D'Mok Revival 1: Awakening

by Michael J. Zummo

  “No one just comes here,” the warrior chided. “No one brings us recruits. We recruit who we want. And the only ones who know where Shiki is are people who’ve either tried to destroy this camp or kill its warriors.”

  With nothing to counter with, they stood in awkward silence. The warrior continued. “I’ll ask a few questions. I expect the truth. And if I don’t get it, it will be the end of you.”

  Allia moved closer to Mencari, who nodded to the woman.

  “Who are you and where did you come from?”

  “My name is Rhysus Mencari. This is Seigie, Allia and Ichini.”

  “We’re not from your world,” Allia added.

  The guard lifted his hand to strike her. Seigie and Ichini stepped quickly in front of Allia. The guard stopped his intended blow in mid-air, as the warrior snapped, “The child will be silent.”

  She looked the group over carefully, pausing a while on Ichini. “Unnatural beast,” she muttered. Shaking her head in disgust, her long mullet-mane flying through the air behind her, she continued her inquiry. “Why are you here?”

  Mencari said, “We’re here to seek the aid of the Odoli brothers.”

  “Brothers?” Her eyes scanned his suspiciously. “You always bring weapons when seeking those to help you?”

  Mencari nodded. “Your land is filled with creatures. We were attacked on the way here.”

  “Who helped you get here?”

  “We found our own way here. We’re not a threat to you.”

  “Our scouts said you came from the west.”

  She was bluffing. They had entered through the east gate, coming up from the south.

  Mencari said nothing.

  Her eyes filled with disdain. “How are these Odoli brothers supposed to help you?”

  Mencari sighed. “We’re not from Okiru haven. Not even from your planet. We came through the spaceport.”

  She bellowed laughter. “Ridiculous. You can’t leave our world. There’s nothing beyond it!”

  Seigie glanced at Mencari, then back at the woman. “Does anyone in your haven get out beyond their town?”

  The woman turned toward Seigie with threatening eyes.

  “There is a spaceport,” Mencari said quickly. “We landed there. Dalbrth—”

  Her eyes shifted at the name. He continued. “Dalbrth gave us directions on where to find the Odolis.”

  “Is that so? Then we should be able to confirm your story.”

  She turned her head to peer out the window. “Kedar!”

  The front entrance opened and a thin guard saluted.

  “Tell the Fedre we’re holding intruders who claim they’ve entered through the Okiru spaceport. Verify their story with Dalbrth, then return.”

  Kedar saluted and scampered off, and she turned back to them. Allia turned toward the window, moving closer to get a better view outside.

  “I wouldn’t go near the windows,” the woman said. “I’m sure the warriors outside are itching to practice on a small target like you.”

  “You don’t need to scare her,” Mencari said. “We’re cooperating with you.”

  “Not because you have a choice.”

  Again, Mencari kept his silence. For now, it was in their favor to continue being underestimated.

  As the storm raged outside, the group settled in to wait for Kedar to return.

  * * * * *

  Finally, there was a knock on the door. At the woman’s call, Kedar opened it and entered. Behind him, Mencari saw the number of warriors outside had swelled.

  “They said a group of Anto’liea spies landed in the Okiru spaceport looking for Odoli.”

  “Spies!” The woman warrior unsheathed her sword.

  Kedar began to stutter, “Yes, well . . . no, Den! They said they thought they were spies. But their ship had no encoding from Abunai. Also, they admitted their intelligence reported no activity from the Anto’liea bureau. They were surprised the group even found their way to our camp.”

  He added, “As always, those at the Okiru spaceport are little more than fools.”

  With a disappointed sigh, Den waved Kedar back to his post and said, “I could’ve gotten a new tattoo for catching infiltrators like you.”

  “We were originally looking for Jerin,” Mencari said, “but found out there were two of them.”

  “Brothers,” Seigie added.

  “Jerin . . .” Den’s voice became somber. Her tone worried Mencari.

  “He was in the Olympics last year, right?” he said.

  She ignored the question and whispered something to Kedar. He quickly turned and dashed out the door. They could hear him breaking up the mob of warriors waiting outside to pounce. After a few moments, he returned and nodded.

  Den glared at their group. “Come with me.” Outside, she escorted them at a fast trot through side streets. The downpour had turned to mist, but the thunder rolled on above. As they passed the main streets, they found them mostly deserted.

  They began their ascent up the steep embankment that climbed high above the town to the camp that Doruk had called Kunren. As they crested the top, they came upon a massive open-aired arena set back on the plateau. A mighty roar swelled from it, followed by the static crackle of electrical bursts, as if lightning had struck the ground and spiraled across it.

  Den waited until the blast disbursed, then motioned them to hurry.

  As they passed, Mencari looked into the sunken arena. A single, heavily tattooed warrior was being swarmed by a horde of attackers. Lightning above them reflected off the sharp metallic claws at each end of the outnumbered warrior’s weapon. A blade shot out from the center of each claw.

  “Look at that,” Allia breathed. “Almost like my blade!”

  He roared and slashed through his opponents. Some fell, cut in half. Others lost limbs or were disemboweled. Each met their end in a shower of sparks and metal fragments. As their humanoid façades faded, the attacking androids ceased their motion.

  A second wave of attackers rushed in from the sidelines. Even from a distance, Mencari could see a strange glow appeared in the man’s eyes. A glow of eagerness. He seemed to carry no intention of retreating.

  As he paused, he felt a shove in his face. Den yelled at him, “Move. Now!”

  She pushed them hard as they circled the arena to the far side. They were high enough that they could keep watching the battle.

  A bright sphere of blue-white energy formed around the warrior’s hands, then spread over the clawed blades. He took a mighty swing. The arc of unleashed energy hit the droids; they exploded. The wave continued like a spray of lightning beyond the edge of the ring, as those in the yelling crowd ducked and dove out of the way of the sparks.

  Mencari asked in awe, “Jerin?”

  Den shook her head, but kept her eyes on the battle, too.

  Footsteps splashed in the mud behind them. Kedar caught up with them and whispered something to Den, who stopped only for a moment, then shook her head and waved him away.

  “We get to meet Jerin now?” Allia said.

  Den looked at him, her head high, the haughty mane tossing. “You will meet Naijen, brother of Jerin.”

  “Is Jerin away?” Mencari said.

  “That is Naijen in the arena. Jerin fell in the Olympics last year . . . with the rest of our team.”

  “He fell?” Allia said. “You mean he hurt himself?”

  Seigie placed her hand on Allia’s shoulder. “He died last year. That’s what she meant, child.”

  Den sighed. “We will meet him in the Hall of Recompense. Come.”

  They trotted behind her on a muddy path that soon sank down into a small underground cavern, which led to a hall, lit with torches. Mencari looked around, unnerved by what he saw. In the flickering light, he could see scraps of tattooed flesh and pieces of metal displayed across the walls. The areas not adorned with trophies were colored in blood-red and black patterns. Horrified, Mencari fought his gag reflex.

  Seigie’s wary eyes
scanned the decomposing decor. But Allia seemed fascinated. She ran up to a large section of skin with a multicolored design. “I like this one.”

  Seigie motioned for her to return to her side. Allia’s face wrinkled, possibly misconstruing Seigie’s direction as disinterest.

  “What is this place?” Mencari said.

  Den looked around proudly. “This is where our finest warriors come after great victories. They carve us tokens from their skin to commemorate their greatness.”

  Mencari noticed a display on the wall missing its centerpiece. “And what went there?”

  “The Skar, a weapon only our finest warrior is allowed to wield,” she said. “You saw it moments ago on Naijen.”

  The main entrance opened, and the heavily tattooed man they’d seen in the coliseum lumbered in.

  “Naijen,” Den said.

  “Ey, Butchie,” he returned with a menacing grin.

  She grimaced briefly. He continued. “Master sent me. Have more trainin’ ta do, so wha’daya want?”

  His eyes locked onto their group, then grew narrow and caught fire with contempt. “One that looks cut from stone, one a child. And not a mark on any of ’em. New trainees?”

  “No,” Den said. “They’ve come looking for you.”

  In an instant, he pulled his clawed Skar weapon from his side and lifted it, ready to strike. His accusing eyes became narrow and manic, and he roared, “Anto’liea dogs! DIE!”

  Ichini bristled, and Allia blurted, “We are not—!”

  The blades sprung from each claw as Naijen lunged forward.

  Den shouted, “Wait, Naijen!”

  Before Den could stop him, Naijen’s Skar was slicing toward Allia. Seigie and Mencari cried out as Allia reached for her own blade. But it was obvious she was too slow. Expecting the blow to strike, she clenched her eyes.

  A brilliant light burst from Ichini, and a metallic clanging echoed in the room. Naijen’s eyes grew wide as his powerful swing was blocked inches above the girl’s head by Ichini’s transformed bladed arm. Ichini’s eyes beamed a hellish red energy as large teeth ripped from its enraged mouth, accompanied by a frightful roar of pure anger.

  Naijen recoiled and stepped back, looking in amazement at the only creature fast enough to block his special attack. Ichini crouched to lunge forward, stopped only by a small hand touching his side.

  “No, Ichini. I’m okay.”

  Ichini turned gently and nuzzled the side of Allia’s face. His body gleamed and folded inward, returning to his tiger-like original form.

  Naijen peered at each of them in turn, saving his harshest glare for the beast.

  “They have come here seeking your . . . aid,” Den explained.

  Naijen snorted laughter as if told a funny joke. Then he saw Den was serious. “Wha?”

  Mencari answered, “To help us against an alien that threatens this area of space.”

  Naijen’s brow furrowed. “Space? We know of all the nasty creatures in our space. Anto’liea—and their lackeys—are the only threats.”

  “Off our world, Naijen,” Den said. “Beyond the city-states and havens.”

  “Beyond?” The words sunk slowly into his thick skull.

  “We’re forming an army to fight them,” Mencari said.

  Under his wrinkled brow, Naijen’s eyes blazed. “Fightin’s good. Keep talkin.”

  “An army of others like you. With special abilities.”

  “Others like me?” He looked Mencari up and down. “You? You know how to train these skills?” He looked at Ichini, then at the little girl, at Seigie with her stone-hard face, then back at Mencari.

  “Our mentor does.”

  Naijen looked intrigued. In then next instant, he turned at Den, his face almost comical in its pleading expression. “These trainin’ bots are nothin’ to me. And no living warrior will spar anymore.” He paused again, then added, “I can’t get better here.”

  Den’s mouth gaped. “You want to leave?”

  He shrugged. “Even the wild creatures are nothin’ to me. Only fun left is the Renzr beast, and it takes all day ta find one anymore. No offense to you, you’re second-best here. But you ain’t no challenge, neither.”

  Den looked hard at him, her great mane of hair motionless for once. A long moment later, Den said, “Kedar secured approval earlier. It has been ruled. The Master has left the decision to you.”

  “Then I’ll do it. But I got somethin’ to do first. Need’ta say goodbye to someone. Not too far from the Okiru border.”

  “You are to take the Skar, and return with it when you are ready.” Den said before turning to the group. “You have no markings, so you’ll need to stay with Naijen for protection. You can stay in the guard’s lair tonight, then in the morning—”

  “No. Gotta leave now.”

  Den swiveled her head to Naijen. “Now?”

  “Won’t sleep. Too pumped. Don’t wanna deal with everyone anyways. All that sayin’-goodbye crap? Can make a break for it, miss most everyone if we go now!”

  She sighed. “Very well.” She looked at Mencari, Seigie, and even Allia. The warrior’s face held its threatening look for a few moments longer, then softened. “Travel well.”

  Naijen motioned for them to follow him.

  * * * * *

  “Move it!” the warrior taunted.

  It was dark already. Two moons accompanied the strange aurora now, leaving scarce light for them to see by. Mencari and Seigie stumbled across rocks and other debris as they descended across rough terrain. Allia and Ichini, used to living in caves, didn’t have the same difficulty, and traversed even the most uneven sections with ease.

  Naijen, familiar with the route, bounded ahead, slowing slightly from time to time to allow Mencari and Seigie to catch up.

  “Why is everyone marked-up here?” Allia said, close at Naijen’s heels.

  Naijen growled, “Don’t ask stupid things, girl-whelp.”

  While it seemed odd, Mencari remembered what it was like for no one in Allia’s world to talk to him. Here, it felt like children were not supposed to speak at all.

  They continued on without further talk, until her curiosity ate away at her again. “And what about that guy we saw having those balls placed into his arm. It looked horrible!”

  Naijen ignored her and kept going. Allia’s mouth contorted and her cheeks puffed in frustration.

  She asked petulantly, “And what’s everyone’s problem with kids?”

  Again Naijen paid no attention.

  From ahead came a faint light. As they got closer, they saw luminous pebble-sized stones spaced every ten feet, marking a new path. Without explanation, Naijen changed direction toward it.

  When they reach the glowing spheres, Allia stopped to examine one. Stooping, she picked up two of the stones and placed them into her pocket.

  Seigie, likewise, knelt, looking with curiosity at the bright stones. Unaware of their pause behind him, Naijen kept going.

  “Fascinating,” Seigie said. “It’s a form of barite stone.”

  “Barite?” Mencari paused, looking concerned. Seigie’s stoic eyes glinted, and she said, “Rhysus . . .”

  “I know. I was going to ask Naijen if we could stop for a while, maybe rest. But the sooner we leave, the better.”

  Allia looked between them, confused. “What’s the problem?”

  Seigie explained, “Radiation. Barite glows when there’s radiation.”

  As they looked ahead, they saw various colors down the path. Far ahead, Naijen moving away at a fast pace.

  “Hey!” Mencari called after him, and they all scrambled to follow.

  “I left my cave for this?” Seigie muttered, moving her heavy weight as fast as she could, “To follow a crazy warrior on a midnight run through a radiation field?”

  Over the hill, they caught up with Naijen, who had waited, impatient, with Allia and Ichini, for the others to catch up. He stood upright, bouncing slightly on the balls of his toes as Mencari and finally Se
igie lumbered up. In the uncomfortable silence, Mencari tried to ease the tension. “I’m sorry to hear about Jerin.”

  Without hesitation, Naijen retorted, “Nothin’ ta be sorry ’bout. Served our haven well. If it wasn’t for the cheap tactics of those Anto’liea, he’d ’a led us ta victory.”

  “What would have happened if he had?”

  “What would’a happened? The Anto’liea would’a lost control’a the resources, that’s what! Our lives w’ud be better. We wouldn’t need ’em to just scrape by.”

  Allia looked into the darkness, her knees bent into a crouch.

  “Something out there?” Mencari said, looking to the girl, keeping his voice low.

  Nodding, her eyes scoured the darkness. “It’s big.”

  Ichini circled her, then looked out over the terrain. The two moons had both set, but the landscape was now getting lighter by the second, as the first glimmers of dawn streaked on a brightening horizon line.

  “Tell’er to cut the act,” Naijen scoffed. “I’ve got good ears, too. Nothin’ out there.”

  Now ignoring him, Allia concentrated as Ichini began to bristle. After a moment she said, “It’s big . . . and hungry.”

  Naijen paused, glancing over his shoulder.

  Allia pointed. “To the west.”

  Naijen crouched to the ground, placing his hand flat on it. “Nothin’. Stupid kid.”

  But then he paused. Mencari could see it in the warrior’s eyes, he caught something.

  “It knows we’re here,” Allia whispered, and Ichini’s eyes began to shimmer with light.

  Mencari muttered, “Everyone . . . be ready!”

  This time no one chuckled at his familiar warning.

  A howl ripped through the air, followed by the sound of galloping hooves. Allia’s expression turned to puzzlement. When Naijen heard the sound, he grinned broadly and bared his double-clawed weapon. Squeezing the handgrip, long blades protruded from each end as he bellowed, “A Renzr beast!”

  The shadow of a horse-like creature began to grow. Well within range, Mencari let out a few warning shots of his hand-phaser to scare the creature off. It howled and charged faster at them.

  “Ya better have more in you than that,” Naijen said, “or this’ll be a short fight.”