Gemini- The Beginning Of The End Read online

  Closing the portal Rick looked down the hall where the swordsman now stood. The man glared at him for a moment then moved around the corner. The mutineers reached the steps and ran toward him. Rick sprinted down the hall glancing over his shoulder to make sure Nep and his men were following. Climbing on deck he stopped, his eyes growing wide. Several men were waiting for him, including Aaron. The two men that had been guarding the captain’s door lay in a pool of blood.

  “How?”

  “You’re not the only one with secrets,” Aaron said.

  A beam of light shot from Aaron's hands. Rick created an electric shield in front of himself. The force of the beam made him slide backwards on the slick deck. He stopped just before he hit the bow’s railing.

  “Once I take care of you, we’ll be giving a gift to that witch of yours,” Aaron said another beam of light shooting from his hand.

  Rick grinned. And jumped over the edge.

  The look on their faces almost made him laugh. The ocean came rushing up, the icy splash sending cold spikes all along his body. The ship was moving fast, he didn’t have much time. Forcing his way underneath the ship, he used Celestial Light Magic to create a curved wall attached to the ship made of solid white light. Slamming against it he felt pain shoot through his arm. The force of the water beginning to crush him, he created another wall of light in front of his body. The pressure relieved, he finished enclosing himself in a small dome. Rick's lungs burned with the need of air, stars entered his vision.

  Shadow Reaper appeared in his left hand. It was a bonded sword which could cut through anything with ease. Etched into its jagged black blade were a series of markings, and a small black flame engulfed the whole sword, battling for presence against the icy water. On the back tip of the blade lay a cutout of a moon. A red cord wrapped around the grip, and a ruby sat at the end of the hilt.

  Rick stabbed the blade into the ship and pulled it out, leaving a small crack in the hull. Melting into a shadow he slipped through the crack and rematerialized on the other side, collapsing and gasping for air.

  “Next time, I think I’ll just kill them.”

  Rolling over, he got to his feet. A large puddle of water marked where he laid. He filled the crack with light and dispelled the dome. That’ll cost less memories to maintain, he thought to himself. Melting into a shadow he flew up the decks as fast as he could. Using all this magic is exhausting, he thought reaching the deck.

  Aaron’s men still stood looking over the rails, trying to spot him. Rick slid along the deck and under the crack of the strong door guarding the captain’s quarters. Rematerializing, he looked around. Moonlight illuminated the cabin, and the soft sound of snoring came from the captain's bed. A basket of bread sitting on the desk caught Rick's eye. He was starving. “Later,” he said to the bread. He couldn’t smell it, but was sure it would be delicious.

  Striding over to the bed, he looked down at the captain. Shaking Batlas awake, Rick put a finger to his lips to keep him quiet.

  “How’d you be getting in here?” Batlas asked in a hushed tone.

  “There’s a mutiny,” Rick said quietly.

  “Then I do be needing to get to my men,” the captain said rolling out of bed.

  “Is there a hatch in here that we can use to drop below deck?”

  “No, why would I be needing something like that?” Batlas asked.

  “For when there are a bunch of hostile men on deck,” Rick said exasperated at having to explain.

  “No, I don’t be having something like that.”

  “To be fair neither does my ship,” Rick said standing. “Can you keep a secret, captain?”

  “I can.”

  Shadow Reaper appeared in Rick’s hand. Stabbing into the deck, he cut a small ring in the floor. Binding himself to it, the cutout dropped. Bracing against the deck he slid forward. But the cut circle stopped floating in the air for a moment, then it shot up. The bind always wanted to shrink. With Rick braced and unmoving the cut circle would have to come to him. He maneuvered it through the hole and up to him. He released the binding, and it dropped to the ground.

  “How this be possible?”

  “Shush!” Rick hissed. “Now, jump.”

  Batlas didn’t need any more encouragement. Placing a hand on each side of the hole he lowered himself and dropped.

  “Find Stella,” Rick said. “You’re not coming?” Batlas asked.

  “I’ve got other plans,” Rick said. “Grab your men. Oh, and I’m going to steal some of your bread.”

  Taranis looked at his hands. A bit of blood remained on his palm. Wiping it off on the railing, he looked up. He stood on a balcony in the ruined castle of The Undercity. The name fit. Undercity. This giant cavern lay beneath Halven filled with shanties for the hopeless, taverns for them to drink away sorrows, other distractions, and this castle.

  Such a beautiful place, for such misery. He loved it. Glowing blue moss lined the walls of the massive cavern creating a soft ambient glow, which made it possible to see down here without fire. Even this castle had moss on it. Originally, a prince had built it to get away and enjoy the sights. But when Taranis saw it the first time, the usurper turned it into a guard house for the prison, and that prison was where he met Rick.

  Or at least, when this body had. Vol was his true name, and even if he had Taranis’s body and memories, he was not Taranis.

  And don’t you forget it, said the voice in his head. Speak again and I’ll kill another soul tonight. Silence followed.

  “Good,” Taranis said licking his lips. Maybe he’d kill again anyway. Waiting there, he relished the memories of his kills. Too many to count, and too many to remember. Today, yesterday, the thousands of days before, so many to choose from! He turned at the sound of footsteps approaching. Mera meandered into view.

  “You wanted to see me?” she asked.

  “How are things progressing?”

  “The pieces are in place,” she said reaching the balcony.

  “Double them,” he said. “It won’t be enough.”

  “Is all this necessary? Do you really think he’ll escape Zaven’s trap?”

  “He slaughtered my people like it was nothing.”

  “Your people? I thought—“

  Taranis spun and walked back inside. The soft sound of dripping water echoed from the ruined hall.

  “I’m going to go watch,” he said. “If he does succeed, you’ll have an army to do with as you please.”

  “Do I get to keep the device?” she asked following him.

  “If Gemini is dead, I don't care what you do.”

  “And the others?”

  “Same as you, they are free to do whatever they desire,” he said turning to look at her. “You can all kill each other as far as I’m concerned.”

  A man with olive skin walked into view. “So, this is where you’ve been hiding.”

  “Assan!” Mera said. “What are you doing?”

  “What are you doing here?” Assan asked. “The Undercity is whispering about people disappearing.”

  “I—” Mera stammered.

  Taranis looked from Assan to Mera. “Kill him.”

  Mera hesitated, and Assan looked at him.

  “Now!” he commanded.

  She leapt into action, summoning two shadow hands. Ice shot from Assans hands flying at her. He looked confused. But why shouldn’t he be? As far as he knew Mera was his friend and guildmate. Taranis relished it. The fight was over sooner than he’d expected. Assan speared the shadow hands causing them to fragment. Coating the ground with ice, he slid forward. Releasing a torrent of ice crystals, he encased Mera. With Mera imprisoned in an icy cage and unable to move, he turned to face Taranis.

  “Nicely done,” Taranis said clapping. “So that’s the difference between the second and the fifth.”

  “Who are you?” Assan asked glaring at him.

  “If you survive, I might tell you.”

  Two black orbs appeared behind Assan, and the ma
n moved a moment too late. Lightning struck him in the back. He collapsed. A third bolt struck the ice encasing Mera, shattering it. She stepped out shivering.

  “Did you kill him?” she asked, her teeth chattering.

  “No,” Taranis said. “He’ll live.”

  “What now?”

  Taranis walked to the doorway. “Turn him.”

  Chapter 4

  S tella was lying on her bed, still dressed, her arms crossed, thinking.

  How dare he walk off after saying something like that! Does he really think my eyes are pretty? Who does he think he is? He has a face like that and makes me laugh... I’ll show him I’m not some girl he can make fall for him that easy.

  Footsteps sounded outside. Stella rolled to her feet as the door flew open. Embracing her Elementia, Stella got ready to fight. The man who entered had his hands up.

  “Rick sent me,” he said panting.

  “What’s going on?”

  “Um,” he said. “There’s a mutiny?”

  “Seriously! How much did he pay you?”

  “Ma'am? What do you mean?” the man asked.

  Stella sat back on her bead. “What’s your name, sailor?”

  “It’s Jamal, but I don’t think you understand, Rick revealed he’s an Elementalist to send me here.”

  Stella hopped back up. “Oh.” Is Rick okay? she wondered. Of course, he’s fine, and I’m still mad at him. “What are you standing around here for?” She asked rushing out the door.

  “I—” Jamal started and then just followed her.

  “Who do you trust?”

  “There’s a handful of men I know we can trust,” he said.

  “Can you get to them?”

  “They’ll be asleep below us.”

  “Grab them,” she said. “But don’t let them see you.”

  Jamal left heading toward the ladder. Stella ran down the hall until she reached the stairs leading to the main deck. No one seemed to be watching it. Sneaking forward, Stella inched towards the steps. A shadow glided up the stairs and out of few.

  What was that? She thought freezing.

  Waiting, she didn’t spot the shadow again. She crept up the steps. A group of men stood at the railing looking down into the ocean, and the captain's door still looked intact. Stella glanced behind her. No one seemed to be coming. After a moment, a group of men started to make their way to the cabin.

  Where’s Rick? she wondered.

  She’d have to take care of them herself. Standing she took a step forward. A hand shot out grabbing her wrist. Spinning, she stopped.

  “Captain Batlas? What—” she started.

  The captain put a finger to his lips, and nodded his head towards the deck below. Stella followed him.

  “How?” she asked as soon as they reached the hall.

  “Rick,” Batlas said still walking.

  “Where are we going?” she asked.

  “To get my men.”

  Walking down the steps they reached the crew's deck. Jamal stood there with several sailors.

  “Good to be seeing you, Jamal,” Batlas said.

  “These are the men I knew could I could trust.”

  “It's not many,” Stella said.

  “With you, do we really need many?” Jamal asked.

  “With Rick, it might be over already,” she said.

  “What of the rest of me crew?”

  “They’re still asleep,” Jamal said. “Should I wake them?”

  “No,” Batlas said. “If you don’t trust them, I don’t be trusting.”

  “Let’s go,” Stella said.

  Several of the men looked nervous that she was there, but none of them would complain about having her on their side. Moving up the stairs, the mutineering men on deck came into view. Their numbers had multiplied! Standing in a semi-circle around the captain’s cabin, they faced away from them. Two men with axes were alternating strikes at the door, trying to bust through, and it was on its last legs.

  Surveying the rest of the deck Stella stifled a laugh. Rick was casually sitting on a barrel eating a loaf of bread, watching them hack at the door. Noticing her he put a finger to his lips, and then made a walking motion with his fingers.

  “I think he wants us to sneak up on them,” she whispered.

  Nodding, Batlas motioned to the crew. They moved as quietly as they could across the deck. About halfway across, one of the mutineers turned and noticed them.

  Stella held her breath. So much for surprise.

  Suddenly Rick was there appearing out of nowhere. He punched the man in the throat before he even made a sound. The blow drew the attention of the mutineers. Walking forward, Rick drew their eyes.

  “You can stop that chopping.” he yelled. “We need to talk.”

  Silence followed and Stella signaled for her men to freeze.

  “I’ll make you a deal Aaron,” Rick said to a man Stella never saw before. “If you surrender right now, I’ll show you mercy.”

  A laugh burst from several of the mutineers as they moved forward. Stella signaled the crew to move.

  “You and what army?” Aaron asked.

  Rick grinned. “Who said I needed one?” He sent blue sparks dancing along his fingers.

  Almost there, Stella thought inching forward.

  “But first,” Rick said. “Would you like some bread?”

  He tossed the loaf he was eating to Aaron. The man caught it, and though Stella couldn’t see his face, she was sure he knitted his eyebrows together. She certainly had.

  “Why would I—” Aaron started.

  “Oh, and since you asked. How about the army behind you?”

  The men surrounding Rick spun to face the crew. Rick shot forward at lightning speed closing the gap between him and Aaron slamming his whole body into the man. Aaron flew backwards. Instantly Rick was there, and he stuck the loaf of bread in the unconscious man's mouth. Shocked looks appeared on everyone’s faces of both mutineers and crewmen. A menacing black blade appeared in Rick’s hand, and he pointed it at Aarons throat.

  “It’s over Nep,” Rick said. “You have an unwinnable fight in front of you.

  Where did that come from? Stella yelled in her mind. It appeared out of thin air!

  “Now drop your swords!” Rick shouted at the rest of the mutineers.

  There was no trace of Rick’s gentle voice. Who knew he could shout with such command? Most of the mutineers dropped their blades muttering under their breath.

  “No one has died yet. Don’t make me kill the rest of you,” Rick said.

  Stella shivered. His voice was so cold. Like he had no emotion. She wasn’t sure if she liked this side of him. But it worked, and the remaining mutineers dropped their weapons, except one.

  “Drop the sword, Nep.”

  “This man’s a witch!” Nep shouted. “You saw him use magic. The captain let two witches on board and had one of them hiding among us!”

  The mutineers started muttering under their breath again.

  Rick stuck his hand in the air. The sky erupted with lightning. Bolt after bolt crackled into existence lighting up the cold night sky.

  At a terrifying volume, Rick shouted above the noise. “DO YOU THINK YOUR CAPTAIN HAD A CHOICE IN THE MATTER?” The lightning stopped. “You got to know me, you know I’m pretty friendly... when I’m not angry,” Rick hissed. “But I could sink this whole ship if I chose.”

  His hands shaking, Nep dropped his sword and collapsed to his knees. No one moved. Stella looked at Rick. That stupid grin of his was back.

  “But why would I want to do that? I’ve had fun with you guys,” Rick said. “They’re all yours, Captain. Stella, would you come with me?”

  Not waiting, he started walking back toward the stairs at the bow of the ship. Moving quickly to catch up, Stella stared at him. Once they were out of site, Rick startled her putting his arm around her.

  “I used too much,” he said fainting.

  You idiot. What do you expect me to do? she
thought catching him.

  Using the air to pick him up, she moved him down the hall into the nearest storage room. It was a small room. Secured to the walls were several barrels. Gently lowering him onto the ground, she sat beside him.

  “I could’ve helped. Why’d you have to go do everything by yourself? And why are your clothes soaking wet?” she asked him. Stroking his hair, she raised her eyebrows at how soft it was. “How does your hair stick up like that without anything in it?” she asked quietly, her face turning red.

  What are you doing! He’s unconscious, but what if he wakes up? What if he gets the wrong idea? I’m supposed to be showing him he can’t just flash that stupid grin of his and make my heart flutter.

  Which was a lie, but he didn't need to know that. Standing, she brushed off her leggings and looked at the door. “Get a hold of yourself,” she said patting both her cheeks. I don’t have to stay here, she thought. He’ll be fine until he wakes up.

  “How long was I out?” Rick asked sitting up.

  Stella could swear she almost hit the ceiling. “Don’t do that!” She yelled at him. “You scared me to death!”

  “I’m sorry,” Rick said with a smirk on his face. “Next time, I’ll yawn or something.”

  “You do that,” Stella said. “How’d you wake up so fast?”

  “I recover fast, how long was I out?” Rick asked standing.

  “Maybe five minutes.”

  “Good, then we still have plenty of time,” Rick said going to the door.

  “Time for what?” she asked.

  “Follow me.” He took about two steps before stopping. “Which way is the hull?”

  Trying to suppress a laugh, she pointed. “Why are we going to the hull?”

  “There’s a Barrel of wine down there that I’m going to use to make the crew forget that I lied to them.”

  Reaching the hull, they walked along the wall. Rick stared at the different barrels.

  What a long day. Stella thought. What time is it?

  Rick stopped. “This is it.”

  It was a large barrel, with a cork for where a tap would go.

  “How do you plan on getting that up to the mess hall?” Stella asked already knowing the answer.

  “I was hoping you’d carry it,” he said smiling at her.