Cody struggled to stand as he spoke due to the ever-increasing wind conditions. “We’re doing the best we can sir. It’s hard to maintain control with the panic out here.”.
Something about this was all too familiar to James. His mind came back to something he had seen. He had remembered the taunts of Lucius in Sydney, and also the symbols on the temple walls in Argentina. He remembered Lucius words. “Chaos will engulf this world and break the spirit of its peoples. You will all succumb to the will of Kanto.” This is what he meant, James thought.
“What is it?” asked Professor Milton who noticed James deep in thought.
“This is Lucius’ plan…to create chaos.”
“I see, now the question becomes why? What are his intentions?”
“He didn’t reveal that to me,” said James. He then began to think. “Wait a minute…” James clicked his fingers, remembering again what Lucius had said to him. “He said the people will bend to his will, I’m not quite sure what he means.”
The professor crossed his arms and stroked the grey whiskers on his chin. “So he aims to break us?” “He won’t. I’ll stop him!” proclaimed James.
“Then you should come with me, boy. There is something you will need.”
The pair made their way onto the roof of the headquarters. The professor had arranged for one of the employees to meet them on the roof, for what reason though he did not reveal. The male member of the organisation greeted the pair upon their arrival and handed the professor a large metal container. Professor Milton thanked the man who then departed, leaving the pair alone on the roof. The top of the headquarters gave a great view of the city of London. The London eye could be seen in the distance, as could Buckingham Palace. The sun wasn’t far from setting and the light was beginning to fade. The sun lit the historic sights, which looked even more spectacular as it disappeared into the clouds.
James’ focus wasn’t on the sights, however. He was more curious about the contents of the large metal container that the professor had in his possession.
“I can see you are wondering what it is I have here,” said the professor.
“The thought had crossed my mind,” James confessed.
Professor Milton placed the container on the floor and opened it. “If you are going to defeat our enemy, then you’re going to need this.”
There was a large cloth like fabric inside and the man whisked it off, revealing the item that was inside the metal container. James was slightly taken back by what he saw. It was the sword of Lucius, the item that had been retrieved during the first battle with his white-haired nemesis.
“Take it,” said Professor Milton.
James seemed reluctant at first. He had witnessed first hand the devastation the weapon was capable of. Still, he could not help but be drawn to the item. “I’m not sure if it’s safe for me to use this professor.”
The professor was surprised by the agent’s response. He expected the boy to leap at the opportunity to wield such a weapon. “All of our weapons and technology have proved useless against our opponent. However, this blade possesses great power. Such a power in fact, that Lucius himself chose to wield it. You will need such a weapon if you are to defeat him.” James listened hard, as he always did when his mentor spoke. Again, the old man’s words rang true. The professor continued, “Use this power, James. It may give you the advantage.”
James reached into the container and took the blade. A small sensation ran through him as he gripped the handle of the sword. It almost felt like home… Unbeknownst to James, Lucius was not the blades true master. The weapon was the property of Auron, the General of Alexandria. He had lost the blade, made of Alexandrian steel, during his duel with Lucius in the Dark Forest. However, as far as James knew, the sword belonged to Lucius. James examined the blade closely. It truly was a fine piece of weaponry, something that any swordsmith would be proud of. He knew that the blade was not of this world and what he held was truly a rare item.
The agent’s thoughts now dwelled on the task that was before him. Can I really beat him? “Professor, I don’t know if even this sword will be enough.”
“Against Lucius?” asked Professor Milton.
“Yeah,” James paused for a moment before continuing. “His strength is incredible, far above my own.” The professor smiled.
“You think that’s funny?”
“Not at all boy. I think I have the answer to your problems. Something that may indeed push things into our favour.”
“What do you mean?” asked James. “How can I match up with somebody who is physically superior in every way?”
The professor shook his head. “By opening your eyes to something you take for granted every day.” The old man looked up at the sun, which was disappearing beneath the clouds as evening drew near. “My research has concluded your genetic makeup enables your skills and abilities to be at their peak in sunlight.”
That’s ridiculous professor. The expression on James’ face gave away what he was thinking.
“You don’t believe me? I have found you and Chad to be alike in many ways. However you are only alike in the sense that you are the direct opposite of each other,” said Professor Milton.
“I don’t understand sir.”
“Think about it. You have a weakness to fire; this is Chad’s strength. You are able to control water to an extent, whilst Chad cannot.”
James still wasn’t convinced by the old man’s theory.
“During your training sessions with Chad, you were able to match, and sometimes even defeat him whilst training during the day time. However, when these sessions were conducted during the night, Chad was able to beat you every time. I never thought about this until recently. Chad shows extraordinary levels of strength and endurance during the hours of night. If my theory is correct, then the same should be said of you during the day, when the light is present.”
The professor’s theory was very confusing to James, but he did understand the man’s logic. “Professor, what if you are wrong?
“I doubt it. Chad’s skills seem very similar to those of Lucius. If that is the case, then he should not be as effective during sunlight hours. This may be why he has only made his presence known during the night.”
James thought for a moment. He’s right! Every sighting of Lucius to date has come during the night.
James looked at Professor Milton and marvelled at his brilliance. The old man truly was a genius. James would never have been able to figure this out on his own. In fact, no one else probably could other than this wise old man, or at least James thought as much. “Thank you sir,” said James. His joy was dampened slightly by the thought that his friend was still missing.
The professor placed his hand on James’ shoulder. “Don’t worry, we will find him.”
The man can even read my thoughts!
James and the professor made their way back to the control room. Sergeant Cooper was continuing a discussion with Cody, who was broadcast on the large screen from New York.
“Cody, something’s happening,” said a female voice from behind him. The voice was that of Sophie, who had now arrived in New York to aid the evacuation of the city.
A Dark mist began to appear around the immediate area. The same mist began to form on each of the large monitors that had a live feed to the agents scattered all around the world.
“What is going on?” Sergeant Cooper asked Cody.
“I’ve seen this before,” said James.
Suddenly, shadow-like figures emerged through the mist and began attacking the emergency services who were trying to get the civilians to safety. The agents began to engage the shadow men and huge battles began to erupt everywhere.
“Sergeant, we have a match!” said a female member of staff from her computer. Sergeant Cooper and Professor Milton made their way over to the computer. “It’s a match sir, sixty-two,” said the woman. The computer re-read the findings. “Actually, eighty-one percent.”
“Where is he
?”
“London…”
“He’s here?” asked Sergeant Cooper.
The woman nodded.
Sergeant Cooper turned around and looked James straight in the eye. “Agent, you’re up!”
James nodded. He knew his time had come. The World Order was depending on him now. A lot rested on his shoulders. He knew he had to take Lucius down. He had been unsure whether he could do it or not, but the professor had made him believe in himself again.
“Remember, he is not invincible. He has a weakness,” Professor Milton said to him quietly.
“The fate of us all is in your hands boy. Are you up to it?” said Sergeant Cooper.
James lifted his head up high. He no longer felt nervous at the task that was before him. He knew this was his moment. “I’ll take him down, sir. You have my word!” he said defiantly. He strapped the otherworldly blade onto his back and cleared his mind. I am ready!
Chapter 16: A Past Long Forgotten
The Dark Archer and Kara ventured deep within the Dark Forest. The half-man, half-demon had not killed her, something the princess had thought to be a certainty after she had been discovered. Instead, the Archer had led her into a deeper part of the forest. This area was vast and somewhat different from the rest. The oaks of the trees were white rather than brown and the trees had no leaves upon them. They looked like a normal tree would be in the season of autumn, bare and lacking life. However, the trees were full of life here. This was their natural state, and it was here that the Dark Archer had come to call home.
Kara could now see the moon through the empty branches of the strange white trees. The moonlight lit up the area inside the forest. The princess would normally marvel in the beauty of such a thing, however, her current predicament dominated her train of thought. Why hasn’t he killed me? She had no idea where the creature was leading her, nor what he intended to do once they got there. The Dark Archer had killed the Hellhounds that pursued the girl in an instant, however, he had not harmed the princess…yet.
After dispatching the hellish beasts, the Dark Archer had spoken to Kara. Only a few words mind you. Very few people in these lands had ever heard the creature speak, and even fewer had lived to tell the tale.
“If you stay here you will perish. Come with me,” were the words he had uttered to the girl. Kara had thought about running for her life, and then she even thought of trying to fight the Dark Archer herself. However, she knew both of these options were futile. She had witnessed the explosive power and speed the demon possessed first-hand when he had torn the Hellhounds apart with his bare hands. Not to mention the fact that he also seemed deadly accurate with his arrows. I have no choice. I have to do what he says, she realised.
They had been walking for nearly four hours and the princess was beginning to tire. The rugged terrain wasn’t exactly the best to walk in and Kara had small blisters on her feet. Her pain in her ankle had begun to ease up though, she counted that as a blessing at least.
As the pair walked on further still through the mysterious white trees within the forest, the princess finally had enough. Tiredness now outweighed her fear and she wanted to know where she was being taken. “Where are we going?” Kara demanded. Her tone was no longer civil.
The Dark Archer paid no attention to the girl and continued to walk. The princess was not accustomed to being ignored, given her royal title, and the Archer’s ignorance did little to improve her mood.
The girl stopped in her tracks. “Tell me where we are going right now!” she said, slightly raising her voice.
The Dark Archer came to a halt and slowly turned around. Although much of his face was hidden, the long cold stare he gave Kara sent shudders through her body.
Have I angered him? “Please,” said the girl in a much friendly way, not wishing to upset this strange and unpredictable creature.
The Dark Archer tilted his head to the right as he looked at her, enabling him to gaze upon her with his one human eye. It was well known that this strange creature was half man and half demon, the only such being known to exist. He could see much better out of his right eye, the eye of which an ordinary man would possess. The other eye was that of a demon, and that also had its uses.
Kara became increasingly nervous as the Dark Archer looked at her with his head tilted to one side. She really didn’t wish to upset him.
The Archer tilted his head upwards into a normal position once more. “We must keep moving,” he said finally after a long pause. His words were emotionless and cold.
The princess crossed her arms. “But why? We have been walking for hours. Can we not rest for a moment?”
“The danger is not over yet,” said the Dark Archer.
Kara looked around to see if there was any impending danger. The forest was calm and still, and not a single sound could be heard. “There doesn’t seem to be any danger lurking out here,” said Kara with a hint of sarcasm. Her fear of the Dark Archer began to fade a little.
“Yes…for now,” replied the demon. “Hellhounds are not so easily deterred.”
“You defeated them pretty easily before. It shouldn’t be a problem for you,” said Kara.
“Hellhounds hunt in packs. Rest assure they will be back, and this time in greater numbers.”
Although the words of the demon were cold and seemingly uncaring, they sounded very wise, like they were coming from a being much older than his younger appearance would suggest. Indeed this much was true. The Dark Archer, although resembling the appearance of a man in his twenties (at least the part of him that had human features), was over fifty years old. However, age did not affect his body like it would a normal man. The Dark Archer was ageless and immortal. His body did not become weaker as the years passed due to the fearsome demon that dwelled within him. It is not known how the creature had come to have such a form to be a half-breed human-demon, it is only known that the creature was once a man and that the apparent immortality the Dark Archer had been gifted with, may not have been a reward, but more likely a curse. Very little of the creatures past was known beyond that, and Kara thought it wise not to question him with such things. Besides she had more pressing concerns.
“Thank you for your help sir, but I have to go,” said Kara. It was more of a plea from the girl rather than a statement.
The Dark Archer seemed puzzled by her words. “And what do you seek out here princess?”
The girl gasped a little with the demon’s last word, ‘princess.’ He knows who I am. How does he know? The princess knew that if her identity were to become known to any in this realm, her life would be in grave danger. Many of those in Underworld were enemies to the people of Alexandria, and the discovery of her royal highness, the Princess of Alexandria, would have resulted in a terrible end to the girl. She might have been taken hostage, or taken to the Underworld king. Or worse still, someone from this world might take it upon themselves to rape her, and then deliver her back to her father with child. Giving birth to a bastard child from another realm would have been a fate worse than death Kara had thought.
Kara tried her best to hide the fact she was of royal descent during her journey. She obviously hadn’t done a good enough job! “What do you mean?” asked the girl.
“You are Princess Kara Alexandria, are you not?” asked the Dark Archer.
Another shudder flowed through the girl’s body. How does he know that? “That’s ridiculous,” said Kara who followed her words with very unconvincing laughter.
“Then why do you carry the royal pendant around her neck?”
Kara put her hand onto her chest and touched the pendant that was hidden underneath her hooded robe. The robe was incredibly baggy and there was no way anyone could have made out the girl was wearing such an item just by looking at her. “I don’t know what you’re talking about sir, I think you have me mistaken for someone else.” The girl took a few discreet backward steps.
“Mistake? So you are not of the royal bloodline of Alexandria?” said the Dark Archer.
“No!” said Kara defiantly, shaking her head as she spoke.
“Well then, if you are not her then I guess it is ok for me to kill you.” He took a few steps towards the girl.
“No Wait!” shouted Kara, holding out her hands.
The Dark Archer stopped only a few yards away from her. The princess took a few deep breaths and composed herself. “I am indeed Princess Kara Alexandria,” the girl said hesitantly. She knew revealing her identity left her exposed, however. she had no other choice. Besides, it seemed this strange creature knew exactly who she was anyway.
“That’s what I thought,” said the Dark Archer. He didn’t seem to care about the girl’s revelation. With those pleasantries out of the way, Kara wanted to get back to her quest, the uncovering of a great Alexandrian secret, and the identity of the strange boy from her dreams. This was the reason she had left Alexandria in the first place after all.
Since the Archer seemed uninterested in killing her now, the princess thought it might be ample time for her to ask the demon for guidance on her quest. Fargrim, the now sadly deceased dwarf had told her to head here, into the Dark Forest. Here, the princess was meant to find the one person who knew of the great tertiary that had occurred in the past of both realms. A deep, dark secret, something that no-one ever dared speak of. This secret was connected to the Valentine boy in Kara’s dreams. However, if the princess was to gain the knowledge this person possessed, she first had to find them. Maybe he can help me? This much was true, for no one knew the forest like the Dark Archer. He had lived in these parts for many decades after all. Kara began to speak once more “So, I was wondering…”
The demon interrupted her mid sentence. “I know why you are here Kara, daughter of Zeris.”
“You know my father?”
The Archer gave a short cold laugh. “Yes…you could say that.”
“How? Have you been to Alexandria?” said Kara.
“I’m disappointed. You have not heard the myth of how I came to be here?” asked the Archer. The girl looked puzzled by the demons words. The Archer didn’t seem surprised. “I don’t suppose that is a tale the Alexandrian’s would tell you. Anyway, I believe you are on a quest?”
Clash Of Worlds Page 38
