Underground Ring: Book 1

by M. M. Reid

  He didn’t need to tell me what he meant. I knew it. Was Shin energy truly so dangerous?

  His powerful, rough hand suddenly clasped my face. A chill took hold of my body and my fingers were as cold as ice. It reminded me of Laucian’s touch. I could not find the strength to stop him.

  “It is and more.” Lokus read my mind with little to no effort. “Do you not remember anything I taught you?”

  I was released just as suddenly as I had been grabbed, stumbling back into my friends’ arms. My jaw throbbed from the force of his grip as my wobbly legs struggled to regain their footing. The Vitae Lord spun about callously and stormed back towards his home. An awkward silence took the group as we watched Lokus disappear from sight. I could see it now. The absolute terror of what has befallen our people. Laucian needed to pay for what he had taken from each of us. And if Lokus was too afraid to stand up to the demon…then I would.

  It didn’t take long for me to recover. Within a week, I was able to walk effortlessly. A month later, the bandages came off, with the scar on my chest the only physical reminder of my second battle with Laucian.

  It was frustratingly easy to mesh back into our original lives of training. It was like we had never left. Lokus picked up his lessons, ignoring what happened, and barely uttering more than one or two words to me directly. This made it difficult it for me to surmise anything further about the vision I had. I questioned the motivation of my teacher. Weren’t he and my father old friends? If so, why would he allow a demon like Laucian to murder him? Did he just want to take me under his wing as his own protégé? These questions became obsessions and it was clear a month later that I would get no further answers staying with Lokus. I was sure the old man wouldn’t allow me to simply leave. The mere mention of us going into town got us grilled with a hundred questions and an expected return time set by Lokus. To top it off, we were forbidden to fight the Shadows who seemed to get more and more aggressive as time went on. No, if I intended to go, I’d have to sneak or fight my way out. And I would need the support of my friends to do it.

  Frankly, Trosian and I had mastered all of the old man’s Vitae techniques and the physical challenges were becoming a joke. Trosian, though physically weaker than I, excelled as much as I did in the Vitae teachings and even more so in the intellectual classes. It was getting to be every lesson that Trosian would debate with Lokus about the minutiae of what we were learning that day. These tangents could go on for hours, with the rest of us slumped against our palms counting the seconds until we could finally leave. I could tell Trosian was becoming tired of the daily grind as much as I was. Ben and Lee seemed to care less about the entire situation. They did mention, however, that they secretly missed being “in the action.”

  It was shortly after I recovered that I decided to make my move. We had finished training only a few hours before, had showered, and were meeting up to lounge in the television room. Lokus had left for a food run a few hours before, and this would be the perfect opportunity for me to convince the others to come with me when the time was right.

  I stopped outside the door, using the moment to collect my thoughts. I could hear the dull echoes of Ben and Lee bickering about which show they wanted to watch. All the “what ifs” began to formulate in my mind like little text bubbles in a comic strip. The others could easily reject my plan and tell Lokus about it. This was difficult for me to accept because, as Lokus himself had drilled into my head, I needed them. There was no way I could fight this war alone and, besides that, my companions had replaced the only family I had lost years ago. Let’s hope they see it my way, I thought as I opened the door. My heart began beating rapidly.

  Ben and Lee were now standing in front of the very old television. Their bickering had turned into a full-blown verbal sparring match. Trosian silently sat off in the corner reading a book about biomechanics. The television could only get four channels and that was with good weather and a dash of good luck. Tonight was one of the only nights this month where the stars seemed to align and there was more than just static on the screen.

  Ben pressed a button below the screen. “Seriously dude, we watched your stupid show last month. It’s my freakin’ turn!”

  Lee quickly turned the channel back to a man mercilessly punching another man in the face. “So what? I got here first! You just wait till this show is done.”

  Ben crossed his arms smugly realizing something his opponent hadn’t. “Aren’t you forgetting something, Lee?”

  Lee looked down to his pants. Nope, still wearing those.

  “Something that might be essential before you begin watching?” Ben continued, his head flicking towards an empty glass on the table.

  Lee sighed as he realized his defeat. “You know I hate you, right?”

  “Don’t fall down the stairs on your way,” Ben called after Lee as he left. “God forbid you make me happy.”

  I sat down next to Ben as he casually sipped his drink through his favourite bendy straw.

  “Ah the spoils of victory, eh, Augrais?” Ben stated triumphantly, as the cartoon cat got squished by an anvil. Another character and Ben laughed simultaneously, and with the same high-pitched whoops.

  I quickly sat up and changed the channel once again. I was more in the mood for the two men battling it out, but instead a news report blipped on.

  “Asshole.” Ben glared at me.

  The newswoman was giving a report on a subject called “Exodus of Souls.” Her words were muffled by Lee’s entrance.

  “Aw, who let Augrais touch the TV?” Lee asked, knowing exactly what channel I would pick to watch.

  “I know, right?” Ben cried in agreement.

  “Shut it,” I said, leaning forward, listening to what voice of the civilians was saying.

  Experts are dazzled by the new sociological event some are calling the “Exodus of souls,” — the highest murder rate in known history that started with the Concordia Hospital massacre eighteen years ago.

  The television blipped over to a high-ranking enforcer.

  These people have no known motive towards their victims. Our current theory that these individuals committing these crimes are in some sort of underground cult.

  We sat there in silence as the reporter moved onto the country’s economy and nominations for the next mayor of the city. I silently hoped Selene and her Pagans were still managing to escape the wrath of the Shadows. A glow of fondness in my heart began to warm me and my attention returned to the conversation.

  “I heard from Lokus that she was trying to reunite the four back into the Underground Ring,” Trosian said.

  “It’s hard to imagine it’s still happening,” Ben said, his arms folded as he looked to us.

  “Yeah, I almost forgot that the war didn’t end,” Lee agreed.

  “So, why are we still here?” Trosian suddenly asked. “They are getting more and more aggressive, especially with Selene trying to remake the Underground Ring. If we don’t take the heat off, it won’t be long until—”

  “Until there are no allies left but us,” I chimed in, still recovering from the fact that it was Trosian and not I that had suggested this.

  “Why don’t we ask Lokus? Ask him to come with us so we don’t get knee deep in pissed-off Shadow again?” Ben urged reasonably.

  “What good will that accomplish?” I asked, now executing my well-rehearsed speech. “You’ve seen how angry he becomes when we even leave to go into the city.”

  “He’s trying to protect us,” Trosian went on. “He’s keeping us from this war so we won’t get hurt. But truthfully, it feels as if we are more of his personal guard than Mystic warriors. How could we expect to win a war we are not allowed to fight?”

  I could scarcely believe what I was hearing. Trosian and I never saw eye to eye on anything, but in this moment we were working together to convince the others. This could not have been better.

  “You heard Lokus last time,” Lee agreed. “It might be years before we can go back into battl
e again.”

  “What if it isn’t years?” I asked grimly.

  There was an anxious silence as Ben shifted uncomfortably. It was becoming apparent that he was the only one out of us who didn’t want to go. In his mind, we were all family and should stick together no matter what.

  “So what? We can’t just sneak out of here. You know he’ll figure it out. Just by you telling us the plan, he’ll Earth gift the crap out of Lee and I.”

  “We’ll try and convince him…then force our freedom if needed.”

  “Woah, woah! You mean fight Lokus?” Lee asked.

  “Or, you know, we can do the sensible thing and use our words,” Ben said, agitation apparent in his voice.

  “In Lokus’s house, Lokus rules,” Trosian stated calmly. “Any actions that go against his will are treacherous in his eyes. After all, he won’t even speak to Augrais after he revived Selene. Her life was a key factor in our victory, without it, the Pagans would have no will to fight.”

  I nodded to Trosian. This marked the first time anyone had even thanked me for risking my existence to save us all.

  “Let’s say it does come to blows,” Lee said. “None of us can even stand up to Lokus in a fight. Even together, we would be hard pressed to beat him.”

  Another silence. This was something else I hadn’t figured out. Though it was difficult for me to admit, Lokus was a Vitae Lord. Even with my advancement to Master, I had to agree with Lee.

  “As we are, you’re right, Lee.” Trosian said, a sly grin on his lips. “But do you remember the end of Augrais’s tests, how he drank a small bit of that red potion?”

  I strained to remember, even though I had been the one to undergo the horrible test. The only thing that came to mind was the horrible feeling of wanting to die, the wish to rip my own skin from my flesh. Taking this potion might be the key for me, but the others would be hard pressed to survive.

  “Oh yeah, the thing that made Augrais into a Master,” Lee mused. “So, we each divide into four parts and drink a bit of it?”

  “First things first,” I said, interjecting myself into the conversation. “How do we get it?”

  Trosian leaned in and put his hand out in front of him. “If we’re really going to do this, then we have to swear to it. There’s no turning back once I tell you this plan.”

  Trosian had been thinking of this for quite a while, I thought. I had no idea.

  I put my hand on top of his. “I’m in.”

  “Me too,” said Lee.

  Ben hesitated, staring at our hands. “I…don’t think I can do this, guys. This is Lokus, our teacher. We’re talking about abandoning him.”

  “Ben,” I said, “we have to do this. If we don’t, the entire world could be at Laucian’s mercy.”

  Ben put his hand forward slowly. “Just as long as you promise we’ll talk first before we take swings.”

  “You have my word,” I said.

  Chapter 15

  Today was the day that we would execute Trosian’s plan to steal the potion and defy Lokus. I stood where I normally would when I had to think: the tree where my father was buried. It was becoming vibrant with the coming spring season, soft green globes grew from the plant that was feeding on the corpse of my father. In a sense it was his energy that nurtured the growth of this tree and, thus, it was like he was standing here with me. At least, that’s what I’d tell myself.

  “Funny,” I said aloud. “I thought today would be easier.”

  Confusion rolled within me like shifting sands. Should we stay or go? Lokus, our teacher, had taught us how to survive in this unforgiving world. But it was that world that needed us now. I felt as though I was torn apart, the present and future pulling me one way, the past another.

  “What would you do, Father?” I whispered to him. “Should I stay with the man who taught me as much as you did? Or is it time for me to forge my own destiny?”

  The soft sway of the grass was my only response as the plants began to bow and weave to the melody of the wind. In that moment in time, I felt as I did in my vision: so close to my father and yet behind the sheet of ice, only able to peer into the depths below. All that was left of his memory was this pit, dark and deep, of regret. If I hadn’t been so weak, if I had gotten there sooner, you would be standing here with me right now. You would know what to do.

  “Why didn’t you warn me of this rotten world?” I spoke again, this time poisoned by my own inner demons. “I’ve done this best I can with the hand I have been dealt. You were the one who left me here in the cesspool without any guidance. I saw it. You could have escaped, called for help. Instead, instead you…”

  My emotions overtook me as the words ceased. It was all I could do to simply keep breathing, to just listen to the air slowly flowing in and out of my lungs, giving me life. It was in that moment that it came to me, like a bell ringing in the distance.

  ”What’s wrong, Augrais,” my father’s memory chided. “Afraid? Unwilling to do what is necessary for your freedom?”

  I gripped Balmung tightly as it was the only thing still connecting Father to this world. My father did the best he could to prepare me with the time he had. It was Lokus who failed. It was Lokus that decided not to teach me of Shin, the only weapon we had to even put a scratch on Laucian. It was Lokus who let my father die. I had to protect my friends. I was the one to defeat the Violet-Eyed Demon and save this world from his darkness. Me and me alone.

  “Augrais!” Ben called up from the mansion. The time had come.

  With a nod of thanks I turned to go and meet my destiny. And when I took my first stride, I murmured something I had heard long ago from a man far wiser than myself.

  “There is always hope. Always.”

  Our plan would take place ten minutes prior to our normal midweek lesson at noon. I had to hand it to Trosian, this plan was well thought out, engaging each of our strengths in a moment of perfect execution.

  Ben and I stood waiting outside the building looking up at the second floor hallway. The earlier bright, sunny day had become mildly dull, with clouds moving in from all directions, blotting out the otherwise perfect weather.

  “Do you really think this will work?” Ben asked, wringing his hands nervously.

  I kept my eyes locked on the hallway window for Trosian. It wouldn’t be long now. Lokus was always five minutes early to each session and it was only a few more seconds before he would conveniently meet Trosian in that hallway.

  “What if it’s not in there?” Ben’s voice was fast and mumbled.

  “Trosian is pretty sure that that’s where he would keep it. It’s the only door that locks from both sides. It has to be up there. Regardless, we planned for this,” I said, straining not to sound annoyed. “Lee will already be working on the door from the other side, all you need to do is get out.”

  “But what if he catches me?” Ben ran his hands through his hair rapidly.

  I placed my hands firmly upon my friend’s shoulders. “Hey, don’t worry about it,” I said with a smile. “Even if he catches you, I’ll be there in a second to back you up. Just do me a favour and keep your mind shielded from the Earth gift like we practiced, or else we will get caught.” I laughed.

  Ben grinned nervously and nodded.

  I looked back to the window. The timing was so essential here. Trosian could only stall Lokus for about five minutes before he would wonder where the rest of us were. Considering the old man was so overprotective lately, it might even be sooner.

  Incoming, Trosian’s Earth gift rang in my mind. I saw the figure of the old man gliding down the hall, hopefully unaware of our presence below. Right on cue, Trosian appeared from the door of the classroom, waving and calling audibly to our teacher to help him with an idea that he has been working on for a while. Lokus took the bait and entered the classroom. As the door shut, I could see Lee sprinting down the hall. The time was now.

  “Let’s go, Ben!” I squatted and clasped my hands so he could step into them.


  “For the record,” my companion said as he stepped into my hands, “I never agreed to be a human catapult.”

  “Everyone has a part to play,” I said, snickering as I enveloped myself in Fire and Vitae.

  “I keep telling myself that,” Ben responded bitterly as he stepped into my hands.

  Like an arrow, Ben flew upwards and caught onto the small ledge outside of the second level of the house. The sound of wood splintering cracked in the air, but the ledge held as he gently climbed up and then slowly opened the window just wide enough for him to wriggle inside.

  Well, I thought as I dusted off my hands, that ends my part.

  “Crap,” I said soon after, as the classroom door opened and Trosian barred the frustrated Lokus from exiting.

  Augrais, get up here. Now. Trosian ordered telepathically as the plan began to fall apart before our eyes.

  I was already moving before the message arrived, the grass becoming a green blur underneath me. If Lokus sees Lee unlocking the door, I thought as I slid around the corner and began sprinting for the front door, our plan will be ruined. I reached the front door, a trail cloud of dust in my wake. With all my strength, I yanked hard at the wooden door which came off its hinges with a crack.

  Come on, Augrais, I thought as I awkwardly leaned the broken door against the nearby wall, get it together!

  Hurry up! Trosian thought again.

  I rocketed up the stairs, probably only touching every fifth step. The walls and stairs below began to blur as I urged all my Vitae into my legs as I veered around the corner to the hallway where the classroom was. Please don’t be… I managed to think before smacking dead on into Lokus. The spry old man was ever vigilant, spinning around me and smashing me into the concrete wall.

  “You’re in quite a hurry,” Lokus said, as he peered at me suspiciously. “Where were you going?”