The Gauntlet of Possession (The Teracian Chronicles Book 1)

by Christopher Lambert

  “What’s that? Is that your plan to get me out of here?”

  “Precisely; The One Mind knew the crystal wasn’t far when she came to you. It’s a long shot, but this should work.”

  Anya watched as the Teracian grabbed some healing salve and placed it beside him. Taking hold of his gauntlet, he closed his eyes. With a powerful tug, the gauntlet slid off, creating a rush of blood from his arm. For a moment, he stood there as a network of veins remained still attached to the armored glove. With haste, Azek’zander splashed the medical gel all over his arm and screamed through his exhausted mind. Anya watched in horror as the Teracians skin began to heal, and as the veins once inside his flesh, started to disintegrate. He collapsed to the ground, dropping the gauntlet and crystal in front of him.

  “A-Azek? Azek, come on. Wake up. What do I do?” she said as she tried to remove the plastic wrist clamps. With renewed strength, she broke the restraints and fell to the floor; several wires and equipment ripped out of her body, resulting in the IV pouring on the ground.

  Anya grabbed ahold of the gel on her heart and felt it begin to liquefy. No, this can’t be happening to me. She crawled as fast as she could to his side and started applying the medicinal salve all over his body. She started to panic when he didn’t move.

  “The gauntlet! I have to put it on.”

  Fumbling for the tool, she slipped it onto her arm, but nothing happened. She tried the other arm, but the glove wouldn’t activate.

  “No, work you piece of shit. How do I get you to work?”

  Anya stood still as she suddenly remembered what Actavian said a year ago. Our pure human champions will use the gauntlets.

  I’m not human anymore. I’m just like the Septunians.

  “Azek, you have to wake up. I can’t use the gauntlets. Please, wake up.”

  Blood started to saturate her flesh, and she felt lightheaded. The crystal!

  The bright yellow rock lay next to her and Azek as if waiting to be of use once more. She grabbed onto it and held it tightly in her hand as she raised it up and onto the Teracian’s back. Her head, soon after, hit the ground while her body fell apart on the cold, dirty floor.

  “There’s…there’s no use struggling. I’m powerless to go against fate.”

  **********

  Anya laid on her bed, moving her feet to the beat of the pop music streaming through her speaker. The cloudy day only offered a peek at the sunlight hiding behind it. The two girls just got out of school and were enjoying some time at Anya’s house before her mom returned home. The loud music blared through the whole house like a live concert. Brenda rummaged through some of Anya’s old books and found a familiar one covered in dust.

  “Oh, I haven’t seen this one in a while. Anya, you remember Antigone, don’t you?”

  Anya twisted her head around, bopping it to the music. “Yea, that book was pretty sad. Everyone died.”

  “It was a little hard to understand. What did you get…”

  Anya interrupted and turned the music down. “I can’t stop thinking about what the doctor said. You know, the cancer? What if my life ends just as tragically as hers?” she said in a solemn voice.

  “Whoa, whoa. Hey, don’t kid around like that. You’re going to be fine. Better than fine, actually. You’re gonna get through all of this, and we’re gonna celebrate when you do, alright?”

  “They did say it hasn’t spread at all. Guess I should think more like Athena.”

  “Ha, that’s the spirit. The Goddess of Wisdom with her mighty owl!”

  “Yea, the owl. I have to be brave for William’s sake too. I’m sorry, Brenda. I’ll try to stop worrying.”

  Rising to her feet after putting the books away, Brenda tickled her friend's stomach, “You wanna get some coffee? We can talk more about this on the way there.”

  “That would be great,” Anya said as she laughed and turned the music back up. “But not until we finish this song.”

  She jumped off her bed and started to dance; her long, wavy hair dancing all around her. Brenda watched amusingly until she joined in. The two college girls laughed the evening away, forgetting all their troubles like nothing else mattered.

  **********

  SYSTEM RESTORE. RESTARTING…

  Anya awoke with a sudden rush, feeling foggy from the dream. It took her a few seconds to realize where she was. She felt around her chest and found a clean medical scrub. The hole above her heart was gone as if it were never there. The lost feeling in her arms and legs was back, and she felt rejuvenated. Anya removed the blanket and stared at her right arm. Ending at her forearm, was a silver-colored gauntlet with a yellow light in the palm. Without notice, an orange sword appeared in her hand, causing her to scream out as it vanished. She fell back onto her bed with wide eyes.

  “Anya, you’re awake. Are you alright?” thought Azek’zander as he entered the room. His wounds were healed, but scars remained.

  “Azek, what kind of gauntlet is this? I had a sword in my hand just a moment ago,” she said as the orange sword reappeared and shimmered like a flame in her hand. She extended her arm as far as it would, expecting to feel its wrath.

  “The crystal you gripped in your hand has given you tremendous power and saved both of our lives. I didn’t think I was that weak, but the wounds I suffered at the hands of that surgeon were too great. I thank you for your bravery.”

  “How long have I been sleeping?”

  “Two days. Gave me time to explore this facility. We are the only ones here, and as far as I know, this building only has three floors.”

  “I’m just thankful you rescued me when you did. How was I able to put on the gauntlet? You said I wasn’t human.”

  The Teracian walked to the other side of the sterile room and picked up a smooth tablet computer. With a swipe of his hand, the device came to life and spun a web of holographic blue images. He expanded an application and entered in a long string of numbers and showed her the program that appeared on the screen, “I was wrong. Your heart is still pure…and human. You must have had nothing holding you back.”

  : PLEASE ENTER COMMAND PROTOCOL OPERATION FOR THE ROSE CYBORG.

  Azek typed in a command line, and information filled the screen.

  : SUMMARY DIAGNOSTIC OF THE ROSE CYBORG.

  : VITALS: NORMAL

  : HEARTRATE: NORMAL

  : BRAIN FUNCTION: NORMAL

  : SYTHNETIC ENHANCEMENTS: EXPAND LIST:

  : OCCULAR FUNCTIONALITY, MUSCLE STRENGTH, ORGAN REJUVENATION, REFLEXES

  : FAILED ENHANCEMENTS: ERROR 061317

  : NEUROLOGICAL ENHANCEMENT

  : A.I (KRYSANTHE) INTEGRATION

  : MISC. ENHANCEMENTS: NOT FULLY COMPLETED

  : CANCER GROWTH: FALSE REMISSION DATA DETECTED

  : CANCER STATUS: TEMPORARILY HALTED.

  : CONTROL MATRIX 1090: STATUS UNKNOWN

  : THETA CONTAGION CELL: STATUS UNKNOWN

  “I’m sorry to say this but only 40% is still human. The rest: cybernetic implants, synthetic blood, and refined organs.”

  “I can never forgive the Septunians for doing this to me, but I can’t deny that I owe them my life. My cancer was never under control; he falsified the data. At least according to this scan, its progress has been halted. Could be another lie. Do you know what the control matrix and theta contagion are? Are they something dangerous?”

  “In my culture, the idea of morality, life, and death, birth and rebirth, are two sides of the same coin, as you humans say. We are reborn again and again and retain some of our memories. The One Mind takes a half of each life and adds it to the collective. The crystal in your palm is a testament to the past. Split from the sacred crystals, these unique and rare gems are all we have to defend ourselves. In times of great peril, a select few may wield them. As for the contents of your new body, further research is required regarding the anomalies. For now, there is someone who needs you; she may not have much time.”

  Anya’s face tightened up as she prepared
herself for the worst. They walked to the operating rooms downstairs and down the hall, entering a brightly lit room. It was unlike the dark one she was in earlier. Seemingly untouched, the line of recovery pods filled in the back half of the room, while the other housed large pieces of equipment, storage for medical tools, and monitors above each bed. She approached two that were occupied; their names were on the screen to the left of the handle: Brenda Harrison and Eli Nocturne.

  Azek’zander pointed for her to stand back as he opened the pod her friend was in. Anya covered her mouth and tears collected in her eyes. It was one of the most horrible things she had ever seen; her emotions went wild. Below them lay the body of her friend barely clinging to life.

  Brenda, staring at her with blackened eyes, “Anya, you weren’t the one whose life would end in tragedy. Now they can make a book all about Ismene.”

  Seventeen

  Usurpation of the Dark

  “Madness is a bewildering thing. It compels you to do what your heart’s always desired. It’s a reality more real than the one these insects call their own.”

  Dazshra, controlling William as a mere meat puppet, climbed over the marshland and sliced down the fragile trees standing in his way. The menacing red crystal in the gauntlet started to dim and show signs of cracking. Lacking a proper mental link, the spirit could only materialize weapons known by his host. Williams’s body began to show evidence of decay and his constant need to rest was becoming bothersome; his body, though reanimated, could only take so much in its current state. Someone would have to become a replacement soon. The cold night air chilled him to the core, and the stench of mold and decay assaulted his lungs with each breath. Patches of snow below his feet did little to slow their progress.

  The Therak’tow village of Lokwa was only a few minutes to the west. Rotting plants and various savage creatures clung to life in the desolate wasteland. Spider-like insects that could burrow into a man’s flesh, always hungry, but bound to a thick body of metal. Monstrosities with dripping poison and rows of teeth, living rocks with bleeding tendrils, and soaring birds that shrieked into the night.

  Staying silent, William watched as his will to fight back left him.

  “We’ll be making contact with the Therak’tow leader, Ajhara. Be lucky you aren’t in control. Otherwise, the creatures in this swamp would kill you in an instant.”

  “Is this what you hope to turn this whole planet into? A stewing pile of death?”

  “This planet is overgrown with a plague that has festered here for too long. The air, the trees, the water. Can’t you smell the mark the Septunians are leaving on Teracia? Driven to the brink of corruption, this planet will be born anew, and my people will live in peace.”

  “Is that how you justify the extermination of an entire race?”

  William suddenly felt his own arm grab his neck and squeeze. He choked and gasped as the spirit felt no pain from its actions. In the midst of the torture, William gained momentary control and pried his arm away. Breathing deeply, he fell to the wet grass and rubbed his neck. Soon after, insanity deepened its roots, and he was helpless once more. He stood up straight and cracked his neck laughing.

  “You don’t think they’re planning the same for us? I was once human; their ways are predictable. They lie, cheat, manipulate, and steal everything and everyone they desire. When I discovered their plan to replace the Teracians, I resisted. Cast over a cliff, I was reborn as this freak of nature. Does all this sound just to you?”

  In a fit of rage, Dazshra clenched his palm firmly and produced an automatic assault rifle. In long bursts, his pulled the trigger and let loose a torrent of bullets in every direction. The gun violently sparked and disappeared along with the crystal as it shattered into pieces and fell into his hands.

  “No. No! Work damn you. Work!” Dazshra slammed the center of his palm over and over, watching as half-finished weapons came to life and disappeared just as fast. Feeling drained, the spirit continued forward, slamming the tree leaves out of his way.

  “Ajhara will give me more than enough Therak’tow to use. I don’t need this old, pathetic crystal. I will gain insurmountable power once I reach my true form and rip it out from Actavian’s heart.”

  Without a choice, William stood back as Dazshra abused his body in anger. The shell he was imprisoned in was nothing more than a coffin waiting to be buried. They passed through the large section of dying purple trees and continued on past a small mountain range. With success, Dazshra was able to teleport them across it. The sensation gave way to a pain worse than anything William could imagine. It was as if the gauntlet was drawing straight from his soul.

  William cried out in agony as his body landed on top of a spiked creature twice his size and armored like an armadillo; a large degree of error in the spirit’s judgment. Their impact caused it to curl up in a ball. As he landed on the ground, the creature retracted its body and tackled him with a furious headbutt. He grabbed hold of his stomach as he felt the blood pour out. Dazshra took control, and they disappeared into the twilight.

  The journey to the village was instantaneous as the gauntlet ripped what little the crystal shards had to offer. As they reappeared, thousands of Teracians surrounded them and began chanting. Their thoughts were like glass breaking in his eardrums. All that kept him sane was the thought of Anya waiting for him to return. Tilting his head down, he saw the atrocious scar on his waist. How can I return like this?

  “Stand him up and prepare for the sacrifices,” thought a Teracian as he approached. The Therak’tow leader was tall and reeked of blood and sweat. His gray body was severely scarred. Ajhara stared deeply into William’s eyes and lifted his body up; the red hue of his pupils sent ripples throughout his mind. All at once, William’s mental defenses were struck down, and the creature peered into his soul.

  “William Dante. Educated, strong, loved, and determined. You are nothing more than a puppet and will host the return of the corrupted one as we have planned. Forget any hope of escape from your prison. You belong to us now.”

  Several other Therak’tow approached them and bowed as they closed their eyes and gathered tightly together. Their wings were bent and sharp while the flesh on their bodies was bruised and white.

  “These Therak’tow have volunteered to replace the crystal that has failed you. Use them well and regain your strength.”

  Dazshra lifted up William’s arm and pointed it at the group. The black gauntlet started to shine, and a menacing whine broke free from the energy contained inside. The sacrifices went suddenly limp and started to scream. A thick, black energy steam collected on their bodies and entered the gauntlet. William’s eyes turned red with greed as Dazshra sapped the Teracians of their lives. For a moment, he lost himself in the growing power; the rejuvenation traveled throughout his veins and healed his body. As the ritual was drawing to a close, the powerless gem in the palm of his hand was replaced with a cloud of darkness.

  “Never have I felt such reprieve from what’s befallen me. My soul still craves more. Ajhara, let us join in meditation and discuss our plan.”

  “I am at your disposal.”

  The drained Teracians fell over like husks in a field.

  William took this time to reflect and think of a plan to regain his body. The two Teracians were deep in meditation. Bits and pieces rushed into his mind, but nothing coherent. Every minute that went by felt like an eternity. William closed off his thoughts and focused as hard as he could, catching a string of dialogue.

  “Once you return to your throne, the Therak’tow will launch a full-scale attack on the Septune station. Are they ready for us to command?”

  “The Larok’tow are preparing. Soon they will be ready.”

  “Their massive frames and psychotic abilities will make the front line unstoppable.”

  William’s mental link broke as the two Therak’tow stood and walked over to a dusty monitor near a dilatated building. It appeared to have last been used years ago. Ajhara ran his finger
across the dusty screen, turning it on. A detailed map of the station and a research facility expanded in front of him and William felt his eyes grow large.

  “We gathered these maps from an outpost near Windenfall City, and they point out the exact location of a working teleportation pod to the station and to the crystal. Slaughman Research and Medical Center north of the mountains will take you there,” thought Ajhara.

  “My containment at the temple made it impossible to protect the crystals after the conflict. These humans would already be dead if it weren’t for their intervention. The One Mind betrayed us when she released the four sacred crystals to her Warriors of One so many years ago.”

  “She will soon be ours once we are free of the human scum.”

  “When next the sun sets, look for a curtain of darkness in the northern sky. Show no mercy and wipe them all out.”

  With haste, Dazshra unleashed the power in his gauntlet and teleported; the cold ground below becoming scorched with fire. In the distance, a loud series of scream echoed across the planet of Teracia, sending a declaration of war.

  The feeling in Williams’s body returned as he steadied himself. He took a moment to relax, feeling the dizziness subside. Taking a deep breath, he felt the air go through his lungs and out his mouth. In front of him was a towering medical complex made with thick glass windows and revolving wind turbines on each side. Several robots stood like statues out in the grass surrounding the building, rifles held in their metallic hands.

  “Dazshra, what is this? Why did you relinquish control?”

  “My presence will be detected at the station if I remain. Don’t think for a second that I won’t kill her if you try and run. She and the rest of your friends will feel the cold blade of death if you do not complete your objective.”

  “You won’t lay a finger on any of them. I will alert every Septunian of your presence, and they’ll have you put back in that pod.”