by CJ Davis
Even Ling was surprised by Hector’s foolhardiness. Cyrus was known to strike down those who annoyed him.
“It doesn’t matter,” Cyrus replied. His voice shook slightly in anger. “The Blues are weak now too. If we are able to attack them with the element of surprise, we’ll have a promising chance to destroy them. Victory goes to the bold out here, and there’s no prize for second place.”
“Let’s go rattle their fears, while they’re still shaking at the noises in the dark,” Ling said.
“It’s easy for you to say,” Hector retorted. “You’re going to be a hundred yards from the action.”
“She may not have hand-to-hand combat advantages, but her mind controlling abilities will more than compensate,” Cyrus snapped. His patience with Hector was wearing thin.
“I know,” Hector replied. “I just want her to be more respectful of the danger we’re in when we go to battle.”
Ling scowled at Hector. “I’ll consider your feelings next time,” Ling said. The sweetness to her tone was oozing with sarcasm.
Hector let out a sigh.
“Enough,” Cyrus ordered. He looked toward the distant lights of Asgelot. His eyes were filled with vicious intent. “Let’s get focused. It’s time to hunt down the Blues.”
The group gathered themselves quickly and walked back toward the city. Three columns of Lost Souls mindlessly followed closely behind them with bows in their hand.
*****
Reese, Anna, Menelik and Rajiv had been quietly jogging through the tall grass of the savannah for thirty minutes. The gates of Asgelot were far behind them. They’re heading toward the Clouded Mountains off in the distance. They ran by several Lost Souls, but were able to avoid any direct encounters with them or any other beasts since leaving the safety of the city. Chilling moans and beastly screams emanated from the obscurity of the night.
Reese couldn’t stop thinking about what Arshan just told him. Could he really have the sort of potential he told him about? The news was welcome but also disturbing. Since their training was cut short, he was dangerously ill-prepared. He needed to have his full concentration on their surroundings.
When they ran past a large tree that swayed in the slight breeze, Menelik finally broke the silence and addressed the group.
“There will come a time when the galorim pool will always seem like it’s just over the horizon,” he said. “But trust me, even if we make great time and sleep very little at night, we’ll still not get there until the second morning of the Centennial.”
Reese was thankful to have Menelik at his side. His knowledge and experience would likely save his life. Every so often, when the horrors of his predicament sunk its sharp teeth into his sanity, he thought about Menelik’s sliding ancient blade maneuver to destroy the two Reds in the last Centennial, and it made him feel better. When the going got tough, he knew Menelik would be there covering his back.
“We’ll have to set up camp before long,” Menelik said. “It might be a temptation to run straight through to the galorim pool, but if we don’t get sleep out here, our lack of alertness will get us killed. We must force ourselves to rest at least a couple of times.”
Reese’s imagination ran wild as he is startled by a particular unnerving screech coming from the darkness. He preferred to be on the move.
“We’ll run until we find a nice size boulder to setup camp by,” Menelik added. “In an open savannah like this, you want to have somebody higher up so they can spot incoming dangers. The last thing you want is to have someone or something sneak up on you.”
“Sounds good Menelik,” Anna replied.
The group hustled for a few more miles, and remained completely quiet the entire time. After passing a few spots that might have worked, Menelik finally saw one that suited him.
“All right, everybody try to get some rest,” Menelik said. He threw down his gear next to the boulder. “I will take the first watch. I will come and get Reese next.”
Reese, Anna and Rajiv unrolled their sleeping pads and placed them on the cold ground. They were positioned as close together as they could get.
Reese leaned up against the boulder. When he took a sip of his galorim canteen the shot of refreshment warmed his insides.
“Now that hits the spot,” Rajiv whispered. He took a couple heavy gulps.
A particular loud animal scream caused Anna to flinch.
“What do you think that was?” Reese asked.
“It was not a bunny,” Rajiv remarked.
Reese and Anna smiled.
“Whatever it is I feel better with this,” Anna said. She clutched her ancient blade tightly. Reese and Rajiv held up their blades as well and nodded at her.
“Great minds think alike,” Reese said.
A distant roar came from the other side of their position. This time it was closer.
“These beasts are ridiculous,” Rajiv said. “Will they ever stop screaming? I mean how bad of a day did they possibly have?
“I keep on waiting for Arshan to fly in to let us know this is a training exercise,” Anna said.
“Ha, if only we were that lucky,” Reese said. “That would be great.”
“Try to rest down there,” Menelik said from the top of the boulder. “You can talk when we are on the trail at early light.”
The wind blew the tall grass, making Reese nervous. “Does he really think we are going to be able to sleep right now?” he asked Anna.
“No, but he’s right, we need to try,” Anna replied. “I’m exhausted.”
Reese nodded his head and yawned. Maybe he could fall asleep. After all, Menelik was the one on guard.
Before Reese had a chance to worry about a Red attack, his tiredness overtook him, and he slipped into a deep sleep.
Chapter 26
The Great Coliseum was completely full and the crowd was antsy in anticipation for the first encounter. Like the previous Centennials many in Asgelot had gathered to share the experience. Most watched the event broadcasted live at their homes.
It was tradition for the Blues and their supporters to sit on the West side of the stadium, and the Reds and their supporters sit on the East. Morkel and Laskious sat with all the key members of their council in elevated balconies on their respective sides. In the center of the arena was the biggest holovision platform in the Afterlife.
Arshan, Svante and Horus were among the many in the stadium on the edge of their seats in anticipation for the first battle. They sat in a section half way up the west side of the stadium.
“I know I’ve said it before, but boy, are we fortunate to have Menelik,” Arshan said. They watched the giant hologram of Menelik surveying the savannah from his perch on top of the boulder. “I cannot imagine where we would be right now if he had actually been destroyed by Cyrus in the last Centennial.”
“It would not be looking good,” Horus replied. “His experience will undoubtedly be a major factor.”
Projected on one side of the giant holovision platform was the Red group swaying through the savannah, hunting the Blues, and on the other side was the Blues makeshift camp, where the Blues were resting. On display on the edge of one of the giant coliseum walls, was a map layout of the Centennial course, with color coordinated navigation dots representing each Centennial warrior. The map helped the audience determine when and where the impending action would take place.
“We have come a long way in the last couple of Centennial viewings,” Svante said. “It was only a couple of Centennials ago that we had a radio broadcast.”
“I remember when we just received play-by-play by eyewitness accounts,” said Horus. “That was frustrating. We could get cliffhanger type reports, and have to wait for two excruciating hours to learn of the outcome.”
“We have certainly come a long way,” Arshan said.
The Reds were closing in on the Blue campsite. It looked like they might find them in a few minutes. The Red supporters were waving their flags. Several of the red pledges tried to do the
ohm, but it never sounded right, unless the actual Reds did it. The Blue supporters sat relatively quietly.
“So, there’s a rumor that Reese is an Inseparable,” Svante said to Arshan and Horus. “Do you know anything about that?”
“Where did you hear that?” Horus asked.
“I actually heard it form a Red,” Svante replied. “He explained it as the reason the Reds started early, in an effort to prevent Reese from getting too powerful before the Centennial began.”
Horus and Arshan exchanged a glance.
“Yes, he’s an Inseparable,” Horus said in a low voice.
Svante’s mouth dropped.
“Wow, so it’s true!” he replied. “This could get interesting… if he’s able to survive the first day.”
Arshan's stomach dropped. Reese’s unfinished training had never been a part of their elaborate plan. Losing his son would crush him.
“The Red I was talking to didn’t seem certain that he was an Inseparable,” Svante added. “I got the impression that the Reds started the Centennial early just to be careful.”
“I’m confident he will survive,” Horus replied. “Reese exhibited extremely advanced physical abilities already in his limited training. I believe he was already benefiting greatly from his Inseparable power.”
Arshan nodded his head.
“That’s truly amazing,” Svante replied. “We haven’t seen an Inseparable in the Centennial in three hundred years. You two know better than anyone, the outcome of those battles. Why would the Blues try something so risky?”
“We need to win this Centennial,” Horus replied. His confident voice was laced with desperation. “The Reds have won too many in a row, and there’s a good chance they will break the truce if they win. The Reds will simply be too powerful, and I’m afraid we’ll not be able to stop them.”
“Now you know why I’ve remained neutral for all these years," Svante said. His judgmental tone annoyed Arshan. "I knew that one day one of your sides would try to completely annihilate the other.”
Horus and Arshan shook their heads in disapproval.
“Somebody needs to fight the Reds Svante,” Arshan replied. “You might be enslaved one day by them. At that point you’ll probably wish you fought along our side.”
“Maybe, but a lot can happen," Svante replied. "I will stick with just cheering for the Blues for now. There are many Greens like me that are afraid of being destroyed by the conflict, but you’re right, some things are worse than being destroyed.”
Arshan nodded his head in agreement.
“So tell me more about Reese,” Svante asked.
“He’s different from any other Inseparables I’ve ever met,” Horus replied. “Reese is amongst the most unselfish and giving of all the Blues. I have little doubt he will make the right choices in this horrific competition.”
“Well, let’s hope so,” Svante replied. “There are some especially nasty Red Warriors in this Centennial. I’m particularly nervous about Ling. How evil did she have to be in her last Earth life to be selected, despite her age?”
“That’s a good point,” Horus replied. “Of course we’re not sure, but some insidious eyewitness accounts of her most recent Earth life, leaves little doubt of her nefarious abilities.”
“I’m sure she’s going to be very dangerous,” Svante declared.
Arshan’s stomach turned when he noticed how close the Red dots were to the Blue dots in the giant navigation map. Anna, Menelik and Rajiv were asleep on the ground by the boulder where Reese had taken over the watch. He had not yet noticed the Red attackers who closed in on their position.
Horus, Arshan and Svante stopped talking, and focused all of their attention in on the impending fight.
Chapter 27
Anna awoke to a howl off in the distance. For a brief moment she forgot where she was, but was quickly reminded when she saw Reese crouching on top of the boulder with his blade drawn.
There was a slight chill in the open field.
When she first heard the shuffling noises coming from the distance from all around them, she wondered if her mind was playing tricks on her. But as the eerie sound persisted and formed into footsteps she quickly stood up. It must be a Lost Souls hoard, she thought to herself. There were too many footsteps to be the Reds.
A chill crawled up her spine and her stomach tightened as she imagined the creatures looming in the darkness. She peered up to the top of the boulder, and saw Reese looking intently toward the noise. Abruptly the noise stopped.
She sighed and Reese looked down at her. “There’s no way that’s a hoard,” Anna whispered to Reese. “Those mindless beings would never suddenly stop.”
“You’re probably right,” Reese replied in a hushed tone.
Anna gazed into the darkness. A moment passed and finally her nerves calmed. It reminded her of how vulnerable they were out here.
“Whatever it was must have walked by in the distance,” she whispered to Reese.
Just as she wondered how many close calls she was going to have in the Centennial, glimmers of fire lit up all around them revealing thirty or so threatening figures armed with heavy recurved bows. They were surrounding the boulder around 50 yards away. Her heart nearly stopped.
“Get up!” Reese yelled to the group. He jumped down landing next to Anna.
Anna scrambled to her feet, hastened by the adrenaline that was coursing through her veins.
The shadowy figures lifted their bows. She needed more power, and quickly.
Anna grabbed Reese by the neck and pulled him in. When their lips pressed together a flood of emotion was swiftly followed by his powers surging into her. A bright white flashed, and she could feel an incredible sensation of energy within her.
The balls of flame shot way up in the air and arched directly towards the group.
“Arrows!” Menelik yelled.
With her lips still firmly locked with Reese’s, Anna envisioned a smooth barrier, clear as glass, overhead. She concentrated so intensely on the image her mind was throbbing.
A moment later she ignited an enormous blue force-field around the group. Within a second it was bombarded by a rain of arrows that ricocheted off the field, igniting an enormous ball of flame that erupted outside of the protective layer. The flames burned brightly for a moment, but quickly died down and disappeared.
Anna pulled away from Reese’s embrace, and relinquished the force field.
Reese shook his head trying to get on top of the overwhelming feelings of passion and love coursing through his body. He stared at the woman in front of him stupidly, as though he had never seen her before. She squirmed at first, looking down, but then, reluctantly, lifted her head and looked him in the eye. “Kate. Oh my god. Kate? Is that you?”
She didn’t answer, but swung away from him, pulling her sword to face the assailants.
“Grab your blades!” Menelik yelled. “Follow me.”
The four of them ran into the darkness as another batch of fire arrows were launched. By the time the arrows hit the ground and burst into a large fireball by their campsite, the Blues were far away from the boulder.
Menelik made first contact. He quickly disposed of five of the Lost Souls.
Rajiv wasn’t far behind him, as he targeted another three creatures with an impressive rolling maneuver, combined with a downward swiping motion with his blade and dagger.
As the slain Lost Souls fell and flashed into oblivion, Anna and Reese attacked in synch moving fluidly with one another. Flashes followed their swift attacks, and the number of Lost Souls rapidly dwindled.
“How could this be happening?” Rajiv cried. “Lost Souls don’t carry weapons and get in formation!”
“The Red’s must be controlling them!” Menelik bellowed, thrusting his long blade into yet another advancing figure.
Without warning Kublai and Cyrus emerged from the shadows. Suddenly, the fight shifted toward Menelik. Cyrus cut into Menelik’s back as the remaining Lost Souls converg
ed on his slight figure.
“I’ve come to finish you off after all these years,” sneered Cyrus, stumbling to regain his balance after Menelik kicked his side. “You have no jungle to run off to now.”
Menelik glared at Cyrus for a brief moment, then gave his full focus to the enemy before him. Cyrus and Kublai moved in-synch to finish him off, only to be thwarted by an invisible field.
“To your left!” cried Rajiv. “The child fighter Ling is the one controlling the Lost Souls. I’ve got her!” He raced towards Ling, only to find Hector blocking his path.
“Have it your way,” said Rajiv, raising his weapon high. Hector blocked a couple of blows, then retreated suddenly, following Cyrus, Kublai and Ling into the underbrush.
“Wait stop,” Menelik ordered, as Rajiv and Anna began to follow them. “Let them go.”
Anna bent over, hands on her knees, sweating and breathless. Rajiv brandished his knife. “Keep on running!” he cried out, then turned to rejoin the other Blues.
“Is anybody hurt?” Reese asked.
Menelik raised his arm and fell to his knees.
“I’m afraid so,” Menelik replied softly. He coughed up blood.
The three rushed to his aid.
“How bad is it?” Anna asked.
“I’m afraid I will not be able to continue,” Menelik replied. “I have a deep wound in my back. I’m in a lot of pain.”
“What do you mean?” Anna said. “You don’t think it’s fatal?
“No, I don’t think so,” Menelik replied. “It’s pretty bad, but nothing a healing chamber couldn’t fix.”
“Dammit,” Menelik said. “I’ve been fantasizing about defeating Cyrus for the last hundred years, and when I finally get the opportunity I blow it!” He smashed his hands on the ground.
“He cheated,” Rajiv said. “It wasn’t a fair fight.”
“It’s never a fair fight with the Reds,” Menelik declared.