Magus trembled in fear. He quickly realised he should not have revealed that fact to the king. “He won’t know how to use it ,my king, he won’t…”
“Silence!” shouted Kanto, which brought Magus to his knees.
Magus began to plead to the enraged king. “Please my king, after all my years of faithful service.”
“You are well aware of the punishment for failure,” Kanto responded, showing no sympathy for his fallen servant.
Magus indeed knew the penalty for failing the king, and he knew there was no coming back from it for the penalty was death. Magus pleaded one last time. “Give me one more chance Kanto and I will succeed!”
“I am not in the giving vein this day,” Kanto responded coldly before shooting a flare beam from his hand, which disintegrated Magus into nothing more than ash.
The guards who stood in the throne room began to tremble. They knew no one was safe around the king when he was in such a foul mood. They nervously looked away from him, trying desperately not to make eye contact with their enraged master.
The king sat back on the throne. He placed his hand on his chin again and became deep in thought once more. So the banished brothers of this realm have united, he thought to himself. He referred to Chad and James, or Shadow and Valentine, which were their names in Kanto’s realm. The king called out to one of the guards in the room and asked him to send for the General of his armies, a man by the name of Lucius.
Chapter 5: Graduation
Two days after the mission to the Costa Rican Island, everybody had returned back to the training complex safe and sound. Alberto and the others that had been wooded on the battlefield received treatment from the medical safe and the training squads had been fully debriefed. Everyone on the camp was nervous today for this was the day in which the results of the field exam would be announced. The difference between success and failure was great. Success in the exam would mean the trainee would become a fully-fledged member of the government’s secret organisation, but failure would mean the student would be released back into the world as a civilian and all ties with them would be cut.
During the two days since the end of the exam there had been conflicting views by all over the actions of one of the student’s during the mission, the student in question being Chad. Whilst openly recognising and praising Chad’s abilities, there were those who believed in blowing up the tower against orders, Chad showed huge immaturity and they thought him to be a liability. The commander of the mission, in particular, was in direct opposing of Chad becoming a fully-fledged member. However, this wasn’t the only reason for the student’s to be nervous for rumours had begun to circulate around the camp that a Sergeant from the secret government organisation was coming to the facility today in person to address the squad members who had taken part in the exam.
At around two o’clock in the afternoon, a helicopter set down at the training complex. All the trainee’s lined up outside in the courtyard and gave a salute as the rear door of the helicopter opened. Out stepped Sergeant Cooper, a man who was high up in the chain of command at the government’s secret initiative, the World Order. The professor called out for the student’s to salute and they duly obliged as the sergeant stepped out of the chopper. Sergeant Cooper was dressed in military uniform and had several medals on his blazer. He looked in his fifties in appearance, was very tall, had huge broad shoulders and a chin that looked as though it was made out of granite. The man was one of the most respected people in his field of work; having commanded troops in Afghanistan and many black operation missions for several government agencies around the world. The professor had talked at length to the students over the years about the tales of Sergeant Cooper and the respect shown by the trainee’s towards him was genuine.
The sergeant took around ten steps from the helicopter and looked back towards the vehicle as another person stepped out onto the platform. All heads turned in the courtyard as a young woman walked up to the sergeant’s side. This was Stacey Cooper, the sergeant’s daughter. Stacey was twenty-three years old and was a picture of beauty. She was short and slender and had dark hair that came down to her shoulders. The woman linked her father’s arm as the pair walked past where the recruits had lined up to salute them. The sergeant saluted them back and shook hands with Professor Milton who had walked over to greet him. The sergeant introduced his daughter to the professor and the three of them began to walk inside. All of the male trainee’s were stunned by the girl’s beauty, but she paid them no attention. All that is, expect Chad who Stacey had caught a brief glimpse of when she first exited the helicopter. As she walked past him the pair locked eyes for a couple of second’s. Chad was mesmerized as he looked into her hazel eyes. He had always been super cool around women before, but this one took his breath away. She gave him a small smile before she walked inside the training complex with her father and the professor.
The trainee’s began to disband from the courtyard and there was an announcement for all those that had taken part in the exam to assemble outside the professor’s office in one hour. Nerves began to fill the bodies of the members who had participated in the exam for they knew that this would be their last chance to impress before the judgement upon them would be passed. They would either become fully-fledged members of the government’s special organisation or simply be sprung back into a normal civilian life. James and Chad were more nervous than the rest. (Although Chad’s nerves had calmed somewhat from seeing the sergeant’s daughter smile at him)
Professor Milton and Sergeant Cooper briefed the exam participants squad by squad as they were called into the professor’s office. It would be these two men who had the final say on who would be recruited to the organisation and who would go home. Squad A was called inside first and in went James, Cody, Sophie, Alberto and Sato.
The sergeant briefed each person on what he thought about their strength’s and weaknesses and informed each individual of their performance during the exam. To Cody he said, “You showed great focus and patience whilst being held captive. You are not usually a warrior by nature, but you showed that when it really matters, you don’t hide.” With regards to Sophie, he commented, “despite being in a male dominated group, at times it was you that led the way. You are a thinker, a planner, a strategist and your skill with knives cannot be underestimated. Then he turned to James. Sergeant Cooper looked long and hard at him before speaking.
Is that a look of disappointment, or anger? James thought worryingly.
“The professor had such high hopes for you,” he said to him in a very low beat tone. It sounded like this was to be a speech of disappointment. “However, it seems even the professor underestimated just how good you really are son.” The sergeant gave James a nod of approval.
James gasped a huge sigh of relief. He had feared the worst when the man had started to talk, but now he felt twenty feet tall. James, Cody and Sophie all passed the exam, but sadly Alberto and Sato failed. Alberto was particularly down about this as the injury he suffered to his hand during the battle with the ninjas had done permanent damage. He would never be able to use his right hand again. The three celebrated together, but they tried to keep their joy low beat, consoling the two men who had failed.
This process continued until finally the squad which Chad had been captain of was called into the office. Lined up inside stood Chad, Rick, Rachel and Jade. The sergeant walked up and down beside them for a few moments before beginning to speak. “First things first, you all did remarkably well considering you were dispatched to the island earlier than the rest to aid our teams. Then when the other forces took full control of the island, you avoided capture which is most impressive.” Sergeant Cooper’s tone then began to suddenly change. “However, why didn’t you radio for backup or inform the professor of what had happened once the others were taken?”
Chad tried to intervene “Well you see we…”
“I didn’t give you permission to speak trainee,” Sergeant Cooper said bluntly, cutting Chad off. The latter lo
oked on completely bemused as the man continued on. “Why was it that you decided to masqueraded as enemy forces instead of calling for reinforcements?”
Chad again tried to talk, “well I figured that the other squads…”
The sergeant gave Chad a cold stare that told him he should stop talking, which he reluctantly did.
Rick, Rachel and Jade remained stood in silence, too afraid to speak. Professor Milton looked on with a deeply serious look on his face.
“Then when the other squads arrived, you idly sat by and watched from the trees as they engaged enemy forces in battle without aiding them, resulting in a serious injury to one of their members.”
“Now wait just a minute,” said Chad determined to get a word in to defend himself.
To the surprise of every else in the room, the sergeant let him speak.
“If it wasn’t for us, the whole mission would have failed. It’s because of us, that everyone’s alive.”
“Is that right?”
“You’re damn right it is!” said Chad, sounding very sure of himself. “Another thing, the so-called fully fledged members out there were useless! We had to save their sorry arses because they were stupid enough to get caught. They owe us their lives!”
The sergeant asked the other members of the squad to leave, which left only Sergeant Cooper, Professor Milton and Chad inside the room. The two men were not pleased with Chad’s arrogant attitude.
The sergeant slowly circled around Chad, examining him closely. “You have great skill Chad, that I have no doubt. You have also, however, demonstrated an inability to follow direct orders. May I ask what brought you to the conclusion that you needed to blow up the tower upon your escape?”
“Never leave an enemies stronghold intact right? The professor has said as much in his lessons,” Chad replied.
“That’s only when ordered to do so by your superior, not something to take upon yourself”, said Professor Milton, who had remained silent up until now.
“I’m clearly the best fighter you have here, you know it as well as I do!” Chad snorted back.
The sergeant lost his temper at Chad’s big headedness. “Your arrogance is your downfall. You are reckless and foolish, needless to say, you haven’t got what it takes to join our organisation.”
Chad stormed out of the room past Rick, Rachel and Jade, who were standing outside. Sergeant Cooper and Professor Milton remained inside. They discussed in depth about what to do with Chad. The Professor tried to get Sergeant Cooper to change his mind about failing Chad on the exam. The truth was the sergeant had no intention of failing him, he simply wished to see how he would react to criticism in order to test his temperament. Both he and Professor Milton had talked at length about both Chad and James. They had talked about their amazing fighting skills, stamina and speed amongst other things. The professor had also told Sergeant Cooper about Chad’s short temper and unwillingness to follow instructions. The sergeant wanted to see the boys temper first hand and the way to bring it out was to relentlessly criticize him.
The sergeant was pleased with Chad’s performance, although he did feel his actions were a little rash, especially blowing up the tower. His action’s destroyed any possibility of them sending more agents back to fully investigate the tower. However, he didn’t dwell on this too much for Chad and James’ actions had led to them gaining possession of the mysterious dagger that the trainee’s had taken from the tower. Although they had no idea of the dagger’s true potential, they were conducting tests on it at the organisation’s headquarters.
Sergeant Cooper eventually revealed to Chad and the other members of his squad that all of them had passed the exam. Chad passed by the skin of his teeth due to his rash actions, but his rescue of the full members had convinced him that Chad had potential. In fact, he and the Professor had big plans for Chad and for James too.
So with the exam results now known, everyone on the camp prepared for the graduation party. A huge ceremony was to be held that night for the students who had become full members of the government’s secret force. It was similar to that of a university graduation party. It was being held in a huge dining facility on the training camp and the whole room had been turned into a large dance floor. Everyone prepared for the party. This was their farewell to the training camp and it would be unlikely they would ever visit this place again, so everybody intended to go out with a bang. They all began to get ready; the men wearing their smartest suits and the girls wearing their finest dresses, not to mention putting on their best fragrances. The party had almost arrived.
#
Deep within the heart of the realm of Alexandria, a huge buzz of excitement was in the air. The reason for this was today was a joyous day. This particular day was the anniversary of the ending of the Great War between Alexandria and Underworld, and the day peace was finally brought to both kingdoms. On this day every year, the whole realm would take part in a celebration. For twenty-four hours straight the Alexandrian’s enjoyed feasts beyond their wildest dreams. The people would flock from all corners of the realm to the royal palace. The female amazons of Ardenor, located in the western lands of the realm were already traveling on horse back to the castle. The race of serpent men of the east had travelled up from their city deep within the sea to join in the festivities. The amazons and the serpent men were not the best of allies, but relations had improved somewhat to more civilized terms since the Great War had ended. They were once sworn enemies, but they had formed an alliance in order to aid the king in his battle against Underworld when the fighting took a turn for the worse. They were now on talking terms but by no means friends.
Kara prepared for the ceremony from within her chambers in the castle. She was sat on a stool in front of a large mirror, which was bigger in size that even her. Kara was the Princess of Alexandria and as such had to dress in royal attire for the occasion, which she hated. She made little fuss over it though as she knew how much this day meant to the Alexandrian people. They look to me for strength. I am the hope for a better future in their eyes, she thought. Kara was being fitted into a long dress and her maid tied stitches into the back of it with a needle and cotton. The maid tightened a string on the dress and Kara gasped for breath. Do they always have to tie these things so tight?
The maid must have realised this because she began to panic slightly. “I am sorry your highness,” she said nervously.
Kara did her best to put the lady at ease. “It is ok, do not worry sweet maid,” she said, reassuring the woman. Her words were spoken so softly that the maid no longer felt uneasy.
The maid finished tightening the dress and took her leave of Kara. The princess sat in front of the mirror and gazed upon herself in it. She was wearing a gold pendant around her neck that had engraved within it the symbol of Alexandria, which was a cross, only with three circles that formed around it. She put her right hand around the pendant and gazed closely into the mirror, almost as if she was looking upon someone else. Kara had gained the ability of telepathy as she matured into a young woman. It was a skill that ran within her bloodline. She was able to read the thoughts of some but not all of the people whom she encountered. However, as she gazed into the mirror, she felt something different. I am not alone. She felt the presence of a young man, someone who felt close but yet far away. She felt his thoughts and feelings and felt a deep connection with this person even though she have never met him. However, she felt as if he were part of her in some strange way. You’re nervous about something, aren’t you? She thought as she gazed into the mirror.
#
At the same time, James was in his dormitory room in the training complex. He was preparing for the graduation party for the newly appointed government agents of which he was one. He stood in front of the mirror in his room and was putting on a shirt. James had never felt nerves like this before. It really was going to be a big night; in fact, it was going to be the biggest night of his life. As James fastened the buttons of his shirt he felt words touch him fr
om somewhere far away. He didn’t know where they were coming from, but it felt like a voice from deep inside his soul. “Don’t be nervous, everything is going to be ok.” The words gave James strength. He reached inside his pocket and pulled out his hand, revealing a gold pendant. The pendant was identical to that which Kara had around her neck. He always felt at peace when he looked at the object though he could not say why. It was like a lucky charm to him. When he arrived at the orphanage all those years ago as a young boy, he had the pendant around his neck. He had always kept it hidden when he was small for he knew if any of the orphanage staff found out about its existence they would have taken it away from him. He knew nothing of his parents, nor had any memory of anything prior to him being in the orphanage. However, this pendant was from before that time, something from a childhood long forgotten to him. He put the chain of the pendant around his neck and tied up his shirt.
#
Kara looked even harder at the mirror. Strange boy, who are you? A knock on the door of her chambers broke the princesses concentration.
“My lady the ceremony shall begin shortly. His grace has sent for you,” said a maid from outside the room.
“Tell the king I’m on my way,” replied Kara. She stood up and took one final glance at the mirror before heading out to the ceremony.
A group of female amazon’s approached the palace walls on horseback. They had travelled from the kingdom of Ardenor, a selection of small islands to the western region of Alexandria. It was there that the amazon women had ruled since the dawn of time. The drawbridge had already been lowered for them and Rokk, the great Warlock of Alexandria was there to greet them. Rokk had been loyal to the king for many years and he too, along with Auron, lived within the castle. Rokk was around fifty years old and was relatively short in appearance, around 5ft 5ins to be exact. To those who didn’t know him, he would seem like a small timid man. There were not many people who didn’t know him in the realm however for his powers were legendary and feared by all. He was Alexandria’s answer to the sorceress Harriet of Underworld and the two had fought in many fierce battles in the past. Both the warlock and the sorceress nullified each other, meaning both realms were safe from the threat of magic.
Clash Of Worlds Page 9
