“What are you?” Jonny asked.
Victor swiftly grabbed Jonny by the neck, holding him firm with one arm. This insolence was disturbing, punishable by death. Jonny had already reacted and was pointing the tip of his dark sword into the middle of Victor’s chest.
“If the Dark Lord doesn’t kill you, I will,” Victor warned.
“I’ll cut you down before that day comes,” Jonny replied, as Victor released him.
“Kill them all,” ordered Raze referring to Maximus and his friends.
“Yes, my Lord,” they all bowed.
“Or I will kill you.” Raze turned and retreated behind the treeline.
It had been a long afternoon of analysing every angle of Sherwood City. Planning every attack Jonny could think of as he ticked off every exit. Ben had grown tired of the mission, feeling the heavy weight that the Dark Lord bestowed upon them.
“Are you satisfied, now?” asked Ben, as he perched upon a city bench.
“Yes. We move on to phase one of the mission.”
Every member of the Dark Lord’s group had been gifted a second power of teleportation. It was a power the Dark Lord had given in order to make his men stronger and it was also a tool to control them. Ben had yet to complete a mission under the Dark Lord, and so had only his original power.
Jonny grew restless, grabbing Ben by the shirt and teleporting them to their new destination. Ben recognised the location instantly. It was the border of the Elementrix Pillar, their old school.
The environment had changed dramatically, with loud cars in the vicinity and dry dust piling against his shoes. The sky had darkened and there was little sunlight left, so he carefully placed his feet as he walked.
They soon came upon the edge of the canyon and the pillar hove into view. He was curious as to whether their absence had been noticed, taking into account how many of the students had already returned home. Jonny nodded down towards the bottom of the pillar, expecting Ben to follow suit.
“Why not just rock across?” asked Ben, ready to create a platform to be flung across the divide.
“We use our powers, they will detect us,” replied Jonny, leaping off the side.
“The old fashioned way,” nodded Ben.
Both boys made it to the bottom and had climbed up to the halfway point of the pillar before the light faded and the groundsmen turned on the lighting, which eliminated the view of the canyon.
Jonny reach the top with a gasp, panting as he collapsed on the grass.
“You must rest,” Ben pleaded. He could see the sword drawing more energy from Jonny and Jonny rested his hand on the hilt, protecting it as if he thought Ben was going to steal it. Jonny drew it and rested the blade against Ben’s neck.
“It’s mine,” he hissed.
Ben resisted grabbing the sword, resorting instead to words to make his point.
“Are you mad? I have dropped everything to help you!” he replied, angrily.
Jonny’s eyes softened as he realised his error. He withdrew the sword, resting his hand on Ben’s shoulder.
“I apologise, my friend. I don’t know what just came over me,” said Jonny.
“I do. It’s that bloody sword,” Ben growled.
“It can’t be. It is the Dark Lord’s will,” he replied with conviction.
Ben released a sigh, dropping the argument. The Dark Lord’s will would be the end of them if they didn’t pull through.
Jonny now pulled away, edging his way to the small clearing. There were fewer guards than Jonny had planned for and they were able to sneak through the school unseen until they approached the small arena. A platform had been created over the railing of the arena, protruding out from the pillar where they hid.
“What is the plan?” questioned Ben.
“I need you to knock out Jimmy and capture both of them in a square rock prison.”
“’Them’?”
“Hilary.”
Ben instantly realised what Jonny was planning. He was going to lure Maximus with two of his close friends, capturing him for the Dark Lord. Could this plan really work? What if the Dark Lord told him to kill his best friend? Would he warn me before trying, or would he just do it without question? Ben shifted nervously at the thought as they waited.
Time passed slowly with minimal conversation and minimal movement. The situation played with Ben’s head as he watched his best friend turn to darkness right in front of him. He quietly raised his head over the railing, trying to pick up any movement.
“Are they even coming?” complained Ben, stiffening from his awkward position.
“I have sent word through Clair and she has arranged for them to meet any time now…”
His sentence died away at the sight of an approaching shadow. Ben observed Jimmy as he peered through the crack, forming a rock ball in his hands and holding it tight.
“Wait for the girl,” he whispered.
Hilary had just finished her tutoring class and was excited to see Jimmy. She had been so busy of late that making time for him had been impossible.
“Good evening,” she bowed slightly, passing a guard.
“Miss,” he replied, returning to his post.
Jimmy had picked up on Hilary’s mind before she entered and he found it uplifting to feel her happiness for Max engulf him, making him smile as she approached.
Jonny had masked both his and Ben’s minds from Jimmy, calling upon the sword’s power to blend them into the environment.
“Now,” Jonny ordered.
Ben hurled the rock with such force that Jimmy had no time to react, falling to the ground as Hilary screamed. Five slabs of rock trapped them and Hilary’s screams were abruptly cut off.
Hilary reached out for Jimmy in the pitch blackness and cradled him, leaning against the rock wall as she cried in fear.
“The guards!” Ben yelled.
“Hold the rock,” replied Jonny, facing the guards. The fire user and water user bent their elements towards the intruders, but Jonny waved his hand, countering their attacks with one swoop. The two guards retreated from the deflected heat, flinching from the black flames that shot back at them from Jonny’s bending.
Jonny’s evil laugh spread across the arena as he looked at his hands. The power itched within his palms as a mix of red, yellow and black consumed the building. The water user cursed, unable to extinguish the roaring flames.
“Now what?” yelled Ben. His palm was hard up against the rock prison and he shook his head in disapproval as Jonny did the same.
“We go,” Jonny replied.
“Are you serious? The journey will kill you. Not even the Dark Lord’s men could teleport an object like this,” Ben argued, shocked.
“You underestimate me, brother.” And then Jonny made the jump out of the Pillar.
Chapter 28
Immune
The fresh air surrounded Max with the smell of bark and the wind drew through the forest, rustling the leaves as Max passed. It didn’t take long for the sun to be lost over the horizon made by the trees, sending a slight chill through Maximus.
The hot springs were enchanting and sent Max into a daydream. It was the relaxation that he missed, that he dreamed of, of finally allowing his body to catch his mind.
The aches from training slowly eased from his body as his muscles loosened in the heated springs. He fumbled around with a small, slippery stone, finally throwing it with a skip and watching as it smashed upon the rock foundation of the spring.
The forest was silent, as if time stood still. Stuart was trying hard not to been seen, rustling quietly through the forest, unaware that Maximus already knew he was there. The soft forest floor crunched as his steps crushed the leaves. Stuart clung to a tree and peered around it at Max.
“You can come join me?” Max questioned.
Stuart sighed as he revealed his position, stepping out from behind the tree, but his smile grew as he stripped off to his drawers, jumping into the hot pool.
“You’re goo
d,” Stuart admitted. “Really good.”
“Not good enough, though. I need a favour.”
Stuart sat quietly for a moment. He could feel the tingling sensation take control and understood why Max came to the pools so much.
He contemplated his new job with Gabriel. It was exciting, much more so than sitting around the Ministry. Gabriel had stature, was rich and powerful, and he built Stuart up piece by piece. He had learned a lot over the few months he had been there, not least of all that favours didn’t come for free. Maximus, however, was an exception. Stuart felt alive in his presence, knew that their friendship was real.
“Elaborate,” he replied, eventually.
“I need to go to the markets,” said Max.
“What type of markets? The Users market, the Nons’ market or the black market?”
“All of them.”
“May I ask why?” asked Stuart, genuinely interested in his reply.
“I need to be a hundred percent immune to every poison that is out there in the world.”
“What on Earth for?”
“It’s the start of my plan to defy the Dark Lord.”
It made sense; Max had come perilously close to dying through the Dark Lord’s use of poison. He had to be prepared for the next time; he had to be immune to stand a chance.
Max’s mild gaze settled on Stuart, who nodded his approval, agreeing to his plan.
“Anything for a friend,” Stuart replied.
“For a brotherhood,” he was corrected.
The term brotherhood was important to Max; he wanted it to be a safe haven from the reach of the Dark Lord and his men, providing protection for all users.
His thoughts abruptly ended as something small nibbled on his shoulder, making him scrabble to the middle of the hot pool with a shriek.
“What is that?” screamed Max.
“A tiny wolf,” replied Stuart, amazed.
Max quickly scanned the woods for any sign of a pack, watching carefully for any movement as he released his particles further. The scan came up clear, with nothing within fifty kilometres of the area.
“What are you doing?” Max asked the cub, carefully picking it up.
The cub’s eyes looked straight into his and he tried to nibble on Max’s hand. The grey fur was light on the body, growing darker as it ran up the head. His teeth were just sharp enough to pierce his skin. He growled as Max held it up for Stuart to see.
“What you think? The new dojo mascot?” laughed Max.
“I don’t see why not. I can’t see any sign of his family,” he replied patting the wolf’s head.
“What shall we name him?” asked Max.
“Your dojo,” Stuart replied, knowing first-hand how much responsibility a pet was.
“Hector,” Max said out loud, happy with his decision.
Stuart smiled, agreeing with the name, and they teleported back to the dojo with their new companion.
* * *
Their first destination was the most dangerous by far. The black market was exactly as Stuart remembered, dark and filled with the wealthy. He had become accustomed to the environment over the course of his training. Gabriel had shaped him for this, teaching him how to walk, talk and act as he did.
Stuart wore a tailor-made suit with expensive jewellery and gold cufflinks to add to his disguise. Stuart had explained his predicament to Max, grateful for his open mind. Max noticed the change in Stuart instantly, watching as his confidence began to grow.
“Hell. I should have got you a suit,” said Stuart as they entered the street.
The curious looks they received became annoying. It was clear that this was Max’s first time here and Stuart attempted to look casual about his companion, striding the streets with purpose.
“Mmm. My armour fits in well here,” chuckled Max.
“You look like a bloody… a bloody assassin, berthed from a wooden ship!” smirked Stuart.
Max thoughtfully caressed the knives which lay stashed in his leather armour, as he watched a group of drunken thugs noisily exiting a bar to their left. Their fire bending was below average and he relaxed, following their movements out of his line of sight.
“You’re too obvious,” complained Stuart.
“Precautions,” replied Max, releasing his particles.
“Act like you belong here and they will believe.”
They approached a dark shop with no sign to advertise its contents, and squinted in at all the dark objects through the window.
“Tread carefully while inside, you never know who’s listening,” said Stuart, entering the store.
His first impression had been right; this was no simple store. Dark objects littered the shelves, making him tread carefully as he eased down the middle of the isle.
“Who are you?” croaked an old woman from the back of the store.
Stuart was too far away from Max to stop his reply.
“I discover things,” said Max, awkwardly.
Stuart shot him a quick glare, hoping he wouldn’t reveal his true identity. The old lady tilted her head as if trying to read his reactions.
“Who do you represent?”
“Mr. Gabriel,” Max replied, saying the first thing that came into his head. The lady sneered as if testing him, grabbing a concealed weapon as she approached him.
“Your code?” she hissed.
Max looked blankly at her long, loosely draped clothes, trying to pick the right answer.
“It’s ‘Gladiator’. Now, are you going to serve us or are you just wasting our time?” Stuart spoke as he cut into the space between the two.
In an instant, the woman changed her appearance to that of a beautiful young woman.
“A shape shifter,” he admired, as he scanned her now tight and body-hugging dress. Her grey hair had changed to a shimmering blonde and enormous blue eyes now stared at him.
Red lips smiled at the correct answer to her question. Max’s mind spun with excitement. What was her true face? He had to be careful, he now realised, understanding the risks this market masked.
“So, gentlemen, what can I help you with? Fire breathing, invisibility or would you prefer a teleportation device?”
“We’re after a poison, actually.”
The young woman walked over to the dark corner, where they could see various samples.
“We have paralysing, bleeding, suffocating or death,” she said over her shoulder, pointing each out to them.
“We need every one you have,” said Stuart, cutting to the chase.
“If you’re trying to make yourself immune, then that process would take way too long.” She smiled knowingly.
Max stiffened, wondering if his plan had been leaked, and took a step backwards, ready to run on Stuart’s signal.
“What do you suggest?” asked Stuart.
“The bronze wick. It contains every poison ever known. It’s even rumoured that it comes from the Dark Lord himself.”
Max and Stuart locked eyes, trying not to reveal their excitement.
“We’ll take it,” said Max.
“Two hundred gold pieces,” she replied.
“What?” exclaimed Stuart.
“Any object from the Dark Lord is worth your weight in gold,” she explained.
Maximus cursed under his breath. He possessed a great deal of money, his reward from Master Lee, but it was back in his room at the Pillar.
Stuart counted a quarter of the price required in his coin bag, shaking his head gloomily at Max. The woman returned the bronze flask back to her safe with an apologetic grin.
“I will pay your fee,” said Gabriel, revealing himself from his place in the dark corner.
“Master!” bellowed Stuart, bowing his respect. The thick smoke from Gabriel’s cigar overwhelmed Max as he stood next to him and he sidled carefully away a step.
“Very kind, Sir. Tell me; what do I now owe you? Nothing in this world is free and you of all people should know that,” said Max, shaking his hand.
> “I have heard a lot about you,” replied Gabriel, squeezing Max’s hand firmly.
Maximus knew Gabriel must want something from him, or else he wouldn’t be here.
“Indeed. We both know that,” he replied. “Let me make you an offer. I get you your poison and you give me one fight in the arena,” suggested Gabriel.
Max glanced over to Stuart, chewing over the offer as his mind shifted to the posters in his room.
“Deal,” he replied, convinced of his path.
Gabriel’s smile grew and he tossed the young lady a bag of gold.
“We shall meet again, great Maximus.”
He departed with a purposeful stride and Max finally noticed the number of bodyguards lingering in the shadows.
Stuart had spoken of him but his physical presence was more impressive than any of the stories Stuart could come up with. Max felt almost intimidated by the beautifully-attired and confident man.
He shifted his attention to the bronze flask and extended his hands to the woman. It was perfect, a bronze flask that shone between his cupped hands. He nodded his head in approval and followed Stuart to the door.
Before he reached it, however, he stopped in his tracks. A glittering necklace had caught his eye and he instantly recognised it as a copy of the one Jimmy had given him. Where and how had Jimmy got such an object? Had he come down here himself? If so, then Max barely knew the boy. There must be much more to Jimmy than he portrayed. Max grabbed the necklace.
“Off you go, you’re going to miss your friend,” said the young lady, pointing to Stuart, who was already halfway down the street.
“Thanks,” he said, dashing through the door in pursuit.
The Nons’ market was a waste of time, finding nothing that wasn’t already in the bronze wick. The environment, however, was much more inviting and they grabbed a meal and took a break.
“Is Gabriel a dangerous man?” asked Max.
“Yes, but only to the wrong people.”
“Have you seen a gladiator fight?”
Stuart had gone one better than seeing one: he had fought in one recently, training as Gabriel had insisted.
He had learned survival skills the hard way, getting beaten down more often than not, but never quitting and always returning to his feet.
Maximus Thatcher Page 33