by Jesse Wilson
“Prolexa always said the mortals were filled with misery and most of them wished they were dead anyway. I am doing them a favor. My creator wouldn't lie to me,” she replied to him and Pen thought fast and came up with a plan.
“Life isn't perfect, but it's pretty good over all, so I was wondering if you'd make me a deal. If I seal you up, when this is all over we will talk and I will, I'll show you just how good things can really be,” Pen said to her, hopeful almost. Lumic realized what she was doing and imagined what she'd feel like if all of this was being done to her.
She tore the blade out of the ground and the scabbard appeared on her side. Lumic slid the blade inside and it locked, as soon as it did there was a blinding flash of light.
Pen shielded his eyes only for a second, when he was able to see again the giantess was gone. Pen floated down to the wreckage and there was a woman lying there in an orange dress, beside her was a bone white blade scabbard with a slight glow to it.
“Must be Miss Antigone, a knight of the Giant race,” Pen said to himself, “Kind of small for a Giant don't you think?” Tinea asked him as she finally woke up. “Giants can change their size, they look just like humans, only more muscular by nature,” Pen said and continued, “Oh and welcome back,” Pen finished as he picked Lumic up. “Are you really going to keep your promise?” Tinea asked him.
“Yeah, I don't believe you or any of the other blades are really evil, but I have know, why are you so different?” Pen asked her as he held Lumic in his left hand. “Because I wasn't into believing the lies, Taro didn't trick the other gods just to play along. He knew that an outsider would have been picked someday. I am sure they picked you because of your general ignorance about the rules,” Tinea said to him.
Pen just sighed as she confirmed what the vision told him. “Well I'm going to make them regret picking me, you and me together are going to make these Gods pay for all of this,” Pen said as his phone rang, he wondered just how phone services were still working despite all that was going on.
He picked it up.
“You were epic, man, wow. I don't know what you did but it was awesome,” Shane said having watched the whole thing. “Thanks, where are you?” Pen asked him. “We are walking up behind you,” Shane said and Pen turned around to see them. He hung up the phone.
“Remember, you promised to show me around once this is all over, don't forget me,” Lumic said from her blade and Melissa looked at it. “I'll show you around personally when this is all over,” she said to her. “Oh thanks, I look forward to it,” Pen looked down at the blade he had in his hand and tossed her to Melissa.
“You two will have plenty to talk about then, make friends,” Pen said and Shane was shocked. “Are you sure that was a good idea?” Shane asked him as Tinea took a few strands of light energy from Lumic just after Melissa caught her.
“Yeah, I think it's a great idea. Three down. Four to go I think,” Pen replied to him. “Will you reseal me when you're done?” Tinea asked him. “No, I've grown attached to you, I think I'll keep you around as long as you keep making breakfast,” Pen said with a laugh, “No I'm kidding, but I do like you and won't reseal you,” Pen said and it felt like Tinea smiled.
“Let's get Lumic here back to the hollow where she'll be safe for now,” Pen said to them and hovered into the air.
“We can't fly, remember,” Melissa said to him as she looked up. “Right, I forget that. I've gotten so used to it by now,” Pen said and sighed.
“Will Lumic be safe with you for now? I have a bad feeling that the remaining blades know by now something is wrong,” Pen said to them as he looked off into the distance.
“Yeah, we'll keep her safe you go do your thing, all I want to do is go home,” Shane replied. “We're about halfway done, it won't be long now, I promise,” Pen said and flew straight up so fast that neither of them saw him go.
“Wow,” Melissa said, impressed at the speed.
Pen didn't even have time to blink before they were high above the city. “No more coffee for you,” Pen said to her as he still was adjusting to the sudden height. “It's Lumic's speed I copied. I'd say it was a pretty good choice don't you?” Tinea asked him. “Speed and strength, man I feel just about invincible,” Pen said with a smile, he turned around to look at the last light from the setting sun, it was a blood red sunset.
“Hey um, you wouldn't by chance know who we should go after next, do you?” Pen asked her deciding that maybe Arket could wait. “You're mister invincible, you tell me, and it really shouldn't matter should it?” Tinea asked sarcastically.
“Okay you've made your point, arrogance kills, I understand, but seriously who's your suggestion?” Pen asked her again. “Well, if you ask me there is a blade we haven't seen any evidence of, and it's kind of making me worry a bit too,” she replied to him. “And who would that be?” Pen was trying to get her to just say it already.
“Ventrix,” she said to him as the sky darkened.
“Fill me in, what does Ventrix do?” Pen wanted to know more and was tired of asking so many questions.
“Ventrix is the Lumic's opposite. The blade of negative energy, or, you know, the undead. Vampires and all the rest of their kind and I haven't seen a single sign of him anywhere,” she said to him and it worried her a little.
“Well to be fair we didn't see Lumic either until just now, each of the blades seem are different in how they act, maybe Ventrix has figured it out and decided to lay low,” Pen said and Tinea didn't believe it.
“Maybe, but I doubt it, more likely he's noticed the others being resealed and is just hiding out, this guy is one of the most power hungry blades I know. He'd betray anyone but Zolar to get what he wanted now that he's free to roam,” Tinea replied to him.
“They are friends? Well let's take out Zolar first, maybe it'll cause Ventrix to show himself, you know, want revenge and all that,” Pen suggested the plan and continued. “Have you ever faced a vampire at night, its suicide,” Tinea paused then it hit both of them at the same time.
“He waited for the sun to set, wow we are bad at this,” Pen said and was worried now more than ever about the night.
“We should wait until the day time to look for him,” Tinea said but Pen realized that during this all day event, he was tired, hungry and just needed a break. “You're right, let's find a place to lay low for a bit, we can't go home or the castle, there looks like a good place to go,” Pen said and pointed at what looked like an empty office building that was mostly intact.
“So many empty buildings around here,” Tinea said as she started to float towards it. “Yeah, disasters tend to make people run and hide, but I wouldn't bet on it being completely empty. Its cold out here and people will spend anywhere they can to be warm,” Pen replied and picked up his cell phone to call Shane, he answered after two rings.
“Hey man, we're taking a break. Listen, you should lay low somewhere too. I was just informed that Ventrix is out there and tonight this place could turn into an undead playground or something,” Pen said into the phone.
“Thanks man, we'll find a good place to hide, see you later and be safe,” Shane said. “You too,” Pen replied and hung up.
Tinea didn't bother using the front door, she just broke the glass with a kick and set down on the floor. “Let's go to the next floor down,” Pen said looking at the broken window. Tinea walked to the door and found a stairwell. It wasn't long before they were back in a sealed section of the building.
In a flash, Pen found he was normal again and Lana Volente was standing next to him. Pen rubbed the back of his neck, took a deep breath. “I'm going to go to the bathroom, you should find something to eat around here since you have the super speed,” Pen said and walked off.
“Alright, I'll meet you back here,” she said and disappeared. “Good luck,” Pen said and walked off to find a working bathroom and even though it was dark in here he was hoping the power was still on and the lights were just off.
Chapter Twenty
-Three
Shane and Melissa were walking down a darkened street that was only getting darker, none of the street lights were coming on. Voices could be heard echoing in the night, screaming too. It was making them both feel uneasy about being outside. Weapons or not, in the dark they were easy targets just like anyone else.
“Come on, we should camp out in this house over here,” Melissa said and pointed towards a small, white house that had no signs of anyone living there. Most of the houses they had past were the same way, however. “We can't just break into anywhere we want, I mean what if someone is home,” Shane said as he was shivering, now that there was a lull in the action, the elements were finally getting to him.
“You know what, it's better than being out here don't you think, besides if the owners come home we can just explain to them what is going on. It'll be fine,” she said to him as she walked up the path to get to the door.
“Fine, you have the armor you go first in case they feel like shooting instead of just saying hello,” Shane said as she approached the door and knocked on it. None of the lights were on and she was sure no one was home. “Orox,” she said quietly and the door unlocked.
“No one's home let's go,” she said and walked inside. “You still don't know that,” Shane replied to her but right now was willing to take the chance.
Shane followed her in and shut the door.
“That magic is a nifty little thing you got there,” he said to her thinking of all the ways he could use it to get rich. “Yeah, I like it, it's totally worth all the years I've spent learning it,” she replied and turned on a light, Shane flipped the switch back off at once,
“Laying low isn't about turning on the light and showing every would be monster stalking the street what house we're in,” Shane said to her in a hurry.
“Yeah, but we still need to see so let's turn the lights on until the sun goes all the way down, I'd rather not be in a panic trying to find my way around when we need to,” she replied to him with a bit of a scowl.
“Fine, but let's try to not get eaten by a monster or killed by a blade so let's make this quick,” Shane replied to her and she sighed and her helmet disappeared. “I need a shower and a nap,” she said to him as Shane sat down on a recliner.
“Yeah, me too,” Shane said as she set Lumic down behind the front door. She walked down the hall and found the bathroom. “No windows in here, I'm leaving the light on while I do this,” she said to him from down the hall.
“Alright, I'm just gonna sit in here, alone in the dark, in a strange house,” Shane said and hoped this place wasn't haunted or home to someone who was insane that was coming back later.
He looked around but he didn't see anything that indicated that crazy lived here. It all looked pretty normal. Pictures of kids on the wall. This house belonged to a family of Trolls. He briefly wondered where they went.
He reached over and pulled the drawstrings on the curtains, they closed making the room even darker as the last rays of the sun disappeared. He felt happy that he didn't have to get up to close the curtains, he was way too exhausted and the thought of standing up made him hurt everywhere.
Melissa was in the shower, she was surprised the water pressure and heater still worked. Despite all the destruction, many things were still intact. Not that she was going to complain about it in her head as she washed the soap off then turned off the water. She dried off and put the clothes she had on under her armor before stepping out into the dark hallway.
She walked back down into the main room and saw that Shane was passed out on the chair. She didn't bother him and turned on the television, hoping that the soft glow of the television didn't attract anyone. She peeked out of the curtains and didn't see anything so she sat down on the couch and turned the stations until she found one that was still on the air.
“Ever since the blades have been unleashed on the city, people have been coming out to the churches in droves from all eight major religions. People have come here by the thousands, all praying for salvation and begging the gods to come save them as people have lost hope on this day of despair,” the newscaster said and the camera panned slowly over an ocean of people from every race, holding a candle and most of them praying for something.
Melissa remembered what Pen said to Lumic during their fight and now it all was coming true just as he said it would. She looked over to the white blade in the corner and wondered how long any of them actually had left.
Pen made his way back to the office, Tinea was waiting for him with bags of chips and various candy bars sitting on a desk. “Thanks, super speed has its advantages,” Pen said and Tinea smiled.
“The vending machine downstairs is going to need some repair work but yeah, it does have its perks,” she said to him with a smile. “Tinea, do you eat, even a little bit?” Pen asked her. “I could try it, but I don't need to really,” she replied to him.
“Yeah, you should try some chips, you might like them,” Pen said to her as he tossed her a small bag. She caught it and opened it at the same time. “They smell funny, but alright,” Tinea said and reached in, took one chip out to eat it. Pen opened his own bag and ate it, unlike his metal companion he didn't realize just how hungry he was and now was pretty sure that these weren't going to be enough, but they'd have to do for now.
“These aren't too bad, but I don't think I'll pick up the habit any time soon,” Tinea said to him as Pen tore into another tiny bag. After twenty minutes of chips Pen was more than sick of them.
“Alright it's time to get some sleep, I've been up far too long and if I don't get some rest everyone's going to have a bad day,” Pen said and sat down on a comfier than it looked office chair. “Good night, Tinea,” Pen said and closed his eyes. After a day of fighting nightmare blades, he was tired enough to sleep anywhere.
“Good night, and don't worry about anything, I'll keep watch,” she replied to him, and then turned her attention towards the window.
Despite being a city, right now it was all deserted. As soon as he was a sleep however, she decided to pay him a visit in his dreams and closed her eyes.
Pen woke up in a strange place. The sky was purple and the ground was red. In the distance, there were oddly shaped mountains, their peaks disappeared into a dark orange haze that never seemed to move.
“What, where am I now?” Pen asked as he looked around. “You're in the void with us. This is where we go when we are sealed up so think of it like your dreaming on the internet,” Tinea said to him, she looked like the mirrored armored version he'd gotten used to, he was a little surprised to see her too.
“Hey there hero, how's it going?” Sholtan asked him and walked toward him. He looked just like he did before. “I am fine I guess, how about you?” Pen replied but was still feeling really weird about all of this.
“I am good, Brule's still upset about being beaten but he'll come around,” Sholtan said to him and slapped him on the back. Pen had to keep himself from falling over on the impact.
“Pen, it's great to see you, how are you doing, I didn't hurt you too badly when I hit you, you're alright, right?” Lumic said in a frantic voice while she was running towards him. “Whoa there, sparky, I'm fine. Tinea took good care of me, no hard feelings, alright,” Pen replied with wide eyes as the ten foot suit of armor came running towards him and put his arms up.
“Please don't run me over,” he said in a hurry.
Lumic slid to a stop, she seemed happy to see them.
“I am glad Tinea takes good care of you she is so good at taking care of people,” Lumic said just as fast. “Yes, yes she is. She's been a great friend,” Pen replied and looked towards the mountains. “What's over there beyond those mountains?” Pen asked them.
“Oh, the forbidden ones live there. Three particularly grumpy blades who play by different rules, we leave them alone and they do the same for us,” Sholtan said, gazing into the distance.
“Yeah, those blades are the real scary ones, we tend to stay away from tho
se mountains,” Brule said as he walked up to rejoin the group. It made Pen nervous. “Elrox hasn't said a word to me since I was resealed. I don't understand why but this makes me very sad,” Brule said and Pen turned to look at him.
“Okay we'll leave them alone, but the truth is you're all just being used. There is no great and terrible darkness, nor is there a reason to have a new world,” Pen said to him and Brule couldn't believe it.
“I don't know what your relationship is with your creators but something is not right with all of this. If they do talk to you and stopped, don't you think that's a pretty big clue that something is wrong. To us, everyone, you're all monsters. The story as I understand it is that all of you are nothing but pure evil. I don't think you are anything but being manipulated,” Pen said to them.
The three of them looked at one another, it was clear they were uncomfortable.
“It's true, man, it really is, you're lucky Pen didn't break you when he could have,” Lumic said quickly as ever. “Yeah, I'm, um, sorry about all of that nonsense from before and trying to kill you,” Brule said and looked away but Pen just smiled.
