by J. C. Fiske
“They say a Boon arrives right when you need them, right? You save their life and they in turn save yours? Well, Kimjow . . . I guess I needed him far earlier than anyone else. He has been my best friend since I was just a little kid. I don’t know what breed of dog he is; he’s a mutt,” Niffin said.
“He’s pretty spry for a big fella. Hey, boy,” Gisbo said as he ruffled the giant dog behind its ears as it cooed softly. Niffin laughed and smiled.
“I’ve never seen him like this. He’s usually quite shy,” Niffin said. “He burst out of that door as if you had bacon in your pocket. Do you have bacon in your pocket?”
“Um, can’t say I do . . .” Gisbo said. Niffin smiled.
“Then that means that you are a kindred spirit, Gisbo! Kimjow, he has a way of reading people, reacting to what they’re like inside. He must trust you,” Niffin said. Gisbo then thought of the Zookoo.
“Yeah, well, maybe,” Gisbo said.
“So, um, what are you here for?” Niffin asked.
“Well, we have the Boon Battle coming up and I’ve been having some problems with Fao,” Gisbo said.
“What kind of problems?” Niffin asked.
“Um, this is sort of hard to explain, but I’m having trouble connecting to my inner world. If I can’t get access to it, I can’t train with Fao and get her stronger,” Gisbo said.
“I’ve never heard of something like that unless . . .” Niffin started.
“Unless what?” Gisbo asked.
“Unless you have the Drakeness,” Niffin said.
“Um,” Gisbo started.
“But why come to me?” Niffin asked.
“Because I heard that as far as Boons go, you’re the best girl to see!” Gisbo said. Niffin immediately blushed at this.
“I . . . Really? Who said that?” Niffin asked.
“Like, everyone. They say you have a natural knack for it,” Gisbo said.
“Oh, I don’t know about that. I just really love animals,” Niffin said. She walked forward, bent down, and ruffled Fao’s chest and stroked the back of her head.
“She’s beautiful, Gisbo. This coat is, like, the purest white I’ve ever seen. It glistens like sun on crusted snow,” Niffin said. “You’ve taken very good care of her.”
“Believe me, she’s taken more care of me than I do her,” Gisbo said.
“I like that logic,” Niffin said, smiling. “Why don’t we go on down to the picnic table and I’ll do what I can to help you?”
“Thank you so much, Niffin!” Gisbo said.
“But first,” Niffin said. “Gisbo?”
“Yeah?” Gisbo asked.
“I’ve heard some things. About you,” Niffin said.
“Let’s go down to the picnic table,” Gisbo said. Together they went down the stairs. Kimjow and Fao followed and they all sat down.
“You’re Kennis’ best friend, right?” Gisbo asked.
“Well, Kinny is. I came to Heaven’s Shelter and I was paired with them, that’s all, but yes, we’ve become great friends,” Niffin said. “As far as best friends go, all I’ve had is Kimjow,” Niffin said.
“I didn’t grow up with any friends either,” Gisbo said.
“Really? But you’re so . . . how could you not have friends?” Niffin asked.
“I was picked on a lot for my name, and I fought back. It’s not a great way to make friends,” Gisbo said.
“I wouldn’t have picked on you,” Niffin said. “It’s, it’s the worst thing, ever.”
“Kids are cruel, especially those given everything,” Gisbo said.
“But you fought back. I, I couldn’t do that. I don’t like fighting, but I do it because it makes my mom proud,” Niffin said.
“And you’re good at it! For Foxblade to recognize you and to say something other than a growl means you have incredible skill! You helped save us all in that battle last year. I saw you fight. You didn’t go after people at random; you went after the ones who caused the most immediate threat to your friends. You watched their backs. If it wasn’t for you, who knows who wouldn’t be here with us today,” Gisbo said. Niffin smiled.
“I . . . Thanks, I think,” Niffin said. “But, Gisbo, it was, it was you who gave me the courage. To be honest with you, I was so afraid. No one around me knew what to do, nobody could move, and then you came. I don’t know what it was, but the way you moved, the way you spoke, it was as if you truly weren’t afraid. In that moment, I remembered my father. He, he was a lot like you, able to leap without looking, but . . .” Niffin said.
“But what?” Gisbo asked.
“Um, let’s talk about you! So sorry, I’m just not very good at, um, talking. I just . . .” Niffin said.
“No, don’t be nervous! It’s fine! You’re doing fine,” Gisbo said.
“So, you can’t get in touch with Fao? Even when you sleep?” Niffin said, getting to the point.
“I don’t know what’s wrong, but yeah,” Gisbo said.
“I’m going to try something with Kimjow here,” Niffin said. “I told you he was special, and he really is. Come here, boy. I know I’m shy, it’s sort of become my trademark, but when I was little, I was much worse. My mom wanted to send me away, but my dad wouldn’t allow it, so, to prevent an argument, he ended up coming with me, out to a settlement in Naforia called Green Acres. It was a beautiful place. The grass out there grew in giant clumps and was the greenest hue I’ve ever seen and the fields just went on for miles. Every time I smell fresh cut grass, I’m taken back there, and I can’t help but smile,” Niffin said.
“My mom and dad fought a lot trying to raise me. She kept telling my dad he was weakening me, staying out there with me. It got to the point that they weren’t even on speaking terms anymore. He understood I needed him and he couldn’t bear to leave me alone in a strange place to grow stronger. Because of it, he went against the tradition, putting him at odds with everyone. But my dad didn’t listen, and if it weren’t for him, I probably wouldn’t be here today. I was so shy, so scared of people that I would break down into panic attacks. I couldn’t even say my name when asked. I was terrified and hated myself so much because of it and hoped that if I ignored people, they would just go away. My dad was the only one I could speak to, and to take my mind off of things, he homeschooled me, trained me in the ways of the Shininja since I was a small child. So, I’ve sort of been ahead of the curve for a while,” Niffin said, suddenly stopping and smiling.
“What’s wrong?” Gisbo asked.
“Oh, nothing. Just that, I can sit here now, talk to someone like you and not stutter or anything. It’s . . . If only you knew how much of a struggle it’s been to just make friends,” Niffin said, sniffling a little.
“You’re not going to cry on me, are you?” Gisbo asked. Niffin shook her head, still smiling.
“No, no. Anyway, one day my dad and I were training out in the Kangamangas River in Naforia, training our lower legs against the water pressure, when a big, brown sack drifted right past us. It was wriggling. I dove for it and pulled it up and brought it to shore to reveal a small, starving, beaten, and abused puppy. My heart sank. I couldn’t believe someone could be so cruel. That night, I took it home, nursed it as it faded in and out between life and death. Of course, as you can guess, that puppy was Kimjow.
“That is how I know IAM exists. This pup was fate. He went everywhere with me, and for the first time in my life, I could actually speak to strangers. They came up to pet Kimjow, and instead of paying attention to me, they paid attention to him. I learned how to be comfortable around people. Kimjow gave me a life I never thought possible and, Gisbo, he just is so special, and then, I had to leave because, my dad, he died,” Niffin said. “I’m so sorry, Gisbo, I just, I don’t ever talk like this. I don’t know where this came from.”
“It’s fine, Niffin, really, it is. You don’t need to talk about it if you don’t want to, but I will listen if you want,” Gisbo said.
“You’re nice, Gisbo. I can’t imagine why you never
had friends,” Niffin said.
“Well, I didn’t use to be this way. Not until, well, that’s a story for another day. So, what can you do for me and Fao?” Gisbo asked.
“All I can. Why don’t we start by you taking a nap?” Niffin said.
“That shouldn’t be a problem,” Gisbo said.
“Just lie down here in the sun, get comfy, and I’ll show you what Kimjow and I can do,” Niffin said.
“Fair enough,” Gisbo said. “And Niffin?”
“Yeah?” Niffin asked.
“I’d be happy to call you a friend,” Gisbo said. Niffin’s smile was huge.
“I’d, I’d like that too,” Niffin said. Gisbo closed his eyes. Within moments, he was fast asleep. Niffin watched as his chest rose up and down.
“Gisbo Falcon . . .” Niffin said aloud, smiling. She then looked over at her old friend. “Ready, Kimjow? Let’s help Gisbo and Fao!”
Chapter Twelve: The Vile Lords
When Gisbo opened his eyes, all he saw was black and he felt himself sinking. When he opened his mouth to breathe, a horrible black liquid filled up his mouth and marinated his taste buds before shooting down his throat. It felt jagged as it went down. His sense of smell and taste seem to collide into one another as the image of toenail clippings and sour, chunked milk erupted in his mind, followed by a terrible realization.
He was drowning . . .
A moment later, instinct took over. He held his breath, kicked hard, and swam up through the blackness. Just when he thought he couldn’t hold his breath any longer, just when sparkles began to flash before his vision, he burst through the surface of the blackness and into the moonlight of his inner world.
Fire. Fire was all over and around him, burning fiercely atop the substance he now understood was the Drakeness. It had flooded his entire inner world, everywhere he could see, and the smell was unbearable. In one fierce hack, the Drakeness that Gisbo swallowed came up and out, along with blood that flickered and sparkled in the moonlight atop the Drakeness pool, looking like ketchup atop steak sauce. Dread, overwhelming dread, washed over him.
“Fao . . .” Gisbo stammered.
“Gisbo! Over here!” someone yelled. Gisbo peered as well as he could through the rising smoke and saw a figure upon a tall rock waving him over.
“Niffin!? What . . . How?” Gisbo stammered.
“Quickly! Swim to me!” Niffin said.
His white wolf, Fao, was atop the rock, shaking and convulsing, covered in deep, bleeding gashes, dripping with Drakeness, and looking like a drowned rat. Gisbo fell to his knees and picked up his Boon’s face. Fao looked up with a whimper and lapped his face, and tears stung at the corners of his eyes.
“Look at her, look at her, Niffin, all because of me, all because, I, I, I can’t control this! Because of my weakness!” Gisbo screamed, pounding a fist into the rock
“Gisbo . . . move, hurry!” Niffin said as she placed her hands upon Fao, and strangely enough, like a cat, Kimjow lifted his massive paw and placed it atop Niffin’s. A brilliant light shined all about.
“Niffin, what are you . . .” Gisbo started.
“I’m healing her, Gisbo! I’m healing her, but, ngh, the damage is so severe, I don’t know if I can . . .” Niffin started. A massive crash sounded behind them. Gisbo turned to see a horrifying creature leap out of the Drakeness lake and through a series of trees, knocking them down as easily as threshing wheat, before it went back under the Drakeness. It swam toward them like a loosed spear through the black water. All that showed was a massive, dripping dorsal fin.
“CRIPES!” Gisbo yelled. Niffin screamed as a similar creature jumped just feet in front of them and landed back under the Drakeness, splashing the foul smelling blackness everywhere. Gisbo spun around in time to see a third creature leap from the lake and reveal its full form in the moonlight and fire.
It was a shark, no doubt about it, but a twisted, horrifying version. Each tooth was the size of a footstool, and its body was as long and wide as two cargo wagons placed front to back. Its pointed nose flew at them like an arrow head, and its dead, doll-like eyes flickered in the firelight. What was most disturbing were all the tiny legs, arms, faces, and white glistening teeth and eyes that seemed to make up the monster’s body. Drakelings, if Gisbo remembered the correct term, the same tiny monsters that attacked him during a Drakeness teleportation, seemed mashed together and had evolved into something darker, more powerful, and worth more than the sum of their combined parts. Worst of all was the realization that these Drakelings were something else before their twisted forms bent to Drakearon’s will.
Human beings.
Upon such a revelation, Gisbo had found his bearings.
“This will be mercy,” Gisbo said as he channeled his Flarian essence into both of his rings and his Father’s words spoke to him.
Let me show you what a little patience and precision can do.
“Keep on healing, Niffin, I’ll keep them away from you!” Gisbo said. Just as the words of assurance left his mouth, he had a chance to prove himself. A dripping black shark launched itself straight at them.
Gisbo braced himself and let out a precise shot from his Flarian ring. It went straight into the shark’s open mouth and out the back of its head, exploding the disgusting creature into countless black body parts, gnashing white teeth, and eyes that fell about and seemed to dissolve into the Drakeness pool, looking up at them.
As if smelling blood, dozens of dorsal fins popped up in the water, coming from the forests. With every leap, Gisbo spun about nimbly, embracing his fighting instinct, and fired shot after shot, obliterating the monsters. Gisbo pointed each of his fists in different directions, firing, and spinning all about, as Niffin and Kimjow worked to cure Fao.
As Niffin healed, she kept her eyes on Gisbo, who continued to spin, dodge, and fire. She knew that one misstep, one off angle shot, and they’d both be dead, but what troubled her the most, was the way Gisbo carried himself. With every shot, every direct hit, he was grinning and laughing.
“How could you enjoy this? What are you . . . NAGH!” Niffin screamed as blood started pouring down her left nostril and Kimjow’s old knees wobbled. The healing was already taking a toll on her.
“NIFFIN!” Gisbo yelled.
“I’m, I’m fine! Keep going!” Niffin said.
“They’re, they’re all gone . . . they’re…” Gisbo started. It was then, a voice boomed like a thunder blast, blowing off any weak branches and dried leaves left on the grisly dead trees.
“Finally, the Man-Phoenix shows himself . . .”
“The hell was that?” Gisbo asked, looking all over for a sign of where the voice came from. It seemed to come from everywhere at once. Then, suddenly, the ground began to shake. Gisbo instinctively dropped to one knee and held Niffin and Kimjow as close as he could so they wouldn’t fall off as they concentrated.
Right before them, the earth began to split open like a bloody wound, draining the Drakeness down into a bottomless pit. Moments later, solid ground appeared, and there was silence.
“I don’t like this. Something’s coming . . .” Gisbo said.
A monstrous, ape-like hand with black claws shot out of the pit and nicked the rock Gisbo and Niffin stood on, cracking and shattering it. In a tight roll, Gisbo grabbed Fao and landed gently upon the ground as Niffin and Kimjow landed atop him.
“Man-Phoenix? Did he say Man-Phoenix?” Niffin muttered.
“Niffin, please, get, get you and your dog off of me.” Gisbo said weakly. Kimjow groaned and sneezed fiercely into Gisbo’s face, spraying dog slime every which way.
“Ugh,” Gisbo muttered as he squiggled out from under the large dog to stand up to full height, looking at the massive crater.
“Gisbo? Don’t go near there!” Niffin warned. Gisbo ignored her and walked forward through what was left of the Drakeness in spongey, wet steps all the way toward the ridge of the crater and looked down into a burning, fierce, red glow. With a massive roar, a huge
beast flew out of the fiery depths straight over Gisbo’s head, landing behind Niffin, Kimjow, and Fao. Using its gigantic clawed hand like an overdized fly swatter, the monster pinned all three of them down under his grasp. Niffin screamed, but Gisbo hardly heard it as he stared up at the monster.
The beast was easily two stories tall and as wide as the bow of a ship. It had the head and face of a shark that lay atop two, large, ape-like arms that were longer than its body. It leaned forward on them, applying pressure to Niffin and company as it leaned back upon two rabbit-like legs. Its body was covered in black, dripping Drakeness.
“Get away, Gisbo! GET AWAY!” Niffin screamed.
“Even now, she thinks of others. Pathetic,” the monster boomed, its voice deep and low.
“What in the hell are you?” Gisbo asked.
“I am your alpha and your omega, your beginning and your end, Man-Phoenix. I, Jamaki, greatest of the six Vile Lord’s of the Hellplane, have come for you! With your death, I will be free to begin what we started thousands of years ago: vengeance upon all of IAM’s children. His heart, his pride, and his joy encompass you. And I, Jamaki, alone will taste the sweet revenge. I, Jamaki, was the only one patient enough to wait, to plan, rather than transcend the barrier like my foolish brothers, pouring their powers into . . . humans! The very thought, it’s repulsive! It’s too late for them. They’ve stretched themselves too thin, but not me. The vial you plunged into you, the vial meant for you, held more than even Nasrissa knew,” Jamaki said.
“What?” Gisbo asked.
“Are you surprised? Or are you shocked that you treaded so easily into their plans to infect you, the Man-Phoenix, with the Drakeness? Did you ever stop to think of the ramifications? Of course not. That was the point! I waited, I poured a piece of my essence into that vial, and now, here, in this wondrous, limitless, nearly infinite soul world. Powered by the Phoenix and your imagination, it has given me the space to grow my power fully! Upon your death, Man-Phoenix, I, the Vile Lord Jamaki, will walk upon Thera in my full form and decimate all that you love, all that you hold dear. There’s nothing that IAM, or you, can do to stop me! I will rise above my brothers and my father, and the Dragon himself will bow before me as I set the world afire! But first, this girl and your little wolf will die. Look at this poor creature. It fought me, tooth and nail to try to stop me, but, alas, it’s too late,” Jamaki said.