He also tried the two attack runes. The minotaur swung its mace sideways with great force. Then it lowered its head and charged forward, slashing with its horns.
“This is too amazing, Aaron!”
“Totally. Okay, my turn.”
The two teens tried each rune in turn. In all, they saw ten avatars, all but the warrior were beasts from mythology.
“Mr. Bellisle said that we could combine the runes to summon other avatars, Justin,” Aaron said. “Want to try?”
Justin shook his head. “Let's save them as a surprise. I'd really rather try playing the game now, wouldn't you?”
“Ah yeah, good point! So, which avatar do you want to try?”
Justin leaned forward eagerly. “The minotaur. Definitely the minotaur!”
Aaron grinned. “Right. I liked the cyclops actually. So, let's try them out and see what happens.”
Over the next several hours, the two teens learned the ins and outs of Arena. The game was both very simple and incredibly complex, but a win was straight-forward. An avatar won when it knocked its opponent to the ground. They tried many of the avatars, but Justin always came back to the minotaur. He seemed to have a knack for using it in battle, although when Aaron started using what they concluded was a harpy, it gave Justin some trouble. Not the battle so much as the cursing.
Both of them fell over laughing as they realized that the harpy cursed every time it missed an attack. And cursed even more if it was hit by an opposing avatar.
“Wow, she's got a foul mouth!” Aaron giggled.
Justin couldn't answer; he was laughing too hard.
They also noticed that each avatar seemed to have its own personality, and that it affected the game sometimes. Justin's minotaur apparently got tired occasionally and would stop in the middle of a battle, step back and wipe its brow. Once or twice it actually dropped its mace and sat down. Justin was sure that it gave him a reproachful glance when it did this, as though he was working it too hard.
Aaron had his own problems. He tried to use a special attack three times in a row and the avatar he was using, a troll, finally looked up at him, thumbed its nose and sank back into the ground and nothing Aaron could do would make it reappear.
“Diva,” he muttered. Justin chuckled.
“This is so amazing,” he told Aaron.”It's like we're commanding real creatures, who get tired and cranky and have to be treated with respect. Much cooler than any video game I've ever played.”
“For sure,” Aaron agreed. “I'll just have to remember not to push 'em too hard or they'll go on strike like that troll.”
The door chimed some time later and they both said “Come in” distractedly. They were in the middle of a close contest and were totally focused on it.
The door slid open and Norm and Gerry walked into the room.
“Hey guys,” Norm said cheerfully. Justin nodded and Aaron just grunted, as they both watched their avatars. All at once, Aaron let out a whoop and Justin sat back, with a look of disgust on his face.
“Stupid cyclops,” he muttered.
“Next time, protect the eye, Justin,” Aaron said with a grin. “That's his weak spot.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know.” Justin looked at the visitors. “So what's up guys?”
“Nothing much.” Gerry walked over and sat on the arm of Justin's couch. “I see you've discovered Arena.”
“Great, isn't it?” Norm said with enthusiasm. “I can't get enough of it.” Then he looked puzzled. “Is it as much fun without the fans? Seems a bit quiet.”
Aaron and Justin looked at each other, puzzled.
“Fans?” Aaron looked confused.
“What fans?” Justin asked.
“Oh, you don't know?” Norm walked over and bent over the table. “Gerry, you get the two corners on your side.”
“Right,” Gerry said and moved over to sit by Justin, then leaned forward. “On three?” he asked, looking at Norm.
“Yep. One, two, three.” They touched the four runes at the corners of the metal square at the same time. Suddenly there was a small but steady sound coming from the inside of the arena. It sounded like cheering. Both Justin and Aaron looked inside curiously.
“Whoa! How cool is that?” Aaron said loudly.
“Okay, this game just gets more and more amazing,” Justin said. He was staring at what had been the sloping, inside walls of the arena. Now though there was rows and rows of seats, and sitting in the seats were tiny people. He leaned even closer to check out the details.
There were men, women, children and even some of the mythical creatures from the game itself. Some were cheering, waving tiny flags or applauding. But Justin was fascinated to see that not all the tiny fans were doing the same thing. Some seemed to be talking to each other. He saw several children running around in the aisles between the rows of seats and he even saw, he squinted to get a better look, yep, there were guys selling food and drinks! He caught Aaron's eye, who just shook his head mutely and watched the fans, almost mesmerized.
Finally they both sat back. Norm and Gerry were watching them, big grins on their faces. “That's exactly how we looked when we accidentally discovered how to turn that on,” Gerry said.
Norm nodded. “We didn't want to stop but Jonathon stuck his head in our room a few minutes ago and told us that we had two hours until dinner and then there's a meeting afterward, so if we wanted to explore, we'd better get going.” Norm stood up. “So you guys want to poke around some more?”
Justin wanted to play more Arena and he could tell Aaron did too, but they might not get a chance to look around again for a while, so he said “Sure, if Aaron wants to.”
Aaron sighed and looked longingly at the arena. “Yeah, might as well. We can play later, I guess.” He stood up as well. “Addictive damned game though, isn't it?”
They all agreed, then headed out into the corridor, turning toward the courtyard that they had discovered earlier.
Chapter 8
Deep within Sanctuary, a door opened to a room that was in total darkness. The bright square of light from the corridor beyond was blocked by a man who entered quickly and strode forward into the gloom. As the door closed behind him, a pillar rose from the floor, luminous and ghostly in the blackness. On top of the pillar a hollow was scooped out of the stone and filled with a glowing liquid.
The man approached the pillar which stopped rising at waist height and he stood waiting. Finally, a voice echoed out of the darkness ahead of him.
“Welcome, Alexander,” the voice said.
Mr. Fitzgerald bowed his head once and stared into the blackened room. “Good afternoon, my lord.” he said quietly.
“Why have you summoned the Council, my child?” the voice inquired.
“To update you all, my lord, on the status of the children.”
“Ah yes. That was thoughtful of you, Alexander.” another voice spoke out of the gloom. Although it was a deep and solemn voice, it was definitely that of a female.
“Thank you, my lady,” Mr. Fitzgerald said. “I know that none of you are happy about the way we...procured them. And neither am I.”
“We are not angry with you, my child,” the female voice stated. “But we worry about them. They must be taught so much so quickly. We are concerned that such young children will not be able to cope with this knowledge, or the powers that it will unlock.”
“As I am, my lady. But they are Titans, after all. They will be able to process what we teach them, I'm sure.”
“Don't assume that just because they are Titans that they are stronger mentally than others of their age,” the female spoke sharply. “Children are children, Alexander. And they must be treated as such.”
Mr. Fitzgerald nodded. “I understand, my lady. But please know that we must accelerate their educations. If we don't...” He did not finish the statement.
The first voice sighed. “Yes, you are right. They must be ready for what awaits them.” Then the voice became brisk once more. “So, t
hey have been presented to the leaders?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“And? Are all families represented?”
“Most of them. None, of course, are descendants of the traitorous couple. But most of the others are represented.”
“And what of Rhea?” asked the female. There was a note of hope in her voice. But Mr. Fitzgerald shook his head sadly.
“I'm sorry, my lady, but no. There are no heirs to Rhea among them.”
This time it was the female who sighed. “Well, it was really too much to hope for, I suppose. Her DNA was added at the last moment. A pity, though. Her talents would have been of great benefit to our cause.”
“Indeed, my lady. They would have been.” Mr. Fitzgerald hesitated. “However, I'm pleased to announce that a descendant of Cronus has been found.”
The silence following this announcement was absolute. Then a new male voice, speaking from the depths of the darkness, spoke out.
“What did you say?” it asked. The room seemed to vibrate at the resonance in the voice.
“The heir to Cronus is here.” Mr. Fitzgerald said plainly.
Suddenly the room erupted with sound as many voices began to speak at once. Mr. Fitzgerald just stood and waited. Finally the voice from the depths of the room spoke out loudly. “Silence!” he said. The speakers stopped at once and the voice spoke again.
“Alexander, are you sure?”
“Yes, my lord. I was present when it happened.”
“And this child was marked with the symbol of Cronus?”
“He was, my lord. But...” Mr. Fitzgerald sounded confused. “The mark did not fade like the others. It remains on his palm, like a silver tattoo. I did not know that could happen.”
The room was still and silent for a long moment. Then the voice spoke again in a harsh tone.
“Show me!” it commanded.
Mr. Fitzgerald bowed slightly and thrust his hand into the water on the top of the pillar. In the center of the room. A ghostly image appeared.
“This is Justin McLeod, council members. Watch as he touches the plate under the portrait of Cronus.”
The room was silent as the image of the boy approached the plate. The invisible council saw him grimace in pain and stagger back. Then they saw the mark on his palm, pulsing as if to the beat of his heart. Finally Mr. Fitzgerald lifted his hand from the liquid and the projection faded.
“That is what happened,” he said simply.
“This is...impossible, Alexander,” the male voice spoke from across the room.
“Impossible, my lord? But I saw it with my own eyes, as have you.”
“You don't understand, my child,” the female council member spoke up. “Cronus never added his DNA to the plan. He was not present in the gene pool that has created Titans in the modern age.”
“I did not know that,” Mr. Fitzgerald said with surprise. “Why was this done?”
“It was done, Alexander, because Cronus wanted it done that way. He was afraid, rightfully so, that his power, passed down to what would perhaps be a lesser being, would be uncontrollable.” The female stopped for a moment, as if to collect her thoughts. Then she continued. “Cronus was the first of the Titans and the most powerful. His traitorous brother Hyperion always claimed to be the elder, but he was not. Cronus never used his full power, not even in the civil war. If he had, he might have leveled Atlantis himself.”
Mr. Fitzgerald gasped. “He had that much power?”
“Perhaps more, my child. When humans remember the Titans, it is Cronus that they recall. A giant to all around him, with a power out of legend. And yet, noble of heart and just of spirit. This child could not be his heir. He could not contain that kind of power.”
“But you saw him, my lady.”
She hesitated. “I did. And the test cannot be in error. DNA cannot be altered to trick us. But how this could happen...”
“We must give this some thought,” the harsh voice spoke again. “If he is some sort of aberration, then he must be terminated, before he can tap into his powers.”
“What?” Mr. Fitzgerald stared into the darkness, his face suddenly pale. “We cannot do that! We cannot kill a Titan!”
“No, we cannot,” said the female. “Our colleague misspoke himself, Alexander.” Her voice hardened. “There can be no talk of termination. Let us be clear on that point.”
“Yes. Of course.” The voice from the depths of the room sounded almost embarrassed. “Forgive me. I was startled. Certainly we cannot harm the child.” Mr. Fitzgerald continued to peer into the gloom with a look of suspicion on his face. “Do you have any suggestions, Alexander?” the voice asked.
“Well, my lord, if he is what we think he is, then he must be watched. If he is educated properly, taught to tap into his powers gradually, then even if he is as strong as you think he might be, he could still be all right.”
“What sort of person is he, Alexander?” the female asked.
“It's hard to say at this point, my lady. I have not known him long enough to make a judgment. However, based on what my people have told me about him and his classmates, he is a good-tempered fellow. He seems to be forming close friendships. He isn't boastful or ill-mannered. More than that I cannot say at the moment.”
“Very well, continue to watch him. Get to know him if you can. I don't know that a noble spirit can be passed on genetically, but he may be more like his forefather than we think.”
“As you wish, councilors,” Mr. Fitzgerald said. He bowed slightly then turned around and left the room. The pillar sank back into the ground and the room was in total darkness once more.
Chapter 9
When they reached the courtyard, the four teens saw that nothing had really changed, except that none of the others were hanging around the fountain. Several Sentries were still patrolling the perimeter. One of the bronze animated statues stomped toward them slowly, then stopped as it got to within about ten feet.
This one looked like a winged horse. Pegasus, Justin thought. Cool. It stared at them with the same fiery red eyes that the minotaur had and it's wings flared up as if it were about to take flight.
The group just watched. Justin wondered what it was thinking, then wondered if it could think at all. After a moment, the wings smoothed back with a quiet metallic sound and the Sentinel moved on past them.
“I don't know if I'll ever get used to those things,” Gerry said quietly as he watched it pass.
“Same here, Gerry,” Norm said. “I'd like to know what they are really. Are they robots? Or what?”
Aaron just shrugged. “Maybe those of us who stay will be told eventually,” he said.
Justin looked at him and then at the other two guys. Aaron had reminded him about the decision that they all had to make. The game and the earlier events had driven it completely out of his mind.
“So, you guys decided to stay or go yet?” he asked, trying to sound casual.
Gerry and Norm looked at each other, then back at Justin. “We're still debating,” Gerry said. “I don't want to spend a year or more away from my folks, and Norm doesn't either.” Norm nodded at this. “But at the same time, if we go back and get caught or...” he hesitated a moment then rushed on “or killed, well, that won't help my family either. You know?”
“Yeah, good point,” Justin said. “I'm really worried about my Mom, but if I go back and die, she'll have no one. And” he managed a weak grin, “I don't actually want to die anyway.”
Aaron ran his hands through his hair and sighed loudly. “Actually it's not a hard choice for me at all.” They all looked at him and he lifted his chin as he looked back. “Well, it's not,” he said defiantly. “My Dad and I...don't get along too well. I mean, I love him and stuff but, you know. And I haven't seen my mother since she left us five years ago.” Then he looked around, glancing at the Sentries and then at the fountain. “But here...here I think I could get to like it. I could be somebody.” He shrugged. “I could learn stuff, have fun. You know?
” He looked directly at Justin who smiled back hesitantly.
“I understand, Aaron.” he said. “I really do. And I feel the same way. If there was just some way I could at least contact my Mom, let her know I'm safe. Then I think I could stay.” Justin paused for a moment. “Hey, I just thought of something!” he said. The others looked at him expectantly. “Mr. Fitzgerald never mentioned anything about being able to get in touch with our families, did he?” They shook their heads and Gerry suddenly looked interested. “Well, maybe we can! I think we should ask him, at least.”
“Excellent idea, Justin,” Gerry said with a grin. Then he frowned. “I wonder where he could be? You think he has an office?”
“Someone that important always has an office,” Norm said with certainty. “The question is, where is it?”
“We'll just ask one of the adults,” Justin said. “Let's head back to our rooms. There's always someone on duty there.”
They all agreed and retraced their steps back to the teen's living area. As they approached the intersection that led to the boys and girls quarters, they could see Jonathon standing there, looking slightly bored and staring into space. He noticed them approaching and nodded.
“Gentlemen, what's the rush?”
Justin realized they had been almost running as they got back and stopped, feeling rather breathless.
“Hi Jonathon,” he said. He paused a moment to catch his breath, then continued. “We wanted to ask Mr. Fitzgerald a question. Do you know where he is at the moment?”
The young man thought for a second. “I'd say he's probably in his office at this time of day,” he said.
“See, told you so,” Norm muttered to Gerry, who shushed him.
Jonathon looked a bit puzzled at the exchange but continued on. “You may not have noticed yesterday, but there are several doors leading off of the Court. Just head in and take the one furthest from the entrance on the right hand side. His office is the last one in that corridor.”
The boys thanked him and hurried off.
When they arrived at the Court, they found the room very much as it was the night before. This time though they noticed some doors leading from the room and made their way across to the door leading to Mr. Fitzgerald's office. The hallway that they entered was quiet. And it was different from any of the other hallways they had seen so far in Sanctuary.
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