Atticus & The Blade King

by M K Drake

  This gets harder every day. Losing so much, and gaining barely anything. Yes, we found the Blade King, but I would swap that in an instant for Mage Callan to be back with us!

  We are about to journey to fight a god, one who has already beaten us several times, and I do not know how we will find a way. The others know it, too, they are too pious almost, they will not question me. I need them to.

  At least Khan offers me words of advice, and will question my actions. He is my check and balance. Like when we battled that coven of dark witches, protected by wraiths. My way would have been too risky, and while the others would have followed my lead, he stopped me. I don’t think he will ever know how much I appreciate him being around. Or maybe he does, he is just too humble to say anything.

  I caught him going through my natural history books the other day, I believe he wanted to study something I like so he could strike up more conversation as a method to anchor more advice. The look on his face when he caught glimpse of an illustration of a Tyrannosaurus Rex chomping on some Brontosaurus hide was hilarious.

  “Atticus, brother! We should talk about the types of books you read. Are you okay?”

  I laughed so hard.

  I’m so worried about him right now, he is not getting better. I can sense the pain inside him, but he is too damn proud to sit this out. I would order him to stay back, but he would not listen. Especially with Safaya coming along.

  But, I understand that. I know Joyce can look after herself, heck, she and Ju Long are probably the most skilled fighters of all of us. Herensugue is witness to that, twice! However, I still find myself making sure she is okay in the corner of my eye. No doubt she is doing the same!

  And yet, with all this power, all this skill with me, beside me, fighting with me, I’m still lost. Do we have enough, with the Soul Swords? Will they generate enough for us, in time?

  My Sword still has not manifested fully, the Sword of Ages alone is powerful enough I feel, but with the energies released by the Blade King…? Who knows what we could do?

  Alfatun is strange, and he is hiding something. This is certain. This Meerab he told me about, he was not completely clear about his end. I need to ask him more questions. But where do I find the time? Everything has been a rollercoaster since we lost the Scrolls of the Pharaoh! Thank goodness Razakel is unable to activate them without the crystal, or me. And there is no way in hell he is going to get me to do anything for him. I will fight him with everything I have.

  He is already so strong, but I will find a way. We have to come up with a plan to allow for the Horseman and his brothers to somehow help us, too. Alfatun looks like he will help us, and maybe he can persuade Kazmagus, if he can find him!

  What Alfatun put me through in his trials, still hurts me, haunts me. I can still hear the Remnant’s voice. Like it is trying to shout through a mirror, its voice bouncing back at it. It is angry, and scared. What could possibly cause an entity that powerful to be scared?

  I need to find out what this big mistake is, I’m sure it is related, all of it. These old Majjai, these Old Gods, they think everything is a playground, and rarely show remorse.

  Something Loki said before, about what Kazmagus has done, that he is not really the hero we think he is…, he almost painted him like a tyrant. Do we want a tyrant, especially one with as much power as he has, roaming around our realm?

  There are still so many questions. I need answers. We need to go through the book Hel gave us. The Sparks of Hel are important, and we need to find them.

  Elric said he will keep the Partaabs safe, if they work like I think they will, then maybe we have a plan after all. There are five of them, these orb’s of projection. Their full name is Gooyeh Partaab. We do not know enough about them, but the largest was used to capture my magical energies when I was young, and released accidentally when Professor Sprocking was first explaining this Majjai world to me. That feels like such a long time ago now. Now it seems these orbs are going to be key to defeating Razakel.

  We will get one chance, we can’t fail. But right now, we need to go and catch us a Trickster.

  Atticus Jones

  Chapter 39

  Inquisition

  Atticus tries to phase through the walls, not observing what is around him, not caring. He knows he needs to get to the centre, get to Loki, take him to Hel, and save Mage Callan. One end goal. It all sounds so simple when he lists things, he thinks, but each task is an adventure in itself, and none of them easy. Atticus considers the possibilities, the probable outcomes from each action going forward, scrubbing out every one that comes up with failure. If even one Majjai dies, or is at risk of death, he rejects that path.

  After about the tenth attempt at phasing through fails, Atticus stops, takes his breath and looks around, sparking up a pair of fireballs that he throws to his sides to light up the corridor where he is standing, before guiding them through the maze corridor.

  The balls of flame seem to go on forever, before they finally disappear from sight, but not for long. Atticus hears them returning, and looks to his left and his right as the fireballs rush back at him. He rolls out of the way just in time, as they crash and explode, sending a large pressure wave through the cavern.

  “How on Earth did that happen?” Atticus mutters. He thinks for a moment as he stands back up, dusting his robe and jeans down. Looking up, he wonders... “What if...” he launches one fireball this time, and steps back, waiting. He watches as it disappears from view, only to return from the other direction. He waits for it to run out of energy before walking down the corridor himself. After several minutes he returns to the same spot, marked by the explosion from the first pair of fireballs.

  He goes around again, much more slowly this time, examining the inner wall for any signs of entry, any cracks, anything out of the ordinary. He concentrates so hard that he does not notice the gust of wind behind him, followed by a soft glow of white light.

  “Atticus!”

  The young Majjai turns swiftly, startled. “Mum?” he asks cautiously. “Is that... you?”

  The ghostly apparition of Sophia nods, smiling softly at Atticus. “Yes, how are you? I’ve missed you so much.”

  Atticus runs to hug Sophia, but cannot; he grasps only air, as the mist of the ghostly figure momentarily becomes disturbed before reforming.

  “Sorry,” Sophia says. “This form is weak, it’s hard to stay here.”

  “But how is this possible?” Atticus asks, confused. “I thought there are rules about this? Dad told me he saw you after Marcellus returned.”

  “Marcellus is the one who is making this possible. How is Joseph? I hope he is making you pancakes?”

  Atticus laughs. “Ha! He tries... he misses you, too. I still hear him cry at night sometimes.”

  Sophia’s smile fades as she looks away for a second, she closes her eyes and wipes away a tiny tear. “What about you? How are you doing?”

  Atticus pauses, he thinks back, all the way back, to the night Sophia’s life was taken by Razakel and realises, he hasn’t shed many tears. “I’ve not had much time to cry.”

  “Oh, my dear boy, you are growing up far too quickly. I know you didn’t ask for any of this. I wish I could be there with you, with Joseph. But right now, I have to tell you something. Loki has... ha… haha… haaaa… haa!”

  Atticus wonders what is happening. “Mum! Are you okay?”

  Sophia’s apparition changes, it twists, becoming deformed, and begins to scream, mocking Atticus. “Muuummmm! Mummm!! Mum mum mum!” the ghostly figure cackles and shrieks. “Are you okay? Are you? Haaaaa!”

  Atticus realises this was all a cruel ruse, this was not the woman who raised him, it was something else. “What are you?”

  “I am your end Atticus! My name is Aibel, queen of Wraiths, ruler of the Banshee,” the ghostly entity transforms into a broken figure, hunched and crooked, with bone-cracked wings, creaking as she floats upwards.

  Atticus instinctively knows what comes next and
covers his ears as Aibel lets out a terrifying cry. He holds on and falls to the ground; he can feel the blood pouring from his ears, dripping through his fingers. He clasps tighter, hoping to drive out the sound.

  Aibel stops her attack, floats back down and walks over to Atticus. “This was almost too easy. Humanity does not stand a chance if you are supposed to be their saviour. Loki did say the form of the other human would distract you enough.”

  Atticus gasps, his vision is so blurred he can barely even make out the ground. He has encountered banshees before, but this one is stronger than any of those. “He will betray you, just like he does everyone else.”

  Aibel cackles again. “Fool! Ha! This was my prize; your kind have killed many of my daughters. Precious things, merely carrying out their roles in this existence. Their purpose was simply to help souls cross over... a pre-warning before the ruler of all death, before his scythe falls on their soul. And you, without understanding, without mercy... take their lives?”

  Atticus tries to stand, propping himself up against the cave wall. “We only ever defended ourselves. Your daughters were trying to kill us!”

  Aibel snarls and hisses at Atticus. “Out of fear! For they knew you and your kind give no quarter, you do not listen, you only fight, and destroy... you have become that which you call your enemy. Murderers!”

  “This isn’t what we...”

  “Isn’t what we! Mum mum mum! Haaaaaa ha ha ha haahaaha!” Aibel screams again, forcing Atticus back to the ground once more, blasting a continuous wave of sound upon him.

  Atticus can feel her power, the pressure is beginning to crack his bones, he can feel his ribs beginning to cave in on himself, he closes his eyes tightly, trying to drive out the pain, when he senses his sword. He painfully inches his fingers down to it, then clasps it tightly. The moment he makes contact, a massive wave of blue energy pulsates outwards, forcing Aibel back, and throwing her against the wall.

  Atticus can feel the energy from the sword heal his body, he stands tall and stares down Aibel. “You used the memory of my mother against me. You shouldn’t have done that...”

  Aibel stands and laughs. “Oh Atticus, there is so much more that I can do...”

  Atticus watches as Aibel turns back Sophia’s form. He tries to attack again, but Aibel appears to have thrown up a force field this time, blocking his way. Then he hears another voice, one he knows all too well.

  “Sophia! Sophia! Is that you?”

  “Joseph! Joseph! I’m here! Come quick, I’m stuck!”

  Atticus bangs his fist hard against the force field, trying to break through, but he can’t, he tries a fireball, but it just fizzes and dissipates across its surface. He shouts, but can’t be heard, and then he sees Joseph, he tries to scream once more. “Dad! No! Run away! It’s a trap!”

  But Joseph can’t see him, as he steps closer to Aibel in disguise.

  “Oh Sophia! It is you! But, how? How are you here?”

  Aibel hovers down, and moves towards Joseph. “Marcellus built this place so we can be together. It was his thanks to you, for being his friend.”

  Joseph smiles. “I wondered what was going on. Atticus is off on one of those adventures again, and I was at home making dinner when suddenly, I get pulled into this vortex, and then... then I heard you.”

  Aibel turns, encouraging Joseph to keep his back to Atticus, so she can face him. She holds Joseph and while he is unable to see, changes her face back to her normal state, and grins at Atticus. Her hand morphs into a giant spike, and she blows Atticus a kiss, as her arm starts to swing downward...

  “No! Don’t you dare harm him! I will never rest until I find you!” Atticus screams, but Joseph still can’t hear him.

  Atticus has to think quickly. Phasing didn’t work on the walls, but, maybe it will work on the force field. He works fast, using his speed ability along with the phasing and runs towards the force field.

  Aibel watches in horror as she realises what Atticus is doing, she swings her arm faster, but it is too late.

  Atticus slices her arm away, and pulls Joseph free. Swinging back around, he uses the sword to pin back Aibel with her shoulder, injuring her, but not killing her. “You have a choice. Leave, and live free. Or continue to fight me and die.”

  Joseph looks on confused. “What is going on, oh my! How dare you desecrate Sophia’s memory!”

  Atticus holds his free hand back. “It’s okay dad, it’s not Mum. And this creature… she had... reasons to hate,” Atticus thinks back to all the things he has learned recently about the actions of Majjai throughout history, killing without thinking, never asking questions, all in the name of what they think is good.

  He turns back to Aibel. “Things need to change. A bigger threat is coming. Razakel will not let any of this realm survive, I know this. I’ve seen his mind, we do not have time to fight. I don’t want to kill you, I want to free you.”

  Aibel looks at Atticus, her foreboding stare slips away, and she sees Atticus with a different gaze. “Interesting, Atticus...,” she says, shifting from Sophia’s form back to her own. “You are not what I was expecting. You have grown. Atticus the conquering bloodthirsty demon killer you are no longer. Perhaps, there is hope for the realm of Earth after all.”

  Atticus releases Aibel and holds out his hand to help her, he stands ready, just in case she is playing another game, but he is pleased when she accepts.

  Atticus helps her stand and heals her wounds. He watches as she turns, and gives an appreciative nod. “Cover your ears,” she says as she turns to a section of the inner wall. Aibel lets out another almighty shriek, piercing a way through. “You should be able to...”

  Before Aibel can finish her sentence, two tentacles of green light storm through the ceiling of the cavern and pull both her and Joseph away.

  Atticus tries to hold onto Joseph, but it is too late, the opening closes fast and hard between them.

  Atticus shields himself from some of the collapsing debris from the closure. He dusts himself down and turns towards the passage Aibel just created, and from it, he can see a soft, deep green light glowing through.

  Chapter 40

  To Kill a God

  Atticus steps through the doorway, walking along the emerald green path set before him. Everything else is black; a dark, empty void surrounds him, with only the walkway being the single evidence of any solid ground.

  He follows it carefully, looking from one side to the other, when suddenly five other paths appear, all leading to a central point in the middle, where a large door has appeared.

  It doesn’t take long for Atticus to see the other Majjai Six walking along their own pathways. Ju Long attempts to wave but almost loses his balance, flapping his arms to make himself more steady.

  Atticus notices his expression, it is not as happy as it usually is. He then looks around at the others, and all seem sullen, sad, or thoughtful. The trials of the maze have certainly taken a toll. But they are all here, this is a feat in itself, and Atticus is glad that, at the very least, they are all safe. He points to the door, and meets the others in the middle.

  “Do we knock?” asks Ju Long.

  “Why not,” Olof replies as he holds his new hammer and smashes it against the large door.

  The hammer bounces off it and rebounds into the void. But instead of disappearing, it rematerializes by Olof’s side.

  “Neat!” Ju Long exclaims. “I want a go at that later!”

  Before Olof can decline, the giant door creaks open.

  “I heard you, now please enter.”

  The Majjai recognise Loki’s voice.

  Atticus walks through first with the others following closely.

  The others all cluster behind Atticus as the door closes and vanishes behind them. The room is dark, save for a few tiny torches on the far wall. Atticus peers through the gloom and is able to make out a chair-like silhouette at the centre of the room.

  “I hope you all enjoyed your journeys here? To be honest, I d
idn’t think you would all make it.”

  Atticus strains to see where the voice is coming from, when he sees an arm rise from the chair, and then a snapping sound, reminiscent of someone clipping their thumb and fingers. As the echoing fades away, a beam of light shines down upon Loki.

  He is sitting in the chair, staring at the Majjai, the pillar of light surrounding him as he smiles. “You know, you have all impressed me during this journey. Now, I should attempt to enlighten you all a bit more.”

  “We do not need to hear anything else you have to say, Loki. You could just save us all a lot of bother and just come with us. Your daughter wants you dead. We’d rather deliver you alive!” Atticus shouts out, trying to ensure the vast distance between themselves and the Norse god is not an obstacle to his warning.

  “Oh Proteus. Silly boy. Still, you do not realise your place in this game. I can smell the stench of the Remnant on you, and even with all the knowledge you have gained... you continue to be blinded,” Loki stands and begins to pace, the pillar of light following his every step. “You see Atticus, the Remnant made a mistake. Unthinkable for an entity with limitless power, I know, but alas, it was tricked. You are the answer for his mistake. It is trying to rebalance things.”

  “I’m not tied to the Remnant anymore,” Atticus says. “The Majjai are now free from that link. The Blade King saw to that.” Atticus is trying to not only pay attention to Loki, but to also be aware of any surprises. He knows that this being is clever, and has probably planned for almost all contingencies. He nods towards Khan, Joyce and Ju Long; the trio immediately begin to fan out, treading carefully, scoping the surroundings.

  Loki laughs, as he watches the three of them move outwards. “Yes, by all means, have a looksee. It shall give me a little more time to talk... Atticus, you talk of Alfatun as if he is a hero, a saviour. He has his own motives, along with your beloved—or hated... depending on who you are—Kazmagus. They made a mistake, and you are all paying for that mistake. But worse still, so is everyone and everything else. All I’m doing is trying to survive.”