She couldn't see where it came from, but suddenly there was a brighter flash from one of the lightning bugs, and then there was a cloaked woman standing at the end of the pier. She hadn't, "materialized," she was just suddenly there as quickly as the one in the street had disappeared. Now Morgan could see a couple more lightning bugs blinking faintly behind the woman as she stared at them. Her dad and The Tutor turned back towards her, and she could see alarm on both of their faces as they began to run back towards her.
"Start the boat! Start the boat!" said her dad. She turned the key in the ignition and the motor came to life.
"What could it mean?" said tutor as he reached her end of the dock and turned to take a second look. Her dad jumped into the boat and, instead of untying the mooring line, he used the sword to cut it. Several quick saw-like strokes and they were free. The Tutor jumped in after them.
Morgan was still staring at the cloaked woman but now there was a small swarm of lightning bugs blinking behind her.
"There's more than a dozen," said The Tutor.
"Hold on!" said her dad as he sat down in the driver's seat and pulled the throttle back into full reverse. As the boat revved backward and Morgan caught herself from falling into the lake, she saw another one of the extra bright flashes. Then another, and another. Now there were four cloaked women standing on the shore, and then five, and then Morgan couldn't see how many as her dad swung the boat around and slammed the throttle forward.
"I don't know what's going on. Maybe The Demon has lost his mind,” said her dad. As the boat shot into the lake, Morgan turned to see a crowd of more than a dozen cloaked women standing on the shore, staring straight at them.
CHAPTER SEVEN
THEY DIDN'T STOP the boat until they had arrived at the shore on the opposite side of the lake.
"See you guys later," said The Tutor as he jumped from the boat to the dock before the engine was even shut off.
"Where are you going?" asked Morgan.
"As far away from you as I can. Give me a call when you have a plan." Morgan hopped up to the dock also and began to chase after him.
"But what if I need your help?"
"At this point, I'm not supposed to help. Your dad can help you to make up your mind."
“Are you running away?”
"Let him go, he's done his job for now," said her dad as he found another rope and tied the boat up. "Hey, what if The Demon made a mistake?" he yelled at The Tutor.
"The Demon never makes mistakes," said The Tutor as he continued his quick walk away from them.
"What's the demon?" asked Morgan.
"He's the go-between for our kind and his. He decides on the appropriate monster for the entrance exams. It's been that way for a while now." That was a bit too much for Morgan who already felt overwhelmed. They had stopped at the East Park dock, far away from their house, and Morgan just wanted to be home.
Her dad grabbed the duffel bag with the sword and they walked down the pier to dry land.
"I don't know what's going on. I can see one adze for the trials since you're almost seventeen, and two adze seems pretty extreme, but a whole horde of them? I can't understand how the demon could have approved that." Her dad wasn't making things better, so she tried to tune him out for a minute while she checked her phone.
The Tutor had sent his phone number, but there was also another text from Sadie.
"I'm guessing you don't need a ride home today?" said the text. Sadie drove her parent's car to school, so she usually gave Morgan a ride home at the end of the day, which would normally be right now.
Morgan sent a quick reply, "No, I'm over in East Side park." She looked back out across the water in the direction of the adze. "Those women don't look like a threat, but I'm guessing that's part of their defense.” Her dad laughed.
"They may look like they're ready for a picnic, but give them just a second to distract you and your mind will belong to them," said her dad. Morgan shivered. She hadn't realized how much danger they had really been in.
"We're lucky we made it this far," said Morgan while trying to be optimistic.
"Yeah, if the engine didn't overheat in the next couple of minutes, we would have run out of gas. We'll have to get moving before they catch up to us, so let's go and talk over some practice.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
THE PARK BEYOND THE BOAT PIER had a beach, a shelter house, and several play areas. These parts were all separated by several large grassy fields that were perfect for sword exercises. The only other people in the park were a couple of boys playing soccer. Morgan’s dad took the samurai sword out of the bag and handed it to her.
“I want you to keep this with you at all times. Not because the sword was your mom's, but because of what it’s made of.”
“What's so special about it?”
“The blade contains a tiny percentage of silver, which is the one element that will actually hurt monsters. Not all, but most of them. Remember that. To some it's painful, to others it’s deadly.”
“What if I use my other sword from home?”
“Any other sword would pass right through the adze, but that one will slice them up like butter.”
“Just like in the movies?”
“Just like it was one of the sharpest blades in the world, because it is. Silver bullets will do the same thing.” Her dad stepped out into the center of the closest grassy area and began to yell, “All right boys, we’re taking the field.“ The two boys stopped in their tracks for a moment, dumbstruck. Then one boy spoke when they realized that her dad wasn't joking.
“Yeah right, we were here first.”
“Okay, can I see that ball?” One of the boys tossed the soccer ball toward him. While leaving the sword scabbard in Morgan's hands, her dad grabbed the handle and pulled the sword out. It sliced a clean cut into the oncoming ball.
“You guys are done, take your ball and go home,” he said as he returned the sword to its scabbard and kicked the flattened ball back. Both of the boys turned and walked away, looking back at them in frustration.
“That was a bit rude.”
“We don’t have time for manners right now. Death is coming for you, Morgan, and he’s not going to show manners either.” Her dad took the sheathed sword back from Morgan and swapped it with two wooden practice swords, dropping the bag down on the edge of the field.
“Keep your eyes on that bag.”
“I will,” she said as she marked the spot in her mind.
“Good,” said her dad as he tried to catch her off guard with a swing from his practice sword. It didn't work.
“Cheap,” she said.
“Not cheap enough, I guess. Let’s begin with the warm-up exercises.” Her father had taught her to do everything while holding a sword. From simple stretches to eating at the dinner table, a sword was supposed to be an extension of her body. In some cases, it was a weapon. In others, it was a utility tool. In every instance she strove for perfection.
She was trying hard to clear her mind, but all she could think about were the endless questions that needed answering. Even though practice was a time meant for her dad to do the questioning, maybe she could get away with one. Or maybe two.
“Can I ask you a couple of questions while we stretch?”
“Considering our limited time, that would be ideal. The adze can’t move very fast, that’s one of their weaknesses, but just remember rule number three anyways.” Rule number three was, 'Know the truth', and it included everything. The terrain, the other people around, the weather, and anything else that could make a difference during a confrontation. If the adze challenged her here, she wouldn't have many natural advantages besides a level field of grass.
Her dad smiled at her, trying to help her relax. She always seemed to get hurt during practice whenever she couldn’t relax. This seemed to be another one of those times. She closed her eyes and was surprised by the first question that came to her mind, but she asked it anyway. Her dad had always told her not to
hold back, so she wouldn't now.
“Dad, did you lie to me?” she tried to loosen up her shoulders while she braced herself for his response. She was afraid that the question might make him angry, but he just gave a little laugh.
“A little, yes. So I guess I owe you another apology. Get used to those in the immediate future. I should have known that we were running out of time.”
“So you really did know that this would be happening?”
“Your mom and I knew that it was very possible. She had been optimistic that you could stay in hiding indefinitely, but I wasn’t so certain. That’s why I took it upon myself to train you. Like I’ve always said,” she finished his sentence for him.
“It's all you ever had to offer me. Yes, I know.”
“And now you know why. If I ever see your mother again, I can tell her that I was right.”
“Well, I still don’t like it. This feeling that you’re hiding things from me.”
“Just wait, you might thank me if you stick with your decision to forfeit. Assume position one.” Morgan stepped back with her left foot and raised her practice sword in front of her. Her dad stepped back into the same position and she breathed out, clearing her mind. Sometimes her dad would try to distract her somehow before he attacked, or maybe he would just let her wait for a distraction that never came. Then he would attack when he hoped she wasn’t paying attention.
“Now before you make your final decision, let me tell you what you’re up against.” He flew at her with a flurry of three attacks to her head, which she blocked and then waited for more. “The adze are both physical and spiritual, meaning that they can take both forms. They won’t ever knock on your door because when they look like fireflies, they don’t need doors. They can pass right through them, and almost anything else that they want to.”
“What if the door is made of silver?” she asked before attacking with several strikes of her own. He parried and stepped back again.
“Good thinking. The only two things that will help you against the adze are silver and water, and water is only helpful if you have enough to put between you and them. They can’t fly over it.”
“Why not?”
“Nobody really seems to know.” As he spoke, her dad led with several more attacks to the head, followed by another down low and then one more to the head. She blocked them all. Her dad continued, “I suspect that there are so many adze because you must take after your mother. The demon's job is to decide how resilient recruits are based on their blood.”
“Are blood records open to the public?”
“No, but that doesn’t stop the demon. He has people all over the place.”
“At the hospital?”
“Who knows?” Her dad attacked low this time, and nearly caught the back of her leg as she was trying to figure out how anyone could have stolen a sample of her blood. This year in Biology they had figured out their blood types. Could someone at school have swiped a sample and given it to this Demon? She wanted to laugh as soon as she thought the question. She needed to focus and this idea was ridiculous.
“So attack them with the sword?”
“Yes, if you can get close enough. They won’t just stand there for you. But that’s not even the real problem. Their real weapon attacks your mind.”
“What do you mean?” As she asked, her dad feigned a step backward before switching directions and lunging forward with his practice sword pointed straight at her. She stepped to the side and swung low, barely missing his legs as he pivoted out of her range. He continued talking as if nothing had happened.
“They can control your actions. When they’re in the form of a woman, they can take control of your body and once they have a firm grip, they can make you do whatever they want.” She took a couple of steps back.
“That’s pretty nuts. How do you fight against that?”
“You don’t. They have to decide to release you. Even after they turn into fireflies, they can continue to control you.” She thought for a moment about rule number three and the big picture of what they were discussing.
“This isn’t about the adze, is it?” Her dad smiled.
“No, you’re right. This is about the school.” He swung his practice sword as he leaped at her. She parried and pivoted out of the way as he went past.
“Do you really learn to fight monsters there?” she asked.
“Yes. Everything there is focused on monsters. Biology isn’t just biology anymore, it becomes biology of monstrous creatures.”
“That sounds pretty cool.” The way her dad talked about it, the school would be much more interesting than regular high school.
“It is cool, but it’s hard to really understand how much you have to give up until you’re actually there. It changes you. Everything from your basic hopes and dreams to your world view is molded into whatever will make you a more effective weapon.” Becoming a weapon of any kind was an exciting thought, it meant really being able to use her skills. Plus she had never seen a horror flick that could make her squeal in her seat. Maybe this could work after all.
“You would probably get to meet your mother.” That was something she had absolutely no interest in.
“She’s not a teacher there, is she?”
“No, but she’s had her hand in things at the school.” Her dad took advantage and swung wide at her exposed head. Morgan didn’t even attempt to block it and he delivered three quick taps with his practice sword. She didn’t care. Her dad had said the, “M,” word, and this high school was losing its appeal if it had anything to do with her mother.
“I wouldn’t be alone though, right? You would move with me to wherever the school is?”
“No, It’s the type of school where you live on campus, and anyone that isn’t a student or a faculty member isn’t allowed anywhere close. It goes along with the whole secret thing.” So she would have to say goodbye to her dad and be around her mother? That was a big fat no. She didn’t think that any school would be cool enough for her to move away from him. Her dad lowered his practice sword.
“None of the stuff is supposed to be easy, Morgan. Everything is a part of the challenge, including your decision today, but isn’t that the same with any important decision? A year from now, you will probably be getting ready to move away to a college somewhere.” She knew he was right, she was already researching the schools that she would begin applying for in the fall. Even though it seemed like her senior year would take forever to get through, she knew that it would go by just as fast as this year had. Or faster. Then she would have to move away from her dad. Still, right now every sense was screaming at her to forfeit. Her dad had been everything to her, so how could she trade him for her worthless mother? To Morgan, it was an easy decision, but she wasn’t sure her dad would be able to understand.
“When you were my age, was it hard for you to decide?” she asked him.
“Yes, of course.”
“You see, it’s an easy decision for me. What would you do if you were in my shoes?”
“I don’t know. I’m not sure that anything could have kept me from going to the University. The same goes for your mom. She may have ended up there, no matter what.”
“I don’t care what mom would’ve done.”
“But you should. You’re like her in more ways than you know. If there's anything that you've been robbed of while moving around with Gregors and I, it's understanding what family really is. Your mother didn't understand it either, and it cost her.”
“I hope she at least knew about this test more than a day before it was supposed to happen.” Now her anger was rising. Talking about her mom usually did that.
“Yes, she probably did from birth, but even if she hadn’t, you both have the same kind of fighting spirit.” She was getting angrier every second. How could he compare her to her worthless mother at a moment like this?
“I think this test requires more than just spirit, dad.”
“Maybe, unless you have the spirit of a
dragon inside you.”
“Come on. You’ve been using that crap to motivate me since I was a little girl. This is serious. Or is it just some prank?”
“No, this is very real, and you need to take me seriously when I say that you have the spirit of a dragon. Take away all the training that I’ve given you, and you were still already born with everything that you would need to pass this trial.” She wanted to take him seriously, she really did. The ‘dragon spirit’ thing had motivated her when she was a kid, but that was a long time ago. Too long for its magic to work on her anymore. Just when she was sure of her decision to forfeit, the expression on her dad’s face changed from consoling to scary panic.
“Turn around!”
CHAPTER NINE
MORGAN WHIPPED HER SWORD up as she spun around. She looked back over her shoulder and all around. She couldn’t see anything unusual, what was her dad on about? Then she saw the tiny flicker of a firefly coming out of the trees on the edge of the grassy field.
“Fireflies!”
“We waited too long! We should have moved by now!” he said as he dropped the practice sword on the ground. Morgan turned and saw more fireflies approaching. There must have been 15 or 20. Enough to surround them. They weren’t flying at the lazy speed common with fireflies, it was much faster. Then like a coordinated attack, there were a series of brighter flashes all around them and the fireflies were replaced by women in long, dark cloaks. She noticed for the first time that their eyes were milky white, like they were blind.
“Dad! What do we do?” She held her practice swords up for battle, but she knew it wouldn’t matter. She looked past the ring of adze closing in on them and saw the black duffel bag on the ground. It was already too far away. They weren’t playing fair. She wanted to end this, but she couldn’t without dripping some blood, and it had to be done with that sword.
Dragon Spirit- Will to Act Page 3
