The awakening hc-1

by Stuart Meczes

  Gabriella leaned forward, eyes bright. “My accent will be inherent in any language I speak that isn’t my mother tongue. A Chosen understands every language current or dead from both sides of the Veil. Remember earlier, you wanted to know why you could read the motto written on the Temple door? It’s because your mind translated it. Now that your Awakening has progressed, that translation is automatic. Unless you think about it, it always will be. You have been speaking it with me for the last few minutes without even realising.”

  I thought of when Faru had been explaining the Latin terms for his species and how I had known what they meant before he’d explained. How else could I know that? “I can speak and read any language I want.” “And write,” Gabriella added. “Wow that’s…” “Amazing?” “Handy. Like if this Guardian thing doesn’t work out, I can always get a job as a translator,” I said with a cheeky smile.

  We both burst out laughing. It felt good, like when we had just hung out together at school, back when everything had been simple. It seemed crazy to think it had only been a week ago. It felt like I had known this girl for years.

  When we had both stopped laughing, Gabriella held out a hand. “I’ll hold onto the guide for you until later.”

  “So what happens now?” I asked, passing her the book.

  She pointed to a barely noticeable door in the far wall. “The en suite’s through there. Freshen up. I left some clean clothes that will fit you.” Standing up, she headed for another door by the chair. “I’ll wait for you outside. Take as long as you need.”

  I took a sip of water, already feeling much better. “Okay,” I answered, “then what?” She turned back to face me. “Then you meet the rest of the team.”

  14

  After a soothing shower, I changed into the comfortable pair of jeans, woollen jumper and white trainers that Gabriella had laid out for me. Stepping out of the bedroom, I emerged into a luxurious living area. To the left a dining table and chairs stood underneath impressive bay windows. The far wall was home to a large stone fireplace. Flames danced on wooden logs, their smoky scent filling my nose. To the right an archway led off to what must have been the hallway. In the middle of the room the carpet became stairs leading down into a sunken seating area. The space was home to a large red corner sofa and glass coffee table. At the end of the space sat a television, playing an old episode of Family Guy.

  By far the most interesting part of the room were the people who occupied it. Gabriella perched on the end of the sofa. Sprawled over the rest of it was a lithe looking man who looked in his mid-twenties. Wavy black hair ran all the way to his neck. Another tuft sprouted from his chin, expertly tapered into a point. He wore a grey waistcoat and a pair of long brown boots, which he rested on the coffee table. A brown

  Stetson hat rested on his chest. He was playing idly with a marble, rolling it between his fingers, whilst laughing at the show on TV.

  A behemoth of a man stood next to the window. He must have been close to seven foot tall and was as stacked as Arnie in his prime. A tribal tattoo ran from the top of his bald head all the way down one side of his face to the jaw. It covered some kind of scar. His eyes were as dark as shadows, topped by scythe eyebrows. The only contradiction to his intimidating appearance came in the form of a delicate silver locket, threaded through a leather string and hanging from his tree-trunk neck.

  Sitting between Gabriella’s legs on a thick shag-pile rug was a sweet looking girl of around nine or ten. She hummed to herself, tapping at a portable Nintendo whilst Gabriella braided a section of her long blonde hair. They all looked up as the door clicked shut behind me. “Hi Alex,” Gabriella said, motioning me over. “Come and meet everyone.” Swallowing a lump of nervousness, I walked over.

  “This is the rest of our team, or Orion as we’re more officially known.” She pointed a slender finger at the Spanish looking man. “This is Delagio.” He gave a salute. “The midget by the window is Midnight.” The hulk grunted then fell silent. “And this is Sophia.” I was given a quick grin and then attention returned to the game, tongue poking out with concentration. “Sophia’s actually half Witch, but decided to join us instead of the Coven.” “They smell weird,” Sophia said screwing up her nose. We all laughed. “Uh, nice to meet you all,” I said, feeling my face flush.

  Gabriella glanced at her watch. “There is actually one more member of Orion, but they’re running a little late. It’s someone you already know.”

  My stomach knotted up. Someone I know? Oh god, please don’t be Tim. I don’t think I could handle that.

  A door in the hallway opened. Gabriella peered behind me. “Speak of the devil.”

  I turned to see Miss Steele pass under the archway. She surveyed the scene with squinted eyes, then leaned against the wall and crossed her legs. The toe of her thick black heels made a muffled clomping sound on the carpet. “Pixie actually,” she corrected sarcastically. Then she turned her attention to me. “Hello Alexander.”

  My throat had dried up. I didn’t think I could manage any more surprises. “H-hi Miss Steele,” I croaked.

  “I think Rachel will be okay from now on. But don’t think this means you are getting out of your homework.” She gave a shrill laugh, which bounced off the walls and hurt my ears. I forced out a chuckle. “Right, Alex.” Gabriella’s words cut mercifully through the awkward silence that followed. “You’re probably hungry by now.” My stomach rumbled in agreement. “Let’s find you something to eat. Then we can begin your training.” “Training?”

  Rachel raised an eyebrow. “Well you didn’t think we were going to send you straight out into the big bad world without making sure you were ready did you? We have a lot of work to do before your test.”

  “Uh, test?”

  Gabriella shot my teacher a frown before turning to me. “Before you can be considered fit to become a Guardian, you have to undergo an initiation of sorts. A trial to ensure that you’re mentally and physically prepared. It varies from person to person.” Seeing my expression she added, “Don’t worry, you’ll do fine when the time comes.”

  I didn’t share her confidence.

  “Okay guys let’s get things moving.” Gabriella snapped her head around to Delagio. “Del, I need you on speed.” To the giant, “Midnight you are on strength…obviously. And Rachel can I have you on combat?”

  The Pixie nodded her head. “Not a problem.”

  “I’ll take abilities. Let’s do this. Right mia bambina,” she said ruffling Sophia’s hair, “you can go with Midnight if you want.”

  “Yay!” shouted the girl and snapped the machine closed. She ran up the stairs to Midnight, who smiled and knelt down. Sophia clambered up his back and wrapped her legs around his neck. He stood up and locked a securing arm around her shins. As the team stirred under Gabriella’s orders, a simple fact became clear. She’s the leader. The notion that I’d expected anything less surprised me more than her impressive position.

  I followed the team out of the apartment. Midnight had to duck so Sophia could pass under the doorway successfully. We emerged into an extravagant hallway. The marble floor had been polished to a shine. TV’s flush with the smooth white walls displayed rotating 3D maps of tunnels and rooms, which I figured were schematics of the base. Gabriella motioned for me to follow her to the left. Everyone else headed right. “Tell Midnight I’ll send Alex down in about twenty minutes,” she said to Delagio, who was last out. “Sure thing boss.”

  I was surprised to hear a Southern American twang in his accent. It sounded nothing like the voice that had left the message on my phone. He tipped the edge of his hat and turned to follow the others. In the distance, Sophia and Midnight were playing about. She would cover his eyes, and he’d bump into the walls on purpose. Or he’d spin on the spot until she fell into fits of giggles. The sounds of their laughing echoed back up the hallway towards me. Midnight seemed utterly natural with the girl and she didn’t seem at all nervous of him. I wondered if he had children of his own.

>   Gabriella touched my arm. “Let’s go.”

  We passed dozens of doors on our way down the hallway. Each one had a metallic plate with a name embossed on it. I read names like Ivy Affron, Sam Clarke and Jessica Black.

  “Each apartment belongs to a resident Chosen,” Gabriella explained. “Alliance Pandemonians have apartments too, but they’re all underground.”

  I chuckled as I imagined Vampires unwinding on sofas — sipping blood from challises. Or domesticated Skinshifters sitting around a table playing poker against fairies who buzzed about on silvery wings. It was stupid, but who knew what they did in their spare time? “Your apartment is a work in progress. It should be finished by the time you join officially.” I snapped my head around. “I get a place like yours?” Gabriella laughed. “Of course. Permanently if you decide to serve at the Warren. Although you can serve at any base you want.” “Is that what you did?”

  My companion’s gaze dropped to the floor. “I transferred from Castello a few years ago. I couldn’t even tell you why to be honest. It just felt like something I needed to do.”

  So she didn’t transfer a few weeks ago with her family then. I aired the thought. “No.” Her direct response implied that nothing more would be said on the subject. “I can’t see any reason why I’d want to transfer. I’ll serve here.” Gabriella smiled.

  We emerged onto the right-hand balcony high above the grand entrance I’d seen in the vision. As we moved along the carpeted walkway, Gabriella pointed to the large portrait hanging above the stairs.

  “Sage Faru’s quarters are through there. So is the section of the Veil the Warren is built around. Fae magic seals it. It’s impossible to get in or out without his permission.”

  I looked up at the towering picture. Faru’s unique eyes seemed to stare down, keeping watch on all the people who bustled about below.

  We reached the ground level. In contrast to the vision, several of the doors were blocked by more of the hulking guards I’d seen in the Temple. They were like statues, heads bowed against staffs as if in prayer. That was until someone moved towards their door. Then the head lifted up and the individual was scanned with their pinprick eyes. Like mechanised robots, they stepped aside to allow access, before moving back and falling silent once more.

  It was creepy.

  “What’s behind all these doors?” I asked as we reached the ground level.

  “Offices mainly. Normal humans we call agents work here. They do most of our clerical work for us. You’d be surprised how much paperwork has to be filled out when we deport or kill a Rogue.”

  I couldn’t help but smile. Even the supernatural has red tape. “Others lead to normal places like reception rooms, the library and the kitchens,” she continued. The final word made my stomach growl. “Guarded doors tend to lead to the Nexus.” Gabriella gave me a playful nudge. “Most of the cool stuff happens underground.”

  My eyes were drawn towards a vast set of golden double doors near the staircase. An impressive jewelled display depicted a knight crossing blades with what appeared to be an upright wolf with bat’s wings. The same motif was written underneath in Latin.

  Chosen we rise — Allied we prevail.

  “I’m guessing something important is behind there,” I said.

  Gabriella nodded. “That’s the Feasting Hall of Unity. It’s where all joining ceremonies take place. You’ll see inside when it’s time for yours.”

  She peeled away from me, heading towards a guarded door. A gorgeous aroma teased me from the other side. My mouth began to water. Gabriella stopped at the entrance, hands placed impatiently on her hips. “So you’re guarding the kitchen today. The kitchen…really? What am I going to do, leak recipes to the SOS?” The guard simply raised its head in response and glared with its blood filled eyes. “Move!” The hulking giant stepped to one side. I eyed it warily as we passed.

  Inside the grand, steam-filled kitchen came the reason for the added security. Numerous miniature creatures flew about on dainty wings, tending to an array of bubbling pots and pans that sat on large hobs. They stirred wooden spoons almost as large as themselves and shook condiments into the various pots with both hands. They were pretty little things, sporting silvery hair and wide eyes with baby pink pupils.

  “Asrai,” whispered Gabriella. “They must be preparing for the joining feast.”

  I stared at the dainty things as my mind attempted to rationalise the fact that I was casually watching a group of fairies cook. All the while I felt an odd sense of acceptance. All this hard work is for me.

  One of the Asrai noticed us enter. She swooped over to a metallic bench, where a plate of sandwiches sat. Leaning over, she grabbed the edge with both hands and floated back up, plate wobbling between knees and wrists.

  “Faru told us to prepare this for Alexander,” she breathed as she drew near. Her voice sounded like tinkling glass. I stared at her.

  “It’s quite heavy,” she added.

  “Oh, right!” I plucked the plate from her grip. “Uh, thank you.”

  “Fresh Quinberry juice is in the fridge.” The fairy gave a little mid-air bow, then without another word, floated off and resumed cooking.

  Gabriella grabbed a glass of pinkish liquid from a fridge next to us and handed it to me.

  I ate ravenously, tearing off thick chunks of the soft bread with my teeth. The food was delicious. Thick rolls of ham coated in some kind of sweet and sour marmalade, topped with crunchy lettuce. The juice was even more incredible. It tasted like sharp apple mixed with strawberries, and fizzed on my tongue. Afterwards I felt like my insides had been spring cleaned.

  “Wow,” I said after draining the last few drops from the glass. “That was good.”

  Gabriella nodded. “It’s made from a rare berry that grows in Pandemonia. Should help clear the last of the brain fog.”

  I set the plate and glass down on a storage unit behind me. A sudden rush of air forced me to cover my mouth with my sleeve and deliver a sly burp. “It’ll do that too,” Gabriella winked. “Ready to go?” “Absolutely.” “Okay, time to toughen you up.”

  *

  “Don’t worry, I’ll see you soon” said Gabriella as the elevator doors rolled shut.

  Searching the multitude of buttons on the panel, I found the one she’d told me to press. A coiled fist. I pushed my finger on the symbol and it glowed blue.

  GYMNASIUM, said the hidden voice.

  My breakfast almost made a reappearance as the elevator dropped into free fall. Bending my knees against the force, I pressed into the corner and lowered myself down, hands gripping the railing above me. I bowed my head into my knees, trying to settle myself as the elevator plummeted through the Nexus. After an eternity it stopped descending and rushed forward, every now and then lifting up and sinking down as if navigating speed bumps. Mercifully after a few more seconds, it rolled to a stop. The elevator beeped and the doors cranked open to reveal an amused Midnight and Sophia staring down at me. A bear like hand was extended and I was yanked to my feet.

  “You get used to it”, Midnight grunted in a thick cockney accent.

  “I really hope so,” I said exiting the steel death trap.

  A cavernous gymnasium stretched out in front of us. All manner of equipment ran along the vast walls; treadmills, weight benches, rowers and punching bags. The roar of whirring and clanking equipment hit from every angle. Several boxing rings were scattered about too. At first glance, it seemed like any other gym. But on closer inspection, it was anything but normal. A pale looking man on a treadmill ran so fast, his lower legs were blurred — the type of thing you’d see in a cartoon. A dainty looking woman bench pressed what seemed to be dozens of solid stone weights. The bar sagged like an unhappy face as it struggled with the incredible loads stacked on either side. I had to stifle a cry when I saw the two fighters sparring in the closest ring. The towering beasts made Midnight look vertically challenged. Their skin was a mixture of shining black and red scales. Skull-like heads topped
with a cluster of arching horns. Eyes like dying embers and parted mouths which revealed teeth like hypodermic needles. They ducked and parried, grunting and striking each other with sledgehammer fists.

  “Oni,” whispered Sophia. “They’re strong but pretty dumb.” I noticed now that we were closer that she suffered from Heterochromia. One of her eyes was a vivid blue, the other the velvet green of a tree leaf. If anything, it made her even more adorable.

  I didn’t know how to respond to the information, so nodded quietly. We weaved through the room, passing all manner of creatures. Sophia acted as visual translator, listing off the species as we walked.

  “Pixie, Incubus, Goblin, Bloodlings, oh — that group over there are all Chosen like us.” She pointed to a cluster of guys and girls who looked a few years older than me. They raised their heads in curiosity as we passed. Then they placed both hands across their chests in an X shape before extending them to us. It took a few confused seconds to understand it was a greeting. Midnight and Sophia returned the gesture and I tried my best to emulate it before we moved on.

  A colossal thump echoed around the room. I turned just in time to see one of the Oni fighters slam to the mat, eyes rolling up in its head. The other pumped both fists in the air and let out a roar that would have any lion running for cover. Shuddering, I turned away.

  Eventually we reached the end of the sizable room and passed through a looming archway. The room on the other side was completely white and about the size of a tennis court. A bench sat at the far end, next to a complicated looking machine. Buttons blinked and screens flashed as if alive. In another corner stood what appeared to be a large metallic fridge. The wall straight ahead was in serious need of repair. Thick chunks of plaster were missing and large cracks scattered out in all directions, some even reaching the ceiling. Sophia plonked herself down on the bench, folding her skinny legs under herself. Her big, multi-coloured eyes were fixed on me and she wore a look of fervent interest.