Atticus & The Blade King

by M K Drake

  “And the closest we have seen in translations from the scrolls is that sword is giant in size.” Safaya points to a page in the book that Joyce is now holding.

  “I’m here Atticus!”

  Atticus turns to look behind him, trying to locate where the voice came from. “Did any of you hear that?”

  The other Majjai look at Atticus quizzically.

  “We heard nothing brother,” Khan replies with a concerned tone. “Are you feeling okay?”

  “I’m fine. But,” Atticus pauses for a moment, wondering if he should or should not reveal the fact that he has been hearing voices around the Manor for some time now. He has felt a connection to the Manor for a few years, a bonding of sorts, but only recently has he begun to hear these voices. He also knows he can’t keep secrets from his team, one he regards as family. “Well, I think the Manor has been speaking to me.”

  Ju Long bursts out laughing, not giving anyone else a chance to react to Atticus’s statement. “First signs buddy! Ha. Quick, call the white jacket people!”

  Olof gives Ju Long a short, sharp slap to the back of his head. “I’ve not had to do that for some time now. I think I missed it.”

  Ju Long rubs the back of his skull and scowls at Olof.

  Atticus smiles and looks at Ju Long. “I don’t know what is going on. But it is almost like the swords are trying to connect. It’s stronger here. In the courtyard.”

  “You think the sword might be here?” Joyce asks tentatively.

  Atticus shrugs. “Maybe, I don’t know.”

  They all sit down on the ledge of the large statue in the central courtyard, looking outwards. All in deep thought, trying to ascertain where the sword could be.

  As usual, Ju Long bores quickly, and paces back and forth before looking back towards the central courtyard and craning his neck high. He stares, squinting his eyes, then says. “Uhm, guys?”

  “Yes Ju Long?” the others reply collectively.

  “Isn’t that made of stone?” Ju Long raises an arm to point to the large structure in the central courtyard, a carved portrayal of a giant shield, accompanied by an equally giant sword... made of stone.

  The Scrolls of Kazmagus: Catalogue Translation ID 305.21: The Remnant’s Curse

  If ever there was an imbalance of power, we have surmised that there would be a sickness of some form. Conjured by the source, the Remnant. It is the entity’s failsafe, in case the rate of power consumed is too great.

  It’s impossible to ascertain how this could be triggered. But some of the scholars believe an imbalance could occur if a great energy returns to supplement the current array of Majjai power already in existence.

  If the scale tips too far, it is thought that a sickness would become one of the penalties. It would be a warning at first, but if powers continue to grow, if the scales tip too far to one side, then death will come. It will be unstoppable until a balance is returned.

  There is perhaps another way, something in the notes left behind by Alfatun. But surely that would be impossible, unthinkable.

  No, we must ensure the balance remains, and any attempt to force the scales either way is stopped. The risk is too great. It would be a greater threat than the army of Wraiths and Banshees currently trying to invade our lands. Their leader, Aibel, is angry. One elder who encountered her said she has had enough of the Majjai, and she wants nothing but our end.

  Alas, if she has her way, it would be the end for them as well, because of the scales.

  Whoever designed these checks and balances, they may have performed a favour, as our experienced numbers are too low to fend off such a threat. Aibel must be aware, and I think she will wait until the threat of sickness is over before she strikes.

  It is unfortunate that the paths of Wraith and Majjai cross, but when we both deal in death on opposite sides, such encounters are inevitable. Most of the time, Majjai are unaware they have encountered one, or killed one. Our battles are too fierce, and too intense to be aware of such things. These beings should just wait until we are done before encroaching. But it appears that they hunger for souls, and are desperate to please whichever harbinger they serve. And then we are to blame.

  Still, we must be careful. The sickness, if it comes, could be the end of us.

  Chapter 26

  The Blade King

  Atticus super speeds back to the Manor, with Joyce beside him. The statue of the sword and shield has been there as part of Wysardian Manor from the beginning, how did they miss it? The third sword of power, right in front of them all these years. And it wasn’t exactly hiding. He remembers one thing Mage Callan used to tell him, that sometimes, the best place to hide is in plain sight. Now it all makes sense, the sword made of stone, the fact it can’t be held by normal hands. But how could it be used to battle Razakel?

  Atticus ponders these questions, but doesn’t have much time to do so as they soon reach the Tomb of Kazmagus where Elric and the professors still sit. They are all looking quite sombre, and Atticus senses they have also had the news about the death from the yellow sickness.

  “I think we have found it!” Atticus blurts out. “The third sword. In the courtyard!”

  Elric jumps to his feet. “Of course! How could we have been so blind?”

  He turns to Professor Sprocking. “We need the Sword of Al Amir. Meet us in the courtyard. We truly do not have much time, we must not lose another to this sickness!”

  The Professor heeds Elric’s words and goes to retrieve the blade.

  Atticus walks with Elric, who seems to be much more sprightly since he has taken the potion he received from Mage Avipaul, it appears to be working well. His thoughts then switch to Mage Callan. Could they be close? Could they finally have the tools to take on Loki? Can the Blade King cure this yellow sickness? Atticus then realizes they will also need the Sword of Ages, which he left in his chest in the Majjai training room.

  “Ah, great. I need to get my blade. I’ll meet you guys in the courtyard too.”

  “Okay Atticus,” Elric replies. “Go quickly. The faster we combine the swords, the sooner we can hopefully free Alfatun.”

  “Alfatun?” Joyce asks, confused.

  “Indeed, that is the Blade King’s first name. We discovered it in one of the scrolls,” Elric smiles, glad he has some new knowledge to share, rather than the others detailing discoveries to the younger Majjai. “Perhaps he can tell us the rest of it when we find him!”

  Atticus senses the happiness, and decides not to reveal that he already knew this name. He leaves Joyce and Elric to their conversation, eager to get to the Majjai training room. He speeds there as fast as he can, noticing in passing that Pavel and Colin are still on the grounds, tweaking another device with King Ismail listening attentively, trying to soak in what must be very strange technology to him. He smiles as he realises how many worlds are already coming together, even without the Scrolls of the Pharaoh that Razakel currently has in his possession.

  Atticus recalls the battle against the Horseman, and then with Death. The Apocalypse was almost triggered that day, but they managed to turn Vengeance, the Horseman that was forgotten to time and scripture, banished by his brothers. An enemy who is now an ally—but by converting this eternal being to their side, they angered another; Atticus sometimes wonders if that will ever come back to haunt them. So far, he is glad that it hasn’t.

  He soon reaches the training room and opens the chest, grabbing the Sword of Ages and attaching the scabbard holding it to his belt. He grasps the hilt tightly, but as he does so, his hand begins to tingle. He looks down and sees a blue light encasing his hand, then swiftly flow all over him.

  “Atticus!”

  A strange whisper sings sharply through his ears. “Who are you? What do you want?”

  “We are bonded. I’m all around you. We co-exist. But, I’m stuck in this form.”

  “What do you mean? What form?” Atticus quizzes.

  “I’m all around you. I live! You know this. But, the staff. You
must... find... the staff!” the voices hisses, almost to the point of hurting Atticus’s ear drums.

  The young Majjai raises his hands to cover his ears, trying to protect them from the noise. “What staff? The Staff of Mages?”

  “Yesssss.”

  “Why?”

  “Enough. Can’t bond any... more...”

  As quickly as the voice came, it disappears, and the blue light with it.

  Atticus shakes his head, trying to regain his focus, rubbing his ears at the same time. The voice, this strange connection, it gets stronger. And this was the most intrusive it has ever been. It has only ever happened when he is in close proximity to both the Manor and the Sword of Ages. Atticus knows this is another puzzle he needs to solve, but right now, right this minute, he needs to get the Sword of Ages to the others in the courtyard. He can deal with this later. He checks himself and then speeds out to the shield and sword stature as fast as he can.

  “There you are!” Joyce says hurriedly. “What took you so long?”

  Atticus shakes his head. “I’ll tell you later, let’s get this done first.”

  Professor Sprocking unsheathes the Sword of Al Amir and points it outwards. “So, what are supposed to do?”

  “I guess we put them all together.” says Ju Long.

  Atticus nods and unsheathes the Sword of Ages as well, before taking the Sword of Al Amir and levitating himself upwards to the Great Stone Sword. He looks over to Professor Sprocking who gives him a count down.

  “On three. One... Two... Three!”

  As the blades combine, a massive flash of light blasts outwards, knocking all of the Majjai and General Crawford to the ground. Spitfire holds his balance and catches Ju Long and Olof before they fall, as the rest slowly get up and dust themselves down.

  Atticus looks up and notices the same ghostly apparition that he and Khan saw on the Dark Majjai’s island. It drifts toward them, solidifying its shape as it lands on the stonework in front of the statue. The figure stands proud and tall, despite wearing what looks like tatty, battle worn clothes. The being lets out a massive relaxing sigh before opening his eyes and looking around him. “Alfatun? The Blade King?” Atticus asks tentatively.

  The Blade King does not answer right away, he flexes his muscles, taking in the air. He stares upwards as a plane flies overhead, cocking one ear in the air, as if he is listening, to everything. “This world, it has changed much. This language, very, different.”

  “Well, it’s probably been a few thousand years since you saw anyone buddy!” Ju Long blurts out, but is stopped quickly by Pali before he can say anything else.

  Alfatun steps forward and stands in front of Elric. “You. I know you. You are Elric Griffin. The wizard told me I would meet you one day. He speaks highly of you, does Myrddin.”

  Atticus waits patiently for the Blade King to acclimatise himself, he knows this must be confusing for him. His time was very different than where he now finds himself. He also recalls how Kazmagus was when he escaped the Void. So knows to approach this situation with caution.

  The Blade King strokes his forehead, squinting, trying to concentrate, as if he is sensing the world around him. “The yellow sickness. Kazmagus, the fool, he should have known this would happen. He creates imbalance, his recklessness has not changed.”

  Turning away from Elric, Alfatun studies the others, looking each individual up and down, right up until he gets to Atticus. When he reaches him, he stops and stares, looking deeply into the young Majjai’s eyes. Then his own eyes widen, excitedly as a large smile breaks through on his stern face.

  “It is you. Proteus. You live!”

  The Majjai Journals:

  Where did that blast from the past come from? I had forgotten all about that boy, the one we caught stealing, can’t quite remember his name though, David, Darren... definitely began with a ‘D’.

  There aren’t many Majjai with Speed abilities, myself, this thief, and Atticus are the only ones I have met personally. I’ve heard of a few at some of the American Majjai schools, but not in any of the other ones around the globe.

  Mum was worried when I first gave chase, but I think it was good that it happened. They learned to let go, my parents. It proved I was ready. I think it was that incident that caused them to seek out Elric, and Wysardian Manor.

  I still find it amazing that my mum had no idea of Joseph being tricked by her doppelganger, when we were looking for the Scrolls! That was such a close shave for all of us, especially Atticus. If he had lost his dad that day, I have no idea if he would have recovered.

  I do wish he would stop taunting the Reaper! Yes, we won that battle, but it was more chance than anything else, without Kazmagus fending off Vengeance, I do not think we would be here to talk about it.

  I need to be there for him more than ever, I can feel his confusion, the hurt, the feeling of betrayal. He thinks ill of the Professors, and even Elric. But what they are doing, what they are hiding... there must be good reason, right? Even if we have pieced together some of it, we are still kept in the dark for most of it.

  Maybe this Blade King can help. Maybe he is the key to all of this. Or maybe he will be another problem we need to deal with.

  The old ways are not always the right ways. Kazmagus has exiled himself to re-align what he knows with what now is. He has taken himself off the table completely.

  I’m worried about the other one, this Al Amir. If the three are all equally unhinged, then maybe we should stop at two.

  I do hope we end this war soon. Safaya and Pali definitely just want to spend some time away from this. I think we all deserve a day away, actually make that a whole week! Mum mentioned this great spa. We might take Olof with us—his hair could do with some treatment!

  It would also just give us some time to unwind. It’s been intense for so long! It’s also getting a little boring beating the boys in training all the time. Ju Long actively runs off the combat mats rather than face us! It’s hilarious. Khan and Atticus tend to train together most of the time now; I think they’ve learned not to trifle with us lightning ladies!

  Joyce Sparks

  Chapter 27

  Razakel’s Request

  Alvarez skulks in the shadows of Loki’s vast and luxurious cavern. It is adorned with many gold ornaments, lavish in not only the materials used to decorate them, but also in their designs. Alvarez finds it all distasteful as he grasps the collector vial within in his robes. This tiny container, it holds so much power for his master. The essence of Razakel’s aged legacy, powers torn from Kazmagus and from the Horseman, Vengeance, as they tainted themselves with this evil source of magic. Kazmagus may have been an unwilling recipient, being infected by it in the Void, but the Horseman knew exactly what he was doing.

  However, the collector has done even more, the bonding of Kazmagus and the Horseman with Razakel’s energy has made this vial quite possibly one of the most powerful concoctions he has ever known. He knows the possibility of this thing giving Razakel not only his energy from his past, but thinks perhaps it has also blended with Kazmagus and Vengeance enough to make him more powerful than all of them put together. He is tempted for a moment, to try a taste of it himself, but stops short, fearing the might of it would destroy him if he cannot contain it. But, what… if…

  Alvarez is distracted from these thoughts as he spies Shadow Wolf becoming agitated, the poor beast must be bored being confined in this space. Alvarez knows that his comrade is also not one for such a pompous stage, he just wants to kill, and kill again. This human, turned and transformed into this demonic beast, has an appetite for blood at levels so vast that even Alvarez is wary of letting him off the leash.

  In addition to the vial, Alvarez still has the Scrolls of the Pharaoh in his possession. Alvarez knows he must get these to his master as soon as possible. The longer they wait here, in this realm, the more time the Majjai have to find a way to stop them. This is another reason why he is agitated and frustrated with Loki. This alliance irks him
, and he senses the same from Razakel. But they need Loki’s portal magic to enact not only a return path to Skarvak, but also for their invasion. “You have kept my lord waiting long enough, Loki,” Alvarez says. “It would be wise to open a communication channel to him.”

  Loki smirks. “Ha! You master has waited this long for his invasion, a few more moments should not matter. But yes, I do need to inform him of something quite important.”

  Alvarez watches as the Norse god rises from his makeshift throne, holding a staff that is adorned as lavishly as their surroundings. Waving an arm, he creates a communications portal connecting to Razakel’s chamber in Skarvak. Alvarez smiles as he sees his master walk forward menacingly towards them.

  “Loki. You have kept me waiting.”

  “My dear boy, not for my wants, not my intention. I have been quite busy,” Loki smiles and twirls, acting the clown that he thinks he is, or at least hopes others do. “I’ve been looking into these Scrolls of yours. There is a problem.”

  Razakel scowls through the portal. “Tell me. I already grow impatient with your lethargy in providing me my portals as agreed. You would do well not to annoy me further.”

  Loki flicks his hand up nonchalantly, almost disrespectfully towards Razakel. “Yes yes. All in good time. First, I want the Staff of Mages. Then you can have your portals. In the meantime, you will need more than the Pharaoh’s scrolls. You also need the crystal that unlocks them.”

  “Crystal?” Razakel questions, raising the eyebrow-less skin above his left eye. “We know of no crystal,” he says, looking sternly towards Alvarez.

  Alvarez shrugs, indicating that he likewise knows of no crystal. “Are you playing more games, Loki?”

  “Ah! You Skarvakians, never trustworthy. Yes, the Horseman has protected the Scrolls of the Pharaoh. You need the crystal to release their power.” Loki smirks, enjoying the torment this information is causing Razakel.