The Ark of Power

by David Barco

  Harrison stands, tightening his hand. Aches trickle throughout his whole palm.

  "And you two idiots made it so easy for us to catch you. All I had to do was follow your tracks in the snow. You are the ones that led us right to you," Samuel says.

  "You can't tell anyone about this," Harrison says.

  "What? You see that is not part of the plan. My plan is to catch the people sneaking out and report them, so it makes me look good in front of the Elder," Samuel says.

  Tommy moves towards them as Samuel and the two chubby boys form energy balls in their hands.

  "Wait. Slow down. I know you took down a Gideon, but you don't stand a chance against all three of us. Plus, your little back up over there looks like he hurt his hand pretty bad. So, let's just spare the time and get back to my plan," Samuel replies.

  The snow flies off his shoes with each step as Harrison runs towards them.

  "I will show you,” Harrison screams.

  Quickly, all three of them shoot energy balls at him. One is bright orange and two are red. Lifting his left hand, Harrison deflects the orange one into a tree causing it to shake. The two red ones knock into his chest, taking him off his feet and crashing him on the freezing ground.

  Tommy's feet light up purple as he dashes up a tree. Flipping backward off the top of it, he hovers over them and launches a giant purple energy ball striking all three of them. Each of them take off into separate directions.

  They bounce and roll on the snow. Tommy lands, crouching near Samuel. Bending over him, Tommy puts his hand on Samuel's chest. "Listen. We are going to follow my plan. The plan is that you aren't going to tell a soul who you saw out here. If you do, I promise you, you will be the person who receives the biggest Omega Supersonic Blast I have ever done. And I will tell my dad, who isn't too fond of you either, that you are lying and trying to destroy my reputation which reflects on him," Tommy stands up looking down at him. "So, what do you say? You like the plan?"

  Samuel moans as he holds his head. "Yeah. Just leave us alone.”

  "That's a great choice.”

  Helping Harrison up, Tommy grabs their bags and leaves. The crunching of their steps in the beat-up snow drowns out the moans of agony behind them.

  Chapter 20

  The Akia Brothers’ Treaty

  Sitting on an unstable violet plastic chair in the waiting area of the hospital, Harrison clenches his hand slowly. The sour air irritates the diamond shape burn in the middle of his right palm. Any movement sends jolts of pain from it, making him keep it half-way open. Two older girls stand in front of him, holding a giant poster.

  Placing it against the wall, they giggle as one side keeps falling off as they try to tape it onto the wall. Minutes fly by before they get it up there. The extensive rectangular poster reminds Harrison of the Hallway of Antiques sign. Each letter on the poster is a different color, capturing every eye that walks by it. Harrison reads it.

  The Cerdic class presents The 150 hours of Remembrance. The Celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Destine Nation.

  No Classes for 150 hours.

  The whole 150 hours will be designed as a time of celebration of the First Elder creating our nation.

  Just three months away.

  Wow. One hundred and fifty hours of non-stop partying. That sounds so much better than my classes. Harrison thinks.

  Suddenly, Rene Rush enters the waiting area holding a long brown board, flipping through papers. "Harrison Grady."

  Harrison follows her to the back. She walks quickly, making it hard to keep up with her.

  "This says it's your hand hurting, not your legs. So quit walking so slow," she says.

  They enter a bare white room, with no windows. The noisy lights buzzing distract him from concentrating on her questions and even her smile.

  She pokes around the burn, constantly looking at it and gazing into his eyes. Harrison smiles at her.

  "This is an energy burn. Did this happen in your Power Flow class?"

  Harrison's heart beats rapidly, making his chest feel like a drum. "Yeah. I just didn't report it to Mr. Drake. I figured it wasn't anything.”

  Grabbing a small pasty bottle, she stretches his hand out. Air jumps into his burn releasing a cringe on Harrison's face. She pours a thick clear gel in the wound. Harrison's hand throbs uncontrollably as the gel covers every inch of the area.

  "Ouch.”

  She wraps his hand softly with a peach color bandage. "It will burn for a minute. I put a gel in the burn that will help it heal faster," she smiles gently. "Whatever you do, don’t try to harness energy in that hand right now. It needs time to heal."

  Harrison nods.

  He glances over as she puts the bandage wrap back into the tiny cabinets.

  "Well, at least this time, it wasn’t an overnight stay," she says. "Plus, it was your energy attack and not someone else's that put you here."

  Laughing, Harrison steps out and slams into Mr. Lloyd's chest. Off balance, Mr. Lloyd stares at Harrison.

  "I am so sorry, Mr. Lloyd.”

  "It's okay. I guess you were just super excited to see me again," Mr. Lloyd says.

  "Mr. Lloyd, what are you doing here?" Harrison says.

  "I come and check on all my students in the hospital wing. But I was coming to see someone else. I didn't even know you were here, just like last time.”

  "Oh, it's okay, Mr. Lloyd, it's no big deal. I understand," Harrison responds. "But can I ask you a quick question?"

  Mr. Lloyd fixes his robe as his colorful Hawaiian shirt peaks out a little. "Sure.”

  "What exactly makes that forest so dangerous that no one has ever attempted to go and find the green gems?"

  "The only person to ever get to the middle of the forest where the cave is located is the First Elder," Mr. Lloyd leans against the wall. "There are dangerous animals that live in there. And that isn't the worse of it."

  "Well, what is it, then?"

  "The Akia brothers live in there. They are two giants who are the last remaining members of the giant clan who used to control the forest. The First Elder made a treaty with them, called the Akia Treaty. That treaty allowed the First Elder to build the Academy on the outskirts of the forest.”

  Rena Rush dashes out of the room, slamming into Mr. Lloyd. Papers scatter all across the greenish marble floor.

  "I am so sorry. Excuse me," Rena bends down and picks them up.

  Harrison and Mr. Lloyd bend down and help gather the thin pieces of paper.

  "It's okay, young lady. I need to stretch my back throughout the day. This just helps me out,” Mr. Lloyd moans in-between each word.

  "So, Mr. Lloyd. What makes the Akia brothers so dangerous? I mean, I understand they are giants but what's the big deal?" Harrison hands the papers to Rena.

  Cracks sound from Mr. Lloyd's back as he straightens up.

  "Thank you," she organizes the papers back on her long clipboard.

  "Well, Harrison, they are extremely powerful. They are fifty times stronger than we are. They may not be able to generate energy attacks, but their strength makes up for it," Mr. Lloyd says. "Well, I gotta get going, Harrison. I look forward to answering more of your questions next time. You are such a curious kid. I love that."

  Mr. Lloyd walks off as Rena follows him, still organizing her papers. Harrison grabs his backpack and walks down the hallway.

  Well, that isn't too bad. Two giants aren't too threatening.

  We can handle two simple giants between all of us. So, I guess we can leave tomorrow.

  ◆◆◆

  Harrison approaches the snowy field, gazing at his Power Flow class tossing energy balls against a huge wall. Small rapid explosions constantly slam the old worn wall, making it look like they are trying to paint it with all different colors. Mr. Drake stands behind the line of students.

  Harrison comes up behind him, clearing his throat. "Excuse me, Mr. Drake.”

  Mr. Drake turns his head slowly over his shoulder, glancing at
Harrison with just one eye.

  "Oh, young Grady. I was wondering where you were. Why are you so late to my class?" Mr. Drake looks away.

  "I was at the hospital wing. I burned my dominant hand last night, so I have a signed medical note saying I can't participate in your class until it heals completely," Harrison takes the crinkled note out of his pocket.

  "Keep the note, I don't need it," Mr. Drake walks towards the students. "This is going to put you behind in class, and you’re already struggling. But go get some rest. I’ll see you when you heal up."

  Harrison waits, signaling for JT, Jaylen, and Joseph. They launch multiple energy balls at the wall. JT glances over at Harrison.

  Harrison starts mouthing to him. "Meet me in the room. And tell them to get ready. We leave early tomorrow morning."

  Mr. Drake looks over his shoulder at Harrison. Tensing up, Harrison waves at him.

  "Sorry, I was watching them practice. I am leaving now," Harrison walks away as his heart beats through his chest.

  ◆◆◆

  Harrison wakes up to JT shaking him. Jaylen and Joseph stare at him as he blinks rapidly.

  "About time you woke up," Jaylen says. “'You slept the whole day away. It's 10:00 at night."

  Harrison rises quickly, knocking the heavy rosy striped blanket off his bed. Racing all around the room, he snatches his backpack, cramming different things into it. He gazes at them, staring at him with confusion written over their faces.

  "Dude. What are you doing?" Joseph says.

  "Why didn't you guys wake me up? You let me sleep the whole day away," Harrison zips his backpack.

  "We tried to wake you for lunch and dinner, but you didn't even budge. Then we saw your nurse walking down the hallway. We asked her if she thought you would be okay, and she told us you probably needed the rest. Just to leave you alone and wake you up sometime tonight," JT puts the blanket back on his bed.

  "What was she doing on our hallway? I never saw her around the dorms before?" Harrison pulls his gray hoodie over his head.

  "She just said that she had to give a checkup to the Red Hawks before they left tonight on their mission. So, she must have been coming back from that," JT says.

  Harrison focuses. "What? They weren't supposed to leave till tomorrow. That means they could come back tomorrow. So, we need to leave now and head to the cave before they get back. Harrison responds, grabbing his bag and rushing to the door. "C' mon. Meet me at the fence. You have ten minutes."

  He closes the door.

  ◆◆◆

  Tapping the fence, Harrison waits for them to arrive.

  C'mon. We have to get going.

  Minutes go by and finally they appear.

  "Hurry. Follow me and be quiet," Harrison says, ascending the fence.

  They all climb the fence and drop over, falling into deep, thick snow. Walking into the woods, Harrison notices the nervousness on their faces.

  "Just follow me. We are going to by-pass the area where Tommy and I train at. I believe the unrestricted part of the woods is just past that," Harrison says.

  Snow crunches beneath their feet every time they take a step. The moonlight reflects off of the pearly snow.

  "You know. I don't really like the sound of the unrestricted part. It just doesn't have a great ring to it,” JT says.

  Entering into Harrison's training area, the trees are now lightly covered with fresh snow. Harrison observes the ground seeing tracks of feet walking. He examines them.

  "What's wrong?" Joseph walks up behind Harrison.

  "Last night, we got in a fight with Samuel and his two friends-"

  "What? Why didn't you tell us that?" JT says, interrupting Harrison.

  Harrison gazes up at them.

  "Tell me when I would have had time too? I was knocked out all day and haven't a chance to really talk to you,” Harrison looks back at the tracks. "They found us because of our tracks in the snow. The problem is that was last night, and it has snowed more since then.”

  "Okay. So, what’s the big deal?" Jaylen says.

  "Our footprints we would have made from last night would have been covered by now, just like the trees around here are. I knocked all the snow off of them and look at them. They have fresh snow on them. The tracks right here are fresh," Harrison says, staring at the tracks that lead into the other end of the woods.

  "Great. So, you are saying someone else is heading in the same direction we are?" Joseph says.

  "Not just someone. Judging by how many different footprints there are, it's a small group," Harrison responds.

  Their eyes enlarge as they look toward the woods. The wind rushes through making snow from the trees fly in front of them.

  "C' mon. We will be fine. Let's go," Harrison says.

  Walking further down, the trees seem to get older and larger each step they take. They approach an aged sign. The snow covers the greenish stains on the wooden sign. Brushing the snow off of it, JT exposes the sign's writing.

  DO NOT PASS! THE AKIA BROTHER'S TREATY IS NOT IN EFFECT PAST THIS POINT!

  "What the heck is the Akia brother's treaty?" JT says.

  Harrison rubs his neck slowly. "It's nothing really. It's just something about two giants that live in here. It's really no big deal."

  "No big deal? You just said, two giants. I think that’s a big deal," JT says.

  Harrison walks past the sign. "They can't be that bad. We probably won't cross them.”

  Chapter 21

  A Giant Problem

  The sun glimmers through the trees as they walk deeper into the woods. The light bouncing off the snow captures the bare, brown branches. The warmth from the sun keeps Harrison's eyelids from completely closing. Yawns sound every couple of seconds from behind Harrison.

  JT, Jaylen, and Joseph have dark bags underneath their eyes. The trees seem to have overtaken the world. Suddenly, Harrison spots a bare area up ahead. "I think we are approaching something.”

  He speeds up but, the others keep moving at their same pace. Harrison stops, eyeing the clear area full of snow. The hill gives a changed look to the forest. Waiting for the others, a piercing scream rings in Harrison's ears.

  Suddenly, a petrified man races over the other side of the hill. Arriving at the top, he stumbles trying to gain his balance. The man grips a black mask in his hand. His charcoal clothes are ripped throughout his whole outfit. JT, Jaylen, and Joseph hurry to where Harrison is, glancing up at the hill.

  Suddenly, loud grunts echoes in the air. Instantly, the man is snatched up by a large hand. The reflection from the gold rings on the gigantic hand blinds Harrison's eyes as the sun hits them. Harrison views two large figures that are identical. They laugh. Their voices shake the trees that Harrison holds tightly to.

  The vibration from the tree sends a burning sensation through his bandaged hand. The laughter gets louder as they play catch with the man. Flying through the air, the man's long black hair scatters everywhere. One of the giants grabs him by his hair with his thumb and index finger. Dangling him, the man's agonizing scream rattles their ears.

  He swings him a little, launching him towards the woods where Harrison and his friends are. They crouch down as the man soars through the air. Sailing above their heads, he slashes through many trees. Slowing down, he falls and rolls on the ground, lifeless. The trees slam into other trees causing them to collapse. Harrison's legs vibrate as they fall.

  The laughing stops. Harrison watches the giants still standing on the hill. Covering their eyes from the sun beaming down from them, their green skin brightens as the rays hit them. Their stringy black hair in ponytails sway in the wind in unison with their long brown fur coats that extend to their knees.

  "Oh brother. I guess they are done playing," one of the giants says. "That was quick."

  "Be quiet," the other one says. "They broke the treaty, and we deserved to break them. Makes me mad that they dare come in here. Let's get that body and put it with the others."

  Harrison star
es at his friends, scurrying back behind some of the broken trees. Bobbing lightly off the ground, Harrison feels the giants get closer. Pieces of large trees glide through the air as they clear a path.

  "If I see anyone else. I will punish them worse than all of these," one of them picks up the lifeless body.

  They stop at the end of the wood line. Their gigantic green toes are inches away from Harrison's face. Fungus in his toenails fills Harrison's nose with the most awful odor he has ever smelled. Grabbing his nose, he attempts to keep the foul odor out. His nose begins to sting throughout his nostrils. The giant takes a couple of steps.

  Unexpectedly, Harrison sneezes.

  Crap.

  The giants glance down, throwing the trees he is hiding under. Standing straight up, he stares at them.

  "Look. Another one brother," one of the giants says.

  Their nostrils flare rapidly as they glare down at him. Harrison moves back slowly, showing his hands.

  "My name is Harr-"

  "I don't care what your name is. You broke the treaty and we must break you," one of them jumps towards him.

  "Run," Harrison screams.

  The others rise up following Harrison. Sprinting up the hill, they slip every couple of steps on the snow.

  "I am going to pee myself. Oh. My. Gosh," Jaylen says.

  "Look, there is more brother.”

  Harrison spots the giants soar to the other side of the hill as they make it to the top. Haltering immediately, they stare at the giants. Slinging his backpack off his shoulders, Harrison rushes through it, pulling his EFG out.

  "What are you doing? You can't use your hand for energy attacks," JT says as Harrison slips the EGF over his bandage.

  "I think this may help. I don't have a choice right now," Harrison tightens it on his hand. "Harness your energy. We have to attack."

  Laughs erupt out of the giants as they listen. Bending over, they slap their knees and grab each other's shoulders. Pointing their huge index finger at them, they laugh harder.