Chapter 24: Absolute Power

A knock on the door startled them from the sunrise. Darren opened it to find Khris waiting expectantly. “It’s time for you to leave. I assumed you wanted to go early, so here I am. Get enough sleep?” Darren shook his head slightly. “Not really.” Khris raised an eyebrow. “Ah. Newlyweds, then?” Sara came over, blushing slightly. “No, we talked about it for quite some time, though.”

Khris smiled slightly and pivoted on one heel. “Follow me, please.” Darren glanced at Sara as they followed him. “We did?” Sara shrugged. “You think he’d believe that we stood in one spot for hours, just watching the ocean?” “Point.” They walked on.

They went through the halls, going through this door and that, getting completely lost. Khris opened a small wooden door and stepped to the side. “Please come inside. I will not see any of you again. It was nice meeting you.” Darren motioned him over, out of earshot of Sara. “I want you to take the money you would have spent on our gear, and find Clarissa a good job. If I come back and she’s on the streets again, I’m holding you responsible.” Khris nodded. “None of us have any desire to let her return to her former life.”

Darren smiled and walked through the door behind Sara. He stood facing an open window, big enough to jump through easily. His eyes focused to the dim light quickly, seeing eleven robed and hooded figures gathered in a circle around a stand, one missing from an obviously important spot. The rest of the group stood off to the side. “Sara! Darren! Good to see you again! Where were you guys?” Fraydon had been sick with worry. “We thought you were dead or something!” Darren apologized, his explanation being “We were training and didn’t feel the disturbance until it was too late.”

Acerin grinned. “Uh-huh. Training. So that’s what they call it now.” Thendat glanced at him and shook his head. “I’m sorry, Darren. Since they woke him up, he’s been a little too perky. I’m thinking it’s a side effect from the sedative.” Darren looked at Legerra. “You gave as good as you got?” Legerra grinned and pointed to himself and Milar. “I hurt about four of them, but Milar’s two were worse off.”

A robed figure appeared from a hidden door somewhere in the room. “Enough talking. It’s time to…Darren!” Darren winced, turning towards the voice. His face lit up the moment he saw the speaker, though. “Emily! No way. You too?” Emily smiled at both Darren and Sara. “Oh yes. It’s great, really. This place has a very nice library, and the magic is quite a gift.” She grinned. “Found Jeff, and even though he doesn’t have magic, we’re happy.” Darren nodded. “That’s good. Glad to hear it.”

Emily smiled politely at the others. “Ready to go?” Acerin leaned against a wall. “Where exactly are we going?” Emily walked up to Darren with a hand outstretched. “The Stone, please.” Darren took it out of the bag slowly and handed it to her. “Thank you.” She went to the pedestal in the center and set the Stone in a container built specially for it. Assuming her position in the vacant spot, she waited for something. Acerin spoke louder. “Where exactly are we going?”

”Oh, sorry. You’re going to be inside the Stone.” The group did a pretty good double-take. Emily smiled. “Everyone except Darren goes into the stone, and he’ll take it from there.” Acerin glared at Darren, who raised his hands to his chest and looked around. “First time I’ve been told of this. What do I do?” Emily motioned for him to stand away from the group. “Stand by the door, and everyone else stand inside the circle, spreading out evenly.”

Darren gave Sara a hug. “It should only be a little while.” She nodded and walked inside the unmoving people. They did as they were told, although more than slightly nervous at the thought of being contained within an inanimate object. Darren watched as the twelve mages began chanting in a low pitch. The group began to glow with a soft light.

Khris slipped through the door and closed it, leaning towards Darren. “I’m very sorry to disturb you now, but…” He leaned in even closer. “Your brother is here.” Darren bowed his head and closed his eyes. The glow around the group grew brighter by the second. Khris put a hand on Darren’s shoulder, a surprisingly sympathetic act from one used to killing. “Zerach is here. What should be done?”

Darren didn’t move. “Do nothing to him directly. I have washed my hands of him. The only exception is if he tries to get near Clarissa. Then you have my permission to do whatever it takes.” He opened his eyes and stared meaningfully at Khris. “Whatever it takes.” Khris smiled wickedly, showing teeth. “I understand completely.” He slipped into the shadows and watched the proceedings.

Using tremendous strength of will, Darren forced himself to trust Khris and turn his mind back to matters at hand. The glow from the group flashed once or twice, he covered his eyes, and when he looked again they were gone. All mages except Emily left the room through various doors. The Stone of Naugan seemed unchanged, but he could sense those within it. He walked over slowly, looking at Emily. “Now what?” She smiled at him. “Get to the king as fast as you can. When you get to the Royal City and set foot on the ground, your group will be back to normal.” Darren looked at Emily suspiciously, quieting a small excited voice in his head. “When you say…‘as fast as I can,’ does that mean…any way I choose?” Emily nodded. “What’d you have in mind?”

Darren grinned wider than she’d ever seen him grin before. “You’ll see.” He stepped closer to the pedestal and placed both hands on the Stone. Darren’s aura pulsed into existence and filled the room.

The air hung thick with raw power, and Darren gathered as much as he could hold, sending what remained back into the Stone. He dropped it into the bag and tucked it away, magic enveloping his senses and stirring his blood. Every hair on his body stood straight out until he slowly relaxed his muscles and breathed in sharply.

Emily and Khris stared in awe at the transformation. His hair shone with light, his eyes shifted hue, and his feet began to twitch ever so slightly. The power was incredible. Khris bowed deeply, showing profound respect. Emily waved goodbye as Darren leapt with ease to the open window. Darren did a backflip out, still grinning. Emily shook her head and went about her daily chores. Khris slipped through the door and moved through the halls with stealth and speed, looking for Clarissa.

He found her repairing the stitching of pants in the main barracks. His scouts reported that Zerach arrived with several mercenaries, well armed and angry. He ushered into a side closet and closed the door almost all the way, so Clarissa could hear what was said. That done, he pulled out a chair and sat down, still dressed as a traditional ninja.

A little while later, Zerach kicked down the door without bothering to knock, looking around and breathing heavily. “Where are they?” Khris stood up. “I beg your pardon?” “Where are they? My brother and that woman. I know they had a thing for each other, and I know my brother came here.” Khris spoke calmly. “Darren paid us well to keep Clarissa off the streets and safe here. Even if he hadn’t, we certainly wouldn’t let her return.”

Zerach snorted. “I know her kind. They love their work. And I help her with that. I will pay you more than Darren, more than you can imagine. He helps her out of his own lust. I help her out of generosity and a kind spirit.” Khris raised an eyebrow. “This from a man who tried to hang his own mother?” Zerach stepped forward and unsheathed his sword. “Hold your tongue! I will not be spoken ill of!”

Khris smiled, closing his eyes. “Ah, but you have no choice. Your mercenaries are dead and my men are unhurt.” Zerach stepped to the right slowly, not taking his eyes off Khris for a second. He whipped his head around, confirmed that his men were indeed dead, and looked back to where Khris used to be. Zerach spun around again, looking at the empty entrance he had come from, not finding Khris. Khris pushed up from behind him and held a knife to his throat. “If you will not leave Clarissa alone, I will be forced to kill you. And believe me…I have killed greater men than you.”

Zerach nodded slowly. “Very well. I will…leave and never return.” He knocked the knife away and spun around, stabbing his sword into Khris’ stomach until the hilt stopped it. Khris stared down at the sword, then at the man in front of him. “What exactly did you hope to accomplish, Zerach?” Khris’ fist slammed into Zerach’s jaw, sending him against a wall with a loud crack.

Zerach stared at the ninja in front of him pulling a sword out of his gut and tossing it to the side, the wound closing. Zerach stood, holding his jaw. “Who…what are you?” The ninja opened his mouth wide and revealed a pair of long fangs. “My name is Chaz. I am what you humans call a ‘vampire’ when you hunt us down.” Zerach swallowed hard.

Chaz picked him up by the back of his fancy shirt and carried him to the front door, tossing him out on his face in the dust. “Never return. If you dare to set foot or send minions within miles of Clarissa, your life and everything else you hold dear will shrivel up and disappear. I personally will drink every last drop of your blood. Is that clear?” Zerach nodded, turned, and ran, still holding his jaw. Chaz watched him go. When he was satisfied, he went back inside and let Clarissa out of the closet.

She wiped her eyes futilely. “I should’ve known earlier. I should never have let him persuade me…” Chaz became human-like again, a great deal kinder in that form. “It’s over, it’s done. He’ll never bother you again. Besides, you and Darren ended on good terms this time.” Clarissa looked at him suspiciously. “How do you know that?” Chaz grinned. “I am a ninja and a vampire. I know everything that happens in this place.” He put a hand on her shoulder. “Take the day off and go read. Finish whatever grieving you have to do.”

She smiled and kissed his cheek. “You’re too sweet to be evil.” She was almost out of the room when she heard him mutter, “That’s what my last victim said…” Clarissa laughed and went to her room. Chaz smiled, then walked to a window in the north wall and looked out. Be careful, Darren.
~
Darren landed facing the ocean. The force from his drop cracked the ground around him, sending pieces of dirt flying. He gathered his senses while reaching into the Stone. {Can any of you hear me?} The response came back from Sara. {We can all hear you, but only Acerin and myself can respond.} Darren smiled. {Can you all feel the power through the link?} {Yes.} Acerin sounded slightly jealous.

Darren crouched low to the ground. {Excellent. Relax and enjoy the ride.}

His feet ached from containing so much power for so long. The ground rumbled slightly, as if in anticipation. Darren took off running directly north at a speed no human would think possible. Right before he hit the ocean, he jumped and let his feet trail, barely skimming the water. He stretched out his hands and watched the water explode to either side. The wind and power was clearly communicated through the link, judging by the ecstatic reactions he got.

The ocean was crossed in minutes flat, and Darren jumped high into the air before he hit the ground. Cities, plains, forests, and mountains passed beneath him, a large royal palace before him. He landed on the very top of it with an earth-shattering smash, hair and eyes reverting back to normal. The Stone flashed and his friends appeared beside him. Fraydon whistled. “So that’s the magic.” Thendat nodded. Milar was impressed. “That’s really something.” Acerin and Legerra said nothing, blinking and shaking their heads.

Sara was still breathing heavily off to the side. As the primary link to the rest, most of the emotion had gone through her. Darren walked up to her and smiled. “I take it you enjoyed your flight?” She stood on her toes and stretched, trying to savor the rapidly diminishing feeling. “There wasn’t an in-flight snack or a movie.” He grinned. “Do I look like a steward? Don’t answer that,” he amended quickly. She grabbed his cloak and pulled him close, her voice thick. “Then I won’t.” Milar coughed loudly, and was promptly spun around and faced the opposite direction by a strong wind. The rest of the group quickly followed, having no choice in the matter. Darren glanced around. “Sara, we are on top of the palace.” Sara’s bright aura flared up. “Illusion, Darren.” He smiled and lowered his voice. “It’s always nice to see a pupil remember her lesson.”

A knock underneath their feet caused the pair to step apart, and a trapdoor swung up. A solitary soldier looked around, noticing who he had been sent for. “Darren! The king wishes to see everyone right away.” Darren winked at Sara as he went down first. “Another time.” The seven travelers followed the guard down the ladder underneath the trapdoor and down a darkened hall, each with their own thoughts about what had just happened, and what was yet to come.

- posted by Nick @ 5/15/2004 12:11:00 PM