The Stone of Azuria: The Ardent Saga

by Nathan Howe

  It was a relief when they arrived at the campus, it meant they were close, and the traffic let up. At times traffic thickened around campus when classes started and ended. A few minutes later Valiant Rush pulled the car over. "Wait here," he said.

  "I see civilians, I think it's safe," Petrice said.

  "Never assume," Valiant Rush said. "Let me check."

  "Okay." Petrice didn't like it. How could it not be safe? People are walking around, and it's been two nights since the ambush of David and James. Little chance of anything crazy still being here or anything bad happening. However, Petrice bit her lip. Valiant Rush was a senior member of the Hero Coalition. He recently left his training post to take up working patrols again.

  Valiant Rush left the car and walked around it. He stood right in the middle of the sidewalk forcing people to avoid him. People stared in awe of a large Ardent, while others scolded him. None of it mattered to him. At least that was the impression Petrice had, his eyes darted back and forth. He circled in place. Taking it in. "It's safe," he said after a few minutes.

  "Finally," Petrice said. She jumped out of the car and stood next to Valiant Rush on the sidewalk. There was little left to show that anything had occurred here. Only a faint scent of rotting flesh lingered. The sidewalk had been cleaned up immediately, and by the cleaning crew, the heroes used and trained.

  Valiant Rush's nostrils flared. "You smell that?"

  Petrice nodded. The scent of rotting flesh not only lingered in the area, but it also increased. Valiant Rush went tense. Reaching into himself, activating his powers, he tapped into his inner will to gather his strength and resilience, quite a sight. He grew even bigger, his arms were already mammoth increased and now bigger than her waist.

  A mist formed then the dead rose. Zombies. The pictures and descriptions didn't do them justice. Petrice's stomach clenched. She barely held down her breakfast.

  "Watch out," Valiant Rush said. He took a defensive posture next to Petrice. "This is dark magic. Netherworld craziness."

  Petrice wasn't sure what went on. The zombies surrounded them. She gagged again at the scent they permeated. It had no effect on Valiant Rush. His inner will let him ignore anything. Petrice wished she had the ability to shut out bad scents too.

  Valiant Rush attacked them. He made it seem easy. They were no match for his size and strength. His willpower also made him faster than most people, especially for his bulk. An impressive sight for Petrice.

  A punch to the head pulverized the zombie, nothing but dust remained, that’s all it took. Once the zombies realized they were outmatched, several of them swirled on the spot and ran from Valiant Rush.

  Petrice reached out to them as they fled the same way they arrived, slowing into the ground. She felt nothing, yet everything. Each didn't have a mind of their own. As if they belonged to one mind. She pressed her hands against her head it throbbed. One mind that she couldn't locate in the mess. Her legs weakened under her. The world spun. Impossible to differentiate. Too much to take in. The prolonged connection to it caused her to lose her own mind. If she continued she'd never free herself. In that moment she let go. "Ahhhh!" she screamed in pain and fell to the ground.

  Valiant caught her before she landed face first. "You all right?" he asked.

  Petrice shook her head. Once clear she answered. "I'm fine. I tried to connect to them, scan their minds."

  "Too much I take it." Valiant lifted her to her feet and let her stand on her own. "Did you learn anything?"

  "Nothing. Sorry. Just a big mess. It's hard to explain, but it's a hive mind, and I couldn't handle it."

  "I wonder . . ." Valiant Rush said. "They didn't show up until you left the car. They ambushed your brother and cousin. And your other brother went missing too."

  "What?"

  "They are out to smite your family, your closest relatives."

  "I guess, but why?"

  "No clue Mortal. I'll figure it out. Keeping you safe is a priority, and the rest of your family. I'll talk to Invincible and the others to set up a protection and figure this out."

  Chapter Six

  Spector

  Spector gazed into David's terrified eyes. David fought him, but for naught. Eventually, Spector would convert him. It's only a matter of time before he succeeded and when he did. It would be glorious.

  Attacking the Harden family wasn't anything personal. Spector hated happy families and heroes. Twisting a whole family of Ardents to the evil side to be his minions was an ultimate show of power. He'd earn the respect of others. They'd fear him, too. Worry that their family could be next. Yes. To show them he was the most powerful, most ruthless.

  The Netherworld leaked from Spector, forced it into David, corrupting him. Soon he'd do whatever Spector wanted. Spector smiled at the thought.

  Now to focus on David who withered on the ground in pain, yet he still fought against Spector. More Netherworld was required. He reached deeper into the Netherworld using his natural connection to it, not like most of those other who rely on cheap magic. The ones he had used in Djinn Park. They failed him miserably. They didn't discover the location of his desire and they allowed a halfwit PI to take them out.

  If they hadn't been killed or locked up, Spector would have taken them out himself. If they ever spoke of him, he'd make sure it was the last things they ever said. They'd wish the PI killed them instead of letting the Hero Coalition take them in.

  Luckily he learned of the location with the help of another. One that he hadn't expected to aid him. When they learn of his defection, it will be a great moment. It's to Spector won't be able to witness it first hand. His plan required the reveal with him not present.

  Spector brought forth more and more of the Netherworlds, the darkness of it. The corruption of it, and poured it into David. He forced him to see the darkness of the world. David screamed, shrieked. Spector had won. He stood over him, staring into his eyes. You could see the defeat in them. The torture of it all, the fact he was gone now and belonged to Spector. A smile formed on Spector's face. He imprinted this moment in his mind so he wouldn't forget it.

  With David, he'd be able to retrieve Petrice. They wouldn't be able to protect her from his zombies, David and Super. He'd finish his collection. It was just a matter of time. Specter went back to his throne. He wanted to take in his victory over David. To bask in the glory of it. Spector never tired of converting a person to this side of the law. Even if in the end they failed like the minions he lost.

  His brow furrowed as he sat on his throne. He tapped his fingers in front of his face. The world around him dissipated as he thought about his plan. Cynosure under his control and coalition bowing to him. People around the world fearing him. Recognizing him as the powerful person, he is and not the weak, tiny person they thought they saw.

  Chapter Seven

  James

  James rode down to the training facility again. The past few weeks have been the same every morning. Travel down to the training area in the basement of the building. They wouldn't let him leave, they barely let Petrice venture out. She was now training with him. They feared for both of them, a freak out to harm them using magic and the Netherworld. Whatever that was. Petrice told him that the zombies he saw manifested from there. A world many people confused with hell, the Hero Coalition said it had nothing to do with it, two distinct planes of existence.

  The worst part of the whole ordeal, his family had been sent away from Cynosure. Petrice said they sent most of them to a small city on the west coast, Amaranthine. A safe town and they sent a few members of the Hero Coalition with them. James sighed.

  The ride down was excruciating with the building being so large and the underground level was big too. It amazed James that one building could be so massive. He stepped off into the large area where his testing occurred. That day felt like it was yesterday and a lifetime ago. Since then they have been pushing him to his limit. Showing him how to manipulate his body in ways he didn't think possible. To utilize th
e nanobots in him to maneuver and react faster than any person, better than anyone here. Colby, the head trainer, told him only Super had better reflexes in recent memory.

  The younger Ardents in training which he spent the first few days with, sparred on the left with Pixie, a trainer who happened to be a Fey and talked your ear off if you let her. James learned to shut her out quickly. On the right, Petrice stood with Colby, both talking. James approached them silently as possible.

  "Hello James," Colby said without peeking behind to see him. Every time James snuck up. He was tall beefy with short black hair and wore a black and yellow uniform with a large C on the front, and his sunglasses, even indoors.

  "How do you do that?" James asked once beside him.

  "Years of training and awareness of my surroundings. Being able to discern when people are behind you is the difference between life and death."

  James nodded. "I understand." James' nanobots and new eye that let him see behind him. But he wanted to be as good as Colby. "What is the plan for today?"

  Colby studied James. "You've progressed faster than expected. In fact, one of the fastest ever."

  James smile. "Thank you." It honored James to hear Colby say that.

  "Today I want you and Mortal to battle."

  James' eyes widened. That wouldn't be a fair fight. "That won't be fair. I'm way faster than her."

  Colby tilted his head and folded his arms over his large chest. "If you think so."

  "What?" James asked.

  "It will be a challenge for both of you." Colby headed to the wall and leaned against it. "Whenever you want to begin inform Mortal."

  James wasn't worried. Over the weeks he improved his speed. "I'm ready."

  Petrice nodded. James ran at her as fast possible. She somehow avoided him. She flew to the back of the room. James gave chase. Just as he neared her, she flew up into the air and reversed directions. She maneuvered as if she had the super reflexives like she read his thoughts. Of course, she did. James hated it when she did, and she did it now.

  About time you remembered.

  It's not that I forgot. Was just focused on what I could do now.

  And that is why we are training together. You're tough to read because you rely on the nanobots, but you still think about what you're going to do or what you are doing.

  James did his best to clear his head. Letting the nanobots operate with no influence, but no matter what, he couldn't. Petrice avoided him. Over the course of the day, he got closer and closer to her before she reacted, but he never caught her.

  "Good work today," Colby said. He watched the whole thing never taking his eyes off of them. Even though it continued all day.

  James hung his head. "I didn't catch her."

  Colby patted him on the shoulder. "You almost did. And you might never be able to snag a telepath. Most are taken with the support of another, bombarding their minds or with a large number of people swarming them, not letting them focus, overwhelming them. Taking one alone is almost an impossible task unless you're a robot."

  "Then why do it?" James didn't like not securing her. It burned him that she slipped away. And the fact he might never, didn't set well with him.

  "To test both of you."

  "Well?" Petrice said as she joined him. "Did we pass?"

  Colby nodded. "You both did well today."

  Pixie flew over to them, the kids had been sent home already. She was tiny as her code name indicated and with small wings, her bright blond hair added to her angelic appearance. All these marked her Fey. James heard of the different people, but never met one until Pixie. Apparently, there are Phoenixes and Elves too. "Impressive today," she said in one breath. She spoke faster than any human.

  "Thank you," James said.

  ***

  The next morning James stepped off the elevator, "Turn around," Colby said. "You're done here. Time to decide on a weapon."

  Colby had introduced James to every weapon they had. The list was so extensive James couldn't remember them all. But each of them came naturally to him now. He rarely missed with the shooting weapons, guns, and bows. The swords were more fun. He latched on to those. When he used his new arm, he could defect and slash his target, and it didn't take much effort.

  "I'll use a sword," James said as the elevator door closed.

  "Figured you would," Colby said. He leaned against the back wall. James spent almost every day down here. Colby noticed him. "You'll be sitting in a session with the younger ones while they attend a lesson from Cynosure Police."

  James rolled his eyes. One of the few things David talked about his training was the days with the police. Always about how boring they were. James hoped to avoid it, but it must be important. They do have to work with Police as heroes and the better they understand each other the smoother the job will be. "I can't wait," James said sarcastically.

  "It's not that bad. Most people enjoy it the first time. It's the tenth or twelfth time you start to hate it. You're lucky you won't have that many."

  James sighed. The classrooms were above ground with windows overlooking downtown Cynosure. James grew to despise the view while being trapped here. At first, he was in awe of it, the large buildings and the river, with midtown in the background. But he craved to be free able to roam the streets again.

  Standing on the tenth floor of the building, the view wasn't the same from James room. James took a seat in the back of the room. Colby leaned down, "I'll fetch a few swords for you to decide tomorrow. Enjoy." He smiled as he left.

  In the front of the room stood a stocky man with scars marking his face, matte gray hair. He stood firm in front, "I'm Marcus," he said once the room settled. "I'm a retired officer from Cynosure Police. I was a Captain in downtown. Before that, I spent years as a detective in Robbery Homicide. I'll be going over investigative procedures."

  Several of the younger hero trainees in the room whispered to each other. James picked up a bit of it. They were in awe of being around an actual police officer. They had super powers, and they were in awe of a normal man. It didn't compute for James. Why would they be impressed with a normal person?

  The day bored James, it dragged on and on. Marcus went into different forms about working with the police. Then went into the investigative procedures. James had trouble imaging how this could ever be interesting.

  ***

  The next afternoon Colby handed James a broadsword. "A fine choice," Colby said.

  "Thank you."

  It took James hours to settle on what type of sword he wanted to use. For a while, he thought of trying to wield a katana but settled on the broadsword because it allowed the arm and nanobots better control. Letting James thinks less while he used it.

  "One more surprise for you," Colby said. He leads him up to another level of the building. Petrice stood there in her uniform, but it was different. They upgraded it. "What do you think?"

  "It's nice." The pink and purple tights now held armor padding. The pattern remained the same. But she also added a cape that flowed behind her.

  Colby leaned into him. "You're ready for a patrol. A uniform and a name are required."

  Awesome. James had been waiting for this day. He wanted a cool uniform. Growing up seeing the heroes going by in their shiny uniforms always excited James. "Do I get to select my uniform?"

  "Some of it. The colors."

  "Cool."

  "And you'll choose a code name before you can go on any patrols."

  A name. He'd need to do this, and had been thinking about this a lot while he was in training. He settled on one last night, he hadn't told anyone yet. Didn't want to have one to early. "Broken," James said. It fit him. He was broken, no longer whole. But he'd been put back together. He was incredibly thankful for that. But he wanted a reminder and his name would always do that.

  Colby nodded. "I'll put it in the records, Broken."

  A few hours later James now wore a shiny new hero uniform, in red and black. Similar to most of the others.
It lacked any protective pads of Mortals.

  "Why no protection?" Broken asked the tailor.

  "Your protection is your speed. We do not want to slow you down. If in the future, it is decided that armor will suit you we will add it."

  "Oh. Thank you." Broken worried a little about not having the extra layer of protection. He couldn't transform like David.

  Chapter Eight

  Petrice

  Petrice landed on the top of the midtown headquarters. James or rather Broken remained behind still receiving his new uniform, a big step. They'd soon let up on the protection for both of them and let them do hero work. Petrice hadn't liked the hand-to-hand training, but it was necessary. Hopefully, she wouldn't need any of it. If she did, things went poorly which was the way the investigation into David and Scott went. Nothing yet. Stuck on the Netherworld connection.

  Valiant Rush continued to search to no avail. He was doing his best. She flew to meet with him and Invincible. She worried about this. Meeting two important heroes in midtown, Cynosure for that matter, never a good thing. Hopefully, regarding David and not her training.

  Petrice made her way down to Invincible's office, his secretary waved her in. Invincible held his phone, he nodded at Petrice from behind his desk. Valiant sat in front of it. Petrice took the seat next to him. "I understand," Invincible said. "We are doing everything we can. I'm investigating a lead. When I learn something, I'll let you know." He listened and nodded his head before speaking, "I will chief. I'll call you back later." Then he set the phone down. He used a handkerchief to pat his forehead. "Chief of Police, the one non-Ardent that scares me."

  Valiant nodded. "Me too. She can be intimidating."

  Petrice heard a lot of things about her since she became Chief of Police a few years ago. Mostly good. She didn't let her officers run amuck. Since she took over, the common street crime reduced.

  "Well, you said you had a lead, Valiant, on Stone Rush," Invincible said.