The awakening hc-1

by Stuart Meczes

  True to her word, everyone pulled a gun from their belts — all except Faru. He remained hunched over on his cane, white eyes staring at Bargheist. I stood at the centre of a star of protection, justice ready to fire in from every point.

  “Is the sword your weapon of choice Alexander?” asked Faru. I looked down at the ornate blade wrapped in my white knuckled hands.

  “Yes.”

  “Alright. Agent Green, if you would.”

  The remaining agent removed a set of keys from his blazer pocket with a shaking hand. He unlocked the front of the cage then darted behind it. Bargheist stepped down from the raised floor, taking a deep breath of relative freedom, like a prisoner in the exercise yard. The agent disappeared into the elevator, trailing the empty cage behind him at tremendous speed. The doors slid together. Midnight tapped on a Biomote and there was a loud beep as the doors locked.

  Silence reigned.

  “Show your true form Bargheist!” shouted Gabriella, smashing the stillness.

  The man looked down at himself and sighed. “And I was just getting used to this new body. Oh well, C’est la vie.” Glaring at me, he crouched down onto his haunches. “You better know how to use that needle boy,” he growled. Then I witnessed an event that no amounts of forewarning could ever prepare a person for.

  The transition from man into a giant hellhound.

  Bargheist’s jaw unhinged like a snake’s. The skin surrounding his mouth became loose elastic which slackened and dangled in rolls around his neck. His whole body shuddered. Then slowly his skin began to slide downwards like a sock being peeled from a foot. A pair of blood red eyes appeared in the cavernous hole that had once been Bargheist’s mouth. A stomach lurching series of cracks and crunches emanated from inside. The skin continued to slither down the frame of the former man, gathering in a fleshy pile on the floor. A black muzzle pushed out of the yawning hole. The area around the skull had stretched taught to the point it looked ready to rip. The empty eye sockets were oval pits you could fit a fist through, the nose a bump of cartilage, between the shoulders. Then like a demonic birth, the head of a giant dog creature popped free from the slackened maw of the deflated man. Two black furred legs followed, topped by huge paws with scythe claws the size of a man’s thumb. A third, back leg escaped the skin hole. The creature used his sharp grip on the mat flooring to drag himself from the husk. Finally, with a growl he burst free, leaving the shed carcass in a heap behind him like a discarded outfit.

  Staring back at me was a hulking beast known as Bargheist. He was the size of a Great Dane.

  How in the hell am I supposed to defeat this?!

  Then I realised with a surge of dread that he was still growing. He jerked in weird directions, like he was being tugged by dozens of invisible strings. With each movement his form expanded. Bargheist yelped with every alteration. There was a final sweeping crunch as each vertebra in his spinal column popped into place.

  I stepped back instinctively as I took in the Skinshifter’s final form. Tangled fur hung from his muscular body in matted clumps. His head was long and narrow like a wolf’s… but far larger. Bargheist rose up onto its back legs — casting a shadow over the entire dojo, and howled. The inhuman sound rushed through me, freezing my bones. The hellhound came crashing back down and the floor shuddered under the weight. I lost my footing and had to dig the sword into the matting to keep me upright. He pushed back onto its hind legs and stretched its front out; a coil ready to spring.

  “Begin,” shouted Faru.

  Bargheist pounced.

  I jumped to the right, dodging the attack. The Skinshifter flew past, his jaws making a deafening chomp as it bit nothing but air.

  The second time I wasn’t so lucky. He jumped at me and a set of razor teeth sank into the soft flesh above my wrist. I screamed as white-hot pain seared up my arm. I tried to pull away, but Bargheist edged backwards, dragging me along the floor. Blood bloomed from the multiple punctures, pooling around its half buried teeth. From my awkward angle, I couldn’t get enough of a swing, so I rotated the sword and brought the base down between Bargheist’s eyes — hard.

  The Skinshifter yelped, releasing my wounded arm. Bright spots of nausea bloomed behind my eyes as I took in the multiple puncture wounds on either side. The beast was dazed. It staggered about, shaking its head from side to side. I ignored the pulsing throb in my arm and used my temporary advantage to attack. I ran forward and slashed wildly with the sword. Bargheist recovered just in time, darting away from the blow. I stumbled from the momentum, and the tip of the sword tore a large hole in the Tatami mat — exposing hardwood flooring underneath.

  The attack left my back defenceless.

  “Look out!” Gabriella shouted, but there wasn’t enough time to do anything. Bargheist head-butted me in the lower back, causing the sword to helicopter out of my grip and sending me flying face first into the padded wall next to Delagio.

  I connected hard, pinballing off the cushion and spiralling to the floor. Jumping up, I spun around at the same time Bargheist leapt at me. I put out my arms and caught the beast’s front legs with my hands. I tightened my grip, forcing him to remain on its back two legs. Not able to slash at me, he gnashed his frothing teeth together, trying to bite my face. I had to dodge my head from side to side. From around me I could hear gasps and cries as each clamp of its teeth missed by inches. Bargheist’s colossal weight bearing down on me began to take its toll. My arms shook from the strain. I can’t hold him for much longer!

  I knew I’d be in big trouble if I let go at the wrong moment. So I pivoted left, trying to duck out of the way and throw the hound off me. Bargheist mirrored the movement, hooking his claws into my shoulders. Each one felt like a razor blade slicing into my skin. Grimacing through the pain, I tried to dodge the other way. Still the beast kept himself pinned to me — knowing I was tiring. From the outside, it must have looked like we were dancing — the most bizarre tango in history.

  Finally I knew I couldn’t stand any more. I dropped my right arm down and as the beast started to crush me under its weight, I sprung upwards, driving an uppercut into his throat. Bargheist roared and stumbled to the side, claws unsticking from my shoulders. Too disorientated to keep upright, its legs crumpled and it crashed to the floor. This was no victory won though — I knew I only had seconds. I sprinted over and grabbed the sword from the floor. After wiping the sweat from my eyes with the back of my good hand, I raised the blade and spread my feet into a defensive stance Rachel had taught me. Bargheist barked in anger and heaved his colossal frame back onto its feet. He shocked me by lowering his jaw and speaking.

  “No more playing around!” he growled. Each word sounded like a boulder falling from a cliff. I could feel sweat spreading between my fingers. My muscles popped with tension. Bargheist sprinted forwards, but at the last second darted right and spun in a rapid circle around me. I struck out with the sword, but the Skinshifter was too fast. I felt his teeth sink into the back of my ankle. I dropped to a knee, gasping in pain.

  Bargheist repeated the tactic, looping in dizzying circles just out of my reach, waiting for me to attack and then darting in to bite my ankles. Every strike I made just sent strips of tatami mat flying around the dojo.

  It felt as if a Man o’ War had attached itself around my legs. Bargheist was taking me down like a Hyena takes down a Gazelle. Trails of blood trickled from my heels and pooled around me. I glanced at Gabriella. Her face had gone pale with concern.

  She knows I’m going to lose.

  I knew it too. I felt helpless. Again and again Bargheist darted in and out, razor teeth ripping into my flesh. I flailed out with the blade, always missing and taking curved slices from the mat. The area around me was peppered with half circle grins, laughing at my failure.

  I knew it wouldn’t be long before they called the fight to an end. Forget that he’d bite through my Achilles tendons soon; if it carried on much longer I’d die from blood loss. Then what? I can’t go back after everythi
ng I’ve been through…I may never see Gabriella again. The notion filled me with utter despair. I couldn’t even think of it as an option. Think Alex!

  The smallest detail gave me a glimmer of hope. As Bargheist sprinted around me for the umpteenth time, lining up another attack, it skidded slightly on a section of exposed wood.

  A series of memories flashed into my head. Of Monty — a neighbour's hyperactive puppy. Of our polished Oakwood floorboards. Of his wide eyed fear as he skidded across the wood like a first time ice skater.

  And fell down.

  I darted up, ignoring the nauseating pain from my legs and sprinted away from Bargheist as best I could. I spun the sword and dragged it behind me. The blade made easy work of the matting, unzipping it as I sprinted. From behind, I could sense the beast taking up the chase. I charged directly towards Rachel’s position. She moved out of my way, gun still trained on my pursuer. I waited until I could feel his hot breath on me, then veered left, grabbed an edge of the Tatami and yanked. It opened up like a weak seam.

  As soon as Bargheist’s padded feet hit the smooth wooden surface, they slipped from underneath his body and the Skinshifter crashed to the floor, legs splayed out in a starfish position. The hellhound yelped as it helplessly cascaded into a rack of Bo staffs. There was a loud thump followed by a clatter as the wooden poles collapsed around him.

  I swung the sword back into position and ran along once more — carrying on where I’d left off. There was a sharp ripping sound as the matting came up. As Bargheist slowly started to revive himself, I carried on running around the dojo like a baseball player who’d hit a home run. With my free hand, I yanked the matting as hard as I could. As I hoped, a huge chunk rushed towards me.

  Please work! I prayed.

  I dropped the samurai sword and ran towards the centre of the room, dragging the matting behind me like a room sized cape. I waited until I reached the hanging beam…and jumped. I flew through the air, stretching one hand out in front of me. It connected with the beam. I used it to propel myself forward, whilst I used the other to throw the matting through the gap. I hit the ground hard and rolled a few times. My wounded heels screamed with pain. I noticed the sword lying next to me. I snatched it up and dragged myself to my aching feet.

  I looked up.

  The matting was completely suspended, draped over the beam as if it were a giant towel rail. The ends dangled a few feet above my head.

  The room shook. I snapped my head around to see Bargheist smash to the floor once again. Adrenaline surged through my body as I watched the creature. As I’d hoped, the Skinshifter was having a very difficult time with the new flooring. Every time he tried to sprint at me, his paws would slip on the polished wood and send him crashing to the ground. Wounded, and exhausted, I walked over to the thrashing beast. He tried to get up, but failing, instead tried to gnash at my leg. I skipped out of the way of the attack. Stabbing the blade into the floor, I jumped up onto his back. His fleece was rough and scratched against my skin. I seized its horse-sized head, gripping handfuls of tangled fur between my fingers. Using all of my strength, I smashed his skull into the floor.

  Crack!

  The sound reverberated around the dojo like a thunderclap. I gritted my teeth together. Smashed his head down again.

  Crack!

  The tremors ran up my damaged arm and caused fresh blood to seep from the wounds.

  Crack, Crack, Crack!!

  Again and again I drove his head downwards. The beast howled from the constant jarring impacts. His head started to loll from side to side. I released my grip and it flopped to the floor. I leaned over and unstuck the sword. I spun it around and poised it above Bargheist’s head.

  I looked at Gabriella, who had an intense expression on her face.

  She nodded.

  I drove the blade hard into the Skinshifter’s skull. It split the bone, sank through flesh and bust through the lower jaw, pinning Bargheist to the wood. He let out a piercing strangled howl and sank to the ground — defeated. I rolled off of his giant back, landing on my knees. I let out a long sigh and sank into as sitting position, resting my head between my knees. I was soaked with sweat and it felt as if my lungs were three sizes too small. Standing up was no longer an option.

  A slow, steady clap filled the dojo. I blurrily looked up at Faru, who was standing in the centre of the carved up floor, wearing a satisfied smile. His blank eyes seemed to be twinkling in the light.

  “Fantastic, Alexander. That battle demonstrated not only your strength and resilience, but also your resourcefulness. All characteristics a Guardian should poses. Congratulations my boy, you have passed the test.”

  I wanted to feel happy, but I was too drained. I was too drained to feel anything. Gabriella looked at me and then to her leader. He seemed to understand something unspoken, because he nodded. Gabriella sprinted to the booster by my trainers and then over to me. I dropped my head as a wave of tiredness flowed through my body.

  I felt a pair of warm hands encircle me. The wave of sickness was replaced by a sense of peace and comfort. My arm and legs stopped throbbing. “It’s okay Alex, you did it. I’ll have you feeling better in a second.”

  Her raven hair spilled onto my face and neck as she held me. I felt her gently roll up the jumper sleeve to find a spot to inject the booster. I let myself sink into her arms, breathing in her gorgeous scent. “I already feel better,” I whispered. Her body stiffened. “Oh my god!” I snapped to attention, thinking Bargheist had freed himself. “What?” I asked in confusion, when I saw the Skinshifter’s hulking mass still pinned to the floor. “Everyone, you need to see this!” I was panicking now. The rest of the team ran over. “What is the matter?” asked Faru, who was last to reach us. “Look at his wounds,” she said. I looked down and drew in a sharp breath. They were fading.

  The puncture wounds shrank in front of my eyes until they became nothing but pink dots. Then they disappeared completely. I glanced at my legs. The skin around the ankles slowly stitched itself back together, leaving thin pink trails of scar tissue. The raised flesh turned white and then dissolved. Underneath, the skin looked brand new — without a single trace of damage.

  I looked up at the test of the team. They were staring in amazement at the patches of fresh skin on my arm and legs. Faru stroked his long beard between his thumb and forefinger.

  “Maybe he responds well to the booster?” suggested Delagio.

  Gabriella held up the injector. The inside was still full of the dark green liquid. “I haven’t used it yet.”

  There were murmurs from the rest of the team. They looked at each other on confusion. Faru made a clicking noise with his tongue. “What’s happening?” I asked. Gabriella ran a finger over the healed surface of my forearm. “I think we just found your ability.”

  20

  Later that evening, the Warren was a hive of activity. Agents and workers had been running around most of the afternoon transforming the Mansion with decorations. Vivid green plants that looked like living tinsel had been wound up every single staircase. Ornate golden lamps burning with the same purple flames I’d seen in the Temple lay on newly placed tables. Large sheets of glimmering silver material hung over doorways that didn’t need to be used. A red carpet had been rolled out through the front doors. Outside, every tree that lined the long driveway had delicate fairy lights entwined in their branches. Everywhere you looked, changes had been made to make the Warren shinier and more impressive. A warm glow had bloomed in my stomach as I’d taken it all in.

  This is all for me.

  At the request of Faru, the team and I had spent several hours after my defeat of Bargheist in a medical section of the base, whilst a very normal looking scientist in a white coat had performed all manner of tests on me. Finally, after tapping an alarming number of buttons on a Biomote and rescanning me, he had concluded that my body had the capability of regenerating cells at a rate far superior to even those of a Chosen. He’d admitted with a slow stroke of his chin t
hat I appeared to have the unique sixth ability of healing.

  I’d tried to contain my excitement as we had made our way to the Temple to tell Faru the news. We had found him sitting on the grand chair, deep in meditation — his two guards standing either side, heads bowed as if copying the action. Gabriella had told him the news regardless. He’d given a simple, slow nod. Then without the need for words, the notion that he would speak to me about it after the joining ceremony flashed into my head. It was followed by the idea that we should take the opportunity to unwind until it was time to get ready.

  Agents weaved their way past the team, barking orders through their wrist microphones and pressing their fingers against their ears. Midnight frowned. “This ain’t normal,” he grunted, as Iralia tottered past him, carrying a bowl of floating candles. “Maybe they’re trying to raise the mood,” suggested Delagio. “It’s been tough on everyone lately.” “Don’t they do this for all new Guardians?” I asked, savouring the smell of spices that wafted from the kitchen. Rachel shook her head. “No, this is too grand. Something big is going on, and I want to find out what. You okay with that Ella?” Gabriella narrowed her eyes. “I’m curious too. Go find out.”

  Rachel peeled off from the rest of the team and disappeared behind one of the silver curtains. Midnight stopped near the base of the main stairs and scratched a huge finger against the nape of his neck. “As much as I love hangin’ out with new kid here, I promised pint size she could practice some new spells on me the Coven taught her next time we had a moment.”

  Sophia’s eyes brightened. “Can we Ella? I want to make Midnight walk through a wall!”

  Gabriella laughed. “I’m pretty sure he can do that anyway, but go on, have fun. Make sure you’re not late for the feast though. And try not to turn him into a brick or something!”