Forging Truth (The Truth Saga)

by Raymond Masters

  Numerous howls rose to where I hovered high above my fallen friend. The echoes warbled off the steel roof, slicing through my concern for Mason. Oh, now what? Yeah, stupid. I cranked up the juice, completely illuminating my half of the cavernous lab. The remaining corpses had freed themselves. Their static fields had undoubtedly been shot right along with everything else; and now they were coming after me, pissed at the way I had treated two of their own. Or maybe it was more base than that: perhaps they simply wanted to feast on my energy, the same as Mace. I had stopped him for the moment, but how many more could I beat off me. I had to stay airborne. I had to figure something out. I had to get through that door. I had to find Ducie. I had to not die.

  3

  My feeling of relative safety, as I floated high above the dead of war, was relatively short-lived. Whatever mutations had been forced through their makeup wasn’t limited to a renewal of stamina, nor to a hellish set of claws and a spiky grill. As with Mason, the others had put the NBA on notice with their vertical leap. I couldn’t go up, because of the ceiling. I couldn’t go down, because of the obvious. And I couldn’t just continue to hover, barely out of reach. I was getting tired, and I knew I had to rest, before I faced off against the creatures at my heels. So, I did the only thing I could: I pulled myself onto one of the larger beams at the room’s center to catch my breath.

  I had to postpone my R & R, however, to deal with an annoying little evolution problem. The soldiers hadn’t liked that I was happily resting above them, stingily hording my energy. So, a few decided they were going to suddenly gain the ability to scale walls that were ordinarily handhold free. They thought it would be nice if they were to charge down the beam full tilt to tackle me. Luckily, these guys seemed to be impulse-driven, because as soon as they got to me, I zapped over the side, pushing off of the two closest me with my feet as I went. The extra push knocked them to the ground, while giving me the boost I needed to get a safe distance away from the other climbers.

  The ones on the ground continued lunging for my feet. Well, I thought, at least they’re climbers and jumpers, not fliers. Then, as happens with me quite often, irony jumped up and bit me on the butt. Or perhaps I should say it flew up and bit me on the butt.

  The most persistent of the jumpers seemed to get a little extra boost, and managed to surprise me by actually raking his claws across the sole of my foot. I jerked backwards, but I had to bank sharply to keep from running into the waiting arms of two more monsters. They were hovering there, obviously confused about their newfound ability. I was confused about it, myself, in addition to being alarmed.

  3

  I decided to quickly ground my two evolved foes, before they could gain a working knowledge of their flight. I didn’t have time or confidence in dealing with these guys. Caduceus and I had practiced aerial sparring, sure, but had Caduceus truly been trying to kill me at the time? I mean, c’mon! I flashed a fan of light to further disorient my attackers. Then, I flew behind them and threw two blasts each, effectively clipping their wings. I hadn’t killed them, but like Mason, these two went out on impact.

  Not to worry, though, there were plenty of others every bit as eager to fill the void. Where there had been two, now there were half a dozen that had taken to the air. Of these fliers, three had their wits about them, and were able to mount a charge. Gotta hand it to nature’s desire to feed.

  They came in an inverted V-shape. As the first two reached me, I improvised yet again and cut in-between them. On my way, I grabbed a forearm apiece and used the leverage to flip myself. My momentum hurtled them backwards. Those two barreled over the third. The collision managed to slow the group, but they were still on path and moving with enough force to connect squarely with the three stragglers. If I’d been bowling, I would’ve picked up a spare.

  Those six were replaced by a dozen more. Then, another dozen took to the sky. I might have started off having just a wee bit of fun, but to tell the truth, I was getting overwhelmed. Still, I soldiered on, laying into those closest to me, playing defense over offense. My approach was working, too. I was holding my own and starting to feel like I might even be making some headway towards my exit. I wasn’t having fun, but, maybe, I would save the day yet.

  Then, something happened I couldn’t quite believe. The exit I had strived so valiantly to gain access to whooshed open. It did so in concert with the entranceway back the way I’d come. Half the throng stopped their assault and turned toward whichever door was closest to them. The few on the ground started in their directions and were promptly blown to bits for their efforts.

  Red fire washed over them in wave after endless wave. Once those previously proud servicemen and women had been reduced to so much ash, the flames ceased, and the flame wielders rushed inside. From the control room, Don Bishop and Mr. Talmage strode inside in an off-key parody of some spaghetti western’s cavalry scene. The entranceway attack force was a bit more impressive. What looked to be every soldier from my welcoming party filed into the room, flamethrowers at the ready.

  When the immediate threat had been dealt with, the guest of honor cut through to the center of the room. “Stay where you are, you brainless golems,” Richard Van Parson commanded. “Neither his power, nor his death, will be yours today.”

  4

  “Sit, please, and be easy.” Van Parson was playing his manners, and to be honest, I was a bit more prepared to deal with the living dead back in the lab. “Thirsty?”

  “Are you high,” I asked. “Wait, am I high?”

  “It has to be hard to process, our being on the same side all of a sudden, but I assure you, it is genuine.” He flashed his best globetrotting, CEO smile. It was only a little creepier than Mason’s had been, but twice as carnivorous.

  “Hard to process? An evil malcontent, like you, on my side? You’re the one behind all this. It’s your cursed war.”

  “Perry’s war,” He corrected.

  I couldn’t believe I was actually arguing with this psychopath. I began ticking points off on my fingers. “You blew up the statue, starting this whole mess. You murdered that kid the day of the debate, framing France’s ambassador. You killed Julinn, too. And why? To silence the fact it was you behind the attack. He was the father of a very close friend of mine, and you had him killed.” I gritted my teeth, not even attempting to hide my rage. “You have corrupted these noble men and women into these, these beasts. You did this to Mason, a true and faithful man!” I lunged to attack. He might’ve saved my bacon, but he would pay for all the evil he had tailored.

  His men were surrounding me in no time flat. I hadn’t expected to get through to him. If his men hadn’t stopped me, I’m sure he would’ve had some sort of protective field in place. This was not a man who ever went without a plan B, or plan M for that matter. I took my seat, still seething. His men stood down.

  “You knew that wouldn’t work,” he guessed. “You only wanted to do something – anything – in your time of impotence. I know how you feel. It is time I take action, myself. It is time I start creating my own destiny.” I had absolutely no idea what he was going on about. Even if I had, I’m certain I wouldn’t have cared. I didn’t respond, so he continued. “Warrior Tech. Angel Slayer. Jump bombs. The armor and gauntlets my men and I wear. I am responsible for so many advancements for mankind. Not just weapons. The subsidiaries of VPI are responsible for feeding hundreds of thousands every day. The leaps I have brought to the field of medicine, alone, are immeasurable. Yet, for all of my contributed advancements, I still stand impotent where it counts most. I am a man who strives for ultimate power, only to be held back by the doddering of an old fool.”

  That comment earned an arched eyebrow from me. I wanted clarification. “The Dark Monk?”

  “Monk?” He chuckled, “Yes, I guess that’s him. Though, the only religion this monk holds holy is the religion of self.”

  “Seems like you each hold to that religion.”

  “Hmm. You know this man.”

  �
��Monster.”

  “You know this man. Intimately. You have already been closer to him than you are aware. But are you aware your paths are destined to cross, again?” It was his turn to cock an eyebrow my way. I tried hard not to show he had shaken me. Nevertheless, Van Parson picked up on it. “That’s right. And I’m going to help you get there.”

  “Why should I care about him? Why should I care about anything you wish to help me with?” If I thought it would’ve done any good, I’d have made another lunge for the pompous bastard.

  “Because of your mission, of course. You’re on a mission to save your friends, yes? How noble! I’m going to aide you. I will give you the means to find your healer friend and the girl. They are both in his custody.”

  “The Dark Monk.” I repeated.

  “The old man, yes. Aesculapus.”

  “Aesculapus? But …” I was floored. It had to be a trick, but it didn’t feel like one. Of course, not feeling like one could’ve just been another form of Van Parson’s treachery.

  “That’s right, the healer’s brother. And to think he’s been all through that little brain of yours. He knows all about you: your past, your friends and family. Who. You. Are. Tragic, actually. But I shall help you to end his threat and retrieve your friends.”

  “You want me to trust you’re telling the truth,” I asked.

  “The truth? Truth is your department, Kade Truth.” He winked at me, and I wished I could tear his throat out.

  “Is that supposed to scare me? Or am I supposed to be impressed? If you want to endear yourself to me, you might start by reversing the effects of whatever hellish transformation your brownnosers put Mason through.”

  “What you’re asking is possible, certainly. Not easy, mind you, but it’s as I said. The advancements for which I am responsible are vast. Bishop, have the Asian retrieve Mr. Truth’s friend and carry him to one of our bio-chambers. Reverse the procedure and return him to me.”

  “Of course, sir,” Bishop said and relayed the orders through a wall comm.

  “Very good. The process should take less than a half hour. Then, you will see, firsthand, my sincerity. So, what shall we talk about to pass the time?”

  “I could care less,” I replied, hoping he was being honest this once. Evil genius or evil bastard, either way, I prayed he would keep his word and fix my friend and return him to me. I only feared at what he would ask for in return.

  5

  “What makes my weapons so powerful? The secret behind them? That’s a very good question, my new friend,” Van Parson addressed me, yet I had so far failed to ask, indeed, a single thing. He motioned for his men. “Maybe the rest of you could give us some privacy? This is a highly confidential matter we’re about to discuss.”

  “Boss,” Bishop whined.

  “Ah, right,” he said, slapping my shoulder with a grin, “It’s funny: they’re always so worried I’m unable to take care of my own, whenever they couldn’t take care of my own, without my gadgetry.

  “Seriously, all of you: Out. You, too,” he motioned toward his top yes-men. “I’ve got this one.” Reluctantly, they started out the door. “Don’t pout, Talmage. Look, would it make you feel better if I said you could kill this friend of his, should he attempt an escape or attack me?”

  So much for the kindly benefactor, I smirked.

  Talmage smiled, mollified. “Yes, boss.”

  Content his secrets would remain solely between the two of us – a fact that made me two hundred percent certain I would die at the man’s hands at the end of this whole ordeal – Van Parson picked up, as if we had never been interrupted at all. “It’s magic. Not a figure of speech, but mother loving magic.” He offered me a smile/wink combo this time. The man had an endless supply of them.

  “Care to expound on that? Since you sent everyone else away, I can only guess that’s a yes, here.”

  “Are you familiar with the story of Cain and his brother what’s-his-face?” He didn’t wait for an answer, but like anyone who loves to hear himself talk, continued, saying, “Bloodstone technology – the fuel basis for many wondrous inventions from yours truly – comes from the stone reputed to be the actual implement of the world’s first homicide. I say reputed, because I wasn’t there for the act. Nor, am I that godly a man. I believe in evolution, that mankind has been around for much longer than a couple thousand years, and I think a woman looks damn fine in a fur coat. So sue me.

  “No matter what the stone’s true origin, I care not.”

  “You only care that it powers your hate-filled products. Your WMD’s. So, you claim to be this great architect, yet, all you’ve done is to harness another of the world’s resources,” I laughed. “God-given resources, I must point out. And as for the stone being of Cain, why, I think that’s perfect. It’s only natural you use the first murder weapon to power your weapons division, to murder mankind.”

  Van Parson glared at me for a moment, before lifting a pocket watch from his tightly tailored suit. He scowled first at it, and then back at me. “Look,” he said, finally. “It’s painfully obvious we will never be boon companions. I merely wished to show I am not the mustachioed villain, intent on decimating the world. I know I have a tendency to monologue, but have you once heard me issue a Bwahaha? No? No, you have not.

  “We have but five or so minutes left of our little tête-à-tête, Kade. Let us discuss the matter at hand. Let us discuss where you will find your vengeance, and just how you will benefit the both of us.”

  “Once I see Mason is okay, what makes you think you can keep us here? Now that I know where Caduceus is, what makes you think I would do anything to benefit you? What’s to stop me from just flying to Aesculapus’ asylum and blasting him to bits?”

  He had been waiting for me to provide him with the appropriate cue, and I had played into his dialogue, nicely. “Why, this, actually,” he replies, with silken voice. From the pocket opposite the one that housed his timepiece, he pulled a rather plain-looking crystalline shard. It was about six inches in length, a little under an inch thick. At one end, it had been fastened onto a gold chain. “You will never find the asylum without it. You only found it before, because he wished for you to. Surely, you had to have felt such a thing.”

  “Yes,” I replied, icily. I had felt it, but I had blown it off in my naïve desire to regain my identity.

  “This’ll get you where you want to go,” he repeated.

  “I’m through being naïve. Why? Why help me?”

  He swirled the crystal around in his palm. “Yeah, I just really hate that old bastard, you know? And I have no choice but to believe you’ll be the instrument to end him once and for all.”

  “You want me to kill him? Why not do it yourself?”

  “Because of the curse of Cain. The curse of Cain. I don’t wish my heirs to be forever cursed just because his must be. I might not be superstitious, but c’mon, I didn’t get to be who I am today by taking unnecessary risks, now did I?” He picked up the crystal once more, twirling it by its chain. I thought about the stone necklace that had authored the change in me a few short months ago. “As for your friend, I was going to let you see him before I sent you on your merry way, but I think I’ll just have him killed, instead. I mean, I realize the treatment should be wrapping up right about now, but you said it yourself: you’re through playing the naïve child.”

  I lunged at him, powers blaring full force; this time, I had every intention of ripping the S.O.B.’s head off that clean-shaven neck of his. I wrapped my hands around his throat, and to tell the truth, it felt great to be the one doing the choking for a change. He didn’t struggle to free himself or to even call for backup. Instead, he reached for my own neck, and I thought, Looks like everyone’s getting in on the act.

  Instead of returning the strangulation, however, the evil CEO slipped his chain around my neck. The crystal slid around to where my stone had once rested – when it rested on the outside. I stopped, confused and alerted by his actions. I had been
duped, goaded into doing the exact thing he wanted me to do. “You are still the naïve child,” he smirked, as the crystal came to life.

  I let go of him in an attempt to remove the blasted thing, but it was too late, it had begun doing whatever it was designed to do. I felt myself, being pulled – ripped – away. Soon, I knew, I would be transported away to save one friend, while another was left to be slaughtered.

  “Bye-bye, Kade, Angel of Truth,” he called. As my body was well on its way to being torn apart and reassembled elsewhere, I knew Richard Van Parson was throwing his head back, twisting his metaphorical mustache, and issuing the evilest Bwahaha ever.

  ENEMY MIND

  1

  I’m so gonna puke. The trip via mystery crystal was a whole lot shakier than with Ducie’s staff. I calmed myself, remembering where I was and what I must do. I was in the enemy’s camp – in his library, actually – and I couldn’t let my guard down for a second, not even long enough to throw-up. This wasn’t where I needed to be, so I spread my wings and headed toward the exit … and puked my burning guts up. Just fell to my knees and let loose. Nothing graceful about it. When I was finished, I tried to stand, but instead I helped myself to seconds.

  Afterwards, I stood, wiped my mouth on the back of my hand, and cautiously continued out the door, walking this time. Once in the hallway, an overbearing sense of betrayal kicked in. Sure, Van Parson had spilled the beans to me about Aesculapus, but it wasn’t until I was in his house that it fully kicked in. While I had been his guest, he had violated me in ways I prayed I would never fully comprehend. He had invaded my dream, but it was the rest I was thinking of. While he was helping me to regain my memories – while he was deep inside my mind – there’s no telling what else he could’ve robbed from in there. Surely, he had discerned the location of Caduceus’ wooded wonderland in that manner. He probably knew all about me, my family and friends.