Dead Time Series

by Jason Wilcox

  The force was even too much for Azgiel in his weakened state. Between the fire and explosion, the blue sphere that protected him tore into shreds. Azgiel was thrown backwards, and blackness followed.

  When he woke, he could feel pain throughout his body. He wasn’t sure if seconds or hours had gone by. Large chunks of concrete and other debris were all around him. Chunks of it pinned him to the ground. Some of the concrete shifted, making a strange groaning noise as a large piece fell on his left hand ripping his fingers off.

  Azgiel yelled out in pain. He pulled his hand out. Only his thumb was left. Closing his eyes, he tried to command the debris around him, needing it to lift him out. Metal and concrete rattled, but nothing more; he was too weak.

  “Get me out of here,” he demanded. It was pathetic that he had to use words since it was a weaker form of control.

  Concrete and steel shifted around him. Grinding and a couple of loud crashes sounded through the rubble. Sunlight broke through, and he knew a hole had been made. Beneath him, concrete came together to make a table like structure and pushed him up through the hole.

  Pain shot through his abdomen, and he realized something was sticking through him. Once he came to a stop, he stood and looked down. An iron rod had pierced his body, and his leg was giving out. It was broken in half. He knelt back down.

  “Hello!” Someone called from behind him. He slowly turned to see Mauldrin heading his way. Stupid human! Doesn’t he realize what danger he’s in? I can’t have him die, not now.

  “Don’t come any closer.” Azgiel struggled to speak or move. “That’s far enough. You shouldn’t be out here.”

  “I’m here to help,” Mauldrin still walked in his direction. If he had enough power, he would zap him out of there, but he didn’t.

  “No,” he demanded, “you might get hurt.”

  “Everything’s going to be okay.” Mauldrin took another step closer. Azgiel could sense the structure getting worse and more unsafe. He couldn’t wait any longer; they both needed to get out of there.

  “Fine, have it your way,” Azgiel snapped. “I didn’t want you to see this, but I can’t stay here much longer and neither should you.” Closing his eyes and focusing, Azgiel began the process to heal himself, using what energy he had left. An itching sensation ran up his arm and leg. Feeling came back to his fingers as they grew back. A crack rang out as his leg mended and the bone reformed.

  It was time to get the bar out. He stood and gripped the bar, still warm from the explosion. Moving quickly, he pulled the bar out with a slushing noise and tossed it to the ground with a clank. Itching started in his side as he felt the wound heal.

  “It’s time for you to get out of here.” Azgiel made his way toward Mauldrin.

  “How did you do that?” Mauldrin stumbled on his words. “Did Robert and Allen do this to you? Did they perform some type of experiment that he didn’t tell me about?”

  He ignored him. “It’s unsafe for you out here. You need to go back.” Azgiel watched as Mauldrin looked in shock. His eyes were huge and his mouth was slightly open as he stepped backward away from him. The flooring gave out under Caden, and he began to fall back into the lower levels of the building. Using as much energy as possible, Azgiel moved at a superhuman speed and caught him.

  It was strange to Azgiel, saving such a pathetic, backstabbing being as Mauldrin, but it was necessary. The man contained the power to get his sword back, even if he didn’t remember any of the past.

  “Leave.” Azgiel pointed. Not wanting there to be any further discussion, he turned and walked away. A large wall of flames was in the direction he wanted to go. “Part.” He spoke under his breath, and it split as he walked through. Not wanting Mauldrin to follow he added, “I’ll find you later. Right now I have to find someone.”

  I need a place to mend and strengthen myself. If I don’t, Domblin or any of the others will be able to kill me with ease. After that, it’s back to the hunt for Kaz.

  A building stood in front of him with a large part of it blown away. He could make out that the first couple of levels were a parking garage. That will do for a little while. But you can’t lay low too long Az. I didn’t see Kaz around Mauldrin, so that must mean something has happened. I also can’t go up against any of those guys until I restore my strength.

  Azgiel came to a stop. You’re arguing with yourself. Get a grip. Just get to one of those cars and rest.

  Making short work of the distance, he climbed into the back of a large van and closed his eyes. Exhausted, he was out in seconds.

  A loud voice, yelling, woke him up. Once again, he wasn’t sure how much time had passed while he was out. The sun had moved much farther along in the sky, so it had been at least a couple of hours.

  “Are you guys, okay?” A familiar voice called out from below. It was the same voice that woke him, but he wasn’t too sure why he recognized it. Stepping out of the door of the van caused it to squeak. He looked below. Ah, yes, Robert.

  Robert had yelled down through a crack in the debris. Other stragglers were around him, obviously people he had saved. What a hero. Azgiel grimaced.

  “I’m going to get you guys some help,” Robert said as he stood up and looked around. He stopped and headed down a street. Azgiel looked to where he was going and saw fire trucks.

  Robert ran up to two firefighters and pointed back to where he found the trapped people. The smaller of the two nodded and Robert started to return but stopped in his tracks. His eyes glared at Steven.

  Now I’ve been spotted. Time to go. Azgiel stood there for a moment watching Robert run toward the building from which he watched.

  There was something about the man that intrigued him. Something that he had noticed the couple of times he had talked to him. Even when he had just come out of his cell of time, Robert had caught his attention. Knowing it might be the last time he saw him, he decided to wait for him. Maybe he has some answers for me, and now that he isn’t surrounded by others, maybe he’ll talk.

  Once he heard the tapping of footsteps coming up the stairs, he moved into the shadows behind a pillar. Running too fast, Robert got to the floor and tried to stop only to slide on soot and slam against a car. He pushed himself up. Azgiel could see a dent left in the small white vehicle.

  Moving slower and more methodically, Robert began looking around. He walked over to the ledge and looked over. “Where did you go, Steven?” Robert called out.

  “I’m not going to make it easy for you,” Azgiel said. “I don’t believe I’ll be showing myself to you yet.” Robert searched, even looking in his direction, but Azgiel had made the shadows darker to conceal himself.

  “Steven,” Robert spoke loudly, “I’m not going to hurt you. I just want to help you.” Loose debris fell on a car and Robert headed in that direction. “Listen Steven, how about you come out and we talk?”

  “Your lies are very obvious,” Azgiel said calmly. His voice reverberated throughout the parking area. “It’s like a child covered in mud, pleading that he never stepped in the puddle.”

  “Steven,” Robert began, “you’ve known me forever. You were one of my top advisors. I want to help you.”

  “Stop begging.” He could feel an untapped power coming from Robert, and it was sad to see him so pathetic. “You have no idea who I am. You don’t even know my real name.”

  “What are you talking about?” Robert asked turning in place. “We’ve known each other for a long time.”

  “You fool; you have no clue who I am, which was an odd surprise when you brought me out of my cell.”

  “Steven, what have you done? If you’re trying to reveal everything that’s been going on with this stupid mission of Jason’s and yours, I’ll take you down with me. Besides, it was your deal in the first place. I had no idea what you guys were really doing.”

  “Now it makes sense. You’re blinded by your corrupt ways and lies. You don’t even know who I am. Did you develop the equipment to let me out of stopped time?” />
  “If you’re referring to the Dead Time equipment, then no. It was Caden, don’t you remember?” Robert responded. “And I’m not blinded by anything. I’m just here to make sure you’re going to keep your mouth shut.”

  “Is Caden, by chance, the one who came and saw me in my holding chamber before I so brilliantly escaped?”

  “That would be the one.”

  “So he has a new name,” Azgiel spoke to himself. “It will make it much easier to talk to him now, knowing his name.”

  “Come out and let’s talk like men,” Robert shouted. “I need to know that you’re sane enough to keep your mouth shut. Tell me I’m blind-”

  “Yes, you are blind,” Azgiel added, beginning to enjoy the stupidity. “I can sense the greatness that you once held. But your corrupt ways and lies have diminished it; that’s why you have become blind. Blind to what you could’ve been, the power you could’ve held.” The power reminded him of Mauldrin and who Mauldrin used to be. All humans were born with a certain amount of power; some used it and some didn’t.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Obviously things that are over your head. Just like who I really am, or who Mauldrin is.”

  “Okay, then tell me, who are you really?” Robert’s voice was sarcastic.

  Azgiel jumped on the roof of the car that Robert was leaning on. Robert moved back and positioned himself ready to fight. “Now that is the question.”

  “I would like to know who it is you think you are.”

  “Since it will be fun to tell you, my actual name is Azgiel,” he smiled as he answered. “I was imprisoned in a cell of time.”

  Robert let out a chuckle. “A cell of time, huh? And how in the world do you get imprisoned in a cell of time?”

  “For doing lots of things that people like Caden and others felt were wrong.”

  “This is getting better by the moment,” Robert said having a hard time choking back the laughs. “So, now you’re blaming Caden for putting you in a cell of time. Are you sure you aren’t referring to the holding cell you were in at the headquarters before it blew up?”

  “It was actually Caden who put me there.” Azgiel debated how far he wanted to take the conversation. He needed to get back to searching for Kaz, but something intrigued him about Robert, possibly the fact he reminded him of Mauldrin, so he continued. “Caden took a very powerful sword of mine and put a curse on it that if anyone touches it, they die instantly. He holds the only power to release the curse. After he took the weapon, I was powerless to fight him. It was shortly after that he imprisoned me, but not before I killed a couple of the kings. And no, I’m not as foolish as you. I know the difference between a concrete cell and a cell in time where I have the entire planet to roam.”

  “Why would someone use stopped time for a prison cell?” Robert began circling Azgiel.

  With a smile, Azgiel let him, looking forward to the fight. “Those who get locked away can only get out through stealing a body because it’s their souls that are imprisoned, so you’re stuck there,” Azgiel started. “And, if your soul is locked away in a cell of time, you have no power over anything. Trust me; it’s awful being locked away.”

  “So,” Robert began, “you’re telling me that you’re some evil soul that was locked away in a cell of time by Caden when he was in his previous life, and we just happened to release you by sending Steven into your specific cell?”

  “I think you’re catching on.” Azgiel slid one foot back getting ready for the fight. “Maybe you’re not as stupid and clueless as I thought you were. I can reverse whatever Domblin has done to you and Mauldrin and bring your memory back. You might actually serve a use. Would you like to join me on my mission?” He still wasn’t sure what was going on with Mauldrin and could only assume Domblin had done it.

  Robert smiled. “And what mission would that be?”

  “To kill the man who has been manipulating everyone on this planet. A man by the name of Triaad,” Azgiel exclaimed, “My mission stretches over galaxies.”

  “That’s enough, Steven,” Robert said, his smile fading. “You’ve clearly lost your mind, and I can’t trust you to keep information secret. The Dead Time messed up information in your head, and I think it’s time for you to come with me.”

  “You don’t understand,” Azgiel said tilting his head a little. “I’m not going with you, but I’ll give you the option of coming with me and joining my ranks. It would be nice to have humans by my side once again…I miss those times.” Without another word, Robert dove toward Azgiel, reaching for his arm to pin him against a car. Azgiel moved at inhuman speed, grabbing Robert by the hair and slamming his face into the windshield. Glass shattered inward.

  “I’ll give you another chance,” Azgiel said, backing up from Robert, “because I think you would be a very powerful addition to our ranks. Will you join us?”

  Robert was getting in a striking stance. Blood trickled down his face from the glass. “I’m not going to join in your crazy delusions.” The rubber on Robert’s shoes squeaked as he forcefully attacked Azgiel.

  Azgiel, with little effort, gripped Robert’s oncoming fist and pulled him forward, slamming Robert’s face into his knee. Blood dripped from Robert’s mouth and nose as he broke the hold and threw an elbow at Azgiel’s jaw. Backing up, Azgiel dodged the blow and Robert lost his balance and missed. Moving quickly, Azgiel kicked him, knocking him to the ground.

  “I can offer you more power than you could imagine,” Azgiel said while taking a couple steps back. “And wealth like you’ve never seen before.”

  “You’re delusional.” Robert wiped the blood from his mouth. “You’re not some creature from Dead Time. Caden didn’t put you there. And if you’re not going to come easily, then I’m going to have to dispose of you.” He spat blood on the ground. “I can’t have you revealing information during your crazy spells. You know too much.”

  Shifting his weight for a powerful kick, Robert lunged forward smashing his foot into Azgiel. The kick knocked him back a couple steps.

  “That will be your one and only.” Azgiel smiled; he was impressed. Robert quickly moved to attack again, throwing a fist, only to have it knocked down. With little effort, Azgiel blocked the next set of blows and finally took hold of Robert’s fist, spun him, and slammed him against the floor. Knowing the cold concrete couldn’t be too comfortable, Azgiel decided to escalate the situation and put his knee on Robert’s head. Dust from the floor choked Robert as he tried to breathe, making him wheeze.

  “Listen to me Robert. I could easily kill you if I wanted; however, I’m going to make my offer again and then I’m going to give you time to think about it. But first let me show you an image.”

  Azgiel lifted a hand. His fingertips glowed as he placed his hand on Robert’s head. Energy rushed through him into Robert.

  Wanting him to get a taste of what he was talking about, Azgiel shared his memories. The images flowed through his mind and into Robert. He showed him the wars between his forces, Mauldrin, and the others. Even more importantly, he showed what happened at the end, when his sword was taken and he was put in a cell of time.

  Finally, pulling his fingers away, he got off Robert.

  “I hope that helps you with a decision.” Azgiel chuckled.

  “I’m not sure what I just saw. Everything seems so confusing,” Robert replied. He tried to move, but fell back to the ground. Azgiel knew it was foolish for him to try to get up after his brain had gone through so much.

  “As I said, my offer still stands if you want to join me. I would honor your power and give you the glory you deserve, unlike the society that you live in, which will punish you for your crimes.”

  Seeing him off guard, Robert kicked Azgiel’s legs, knocking him to the ground. An elbow slammed down on Azgiel’s nose and blood splattered across his lower face.

  That’s it.It was time for Robert to share the same fate Mauldrin would face after he rids the sword of the curse.

 
Azgiel hopped to his feet. Robert’s large fist flew at him, which he barely dodged. Moving quicker than Robert, Azgiel grabbed the arm and pulled him in. Another elbow hit Azgiel in the side, something snapped inside. Azgiel was shocked that Robert could move so quickly after what he had just gone through.

  A powerful amount of electricity flowed out of Azgiel and into Robert, sending him convulsing for a moment and then nothing. The limp body fell to the ground as Azgiel let go.

  “One less future Mauldrin to deal with.” His skin was black from where the electrical current had come. Looking up, he saw firefighters getting people out of the rubble.

  Time to find you, Kaz. I’ve wasted enough time here. Running, he took a leap off the ledge and jumped far, defying gravity. He landed on a wall that had been knocked down close to ground zero. Looking around, he debated which direction to go. He could neither see nor sense any visible tracks. He frowned. I guess I’ll follow Mauldrin’s tracks for now.

  CHAPTER 25

  After James left, Caden pulled his phone out and hit redial, hoping Matt would answer. “Caden. I’m glad you decided to call me back.” Static made Matt’s voice hard to hear.

  “Are you still in the same location?” Caden asked looking down the street.

  “No, I moved. It’s too dangerous to stay around there, for both of us.” As they talked, more emergency teams could be heard coming down the streets making their way to the scene.

  “I already told James to get out of here for that same reason. But I’m still here. Where are you?” Police cars led the way for fire trucks and other emergency personnel. Two police cars pulled up next to Caden. The sirens made it hard to talk.

  “If I were you, I would get out of there for now. We can meet later,” Matt sounded urgent. Police officers got out of their cars and one of them said something while pointing at Caden.

  Caden turned and ignored them for the moment. “How about you tell me what’s going on. No more games Matt, we’ve known one another for far too long to keep secrets.”