The Stone of Azuria: The Ardent Saga

by Nathan Howe

  Pacing barely kept his mind from how slow time passed. Instead, Spector sat in his throne. "Amuse me," he shouted.

  Several of his moronic minions walked out to entertain him. They stared at each other blankly. Unsure what they should do.

  "Well," Spector sat with his arms crossed.

  "Uh. Boss. I uh not sure what you want from me."

  Spector sighed. He reached into the Netherworld scratching the surface and brought forth the weakest of creatures, a mindless blob of darkness.

  "Arh!" The minions scattered as the blob struck. Spector laughed at the sight of the idiots trying to flee. The blob sped around chasing them mindlessly. While the thugs did their best to defend themselves, Spector howled in delight. With both the blob and minions of his being so fucking stupid, the entertainment lasted hours.

  It was time. Spector gathered the Netherworld and brought forth as many zombies as he was comfortable. They formed from a mist in front of him. They were now part of him. Spector connected to them in such way that anything they did he experienced for himself. At times the signals sent were difficult to make out, but it was enough. He gave the out orders to them to provide Super a helpful distraction, so he'd be able to obtain the Stone.

  Chapter Thirteen

  James

  The building shook, and the walls thudded waking James. The clock on the wall in his room or his cell as he thought of it read midnight. Another loud explosion sounded below him. James rolled out of his bed and dressed in his hero uniform.

  They had relocated him from the hospital to the living quarters where many of the out of town Ardents in training live before being assigned to another city. James rushed to the main hallway.

  Colby and Pixie stood there listening. "What was that?" James asked.

  Colby grunted. "I'd bet Scott."

  Pixie nodded. She pulled out her bow and several arrows. "There's no information where he's been or what he's been doing. Good chance he either went willingly."

  James didn't want to think that Scott willingly became a villain. Hopefully mind control or magic swayed him, and he could be saved. "What can I do?" James asked.

  "Stay behind us. Scott is strong. He might be the strongest Ardent in Cynosure or this side of the Atlantic. And he's fast. We'll be lucky to contact him with any of our attacks. Have to overpower him with numbers."

  Why did it always come back to numbers? It was no wonder a lot of damage happened when Ardents fought. With the raid going on, the elevators shut down, so they sprinted down the stairs two at a time. James wanted to rush in front of them, but they were right. They'd be better at taking Scott out.

  Each level they stopped to make sure nothing occurred there. Each time James' heart skipped a beat. He didn't want to spar with family. Thankfully Petrice wasn't here. She had been sent back to the midtown headquarters. If this were Scott she would be devastated

  They reached the ground floor. Nothing happened yet. Just more and more sounds coming from below. The ground on duty, an Ardent named Kraftig, was just out of training. James tried to remember his powers, invulnerable and energy punching. He wore a bright blue and white sleeveless uniform with a Mohawk.

  "It's the vault below," Kraftig said. "And I'm receiving word that zombies arrived below as well."

  Great. Zombies. James never wanted to see another Zombie in his life. This has to be related to David and the ambush against them earlier.

  "How many went down already?" Pixie asked. She hovered silently above the ground.

  "Four."

  "Roger that," Colby said.

  The three arrived on the vault level and saw nothing but carnage. A dozen zombies stalked around four motionless bodies. And at the vault door, Scott stood punching it. Each time the building vibrated. The door had a large crack, and soon he'd penetrate.

  Pixie nocked an arrow and shot it at Scott. Without peeking he dodged at the last second, the arrow ricocheting off the vault door. He whirled around and smiled at them. "Nice of you to join me," he sneered with vile tone.

  James shivered. The way he peered at them his voice was different, harsher.

  Super returned to the vault door. The zombies charged. James drew his sword and swung at them. Zombies moved faster than normal people did but not fast enough. The three of them attacked in unison slaying the zombies but they weren't quick enough. The door to the vault crumbled for Scott. He accessed the vault while they continued to take out the zombies. By the time he exited, they defeated them.

  Scott smiled exiting. "I'll be seeing you."

  "I don't think so," James said. Pixie and Colby nodded. They rushed him.

  It didn't faze Scott he just stood there. His confidence caused James to pause for a moment. Only a moment.

  Right before they were in range of Scott, he stomped on the floor causing shockwaves. It knocked James to the ground and took his breath away, Colby staggered on his feet dazed. Pixie fell completely knocked out. Scott walked past them.

  Scott paused. "My master thanks you for this." He held up a giant black stone that shimmered in the light. From it pulsated darkness.

  By the time James stood, Scott was gone, and several other heroes arrived. Pixie lay motionless. "Is she going to be okay?" James asked.

  "She'll be all right," Colby said. "She's tough. That was a dirty trick Super did."

  Dirty, but effective.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Petrice

  The stuffiness of Invincible's waiting area clouded Petrice's mind. Her nostrils flared on her flush face. She had missed Scott being a villain. Part of her didn't believe it. How could anyone in her family become evil? No, must be a mistake. An imposter might have taken his place. Ardents can mimic others, take their shape. That has to be it. If not so, she'd kick the crap out him. Make him regret doing this to her. To their family.

  Shouting rang from behind the large oak door. Invincible sounded pissed. Petrice didn't want to go in. Unfortunately, Invincible summoned her first thing. James informed her of the raid and then she received the message to head here as soon as possible.

  The phone on Janice's desk buzzed. She answered, and a second later. "You can go in now."

  Petrice gulped. Sweat poured down her face. She stood, paused. "Okay." She walked to the door. She smiled at Janice.

  "It's not your fault," Janice said. "Don't worry."

  Petrice nodded and entered the office. Invincible stood staring out his window, behind him Valiant Rush, Gravitation Woman, and Chilling. They turned to her. "Mortal," Invincible said. "I'm sure you heard."

  Petrice nodded. "Yes."

  "Did you happen to scan him yesterday?" Valiant asked.

  "No." Why hadn't she? She might have stopped the raid on HQ if she took that step. If she had the death of two heroes, and the injuries to three more might not have occurred. "Sorry."

  "Don't be." Invincible left the window and walked around. "We all missed it yesterday. I was cautious but not enough."

  Gravitation Woman walked to her. "Can you sense him now?"

  Petrice reached out. Scanning for Scott, his mind used to be familiar to her. She spent years talking to Scott this way. He let her practice using her powers with him testing how far she could reach. The best Petrice achieved with Scott was Port Sinclair, a city further up the east coast. Today nothing. "It's blank. A void as if they are dead."

  "I have an idea," Chilling said. "This master that Super spoke of must be a Netherworld user and a powerful one."

  "Like you," Petrice said.

  Chilling stood stiffly. "Yes. And now he has the Stone of Azuria." Chilling's body shivered. "It's a powerful relic. Formed at the beginning during the event that altered the world."

  Wow. Something from then was still around. Growing up Petrice was told that the things from before and right after the event were gone. She had always thought the people that saved earth back then might be alive. The stories said they were granted immortality from God.

  Chilling walked to her. "With my connec
tion to the Netherworld and your psychic ability and the boost of another one, we might be able to crack this block on Super and Stone Rush, if he is still alive."

  "What can I do?" Petrice asked.

  Chilling smiled. "Glad you're interested. First, I want to acquire another psychic, even if it's one with only minor talent, to boost you. We'll have to go to Djinn Park, it's the location with the strongest connection to the Netherworld."

  Invincible went to his desk and made several calls. A few minutes later, "Pixie is better. She can be your minor psychic. She's weak physically right now, and she’s not a strong psychic, always better with the bow. But she said she'd assist."

  Chilling nodded. Many Fey have psychic abilities. But not all.

  "Okay. The downtown headquarters is along the way. Gravitation Woman you'll go with us right?" Chilling asked.

  She nodded. "Good. All of us can fly."

  Chilling lead the way to the roof to take off. It didn't take long to reach downtown, Pixie waited on the roof for them. They barely stopped for her before continuing to Djinn Park.

  Petrice wasn't thrilled with heading there again. The attack from the skull masked villain and meeting Scott again rattled her. She shook trying to forget about it. She had to be strong. Locate Scott and David.

  "Don't worry," Gravitation Woman said. She must have noticed Petrice's unease.

  "I'm trying not to. The park never scared me before, but now it's filled with bad memories."

  "I get it." Gravitation Woman flew a little closer. "I felt so bad when David and James were ambushed having been there minutes before. My next few patrols I was off my game. Letting it upset me." She paused for a moment. "Use this mission. Let it be the one that boosts your confidence. You'll find him. And make up for yesterday. For Scott."

  Not all of Petrice wanted to locate Scott. If she did, and he was evil, that made it real. And that scared her just as much as not detecting him. "I will."

  Chilling directed them to the center of the park. They landed in a tight formation. He twisted around to them. "It will take a while to set this up."

  The clock struck noon as Chilling finished his preparations. Chilling gathered several things from around the park. Infusing them with the Netherworld. Watching him work intrigued Petrice, Chilling was the most mysterious hero in Cynosure, when in the city. The disappearance act of his happened from time to time. His past a mystery, but he was old. And it didn't show. Maybe part of his powers was anti-aging. But that didn't make sense.

  "All set," Chilling said. "Gravitation Woman, can you create a protective shield around us."

  She nodded and concentrated for a moment, the surrounding air shifted. Gravitation Woman mastered gravity and could form shields around people to protect them. They weren't impenetrable, but it did keep you relatively safe.

  "Good, now the three of us will join hands," Chilling said and held up his hands for both Petrice and Pixie to produce a circle. "Good. I'll channel the Netherworld pushing it into the three of us. And I'll be doing...it's not important. Be ready to explore once the Netherworld pierces you."

  "Is this safe?" Pixie asked. "It doesn't sound safe. The Netherworld entering us." She spoke so fast Petrice barely understood her.

  "It's safe if we don't keep the connection prolonged. You only have thirty seconds. Be quick. Pixie you'll have to aid Mortal, everything you can. And Mortal, don't hold back. It doesn't matter if he senses your touch him or not. We must find a location. Something. Who his leader is."

  "I understand."

  "Tell me when you're ready."

  Petrice took a deep breath in. Paused. Pixie nodded. "I'm ready," Petrice said.

  Chilling chanted in a language that Petrice didn't recognize. The darkness seeped into her. A tingling sensation filled her. The air around them cooled. Soon every breath she took crystallized in front of her. Chilling nodded. Petrice reached out for Scott. A boost from Pixie increased her powers. With Chilling and the Netherworld and Pixie backing her, Petrice never felt more powerful. Like she could take down the most powerful Ardents in the world at one time. It invigorated her. She had to refrain from losing focus. Scott was the target she reached out. Hitting a wall. That was new. She sensed him on the other side. Touched his mind but couldn't locate him. She tried harder. Images flashed. They were tough to make out. Broken. It was a warehouse, at least Petrice thought so. It held shelves, machinery, and zombies. Lots of zombies. Other people roamed the building as well. All poorly dressed, they'd seen better days. Most hunched over as they walked.

  Her power slowly slipped away. She lost the few broken images she received. She quickly reached out to David, faintly touched his mind. He's alive, nothing more came across.

  A second later it was gone. The power, the Netherworld. Petrice sighed. With the power gone she felt vulnerable. Weak.

  "Well?" Pixie asked.

  "I didn't pick up too much." Petrice broke the circle and walked away with her head hung. She lingered on the edge of Gravitation Woman's force field. "I think he's in a warehouse. But that's it. Both Scott and David are alive. And a warehouse with zombies."

  It wasn't much. "It's a start," Chilling said.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Spector

  The plan went perfectly. Spector smiled as the thought of the faces of the Ardents at the Hero Coalition as Super revealed his treachery.

  A burst of power in the Netherworld smashed Spector. Chilling trying to obtain his location. The energy Chilling used came harder than ever before, a mentalist connected to Chilling, more than one. Spector's lip curled as he pictured Mortal and Chilling linked together combining powers, trying to reveal her brothers.

  Spector reached into the Netherworld himself and used the power he could manage without the stone to block it. Once the pressure from the barrage lifted, Spector sunk to his seat.

  It was essential to figure out how to wield the Stone of Azuria. Spector read a lot about it. The stone would let him take control of the city. Show the world he was one to be afraid off.

  Spector sat in his quarters in the warehouse that was off limits to all but him. The Stone of Azuria sat on the table next to the Book of Samuel he studied. It held the secrets to the Stone and how to operate it to command people and summon thousands of creatures from the Netherworld.

  Hours upon hours Spector read the book hoping to find the secrets it held. He found the part that he searched for. With the power of the stone, he'd further deepen David so no one could ever reverse what was done to him. This would make him evil incarnate. He'd employ it on Scott too.

  With book and stone in hand, Spector stood and left the room. Outside the door, two of his minions guarded it; they were thugs he found around the city and had no place to go. They weren't the best or the smartest, but they got the job done for the most part. Spector tilted his head to the one on the left, "Summon both Super and One Rush to my throne room."

  "Yes. Sir." He bowed and ran off to fetch them while Spector made his way to the room.

  Both men were waiting for Spector when he arrived. "Follow me."

  They obeyed, staying right behind him and halting at the base of the steps that the throne sat on. Spector sat and faced them. "Kneel," he said.

  Both did instantly. Spector wore the Stone of Azuria, which he put into a necklace, around his neck. Then unfolded the book to the page he found and read. As he read, he pulled on the Netherworld. More than he had ever attempted before. And yet he felt it was a fraction of what he could with the stone.

  The power of the stone made him more alive than he had ever before. The pure, raw power the stone gave him. The access to everything. It took all his willpower not to summon it all right here and now. But he held back. Spector's plan was a good one, and he would stay to the script.

  Spector read more of the passage and, as he did, tentacles from the Netherworld burst up as he said Scott and David's names. Then ghouls burst from the ground, half here, half not and passed through both men. Scott screamed in pu
re agony, as did David.

  Chapter Sixteen

  James

  Over the previous day since Petrice tried to reach out to David and Scott they have had no attacks on them or the building. A relief, only slightly. He and Petrice were under constant guard. At least they let Petrice go on that trip with Chilling. But they had sent Gravitation Woman and Pixie along.

  The torture of being stuck, even if overnight, was too much. James paced in his room. Hoping beyond hope that they found a location. To put an end to it. James wondered why they targeted his family.

  The door flew open to his room. Valiant Rush marched into the room, right behind him was Gravitation Woman. Neither happy.

  "What's up?" James asked.

  "Chilling and Mortal have been out searching anything remotely close to what they think she connected to. What she saw," Valiant Rush said. He paced in the room just as James before he arrived. "Been giving me updates all night. Not a goddamn thing." Valiant Rush's hands jerked around. His eyes darted around the room.

  Gravitation Woman nodded. Her eyes squinted. She pursed her lips. "We have to help."

  James leaped up. "We do. I'll do anything. I can't be here. I'll go stir crazy."

  "Okay. Good." Valiant Rush didn't act excited. "We'll check in and around Djinn Park. Seems to be the epicenter."

  A lot occurred there. First, the stuff that the PI Steve dealt with that had to be at least partly connected to the zombie problem, and David and Scott. It wasn't a small part of town, but at least it was possible to explore. "Let's go. I'm ready."

  They nodded and made way to the hero exit of the building. "Ride with me," Valiant said. "It will make me feel safer for you. I barely convinced Invincible and Inflamed as it is to let you out."

  James sat in the passenger seat of the large Hero Coalition SUV while Valiant drove, Gravitation Woman sat behind James. Djinn Park was north of downtown. His family home was in midtown, his own apartment, and the University. He avoided Djinn Park in the past. Having only stepped in it a few times in his life. In his youth, he heard horror stories of the Faith of the Withering and the danger they were. The only real time he ventured to the park until the other day was in high school. He wanted to see if the stories his mother told him were true. And in his experience they were. He saw people buying and selling drugs and using them. Halfway through the day he witnessed a mugging. He didn't have any direct contact with the Withering which he counted as a blessing.