Renegade Rupture

by J. C. Fiske

  Gisbo said nothing.

  “What is this? I give you a monologue, a treat, and you give me silence? I am going to kill your friend, I am going to stomp your wolf into puss, and when I’m out of here, I’m going to take that little blond girlfriend of yours, and I’m going to . . .” Jamaki started.

  “You’re a dumbass,” Gisbo said. Jamaki’s eyes bulged.

  “WHAT!?” Jamaki yelled.

  “I don’t care what you are or who you are. I bow to no one, asshole, and I don’t care if you were someone’s grandpa with scoliosis. You sealed your fate the moment you threatened my friends and the one I love, and even if I die here, I will crawl back from hell just to stick a sword in your ass,” Gisbo said as he marched forward.

  “Are you, do you, DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM!? You think you can face me in combat? Did you not hear a word I said? I am JAMAKI! VILE LORD OF, ACK!”

  Gisbo threw his essence charged Tanto into the monster’s throat, sticking him, and rather than yank it free, he reversed his essence flow and pulled himself toward the embedded blade like a grappling hook. He yanked it free and pushed off the monster’s chest, charging upward with both of his Tantos straight into the monster’s throat. The monster stumbled back off of Niffin, Fao, and Kimjow from the force.

  “NIFFIN! KEEP HEALING FAO! DON’T STOP!” Gisbo yelled. A fierce backhand struck Gisbo to the ground as Jamaki stumbled about, grabbing at his throat as molten like blood pumped out between his fingers. He coughed hoarsely, spraying the liquid everywhere.

  “GRAGGHHH!” Jamaki screamed. He went at Gisbo with one, long, lumbering arm the size of an oak tree. Gisbo did his best to deflect it, but his blades were simply too small to hold the bulk of it back. Gisbo went with the motion, grabbing onto the monster’s thumb and jabbing the beast straight through the ball joint. Jamaki screamed and threw his arm skyward, flicking Gisbo off in the process and sending him high into the air.

  “What is this!? How can he harm me!? He is but a mortal! He is,” Jamaki thought aloud when a blast of fire hit him atop the head and exploded. He looked up to see Gisbo free falling at him, both of his Tantos extended, open firing in multiple, dual blasts. Each strike hit home, striking Jamaki in the chest, atop his nose, and on his dorsal fin. Gisbo kept coming, righting himself just before landing, and stabbed both Tantos straight into the monster’s skull. Jamaki screamed, spraying more blood through his fingers as he clenched his loose throat, now cut to ribbons, and tried his best to pry Gisbo from his head before he discovered that he didn’t need to.

  Upon stabbing both of his weapons into Jamaki’s shark-like head, Gisbo rolled off the monster’s shoulder, down his arched back, and opened fire once again at the back of the monster’s knees. They buckled and forced the monster to drop to one knee, leaving his body bent forward as a perfect leverage point. Gisbo grinned and ran straight up the monster’s leg, onto his back, and leapt off its pointed nose like a diving board. He twirled back around in mid-air and re-ignited his essence in a fiery blast. He would need all of his power to make this work.

  As Gisbo fell, looking like a fiery comet coming back down to earth, he opened his palms, sending out a rope-like energy to the hilts of his weapons, still embedded in the monster’s skull, and let gravity do the rest. Jamaki’s head slammed into earth, embedding its pointed nose first, like a tent spike.

  Gisbo landed, looked up proudly at his work, and stumbled backward a bit before regaining his footing.

  “Woo, think I overdid it there a bit,” Gisbo said as he retrieved his Tantos from the monster’s head. He spun around to Niffin and jogged over to her.

  “How is she? Is she all right?” Gisbo asked. Niffin just looked at him with huge eyes. “What?”

  “You’re . . . All this time, you’ve been among us, walked with us, talked with us. You, you’re Vadid’s . . . you’re the Man-Phoenix?” Niffin said, trembling all over.

  “Oh, no, no, that guy over there, he’s just a little messed up, as you can see. A guy like me, the new Man-Phoenix? I don’t think so, Niffin. If you thought about it hard enough, you’d know it too. He’s obviously mistaken,” Gisbo claimed.

  “That was, unexpected,” Jamaki bellowed. Gisbo froze and turned to see Jamaki pulling himself up and no longer holding his throat. It was healed as the monster rose up to his full height.

  “I understand now why you could harm me. Your hate, your anger was on par with my own, feral like. An element all in itself, and through it all, you, you were holding yourself back. A human? No, you’re much more than that. Either way, I wonder if you, you have some form of relation to, to him . . . no, can’t be. You cannot win. I cannot die by mortal hands, but alas, I’ve learned I can be harmed. I’ll remember that,” Jamaki said. “Now, where were we?”

  “Get back down! I hit you way too hard for you to get back up!” Gisbo screamed.

  “I am a Vile Lord from the Helllane. You cannot hope to kill me. I will end this quickly. If anything, I admire your impetuous spirit. With the right push and prodding, you could be great, unmerciful, but something tells me you would never go for such an offer. No, you’re too ingrained with save the day heroics. It’s what your type lives for and will die for. I will grant you that wish. You’ve at least earned that,” Jamaki said, walking forward. Gisbo rose to his feet and stood in front of Niffin, protecting her, Tantos drawn.

  “Well, what are you waiting for!” Gisbo yelled.

  “We both know you expelled all of your energy just to plow my head into the dirt. Don’t embarrass yourself. I will end it quickly. I need to save my energy for the humans you so love,” Jamaki said.

  Gisbo only laughed and walked toward the monster, his hands gripping his Tantos.

  "Are you mad, boy? The power of the Hellplane descends upon you and yet you giggle and grin? Humans . . . you are far more intriguing than my father gives you credit for," Jamaki said.

  Gisbo only laughed maniacally and continued his advance.

  "You mistake confidence for foolishness! A death wish, that's all. I will grant it!" Jamaki bellowed as he lumbered straight at Gisbo, who met him halfway. Jamaki raised his massive fist and swung it down like a hammer, hitting the ground just before Gisbo with such force that, without his essence putting him on equal footing, Gisbo rebounded. He bounced across the Drakeness dotted field in squishy smacks.

  "HAH!" Jamaki screamed as he suddenly launched himself into the air, following Gisbo's path, landing right on top of Gisbo’s right leg. There was a fierce snap, like kindling over fire. Gisbo screamed out in pain as Jamaki laughed.

  "Look at my smile, boy!" Jamaki said. "Let me show you where such antics get you."

  The Vile Lord lifted Gisbo up by his arm and dangled him in front of his shark mouth, grinning and showing all of his teeth as Gisbo’s right leg hung in a gruesome, unnatural position.

  As if he were playing with an action figure, Jamaki reached out with his other hand, grabbed Gisbo's dangling arm and fingered at his elbow, bending it the opposite way. Gisbo screamed and moisture erupted in his eyes as Jamaki poured on the pressure and finally snapped it as easily as a twig.

  "GRAGHHH!" Gisbo screamed.

  "GISBO! I'M COMING!" Niffin said, pulling out her daggers.

  "STAY RIGHT THERE, GIRL! I'll be with you momentarily. And I’ll…" Jamaki started. He heard Gisbo giggling again. Niffin looked on as Gisbo hung by one arm, laughing hysterically, which set off a feeling in her stomach she didn't quite know how to determine. Was it fear? Was it shock? Was he losing his mind? Either way, she couldn't believe how anyone could laugh during such extreme pain. Jamaki, Vile Lord of the Hellplane, adopted a very shocked, human-like expression.

  "Now you're just being a bother," Jamaki said. "Time to end this."

  With a slight toss, as if throwing up a ball, Jamaki threw Gisbo's broken body upward, waited for it to come down, and threw all of his weight into a massive straight punch that sent Gisbo soaring through the air straight into a dead tree, shattering it, and falling into a cl
uster of bushes out of sight. He spun on Niffin.

  "Now, your turn," Jamaki said. "And then, that awful dog of his."

  Jamaki took one step forward when a rustling in the bushes caught his eye. Gisbo stood, bracing himself against a tree, breathing hard, his eyes maddening as he walked forward dragging one broken leg and arm behind him, but still holding his two Tantos, refusing to let them drop.

  "Boy . . . I am at a loss for words. Even now I see your ribcage in pieces. A bone is jagged and hovering above your heart, ready to pierce it. You're not human, you cannot be. You remind me of him, you’re beyond anything I even . . . what, what are you? What drives you? GIVE UP!" Jamaki asked.

  "Can’t do that, I promised my mom.” Gisbo said.

  “WHAT!?” Jamaki screamed.

  “I have two arms, two legs, and a beating heart. In my hands, I wield the most powerful weapons in the universe created by one of my best friends, Shaved Davinson. I am a Renegade, grandson of Vadid the Valiant, and son of Falcon Vadid! You ask me, monster, why I smile? Why I laugh? I live for this! I thrive on people like you telling me that I can't win, that I won't make it, that I don't have what it takes. It’s all worth it just to see the stupid look on your face when I stand my ground, plant my feet, and shove your head up your own ass, right where it belongs!" Gisbo said.

  "You're a monster like me; you're no child of IAM. I will finish you in one blow," Jamaki said.

  “Heard it all before, asshole. Talk’s cheap,” Gisbo said.

  Jamaki took two lumbering steps forward, raised a mighty fist, ready to strike, when suddenly the darkness around them changed and there was a fierce whistling noise. Everyone looked up and marveled at what they saw.

  An all-encompassing light of the purest blue shone above them, growing more intense by the moment. The source was a blue fireball falling straight toward them.

  "What . . ." Jamaki had time to bellow before the fireball struck like a spear into the back of Jamaki's heel. It caused the monster to rear back with a screech and then trip and fall on his face. He struggled and kicked to be free of the blue light that had suddenly grounded him. With one reach back, Jamaki grabbed what had pinned him and pulled it free, only to scream out in pain again and drop the blue light, bouncing it forward, as his hand disintegrated into ash, crumbling into a pile.

  The blue light continued to bounce and skitter, then slid through the oil-slicked field until it lay right before Gisbo’s feet. The Renegade looked down and couldn't believe what was before him.

  It was a sword. A Talon sword with a twinkling black blade,. Blue and white fire enveloped it and lit up the area. Gisbo couldn’t help but get lost in its beauty, staring at the dancing flames, then down to the blade itself where he was in for another surprise.

  There, carved within the black, metal-like ore, he saw a name emblazoned in red fiery letters. Gisbo lost his breath, then tried again as he read the words aloud in utter amazement.

  "Vadid the Valiant."

  "MY HAND! MY HAND!" Jamaki screamed, holding his nub.

  Gisbo wasted no time. The sword called to him, not in his head, but from deep within him. To fight this feeling would be a disservice. It was clear, it was purposeful, it was . . . right!

  Gisbo grabbed the massive platinum handle shaped in a Phoenix tail and picked it up with a heave, only to realize the thing was as light as a feather. Gisbo held the blade upright with his good arm and stared at the hilt to see a carved phoenix face with glowing, fiery eyes. Gisbo stared into them, hypnotized, when a great surge of energy hit him and flooded his whole body. Feeling returned to his broken leg and his broken arm as an intoxicating warmness flooded him. He felt invigorating adrenaline flood his veins, and before he knew it, his arm and his leg, along with his entire body, were healed.

  “Gisbo . . . look! Look at the blade now!” Niffin said, pointing. Gisbo did, realizing that it no longer said, "Vadid the Valiant. Man-Phoenix," but "Gisbo Falcon. Man-Phoenix."

  "IMPOSSIBLE! THE BLADE! THE TRUE TALON SWORD! HOW!? HOW!?" Jamaki screamed. Gisbo only swung the feather light, giant sword back and forth in the air, marveling that even with his shoulder, it went as gracefully as a dagger. Now, fully healed, Gisbo shot a cold stare at Jamaki and walked toward him.

  "Stay . . . stay away from me!" Jamaki pleaded.

  Gisbo only smiled, then began laughing.

  "Stop, STOP LAUGHING! STAY BACK! PLEASE! JUST SEND ME BACK TO THE HELLPLANE! HAVE MERCY!" Jamaki croaked, trying to crawl away.

  "Mercy? This will be mercy," Gisbo said, and with one slice, he cleaved Jamaki's head from his shoulders.

  The Vile Lord’s body exploded into ash. Gisbo blinked once and found himself back in Heaven's Shelter, sitting upon Niffin's picnic table. All was the same as when they left. She stared at him with huge eyes, Kimjow was seated and drooling, and Fao laid down by Gisbo's feet. The only difference was that for the first time, other than abilities, Gisbo had brought something back from his inner world.

  The Phoenix Blade.

  Suddenly, a voice spoke.

  "You are not yet worthy for a blade such as this," the voice said, coming straight from the sword.

  Gisbo's name faded away, and like a bird, it flew out of his hands into the open sky and was lost to view. Gisbo sat there, staring at his open hands, then stared back up at the sky. He then turned to Niffin.

  "Tell me you just saw that, tell me that was real," Gisbo said. Niffin only nodded with a dumbfounded look.

  "Are you, are you afraid of me? Say something, anything, Niffin! Please!" Gisbo said. Niffin looked at Gisbo, and he was afraid she would get up right then and there and run straight into her tree house, never to talk to him again. Instead, she did something he could not have expected.

  Niffin threw her arms around him and cried into his shoulder. Gisbo, not knowing what to do, wrapped his arms around her as she cried. When she had her fill, she pulled herself away, looked him right in the eyes, and smiled.

  "I don't know why I'm crying, I don't, but I'm not ashamed either. It's you, Gisbo. You're really him! The Man-Phoenix!" Niffin said.

  "Not yet, apparently," Gisbo said, looking up into the sky.

  "I won't tell anyone. I promise. Not even Kennis," Niffin said. "But, tell me, do you even understand what this means?"

  "I've tried not to think too much on it," Gisbo said.

  "It means you're going to save us all, just like Vadid did. It means when things are the darkest, you'll bring the light, and it means that no matter what, I will always be your friend," Niffin said. "Along with Kimjow."

  "I don't know . . . I don't know what to say. I don't know about all of that. But, Niffin, you saved Fao for me. You risked your life for me, and no matter what, I'll always be your friend too, and Kimjow's," Gisbo said as he embraced her and felt himself smiling. Then he frowned and pulled away.

  "What's wrong?" Niffin asked.

  "Just what that thing in there said, that the Drakeness I have in me, it was all pre-determined. It was planned. I feel, I feel as if something is coming, something . . . bad. I know about these plans of theirs. They're patient, calculating, and I think that Jamaki, he went against his higher ups and jumped the starting whistle. You may feel hope, but I don't feel that way at all, Niffin." Gisbo said.

  "Whatever happens, we'll get through it, like the family of Renegades we are," Niffin said.

  "I better go, Niffin, but I already feel this special power of yours flowing through me. By healing Fao, I feel you let her reach a potential I couldn't do myself. If you don't mind, I'm going to send my friends over to you. Do you mind? We need to win, and frankly, with you on our side, the Strifes won't stand a chance!" Gisbo said. Niffin blushed.

  "I, ok, but one at a time maybe," Niffin said.

  "Niffin," Gisbo said.

  "Yeah?" Niffin asked.

  "Thanks," Gisbo said as it was his turn now to wrap her up in a hug.

  Chapter Thirteen: The Lost Day

  The tryouts for the Boon Battle went muc
h longer than the sumo matches’ as many more Renegades were interested in representing their home and showcasing their abilities. Rather than a mock tournament, they went before the judges, Honj, Perry, Narroway, and Shax, and showed off their skills. After meticulous deliberating in a Mind-Link, the best minds that Heaven’s Shelter had to offer posted their list of names in no specific order.

  Moordin Grandir with his great hawk, Norse. Niffin Roarie with her mutt, Kimjow. Whip Miles with his fruit bat, Stewie. Dave Greene, Shaved’s dad, with his fearsome bear, Slumby.

  “Even with that training, no dice. Sorry, girl,” Gisbo said, bending down to be on face level with Fao. He rubbed her chest and head at the same time. “We’ll get ‘em next time for sure!”

  “I’d rather see your wolf in there than my bat. As much as I love Stewie, she’s flimsy, easily damaged. I . . . I don’t know what I’d do if I lost her. She’s a part of me,” Whip said, scratching the sleeping bat hanging by his shoulders under his cape.

  “You were chosen for a reason, man. I have no doubt about that. What surprises me is I didn’t even know that Dave had a Boon! A bear at that! Where does he keep him, Shaved?” Gisbo asked.

  “Slumby? Well, he sleeps . . . a lot, and he eats . . . a lot. Bears hibernate, but Slumby, he’s not the average bear. It’s as if that giant thing lives to sleep, as if dreaming is better than living. He only wakes up to eat. That thing once snuck out and cleared the entire feast for the new Renegade recruits one year. There was no cookout and Narroway was pissed!” Shaved said. Dave, overhearing this, made his way to them.

  “Hey, hey, hey, Slumby’s only hungry for one thing now, and that’s givin’ a good lickin’ to some Strifes. He’s . . .” Dave started, but he turned around. “Oh, damn that bear, where’d he go?”