady. I expect more coming from a Grady," Mr. Drake walks away from Harrison. "So, to help you out, I tell you what I am going to do." He moves in front of Tommy and puts his hands on both of his shoulders. "Everyone stand behind Tommy, now."

  All the students move swiftly behind him.

  "Son, I want you to create your Omega Supersonic Blast energy move right now," Mr. Drake clenches Tommy's shoulders tighter.

  Harrison's eyes widen as he begins to sweat.

  "What?" Tommy says.

  Taking his hands off his shoulders, Mr. Drake turns and looks at Harrison.

  "It's alright. Hopefully, you won't have to use it on him," Mr. Drake grins. "Young Grady, all you have to do is just harness energy into your hand and you are safe. But, if you don't…Tommy will hit you with his Omega Supersonic Blast."

  "What?" Harrison and Tommy say in unison.

  "You see, a prime example of this generation not listening. Did I stutter or something?" Mr. Drake itches the back of his head.

  "I thought Kadens weren't allowed to participate in moves of that caliber until the second year?" Harrison shakes.

  Standing face to face with Harrison, Mr. Drake stares into his eyes without blinking.

  "This is my class. I make the rules," Mr. Drake points. "Tommy do it now,"

  "Dad, please…”

  "I said do it now," Mr. Drake screams, glaring at him.

  Tommy bends his knees a little and turns slightly. Harrison hears a loud buzzing sound from the purple energy circulating around Tommy’s feet. The wind shoots in different directions making Harrison's hair fly around. Tommy begins to scream, holding his hands out as he summons more energy for his move. The students behind him start to scoot back with fear in their eyes.

  Purple energy spins around his whole body as he holds a shiny purple energy ball in his hands the size of a small bowling ball.

  "Okay, young Grady, please put on your EFG and harness your energy into your hand. You have thirty seconds," Mr. Drake says. "Go."

  Harrison pulls his EFG out. He fumbles and drops it. Picking it up quickly, he slides it on. Extending his right arm out, with his palm facing upward, he focuses and tries to send his energy to his hand.

  C'mon, C'mon, C'mon.

  "Times up. Nothing." Mr. Drake shakes his head. "Tommy hit him with it, now."

  Tommy looks at his dad as if waiting for him to say he is joking.

  A couple of seconds go by.

  "What are you waiting for? Do it now," Mr. Drake screams.

  Tommy grimaces.

  "Omega Supersonic Blast," Tommy screams, as he moves quickly to Harrison.

  Tommy pushes the purple energy ball into Harrison’s stomach launching him into the air. Harrison's mouth bursts open with spit flying out. He loses his breath instantly. Sailing through the air, he finally slaps the ground and rolls a couple of feet.

  His whole body feels as if it is on fire. He lifts up slowly and sees Mr. Drake and Tommy walking towards him. But everything gets blurrier with each blink. He sees them getting closer. His eyes shut and his head hits the ground.

  Chapter 16

  Harrison’s Questions

  Opening his eyes sluggishly, the wind from the slightly open window next to his bed tickles his eyes. Laying in a small twin sized bed, he surveys the tiny room. The room is blank and boring. Trying to sit up, Harrison feels his whole-body ache.

  "Oh no, you don't need to get up yet. Lay back down," the nurse says, rushing to his bed.

  Harrison is confused at who he sees. Rena Rush smiles at him.

  "So how long have I been out of it this time?"

  "Only one day," she says, walking around the room.

  "Hey, at least it wasn't two days."

  "Yeah, maybe next time you will be able to leave the same day," she says, giggling under her breath.

  "Let's hope there isn't a next time.”

  "I agree with you on that one,” she checks his monitor. "I will be back around later to check on you."

  Harrison stops her as she is midway through the doorway.

  "Why are you working here now?"

  "The opening came up. I always wanted to come back and work at the Academy," she says, beaming from ear to ear.

  "You were a student here at one point?"

  "Yeah. I graduated from here," she says. "Oh well, rest up."

  Closing his eyes, the cool wind from the window runs across his face. The chilly breeze relaxes him. He starts to fall asleep. Suddenly, his uncle Adam's voice sounds in the hallway. Uncle Adam and Sebastian Darby enter his room.

  "Nephew, I am tired of coming to places like these to see you," Adam jokes.

  Harrison cracks a little smile, feeling groggy from almost falling asleep. He doesn't feel the
air anymore from the window since Sebastian Darby is standing in front of the window with his hands behind his back and bouncing on his toes. Harrison can see from the corner of his eye, Sebastian Darby's thumbs circling one another quickly.

  "Yeah, seems like I haven't had the best of luck with energy blasts the last couple of months," Harrison sits up.

  "How do you feel?" Sebastian says.

  "I feel okay. Better than I did when I took that energy blast head on.”

  "Yeah, it’s an impressive move. I imagine with being able to do energy attacks like that, he’ll be teaching them one day, like his daddy," Adam replies.

  "Let's hope not like his daddy," Harrison responds.

  Adam and Sebastian chuckle, glancing at one another.

  "Well get some rest. We will see you around," Adam says, beginning to walk towards the door.

  "Uncle Adam, can I ask you something?”

  "Sure, anything other than about your mother's cooking, because I don't like having to go on the record on that subject.”

  "No, it's not about that," Harrison giggles to set the tone. "Did you by chance meet my dad the night he left for the Silent Mission?"

  Adam blinks for a couple of moments.

  "I wish I did. Then maybe we would know now what happened," he smiles. "But you know we aren’t supposed to talk about that whole situation."

  "So, you didn't see him that night?”

  "No, I didn't," Adam responds.

  "Okay, I appreciate it, uncle Adam.”

  Adam and Sebastian walk out of his room. As they leave, Tommy walks in with a pack of red crème sodas.

  "Hey, I just wanted to check on you," Tommy walks to his bed slowly.

  "Thanks, I appreciate that.”

  "I heard you love red crème soda, so I thought the least I could do was bring you some," Tommy puts them in the chair next to his bed.

  "Yeah, you heard right.”

  Tommy stands there rubbing his neck gradually. Harrison can tell he is uncomfortable at the moment.

  "Listen, I just wanted to say I am sorry.”

  "Don't worry about it, man. I don't blame you or your dad. It's nothing to worry about. It just showed me not to mess with you," Harrison laughs.

  "Yeah, I guess," Tommy grins.

  "Well, I better get going. I hope you enjoy the red crème sodas-“

  "Hey, before you leave, I want to ask you for a favor," Harrison sits up completely. "I mean it's the least you can do since you blasted me clear across the field, right?"

  "Sure, anything.”

  "I want you to train me and teach me how to control my Power Flow," Harrison says.

  "What, you want me to train you? Why?"

  "I’m struggling at it right now. I can't even get the basics down," he says. "But it is important that I get it down, and quickly."

  "I have never trained anybody. And where and when are we supposed to do this? It's not allowed. If we get caught, we both could be expelled.”

  "We can do a couple nights a week, late at night. We can go to the woods behind the school," Harrison points out the window. "Plus, you’re so skilled. I know for sure you can teach me."

  Tommy looks out the window. Harrison turns slightly so he can face him.

  "Please. I can't go into great detail right now, but I believe someone really powerful is going to come and try to kill me. I have to be able to protect myself.”

  Tommy stares at Harrison as he continues to talk.

  "With all that we learn in the first year Power Flow class, and having that EFG on, I will never be prepared for something like that. This is the only way. Please."

  Tommy looks back out the window. Putting his head down, he grabs his nose in between his eyes, looking like he is thinking hard.

  "Okay. I’ll do it.”

  "Awesome," Harrison clenches his fist tightly.

  "When would you like to start?"

  "Tomorrow at midnight," Harrison replies.

  "What? But you are still recovering."

  "Hey. You didn't hit me that hard," Harrison smiles.

  Tommy smiles and nods goodbye to Harrison. Harrison drops back into the bed. Closing his eyes, he falls asleep as the wind blows on his face.

  ◆◆◆

  A clanging noise captures Harrison's attention, waking him from his sleep. Glancing over at the window, he sees it is closed, preventing the cool morning air from entering in. His nurse walks beside him with her comforting smile and places his breakfast tray on his lap. The smell of overcooked pancakes and burnt sausage fills his nose.

  "Here you go sweetie," she lifts the lid off the plate. "Eat up, and you are clear to head to your first class this morning."

  "Yes ma'am."

  "Let's hope we don't see you in here again for a while," she smiles and walks to the door.

  "Yeah, I agree on that," Harrison responds, trying to choke down the dry pancakes.

  "Well, till next time," she waves.

  Man, she sure is nice.

  ◆◆◆

  Walking towards history class, the nimble gray clouds dominate the sky. Watching them as he walks, they help him relax. Noticing other students passing him, he can hear many of them whispering to one another.

  "I was expecting more from him because of who his dad is-"

  "I heard he couldn't even harness his energy into his palm. That's sad-"

  "Yeah, my little brother is in his Power Flow class. He says he’s so weak, it's not even funny-"

  Harrison stares at the sidewalk, trying not to dwell on what he hears. He slams into Mr. Lloyd.

  "Oh, I am so sorry Mr. Lloyd," Harrison stumbles. "I guess I wasn't paying attention."

  Mr. Lloyd stops and faces Harrison.

  "Good Morning. Glad you could make it to class," he bounces on his toes. "You were just so excited to attend my class you weren't paying attention. I understand."

  Harrison nods his head and walks into the class as Mr. Lloyd follows.

  JT, Jaylen, and Joseph smile, waving at him as he walks in.

  "Well thank you, boys. I appreciate the excitement you have to see me," Mr. Lloyd says, chuckling as he heads to the front of the class.

  JT scratches the back of his head.

  "Yeah, anytime Mr. Lloyd.”

  "Alright, let's get your notes out. Today we start our new section," Mr. Lloyd flings his robe onto his desk. "Our new section is an important one. This section is about the Destine nation's most important artifacts. We are going to focus on some of the big ones. You will need to know all of them for your test in a couple of weeks."

  Tapping his pen on his green notebook, Harrison tries to keep his eyes open. Even with Mr. Lloyd's earsplitting excitement in his voice, he can feel his eyes longing to shut.

  "So, the first important artifact we will learn about, I believe is the most important of our rich history. It’s the Ark of Power. The Ark of Power was known as the First Elder's greatest accomplishment."

  Harrison sits up and raises his hand.

  "Yes, Harrison" Mr. Lloyd leans against his wooden podium.

  "I was just wondering how this Ark of Power could be considered a greater accomplishment over the creation of a nation?"

  "That's a good question, Harrison. A lot of you may be thinking the same thing," Mr. Lloyd stands up. "The reason why I say it is considered the greatest accomplishment is for a couple of reasons. The first thing is because of who wanted it created. It is a long box, made of silver on the bottom, and gold across the top. It is one of the most beautiful things ever made. You see, the Ark was created while the Supreme Elder was nearing death. The Supreme Elder grew very sick and saw that he didn't have much time. Growing paranoid that someone would gain power similar to his brother's and try to destroy the five great nations, he came up with a plan. He went to his favorite disciple, our First Elder, and asked him to execute his plan. The Supreme Elder wanted the Ark made so he could transfer his energy onto the Ark."

  Harrison raises his hand slowly.

&
nbsp; "Yes, go ahead Harrison.”

  "How was he able to transfer his power into the Ark? I never heard of Power transfer."

  "The Supreme Elder came up with a special way to transfer his energy. The only thing that he found that could sustain the strength of his power was gems. He transferred his energy into many gems while on his death bed. Since he transferred all the energy from his Power Flow into the gems, he died. So, the First Elder took the gems back home. When he got back, he cut the gems, pouring the Supreme Elder's energy on the Ark. The Ark became the greatest weapon that could be used against someone who gained the type of power his brother found,” Mr. Lloyd takes a seat on a wobbly stool. “Any further questions?'’

  "What was inside of it?" Harrison says.

  "Very good question. This is also why I think this is one of the most important artifacts in our history. The First Elder placed the Supreme Elder's bones inside of the box," Mr. Lloyd says.

  Gasps fill the classroom as everyone looks around at each other.

  "What is the purpose of his bones being in there?" Harrison says.

  "We really don't know. All we really know about the Ark is a couple of things. We know that only Destine Elders are able to carry it. It is said that if anyone else touches it, they will die. Also, another thing we know is after the First Elder's death and his reign was over, the Ark went missing during the First Great War between the five great nations. No one has seen it. The Second Elder and the Ragnar Council are the ones responsible for losing it in a battle in the war.”

  "Wait, so no one knows where it is now? That is tragic," Harrison says.

  "That is true, Harrison. But you know what is even more tragic than it being lost? It's that it was created to protect the five great nations against unimaginable evil and power, and yet it was used in a war against the Supreme Elder's disciple's nations. Quite sad I think," Mr. Lloyd says as the bell rings.

  "See everyone next class," Mr. Lloyd puts his robe back on.

  Harrison meets up with his friends as they walk out of the class.

  "Man, it is so good to see you. I’ve been so lonely in that dorm room all by myself," JT grabs Harrison’s shoulder and pulls him close to them as they walk.