The Nycren

  “Demons go to therapy?”

  “Yeah, if their power is on the blink and a mixture has no effect, a therapist helps. It lets them get in touch with their inner demon.”

  “Well, I don’t need therapy, thank you,” I reply.

  “Your mom was killed by the devil herself, you’re working with your ex-fiancée and a few weeks back, you bit a demon’s flesh with your teeth. Emmy, you don’t need a therapist; you need a team.”

  “Wow, thanks Tony.”

  “I’m just saying…we all need a little help. For example, I attend a Seller’s support group once a month.”

  “Why would Sellers need a support group?” I ask trying to keep a straight face.

  “Hey, it’s not easy being born over and over again. I’ve lived like a thousand times, Emmy. And in that time I have seen some horrible things: War, disease and a bunch of Nicolas Cage movies. I am a survivor.”

  Tony wasn’t the only one pushing me to get help. Alex has been talking about it nonstop. He thinks the pressures of the missions are getting to me and that talking about it with someone would help.

  I found a therapist with really great reviews online so I went to his office building. But then a few moments later, I ran out. Seriously how honest could I be with this person? I mean really, what would that sound like?

  “So Emmy, what is it that brings you to my office today?” he would say.

  “Well doctor, I have to help save the world with my Guardian angel ex and it’s reallystressing me out.”

  “Hold on while I get the psych ward on the phone.”

  I did manage to talk to someone though. Her name is Doctor Wexler. She moved into my building a few weeks ago. She was moving her stuff in boxes; her lamp fell and broke. I helped her pick up the pieces. We started to talk and she mentioned what she did for a living. I said I had been meaning to see someone and she offered her services at a discount price.

  I’ve seen her twice now. I don’t tell her team business but I do tell her what’s going on. I told her that my ex and I are “in the same class” and that it’s hard to avoid him. I told her things I haven’t shared with anyone and yeah it helps a little.

  It would be great if she were here right now because standing in front of Marcus and a dead Indigo is stressing the hell out of me. Then there’s the matter of him sleeping with Ameana. I need time to really process him and his ex sleeping together. I need about oh say, a year. But given the news we just got, I won’t have a week much less a year.

  If Wolf was willing to take out a Sib, there is no telling what he will do to Marcus. And while I do feel like shaking the hell out of him and maybe throwing him off a cliff, Marcus can’t die. Even in the midst of my anger and hurt, I cannot allow him to be killed.

  There’s nothing you can do to stop Wolf from killing Marcus; nothing.

  Marcus sees the panic on my face. He addresses me with a calmness that comes from his training. His voice is steady, cool and collected.

  “Emmy, it’s going to be okay. I can handle Wolf,” he assures me.

  The voice trick would have worked with anyone else but not me. I know him too well.

  Wolf not wanting to negotiate is a major blow. It’s a fight he doesn’t want to be in and a showdown that could cost us everything. Marcus is not afraid of Wolf but he is definitely concerned about the outcome.

  “When are you supposed to battle Wolf?” I ask, fearing the answer.

  Before he can say anything, a team of Paras swoop down gracefully from the sky. Their moves are graceful and in perfect sync. There are half a dozen Paras at our side. They glow brilliantly as they surround us.

  “I’m guessing the battle is now,” Marcus says as he looks around.

  “It can’t be now, you’re hurt,” I remind him.

  Marcus flashes me a warning glare, as if to say he doesn’t want to bring any attention to the fact that he’s hurt. Is he serious? I can practically see the bone in his leg. How can anyone miss the fact that one of his legs is nearly useless?

  “Are you ready, Guardian?” one of the Paras asks.

  “I was not told we would battle today,” Marcus says firmly.

  “You sent the Indigo, did you not?” the Para asks.

  “Yes,” Marcus replies.

  “The moment you sent the Indigo into the air, Guardian, you should have been ready.”

  “We can’t right now, he’s—we need another day,” I plead.

  “No. Now.”

  “How is that fair?” I ask unable to control my anger.

  “We did not propose battle; the First Guardian did. And now he and his team will be taken to Roki; the kingdom of Paras on earth. There he will face the Kon, and most likely, death.”

  “I won’t go anywhere without my team,” Marcus replies.

  “We have taken care of that,” the Para closest to me replies.

  Just then the team appears on white Ports. They all look pissed to be there.

  “What the hell is wrong with Wolf that he can’t see forcing a girl to marry him is wrong?” Miku asks.

  “We do not question our Kon,” one of the Paras replies.

  “Maybe it’s time you grew some balls and started,” Rage says, dripping with venom.

  “Be quiet, demon. The only reason you are here is because the First Guardian insists you are part of his team. You get out of line and we will kill you,” the Para warns him.

  “Touch him and die,” Ameana vows.

  That’s when the Paras first notice her on a Port behind Rage. Then without warning all the Paras bow down to the ground, their elegant wings flapping behind them. Unsettled, we all look at Ameana, confused.

  “It’s how they greet the wife of a Kon; their queen,” she says, trying to hide how uncomfortable she is with the title of Queen.

  “Please, rise and tell me why we can’t put this off for a few more days?” Ameana asks.

  “While we do not wish to dishonor the Queen, the Kon has made his decision. Today is the day. The First Guardian must fight,” the Para replies.

  “Yo, this is bullshit. He’s injured,” Jay says.

  “Be that as it may, the Kon is waiting,” the Para says in a tone that leaves no room for arguments.

  He waves his hand and two more glowing Ports appear. They tell us to get on it.

  “And what if we don’t go?” I shout.

  “Then we will make you, human.”

  “We are ready. We will go,” Marcus says placing his hand on my shoulder to calm me.

  Marcus steps on the glowing Port. The Para signals for me to step on the other Port but I don’t. Instead I step onto the same Port as Marcus.

  “We do not allow two beings on one Port,” the Para informs me.

  “Then you’ll have to throw me off of it because I’m not leaving his side.”

  The Paras silently consult each other and agree to let me stay with Marcus. We are soon hurling through the air at speeds that would rival Jay.

  “I’ve never been on a Port this fast,” I tell Marcus as we hold on to each other.

  He’s holding on to me because his balance is slightly off. I’m holding on to him because I’m scared out of my mind that I will fall off at the impossible speed we’re going.

  “It’s an Auto Port. It goes places only Paras go. It’s faster than regular Ports and even flying,” Marcus replies.

  “Yeah I got that part. I think I left my spleen somewhere back in New York,” I whisper to him.

  “Where is the Roki Kingdom?” I ask.

  “It’s hidden in the Forest of Stones; in a providence of China.”

  “Marcus, is there any way this can get postponed?” I ask.

  The look on his face tells me this battle is going to happen no matter what.

  “Okay…well how do you feel?” I ask.

  “I’ll be fine,” he lies.

  “Your legs look…damn Wolf for doing this,” I say mostly to myself.

  “You said you were leaving the team and then you n
early take a Para’s head off for trying to separate us,” he says.

  “Really? You want to have this conversation now?” I ask.

  He looks down at his feet; he has started to bleed once again.

  “Emmy, now is all we have…”

  We land in China and soon we are taken to a clearing inside the creepy stone forest. The Port we are on glides sideways and squeezes through a small opening between two mammoth stone formations. This feels like something out of Harry Potter. Although I would much rather be in that story than in the one I’m in right now.

  Once past the clearing, we enter the kingdom of Roki, hidden from human view thanks to the power of Paras. It’s a shame because the Roki is a place too beautiful for words. It’s a kingdom made of white and silver marble. We are surrounded by lush greens and breathtaking mountain ranges. The jewel of Roki is a marble castle at the center of the kingdom.

  “Wait, is that a unicorn in front of the castle?” I ask Marcus.

  “Yeah, humans make them out to be magical but actually, they have no powers and they kind of smell.”

  “Oh, good to know.”

  “Are you afraid, you can tell me,” I whisper to him.

  “There’s no need to be afraid. I will kill the Kon, Emmy. He will not enslave any member of my team,” he vows.

  “I’m afraid,” I admit.

  He looks into my eyes and smiles.

  “Hey, stop worrying, human and look up,” Marcus says joking.

  Turns out he wasn’t joking and there is a reason to look up.

  “Oh my Omnis! Marcus, is that…” I’m left speechless by what is hanging above us.

  “Yup, that’s the ocean,” he confides.

  I look up at it again and as unbelievable as it may be, an ocean hangs in the air above us. It’s like a vast aquarium that has invisible glass.

  “I never thought I’d say this but there’s a shark above my head,” I tell him.

  “And a whale over to your right,” he replies.

  I look and sure enough a massive whale is swimming towards me.

  “Hey, after this whole ‘battle to the death thing’ maybe we could do a little sightseeing. I wonder if this place has a gift shop and if so, do they take credit cards?” I joke with him.

  He laughs despite himself. Then moments later we arrive outside what looks like the updated version of a Greek coliseum. Paras are coming from every direction to get seats for the big event.

  One of the Paras that escorted us from New York takes us to one of the side doors. We follow him into a small dimly lit room where he tells us we have only a few minutes before the battle begins.

  “What’s your name?” I ask.

  “Bex.”

  “Well Bex, is there no way we can avoid this? Can we speak to Wolf, alone?” I ask.

  “No human. The Indigo is dead. As are your hopes to negotiate.”

  “So what, Wolf just hurls a power ball at Marcus and its over?” Miku asks.

  “No, it is bad form to use a power ball in this kind of battle. It’s a test of brute strength,” Bex informs us.

  “Where is Wolf right now?” Ameana asks.

  “He is getting ready; he asked not to be disturbed.”

  “Yeah, well we need some privacy too. So, get the hell out,” Rage says.

  Bex is about to reply but decides the Akon is not worth the trouble. He opens the door and leaves us alone.

  “Marcus, I’m sorry about Wolf,” Ameana says.

  “It’s not your fault,” Marcus assures her.

  “I didn’t know the battle would be today otherwise…” Rage begins.

  “Rage, it’s fine. I can do this,” Marcus replies.

  “I know you good to go. But if it gets crazy…you know I got you, right?” Jay says.

  “I don’t think they would let you interfere but thanks,” Marcus replies.

  Miku doesn’t say anything. She just hugs him tightly and tells him she loves him. He strokes her hair and tells her not to worry. He then addresses Ameana.

  “If this thing goes wrong…I want you to focus on finding the last Alpha. That’s what’s important. We need to find it. So don’t spend anytime mourning or anything like that. Find the Alpha; that’s an order.”

  “I will,” she promises.

  She hesitates but then embraces him. He holds her tightly as we look on.

  “Hey, can you guys give us a minute?” I ask.

  Everyone heads out of the room; Marcus and I are now the only ones left.

  I want to tell him that although he drives me to the brink of madness every time, I still love him. And even though we are always arguing and breaking up, he’s my addiction. Breaking up is one thing but I’m not ready to lose him completely.

  I open my mouth but nothing comes out. Instead we are left looking at each other.

  There’s so much to say and never any time to really say it. Even if we had the time we’d probably end up arguing. Why is it so hard for us to get this right? And why are we always on the brink of losing everything we love?

  Omnis, if you spare him, I swear we will get it right somehow. Or at least try. Pleasedon’t take him.

  Realizing that I have been silent for a while now, I clear my throat and look away. I try to speak but again, I fail.

  Damn it! I can’t get my thoughts together?

  “Emmy, I’m not gonna die yet; you’re not done yelling at me,” he says.

  I burst out laughing, surprised by his words. The laughter quickly turns to tears but I pull them back. This is no time to be emotional. Or at least I need to hide it better.

  “Marcus Cane, you go out there and kick Para ass. Do you hear me?”

  “Loud and clear.”

  Bex is waiting for us when we exit the room. He directs Marcus to go towards the steps that lead to the lower level. He takes the rest of us to our seats in the front row of the Coliseum. We have the best view of the battlefield.

  There are two pits on the battlefield; they are the size of manhole covers. They had been placed at opposite ends of the coliseum. I’m told that the fighters will rise up from the pits on a moving platform. The team and I wait anxiously for Marcus to emerge.

  We hear music start to play. Not sure what to expect, the team and I look on curiously. A beautiful Para woman with silver hair, blue lipstick, and unnaturally long blue eye lashes, flies down to the center of the battlefield.

  She opens her mouth and is somehow able to effortlessly fill the entire kingdom with her voice. The song she sings in a language I’ve never heard before. The melody is sad, haunting and extremely beautiful.

  In the middle of her song, nearly two-dozen shadow dancers appear in stunning, eclectic, colorful flowing gowns. They dance a ballet that like the song is heart wrenching and spectacular to behold. The dancers are soon joined by Tally birds; the graceful creatures who helped us battle the fire swans. I’m told the battle begins when the last Tally takes flight.

  The dancers are dancing in tandem with the birds. It looks like all their movements are spontaneous. Yet they are perfectly in tune with the birds and the music. The dance features impossibly high leaps and twirls into the air.

  Suddenly the music changes; it goes from haunting to violent. There are shadow servants banging on drums along the out skirts of the battlefield. The dancers are now simulating the act of fighting. The music crescendos to an epic climb and the dancers leap out of our sight. Now only the Tally birds remain along with the drummers.

  The drummers bang out a sinister beat that release sparks into the air. As soon as the sparks appear, the platform on either side begins to rise up from the ground. Slowly Marcus and Wolf begin to emerge. They are facing each other. Both fighters are stern and resolved to fight to the death.

  My heart is in my throat. Rage takes my hand. Jay pulls Miku close, while Ameana takes her hand. The drummers bang of their drum one final time, and then disappear in a puff of smoke. The only things left on the battlefield are the Tally birds. The crowd goe
s silent. The silence is far more nerve racking than the sinister music.

  The birds form the pattern of the Council in the air and take off into the sky one by one.

  The last Tally swirls and dives through the air with exceptional skill. It swoops around the fighters and then takes off into the air signaling the battle has begun.

  Wolf and Marcus immediately take to the air and collide into each other. Immediately the crowd is on their feet. I am among the first to rise. Wolf grabs Marcus by his left wing, spins him high above his head three times and flings him across the field.

  Marcus slams into the wall of the Coliseum so hard, he shakes the whole structure. The boulder sized debris falling on him makes it hard for him to get back up. The crowd cheers loudly for Wolf.

  C’mon Marcus, you can do this…

  Wolf flies over to Marcus and targets his weak spot: His leg. Wolf grabs a boulder and mercilessly brings it down on Marcus’s leg; snapping the bone in two. Marcus cries out like never before. I bury my head in Rage’s chest not wanting to see what will happen next.

  No, watch and have faith. Marcus can do this.

  I make myself look towards the fight and nowhere else. I watch in horror as Wolf grabs Marcus by his throat and hurls him across the Coliseum once again. The crowd is in a frenzy. The team shouts out for Marcus to get up. I can’t talk. I just look on anxiously and try to remember to breathe.

  Please Marcus, get up…

  Wolf goes over to Marcus to finish the job. But just as he leans in to attack, Marcus pounds on the ground underneath the Kon, causing it to spilt open. Wolf falls into the crack. Marcus takes advantage of the moment and struggles to his feet.

  Marcus then takes to the air although, given his injury; he can’t get higher than a few feet. But that’s all he needs. When Wolf comes out from the hole, Marcus tackles him at once. He sends Wolf flying backwards into the debris. The crowd pushes for Wolf to retaliate.

  Marcus pounds on Wolf with every ounce of strength he has left. The entire Coliseum is shaking from the force of Marcus’s attack. But just when Marcus starts to get the upper hand, Wolf summons up a Powerball and sends it right into Marcus’s face.

  Marcus dives to the ground and avoids the power ball. But while he manages to avoid the full impact, it does make contact with the side of his face. It splits his skin open from his neck to his shoulder. Blood gushes out of the wound and flows down his body freely.