Colt turned to Rook before leaning against the wall and crossing his arms. Lowering his head, the brim of the cowboy hat covered his eyes. Rook walked to the wall across from him, stopping to turn to Colt. He felt Colt’s emotions and was sure Colt felt his too, which is why he didn’t storm out again.
“The day of the Flame Ceremony I found my sister, but then I lost her again and now I’m here. I was tricked into signing the Avatar contract and joining a war where my life is on the line if I lose. I’m scared. But the one thing that keeps driving me forward is seeing my sister. So no, I don’t have the skills to be a good Link, no, I don’t know every aspect of this stupid War, I didn’t ask for any of it! The only thing I want, I lost again and I don’t care if I die trying or if anyone stops believing in me or leave me to do it by myself, I will see my sister again. With you or without you, Colt.”
Rook exhaled before turning to the door and opening it.
“Wait!” Colt shouted. He exhaled and raised his head. “You entered this War with no idea what you were getting yourself into even though it wasn’t your doing. That takes guts. You're right, kid, you don't have the skills or knowledge and you are too naïve. But the one thing you do have heart. And I respect the hell out of you for it. Let’s go.”
Rook stood confused. “What do you mean?”
“Go get your stuff. Let’s go bag us some witches!”
Rook smiled and shook Colt’s hand.
It didn’t take them long to gather their things. Rook put his stained white shirt on and slid his pocketknife into an old leather sheath Colt gave him and attached it to his belt. They finished packing in five minutes and stepped outside to the rays of the magically created sun.
“Rook!” Bishop shouted.
Rook focused his vision and in the distance saw Bishop with Nightblood by his side in the middle of the street. He wasn’t wearing his jackets and lowered his head to his chest. He buried his hands in the pockets of his jeans as the wind blew his hair to the side. Colt and Rook turned to each other, after a moment, they shrugged and walked toward them. Colt stopped in his tracks, using his arm to block Rook from advancing toward Bishop.
“What—what are you doing?”
“Something isn’t right,” said Colt. “I’m sensing a murderous intent.”
Rook scoffed. “What are you talking about? Its Bishop!” He argued before trying to advance, but Colt stopped him once more. “Colt—what the hell are you doing? Hey, Bishop, are you seeing this?”
Bishop didn’t respond, and neither did Nightblood. He kept his head lowered and folded his arms.
“Bishop, what’s going on? If you’re mad at me for losing—it’s okay now. I get why I lost and—”
Seeing Bishop’s green eyes as he lifted his head startled Rook. They were empty and devoid of emotion and a look Rook never seen from him before. His focus shifted to Nightblood who removed the map from his back pocket.
“She’s coming. Do it now,” Nightblood said to Bishop.
“Bishop tell me—”
“I challenge you,” Bishop said plainly.
A fissure of blue energy appeared to Rook’s right, signaling a Judge’s arrival.
“You’re challenging me? What’s gotten into you—”
“I told you before we left my reason for coming here with you, Marques,” said Bishop. “I only came here to make sure you didn't get yourself killed. But you are intent on doing so, but I will not allow your death to come at the hands of another. I’ll kill you myself.”
Before Rook could respond, the Judge hovering above them spoke.
“A challenge has been declared. F.U. Bishop has challenged Marques Montcroix—”
“Wait, a minute!” Rook interrupted. “I will not fight you, Bishop!”
“You don’t have a choice,” Bishop remarked.
“Marques Montcroix cannot Yield, however, F.U. Bishop still has his one Yield. Both Links will wager one badge a piece. Those not participating in this battle must remain at least ten meters away from the battlefield until combat has ceased, and a victor has been declared. The battle will begin in ninety seconds.”
“Put a stop to this madness, Bishop!”
Bishop ignored Rook’s plea and turned to Colt. “Hey, cowboy! You and the Chief are not to interfere. This is between us.”
Colt turned to Nightblood and focused his eyes for a moment, then turned his focus back to Bishop and nodded. Without a word, he lowered his arm and walked away from Rook as Nightblood left Bishop’s side.
Bishop removed his hand from his pocket to reveal his conduit swinging in his hand. “If you want to live and see your sister again, defeat me, right here and now.”
Rook turned to see Colt looking away. Before him stood his best friend, partner, and teacher but now he was the standing in his way, challenging him to a fight. He tried to steady his shaking hands when suddenly the confused and painful feelings inside him subsided. He felt calm. Even with the threat of his best friend, he no longer felt afraid.
The Judge threw up his hand. “Begin!”
Rook unclipped the sheath attached to his belt, removing his conduit and igniting. His eyes focused on Bishop as wind fiercely swirled around him. Raising his conduit to his side, he moved his feet and settled into the Duality defensive stance. His only path now was to defeat his best friend, he had no choice, and that was exactly what he intended to do.
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Author Note
Thank you for taking the time to read, Flamebringer, the second book in the Magik: The Avatar Wars saga. If you could be so kind as to leave an honest review, whether you liked it, hated it or sit in the middle, I’d really appreciate it.
Magik: The Avatar Wars will be an 8 book saga and is a personal project for me. It’s an experiment to see if my craft and my story-telling skills improve by the sagas end by tedious trial and error. Some things will work, some things won’t.
If you would like to follow my journey, as I write the books and see the steps I’m taking to improve with each book, please follow my personal blog at: www.ahauthorship.com. There you can stay updated with my process with a daily blog, and a weekly blog.
If you like the world of Magik: The Avatar Wars please visit: www.MagikSaga.com, there you can read in-depth character profiles, organization, and learn about the latest news about the books.
Links
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Author Website: www.ahauthor.com
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