This is a story of full fiction.
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STAR CHILD
RETURN TO THRAE
CHAPTER TWO
Ash paced back and forth in front of his house, he could barely contain himself.
"Where are you Puck?" Ash grumbled, pouting out his lips in frustration. The only thing exciting to happen to him and Puck was nowhere to be found. Ash looked at his watch and moaned, he couldn't wait any longer, he'd already missed the bus and the walk to school would take twenty minutes.
"Damn it Puck." He looked around one more time, no sign of the red head. The voice had said Soldaat, and that was the royal family of Thrae. Maybe Puck was in contact with another world and didn't know it. On the other hand, Ash was crazy. Either way, Ash needed to tell Puck about what happened.
Ash pushed his way through the crowd of kids to get into school. It was always a madhouse on Friday, as if the quicker you got to class, the sooner school would be over. He almost tripped over the boy Ron Marinaro, who was curled up next to the lockers, like a lost infant.
"Hey Ron, you okay?" Ash asked pushing people around the fallen boy.
"Hi Ash." Ron said weakly, his eyes filled with tears.
"What's going on, what happened?" Asrais knelt down and put a comforting hand on Ron's knee.
"Lieberman stole my lunch money . again."
"I'm sorry Ron." Ash said sadly.
"Ain't your fault. Go on, I'll be okay."
Ash stood, but couldn't walk away. "Are you sure, you're all right?"
"Yeah, just being stupid."
Asrais gave Ron a weak wave goodbye and reluctantly headed towards his first class.
"Hey Ash-hole!" Tyson Lieberman screamed across the crowd. Ash rolled his eyes; he knew he couldn't avoid the bully all day and now was glad their paths had crossed.
"Hey Ash-hole, your butt is mine." Tyson spat, looking around to make sure everyone heard.
"Geeze Tyson, if you get anymore butt, I don't think you'll be able to get through a door. The only good thing with having extra ass is your grades would go up to a D, since apparently that's where you keep your brain." Ash said and walked away. The hallway burst into loud laughter, Tyson could be barely heard over the crowd, screaming for them to 'shut up'. Ash tried not to smile, the war had begun and he felt happy. He walked into class and froze. Kids mingled around, some sitting, others gathered in small groups, all waiting for the bell to announce the start of class. However, what stopped Ash was the boy standing in the far corner of the class. He wasn't much older than Ash, his face was hidden behind a strange red and black hood. He wore a similar red and black skirt that was open on the sides to reveal his thin pale legs. On his belt hung a heavy looking mace to his left and on the right a long sword. The boy's chest was bare and revealed strange scars that looked like detailed designs, which flowed onto his arms. Ash looked at the other kids, but they didn't seem interested in this strange boy. Why was this kid here? And more importantly, why wasn't he the center of attention?
"Everyone take your seats." Mrs. Mathews said as the bell rang. The kids instantly obeyed, except the odd boy in the corner. Ash couldn't take his eyes off the boy, why wasn't anyone else bothered by the strange appearance? It wasn't normal for Tonesha and Melissa not to be pointing and giggling. They were the biggest gossipers in the class and very outspoken about anything they thought was cool and uncool. However, both girls seemed completely unaware of the odd boy in the corner. Mrs. Mathews started writing on the blackboard, not even she seemed curious of the boy. Ash wanted to stand and point, screaming "HEY LOOK AT HIM!" but he was beginning to doubt his sanity, first voices in the bathroom and now this. can you be insane, when you question your sanity?
Half way through the lesson, the mysterious boy walked out of the classroom, never taking his eyes off Ash. No one blinked or mentioned his disturbance of the lesson, walking right pass Mrs. Mathews without so much as an 'excuse me young man, I'm teaching here', which was Mrs. Mathews normal replay to a interruption.
Ash quickly raised his hand. "May I go. to the bathroom Mrs. Mathews?" He had almost said 'may I follow that boy', but decided that sounded a bit odd, especially if he was the only person seeing him.
With her approval, Asrais rushed out the room. The strange boy was heading towards the gym. Ash's curiosity was getting the best of him. He didn't care if he had to follow this boy to New York City, he had to find out who he was and why he was dressed so strangely.
"Hey!" Ash called out. "Hey dude!"
The boy turned around and stared for just a second, before racing off, as if frightened by Ash speaking to him.
"Wait up!" Ash ran after him. He wasn't sure why he needed to talk to this kid, it was obvious he was some kind of freak, probably a member of a cult or maybe a new type of Goth, but since everyone else in class wasn't disturbed by him, Ash needed to discover the boy's reason for looking so weird. Ash pushed open the double doors leading into the gym and stopped. There wasn't just one freak roaming the halls of his school, but three.
"Hello." Ash said feeling slightly foolish and very alone as the three boys stared hard at him.
"He can see beyond our invisibility spell? This must be our young Prince!" The boy who spoke carried a large metal staff and didn't wear a hood. On his face were more grotesques scars, a freakish circle carved across his forehead, down over his cheeks and under his nose. This wasn't a prank. Whatever game these guys were playing it was deadly serious.
"Shah-Monk I spied upon him before." This was obviously the boy Ash had seen before. "Allow me the honor in his destruction."
"Well. I've.. Gotta get back to class. You guys go ahead and play your game. I'll just be leaving." Ash smiled timidly looking at his watch as if this explained everything and walked backwards toward the doors.
"You're days of running are over Prince." The boy called Shah-Monk said. "It is time for the rule of Soldaat's to end, so says Lord Aero, so says I."
"I. I don't know what you're talking about." Ash took another step backwards; hearing the word 'Soldaat' again was just too eerie.
"My Monks, kill the renegade Prince." Shah-Monk commanded, the other two Monks pulled out their maces and swords.
"Holy shit dudes, what the hell do you want with me? I'm not a prince. I'm just. me!" Ash screamed.
"Hang on Ash!"
Ash recognized Puck's voice. The red hair boy appeared out of a puff of blue smoke, with a swirling twist, Puck kicked the Shah-Monk in the stomach, landing gracefully on the hard wooden floor.
"They're from the Order of Blood, Ash, only the Sha-Monk can cast spells! Watch yourself, you can take the monks, I'll deal with the Sha-Monk!" Puck said grabbing the staff out of the monk's hand. "You should have never come to this world monk! Prince Asrais is under my protection."
"Fear not, our earlier error in leaving you alive, will soon be rectified." The Sha-Monk spat, dancing back from the crouched Puck.
"Where have you been?" Ash asked, as he put up his fists ready for the attack. With Puck here, he wasn't afraid anymore, they were a great pair. If Puck said he could fight them, then he would. Although he knew how to fight, been training since he was only five years old, he hadn't actually been in a fight. Ash swallowed hard and prepared himself.
"I was ambushed this morning, by these guys.." Puck said as he knocked the lead monk off his feet with the staff. "Damn stupid of me."
Ash turned his attention to the advance monks. The boy on his right raised his mace, without having to think; Ash performed the 'Hammer kick' to the monk's chest. Ash heard the boy try to inhale, a sick rattle emitted deep within his throat, he dropped his weapons, and he clawed at his chest. Puck's teachings were that the body was better than any weapon, more versatile, able to emulate any weapon and defend against all attacks. Ash was about to find out if Puck had been lying to him. He rolled out of the way just as the second monk swung his sword, the blade narrowly missing his head. He took a second to spy on his friend and saw Puck throw up his hand and block a translucent green glowing skull that had emerged from the hands of the Shah-Monk. It was magic, just like Puck had described in his stories. The Shah-Monk moved his fingers as if knitting, in fact he was knitting. Thin wires of green light, sprang from the monk's fingertips and grew, molded into an animated skull of green flame. The fact that the illuminated skull seemed to have awareness, scared Ash.
Ash's attention was drawn back to the monk on his right; he quickly dodged another attack with the sword, but couldn't avoid being struck by the mace. He didn't feel the mace slam into his side, but he became aware of the fact that he was flying across the gym. Ash slammed into the wall with a thundering bang and then the wooden floor struck him hard in the face.
"Shit, oh shit." Ash moaned, wondering how many bones he had broken as he tried not to move.
"Get up, lazy ass!" Puck yelled and he somersaulted across the gym dodging more blasting green skulls. "Geeze, one little mace and you're out of the fight?"
"I'm dead, damn it!" Ash screamed back, but discovered that when he moved, nothing hurt.
"Get up!" Puck yelled again. Ash raised his head and frowned as he watched the two boy monks advancing on him.
"I guess I can't call a time out huh?" Ash whispered, looking cautiously at the maces the monks carried.
"Prepare to die Prince." One of the monks said raising his mace for a killing blow.
"Hold on." Ash said groaning and forced himself to stand. "I must be in shock or something. Weird. there's no pain." Ash lifted up his shirt and looked at his side; he held up his finger and shook it at the first monk. "Hang on, making sure I'm not bleeding."
The two monks looked at each other, not sure what exactly to do. Ash attacked. Two fingers thrust at the base of the throat on both monks, the 'Arrow Attack', one of Ash's favorite moves. The monks flew backwards and landed with a thud in the middle of the gym, right onto of the Shah-Monk. He didn't have a chance to see if they were still alive, for Puck grabbed his arm and pulled him out the door.
"Got to get out of here." Puck finally said as they were leaving the school grounds.
"Hang on! Hang.ON!" Asrais pulled his hand free from Puck and stopped. "I'm not moving another step until you tell me what just happened. I mean. this. this can't be normal, right?" His body was shaking now as the realization of what had just happened was finally sinking in. "First, last night I hear this voice warning me and now the geek trio tries to kill me. What's going on Puck? Geeze, this is all crazy. crazy!"
"I'll tell you everything Ash, but we must first get back to your house."
Ash opened his mouth to argue, but stopped himself. After what had just happened, he guessed he could wait a few more minutes.
"By the way." Puck said with a smile. "You fought valiantly, I'm very proud of you."
"I was hot wasn't I." Ash could help but smile back at his friend.
The Castle Misset
In the time of science, before the damned invention of autonoids, the House of Misset was the center of the universe. The home of the ruler of Thrae. In those days, he was called President, a less elegant name, than what is now used, but no less powerful. Castle Misset, the once capital of Thrae, with its uncountable catacombs and secrets, was disgraced in becoming the Second Family of Salvane. This was Lord Aero 's curse and constant reminder of his family's weakness. The painting of Sean Michael Misset, President of Thrae hung proudly in the great room, Lord Aero would spend countless hours staring into the eyes of that ancient ancestor. Thinking on how he would apologize, bring back honor to the name Misset. Aero had done this for centuries. At last, his dream was finely coming true.
This day, Lord Aero paced edgily. He hated waiting; the Future King of Salvane should not have to wait. He was an elegant looking man, who took extra care to make sure this elegance glowed. Aero lived the life of a noble, and demanded that every element of his existence reflect this nobility.
"My Lord." Dei- Monk Dranul whispered, his head lowered not from respect, but fear. "My Lord, Shah-Monk Lonul has returned."
"Finally, has their mission been completed?" Lord Aero barked, taking a seat in his soon to be throne.
"I. I fear their mission has failed. Shah-Monk has returned to reinforcements."
Aero exhaled a gasp and forced himself to stand.
"Reinforcements? Are you telling me, three monks were not enough to finish off an immature Prince?"
"He has apparently been trained in the Eller skills of Storm and Thunder."
"Storm and Thunder? What do I care about his fighting skills? I commanded you to end the last of the Soldaats and you come to me in complaint of his combating technique?"
Lord Aero waved his hand and Dei-Monk Dranul flew across the great room.
"Kill the child Dei-Monk; take every man you need, JUST KILL HIM!"
"Y.Yes my Lord." Dranul stuttered and clamored to his feet.
Aero smiled, he savored the fear he saw in the monks face.
"I will make a grand King." He declared to the empty room.
"I would disagree with that." A voice said from the dark.
"Who?" Lord Aero barked.
"Must I continually introduce myself?" Prime said with a smile as he walked towards Aero.
"What do you want here. how did you." Aero staggered back from the autonoid, stumbling over his would be throne.
"There are many tunnels beneath this castle of yours Aero, all lead to exciting places. If you weren't so busy planning a coup d'état, maybe you would have noticed."
"What do you want with me autonoid?" Aero tried to sound brave, but the quiver in his voice betrayed his true feelings. "Are you to kill me, as you killed our King?"
"I must admit, the thought did cross my mind." Prime sat down on the throne and gave Aero a wide grin. "But I"ve changed my mind. You have information I was without."
"Information?" Aero forced himself to ask. Having the autonoid defile his throne was almost more than he could take.
"This child of Soldaat, bring him to me." Prime said examining the armrest of the throne as if it was of great interest.
"The wayward Prince? But I have ordered his death!"
"THEN CHANGE THAT ORDER!" Prime yelled. "I need him alive, do this and you house will keep its power Aero."
"And what, serve under you?" Aero laughed, glancing reflexively toward the painting of Sean Michael Misset, seeking strength from his honored predecessor.
"Serve or die, does not matter to me Aero. I will rule Thrae; even now the Houses of Cleas, Wakabay and Bain have fallen to my armies." Prime stood, breaking off the armrest as he did. "No one stands in my way. But I do need this child, and so do you, if there were an ounce of intelligence in that brain of yours."
Aero looked again at the painting and back to the menacing autonoid. There were times one must side with the enemy to advance, Aero would agree to help Prime and in doing so, he would keep his power. In this, it would give him time.. Time to find a weakness in Prime, time to organize and conquer.
"Dei-Monk!" Aero yelled. In moments the monk reappeared, looking stunned in seeing the autonoid.
"Dei-Monk, I have new orders for you and your followers. Bring the Prince Child here. alive."
"Alive, my Lord?" Dei-Monk Dranul asked, not daring to take his eyes off the autonoid.
"Yes, alive and unharmed. Go now you Cretin!" Aero raised his hand in threat, which made the monk flinch in fear.
"Of course my Lord." Dei-Monk took one more look at the autonoid before he raced out of the great room.
"The deed is done autonoid. Now I would like to know why Prince Asrais is so important to you."
Prime smiled and shook his head.
"Does one need to live to a thousand years, before they gain insight? Soldaat were the power of Salvane, but that power was not truly theirs, was it. With Lazar's discovery of magic and the creation of the Star Child, their family manipulated their way to the First Family."
"You aren't telling me anything new Prime. Soldaat forced their way into control, through fear of the magic Lazar gave willingly to others. It was the Star Child that everyone feared, and the Star Child that Soldaat dangled before us all as candy, just beyond our reach.." Aero grinned, looking slyly at the autonoid. "You wish to find the Star Child; you believe Prince Asrais can lead you to its hiding place."
"Ah the joy of insight." Prime laughed. "Even hidden away, the Soldaat wielded Star Child as their greatest weapon. And though I have searched, there are only clues to its location." Prime stopped and shrugged his shoulders, a human gesture he emulated as a joke upon humanity. "I had destroyed Verloren too quickly, a programming error I presume, but the child will be the rectification that is needed."
"Of course Prime." Aero snarled. It would be a difficult union for him, playing servant to a defective man-machine, but if he played this game, and then he would not only end up as King, but also gain the Star Child. Aero looked towards Sean Michael Misset and smiled, he would make his ancestor proud, all he had to do is bide his time.