The other side of beyond, p.17
The Other Side of Beyond, page 17
part #2 of Mitch Mythic Series
“I think they call them pants,” Mitch said.
“Yes, very confusing,” Drak said.
The clothing they were rummaging through was made from a variety of strange materials. They seemed to be the skins of exotic creatures or some type of synthetic textile made to match animal hides. Mitch found some spotted pants that might fit him. They were made form a stretchy material and when he pulled them on they contoured to the flesh on his legs. He found a long tunic like top with scales that resembled snake skin. A jeweled belt caught his eye and he wrapped it around his waist. There were several pairs of boots and shoes that looked ready for combat and. He tried on a few pairs until he found some long boots made of a thick leather like material. Pulling them on, he was shocked when they came up to his knees, but they to fit okay, so he stood up and looked around.
“What do you think?” he asked Drak. Drak turned around and laughed out loud.
“You look like strange beast. Like tiger snake or snake tiger,” Drak said. He was wearing a dark black top and pants and some black combat boots.
“I couldn’t find anything else that fit. But I like the sound of tiger snake. How did you manage to find everything in black?” Mitch said and he laughed as well.
“That one of my special skills,” Drak said.
“Are you two ready to go? Or are you still wasting time?” KiGuan said from a few feet away. “Mother says we must bring you to the stone. Your prophecy awaits,”
“What stone?” Mitch asked.
“The stone,” KiGuan replied. “Soon you will know all you need to know.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
A DIM LIGHT wafted through the membrane of the cocoon. He pushed against the hard outer shell with his feet and he felt it crumble around his toes. Kicking a little harder, his leg burst through the membrane. Light shot through the hole his foot had made and he felt fresh air against his flesh. Feeling encouraged, he kicked with his left foot and he managed to make another hole. He pulled both feet back in and took a big breath of fresh air. He pressed his legs to his chest and pushed his feet against the ceiling of the cocoon. Taking a few short quick breaths, he shoved with all his might against the membrane. Both of his feet ripped through the exterior layer like a he was kicking at wet cardboard and he tumbled over onto his side as the cocoon caved in on itself. Robert sat up quickly and he tore away the remainder of the shell.
For a moment he sat in shocked silence and took in his surroundings. Gone were the mist blown rocks and the forlorn mountain tops. He was now in the middle of a lush jungle filled with an array of brightly colored fauna. He could hear strange sounds echoing through the underbrush, clicks and chatters. The plants seemed to be changing colors in a rhythmic pattern.
Getting to his feet, he was surprised by strength he felt in his limbs and torso. Indeed, as he looked over his body it seemed he had transformed completely. He was wearing a strange looking body suit. It appeared to be metallic, but it was also flexible and lightweight. Taking a few steps forward, he immediately felt a level of energy in his stride he had never felt before. He stepped up to a jog and he was shocked at his speed. Legs pumping in unison, he found himself running through the jungle at an alarming rate. He hopped over fallen trees with ease and blasted up hills and steep banks without even stopping.
After a short time the forest began to thin and he could see a clearing up ahead. As he made his way to the edge of the opening an enormous building in the center of the open area came into view. A wide staircase made of elegantly cut stone led to a platform lined by elaborately designed pillars. It seemed like an ancient structure and the jungle had covered most of the stair case and the pillars.
As Robert stepped into the clearing he dropped to his knees at the sound of a tremendous bell ringing in the distance. The clamoring noise echoed throughout the jungle and startled the strange wildlife littered throughout the fauna. Helooked up and saw several enormous beasts take flight from the trees nearby. Their shadows crossed the clearing, dark swathes moving silently over the underbrush.
The ringing of the bell ceased and the incessant chatter of the jungle returned as if nothing had happened. Striding across the clearing, Robert paused before the massive staircase. There was no sign of the woman he had confronted on the cliff, but it seemed that she could come and go from this strange world as she pleased. Robert had never been afraid in his entire life and he wasn’t about to start being afraid now. His new found energy throbbed through his body and a smile flashed across his face before he ran up the stairs.
Coming to a stop at the landing, he laughed out loud when he saw an enormous marble statue of Commander Holrathu seated on a throne cut out of a jagged rock. The pillars towered overhead and a vast network of strange vegetation intertwined between the columns. A soft evening sun shone in the distance and beams of light cut through the lattice work of vines casting a patchwork of rays across the platform. The statue of Commander Holrathu looked down upon it all with indifferent eyes.
Robert laughed again and walked towards the statue. “I’m still standing you old fossil,” Robert said outloud. “Good luck taking me out.”
As if on cue, a deep rumbling began beneath his feet. He looked down and saw the floor had begun to vibrate.
Right before his eyes, three stone tiles embedded in the platform burst into the air and shattered. He jumped back and assumed a fighting position. Even unarmed he felt powerful enough to take anything on. The rumbling intensified and he heard the sound of stone grinding on stone. As the dust cleared three figures jumped out of the holes and stood before him. They seemed to be made of the same marble used to create the statue of Commander Holrathu. For a moment they stood still and glared at Robert, green, glowing eyes in deep sockets. Identical in size, they seemed to be taller than Robert and each one held a formidable stone club. “You must be the welcoming committee,” Robert said out loud as the figures began to stalk towards him. “Let’s get acquainted then.”
Robert crouched low as the first golem closed in on him. It swung its club towards where he stood, but he easily sprung away and dodged to the left. Again he surprised himself by how agile he was. The next figure struck at him as he recovered, but this time he dodged to the left and leapt towards the nearest column. He soared into the air and shoved off of the column with his leg. Spring back at his attacker, he leveled it with a kick to the face. It crumbled to the ground and disintegrated into a pile of rocks. Robert laughed out loud as he saw the other two stone men closing in on him.
“Obviously you’re a little thick in the head,” he said with a laugh as one of the figures swung at him from the right. He leapt backwards and then charged as the stone man was pulling up its club. He jumped into the air and came down upon its back. It let out a soft groan and the stones that had made up its body clattered to the ground. The final golem struck out at him as he came down, catching him in the shoulder. He was sent flying across the room and he landed in a heap at the base of a pillar. Stunned by the blow, he jumped to his feet and dodged another attack by the stone figure. Rolling to the right, he narrowly missed taking a strike to the face. Robert new he had the strength to defeat it, but he had grown wary of its strength. His arm throbbed with pain and he knew he couldn’t take much more damage. Backing off, he decided to let the stone man come at him again. He needed to get it off balance and he wanted to stay out of the range of its club. The stone man lifted its club in the air and Robert waited for it to strike. As it brought down its club, he rolled forward underneath the swing. Coming to his feet directly underneath the stone man’s chest as it brought down its club. He drove his shoulder into its torso and launched it up above him. Robert crouched down and quickly leapt up. As the stone man began to fall back towards the ground, Robert’s foot connected with its head and it shattered in mid air. He landed on the ground and looked around at the smoldering hunks of rock around him and shouted out loud.
“That’s right. No one stands a chance against me,” he said as he stood up and brushed off his metallic suit. Behind him he heard the sound of clapping. He whirled around and saw Kalis leaning against the pillar next to the stairs.
“Not bad,” she said as she walked towards him. “How are you finding your new abilities?”
“Is that what this is? What have you done to me?” Robert asked.
“As I told you earlier, submission is strength,” Kalis said. “By submitting to me you have allowed me to make you powerful.”
“That was then and this is now,” Robert said as he took up a defensive position. “There is one thing you don’t know about me. I never submit to anyone.”
“Is that right? Let’s see if your confidence matches your abilities,” Kalis said as she drew her sword. Robert saw a stone club one of the golems hand brandished earlier. He rolled to his right and scooped it up in his hands. He wielded the club single handedly and he was surprised that it felt light and maneuverable. Kalis had closed in on him and she held her sword casually in one hand. Edging backwards, he held the club out in front of him.
“Care to dance, my lady,” Robert said.
“Darling, I don’t think you realize the game you are playing,” Kalis said as she pointed her sword at him.
“Why don’t you give me a lesson then, teacher?” Robert said with a sneer.
“As you like,” Kalis said and she quickly lunged forward and struck out with her broad sword. Robert hopped back and dodged the blow.
“You fight like a girl,” he shouted at her as she stepped back.
“Is that so?” Kalis said as she pulled her sword up in front of her. “Be careful, your confidence may betray you.”
“I’m not the one that needs to be careful,” Robert said and he swung out at Kalis with his club. She easily deflected the blow and quickly countered with her sword.
“You’re far to predictable, you know,” Kalis said as she stood before him.
“Are you sure about that?” Robert said as warily circled Kalis. He watched her eyes for any tells, but she didn’t flinch. Continuing to stalk around her, he had to be careful where he stepped. The ground was littered with debris and the vines had crept between the cracks of the tiles, making for uneven ground. Robert stumbled for a second on an uneven tile and as he regained his footing he saw Kalis take two steps to her left and strike out at him backhanded. He managed to block her attack but he was brought down to his knees by the power of her blow.
“Lesson one: never underestimate you opponent,” Kalis said.
“I think that’s what I’m supposed to say,” Robert said as he dropped his club and grabbed a pile of dust and threw it in Kalis’s eyes. He rolled away as she stumbled forward and grabbed his club again. She had her back to him and he charged forward while raising his club. Just as he was about to bring down the stone onto her skull he felt her heel connect with his chin. He was sent flying across the room and he came down on a pile of rocks that had been one of the stone men.
“I hope you are not upset that you got beat up by a girl,” Kalis said as she stepped towards him, lithe elegant steps. Robert tried to lift his head up off of the rocks, but he could barely make sense of where he was. “Lesson two: Know your place and respect your masters.”
She reached down and grabbed him by the hair and hoisted him into the air. She looked him directly in the eyes and then she smiled. “We own you, you belong to us know. Accept it and all will be well. If you insist on fighting more I will continue to break you down. Submission is strength. Submit to me and will make you powerful”
“I submit,” Robert said.
“I accept your submission. Now, bow at the feet of your Master,” Kalis said and she flung him across the room towards the giant statue of Commander Holrathu. Tumbling over on his side, he came to a stop on his knees before the Commander’s giant right foot. As he looked up at the face of the statue the floor began rumble and shake again. He scrambled backwards as stone and marble began to splinter off of the statue and shatter on the ground all around him. The stone took on a strange blue glow and Robert was shocked as the statue stood up before him. The blue light intensified and it burst through the cracks of the stone. There was a flash of light and Robert had to cover his eyes. A thunderous clap knocked him further backwards and when he opened his eyes he saw the imposing figure of Commander Holrathu standing before him, holding his gigantic axe.
“My dear sweet Robert, you certainly are a tough nut to crack,” Commander Holrathu said as he stepped towards Robert. “Why is it that you are so stubborn? Is there something in your coding that makes you believe you are above it all? It must be your upbringing. Too much praise and not enough stick. It looks like our lovely Kalis has finally made you see the light. The carrot and the rod seem to have been the right approach.”
“He still has much to learn, but there has been progress. I don’t think he fully understands his predicament,” Kalis said as she leaned against a column.
“Is that so?” The Commander asked as he looked Robert over. “Robert, you do realize what has happened, haven’t you?”
“I submit, I already said it,” Robert stammered as he got to his feet.
“You’ve said it with your mouth, yes. But are you aware that your commitment to the emperor must permeate your entire being?” The Commander asked.
“I commit myself to the Emperor, fully and completely,” Robert said with his head bowed.
“Once again, you’ve said it with your mouth. But I think you need to understand how committed you actually are,” Commander Holrathu said as he pounded the handle of his axe into the stone. A wave of blue energy spread rapidly across the floor towards Robert. He saw it coming at him and he tried to roll away, but the wave overtook him and he felt himself being levitated into the air. The blue energy whirled around him, and gripped his body. He was unable to move in any way, but he remained fully lucid. Commander Holrathu tapped the ground again with his axe and Robert was drawn towards him.
“Now, do you understand, Robert?” The commander asked. “You are the property of the Emperor. Your submission is complete. Your body and mind belong to the Emperor and you will do his biding as he sees fit. As Kalis has told you, in submission there is strength. You have given yourself over to the Emperor and the Emperor has given back. I’m sure you have noticed the changes to your physical abilities. These changes are the Emperor’s gifts to you in exchange for your loyalty.”
Robert tried to speak, but he was unable to open his mouth. He could only watch and listen as Commander Holrathu spoke.
“I’m certain you are wondering what is the purpose of all of these theatrics. All will be revealed to you in time, but your upgrade is incomplete. The Emperor has great plans for you. In order to fulfill his wishes you must be enhanced with new and powerful abilities. The Emperor sees great potential in you. You let him down once before, but he has decided to give you one more chance. It would appear that your old nemesis, Mitch Mythic, is at it again.”
Robert felt a rage pass over him at the mention of Mitch’s name. “That got your attention didn’t it, Robert,” Commander Holrathu said with a laugh. “It appears that this particular thorn in our side has appeared again in the most unlikely of places. We’ll need you to go and deal with him. But first let’s see about these enhancements. Kalis, please initiate the process.”
“As you wish, Sir,” Kalis said as she stepped away from the column and took several steps towards where Robert was still hovering in the air. She then leapt into the air and thrust her broad sword up above her. The blue sphere that had encased Robert began to pulse rapidly and a beam of energy shot out of Kalis’s sword and connected with the sphere. Leaping into the air, she circled around Robert at a phenomenal speed and as she did the energy within the sphere began to grow in strength. Soon Robert was fully immersed in a ball of light. An intense pain shot through his entire body as the energy penetrated to the very core of his being. His limbs and torso felt like they were about to explode. He tried to scream, but he was still unable to make a sound. Kalis continued to orbit around him and the energy shooting out of her sword grew in strength and power. After a few moments she stopped and she raised her sword up above her head. Robert, encased within the sphere, rose up along with the sword.
Raising her sword directly above her head, she screamed out loud and brought her sword down with a mighty swing. The sphere impacted the ground and exploded before Commander Holrathu, blue energy radiating past the vine strewn columns out into the jungle. All that remained was smoldering pile of ash and a sizable crater. A blue glow continued to emanate from the crater.
“Rise, my loyal servant,” Commander Holrathu said as he pounded his axe into the ground once again. There was a stirring from the rubble and two blue and gold fists grabbed a hold of the edge and a massive winged figure leapt out of the crater.
“Stand before me and let me have a look at you, Robert,” Commander Holrathu said as he looked over the blue figure standing in front of him. “You have become powerful, indeed. Do you understand now that submission is strength? By submitting to the Masters we have made you powerful.”
“What have you done to me,” Robert asked as he looked over his limbs and torso. He was now encased in a rigid blue armor. Strange markings made of gold ran down his arms and legs and an orange glow seemed to cover his entire being.
“You are now an instrument of the Emperor and a powerful one at that. Your upgrade is complete, my dear Robert and now you are ready to fulfill your destiny,” Commander Holrathu said. “Go ahead and try out your new powers. It works much the same as the first upgrade you received back on your planet, but you’ll find your powers have been increased. I’d advise you to start slowly and cautiously”
“I’m not sure if I have those words in my vocabulary,” Robert said as he took a few steps forward. He didn’t notice the armor at all as he moved. It seemed to be apart of him and he, in turn, was a part of it. He moved his arms in a few wide circles before he crouched down and leapt into the air. The wings at his back arched out behind as he shot upwards to the roof of the pavilion, slamming on the brakes a few inches from the top. He looked over himself again and he drew his hands together. Manifesting a sword, he shot towards the ground and landed deftly before Commander Holrathu.
