by N M Thorn
“There are quite a few things we can teach you here, too,” said Uri. “You’re so young, Zane, and so new to the world of magic, that any of us here easily can be your mentor. You know that out of the four of us, Aidan is the youngest.”
Holy shit! They all have more than two thousand years behind their backs, thought Gunz. He swallowed hard, for the first time in his adult life feeling like an insignificant little boy. For some reason neither Kal nor the Ancient Master of Power made him feel like this, even though they were a lot older than him.
“We also can teach you the kind of martial arts that no mundane can practice,” offered Angel. He got up to his feet and made a few spin kicks, twisting his body in the air one time too many to look natural, obviously using his magic to achieve the desired effect. “The divine school of martial arts. Interested?”
“A lively bunch for a geriatric ward, aren’t yah?” said Gunz snickering and had to jump to the side to avoid Angel’s roundhouse. He raised his hands up laughing, asking Angel to stop. “You all are making me feel like I’m a newborn. And I would love to learn anything you can teach me, but first, I need to talk to my mentor. Only Kal can teach me how to be the Fire Salamander. I’ll be back as soon as I can, if that’s okay with all of you.”
“That’s fine,” said Aidan. “Come back whenever you’re ready.”
Uri got up and tapped him on the shoulder. “Trust me, we all are still going to be here, no matter how much time you spend in Kendral.” His Russian accent was back, and his hazel eyes lost their golden glim, shining with humor instead.
Gunz waved his hand unfolding the fire curtain of his portal.
“Don’t forget to learn how to teleport, Fire Gecko,” said Sven, snickering.
Gunz gave them a light nod and walked through the portal.
~ Zane Burns, a.k.a. Gunz ~
It was nice to be home and not have to worry that someone was after you. Gunz checked all his protection spells and wards. Everything was functioning perfectly. With his eyes half-closed, he headed upstairs to his bedroom with one desire only – to fall on his bed and to sleep for as long as he wanted.
No more Eve, and whatever else supernatural was brewing in the area could wait until tomorrow. Anatoly Karpenko got his daughter back and he should be out of his life too. At least for now. Not for a minute did he believe that Anatoly would keep his word and leave him be. But this night, if he valued his life, he better stay away.
Gunz walked into his bedroom and looked in the mirror, observing his state of undress and his dirty demeanor with horror. Shower? He glanced at the bathroom door unable to take a step toward it and then flung himself on top of the bed. Screw it… it can wait until morning… No one better wake me up in the morning—
His thought slipped away as he fell asleep on top of the bedcover, without changing or even taking his pants and shoes off.
He was warm and content. His body wasn’t aching with tiredness, he wasn’t bleeding or freezing, and no one was threatening his friends. Gunz sighed, enjoying this feeling of peace. Fire… yeah… I needed it. Gunz turned on his back and stretched luxuriating in the loving embrace of his element. A little too warm? Slowly, he opened his eyes and jolted upright, hitting the back of his head on the backboard of the bed. A wave of laughter that accompanied his move added to his aggravation and general discomfort.
Right above him he saw Mishka. The wyvern was hovering over him, gently sending one wave of fire energy after another through his body. Kal and the Ancient Master of Power, Mrak Delar, were standing next to his bed, laughing. Master Mrak Delar was the first person who told him that he had the Fire Power in him. And he was the one who told him not to be afraid of it and do what came naturally. His advice saved him and his friends lives, but it also brought the Fire Salamander to life.
Kal pushed Mrak Delar on his shoulder, pointing at Gunz. “Mrak,” he said stifling the laughter, “you’re younger. Is that something the new generation does nowadays – sleeping half-dressed and in shoes?”
“It’s a new fad, Kal,” muttered Gunz, rubbing the back of his head. “Try it sometime, quite enjoyable.”
Mrak Delar and Kal exchanged a quick look and burst out laughing again. Mishka decided to come to his rescue.
“I think all this dressing-undressing is overrated. What’s the point in taking all the clothes off, if in the morning you have to put them back on?” he asked, landing on top of Gunz’s head and spreading his golden wings protectively.
Gunz moved the wyvern from his head to his shoulder and got off the bed, just now realizing how inexcusably filthy he was. His torso was covered in dirt and dust. Brown streams and stains of dried out blood were covering his arms and wrists where the iron manacles used to be. He raked his fingers through his matted hair, shifting uncomfortably from one foot to another.
“Ahhh, this is not the kind of morning I wanted to have,” he mumbled.
“Feeling a bit uncomfortable?” asked Kal, his thin lips stretching into a snide smirk.
“A little. I’m sorry, I was dead beat yesterday. I hardly made it to bed,” said Gunz apologetically. “I didn’t expect early morning visitors.” He made a pause staring at his mentor and the Ancient Master. “Come to think of it… What are you two doing here so early in the morning.”
“Don’t worry, it’ll get more uncomfortable soon,” promised Kal joyfully.
“How much more uncomfortable can it get?” muttered Gunz, staring at his mentor, wary.
Mrak Delar gave him a light tap on his shoulder and smiled, a humorous twinkle playing in his black eyes.
“Why don’t you take care of yourself first, young Salamander,” he said. “Your mentor and I will go down to the kitchen and make some coffee in the meantime.”
“Thank you,” replied Gunz and rushed into the bathroom.
Twenty minutes later, Gunz walked into the kitchen. Kal and Mrak Delar were sitting around the kitchen table with steaming coffee cups in their hands. Mishka had his head down a coffee cup, slurping the burning-hot beverage and purring over it. Gunz walked up to the table and sat down next to Mrak Delar.
“Coffee?” asked the Ancient Master, moving another cup of coffee toward him. “My wife turned me into a coffee addict. Now I need to have it every morning or I feel partially crippled. It’s becoming problematic, considering that Kendral doesn’t have coffee and I need to bring it from this world.”
Gunz thanked the Master of Power and took a large gulp of coffee. “Kal,” he started the conversation, “there is something I wanted to ask you.”
“What is it, my child?” asked Kal, suddenly serious.
“You were right, Father,” said Gunz, lowering his eyes. “I’m not ready to live in this realm. My presence here is endangering humans. I think I should go back to Kendral with you.”
For a moment silence enveloped the kitchen. Even Mishka stopped slurping his coffee, staring at Gunz over the rim of his coffee cup.
“Why would you say that?” asked Kal, his eyebrows rising.
Gunz told him everything that happened in the last couple weeks. He gave him a detailed recount of his conversation with Aidan and the fight with Eve. He also told him about his meetings with the two demonic queens and how unprepared he was.
“As far as I can see, you didn’t do anything wrong,” said Mrak Delar, shrugging his shoulders. “Both the Scarlet Queen and the Demonic Queen are a lot older and more experienced than you. Something like that is expected. And Eve and the likes of her will always try to get the best of you.”
“Exactly,” agreed Gunz. “Eve and the likes of her will try to use my power against my will and I can’t allow that to happen.” He turned to Kal, his chest tightened with guilt. “Father, I need to go back to Kendral with you. I must learn more about my power and how to use my magic. Without that, I am a danger to all humans. I can’t let evil use me ever again.”
“I agree with Mrak,” said Kal, shaking his head. “You handled everything the best you could, my child.�
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“Gunz,” said Mrak Delar and Gunz turned to him a little surprised. He never heard the Ancient Master using his nickname before. “I’ve known the Scarlet Queen for years and this is the first time I heard that she offered someone lessons in swordsmanship. I think you should take her up on this offer. Just be careful, don’t get yourself into her servitude. She’s an ancient vampire and she knows how to manipulate an inexperienced youngster like yourself.”
“Agreed, take lessons with the queen. Not only in swordsmanship. Open your eyes and learn. Vampires and upirs are dangerous creatures, smart and insidious. The more you know and understand how their species work, the better you’ll be able to protect your people,” said Kal. “But I also agree with you – there is a lot that you still don’t know. So, here is my offer. Come back with me to Kendral for six months. I’ll teach you everything you need to know about your power and Master Mrak Delar can give you extra lessons in magic and Dragon tongue.”
Kal stopped talking, taking in Gunz’s appearance. Then he sighed and picked up his coffee cup off the table, taking a sip of his drink. Neither Gunz nor Mrak Delar said anything, allowing him to continue.
“It’s been centuries since the last Fire Salamander left this world,” said Kal slowly. “And you, my child, are unique in more ways than one. You are a Fire Salamander with magic. Do you know how rare this gift is?”
“It’s rare?” mumbled Gunz. “I thought all Fire Salamanders had magic.”
Kal exchanged a heavy look with Mrak Delar and shook his head no. “My son,” said Kal, “between all the worlds, through the thousands of years, there was only one more Fire Salamander that could wield not only the elemental Fire power but also magic. The rest of Fire Salamanders were only commanding the Fire.”
“It’s you, Father, isn’t it?” asked Gunz staring at his mentor in awe. “You are the only Fire Salamander who has magic?”
“That’s right,” confirmed Kal. He put his large callused hand on Gunz’s shoulder and smiled warmly at him. “Do you realize what it means for you? You are the only Great Fire Salamander besides me who ever walked these worlds. I’ll be happy to have you by my side for eternity, my son. But the truth is, right now your heart is in this world. And you’re needed here. So, stay in Kendral and learn all you need to know. But once you feel ready, you should come back here.”
“And as far as your failure with the Demonic Queen, it wasn’t only your lack of knowledge that made you fail,” said Mrak Delar, his black eyes crinkling with a smile. “It was your physical body that responded to the succubus’ magic. Mishka told us what happened at the Temptress of the Night. There is a way to control your body just like there is a way to control your mind.”
“Oh shit,” mumbled Gunz, feeling close to a heart attack. “I can just imagine what Mishka told you.”
Mrak Delar pressed his hand to his mouth fighting to suppress his laughter but then threw one look at Kal and both of them barked laughing.
“Anyway,” he said after he was able to calm himself, “after we heard the story of your encounter with the Demonic Queen, your Father and I agreed that you require my assistance with this delicate matter. At least until you learn enough to know how to control the magic of succubi and similar creatures.”
“A delicate matter?” parroted Gunz, throwing a quick glance at Kal. “Sorry, Mrak, but I have no idea what you are referring to.”
Mrak Delar rubbed his forehead, and then ran his fingers over his eyes and down his cheeks, like a person who didn’t feel comfortable with what he was about to say.
“The kind of matter that Kal can’t help you with, but as a Master of Power, I can.” He reached in his pocket and pulled a bracelet with a single red stone embedded in it. He offered the bracelet to Gunz. “Put it on. Tell me what you feel.”
Gunz took the bracelet and put it on his wrist. As soon as the metal touched his skin, he felt dizzy and a little weaker. “Mrak, what is this thing?” he asked, swaying a little, fighting the dizziness. “It makes me weak and dizzy. Why?”
“Don’t worry, the side effects will go away in a moment,” said Mrak Delar. “But try to conjure the fire. Tell me if you can.”
Gunz connected with the Fire within him and he felt its presence right away, but when he tried to conjure a flame, he couldn’t. The Fire couldn’t go past his skin. His magic was functioning just fine, but the fire power was caged within his body.
“I can’t,” mumbled Gunz. “But why are you giving me a bracelet that suppresses my Fire power?”
Mrak Delar glanced down at him and shook his head. “You’re not too fast on the uptake, are you?” He laughed, his dark eyes filled with good-natured humor. “I’m sure, when the time comes, you’ll figure it out. Just keep in mind, every time you put this bracelet on, it’s good for one hour and after that your Fire will break through.”
Gunz took the bracelet off, staring at the red stone, as the understanding flashed over him. “Holy shit,” he whispered, razing his eyes at Kal, flush creeping up his cheeks.
The Great Salamander tilted his head a little, giving him an arched stare. “My child, I’ll give you thirty-six hours to settle everything at work and with your friends here,” said Kal, rising. “Visit the Scarlet Queen and tell her that you’ll be starting on the training with her in six months. She will appreciate this courtesy. In thirty-six hours, I’ll summon you to Kendral.”
“Thank you,” replied Gunz, bowing to the Great Salamander and Master Mrak Delar. “See you soon in Kendral.”
Kal waved his hand, unfolding his fiery portal and both the Ancient Master and the Fire Elemental disappeared behind the swirling flames.
Epilogue
~ Zane Burns, a.k.a. Gunz ~
Modern days, South Florida
Three-Thirteen.
Gunz was standing in the long hallway of a South Florida high-rise condominium building, staring at the number on the door. Three hundred thirteen. Angelique’s apartment.
A few lightbulbs burnt out a while ago and the condominium association wasn’t in a rush to replace them. The hallway was dark and empty. He was standing in front of the door, asking himself what brought him here. Out of thirty-six hours that Kal gave him, he spent thirty-four hours elsewhere, but now he was here, feeling lost, unsure if he should be knocking on this door.
He spent most of the day yesterday finalizing all the work he was doing for the FBI. Agent Andrews wasn’t happy with Gunz’s decision to leave this world for six months. He needed him here more than ever. Even though Eve was gone from this world, weird cases kept popping up all over South Florida. Some of them probably weren’t supernatural, but nowadays anything that sounded even slightly off was sent to Jim and his team to investigate. Jim’s department was overloaded and losing his main asset for such a long time was troubling him.
Gunz decided to take Aidan up on his promise and called him, asking him to meet with Agent Andrews in person. To Gunz’s surprise, Aidan agreed right away and a few minutes later, he called from the lobby of the FBI building, asking for a visitor’s pass.
The conversation between Jim and Aidan wasn’t easy as both parties didn’t feel comfortable with each other. Aidan was right when he said that Jim was on his case for years. Jim had a lot of questions and since it was never easy for Aidan to be open with anyone, he had a hard time answering some of the questions that Jim had. However, when Jim asked him what kind of magical entity he was, Aidan smirked and told him straight that he was a god.
Gunz expected that Jim wouldn’t believe him and would get upset. But Jim just cocked his head and arched his eyebrow at Aidan, accepting what he said without any further questions. Aidan explained to Jim what kind of work he and his team were doing and offered his help. He said that for the six months when Gunz would be in Kendral, he could take over his responsibilities, working closely with Jim’s team.
Aidan didn’t expose the identity of his supernatural crew members but told Jim that he and his team would be at his service any ti
me he needed them. Agent Andrews didn’t try to get into any details about Aidan’s team and Gunz was wondering if Jim had enough shock for one day after Aidan dropped the “god-bomb” on his head. One thing was to know that the supernatural existed, another thing was to realize that the ancient gods still existed, and they lived and functioned, well-blended into the midst of modern society.
It was late evening when Aidan and Jim finally dotted all the i’s and crossed all the t’s. Gunz and Aidan left the FBI building together. As they were standing outside the building, Gunz had a feeling that Aidan wanted to say something but for whatever reason, he didn’t feel comfortable. To alleviate this general atmosphere of discomfort between them, Gunz offered him to get a bite to eat. Since Aidan teleported here, they used Gunz’s car to drive to Missi’s Kitchen.
The restaurant hadn’t changed a bit, even though the cross-functional queen of Missi’s Kitchen was gone. It had the same laid-back atmosphere that Gunz loved so much and a quiet, semi-dark room. He walked toward the bar and sat down, offering the stool next to him to Aidan.
A young woman, in her early twenties walked out of the kitchen and stopped in front of them. She was nothing like Missi. Short and slender, she had a pleasant round face and her marble-white skin was covered with bright freckles. Her sky-blue eyes were sparkling from under her copper eyelashes and an uncontrollable mop of red hair was pulled into two ponytails on either side of her head. She looked warm and cheerful like a summer day.
However, one thing about this young lady was unmistakable – she was a witch. Gunz wondered if she was one of the Guardians or just some witch Missi asked to take care of her precious restaurant while she was gone. After a moment of consideration, he decided that the girl wasn’t a Guardian. The Guardians were famous for concealing their magical energy, making it invisible to other creatures of magic. Her magical energy was loud and clear.
