Chapter 9: Max

Oh boy

There we stood. Freezing. And out of nowhere, lightning struck a tree across the great lawn. The sound of the cracking of the tree mingled with the crash of thunder accompanying the lightning. Mrs. Sullivan had us continue training.

Another crash.

"Use the lightning in your attack." Mrs. Sullivan said with the slate calm she always possed.

"What?!?"

She did not respond. You've got to be kidding me. I'm supposed to be able to control lightning now?

"Jake, what are you thinking?"

He looked just as puzzled as I.

"Well let's break it down for a second." He started. "What is lightning?"

"A strong electrical current?"

"Which is caused by what?"

"The movement of individual electrons, in this case on mass."

"Right, so what if we were able to control the movement of electrons?"

What if we could control the movement of electrons. Jake must be kidding. I can control my hand. I can control my leg and my tongue. We can control the movement of electrons?

"Start by bending it." Mrs. Sullivan said. "Max first."

Oh boy.

I closed my eyes. The flash of lightning came to quickly for me to be reactionary about this. I had to be able to sense when another flash might occur. You know that feeling you get when there is a slight electrical charge and the hairs on the back of your neck raise. Yeah in essence that is what I was looking for. Out here, if the electrons started moving, which, through training we had become better able to notice as a current, there is a high likelihood that in the surrounding area a lightning bolt might occur.

Crash.

"Try again."


I stood open-mouthed. For now, if I could move it even a little bit that would be incredible. If I could be even conscious of where it was before it struck that would be

Crash.

"Try again."


Sigh.

Concentrate.

The electrons were flowing towards the ground and headed for the tallest object. For some reason it wasn't hitting the buildings around us. We were in New York's central park after all.

Crash.

I've got it. I can see it, almost in slow motion. If I can see it... could I move it?

Crash.

"Concentrate!" Mrs. Sullivan barked out.


And this time the lightning began moving towards the tree besides the field and I could trace a path to the ground next to it. The tree caught fire.

Crash.

I can do this. The next bolt flowed towards the ground and I urged it to hit the center of the deserted field. The air was warm.

Crash.

Mrs. Sullivan held her hand up. She walked over to the center of the field and held up a piece of the fulgurite I had made. I smiled.


Jake's turn.

There's a reason that they start young when they recruit for this. If we don't think it's impossible, we can do it.

Here is the basic principal. The average human only uses up to 11% of his or her brain at any given time. Through training and concentration (and also through surgery I guess) you can access an even greater percentage of that brain power. This gray area of the brain apparently contains the latent potential of a human. Abilities.

And here, I can control the flow of electricity.

Chapter 8: Aaron

I woke to the hollow sound of metal rasping against the door.

"Open up!"

I quickly scanned the room. To the eye it was as if I was the only occupant of the room. Dakur, and everything related to him, was gone.

I stood up and walked cautiously towards the door.

"Open up!"

I opened the door.


Before me stood a pale man in a blue uniform. His pants bound at the waist fell to the ground like a cascade of water. His mock-turtle neck shirt clung like spandex to his body. His short cropped, messy hair, like face was pale, and his eyes stared at me, blue and piercing. He wore a gauntlet on his hand with the insignia twin scales of the Balance engraved on the surface.

"Is there anyone else in this room?" He addressed me harshly, barking out as if the roar of the engines reached this quiet corner of the ship.

"No. Just me."

"Gather your belongings and report to the dining hall."

"Sir, may I ask what this is all about? I am merely a traveler minding my own business."

He looked me up and down. He laughed. "Not anymore you're not!" and he turned to move towards the next door.

I returned to our room and shut the door. Leaning against the door I slid to the floor wrapping my arms about my drawn up knees.

***

No. This isn't happening.

The stench of public officials filled the hall as I went to get breakfast. In the past two weeks I have taken to eating before our work out. I turned around.

Quickly gathering what few items I had in my possession I stole out of the room. Aaron was still asleep when I left. I flew down the hall and headed towards the docking bay. There were five Balance shuttles sitting on the platform which means there is at least one maybe two cruisers stationed outside. This was bad. This was really bad.

They were empty, and I found a place to hide on board the closest one.

Cc's Neilara

neilara1
Originally uploaded by danliss22

Chapter 7: Dakur

The ship took off while we were still asleep. When I woke Aaron was sitting on the floor, cross-legged, silent. I watched him. It was time to start training, we didn't have much time before we got to the capital and I kind of doubted whether we'd even get there without trouble.

The room was big enough to train in and had a nice window so we could see where we are. I picked up my bed and placed it on top of his so they became a sort of bunk bed. We'd need all the room we could get.

"I don't want to interrupt your meditation, but we should start training."

He got up. He was only wearing a pair of pants and his hair was messy.
"So what are we going to do?" He asked.

I looked at the walls, they were strong enough. I walked over to him, and kicked him flat in the chest. He went careening into the wall behind him.

"What was that for!"

I smiled. "We are going to start with basic combat and deception. I am going to make you into a foe to be reckoned with. No weapons for starters."

If he understood how to conceal his movements he would understand how to conceal any of his actions. We kept fighting, this time with him attacking.

After a few hours he sat exhausted, breathless on the floor. "How... why can't I hit you?"

I laughed, "Your body creates waves in the air. To an eye that knows what to look for I can see the direction of your potential movements and guard against them. Even if I couldn't though, your attacks are very forward. If you make it obvious what your next move is the only way you can beat your opponent is by brute strength. I guarantee you that you will not always be stronger than everyone you meet. Try trying to trick me sometime, it might work better. Anyway, rest. I'm going to go get us some food."

I walked out of the room. Our room was off to the side of the ship on a hall of other rooms. I walked down the hall starting on the main corridor. I found a man in a uniform.

"Where can I get some breakfast?"

"Down there sir." He pointed off to another doorway.

"Thank you."

I entered the cafeteria and headed straight for the line as it was god knows how many people long at this point. Mental note: get food before training.

When I got back to the room it took me a bit of trouble to find my room key. I walked inside. I was greeted to my surprise by a foot in my face. I almost dropped our tray as I slid backwards. I laughed.

"That was great! Your getting the hang of it."

***

The night was calm. The wind had stopped hours before and the trees rest silent. It was still hours before sunrise as the three moved silently through the forest. Their commander raised his hand.

The first barrier had been breached; Jailin's eyes opened with a start. He reached down and placed his finger on the ground; a symbol bloomed at his touch. "Nei" he wispered, barely audible. She was already awake.

The commander signaled to his companions to take the two sleeping figures. They rushed forward on silent feet. One for each; the commander stayed back.

It had been no more than a breath's length and Neilara's blades were at her assailant's throat. Mine had stopped in his tracks, tree roots twined about his legs and back. The commander entered the clearing.

"Who are you?" He asked.


"Travelers." I looked him over. His golden plate flashed in dim light of the stars. His pants dissapeared in the darkness of the ground. His hair was short cropped and dark; his eyes a pierceing blue. "Do you have need of us?" I responded.

"Perhaps. Are you friend? Or undead?"

"When last I checked I was alive. That however a few days ago." I answered.

He chuckled. "I take it from the nature of the barrier we seem to have disturbed and way you trapped my oponent you are Valorth. It is rare to see one beyond the gate these days. We could use your help."

"We must be on our way." Neilara responded. Her eyes flashed as she turned to him.

"Where to? You'd be doing us a tremendous favor."

"The desert." I responded. "What use could a Paladin have of Valorth travelers?"

He looked at Neilara and smiled again.

"The undead. They are moving in their graves and it would be safer in a group." He answered. "We are going in that direction as well, you might as well acompany us to the citadel."

I looked at Neilara. This was her journey. It would take us a few days out of our way and a few more still since the human Paladin must sleep each night. If she wanted...

"Fine." She said, lowering her blades. She turned to me. "I would like to see for myself of what they speak."

"Your wish." I responded and waved off the bonds on assailent.

"Good, good." And this time he laughed. "Shall we set out then?"

And with that he and his men walked back into the forest. We followed and I removed the barrier as we left.

Chapter 6: Jailin

We were heading north-west. The shipyard was just outside the old war temple about three weeks travel away; a distance we unfortunately would have to travel by foot. The sun was setting after the first week of our journey when Neilara decided we could use a rest.

When we came to a small clearing in the forest just large enough to make and sit around a fire she said, "let's make camp here. I have something to do can you set up?"

"Sure I'll do it." I responded. That girl has some stamina. The week of nonstop travel was slowly taking its toll on me. I was glad to stay in one place. I didn't mind setting up camp.

I began by drawing double layered boundary in the ground. The first line around the edge of the clearing. The second a little ways into forest; we at least wanted an alert if we were attacked. I then proceeded to set up the fire. I took one of the flatter rocks from the edge of the clearing and moved it to the center. I then traced the fire symbol on the surface. The interlocking lines of the symbol carved themselves into the rock. I then went out to find some scrap wood.

When I returned Neilara had moved a large log to sit beside the fire. She was looking up at the break in the trees at the stars. It was a night of a new moon and the sun was setting fast. I walked over to the rock I had prepared and placed a few pieces of scrap wood on the surface. I stepped back. I had learned from experience that if you weren't careful you might get burned from a fire. Pressing the tips of my thumbs, pointer and middle fingers I composed myself and activated the fire seal. Flames leaped from stone slowly consuming the wood I had placed on its surface.

"Do you want some food?"

"Sure, it couldn't hurt. I'll do it. I never like what you pack anyway."

Whatever she wants. I sat down on the log she had pulled over. She stood up raising her right hand. She tapped her index finger in the air. The air began to shimmer and you could see the faint outline of the pocket that began to open. As she pushed her hand inside, the symbols now drawn in the air parted slowly for her. She pulled her hand back now with a pot and some supplies. Closing the pocket she had just opened in space she walked over to the fire and began to cook.

"What's for dinner?"

"Shut up wont you."

I sighed. She was a better cook, but she didn't need to yell at me like that.

When she was done, and we had finished eating we got ready to turn in for the night. The fire had consumed the wood and at my command the stone itself. There was no reason to leave a foot print. The ash was picked up by the wind and blown back into the forest. We were perfectly happy with sleeping on the ground close to nature so there was no reason to pitch a tent. To rest ourselves and to pass the time until morning we lay down and quickly fell into a light sleep.