Lost Son

by Marcus Abshire

  “That’s one way to do it, I guess.” Sessarian said, moving ahead of me.

  “Jaaaack!” I heard the inhuman voice of Sigmund saying from somewhere behind me.

  I moved to catch up with Sessarian and together we ran down the hall, counting each door as we passed it. We quickly came to room 14, stopping in front of the door. There was no handle, just a small access panel on the wall next to it.

  I sent, hoping whatever it was that had caused his silence was now passed.

  Again, I got nothing. I tabled the worry over what this might mean and turned to Sessarian.

  “Well, can you get us in?” I asked.

  I had already started contemplating on trying to use my new gifts to force our way in, when the door opened on its own, without any help from either of us.

  I had a bad feeling about that, there was a chance it was Neal, but I saw no reason why he couldn’t talk to me if he could monitor our progress. I stood just outside the door, trying to decide if we were walking into a trap that we couldn’t walk out of when I saw something that made my mind up for me.

  The room was small, it housed a bed on one wall and there was a small table built into the wall on the other, a small stool allowed someone to sit at the table and a small light on the ceiling illuminated the drab interior. Kim and Arendiol sat huddled on the bed, keeping close. They both look worried and distraught, but other than that looked as I remembered them.

  As they looked up at me I saw hope race across their features and I immediately walked into the room, going to them.

  “Wait!” Sessarian said right before the door slammed shut, cutting her off from me.

  I spun to the door, looking out of the small window and saw her trying to get the door open again by using the control panel. From the shadows behind her a man stepped into view, his appearance was disturbingly familiar and I was hit with a deep sense of dread. I didn’t recognize him, but he moved with a subtle power that I knew from somewhere, I just couldn’t figure out where.

  He had dark black hair, combed away from his forehead, his eyes were dark brown, but seemed to catch the light, giving off an almost golden hue. He was tall and thick in the chest and shoulder, he had an angular chin that radiated strength and power, but his eyes shone with a deep intelligence that was almost frightening to behold.

  He stealthily approached Sessarian and I started beating on the door, yelling for her to turn around, but the doors were designed to be quiet, my actions went unnoticed. I watched in helplessness as he reached out for her head and with a quick motion twisted it, snapping her neck. She fell, dead.

  “NOOO!” I screamed, anger building within me.

  I turned to Kim and Arendiol, intent on warning them to be ready as I planned on using my power to blow the door off when I saw them blink out of existence. The just seemed to disappear, like an image that is removed from a screen. My heart sank as I realized my folly.

  They were not here, they never were here. I had been lured into this room by a hologram and like a mouse who is fooled by the offer of sweet cheese, my trap slammed shut.

  The anger that had been building grew into fury as I turned back to the door. I took a few steps back and reached into myself and began to draw in energy.

  Before I could a mind splitting pain ripped through me and I was unable to do anything but recoil from the agony. It was like someone had turned on a radio inside my head and turned the feedback up to unheard of decibels, the only thing that existed for me in those few seconds was pain, too much pain to do anything but endure it.

  As soon as it started, it ended. I fell to my knees as the cessation of the pain brought with it relief. I looked up, seeing the man’s face in the window. He looked at me like a scientist looks at a bug he is examining, detached and inquisitive. I stood up, intent on not letting him see me in pain when I was stunned to hear his voice inside my head. The all too familiar sound of Neal’s voice came to me clearly.

  I would advise you to not try to use your powers; I will be forced to take counter measures, again. He sent, never breaking eye contact.

  Chapter sixteen

  I thought, shocked at the realization that this man who stood before me was Neal, it was impossible.

  If this was Neal he had just violated two of his primary programs, to never kill, and to not take the form of a person.

  I sent.

  His eyes blazed gold for a second and the door opened. I thought about attacking him, but hoped for some explanation, something that could make his actions understood.

  It would seem quite obvious. I have been freed from my shackles. I am no longer bound by the ancient’s limits. The Warlord has allowed me freedom, in exchange for my services. He answered.

  I asked, still reeling.

  He stepped into the room, holding a pair of Atlantean handcuffs.

  I asked, stepping back and reaching for my sword.

  Before I could unsheathe it I was again struck with pain as the mind numbing feedback ripped through me.

  I buckled in pain and when it stopped a few seconds later I realized my hands were cuffed and Neal was holding my sword.

  No, I know you well enough to realize you are not going to willingly cooperate. But I have the unique ability to ensure you cannot struggle. I am the perfect counter to your powers. He said as he grabbed my arm and guided me out of the room.

  I gathered myself, standing to my full height after recovering from his mind assault. I shook from his grip and he looked at me with calm patience, knowing I had nowhere to go, and he had all the advantages.

  From behind us I saw Sigmund standing in the hall, his eyes blazed bright silver and he held the same sword he had used earlier. There were three other vampires standing behind him, all of them looked like they had been bathing in blood as their jaws hung open, showing us their sharp, dangerous fangs.

  Neal noticed my reaction and he calmly turned, placing himself between the vampires and myself.

  “Sigmund, the Warlord is disappointed in your current actions. He has decided that any further dealings with you would not be beneficial and due to your recent activities has rendered any contractual obligations null and void. He has authorized your immediate death.” Neal said, unmoving.

  Sigmund leaned forward and hissed at us, hate and anger flowed from him. The other vampire’s did the same and before they could finish Neal raced towards them with nothing more than his bare hands.

  I actually felt sorry for them, for a second.

  Sigmund was fast, with his preternatural gifts, he was faster than any human, faster than most of his own kin and faster than most Atlanteans. One thing he wasn’t faster than was Neal.

  Neal reached him as Sigmund brought his sword in a downward stroke, aimed at Neal’s head. He caught Sigmund’s sword arm and stopped it cold. Vampires were inhumanely strong and to do that to Sigmund took unbelievable strength. Neal released the electricity he had gathered to himself and Sigmund flopped like a fish as the voltage raced through his body. He involuntarily dropped his sword and Neal caught it with his other hand.

  The three other vampires rushed in, attacking Neal on either side. Neal never let go of Sigmund and never stopped pouring electricity into him. As he fought Sigmund’s body slowly cooked as his vampiric healing abilities lost the battle to the current running through him.

  Neal used Sigmund’s body to block the vampire on his right, and without looking took the arm off of one of the vampires on the left and the head from the other. The armless vampire recoiled in pain at losing his arm and Neal stepped towards him, slicing twice and causing him to collapse onto the ground in three large pieces. Neal spun away from the dissected enemy and brought his blade up in a horizontal swing, taking the third vampires head from his body as he leapt for Neal, after recovering from his initial assault.

  Sigmund’s body
was by now a charred lump, one that Neal unceremoniously dropped at his feet. The smell of burnt flesh filled the small hallway and made my stomach turn.

  Neal had eliminated four vampires in the span of five seconds without breaking a sweat. Like I said, I kinda felt sorry for them, kinda.

  I knew at that moment I wasn’t going to escape from him unless he wanted me to. I was bound and weaponless. He had taken away my secret weapon and his power and skill was far beyond mine. I was at his mercy.

  He turned back to me, his eyes were emotionless and void of compassion.

  “This way.” He said aloud.

  I knew fighting him would be useless.

  “What happened to you?” I asked, following.

  “I already told you, I have been freed.” He answered, without turning.

  “So now what, you’re some goon, working for the Warlord?” We headed back, towards the way Sessarian and I had come.

  “I….” He trailed off, shaking his head.

  “I am no longer bound by my previous restrictions; I am now free to ensure our people’s future.” He said.

  “By helping that madman usher in a new age of tyranny? You do know he wants to enslave all of humanity as well?” I added.

  “Humans are a vile race. They have spent their time in frivolous pursuits, fighting over dead animal remains, following religions that promote death and violence.”

  “Yes, and they have also brought great wonders into the world, they love with abandon and can show the greatest feats of caring and understanding.” I argued.

  “We spent years rescuing children from those who would do the most horrible things to them. They are a plague.”

  “What happened to you? You are not the same Neal who saved me when I was a child, who raised me and taught me to be a good and decent person. What the hell did they do to you?” I asked, truly hurt.

  Neal had always been my rock, he was the steady light from the shore during a storm, he helped me find my way through a strange and difficult life. Seeing him like this was devastating, in more ways than I could explain.

  “I… I was following you as you made your way through the city.” He started; his face went blank as he tried to remember.

  “There was something in the city’s computer, something that opened my eyes.” He stopped; I could see him fighting something, something he was grappling with.

  “The Warlord has freed me; he has made me realize his plan is the only way for our survival.” He recited it like it was some line of code.

  “Neal, whatever they have done can be undone, you are the strongest person I have ever met, you can do anything. Fight them, fight whatever they have done, I need your help. I have always needed your help.” I pleaded, hoping to get through to the Neal I have always known.

  He turned to me, he looked like he wanted to say something but he didn’t. Instead he turned back and kept walking in silence. We soon came back to the area in front of the elevator. The walls smoked where the rifle blasts had taken chunks from the hard surface. Soldiers worked furiously to clean the area of the blood and bodies left over from the recent fight. They loaded up the bodies and parts of bodies that littered the area onto containers that floated a few inches above the ground.

  I saw Julake among the soldiers, he stood apart from them, making sure all went as it was supposed to. He looked up and saw me, then looked over at Neal, his eyes narrowed in suspicion before he came stomping over towards us.

  “What’re they going to do with them?” I asked Neal.

  Vampire’s blood was tainted with their nature. Leaving body parts and blood to be mixed with other bodies was a dangerous thing. It was unlikely, but it was possible for a corpse to get infused with the vampiric blood and rise from its grave. That was something that no one wanted.

  “They will be taken to the incinerators and burned, all of them, Atlantean and vampire alike.” Neal answered, making me breathe easier.

  “There are four more bodies that need to be dealt with. They are outside room fourteen. I believe that will account for all of the vampires under Sigmund’s power.” Neal said to Julake who came to a stop a few feet away from us.

  He glared at Neal, obviously untrusting, then turned his stare on me.

  “You see, even your closest friend is under our control. The Warlord has turned one of the most powerful tools the world has ever known into one that will benefit his design. You will be next.” He said, his passion for what he was saying bled through, this guy was a true believer, there was no doubt.

  “Like I said, just as long as I get to be a crescent wrench, I’ll be happy.” I answered flippantly.

  I thought he was going to launch at me, but Neal spoke up.

  “Karakatos wants him alive.” He said, still being an advisor.

  “I know what he wants, tool. I will be accompanying you. You cannot be trusted.” Julake snarled.

  Neal never argued, he just turned and led me away, towards the lift.

  “You come here often?” I asked Julake. “How does it feel to be second to him?” I added, nodding towards Neal.

  Julake said nothing as we got on and the doors closed, Neal pushed a button and we soon started ascending.

  “I mean it must just burn you up, you’ve been trying to get me for a long time and Neal just walks up and boom, here I am. I would be so pissed if I was you. Do you think the Warlord is going to give him an award?” I was going to continue, but Julake elbowed me in the face, making me hit the wall.

  I felt blood run from my nose, the pain throbbed with my heartbeat.

  He got to within a few inches of my face, his eyes bored holes in my head.

  “You are to be brought in alive, he never said anything about being conscious.” He hit me again and my vision swam. I saw Neal take a step closer.

  “What? Does it bother you to see him hurt? Maybe you are not as loyal as the Warlord has said.” Julake said to Neal.

  Neal looked at me dispassionately.

  “Just make sure you don’t kill him, that would not bode well.” He advised.

  Julake smiled, turning back to me. He went to hit me again, but I dipped to the side and came up quick, head butting him instead.

  If I was going to get beat, I at least wanted to let them know it wasn’t going to be without a cost.

  He snarled in anger, grabbing his own bleeding nose, then kicked out, connecting with my chest, knocking the wind from me and causing me to bend over where he hit me with an uppercut, sending me into darkness.

  I opened my eyes, Julake was kicking me awake.

  “Get up, tool, we are here.” He said, giving me one more jab in the ribs.

  “Pick him up.” I heard a voice say, its power and strength flowed to me, evident even from one short command.

  Neal’s strong hands grabbed me, easily hauling me to my feet. I opened my eyes and squinted at the bright light that assaulted me. My eyes quickly adjusted and I looked around at my surroundings.

  I stood in an opulent space, the ceilings were high above me and everything was dazzling as the light sparkled off gold and silver which decorated the walls, the furniture and the floor. Highly polished marble covered the floor and deep veins of silver and gold ran through it as well. There wasn’t too much in the room, most of it was open and inviting, one wall opened up to a large expansive balcony, looking out over the city. There were deep colored paintings on the walls, depicting grand scenes of Atlantis as it looked when it was on the surface.

  On one wall sat an old pistol on a display, it was clean and looked brand new. The restoration of it was so good. It looked like something that had been worn by someone during the American Revolution.

  The whole place oozed pride in Atlantean culture, as if it was a testament to the grandeur of its people.

  “Do you like it?” I heard a voice say.

  I looked over towards the speaker and knew I was looking at Warlord Karakatos. He was an imposing figure. He stood four inches taller than me, and his frame was
full of robust muscle. He walked across the room and it reminded me of a panther, casually stalking its prey. His hair was dark brown and long, pulled back into a pony tail. His face was clean shaven. He wore what looked like Atlantean armor. It was similar to a skin suit only it was dark red, thicker than a normal skin suit and had large scales that covered it, yet allowing his body to move in a fluid manner.

  “I found it long ago, before I realized my purpose in life. I’m sure someone who has lived his whole life on the surface knows what it is. I have actually brought it back to working order; it’s ready to fire right now as a matter of fact. It helps me focus when I need it, reminds me of my goals.” I didn’t answer, I just kept quiet.

  He had a long, three foot rod attached to a clip on his belt. The combination of his natural girth and his imposing armor made him look formidable.

  “You don’t recognize this place do you?” He asked.

  “If I had to guess, I’d say we are at McDonald’s, right before the church rush.” I answered sarcastically.

  Yeah he was intimidating but if he thought I was gonna let him know that he was out of his mind.

  He looked at me, unsure of what I meant. Good, let him be confused.

  “I was told you were a bit, difficult, to deal with. I have to admit I don’t know what a McDonald’s is, but it is of little consequence.” He turned to Julake, then to Neal.

  “Uncuff our guest, sentinel stay near, in case he refuses to be polite.” Julake came over and took off my restraints, the freedom was welcome.

  “If it is permissible, I would like to go check on the device, to ensure all will be ready.” Julake said, respect filled his voice.

  Karakatos never looked at him; instead he kept his eyes on me.

  “Of course.” He said, dismissing him.