The Mystical Knights: The Sword of Dreams

by K. A. Robertson

  This is it, Nia thought as the four other cloaked figures surrounded them. She felt strangely hopeless; she had been sure that they would get Lance back, she had been determined to make sure that her vision did not come true...and yet, she had a sick feeling that no matter what, everything would burn into ashes and dust.

  "Let my brother go." Kenzie's voice wavered precariously. Nia looked at her and watched a silent tear slide down her cheek. "He has nothing to do with this."

  "As you wish," Axel said calmly. There was no empathy, not a glimmer of humanity within his eyes. "We got everything we needed from him, I do believe?"

  There was a murmur between the black cloaks, and one of the taller beings strode over to where Lance lay, cold and fragile. It stopped at the head of the table, and long fingered hands reached upwards to pull back the hood.

  Kenzie's scream filled the room, rattling off the walls and reverberating over and over again through Nia's mind as she stared in horror at the creature that stood over Lance.

  It's hands were unlike anything Nia had ever seen; not only was the flesh a pale gray, the three fingers were long and spidery and the tips were rounded and smooth. But if that wasn't enough, it's head was downright horrifying. The creature's head was abnormally large in comparison to its thin hands. Large and opaque black eyes were gazing down at Lance, unblinking, it's thin mouth pressed so firmly together, that it easily could have been a fold of skin instead. Nia could not see a visible nose, but noticed there were two small slits where a nose should have been. It was like something out of an awful dream, and Nia momentarily imagined waking from a sound sleep to find this strange creature looming over her beside, dark and terrible. Mesmerized, her eyes trailed back up to the top of the creature's head, where it nearly looked as though an extremely large brain was protruding from its flesh, and saw a familiar marking branded into its forehead.

  The Eye of Horus.

  The creature didn't seem to be aware of Kenzie's screams; maybe it was used to such reactions when revealing its true appearance. Carefully, as though touching the most delicate of flowers, the creature pinched it's three long fingers together and pressed them against Lance's forehead with such a gentleness.

  Go from here, special child, a quaint voice whispered, causing Nia to jump. I am sorry for the pain we have caused. You will be avenged. The voice was kind and soft; there was a strong British undertone as it spoke, and yet Nia was sure she was the only one who could hear it. With a burst of white light, Lance was gone, the table empty. The creature turned, looking straight into Nia's eyes as he did so. The voice no longer spoke, but Nia had a feeling that the creature was silently telling her something words could not.

  "Where is he?" Kenzie sobbed; she was attempting to wrestle out of Rowan's strong arms, her breaths shallow and labored. "What have you done with him?"

  "Your brother is fine, Crystal Pegasus," Axel crooned, folding his fingers together. "Do you not trust me?"

  "Is that a joke?" Kenzie tried leaping at him, but fell to her knees instead. She let out a painful sob, and crumbled to the floor, folding in on herself. Rowan went down with her, smoothing her hair from her face.

  "Jokes are funny," Axel said. "That boy's purpose has been served."

  "A Roswell Grey?" Fiona had been very silent until now. Her brows were creased and her lips were turned into a frown as she gazed at the tall creature by the table. "So it's true then? They've joined your side?" She almost sounded defeated.

  Axel looked positively thrilled. He gave Fiona a bright yet eerie wink. "Did you really believe they would stay neutral for long? They wanted a specific assortment of power, and we have found a way to give it to them. Simple and sweet, Fiona."

  Not all of us, the voice whispered again. Nia cocked her head and stared at the Roswell Grey that still stood by the long table. It looked back at her, it's expression vacant of any thought. She looked back at Fiona, who didn't react to the voice at all. In fact, no one appeared to hear it.

  A pincer-like grip stung Nia in the back of the neck. She hissed in pain as she felt herself being pulled forward. Still holding the Sword of Dreams firmly between her hands, Nia stumbled, surprised to find the other tall creature standing at her left side, his long and boney hands pinching the nape of her neck. She had nearly forgot that there had been two. It hood had been drawn, and she was once again deeply disturbed by what she saw. Unlike the Grey that had sent Lance to safety, this creature held a different demeanor. It didn't exude an odd peacefulness like its counterpart. This one made Nia's insides curl with uneasy fright and she fought hard to not show how terrified she truly was as her heart hammered high in her throat.

  The Grey led her towards Axel, who was now standing with the other four black cloaks. Out of the corner of her vision, she saw Rowan abruptly getting to his feet, his right hand clenched into a fist. His eyes were dancing with fire, but Quinn gently placed a hand on Rowan's shoulder and shook his head, whispering into his ear. This was it. They were standing down. There would be no fight, no battle between good and evil. This was the end for all of them.

  "Nia," Axel's voice was light and velvety as he spoke, reaching a hand out to her. "You would do very well here. We have been watching you for a long time. My associates believe your abilities would blend nicely within our ranks." His bright green eyes left Nia's to dance upon the Sword clutched in her hands. "Such a raw talent," he whispered. "I am told that Sword can do marvelous things. May I?" His outstretched hand flexed as he beckoned her to hand over the Sword. Nia looked to her friends, unsure of what to do. They had already lost. What good was this Sword to anyone if she was dead?

  "Don't do it," Fiona spoke out firmly. "This is your moral duty, Nia. Don't go against it."

  Silence. Nia stared back at Axel, her blood pulsing in her ears, her throat suddenly very dry. She swallowed hard, and glanced down at the Sword in her hands.

  Listen to her.

  Nia looked at the Grey that still stood by the table. His hands were folded in front of him, in a serene sort of way. Nia pursed her lips tightly together before looking back at Axel. "Never," she whispered, her voice cracking as she spoke. "This Sword is not yours. I am not one of you."

  Axel didn't look surprised by her answer; instead he snapped his finger and pointed to one of the shorter black cloaks he was standing near. "Zephyrlis."

  Several things happened at once; Rowan rushed forward towards the Grey that stood beside Nia, his fist held high in the air; Kenzie was running toward Zephyrlis; the three remaining black cloaks darted around, in an attempt to stop Rowan and Kenzie from advancing.

  "SAPPHIRE WARRIOR!" Deep blue light blasted off through the room, searing Nia's retinas. Rowan tackled the Grey beside Nia as he reached for his great sword.

  Zephyrlis was nearly on Nia; her hood had fallen back to reveal her demented face as she cackled, her yellow teeth bared, her eyes wide with excitement. "CRYSTAL PEGASUS!" Kenzie screamed, plowing into the tiny woman and sending her off her feet. Nia was caught in the crossfire; one of Zephyrlis' legs had kicked out and knocked Nia to the ground, sending the Sword clattering away from her.

  A burst of red light shattered across the room, and Silver Phoenix took flight, darting away towards another black cloak. Quinn was wrestling with his twin, without any aide from his guardian. For a moment, Nia had a hard time who was overcoming who, until she saw Quinn's maelstrom amulet glint from around his neck, and was thankful to realize the Axel was not as able as his brother was.

  Quickly, rolling onto her belly, Nia crawled towards the Sword of Dreams that lay just feet from her. She was reaching out to grab it's hilt when someone else joined the fray. Someone small, yet fierce had jumped upon Nia's back and flipped her over wildly. Stunned and choking on her own breath, Nia sputtered loudly, swinging her arms in defense. The tiny person was still cloaked in darkness as all the black cloaks were, but Nia suspected she was female. She sat on top of Nia, straddling her hips with her legs and had caught Nia's flailing hands.

&
nbsp; Someone cried out; Kenzie slumped back against the wall, her hands clutching her abdomen. A look of surprise was etched all over her gentle face as something dark and red began to soak the fabric surrounding her hands. Her feet gave out from beneath her and Kenzie slid down to the floor. Zephyrlis let out a loud and defiant cackle, letting her blood-stained dagger drop to the floor. As Kenzie sat cradling her wound, the guardian clothes that she had been wearing faded and returned to normal teenager clothes. Thor, who had be standing back just inches from Kenzie due to his injured leg and arm, limped over to her and dropped down to her side at once.

  Zephyrlis was running close to where Nia lay, trapped beneath this tiny yet extremely strong girl. With one swift movement, Nia bucked her hips forward, jostling the girl so that she could wriggle out from underneath her, ripping her wrists from the girl's tight grasp. The girl grunted, falling backwards, and was up on her feet with the grace of a stealthy cat. She ran at Nia again, but Nia, back on her feet, side stepped and stuck out her foot, sending the small girl flying through the air.

  One of the black cloaks was standing against the far wall, idly watching all the chaos around her. Although Nia could not see her face hidden beneath her hood, she could read this girl's energy quite easily. This madness thrilled the girl in a way that disturbed Nia, so much so that she quickly severed their connection. The girl moved her head so that her line of sight was geared towards Nia's prying eyes, and Nia couldn't look away-

  "I've got it Master!" Zephyrlis shrieked, wild with glee. With a gasp, Nia tore her eyes away from the girl in the corner and spun around to watch in horror, as Zephyrlis reached down for the Sword of Dreams, her hands trembling, her smile yellow and wide. Everything seemed to move in slow motion; Nia's feet were moving, although she knew she would never make it in time. The Sword that she had dreamed about, longed for, was going to be taken from her in seconds. Zephyrlis' gnarled, long fingers just grazed the jeweled hilt.

  And Zephyrlis screamed. She screamed and tried to pull her hand back, but it appeared that her flesh had melted to the Sword's hilt; Nia could see it oozing around the bright amethysts like candle wax. Zephyrlis' screams were turning in desperate, animal-like shrieks and she uncontrollably flailed her melting hand around in attempt to shake the Sword from her body, but it would not release. Slowly, the Sword's gold plating was beginning to glow white hot. The jewels that glittered along it's hilt and blade were pulsing with bright purple light, brighter and brighter. Nia had no idea what was happening. Wasn't the Sword of Dreams supposed to be a weapon of peace? No blood had ever been shed upon it's blade.

  But the Sword was acting on its own accord. Nia was not wielding it, not running Zephyrlis through. Zephyrlis was not from Nefertiti's bloodline, Nia realized, bringing her hands up to her mouth, staring on in horror and unable to peel her eyes away. She was not alone; everyone had stopped to watch. Axel's comrades had gathered themselves near the girl in the corner, all whispering. The Grey that had sent Lance back was still standing at the table, watching Zephyrlis, his ancient face void of any emotion. The whole scene reflected back at Nia in his large black eyes, and Nia wished she could glimpse his thoughts, but he was mentally blocking her from him.

  Kenzie sat with Thor, Thor's hands pressed against her abdomen. Kenzie's face was pasty and white; beads of sweat were dotted across her forehead. Nia saw Thor look over his shoulder, saw his lips move but could not hear him speak, and Fiona was at his side at once, kneeling down and shielding Kenzie from sight. Quinn and Axel stood side by side, brother to brother. Axel's neat and sleeked back ash colored hair was a mess now, and if it weren't for his black clothes, Nia wouldn't have been able to tell the twins apart.

  Rowan's eyes had found her before she saw him. He was staring at her, his eyes dark and intense. The other Grey he had been fighting lay dead at his feet, black and thick liquid pooling out from around him. Nia held her breath, and knew. We're going to die. Everything will burn, she thought, breaking Rowan's gaze to look back at Zephyrlis, who was starting to shake and seize. The Sword of Dreams was shaking too, quivering in her hand, like a soda can that was about to depressurize. With one poorly executed and last attempt to break from of the Sword, Zephyrlis brought her other hand to clutch the other side of the hilt, likely hoping that she's somehow be able to peel the Sword away somehow. This connection seemed to made the Sword quiver even more, as though it were reaching its limits. Like a volcano about to erupt.

  It is up to you, the Grey whispered to Nia. Nia found his eyes, furrowing her brows. You choose your destiny, Niambe. Only you can stop this. He looked up to the ceiling. You know what you have to do. The Grey was gone. He simply vanished into thin air, leaving Nia to wonder if he had actually existed at all.

  He had to though; at his abrupt departure, Axel raced towards his followers, shouting, "Go! Take us now." The black cloaks all faded away too without hesitation. Axel grinned at the Mystical Knights, and tipped his head in a sinister parting. "Goodbye brother," he said to Quinn, his voice smug. His startling green eyes found Nia's purple ones; a loud whistling noise, like a ready kettle, was sounding from where Zephyrlis stood, paralyzed, the Sword now glowing a very vibrant purple. "I'll be watching you Nia," Axel said serenely, smiling at her with an eerie wonderment, "if you make it out of this alive."

  Nia spun on her heel as Axel disappeared into the air. She ran towards Zephyrlis, ignoring the gasps and cries of her friends. Purple streaks of light were beginning to tear through Zephyrlis' body. With every burst of light, her deranged face turned into something much more demented. She looked completely agonized; she had ceased to scream, although her expression was twisted into a silent one. Nia stood in front of the burning woman, watching helplessly as Zephyrlis stared back. For a moment, fear sparked across her aged face; the end was drawing near.

  "Nia! Don't!"

  Rowan was inches from her; as calmly as she could, Nia held out a hand, eyes still on Zephyrlis. "Stop," she said softly, and he did, his arms outstretched. "I'm the only one who can stop this," she explained, not understanding just how she knew this. The words she spoke were being rattled around her mind as her thoughts raced. "I am a blood descendant. I can touch the Sword. Trust me, and get back."

  Before Rowan could respond, she grabbed Zephyrlis' now blackened hand; there was a loud crack and the earth trembled dangerously. Rowan stumbled backwards, cowering back with Quinn. Nia's breath hitched as she stared down at her hand. It did not burn, like she thought it might. Zephyrlis' hand cracked and split away like burning wood underneath Nia's hand. Her black and beady eyes widened with horror as she watched her hand break away and fall to the ground. "No," she said in a strangled whisper, her voice hoarse and broken from screeching. "He lied! Why? I am faithful, Master! My soul-" she inhaled loudly, wheezing as she took her final breath while white fire consumed her head to toe. Her body, instantly charred and shapeless, crumbled to the floor like ash and dust. Something dark and wispy lingered where Zephyrlis had once stood; Nia stared into it, her eyes unable to penetrate through its blackness. For a second, this terrified her. She could feel the dark shadow staring at her with invisible eyes as she stood unable to move. Looking down, as though to avoid its gaze, Nia saw the Sword of Dreams, gleaming brightly in her hand. It felt pleasant in her grasp, perfect even. The whispers started whirring in her mind, purring with acceptance. This Sword could do great things. She was meant for this Sword, and it, her.

  As she lifted the Sword above her head, the blackness consumed her. She could feel it, burning her lungs with every breath she took, but no one else could see. She could hear Kenzie screaming, Rowan shouting... Nothing was real anymore. This place, these walls...she wasn't real. The blackness filled her up, licking her insides like flames.

  Everything will burn.

  The Sword lit up once more, it's blazing fiery light cascading across the room like moon light, pooling over where the other Mystical Knights stood speechless and shielding their eyes from this brilliance, and yet the darknes
s that was burning Nia would not quit. She squeezed her eyes shut and felt her knees hit the floor as her legs gave out from beneath her. The bright light emitting from the Sword burned through the backs of her eyelids, and colorful dots and patterns danced across her eyes. Let it end, she thought desperately, barely clinging to any real sense or thought. Please...let me go.

  And with that, the blackness overtook the brilliant color and she felt her body-or was it her soul?-floating towards the heavens.

  Chapter 17: The Girl Who Cried

  The gentle tingle of soft fingertips brushed lightly across her forehead as if she were made of delicate porcelain...

  Rowan.

  Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep...

  There was that annoying beeping sound again. Nia wrinkled her nose as she listened, trying to ignore the pain that pulsed through her head every time she heard those obnoxious beeps. Someone was mumbling something just under their breath. Nia could hear the sharp clicking of boots as feet paced back and forth along the floor.

  “Maybe she’ll be awake tomorrow...” the girl was saying.

  “Maybe she won’t wake up at all,” the boy replied, sounding remorseful.

  “Don’t think like that...”

  Couldn’t they see that she was awake? Nia made to stretch, but her arms felt stuck to her sides and when she tried to peel back her eyelids, it was like trying to lift three-ton weights. Stubbornly Nia persisted anyways—she had to wake up...it was the only way she was ever going to get out of this perfectly cozy limbo...

  There was the sound of skin slapping against skin. “See?” the girl said proudly, a hint of arrogance touching her voice. “I told you she’d wake up...”

  Nia’s eyes opened, fluttering gently like the wings of a butterfly. The room was open and warm. From what Nia could see, the pale blue walls were stenciled with royal larkspur, pink tulips and white baby’s breath blossoms. Wires of every sort were hooked up to a strange looking computer and those wires were stuck to Nia’s chest with ECG pads. Nia wriggled her nose again, feeling the oddest sensation of cool air lightly blowing into her nostrils. It was then that she noticed the tubes and wires that were taped to her face; she just about went cross-eyed to gaze down the bridge of her nose at them all.