Sol Boxset

by Samuel Small

  Jake glanced down at Dante’s backpack, which looked like a brand-new Republic Military one. It had the city’s trademark black and red logo, as well as the symbol for the country: several fists raised together in solidarity. Despite the fact that Dante had pulled out only one item, the bag was hunched over and empty.

  “You travel light, huh?”

  “Yeah,” Dante said, then smacked the hammock a few times, the strings bouncing from the impact. Seeming satisfied, Dante turned to Jake. “All I really carry on me is this.”

  “Then what do you do for food?” Sara called.

  “Eh? I just catch it.”

  “Where are you gonna catch something around here?” Jake asked.

  Dante answered by pointing into the forest, where Jake thought he heard the sound of the river. He offered to teach him how to fish without tools but Jake declined, saying the Republic gave him everything he needed. Dante shrugged then headed down the way, disappearing into the towering trees.

  All the talk of food made Jake realize just how hungry he really was, so he went to his bag and pulled out his meal, ready-to-eat . He tore the packaging off then stared at the bland tray. Dante had offered him a fresh catch, yet Jake had declined, accepting this gruel that the Republic called food. He had no doubt it had nutritional value but it tasted like… well, that was the problem – it didn’t have a taste. Jake glanced over at Sara, who’d prepared some kind of salad that she took small bites out of, then to Elizabeth, who was still reading. He grimaced then shoveled the food into his mouth.

  Once he was done chewing the tasteless texture of his meal his attention turned to the sound of crunching leaves in the distance. For a second his heart froze, expecting to encounter an enemy now that his guard was down, but Dante emerged from the shadows of the forest carrying a sharpened stick with three fish skewered on it. He planted it into the ground then moved back into the forest. A few minutes later he returned with logs as well as a few sticks for kindling. Once he tossed everything into a pile and began bashing stones together Jake asked, “Why don’t you just use your Sol?”

  Crouching over the mess of wood, Dante’s head snapped to Jake. He seemed to have no idea what the trainee was talking about.

  “You’re supposed to be some kind of nature boy but you don’t use your Sol at all?” Sara asked then pointed to the fish atop the skewer. “You probably could’ve just blasted them out of the water considering how powerful you are.”

  Once again, Dante glanced at the fish on the stick as if it wasn’t his own handiwork then looked at his palm. It wasn’t the curious look Jake expected when someone put two and two together like that. Dante stared daggers at his hand, like he hated his own power. With that same look about him Dante pointed his open palm at the twigs, gathering blue light into it.

  “Um, Dante…” Jake said.

  But Dante didn’t listen, he continued to stare blankly at the wood like it was a guilty man he was about to execute. The ball that hovered in front of his hand was getting steadily larger and was surely more than enough to light the thing.

  “Dante, I think that’s enough,” Sara said.

  “Eh?”

  “Enough Sol. You only need to create a spark. Try using just your fingertip.”

  “My fingertip?”

  Sara pointed forward and a little bit of ice crept out of her finger. “Just, um, focus on keeping it small. Okay?”

  The light that had gathered in Dante’s hand faded into smaller particles that drifted toward the sky. In the waning light, it looked like a million fireflies ascending to heaven. Dante pointed at the logs with a single finger then grimaced. Jake didn’t understand much about being a Sol user but to him it seemed like Sara was teaching him basic things that he’d ought to know by now. Could a Sol user without formal training really be so—

  But that was all Jake could think before the pop echoed in the clearing. Dante’s whole body flew back and he landed flat on his butt, one hand suspended in the air. He’d given it way too much force, even with a single finger. The sticks that formed the campfire were spread all across the area and Jake hurried to gather them. There was a small flame shifting along what was left of the wood but it had barely anything to sustain it. Jake clutched as much kindling as he could in his arms then gently placed it on top of the fire and before long flames consumed the whole thing, dancing and lighting up the area. Dante thanked him for his help then laid the skewers over it, turning them so that the fish were evenly cooked.

  With Dante taken care of and no longer in danger of blowing them up with his lack of knowledge about his own damn abilities, Jake glanced around the clearing to see what Elizabeth was up to. Her silhouette was slightly lighter in the dark on account of her bright prisoner uniform, so he was able to make out simple gestures. One hand held something and she brought it to her mouth, then returned it to her chest. Took her long enough to grab something to eat, Jake thought.

  As Dante and Sara conversed about the fish he was cooking, Jake thought it would be a good idea to bring Elizabeth into the fold. They were supposed to be a team, after all. He took a single step toward her, his boot crunching through the downed leaves, which prompted Elizabeth to jerk her head up. Jake could only see the outline of her profile but he could feel the murderous gaze she directed at him. Maybe tomorrow, Jake thought and returned to the roaring fire. They’d make contact with the village then, and hopefully this would all be over.

  Chapter 5

  Jake got the sense that something was off about the village before they even arrived. It was at the highest point of a steep incline, one so steep that he couldn’t even see the top of it. He didn’t know why but that made him feel uncomfortable. Why was the place so high up? What were they trying to avoid? As he made long strides to get up faster, his legs feeling only the slightest twinge of fatigue, he took notice that his comrades were silent. For Elizabeth that was normal, but Dante and Sara weren’t able to stop talking earlier. He wasn’t sure when they stopped, but he wouldn’t be surprised if it had been as soon as they started up this hill.

  As Jake rose up the incline the bottom of the village came into view. The village’s structure was the same as any: a walled settlement with a gate. It was constructed of wood, which to Jake seemed oddly primitive compared to the Republic. When the settlement came into view in its entirety, Jake stopped dead in his tracks. Someone walked straight into his back then swore loudly but Jake only faintly heard it. Soon the swearing stopped, so they must’ve noticed it too.

  The wooden gate was forced open. The double doors that stretched to the top of the wall that surrounded the village were ajar, three large claw marks carved into one side. Jake held his arm out and began to issue orders to stay back but Dante ran past him up the hill, and disappeared behind the doors. Jake clicked his tongue in annoyance then turned to Sara, who looked in the direction where Dante had disappeared with concern.

  “He did pretty well against Major Miles, I wouldn’t worry about him,” Jake found himself saying. He was a firm believer that Major Miles would have won that exchange had it continued but he figured he only said it to make Sara feel better. She smiled thankfully at him when a voice rang out from behind.

  “That guy? On par with a Major? I very much doubt it.”

  That’s right, Jake had almost forgotten about their fourth party member, since she was so quiet. He figured she would have snuck out of camp last night to avoid being returned to the Republic but it seemed she was in it for the long haul. That didn’t stop Jake from being suspicious of the girl, who stared at him with her arms folded as if expecting a response despite the fact that she hadn’t asked a question. Jake opted for a simple, “Yeah, but we should head in anyway. He’s tough but if he’s right and the enemy has a leader he might be in trouble.”

  Before Elizabeth could offer any sort of retort, Jake turned and headed into the village, glancing at the splintered wood that lined the grass alongside the door. He didn’t think a normal Void could have done that. He
ll, he didn’t think a person with a crane could have done that.

  Once Jake was inside the village the ominous feeling only got worse. There was a main path that led through the area with houses on either side. There wasn’t anyone around, despite it being midday. In the distance there was a statue that suggested a central plaza was near. He heard a knock on a door to his right and turned to see Sara attempting to make contact with the villagers. She waited for a few seconds, seeming to listen for any sound within the house, then turned to Jake and shook her head. Elizabeth descended the stone steps of another dwelling, apparently having done the same.

  It was pretty safe to say that nobody was in the buildings on this street, so Jake motioned for Sara and Elizabeth to follow him then headed toward the plaza. There was the statue dead center, one of a farmer proudly holding a pitchfork with vegetables piled up at his feet. This is a farming village, Jake thought as he got closer, so they’d ought to have makeshift weapons lying around to deal with any threat…

  Jake paused once again, this time at how right he was. Strewn about the statue were all kinds of weapons: pitchforks, scythes, hoes, shovels, machetes. Any household item or farming tool that could deal damage was laid out in the grass in front of the statue, which smiled brightly, seemingly unaware of whatever tragedy had befallen this village. Everyone fanned out and scanned the area but they couldn’t find anyone. Based on all of the weapons lying around here, it looked like a large battle had been fought. But where were all the combatants?

  Elizabeth knelt down to the ground and ran her hand through the grass. Jake knew what she was looking for and glanced around the houses, but he didn’t see a single drop of blood anywhere. Elizabeth got up, exchanging a look that indicated she knew what he was thinking and agreed.

  “Guys, look at this,” Sara said. She pointed at one of the houses that circled the plaza. The wood there was concaved and a few splinters riddled the ground in front of it.

  “Looks like something was slammed against that wall, and hard,” Jake said.

  “And,” Elizabeth added, “Since the wind hasn’t swept away the splinters yet it had to have happened recently.”

  Jake folded his arms and set his chin down, trying to take everything in. So very recently, presumably when the Republic lost contact with this village, there was a battle. Or at the very least the villagers thought there was going to be a battle. Nobody was injured as far as Jake could tell but that didn’t explain this dent in the house. To him it seemed like it was made by a person. So if the fight was intense enough for people to be thrown well across the area then—

  “Do you think Dante found anything?” Sara asked.

  “Doubtful. That idiot assisting us with the investigation of what is effectively a crime scene is laughable,” Elizabeth said.

  “And what makes you say that?”

  “If he had any sense of investigating whatsoever he would’ve stopped to look at this area.”

  “He probably saw it but didn’t care,” Jake said. “He’s pretty simple-minded and must have took it for what it is and went further into the village. He’s probably tearing through a house somewhere. We might want to find him before—”

  Then something whizzed past Jake’s head, creating wind that ruffled his hair, and hit the house with a thuck. Jake looked at the object to see a throwing knife stuck in the wall. “What the hell?” Jake began then turned in the direction it came from. A person walked there, adorned in some kind of high-tech combat suit. They wore a green helmet with a purple visor, alongside a clunky suit that had to be adorned with weapons and gadgets. Twin blades were strapped to their back.

  “What are you lot doing here?” a voice called, loud and choppy. If Jake had to venture a guess he’d say they were speaking into a microphone via the helmet.

  “We’re with the Republic military on a mission to make contact with this village. A few—”

  “I’m expected to believe that? You two look a little young to be guards.” The man walked closer. “And that girl’s wearing a prisoner uniform, so at least try to come up with a better lie.”

  As much as he’d hate to admit it, this guy’s suspicions weren’t exactly misplaced. But it wasn’t like Jake had time to explain the series of extraordinary events that led the Republic to send out two trainees, a prisoner, and freaking Dante out on this mission. Instead he reached for his belt and unclipped his comp, holding it up so that the man could see.

  “I’ve got my comp. Will that suffice?”

  “No. Any idiot can swipe that off of a body,” the man said then reached behind his back and grasped the twin blades. “It’s very apparent that you lot have something to do with whatever happened to this village, considering it was bustling with people a few days ago and now is suddenly abandoned. Ordinarily I wouldn’t care but these bastards offered me a lot of money to protect them from their own shadows and thanks to you I’m not going to get any!” He pulled the twin blades off of his back, creating a steady sound as they were removed. It didn’t look like this guy was going to listen, so Jake drew his own blade.

  “You two back me up!” Jake shouted. He heard an intake of breath from Elizabeth, which must’ve been some sort of objection, but before Jake could hear it the man charged for them, stomping across the ground on a straight line for Jake. The trainee rushed to meet him half way, hoping if he kept him at a distance Sara could knock him down with icy projectiles. A few feet before they met the man pulled the twin blades back in an obvious attempt to launch them forward. Jake swung into them, creating sparks along the blades. He pressed in further, coming face to face with the man’s lifeless visor.

  “I’m telling you we only just got here!” Jake shouted. He pushed further into the man’s blades and came to the realization that this was no normal weapon. It was adorned with tiny teeth like a chainsaw but—

  “And I’m expected to believe that? No more than three days ago this place was busy, now it’s empty. And the two fake guards and prisoner had nothing to do with it?”

  Before Jake could respond the man’s thumb switched position on his blade then there was an audible click. The teeth that adorned the blade began to rotate at a speed, tearing Jake’s sword out of his hands and into the sky. The man came in with a swing but something hit his shoulder and burst, stopping his attack. Jake took the opportunity to dash for his sword but the man immediately followed, his twirling blades held low and ready to strike. Jake saw his sword buried in the ground with the hilt facing up, and that seemed to be all that mattered. But he could feel the adversary’s hands probing at the back of his neck, whether or not that was true. He stretched his arm for his blade as he continued running then heard some kind of clash. As the metallic sound of the blade rotating filled the air, Jake grabbed his sword and spun around, kicking up dirt at his heel.

  The mercenary was there, launching a steady stream of attacks at Elizabeth, who appeared helpless to mount any kind of counteroffensive. With two blades against her one, as well as the man’s more aggressive fighting style and overall experience, she could do nothing but duck under, attempt to pivot out, only to be caught by his second blade and have to block. He didn’t even bother to activate his ability when she was forced to block, even though Jake was sure he could have.

  Jake charged for him and the man casually looked over his shoulder to take him in. Elizabeth lunged at him while he was distracted. He tilted his head without turning from Jake to avoid it, brought his sword up to block her follow-up swing, knocked its handle into her chest, and sent her away. He turned to Jake with Elizabeth coughing on her knees behind him. Suddenly, the man brought his sword up at his side, for what reason Jake was initially unsure, until several icicles tore through the air, which he blocked with fast dexterity.

  He was cocky, trying to show that he could fight all three of them without expending any effort. Jake didn’t like it, but they could use his attitude to their advantage. He hadn’t bothered to disarm Elizabeth and she now struggled to her feet behind the
man. Likewise, Sara hadn’t sustained any damage and could provide support from a distance. With all three of them attacking him at once…

  Jake kicked into the ground and charged for the man, brandishing his sword behind him as he yelled. The mercenary charged to meet Jake halfway. Once they reached each other, instead of swinging his sword as the man would have predicted, Jake moved to the side, narrowly avoiding a hit from the man’s spinning blade, then came up at his midsection. The guy blocked it but Jake was aware of his ability now and kept his sword in a tight grip. It stung his palms to fight against the powerful machine, and he didn’t think he’d be able to hold out for more than a second, but a second was all he needed.

  There was a feminine yell from behind the man then his whole body turned to the side. Her rapier outstretched before her, Elizabeth’s body flew past the man then stumbled on the dirt and turned around. That was all Jake could manage, the pain in his hands now screamed and he let go of his blade, which snapped out of his hands and tumbled a few feet away into the long grass. With the way the mercenary turned his head to view it, it must have landed closer than intended.

  “Sara, now!” Jake called. The girl raised her glowing palms to the sky and a wall of ice quickly sprung from the ground in an attempt to cut the mercenary off from Jake and Elizabeth. But it didn’t work, the guy hurdled himself over it just as it was seized up. Now it had the opposite effect, cutting Sara off from the three of them. The man didn’t take the opportunity to go after the disarmed Jake, and rather stormed for Elizabeth, who shouted and swung her rapier at him. This isn’t so bad, Jake thought as he grabbed his blade, it’ll only take Sara a few seconds to circumvent the wall so—

  Elizabeth stabbed at the man, then brought her leg up in a fast kick. The man dropped one of his blades, caught her leg, and swept the other. Elizabeth fell hard, wincing as she hit the ground. Using only his foot, the man kicked her blade out of her grip and caught it in his free hand. He moved it quickly, blocking a surge of icicles that stormed at him.