Lives of Future-Past (The Chronicles of Max Gunnarsson Book 1) (12 page)

Max
? No need to be so formal.”
     “No. Gunnarsson,” she said flatly but added, “I could call you dick-head, if you like.”
     Max winced. This girl really didn’t like him at all. Or at least she was acting that way. Jennie turned her head slightly away and cracked a small smile. She didn’t really respect him a whole lot on a military level, but she found him kind of amusing. She liked humor, even though it didn’t show much through her tough, yet dega-beautiful exterior.
     The three continued ahead, and came upon a clearing. In the distance, approximately five kilometers from their location, was a massive castle, similar to those in Earth’s ancient past.
     “That is our destination,” stated Draagh, “The stronghold of Krynos, leader of an immensely powerful and well-organized lycan clan. It is there that you two will learn of your newfound abilities and hone your skills, as you will soon need to put them to good use.”
     “So we will be trained there?” asked Jennie?
     “Yes, that is quite correct, my dear,” Draagh responded.
     “So who are we going to train with?” Max questioned.
     Draagh grinned softly and said, “Why, the young and the newly-turned, most likely.”
     As lycans, vampires and cannibals all had very specific viruses coursing through their systems, they were able to convert normals to their kinds via infection. And while vampires frequently turned normals simply due to the fact that they had short lifespans and dropped off like flies, lycans did so out of love and respect. If a lycan clan leader encountered a normal whom he felt would be an excellent addition to the family, and if that normal agreed to the change, an addition was made to the already ample numbers in the clan. This was done during a ancient and detailed ceremony by the lycans, while vampires simply bit their target, exchanged blood, and then buried the unwitting fool in the ground (which was not even necessary), waiting for him/her to emerge from the dirt the following evening, terrified and horribly changed. Cannibals bit anyone in range as they usually rambled about in a state of rage and hunger. The major difference in infection (besides particular abilities) between the cannibals and the lycans and vampires was that cannibals were rendered sterile upon infection, and thereby unable to reproduce, while lycans and vampires could create families and further their own bloodlines.
     Max started to make a mental in-depth analysis of everything he had been told. He was a lycan and a mage. Not only that, they were in the distant future, in order to learn to use their abilities, which activated upon their arrival.
     “Draagh,” Max asked, “you brought us here to train, and I can understand that part. We should learn from those who are like us. That much is logical. I mean, if I needed to learn how to be a hard-ass bitch I would want to train under Jennie,” to which Jennie gave him a stare of pure, unadulterated contempt. Max continued, being quite pleased with himself, as he felt he had finally thrown a valid insult at the woman.
     “But wouldn’t it have been easier to bring someone to
us
for training? Why are we training in the first place? You have only mentioned that we need to train for something that will happen in the future – our future, which is now in the past, and as the Vrol are headed toward Azul, I can only assume that this is what you mean. Also, as you said that magic doesn’t work for us on Azul, thereby negating our ability to access our enhanced skills, how will this help?”
     Draagh continued walking down a worn path toward the castle that they had entered only moments before and said, “Those were nice, compound questions, my boy. Max, perhaps I should have been a bit more descriptive with you in what we need to accomplish. Yes, it is true that the Vrol are on their way to Azul. So yes, your training shall help you to hopefully defeat them, but the beings of this world live in a society quite different from that of your world. It is much more logical to bring you to
their
environment, rather than ripping them from everything they have ever known, and then expect them to implement a training regimen. Plus, it would require the process of changing someone’s genetics, in order to be able to attune them to a world’s energy frequency. I will have to do this to you both before we return to your world. Oh, and time does not work that way. The Vrol are still on their way to Azul.”
     Max looked thoughtful for a moment, and then asked, “Then why not just change the energy frequency on Azul, like you did here, making it in tune with our genetics?”
     Draagh gave Max a surprised look and exclaimed, “My dear boy! Could you imagine tens of thousands of newly-activated lycans and vampires running around, without a clue as to what was happening to them? Utter chaos! The streets would be stained with blood, and Azul would be ripe and helpless for the Vrol invasion. No, my son. What I intend on doing is modifying the genetics of only you two, sync’ing you both with Azul’s frequency after we have left this beautiful world. Added to that, I shall implement a process where part of the magical energy on Azul shall be reactivated, but not result in people turning into bloodthirsty beasts, although some may experience substantial regenerative capabilities - and those unfortunate enough to carry the recessive vampire gene will suddenly experience very bad cases of bodily odor, which, by the way, could present you with an excellent business opportunity with the creation of
vamp-away body spray
, or something similar to that. Anyway, I digress - your abilities will be key in defeating the Vrol, so I feel I have chosen the best plan for all involved.”
     Jennie, who had been silent during this portion of the conversation, suddenly blurted out, “Well, I have a question. If earthlings had nearly defeated the Vrol with their inferior technology, why can’t we on Azul? I mean, we are much further advanced than Earth ever became.”
     Draagh paused and pondered her question for a moment, knowing the answer all along.
     “Why Jennie, you indeed have quite a sharp mind, but do you remember how, when Earth had nearly defeated the Vrol, an amoebic infection was set upon the planet?”
     Both Max and Jennie nodded their heads, as Draagh continued. “If mankind had been allowed to continue with the use of magic, the Vrol invasion would have been much quicker. Militarily, the Vrol would have decimated the planet in a number of days – hours, even. You see, if we had allowed magic to continue on Earth, then humans would have never had the need, or desire, to create their technological wonders. So, the amoebic infection would have not been possible, nor even necessary. Mankind would have perished due to a lack of the weapons of war, but magic would have fought off any sort of biological attack. In order to save Azul, we will need both magic
and
technology.”

     With Draagh in the lead, the trio approached the castle on a broad path that ended at a massive moat (which happened to be much larger than most lakes that Max had seen in his life) that effectively and safely surrounded the property. Numerous soldiers, dressed in Viking-like garb similar to Draagh, were posted at the top of the south-facing castle wall and had trained their crossbows on the new arrivals, with one barking out a command.
     “Halt! Who are you, old man? Who are the two at your side?”
      “I am Draagh, one of the
Prīmulī
, here to seek council with Krynos. Please inform him of my arrival, as I am sure he is expecting me. My two young lycan companions are Max and Jennie, here to train in the ways of their brethren.”
     Roughly 90 seconds later a drawbridge slowly started to drop, eventually forming a pathway across the expansive moat, and the three proceeded to walk toward the castle’s commons area. Max looked over the edge as they proceeded into the castle grounds, noticing movement in the murky water below.
      “Take care, there Max,” Draagh said with some urgency to his voice, “lest you fall in and become a delicious appetizer for those guarding the moat.”
     Max cringed, and asked, “What are they? They look pretty darned big.”
     Draagh peered over the edge, while standing next to Max and said, “They are genetically-modified great white sharks, able to live in fresh water - and they are hungry. Always hungry, yes they are - and quite intelligent. Much like a domesticated canine.”
     Max shuddered and backed away from the edge, looking over to see Jennie standing next to an imposing figure at the gate’s entrance – a handsome man, roughly two meters in height, dressed down in impressive-looking full battle armor.
      “Krynos will grant you audience now. Please follow me. Oh, it is a pleasure to see you again, Lord Draagh,” said the soldier, giving the mage a slight bow.
     Jennie gave him a cute smile, but when he did not reciprocate she let out a small
humph,
and continued in with the other three into the courtyard area, where they then headed towards a large, oaken door.
     The four entered into a massive room with high ceilings, their escort in the lead, who then kneeled down before an empty throne.
      “All kneel before the throne of Krynos!” ordered the soldier.
     Draagh also kneeled, and looked over at Max and Jennie, nodding his head down to the ground, prompting them to follow suit.
     From a side entrance to the throne in walked an older gentleman, handsome despite his apparent years, wearing a crown of gold and black obsidian upon his head. Vague wrinkles lined his eyes, and he maintained a short, dark brown beard that appeared to be well trimmed. Standing next to the throne, he spoke out in a large and booming voice.
      “That will be all, Donus,” and waved the large man off. Then, giving the newly arrived trio a stern look, he slowly moved down the wide stair path from the throne area, when he suddenly shouted “Draagh! My brother! So good to see you!” and started laughing uproariously.
     Draagh cracked a smile and stood up, only to be bear-hugged by the larger man, who spun him around one complete turn and then set him back on Earth.
      “Krynos,” Draagh almost coughed, “It is certainly good to see you also. My back also thanks you, yes indeed, as it has been giving me quite a bit of pain lately. I really should see to it one day soon.”
Krynos then looked at Max and Jennie, who were still in a kneeling position, afraid to look up and said, “So, are these the ones you spoke of? The ones from past Earth with no skills in the ways of their brethren?”
      “Indeed, they are,” responded Draagh, “and we have come a long way to see if we could perhaps assist them in their attempt to reclaim their birthrights. Would this be possible?”
     Krynos surveyed them momentarily, and then said, in a loud and authoritative voice, “You, boy - stand up.”
     Max immediately got up to his feet and looked straight-ahead, avoiding eye contact with Krynos.
      “What is your name, young pup?”
     Max responded, still looking dead ahead, saying, “Commander Maximilianus Xavier Gunnarsson, of Azul Military Scientific Research and Development, SIR!”
     Jennie’s eyes grew big, as she had never heard Max respond to anything in a military fashion such as this. She was mildly impressed, until she heard what Krynos said next.
      “Commander? Not here, young one, not here, but we shall see how far you can progress… without being killed!”
     Max remained at attention while Jennie gulped and waited her turn, which came next.
      “And you, young lass -obviously one of our bloodline. A handsome woman you are. Stand up so that I may survey the fine works of our creators.”
     Jennie stood up, with a perplexed look on her face, but gazed directly into Krynos’ eyes.
      “Ahh, a brave one, I see!” said Krynos. “What would be your name, young lady?”
     Jennie continued to stare down Krynos, and strongly.
      “Jennie Escalante, my liege.”
     Max looked at her through the corner of his eye, unable to believe that she would have been so willing to not state her military rank, but then again, he had just had his basically poo-pooed away by the lycan king. Krynos looked Jennie up and down, obviously pleased with her appearance, as she was quite a stunning woman, despite being dressed in an exploratory field uniform. He then looked at Draagh, while saying, “I like this one. She has guts, and guts are what we need here, but this other one I am unsure of.”
      “Oh, I believe you will find Max to be quite formidable,” said Draagh. “He comes from an excellent bloodline, yes, excellent indeed.”
     Krynos looked back over at Max, but while still speaking to Draagh he asked, “To whose bloodline do you refer, my old friend?”
      “Why, mine, of course! He is my grandson.”
     Both Max and Jennie immediately looked slackjawed over at Draagh, when Max croaked, “Huh? My – your, what?” Draagh simply smiled as he moved a bit closer to the two.
      “Yes, my dear boy. Do you remember how I told you that you had more in common with my bloodline than that of the vicious idiot flying around Machu Picchu? Well, that was all true and correct. Your father is my son.”
      “What? Charles Gunnarsson is your son? That’s impossible. I knew my paternal grandfather, Kenneth Gunnarsson, and his wife, and all of my cousins, and—”
     Draagh waved his hand, silencing Max in an instant. “I never said I was the father of Charles Gunnarsson. My boy, he was not your biological father, I am sad to say. Well, no! I lie! I am quite glad that you are my grandson. You are the first in many centuries, of course, as my progeny rarely procreate. Your father’s historic name is Mija-El, but he goes by the name Michael. He is the Taxiarch, the warrior-leader of those I had earlier mentioned of the caste just below mine. That is how you are a mage, and quite a high-level one too - and your mother, of course, provided you with the recessive lycan genes.”
     Max stood there, looking stunned, along with Jennie, who could not believe what she was hearing. Draagh simply grinned as Krynos boomed out, “Excellent! A member of the House of Draagh is always welcome in my kingdom!”
      “Well, I do not exactly have a house, per se,” stated Draagh, as he continued to smile.
      “Nonetheless! Max is welcome among my ranks, as well as his fine mate here,” Krynos finished.
      “Hey! I’m no one’s mate! Especially not his!” shot back Jennie.
      “Not yet, my dear, not yet,” replied Krynos, looking at a blushing Max.
     Jennie just rolled her eyes as Max tried to compose himself. It was not as if he hadn’t considered what Krynos had just said, but to have it thrown out there like that was a bit embarrassing.
      “So Draagh,” said Max, “how is it that your son is my father? Was my father, Charles, aware of this?”
     Max adored his parents, and as his mother was the only one surviving of the two, his
father
Charles being older than her, and he having died a few years prior, Max wondered if she ever thought of this
Michael
. Draagh continued on, but briefly, as Krynos was looking impatient from their exchange.
      “My son, the fact is that neither your father nor your mother knew the truth. Michael had a certain fondness for lycan females, and your mother was certainly beautiful.”
     Max knew this to be true. His mother was indeed a gorgeous woman, and still was, even for her advanced age.
      “He was, for lack of a better term, dating your mother. However, when she was to found to be with child – that is, pregnant with you, he could not bear to merely terminate your potential existence. So, he arranged for your mother and Charles Gunnarsson to meet, after he had modified her memories, of course. Fortunately, when your mother met Charles, they consummated their new relationship very quickly.”
      “How…umm, quickly…did they?” asked Jennie.
     Draagh looked up, feigning innocence, and said, “Oh, on the very first date.”
      “Oh my God! I
SO
did
NOT
need to know that!” yelled Max.
     Krynos broke into the conversation, announcing a feast in the main dining hall in the honor of his three new arrivals - his old friend Draagh, and his new friends and lycan brethren, Max and Jennie. Max never got a chance to ask about his bio-dad, and later on wished that he did. Draagh and Michael were nothing alike.
|
     The main dining hall was adorned with the clan’s red and black colors - large rectangular tapestries waving gently, a meter wide by three meters high, hanging from the ceiling and staggered every 10 meters. Long, massive wooden tables hosted dozens of golden goblets each, with innumerable quantities of plates, all ready to be filled with delicious consumables.
     As soon as the doors opened, dozens of clan members entered the hall, some soldiers and some dressed in more normal garb, taking places at tables that seemed to be predefined. Draagh, Max and Jennie entered from behind the main stage, along with Krynos, to the raucous cheers of the clan.
      “My brothers and sisters! I command your attention. Today is a great day, as we have been visited by not only a great ally and friend, our brother Draagh,” the crowd roared with appreciation as Krynos continued, “but also his two young charges, lycans, brought home to the land of their kin, Max and Jennie!”
     With that the entire great hall was on their feet, heads pointed to the sky, howling at the waning gibbous moon, that is, the moon that had just recently been full. This was actually a good thing, as Max and Jennie had well over a month to train before experiencing their first full transformation. The three stepped out onto the platform overlooking the great hall, and waved awkwardly. Draagh actually shot his clenched fist up into the air, causing uproarious cheers from the lycans. Then all three walked over and took their places at either side of Krynos at the main table, with Max alone on one side and Jennie seated with Draagh on the other. She had no desire to sit next to Max – at all.
     Draagh then stood up and loudly addressed all in attendance, bellowing, “Attention all lycans of the Rhönen Dominion! I present to you, in the name of our king Krynos – the feast!”
     With that, he slammed his staff into the ground, and every plate and every goblet filled instantly with delicious mead and meat, respectively.
     At once the entire hall fell into a state of silence. All of the lycans, Krynos, Jennie and Max looked at their place settings. Everyone’s goblet was filled, overstuffed with steaming-hot animal flesh, while their plates were spilling over with amber-colored mead, the Dominion's signature fortified wine.
     Krynos whispered to his old friend saying, “Brother, your spell is backwards!”
     Draagh looked down, taken aback, his eyes instantly growing big as he noticed his error and said, “Oh my! I shall correct this straight away!” He then slammed his staff down on the ground twice – once for clearing the plates and goblets, and then once for yet again filling them, albeit this time correctly. Then, while looking out at the silent attendance hall, he said loudly “Eat, my brothers and sisters!”
     Everyone in attendance tore into their plates, including Jennie. That is, everyone, with the exception of Max, who was still looking around for silverware with which to properly cut his meat. Draagh saw Max’s perplexed look, so he waved his hand, conjuring a simple fork and knife at the sides of Max’s plate. As Max took his fork and diddled around with his food, he looked over on the other side of where King Krynos was seated and saw Jennie eating with her bare hands, just like the other lycans. At first he found it mildly disgusting, having been raised to use proper table etiquette, but at the same time he thought it was rather sexy. However, the most disconcerting part of it all is that he looked out to see other male Dominion pack members watching her, causing him to become highly territorial. In fact, a low, involuntary growl emanated from the back of his throat.
     Jennie looked out, scanning the crowd, as she shoved ample quantities of meat into her mouth and chewed furiously. She hadn’t eaten in roughly a day, and was famished to say the least. Numerous lycans attracted her eye, but none captured it, even though they kept staring at her with hopeful looks of interest. Lycan women tended to be beautiful to the extreme - in comparison to normals and especially vampires, but Jennie was above and apart. Max looked out at the crowd, but he was thinking of other things, like the recent revelation that Charles Gunnarsson was not his father. He had loved his parents immensely, but always knew in his heart that his resemblance, both physical and spiritual, was with Clarisa, and not Charles. He was, -using a slang term - a