Element Wielder (The Void Wielder Trilogy Book 1) (9 page)

CHAPTER 17

Sheridan approached the center of the arena wearing his usual long black coat. Falcon often wondered how Sheridan could tolerate wearing a garment that reached down to his knees, especially during the scorching Ladria summers. It was one of the many things about Sheridan that Falcon did not understand.

“Good luck, Hyatt,” said Sheridan with a huge smirk. Sheridan’s insistence on calling everyone by their last name was another mystery. But despite Sheridan’s unusual quirks, Falcon liked him. Sheridan always wore a contagious smile.

Sheridan took a readied stance, holding his large broadsword in front of him. It hardly classified as a broadsword. It had one sharp side and it curved at the tip, resembling a machete more than any sword Falcon had ever seen.

Falcon brought his katana to the fight, opting to forego his double-edged sword. For this fight he wanted power, not speed.

The judge came between them. His exhausted eyes were halfway shut and his words slurred. “The last fight of the day will be between Falcon Hyatt and Sheridan Calhoun.” His hand shot down. “Begin.”

Falcon moved forward with a flurry of sword motions. His sword cut air as Sheridan dodged his attacks. Sheridan counterattacked with his own rush of sword strikes. Falcon sidestepped attack after attack, waiting for an opening, an opening that he couldn’t find.

Falcon took a step back. It was clear he couldn’t win this encounter with just his swordplay. Sheridan was as fast with the sword as he was. He would have to rely on wielding.

All of a sudden, a heavy weight came over him, as if someone had tied a ten ton weight around his ankle. He tried to move. His body didn’t budge.

Seizing his opportunity, Sheridan kicked Falcon’s ribs. With a loud grunt Falcon fell to one knee.

Space force.
Space wielders would summon the pressure found in celestial bodies and use it on their foes. Falcon had even heard stories of legendary space wielders who had space-forced entire armies.

Then it hit him. He could space wield too!

Sheridan brought his fist forward, moving in for a punch. At the last second Falcon wielded space force to increase his speed. Simultaneously, he wielded up a rock wall from the ground. Sheridan’s fist cracked loudly as it drove into the hard surface.

“Ouch!” cried Sheridan. He stumbled back, caressing his hand. “Pretty good, Hyatt. Giving me a taste of my own medicine. Not bad, not bad at all. But don’t forget, you might be able to space wield, but I doubt your space wielding is on par with mine.”

Falcon cracked his knuckles. “You’re right, but I have more than one element, remember? Besides…” He glanced at Sheridan’s emblem. Its color had begun to fade. “You seem to be running low on energy. Think you can outlast me?”

Sheridan smirked, “Let’s find out, Hyatt. Try to stop me if you can.” He rushed forward.

Falcon quickly wielded two rock arms that formed behind him. He now had four arms: two made of flesh and two of rock. He threw his katana to one of the rock hands. Bringing his hands together, Falcon wielded a fire and water whip.

Sheridan thrust his sword at him. The rock arm parried every one of Sheridan’s attacks. Falcon pushed his hands forward and brought both fire and water whips together as one. The giant whip picked Sheridan up, carried him high above and slammed him to the ground.

“Ten… nine… eight…”

The countdown came to an abrupt end as Sheridan’s body dissolved into thousands grains of dust. The gold and silver dust swept up and intermingled with the wind, creating a glittering sky.

Stardust!

Sheridan had created a clone of himself with stardust! He scanned his surroundings for signs of him. He was still searching when Sheridan appeared out of thin air, catching Falcon off guard. Blow after blow rocked him back. The hits to his head blurred his vision. He saw three Sheridans. A trio of fists slammed his head, sending him reeling to the ground.

“Ten… nine… eight…”

Falcon boiled inside with anger. So much rage.
How could I have allowed myself to lose?

“seven… six…”

Falcon’s body trembled. From deep inside, he felt the force of an energy entity emerge, a dark energy that ate at his core. It boiled within him like a volcano. Then the power did what all volcanoes do.

~ ~ ~

Aya’s lips trembled as she witnessed her friend transform. Bright red pits replaced his eyes. His skin morphed into a dark brown color marred with deep scars. His hair color changed to a crimson red.
Is this really the Falcon I know?

Falcon released a thunderous roar that sent shockwaves through the air. The people in the stands screamed, rushing for the nearest exit.

Falcon turned his attention to the person closest to him, Sheridan.

“Er…” mumbled Sheridan, stepping backwards. “That’s, um, quite a transformation. I don’t suppose it would be too much to ask to let me walk away now. Wouldn’t want to steal your spotlight or anything with my dashing good looks.”

Falcon didn’t seem amused by Sheridan’s sense of humor. He stared at Sheridan with a savage look in his eyes.

Falcon dashed forward. Sheridan brought up his weapon. With a simple swipe of his hand, Falcon cut it in half. Sheridan was left holding half a sword. The other part clattered to the ground.

How did he cut through a sword using just his hands? What power is this?

He held out his hand. A dark ball of matter materialized in his hand. Is he dark wielding? No, it couldn’t be. Dark wielding attacks were pitch black in color, and the matter in Falcon’s hand had shades of deep blue and purple.

Falcon unleashed the ball of energy. The attack found its mark. Sheridan fell to the dirt floor unconscious.

Aya ran into the arena. “Stop! You don’t know what you’re doing.”

Oblivious, Falcon moved in awkward, twitchy movements toward his adversary. His head jerked back and forth and his feet dragged on the ground as his hands dangled next to his waist.

Falcon reached Sheridan. He bent down and with one hand picked the limp body up by the neck. 

Aya’s wound prevented her from running, so she limped to Falcon as fast as she could. She gripped his hand and pulled him toward her.

Falcon growled and tossed Sheridan’s body aside.

Aya crept back. “Falcon, it’s me. Remember? I’m Aya, your friend.” Falcon’s cold expression told her all she needed to know.

Aya took a readied stance. She couldn’t possibly escape his attacks, not in her condition, but she was determined to survive long enough for the people in the coliseum to escape.

But the attack never came. Instead she was met with the sight of Grandmaster Zoen inching his way toward them.
What hope does the old grandmaster possibly have against such power?

Falcon turned his sights on the ancient master. A ball of matter materialized in each of his clawed hands. With all his might, he fired them at Grandmaster Zoen.

Aya shrieked, expecting the grandmaster to drop dead. But to her surprise, he didn’t even flinch as the balls dissolved inches away from his face. He mumbled a few words under his breath and pointed his cane at her friend. In an instant Falcon’s features returned to normal.

“Where am I? What happened?” asked Falcon. He stumbled forward and collapsed. 

CHAPTER 18

The wooden door breaking as it slammed into the concrete wall snapped Aya awake. She stood as Doctor Solis entered the room. How such a little woman could have so much power, remained a mystery to Aya.

“Up you are, you tough girl. Certain I was you be fine,” said Doctor Solis. The doctor was short, but not too short. She was skinny, undoubtedly from all the exercise she got from moving around so much. Her small nose and slender lips gave her a childish appearance.

“Hello, Doctor,” said Aya. “I see you’re still the reason the carpenter remains in business. How many doors have you broken this month?”

The doctor eyed Aya. Her eyes flitted from side to side, unable to stay put. “Only fourth door this year. Improving I am.” She spoke in her usual rushed manner without stopping to take a breath between sentences. When Aya had first met her she’d had a hard time understanding her. Five years working as her aide had changed that.

Aya chuckled. “That is an improvement.” The pain in her ribs brought an abrupt end to her laughter. The doctor dug through one of the many pockets of her white robe. Aya had never seen the doctor without her robe, not even when she wasn’t working in the infirmary.

The doctor let out a loud snicker. “Got it. Knew it was in one of pockets. Here, this take.” She handed Aya a yellow discharge parchment. “Free to go you are.”

“Thanks, doctor. I can’t wait to get back to my dorm. I’m sorry about not helping much over the past two weeks. I’ve been busy training for the trials.” Aya sighed. “Not that it did much good.”

“Nonsense. I understand you be busy. No worry too much about losing fight. You pass test. I’m sure.”

Aya brightened up. Behind all the hyperactivity and energy was a gentle person. “Speaking of the trials, how are Falcon and Sheridan doing? It’s been four days since the duels. Are they better?”

“Sheridan discharged early morning. Falcon better, but still remain here.”

Aya smiled at the good news. “That’s great. So can I go see him?”

“That not a good idea. Sleeping he is. Maybe you come see him later.”

“Aaaaeghh,” came a scream from one of the infirmary rooms. Aya knew who the yell belonged to.

~ ~ ~

A loud ruckus woke Falcon. It sounded as if a door had hit a wall, but he wasn’t sure. Still in recovery, he questioned the reliability of his senses.

Confused, he scanned his surroundings. The smell of the sweet and sour medicine hinted that he was at the infirmary. The small white room was nearly empty except for the bed he lay on. Countless healing strips and various colored tonics stood neatly aligned atop a wooden drawer, but there was nothing much besides that.

Voices from the hallway flowed into his room; one of them belonged to Doctor Solis. No one else could speak
that
fast.

Falcon struggled to his feet. As soon as his sole’s hit the floor, a scorching pain ran through them. A loud cry escaped him and he dropped.

Seconds later Doctor Solis rushed in, her long black hair sweeping in behind her. She put her head under Falcon’s arm and pulled him up.

“What you be doing? More rest, you need. Back down and lay.”

“I’m fine, doctor.” He pushed her away in defiance just as his legs gave out. Doctor Solis caught him. She grunted loudly as she struggled to keep him from falling.

“Aya, help! Me do not enjoy to be squished alive.”

No, no. This cannot be. All I need is for Aya to see me like this, helpless and weak.
He cringed as his friend came in and took his arm
. I can’t possibly be this pathetic.

“I’m fine,” said Falcon. “I’m not a weakling who needs to be tended like a child.”

“Falcon! Do as the doctor instructs,” ordered a deep voice. Lie back in bed.”

Falcon’s master walked into the room. In all his years at the academy K’ran had never set foot at Rohad. Yet there he stood by the door, with a frown across his face.

~ ~ ~

Aya turned. She had never seen the man at the door. She was certain she would remember if she had.

An imposing aura surrounded him. A scar ran through his left eye. A patch of hair led to a long braid that hung down his back.

“This is K’ran,” said Falcon, lying back in his bed. “My tutor.”

Aya had heard much about K’ran from Ladria’s history books. Even at his age, he looked to be in peak physical condition.

Falcon put his hand on Aya’s shoulder. “Master, this is Aya—”

“Aya Nakatomi,” interrupted K’ran, denying Falcon the opportunity to finish his introduction. “Daughter of Daigo Nakatomi and Audrey Green. Pardon, I suppose it’s Audrey Nakatomi now.”

“Excuse me, Master K’ran, but how did you know who I am?” asked Aya, puzzled.

“You have your father’s nose and your mother’s kind features.”

Aya scratched her head. She had no idea her parents knew Master K’ran. She’d heard them speak of him before, but never in a personal manner.

“I know your parents well,” continued K’ran. “They are some of the few who believe in equality for all the people of Ladria, regardless of titles or wealth. From what I heard, you inherited those qualities. Falcon is fortunate to call you his friend.”

“Thank you, sir.” Aya felt the blood rush to her cheeks. She rarely received compliments.

“I don’t wish to cut our visit short but I must speak to Falcon before I head out. If you ladies could please grant me a moment with him?”

“Do that surely we can.” With jittery hands, Doctor Solis pulled Aya out of the room along with her.

“Nice to meet you, sir,” were the only words Aya managed before the doctor dragged her away.

“What a man that is,” whispered the doctor in Aya’s ear. “Would not mind to tend to his wounds if injured he was.”

Aya burst out in laughter. “You know, doctor, Falcon told me master K’ran enjoys old-style Belwebb cuisine. You’re from Belwebb, aren’t you? You should make him your famous cartat meat and roasted katinn cake. He wouldn’t be able to resist.”

The doctor giggled under her breath. It sounded more like a chirping of birds. “Do that I just might, Aya. Do that I just might.”

~ ~ ~

“What are you doing here, Master K’ran?” said Falcon. “You hate coming to the city.”

“Not hate. It’s simply better if I don’t. My experience with the noble families is not the best, to say the least.”

“What is it about Ladria that makes you avoid it so much?” Falcon had asked K’ran the same questions before. He had never received an answer. He doubted he would get one today.

“I’m not here to discuss me. I’m here to speak about what occurred in your duel.”

“I don’t know what happened. All I remember is fighting Sheridan. Then for some strange reason Grandmaster Zoen walked into the arena. He muttered something and everything went dark.”

“He broke you out of a trance. Tell me, what is the last thing you recall about your duel?”

Falcon thought back. Much of the fight had become a blur. “I vaguely remember falling.”

“I need more information than that, Falcon. Tell me, how were you feeling at the moment, scared?”

“Scared? Of course not!” Falcon shot back defensively. “I was angry.”

“Angry? At who? Sheridan?”

“No. I was angry at myself for being caught off guard. Angry because losing the duel most likely meant I wouldn’t graduate, and I have to graduate. It is what I’ve been training for all my life.”

“So you let your emotions control you.” K’ran shook his head. “What have I told you about not controlling your emotions?”

“I appreciate your coming to Ladria to see me, Master, but I don’t feel much like talking anymore.”

“Don’t talk, then, just listen. You push yourself too hard during your fights. I have told you this before.”

“Then why are you telling me this again, Master? I know what my problems are. Give me space. I don’t need babysitting.”

“I’m telling you again because you continue to repeat the same mistakes!” thundered K’ran. “You remain as stubborn as ever, unwilling to show any sort of weakness or dependence. You have large amounts of raw energy, much more than I have ever seen anyone else wield. That doesn’t mean you can simply use that power to get yourself out of any situation. That power can be dangerous if not kept in check. You do realize you almost attacked Aya?”

Falcon narrowed his eyes. “What does Aya have to do with this?

“Zoen informed me that you were about to attack your friend, Aya. Fortunately the grandmaster stopped you with his mind wielding.”

Falcon’s head dropped. He remained lost in thought for a moment as guilt gnawed at him. “I didn’t know…I didn’t intend to hurt anyone, especially her. What is it, Master? What is it that makes this happen to me?”

K’ran’s voice lowered to a harsh whisper. “I don’t know, but we have our suspicions.”

We?
“What do you mean by we? Who else have you spoken to about this?”

K’ran paused for a moment. “It was just between me and Master Zoen.”

Why did he pause? Is he keeping something from me?
K’ran continued. “Zoen and I suspect the reason you blanked out is because of,” K’ran took a deep breath, “chaos wielding.”

“Chaos? But Master, Shal-Volcseck is the only known chaos wielder.”

“Exactly. The only
known
chaos wielder, but you have shown the ability to wield most of the elements. Why not chaos? You surely have more than enough energy for it.”

Falcon remained frozen in disbelief.
Could I really be a chaos wielder?

K’ran rubbed the middle of his forehead. “You fight with much courage, but recklessly. You give yourself up to the battle to prove you’re strong and in control of your own destiny. But in the process it is your anger that controls you, and it does so through chaos.”

Falcon thought back to the times where he had lost control. On every occasion he had heard his mother’s shriek of agony, reminding him of his helplessness.

Falcon looked up at K’ran. “I’m sorry, Master. I know what you say is true. It’s just hard to restrain myself sometimes, especially now that I apparently have to worry about the chaos element.”

“It is regrettable that chaos is something I cannot teach you. It is an element only a select few have used, and most who have wielded chaos used its untamed power to bring suffering to the people of Va’siel. This is something you understand better than most.”

Falcon balled his fists.

“That’s enough lecturing for one day,” said K’ran. He closed the plain white door behind him, leaving Falcon with his thoughts.

Am I destined to be like Shal-Volcseck? To become what everyone at Rohad already sees me as, a monster?