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Gold and Silver Chapt er s

CHAPTER 1: THE VOICES FROM THE FOREST
CHAPTER 2: THE CREATURE OF THE NIGHT
CHAPTER 3: THE SACRIFICE
CHAPTER 4: THE BOND OF LOVE
CHAPTER 5: QUESTIONS ANSWERED
CHAPTER 6: JOURNEY TO THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE
CHAPTER 7: ATLANTIDA AND THE CITY OF SKY
CHAPTER 8: THE SCHOOL OF ATLANTIDA
CHAPTER 9: THE POWER OF SHAPESHIFTING
CHAPTER 10: THE PROCLAMATION AND THE CODEX
CHAPTER 11: SUBJECT CHOOSING
CHAPTER 12: THE DUMMY
CHAPTER 13: THE PSYCHOS
CHAPTER 14: POWERED UP SOCCER
CHAPTER 15: THE CLIMB
CHAPTER 16: THE CHILD OF DARKNESS
CHAPTER 17: THE TEST OF CONFIDENCE
CHAPTER 18: THE OLD MANS WISDOM
CHAPTER 19: THE DRAGON WARRIORS
CHAPTER 20: ASCALIBER: THE SWORD OF ARERIES
CHAPTER 21: BURDENS
CHAPTER 22: LIFELINE
CHAPTER 23: GOVERNORS OF ATLANTIDA
CHAPTER 24: PEACEMAKER
CHAPTER 25: THE ELVES LAW OF NON-VOILENCE
CHAPTER 26: DRAGONS FURY
CHAPTER 27: WYVERN VS. WIZARD
CHAPTER 28: IRIS WILLIAMS DESPERATE PLEA
CHAPTER 29: PART-HUMAN, PART LIGHT
CHAPTER 30: SECRETS UNRAVELED
CHAPTER 31: MOUNT THOR
CHAPTER 32: THE CANNIBALS
CHAPTER 33: THE FLAW OF AN AVENGER
CHAPTER 34: WAR SPEECH
CHAPTER 35: NECROPOLISES
CHAPTER 36: OLD FOES
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CHAPTER 37: LORD CHAOS
CHAPTER 38: GOLD AND SILVER
CHAPTER 39: THE MYSTERY WORD
CHAPTER 40: THE SECOND PROPHECY BEGINS
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Chapt er 1
The Voices fr om t he
For est
Under t he boi st er ous sky t hat w as cover ed w i t h dar k menaci ng cl ouds, a
si ngl e ent i t y sw ept t hr ough t he f or est bel ow , l i ke a speedi ng bul l et . Thr ough t he
bushes an d t r ees, t he young boy r an l i ke t her e w as no t omor r ow . If t he enemi es
caught hi m, t hen t her e w oul d cer t ai nl y be no t omor r ow .
Vi nes and t hor ns br ushed agai nst hi s body, l eavi ng behi nd f ai nt scar s. He
i gnor ed t he pai n, det er mi ned not t o show hi s w eakness i n t i mes of desper at i on.
Pant i ng and st umbl i ng, he r eached a smal l cl ear i ng; t he pl ace w her e he w oul d
make hi s f i nal st and.
The boy st ood i n t he mi ddl e of t he cl ear i ng as he w ai t ed f or t he enemi es t o
at t ack. He pul l ed out a l ong sw or d f r om hi s bel t and posi t i oned i t i n f r ont of hi s
body. The sw or d w as t he onl y t hi ng, st andi ng bet w een l i f e and deat h. It w oul d
choose w het her i t s mast er w as t o l i ve or di e.
Suddenl y, f r om t he near est t r ee a spear w as hur t l ed t ow ar ds t he boy, w ho
w at ched as t he deadl y spi ke made i t s w ay t ow ar ds hi s hear t . Wi t h a si mpl e
t w i t ch of hi s sw or d, he t hr ew t he spear of t ar get and i t har ml essl y hi t t he
gr ound. Then f i ve f i gur es appear ed out of t he f or est i n f r ont of hi m. They w er e
al l ol der t han hi m, w ear i ng masks t hat w er e made t o scar e peopl e. Li ke hi m, t hey
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w or e t r adi t i onal khaki l i ke cl ot hi ng and car r i ed w eapons, r angi ng f r om l ong
spear s t o smal l dagger s.
The enemy enci r cl ed t he boy l i ke a pack of w ol ves, r eady t o ki l l t hei r pr ey
w i t hout a hi nt of mer cy. The boy al l ow ed al l hi s senses t o act i vel y par t i ci pat e i n
t he bat t l e, f or he knew t hat si ght al one w as not goi ng t o hel p hi m w i n. Ti me
st opped f or a br i ef moment and t he onl y t hi ng t hat moved w as hi s hear t .
Somehow , t he sound of t he beat i ng of hi s hear t w as magni f i ed and seemed t o
echo t hr ough t he gl oomy sur r oundi ngs.
Ti me unf r oze and t he enemy at t acked. One of t he enemi es t r i ed t o r un hi s
sw or d t hr ough t he boy s hear t but al l he saw w as a bl ur and t he next t hi ng he
knew , he w as l ayi ng on t he gr ound.
The boy f ought w i t hout hi s consci ous and ever y bl ow he del i ver ed w as
per f ect l y execut ed. The enemy st umbl ed and f el l back agai nst t he mast er y of t he
boy, and t hey coul d f eel def eat appr oachi ng.
The bat t l e w as over as soon as i t began, w hen t he boy pr essed hi s sw or d
agai nst t he enemy l eader s neck. The enemy l eader t ook of hi s mask, t o r eveal a
boy w i t h sea bl ue hai r and bl ack eyes.
The w ay you f i ght you make i t l ook so ef f or t l ess, sai d t he enemy l eader
w i t h a sl y smi l e.
Fi ve agai nst one and he st i l l w on! one of t he enemi es boy gr umbl ed.
The t r i umphant boy r an hi s hand t hr ough hi s shor t unt i dy copper -r ed hai r ,
f ur t her messi ng i t up. Hi s st ar t l i ng gr een eyes w er e f i l l ed w i t h r est l ess
exci t ement as he savor ed hi s vi ct or y. He l ooked at each of hi s enemi es f ace, w ho
w er e not hi s enemi es, but w er e i n f act hi s f r i ends.
The boy s name w as Zeon Cr est and al t hough he w as j ust anot her f ace on
pl anet Ear t h, nobody knew about t he vi t al r ul e he w oul d pl ay i n mai nt ai ni ng t he
pr osper i t y of t he pl anet . Thi s 10-year -ol d w as t he soul of t hi s pl anet , a gi f t t o
humani t y.
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Zeon hel ped hi s f r i end Jake Tur ni p, back on hi s f eet w hi l e, smi l i ng at t he boy
w ho had spoken.
You guys w er e pr et t y good t oo. In t he end I j ust got l ucky, I guess. Zeon
l i ed modest l y.
Save i t Zeon. We w er e not hi ng compar ed t o you. So young yet so st r ong,
mut t er ed a boy named Wal t Si l k.
TSEEEERR! ! !
Zeon l ooked up i n t he sky t o see a gol den eagl e headi ng t ow ar ds hi m. The
eagl e l anded st r ai ght on hi s head and pecked hi m af f ect i onat el y.
St op i t , Fl ash! It s good t o see you t oo! He sai d, l aughi ng.
The gol den eagl e w as a good f r i end of Zeon. He had kno w n t he b i r d si nce he
w as t w o and had named hi m Fl ash. The bi r d w as f ai t hf ul , l oyal and t ot al l y
f ear l ess. He r emi nded Zeon of hi msel f .
Hey Fl ash! Jake sai d, r ubbi ng t he bi r d s head.
Guys I don t w ant t o sound l i ke a gr ow n-up but w e shoul d get Zeon back t o
t he vi l l age bef or e M r . Bar on f i nds out . That guy i s goi ng t o go t hr ough a w obbl y
w hen he f i nds out w hat w e di d. Wal t sai d w ar i l y.
Hat e t o say i t , but Wal t s r i ght . He w i l l ki l l us i f he f i nds out t hat w e t ook
Zeon i nt o t he f or est t o have a sw or d f i ght . Jake sai d, shudder i ng.
Zeon si ghed. I guess you r e r i ght . I l l j ust be gl ad t o get out of t he r ai n.
They t ur ned ar ound t o l eave, but st opped w hen t hey spot t ed t hei r doom. In
f r ont of t hem, st ood a t al l hai r l ess man w i t h dul l bl ack eyes. The man l ooked
ar ound f i f t y year s ol d but seemed t o show no si gns of t he w eakness of an ol d
man. Hi s w hol e body w as cover ed w i t h deep w ounds and cut s w hi ch cl ear l y
suggest ed t hat t he man s past w as not a cl ean one.
Al l si x boys shr ank back at t he ar r i val of M r . Bar on, t he l eader of t hei r
vi l l age.
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Jake gr oaned as M r . Bar on mar ched t ow ar ds t hem w i t h hi s f ace cont or t ed
i nt o a l ook of pur e r age. They al l t r i ed t o hi de behi nd one anot her , desper at e t o
escape t he w r at h of t he t ow er i ng man.
M ay I ask, w hat t he si x o f you ar e do i ng her e?! M r . Bar on sai d i n a deadl y
w hi sper , addr essi ng Wal t as he w as el dest .
W-We w er e um Wal t st ammer ed but Zeon i nt er r upt ed hi m.
It s not t hei r f aul t M r . Bar on. I m t he one w ho per suaded t hem t o t ake me
i nt o t he f or est . Zeon sai d, st andi ng i n f r ont of hi s f r i ends.
How many t i mes do I have t o t el l you NOT t o l eave t he vi l l age w i t hout
me? M r . Bar on sai d angr i l y.
Zeon shr ugged. I j ust w ant ed some f r esh ai r , t hat s al l .
What ever w as t he case, you shoul d have br ought one of t he El der s M r .
Bar on began but Zeon had enough.
St op t r eat i ng me l i ke a chi l d! I m t en year s ol d but st i l l you t r eat me as i f I
am onl y a baby! I can t ake car e of mysel f ! You know w hat I m capabl e of f ! He
shout ed, angr i l y.
I m t r yi ng t o pr ot ect you! M r . Bar on shout ed equal l y angr y.
Fr om w hat ?! He r et or t ed. Fr om w hat ?! You can t even t el l me t hat ! I
have b een i n t he f or est l ot s of t i mes but I have never seen anyt hi ng danger ous! I
know t hi s has somet hi ng t o do w i t h The Voi ces f r om t he For est but you can t
even t el l me about t hem or w hy t hey ar e such a t hr eat t o me! What i s out t her e,
t hat I shoul d be af r ai d of f ?!
M r . Bar on had vi si bl y pal ed at t he ment i on of The Voi ces f r om t he For est .
Af t er a f ew mi nut es of si l ence, M r . Bar on began.
Li st en Zeon, he sai d i n a sur pr i si ngl y gent l e voi ce. I know I m bei ng har d
on you, but you have t o under st and t hat you r e i n danger . I can t t el l you w hat
The Voi ces ar e, but t hey ar e a danger t o you. You r e speci al Zeon t hat much i s
obvi ous. You ar e i n mor e danger t han any member of t he vi l l age and I sw or e t o
your par ent s t hat I w oul d pr ot ect you.
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You can t even t el l me w ho my par ent s ar e, Zeon mumbl ed.
I m sor r y Zeon, w e ve been t hr ough t hi s. Even I don t know w ho your
par ent s ar e. I onl y got t hei r message, sayi ng t hat t hey w ant ed me t o l ook af t er
you. M r . Bar on sai d easi l y.
When Zeon di d not r epl y, M r . Bar on pl aced hi s hand on hi s shoul der .
Come on Zeon. It s get t i ng l at e, l et s go home.
Zeon nodded and f ol l ow ed M r . Bar on back t o t he vi l l age.
The Vi l l age i n w hi ch Zeon l i ved w as not a ver y l ar ge one. It consi st ed of
bar el y f i f t y peopl e w ho l i ved i n smal l mud hut s. Among t hem al l , he w as t he
youngest member of t he vi l l age w hi ch gave M r . Bar on anot her r eason t o
mol l ycoddl e hi m. M r . Bar on w as t he l eader of t he vi l l age (no doubt about t hat )
and he t ook hi s dut y ver y ser i ousl y.
Anyw ay, t he day passed by unbear abl y sl ow and Zeon f ound hi msel f t hi nki ng
once agai n t o escape i nt o t he f or est , but he deci ded agai nst i t . He di d not have
t he hear t t o cr oss M r . Bar on once agai n.
At ni ght w hen he pr epar ed t o sl eep, The Voi ces f r om t he For est echoed
t hr ough t he ni ght s ai r . It w as j ust a ser i es of how l i ng t hat sounded l i ke t hat of a
w ol f but t he st r ange t hi ng w as
Ther e w er e no w ol ves i n t he f or est .
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Chapt er 2
The Cr eat ur e of t he Night
Zeon w as w oken up i n t he mor ni ng by t he shr i l l cr y of a w oman. He j umped
of f hi s mat t r ess and l ooked ar ound i n al ar m. When he r eal i zed t hat t he scr eam
w as comi ng f r om out si de, he l ef t hi s hut i n hast e, t o see w hat w as goi ng on. Al l
t he vi l l ager s w er e gat her ed ar ound one of t he hut s i n t he vi l l age and he coul d
hear a w oman, sobbi ng i n despai r .
M r . Bar on moved past Zeon, w ho f ol l ow ed cl ose behi nd. They w al ked
t ow ar ds t he commot i on, bot h w ear i ng st ar t l ed expr essi ons. The vi l l ager s moved
aw ay w hen t hey saw M r . Bar on, gi vi ng hi m t he vi ew of t he si t uat i on. Zeon w as
al ongsi de hi m and t oget her t hey l ooked at a w oman, cl ut chi ng a dead man
w hose body had been mut i l at ed by somet hi ng t hat w as def i ni t el y not human.
Zeon coul d not r ecogni ze t he man because of so much bl ood cover i ng hi s f ace
and body. M r . Bar on l ooked at t he man i n shock and shook hi s head w ar i l y.
Thi s i s bad, he sai d i n an audi bl e w hi sper .
It i s The Cr eat ur e of t he Ni ght ! sai d one of t he El der s i n pani c.
Zeon f r ow ned. The w hat ?
Shut up you f ool ! M r . Bar on gr ow l ed.
B-But t he bar r i er you sai d w e w er e saf e, anot her vi l l ager spl ut t er ed.
Under st andi ng daw ned on Zeon. The Voi ces f r om t he For est ... t hey ar e
made by t hi s Cr eat ur e of t he Ni ght ,
Zeon, go back t o t he hut ! M r . Bar on snapped.
But
Now !
9 | P a g e
Zeon si ghed i n def eat and w ent back t ow ar ds hi s hut . As he l ay back on hi s
mat t r ess, he coul d not hel p but w onder w hat The Cr eat ur e of Ni ght w as. It w as
obvi ous t hat ever y vi l l ager except hi m, knew about i t and t hat onl y i ncr eased hi s
anxi et y.
Af t er an hour of conf i nement , M r . Bar on ent er ed t he hut , l ooki ng qui t e pal e
and st r ai ned. It ser i ousl y l ooked as i f he had aged t en year s i n t he past f ew
mi nut es.
Get up Zeon, w e r e l eavi ng, he sai d i n a no-nonsense t one.
You r e not goi ng t o t el l me w hat t hi s Cr eat ur e of Ni ght i s? Zeon asked
casual l y.
I have deci ded t o move t he vi l l ager s t o a much saf er ar ea t ow ar ds t he w est .
Ti me i s shor t , w e have t o l eave now . M r . Bar on sai d compl et el y, i gnor i ng hi s
quest i on.
At noon, t he vi l l ager s began t hei r mi gr at i on t ow ar ds t he w est . Zeon w al ked
besi de M r . Bar on w ho l ooked r i gi d w i t h t ensi on. Suddenl y, t her e w as an echoi ng
sound of a bi r d and he l ooked up t o see Fl ash, headi ng t ow ar ds hi m. The bi r d
l anded on hi s shoul der and ni pped hi s hai r .
Hey Fl ash! Good t o see you! he sai d, smi l i ng.
Fl ash f l ut t er ed hi s w i ngs i n appr oval .
M r . Bar on l ed t hem al l on a l ong, t i r i ng w al k. He di d not even st op t o t ake a
br eak. Zeon guessed t hat M r . Bar on w ant ed t o get as f ar aw ay f r om The
Cr eat ur e of Ni ght as possi bl e. The sun w ent dow n as dar kness came. They had
been t r avel l i ng f or a w hi l e and f i nal l y, M r . Bar on deci ded t o set t l e dow n f or t he
ni ght . He chose a spot near a st r eam so t hat t hey w oul d have access t o w at er .
One of t he El der s col l ect ed w ood t o make f i r e i n or der t o keep t he ani mal s aw ay.
Zeon had asked M r . Bar on w het her t hi s coul d be danger ous as i t mi ght at t r act
t he Cr eat ur e of t he Ni ght . M r . Bar on assur ed hi m t hat t hey had moved f ar aw ay
f r om t he pl ace w her e t he cr eat ur e w as now .
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When i t w as t i me t o sl eep, Zeon w as keen on sl eepi ng aw ay f r om t he r est of
t he vi l l ager s. He chose a t al l t r ee and cl i mbed i t , deci di ng t o sl eep on one of i t s
br anches. M r . Bar on sl ept near by hi s t r ee so t hat he coul d keep an eye on hi m.
Unl i ke t he ot her vi l l ager s, Zeon di d not sl eep r i ght aw ay. He j ust sat i n t he
t r ee w i t h Fl ash st i l l si t t i ng on hi s shoul der , w at chi ng t he si l ver moon. Soon he
began t o doze of f , but bef or e he coul d sl eep a how l i ng sound w oke hi m up. He
began t o t r embl e i n f ear because t he sound had come f r om a f ew ki l omet er s
ahead of hi m.
The Cr eat ur e of Ni ght w as near by!
Zeon w as about t o j ump of f t he t r ee, r un t ow ar ds M r . Bar on and t el l hi m
t hat t he cr eat ur e w as her e, but a voi ce i n hi s head st opped hi m.
What ar e you doi ng Zeon?
Er I w as goi ng t o w ar n M r . Bar on about t he cr eat ur e.
And w hy shoul d you t el l hi m?
I I don t know .
Thi nk Zeon! Thi s i s your chance t o pr ove you r e not a ki d.
And how do I do t hat ?
Oh come no! Ar e you so nave! Fi nd t he cr eat ure and ki l l i t your sel f !
Ar e you cr azy! I w i l l be ki l l ed!
No you w on t ! Have you f or got t en t hat you ar e f ast er t han ever yone el se?!
But st i l l
Then go and show t hat cr eat ur e w hose boss!
Taki ng a deep br eat h, Zeon j umped of f t he br anch of t he t r ee and made hi s
w ay t ow ar ds one of t he El der s. He caut i ousl y pi cked up a l ong sw or d f r om t he
gr ound near t he El der . He t hen t i pt oed past M r . Bar on and di sappear ed i nt o t he
dar kness of t he f or est .
Zeon knew t hat he w as maki ng a bi g mi st ake goi ng of f al one i nt o t he f or est
t o f i nd a cr eat ur e t hat coul d r i p hi m apar t . If somehow he sur vi ved, despi t e hi s
br aver y, M r . Bar on w oul d ki l l hi m.
11 | P a g e
But , t her e w as no t ur ni ng back now .
He w al ked car ef ul l y acr oss t he dense f or est w i t h hi s eyes, dar t i ng w i l dl y on
even t he sl i ght est of commot i on. The dar kness w as so absol ut e t hat he coul d
bar el y see.
Then he hear d i t .
It w as t he sound of l aught er human l aught er !
Zeon st ood r oot ed t o t he gr ound as a t al l f i gur e appear ed out of t he
dar kness i n f r ont of hi m. The man had di r t y br ow n hai r , r ed eyes and an
unshaven f ace. Hi s body w as hi ghl y muscul ar and i t l ooked l i ke he had pow er
equal t o t en men. He w or e a r agged ol d coat and r i pped j eans. The man w al ked
w i t h a def i ni t e st agger and a r evol t i ng smel l came out of hi s mout h. Zeon w as
al ar med t o r eal i ze t hat al t hough t he man w as h uman, he had an ani mal i st i c l ook
on hi s f ace.
Wel l , w el l , w el l w hat do w e have her e? Di nner ? The man sai d, l aughi ng.
Hey guys! Look w hat I f ound?!
Zeon st ood i mmobi l i zed as he w at ched t hr ee mor e f i gur es appear i n f r ont of
hi m. One w as a w oman w i t h l o ng si l ver hai r and l ead bl ack eyes. She w or e a gr ay
cl oak and an uni magi nabl e evi l seemed t o r adi at e out of her . The ot her t w o w er e
men. One of t hem had l ong bl ack hai r t hat f el l f or w ar d, hi di ng hi s f ace f r om
vi ew . Thi s man w as a hunchback and had r eal l y shar p nai l s. The ot her man w as a
hai r l ess man, w i t h an ext r emel y pal e ski n and i n hi s hands w er e t w o ver y shar p
l ooki ng dagger s.
It s j ust a ki d, sai d t he gi r l w i t h a sneer .
M aybe t he ki ds f r om At l nt i da? sai d t he man w i t h l ong hai r .
The gi r l w r i nkl ed her nose. No, I can t smel l anyt hi ng speci al f r om t hi s one.
Oh gr eat ! That means I can ki l l hi m! sai d t he man w i t h r ed eyes.
Be my guest j ust make i t qui ck, sai d t he hai r l ess man.
Zeon never knew w hat f ear meant but now , st andi ng i n f r ont of t hese
peopl e w ho he w as sur e w er e not nor mal humans, he f el t hi s body par al yzed
12 | P a g e
w i t h a sense of pani c and dr ead. The man w i t h r ed eyes appr oached hi m but
i nst ead of ki l l i ng hi m he l ooked up t ow ar ds t he moon.
It i s t i me t he man mur mur ed.
Bef or e Zeon coul d compr ehend w hat w as happeni ng, ever y muscl e i n t he
man s body began t o t w i t ch and sw el l t w i ce i t s nor mal si ze. He w at ched i n pur e
t er r or as gr ay f ur appear ed on t he man s ski n and hi s f ace spr out ed out w i t h a
POP sound . Hi s eyes became compl et el y r ed and hi s mout h w as f i l l ed w i t h r ow s
and r ow s of shar p t eet h. Hi s ear s moved apar t and became po i nt y w hi l e hi s nai l s
became deadl y shar p.
When t he t r ansf or mat i on w as compl et e t he man r oar ed, maki ng t he ver y
ear t h shake. Zeon f el l t o hi s knees si mpl y because h i s l egs f el t l i ke j el l y. Thi s man
w as The Cr eat ur e of t he Ni ght and he w as so-o-o dead
13 | P a g e
Chapt er 3
The Sacr ifice

Zeon w as t r embl i ng uncont r ol l abl y w hen The Cr eat ur e of t he Ni ght
advanced t ow ar ds hi m w i t h sal i va dr i ppi ng out of i t s mout h. He knew t hat hi s
sur vi val chances w er e ver y l ow . Even i f he r an, he w as sur e t he cr eat ur e w oul d
cat ch h i m easi l y. He coul d not bel i eve t hat t hi s w as t he end f or hi m. He had l i ved
such a pat het i c l i f e and t he need f or bei ng mor e t han he al r eady w as made hi m
w ant mor e out of l i f e. He w ant ed t o l i ve and have a pur pose t o l i ve f or . The
t hought of dyi ng w hen he had bar el y l i ved w as j ust t oo much.
TSEEEEEEER! ! !
Zeon l ooked up t o see Fl ash, di vi ng dow n t ow ar ds The Cr eat ur e of t he Ni ght
l i ke a speedi ng mi ssi l e. Usi ng hi s t al ons, hi s f ai t hf ul f r i end r i pped t he cr eat ur e s
f l esh r i ght above t he eye.
AAAAARRRGHHH! ! The cr eat ur e r oar ed i n pai n as bl ood cover ed i t s f ace.
Fl ash maneuver ed i n t he ai r and posi t i oned i t sel f f or t he next at t ack. Thi s
t i me how ever , w hen he t r i ed t o at t ack t he cr eat ur e w as r eady and sw ung i t s
massi ve ar m, knocki ng t he bi r d on t he gr ound.
Fl ash! Zeon shout ed, but Fl ash r emai ned unr esponsi ve.
St upi d l i t t l e bi r d! That r eal l y hur t ! sai d t he cr eat ur e.
Seei ng hi s f r i end hur t , Zeon f ound hi s cour age and f or ced hi msel f on hi s
f eet . Usi ng hi s i nhuman speed, he at t acked The Cr eat ur e of t he Ni ght and
managed t o bur y hi s sw or d i nt o i t s shoul der . To hi s shock, t he cr eat ur e j ust
smi l ed.
That s t he w ay i t s done boy. I l ove i t w hen my meal f i ght s back.
Suddenl y, t he cr eat ur e punched hi m st r ai ght i n t he st omach. The i mpact
w as so har d t hat he f or got how t o br eat h and f el l t o hi s knees, cl ut chi ng hi s
14 | P a g e
st omach. The cr eat ur e t hen ki cked hi m har d on t he f ace, t hr ow i ng hi m
backw ar ds l i ke a r agged dol l . He col l i ded pai nf ul l y w i t h a t r ee and f el l on t he
gr ound i n a heap. The ki ck t o hi s f ace had br oken hi s nose and bl ood f l ow ed out
l i ke an uncont r ol l ed w at er t ap.
The Cr eat ur e of t he Ni ght appr oached Zeon menaci ngl y and he knew t hat
t her e w as no w ay out . He j ust cl osed hi s eyes, w ai t i ng f or deat h t o over come
hi m. Suddenl y, he f el t someone pass by hi m. At t he same t i me The Cr eat ur e of
t he Ni ght r oar ed i n pai n . He l ooked up t o see M r . Bar on, st andi ng i n f r ont of hi m
w i t h t w o l ong sw or ds i n hi s hands.
Look w ho w e have her e Javel i n Akashi , sai d t he cr eat ur e. It had t w o
deep cut s on i t s chest w hi ch Zeon guessed w as t he doi n g of M r . Bar on.
Razor It s been a w hi l e, sai d M r . Bar on. Hi s eyes t hen dr i f t ed t ow ar ds t he
ot her guest s behi nd Razor . Ah and I see you have br ought Deanna, Adl er and
Ker f s w i t h you. What I m cur i ous t o know i s t hat w hat ar e you f our doi ng i n t he
mi ddl e of a f or est ?
We shoul d be aski ng you t he same quest i on, Akashi . Deanna sai d cal ml y.
Thi s f or est i s of cour se my home. Now , I r epeat my q uest i on, w hat ar e you
f our doi ng her e? M r . Bar on sai d cur i ousl y.
Chaos sent us her e. He sensed a pow er f ul f or ce comi ng f r om t hi s l ocat i on,
but so f ar w e have f ound not hi ng speci al . Deanna sai d.
Deanna i s i t w i se t o t el l Akashi about Chaos s pl an? asked Razor .
Deanna shr ugged. It doesn t mat t er . He w i l l be dead soon.
Wel l , l et me assur e you f our t hat I have l i ved i n t hi s f or est f or al l my l i f e and
I have never seen anyt h i ng speci al her e. Al so Deanna, you ar e a f ool t o t hi nk t hat
I w oul d come her e w i t hout backup. M r . Bar on sai d w i t h a mocki ng smi l e.
Suddenl y, f our peopl e j umped out of t he t r ees and l anded b esi de M r . Bar on.
Tw o of t hem w er e boys w hi l e t he ot her t w o w er e gi r l s. The f i r st gi r l w as t al l and
had w i l d bl ack hai r and dar k br ow n eyes. She w or e gl asses and she si mpl y
r adi at ed aut hor i t y. The gi r l l ooked ar ound ni net een year s ol d. The second gi r l
15 | P a g e
w as shor t er as w el l as younger . Zeon guessed t hat she w as ar ound sevent een
year s ol d. She had l ong bl onde hai r and d eep bl ue eyes. The f i r st boy w as sl i ght l y
t al l er t han t he second gi r l and l ooked ar ound t he same age as her . He had spi ky
si l ver hai r and l ead bl ack eyes Zeon l ooked at t he gi r l named Deanna and t hen
back at t he f i r st b oy. They bot h had t he same col or ed hai r and eyes. Was i t r eal l y
possi bl e t hat t he t w o of t hem w er e r el at ed? The second boy w as a gi ant . He
st ood mor e t han si x f eet t al l and l i ke Razor , he w as al so hi ghl y muscul ar . He had
shor t or ange hai r and dar k br ow n eyes.
Amel i a, M r . Bar on cal l ed t o t he young bl onde gi r l . Go cover t he boy.
M ake sur e he s saf e.
Ri ght , sai d Amel i a. She w al ked t ow ar ds Zeon and t ook out a shor t sw or d.
She pl aced her sel f bet w een hi m and t he enemy w i t h her sw or d r ai sed i nt o a
def ense posi t i on.
Gar y you t ake on Deanna, M r . Bar on sai d t o t he boy w i t h spi ky si l ver hai r .
Sur e, sai d Gar y
Dut ch you t ake car e of Al der , M r . Bar on sai d t o t he gi ant boy.
Dut ch nodded.
Emi l y you handl e Ker f s, M r . Bar on sai d t o t he gi r l w i t h gl asses.
Af f i r mat i ve, sai d Emi l y.
I l l t ake on Razor , M r . Bar on sai d, l ocki ng hi s eyes w i t h Razor s.
Bef or e t he f i ght coul d st ar t , Gar y st epped f or w ar d.
Wher e i s she, si st er ? he sai d angr i l y.
Wher e i s w ho, l i t t l e br ot her ? Deanna mocked.
Don t pl ay games w i t h us! Emi l y snapped. Wher e i s Ir i s Wi l l i ams?
Oh you mean t hat cut e l i t t l e gi r l . Chaos has her i n hi s l ai r . Deanna sai d
w i t h gl ee.
Gar y moved at l i ght ni ng speed and sw ung hi s sw or d at Deanna w ho w as
equal l y f ast and w as abl e t o bl ock t he at t ack w i t h her sw or d.
What do you mean by t hat ?! Gar y r oar ed.
16 | P a g e
Chaos i s t or t ur i ng her t o i nsani t y, Deanna sai d i n an audi bl e w hi sper .
The w or ds had a pow er f ul i mpact on Gar y, Dut ch and Emi l y w ho at t acked
t hei r r espect i ve enemy w i t h naked anger . Gar y p oi nt ed hi s hand at h i s si st er and
f r om t he mi ddl e of i t , a l i ght ni ng bol d er upt ed out . Deanna managed t o pr oduce
a shi el d t o bl ock t he at t ack. Dut ch sl ammed hi s f eet on t he gr ound, cr eat i ng a
st r ong t r emor t hat t hr ew Al der of hi s f eet . Emi l y had cr eat ed a f i r e bar r i er
ar ound her sel f and w as t hr ow i ng f i r ebal l s at Ker f s w ho w as dodgi ng w i l dl y. M r .
Bar r on w as usi ng hi s sw or d t o at t ack consi st ent l y at Razor .
Zeon w at ched i n aw e as bot h t he good guys and bad guys di d t hi ngs t hat
seemed w ay over hi s head. They pr oduced f i r ebal l s, l i ght ni ng bol t s, w at er w aves
and ot her unbel i evabl e t hi ngs f r om t hi n ai r .
It w as si mpl y mi nd-boggl i ng!
Then t hi ngs st ar t ed goi ng bad f or t he good guys. Amel i a, w ho w as
pr ot ect i ng hi m, w as st r uck by a f i r e w ave t hat f l ung her t hr ough t he ai r . She hi t
t he gr ound t hr ee f eet aw ay and l ost consci ous. Thi s l ef t hi m unpr ot ect ed and
Razor at t acked hi m. The cr eat u r e pr oduced a dar k bal l made f r om chaot i c pow er
and t hr ew i t t ow ar ds hi m. He cl osed hi s eyes as t he dar k bal l sped t ow ar ds hi m.
He t hought t hat he w as sur el y done f or , but not hi ng happened. He opened hi s
eyes t o see M r . Bar on, st andi ng i n f r ont of hi m. Under st andi ng daw ned on hi m
and he r eal i zed t hat M r . Bar on had saved hi s l i f e by t hr ow i ng hi s ow n body i n
f r ont of t he dar k bal l . M r . Bar on st agger ed and f el l backw ar ds i n f r ont of hi m.
Ti me l ost al l meani ng and al l Zeon coul d f ocus on w as M r . Bar on. Al t hough
he di d not w ant t o accept i t , he knew t hat M r . Bar on w as dyi ng. He w at ched
t ear y-eyed, as M r . Bar on opened hi s eyes f or one l ast t i me.
Why di d you do t hat M r . Bar on? he sobbed. Why?!
It w asn t supposed t o end t hi s w ay. M r . Bar on coul d not di e! He had
sacr i f i ced hi s w hol e l i f e f or Zeon s pr ot ect i on. Zeon had al w ays hat ed hi s over
pr ot ect i veness but now he r eal i zed t hat ever yt hi ng M r . Bar on di d w as f or hi s
sake. He had t hr ow n hi s l i f e aw ay f or Zeon!
17 | P a g e
I don t r emember t eachi ng you how t o cr y? M r . Bar on sai d, hi s voi ce w as
f ul l of pai n. I t hought I t aught you t he meani ng of br aver y. Zeon you have
pow er s unl i ke any ot her bei ng on t hi s pl anet . You have pow er s t o change t he
w or l d al l you have t o do i s bel i eve. When I f i r st f ound you I sensed t he
pr esence of a l i ght a l i ght t hat w oul d conquer al l dar kness a l i ght t hat w oul d
be t he onl y sour ce of i l l umi nat i on i n a chaot i c w or l d. Never gi ve up Zeon! Keep
on f i ght i ng f or me
M r . Bar on s eyes f l ut t er ed cl ose and hi s hear t st opped beat i ng. Razor st ood
over t hem, l aughi ng. Zeon s mi nd w as l ost i n an out of cont r ol r age, w hi l e hi s
hear t w as sur r ounded by a f i er ce f l ame. A gol den l i ght w as r adi at i ng f r om w i t hi n
hi m and spar ks of cur r ent bur st out of hi s body. Ever yone, bot h good and bad
st opped f i ght i ng t o st ar e at hi m. When f i nal l y al l hi s anger er upt ed out of hi s
body, t he w hol e ear t h shook under hi s r age. Hi s eyes w er e bl i nded by t he l i ght
comi ng out of hi s body, and he coul d hear scr eams and shout s comi ng f r om al l
di r ect i on.
Soon, t he sounds of t hose ar ound hi m began t o di mi ni sh and i nst ead hi s
mi nd w as f i l l ed w i t h a beaut i f ul musi c. It w as t he most soot hi ng t hi ng t hat he
had ever hear d i n hi s l i f e. Af t er a w hi l e, t he musi c i n hi s head di ed dow n and
dar kness over came hi m as he l ost consci ous.
18 | P a g e
Chapt er 4
The Bond of Love
Fal l i ng, Fal l i ng, Fal l i ng
Zeon f ound hi msel f f al l i ng aw ay f r om t he l i ght above, t ow ar ds t he dar kness
bel ow . Hi s w hol e body w as numb and he coul d do not hi ng but w at ch as t he
abyss bel ow pr epar ed t o sw al l ow hi m up. He di d not have t o be w ar ned t hat t he
dar k ar ea bel ow hi m w as t he gat ew ay t o deat h he al r eady knew .
Zeon, sai d a voi ce f r om above. Zeon.
He opened hi s eyes t o see a w oman, f l oat i ng above hi m. She had l ong
copper y r ed hai r and br i ght gr een eyes. Her f ace w as ki nd, and her eyes show ed
such w ar m compassi on t hat he coul d dr o w n i n t hei r dept h. She w or e a bl ue coat
and bl ack pant s. Even t hough Zeon had never seen her bef or e, he easi l y
r ecogni zed hi s mot her .
M om, he cr oaked.
Zeon my son, I w ant you t o know t hat you r e not al one. No mat t er how
f ar apar t w e ar e our hear t s w i l l al w ays be l i nked t oget her by t he Bond of Love.
Hi s mot her sai d w i t h her eyes t w i nkl i ng.
Remember son, Love act s l i ke a f uel t hat i ncr eases ones pow er . Even i f i t i s
i n a shor t suppl y, embr ace t he l ove t hat you have and no one w i l l ever be abl e t o
har m you, sai d a new voi ce.
Besi de hi s mot her appear ed a man w i t h shor t unt i dy bl ond hai r and dar k
br ow n eyes. He w or e a gol den ar mor w i t h a si l ver cape. The conf i dent l ook on
hi s f ace t ol d Zeon t hat he w as a st r ong w ar r i or w ho had l i ved hi s l i f e, br eaki ng
t he enemi es l i ne by t he hel p of hi s sw or d.
Zeon w as pr oud t o say t hat t he man w as hi s f at her .
19 | P a g e
D-Dad, he w hi sper ed.
Zeon, hi s mom and dad sai d t oget her . They gr abbed hi s hands and pul l ed
hi m t ow ar ds t he l i ght above. The t i me has come f or you t o l i ve son. You w i l l
f ace many chal l enges al ong t he j our ney but w e know t hat your cour age w i l l not
al l ow you t o go ast r ay. You w i l l have r eal f r i ends t hi s t i me Zeon, but t hi s w i l l onl y
i ncr ease t he bur den of r esponsi bi l i t i es on your shoul der . But r emember son,
w her ever you go w e w i l l be t her e w i t h you, as w i l l M r . Bar on. Whenever you f al l
dow n w e w i l l push you back up. You ar e our son and you w i l l r i se!
Hi s par ent s l ed hi m back t ow ar ds t he w ar mt h of t he l i ght . He cl osed hi s eyes
and f el t hi s hear t l i ght en.
I l ove you M om and Dad, he sai d, smi l i ng.
Is he dead? a boy asked.
Shut up Gar y! I m t r yi ng t o save hi m! sai d a gi r l .
Ar e you sur e he s not dead? asked t he boy agai n.
Gar y shut up! t he gi r l snapped.
Zeon sl ow l y opened hi s eyes and f ound hi msel f back i n t he f or est . The gi r l
named Amel i a had her hand on hi s chest and i t w as gl ow i ng. Gar y w as behi nd
her , l ooki ng bat t l e w or n. The ot her t w o, Emi l y and Dut ch w er e somew her e
near by. When Amel i a not i ced hi m aw ake, she smi l ed.
Hey, you r e al i ve! We al most l ost you t her e. Hey guys t he ki ds aw ake! she
cal l ed t o her f r i ends.
Zeon pushed aw ay Amel i a s hand and f o r ced hi msel f o nt o hi s f eet . Al t hough
he had suf f er ed no ser i ous i nj ur i es, he st i l l f el t aw f ul l y t i r ed. He l ooked ar ound
hi m and r eal i zed t he bad guys w er e gone. M r . Bar on s body w as al so now her e t o
be seen.
Hey ki d! sai d Gar y exci t edl y. That w as w i ckedl y cool w hat you di d!
Ser i ousl y, I have seen some pr et t y amazi ng st uf f but t hat w as j ust w ow !
Zeon had no i dea w hat Gar y w as t al ki ng about .
20 | P a g e
What happened? Wher e s M r . Bar on? he asked.
M r . Bar on? Oh, you mean Javel i n Akashi . Sor r y t o t el l you t hi s ki d but he s
dead. We bur i ed hi s body i n t he f or est so he coul d sl eep peacef ul l y. Gar y sai d
sadl y.
He l ooked aw ay. The deat h of M r . Bar on w as l i ke a mor t al w ound i n hi s
hear t and i t hur t w hen he t hought about hi m.
You knew hi m? he asked Gar y.
Ever yone i n At l nt i da knew hi m. Amel i a sai d qui et l y.
At l nt i da? He had never hear d of t hat pl ace bef or e.
At l nt i da i s a pl ace w her e Gar y began, but Amel i a cl amped her hand on
hi s mout h.
You i di ot ! We ar e not suppose t o t el l hi m about At l nt i da! Amel i a r aged.
Why not ? Gar y sai d, l ooki ng abashed. He s one of us! You saw w hat he
di d.
I know w hat he di d, but t hat does not mean w e ar e al l ow ed t o t el l hi m
about At l nt i da, sai d Amel i a r esol ut el y.
Okay enough you t w o! shout ed Emi l y as she appr oached t hem. I j ust
t al ked t o Dor man and t ol d hi m ever yt hi ng t hat happened. He w ant s t o see t he
boy and he says t hat w e w i l l have t o f i l l hi m i n about At l nt i da.
Ha! shout ed Gar y.
Amel i a i gnor ed hi m. What about Ir i s?
A sober mood f el l i nst ant l y.
Looks l i ke w e w i l l have t o f i nd her agai n some ot her t i me, Emi l y sai d not
meet i ng t he ot her s eyes.
Who s Zeon began, but w as i nt er r upt ed by a l ow cr y.
He l ooked ar ound t o see Fl ash, l i mpi ng t ow ar ds t hem. One of hi s w i ngs w as
badl y t w i st ed and he had br oken one of hi s l egs. Hi s f r i end w as i n qui t e a mess.
Fl ash! Zeon shout ed, r unni ng t ow ar ds hi s f r i end.
He cr adl ed t he br oken bi r d i n hi s ar ms. The ot her s w er e r i ght behi nd hi m.
21 | P a g e
You know t hi s bi r d? Gar y asked, f r ow ni ng.
I ve know n t hi s bi r d si nce I w as a baby. He sai d, t r yi ng t o keep hi s voi ce
st eady.
You know , I coul d heal hi m f or you, sai d Amel i a.
You can? He asked, l ooki ng at her .
Amel i a smi l ed and pl aced her hand on Fl ash s smal l head. She cl osed her
eyes and t ook a deep br eat h. Zeon w at ched i n amazement as a bl ue l i ght
r adi at ed f r o m w i t hi n h er hand. Inst ant l y, Fl ash s w i ng w as heal ed and hi s t w i st ed
l eg w as st r ai ght ened. When she w as done, hi s f r i end l ooked br and new !
How di d you do t hat ? He yel ped, al l ow i ng Fl ash t o si t on hi s shoul der .
Amel i a l aughed at hi s shocked expr essi on.
It s one of t he abi l i t i es t hat I l ear ned at school , she expl ai ned.
B-But t hat s i mpossi bl e! he spl ut t er ed. Ever yt hi ng you guys di d w as
i mpossi bl e! How can anyone, shoot l i ght ni ng bol t s out of t hei r hands?! He sai d,
gl ar i ng at Gar y.
Pl ease! What I di d w as not hi ng compar ed t o w hat you di d, Gar y sai d w i t h
a sl y smi l e.
Um w hat di d I do? He asked, conf used.
They al l j ust st ar ed at hi m.
You mean t hat you have no i dea w hat you di d t hat caused t he enemy t o
r et r eat ? Gar y asked.
Wai t ! You mean i t w as because of me t hat t hose bad guys r et r eat ed. But I
t hought you guys def eat ed t hem. He sai d, shaki ng hi s head.
No ki d, w e w er e l osi ng unt i l you di d w hat you di d, sai d Emi l y, st ar i ng at
hi m as i f he w as some ki nd of r ar e speci men.
What di d I do? Zeon asked agai n.
Wel l , I can t r eal l y expl ai n i t , but w hen Javel i n Akashi di ed you w er e r eal l y
angr y. A Gol den Li ght r adi at ed out of your body al ong w i t h spar ks of cur r ent .
22 | P a g e
When you r el eased your r age t he w hol e pl ace shook. Then you at t acked Razor
and punched hi m st r ai ght on t he f ace. Emi l y sai d.
Razor i s one of t he st r ongest f i ght er s of t he dar k and you t ur ned hi m i nt o
ash, Gar y sai d si mpl y.
Excuse me! Zeon sai d, st ar i ng at t hem al l .
You t ur ned Razor i nt o smi t her eens, Amel i a sai d hel pf ul l y.
You mean I ki l l ed hi m? he sai d i n shock.
23 | P a g e
Chapt er 5
Quest ions Answer ed
Emi l y deci ded t hat t hey needed t o go t o t he ci t y at t he edge of t he f or est
cal l ed Washi ngt on. Zeon had never been t o t he ci t y and he w as secr et l y exci t ed
t o vi si t a pl ace t hat w as so unl i ke t he f or est . They began t o w al k east w i t h Dut ch
l eadi ng t hem. Accor di ng t o Emi l y, Dut ch knew t he l ocat i on of ever y si ngl e pl ace
on ear t h. It seemed unl i kel y, but he di dn t bot her aski ng how . He w as mor e
f ocused on t he f act t hat he had ki l l ed The Cr eat ur e of t he Ni ght or Razor
w hat ever , w i t h hi s bar e hands.
You guys ar e sur e t hat I ki l l ed Razor , r i ght ? He asked f or t he t ent h t i me.
How many t i mes do w e have t o t el l you, yes? Gar y sai d gr umpi l y.
Sor r y i t j u st sounds so unbel i evabl e, He sai d. So, I have some quest i ons t o
ask you.
Gar y r ai sed an eyebr ow . Some quest i ons?
Okay a l ot of quest i ons, he sai d qui ckl y.
I t hi nk w e have al l f or got t en t o ask t he most i mpor t ant quest i on, sai d
Dut ch st er nl y.
Gar y f r ow ned. What quest i ons?
Dut ch st opped t o l ook at Zeon.
What i s your name? he asked.
Amel i a gi ggl ed. I can t bel i eve w e f or got t o ask t hat quest i on.
Er my name i s Zeon Zeon Cr est , Zeon sai d shaki l y.
Wel l Zeon, my name i s Dut ch Ber t has and t hese guys ar e Emi l y Tar ki n,
Gar y Si l va and Amel i a Lovesey, Dut ch sai d, poi nt i ng at each one of hi s
comr ades.
24 | P a g e
So now i t s t i me f or t he second most i mpor t ant quest i on. Who ar e your
par ent s? Emi l y asked.
I I don t know , Zeon sai d, l ow er i ng hi s head.
You don t know ? What ki nd of per son doesn t know about hi s ow n
par ent s? Gar y asked i ncr edul ousl y.
Zeon di dn t r epl y. M any peopl e have asked hi m t he same quest i on and he
al w ays had t o gi ve t hem t he same l ame answ er , I don t know. He had seen hi s
par ent s f or t he f i r st t i me dur i ng hi s br ush w i t h deat h, but t hey hadn t t ol d hi m
t hei r names and he had al so f or got t en t o ask t hem. Now he mi ght not get t he
same chance agai n.
As i f sensi ng hi s di st r aught Amel i a sai d, It s okay Zeon. If you ar e havi ng
t r oubl e gi vi ng us t hi s i nf or mat i on t hen t hat s f i ne by us. Guys l et s st op
bombar di ng Zeon w i t h quest i ons w hi ch he i s not comf or t abl e i n answ er i ng. He i s
t he one w ho shoul d be quest i oni ng us not t he ot her w ay ar ound. So, Zeon f i r e
aw ay!
Who ar e you guys? What ar e you guys? He asked.
Emi l y smi l ed. We ar e Par t -Humans.
Par t -Humans? Zeon asked conf used.
Emi l y nodded. Par t -Humans ar e mor e or l ess nor mal humans except t hey
have t w o soul s i nst ead of one.
Zeon j ust st ar ed at her .
I don t under st and. He sai d f i nal l y.
Thi nk of i t t hi s w ay Zeon. Nor mal humans have onl y one soul t hat makes
t hem exact l y w hat t hey ar e: humans. Par t -Humans on t he ot her hand have t w o
soul s; one soul makes t hem human w hi l e ot her soul makes t hem somet hi ng el se.
Take my exampl e f or i nst ance. I m a Par t -Human w i t h t w o soul s w i t hi n me. One
soul makes me human w hi l e t he ot her soul makes me a w i zar d. Gar y expl ai ned.
A w i zar d? Zeon sai d i n aw e. You mean a per son w ho can do magi c!
25 | P a g e
Gar y nodded. Emi l y i s al so a Par t -Human. One soul makes her human w hi l e
t he second soul makes her a Psycho.
You r e a psycho? he asked Emi l y, unabl e t o keep t he smi l e of hi s f ace.
Emi l y scow l ed. Bef or e she coul d say anyt hi ng Dut ch i nt er r upt ed.
M ake no mi st ake Zeon, Emi l y her e i s t he l eader of our gr oup and she i s al so
by f ar t he st r ongest . Al l Psychos ar e ext r emel y pow er f ul and r ar e. Dut ch
w ar ned.
Sor r y, Zeon mumbl ed. Am I a Par t -Human t oo?
Dut ch nodded. Of cour se. If you w er en t a Par t -Human t her e i s no w ay you
coul d have ki l l ed Razo r . The pr obl em i s w e d on t r eal l y know t he i dent i t y of your
second soul . The pow er s you show ed ear l i er w er e not hi ng l i ke w e d ever seen.
Guys! I t hi nk I ve f i gur ed i t out ! Gar y shout ed.
Fi gur ed w hat out ? Amel i a asked suspi ci ousl y.
You al l saw t hat at t ack Zeon used agai nst t he enemy. It w as si mpl y
i ncr edi bl e! Coul d i t be possi bl e t hat deep i nsi de Zeon i s The Gol den Phoeni x?!
Gar y asked exci t edl y.
Emi l y made a l oud i mpat i ent sound. No Gar y, i f The Gol den Phoeni x w as
i nsi de Zeon w e w oul d have sensed i t s pr esence. Ir i s has The Si l ver Phoeni x w i t hi n
her and w e can sense i t s pr esence. Besi des, do you see a si x poi nt ed st ar on t he
ki d s f or ehead?
Al so, Amel i a sai d, st andi ng besi de Emi l y. Remember t he r umor s? The
Gol den Phoeni x w as l ost af t er i t s l ast mast er w as k-ki l l ed. Her e her voi ce
cr acked a l i t t l e.
But t hose w er e j ust r umor s! You guys can t honest l y bel i eve t hat The
Gol den Phoeni x i s l ost ? Gar y sai d i ncr edul ousl y.
It i s a possi bi l i t y, Amel i a r epl i ed.
Okay enough you guys! Let s j ust l et Zeon ask hi s quest i on s. Emi l y sai d
i mpat i ent l y.
What i s At l nt i da? Zeon asked.
26 | P a g e
At l nt i da i s anot her w or l d t hat w as cr eat ed speci f i cal l y f or Par t -Humans.
You see, cent ur i es ago Humans and Par t -Humans l i ved t oget her on Ear t h. Those
w er e dar k days as Humans and Par t -Humans f ought each ot her out of f ear and
mi st r ust . Emi l y expl ai ned.
Why di d t hey f i ght each ot her ? Zeon asked.
Li ke I j ust sai d bef or e, t hey f ought each ot her out of f ear and mi st r ust . You
see, Humans w er e af r ai d of Par t -Humans because t hey bel i eved t hat t he l at t er
had t he pow er t o begi n a new age i n w hi ch t hey w oul d sei ze t o exi st . Humans
f ear ed t hat t he Par t -Humans w oul d event ual l y ki l l t hem al l and set up an empi r e
w hi ch w oul d be a Tot al Par t -Human Empi r e. Par t -Humans f ear ed t he same t hi ng.
Thus, a w ar br oke out i n w hi ch mi l l i ons of i nnocent l i ves w er e dest r oyed.
Fi nal l y, a Par t -Human named Omega Agnon M aze r eal i zed t hat i t w as
i mpossi bl e f or t he Humans and t he Par t -Humans t o co-exi st t oget her . He
appeal ed t o El ement al Aer i es t o use hi s Hol y Pow er s and cr eat e anot her w or l d
f or Par t -Humans cal l ed At l nt i da. El ement al Aer i es answ er ed hi s pl ea and
cr eat ed t he beaut i f ul w or l d of At l nt i da w her e Par t -Humans coul d l i ve
peacef ul l y. Emi l y expl ai ned.
Thank you f or t hat bor i ng l ect ur e Emi l y, sai d Gar y, yaw ni ng.
Amel i a sl apped hi m on t he ar m. Is t hat t he w ay t o t al k t o your Commander
w ho w i l l soon be El i t e?
I don t know w hy t he El i t e Counci l i s t aki ng so much t i me t o pass t he
Judgment . I mean ser i ousl y i f I w as one of t he El i t e Judge I w oul d not onl y
pr omot e her t o El i t e Cl ass but I w oul d al so be gr ovel i ng at her f eet . Gar y sai d
w i t h a l augh.
Gar y pl ease shut up! Emi l y snapped.
What i s an El ement al ? Zeon asked.
An El ement al i s a cel est i al bei ng t hat pat r ol s bot h Ear t h and At l nt i da.
Ther e ar e many El ement al s i n bot h w or l ds and al l of t hem have pow er s f ar
beyond our l i mi t ed concept i on. But , t hey have a l i mi t at i on. They cannot l eave
27 | P a g e
t he ar ea t o w hi ch t hey ar e bound, and most i mpor t ant l y t hey cannot w age w ar s
agai nst t he humans and ot her speci es t hat i nhabi t bot h w or l ds. They w i l l onl y act
i f t he humans or par t humans cal l f or t hei r assi st ance. Dut ch expl ai ned.
Wai t , i f you guys ar e Par t -Humans t hen w hat ar e you doi ng on Ear t h?
Shoul dn t you be i n At l nt i da? Zeon asked.
I di dn t r eal l y f i ni sh my st or y Zeon. The cr eat i on of At l nt i da w or ked w el l i n
t he st ar t , but t hen t hi ngs st ar t ed t o get out of hand. Emi l y sai d.
Why? Zeon asked.
Thi s i s because, i n a f ami l y of Par t -Humans, i t i s not necessar y f or ever y
member of t he f ami l y t o be a Par t -Human. Some may be nor mal humans. In t hi s
w ay f ami l i es w er e br oken apar t as some f ami l y member s w ent t o At l nt i da,
w hi l e some st ayed her e on Ear t h. In or der t o pr event t hi s, Omega Agnon met
w i t h t he l eader s of Humans. Af t er t he meet i ng w as over i t w as deci ded t hat Par t -
Humans w oul d be al l ow ed t o come t o Ear t h onl y i f t hey had l ear ned t o cont r ol
t hei r pow er s. Omega Agnon opened t he School of At l nt i da i n or der t o hel p Par t -
Humans cont r ol t hei r pow er s. Now , onl y t hose Par t -Humans can come t o Ear t h
w ho have successf ul l y compl et ed t hei r st udi es at t he School of At l nt i da. Emi l y
l ect ur ed.
So you guys have compl et ed your st udi es i n t hi s school . That s w hy you ar e
al l ow ed t o come t o Ear t h? Zeon asked.
Wel l , no. Emi l y sai d sl ow l y. We haven t compl et ed our st udi es yet .
So t hen w hy ar e you guys her e on ear t h? Zeon asked, shaki ng hi s head
w ar i l y.
Oh, i t s summer vacat i on, sai d Amel i a.
Summer vacat i on? Zeon asked i ncr edul ousl y.
Ther e ar e t w o condi t i ons w hen Par t -Humans ar e al l ow ed t o come t o Ear t h
bef or e compl et i ng st udi es. One i s dur i ng summer vacat i ons and second, i s w hen
w e have been assi gned a speci al mi ssi on. We ar e her e because of bot h r easons.
Emi l y sai d.
28 | P a g e
Zeon pl aced hi s hands on hi s head. The i nf or mat i on t hese guys w er e
pr ovi di ng hi m w i t h w er e bot h unbel i evabl e and mi nd bl oggi ng.
If I am a Par t -Human he sai d sl ow l y. w hy am I her e on ear t h? Shoul dn t
I be i n At l nt i da?
Emi l y shr ugged. Not necessar i l y. Your par ent s mi ght have been humans or
your par ent s w er e Par t -Humans w ho had set t l ed on ear t h af t er compl et i ng t hei r
st udi es at The School of At l nt i da.
Okay next quest i on. Who w er e t hose guys w ho at t acked me and ki l l ed M r .
Ba- I mean Javel i n Akashi ? He asked.
They w er e Par t -Humans l i ke us, but t hey w or ked f or Chaos. Gar y sai d
sour l y.
Who s Chaos? He asked. The name gave hi m t he cr eeps.
As t o t hat w e r e not sur e. On At l nt i da w e di scover ed t he exi st ence of a
Codex Dut ch began but Zeon i nt er r upt ed hi m.
A w hat ? he asked.
A Codex. It s ki nd of l i ke a scul pt ur e, consi st i ng of si x pr opheci es. We have
no i dea w ho made The Codex. It coul d have been an El ement al , but w e r e not
sur e. Anyw ay t hese pr opheci es ar e l i nked t o one anot her and ever y next
pr ophecy i s w or se t han t he one bef or e. The l ast pr ophecy consi st s of onl y one
w or d Ar mageddon Dut ch expl ai ned.
A shi ver w ent up Zeon s spi ne. That w or d di dn t sound good.
Anyw ay, Dut ch cont i nued. Ri ght now w e ar e on t he f i r st pr ophecy w hi ch
speaks of Chaos w ho i s t he descendant of Abyss. Abyss her e si mpl y means
absol ut e dar kness. Anyway, t he pr ophecy says t hat Chaos w i l l do somet hi ng so
dest r uct i ve t hat bot h Ear t h and At l nt i da w oul d be dest r oyed i f he succeeds. The
onl y one w ho can st op hi m ar e t he Par t -Humans w ho possess t he l egendar y,
Gol den and Si l ver Phoeni x.
Thi ngs ar en t l ooki ng t oo good f or us, Gar y sai d gr i ml y. We had f ound t he
Par t -Humans w ho possessed t he Gol den and Si l ver Phoeni x, but w e l ost t hem.
29 | P a g e
Ir i s Wi l l i am, Zeon sai d.
Gar y nodded. She possessed The Si l ver Phoeni x, but she w as capt ur ed by
Chaos. She i s al most your age.
What about t he Gol den Phoeni x? Zeon asked f ear f ul l y.
They al l l ooked aw ay and Zeon r eal i zed t hat he shoul d not have asked t hat
quest i on.
We can t t el l you t he det ai l s, but her e i s w hat you shou l d know . The Go l den
Phoeni x i s l ost because t he par t human w ho possessed i t w as ki l l ed. Dut ch sai d
w i t h a haunt ed l ook on hi s f ace.
Zeon st opped aski ng quest i ons and j ust w al ked si l ent l y w i t h t he ot her s. He
knew t hat he had made a bi g mi st ake aski ng about t he Gol den Phoeni x. He
guessed t hat t her e w as a ver y sad st or y behi nd i t because i t had a pow er f ul
i mpact on al l o f t hem especi al l y Amel i a w ho l ooked cl ose t o t ear s. Even Gar y w as
l ess t al kat i ve.
It w as Emi l y w ho br oke t he si l ence. Hey Guys! Washi ngt on Ci t y dead
ahead!
30 | P a g e
Chapt er 6
Jour ney t o t he Ber muda
Tr iangle
The Ci t y w as a ver y unusual pl ace w i t h t al l st r uct ur es t hat t ow er ed over
ever yone. The mor e Zeon st ayed her e t he mor e sel f consci ous he became. He
f el t l i ke an oddi t y and peopl e w oul dn t st op st ar i ng at hi m. That w as mor e due t o
t he f act he w as not dr essed l i ke a ci t y f ol k. He w as w ear i ng an ol d br ow n khaki
l i ke cl ot hi ng w hi ch w as, accor di ng t o Amel i a a no-go i n a ci t y.
I t hi nk t he f i r st t hi ng w e shoul d do i s get some pr oper cl ot hi ng f or you
Zeon, Emi l y sai d w hen sever al peopl e sni gger ed at hi m as he passed by. Then
w e need t o get somet hi ng t o eat . I have booked a f l i ght t o t he cent r al i sl and of
The Ber muda Tr i angl e at 5 p.m. and i t w asn t exact l y easy.
Let me guess, peopl e t r i ed t o w ar n you t hat you w oul d be sw ept aw ay i nt o
anot her di mensi on, Gar y sai d, sni gger i ng.
I st i l l can t bel i eve t hat t he humans don t know t hat t he i sl and at t he hear t
of The Ber muda Tr i angl e i s i n f act t he ent r ance t o At l nt i da, Emi l y sai d i n
exasper at i on.
What do t he humans t hi nk t he i sl and i s? Zeon asked.
They have come t o t he unusual concl usi on t hat t he i sl and i s haunt ed and
t akes peopl e t o anot her di mensi on. Gar y sai d, smi l i ng.
Wel l t hat i s t echni cal l y t r ue, Zeon sai d poi nt edl y.
Yeah w hat ever , anyw ay my st omach i s cr avi ng f or f ood. Gar y gr umbl ed.
Her e s an i dea. Why don t you guys go t o a r est aur ant w hi l e I l l t ake Zeon t o
t he cl ot hes shop? Amel i a suggest ed.
31 | P a g e
Okay w e l l meet you t w o at M cDonal ds, Emi l y sai d.
M cDonal ds! Do I l ook l i ke a ki d?! Let s go t o Bur ger Ki ng. It s w ay bet t er ,
Gar y sai d r esol ut el y.
Emi l y t hr ew hi m an i r r i t at ed l ook.
Fi ne! Guys meet us at Bur ger Ki ng! And don t be l at e! Emi l y snapped. The
t hr ee of t hem l ef t , l eavi ng Zeon and Amel i a al one.
Gar y dr i ves Emi l y hal f i nsane w i t h anger , Amel i a sai d, l aughi ng. She t hen
t ur ned t ow ar ds Zeon. Come on! I saw a per f ect st or e w i t h a gr eat var i et y of
cl ot hes.
Amel i a dr agged hi m t ow ar ds a l ar ge cl ot hes shop named, M ar ks and
Spencer . Whi l e i n t he shop, Zeon came t o t he concl usi on t hat gi r l s w er e mad
about cl ot hes. Wher ever he l ooked, gi r l s w er e st andi ng w i t h a l ook of
concent r at i on on t hei r f aces as t hey choose t he cor r ect pai r of cl ot hi ng t o w ear .
They w er e supposed t o be buyi ng cl ot hes f or hi m but i nst ead Amel i a w as mor e
f ocused on her ow n cl ot hes. Fi nal l y, he got f r ust r at ed and snapped hi s f i nger i n
f r ont of Amel i a s f ace w ho had been w at chi ng dazedl y at a gl i t t er i ng pi nk dr ess.
Wh-What i s i t Zeon? Amel i a sai d, soundi ng annoyed.
We ar e ki nd of w ast i ng t i me you know . We w er e supposed t o buy pr oper
cl ot hes f or me, he sai d poi nt edl y.
Oh r i ght , Amel i a sai d qui ckl y and t ook hi m t o t he men s ar ea.
It t ook anot her t hi r t y mi nut es f or Amel i a t o choose t he r i ght cl ot hi ng f or
hi m. It t ur ned out gi r l s al so w ant ed per f ect i on and i t t ook a l ot t o sat i sf y t hem.
When f i nal l y Zeon w as done, he w as w ear i ng an or ange NIKE shi r t , upon w hi ch
he w or e a navy bl ue f l eece and bel ow he w or e bl ue j eans.
Af t er buyi ng t he cl ot hes, Zeon and Amel i a met t he ot her s i nsi de Bur ger Ki ng.
They f ound t hem si t t i ng on t he t abl e i n t he cor ner . Emi l y had her head on t he
t abl e and by t he l ooks on bot h Gar y s and Dut ch s f aces i t l ooked l i ke she w as
r eal l y r eal l y mad.
32 | P a g e
We ar e so dead, w hi sper ed Amel i a, l ooki ng at her w r i st w at ch. We j ust
mi ssed our t r i p t o t he Ber muda Tr i angl e.
When t hey ar r i ved at t he t abl e, Emi l y l ooked up at t hem. Zeon t ook an
unconsci ous st ep back aw ay f r om her . Emi l y s eyes w er e l i t er al l y bur ni ng w i t h
r age. She r eal l y di d l ook l i ke a psycho now .
Wher e have you t w o been? Emi l y sai d i n a deadl y w hi sper .
It s m-my f -f aul t I got di st r act ed and got us l at e, Amel i a st ammer ed.
Emi l y sl ammed her f i st on t he t abl e so har d t hat Zeon w as ver y sur pr i sed
t hat i t di d not br eak.
WE M ISSED OUR FLIGHT TO BARM UDA TRIANGLE! She shout ed and al l of
t hem cr i nged. Ever y head i n t he r est aur ant t ur ned t o st ar e at her .
I m sor r y, Amel i a sai d i n a smal l voi ce.
Emi l y got up angr i l y and st ar t ed t o l eave.
I m goi ng t o t r y and book anot her pl ane. HOPEFULLY! We mi ght get one
soon! And i f any one of you t hi nks about l eavi ng t hi s pl ace I w i l l make hi m w i sh
he w as never BORN! Wi t h t hat , Emi l y st or med out of t he r est aur ant .
Zeon w as so st unned t hat he l ost al l hi s appet i t e. He had never t hought Emi l y
coul d get t h at mad. If he had know n bef or e, he coul d have ur ged Amel i a t o hur r y
up. Al t hough i t w as Amel i a s f aul t , he di d not have t he hear t t o r emi nd her t hat .
Looki ng behi nd, he coul d see her sobbi ng i nt o her hands. Gar y got up f r om hi s
chai r and gent l y embr aced her .
It s ok Amel i a. You know how Emi l y i s somet i mes. The st r ess of bei ng i n
char ge get s t o her . Now si t dow n and eat . You must be hungr y. Gar y sai d,
gui di ng her t ow ar ds t he near est chai r .
Gar y sat w i t h Amel i a, encour agi ng her t o eat . M eanw hi l e, Zeon sat w i t h
Dut ch w ho st ar ed bl ankl y i nt o empt y space.
I di dn t t hi nk Emi l y coul d get mad l i ke t hat . Zeon sai d i n a l ow voi ce.
Emi l y i s t he most i nf l uent i al gi r l you w i l l ever meet . She i s one of t he
st r ongest f i ght er s i n t he School of At l nt i da. She i s t he one w ho became a
33 | P a g e
Commander at t he youngest age, f i f t een . And i f she becomes El i t e she w i l l be t he
youngest per son t o r each El i t e Level . The onl y f l aw i n her i s t hat she has
t emper ament al i ssues, as you have j ust w i t nessed. Dut ch sai d.
Why do you guys cal l Emi l y a Commander ? And how come she s t he l eader
of your gr oup? Zeon asked.
In t he School of At l nt i da you get cer t ai n t i t l es l i ke Rooki e, Deput y,
Commander and El i t e w hi ch r epr esent how st r ong you ar e. You st ar t of as a
Rooki e, t hen comes Deput y, t hen Commander and f i nal l y you compl et e your
st udi es once you become El i t e. The t hr ee of us ar e Deput i es but Emi l y i s a
Commander and i s soon goi ng t o be El i t e, so of cour se she w as bound t o be
l eader . Dut ch expl ai ned.
How do you get f r om one l evel t o t he next l evel ? Li ke I w i l l be a Rooki e so
how w i l l I become a Deput y? Zeon asked.
For t hat you w i l l have t o gi ve The Rooki es Advancement Test . Once you
successf ul l y pass t hi s t est you w i l l become a Deput y. Then, i f you w ant t o
become a Commander you have t o gi ve anot her speci al t est and so on. Gar y
expl ai ned. Amel i a had f al l en asl eep w i t h her head r est i ng on hi s shoul der .
So, El i t e i s t he f i nal l evel at t he School of At l nt i da? Zeon asked Dut ch.
Wel l no, t her e i s one mor e l evel af t er El i t e but no one has ever made i t t hat
f ar except one man but he s dead. Dut ch sai d w ar i l y.
What i s t hat l evel ? Zeon asked.
The Omega, Gar y echoed.
Cool so Zeon began but w as i nt er r upt ed by a voi ce i n hi s mi nd.
Guys hur r y up and meet me at t he Cent r al Ai r port !
Zeon j umped t hr ee f eet i n t he ai r and l ooked ar ound w i l dl y. The voi ce i n hi s
head w as Emi l y s and she w ant ed t hem t o come t o Cent r al Ai r por t .
Um guys am I t he onl y one w ho hear d Emi l y i n my mi nd? He asked
shaki l y.
34 | P a g e
Gar y si ghed as he w oke u p Amel i a. No, w e hear d i t t oo. It i s one of Emi l y s
abi l i t y. She can send t hought messages t o our mi nds.
We bet t er l eave qui ckl y, sai d Dut ch. We don t w ant Emi l y t o ki l l al l of us.
They al l nodded and qui ckl y l ef t t he r est aur ant , maki ng t hei r w ay t ow ar ds
t he ai r por t .
They f ound Emi l y, w ai t i ng out si de t he ent r ance of t he ai r por t . Zeon w as gl ad
t o see t hat she had cool ed dow n. She w as busy t al ki ng t o someone t hr ough her
mobi l e and si mpl y usher ed t hem i nsi de t he ai r por t w i t h a w ave of her hand. He
had no i dea w hat t hey w er e doi ng i n a pl ace l i ke t hi s. Gar y sai d t hat t hey w oul d
be t r avel l i ng on a pr i vat e j et but t her e w as j ust one l i t t l e pr obl em
He had no i dea w hat a pr i vat e j et w as.
Suddenl y, a man i n a sui t appear ed i n f r ont of t hem. The man must have
been a gui de or somet hi ng because he or der ed t he f i ve of t hem t o f ol l ow hi m.
Soon t hey w er e out si de and Zeon f ound hi msel f st ar i ng at l ar ge machi nes t hat
somew hat r esembl ed a bi r d. He suddenl y mi ssed Fl ash w ho he had l ef t i n t he
f or est on Emi l y s or der . She sai d t hat t he f or est w as hi s home and he j ust coul d
not l eave i t . Zeon had r el uct ant l y agr eed.
What ar e t hese t hi ngs? he sai d, poi nt i ng t o t he near est of t he bi r d l i ke
machi ne.
Amel i a gi ggl ed. I guess you w on t know much about t hem si nce you l i ved i n
a f o r est . These machi nes ar e cal l ed ai r p l anes and t hey hel p us t o t r avel f r om one
pl ace t o anot her t hr ough t he sky.
The sky? he asked i n aw e.
Is t hat our r i de Emi l y? Gar y asked, poi nt i ng t ow ar ds anot her one of t hese
machi nes cal l ed ai r pl anes.
Yup! The pi l ot i s one of my f at her s f r i ends and he has agr eed t o gi ve us a
l i f t , Emi l y sai d. She l ooked i n a l ot bet t er mood t han bef or e.
35 | P a g e
Zeon obser ved t hat t hei r ai r pl ane w as smal l er t han t he ot her s b ut si nce t he
ot her s l ooked sat i sf i ed, he deci ded not t o f uss. He j ust w onder ed how such a
smal l pl ane coul d hol d t hei r combi ned w ei ght . As t hey ent er ed t he pl ane, he
f i gur ed t hat t hi s pl ane w as bet t er t han t he bi gger ones because t he ot her s l ook
pl eased w i t h Emi l y s choi ce.
VIP Cl ass, Emi l y sai d, gr i nni ng.
Af t er 15 mi n, t he ai r pl ane began t o move. Zeon st i l l had hi s doubt s about
t he machi ne act ual l y f l yi ng but as t he ai r pl ane cont i nued t o bui l d speed i t
event ual l y l i f t ed of f t he gr ound and i nt o t he ai r . As t he pl ane r ose hi gher and
hi gher , he coul d bar el y cont ai n hi s exci t ement and kept l ooki ng dow n at t he
w or l d bel ow . He al w ays w ant ed t o f l y and now he w as w el l sor t of .
Thi s i s si mpl y AM AZING! He shout ed w hi l e t he ot her s l aughed.
36 | P a g e
Chapt er 7
At lnt ida and t he Cit y of
t he Sky
The Ber muda Tr i angl e di d not l ook l i ke anyt hi ng speci al w hen Zeon f i r st saw
i t f r om w i t hi n t he pl ane. It l ooked l i ke an or di nar y f or est ed i sl and w i t h coconut
t r ees and st uf f . The pi l ot l anded t he pl ane i n a smal l cl ear i ng w i t hi n t he f or est . By
t he t i me t hei r pl ane t ouched t he gr o und, i t w as al r eady n i ght . When t hey had al l
got t en out of t he pl ane, Emi l y t ol d t he pi l ot t hat he coul d l eave. Once t he pl ane
had di sappear ed behi nd t he cl ouds i n t he sky, Zeon f ocused on w her e he w as. It
w as ext r emel y dar k and he had absol ut el y no i dea w her e t hey w er e supposed t o
go.
How on ear t h ar e w e supposed t o see anyt hi ng i n t hi s dar kness? He
compl ai ned.
Gar y smi l ed. Al l ow me. He r ai sed hi s hand i n t he ai r and mut t er ed
somet hi ng. Accor di ngl y a br i ght bl ue l i ght emer ged f r om hi s hand, i l l umi nat i ng
t he ar ea ar ound t hem.
Wow ! That i s so cool ! Zeon sai d i mpr essed.
Yup, i t s ver y usef ul , sai d Gar y, f eel i ng ver y pl eased w i t h hi msel f .
So, t hey began t hei r w ay t o god-know s-w her e w i t h Gar y l eadi ng t he w ay.
Thi s f or est w as a l ot denser t han t he one back i n Washi ngt on. Vi nes, t hor ns and
37 | P a g e
bushes br ushed agai nst hi s body, l eavi ng behi nd f ai nt scr at ches. Soon t hey
began t o ascend, cl i mbi ng a hi l l or somet hi ng.
They r eached a smal l cave w hi ch w as bl ocked by a l ar ge boul der . Emi l y
moved f or w ar d and pl aced her hand on t he boul der .
At l nt i da, she sai d i n an audi bl e w hi sper .
Zeon w at ched i n shock as t he boul der j ust di sappear ed as i f i t never exi st ed.
Emi l y qui ckl y usher ed t hem i nsi de and w hen he l ooked back t he boul der had
r et ur ned. Insi de t he cave w as a passagew ay, l eadi ng t o absol ut e dar kness. Usi ng
hi s gl ow i ng hand, Gar y gui ded t hem al ong t he passagew ay. Soon t hey r eached a
l uxur i ous w hi t e door w hose bor der s w er e made of pur e gol d.
Wel l Zeon, ar e you r eady? Emi l y asked, pl aci ng her hand on t he door
knob.
He gave her a ner vous nod and Emi l y t ur ned t he knob t o sl ow l y open t he
door . A bl i ndi ng l i ght bl ast ed i n hi s f ace, maki ng i t ver y di f f i cul t t o see. He
w at ched as Emi l y di sappear ed i nt o t he l i ght . Hesi t ant l y, Zeon t ook a st ep
f or w ar d and af t er get t i ng an encour agi ng nod f r om Dut ch, he ent er ed t he l i ght .
Zeon opened hi s eyes but qui ckl y shut t hem w hen he exper i enced t he f ul l
gl ar e of t he sun. He agai n opened hi s eyes but t hi s t i me sl ow l y. When f i nal l y hi s
eyes became adj ust ed t o t he sudden pr esence of l i ght , he f ound hi msel f i n t he
most beaut i f ul pl ace he coul d ever i magi ne a f or est but unl i ke any f or est he
had ever seen. The l eaves of t he t r ees w er e l ush gr een, but as he w at ched t hey
changed col or s t o l i l ac.
The l eaves change col or accor di ng t o t he mood of t he peopl e i n At l nt i da.
They t ur n gr een and pi nk, dur i ng t i mes of happi ness, bl ue and br ow n i n
moment s of sadness, and r ed and vi ol et w hen r age or hat r ed f i l l s t he ai r . Amel i a
expl ai ned.
Real l y? Wow ! I never knew t hat At l nt i da w oul d be t hi s beaut i f ul . Zeon
comment ed.
38 | P a g e
Fur t her aw ay he coul d see a l ar ge w at er f al l w hi ch encour aged t he f or mat i on
of a br i ght r ai nbow . Suddenl y, f r om t he bl ue sky seven or bs l i ke cr eat ur es w hi ch
emi t t ed a br i l l i ant bl ue l i ght sped t ow ar ds Zeon. The or bs ci r cul at ed ar ound hi m
as i f he w as t he sun and t hey w er e t he pl anet s. Then, t o hi s sur pr i se one of t he
or bs spoke t o hi m.
Wel come t o At l nt i da! i t sai d.
Zeon coul d not hel p but smi l e. The voi ce of t he or b w as l i ke t hat of a l i t t l e
chi l d. Besi des t he o r bs, he cou l d see ot her f asci nat i ng non-ear t h cr eat ur es. So me
of t hem l ooked as har ml ess as t he or bs but ot her s l ooked l i ke t hey meant
busi ness.
Wel l , w el l , w el l . What do w e have her e? Psycho gi r l and her cl ow ns? sai d a
voi ce f r om behi nd hi m.
Toget her w i t h t he ot her s, Zeon t ur ned ar ound t o see a gr oup of si x peopl e,
st andi ng behi nd t hem. Thr ee of t hem w er e as ol d as Emi l y, Dut ch, Gar y and
Amel i a but t he ot her t hr ee w er e ki ds l i ke hi m, maybe a f ew year s ol der . The gi r l
w ho had spoken had l ong dar k bl ue hai r w hi ch w as so l ong t hat i t r eached her
ankl es. Her eyes w er e t he same col or as her hai r , dar k bl ue. She w or e a bl ack
dr ess w hi ch w as l i ned w i t h gr een j ew el s. The guy next t o her l ooked a l ot l i ke
Javel i n Akashi . He w as hai r l ess w i t h b l ood r ed eyes and a scar r ed f ace. He w or e a
br ow n l eat her j acket and navy bl u e t r ouser s. Anot her guy w as w ay back and w as
si t t i ng casual l y on a boul der . Thi s guy had l ong br ow n hai r w hi ch he had pul l ed
i nt o a ponyt ai l and bl ack eyes. He w or e a bl ack ni nj a sui t w i t h t w o sw or ds i n hi s
hands and i n hi s mout h w as a ci gar et t e.
The t hr ee ki ds (t w o boys and one gi r l ) w ho w er e st andi ng behi nd t he ol der
gi r l had t he same l ook of ar r ogance l i ke t he ol der t hr ee, except one of t he boy
w ho st ood f ur t hest apar t . Thi s boy had cur l y br ow n hai r and dar k br ow n eyes. He
w or e a nor mal r ed t -shi r t and f aded bl ue j eans. Judgi ng by t he l ook on hi s f ace,
t he boy l ooked uncomf or t abl e w hi l e st andi ng w i t h t he ot her s. The second boy
l ooked a l ot l i ke t he ol der gi r l w i t h shoul der l engt h dar k bl ue hai r and dar k bl ue
39 | P a g e
eyes. The young gi r l l ooked l i ke a mi ni at ur e ver si on of t he ol der gi r l w i t h t he
same l ong dar k bl ue hai r and dar k bl ue eyes.
St ephani e Levee, sai d Emi l y, addr essi ng t he ol der gi r l w i t h a col d smi l e. It
seems you ve been pr et t y busy. Gat her i ng up mor e of your r el at i ves I see, so
t ypi cal of you.
Ah, yes, so good of you t o not i ce, Psycho gi r l . But bef or e w e get car r i ed
aw ay I w ant you t o know t hat t hi s one St ephani e sai d, poi nt i ng t ow ar ds t he
ki d w i t h cur l y hai r w ho l ooked unl i ke t he ot her s. i s so not one of us.
Yes St ephani e, I t hi nk w e al l not i ced t hat . He s t he onl y one w ho l ooks
nor mal . Amel i a t aunt ed w hi l e Gar y sni gger ed.
Amel i a, I see you ve f i nal l y r egai ned your sani t y af t er t he deat h of your
boyf r i end. Sur pr i si ng, l ast t i me I saw you, you w er e hol di ng a pi ct ur e of Chr i s and
w er e sobbi ng hyst er i cal l y. St ephani e sai d, bat t i ng her eyel ashes.
Amel i a had pal ed consi der abl y and her eyes l ooked haunt ed.
Wat ch your mout h St ephani e! Gar y snapped.
Gar y, Gar y, Gar y. I hope you got a chance t o meet one of your f ami l y
member s. The f eud bet w een you and t hem i s qui t e exci t i ng. St ephani e sai d i n
f aked i nnocence.
M aybe I shoul d t el l you exact l y how I t r eat my f ami l y, Gar y snar l ed.
Enough! Emi l y snapped. I t hi nk I m cur i ous t o know mor e about you r new
f ami l y member s, St ephani e.
Typi cal of you. Anyw ay I w oul d l i ke t o i nt r oduce my br ot her and si st er w ho
ar e t w i ns, sai d St ephani e, pl aci ng her hands ar ound t he al most i dent i cal young
boy and gi r l . M y l i t t l e br ot her her e i s Cl ar k Levee. He i s a Wyver n. Isn t t hat
cool ? Wyver ns ar e not onl y r ar e but pow er f ul . M y l i t t l e si st er Rose Levee, on t he
ot her hand i s a ni ght el f so t he pow er of nat ur e i s i n her gr asps. I am sur e t hese
t w o w i l l go a l ong w ay.
What about t he ot her boy? Emi l y asked w hi l e she st ar ed specul at i vel y at
Cl ar k and Rose.
40 | P a g e
Oh, t hi s i s Br yan St eal t h. He i s a Shape shi f t er , St ephani e sai d di smi ssi vel y.
Cool , Zeon comment ed.
St ephani e t ur ned her at t ent i on t ow ar ds hi m.
Who s t hi s? she asked suspi ci ousl y.
Thi s i s Zeon Cr est . He i s al so a par t human. Emi l y r epl i ed bef or e he coul d.
St ephani e f r ow ned. Isn t he t oo young t o be her e?
Yes he s onl y t en. Hi s pow er s w er e act i vat ed a l i t t l e ear l i er . Emi l y r epl i ed
easi l y.
St ephani e l ooked shocked.
Impossi bl e! Coul d he be she began but Emi l y i nt er r upt ed her .
No, he does not possess The Gol den Phoeni x. If he di d w e w oul d know .
Emi l y sai d cal ml y.
Then w hat i s he? St ephani e asked skept i cal l y.
Emi l y si ghed. As t o t hat I m not sur e. M y f i r st guess w oul d be an Il l umi nat i
but he st i l l hasn t show n hi s t r ue f or m w hi ch i s sur pr i si ng as al l Il l umi nat i show
t hei r t r ue f or m w hen t hei r pow er s ar e act i vat ed.
Di d you f i nd Ir i s Wi l l i ams? St ephani e asked w hi l e st i l l , eyei ng hi m
car ef ul l y.
Emi l y shook her head sadl y. No, i nst ead w e f ound Zeon but at t he cost of
t he l i f e of Javel i n Akashi .
St ephani e smi r ked. So t hat ol d man i s f i nal l y dead? That s not a sur pr i se. I
al w ays sai d t hat hi s t i me w as near . He coul d bar el y l i f t hi s sw or d due t o hi s ol d
bones.
Take t hat back! Zeon shout ed. He coul d not bel i eve t hat t he ol der gi r l had
dar ed t o say t hat Javel i n Akashi w as w eak. He had f ought so br avel y and had
sacr i f i ced hi s l i f e f or hi m. Anger sur ged t hr ough hi s body and he f ound hi msel f
t r embl i ng w i t h f ur y. Li ke bef or e, a gol den l i ght sur r ounded hi s body and he coul d
f eel t he pr esence of a gr eat f or ce w i t hi n hi m. Bef or e he coul d at t ack, Amel i a
gr i pped hi s shoul der s.
41 | P a g e
Easy Zeon, she s onl y t r yi ng t o get under your ski n. That s t he w ay she
w or ks. She w hi sper ed w hi l e, gl ar i ng at St ephani e.
Zeon t ur ned ar ound angr i l y, and st or med aw ay f r om t hem al l i nt o t he f or est .
As he w al ked t hr ough t he w hi t eness of t he f or est , t he b eaut y of hi s sur r oundi ngs
w as enough t o di mi ni sh hi s bubbl i ng anger w i t hi n hi m. When he had seen t he
f or est f r om t he out si de, i t had l ooked pr et t y amazi ng but f r om t he i nsi de i t
l ooked st unni ng. M any exot i c f l ow er s cover ed ever y i nch of t he f or est and t he
smel l of t hei r per f ume w as near l y mi nd bl oggi ng.
It s beaut i f ul i sn t i t ?
Zeon t ur ned ar ound t o f i nd Amel i a st andi ng behi nd hi m. Besi de her , st ood
Emi l y, Gar y and Dut ch.
Yeah, he r epl i ed.
Ar e you okay? Amel i a asked.
Yeah, I m f i ne. He r epl i ed.
We shoul d get goi ng, Zeon. It s get t i ng l at e. Emi l y sai d.
Wher e ar e w e goi ng? He asked.
To t he School of At l nt i da of cour se, Gar y r epl i ed.
Okay, how f ar do w e have t o go? I m r eal l y t i r ed. I haven t had a good
ni ght s sl eep i n t w o days. He sai d w ar i l y.
It s okay. We don t have t o t r avel ver y f ar . In f act , w e ar e al r eady under i t .
Gar y r epl i ed casual l y.
Um w hat do you mean under i t ? He sai d conf used.
Look up, ki d. Dut ch sai d w i t h a chuckl e.
Zeon l ooked up and f or got t o cl ose hi s mout h.
In t hese past f ew days, Zeon had seen some pr et t y amazi ng st uf f . It had
st ar t ed w i t h The Cr eat ur e of Ni ght , f ol l ow ed cl osel y by t he di scover y of par t
humans, t hen he w as gi ven t he know l edge of t he exi st ence of anot her w or l d
cal l ed At l nt i da but none of t hem w er e as amazi ng as The Ci t y of t he Sky. It w as
l i ke ever y si ngl e bui l di ng on ear t h f l oat i ng ai ml essl y t hr ough t he sky w i t h no
42 | P a g e
begi nni ng and no end. That w as exact l y w hat The Ci t y of Sky l ooked l i ke
hundr eds of bui l di ngs, some as l ar ge as The Tw i n Tow er s w hi l e some as smal l as
an or di nar y house, j ust f l oat i ng i n t he ai r w i t h no sense of di r ect i on.
To say t hat Zeon w as amazed w as an under st at ement . Amel i a had t o
f or cef ul l y cl ose hi s mout h bef or e he st ar t ed, dr ool i ng l i ke a baby.
Wow ! He sai d w hen he had f i nal l y r egai ned t he abi l i t y t o speak. What am
I sayi ng? Even Wow i s not enough t o expr ess my exci t ement . Thi s i s j ust so
cool ! How on ear t h, ar e t hose bui l di ngs j ust f l oat i ng t her e?! He asked, Emi l y.
The same w ay pl anet s f l oat i n space, gr avi t y. The Ci t y of t he Sky i s t he most
uni que pl ace on bot h Ear t h and At l nt i da. Emi l y expl ai ned.
So t hi s pl ace i s cal l ed The Ci t y of t he Sky amazi ng! And I l l t ake a w i l d
guess and say, t hat i s t he School of At l nt i da, sai d Zeon, poi nt i ng t ow ar ds one
of t he st r uct ur es i n t he sky.
He had no i dea how he knew t hat t he f l oat i ng cast l e w as t he School of
At l nt i da. It w as j ust i nst i nct s and besi des, i t w as t he most uni que st r uct ur e i n
t he sky. Fi r st of al l t he cast l e w as huge and w as made of br i cks of pur e gol d. It
must have been sever al t i mes l ar ger t han t he l ar gest st r uct ur e on ear t h. It had
gat es t he si ze o f a Doubl e Decker Bus and w er e made of si l ver . It l ooked l i ke one
of t hose anci ent cast l es i n t he pr ehi st or i c t i me but i t w as st i l l a si t e of ext r eme
r ever ence.
It l ooks mor e l i ke t he Ki ngs Cast l e t han a school , Zeon comment ed. M r .
Bar on used t o t each hi m hi st or y so he knew about t he l ar ge cast l es t hat
bel onged t o ki ngs and queens.
That s mor e d ue t o t he f act t hat i t w as made dur i ng t he medi eval t i mes and
a cast l e i n t hose days r epr esent ed pow er . I guess t hat s w hat Lor d Cl ar k Pi r e had
i n mi nd, a school possessi ng unbel i evabl e pow er s. Emi l y expl ai ned.
The School of At l nt i da i s cool and ever yt hi ng, but how t he heck ar e w e
suppose t o go al l t he w ay up t her e! Zeon demanded.
Gar y w hy don t you do t he honor s, Emi l y sai d.
43 | P a g e
Wi t h pl easur e, sai d Gar y, t aki ng a st ep f or w ar d. He r ai sed hi s head and
l ooked di r ect l y at t he School of At l nt i da. Emi t !
Zeon w at ched i n aw e as a beaut i f ul sapphi r e col or ed st ai r case appear ed,
l eadi ng t ow ar ds t he cast l e.
Un-be-l i ev-abl e! He sai d.
Okay guys t hi s i s w her e w e dr aw t he l i ne. I have t o go t o t he Hal l of El i t e
and f ace j udgment by t he El i t e Counci l . Wi sh me l uck, Emi l y sai d w i t h a w i nk.
We al l have our f i nger s cr ossed, Emi l y. Good l uck! Amel i a sai d br i ght l y.
Emi l y bl ushed. Thanks and Amel i a, I m sor r y f or shout i ng at you ear l i er . I
l ose i t somet i mes and
Emi l y s w or ds dr ow ned w hen Amel i a gave her a f i er ce hug.
Apol ogy accept ed, Commander . Amel i a sai d.
Emi l y t hen t ur ned t o l ook at hi m.
It w as r eal l y ni ce meet i ng you, Zeon. I know you w i l l go a l ong w ay. I l l see
you l at er ! Emi l y sai d, huggi ng hi m t i ght l y.
Zeon f el t hi s f ace go r ed.
Yeah, good l uck f or t he El i t e t hi ng, he mumbl ed.
Emi l y t ur ned aw ay f r om t hem and f ocused her gaze on one of t he bui l di ngs
f l oat i ng i n t he sky.
Emi t ! she shout ed and t he same st ai r case appear ed. Af t er gi vi ng t hem al l a
smi l e, she began t o ascend.
Af t er Emi l y had l ef t , Amel i a gent l y nudged hi m.
Come on Zeon! The advent ur e i s not over yet ! She sai d, l ooki ng poi nt edl y
t ow ar ds t he st ai r case.
Ri ght , he sai d, begi nni ng hi s l ong w al k up t he st ai r case.
It t ook t hem mor e t han f i ve mi nut es t o r each t he School of At l nt i da. Once
t hey r eached t he school gat es, t hey w er e st opped by an ei ght een year ol d boy.
The boy had shor t l i ght bl ue hai r and hazel eyes. He w or e a gol den ar mor and
f r om hi s back emer ged t w o w hi t e angel i c w i ngs.
44 | P a g e
Gar y! Good t o see you dude! Back f r om your Quest al r eady? sai d t he boy.
Har r y Law r ence! Good t o see you t oo! I see you r e on guar d dut y agai n,
Gar y sai d, shaki ng t he boy s hand.
I so need a l i f e! Anyw ay, I m guessi ng t he mi ssi on w as a f ai l ur e, sai d Har r y.
Gar y si ghed. Yeah w e di dn t f i nd her i nst ead w e f ound hi m. He sai d,
poi nt i ng t ow ar ds Zeon.
Who i s he? Har r y asked.
Just some ki d w e f ound i n a f or est . Ther e i s somet hi ng di f f er ent about hi m.
He i s a par t human but w e have no i dea w hat r ace he bel ongs t o. Gar y sai d,
f r ow ni ng.
Bef or e Har r y coul d say anyt hi ng, Amel i a i nt er r upt ed.
Can w e t al k about t hi s l at er you Guys? We need t o see El i t e M ast er
Dor man and i t s al r eady get t i ng l at e. Amel i a sai d i mpat i ent l y.
Amel i a i s r i ght . We need t o l eave r i ght aw ay. Dut ch sai d t o Gar y.
Wel l I m not st oppi ng you. Go on ahead! Har r y sai d, movi ng asi de t o gi ve
t he per mi ssi on t o ent er t he cast l e.
The gat es of t he cast l e di sappear ed j ust l i ke t he boul der bl ocki ng t he
ent r ance of At l nt i da. Toget her w i t h t he ot her s, Zeon ent er ed t he cast l e w her e,
f r om now on, he w oul d be spendi ng most of hi s l i f e.
45 | P a g e
Chapt er 8
The School of At lnt ida
Zeon f ound hi msel f i n t he mai n l obby of t he School of At l nt i da, a l obby t h at
coul d hol d over a t housand st udent s w i t h i t s vast ness. The l obby w as t i l ed w i t h
car amel col or ed pl at es of mar bl e, cover ed w i t h r uby r ed car pet s. It s w i ndow s
w er e oval shaped and w er e t he same si ze as t he gat es of t he school . Pr i cel ess
i t ems l i ke anci ent vases, beaut i f ul pai nt i ngs and shi ni ng sui t s of ar mor w er e
f ound near ever y w al l of t he l obby. Sof t , w el comi ng sof as sat al ong t he w al l s of
t he l obby, cr eat i ng a ver y hospi t abl e envi r onment . A ci r cul ar st ai r case made of
dar k br ow n w ood, l ed t he user t o t he next f l oor of t he school . Ther e w er e a t o t al
of t en f l oor s, each consi st i ng of f i f t y r ooms. It di dn t f i ni sh her e, a l ar ge w hi t e
doubl e door l ead t o t he next l obby w hi ch w as as vast as f i r st one. Thi s next l obby
had t he same st ai r case, l eadi ng t o anot her t en f l oor s w i t h each f l oor consi st i ng
of f i f t y r ooms. In t ot al , t her e w er e f our l obbi es, f or t y f l oor s and over t w ent y
t housand r ooms!
Bi g w asn t i t ?
Can I ask you guys a quest i on? Zeon asked as he appr eci at ed t he enor mi t y
of t he school . Why w oul d anyone bui l d such a HUGE school ? I mean ser i ousl y,
i sn t t hi s pl ace unnecessar i l y t oo bi g!
No Zeon, t he si ze of t hi s pl ace i s per f ect f or hol di ng t he combi ned st r engt h
of par t humans w ho come f r om bot h At l nt i da and Ear t h. Once t he t er m begi ns
you l l see w hat I mean. Amel i a sai d.
Suddenl y, a door i n one cor ner of t he l obby opened and a man i n bl ack sui t
w al ked t ow ar ds t hem. The man had shor t si l ky bl ack hai r and vi ol et eyes. Hi s
f ace w as r agged and hi ghl y di st or t ed a f ace onl y a mot her coul d l ove.
46 | P a g e
What ar e you f our doi ng her e? The but l er demanded w i t h a t w i nge of
annoyance. School doesn t st ar t unt i l t omor r ow .
We know Commander Del ve but t hi s i s i mpor t ant , sai d Amel i a ear nest l y.
We r eal l y need t o see El i t e M ast er Dor man.
C. Del ve si ghed i n def eat . Ver y w el l , but pl ease w ast e no t i me t o l eave. El i t e
M ast er Dor man i s al r eady ver y busy i n t he pr epar at i ons f or t omor r ow .
Don t w or r y Commander Del ve. We l l be i n and out i n no t i me, Amel i a
pr omi sed.
Good. I t r ust you know w her e Dor man s of f i ce i s, C. Del ve sai d cur t l y.
Amel i a nodded and l ed t he w ay. They w al ked t ow ar ds t he door t hr ough
w hi ch t he but l er had come out . Dut ch opened t he door and usher ed t hem
i nsi de. Zeon soon f ound hi msel f i n a passagew ay, l eadi ng t ow ar ds a gol den door .
On t he door , t he i mage of a f i er ce dr agon w as car ved out . Ther e w as a si l ver
pl at e r i ght above t he door on w hi ch i t sai d, The Pr i nci pal s Of f i ce .
Gar y w al ked t ow ar ds t he door and pl aced hi s hand on t he dr agons head.
Zeon w at ched as t he dr agon s eyes began t o gl ow r ed. The door opened and
Gar y mot i oned hi m t o ent er . Hesi t ant l y, Zeon ent er ed t he r oom w i t h t he ot her s
cl ose behi nd.
The Pr i nci pal s Of f i ce l ooked mor e l i ke a medi t at i on r oom. Ther e w er e no
l i ght s her e and t he r oom w as di ml y l i t by f l oat i ng candl es. The candl es cr eat ed a
ci r cl e ar ound a man, w ho w as si t t i ng i n t he cent r e of t he r oom.
The man sat cr oss-l egged and l i ke t he candl es, he f l oat ed i n t he ai r . Hi s eyes
w er e cl osed and i t l ooked l i ke he w as i n a deep concent r at i on. The man had
shor t w hi t e hai r (t hough he di d not l ook ver y ol d) and he w as envel oped by a
gol den cl oak. He had a st er n l ooki ng f ace but Zeon coul d sense w ar mt h r adi at i ng
f r om w i t hi n hi m.
The t hi ng t hat i nt r i gued Zeon t he most w as t he pow er t hat seemed t o
sur r ound t he man. It w as unl i ke anyt hi ng he had ever f el t . The man f el t l i ke a
nucl ear mi ssi l e t hat w as r eady t o expl ode at any second. At f i r st si ght , he l ooked
47 | P a g e
l i ke any ot her man but w hen you sense t he pow er w i t hi n hi m you r eal i ze, t hat he
i s not a per son you w oul d w ant t o cr oss.
Zeon made an i nvol unt ar y movement t ow ar ds t he man. As soon as he t ook
a st ep f or w ar d, a pow er f ul l i ght ni ng bol t sped t ow ar ds hi m. Dut ch r eact ed
qui ckl y and gr abbed hi m by t he col l ar of hi s shi r t , and pul l ed hi m t o saf et y.
Woul dn t t r y t hat , Zeon. Gar y sai d, smi r ki ng. It s n ever saf e t o appr oach a
per son i n medi t at i on, especi al l y a per son l i ke Dor man.
Zeon f r ow ned. Why i s he medi t at i ng? Is he some ki nd of pr i est or
somet hi ng?
No Zeon, ever yone her e has t o medi t at e, even you. We have an ener gy r i ver
i n our body w hi ch i s know n as t he Aur a. It enabl es us t o do t he i ncr edi bl e t hi ngs
w hi ch ar e i mpossi bl e f or f ul l humans l i ke, cont r ol f i r e or shoot l i ght ni ng bol t s out
of our hands. In par t humans t h e Aur a i s st r onger and mor e det ect abl e t han t hat
i n f ul l humans w hi ch i s w hy w e can do t hi ngs t hey can t . Th i s Aur a w i t hi n us i s an
ener gy sour ce and l i ke al l ener gi es i t i s bei ng l ost t o our sur r oundi ngs by
conver si on i nt o ot her f o r ms of ener gi es. M edi t at i on al l ow s us t o r est or e t hi s l ost
aur a and al so hel ps t o i ncr ease i t s quant i t y w i t hi n our body. Dut ch expl ai ned.
Okay and how l ong i s t hi s supposed t o t ake? Zeon asked.
Hopef ul l y not t oo l ong, Gar y mut t er ed.
To t hei r di smay t he medi t at i on di d cont i nue f or a l ong t i me. They al l w ai t ed
i mpat i ent l y f or over an hour . The ot her s t r i ed unsuccessf ul l y t o hi de t hei r
gr ow i ng f r ust r at i on but Zeon coul d cl ear l y see t hat t hey w er e l osi ng pat i ence.
Fi nal l y, t he pr i nci pal opened hi s eyes, br eaki ng hi s medi t at i on.
Sor r y t o keep you al l w ai t i ng, sai d E. M . Dor man w hen he acknow l edged
t hei r pr esence. Tomor r ow s a bi g day and I have t o be at f ul l st r engt h. I mean a
w eak pr i nci pal i s not w hat t he st udent s expect , am I r i ght ?
The quest i on w as di r ect ed mor e t ow ar ds Zeon t han t he ot her s.
Er r i ght , he sai d uncer t ai nl y.
48 | P a g e
Gr eat ! Ah, and good t o see you t hr ee agai n. Wher e s Emi l y? sai d E. M
Dor man as he addr essed t he ot her s.
She s gone t o t he El i t e Counci l f or j udgment , M ast er Dor man. Amel i a sai d.
Oh, t hat means w e l l soon have our sel ves a new El i t e! Emi l y Tar ki n, t he
youngest El i t e of al l t i me! I d be sur pr i sed i f she di dn t make i t t o Omega l evel !
She sur e put s her hear t i nt o her w or k, t hat gi r l , E. M . Dor man sai d pr oudl y.
Zeon had t o smi l e. He expect ed t he pr i nci pal t o be a ver y st r i ct per son but
M ast er Dor man l ooked l i ke a ver y cheer f ul f el l ow .
M ast er Dor man, w e coul dn t f i nd Ir i s Wi l l i ams, Amel i a sai d qui et l y.
E. M . Dor man si ghed heavi l y. Yes I f i gur ed t hat out mysel f . I coul dn t see
Ir i s w i t h you so i t w as obvi ous you f ai l ed t o f i nd her .
The bad new s doesn t end her e. We w er e at t acked by some of Chaos s
f ol l ow er s and Javel i n Akashi di ed t o save us. We al so f ound t hi s ki d, hi s name i s
Zeon Cr est . Gar y sai d w i t h hi s eyes squeezed shut .
E. M . Dor man l ooked as i f he had aged a gr eat deal i n t hese past f ew
mi nut es. Zeon t oo f el t t hat hope w as not on t hei r si de.
So t hi s i s Zeon Cr est ? E. M . Dor man sai d f i nal l y.
Yes, w e f ound hi m i n a f or est l ocat ed i n Washi ngt on. He w as l i vi ng w i t h
Javel i n Akashi . Accor di ng t o Akashi , Zeon i s speci al and he w as gi ven speci f i c
or der s f r om t he boy s par ent s t o pr ot ect hi m.
And hi s par ent s ar e? E. M . Dor man asked.
We don t know . Even Akashi di dn t know . He sai d t hat he had never met
t he boy s par ent s i n per son but had onl y r ecei ved t hei r l et t er . As f or t he boy, he
doesn t r emember hi s par ent s. Dut ch expl ai ned.
Int er est i ng w hat do you t hr ee t hi nk? Is t he boy speci al ? E. M . Dor man
asked.
Wel l Gar y began and t hen expl ai ned t he pow er t hat h ad expl oded out of
Zeon w hen Javel i n Akashi had di ed, and how he had ki l l ed Razor w i t h a si ngl e
punch.
49 | P a g e
Real l y? That i s pr et t y i mpr essi ve. Hmm t hi s boy coul d be anot her
Il l umi nat i . E.M . Dor man sai d as he st udi ed Zeon i nt ent l y.
Emi l y t hought so t oo but Zeon has never changed i nt o hi s t r ue f or m and as
you know , al l Il l umi nat i , even t he young ones, know how t o change t hemsel ves.
And t her e i s anot her myst er y her e. Zeon s pow er s w er e act i vat ed at t he age of
t en w hi l e t he pow er s of most par t humans ar e act i vat ed at t he age of t hi r t een,
except Ir i s Wi l l i am s pow er s w ho w e know i s The Si l ver Phoeni x. Gar y expl ai ned.
Gar y, ar e you suggest i ng t hat Zeon her e possesses The Gol den Phoeni x? E.
M . Dor man sai d shar pl y.
It i s a possi bi l i t y M ast er Dor man. Look, f or al l w e know Chr i s w as mur der ed
by Chaos but w e di dn t see i t happen. What i f , bef or e hi s deat h Chr i s passed hi s
pow er s ont o someone el se? And w hat i f t hat someone i s Zeon? We al l knew
Chr i s, r i ght ? He al w ays had backup pl ans. M aybe t hi s i s one of hi s pl ans. M aybe
he w ant ed t o f ool Chaos i n t hi nki ng t hat by ki l l i ng hi m The Gol den Phoeni x w i l l
be l ost f or ever ! Once agai n, Gar y f ai l ed t o hi de hi s exci t ement o n t hi s par t i cul ar
t opi c.
The ot her s on t he ot her h and l ooked doubt f ul , so di d Zeon. He coul d not f eel
t he pr esence of anyt hi ng so pow er f ul i n si de of hi m. But t hen agai n, w hen Javel i n
Akashi had di ed he had f el t t he sudden exi st ence of an unbel i evabl y st r ong
pow er w i t hi n hi s hear t . Coul d t hat have been somet hi ng t o do w i t h t he Gol den
Phoeni x?
No, i t w as j ust i mpossi bl e.
You may be r i ght Gar y. E. M . Dor man sai d f i nal l y. But honest l y, I t hi nk I
w oul d have f el t The Gol den Phoeni x i nsi de t he boy. Anyw ay, Zeon Cr est !
Wel come t o t he School of At l nt i da! We don t r eal l y know w hat t he o t her hal f of
you i s but w e w i l l f i nd out ! I bet t hese t hr ee have t ol d you ever yt hi ng about
At l nt i da. E. M . Dor man sai d, l ooki ng expect ant l y at hi m.
He gave a hesi t ant nod.
50 | P a g e
Gr eat ! Whi ch means, I w on t have t o w ast e my br eat h i n l ect ur i ng you?
Now , t er m begi ns t omor r ow and I can guar ant ee t hat you w i l l enj oy your st ay at
t hi s school . We have uncount abl e number of act i vi t i es st or ed f or al l Rooki es.
Tomor r ow I w i l l gi ve you t he det ai l s of t he t hi ngs you w i l l be d oi ng at t hi s school .
Now , I t hi nk you mi ght be t i r ed because of your l ong j our ney her e. Commander
Del ve! E. M . Dor man shout ed.
A gr umpy l ooki ng C. Del ve ent er ed t he r oom. Yes, M ast er Dor man.
I w ant you t o t ake t hi s boy t o, Lobby No: 1: Fl oor 2: Roo m 4. E. M . Dor man
sai d.
Del ve gave Zeon an aci d l ook.
As you w i sh si r , The But l er sai d, gi vi ng E. M . Dor man a st i f f bow . He t hen
l ooked t ow ar ds Zeon. Fol l ow me boy.
Bef or e Zeon l ef t , he l ooked back t ow ar ds Gar y, Amel i a and Dut ch. These
guys had not onl y saved hi s l i f e but h ad al so br ought hi m t o t hi s w onder f ul pl ace,
At l nt i da. If i t w asn t f or t hem he w oul d never have t he chance t o exper i ence
t he beaut i f ul l i f e t hat w as t o come a new begi nni ng.
Guys, he sai d, w al ki ng back t ow ar ds hi s t hr ee f r i ends. Thank you f or
ever yt hi ng.
Amel i a smi l ed and gave hi m a w i nk.
Gar y gave hi m t humbs up.
Dut ch gave hi m a det er mi ned nod.
Wi t h t hat Zeon l ef t , f ol l ow i ng C. Del ve t o hi s r oom.
51 | P a g e
Chapt er 9
The Power of Shape
shift ing


Zeon w oke up ear l y i n t he mor ni ng by a r i ngi ng sound i n hi s head. He
gr oaned and t r i ed t o i gnor e t he sound but t hat j ust made i t l ouder . Fi nal l y, he
gave up and gr umpi l y pushed t he bed cover s of hi msel f . He bl i nked dazedl y and
w as gl ad t hat t he r i ngi ng sound i n hi s head had st ar t ed t o di mi ni sh. He l ooked
ar ound t he r oom i n w hi ch t he but l er had l ef t hi m.
The r oom w as meant f or t hr ee peopl e. It consi st ed of t hr ee beds w i t h
admi r abl e sof t ness. If i t w asn t f or t he r i ngi ng sound i n hi s head, Zeon t hought
he coul d sl eep her e al l day. Ther e w er e a coupl e of sof as l i ke t he ones he had
seen i n t he mai n l obby, t hr ee l ar ge cupboar ds, a f i r e pl ace and t w o squeaky
cl ean t oi l et s. If i t w as t r ue t hat he w oul d be spendi ng most of hi s l i f e i n t hi s
r oom, he w as not compl ai ni ng.
Is t her e a w ay t o shut t hi s annoyi ng sound i n my head! a boy compl ai ned.
Zeon l ooked t ow ar ds t he bed on hi s l ef t w her e, t he cur l y hai r ed boy w ho he
had seen bef or e sat , st r et chi ng hi s ar ms w i de.
It s you; you r e t hat ki d I saw yest er day. Br yan i sn t i t ? He asked t he boy.
Yeah and you r e Zeon, Br yan sai d, yaw ni ng.
When di d you get her e? Zeon asked because w hen he had ent er ed t hi s
r oom yest er day, i t had been empt y.
I ar r i ved at eveni ng Br yan sai d, t r yi ng ver y har d t o keep hi s eyes open.
t hanks t o t hat ol der gi r l , St ephani e Levees.
Why? What happened? Zeon asked.
52 | P a g e
She had t o st op at some r el at i ve s house bef or e comi ng her e. The ot her t w o
ki ds w ho had been w i t h me, Cl ar k and Rose, st ayed at t hei r r el at i ves house w hi l e
I came her e w i t h M i chael Levees. Br yan expl ai ned.
Who s M i chael ? Zeon asked, f r ow ni ng.
That bal dy w ho w as w i t h us, r emember ? He s mad I t el l you. Spends most of
hi s t i me t al ki ng t o hi msel f . In f act , t he w hol e Levees f ami l y i s w ei r d. Al l t hey car e
about i s bei ng t he best . I f el t l i ke an out si der , dur i ng my br i ef t i me w i t h t hem.
Br yan sai d w i t h a snor t .
Wai t , w hy di dn t t he t w i ns, Cl ar k and Rose, come her e? Zeon asked.
Isn t i t obvi ous? sai d a voi ce f r om t he door .
Zeon and Br yan t ur ned ar ound t o see t he door of t hei r r oom, hal f open and
a gi r l , st andi ng out si de. The gi r l l ooked as ol d as Br yan w i t h l ong bl onde hai r ,
w hi ch she had pul l ed i nt o a ponyt ai l and deep bl ue eyes. The gi r l w or e a
sl eevel ess l i ght pi nk shi r t , w hi t e t r ouser s and bl ack-r ed j ogger s.
Who ar e you? Br yan asked dr yl y. He w as st ar i ng at t he gi r l as i f she w as
somet hi ng out of t hi s w or l d.
M y name i s Cr yst al Lovesey. Cr yst al sai d cool l y.
Zeon di d a doubl e t ake. Cr yst al Lovesey Amel i a Lovesey s si st er ?
Yes, you must be Zeon Cr est . Si s t ol d me al l about you. Cr yst al sai d w i t h a
smi l e.
M y names Br yan St eal t h, Br yan sai d hopef ul l y.
So, as I w as sayi ng bef or e, Cr yst al began, i gnor i ng Br yan compl et el y. The
r eason Cl ar k and Rose di d not come her e yest er day w as because t hey di dn t
need t o. They have a per f ect home her e i n At l nt i da, so w hy come her e? You
t w o ar e f r o m Ear t h so you have n o home on At l nt i da w hi ch i s w hy you guys w i l l
be st ayi ng her e i nst ead.
What about you? Zeon asked.
I al so have a home her e but t hi ngs at my house ar e r eal l y messed. No,
me and si s st ay her e at t he School of At l nt i da, Cr yst al sai d.
53 | P a g e
What s w r ong w i t h your house? Br yan asked, f r ow ni ng.
Cr yst al si ghed. I w i sh I knew exact l y w hat i s w r ong.
M eani ng?
Li st en, w e can t al k about t hi s l at er , Cr yst al snapped. We r e al r eady
get t i ng pr et t y l at e. The assembl y w i l l be st ar t i ng i n a f ew mi nut es and you t w o
haven t even got t en changed.
What assembl y? Br yan gr oaned.
Cr yst al t hr ew her hands i n t he ai r i n exasper at i on.
The Wel comi ng Assembl y f or t he Rooki es, duh!
Wel l sor r y! We j ust ar r i ved her e yest er day, you know ! No one t ol d us
anyt hi ng about any assembl y! sai d Br yan as he st umbl ed out of hi s bed and
w al ked t ow ar ds t he bat hr oom.
Wel l now you know ! So hur r y up! Cr yst al sai d, gl ar i ng at Br yan.
Zeon bi t back a smi l e.
Cr yst al sounded a l ot l i ke Emi l y.
Er Cr yst al , ar e t her e any cl ot hes her e? Zeon asked sheepi shl y. He w as
w ear i ng a w hi t e sl eepi ng dr ess t hat t he but l er had gi ven hi m. It w asn t exact l y
sui t abl e t o w ear f or an assembl y.
Wel l , of cour se! Your cl ot hes ar e i n t he cupboar d on t he r i ght . Don t even
t hi nk about openi ng t he mi ddl e cupboar d because t h at s w her e my cl ot hes ar e.
Cr yst al sai d f i er cel y.
Okay I w on t , Zeon sai d qui ckl y. Wai t , you sai d t hat t he mi ddl e cupboar d
i s your s, meani ng you r e al so st ayi ng i n t hi s r oom.
Unf or t unat el y yes, Cr yst al sai d, shaki ng her head sl i ght l y.
Zeon opened hi s cupboar d and f ound hi msel f st ar i ng at a l ar ge var i et y of
cl ot hes.
These ar en t mi ne! Zeon cr i ed.
Wel l , now t hey ar e. You and Br yan came her e w i t h pr act i cal l y no cl ot hes,
except t he ones you w er e w ear i ng of cour se, but besi des t hat you had not hi ng.
54 | P a g e
So El i t e M ast er Dor man t el epor t ed t hese cl ot hes i nsi de your cupboar d, Cr yst al
expl ai ned.
Zeon uni nt er est edl y t ook out a r ed shi r t , a bl ack pant and w hi t e j ogger s
f r om w i t hi n t he cupboar d. That s w hen he not i ced t he si l ver badge t hat w as
pi nned t o hi s shi r t . It w as shaped l i ke t he l et t er R .
He not i ced t hat Cr yst al had a si mi l ar badge pi nned t o her shi r t .
I m guessi ng t he R st ands f or Rooki e, Zeon sai d, exami ni ng t he badge.
Yup, t hi s R w i l l change i nt o a D w hen you r each Deput y l evel , t hen i t w i l l
change i nt o a C f or Commander and t hen f i nal l y i t w i l l t ur n i nt o an E once you
become El i t e. Ther e i s O f or Omega al so, but t he chances of anyone r eachi ng
t hat l evel ar e ext r emel y l ow .
The hi er ar chy syst em her e i s si mpl y amazi ng. Zeon comment ed.
Tr ue, now go t ake a show er . Cr yst al sai d br i skl y.
Zeon j ust st ar ed at her . How on ear t h w as he supposed t o t ake a show er
w i t h no w at er ?
What ar e you st i l l doi ng her e? Cr yst al snapped.
Ther e s no w at er her e, Zeon sai d.
What s t he bat hr oom f or ? Cr yst al demanded.
Oh, t he w at er i s i n t he bat hr oom. Zeon sai d, w al ki ng t ow ar ds t he
bat hr oom.
55 | P a g e
When Zeon ent er ed t he bat hr oom, he w as di smayed t o see t hat t her e w as
no w at er her e. He l ooked back at Cr yst al , uncer t ai n i f he shoul d ask her w her e
t he w at er i s. He f i gur ed t hat she w oul d make f un of hi m or w or se, st r angl e hi m.
He deci ded t o t ake a chance.
Um Cr yst al t her e s no w at er i n t he bat hr oom, he mumbl ed.
Cr yst al l ooked as i f she w ant ed t o ki l l hi m. She st or med past hi m i nt o t he
bat hr oom and t ur ned a knob of t he show er . Accor di ngl y, w at er pour ed out of
t he show er . Zeon l ooked at her i n amazement .
That s how you get w at er her e. Yo u t ur ned t hat knob and w at er pour s out .
He sai d. In t he f or est you had t o j ust j ump i n a st r eam or somet hi ng.
What ar e you j ungl e boy? Cr yst al asked i ncr edul ousl y.
Wel l yeah. I ve spent al most al l my l i f e i n a f or est so t her e ar e a l ot of t hi ngs
I don t know about . For est l i f e i s ver y di f f er ent f r om t hi s l uxur y l i f e. It coul d have
been w or se, I guess. If Javel i n Akashi had not per sonal l y t aught me Engl i sh,
mat h, sci ence and hi st or y honest l y, I w oul d have been a compl et e i di ot her e.
Zeon sai d w i t h a snor t .
You r e ser i ous? I m sor r y f or scol di ng you f or t hat . If you need hel p i n
anyt hi ng at al l , don t hesi t at e t o ask me. Cr yst al sai d f i r ml y. Now , hur r y up and
get changed.
Cr yst al l ef t t he bat hr oom and Zeon t ook a qui ck show er . He had t o admi t
t he show er w as ver y r ef r eshi ng. He no l onger f el t t i r ed. Af t er get t i ng changed,
he l ef t t he bat hr oom. Out si de, Cr yst al and Br yan st ood r eady t o l eave. Wi t hout a
f ur t her del ay, he w or e hi s j ogger s and t oget her w i t h t he ot her s, h e l ef t t he r oo m
f or t he assembl y.
Yest er day, w hen Zeon had f i r st ar r i ved at t he School of At l nt i da i t had been
compl et el y empt y but t oday, i t w as l i ke ever y ki d i n t hi s w or l d w as her e. The
mai n l obby or Lobby No. 1 w as f i l l ed w i t h boys and gi r l s w ho w er e al l ol der t han
hi m. They al l had t he same R badge pi nned on t hei r r espect i ve shi r t s w hi ch
56 | P a g e
meant t hat t hey w er e al l Rooki es. He coul d see a f ew ol der ki ds w i t h a D badge
f or Deput y on t hei r shi r t s but t hey w er e bei ng moved t o t he Lobby No. 2.
The but l er , Commander Del ve, st ood on a r ai sed pl at f or m and w as shout i ng
or der s. Somehow , hi s voi ce w as magni f i ed so t hat ever yone coul d hear hi m.
Al l Rooki es ar e t o st ay i n Lobby No. 1, Deput i es pl ease pr oceed t o Lobby
No. 2, Commander s move t o Lobby No. 3 and f i nal l y El i t e, pl ease move t o Lobby
No. 4. Rooki es pl ease assembl e i n a st r ai ght l i ne and st op messi ng ar ound.
Zeon, Br yan and Cr yst al t r i ed t o st and i n a l i ne but none of t he Rooki es w er e
t oo keen t o do t hi s. Zeon w as busy w at chi ng t he ot her st udent s i n t he l obby. A
guy w i t h sandy br ow n hai r r ai sed hi s hand and mut t er ed some w or ds.
Accor di ngl y, a f i er ce f i r ebal l appear ed i n t he mi ddl e of hi s hand and hi s f r i ends
st ar t ed t o cl ap f or hi m. Anot her gi r l pr oduced a beaut i f ul sapphi r e col or ed f l ow er
f r om t hi n ai r and handed i t t o one of her f r i ends.
Then hi s eyes f el l upon t he t w o t w i ns, Cl ar k and Rose. They w er e
sur r ounded by a gr oup of peopl e w ho w er e w at chi ng t hem eager l y. Cl ar k r ai sed
hi s i ndex f i nger i n t he ai r . Fr om t he t i p of hi s f i nger , f i r e er upt ed w hi ch t ook t he
f or m of a f er oci ous dr agon w hose r oar made t he w hol e l obby shake. He bow ed
l ow as ever yone i n t he l obby cheer ed f or hi m. Rose w as danci ng beaut i f ul l y and
w her ever she st epped, exot i c f l ow er s spr out ed out . M any boys w ol f w hi st l ed as
she bat t ed her l ong eyel ashes at t hem.
Those t w o need a l i f e, sai d Cr yst al , scow l i ng.
They ar e r eal l y good. Oh, I mean, w el l not t hat good. Br yan st ammer ed
under t he gl ar e t hat Cr yst al gave hi m.
Hey Zeon!
Zeon t ur ned ar ound t o see Cl ar k and Rose maki ng t hei r w ay t ow ar ds hi m.
Cl ar k t hr ew hi s hand over Zeon s neck as i f t hey bot h w er e best f r i ends.
Ever ybody! Can I have your at t ent i on pl ease! Cl ar k sai d i n an unbel i evabl y
l oud voi ce. I w oul d l i ke t o i nt r oduce you al l t o, Zeon Cr est . Ever yone her e I m
sur e, know s w hat t hey ar e. Li ke I am par t h uman and p ar t Wyver n, and my si st er
57 | P a g e
her e i s par t human and par t ni ght el f . But , t hi s boy her e i s speci al . He i s par t
human and par t myst er y. El i t e M ast er Dor man coul dn t f i gur e out w hat he w as
but I ve f el t t he pow er w i t hi n hi m and I must say f or a t en year ol d he i s pr et t y
pow er f ul .
Wai t , how come he s t en and w e r e al l t hi r t een or f our t een? I t hought our
pow er s w er e act i vat ed at t he age of t hi r t een? sai d a gi r l f r om t he cr ow d.
You r e absol ut el y r i ght , Sal l y but l i ke I sai d bef or e Zeon i s speci al , even
t hough he i s j ust a j ungl e boy. Cl ar k sai d w hi l e ever yone l aughed at Zeon.
Oh and guess w ho t ut or ed hi m, ol d smel l y Javel i n Akashi . Rose added.
Oh and I al so hear d t hat Zeon does not know w ho hi s par ent s ar e. Wer e
t hey a bunch of apes Zeon? Cl ar k sai d as Rose doubl ed over , l aughi ng.
Leave hi m al one, Cl ar k! Br yan sai d angr i l y. He pushed Cl ar k aw ay f r om
Zeon. Cl ar k r eact ed i nst ant l y and punched hi m on t he f ace.
Ar e you cr azy, Cl ar k! Cr yst al expl oded.
Why don t you t ur n i nt o a l i t t l e hamst er and scur r y aw ay, you w or t hl ess
shapeshi f t er ! Cl ar k sai d t hr eat eni ngl y.
Br yan cal ml y got t o hi s f eet .
Hamst er nah! I w as t hi nki ng somet hi ng much bet t er . Br yan sai d.
Ever yone w at ched i n amazement as Br yan began t o change. Soon, t hey w er e
al l l ooki ng at a ver y l ar ge, ver y angr y l i on. Br yan l umber ed over Cl ar k and opened
hi s mout h t o r el ease a deaf eni ng r oar t hat made ever y st udent s i n t he l obby
cow er w i t h f ear . Even Cl ar k st epped back, shocked.
If you mess w i t h me I l l t ear you l i mb f r om l i mb, sai d Br yan w ar ni ngl y.
Enough you t w o! Ever yone t ur ned ar ound t o see Commander Del ve,
st andi ng behi nd t hem w i t h amusement , gl i nt i ng i n hi s eyes. Get i nt o your l i nes
ever yone or I l l show you some of my ow n pow er s.
Br yan t ur ned back i nt o hi s or i gi nal sel f and gl ar ed at Cl ar k w ho l ooked
equal l y angr y. Wi t hout any f ur t her w or d, Cl ar k and Rose l ef t .
58 | P a g e
That w as w i ckedl y cool , Br yan. Zeon sai d, gr i nni ng as he w at ched t he
t w i ns l eave.
I t hi nk you made hal f of t he st udent s pee i n t hei r pant s. Cr yst al sai d as she
l ooked at Br yan w i t h admi r at i on. It w as t he f i r st t i me she had r eal l y
acknow l edged hi s pr esence.
Nobody messes w i t h my l i t t l e buddy and get s aw ay w i t h i t , sai d Br yan
f i er cel y.
Thanks Br yan. I t hi nk w e shoul d get i nt o a l i ne now . The assembl y i s about
t o st ar t . Zeon sai d st i l l , smi l i ng.
59 | P a g e
Chapt er 10
The Pr oclamat ion and
t he Codex
Zeon w at ched as El i t e M ast er Dor man appear ed on t he st ai r case of Lobby
No. 1. Hi s eyes r oamed over al l t he exci t ed Rooki es, w ho coul d not w ai t f or t he
t er m t o st ar t . Zeon coul d t el l t hat M ast er Dor man w as equal l y t hr i l l ed t o see
t hem al l her e. Commander Del ve appear ed besi de hi m and w hi sper ed somet hi ng
i n hi s ear . M ast er Dor man nodded and w i nked at Br yan w ho l ooked r at her
f l ushed. Appar ent l y, Commander Del ve had t ol d hi m about Br yan s shape shi f t
i nt o a l i on but i t seemed t hat M ast er Dor man di dn t seem angr y at al l . It w as as i f
he expect ed a f i ght t o br eakout i n t he Lobby.
Suddenl y, mor e adul t s descended t he st ai r case behi nd M ast er Dor man.
M ast er Dor man qui ckl y moved ahead, gi vi ng t he new ar r i val s some r oom. M or e
and mor e adul t s appear ed, and moved dow n t he st ai r case. Ther e w er e over
t hi r t y adul t s, w ho made a l i ne at t he base of t he st ai r case i n f r ont of t he Rooki es.
The st udent s i n t he hal l w er e no l onger t al ki ng amongst t hemsel ves but w er e
l ooki ng at t he adul t s w i t h exci t ement .
Zeon r eal i zed t hat t he adul t s w er e t he t eacher s of t he School of At l nt i da.
When al l t he adul t s had ar r i ved, M ast er Dor man moved f or w ar d. He r ai sed
hi s hands and cl apped t hem t oget her . Bef or e anyone coul d compr ehend w hat
w as h appeni ng, t he w al l s t hat di vi ded t he Lobbi es apar t si mpl y di sappear ed. The
r oom w as f i l l ed w i t h a mi xt ur e of shock and exci t ement , especi al l y f r om t he
Rooki es w ho w er e st ar i ng at M ast er Dor man i n aw e.
60 | P a g e
Zeon r eal i zed t hat t hi s w as t he f i r st t i me M ast er Dor man had done t hi s, f or
even t he El i t e l ooked conf used. Ever yone w at ched as M ast er Dor man r ai sed hi s
hand h i gh i n t he ai r and t hen sn apped hi s f i nger . Ther e w as a col l ect i ve ou t br eak
of gasps as t he st ai r case and al l t he f l oor s above di sappear ed l i ke t he w al l s.
Inst ead t hey w er e r epl aced by a sol i d w al l . Now , t he pl ace i n w hi ch ever y
st udent st ood l ooked l i ke a si ngl e hal l t hat st r et ched f or many ki l omet er s f r om
l ef t t o r i ght . It w as easi l y t he l ar gest hal l ever t o exi st .
M ast er Dor man agai n cl apped hi s hands t oget her and ever yone w at ched
w i t h t he same l ook of w onder , as r ai sed pl at f or ms appear ed f or al l t he t eacher s.
The pl at f or m f or M ast er Dor man hi msel f w as hi gher t han t hat of t he r est of t he
t eacher s si nce he w as pr i nci pal of t he school .
How di d he do t hat ? Zeon asked i n amazement .
El i t e M ast er Dor man i s t he st r ongest per son on At l nt i da. He can do t hi ngs
t hat peopl e can onl y dr eam of doi ng. Cr yst al sai d w i t h a huge smi l e.
I w oul d l i ke t o apol ogi ze f or t hi s sudden r edecor at i on but i t w as necessar y.
I have some ver y i mpor t ant t hi ngs t o say t o you al l . But f i r st , l et us j o i n our sel ves
i n w el comi ng t he new Rooki es. E. M . Dor man sai d as he addr essed t he Rooki es.
It i s a gr eat pl easur e t o have you al l her e. Each of you has your o w n uni queness
and t he pur pose of t he School of At l nt i da i s t o hel p you embr ace t hi s
uni queness. But not onl y t hat , w e w i l l al so be hel pi ng you l ear n ot her speci al
pow er s so t hat you may become st r onger t han ot her s and t her eby mar k your
exi st ence i n bot h At l nt i da and Ear t h.
Zeon r ai sed hi s hand i n t he ai r aut omat i cal l y.
It seems young Zeon Cr est has a quest i on, E. M . Dor man sai d pol i t el y.
Pl ease go ahead. Zeon.
Ohum I w as j ust w onder i ng you sai d t hat w e w i l l be l ear ni ng new
pow er s but i sn t t hat ki nd of danger ous. I mean w hat i f a st udent uses hi s new
pow er s f or evi l . I m not cr i t i ci zi ng anyone her e but i sn t t hat a possi bi l i t y? Zeon
asked, i gnor i ng t he r oar s of out r age f r om al l t he ot her st udent s.
61 | P a g e
Set t l e dow n, set t l e dow n! Zeon has asked a ver y w i se quest i on. Ever y one
of us shoul d have a sense of caut i on, but t her e i s not hi ng t o w or r y about . If any
of you, use your pow er s f or i l l egal act i vi t i es, mar k my w or ds t hese act i vi t i es w i l l
not go unnot i ced. I w i l l know about t hem at once. If you ar e f ound gui l t y f or your
act i vi t i es, w e have an i nst r ument t hat w i l l t ake al l your pow er s aw ay and you w i l l
be t ur ned i nt o a nor mal human bei ng. You w i l l no l onger be a t hr eat . E. M .
Dor man expl ai ned.
Have you done t hi s bef or e? Have you t aken aw ay anyone s pow er ? asked
Br yan.
E. M . Dor man si ghed. Yes i t has been done many t i mes bef or e. Anyw ay, I
t hi nk i t s t i me w e moved aw ay f r om t hese unpl easant t al ks and f ocus on t he
mat t er at hand. We w i l l st ar t by The Pr ocl amat i on. But bef or e w e st ar t t hi s I
w oul d l i ke t o expl ai n t he hi er ar chy syst em her e i n t he School of At l nt i da. Ever y
st udent her e st ar t s of as a Rooki e. Lat er , at t he end of t er m he gi ves a speci al
exam cal l ed RAT
Ther e w as an out br eak of gi ggl es f r om t he Rooki es, at t he sound of RAT .
E. M . Dor man i gnor ed t hem and cont i nued.
RAT st ands f or Rooki es Advancement Test . If a Rooki e i s successf ul i n t hi s
t est he w i l l be pr omot ed t o Deput y Cl ass. The Deput i es t hen gi ve t he t est DDT
w hi ch st ands f or Deput i es Devel opment Test . If a Deput y passes i n t hi s t est he
w i l l be pr omot ed t o Commander Cl ass. The Commander s t hen gi ve t he t est CIT
al so know n as t he Commander s Innovat i on Test t o become a member of El i t e
Cl ass. Once you become El i t e, your st udi es ar e of f i ci al l y over but some st udent s
pr oceed t o st udy f ur t her . If by some mi r acl e an El i t e manages t o pass t he
l egendar y El ement al s Test , he or she w i l l become an Omega. Now , The
Pr ocl amat i on i s t he announcement of al l t he st udent s w ho have been pr omot ed
t o t he next cl ass. I am pr oud t o say t hat t her e have been many pr omot i ons t hi s
year . Commander Del ve w oul d you pl ease br i ng me t he l i st .
62 | P a g e
E. M . Dor man l ooked poi nt edl y at C. Del ve w ho t ook out a gol den f oi l paper
f r om hi s pocket and handed i t t o hi m.
Ther e w e go. Now , w hen I announce t he name of t he pr omot ed st udent s, I
w oul d l i ke t hem t o st and on t hi s pl at f or m, E. M . Dor man sai d, snappi ng hi s
f i nger s and cr eat i ng a r ai sed pl at f or m f or t he pr omot ed st udent s. Now l et us
begi n.
M ast er Dor man st ar t ed, announci ng t he names of t he pr omot ed st udent s,
w ho st ood up and w al ked t ow ar ds t he r ai sed pl at f or m. He st ar t ed w i t h t he
pr omot i on of Rooki es t o Deput i es, t han Deput i es t o Commander s and f i nal l y,
Commander s t o El i t e. The r est of t he st udent s appl auded f or t hese pr omot ed
st udent s and some of t hem w hi st l ed l oudl y. Zeon j oi ned i n t he cheer i ng even
t hough he di d not know most of t he st udent s. In t he end came a f ew f ami l i ar
names.
St ephani e Levee has been pr omot ed f r om Deput y t o Commander , E. M .
Dor man announced w hi l e t he cr ow d cheer ed. Zeon r eal i zed t hat most of t he
cheer i ng w as comi ng f r om St ephani e s r el at i ves.
M i chael Levee has been pr omot ed f r om Deput y t o Commander . Zeon
w at ched as t he hai r l ess guy he had seen bef or e st epped ont o t he pl at f or m.
He doesn t l ook much of an i di ot now t hat he s a Commander , Zeon
w hi sper ed t o Br yan, r egar di ng t he bal d guy.
Chaser Levee has been pr omot ed f r om Deput y t o Commander , E. M .
Dor man announced and Zeon w at ched as t he guy i n t he ni nj a sui t w ho had b een
w i t h St ephani e, made hi s w ay on t he pl at f or m.
Gar y Si l va has been pr omot ed f r om Deput y t o Commander . Zeon w at ched
as Gar y ski dded t ow ar ds M ast er Dor man. The Lobby w as f i l l ed w i t h r oar s of
cheer s f r om t he st udent s. As Zeon cl apped he r eal i zed t hat Gar y w as qui t e
f amous i n t hi s school .
63 | P a g e
Amel i a Lovesey has been pr omot ed f r om Deput y t o Commander . Amel i a
came on t he st age r at her hesi t ant l y but w as encour aged by t he chant i ng f r om
t he r est of t he st udent s.
LONG LIVE CHRIS KAGE! The st udent s shout ed.
That s my si s! Cr yst al shout ed, causi ng Amel i a t o beam at her .
Zeon knew t hat t her e w as some ki nd of connect i on bet w een t hi s Chr i s ki d
and Amel i a. He al so had f i gur ed out t hat Chr i s Kage had been t he possessor of
The Gol den Phoeni x.
Next of al l w e have, Dut ch Ber t has w ho has been pr omot ed f r om Deput y t o
Commander ! Dut ch w al ked cal ml y t ow ar ds t he pl at f or m, gi vi ng a sl i ght nod t o
al l hi s suppor t er s.
Ever yone! M ay I pl ease have your at t ent i on, El i t e M ast er Dor man sai d.
Immedi at el y al l cheer i ng di ed dow n. Thi s next pr omot i on i s by f ar my most
f avor i t e one yet . Thi s i s a pr omot i on of a ver y har dw or ki ng gi r l w ho I bel i eve i s
t he st r ongest and most i nf l uent i al per son i n t he School of At l nt i da. She has
br oken a r ecor d and has been pr omot ed f r om Commander t o El i t e at an age of
onl y ni net een. Pl ease gi ve a huge hand t o El i t e Emi l y Tar ki n!
It w as as i f a l oud vol cano had er upt ed i n t he l obby, as ever y st udent
cl apped f or Emi l y w ho w al ked over t o st and on t he r ai sed pl at f or m. Emi l y w as
beami ng, and l ooked as i f she w as exact l y w her e she w ant ed t o be.
You go gi r l ! Gar y shout ed, causi ng Emi l y t o bl ush cr i mson.
El i t e Emi l y Tar ki n has deci ded t o t ake a j ob as t he t eacher of Psy-Cont r ol
f or Rooki es and Deput i es. El i t e Jackson Ral ph w i l l now be t eachi ng Advanced
Tel eki nesi s t o Commander s onl y. E. M . Dor man announced.
Now , bef or e w e car r y out t he Subj ect Choosi ng , I have a ver y i mpor t ant
announcement t o make, E. M . Dor man sai d once t he appl audi ng had f i ni shed. I
am goi ng t o t el l you al l somet hi ng, t hat t he Gover nor s of At l nt i da have
f or bi dden me t o speak of but , I have been known t o go deaf t o t he Gover nor s
deci si ons. We have di scover ed t he exi st ence of The Codex or a ser i es of
64 | P a g e
pr opheci es. We don t know w ho made The Codex but w e do know t hat i t w i l l
deci de t he f ai t h of At l nt i da, w het her i t i s t o pr osper or be dest r oyed. These
pr opheci es ar e l i nked t o one anot her and as w e go f r om pr ophecy t o pr ophecy
t he l evel of dar kness i n t hi s w or l d i ncr eases. Why am I t el l i ng you al l t hi s even
t hough I am f or bi dden t o do so? Wel l , I bel i eve each of you w i l l pl ay a par t i n
t hese pr opheci es. Commander Del ve pl ease br i ng out The Codex.
Commander Del ve di sappear ed, l eavi ng t hem al l anxi ous.
Thi s i s so w i ckedl y cool ! Br yan sai d i n an audi bl e w hi sper .
Shut up Br yan! Thi s i s ser i ous st uf f ! I mean I ve hear d r umor s about The
Codex and bel i eve me, t hey ar e not good r umor s. Cr yst al sai d, l ooki ng af r ai d.
Suddenl y, Commander Del ve r eappear ed, hol di ng a box w hi ch l ooked l i ke a
t r easur e chest . He gave t he chest t o E. M . Dor man.
Zeon s hear t began t o beat at a f ast er r at e as E. M . Dor man opened t he
chest . Ever yone gasped, as a bunch of r andom gol den l et t er s escaped out of t he
chest , f or mi ng a spher e l i ke st r uct ur e.
E. M . Dor man pl aced hi s hands above t he spher e and sai d.
Show me t he f i r st pr ophecy, he sai d l oudl y.
Zeon w at ched w i de eyed as t he l et t er s r eadj ust ed t hemsel ves, f or mi ng a
ser i es of sent ences. He coul d not make sense of t he sent ences as t hey w er e i n a
di f f er ent l anguage.
Tr ansl at e, E. M . Dor man sai d.
Suddenl y, t he Engl i sh ver si on of t he sent ences appear ed bel ow t he or i gi nal .
The f i r st pr ophecy of The Codex w ent l i ke t hi s:
|o tqc |oeo o| ookvcoo, qc ei ioc
Fr om t he bowls of dar kness, he will r ise
tqc oc_cvoovt o| o|oo, _qooo ei ioc
The descendant of Abyss, Chaos will r ise
65 | P a g e
ov tqc oo ovo oi=c _ov otot tqio |civ
Only t he Gold and Silver can st op t his evil
|o ocotoiv tqc eooo, |o tqc toec o| tqc ottc
Fr om dest r oying t he wor lds, fr om t he power of t he lat t er
i| _qooo ou__ccoo, tqc cvo ei |c utov uo
If Chaos succeeds, the end will be upon us
The l obby had gone ver y qui et , as each i ndi vi dual absor bed t he w or ds of t he
pr ophecy. Zeon t hought t hat i f t hi s w as t he f i r st pr ophecy and accor di ng t o
M ast er Dor man, t he next pr ophecy w oul d be even w or se, he di d not w ant t o
t hi nk about t he hor r or s t hat aw ai t ed t hem al l w hen t he second pr ophecy
r eveal ed i t sel f .
Let me expl ai n t hi s pr ophecy t o t hose of you w ho don t under st and. The
pr ophecy speaks of Chaos t he d escendant of Abyss or Dar kness, w ho w i l l b r i ng i n
a cat acl ysm t hat w i l l dest r oy bot h At l nt i da and Ear t h, unl ess he i s st opped. The
onl y ones w ho can st op Chao s ar e t he par t humans w ho possess The Gol den and
Si l ver Phoeni x. Taki ng t hi s i nt o vi ew , t hi ngs ar e not l ooki ng good f or us. E. M .
Dor man sai d, si ghi ng. I am sur e most of t he ol der st udent s her e know about
Chr i s Kage.
St udent s had st ar t ed mut t er i ng amongst t hemsel ves. Zeon l ooked at Amel i a,
w ho had her f ace hi dden f r om vi ew and he coul d t el l she w as cr yi ng.
Qui et ever yone! Emi l y shout ed and t he mut t er i ng st opped i mmedi at el y.
Pl ease cont i nue M ast er Dor man.
Thank you, Emi l y. For t hose of you w ho don t know about Chr i s Kage, I w i l l
t el l you about hi m. Chr i s w as a ver y br i ght st udent her e at t he School of
At l nt i da and he w as i ndeed a ver y popul ar st udent al so. He w as t he w i nner of
bot h The Tour nament of Rooki es and The Tour nament of Deput i es . He w as
successf ul l y pr omot ed t o Commander Level . As most of you know Chr i s
66 | P a g e
possessed The Gol den Phoeni x but sadl y he w as ki l l ed by Chaos hi msel f . E. M .
Dor man sai d, shaki ng hi s head.
How w as he ki l l ed? asked Cl ar k.
I m sor r y Cl ar k but I can t t el l you t hat . Onl y Chr i s s ol d f r i ends can t el l you
t hat how he w as ki l l ed i f , t hey ar e w i l l i ng t o. Now , r ecent l y w e di scover ed t hat
The Si l ver Phoeni x w as f ound i n t he hear t of a t en year ol d gi r l by t he name of
Ir i s Wi l l i ams but unf or t unat el y, w hen she w as bei ng br ought t o t he School of
At l nt i da, she w as ki dnapped by some of Chaos s f ol l ow er s. E. M . Dor man sai d
sadl y.
Oh my god! sai d Cr yst al l oudl y. Ever y head t ur ned t o l ook at her . If
Chaos has The Si l ver Phoeni x, w e have ver y l i t t l e t i me l ef t ! Accor di ng t o t he
f our t h l i ne of t he pr ophecy Chaos w i l l use t he pow er of t he l at t er , w hi ch i s The
Si l ver Phoeni x and use i t s pow er t o dest r oy bot h Ear t h and At l nt i da!
Thank you Cr yst al , f or under st andi ng t he gr avi t y of t he si t uat i on. We
i ndeed have ver y l i t t l e t i me l ef t . I have sent many El i t e on a mi ssi on t o f i nd Ir i s
Wi l l i am or somehow The Gol den Phoeni x. In f act , w hi l e you ar e her e, I w ant you
al l t o keep your eyes and ear s open f or an y cl ues t hat w i l l l ead u s t o Ir i s Wi l l i ams
or The Gol den Phoeni x. Chaos i s begi nni ng hi s pl an f or t ot al anni hi l at i on of al l
bei ngs on bot h Ear t h and At l nt i da. It i s u p t o us t o st op hi m! E. M . Dor man sai d
f i er cel y. Now , t hat w e have di scussed t hi s mat t er , i t i s t i me t o begi n t he Subj ect
Choosi ng.
67 | P a g e
Chapt er 11
Subject Choosing
El i t e M ast er Dor man once agai n cl apped hi s hands t oget her . Suddenl y, a
w hi t e sheet of p aper al ong w i t h a si l ver pen, mat er i al i zed f r om t hi n ai r i n f r ont of
ever y st udent i n t he hal l . Zeon gr abbed t he paper and exami ned i t car ef ul l y.
Subject List for Rookies
The following subject s ar e compulsor y for all Rookies:
1) Combat
2) Weaponr y
3) P. E. (Physical Educat ion)
4) I. R. A. (Infor mat ion Regar ding At lnt ida)
5) Medit at ion
Among t he following Element s, a Rookie can choose only 2:
1) Fier y Cont r ol
2) Spar k Cont r ol
3) Aqua Cont r ol
4) Ter r a Cont r ol
5) Celest ial Cont r ol
6) Abyss Cont r ol
Among t he following subject s, a Rookie can choose only 1:
1) Psy-Cont r ol
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2) Ther apeut ic St udy
3) Secr et of Ar t s
4) Mind Disr upt ion
*If you need mor e descr ipt ion r egar ding t he subject s, just pr ess your finger
against t he subject for mor e det ail.
E. M . D orman
Thi s i s t he subj ect l i st . Pl ease r ead i t t hor oughl y bef or e choosi ng your
subj ect s. If you need mor e expl anat i on on any subj ect , j ust pr ess your f i nger on
t he subj ect and i t s det ai l s w i l l appear . Pl ace a t i ck next t o t he subj ect you w i sh
t o choose. E. M . Dor man expl ai ned, addr essi ng t he Rooki es as i t w as t hei r f i r st
t i me i n choosi ng subj ect s. Ah, and I t hi nk i t s t i me t o adj ust t he school t o t he
w ay i t w as.
E. M . Dor man moved hi s hands i n t he ai r w i t h such agi l i t y t hat al l Zeon saw
w as a bl ur . Suddenl y, ever yt hi ng w as back t o t he w ay i t w as. The w al l s
separ at i ng t he l obbi es w er e back and t he st ai r cases, l eadi ng t o t he f l oor s abo ve
r eappear ed. Th e t eacher s st ar t ed t o di sper se, goi ng back t o t hei r ow n busi ness.
Onl y E. M . Dor man st ayed back so he coul d hel p t he Rooki es i f t hey f aced any
conf usi on.
One mor e t hi ng I w oul d l i ke t o t el l al l Rooki es. If you need hel p i n
anyt hi ng, you can come t o my of f i ce but i f I am not avai l abl e, j ust f i nd a seni or
st udent or a t eacher and t hey w i l l be obl i ged t o assi st you. E. M . Dor man sai d.
Zeon f ol l ow ed Cr yst al and Br yan t ow ar ds t he near est sof a, so t hat t hey
coul d si t peacef ul l y and choose t hei r subj ect s.
These subj ect s ar e a l ot bet t er t han t he ones i n a school on Ear t h!
Ser i ousl y, I t hi nk Fi er y Cont r ol w i l l be a l ot bet t er t han cal cul us. Br yan
comment ed.
69 | P a g e
These subj ect s ar e not as easy as you t hi nk t her e ar e, Cr yst al sai d
r epr oachf ul l y.
Zeon pr essed hi s f i nger on t he subj ect , Cel est i al Cont r ol .

Celest ial Cont r ol: This subject focuses on t he abilit y t o cont r ol t he power
of light . A Rookie, who has a good hear t and is able t o pict ur e good t hings or
memor ies in his mind, is advised t o t ake t his subject . The st r engt h of Light is
fueled by t he cont ent of happiness wit hin a Rookie.
Cel est i al Cont r ol sounds l i ke my t ype of subj ect , Zeon sai d.
Let s see w hat Fi er y Cont r ol i s, Br yan sai d, pr essi ng hi s f i nger on Fi er y
Cont r ol .

Fier y Cont r ol: Power ful but danger ous subject . Fier y Cont r ol allows a
Rookie t o cont r ol fir e. It r equir es confidence and det er minat ion but anger
can be danger ous. If a per son has t emper ament al issues he or she is advised
t o r efr ain fr om t aking t his subject . Anger causes inst abilit y while cont r olling
fir e.
I t hi nk I m goi ng t o t ake Fi er y Cont r ol . It sounds cool ! sai d Br yan, pl aci ng
a t i ck next t o Fi er y Cont r ol .
Is t hat a w i se deci si on Br yan? You do have a l i t t l e anger management
pr obl em w hen i t comes t o Cl ar k Levee. Cr yst al sai d cal ml y.
You don t need t o l ect ur e me. I can choose my subj ect s w i t hout your
hel p. Br yan sai d di smi ssi vel y.
Cr yst al l ooked out r aged.
Fi ne! Do w hat you l i ke! she snapped.
Zeon i gnor ed t hem and f ocused on t he subj ect s. Af t er r eadi ng t he det ai l s
of al l t he subj ect s, he made hi s deci si on. Openi ng t he cap of hi s pen, he pl aced
a t i ck besi de Cel est i al Cont r ol and Spar k Cont r ol . Spar k Cont r ol r equi r ed
70 | P a g e
concent r at i on and det er mi nat i on, w hi ch he bel i eved he coul d handl e. Cel est i al
Cont r ol on t he ot her hand r equi r ed happi ness and he t hought t hat af t er comi ng
t o At l nt i da he w oul d be f aci ng a l ot of moment s of happi ness. Al r eady, hi s
hear t w as f i l l ed w i t h j oy si mpl y because he w as i n t hi s w onder f ul pl ace.
Now Zeon j ust had t o choose one mor e subj ect f or m Psy-Cont r ol ,
Ther apeut i c St udy, Secr et of Ar t s and M i nd Di sr upt i on. He pr essed hi s f i nger on
Psy-Cont r ol .
Psy-Cont r ol: This is t he most difficult subject for all Rookies. It is
advised t o t he Rookies t o only t ake t his subject if t hey ar e a Psycho. This
subject involves t he basics of Telekinesis, t he abilit y t o move any object by
using only your mind. It r equir es a gr eat level of concent r at ion and pat ience.
Zeon w ent t hr ough t he det ai l s of al l f our subj ect s but t he most appeal i ng
subj ect f or hi m w as Psy-Cont r ol . He t hought i t w oul d be r eal l y cool t o move
t hi ngs w i t hout t ouchi ng t hem. He pl aced a t i ck next t o Psy-Cont r ol .
Cr yst al l ooked aghast .
Zeon ar e you i nsane! You r e not a Psycho! Why ar e you choosi ng Psy-
Cont r ol ?! she cr i ed.
Zeon shr ugged. It sounds cool .
Zeon i t s not about how coo l a subj ect i s! Psy-Cont r ol i s cool I admi t , but i t
i s a ver y di f f i cul t subj ect . Si s once t ook i t bu t she di dn t even l ast a day. Cr yst al
sai d.
Javel i n Akashi once t ol d me t hat not hi ng i s i mpossi bl e i f you put your
hear t and soul i nt o act i on. Zeon sai d w i sel y.
Cr yst al si ghed. I w on t f or ce you t o l eave t he subj ect Zeon but I w oul d
advi se you.
Gr eat ! I m done. Fr om t he el ement s gr oup, I have chosen t he subj ect s
Fi er y Cont r ol and Ter r a Cont r ol . Fr om t he next gr oup I have chosen, M i nd
Di sr upt i on. Br yan sai d t o Zeon. What have you got ?
71 | P a g e
I ve got Spar k Cont r ol , Cel est i al Cont r ol and Psy-Cont r ol , Zeon sai d.
Cool . What have you got Cr yst al ? Br yan asked.
I ve got Aqua Cont r ol , Cel est i al Cont r ol and Ther apeut i c St udy, Cr yst al
sai d.
Gr eat now w hat ? Br yan asked.
Zeon shr ugged.
As i f sensi ng t hei r conf usi on, M ast er Dor man sai d. When you ar e done,
j ust say It i s done .
It i s done, Zeon, Br yan and Cr yst al sai d t oget her .
Accor di ngl y, t he paper di sappear ed and w as r epl aced by anot her sheet of
paper .
Timet able for t he
Rookies
Combat (Lobby No. 2, Floor 3, Room 23): 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Psy-Cont r ol (Lobby No. 1, Floor 8, Room 4): 9:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m.
Secr et of Ar t s (Lobby No. 2, Floor 9, Room 12): 10:30 a.m. 12:00 p.m.
P.E. (For est ): 12:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m.
Ther apeut ic St udy (Lobby No. 3, Floor 1, Room 49): 1:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m.
Spar k Cont r ol (Lobby No. 4, Floor 10, Room 50): 2:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m.
Fier y Cont r ol (Lobby No. 3, Floor 7, Room 21): 3:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m.
Weaponr y (The Bat t lefield): 4:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m.
Mind Disr upt ion (Lobby No. 2, Floor 5, Room 32): 5:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m.
Medit at ion (Lobby No. 1, Floor 10, Room 50): 6:30 p.m. 8:00 p.m.
Celest ial Cont r ol (Lobby No. 3, Floor 6, Room 3): 8:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m.
I.R.A. (Lobby No. 3, Floor 2, Room 33): 9:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m.
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Aqua Cont r ol (Lobby No. 1, Floor 1, Room 39): 10:00 p.m. 11:00 p.m.
Ter r a Cont r ol (Lobby No. 2, Floor 5, Room 11): 11:00 p.m. 12:00 a.m.
Abyss Cont r ol (Lobby No. 4, Floor 7, Room 22): 12:00 a.m. 1:00 a.m.
Zeon exami ned t he t i me schedul e f or hi s cl asses. Hi s f i r st cl ass w as
Combat and he not ed t he t i me by r ef er r i ng t o t he l ar ge si l ver cl ock w hi ch w as
car ved i nt o t he w al l of t he l obby. It w as 7:45 a.m. onl y f i f t een mi nut es l ef t
bef or e cl ass st ar t ed. Si nce Combat cl ass w as compul sor y f or al l st udent s, he
w oul d be abl e t o enj oy t he company of hi s t w o f r i ends.
Ar e t hey out of t hei r mi nds?! Br yan shout ed as he exami ned hi s
schedul e. I have a cl ass schedul ed f or 11:00 p.m.! That s w ay past my bed
t i me,
M y l ast cl ass i s at 10.00 p.m. w hi ch i s not exact l y a comf or t f or me t oo,
Cr yst al sai d, scanni ng her ow n paper .
Can t w ai t f or P.E. and Weaponr y. They sound l i ke f un subj ect s. Br yan
comment ed.
We ve got a cl ass at 8:00 a.m. It s al most t i me f or t he cl ass t o begi n. I
t hi nk i t w oul d be bet t er i f w e f i nd t he r oom i n w hi ch t he cl ass w i l l be t aki ng
pl ace. We don t w ant t o get l at e f or our f i r st cl ass. Cr yst al sai d, st andi ng up.
Zeon st ood up w i t h her but i n case of Br yan t hey had t o pul l hi m up.
Okay t hi s i s Lobby No. 1. We need t o go t o Lobby No. 2. Fol l ow me guys.
Cr yst al sai d, w al ki ng ahead of t hem. Zeon and Br yan f ol l ow ed her t ow ar ds a
w hi t e doubl e door w hi ch l eads t o t he next l obby.
Cr yst al pushed t he door open t o ent er t he second l obby. Zeon had t o admi t
he w as gl ad t hat i t w as w r i t t en on a st eel pl at e t hat t hi s w as Lobby No. 2. The
second l obby l ooked exact l y l i ke t he f i r st one and w i t hout t he i mpr i nt ed w or ds
of Lobby No. 2 on t he w al l , any st udent coul d get easi l y l ost i n t h i s huge school .
Come on, w e have t o go t o Fl oor 3! Cr yst al sai d as she began her
ascend of t he st ai r case w i t h Zeon and Br yan cl ose behi nd.
73 | P a g e
They had t o move up t hr ee st ai r cases bef or e r eachi ng Fl oor 3. Each
st ai r case had over t w ent y st eps, so i t t ook t hem l onger t han t hey t hought i t
w oul d t o r each Fl oor 3.
They shoul d have put el evat or s her e, Br yan gr umbl ed w hen t hey f i nal l y
r eached Fl oor 3. I mean ser i ousl y, w hat w i l l w e do w hen w e have a cl ass i n a
r oom on Fl oor 10?!
Woul d you st op compl ai ni ng?! I don t see anyone el se compl ai ni ng!
Cr yst al sai d i ndi gnant l y.
That s w her e Cr yst al w as w r ong. Looki ng over hi s shoul der , Zeon coul d see
st udent s mut t er i ng t he same ki nd of sent ence t hat Br yan had j ust sai d.
Fi nal l y, t hey r eached t hei r dest i nat i on Room 23.
Zeon r eal i zed t hey w er en t t he f i r st o nes t o r each t he r oom. Ahead of t hem
st ood, Cl ar k and Rose w i t h a t r i umph smi l e as i f i t w as a r ace t o r each t he r oom.
Tense, Zeon? Cl ar k sai d mocki ngl y. Don t w or r y, l et us ol der ki ds handl e
ever yt hi ng.
Cl ar k t ur ned t he door knob and opened t he door . The same br i ght l i ght , l i ke
t he one t hat had come out w hen t he door l eadi ng t o At l nt i da w as opened,
er upt ed out of t he r oom. One by one, st udent s di sappear ed i nt o t he l i ght . Zeon
f ol l ow ed hi s f r i ends as t hey w er e consumed by t he l i ght . Taki ng a deep br eat h,
he ent er ed t he l i ght f or t he begi nni ng of hi s f i r st day at t he School of At l nt i da.
74 | P a g e
Chapt er 12
The Dummy
When Zeon opened hi s eyes, he r eal i zed t hat he w as no l onger i n t he School
of At l nt i da. He w as st andi ng on scor chi ng bar r en l and sur r ounded by
mount ai ns. The sun w as an angr y bal l of f i r e, usi ng i t s f ul l heat i nt ensi t y t o
l i t er al l y f r y hi m. The r est of h i s cl assmat es w er e besi de hi m and w er e gr oani ng as
sw eat cover ed t hei r body. Br yan and Cr yst al w er e besi de hi m. Li ke hi m, bot h of
hi s f r i ends l ooked as i f t hey w oul d enj oy anyt hi ng col d r i ght now .
Is t he heat t oo much f or you l i t t l e r unt s? sai d a r aspy voi ce.
Al ong w i t h t he ot her s, Zeon l ooked up t o see a man st andi ng on one of t he
mount ai ns. He coul d not see t he man s f ace as t he sun s r ays made i t ver y
di f f i cul t t o l ook up.
The man si ghed. I guess i t s t oo ear l y f or such condi t i ons,
The man cl apped hi s hands l i ke t he w ay M ast er Dor man had done. Zeon
soon f ound hi msel f st andi ng on l ush gr een gr ass w hi ch w as spr i nkl ed by
spar kl i ng dew . Heavy w i nds w hi pped hi s body, cool i ng dow n hi s body
t emper at ur e. He hear d some of hi s cl assmat es gi ve a huge si gh of r el i ef .
That s bet t er , i sn t i t ? sai d t he man as he appear ed i n f r ont of t hem.
The man had unr ul y bl ack hai r and el ect r i c bl ue eyes. He had an at hl et i c
physi que w i t h st one har d muscl es. He w or e a r ed, gangst er l i ke l eat her j acket and
bl ack pant s. He al so w or e bl ack gangst er gl oves w i t h met al l i c knuckl es.
M y name i s El i t e Edw ar d Benson but you can j ust cal l me M r . Edw ar d,
M r . Edw ar d sai d cal ml y. You ar e al l her e f or Combat cl ass, am I r i ght ?
Zeon nodded w i t h t he ot her s.
75 | P a g e
Ri ght , w el l i n t hi s cl ass w e w i l l be l ear ni ng how t o f i ght usi ng onl y f i st s and
ki cks. Thi s means, no usi ng any of your pow er s. Is t hat cl ear ? M r . Edw ar d asked.
They al l nodded.
Good, but i t s not onl y about f i st s and ki cks r eal l y. In t hi s cl ass you w i l l l ear n
how t o use your Aur a i n a combat . I w i l l t each you how t o channel your aur a i n
di f f er ent par t s of your body. M r . Edw ar d expl ai ned.
What use i s t hi s? Cl ar k asked.
M r . Edw ar d smi l ed. Al l ow me t o gi ve you a demonst r at i on. I w i l l now
channel my aur a i nt o my hands.
Ever yone w at ched i n amazement as M r . Edw ar d r ai sed hi s f i st hi gh i n t he
ai r . Then w i t h bl i ndi ng speed, he punched t he gr ound bel ow . Ever y st udent
t hought he w as an i di ot , unt i l t he w hol e w or l d shook w hen hi s f i st col l i ded w i t h
t he gr ound bel ow . The i mpact of hi s at t ack w as so st r ong t hat cr acks had
appear ed al l over t he sur f ace of t he l and.
They al l w at ched w i de eyed, as M r . Edw ar d pul l ed hi s hand out of t he
gr ound. When he r ai sed hi s hand f or al l t o see, t her e w as not even a si ngl e
scr at ch on i t .
Does t hat answ er your quest i on? M r . Edw ar d sai d t o Cl ar k w ho l ooked
speechl ess. Now , channel i ng your aur a i nt o di f f er ent par t s of your body i s not
t hat har d. Li st en car ef ul l y. You cl ose your eyes and f ocus on t hat par t of your
body w her e you w ant t o channel your aur a. The mor e you concent r at e t he mor e
your aur a w i l l move i nt o t hat body par t . Under st and?
They al l nodded aut omat i cal l y. Zeon knew t hat t he shock of seei ng M r .
Edw ar d shake t he ver y ear t h w i t h j ust a punch w as st i l l on ever yone s mi nd.
Wel l w e w i l l have t o see w het her you under st and or not w i t h a l i t t l e
demonst r at i on. It s t i me t o br i ng out t he Dummy. M r . Edw ar d announced.
The w hat ? Br yan asked i ncr edul ousl y.
76 | P a g e
M r . Edw ar d cl apped hi s hands agai n and suddenl y, a l ar ge st eel cage
appear ed besi de hi m. The cage had Dummy No. 1 w r i t t en on i t . A l ow gr ow l i ng
sound came out of t he cage and ever y st udent backed aw ay f r om i t .
Her e w e go! Let s see w hat you ar e ah, yes a t ypi cal Tr ol l . Shoul d be easy
t o beat . So w ho w oul d l i ke t o come f i r st ? M r . Edw ar d sai d l ooki ng at t hem al l .
Zeon w as not so keen on messi ng w i t h t he t hi ng i n t he cage. It seems none
of ot her st udent s w er e i nt er est ed i n vol unt eer i ng.
How about you? M r . Edw ar d sai d, l ooki ng expect ant l y at one of t he
st udent s.
It t ur ned out Zeon w as t hat st udent . Ever yone l ooked at hi m w i t h a mi xt ur e
of pi t y and amusement . He hear d Cl ar k gave a l oud snor t as i f h e w as t r yi ng ver y
har d not t o l augh. Zeon t ook a deep br eat h and sai d.
Ok I l l gi ve i t a t r y.
Her e w e go! The youngest i s al w ays t he br avest ! And w hat s your name?
M r . Edw ar d asked.
Zeon Cr est , he r epl i ed.
Okay Zeon, bef or e w e begi n, r emember w hat I t hought you. Focus on t he
par t of your body w her e you w ant your aur a t o be. Don t w or r y; t hi s i s Dummy
No. 1, t he easi est of al l Dummi es. Ar e you r eady? M r . Edw ar d asked, l ooki ng
expect ant l y at hi m.
Zeon gave a hesi t ant nod. Immedi at el y, t he door of t he cage cr eaked open.
He coul d f eel hi s hear t , t humpi ng i n hi s chest as a cr eat ur e st epped out of t he
cage.
The cr eat ur e st ood si x f oot t al l and had an ugl y gr een body. He w as ver y f at
and had a f ace t hat onl y a mot her coul d l ove. Thr ee hor ns emer ged f r om t he t op
of t he cr eat ur e s head. He had shar p nai l s and car r i ed a w ooden cl ub.
The cr eat ur e l ooked at Zeon and gave a l oud r oar w hi ch w as even l ouder
t han t he r oar of t he l i on w hi ch Br yan had t ur ned i nt o. Zeon f el t hi s mi nd f r eeze
as t he cr eat ur e l umber ed t ow ar ds hi m.
77 | P a g e
Zeon! Ignor e t he cr eat ur e s l ooks! He i s not as st r ong as you t hi nk he i s!
Use your aur a! M r . Edw ar d shout ed.
Zeon f or ced hi msel f t o f ocus. The cr eat ur e w as st r ong but not f ast . What i f
he f ocused h i s aur a i n hi s f eet ? Woul d i t make hi m go any f ast er ? He had t o t ake
t he chance. So, he f ocused on hi s f eet and t o hi s sur pr i se, he coul d l i t er al l y f eel
hi s aur a shi f t i ng i nsi de hi m.
When he w as done, Zeon r an t ow ar ds t he cr eat ur e. The speed w i t h w hi ch
he r an w as si mpl y amazi ng. He w as as f ast as l i ght ni ng and t he cr eat ur e l ooked
even sl ow er t han a t ur t l e. As he appr oached t he cr eat ur e, t he l umber i ng ol d
beast t r i ed t o f i ni sh hi m of f w i t h a mi ght y sw i ng of hi s cl ub. Zeon w as t oo f ast
and easi l y si de st epped t he at t ack. The cr eat ur e l ost hi s bal ance and f el l on t he
gr ound.
Zeon s cl assmat es began t o l augh and cheer ed hi m on. When t he cr eat ur e
st ood up, Zeon at t acked. He r an t ow ar ds t he cr eat ur e, j umped and ki cked hi m
har d on t he f ace. The cr eat ur e r oar ed i n pai n and cl ut ched hi s br oken nose. Zeon
l anded behi nd t he cr eat ur e w ho l ooked angr y now . The cr eat ur e t ur ned ar ound
and t r i ed t o punch hi m but Zeon di d a backw ar ds somer saul t , dodgi ng h i s at t ack.
Zeon l anded on t he cr eat ur e s head w i t h such f or ce t hat he sl ammed hi s head on
t he gr ound bel ow . The bl ow w as enough t o knock t he cr eat ur e out .
That s my buddy Zeon! Br yan r oar ed w hi l e t he r est of hi s cl assmat es
chant ed Zeon!
Cl ar k and Rose l ooked di sappoi nt ed. Zeon guessed t hat t hey w ant ed t he
cr eat ur e t o cl obber hi m.
Wel l done Zeon! Si mpl y br i l l i ant ! M r . Edw ar d sai d, cl appi ng hi m on t he
back. Now I t hi nk i t s t i me f or t he r est of you guys t o f ace t he same Dummy.
M r . Edw ar d cl apped and mor e cages appear ed.
Now begi n! he shout ed.
Zeon had t o admi t , al l of hi s cl assmat es f ought amazi ngl y agai nst t he
cr eat ur e. Br yan i nj ur ed t he cr eat ur e so badl y t hat he act ual l y envi ed t he poor
78 | P a g e
beast . Cr yst al had l i t er al l y sl ap ped t he cr eat ur e i nt o a knock out . Fi nal l y, t he bel l
r ang and a door appear ed i n f r ont of t hem.
You al l have done ver y w el l t oday! But t hi s i s onl y t he begi nni ng! We w i l l be
doi ng many mor e exci t i ng t hi ngs t oget her ! So be pr epar ed! M r . Edw ar d
shout ed as t hey began t o l eave t he cl ass.
As t hey al l f i l ed out of t he cl assr oom, Zeon had t o l eave f or hi s Psy-Cont r ol
cl ass. He w as i n f act ver y exci t ed about t he cl ass so he coul d not w ai t t o l eave.
Af t er sayi ng f ar ew el l t o Br yan and Cr yst al , he l ef t f or t he cl ass w i t h gr eat
ant i ci pat i on.
79 | P a g e
Chapt er 13
The Psychos
Zeon hur r i ed dow n t he st ai r case of Lobby No. 2, t ow ar ds Lobby No. 1. As he
descended t he l ast f ew st eps of t he st ai r case, somebody cal l ed out t o hi m.
Zeon!
He st opped at t he sound of hi s name and l ooked ar ound i n conf usi on. A l ot
of st udent s w er e passi ng by hi m but none of t hem had st opped t o cal l out hi s
name. He shr ugged di smi ssi vel y. M aybe, he w as j ust i magi ni ng i t .
Is ever yt hi ng al r i ght ki d? sai d a st udent w ho had st opped besi de hi m.
Ar e you l ost ?
Zeon not i ced t he D shaped badge pi nned t o t he shi r t of t he boy. So t hi s guy
w as a Deput y.
No, I m f i ne. Was t hat you w ho cal l ed my name j ust now ? Zeon asked.
The boy f r ow ned. What ar e you t al ki ng about ? I don t even know your
name.
Oh, r i ght . Anyw ay, I have got t o r un. I m get t i ng ki nd of l at e f or cl ass. Zeon
sai d, w al ki ng aw ay f r om t he boy.
Zeon ent er ed Lobby No. 1 and qui ckl y t ook t he st ai r s t o Fl oor 8. Fl oor 8 w as
even hi gher up t han Fl oor 3 and i t w as l i ke cl i mbi ng a mount ai n. Fi nal l y, he
r eached t he f l oor and hur r i ed t o f i nd Room 4. It w as not har d t o f i nd t he r i ght
r oom, si nce al l of t hem w er e ar r anged i n t he r i ght sequence. He opened t he
door and st epped i nt o t he l i ght .
Zeon w as st ar t l ed w hen a gi r l s f ace suddenl y appear ed i n f r ont of hi m. He
l ost hi s bal ance and f el l backw ar ds i nt o a col d st r eam. The gi r l l aughed l i ke a 3-
year -ol d and hel ped hi m up. The gi r l w as as expect ed , ol der t han hi m w i t h l ong
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l i ght br ow n hai r and sea bl ue eyes. She had st r ange mar ki ngs on her f or ehead
and bot h ar ms.
And w ho ar e you? The gi r l asked i n a si ng-song voi ce.
M y names Zeon Cr est , Zeon sai d as he got out of t he w at er .
Zeon, t hat s a ni ce name. M y name i s Li l y Ohm, pl ease t o meet you! Li l y
sai d cheer f ul l y.
Bef or e Zeon coul d r epl y a f ami l i ar voi ce cal l ed out t o hi m.
Zeon? sai d E. Emi l y as she came out of a smal l cave. What ar e you doi ng
her e?
Emi l y I mean El i t e Emi l y? What ar e you doi ng her e? Zeon asked.
Don t you r emember w hat M ast er Dor man sai d? I w oul d be t eachi ng Psy-
Cont r ol t o Rooki es and Deput i es. The quest i on i s, w hat ar e you doi ng her e?
Emi l y asked.
Isn t i t obvi ous? I m her e f or t he Psy-Cont r ol cl ass. Zeon sai d cal ml y.
But Zeon you r e not E. Emi l y began but a voi ce f r om behi nd her
i nt er r upt ed.
What El i t e Emi l y w ant s t o say i s t hat Psy-Cont r ol i s not f or amat eur s l i ke
you. It i s f or dedi cat ed Psychos l i ke me and Li l y.
A boy w as st andi ng behi nd Emi l y w i t h a scow l on hi s f ace. He had vi vi d
pur pl e hai r and bl azi ng r ed eyes. He l ooked ol der t han Li l y and had a ver y ser i ous
per sonal i t y.
Who ar e you? Zeon asked i ndi gnant l y.
Sor r y, I don t answ er t o non-psychos. The boy sai d, t ur ni ng hi s back on
hi m.
Zeon w as out r aged. He w as t hr ee st eps aw ay f r om gr abbi ng t he guy and
cl obber i ng hi m. It w as t he onl y t hi ng he coul d t hi nk of t o br i ng some sense i nt o
t hi s guy. It w as Emi l y w ho st opped hi s bur ni ng desi r es.
Zeon, ar e you sur e you w ant t o do t hi s? Jason M at t and Li l y Ohm ar e bot h
Psychos and you r e E. Emi l y began but t hi s t i me Zeon cut her of f .
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I know I m a non-psycho! I got i t t he f i r st t i me, Zeon sai d as he gl ar ed at
t he boy named Jason.
Li st en Zeon, I w on t l i e t o you by sayi ng t hat Psy-Cont r ol i s a ver y easy
subj ect because i t s not . It s even har der f or non-psychos. Amel i a once t ook t he
subj ect but she di dn t l ast a day. E. Emi l y sai d ear nest l y.
Af t er a f ew mi nut es of si l ence, Zeon t ur ned ar ound t o l ook at Emi l y f ul l i n
t he f ace. Af t er w hat Jason had sai d t o hi m, he w as not j ust goi ng t o back dow n.
I m not Amel i a, El i t e Emi l y. I m not even a psycho b ut I am Zeon Cr est an d I
w ant t o f ace t he chal l enges of Psy-Cont r ol . It w i l l be har d, I m not
under est i mat i ng t he di f f i cul t y of t he subj ect but I know t hat i f I put my hear t i nt o
i t I can do t hi s! Zeon sai d f i er cel y.
E. Emi l y si ghed. If t hat s w hat you w ant Zeon. You guys! she cal l ed t o
Jason and Li l y. Zeon w i l l be st udyi ng w i t h us and Jason behave!
Li l y l ooked del i ght ed w hi l e t he scow l on Jason s f ace never dr opped.
Now Zeon, w e w i l l be st udyi ng her e i n t hi s f or est , si nce t her e ar e many
t hi ngs on w hi ch t el eki nesi s can be pr act i ced. Emi l y sai d, w avi ng her t ow ar ds
t hei r sur r oundi ngs.
Zeon w as so f ocused on Jason t hat he had not st opped t o acknow l edge hi s
sur r oundi ngs. They w er e i n a dense f or est w i t h t r ees, havi ng w hi t e l eaves. Ther e
w as a smal l cave i n f r ont of hi m and a w i de st r eam behi nd hi m.
Now , Zeon. Let me f i r st gi ve t he i nt r oduct i on r egar di ng t el eki nesi s and how
i t w or ks. The meani ng of t el eki nesi s i s t o cause mot i on, usi ng onl y your mi nd .
To move an obj ect you need t o f i r st cal m your hear t and st eady you r e br eat hi ng.
Then f ocus on t he obj ect you w ant t o move and concent r at e har d. Usi ng your
mi nd, or der t he obj ect t o obey your commands and at t he same t i me don t l ose
your f ocus. Pat i ence i s al so ver y i mpor t ant . If you get f r ust r at ed t hen t he obj ect
you w ant t o move w i l l never move. One mor e t hi ng you need t o keep i n mi nd.
Tel eki nesi s causes headaches and i f you push your sel f t oo f ar you may suf f er
82 | P a g e
f r om a sever e headache. Okay, don t push your sel f t oo f ar . E. Emi l y w ar ned.
Now t oday w e w i l l f i r st f ocus on movi ng a smal l obj ect .
Usi ng her psychi c pow er , Emi l y pl aced a hand-si zed r ock i n f r ont of each of
t hem.
I w ant you t hr ee t o use t el eki nesi s t o l i f t your r ock of t he gr ound and i nt o
t he ai r unt i l i t i s l evel w i t h your f ace. Under st and? E. Emi l y asked.
The t hr ee of t hem nodded.
Good, now begi n! Emi l y shout ed.
Zeon had done some pr et t y i ncr edi bl e t hi ngs ever si nce he di scover ed t hat
he w as a par t human. Fi r st he ki l l ed The Cr eat ur e of t he Ni ght and t hen he
def eat ed t he Dummy No. 1. M ovi ng a r ock i nt o t he ai r shoul d have been easy
but i t w as so-o-o not .
Zeon f i r st al l ow ed hi s hear t t o sl ow dow n t o nor mal pace and t hen f ocused
on, st eadyi ng hi s br eat hi ng r at e. When t hi s w as done, he f ocused on t he r ock i n
f r ont of hi m. What di d Emi l y say?
Usi ng your mi nd, or der t he obj ect t o obey your commands,
Zeon concent r at ed har d on t he r ock and used hi s mi nd t o or der i t .
M ove up!
The r ock made no si gns of l i f t i ng of f t he gr ound so, Zeon t r i ed agai n. He
concent r at ed even har der and ur ged t he r ock t o f l oat .
M ove up!
St i l l , t he r ock r emai ned st at i onar y. Zeon w as get t i ng f r ust r at ed now .
M ove up you st upi d r ock!
The r ock moved a mi l l i met er i nt o t he ai r but t hen f el l back dow n. Zeon w as
pant i ng now and he coul d al r eady f eel hi s head, t hr obbi ng pai nf ul l y. He l ooked
at Li l y and Jason w ho had al r eady moved t hei r r ock hal f w ay up.
Come on Zeon f ocus! You can do t hi s!
He t ook a deep br eat h and f ocused on t he r ock agai n. As he di d so, he
r emember ed how Jason had i nsul t ed hi m f or bei ng a non-psycho. He w oul d
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pr ove t o t hat j er k t hat he di dn t need t o be a psycho t o mast er t he ar t of
t el eki nesi s.
Suddenl y, he hear d i t .
The musi c.
He r ecogni zed t he mu si c as t he same one he had hear d w hen M r . Bar on had
di ed and hi s hear t w as f i l l ed w i t h r age and gr i ef . The musi c seemed t o enl i ght en
hi s hear t and di mi ni sh t he pai n i n hi s head. He f ocused on t he r ock w i t h t he
musi c st i l l , pl ayi ng i n hi s ear s.
M ove up.
The r ock i n f r ont of Zeon l i f t ed of f t he gr ound and i nt o t he ai r . It moved up
and up, l eavi ng behi nd t he r ocks of Jason and Li l y. Soon, t he r ock w as f l oat i ng
r i ght i n f r ont of hi m and w as l evel w i t h hi s f ace.
He had done i t !
Emi l y, Jason and Li l y st ar ed at hi m i n aw e.
How di d you i t s i mpossi bl e! Jason sai d, shaki ng hi s head.
Zeon you w er e gl ow i ng! Li l y sai d, smi l i ng w i del y.
Emi l y w as l ooki ng at hi m w i t h a cal cul at i ng expr essi on.
Thi s i s i nsane! Ther e s no w ay an amat eur l i ke you coul d pul l t hat of f . You r e
not a psycho! Jason sai d, gl ar i ng at hi m.
Li ke I sai d, bef or e, I m not a psycho I m Zeon Cr est ! Zeon sai d f i r ml y.
You r emi nd me of someone, E. Emi l y sai d, l ooki ng at Zeon w i t h a t r oubl ed
expr essi on.
Who? Zeon asked.
E. Emi l y shook her head and smi l ed. Wel l i t seems t hi ngs coul d get
i nt er est i ng. Let s begi n t he next par t of t he l esson.
Emi l y or d er ed t hem agai n t o l i f t t he r ock i n t he ai r but t hi s t i me even hi gher .
Thi s t i me, al l of t hem w er e abl e t o do i t at t he same t i me. Then she or der ed
t hem t o move t he r ock, l ef t and r i ght as i t f l oat ed i n t he ai r . Fi nal l y, t hey had a
Fl oat i ng Rock Race. They w er e or der ed t o l i f t t hei r r ock i n t he ai r and move i t
84 | P a g e
t ow ar ds a boul der i n f r ont of t hem. Li l y w on t he r ace j ust because Zeon and
Jason w er e t r yi ng t o knock each ot her s r ock asi de.
The bel l r ang as t he cl ass f i ni shed. Emi l y l ooked at t he t hr ee of t hem
pr oudl y.
You guys w er e amazi ng t oday, especi al l y you Zeon. Honest l y, I di dn t r eal l y
expect you t o do so w el l . But guys t hi s i s onl y t he begi nni ng. I w i l l be t eachi ng
you har der t hi ngs t o do w i t h your mi nd. Tomor r ow , w e w i l l be l i f t i ng boul der s.
So, keep your mi nd w el l r est ed f or t omor r ow because t r ust me, psycho or not ,
l i f t i ng a boul der i s pr et t y har d. Emi l y sai d, smi l i ng at t hei r shocked expr essi on.
Zeon l ef t t he cl ass w i t h Jason and Li l y. He had t o admi t t hat hi s head w as
achi ng pr et t y badl y. He l ef t t he t w o psychos and w ent t o f i nd Br yan. How on
ear t h w as he supposed t o f i nd hi s f r i end i n t hi s huge pl ace? Lucki l y, he f ound
Br yan, headi ng t ow ar ds hi m.
Fi nal l y! How w as your cl ass? Br yan asked.
It w as br i l l i ant ! Ti r i ng, but br i l l i ant ! Zeon sai d, r ubbi ng hi s f or ehead.
Gr eat ! Tel l me about i t l at er . For now , f ol l ow me. Br yan sai d exci t edl y.
Wher e ar e w e goi ng? Zeon asked.
To pl ay, Pow er ed Up Soccer !
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Chapt er 14
Power ed Up Soccer
Br yan l ed Zeon f ur t her up t he st ai r case of Lobby No. 1, t ow ar ds t he l ast
f l oor . Zeon coul d not hel p but w onder w her e t hey w er e goi ng. Hi s f r i end had an
exci t ed l ook on hi s f ace so he guessed t hat t hey w er e goi n g somew her e cool . But
w hat w as so i nt er est i ng on t he l ast f l oor of Lobby No. 1? On al l f l oor s, he had
seen not hi ng out of t he or di nar y j ust a bunch of door s.
That s w hen Zeon r eal i zed t hat Fl oor 10 w as not t he l ast f l oor . Ther e w as
anot her st ai r case, l eadi ng f ur t her up. As t hey r eached t he l ast f l oor , a si ngl e door
st ood bef or e t hem. On t he door t her e w as a si l ver pl at e on w hi ch i t w as w r i t t en
Roof . Now he w as even mor e conf used. What w as so exci t i ng about t he r oof ?
Br yan opened t he door and encour aged hi m t o ent er .
Zeon w al ked t hr ough t he door and f ound hi msel f , st andi ng on a l ar ge f i el d
of gr ass. The gr ass w as not gr een l i ke t hat on ear t h. Inst ead i t w as si l ver col or ed.
Ther e w er e ot her st udent s on t he f i el d and t hey w er e pl ayi ng a game w hi ch
i nvol ved, hi t t i ng a w hi t e bal l w i t h t hei r f eet .
Wel come t o t he l and of Soccer my f r i end! Or as t hey cal l i t Pow er ed Up
Soccer ! Br yan sai d, beami ng.
What i s Zeon began but j ust t hen a t al l boy r an t ow ar ds t hem.
Br yan you made i t ! Just on t i me! The games about t o begi n! The boy
shout ed.
Zeon r ecogni zed t he boy as t he one w ho had been guar di ng t he gat e of t he
School of At l nt i da Har r y Law r ence w as hi s name.
Come on Zeon! Br yan sai d, r unni ng af t er Har r y.
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Br yan w ai t ! I don t know how t o pl ay Soccer ! Zeon shout ed but Br yan di d
not seem t o hear hi m. He si ghed and f ol l ow ed hi s f r i end.
As Zeon appr o ached Har r y and Br yan, he saw some ot her f ami l i ar f aces. Gar y
w as st andi ng f ace-t o-f ace w i t h St ephani e Levee and t hey w er e sur r ounded by a
gr oup of st udent s. Cl ar k and Rose w er e st andi ng t oget her besi de t hei r ol der
si st er w i t h a det er mi ned expr essi on on t hei r f aces. Cl ar k caught hi s eye and
cr acked hi s knuckl es menaci ngl y.
So i t s set t l ed, Gar y sai d cal ml y. You and you r e r el at i ves ver sus my
t eam.
St ephani e gave a sl y smi l e. We w i l l so cr ush you.
Wai t , Zeon can t pl ay. If he pl ays Gar y s t eam w i l l have one ext r a pl ayer .
Rose sai d poi nt edl y.
Don t w or r y. They can have hi m. It s not l i ke he w oul d make a di f f er ence.
He doesn t even know about t he ot her par t of hi m. St ephani e sai d di smi ssi vel y.
So l et s begi n t hen, Gar y sai d, st r et chi ng hi s ar ms. Har r y you and I w i l l be
t he at t acker . Br yan, Jake and Cl eo you guys w i l l be i n t he mi d. Ben, Ti f f any and
M at t you guys st ay on def ense. Zeon you l l be t he Goal Keeper . Now , get t o your
posi t i on ever yone!
Gar y I ve never pl ayed Soccer bef or e, Zeon sai d t o Gar y.
You ve never pl ayed soccer bef or e! Gar y sai d i ncr edul ousl y.
Zeon l et out an exasper at ed si gh. How many t i mes do I have t o t el l you t hat
I m f r om t he f or est . I never pl ayed t hese ki nds of games t her e.
Oh, w el l I don t have t i me t o t el l you al l t he r ul es. Al l you have t o do i s
st and i n f r ont of t he Goal post Gar y sai d, poi nt i ng t ow ar ds a net t ed st r uct ur e.
and st op t he bal l f r om hi t t i ng t he net behi nd. Under st and?
Yeah, okay. Zeon sai d, noddi ng.
Good, now go! Gar y shout ed.
Zeon r an over t o t he goal post and as Gar y had t o l d hi m, h e st ood i n f r ont of
i t . He met Br yan s eye w ho gave hi m a t humbs up. In r et ur n he gave a shaky
87 | P a g e
smi l e. He saw a boy, w ear i ng a w hi t e shi r t w i t h bl ack st r i pes. The boy pl aced a
w hi st l e i n hi s mout h and bl ew i t , i ndi cat i ng t he st ar t of t he mat ch.
St ephani e had t he bal l i n f r ont of her and usi ng, onl y her f eet she cont r ol l ed
i t magni f i cent l y. She r an f or w ar d w i t h t he bal l i n f r ont of her , t ow ar ds Zeon.
Sever al peopl e w ho w er e on hi s t eam t r i ed t o t ake t he bal l aw ay f r om her but
she w as j ust t oo f ast . Then she ki cked and al l Zeon saw w as a bl ur t hat p assed by
hi m, hi t t i ng t he net behi nd.
St ephani e s r el at i ves cl apped her on t he back. Gar y mar ched t ow ar ds Zeon
w i t h anger , bur ni ng i n hi s eyes.
Ar e you SLEEPING Zeon?! He r aged. You w er e supposed t o st op t he bal l !
It happened so f ast Gar y! Zeon sai d equal l y angr y. Thi s i s t he f i r st t i me
I m pl ayi ng so gi ve me a br eak!
Gar y pi cked up t he bal l w hi ch w as t angl ed i n t he net .
Focus on t he bal l ! It s not i mpossi bl e t o st op, he sai d, w al ki ng back t o hi s
posi t i on.
Thi s t i me Gar y had t he bal l and as he maneuver ed t he bal l f r om bet w een
t he enemy pl ayer s, Zeon r eal i zed t hat he w as even bet t er t han St ephani e.
Ever yone w at ched exci t edl y as Gar y w as sur r ound ed by a f i el d of l i ght ni ng. He
ki cked t he bal l , t r ansf er r i ng t he pow er of l i ght ni ng i nsi de t he bal l w hi ch hi t t he
net of t he enemy goal post as i t w as i mpossi bl e t o st op.
Zeon al ong w i t h hi s t eammat es cheer ed f or Gar y.
St ephani e passed t he bal l t o her t eammat e w ho advanced f or w ar d. Br yan
st ood i n t he boy s w ay and t hen t r ansf or med i nt o t he l i on. Wi t h a ear pi er ci ng
r oar , Br yan st ar t l ed t he enemy pl ayer and t ook t he bal l f r om hi m. He passed t he
bal l t o Har r y w ho ki cked i t and successf ul l y scor ed.
Thi s t i me t he t w i ns, Cl ar k and Rose w or ked t oget her t o br i ng t he bal l
f or w ar d. Zeon now f aced Cl ar k w ho pr epar ed t o ki ck. Hi s f oot suddenl y caught
f i r e and w hen he ki cked t he bal l , t he f i r e w as t r ansf er r ed ont o i t . Zeon w at ched
as t he f l ami ng bal l sped t ow ar ds hi m.
88 | P a g e
He w as r eady f or i t .
Zeon!
St ar t l ed, Zeon f ai l ed t o st op t he bal l w hi ch hi t hi m on t he chest and t oget her
w i t h t he bal l , he hi t t he net . The enemy t eam l aughed at Zeon and cheer ed f or
Cl ar k.
Ar e you okay Zeon? Br yan asked as he appr oached hi m.
Was t hat you w ho j ust cal l ed my name? Zeon asked hi s f r i end.
What ? Br yan sai d conf used.
When t he bal l came t ow ar ds me, di d you say my name? Zeon asked mor e
ur gent l y t hi s t i me.
Br yan f r ow ned. No, I w as mor e busy, hopi ng t hat you w oul d st op t he bal l .
Di d you hear anyone cal l my name? Zeon asked desper at el y.
No Zeon, nobody cal l ed your name. Br yan sai d w i t h concer n.
If you t w o ar e done chat t i ng, can w e get back t o t he game? Gar y asked
i mpat i ent l y.
Oh, ok. Sor r y, Br yan sai d, w al ki ng back t o hi s posi t i on.
The game cont i nued and w hen f i ve mi nut es w er e l ef t f or t he game t o end,
t he scor e w as 5-5 w i t h bot h t eams t i ed f or t he vi ct or y. It w as dow n t o t he l ast
f i ve mi nut es. St ephani e passed t he bal l t o Cl ar k w ho r an t ow ar ds t he enemy l i ne.
Zeon knew t hat Cl ar k w oul d be t he one t o shoot si nce he w as t he best shoot er
on t he en emy s t eam. Cl ar k passed t he b al l t o Rose, w hen Gar y t r i ed t o st op hi m.
Rose danced t hr ough t he f i el d; easi l y dodgi ng t he enemi es at t empt t o t ackl e t he
bal l aw ay f r om her . She passed back t o Cl ar k w ho w as now , f aci ng Zeon.
Zeon w at ched as Cl ar k ki cked t he bal l agai n. The bal l w as cover ed w i t h
f l ames as i t r ushed st r ai ght t ow ar ds Zeon. In hi s desper at e act t o st op t he bal l ,
Zeon di d t he unt hi nkabl e. He cl osed hi s eyes and cal med hi s r aci ng hear t . When
he opened hi s eyes, t he bal l had al most r eached hi m. He f ocused o n t he bal l and
concent r at ed har d. Usi ng hi s mi nd, he gave t he f ol l ow i ng command.
St op now !
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Ever yone w at ched w i de-eyed as t he f l ami ng bal l came t o a hal t , a mi l l i met er
aw ay f r om Zeon s f ace. Cl ar k st ar ed at hi m, dumbf ounded. Zeon r el eased hi s
mi nd-gr i p on t he bal l so t hat i t f el l r i ght i n f r ont of hi m. He f ocused on t he
beat i ng of hi s hear t w hi ch he now knew w as t he sour ce of al l hi s pow er .
Whenever hi s hear t f el t sor r ow , anger , happi ness or det er mi nat i on t he gr eat
pow er t hat dw el l ed w i t hi n hi m used t o sur f ace. So t hat s w hat h e di d. He f ed hi s
hear t w i t h a spoon of some of hi s det er mi nat i on and accor di ngl y, t he musi c
w i t hi n hi m came i nt o act i on.
Usi ng al l hi s pow er , Zeon ki cked t he bal l . The f l ames w hi ch had cover ed t he
bal l di sappear ed and i nst ead i t r adi at ed a br i l l i ant gol den l i ght . The bal l w as a
speedi ng mi ssi l e w hi ch hi t t he gol d post w i t h such f or ce t hat t he pol es, hol di ng
t he net gave aw ay. The goal post w as compl et el y dest r oyed by t he st r engt h of
t he bal l . Al l eyes t ur ned t o hi m; al l mout hs f or med t he same w or d.
Wow !
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Chapt er 15
The Climb
You w er e si mpl y amazi ng back t her e, Zeon! The w ay you st opped t hat
soccer bal l w i t hout t ouchi ng i t , w as j ust amazi ng! How di d you do t hat ? Br yan
asked as he and Zeon w al ked dow n t he st ai r case of Lobby No. 1. He w as one of
t he many st udent s w ho had asked Zeon t hi s same quest i on.
Zeon shr ugged. It s j ust somet hi ng I l ear nt i n Psy-Cont r ol cl ass b ut honest l y,
I di dn t t hi nk i t w oul d w or k.
M an, I w i sh I had t aken Psy-Cont r ol cl ass, Br yan sai d gl oomi l y.
It s not as easy as you t hi nk i t i s Br yan. Bel i eve me t el eki nesi s can gi ve you a
maj or headache. Speaki ng of w hi ch, my head i s about t o expl ode. Zeon
gr oaned.
Let s see w hi ch cl ass w e have next , sai d Br yan, as he t ook out t he
t i met abl e. Gr eat ! We ve got P.E. i n t he f or est , Br yan sai d happi l y.
I hope w e don t have t o f i ght anyt hi ng, Zeon sai d. I m al r eady bei ng
dr i ven mad by a voi ce t hat keeps cal l i ng my name.
Br yan f r ow ned. What s t hat al l about ?
Zeon si ghed. I dunno. I j ust keep hear i ng t hi s voi ce and i t s l i ke someone s
cal l i ng out t o me. It s happened t w i ce. The f i r st t i me i t happened, I w as on my
w ay t o Psy-Cont r ol cl ass. The second t i me w as dur i ng soccer . Remember w hen I
asked you w het her you had cal l ed my name? Wel l t hat w as w hen I hear d t he
voi ce.
Br yan r ubbed hi s chi n t hought f ul l y. St r ange, I di dn t hear anyt hi ng. Can you
t el l i f t he voi ce w as of a mal e or a f emal e?
91 | P a g e
Zeon had not t hought about t hat . Now t hat he r ecal l ed t he voi ce, i t w as
obvi ous t hat i t bel onged t o a f emal e. Why hadn t he seen i t bef or e?
Yes, t he voi ce w as def i ni t el y f emal e, he sai d, t al ki ng mor e t o hi msel f .
Hey guys! Wai t up! Br yan and Zeon t ur ned ar ound t o see Cr yst al , r unni ng
t ow ar ds t hem.
As she appr oached t hem, Zeon not i ced a st r ange mar k on her f or ehead.
What s t hat on your f or ehead? Zeon asked.
Huh, sai d Cr yst al , t ouchi ng her f or ehead. The mar k w as obvi ousl y made
f r om pai nt or i nk because as soon as she br ushed her hand agai nst i t , some of i t
came of f on her hand. Oh, I f or got t o r emove t hat . It s j ust somet hi ng w e di d i n
t he Secr et of t he Ar t cl ass.
What do t hey make you do i n t hat cl ass? Pai nt f l ow er s on your ski n? Br yan
sai d w i t h a l augh.
Cr yst al gl ar ed at hi m as she r ubbed t he mar k of f her f or ehead.
For your i nf or mat i on Br yan, t hese mar ki ngs have speci al pow er s. Some of
t hem have gr eat si de ef f ect s. She sai d angr i l y.
Tel eki nesi s i s w ay bet t er . You shoul d have seen w hat Zeon di d w hen w e
w er e pl ayi ng Soccer . Br yan sai d w i t h a di smi ssi ve snor t .
What di d you do Zeon? She asked hi m, t hough she di d not st op gl ar i ng at
Br yan.
Oh, i t w as not hi ng r eal l y, Zeon sai d modest l y. That r emi nds me. Cr yst al ,
I ve been hear i ng a voi ce t hat keeps cal l i ng my name. I w as j ust t al ki ng t o Br yan
about i t . I don t know i f I m goi ng mad or not but n obody el se seems t o hear t he
voi ce. Do you have any i dea w ho coul d be communi cat i ng w i t h me?
Hmm As f ar as I know onl y psychos have t he pow er t o communi cat e w i t h
t he mi nd. So my t heor y i s, w hoever i s t r yi ng t o t al k t o you mu st be a psycho. But
t he most i mpor t ant quest i on i s w ho? And w hy? Cr yst al sai d t hought f ul l y.
WAIT! She suddenl y scr eamed, pl aci ng her hand i n f r ont of hi m and Br yan.
What s w r ong? Br yan asked st ar t l ed.
92 | P a g e
Wat ch w her e you r e goi ng, Cr yst al sai d poi nt edl y.
Zeon and Br yan l ooked dow n t o see t hat i f Cr yst al had not st opped t hem,
t hey w oul d have been f al l i ng dow n a l ong w ay. They w er e so f ocused i n t hei r t al k
t hat t hey f ai l ed t o not i ce t hat t hey had r eached t he gat e of t he school . They al so
f ai l ed t o not i ce t hat t he school w as f l oat i ng i n t he sky!
Whoa! I f or got about t hat , Br yan sai d shaki l y.
Thanks f or t he w ar ni ng Cr yst al , Zeon sai d w eakl y.
You t w o need t o be mor e car ef ul , Cr yst al sai d r epr oachf ul l y. Emi t !
The st ai r case appear ed and t he t hr ee of t hem descended i t . It w oul d t ake a
w hi l e f or Zeon and Br yan t o get used t o t he f act t hat t hey w oul d be l i vi ng and
st udyi ng i n t he sky. Fi nal l y, t he t hr ee of t hem r eached t he f or est .
Okay, now w her e do w e go? Br yan asked.
Zeon and Cr yst al shr ugged hel pl essl y.
Suddenl y, f r om t he sky above one of t he many Or bs f l oat ed t ow ar ds t hem.
Fol l ow me and I w i l l t ake you t o t he P.E. Cl ass! The Or b sai d i n a squeaky
voi ce.
I m guessi ng w e shoul d f ol l ow t he Or b, sai d Zeon, gr i nni ng.
Duh! Cr yst al sai d as she st ar t ed f ol l ow i ng t he Or b. Zeon and Br yan w al ked
cl ose behi nd.
The Or b l ed t hem t ow ar ds a l ar ge cl ear i ng w her e t he r est of t he st udent s
w er e gat her ed. In f r ont of t he st udent s st ood a man w i t h unr ul y shoul der l engt h
gr ay hai r , a bushy must ache and bl ack eyes. He w or e a si l ver ar mor w hi ch w as
hal f hi dden by a br ow n cl oak. The man l ooked ver y ol d and Zeon w onder ed i f he
had t he ener gy t o t each t hi s subj ect .
When al l st udent s had ar r i ved, t he man cl ear ed hi s t hr oat t o si l ence al l t he
t al ki ng.
Wel come ever yone t o t he Physi cal Educat i on Cl ass. M y name i s El i t e
Nor man Vel vet and I w i l l be your t eacher f or t hi s cl ass. Now , t he f i r st t hi ng I
93 | P a g e
need t o t el l you al l i s t hat I m f r om Ear t h. Tel l me, how many of you ar e f r om
ear t h? E. Nor man asked.
A quar t er of t he st udent s r ai sed t hei r hands, w hi ch i ncl uded Zeon and
Br yan.
Good, now you t el l me w hat do you do i n a P.E. Cl ass on ear t h? E. Nor man
sai d, poi nt i ng at Br yan.
Oh, w el l w e pl ay soccer , basket bal l , basebal l and ot her games, Br yan
r epl i ed.
Exact l y! But her e i n t he School of At l nt i da t hi ngs w i l l be di f f er ent . Ther e
w i l l be no concept of f un i n t hi s cl ass. The pur pose of t he P.E. Cl ass i s not t o
have f un but t o l ear n t hat l i f e i s a t or t ur e chamber . You al l hear d w hat M ast er
Dor man sai d i n t he assembl y. The dar kness i s comi ng. We have t o be r eady w hen
i t comes. Never gi vi ng up! That i s w hat w i l l keep you al i ve i n t he dar k w or l d t o
come. In t hi s cl ass I w i l l t each you t ol er ance and endur ance by t est i ng your
physi cal body. I w i l l push you beyond your l i mi t s so t hat you may l ear n pat i ence,
even i n t he most di f f i cul t t i mes. I w i l l not r est unt i l each one of you successf ul l y
compl et e t he obst acl es t hat I have i n st or e f or you. So, f ol l ow me and I w i l l t ake
you t o t he f i r st obst acl e. E. Nor man sai d def i ant l y.
As El i t e Nor man began w al ki ng, ever yone f ol l ow ed meekl y behi nd. Zeon w as
not l ooki ng f or w ar d t o t he obst acl e he had i n st or e f or t hem. What ever i t w as,
Zeon knew i t w oul dn t be easy. As he l ooked t ow ar ds hi s f r i ends, t hey t oo l ooked
ner vous.
El i t e Nor man l ed t hem al l on a l ong w al k i nt o t he deepest par t s of t he f or est .
Out of t he gaps i n t he canopy, Zeon saw w hat l ooked l i ke a l ar ge mount ai n but
somet hi ng about i t l ooked pecul i ar . It l ooked as i f i t w as man-made. Soon t hey
r eached anot her cl ear i ng and i n t he cent r e w as t he mount ai n w hi ch he had seen
ear l i er . The mount ai n w as t al l er t han he expect ed and i t s t op w as hi dden by t he
cl ouds. It w as mad e of bl ack gr avel w i t h mean l ooki ng edges. A st r an ge hummi ng
sound seemed t o be i ssui ng f r om w i t hi n t he mount ai n.
94 | P a g e
Ever yone st ar ed at t he mi ght y st r uct ur e w i t h an edge of ner vousness. Zeon
f el t i t t oo and he l ooked at Br yan w ho had vi si bl y pal ed.
Do you f eel i t ? he asked.
Br yan nodded w i t hout t aki ng hi s eyes of t he mount ai n.
That s not r i ght . It s l i ke t he mount ai ns al i ve, Cr yst al sai d i n an audi bl e
w hi sper .
Beaut i f ul i sn t i t ? I made i t mysel f . Thi s i s your f i r st obst acl e. You must cl i mb
t o t he t op of t he mount ai n. If you f ai l w el l t hen you keep t r yi ng. E. Nor man
sai d si mpl y.
What i f w e f al l ? sai d a gi r l f ear f ul l y.
Don t w or r y, I l l cat ch you. E. Nor man sai d di smi ssi vel y.
That w as not exact l y r eassur i ng.
Wel l w e don t have al l day? St ar t cl i mbi ng! E. Nor man sai d.
The f i r st one t o appr oach t he mount ai n w as none ot her t han ar r ogant Cl ar k.
He appr oached t he menaci ng st r uct ur e w i t h hi s head hel d eyes. As soon as he
t ouched t he base of t he mount ai n, t her e w as a l oud BANG . The gi r l s scr eamed
w hi l e t he boys f l i nched, as t hey w at ched Cl ar k t hr ow n of hi s f eet and hi t t he
gr ound t en f eet aw ay.
Be car ef ul i t bi t es, sai d E. Nor man, chuckl i ng.
How ar e w e supposed t o cl i mb t hi s t hi ng i f i t does t hat ? Cl ar k demanded,
as Rose hel ped hi m t o hi s f eet .
Di dn t M r . Edw ar d t each you ki ds how t o use your aur a? Focus your aur a
on t he pal m of your hands and on your f eet t hen cl i mb! If you don t t hen you w i l l
be j oi ni ng M r . Levee her e, E. Nor man sai d, gr i nni ng.
The second st udent t o appr oach t he mount ai n w as t he psycho, Jason. He
cl osed hi s eyes f or a br i ef moment and Zeon coul d t el l t hat he w as doi ng w hat
El i t e Nor man had t ol d t hem t o do. He opened hi s eyes and began t he cl i mb. He
had onl y made i t a f ew f eet up w hen hi s w hol e body st ar t ed t r embl i ng.
95 | P a g e
Don t l et t he mount ai n beat you Jason! You ar e st r onger t han i t ! What di d I
t el l you?! Never gi ve up! E. Nor man shout ed but Jason f ai l ed as he w as t hr ow n
backw ar ds. E. Nor man si ghed. You can t expect t o ever r each t he t op w i t h an
ef f or t l i ke t hat . You st udent s have a l ot of pot ent i al w i t hi n you, now i s t he t i me
t o use t hat pot ent i al ! Now ever yone st ar t cl i mbi ng!
And so began t he most di f f i cul t cl ass of t he day. Zeon al ong w i t h t he ot her s
made t he t r eacher ous cl i mb on t he monst r ous mount ai n, but none of t hem
managed t o make i t t hat f ar up. El i t e Nor man kept encour agi ng t hem but hi s
w or ds w er e met w i t h deaf ear s. Soon, t he cl ass f i ni shed and ever yone w as on
t hei r knees, pant i ng heavi l y as f i ne beads of sw eat f or med on t hei r f or ehead.
E. Nor man shook hi s head i n di sappr oval . We w i l l cont i nue t hi s exer ci se i n
t he next cl ass. Li ke I sai d bef or e, I w i l l n ot r est unt i l each one of you i s at t he t op.
Now go! And I expect a bet t er ef f or t t omor r ow !
96 | P a g e
Chapt er 16
The Child of Dar kness
Oh man, my l egs f eel l i ke t hey ar e f i t t o bur st ! Br yan compl ai ned as t hey
ent er ed t he School of At l nt i da. El i t e Nor man i s cr azy! How does he expect us
t o r each t he t op of t hat cur sed mount ai n?
I w onder how he made i t t hough. Cr yst al sai d t hought f ul l y.
M ade w hat ? Zeon asked, as he and Br yan sank i nt o t he near est sof a.
That st r ange mount ai n i t r eal l y f el t as i f t he t hi ng had a l i f e of i t s ow n.
Cr yst al r epl i ed w i t h a shudder .
Zeon, can you pl ease check t he t i met abl e and t el l me i f I have a cl ass.
Br yan sai d w i t h hi s eyes shut .
Zeon t ook out t he sheet of paper and exami ned i t .
No w or r i es dude, you r e f r ee f or t w o hour s, Zeon sai d t o Br yan w ho l et
out a huge si gh of r el i ef . He l ooked at Cr yst al , You have a cl ass r i ght now
Cr yst al , Ther apeut i c St udy.
I know I w as j ust about t o l eave. Thi s i s one cl ass I don t w ant t o mi ss.
Cr yst al sai d br i ght l y.
What s so speci al about t hi s cl ass? Zeon asked.
Thi s subj ect i s r el at ed t o t he pow er of heal i ng and w hen I gr ow up I w ant t o
be t he best Heal er on At l nt i da. Cr yst al expl ai ned.
Zeon gr i nned. I coul d pi ct ur e you doi ng somet hi ng l i ke t hat .
Cr yst al beamed. Thanks! Anyw ay, I shoul d be goi ng. See you guys l at er !
When Cr yst al l ef t , Br yan f or ced hi msel f on hi s f eet .
Wher e ar e you goi ng? Zeon asked l azi l y.
Br yan yaw ned. I m goi ng back t o t he r oom f or a ki p. Wanna j oi n me?
97 | P a g e
You go on ahead. I l l meet you l at er , Zeon sai d t o hi s f r i end.
Sui t your sel f , Br yan sai d and st r ode of , l eavi ng Zeon al one.
Zeon sat on t he sof a f or qui t e some t i me, w at chi ng st udent s come and go.
Hi s mi nd w ander ed o f f i nt o t he t hought s of t he voi ce h e kept hear i ng. Ther e w as
somet hi ng about t he voi ce t hat made hi m uneasy. The w ay i t sai d, Zeon! w as
i n a pl eadi ng qual i t y. Someone w as cal l i ng t o hi m f or hel p and he f el t l i ke a
bet r ayer f or not answ er i ng t he pl ea. When he f i r st hear d t he voi ce i t w as qui t e
cl ear but t he second t i me i t w as f ai nt er .
Fear gr i pped hi s t hr oat .
What i f t he per son w ho w as t r yi ng t o communi cat e w i t h hi m w as i n some
ki nd of per i l ? What i f t he per son w as dyi ng?
Zeon shook hi s head f r om t hese unpl easant t hought s. What coul d he d o? He
had no i dea w ho w as cal l i ng t o hi m f or hel p. He di dn t r eal l y under st and w hy he
w as w or r yi ng so much but somet hi ng about t he voi ce seemed t o move hi s
hear t as i f t he per son w ho w as cal l i ng out t o hi m w as a par t of hi m.
Fi nal l y, Zeon deci ded t hat a l i t t l e nap w as a good i dea. He needed t o cl ear
hi s mi nd and r est i ng w as t he best sol ut i on. So, he got up and w al ked t ow ar ds hi s
r oom.
When Zeon r eached hi s r oom, he hear d a voi ce comi ng f r om t he ver y next
r oom. Cur i ous, he w al ked caut i ousl y t ow ar ds hi s nei ghbor i ng r oom. The door of
t he r oom w as hal f open and as he peeked i nsi de, he coul d see a boy, si t t i ng
cr oss-l egged on t he f l oor w i t h a book i n f r ont of hi m. He seemed t o be r eci t i ng
t he w or ds of t he book.
Zeon knew he w as bei ng r ude by eavesdr oppi ng on t he boy but he coul dn t
st op hi msel f . The w or ds t hat came out of t he boy s mout h seemed t o make no
sense. He w al ked qui et l y t ow ar ds t he boy, bei ng car ef ul not t o st ar t l e hi m.
In or der t o get t he boy s at t ent i on, Zeon gent l y t apped hi m on t he shoul der .
As soon as hi s hand t ouched t he boy s shoul der , he f el t a f al l i ng sensat i on as hi s
soul w as t r anspor t ed t o anot her di mensi on.
98 | P a g e
FLASH!

When Zeon opened hi s eyes, he f ound hi msel f i n a w or l d he t hought coul d
never exi st , unt i l now . The l and on w hi ch he st ood w as scor ched by hot magma
w hi ch i n t ur n made t he sur r oundi ng ai r near l y suf f ocat i ng. Sever al ar eas of t he
l and w er e cut open and l ava gushed out l i ke a l oose w at er pi pe. The sky w as
compl et el y bl ack and not even t he moon w as vi si bl e t hr ough t he bl anket of
dar kness. Zeon l ooked ar ound but coul d f i nd no t r aces of l i f e.
Just w hen he t hought i t coul d not get any w ei r der , a col d l augher r i pped
t hr ough t he ai r . Ther e w as no sour ce of t he noi se, i t seemed t o be comi ng f r om
ever yw her e ar ound hi m. Then, f r om t he bl ackened sky, a dar k mass f el l t o t he
gr ound i n f r ont of hi m. Zeon w at ched i n mut e hor r or as t he mass r ose and
sw el l ed, t aki ng t he f or m of a shape. Soon, Zeon f ound hi msel f l ooki ng i n t he
bl oody eyes of t he cr eat ur e cal l ed The Daemon.
Wel come, Zeon Cr est ! Wel come, t o t he end of bot h At l nt i da and Ear t h. I
hope your enj oyi ng t he scener y. The Daemon sai d w i t h a w i cked smi l e.
Zeon st ar ed at The Daemon w i t h a mi xt ur e of f ear and r epul si on. The
cr eat ur e had gr uesome gr ay ski n t hat w as t or n f r om di f f er ent pl aces. He w or e a
bl ack r obe, t he ki nd t hat usual l y a pr i est w ear s. Hi s eyes w er e bl ood r ed and
seemed t o have a mur der ous gl i nt i n t hem. The most hor r i f yi ng f eat ur e of t he
cr eat ur e w as i t s t hi r d eye, w hi ch w as r i ght on hi s f or ehead. Thi s eye w as cl osed
and honest l y, Zeon di d not w ant t o see i t open. A t er r i bl e evi l r adi at ed out of t he
cr eat ur e s hear t and dr ead gr i pped hi s hear t . What w as t hi s cr eat ur e?
W-What ar e you? Zeon asked hesi t ant l y.
I am t he cr eat ur e cal l ed The Daemon. For mi l l enni a, I have been t r apped
i nsi de dar kness i t sel f , w ai t i ng f or t he t i me w hen my mast er w oul d f r ee me.
Thr ee year s ago, my w ai t i ng w as over . M y mast er f r eed me but onl y on t he
condi t i on t hat I w as t o ser ve hi m. I agr eed, so my mast er t or e me f r om hi s ow n
body and t r anspl ant ed me i nsi de t hi s boy. M y mi ssi on w as t o act as a spy i n t he
99 | P a g e
School of At l nt i da. I w ant ed t o be mor e but my mast er w as mor e pow er f ul so I
coul d not di sobey hi m. Yet , t hi ngs w ent w r ong because somehow t hi s boy I
i nhabi t w as st r onger t han I had expect ed. He r ecl ai med hi s body and I w as once
agai n t r apped. The onl y w ay I can be f r ee agai n i s i f someone ki l l s my mast er .
Then al l of my mast er s pow er s w oul d be t r ansf er r ed t o me and I w i l l be abl e t o
over pow er t hi s f ool i sh boy and t hen my r ei gn w i l l begi n. The Daemon sai d i n
t r i umph.
Who i s your mast er ? Zeon asked suspi ci ousl y.
M y mast er , my f at her i s none ot her t han Chaos. The Daemon sai d bi t t er l y.
Zeon s hear t ski pped a dozen beat s. Chaos w as t hi s guy s f at her ! But t hen
t hi s cr eat ur e w as as t hr eat eni ng as Chaos. If somehow Chaos i s def eat ed t hen i t
w oul d be The Daemon s t ur n t o r i se and somet hi ng t ol d hi m t hat t hi s cr eat ur e
w oul d be even st r onger t han Chaos hi msel f !
Thi s w as bad t hi s w as so bad!
Ha-ha! By t he l ook on your f ace I can t el l t hat you have under st ood t he
magni t ude of t he si t uat i on. If my f at her f al l s I r i se! Unl ess The Daemon l ef t
t he sent ence hangi ng.
Unl ess? Zeon asked, t r yi ng t o cont r ol t he beat i ng of hi s hear t .
Unl ess you end i t r i ght her e and r i ght now . You j ust have t o ki l l t hi s boy and
I w i l l per i sh w i t h hi m. Then no har m w i l l come i f by some mi r acl e my f at her i s
def eat ed. The Daemon sai d cal ml y.
Zeon eyed The Daemon car ef ul l y. He l ooked t oo cal m.
You know I w on t do i t , Zeon sai d sl ow l y.
The Daemon smi l ed. Yes, t her e ar e t w o r easons w hy I bel i eve you w i l l
never ki l l t he boy. Fi r st l y because your t oo sof t . Secondl y, t her e i s somet hi ng I
know t hat you don t know .
What do you mean? Zeon asked conf used.
The l ast pr ophecy you know about i t I m sur e, The Daemon sai d.
Ar mageddon, Zeon r epl i ed.
100 | P a g e
The Daemon nodded. Ar mageddon. Zeon Cr est you ar e NoxEt er na.
NoxEt er na? What does t hat mean? Zeon asked, f r ow ni ng.
One day you w i l l f i nd out , but unt i l t hen I am convi nced t hat you w i l l be
dead! The Daemon sai d har shl y.
The Daemon st ar t ed t o mel t back t o hi s or i gi nal f or m but t he sound of hi s
l aught er pr evai l ed. Goodbye, Zeon! We w i l l meet i n t he f ut ur e!
FLASH!
Zeon opened hi s eyes and f ound hi msel f back i n t he School of At l nt i da. In
f r ont of hi m st ood t he boy w ho had spi ky bl ack hai r and gl ow i ng yel l ow eyes. Hi s
f ace w as cont or t ed i nt o a l ook of pur e r age.
What di d you see? He sai d i n a deadl y w hi sper .
Ever yt hi ng, sai d Zeon. He knew t her e w as no poi nt i n l yi ng.
The boy had pal ed consi der abl y.
Don t t el l anyone, he sai d danger ousl y.
M y l i ps ar e seal ed. M y name i s Ze- Zeon began but t he boy r ai sed hi s
hand f or si l ence.
I know w ho you ar e. What ever The Daemon know s I know . The boy sai d
w i t h a si gh. M y name i s Er i k Law , pl eased t o meet you.
You must be ver y st r ong, consi der i ng t he f act t hat you have pr event ed t he
son of Chaos f r om cont r ol l i ng you. Zeon sai d w i t h admi r at i on.
Er i k smi l ed w eakl y. It s not easy but t hanks anyw ay f or t he compl i ment .
So you r e par t human and par t daemon? Zeon asked conver sat i onal l y.
Er i k shook hi s head. No, I m par t human and par t w i zar d. I w as al r eady a
par t human w hen The Daemon ent er ed my body.
A w i zar d! That s cool ! What do w i zar ds do? Zeon asked.
You see t hat book over t her e, Er i k sai d, poi nt i ng t ow ar ds t he book w hi ch
he had been r eci t i ng. It cont ai ns magi c t hat onl y a w i zar d can do. If a w i zar d
memor i zes hal f of t hi s book t hen he becomes a Sor cer er . If a w i zar d memor i zes
101 | P a g e
al l t he spel l s t hen he becomes a War l ock. So, have you f i gur ed out w hat you
ar e?
Zeon shook hi s head. St i l l no i dea,
I ve seen you i n act i on Zeon. You r e somet hi ng pow er f ul and di f f er ent . I l i ke
t hat about you. You r e t he youngest but al so t he w i sest . I can see i t i n your
eyes. Er i k sai d, smi l i ng.
Zeon bl ushed. Oh, t hanks Er i k. That r emi nds me I r eal l y have t o be goi ng.
M y Spar k Cont r ol cl ass i s about t o st ar t .
Spar k Cont r ol cl ass, t hat s gr eat ! We can go t oget her . I have al so t aken t hat
subj ect . Er i k sai d, st andi ng up.
Ok t hen, l et s go! Zeon sai d br i ght l y.
102 | P a g e
Chapt er 17
The Test of Confidence
Zeon and Er i k w al ked t ow ar ds Room 50 of Lobby No. 4 t o at t end t hei r Spar k
Cont r ol cl ass. As t hey w al ked, Zeon kept l ooki ng at Er i k as i f he w as some ki nd of
nucl ear r eact or t hat w as r eady t o expl ode. He st i l l f ound i t har d t o bel i eve t hat
w i t hi n hi s new f r i end w as t he Son of Chaos! A cr eat ur e t hat coul d become t he
most f r i ght eni ng t hi ng on t hi s pl anet ! He w as al so i nt er est ed t o know how Er i k
had managed t o pr event such a pow er f ul bei ng f r om domi nat i ng hi s soul . It
seemed i mpossi bl e.
Er i k can I ask you somet hi ng? He asked as t hey w al ked. How have you
pr event ed The Daemon w ho i s t he Son of Chaos, f r om t aki ng cont r ol of your
body?
Honest l y, w hen The Daemon had i nhabi t ed my body, f or a w hol e mont h I
w as not t he one i n cont r ol The Daemon w as. At l east unt i l I met her . Er i k sai d
not , meet i ng hi s eye.
Her ? Zeon asked.
Her name w as Ir i s Wi l l i ams. I m sur e you ve hear d about her . When I met
her she w as onl y seven but never i n my l i f e have I met such a ki nd and spi r i t ed
gi r l . Ir i s w as t he daught er of a ki ng, w hi l e I w as a nobody. Si nce she w as t he
daught er of a ki ng, she had pow er and l uxur y t hat ver y f ew peopl e had. The
f unny t hi ng w as, Ir i s never l i ked l uxur y. She j ust w ant ed t o l augh and have f un.
She w ant ed t o make a l i f e w or t h r emember i ng, so she r an aw ay and t hat s w hen
she met me or The Daemon. Ir i s knew w ho or w hat I w as but she never gave up
hope on me. I w as ver y cl ose t o ki l l i ng her but she r emi nded me w ho I w as. She
103 | P a g e
w as my anchor out of t he dar kness and i f i t w asn t f or her , t he boy named Er i k
w oul d never have exi st ed I ow e her my l i f e. Er i k sai d w i t h t ear s i n hi s eyes.
Chaos has Ir i s, Zeon sai d gr i ml y.
Er i k si ghed. I know and I w i l l make Chaos pay i f he hur t s her .
I w i sh I coul d hel p her t oo. She seems l i ke a ni ce gi r l and t he f act t hat she s
t he onl y one her e w ho i s my age. Zeon sai d w i t h a smal l smi l e.
You know w hat , Zeon. You r emi nd me of her . I can f eel Ir i s Wi l l i ams i nsi de
of you. Er i k sai d, smi l i ng.
Zeon di d not r epl y f or t hey had r eached t hei r dest i nat i on. Zeon opened t he
door of Room 50 and w al ked i nt o t he l i ght w i t h Er i k cl ose behi nd.
Zeon now st ood on bar r en l and w i t h dar k menaci ng cl ouds above. Fl ashes of
l i ght ni ng coul d be seen agai n and agai n, w hi l e t he r oar of t hunder w as near l y
f r i ght eni ng. Heavy w i nds w hi pped hi s body, causi ng hi m t o shi ver uncont r ol l abl y.
Over t w ent y st udent s st ood besi de hi m, i ncl udi ng hi s l east f avor i t e, Cl ar k Levee.
Suddenl y, f r om t he gr ay sky a gi ant l i ght ni ng bol t f el l r i ght i n f r ont of t hem.
Zeon al ong w i t h ot her s j umped back as chunks of r ocks w er e t hr ow n at t hem.
When t he l i ght ni ng bol t f i nal l y di sappear ed, a man st ood on t he si t e of i t s
i mpact .
The man had spi ky bl ue hai r and dar k bl ue eyes. He w or e a gol den ar mor
and ci r cl i ng ar ound hi s body w er e w hat l ooked l i ke bal l s of el ect r i ci t y. Zeon
r ecogni zed t he bl ue hai r and eyes i mmedi at el y.
Don t t el l me t hat t hi s guys a Levee!
You guys ar e f i ve mi nut es l at e. Be ver y gl ad t hat I m i n a good mood
ot her w i se I w oul d have puni shed you qui t e sever el y. M y name i s El i t e M aver i ck
Levee son of t he Legendar y Sovr an Levee! It seems my cousi n Cl ar k Levee i s al so
her e, sai d E. M aver i ck, beami ng at Cl ar k. Wel l Spar k Cont r ol i s a Levee s
speci al t y. The r est of you ar e most l y a di sappoi nt ment honest l y.
104 | P a g e
Zeon r ol l ed hi s eyes. The Levees w er e so f ul l of t hemsel ves! They w er e a
bunch of show of f s and t o t hem onl y f ami l y mat t er ed, not hi ng el se. They so-o-o
needed a l i f e!
Now bef or e w e begi n, l et me expl ai n some t hi ngs t o t he new bi e so t hat
t hey don t make some ser i ous mi st akes. Li ght ni ng consi st s of char ged par t i cl es
t hat ar e movi ng at a ver y qui ck pace. They ar e out -of -cont r ol so t he f i r st t hi ng
you w i l l be l ear ni ng i s how t o cont r ol t hese par t i cl es. If you use any l i ght ni ng
at t ack w i t hout cont r ol l i ng t hem, t hen t he at t ack w i l l become w i l d and beyond
your cont r ol . In t he end you mi ght end up f r yi ng your sel f . Now , I know not
ever yone her e i s capabl e of cont r ol l i ng l i ght eni ng so I w ant such st udent s t o
l eave. E. M aver i ck sai d ser i ousl y.
A mur mur br oke o ut amongst t he st udent s w ho w er e cl ear l y conf used. How
w er e t hey supposed t o know i f t hey w er e good at cont r ol l i ng l i ght ni ng w i t hout
even t r yi ng f i r st ?
To see i f you guys ar e i ndeed w or t hy of t aki ng t hi s subj ect , I w i l l have t o
t ake a Test of Conf i dence. If you successf ul l y pass t hi s t est t hen you ar e f r ee t o
cont i nue t hi s subj ect but i f you f ai l t hen I l l be t he one t o show you t he w ay ou t .
Now , do you see t hat hi l l over t her e, E. M aver i ck sai d, poi nt i ng t o t he near est
hi l l . I w ant you al l t o one-by-one cl i mb t he hi l l and w ai t f or a l i ght ni ng bol t t o
f al l t ow ar ds you. If t he l i ght ni ng bol t def l ect s af t er t ouchi ng you t hen you ar e
w or t hy of at t endi ng t hi s cl ass. But , i f t he l i ght ni ng bol t hi t s you w i t hout
r eboundi ng w el l t hen, you r e out !
But El i t e M aver i ck i f w e f ai l t o r ebound t he l i ght ni ng bol t , w on t i t ki l l us?
sai d a boy f ear f ul l y.
Not t o w or r y, al l l i ght ni ng bol t s ar e under my cont r ol her e. The l i ght ni ng
bol t w hi ch w i l l f al l i n you w i l l be har ml ess and you w on t f eel a t hi ng. So, l et us
begi n! You go f i r st . E. M aver i ck sai d, poi nt i ng at t he boy w ho had asked t he
quest i on.
105 | P a g e
The boy l ooked f r i ght ened but sl ow l y he w al ked t ow ar ds t he hi l l . As t he boy
cl i mbed t he hi l l , ever yone w at ched hi m car ef ul l y because t hey al l knew t hat t hei r
t ur n w i l l al so come.
Fi nal l y, t he boy r eached t he t op of t he hi l l and l ooked up i n t he sky f or t he
l i ght ni ng bol t t o appear . He di d not have t o w ai t l ong because w i t h a l oud r oar , a
gi ant l i ght ni ng bol t f el l t ow ar ds hi m. The boy w as t r embl i ng as t he l i ght ni ng bol t
sped t ow ar ds hi m. Zeon w as t r yi ng ver y har d not t o r un af t er t he boy and push
hi m out of t he bol t s pat h.
Thi s w as madness!
Yet , t he bol t hi t t he boy and Zeon w as moment ar i l y bl i nded by i t s f l ash.
When t he bol t f i nal l y di sappear ed ever yone had t he same t hought i n t hei r
mi nds.
Was t he boy dead?
To ever yone s r el i ef , t he boy w as al i ve and w as now descendi ng t he cl i f f . As
he r eached t hem, Zeon not i ced t hat t he boy w as pal e but he st i l l managed t o
smi l e.
Does t hat answ er any l i nger i ng doubt s? sai d E. M aver i ck t o t he boy.
The boy nodded and w i t hout a backw ar d gl ance he l ef t t he cl ass.
Wel l t hat s one w i mp gone! Who s next ? How about you? E. M aver i ck
sai d, l ooki ng expect ant l y at Er i k.
Er i k smi l ed. It w oul d be my pl easur e.
Soon Zeon s f r i end w as cl i mbi ng t he hi l l . Zeon pr ayed w i t h al l hi s hear t t hat
Er i k succeeded. The bol t of l i ght ni ng f el l t ow ar ds Er i k w hen he had r eached t he
t op. To hi s r el i ef , t he l i ght ni ng bol t w as def l ect ed j ust w hen i t w as about t o hi t
hi s head. Zeon al ong w i t h t he ot her s cheer ed and El i t e M aver i ck nodded i n
appr oval .
When Er i k w al ked back, El i t e M aver i ck sai d, Wel l I m gl ad not al l of you ar e
w i mps.
106 | P a g e
One by one t he r est of t he st udent s cl i mbed t he hi l l . About hal f of t hem
f ai l ed t o r ebound t he l i ght ni ng bol t but t he ot her hal f w er e successf ul . Fi nal l y, i t
w as Zeon s t ur n t o pr ove hi msel f w or t hy f or t hi s cl ass.
As Zeon w al ked t ow ar ds t he hi l l , he hear d El i t e M aver i ck say, I have my
doubt s about t hi s one.
Zeon began hi s cl i mb t ow ar ds t he t op of t he hi l l and w as gl ad t hat i t w as
easi er t han cl i mbi ng t he mount ai n i n P.E. cl ass. When he r eached t he t op, he
l ooked t ow ar ds t he ot her st udent s w ho w er e w at chi ng hi m eager l y. He l ooked
up t ow ar ds t he si ni st er sky, aw ai t i ng t he ar r i val of t he l i ght ni ng bol t . It came w i t h
a l oud r oar and Zeon t hought t hat hi s ear s w oul d bur st . Yet , he r emai ned
st eadf ast and cal med h i s hear t . To h i s huge r el i ef , t h e l i ght ni ng bol t di d n ot even
come cl ose t o t ouchi ng hi m but j ust sped of f i nt o t he ot her di r ect i on.
As Zeon w al ked t ow ar ds t he ot her s, he saw t hat bot h El i t e M aver i ck and
Cl ar k had a di sappoi nt ed l ook on t hei r f aces. Appar ent l y, t hey w er e hopi ng he
get s f r i ed.
Wel l , congr at ul at i ons t o each and ever y one of you! Sadl y w e don t have
enough t i me f or t he r eal f un. Just t o l et you al l know , t omor r ow I w i l l be t eachi ng
you guys how t o cont r ol l i ght ni ng w hi ch w i l l hel p you per f or m al l t he l i ght ni ng
at t acks. So be r eady f or t omor r ow ever yone! E. M aver i ck sai d di smi ssi vel y.
Zeon and Er i k l ef t t he cl ass t oget her .
Wel l t hat w as i nt er est i ng, Er i k sai d mi l dl y.
I j ust w i sh t hat our t eacher w as not a Levee, Zeon sai d moodi l y.
Got t hat r i ght , Er i k sai d. I ve got a cl ass r i ght now so I bet t er be l eavi ng.
Oh, t hat r emi nds me. I ve got t o w ake up my f r i end, Zeon sai d.
Wel l I l l see you l at er t hen, Er i k sai d as he t ur ned ar ound t o l eave.
Zeon w at ched as Er i k l ef t . He qui ckl y t ur ned ar ound and w al ked back t o hi s
r oom. When Zeon ent er ed Room 4, he f ound Br yan st i l l sl eepi ng.
Hey Br yan! Wake up or you r e goi ng t o get l at e f or cl ass! Zeon sai d,
shaki ng hi s f r i end.
107 | P a g e
Af t er sever al at t empt s t o w ake hi s f r i end up, Zeon became f r ust r at ed and
t hr ew a bot t l e of w at er on hi m.
What t he heck i s w r ong w i t h you Zeon?! Br yan shout ed, as he w oke up t o
f i nd hi msel f dr enched i n col d w at er .
Wake up sl eepi ng beaut y! Your cl ass has st ar t ed, Zeon r epl i ed cal ml y.
What cl ass?! Br yan demanded.
Your Fi er y Cont r ol cl ass! Zeon sai d angr i l y.
Br yan t ook out t he t i met abl e and l ooked at i t . Then he l ooked at t he cl ock
and sw or e.
Oh gr eat I m f i ve mi nut es l at e! Sor r y f or yel l i ng at you Zeon. Anyw ay I have
so got t o l eave! Br yan sai d i n exasper at i on.
When Br yan l ef t , Zeon t hr ew hi msel f on hi s bed and cl osed eyes, enj oyi ng
t hi s moment of si l ence. At some poi nt he dozed of f i nt o a deep sl eep.
108 | P a g e
Chapt er 18
The Old Mans Wisdom
In hi s dr eam, Zeon f ound hi msel f st andi ng on sof t ever gr een gr ass w hi ch
w as moi st ened w i t h dew . The ai r w as f r esh and w as so f ul l of l i f e t hat he f ound
hi msel f i nhal i ng i t deepl y. A mi xt ur e of l i vi ng t hi ngs, bot h f r om Ear t h and
At l nt i da r oamed ar ound i n t hi s w ondr ous pl ace.
TSEEEER!
Zeon l ooked up w i t h exci t ement , r ushi ng t hr ough hi s bl ood and saw hi s
f ai t hf ul f r i end Fl ash, headi ng t ow ar ds hi m. He l aughed as t he gol den eagl e
cr ashed i nt o hi m so har d t hat he w as knocked ont o t he gr ound.
Fl ash! I mi ssed you so much! Zeon sai d happi l y. Loo k at t hi s pl ace i sn t i t
amazi ng? I ve had t hi s dr eam bef or e l ot s of t i mes i n f act and honest l y, I never
get t i r ed of i t . I ve seen bot h Ear t h and At l nt i da t hey ar e al so beaut i f ul pl aces
but st i l l t her e i s a bi t of t ensi on i n t he ai r . Thi s pl ace, on t he ot her hand i s
per f ect per f ect i n ever y w ay. If onl y t hi s pl ace w as r eal i t y.
And w hy can t i t be? sai d a voi ce f r om behi nd hi m.
Zeon j umped u p, st ar t l ed and l oo ked behi nd. Ther e st ood an Ol d M an w i t h a
l ong w hi t e bear d and, t w i nkl i ng bl ue eyes. He w or e a w hi t e r obe w hi ch w as
out l i ned by st r i p s of gol d. In hi s hand w as a gol den st af f w i t h a bl ue cr yst al bal l at
i t s t op. A br i l l i ant bl ue l i ght r adi at ed f r om w i t hi n t he Ol d M an w hi ch seemed t o
at t r act ever y l i vi ng t hi ng i n t hi s pl ace.
What ever doubt s Zeon had about t he Ol d M an, w er e squashed w hen Fl ash
j umped out of hi s hand and sat on t he Ol d M an s shoul der . The Ol d M an smi l ed
and gent l y r ubbed Fl ash on t he head. Anyone w ho coul d bef r i end Fl ash so
qui ckl y must be someone speci al .
109 | P a g e
Who ar e you? Zeon asked.
I am many t hi ngs Zeon. I can be a ghost , a spi r i t or maybe even an
el ement al , i f I w ant ed t o be one but f or now , I m an Ol d M an w i t h w i se w or ds.
Tel l me Zeon, w hat do you t hi nk of t hi s pl ace? The Ol d M an sai d
conver sat i onal l y.
Zeon shr ugged. It s a ver y peacef ul pl acebut i t s onl y a dr eam.
Ah, t hat s w her e your w r ong my boy. Let s si t dow n and have a l i t t l e
f r i endl y conver sat i on. The Ol d M an sai d pol i t el y. He r ai sed hi s st af f i n t he ai r
and t w o beams of l i ght t ouched t he gr ound.
Zeon w at ched i n amazement , as t w o t hr one-l i ke seat s emer ged out of t he
gr ound. The Ol d M an t ook one seat and mot i oned hi m t o si t on t he ot her . For a
w hol e mi nut e The Ol d M an di dn t speak but j ust eyed hi m car ef ul l y. Zeon t r i ed
ver y har d not t o f i dget .
Zeon, l et me gi ve you an Ol d M an s Wi sdom, The Ol d M an began. I know
most ki ds don t t ake ol d peopl e s advi ce ver y ser i ousl y b ut you Zeon w i l l have no
choi ce. Hang on t o ever y w or d I say and keep t hi s conver sat i on i n your hear t
f or ever .
Zeon, w e l i ve i n a w or l d w her e anyt hi ng i s possi bl e, a w or l d w her e a per son
can f ul f i l l hi s deepest desi r es, a w or l d w her e f ai t h cannot i nt er vene.
I don t under st and, Zeon sai d conf used.
Zeon, dr eams can become r eal i t y i f w e put our hear t and soul s i nt o t hem.
Look at t hi s pl ace Zeon! Thi s pl ace i s i n your dr eam but t hat does not mean i t
cannot exi st . We our sel ves make t he w or l d t he w ay i t i s. Zeon, i f you chose t o
make t he w or l d l i ke t hi s The Ol d M an sai d, w avi ng hi s hand t ow ar ds hi s
sur r oundi ngs. t hen t her e i s no f or ce i n t he w or l d t hat can st op you f r om
f ul f i l l i ng your dr eam. Doubt and uncer t ai nt y ar e t he t w o f act or s w hi ch dest r oy a
per son. Never doubt your sel f Zeon! Have f ai t h i n your sel f and ot her s w i l l have
f ai t h i n you.
Who ar e you? Zeon r epeat ed. Why ar e you t el l i ng me al l t hi s?
110 | P a g e
I have been w at chi ng you f or qui t e some t i me now . Why am I t el l i ng you al l
t hi s? Wel l because you Zeon ar e t he key t o t he door of har mony. The Codex
speaks of t he r i se of dar kness t hat has never bef or e seen on bot h Ear t h and
At l nt i da. M o st peopl e w i l l l ose t hei r hope w hen such dar kness comes. You Zeon
must t el l t hem of t hi s pl ace and make t hem bel i eve t hat hope i s not l ost . Fi ght
t he dar kness w i t h al l your cour age Zeon, even w hen t he odds ar e agai nst you.
Bel i eve me w hen I say, t hat you w i l l be t he onl y sour ce of l i ght i n a chaot i c
w or l d. The Ol d M an sai d f i er cel y.
But w hat can I do? I m not even sur e w hat I am. Zeon sai d pl eadi ngl y.
You r e doubt i ng your sel f agai n Zeon! Remember w hen Emi l y Tar ki n sai d
t hat f or you t el eki nesi s i s i mpossi bl e? Remember how you pr oved her w r ong!
That s w her e your t r ue pow er l i es Zeon! Cour age and det er mi nat i on w i l l make
you do t he i mpossi bl e. So, w i l l you f i ght Zeon? Wi l l you f i ght t he dar kness? The
Ol d M an asked.
I l l t r y, Zeon r epl i ed
Tr y?
No, I w i l l f i ght t he dar kness!
Excel l ent ! Now Zeon, anot her i mpor t ant t hi ng I need t o t el l you. Ir i s
Wi l l i ams i s i n a deadl y per i l as you know ver y w el l . Chaos has begun t o absor b
t he pow er of The Si l ver Phoeni x and she has l i t t l e t i me l ef t . Zeon you must save
her at al l cost ! She means mor e t o you t han t o anybody el se! The Ol d M an sai d
gr i ml y.
How can she mean mor e t o me? I don t even know her , Zeon sai d
i ncr edul ousl y.
Zeon, t hi ngs her e on At l nt i da ar e much di f f er ent f r om t hose on ear t h.
Ther e ar e some st r ange phenomena w hi ch exi st w i t hout one even know i ng
about t hem. I r epeat Zeon, save Ir i s Wi l l i ams she needs you and you need her .
The Ol d M an sai d gr i ml y.
111 | P a g e
Pl ease st op t al ki ng t o me i n r i ddl es. Just t el l me w hy Ir i s Wi l l i ams means
mor e t o me? Zeon asked.
That i s somet hi ng you w i l l f i nd out your sel f . I cannot gi ve you mor e det ai l
on t hi s t opi c. The Ol d M an sai d, si ghi ng.
Why not ? Zeon asked. You can t j ust l eave me conf used l i ke t hat .
I am f or bi dden t o t el l you anymor e, The Ol d M an sai d si mpl y.
For bi dden? For bi dden by w ho? Zeon asked.
Ther e ar e f or ces much st r onger t han me and t hey have f or bi dden me t o
i nt er vene i n t he bal anced syst em of l i f e. The Ol d M an sai d sadl y.
El ement al s? Zeon asked.
Oh no, even I mysel f have mor e pow er t han t he El ement al s. The Ol d M an
sai d, smi l i ng.
Real l y? I t hought El ement al s w er e t he st r ongest bei ng on bot h Ear t h and
At l nt i da. Zeon sai d.
No, t her e ar e unseen f or ces w hi ch ar e t en t i mes st r onger t han The
El ement al s. The Ol d man sai d.
They w er e bot h si l ent f or a f ew mi nut es. Then Zeon began.
How do I f i nd Ir i s Wi l l i am? He asked.
Fol l ow your hear t Zeon! It know s t he w ay. The Ol d M an i nsi st ed.
M y hear t ? But Zeon began but The Ol d M an i nt er r upt ed.
It seems my t i me i s up. It w as ni ce havi ng t hi s conver sat i on w i t h you Zeon
but now i t s t i me f or me t o go back home. The Ol d M an sai d, st andi ng up.
But you can t j ust l eave! Zeon sai d beseechi ngl y. Ther e s so much I don t
under st and!
The Ol d M an smi l ed. Bel i eve i n your sel f Zeon! Al l answ er s w i l l come t o you.
Goodbye!
Wi t h t hat t he Ol d M an di sappear ed i nt o t hi n ai r . Zeon st ood t her e, r oot ed
t o t he gr ound as t he w or ds of t he Ol d M an dw el l ed i n hi s mi nd. He w as so
112 | P a g e
conf used most l y concer ni ng Ir i s Wi l l i ams. Why w oul d she be so i mpor t ant t o
hi m? It di dn t make sense at al l .
Zeon shook t hese unpl easant t hought s out of hi s mi nd. Inst ead he f ocused
on enj oyi ng hi msel f i n t hi s dr eam of hi s a dr eam w hi ch one day w oul d become
r eal i t y.
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Chapt er 19
The Dr agon War r ior s
Zeon w ake up, w ake up now !
Zeon t r i ed t o i gnor e t he voi ce cal l i ng out t o hi m and cont i nue t o sl eep, b ut i t
w as no use. Someone w as shaki ng hi m, ur gi ng hi m t o w ake up but hi s body w as
di sobeyi ng. Suddenl y, t her e w as a spl ash of w at er and he got up t o f i nd hi msel f ,
soaki ng w et .
Ir i s! he sai d. What made hi m say t hat ?
No you i di ot ! It s us, Br yan sai d, st andi ng besi de hi s bed w i t h an empt y
gl ass of w at er . He had bur nt mar ks al l over hi s b ody. So r r y about t hat dud e, but
r evenge w as necessar y.
Br yan t hat w as not ver y ni ce, Cr yst al sai d r epr oachf ul l y.
He st ar t ed i t ! Br yan compl ai ned.
Cr yst al r ol l ed her eyes. Br yan you r e ol der t han Zeon. You shoul d be mor e
mat ur e. Anyw ay, Zeon w e r eal l y shoul d be goi ng out Weaponr y cl ass i s about t o
st ar t .
Zeon si ghed. Gi ve me a moment t o get changed t hen.
Ok, but hur r y. Cr yst al sai d.
Fr om hi s cupboar d, Zeon t ook out a dr y pant and shi r t . Af t er changi ng, he
f ol l ow ed Br yan and Cr yst al out of t hei r r oom. As t hey w al ked, Zeon t ook out t he
t i met abl e t o see w her e t hei r cl ass w oul d be t aki ng pl ace.
The Bat t l ef i el d? Zeon asked, f r ow ni ng. Wher e i s t hat ?
Don t w or r y, I know w her e i t i s. I have gone t her e many t i mes w i t h my
f at her , Cr yst al r epl i ed, l eadi ng t he w ay.
So w hat happened t o you? Zeon asked, poi nt i ng t ow ar ds t he bur nt mar ks.
114 | P a g e
That s w hat h appens w hen you don t l i st en t o me, Cr yst al sai d as she t r i ed
ver y har d not t o l augh.
Br yan scow l ed. It s not f unny. Ser i ousl y, Cl ar k i s goi ng t o be so sor r y he
messed w i t h me.
What happened? Zeon asked.
What do you t hi nk happened? Br yan sai d gr umpi l y. I w as t r yi ng t o cont r ol
a f i r ebal l but t hanks t o Cl ar k s sni de r emar ks, I l ost my t emper and t he f i r e
became uncont r ol l ed. In t he end, I ended up bur ni ng bot h mysel f and Cl ar k. El i t e
Al ber t , t he Fi er y Cont r ol cl ass t eacher w as ver y annoyed and t ol d me t o l eave.
So you can t at t end t he Fi er y Cont r ol cl ass now ! Zeon sai d i n al ar m.
Of cour se I can! But j ust not t oday, Br yan sai d w i t h a si gh.
Wel l t hat s not ver y bad, Zeon sai d consol i ngl y.
No Zeon, i t s not good t o get ki cked out of a cl ass. You mi ght end up
l ear ni ng l ess t han ot her st udent s w hi ch can ser i ousl y be har mf ul , dur i ng t he
Rooki e Tour nament and Rooki es Advancement Test . The ot her st udent s mi ght
know somet hi ng you don t . Cr yst al expl ai ned.
Gr eat t hat makes me f eel a l ot bet t er ! Br yan snapped.
Hey! I w as j ust Cr yst al began angr i l y but Zeon i nt er r upt ed.
Cr yst al w her e do w e have t o go now ? He asked.
They had r eached t he gat es of t he school and one mor e st ep w oul d l ead
t hem, f al l i ng dow n t ow ar ds t he f or est f r om sever al ki l omet er s i n t he sky.
Gi ve me a mi nut e... Cr yst al sai d as she moved f or w ar d. She t hought f or a
moment and t hen sai d. Emi t Ri der !
Zeon w at ched i n aw e as a l ar ge cr eat ur e appear ed bef or e Cr yst al . The
Cr eat ur e l ooked l i ke a St i ng Ray except i t w as l ar ger and w hi t e i n col or w i t h
pat ches of pi nk. Tw o l obes appear ed on t he cr eat ur e s head and a w i cked t ai l
moved upw ar ds.
What i s t hat t hi ng? Br yan asked, per pl exed.
115 | P a g e
It s cal l ed a Ri der . We can summon i t j ust l i ke t he st ai r case. It w i l l hel p us t o
t r avel t o t he bat t l ef i el d. Cr yst al expl ai ned as she sat on t he back of t he Ri der .
So, ar e you guys comi ng or not ?
Zeon and Br yan l ooked at each ot her .
You go f i r st , t hey sai d at t he same t i me.
Come on guys! Hur r y up! Just say w hat I sai d. Cr yst al sai d as her Ri der t ook
t o t he sky.
Zeon st epped f or w ar d.
Emi t Ri der ! Zeon sai d. He w at ched i n amazement as t he cr eat ur e
appear ed i n f r ont of hi m. As he sat on t he Ri der s b ack he hear d Br yan say, Emi t
Ri der !
Soon t hey w er e bot h si t t i ng on t he back of t hei r r espect i ve Ri der .
How do w e dr i ve t hi s t hi ng?! Br yan shout ed.
Use i t s ant ennas! Cr yst al cal l ed back. Gr ab t hem and push t hem f or w ar d
t o make t he Ri der move.
Thi s i s cr azy! Br yan sai d t o Zeon w ho nodded i n agr eement .
Zeon gr abbed t he Ri der s ant ennas an d pushed t hem f or w ar d, as Cr yst al had
i nst r uct ed. Wi t h a gr eat f l ap t he Ri der l i f t ed i nt o t he ai r and moved f or w ar d.
Whoa! He sai d as he l ooked dow n. Br yan j oi ned t hem i n t he ai r .
Okay, t hi s i s of f i ci al l y ver y f r eaky and cool at t he same t i me, he sai d
ner vousl y.
Fol l ow me guys! I know t he w ay t o The Bat t l ef i el d! Cr yst al shout ed as she
easi l y maneuver ed her Ri der t o move l ef t . Zeon and Br yan w er e shaky i n
cont r ol l i ng t hei r Ri der but soon t hey got t he hang of i t .
That s t he Gover nor s Cour t ! Cr yst al shout ed, as t hey passed a chur ch-l i ke
bui l di ng. M y f at her w or ks her e!
Your f at her i s a Gover nor ! Br yan sai d, soundi ng i mpr essed.
Never mi nd! Cr yst al sai d t hr ough gr i t t ed t eet h.
116 | P a g e
Zeon and Br yan exchanged a l ook. Whenever t hey asked Cr yst al about her
f ami l y, she al w ays i gnor ed t hei r quest i on. What w as so bad about havi ng a
f at her w ho w as a Gover nor of At l nt i da?
Ther e i t i s boys! The Bat t l ef i el d! Cr yst al sai d, poi nt i ng t ow ar ds t he
appr oachi ng st r uct ur e.
The Bat t l ef i el d w as shaped l i ke t he Col i seum i n Rome. It w as not as bi g as
t he School of At l nt i da but i t s enor mi t y w as st i l l pr et t y amazi ng. The col i seum
w as made f r om pur e si l ver and consi st ed of over a hundr ed di f f er ent passages.
The Bat t l ef i el d w as pr ot ect ed by sever al guar ds w i t h l ong spear s. M ost of t hem
w er e doi ng t hei r dut y, but ot her s l ooked bor ed and w er e l ocked i n a
conver sat i on w i t h one of t hei r f r i ends.
As t he t hr ee of t hem appr oached t he mai n ent r ance of t he Dome, t hey w er e
st opped by t w o guar ds. One of t hem w as ver y chubby and seemed a l i t t l e
unst abl e on hi s f eet . The ot her one w as sl i mmer and car r i ed a l ar ge w ar hammer
t hat l ooked heavi er t han t he per son hi msel f . Zeon r esi st ed an ur ge t o l augh.
These guys l ooked mor e l i ke cl ow ns t han guar ds.
Hal t ! I am t he Legendar y Commander Bob bew ar e my w r at h! The f at guy
sai d w i t h t r i umph.
Br yan l et out a bar k of l aught er . Appar ent l y, Commander Bob f ai l ed t o
not i ce t hat t hey coul d al l see hi s bel l y, st i cki ng out of hi s ar mor .
Save your br eat h Bob! These ki ds ar e obvi ousl y not i mpr essed. The sl i m
man sai d. He t ur ned t ow ar ds Zeon and hi s f r i ends. I am Commander Taur us!
What pur pose do you seek her e i n The Bat t l ef i el d?
Cr yst al moved f or w ar d.
We ar e her e f or t he Weaponr y cl ass, she sai d pol i t el y.
How do I know you r e not an i mpost er ? C. Bob sai d suspi ci ousl y.
We don t have t i me f or t hi s! Cr yst al sai d w i t h an exasper at ed si gh. M y
name i s Cr yst al Lovesey, daught er of El i t e Wal t on Lovesey.
You r e t he daught er of t he gover nor , sai d C. Taur us w eakl y.
117 | P a g e
Yes, and I t hi nk my f at her w i l l not be ver y pl eased w hen I t el l hi m t hat you
t w o r ef used t o l et us ent er The Bat t l ef i el d. Cr yst al sai d st er nl y.
For gi ve us M a am. We w er e onl y doi ng our dut y. C. Bob sai d, shuf f l i n g hi s
t oe ner vousl y.
And my f at her i s ver y gr at ef ul f or your ser vi ces. So can w e pl ease ent er ?
Cr yst al asked.
Of cour se M a am, C. Bob sai d, movi ng asi de.
Just w hat I w as about t o say, C. Taur us sai d, as he st ood besi de hi s f r i end.
Cr yst al nodded at Zeon and Br yan. The t hr ee of t hem ent er ed t he mai n
passagew ay eager l y.
Thr ee poi nt s f or Cr yst al ! Br yan sai d, smi l i ng.
Thanks, Cr yst al sai d, beami ng.
The passagew ay opened up i nt o a l ar ge f i el d w hi ch w as sur r ounded by r ow s
and r ow s of benches. The t hr ee of t hem w al ked t ow ar ds t he mi ddl e of t he f i el d
w her e t hei r f el l ow Rooki es st ood. Zeon f ound hi s f r i end Er i k, st andi ng al one.
He w al ked t ow ar ds hi m and w hi sper ed, Hey.
Er i k smi l ed. Hey, w hat t ook you so l ong? Wai t . Let me guess, t he t w o ver y
br i ght guar ds?
Zeon chuckl ed. Yeah, t hose guys w er e a bi t aw kw ar d. So w hat s happeni ng
her e? He not i ced t hat t hei r t eacher had not ar r i ved despi t e t he f act t hat t he
t i me w as w ay past 4:00 p.m.
Not hi ng, w e r e j ust w ai t i ng f or t he t eacher . I w onder w her e Er i k began
but st opped abr upt l y.
What ? Zeon asked.
Er i k sai d not hi ng but si mpl y poi nt ed above.
Zeon f ol l ow ed hi s di r ect i on and w hat he saw , made hi s j aw dr op i n
amazement . Fr om t he sky above, seven f i gur es dr opped dow n t ow ar ds t hem.
Four of t hem w er e men w hi l e t he ot her t hr ee w er e w omen. They w er e al l r i di ng
on a f i er ce beast , a beast t hat most peopl e on Ear t h bel i eved w as j ust f ant asy.
118 | P a g e
The Dr agon.
The dr agons w er e l ar ge and danger ous. Thei r mout hs w er e f i l l ed w i t h
endl ess r ow s of t eet h w hi ch w er e t he si ze of a man s ar m. Thei r eyes w er e
yel l ow and seemed t o gl ow i n a si ni st er w ay. Thei r body w as cover ed w i t h
anci ent met al w hi ch l ooked qui t e ol d but w as st i l l qui t e t ough. The exact
f eat ur es of t he dr agons var i ed, l i ke t hei r col or , shape of t hei r snout and t hei r
w hol e body i n gener al .
Al l Rooki es cheer ed w hen t he dr agons r oar ed. Zeon had t o admi t t hat t hey
w er e magni f i cent cr eat ur es i ndeed. As t he dr agons l anded on t he f i el d, t hei r
r i der s mount ed of f . Al l t he Rooki es began t o appl aud t he exci t i ng ent r ance. One
of t he men w i t h shoul der l engt h or ange hai r gave t hem al l a t humb up. The
ot her s j u st smi l ed back. The l eader of t he gr oup w as a boy w i t h mousy bl ack hai r
and bl ack eyes. He w or e gl asses and a l ong mar oon coat t hat had t he El i t e Badge
pi nned on i t .
Good M or ni ng Rooki es! I hope you l i ked our pl anned ent r ance. We t h ought
t hat si nce t hi s i s your f i r st day w i t h us, i t w oul d be gr eat t o gi ve you guys a l i t t l e
t r eat . M y name i s El i t e Andr ew Tar ki n and t hese ar e my comr ades. El i t e Dal t on
Cer ber us, E. Andr ew sai d, poi nt i ng t ow ar ds t he or ange-hai r ed guy. El i t e
M i chael Subur b, he sai d, poi nt i ng t ow ar ds t he man w i t h l i ght br ow n hai r and
vi ol et eyes. Zeon not i ced t hat one of hi s eyes had a bl ack pat ch on i t ki nd of
l i ke a pi r at e. El i t e Di anna Levee, he sai d, noddi ng at a w oman w i t h bushy dar k
bl ue hai r and a st er n l ooki ng f ace.
Just gr eat ! Anot her Levee, Zeon mut t er ed t o Er i k.
El i t e Lucy Aden, E. Andr ew sai d, poi nt i ng at a gi r l w i t h shor t bl onde hai r
and a hear t -shaped f ace. El i t e Zeon Sat yr , he sai d, noddi ng at a man w i t h shor t
snow -w hi t e hai r and deep bl ue eyes.
Hey dude, t hat guy has t he same name as your s, Br yan w hi sper ed.
El i t e Kat i e Tasha, E. Andr ew sai d, noddi ng at a w oman w i t h t omat o
col or ed hai r and bl ue eyes. And f i nal l y, El i t e Dani el Pl ague, he sai d, poi nt i ng at
119 | P a g e
a l ong hai r l ess man w i t h ver y pal e ski n. Toget her w e ar e cal l ed The Dr agon
War r i or s!
Your El i t e Emi l y Tar ki n s br ot her ? Zeon asked. He hadn t mi ssed t he f act
t hat El i t e Andr ew s name al so ended w i t h a Tar ki n.
Yes, I m Emi l y s ol der br ot her and I m guessi ng your Zeon Cr est . M y si st er i s
ver y i nt er est ed i n you. She says you r e t he most uni que boy she has ever met .
E. Andr ew sai d, causi ng Zeon t o go r ed. Now , you must be w onder i ng w hy t her e
ar e so many of us. Wel l , each one of us i s speci al i zed i n handl i ng a di f f er ent ki nd
of w eapon. Sw or d, War -Hammer , Axe, Spear , Bow and Ar r ow , Dagger and Gun
ar e t he seven t ypes of w eapons her e i n At l nt i da. You al l w i l l b e choosi ng one of
t hese w eapons not mor e. We w i l l hel p you mast er your w eapon so t hat you may
l ear n t he t r ue ext ent of i t s pow er s. So, I t hi nk w e bet t er cal l The Gr i m t o gi ve
t hese Rooki es t hei r r espect i ve w eapons.
120 | P a g e
Chapt er 20
Ascaliber : The Swor d of
Aer ies
The Gr i m w as a ver y st r ange cr eat ur e. He w as a mi xt ur e of a gi ant and a
Fr ankenst ei n, r i si ng up t o a hei ght of mor e t han seven f eet and havi ng an I.Q.
l evel of a 3-year -ol d. He had pal e gr een ski n, bl oodshot eyes and a hai r l ess head.
He w or e r agged ol d cl ot hi ng and made gr unt i ng noi ses, as i f i t had no i dea how
t o speak pr oper l y. M ost of t he Rooki es w er e f r i ght ened of t he cr eat ur e w hi l e
some w er e posi t i vel y r evol t ed by hi s appear ance. Per sonal l y, Zeon f el t sor r y f or
t he poor cr eat ur e. No one besi des hi m coul d under st and t he l ook i n t he
cr eat ur e s eyes.
The Gr i m w ant ed t o be needed. He w ant ed peopl e t o j udge hi m by hi s
per sonal i t y, not by hi s l ooks. Zeon never knew how i t w as possi bl e but he had
al w ays possessed t hi s st r ange pow er of under st andi ng w hat any non-human f el t .
That s how he had bef r i ended Fl ash. He had somehow know n t hat Fl ash w as
al one and needed a f r i end. The same w as t he case w i t h The Gr i m. He coul d f eel
t he cr eat ur e s emot i ons as he si l ent l y pl eaded f or f r i endshi p.
Gr i m br ought w eapons, The Cr eat ur e cr oaked, as he car r i ed a smal l
gl i t t er i ng bag of gol d. Zeon w onder ed how i t w as possi bl e t o f i t w eapons f or al l
t he Rooki es i n one smal l bag.
Look at t he ugl y ha-ha! Cl ar k sai d, poi nt i ng at The Gr i m. I bet i t s as
st upi d as i t l ooks!
Zeon saw a f l ash of emot i on r un t hr ough t he Gr i m s eyes. It w as sor r ow t he
cr eat ur e had t o endur e such r i di cul e ever y si ngl e day. Zeon cl ut ched hi s knuckl es
121 | P a g e
and w as t empt ed t o use t el eki nesi s t o l i f t a gi ant boul der and dr op i t on Cl ar k s
head.
What i s t hat t hi ng? Rose sai d, w r i nkl i ng her nose i n di sgust .
E. Di anna smi l ed. Thi s cr eat ur e i s sai d t o have been cr eat ed by El ement al
Aer i es, The Lor d of l i ght . I agr ee w i t h you Cl ar k, t hi s oaf has a br ai n t he si ze of a
nut . Hi ghl y usel ess cr eat ur e The Gr i m. Whenever I see hi m I w onder w hy Aer i es
w ast ed such pr eci ous ener gy i n cr eat i ng such a w or t hl ess pi ece of gar bage.
Ever yone l aughed and Zeon coul d t el l t hat t he cr eat ur e l ooked cl ose t o
t ear s. To hi s di smay, even Br yan and Cr yst al w er e smi r ki ng. He w as now
t r embl i ng w i t h f ur y. Some of M r . Bar on s w or ds came back t o hi m.
Ani mal s on ear t h mi ght not have t he same ki nd of i nt el l i gence as human
bei ngs but t hat does not mean t hey f eel no emot i on. Remember Zeon,
i nt el l i gence comes f r om t he mi nd w hi l e emot i ons come f r om t he hear t .
Zeon hat ed t hem al l r i ght now even Br yan and Cr yst al . How dar e t hey
l augh at t he poor cr eat ur e t hat has never had a gl i mpse of l ove?
Enough! He shout ed so l oudl y t hat hi s voi ce w as car r i ed even out si de The
Bat t l ef i el d. How dar e you al l l augh at t hi s cr eat ur e?! Have any of you w onder ed
w hat i t w oul d be l i ke t o be st andi ng i n t hi s cr eat ur e s boot s r i ght now ? How
w oul d you f eel i f ever yone l aughed at you j ust because you l ooked bad? The
Gr i m may not be t he best l ooki ng cr eat ur e on bot h Ear t h and At l nt i da but i t
def i ni t el y has a bi gger hear t t hen al l of you! If I w er e hi m I w oul d use some of
t hose muscl es t o show you al l some manner s but l ook at t he hear t of t he
cr eat ur e! It has t o endur e bi g mout hs l i ke you al l but never has i t har med
anyone! Zeon sai d f i er cel y.
Ever yone l ooked at Zeon as i f he w as somet hi ng out of t hi s w or l d. He w as
gl ad t hat most of t he st udent s had t he decency of l ooki ng abashed. Even The
Dr agon War r i or s w er e at a l oss of w or ds and j ust st ar ed at hi m l i ke ever ybody
el se.
Cl ar k on t he ot her hand di d not l ook i mpr essed.
122 | P a g e
Isn t t hi s cut e? The j ungl e boy t hi nks t hat t hi s oaf has f eel i ngs ha-ha! He
sai d, smi r ki ng.
Suddenl y, Cl ar k f el t hi s hands go st i f f agai nst hi s body. It w as as i f an i nvi si bl e
f or ce w as pr essi ng on hi m, maki ng hi s w hol e body r i gi d. He t r i ed t o f i ght back
but t he f or ce w as j ust t oo st r ong. Bef or e he coul d make out w hat w as goi ng on,
t he unseen f or ce l i f t ed hi m of f t he gr ound so t hat he f ound hi msel f hangi ng
upsi de-dow n i n t he ai r .
What s goi ng on? he yel l ed w hi l e t he ot her st udent s l aughed.
Cl ar k s eyes f ound Zeon and he knew t hat t he st upi d j ungl e boy w as
r esponsi bl e f or t hi s. Zeon had a l ook of pur e anger on hi s f ace as he st ar ed har d
at Cl ar k. Ever yone coul d f eel t he t el eki nesi s pow er , emi t t i ng f r om w i t hi n hi s
mi nd. What shocked and amazed ever yone w as t he ext ent of hi s pow er s.
Nobody had ever dr eamed t hat a non-psycho coul d be so pow er f ul i n t el eki nesi s.
Let my cousi n go boy! E. Di anna shout ed. She cr eat ed a pow er f ul f i r ebal l
and t hr ew i t at Zeon.
Zeon coul d do not hi ng t o st op t he bal l of f i r e as he w as mor e f ocused on
Cl ar k. He w as saved by The Gr i m w ho smashed hi s r ock-har d f i st agai nst t he
f i r ebal l , di sper si ng i t compl et el y. Ever yone w at ched w i de-eyed as t he Gr i m made
t hr eat eni ng gest ur es t o al l w ho dar ed appr oach Zeon.
Zeon Cr est ! M y f r i end! NoxEt er na! The Gr i m r oar ed.
Noxw hat ? Er i k sai d, f r ow ni ng.
Zeon r el eased Cl ar k w ho f el l on t he gr ound. Cl ar k had a mur der ous gl i nt i n
hi s eyes as he t ur ned t ow ar ds Zeon. He r ai sed hi s f i nger , cr eat i ng a f i r ebal l even
l ar ger t han t hat of El i t e Di anna.
Enough! E. Andr ew shout ed as he sensed t hat t hi ngs w er e get t i ng out of
hand.
Cl ar k di d not seem t o hear hi m. He w as mor e f ocused on hur t i ng Zeon but
bef or e he coul d make hi s move t her e w as a col l ect i ve gasp f r om al l t he Rooki es.
123 | P a g e
Zeon and Cl ar k t ur ned ar ound t o see t hat t he gol den bag w hi ch The Gr i m w as
hol di ng w as gl ow i ng f r om t he i nsi de.
Aer i es br ought you gi f t Zeon! The Gr i m sai d cheer f ul l y.
Aer i es, Cl ar k r epeat ed.
The Gr i m l umber ed t ow ar ds Zeon w i t h a huge smi l e on hi s f ace.
Gi f t f or Zeon, he sai d, r eachi ng out i nt o t he bag and t aki ng out a l ong
sw or d.
Zeon t ook t he sw or d and somet hi ng st r ange happened. As soon as he
gr i pped t he sw or d hi s w hol e body began t o gl ow , r el easi ng t he same gol den l i ght
as bef or e. Even t he sw or d w as gl ow i ng and he r eal i zed t hat al t hough t he sw or d
l ooked pr et t y heavy, i t w as per f ect l y bal anced i n hi s hand. He t est ed t he sw or d
w i t h a coupl e of sw i ngs w hi ch he w as amazed t o say w er e so f ast t hat al l he saw
w as a bl ur . That s w hen he r eal i zed t hat The Bat t l ef i el d w as st r angel y qui et . He
l ooked up t o see al l t he Rooki es as w el l as t he El i t es w er e l ooki ng at hi s sw or d i n
a mi xt ur e of aw e and l ongi ng.
No w ay, E. Andr ew sai d i n an audi bl e w hi sper .
Cl ar k w as near l y bur ni ng w i t h shock and anger as he st ar ed at t he sw or d i n
Zeon s hand.
Thi s can t be! Ther e must have been some ki nd of mi st ake, he sai d
t hr ough gr i t t ed t eet h. That sw or d t her e s no w ay a t en-year -ol d can possess
i t .
The Sw or d of Aer i es w i l l be best ow ed upon t he one w ho Lor d Aer i es mar ks
as t he Savi or of Wor l ds, E. Andr ew quot ed.
Zeon savi or of t he w or l ds! You must be j oki ng? Rose sai d w i t h a snor t .
Zeon had no i dea w hy t hese guys w er e act i ng so st r angel y. Appar ent l y, nor
di d Br yan w ho w as l ooki ng at hi m as i f he had some answ er s. Al l par t humans
f r om Ear t h l ooked conf used. It w as obvi ou s t hat t her e w as somet hi ng t hey di dn t
know about .
124 | P a g e
Is somebody her e goi ng t o t el l me w hat i s so speci al about t hi s sw or d?
Zeon asked, exami ni ng hi s gi f t . Ther e w er e st r ange gol d mar ki ngs on t he sw or d
but he coul d not make sense of t hem.
You have got t o be ki ddi ng me! He doesn t even know w hat he has. Cl ar k
sai d i ncr edul ousl y. Thi s i s j ust w r ong! The Sw or d of Aer i es w as meant t o be
handl ed by a gr eat w ar r i or not a j ungl e boy!
Zeon, t hat sw or d you r e hol di ng i s cal l ed Ascal i ber . It w as cr eat ed by
El ement al Aer i es hi msel f and so i t cont ai ns t he pow er of an El ement al w i t hi n i t
w hi ch makes i t t he st r ongest w eapon ever ! Cr yst al expl ai ned.
So t ot al l y cool ! Br yan comment ed.
I don t bel i eve t hi s! Cl ar k r oar ed, l ooki ng out r aged. That sw or d
r epr esent s honor and br aver y somet hi ng t hat a mer e j ungl e boy does not
possess. Ascal i ber shoul d have been best ow ed upon a Levee!
No! The Gr i m r oar ed, si l enci ng al l t he mut t er i ng. Zeon Cr est has pr oven
hi msel f w or t hy of possessi ng t he Sw or d of Aer i es. He has show n ki ndness and
mor al f i ber s as w el l as cour age. It i s t he sw or d i t sel f t hat chooses i t s mast er not
Lor d Aer i es. Ascal i ber choose Zeon Cr est because i t saw a boy w ho had t he
pot ent i al of spr eadi ng l i ght . When t he Ar mageddon comes f or t h, i t w i l l be Zeon
ar ound w hi ch al l t he l i ght w i l l be concent r at ed.
Now I speak t o you Zeon. Ther e w i l l come a t i me w hen you w i l l have t o
make an ul t i mat e sacr i f i ce t o save one of your f r i end s l i ves. You w i l l suf f er but
r emember Zeon; l ove w i l l pr ot ect you and w i l l act as an anchor , pul l i ng you out
of t he dar kness. Wi t h t hat sacr i f i ce i f you sur vi ve, you al one w i l l be w or t hy of
bei ng NoxEt er na.
Ever ybody st ar ed at The Gr i m i n sur pr i se. One mi nut e ago, t he cr eat ur e had
spoken l i ke a baby but now i t w as speaki ng l i ke a gr aduat e f r om How ar ds.
Coul d t hi s day get any w ei r der ? E. Andr ew sai d, shaki ng hi s head.
What does NoxEt er na mean? Cr yst al sai d specul at i vel y.
125 | P a g e
E. Andr ew shr ugged. It s not a w or d I know of . El i t e Lucy i s t he exper t on
anci ent l anguages. She can r ead The Codex w i t hout needi ng t o t r ansl at e i t .
Ever yone l ooked expect ant l y at E. Lucy w ho shook her head.
Sor r y, but t hi s i s a w or d I have no know l edge of , she sai d.
We ar e w ast i ng t i me her e, E. Zeon sai d, eyei ng Zeon car ef ul l y. Zeon Cr est
has r ecei ved hi s w eapon but t he r est of t he Rooki es ar e st i l l l ef t .
E. Andr ew nodded. Ri ght , w hen I cal l out your name pl ease st ep f or w ar d
t o r ecei ve your w eapon. Fi r st of al l , Cr yst al Lovesey.
Cr yst al w al ked t ow ar ds The Gr i m w ho r ai sed t he gol den bag t ow ar ds her .
Zeon w at ched as t he i nsi de of t he bag began t o gl ow . Cr yst al r eached out i nt o
t he bag and t ook out a l ong spear .
Thi s i s Insi der , The Gr i m t ol d Cr yst al .
Cr yst al l ooked conf used.
He means t hat t he spear you r e hol di ng i s cal l ed The Insi der , E. Andr ew
sai d.
Oh gr eat , Cr yst al sai d happi l y, as she w al ked back t ow ar ds Zeon and
Br yan.
Next , I w oul d l i ke t o cal l upon Br yan St eal t h. E. Andr ew sai d.
Br yan w al ked t ow ar ds The Gr i m w ho of f er ed hi m t he bag. He r eached i nt o i t
and t ook out a ver y cool l ooki ng gun. The gun l ooked mor e l i ke a shot gun and
l ooked qui t e heavy but Br yan handl ed t he w eapon w i t h ease.
Thi s i s Obl i t er at or , The Gr i m sai d.
Now t hi s i s w hat I m t al ki ng about ! Br yan sai d as he exami ned hi s w eapon.
One by one, t he r est of t he Rooki es moved f or w ar d t o cl ai m t hei r w eapon.
Er i k r ecei ved a l ong sw or d t hat r esembl ed a l ot l i ke Ascal i ber .
Li l y t he psycho r ecei ved sever al ar r ow s al ong w i t h a si l ver bow .
Jason t he psycho r ecei ved a t w o-f aced axe.
Rose r ecei ved a smal l gol den dagger t hat w as st r onger t han i t l ooked.
126 | P a g e
Cl ar k r ecei ved t w o t w i n-sw or ds w hi ch had t he shape of a dr agon car ved on
t hem.
When ever y Rooki e had r ecei ved hi s or her r espect i ve w eapon, t hey began
t o t est t hei r w eapons. Thi ngs l ooked danger ous as ever yone t est ed t hei r
w eapons on one anot her .
Enough! E. Andr ew shout ed. Cl ass i s about t o f i ni sh and I have a f ew
i mpor t ant t hi ngs t o say. Now t hat you h ave al l r ecei ved you r r espect i ve w eapon,
you ar e f or bi dden t o use t hem out si de t hi s cl ass, unl ess of cour se i f you ar e i n a
desper at e si t uat i on, t hen you ar e per mi t t ed t o use i t . If I f i nd out t hat you have
used your w eapon out si de t he cl ass f or no good r eason t hen your w eapon w i l l
be conf i scat ed f or a coupl e of days. Now I w ant you al l t o say De-Emi t and t hen
say t he name of your r espect i ve w eapon.
De-Emi t Ascal i ber ! Zeon sai d. Accor di ngl y, t he sw or d di sappear ed w i t h a
smal l PUFF. He l ooked ar ound as t he w eapons of t he ot her Rooki es al so
di sappear ed.
Now say Emi t and t he name of your sw or d. E. Andr ew i nst r uct ed.
Emi t Ascal i ber ! Zeon sai d and i mmedi at el y hi s sw or d r et ur ned t o hi m.
Good, now you al l know how t o summon your w eapon and how t o make i t
di sappear w hen not i n use. I t hi nk t he t i me i s up. Today w as a ver y i nt er est i ng
day and I hope i t i s mor e exci t i ng t omor r ow . See you al l next t i me!






127 | P a g e
Chapt er 21
Bur dens
Zeon, Br yan and Cr yst al ar r i ved at The School of At l nt i da on t hei r
r espect i ve Ri der . They w al ked si l ent l y i nsi de t he bui l di ng w i t h Cr yst al and Br yan,
w al ki ng sl i ght l y behi nd Zeon. They w er e ner vous t hat Zeon mi ght st i l l be mad at
t hem f or i nsul t i ng The Gr i m. In r eal i t y, Zeon s t hought s w er e not even f ocused
on hi s t w o f r i ends. Today w as hi s f i r st day i n The School of At l nt i da and al r eady
st r ange t hi ngs w er e r evol vi ng ar ound hi m.
NoxEt er naw hat does t hi s w or d mean? He t hought .
Ther e w as so much he di dn t know and w henever he t r i ed t o f i nd t he
answ er s, mor e quest i ons w er e pi l ed upon hi s shoul der i t w as f r ust r at i ng.
We r e sor r y, Br yan bl ur t ed. He coul d not st and t he si l ence t hat st r et ched
bet w een t hem.
Zeon t ur ned t ow ar ds t hem.
Sor r y f or w hat ? He asked t hough he w as st i l l most l y l ost i n hi s t hought s.
For i nsul t i ng The Gr i m w e honest l y di dn t know t hat you car ed about t he
cr eat ur e so much, Cr yst al sai d t ent at i vel y.
Ther e s no need t o apol ogi ze i f you w er e me t hen you mi ght under st and,
Zeon sai d, l ooki ng anyw her e but at hi s f r i ends.
Under st and w hat ? Br yan asked.
Zeon si ghed. I w as bor n i n t he f or est and somehow I w as gi ven t hi s gi f t t o
f eel w hat ani mal s ar ound me f el t . I had human f r i ends but somehow t hey w er e
not t he same as my ani mal f r i ends. I know i t s aw kw ar d but i t s l i ke my soul i s
somehow connect ed t o t hei r s. I knew how The Gr i m f el t w hen you al l i nsul t ed
128 | P a g e
hi m I coul d f eel i t s sor r ow . M aybe i f you guys had f el t w hat I f el t w hen I l ooked
i nt o The Gr i m s eyes, you w oul d not have dar ed make f un of hi m.
Cr yst al smi l ed. You know Zeon, I ve never met anyone l i ke you you r e so
di f f er ent and I t hi nk t hat s w hy Ascal i ber chose you as i t s mast er .
Oh man! I al most f or got t hat i t s my M i nd Di sr upt i on cl ass r i ght now !
Br yan sai d, t ur ni ng ar ound w i l dl y. I l l see you guys l at er !
When Br yan l ef t , Cr yst al t ur ned t ow ar ds Zeon.
Looks l i ke w e r e f r ee f or one and hal f hour , w hat you w anna do? Cr yst al
asked.
Honest l y, I j ust w ant t o go t o our r oom and si t st i l l f or a w hi l e. Al l t hi s
exci t ement i s dr i vi ng me cr azy, Zeon gr oaned.
I t hi nk I know w hat you mean. Oh, by t he w ay I must say I w as i mpr essed
by t he ext ent of your t el eki nesi s pow er . I never knew a non-psycho coul d be so
pow er f ul i n i t . Cr yst al sai d admi r i ngl y.
Zeon shr ugged but di d not r epl y. He t ended t o do t hi ngs t hat usual l y
sur pr i sed hi m al so. As he st ar t ed t o w al k back t o hi s r oom, Cr yst al w al ked besi de
hi m.
What s bot her i ng you Zeon? Cr yst al asked.
Zeon t r i ed t o smi l e but i t came out mor e as a gr i mace.
You w on t bel i eve t he number of t hi ngs t hat ar e bot her i ng me, he sai d
qui et l y.
Tel l me, she i nsi st ed.
Zeon si ghed and t ol d her al l about The Ol d M an i n hi s dr eam, and how he
had t ol d hi m t hat Ir i s Wi l l i ams meant mor e t o hi m t han t o anybody el se. He t ol d
her how M r . Bar on, The Gr i m and The Ol d M an had sai d t hat he w oul d be t he
onl y sour ce of l i ght i n t i mes of dar kness. Then The Gr i m had sai d t hat he w oul d
have t o pay t he ul t i mat e sacr i f i ce t hat w oul d save t he l i f e of one of hi s f r i ends
t hi s r eal l y al ar med hi m. Fi nal l y, he needed t o know w hat NoxEt er na meant
129 | P a g e
because bot h The Gr i m and The Daemon had ment i oned i t . He di d not t el l her
about Er i k s secr et but he t ol d her ever yt hi ng el se.
I must admi t t hat s enough quest i ons t o br i ng anyone dow n, Cr yst al sai d
w hen he f i ni shed t el l i ng her ever yt hi ng.
What am I suppose t o do Cr yst al ? Zeon asked f eel i ng l ost . If savi ng Ir i s
Wi l l i ams i s my r esponsi bi l i t y, w hat am I doi ng her e t hen? I shoul d be hel pi ng
her ,
Zeon, I know i t s har d but w hat can you do? You can t j ust go out t hei r
w i t hout any hi nt of w her e Ir i s coul d be. It s l i ke w al ki ng bl i nd. Be pat i ent Zeon
t he answ er s w i l l come t o you. Cr yst al sai d cal ml y.
But I f eel so hel pl ess! I need t o f i nd her she doesn t have much t i me l ef t ,
Zeon sai d beseechi ngl y.
How do you know ? Cr yst al asked.
Because, now I know w hose voi ce w as i n my head t hi s mor ni ng. It w as Ir i s
Wi l l i am s! I m sur e of i t ! Zeon asked, paci ng ar ound l i ke a caged ani mal .
But t hat s i mpossi bl e Zeon. How can Ir i s communi cat e w i t h you f r om such a
l ong di st ance? Cr yst al sai d, shaki ng her head.
I don t know Cr yst al ! Do you know w hat t he most f r i ght eni ng t hi ng i s?
When I f i r st hear d her voi ce t hi s mor ni ng i t w as l oud and cl ear . But t he second
t i me i t w as much f ai nt er t han bef or e! Do you know w hat t hi s means Cr yst al ? It
means Ir i s does not have much t i me l ef t and
Enough Zeon! Cr yst al sai d angr i l y. You r e pushi ng your sel f t o f ar ! Li st en
Zeon, maybe t hi ngs ar e not l ooki ng t oo good but you can t l ose cont r ol l i ke t hi s!
Pani cki ng i s not t he answ er ! You r e over st r essi ng your sel f , so cal m dow n!
Zeon t ook deep br eat hs and f or ced hi msel f t o cal m dow n. It di dn t w or k at
al l . Hi s hear t w as st i l l t hunder i ng and honest l y he f el t l i ke l osi ng i t . Never i n hi s
l i f e had he exper i enced such bur den i t w as obvi ous now t hat i n The Codex he
w oul d pl ay a maj or r ol e. Appar ent l y, Cr yst al coul d sense hi s di st r aught .
130 | P a g e
I t hi nk t he M edi t at i on cl ass w i l l hel p you r educe t hi s st r ess. Come on Zeon,
l et s go back t o our r oom.
Wai t i ng f or t he M edi t at i on cl ass t o begi n w as l i ke w ai t i ng f or a t ur t l e t o
cover a di st ance of a hundr ed ki l omet er s. Ti me w as passi ng by unbear abl y sl ow
and w i t h each passi ng mi nut e, Zeon became mor e and mor e hyst er i cal . He f el t
l i ke he w as w ast i ng t i me w hen he shoul d be savi ng Ir i s Wi l l i ams. Hi s head w as
t hr obbi ng pai nf ul l y w hi l e hi s hands t r embl ed f ur i ousl y. Cr yst al t r i ed t o cal m hi m
dow n but she coul d f eel t he t ensi on bui l di ng i nsi de of hi m w hi ch w or r i ed her
gr eat l y. Her w or ds w er e dr ow ned by hi s ow n t hought s w hi ch scr eamed f or
answ er s.
The door opened and Br yan ent er ed t he r oom t o f i nd Cr yst al desper at el y
t r yi ng t o cal m a pani c-st r i cken Zeon.
What s w r ong w i t h hi m? He asked i n al ar m.
I t hi nk i t s a pani c at t ack. We have t o t ake hi m t o do M edi t at i on cl ass now !
Cr yst al sai d, hol di ng Zeon s t r embl i ng hand.
Wi t hout any f ur t her hesi t at i on, Br yan hel ped Cr yst al t o dr ag Zeon out of t he
r oom t ow ar ds t he M edi t at i on cl ass.
Zeon w at ched, mi ndl essl y as st udent s t ur ned t o l ook at hi m. When he
r eached t he M edi t at i on r oom, hi s f el l ow Rooki es w er e w ai t i ng out si de. Br yan
and Cr yst al pushed t hei r w ay t hr ough t he cr ow d, i gnor i ng t hei r quest i ons. Zeon
coul d see Cl ar k and Rose, smi r ki ng at hi m but he coul dn t car e l ess. Br yan
opened t he door and pushed hi m i nsi de.
They now st ood i nsi de a r oom, w hi ch r esembl ed a l ot l i ke t he M edi t at i on
r oom of Chi nese M onks. In f r ont of t he r oom st ood an ol d ski nny w oman w i t h
unr ul y w hi t e hai r and pal e ski n. She w or e a l i l ac col or ed shaw l w i t h l ong ear r i ngs.
The w oman l ooked so t hi n t hat i t l ooked l i ke she w oul d bl ow aw ay w i t h t he
w i nd.
What i s goi ng on her e? The w oman sai d i n an unu sual l y hi gh-pi t ched voi ce.
131 | P a g e
M adame Chang, w e ar e so sor r y t o bar ge i n l i ke t hi s but our f r i end needs
hel p. He s havi ng a pani c at t ack I t hi nk, Cr yst al sai d i n a sl i ght l y angui shed voi ce.
What has f r i ght ened t hi s boy t o gi ve hi m a pani c at t ack? M adame Chang
asked, as she pr essed her hand agai nst Zeon s chest , l i st eni ng i nt ent l y t o hi s
hear t beat .
Not hi ng f r i ght ened hi m M adame. He s j ust been under a l ot of st r ess w hi ch
he f ai l ed t o cope w i t h, Cr yst al expl ai ned.
I see t hat s ver y sad. I have f el t t hi s boy s hear t and I must say i t s f ul l of
l i ght . Do not w or r y; I have a w ay t o hel p hi m. M adame Chang sai d br i skl y. She
r eached i nt o her shaw l and t ook out a smal l gl ass w hi ch cont ai ned a mur ky
l i qui d. She f or ced t he gl ass i nt o Zeon s t r embl i ng hands. Dr i nk t hi s boy,
Zeon r obot i cal l y, dr ank w hat ever w as i n t he gl ass. He f el t hi s mi nd shut and
hi s hear t r at e sl ow dow n as t he l i qui d sur ged t hr ough hi s body. Hi s eyes f l ut t er ed
cl ose and he l et a l ow si gh of r el i ef as somet hi ng l i ke sl eep over came hi m.
Br yan w at ched i n sat i sf act i on as t he w or r y l i nes t hat had been cover i ng
Zeon s f ace di sappear . He coul d l i t er al l y f eel hi s f r i end s t ensi on si mpl y, sl i ppi ng
aw ay. He w as so ver y gl ad t hat Zeon w as okay. Seei ng Zeon s f ace so f ul l of st r ess
w as f r i ght eni ng. Somet hi ng had bot her ed hi m gr eat l y and he coul d t el l Cr yst al
knew about i t . He w oul d ask her about i t l at er . Ri ght now , he needed t o make
sur e hi s f r i end w as okay.
What w i l l t he l i qui d do t o hi m? He asked suspi ci ousl y.
Do not w or r y; i t w i l l onl y make hi m ent er t he moment of Inner Peace w hi ch
i s a l ot l i ke sl eepi ng but even bet t er . When your f r i end w i l l w ake up he w i l l f eel
much bet t er . The boy must l ear n t o keep hi msel f cal m and i n cont r ol . St r ess i s hi s
gr eat est f l aw and he must l ear n t o over come i t . M adame Chang expl ai ned.
We w i l l hel p hi m, Br yan sai d f i er cel y.
Cr yst al nodded. Yes w e w i l l ,
132 | P a g e
Chapt er 22
Lifeline
Far aw ay, at t he ver y cor ner of t he pl anet cal l ed Ear t h, i n a pl ace w her e no
l i vi ng soul had ever set f oot , a pl ace t hat w as sur r ounded by mean l ooki ng
mount ai ns w hi ch conver ged i nw ar dl y i nt o t he smal l pl ace bel ow , a pl ace w her e
t he onl y l i ght w as t he one you br ought w i t h you; st ood a hooded f i gur e. In t he
mi ddl e of t he myst er i ous pl ace w as a r i ver w hi ch w as so st i l l t hat i t may have
been sol i d. The ai r w as bl anket ed by a t hi ck sheet of mi st t hat made vi si bi l i t y
ver y poor . The mount ai ns t ow er ed over i n such a f ashi on t hat t he pl ace w as
compl et el y hi dden f r om aer i al vi ew . The mi st made i t even mor e di f f i cul t f or
humans t o l ocat e t hi s pl ace. Onl y par t humans possessed t he cer t ai n r esour ces
w hi ch made i t possi bl e f or t hem t o w al k on t hi s par t of Ear t h.
Lor d Chaos had chosen w el l .
The man w al ked t ow ar ds t he r i ver and w hen he r eached i t s boundar y, he
cont i nued w al ki ng. Impossi bl e as i t may seem, he w al ked on t he sur f ace of t he
r i ver as i f i t w as j ust anot her sol i d f l oor . He st opped at t he ver y cent r e and
w hi sper ed t he passw or d.
Abyss,
Accor di ngl y, t he r i ver opened up f r om beneat h t he man, sw al l ow i ng hi m up
l i ke a hungr y mon st er . The t r ut h w as t hat t he r i ver w as no or di nar y r i ver but w as
i n f act a l i nk bet w een t w o di f f er ent di mensi ons and t he man w as bei ng
t r anspor t ed f r om t he Ear t h t ow ar ds Necr opol i ses.
When t he man opened hi s eyes he w as no l onger on Ear t h but now st ood
sur r ounded by t r ees w i t h bl ood r ed l eaves. The sky above w as dul l bl ack w i t h not
133 | P a g e
even a speck of l i ght . Lor d Chaos never l i ked t he l i ght f or hi m i t w as l i ke an aci d
t hat bur ned hi s f l esh. That i s w hy he w ant ed t o el i mi nat e al l t r aces of l i ght .
The man w as di ver t ed f r om hi s t hought s by a scr eechi ng sound. He t ur ned
ar ound t o f i nd a smal l dw ar f l i ke cr eat ur e, st andi ng behi nd hi m. The cr eat ur e
had pal e gr ay ski n, bl oody r ed eyes and shar p t eet h t hat coul d r i p out w hol e
or gans. He car r i ed a smal l dagger t hat l ooked qui t e har ml ess but i n t he hands of
a cr eat ur e t hat coul d use i t at bl i ndi ng speed, i t w as ver y deadl y. The cr eat ur e
w as a Scour ge, a ser vant of dar kness.
Lor d Chaos i s w ai t i ng f or you, t he cr eat ur e sai d w i t h a smal l chuckl e. He i s
ver y angr y. M ast er Adl er w as ki l l ed by hi s r age.
The man i gnor ed t he Scour ge compl et el y and w al ked east . Soon he came
acr oss a l ar ge cl ear i ng and i n t he cent r e of t he cl ear i ng w as The Dome of Abyss.
The mi ght y Dome r ose t o an uni magi nabl e hei ght and w as made of a dar k gr ay
met al . The Dome w as r esi st ant t o even t he mi ght i est at t acks. It coul d sur vi ve t he
f ul l i mpact of a f i r ebal l t he si ze of a mount ai n.
On bot h si des of t he Dome w er e t w o t w i n t ow er s t hat w er e made of t he
same ki nd of met al . The t ow er s of f er ed gr eat vi si bi l i t y t o t he user and i t s mai n
use w as t o l ocat e any si gns of an i nt r uder .
The man w al ked t ow ar ds t he gat es of t he Dome w hi ch w er e guar ded by t w o
l ar ge Ogr es, hol di ng w ar -hammer s. As he appr oached, t hey moved asi de and
pushed t he gat es open f or hi m.
The i nsi de of t he Dome w as l i ke a maze w i t h uncount abl e number of
passages. If any i nt r uder managed t o ent er i t , he w oul d never be abl e t o f i nd hi s
w ay out . The man w al ked t hr ough t he maze w i t h no f ear of get t i ng l o st . He knew
t he pl ace ver y w el l . As he w al ked t hr ough t he maze, sever al of hi s f el l ow
w ar r i or s gr eet ed hi m w i t h a gr i m nod. Fi nal l y, he r eached a l ar ge door w i t h a
Reaper car ved on i t . He pushed open t he door and ent er ed t he chamber .
The f i r st t hi ng t he man not i ced as he ent er ed t he chamber w as an
unconsci ous young gi r l , f l oat i ng i n mi d-ai r w i t h her hands spr ead apar t as i f she
134 | P a g e
w as on a cr uci f i x. The gi r l had l ong bl ack hai r t hat w as gr eat l y di shevel ed and her
body w as cover ed w i t h deep w ounds. On her f or ehead w as t he shape of a si l ver
col or ed di amond.
In f r ont of t he gi r l st ood a t hr one l i ke seat on w hi ch a bei ng of absol ut e
dar kness sat . He w or e an ar mor ed mask w i t h a cr ow n-l i ke t op. Hi s w hol e body
w as pr ot ect ed by a bl ack heavy ar mor t hat w as made of t he ver y same met al
used t o bui l d t he Dome. Hi s sh oul der s w er e pl at ed w i t h t w o si ni st er skul l s w hi ch
added t o hi s ni ght mar i sh appear ance. A l ong gr ay cape f el l f r om hi s shoul der s
ont o t he gr ound bel ow . The dar kness w i t hi n t he monst r ous bei ng w as f ar
beyond anyone s concept i on.
The dar k bei ng w as none ot her t han Lor d Chaos.
Bander ol Si l va, I have been w ai t i ng f or you qui t e some t i me now . I t hi nk
you know ver y w el l t hat I do not l i ke t o be kept w ai t i ng. Chaos sai d i n a
menaci ng voi ce.
The man r emoved hi s hood, r eveal i ng a f or t y year ol d man w i t h di r t y gr ay
hai r , a poi nt ed bear d and l ead bl ack eyes. One of hi s eyes w as scar r ed by a l ong
gash t hat r an hal f w ay dow n hi s f ace.
Bander ol i ncl i ned hi s head. For gi ve me, Lor d Chaos. M y j our ney her e w as
l ong and t i me passed by much qui ckl y t hen I expect ed.
Do not l et i t happen agai n! Chaos sai d col dl y. The r eason I w ant ed t o see
you i s t o conf i r m t he t hi ngs t hat I ve st ar t ed t o doubt . Tel l me Bander ol , di d I not
ki l l Chr i s Kage on a t r i umph ni ght of December ? Di d I not ensur e t hat t he pow er
of The Gol den Phoeni x di ed w i t h i t s l ast mast er ?
Of cour se you di d Lor d Chaos, Bander ol sai d compl et el y nonpl ussed.
Is t hi s gi r l Chaos sai d, poi nt i ng at t he f l oat i ng gi r l . t he mast er of The
Si l ver Phoeni x?
Yes she i s, Lor d Chaos. She has t he si l ver di amond on her f or ehead and w e
can f eel t he gr eat pow er , r adi at i ng f r om w i t hi n her . Bander ol sai d, becomi ng
ver y conf used w i t h ever y quest i on t hat Lor d Chaos asked.
135 | P a g e
Then t el l me t hi s Bander ol . WHY AM I NOT ABLE TO ABSORB THE SILVER
PHOENIX FROM THIS PATHETIC LITTLE GIRL?! ! Chaos shout ed, maki ng t he
w hol e Dome shake.
B-But t hat s i mpossi bl e Lor d Chaos, Bander ol st ammer ed. We di d
ever yt hi ng accor di ng t o t he pr ophecy. The Gol den Phoeni x i s f i ni shed and w e
have capt ur ed The Si l ver Phoeni x. Ever yt hi ng w ent accor di ng t o pl an so you
shoul d be abl e t o absor b The Si l ver Phoeni x.
I t hought so t oo but t her e i s some ki nd of bar r i er sur r oundi ng t he gi r l a
ver y st r ong bar r i er t hat has pr event ed me f r om absor bi ng The Si l ver Phoeni x. I
know now t hat t he gi r l has a Li f el i ne. Chaos sai d angr i l y.
But t hat s i mpo ssi bl e! The Chr i s ki d w ho possessed The Gol den Phoeni x w as
t hi s gi r l s l i f el i ne! Bander ol sai d f eel i ng ver y conf used.
What i f w hat i f The Gol den Phoeni x somehow sur vi ved? Chaos sai d
sl ow l y.
You know t hat s not t r ue. You and I bot h saw The Gol den Phoeni x r i p i n t w o
and di sappear , Bander ol sai d ear nest l y.
Then t her e i s onl y one ot her answ er t he gi r l possessed not one but t w o
l i f el i nes. Chaos sai d uncer t ai nl y.
Bander ol shook hi s head w ear i l y. That has never happened bef or e a
per son can onl y have one l i f el i ne.
What ever i s t he case, sai d Chaos di smi ssi vel y. We must f i nd t he gi r l s
l i f el i ne and dest r oy i t . Onl y t hen can I successf ul l y ab sor b The Si l ver Phoeni x an d
use i t s pow er t o br i ng f or t h t he ul t i mat e cat acl ysm. I w ant you t o use your
pow er s t o ent er t he gi r l s mi nd and f i nd out w ho i s her l i f el i ne.
Bander ol nodded and used hi s pow er s t o f l y t ow ar ds t he gi r l . He hal t ed r i ght
i n f r ont of her and r ai sed t he i ndex f i nger of hi s r i ght hand, pr essi ng i t agai nst t he
gi r l s f or ehead. Now , al l he had t o do i s concent r at e.
Wi t hi n seconds, Bander ol w as i nsi de t he gi r l s mi nd. Al l t he i nf or mat i on
st or ed i n her br ai n became a par t of hi m. Fi nal l y, he f ound t he i nf or mat i on he
136 | P a g e
w as l ooki ng f or . An i mage of a t en year ol d boy w i t h unt i dy copper -r ed hai r and
st ar t l i ng gr een eyes appear ed i n hi s mi nd.
Zeon Cr est w as t he boy s name and he w as l ocat ed i n t he School of
At l nt i da.
Zeon Cr est he t ol d Lor d Chaos. a boy w i t h dar k r ed hai r and gr een
eyes. He i s cur r ent l y at t he School of At l nt i da.
Chaos nodded. Good, I know t he per f ect w ar r i or t hat w oul d sl ay t he boy.
Gener al Tr ox!
Suddenl y, f r om behi nd Chaos, a l ar ge f i gur e st epped f or w ar d. The cr eat ur e
w as seven f eet t al l w i t h t hi ck muscl es and a hai r l ess head. He had compl et el y
w hi t e eyes and i nst ead of havi ng t w o ar ms, he had f our . At t ached t o t he w r i st of
each hand w as a w i cked bl ade t hat w as st i l l st ai ned by dr y bl ood. He w or e an
ar mor ed vest t hat l ooked i mpenet r abl e.
You cal l ed Lor d Chaos? Gener al Tr ox asked.
Yes, I w ant you t o go t o At l nt i da t o ki l l a boy named Zeon Cr est . The boy
i s onl y t en year s ol d w i t h r ed hai r and gr een eyes. You shoul d be abl e t o ki l l hi m
easi l y. Chaos sai d, smi l i ng col dl y.
Of cour se, Gener al Tr ox sai d, r et ur ni ng t he smi l e.
But Lor d Chaos, how w i l l Gener al Tr ox ent er At l nt i da? Bander ol asked.
Do not w or r y I have a spy i n At l nt i da. He w i l l hel p you. Now go! Chaos
or der ed.
Gener al Tr ox l umber ed aw ay, l eavi ng Bander ol al one w i t h Chaos.
Bew ar e Zeon Cr est your end i s comi ng, Chaos sai d, smi l i ng.

137 | P a g e
Chapt er 23
The Gover nor s of
At lnt ida
Zeon w oke up i n t he mor ni ng by t he same, f r ust r at i ng r i ngi ng sound i n hi s
head. Know i ng, t hat t her e w as no w ay t o f i ght i t he w oke up w i t h an exasper at ed
si gh. He l ooked ar ound t o f i nd hi s f r i end s beds empt y. He f r ow ned, as he t r i ed
t o r ecal l t he det ai l s of hi s pr evi ous day. The i nf or mat i on came back t o hi m
i mmedi at el y but he coul d not r emember how he ended up i n her e. Hi s eyes f el l
upon t he cl ock, hangi ng agai nst t he w al l t hat r ead, 7:50 a.m.
Wi t hout a f ur t her del ay, Zeon got out of hi s bed and pr epar ed f or t he
Combat cl ass. As he st umbl ed out of hi s bed, he w as al ar med t o r eal i ze how
l i ght headed he f el t . It w as as i f hi s mi nd w as i n some ki nd of spi r i t ual p eace and
honest l y, he f el t gr eat ! Despi t e t he f act t hat he knew al l about t he bur dens
pl aced upon hi s shoul der s, he f el t as i f not hi ng coul d dampen hi s spi r i t s t oday,
not even Cl ar k.
Af t er changi ng, as Zeon w or e hi s shoes t he door of t he r oom opened and hi s
t w o f r i ends hur r i ed i n.
Zeon! Cr yst al shout ed as she hugged hi m f i er cel y.
Br yan cl apped hi m on t he back and asked. How ar e you f eel i ng Zeon?
I f eel gr eat ! What happened t o me? He asked conf used.
Don t you r emember ? You had some sor t of pani c at t ack, Cr yst al sai d.
Real l y? Wel l I f eel gr eat r i ght now , he sai d happi l y.
I t hi nk M adame Chang s medi ci ne w or ked af t er al l , Cr yst al sai d, l ooki ng at
Br yan w i t h r el i ef i n her eyes.
138 | P a g e
Who s M adame Chang? Zeon asked.
She s our medi t at i on t eacher , Cr yst al r epl i ed. Speaki ng of w hi ch, you
mi ssed your M edi t at i on, Cel est i al Cont r ol and I.R.A cl ass.
No w or r i es! Zeon sai d br i ght l y. I have you guys t o hel p me cat ch up on
t he t hi ngs I ve mi ssed. You w or r y t oo much Cr yst al .
Br yan and Cr yst al exchanged a l ook of amusement .
I w onder i f M adame Chan g has anot her bot t l e of t hat medi ci ne she gave t o
Zeon? Br yan asked, smi l i ng.
Oh, one mor e t hi ng Zeon t oday at 8:00 p.m. i s t he Rooki es Wel comi ng
Par t y. That means our Cel est i al Cont r ol and I.R.A cl ass w i l l n ot t ake pl ace t oday.
Cr yst al sai d.
Cool , a par t y sounds f un! Zeon sai d exci t edl y. Come on ! We r e get t i ng l at e
f or t he Combat cl ass. He w al ked behi nd hi s t w o f r i ends and pushed t hem
out si de t he r oom.
And so began Zeon s second day i n At l nt i da. He had t o admi t i t w as t aki ng
hi m no t i me at al l t o get use t o t hi s compl et el y di f f er ent pl ace. Seei ng a per son
pr oduce f i r e out of t hi n ai r or move an obj ect w i t hout t ouchi ng i t , di d not seem
t o sur pr i se hi m anymor e. Now he di d not even have t o be r emi nded by Cr yst al
about t he f act t hat t hey w er e i n a f l oat i ng school , w henever t hey r eached t he
ent r ance gat e. He w oul d j ust cal ml y pr oduce t he st ai r case or t he Ri der w henever
he needed t o l eave t he school .
So t he day passed by i n w hi ch Zeon had t o endur e bot h f ai l ur e and success.
In t he Combat cl ass he f aced t he Dummy No. 2 t hat t ur ned out t o be a cr eat ur e
cal l ed Gal as. The cr eat ur e w as a cr oss bet w een human and haw k, and w as
def i ni t el y har der t o f i ght t han t he Tr ol l . Yet , he had no t r oubl e def eat i ng hi m.
The Psy-Cont r ol cl ass w as t he next i n l i ne and posed a f or mi dabl e chal l enge
f or Zeon. M ovi ng a boul der w i t h your mi nd w as j ust as har d as pi cki ng up t he
boul der w i t h j ust your bar e hands. He al ong w i t h Jason an d Li l y had t o w or k t hei r
har dest j ust t o move t he boul der a f ew i nches i n t he ai r . On t he br i ght si de, he
139 | P a g e
seemed t o be get t i ng al ong w i t h Jason w ho seemed t o have f i nal l y
acknow l edged hi s pr esence.
Next up w as P.E. w hi ch w as a compl et e f ai l ur e. It w as r at ed as t he most
di f f i cul t cl ass, by al l Rooki es. No mat t er how har d al l t he Rooki es t r i ed, t hey
f ai l ed t o r each even hal f w ay up t he mount ai n. El i t e Nor man how ever r ef used t o
change t he exer ci se, despi t e t hei r const ant pl eas. He w as adamant t hat t hey
r eached t he t op.
Spar k Cont r ol di d not gi ve Zeon or t he ot her Rooki es an easy t i me ei t her .
El i t e M aver i ck t he Levee, t ol d t hem how t o cont r ol t he par t i cl es w i t hi n a
l i ght ni ng, but i t w as easi er sai d t han done. The par t i cl es w er e w i l d and l i t er al l y
expl oded w hen Zeon t r i ed t o keep t hem at bay. At t he end of t he cl ass onl y t hr ee
Rooki es managed t o succeed i n cont r ol l i ng t he par t i cl es; Zeon, Er i k and Cl ar k.
Soon af t er w ar ds came t he Weaponr y cl ass. Her e w as one such cl ass i n
w hi ch Zeon w as an exper t . Due t o hi s i nt er est i n sw or d f i ght i ng al ong w i t h t he
pow er of Ascal i ber , he out f ought al l hi s opponent s, i ncl udi ng Er i k and Cl ar k. El i t e
Zeon Sat yr , w ho w as a speci al i st i n sw or d f i ght i ng, w as hi s t eacher and he w as
cl ear l y i mpr essed b y hi s ski l l . Cl ar k compl ai ned t hat Zeon w as o nl y good at sw or d
f i ght i ng because of Ascal i ber . He shut up event ual l y, w hen Zeon used a di f f er ent
sw or d t o def eat hi m i n a one-on-one combat .
M edi t at i on w as next i n t he l i ne. When i t came t o Zeon s comment ,
r egar di ng t he cl ass he had sai d w i t h a honest hear t t hat i t w as a ver y bor i ng
cl ass. Al l t hey di d i n t he cl ass w as medi t at e w hi ch w as har der because of Cl ar k s
const ant naggi ng. The M edi t at i on cl ass r evol ved ar ound t he concept of a
hundr ed w ays t o obt ai n spi r i t ual peace i n Br yan s case a hundr ed w ays t o f al l
asl eep. But Zeon had t o admi t t hat af t er comi ng out of t he cl ass, he f el t cal mer
and mor e i n cont r ol .
At exact l y 8:00 p.m. began w hat ever y Rooky had been w ai t i ng f or par t y
t i me! The Rooki es Advancement Par t y w as t aki ng pl ace i n t he l obby. Once agai n,
El i t e M ast er Dor man had done hi s magi c and combi ned al l t he l obbi es t o make
140 | P a g e
one ver y vast hal l . El i t e, Commander s and Deput i es w er e r esponsi bl e f or set t i ng
up t he par t y and Zeon had t o admi t t hey had done a pr et t y good j ob.
When Zeon, Br yan and Cr yst al ent er ed t he l ar ge hal l , t he par t y had al r eady
begun. Zeon w as moment ar i l y mesmer i zed by t he l i ght ef f ect s t hat br i ght ened
t he hal l . He al most w ent deaf w hen t he musi c w as pl ayed at f ul l vol ume and w as
enough t o make t he w hol e school shake.
It s my l i f e by Bon Jovi ! I l ove t hi s song! Br yan shout ed.
Cr yst al l aughed as Br yan at t empt ed t o do a f unky r ock dance but ended up
t r i ppi ng hi msel f . Gr i nni ng, Zeon and Cr yst al hel ped Br yan on hi s f eet w ho l oo ked
sl i ght l y dazed.
Why ar e you danci ng? It s obvi ous you r e not ver y good at i t , Cr yst al sai d,
r ai si ng her eyebr ow .
Br yan shr ugged. If you don t t r y how w i l l you l ear n?
Tr ue, but w hen you make a f ool of your sel f i t s qui t e embar r assi ng, Cr yst al
sai d mi l dl y.
Br yan st ar ed at her . Cr yst al do you honest l y t hi nk I car e w hat ot her
peopl e t hi nk about t he w ay I dance. As l ong as I have f un, I don t car e i f peopl e
make f un of me w hen I make a f ool of mysel f . I pr ef er t o t ake cer t ai n r i sks i n my
l i f e but t hat s w hat makes l i f e f un!
Cr yst al f r ow ned as i f she di dn t under st and Br yan. Bef or e she coul d say
anyt hi ng, t her e w as an announcement .
Boys and gi r l s! Pl ease gi ve i t up f or Commander Jenni f er M at hew w ho w i l l
be si ngi ng t he song, M y Hear t w i l l go on by Cel i ne Di on!
Zeon w at ched as a pr et t y gi r l w i t h l ong dar k br ow n hai r and br ow n eyes,
w al ked t ow ar ds a r ai sed st age. Ther e w as a l ar ge pi ano t hat st ood i n t he mi ddl e
of t he st age. The gi r l sat on a st ool i n f r ont of t he pi ano and adj ust ed t he mi ke
w hi ch w as at t ached t o i t . Af t er a shor t pause, she began pr essi ng t he pi ano-keys,
cr eat i ng a beaut i f ul mel ody t hat seemed t o echo t hr ough t he hal l . The musi c
141 | P a g e
seemed t o l ul l ever yone s hear t s and most of t he st u dent s si mpl y sw ayed on t he
spot . The gi r l began t o si ng and her voi ce w as l i ke spr i ng w at er on pebbl es.
Near , f ar w her ever you ar e! I bel i eve t hat t he hear t does go on. Once mor e
you open t he door and you hear i n my hear t , and my heat w i l l go on and on!
When t he song f i ni shed, t he hal l w as f i l l ed w i t h endl ess appl ause and w hi st l es.
Commander Jenni f er gr eet ed t he cheer s w i t h a bow and l ef t t he st age.
The par t y cont i nued f or anot her t w o hour s. Di nner w as ser ved at 10:00 p.m.
and Zeon par t i cul ar l y enj oyed t he deser t t hat consi st ed of del i ci ous chocol at e
puddi ng ser ved w i t h w af er s. Af t er eat i ng, Br yan l ed Cr yst al t o t he dance f l oor
despi t e her const ant pr ot est s.
M eanw hi l e, Zeon deci ded t o f i nd Er i k. He f ound hi s f r i end, st andi ng al one i n
one cor ner and w at chi ng as t he par t y pr oceeded.
Hey Er i k, Zeon sai d as he appr oached hi m.
Er i k smi l ed w hen he saw hi m. Enj oyi ng t he par t y Zeon?
I w as goi ng t o ask you t he same quest i on, Zeon sai d accusi ngl y.
Er i k l aughed. I m havi ng a bl ast ! I may not be par t i ci pat i ng i n any si ngi ng or
danci ng but j ust seei ng ever yone so happy cool s my hear t . We coul d def i ni t el y
use moment s l i ke t hese.
I know w hat you mean, Zeon sai d, as he w at ched Br yan dance w i t h a
hi ghl y f l ust er ed Cr yst al . We coul d use a l i t t l e br eak.
Suddenl y, t he mai n door of t he hal l bur st open, st ar t l i ng ever yone. Tw o t al l
ar mor ed men ent er ed t he bui l di ng, hol di ng heavy w ar -hammer s. Behi nd t hem
came a par t y of seven men, al l of w hom w er e w ear i ng si l ver cl oaks. Al l of t hem
had a poker f ace and t her e w as somet hi ng col d about t hem.
The Gover nor s of At l nt i da, Er i k w hi sper ed t o Zeon.
The musi c had st opped and ever yone t ur ned t o st ar e at t he new ar r i val s.
The l ead gover nor , w ho st ood at t he f r ont , had l ong bl ond hai r and dul l gr ay
eyes. He st ar ed at al l t he st udent s w i t h an ugl y scow l t hat changed i nt o a f or ced
smi l e.
142 | P a g e
Pl ease car r y on w i t h your l i t t l e par t y. I do not w i sh t o i nt er r upt such an
i mpor t ant day. Can somebody t el l me w her e Dor man i s? The gover nor sai d i n a
r at her st er n voi ce.
Wal t on Lovesey! What a pl easant sur pr i se? E. Dor man sai d as he shook
t he gover nor s hand.
Loveseydon t t el l me t hi s guy i s Cr yst al s f at her ! Zeon t hought .
Good t o see you Dor man, E. Wal t on sai d cur t l y. I see you r e havi ng t he
t i me of your l i f e but sadl y, I w i l l have t o r ui n your day.
E. Dor man si ghed w ear i l y. Tr ust me Wal t on, f or t hese past f ew mont hs I
have gr ow n accust omed t o havi ng my day r ui ned. Come! Let us si t dow n and
t al k. He t ur ned t ow ar ds t he r est of t he st udent s. Pl ease ever yone, cont i nue
your par t y. The gover nor s ar e j ust her e t o t al k t o me.
As M ast er Dor man l ed t he gover nor s aw ay, t he musi c began agai n w i t h
r enew ed i nt ensi t y. Zeon how ever , kept gl anci ng at t he gover nor s and M ast er
Dor man w ho seemed t o be havi ng a ver y ser i ous di scussi on. Tw i ce, Gover nor
Wal t on t ur ned t o st ar e at hi m as i f he w as some ki nd of cr ossw or d puzzl e. He
t r i ed t o i gnor e hi m and enj oy t he par t y.
How ever , M ast er Dor man s di scussi on w i t h t he gover nor s w as t ur ni ng out
t o be a mor e of a shout i ng mat ch. The musi c st opped as ever y st udent t ur ned
t ow ar ds Gover nor Wal t on and M ast er Dor man w ho w er e l i t er al l y shout i ng at
each ot her .
Li st en t o me Dor man! Thi s i s our l ast hope i f w e f ai l now bot h Ear t h and
At l nt i da w i l l be dest r oyed! We can t af f or d t o l ose! We have been gi ven an
oppor t uni t y t o shi f t t he t i des of t hi s w ar ! E. Wal t on shout ed.
NO! E. Dor man shout ed. Hi s w hol e body w as t r embl i ng w i t h f u r y. Do you
hear your sel f Wal t on?! What you r e suggest i ng i s bar bar i c?! If w e f ol l ow t hi s
pl an of your s w e w i l l be no bet t er t han Chaos hi msel f !
143 | P a g e
Don t be a f ool Dor man! Somet i mes w e have t o t ake dr ast i c measur es f or
t he cont i nui t y of l i f e! Somet i mes w e have t o f i ght dar kness w i t h dar kness! E.
Wal t on sai d hi s eyes bl azi ng.
Now you know w hy I mi st r ust t he gover nment of At l nt i da. Your i deas ar e
so cr uel and somet i mes even dar k. At l nt i da w as cr eat ed by l i ght and w e ar e
br i ngi ng dar kness i nt o i t . Ten year s f r om now , w i l l w e be bet t er t han Chaos? E.
Dor man sai d danger ousl y.
Then w hat do you expect us t o do?! E. Wal t on demanded. We j ust w ai t
f or Chaos t o send someone t o dest r oy Ir i s Wi l l i am s l i f el i ne! The onl y r eason w e
al l ar e al i ve i s because of t hi s smal l speck of hope and you r e w ast i ng i t
Dor man!
Do not w or r y, Wal t on. I w i l l per sonal l y pr ot ect Ir i s Wi l l i am s l i f el i ne. You
have not hi ng t o w or r y about . E. Dor man sai d f i r ml y.
I hope so, because i f you f ai l w e w i l l al l be doomed! E. Wal t on sai d
f ur i ousl y.

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Chapt er 24
Peacemaker
Af t er a r at her t ough f i ve days, a t w o days w eekend f i nal l y ar r i ved w hi ch
gave t he Rooki es an oppor t uni t y t o r el ax and enj oy w hat At l nt i da had t o
pr ovi de t hem w i t h. Zeon, w ho w as posi t i vel y r el i eved t o get a br eak f r om al l t he
st udyi ng, spent most of hi s t i me hangi ng out w i t h Cr yst al and Br yan. Si nce
Cr yst al w as an of f i ci al r esi dent of At l nt i da, she show ed Zeon and Br yan some of
t he popul ar pl aces i n At l nt i da.
That s t he M useum of At l nt i da! Cr yst al shout ed f r om t he back of her
Ri der . She w as poi nt i ng a t al l bui l di ng w i t h mor e t han a hundr ed w i ndow s. It
hol ds ver y r ar e i t ems and scr ol l s, w hi ch dat e back t o t he t i me w hen At l nt i da
w as cr eat ed.
When w as At l nt i da cr eat ed Cr yst al ? Zeon asked.
It w as Br yan w ho answ er ed. At l nt i da w as cr eat ed i n t he year 1121 w hi l e
t he School of At l nt i da w as cr eat ed i n 1606.
How do you know t hat ? Zeon asked sur pr i sed.
Br yan shr ugged. We r ead about i t i n our f i r st cl ass of I.R.A t hat you mi ssed,
Oh anyw ay, I never i magi ned At l nt i da bei ng t hi s ol d. Zeon sai d.
Is t hat t he Pow er ed Up Soccer St adi um? Br yan asked exci t edl y, poi nt i ng at
a l ar ge st adi um.
Yeah, I ve been i n t her e l ot s of t i me. If I r emember cor r ect l y Aer i es Li ght
w as t he w i nner of t he pr evi ous w or l d cup w i t h Ar gons Wr at h, comi ng up second .
I ve al w ays suppor t ed Aer i es Li ght ; t hey have some of t he best pl ayer s i n
At l nt i da. El i t e Ter r y M ar t en i s t he capt ai n of t he t eam and i s a t r ul y amazi ng
pl ayer . Cr yst al comment ed.
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It s r eal l y w ei r d At l nt i da i s so di f f er ent f r om Ear t h yet , same i n many
w ays. So how can I j oi n one of t hese t eams? Br yan asked.
You have t o f i r st j oi n a Cl ub Team and i f you consi st ent l y per f or m good i n i t
t hen you w i l l be abl e t o j oi n an Int er nat i onal St andar d Team. Cr yst al expl ai ned.
Cool ! I m so gonna t r y out f or t he t eam! Br yan sai d, r ai si ng hi s f i st i n t he
ai r .
Anyw ay, I m hungr y. Do you guys w anna eat ? Cr yst al asked.
Yeah, f ood w oul d be good. Zeon agr eed.
I know a good r est aur ant near by. We l l eat t her e, i f t hat s f i ne by you
t w o? Cr yst al asked.
You r e t he boss her e Cr yst al , Zeon sai d, smi l i ng. We know not hi ng about
t hi s pl ace.
Cr yst al l ed t hem t o a r est aur ant cal l ed, Et er nal Bl i ss. The r est aur ant w as
made f r om baked br i cks w hi ch w er e r ed i n col or . It s r oof w as made of gr een
pl at es and w as shaped i n such a w ay t hat t he cor ner s w er e f ol ded upw ar ds. It
ki nd of l ooked l i ke a Chi nese bui l di ng. Fr om i nsi de, t he r est aur ant l ooked pr et t y
l uxur i ous. It s f l oor w as t i l ed w i t h w hi t e mar bl e and t he w al l s l ooked w el l pai nt ed.
The di ni ng t abl es w er e made of sof t bar k and w er e cover ed w i t h cl ean cl ot hs,
w hi ch had some uni que desi gns on t hem. The chai r s w er e mor e l i ke smal l sof as
and l ooked qui t e comf or t abl e.
Thi s r est aur ant i s t he best i n At l nt i da. The f ood her e i s spect acul ar ! M e
and Amel i a used t o come her e w i t h our mot her al most ever y day. Cr yst al sai d
happi l y, as t hey ent er ed t he r est aur ant .
What about your f at her ? Zeon asked.
Cr yst al scow l ed. You saw my f at her dur i ng t he Rooki es Wel comi ng Par t y.
Di d he l ook l i ke t he ki nd of f at her w ho w oul d l i ke t o spend t i me w i t h hi s f ami l y.
No! M e and Amel i a hat e hi m! Al l he car es about i s pow er and maki ng deci si on
t hat r ui n peopl e s l i ves. Di d you see how angr y M ast er Dor man w as yest er day
146 | P a g e
w hen he t al ked t o my f at her ? I bet you anyt hi ng t hat my f at her had come up
w i t h anot her one of hi s i nhuman pl ans!
What about your mot her ? Br yan asked r at her hesi t ant l y.
M -M y mot her di ed w hen I w as seven, Cr yst al sai d, l ooki ng cl ose t o t ear s
now . She w as t he best mot her a gi r l coul d ask f or ver y l ovi ng ver y f unny.
I m sor r y, Zeon mumbl ed.
I t hi nk your mot her w i l l be ver y pr oud of you, Br yan sai d, smi l i ng.
W-What makes you say t hat , Cr yst al sobbed.
Because you have kept her i n your hear t f or ever , Br yan sai d w i sel y.
Cr yst al st ar ed at Br yan t hr ough w at er y eyes. Bef or e Br yan coul d r eact , she
f l ung her ar ms ar ound hi s neck and hugged hi m f i er cel y.
That i s t he ni cest t hi ng you ve ever sai d t o me Br yan St eal t h, she sai d i n a
muf f l ed voi ce.
Br yan, w ho w as ver y r ed on t he f ace, l ooked at a l oss of w or ds. He l ooked at
Zeon f or hel p, w ho shr ugged hel pl essl y.
He cl ear ed hi s t hr oat . Er Cr yst al peopl e ar e w at chi ng coul d you pl ease
l et go.
Oh sor r y, she mumbl ed, bl ushi ng f ur i ousl y as she moved aw ay f r om Br yan.
That r emi nds me, have any of you w onder ed w hat conver sat i on M ast er
Dor man had w i t h Gover nor Wal t on? I mean i t l ooked ver y ser i ous t o me you
know t he w ay t hey w er e shout i ng at each ot her , Zeon asked, at t empt i ng t o
br eak t he embar r assment .
They w er e t al ki ng about Ir i s Wi l l i am s l i f el i ne w hat does t hat mean?
Br yan sai d t hought f ul l y.
Li f el i ne never hear of anyt hi ng l i ke t hat bef or e, Cr yst al sai d as she w i ped
her eyes w i t h a t i ssue.
Anyw ay, ar e w e goi ng t o or der or not ? I m hungr y, Br yan sai d poi nt edl y.
Excuse me! Cr yst al sai d, w avi ng at a w ai t r ess. Coul d you gi ve us t he
menu?
147 | P a g e
The w ai t r ess di d not r espond but si mpl y w aved her hand t o know one i n
par t i cul ar . Suddenl y, t hr ee menu car ds came f l oat i ng t ow ar ds t hem.
Now t hat s w hat w e cal l ser vi ce, Br yan sai d admi r i ngl y.
Zeon l ooked at hi s ow n menu and w as sl i ght l y i r r i t at ed w i t h i t s vast ness.
Ther e w er e so many var i et i es of f oods t o choose f r om. In t he f or est he usual l y
at e ber r i es or somet i mes f i sh. In ver y r ar e cases he at e cooked deer but he
usual l y avoi ded i t because t he t hought of eat i ng ki l l ed ani mal s di st ur bed hi m.
Cool t hey have st eaks! I l ove st eaks! Let s see, M ushr oom St eak nah!
Combo St eak no n ot my t ype, ah yes! The Or i gi nal Beef St eak w i t h ext r a spi ce
per f ect ! Br yan sai d as he sur veyed t he menu.
I l l t ake t hei r speci al Spi cy Spaghet t i , Cr yst al sai d.
Um Cr yst al coul d you t el l me a di sh t hat does not i nvol ve cooked
ani mal s, Zeon sai d i n an audi bl e w hi sper .
You r e a veget ar i an? Cr yst al asked.
Huh? Zeon asked.
I mean, do you eat onl y veget abl es. Cr yst al sai d w i t h a sl i ght f r ow n.
I don t know I j ust don t f eel comf or t abl e i n eat i ng ani mal s. Zeon sai d.
You r e t he f i r st per son I ve met w ho act ual l y f eel s bad about eat i ng ani mal s.
Peopl e usual l y don t car e about t hi s ki nd of st uf f . Br yan sai d w i t h a gr i n.
You coul d t r y my Spaghet t i . Don t w or r y i t s not made up of ani mal s.
Cr yst al added qui ckl y.
Okay I l l t r y t hat , Zeon sai d.
Have you t hr ee deci ded your or der s? sai d a passi ng by w ai t r ess.
Yes, w e w i l l t ake t w o of Spi cy Spaghet t i and one Beef St eak, Cr yst al r epl i ed.
And make my Beef ext r a spi cy, Br yan added.
As you w i sh, sai d t he w ai t r ess. She cl apped her hands and i n t he bl i nk of an
eye, t hei r pl at es w er e f i l l ed w i t h f ood.
Def i ni t el y gr eat ser vi ce! Br yan sai d, l ooki ng aw est r uck.
Why t hank you young man! The w ai t r ess sai d pol i t el y.
148 | P a g e
The t hr ee of t hem at e i n si l ence. Zeon had t o admi t t he f ood w as r eal l y good. It
w as t he best f ood he had t ast ed. When t hey w er e done, t he w ai t r ess br ought
t he bi l l .
One gol den zenny, f i ve si l ver zenni es and t w el ve b r onze zenni es, Cr yst al sai d,
r eadi ng t he bi l l . Fr om her pocket , she t ook out one gol d coi n, f i ve si l ver coi ns and
t w el ve br onze coi ns. Her e you go! She sai d, handi ng t he w ai t r ess t he money
al ong w i t h t he bi l l .
Zenny? The cur r ency her e i s cal l ed Zenny. That sounds a l ot l i ke penny.
Anyw ay, w her e di d you get t he money f r om? Br yan asked.
Br yan, my f at her i s t he Gover nor of At l nt i da, Cr yst al sai d poi nt edl y.
Oh yeah, but t hi s i s unf ai r . The st udent s w ho come f r om Ear t h have no
money at al l ! Br yan sai d gr umpi l y.
Tr ue, but t hat s w hy w e al l w i l l be t aki ng par t -t i me j obs. So w e can make
money f or our sel ves. Cr yst al sai d as she dr ank a gl ass of w at er . In f act , t oday at
5:00 p.m. w e w i l l be choosi ng t he j ob w e w ant t o t ake.
Real l y? Zeon asked. Who sai d so?
M ast er Dor man of cour se, Cr yst al r epl i ed.
And w hen di d he say t hat ? Br yan asked.
When you t w o w er e sl eepi ng. Speaki ng of w hi ch, w e bet t er be l eavi ng.
Onl y t hi r t y mi nut es ar e l ef t f or 5 o cl ock and w e don t w ant t o be l at e. Cr yst al
sai d, st andi ng up t o l eave.
Thi s shoul d be i nt er est i ng, Zeon sai d t o Br yan as t hey f ol l ow ed Cr yst al
out si de.
Zeon, Br yan and Cr yst al ar r i ved at t he School of At l nt i da at exact l y 5p.m.
The mai n l obby w as cr ow ded w i t h st udent s. Sever al st al l s, i nt r oduci ng di f f er ent
j obs w er e set up i n ever y cor ner of t he l obby. The peopl e i n char ge of t he st al l s
w er e busy expl ai ni ng t o t he Rooki es mor e about t hei r r espect i ve par t -t i me j obs.
149 | P a g e
Banki ng M anagement i n At l nt i da! A gr eat oppor t uni t y f or Rooki es t o
l ear n how money i s handl ed her e i n At l nt i da. Thi s j ob w i l l hel p you l ear n how t o
or gani ze your sel f and w i l l al so cr eat e a sense of sel f -di sci pl i ne w i t hi n your
hear t ! A man announced.
Come on guys! Let s l ook ar ound, Zeon sai d.
They passed by a number of uni que st al l s l i ke Ar cheol ogi st s i n t r ai ni ng,
Tr ai nee Teacher i n t he School of At l nt i da, Sor cer er s Appr ent i ce, Road t o
Gover nor shi p and many mor e.
Tr ai nee Teacher i n t he School of At l nt i da! Puh-l eez! I d be t he w or st
t eacher t o ever exi st ! Br yan comment ed.
Yes! That s exact l y w hat I w as l ooki ng f or ? Cr yst al sai d, poi nt i ng at a si gn
t hat sai d, Lear ni ng t o be a Heal er . She qui ckl y l ef t her f r i ends behi nd t ow ar ds t he
st al l t hat w as chosen speci f i cal l y f or her .
Zeon w at ched as Cr yst al l ef t . He t ur ned t ow ar ds Br yan w ho shr ugged.
Let s get t hi s over w i t h, Br yan sai d. I t hi nk I saw an i nt er est i ng j ob,
Br yan l ed Zeon t ow ar ds a st al l named Dr agon Tamer . A shor t gr umpy man,
w ear i ng a Vi ki ng hel met st ood next t o t he st al l . When t he man saw Zeon and
Br yan appr oach, he made a phony bow .
Gr eet i ngs Rooki es, my name i s El i t e Gor do Bi l l and I am a Dr agon Tamer . I
spend most of my t i me i n t he Dr agon val l ey, t ami ng al l sor t s of Dr agons. If you
w i sh t o l ear n about t he di f f er ent t ypes of dr agons and how t o command t hem
t hen t hi s i s t he pl ace f or you. He sai d w i t h a scow l .
Dr agons! Real dr agons! Br yan sai d, l ooki ng aw est r uck.
Of cour se r eal dr agons! E. Gor do snapped. What di d you t hi nk; I make my
ow n dr agons out of t w i gs and l eaves!
Cool ! How much money w i l l I get i n t hi s j ob? Br yan asked.
Fi ve gol den zenni es, t w ent y si l ver zenni es and f i f t y br onze zenni es, E.
Gor do sai d.
Okay t hen! Si gn me up! Br yan sai d exci t edl y.
150 | P a g e
E. Gor do handed hi m a paper and a pen. Pl ease r i ght your name on t he
t op,
Br yan t ook t he pen and w r ot e hi s name on t he paper .
Good, now t omor r ow i s your f i r st day f or t he j ob. I w ant you t o come t o t he
f or est at exact l y 9:00 a.m. Tr y not t o be l at e. E. Gor do sai d di smi ssi vel y.
Br yan t ur ned t ow ar ds Zeon. Wel l I m done! What about you? Ar en t you
goi ng t o t ake t hi s j ob t oo?
It sounds danger ous and honest l y, I m t i r ed of danger . Zeon sai d, shaki ng
hi s head. He l ooked ar ound t o see i f t her e w as any j ob t hat seemed i nt er est i ng
t o hi m.
Then he saw somet hi ng t hat seemed t o at t r act hi m a l ot ; a l ar ge boar d t hat
w as, hover i ng i n mi d-ai r and t he w or d PEACEM AKER w as car ved on i t . In f r ont
of t he boar d, st ood a man w i t h unt i dy b l ond hai r and gr een eyes, and besi de hi m
st ood a gi r l w i t h shor t br ow n hai r and bl ack eyes. Zeon w al ked t ow ar ds t hem
w i t h hi s hear t , bur st i ng w i t h exci t ement .
Hi , he sai d t o t he man. M y name i s Zeon Cr est . I w ant ed t o know mor e
about t he w or d Peacemaker .
The man beamed. Hel l o Zeon, my name i s El i t e Benj ami n M er i t and t hi s i s
El i t e Cor y Bel dame. We bot h ar e Peacemaker s. A Peacemaker i s a per son w ho
negot i at es w i t h ot her i nt el l i gent r aces and at t empt s t o bui l d a br i dge of t r ust
bet w een t hem. In At l nt i da t her e ar e t h r ee mai n r aces w hi ch ar e as i nt el l i gent as
us par t -humans. These speci es ar e; El ves, Cent aur s and Ogr es. A Peacemaker s
mi ssi on i s t o pr event t he f or mat i on of any ki nd of host i l i t y bet w een par t -humans
and t hese t hr ee r aces.
That sounds amazi ng! Zeon sai d, hi s eyes shi ni ng.
But i t s not as easy as you t hi nk i t i s Zeon . Ogr es ar e host i l e t ow ar ds us and
one t i me, w hen me and Benj ami n w ent t o negot i at e w i t h t hem t hey t r i ed t o ki l l
us! El ves mi st r ust ever yone except t hei r ow n peopl e. They ar e al so st r ong
suppor t er s of non-vi ol ence so t hey w on t hel p us w hen dar kness at t acks. They
151 | P a g e
w i l l onl y st and up f or t hei r ow n peopl e. Our r el at i onshi p w i t h t he Cent aur s i s
pr et t y good but t her e i s st i l l a l i t t l e bi t suspi ci on amon g t hem, r egar di ng us. So as
you can see t hi ngs ar e not l ooki ng t oo good. E. Cor y f i ni shed w i t h an
exasper at ed si gh.
I don t mi nd I w ant t o hel p! Zeon sai d eager l y.
That s t he spi r i t Zeon! E. Benj ami n sai d happi l y. He handed Zeon a pen and
a paper .
Zeon t ook t he paper and qui ckl y w r ot e hi s name on i t .
Gr eat ! E. Benj ami n excl ai med, t aki ng back t he paper . Tomor r ow at 10:00
a.m. w e ar e payi ng t he El ves a l i t t l e vi si t . Be r eady f or t hat Zeon! We l l be w ai t i ng
f or you i n Lobby No. 1.
Ri ght ! Zeon sai d det er mi nedl y.

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Chapt er 25
The Elves Law of Non-
Violence
On Sunday mor ni ng, Zeon w oke up at shar p 9a.m. and pr epar ed f or hi s t r i p
t o The Ci t y o f El ves. Br yan and Cr yst al had al r eady l ef t f or t hei r r espect i ve j obs so
t he r oom w as empt y. Af t er t aki ng show er and get t i ng changed, he made hi s w ay
t ow ar ds Lobby No. 1. When he r eached t he l obby, he f ound El i t e Benj ami n and
El i t e Cor y, w ai t i ng f or hi m near t he gat es. Besi de t hem st ood a gr oup of si x
heavi l y ar med men each w ear i ng a r at her gr i m expr essi on.
Ready t o go Zeon? E. Cor y asked br i ght l y.
Def i ni t el y! Who ar e t hese peopl e? Zeon asked El i t e Benj ami n i n a w hi sper .
Advanced guar ds i t w as M ast er Dor man s i dea. E. Benj ami n w hi sper ed
back.
Oh okay, Zeon sai d a l i t t l e hesi t ant l y. He coul d not under st and as t o w hy
M ast er Dor man had sent t h ese advanced guar ds. Vi si t i ng t he Ci t y of El ves w asn t
exact l y danger ous. Cr yst al had t ol d hi m t hat El ves w er e a l ot ni cer t han Ogr es. If
anybody needed advanced guar ds i t w as Br yan w ho w as vi si t i ng a pl ace f ul l of f
f i r e br eat hi ng dr agons!
Emi t Ri der ! El i t e Benj ami n and El i t e Cor y sai d t oget her .
Emi t Ri der ! Zeon sai d a f ew mi nut es af t er t hem.
When al l of t hem had sat on t hei r r espect i ve Ri der , El i t e Benj ami n mot i oned
t hem al l t o f ol l ow hi m. As hi s Ri der t ook t o t he sky, t he ot her s f ol l ow ed cl ose
behi nd.
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The j our ney i s go i ng t o be a l ong one Zeon so I hope you had a good ni ght s
sl eep. He sai d cheer f ul l y.
El i t e Benj ami n t ook of f ahead and ever yone el se f ol l ow ed. Zeon moved
behi nd El i t e Cor y as El i t e Benj ami n w as movi ng a l i t t l e t oo f ast . The Jour ney t o
t he Ci t y of El ves w as a l ong one i ndeed. Ther e came a poi nt w hen t hey had
moved beyond t he bor der s of t he Ci t y of t he Sky and no ot her f l oat i ng bui l di ngs
coul d be seen f or sever al ki l omet er s. Zeon di d not have a w at ch t o r ead t he t i me
but i t seemed as i f hour s had passed si nce t hey l ef t t he School of At l nt i da. He
moved hi s Ri der next t o El i t e Cor y s so he coul d st r i ke a conver sat i on w i t h her .
How l ong i s i t goi ng t o t ake f or us t o get t her e? He asked her .
It w i l l t ake us appr oxi mat el y anot her hour , E. Cor y r epl i ed.
So how bi g i s At l nt i da? Zeon asked conver sat i onal l y.
At l nt i da i f compar ed t o pl anet Ear t h i s about t hr ee quar t er s of i t s si ze, E.
Cor y r epl i ed.
Wer e you bor n i n At l nt i da? Zeon asked.
Not exact l y. I w as bor n on pl anet Ear t h but w hen I w as onl y t w o year s ol d, I
came t o At l nt i da w i t h my par ent s. E. Cor y r epl i ed. What about you?
Honest l y, I know not hi ng about my l i f e. I t hi nk I w as bor n i n a f or est on
pl anet Ear t h but I m not r eal l y sur e about t hat . Why? Because I don t even kno w
w ho my par ent s ar e and w het her t hey l i ved i n At l nt i da or Ear t h. I w as j ust
f ound by a man named M r . Bar on w ho t ur ned out t o be a par t -human named
Javel i n Akashi . He w as l i ke a f at her t o me but he w as ki l l ed by some of Chaos s
f ol l ow er s, Zeon sai d gr i ml y.
It seems your l i f e has been pr et t y t ough, E. Cor y sai d w i t h a smal l smi l e.
You came her e t o At l nt i da i n t he hope of st ar t i ng over , r i ght ?
Zeon nodded. I t hought t hat by comi ng t o At l nt i da I w oul d have a chance
t o be mor e t han I al r eady am and al so t o l i ve a l i f e t hat had some meani ng i nt o
i t ,
154 | P a g e
I know w hat you mean. We al l possess t he bur ni ng desi r e of havi ng a
r eason t o exi st . We w ant peopl e t o r eal i ze t hat w e ar e mor e t han j ust an
or di nar y f ace. It s onl y nat ur al t o f eel t hi s w ay. E. Cor y sai d.
Zeon st opped t al ki ng f or a w hi l e and j ust al l ow ed hi msel f t o enj oy t he r i de.
Af t er somet i me, t h e Ci t y of El ves came i nt o si ght . The ci t y w as not as l ar ge as t he
Ci t y of t he Sky but w as def i ni t el y mor e beaut i f ul . It w as sur r ounded by a w el l
f or t i f i ed w al l t hat w as made f r om shi ni ng cr yst al s. In f act , t he b ui l di ngs w er e al so
made of many exot i c cr yst al s w hi ch added t o t he sceni c beaut y of t he ci t y. The
bui l di ngs w er e i nt er connect ed by di amond made br i dges. The si ght of t he ci t y
w as t hat of ext r eme r ever ence and per f ect i on.
Behi nd t he Ci t y of El ves w as a l i ne of ver y t al l mount ai ns w hi ch w er e
bl anket ed by snow . Ther e w as somet hi ng odd about t he mount ai ns t hat made
Zeon ver y uneasy. It w as l i ke t he mount ai ns w er e cal l i ng t o hi m l i ke t hey w er e
al i ve.
He shudder ed. M aybe he w as j ust i magi ni ng i t .
Looks l i ke a ver y peacef ul ci t y doesn t i t ? E. Cor y sai d, scow l i ng. Unl i ke us,
t he El ves ar e not bot her ed by Chaos.
Okay guys, w e r e goi ng t o l and! Fol l ow my l ead! E. Benj ami n shout ed.
They dr opped f r om t he sky and l anded r i ght i n f r ont of t he gat es of t he ci t y.
One b y one t hey j umped of f t hei r r espect i ve Ri der . Immedi at el y, t he gat es of t he
ci t y opened and t w o el ves w al ked t ow ar ds t hem.
Her e i s t he t hi ng about el ves; t hey l ook exact l y l i ke humans i f you i gnor e t he
l ong poi nt y ear s. The appr oachi ng el ves bot h l ooked al most t he same except one
of t hem had l ong si l ver hai r w hi l e t he ot her one had shor t si l ver hai r . They w or e
pl ai n w hi t e cl oaks and car r i ed no w eapons.
I w onder i f t hey l l l et us i n t hi s t i me, E. Benj ami n sai d t o E. Cor y i n an
audi bl e w hi sper .
Fat chance, E. Cor i w hi sper ed back.
Gr eet i ngs st r anger s one of t he el ves began, but E. Cor i i nt er r upt ed hi m.
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We ar e not st r anger s Ser vos Tel st r a. If you r emember , me and hi m E.
Cor y sai d, poi nt i ng t ow ar ds E. Benj ami n. vi si t ed you l ast w eek.
The el f named Ser vos bow ed. For gi ve us but w e el ves consi der ever y non-
el f per son a st r anger .
We bot her ed t o r emember your name but you can t r emember our
names?! E. Cor y sai d, l ooki ng out r aged.
Ser vos t he el f made yet anot her bow . That i s ver y humbl e of you but w e
never asked you humans t o r emember our name.
El i t e Cor y l ooked as i f she w oul d l i ke t o ki l l t he el f but El i t e Benj ami n gave
her a w ar ni ng l ook t hat sai d, Don t you dar e bl ow our mi ssi on agai n!
We under st and Ser vos. Now , i f you w oul d be so ki nd t o t el l Queen Li l i a
How i t zer t hat w e have come her e t o t al k t o her , r egar di ng Human and El f
Cooper at i on. E. Benj ami n sai d cal ml y.
I m sor r y but t hat s not possi bl e at t he moment . Your Hi ghness i s ver y busy
w i t h some unset t l i ng mat t er , Ser vos sai d apol oget i cal l y.
Busy w i t h w hat ? E. Cor y sai d i ndi gnant l y.
I m sor r y but w e do not shar e out secr et s w i t h ot her speci es, Ser vos sai d
f l at l y.
Can w e t al k t o anyone besi des Queen Li l i a? E. Benj ami n sai d i n a f or ced
cal m voi ce.
No, your Hi ghness i s t he r ul er of t he ci t y. Onl y she can t al k t o you but al as,
she i s ver y busy t oday. You must come next w eek. She w i l l be f r ee by t hen,
Ser vos sai d cal ml y.
El i t e Cor y l ooked mut i nous but El i t e Benj ami n si ghed.
It s not l i ke w e have any ot her choi ce, he sai d t o El i t e Cor y. Then he t ur ned
t o f ace t he el f . Pl ease t el l Queen Li l i a t o t al k t o us t he next t i me w e come.
The el f gave an unconvi nci ng nod.
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Okay guys, t hat s i t f or t oday. We r e l eavi ng, E. Benj ami n sai d, w al ki ng back
t ow ar ds hi s Ri der . The ot her s f ol l ow ed hi m w hen t hey r eal i zed t hat def eat w as a
def i ni t e.
Now you know w hat I meant w hen I sai d t hat bei ng a Peacemaker i s not
easy, E. Cor y sai d t o Zeon as she sat on her Ri der .
They w er e about t o l eave, w hen Ser vos t he El f came r unni ng af t er t hem.
Wai t ! t he el f shout ed.
El i t e Benj ami n t ur ned t ow ar ds t he, pant i ng el f .
Is ever yt hi ng al r i ght Ser vos? he asked.
I have j ust r ecei ved a message f r om your Hi ghness. She h as per mi t t ed one of
you t o ent er her cast l e and t al k t o her , Ser vos sai d.
Real l y? E. Benj ami n sai d, l ooki ng ver y sur pr i sed. Who?
The boy named Zeon Cr est , sai d t he el f .
M e? Zeon asked compl et el y nonpl ussed.
Yes, Ser vos sai d cur t l y.
Bot h El i t e Benj ami n and El i t e Cor y w er e l ooki ng at Zeon as i f he w as w or t h
t en t housand gol den zenni es.
No w ay, E. Cor y sai d i n a l ow voi ce. Thi s i s t he t ent h t i me I ve come her e
but Queen Li l i a has never per mi t t ed me t o ent er t he ci t y.
E. Benj ami n smi l ed. Thi s i s a dr eam come t r ue! Zeon, you ar e a t r ue
Peacemaker ! You know w hat you have t o do. Just convi nce Queen Li l i a t o j oi n
hands w i t h us par t -humans agai nst t he f or ces of dar kness.
Wai t , sai d one of t he guar ds sent by M ast er Dor man. Zeon can t go i n
t hei r al one! It s t oo danger ous!
Ther e s not hi ng danger ous about el ves, E. Benj ami n sai d di smi ssi vel y.
Come boy, Ser vos sai d, as he t ur ned ar ound t o l eave.
Zeon f el t hesi t ant but af t er , r ecei vi ng encour agi ng nods f r om bot h El i t e
Benj ami n and El i t e Cor y, he f ol l ow ed t he el f i nt o t he ci t y.
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As Zeon made hi s w ay t hr ough t he ci t y, sever al el ves bot h adul t s and
chi l dr en, t ur ned t o st ar e at hi m. Appar ent l y, t hey had never seen a st r anger
ent er t hei r ci t y bef or e. Ser vos l ed hi m t ow ar ds an enor mous pal ace t hat seemed
t o gl ow as i f i t w as r adi oact i ve.
Zeon f ol l ow ed t he el f i nt o t he pal ace. Long cor r i dor s, massi ve hal l s,
l uxur i ous i t ems and w el l f ur ni shed r ooms w er e t he f eat ur es of t he pal ace. Soon
he came t o a hal t i n f r ont of a doubl e door . Ser vos pushed open t he door and
usher ed hi m i nsi de.
Zeon f ound hi msel f i n t he t hr one r oom. The r oom w as empt y i f you i gnor e
t he gi r l , si t t i ng on t he t hr one seat . The gi r l l ooked ar ound onl y t w ent y w i t h l ong
dar k-br ow n hai r and l i ght -bl ue eyes. She had a l i ght compl exi on and she w or e a
l i l ac col or ed pr i ncess r obe. Her al l know i ng eyes seemed t o w at ch not onl y hi s
out er appear ance but al so hi s soul .
The gi r l w as by f ar t he most beaut i f ul gi r l he had ever seen.
I hear musi c w hat i s t hi s musi c? It s l i ke l i f e i s r ej oi ci ng t he begi nni ng of
t he end of dar kness i t sel f . Impossi bl e! I have never hear d of such a t hi ng. The
musi c i s comi ng f r om a human boy. Yes! A boy named Zeon Cr est . You ar e Zeon
Cr est , The gi r l sai d, l ooki ng expect ant l y at Zeon.
Yes, my name i s Zeon Cr est . Ar e you Queen Li l i a? Zeon asked.
Zeon t hat name I hear i t al most ever y day, Queen Li l i a sai d, i gnor i ng
Zeon s quest i on compl et el y. I hear i t w hen I m i n medi t at i on and somet i mes I
hear i t w hen I sl eep. The w hi sper s of NoxEt er na coul d t hey r eal l y be t r ue?
What does NoxEt er na mean? Zeon asked qui ckl y. Thi s w as not t he f i r st
t i me he w as hear i ng t hi s w or d.
To hi s di smay t he queen i gnor ed hi s quest i on yet agai n.
Do you hear i t t oo Zeon? Do you hear t he musi c? Queen Li l i a asked, her
eyes t w i nkl i ng.
Er somet i mes, Zeon sai d uneasi l y.
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I can sense t he f ai t hs at w or k her e. You w i l l mar k t he begi nni ng of a new
w or l d, a w or l d of l i ght . Zeon Cr est w e al l exi st f or a pur pose and i t i s our dut y t o
f ul f i l l t hi s pur pose. You cannot deny dest i ny nor can you r un aw ay f r om i t .
Embr ace t he event s t hat you cannot change, even i f t hey l ead you t o dar k ends.
Choose not t he w ay of cow ar ds but f i ght har d and ever yt hi ng w i l l be f i ne.
Queen Li l i a sai d w i sel y.
Zeon w as at a l oss of w or ds. What do you say t o a per son w ho speaks i n
r i ddl es? Queen Li l i a w as j ust l i ke t he Ol d M an f r om hi s dr eams. Bot h of t hem sai d
t hi ngs w hi ch made absol ut el y no sense.
Your Hi ghness, I have come her e t o w ar n you t hat t he dar kness i s pl anni ng
t o i nvade At l nt i da. Chaos i s pr epar i ng f or absol ut e domi nat i on and w i l l st op at
not hi ng t o sei ze cont r ol of bot h At l nt i da and Ear t h. Your Hi ghness w e must be
r eady t o f i ght t he dar kness w hen i t comes. We have t o j oi n our hands i n t he
hope of sur vi vi ng t he chaot i c days t o come. Zeon sai d i n a ho pef ul l y, convi nci ng
voi ce.
No chi l d, you f i ght your w ar s and w e f i ght our s. If Chaos at t acks my peopl e,
onl y t hen w i l l I f i ght agai nst hi m. Unnecessar y vi ol ence needs t o be avoi ded i n
or der t o mai nt ai n t he pur i t y of our r ace. Queen Li l i a sai d f i r ml y.
But Your Hi ghness, you must under st and t hat Chaos i s t oo pow er f ul t o be
def eat ed al one. We need t o uni t e our sel ves i f w e have any hope of def eat i ng
hi m. Pl ease, i gnor e your l aw s f or j ust t hi s t i me. Zeon sai d pl eadi ngl y.
No, t he El ves Law of Non-vi ol ence i s our most i mpor t ant l aw . We cannot
br eak i t . Queen Li l i a sai d col dl y.
But w hy? Zeon asked desper at el y. Why?
Queen Li l i a st ar ed at Zeon f or a w hi l e and t hen began.
War changes peopl e; i t changes t hei r out l ook t ow ar ds l i f e and al so t hei r
t hought s. A l ong t i me ago, ou r ancest or s w er e r equest ed t o hel p t he humans ki l l
a deadl y beast cal l ed Havoc. Havoc w as a Legendar y Wyver n t hat had pow er s
not even Chaos coul d mat ch. We hel ped your peopl e f i ght t he cr eat ur e and
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t oget her w e w er e abl e t o sl ay t he beast . When w e came back home af t er t he
w ar , somet hi ng w ent w r ong. We f aced a r ebel l i on f r om amongst our peopl e.
Some el ves had become addi ct ed t o w ar and because of t hat a ci vi l w ar t ook
pl ace i n w hi ch many el ves w er e ki l l ed. Dur i ng t he w ar , w e r equest ed hel p f r om
t he hu mans but do you know w hat t hey sai d? They sai d t hat t hi s w as a mat t er o f
t he el ves and so t hey r ef used t o hel p us. Af t er t hi s t r agi c w ar , w e made a l aw of
non-vi ol ence. We sw or e t hat w e w oul d never t ake par t i n a w ar unl ess our ow n
peopl e w er e at t acked. We al so pr omi sed t hat w e w oul d never t r ust humans or
any ot her r ace ever agai n!
Si l ence f ol l ow ed t hese w or ds of Queen Li l i a. Zeon had t o agr ee t hat t he
el ves had a good r eason f or mi st r ust i ng humans.
Does w ar r eal l y change peopl e?
Woul d i t change hi m?
No, he w i l l never l et t hat happen!
Your Hi ghness, I w on t deny t hat humans di d di sser vi ce t o you and your
peopl e by not comi ng t o your ai d. What you have t o under st and i s t hat peopl e
make mi st akes. You have t o st op l i vi ng i n t he past and f ocus on t he pr esent . I
agr ee w i t h you t hat w ar i s never a good t hi ng but t hen agai n, i t i s our dut y t o
f i ght agai nst t hose w ho t hr eat en t o l ay w ast e t o our homes. You sai d i t your sel f ;
cow ar di ce w i l l onl y make t hi ngs w or se.
Your Hi ghness, you must f or gi ve t he humans f or w hat t hey di d i n t he past .
Honest l y, I guess some humans ar e not w or t hy of your t r ust , but some ar e. Thi s
i s my pr omi se t o you; I w i l l al w ays hel p el ves w henever t hey cal l f or me and w i l l
sacr i f i ce my hear t and soul f or t hei r pr osper i t y. Zeon sai d f i er cel y.
It w as Queen Li l i a s t ur n t o be at a l oss of w or ds. She st ar ed at Zeon w i t h a
hi nt of admi r at i on.
You have t he hear t of a phoeni x. Your br aver y and l oyal t y has no mat ch. I
bel i eve t hat as l ong as you r e ar ound, dar kness w i l l never har m At l nt i da. The
el ves w i l l hel p humans f i ght agai nst Chaos. What ever t he consequences maybe,
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w e w i l l not st op f i ght i ng unt i l al l dar kness i s bani shed f r om t hi s w or l d. Zeon
Cr est , you have our conf i dence. She sai d w i t h a boy.
Zeon smi l ed and bow ed back.
Thank you, Your Hi ghness,
Af t er t he meet i ng, Zeon w as t aken back t o El i t e Benj ami n and El i t e Cor y.
When he t ol d t hem about hi s success, t hey w er e l i t er al l y w hoopi ng w i t h j oy.
Amazi ng! You r e def i ni t el y somet hi ng speci al Zeon, E. Benj ami n sai d
happi l y.
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Chapt er 26
Dr agons Fur y
School had st ar t ed i n Sept ember and si nce t hen, t w o mont hs had passed.
Col d days f ol l ow ed t he mont h of November , br i ngi ng al ong w i t h i t gr ay ski es.
Ti me seemed t o pass by qui t e hast i l y. It seemed l i ke onl y yest er day w hen Zeon
had f i r st ent er ed t he School of At l nt i da. He w as si mpl y ast ounded by t he
amount of changes t hat had t aken pl ace i nsi de of hi m ever si nce he h ad come t o
At l nt i da. Ever y d ay he l ear ned new pow er s w hi ch made hi m gr ow st r onger t han
bef or e. In t hese past t w o mont hs he had l ear ned t o do t hi ngs t hat w oul d have
once seemed i mpossi bl e t o do.
Al t hough Zeon w as havi ng a good t i me i n t he School of At l nt i da, he w as
w or r i ed about Ir i s Wi l l i ams. Accor di ng t o El i t e Emi l y, f our mont hs had passed
si nce Ir i s w as capt ur ed by Chaos. That gave Chaos f our w hol e mont hs t o absor b
t he pow er s of The Si l ver Phoeni x and br i ng f o r t h t he cat acl ysm as pr ophesi zed i n
The Codex, yet not hi ng had happened so f ar .
No one seemed t o under st and w hy Chaos w as t aki ng hi s t i me i n car r yi ng out
t he dest r uct i on of t he w or l ds. M aybe t hi s w as t he speck of hope Gover nor
Wal t on w as t al ki ng about . M aybe somet hi ng had hi n der ed Chaos s pl ans, maybe
he mi ssed out somet hi ng i mpor t ant .
Anyw ay, Zeon w as doi ng w el l i n al l hi s cl asses. Hi s most successf ul cl asses
w er e Weaponr y, Cel est i al Cont r ol and sur pr i si ngl y Psy-Cont r ol . But hi s gr eat est
achi evement w as i n P.E. cl ass. Af t er t w o mont hs of t r yi ng he, al ong w i t h t he r est
of t he Rooki es had f i n al l y managed t o r each t he t op of t he mount ai n assi gned by
El i t e Nor man. To cel ebr at e t hi s achi evement , El i t e Nor man had pr epar ed a
sur pr i se f or t hem.
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Good M or ni ng t o al l Rooki es! If I r emember cor r ect l y, I pr omi sed t o gi ve
you guys a l i t t l e sur pr i se f or compl et i ng my f i r st t ask. Now , bef or e w e begi n I
w oul d l i ke t o i nf or m you guys t hat al l your cl asses have been cancel l ed f or
t oday. E. Nor man announced as t hey st ood i n t he f or est of At l nt i da.
Ther e w as a buzz of exci t ement i n t he ai r .
Why? asked a boy w i t h sandy br ow n hai r named Dani el Fl i nt .
Because w e ar e goi ng on a l i t t l e t r i p t o Dr agon Val l ey, E. Nor man sai d w i t h
a gr i n.
The exci t ement w as suddenl y f i l l ed w i t h a hi nt of ner vousness. Dr agons
w er e cool but al so danger ous. Br yan, w ho had al r eady been t o Dr agon Val l ey,
comment ed t hat t he pl ace w as f i l l ed w i t h dr agons and al l of t hem w er e not ver y
f r i endl y.
Why ar e w e goi ng t o t he Dr agon Val l ey? Er i k asked.
I am sur e you have al l hear d of Dr agon Ri di ng her e i n t he School of
At l nt i da. For t hose of you w ho don t know al l ow me t o expl ai n. Dr agon Ri di ng i s
a r ace t hat i nvol ves a per son r i di ng a dr agon and passi ng t hr ough cer t ai n
checkpoi nt s i n or der t o r each t he f i ni sh l i ne. On hi s w ay t he par t i ci pant f aces
many danger ous obst acl es t hat t hr eat en t o di sr upt hi s pat h. Dr agon Ri di ng i s a
r eal t hr i l l er and a spor t t hat has been t aki ng pl ace f or cent ur i es her e i n At l nt i da.
It s pur pose i s t o devel op a speci al bond bet w een a per son and hi s dr agon. I am
goi ng t o t ake you t o t he Dr agon Val l ey so t hat you may choose your dr agon f or
Dr agon Ri di ng. E. Nor man sai d.
Real l y? Br yan sai d, l ooki ng sl i ght l y over w hel med w i t h exci t ement .
Yes, now get r eady f or a l ong w al k t o t he Dr agon Val l ey. E. Nor man sai d as
he t ur ned ar ound t o l eave. The Rooki es f ol l ow ed hi m ent husi ast i cal l y.
Accor di ng t o Br yan, t he Dr agon Val l ey w as not ver y f ar aw ay but t hat w as
because he had been t r avel l i ng on a Ri der . On f oot , i t t ook t hem a l onger t i me t o
r each t he val l ey.
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M aj or i t y of t he Rooki es w al ked besi de Br yan si nce he w as t he onl y one w ho
had been t o t he Dr agon Val l ey. They asked hi m l oads of quest i ons r egar di ng t he
dr agons t hat i nhabi t ed t he val l ey. Br yan l ooked r at her put out by t he bar r age of
quest i ons t hat t hey al l asked hi m.
How many dr agons w er e t her e i n t he Val l ey?
Wer e t hey bi g?
Whi ch one w as t he st r ongest ?
Wer e t hey scar y?
Zeon w al ked w i t h Er i k w ho l ooked dr eadf ul l y pal e.
You okay Er i k? Zeon asked.
Er i k smi l ed w eakl y. M or e or l ess, I j ust di dn t sl eep w el l at ni ght .
Is t he Daemon bot her i ng you? Zeon sai d i n a l ow er ed voi ce.
Er i k si ghed. He s get t i ng ver y i mpat i ent . He w ant s t o be f r ee and domi nat e
t he ent i r e uni ver se.
If Chaos i s dest r oyed, w hat ar e you goi ng t o do? Zeon asked.
I w i l l have t o r un aw ay. If I st ay her e t hen I mi ght hur t someone. Zeon you
have t o pr omi se me somet hi ng. Er i k sai d w i t hout meet i ng hi s eyes. You have
t o pr omi se t o st op at not hi ng i n dest r oyi ng t he Daemon once he i s f r ee. Even i f i t
means you have t o ki l l me, do not hesi t at e. Pr omi se me Zeon,
Zeon l ooked aw ay. I can t make t hat pr omi se Er i k,
You have t o Zeon. Pl ease! Er i k i nsi st ed. I d r at her di e t han w at ch mysel f
ki l l t he ones I car e about .
Zeon coul d not t ake i t anymor e. Wi t hout pr omi si ng anyt hi ng t o Er i k, he l ef t
hi m t o j oi n Cr yst al . How w as he supposed t o ki l l hi s f r i end? It w as j ust
unt hi nkabl e.
We r e al most t her e peopl e! E. Nor man announced, poi nt i ng t ow ar ds a
gr oup of mount ai ns. Bet w een t hose mount ai ns l i es t he Dr agon Val l ey.
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To cr oss t he mount ai ns and get t o t he Dr agon Vi l l age t hey had t o cl i mb
hal f w ay up t he mount ai n. Fr om t her e t hey w oul d t ake a r out e t hr ough a smal l
cave t o r each t he val l ey.
The cl i mbi ng w as not at al l di f f i cul t . Appar ent l y t hey had got t en used t o i t
t hanks t o El i t e Nor man s f i r st t ask. Soon t hey r eached t he cave t hat w oul d l ead
t hem st r ai ght t o t hei r dest i nat i on. The i nsi de of t he cave w as ver y dar k bu t some
Rooki es used t hei r pow er s t o l i ght up t he w ay. Cl ar k and Br yan t or ched t hei r
hands w i t h a br i ght f l ame t her eby i l l umi nat i ng t he w ay. Zeon and Cr yst al used a
t echni que cal l ed Cel est i al Gi vi ng t hat al l ow ed t hem t o cover t hei r bodi es w i t h
l i ght .
Fi nal l y, t hey emer ged f r om t he ot her end of t he cave. Fl oat i ng i n f r ont of
t hem, w er e sever al w ooden hut s w hi ch ci r cul at ed ar ound a l ar ger hut . On t he
gr ound bel ow w as a ver y deep canyon w i t h st ai r s car ved out on i t s si des.
Is t hat w her e t he dr agons ar e? Jason asked Br yan, poi nt i ng t ow ar ds t he
canyon.
Yup, t hat s t he pl ace, Br yan sai d.
Okay guys, bef or e w e meet t he dr agons w e have t o pi ck up El i t e Jenni f er
Ral ph, a Dr agon Tamer . E. Nor man sai d gr uf f l y.
Why do w e have t o pi ck her ? Cl ar k sai d i ndi gnant l y.
It w as Br yan w ho answ er ed.
Get r eal Cl ar k! We r e her e t o choose dr agons not poni es. As you al l know ,
dr agons have t emper ament al i ssues. They can easi l y l ose cont r ol and may end
up ki l l i ng you. We need someone t o pr ot ect us w hen t hi ngs go out of our
cont r ol . El i t e Jenni f er i s per f ect f or t he j ob. I met her w hen I f i r st vi si t ed t hi s
pl ace. I ve never met a w oman l i ke her . M ost of t he dr agons ar e af r ai d of her .
He sai d w i t h a smi l ed.
Exact l y, so her e s t he deal , guys. You al l w ai t by t he canyon w hi l e I go and
get El i t e Jenni f er . Don t go i nsi de t he canyon or I l l pr omi se you t hat you w i l l not
come back out al i ve. E. Nor man sai d w i t h a mocki ng gr i n. Emi t st ai r case! He
165 | P a g e
pr oduced a st ai r case, j oi ni ng t he cl i f f w i t h t he cent r al hut . Usi ng t he st ai r s, he
made hi s w ay t ow ar ds t he hut .
When El i t e Nor man had l ef t , t he Rooki es cl i mbed of f t he cl i f f of t he
mount ai n t ow ar ds t he canyon. They made a ci r cl e ar ound t he canyon and l eaned
f or w ar d t o l ook i nsi de i t .
How deep do you t hi nk i t i s? Rose asked, st ar i ng dow n specul at i vel y.
It s pr et t y deep. The dr agons usual l y l i ke t hei r homes w ar m so t hey l i ve
cl ose t o t he magma. Br yan expl ai ned.
I ve been w onder i ng how ar e w e goi ng t o choose our dr agon? Er i k asked.
I know t he answ er but t r ust me you don t w ant t o know , Br yan sai d
hesi t ant l y.
Tel l us! Ever yone sai d, l ooki ng expect ant l y at Br yan.
Br yan t ook a deep br eat h and sai d, We have t o f i ght t hem.
You r e ki ddi ng, r i ght ? Rose asked f ear f ul l y.
Af r ai d not , El i t e Jenni f er t ol d me t hat dr agons w i l l onl y obey your
commands once you have pr oven t hat you ar e st r onger t han t hem. Br yan sai d
r esol ut el y.
We ar e so-o-o dead, Dani el comment ed.
Her e t hey ar e!
Ever yone t ur ned ar ound t o see El i t e Dor man, w al ki ng besi de a t al l w oman.
The w oman had l ong w avy hai r and r ed eyes. Her ski n w as ver y pal e and she
w or e a sui t of ar mor . In her hands w er e t w o l ong spear s w hi ch l ooked ver y heavy
but f or t he w oman t hey seemed w ei ght l ess.
So t hese ar e t he new Rooki es, E. Jenni f er sai d t onel essl y. I hope t hey ar e
st r onger t han t he l ast bunch. If I r emember cor r ect l y, onl y t en Rooki es f r om t he
pr evi ous gr oup managed t o get a dr agon.
Um El i t e Nor man i s i t t r ue t hat w e w i l l have t o f i ght a dr agon, Rose
asked.
166 | P a g e
Of cour se! But not t o w or r y, t he dr agons you w i l l f i ght w i l l be i n r espect t o
how st r ong you ar e. If you r e not ver y st r ong t hen you w i l l f ace an easy dr agon
t o f i ght . Al so, w e have El i t e Jenni f er w i t h us w ho w i l l handl e t he si t uat i on i f i t
get s out of cont r ol . E. Nor man assur ed.
We r e w ast i ng t i me her e! E. Jenni f er snapped.
Ri ght , l et s go ever yone. E. Nor man sai d.
They descended dow n t he st ai r s, movi ng deeper and deeper i nt o t he canyon
w i t h El i t e Jenni f er , l eadi ng t he w ay. Soon t hey r eached a l ar ge ci r cul ar ar ea t hat
w as l i t up by l ant er ns. Ri ght i n f r ont w as an enor mous st eel door t hat l ooked
unbr eakabl e.
Beyond t hi s door ar e t he dr agons. One by one I w ant you Rooki es t o
appr oach t he door and f i ght t he dr agon t hat comes out of i t . If you beat t he
dr agon successf ul l y t hen i t w i l l be your s. If you l ose t hen you w i l l have t o t r y
agai n some ot her t i me. If you r e t oo af r ai d t o f i ght a dr agon t hen l eave now , E.
Jenni f er sai d f i r ml y.
None of t he Rooki es l ef t .
Good, now w hi ch one of you w i l l be f i r st ? Br yan St eal t h, you ar e t he onl y
Rooki e w ho has been her e bef or e. You shoul d go f i r st . E. Jenni f er sai d, st ar i ng at
Br yan.
Br yan t ook a deep br eat h and w al ked t ow ar ds t he st eel door .
Ever yone move back. We need t o gi ve Br yan some space. E. Nor man
i nst r uct ed.
Zeon moved back besi de Cr yst al and t he t w o of t hem l ooked at Br yan w ho
st ood r i ght i n f r ont of t he st eel door .
Suddenl y, t he door sl ow l y opened. Ever yone f l i nched w hen a deaf eni ng r oar
shook t he ent i r e pl ace. The dr agon st epped i nt o vi ew and l ocked i t s bl ood r ed
eyes on Br yan.
Agnon Sl i cer i s t he dr agon s name. He i s ver y f ast and deadl y. Thi s shoul d be
i nt er est i ng. E. Jenni f er comment ed.
167 | P a g e
The dr agon named Agnon had a pal e gr een body, shar p cl aw s and a doubl e
l ai r of l ong t eet h.
Who DARES w ake me f r om my sl umber ?! The dr agon r oar ed.
Dr agons can t al k? Cr yst al st ammer ed.
Ther e w as a t i me w hen dr agons coul d not t al k but w hen t hey met us
humans t hey l ear ned how t o speak our l anguage. E. Jenni f er expl ai ned.
To ever yone s gr eat sur pr i se, Br yan st epped f or w ar d w i t h hi s head hel d
hi gh. Agnon! M y name i s Br yan St eal t h and I chal l enge you!
Ver y good Br yan, E. Jenni f er sai d i n an audi bl e w hi sper .
I accept your chal l enge Br yan St eal t h! Agnon excl ai med.
Bef or e Br yan coul d even t w i t ch, t he dr agon w hi pped i t s spi ky t ai l and hi t
hi m st r ai ght on t he chest . Br yan l et out a cr y of pai n as he w as t hr ow n of hi s f eet .
The cr ow d gasped as he hi t t he f l oor , har d.
FOOL! Do you t hi nk a boy l i ke you can def eat me?! Agnon r oar ed.
Br yan f or ced hi msel f back on hi s f eet w i t h a det er mi ned gl i nt i n hi s eye.
Agnon opened hi s mout h and r el eased a ser i es of f i r ebal l s. Br yan w as r eady t hi s
t i me and st amped hi s f eet on t he gr ound. Accor di ngl y, t he ear t h bel ow er upt ed
out w ar ds, cr eat i ng a pr ot ect i ve w al l . The f i r ebal l s di sper sed w hen t hey hi t
Br yan s bar r i er of ear t h.
So, you do know how t o f i ght , Agnon sai d w i t h a gr i n.
Br yan f ocused hi s aur a i nt o hi s f eet and t hen j umped. He f l ew t hr ough t he
ai r t ow ar ds Agnon. The dr agon opened hi s mout h agai n t o r el ease a f i er ce f l ame
t hat sped t ow ar ds Br yan. Zeon t hought t hat hi s f r i end w as done f or but Br yan
r ef used t o gi ve up.
NOW! He shout ed.
To ever yone s shock, t he gr ound bel ow once agai n bur st out w ar ds, cr eat i ng
a pow er f ul w al l . The ear t h w al l pr ot ect ed Br yan f r om t he dr agon s f l ame. Br yan
r ai sed hi s f i st and sur r ounded i t w i t h f i r e. Wi t h a mi ght y sw i ng, he punched t he
dr agon on t he f ace w i t h hi s f l ami ng f i st .
168 | P a g e
Agnon r oar ed i n pai n but r ef used t o l ose t o a youn g boy. He sw ung hi s t ai l at
Br yan w ho caught i t i n mi d-ai r .
Emi t Obl i t er at or ! Br yan shout ed.
Accor di ngl y, hi s w eapon appear ed i n hi s hand. Br yan ai med t he gun at
Agnon s f ace and pr essed t he t r i gger . Tw o pow er f ul bl ast s of ener gy col l i ded
w i t h t he dr agon s f ace, t hr ow i ng t he beast of hi s f eet .
Wi t h a cr y of def eat , Agno n f el l on t he gr ound. The cr ow d cheer ed f or Br yan
w ho l ooked t i r ed but pr oud.
Wel l done Br yan St eal t h. I am your s t o ser ve, Agnon sai d as he
di sappear ed i nt o t hi n ai r .
El i t e Jenni f er w al ked t ow ar ds Br yan.
Wel l done Br yan, you di d gr eat . Whenever you need your dr agon j ust say
Emi t Agnon, she sai d. Now ! Who s next ? How about you gi r l ?
El i t e Jenni f er w as poi nt i ng at Cr yst al w ho l ooked hesi t ant . Br yan gave her a
t humb up t hat di d w el l t o i ncr ease her mor al . She w al ked t ow ar ds t he st eel door
t hat opened up once agai n.
Thi s t i me a dr agon w i t h sea bl ue ski n st epped out . Thi s dr agon w as smal l er
t han t he one Br yan f ought .
Cel est i a Chr omos, she mi ght not l ook much but bel i eve me she s pr et t y
st r ong. E. Jenni f er sai d.
Tel l me w ho summons Cel est i a Chr omos, The dr agon demanded.
I do, Cr yst al sai d, st eppi ng f or w ar d. M y name i s Cr yst al Lovesey and I
chal l enge you Cel est i a Chr omos,
So be i t , Cel est i a sai d l oudl y.
It t ur ned out t hat Cel est i a w as as f ast as Agnon. She moved w i t h bl i ndi ng
speed and cr ushed Cr yst al beneat h t he pal m of her hand.
Cr yst al ! Br yan shout ed.
Gi ve up chi l d or I l l be f or ced t o ki l l you, Cel est i a sai d danger ousl y.
169 | P a g e
Suddenl y, Cr yst al began t o gl ow . A br i l l i ant bl ue l i ght envel oped her body.
Cel est i a scr eamed i n p ai n as i f she had b een bur nt and moved aw ay f r om Cr yst al
w ho w as now , f l oat i ng i n t he ai r .
Bef or e anyone coul d compr ehend w hat w as happeni ng, t w o w hi t e w i ngs
emer ged f r om Cr yst al s back. Ever yone w at ched w i de-eyed as t he bl ue l i ght
f aded aw ay and Cr yst al appear ed w i t h a t ot al l y di f f er ent out l ook. Now she had
t w o angel i c w i ngs, a body cover ed w i t h a si l ver ar mor and shi ni ng gol den hai r .
Br yan s j aw w as hangi ng open as he st ar ed at Cr yst al .
An Il l umi nat i ? E. Jenni f er sai d, l ooki ng mi l dl y sur pr i sed.
Cr yst al r ai sed her r i ght hand upw ar ds w hi l e, poi nt i ng her l ef t hand st r ai ght
at Cel est i a. Zeon knew t he at t ack Cr yst al w as about t o use.
Cel est i al Fl ash! She shout ed, r el easi ng a r ai nbow col or ed beam of l i ght
t ow ar ds Cel est i a.
Cr yst al s at t ack hi t t he dr agon r i ght on t he chest w i t h enough f or ce t o knock
her on t he gr ound. The bat t l e w as over as soon as i t began. Cr yst al r et ur ned t o
her or i gi nal sel f .
It w as an honor f i ght i ng someone as st r ong as you Cr yst al Lovesey. I am
now your s t o command. Cel est i a sai d w i t h a smi l e. Li ke Agnon, she t oo
di sappear ed.
Wel l done Cr yst al , E. Jenni f er sai d.
When Cr yst al appr oached Br yan, hi s mout h w as st i l l hangi ng open.
Do you have anyt hi ng t o say Br yan? Cr yst al sai d w i t h a smi l e.
Br yan bl ushed.
Oh um you w er e gr eat , he st ammer ed.
Next ! E. Jenni f er shout ed.
One by one t he Rooki es f aced t hei r r espect i ve dr agon and each of t hem
managed t o def eat t hem.
Fi nal l y, i t w as Zeon s t ur n. He appr oached t he st eel door w i t h unw aver i ng
det er mi nat i on. The door cr eaked open and he coul d l i t er al l y f eel hi s hear t
170 | P a g e
beat i ng f ur i ousl y. Suddenl y, he saw a bl ur and pai n er upt ed i n hi s chest . He coul d
smel l hi s ow n bl ood, gushi ng out of t he w ound. The sudden at t ack l ef t hi m
moment ar i l y st unned. He f el l on t he gr ound and coul d do not hi ng t o st op hi s
body f r om t r embl i ng i n pai n. He coul d hear t he ot her s scr eami ng i n bot h f ear
and concer n. Wi t h r enew ed det er mi nat i on, he f or ced hi msel f back on hi s f eet
and l ooked ar ound f or hi s at t acker .
The dr agon w as f l yi ng above hi m, pr epar i ng f or hi s next at t ack. Zeon w as
sl i ght l y shocked by t he enor mi t y of t he beast . It w as by f ar t he l ar gest dr agon he
had seen t oday. Hi s body w as gr ay w i t h pat ches of dr y mol t en l ava. Hi s t eet h
w er e si x i nch l ong and f i l l ed hi s mout h, f or mi ng t w o r ow s. The end of hi s t ai l w as
shaped l i ke an axe and moved ar ound w i l dl y.
Zeon had bar el y adj ust ed hi msel f on hi s f eet w hen t he Dr agon at t acked
agai n.
Emi t Asca- he began but w as t oo l at e. The dr agon cl aw ed hi m agai n on
hi s chest , di ggi ng hi s nai l s i n hi s body.
Zeon cr i ed i n pai n as hi s b ody w as subj ect ed t o mor e w ear and t ear . Hi s mi nd
w ent n umb w hi l e hi s body t ur ned deat hl y pal e due t o t he l oss of bl ood. The pai n
w as unl i ke anyt hi ng he had ever f el t . It l ef t hi m br oken bot h physi cal l y and
ment al l y. He coul d hear Br yan and Cr yst al shout i ng at hi m but he coul d not make
sense of t hei r w or ds.
Suddenl y, a gi ant f i r ebal l w as hur t l ed t ow ar ds hi m. He coul d do not hi ng t o
dodge i t .
STOP! E. Jenni f er shout ed.
The f i r ebal l engul f ed Zeon i nt o a f i er y abyss and he coul d f eel hi msel f bei ng
bur nt al i ve. The pai n w as unbear abl e and j ust t o escape i t ; he cl osed hi s eyes,
set t l i ng f or unconsci ousness i nst ead
171 | P a g e
Chapt er 27
Wyver n vs. Wizar d
When Zeon opened hi s eyes, he f ound hi msel f l yi ng on a cozy bed i n a
r ect angul ar r oom w i t h w hi t e pai nt ed w al l s and f l oor s. On bot h si des, t her e w er e
sever al ot her beds w hi ch w er e pr esent l y vacant . Ther e w er e al so t w o w ooden
desks al ongsi de hi s bed w hi ch w er e occupi ed by a number of bouquet s. Besi de
t he bouquet s w er e some Get -w el l -soon Car ds.
Zeon t r i ed t o get up but i t w as l i ke hi s body w as w ei ghed dow n by a heavy
boul der . He coul d har dl y move hi s hand w i t hout f eel i ng pai n. He r eal i zed t hat hi s
upper body w as bar e and w as bandaged by t he hel p of an oi nt ment . Ever y par t
of hi s body w as exposed t o a st i ngi ng sensat i on t hat f el t l i ke someone w as
dr i vi ng kni ves t hr ough hi s body.
Suddenl y, t he door opened and a nur se w i t h nut br ow n hai r st epped i nsi de.
When she not i ced t hat Zeon had r egai ned consci ous, she smi l ed.
M r . Cr est , you r e aw ake? I t hi nk your f r i ends w i l l be ver y pl eased t o see you
aw ake. M edi cal l y, your body w i l l now heal much qui ckl y si nce your bodi l y
f unct i ons ar e on t he move. You w er e i n a r i ght mess w hen El i t e Nor man br ought
you her e. Thankf ul l y you managed t o sur vi ve. She sai d.
Wher e am I? Zeon cr oaked.
You r e i n t he Hospi t al of At l nt i da, sai d t he nur se.
How l ong have I been out ? Zeon asked.
Hmm about t w o days,
Tw o days!
Don t act sur pr i sed. Honest l y, I expect ed you t o be out f or mor e t han t w o
days. The nur se sai d as she pour ed hi m a gl ass of w at er .
172 | P a g e
Can I see my f r i ends? Zeon asked, accept i ng t he gl ass of w at er . He dr ank
t he w at er and w as gl ad i t soot hed hi s bur ni ng t hr oat .
Of cour se, I l l go get t hem. They have been dyi ng t o see you. The nur se
sai d as she opened t he door t o l eave.
Few mi nut es l at er , t he door opened agai n and hi s f r i ends w er e usher ed
i nsi de.
Zeon! Cr yst al shout ed, as she r an over t o hug hi m.
Zeon w as gl ad Br yan st opped her f r om huggi ng hi m. He di dn t t hi nk hi s body
coul d st and mor e pr essur e.
Take i t easy Cr yst al . The nur se sai d t hat t her e ar e st i l l some unheal ed
i nj ur i es on Zeon s body. Br yan sai d, pul l i ng Cr yst al back. He smi l ed at Zeon.
How ar e you f eel i ng dude?
Zeon smi l ed back hal f hear t edl y. Coul d ve been bet t er . What happened?
Br yan and Cr yst al sat besi de hi m.
Somet hi ng w ent w r ong w hen you f aced t he dr agon i n t he Dr agon Val l ey.
Somehow you ended up f aci ng Bl aze, t he f i er cest dr agon on At l nt i da. El i t e
Jenni f er w as t r aumat i zed. You see, no one has ever f ought Bl aze, si nce he i s j ust
t oo pow er f ul . You w er en t supposed t o f i ght hi m. Remember w hat El i t e Nor man
sai d? He sai d t hat w e w oul d f ace t he dr agon t hat w as as st r ong as us. Bl aze w as
j ust t oo st r ong f or you, Br yan sai d, shaki ng hi s head.
The t hi ng t hat sur pr i sed us mor e w as my f at her s r esponse w hen he
l ear ned about t hi s i nci dent . Honest l y, he doesn t r eal l y car e about t he st udent s
of At l nt i da but w hen he hear d you w er e i nj ur ed, he w as absol ut el y l i vi d. He
came t o t he school and yel l ed at M ast er Dor man, Cr yst al sai d w i t h a shudder .
What ? Zeon sai d, f eel i ng sl i ght l y gui l t y. How coul d t hi s be M ast er
Dor man s f aul t ?
That s w hat w e w er e w onder i ng. Anyw ay, Gover nor Wal t on banned Dr agon
Ri di ng f or t hi s year . He sai d i t w as t oo r i sky i f t he dr agons w er e out of El i t e
Jenni f er s cont r ol . Br yan sai d sul l enl y.
173 | P a g e
Zeon f r ow ned. Wer e t he dr agons out of El i t e Jenni f er s cont r ol ?
Onl y Bl aze w as beyond her cont r ol w hi ch w as shocki ng si nce she had no
pr obl em t ami ng t he dr agon i n t he past , Br yan sai d.
That s w hen w e f ound out t he t r ut h, Cr yst al sai d ner vousl y.
What t r ut h? Zeon asked. He knew t hat he w asn t goi ng t o l i ke t he answ er .
El i t e Jenni f er came t o us an d l ooked ver y anxi ous. She sai d t hat Bl aze had a
mar ki ng on i t s t ai l , Br yan sai d.
A mar ki ng? Zeon asked.
Br yan nodded. She sai d t hat t he per son w ho w oul d have pai nt ed t he
mar ki ng on t he dr agon w oul d have t he pow er t o cont r ol i t . Anot her Dr agon
Tamer t ol d El i t e Jenni f er t hat he had seen t he mar ki ng on Bl aze, one day bef or e
our vi si t t o Dr agon Val l ey. So, t he per son i n cont r ol of Bl aze coul d have used t he
dr agon t o at t ack anyone, but he di dn t . He w ai t ed w hen w e came t o Dr agon
Val l ey. He w ai t ed w hen i t w as your t ur n t o f ace a dr agon. Onl y t hen di d he
exer ci se hi s cont r ol on Bl aze and or der ed hi m t o at t ack you.
What Br yan i s t r yi ng t o say Zeon i s t hat someone i s t r yi ng t o ki l l you,
Cr yst al sai d f ear f ul l y.
Zeon spent anot her t hr ee days i n t he hospi t al , w hi ch w as i nf ur i at i ng. He w as
mi ssi ng al l hi s cl asses and t he ot her st udent s w er e movi ng ahead of hi m. Tw i ce,
he t r i ed t o f or ce hi msel f on hi s f eet , but bot h t i mes hi s l egs buckl ed and he
ended up f al l i ng t o t he gr ound. On t op of t hat , he w as t r oubl ed about w hat
Cr yst al had sai d, r egar di ng t he f act t hat someone w ant ed h i m dead. Lyi ng on t he
hospi t al bed w i t hout enough st r engt h t o def end hi msel f , made hi m f eel exposed.
Fi nal l y, Zeon had enough. Despi t e t he f act he st i l l f el t qui t e w eak, he
r et ur ned t o t he School of At l nt i da w i t h t he hel p of Br yan and Cr yst al . On t he
ver y next day, he began hi s ever yday cl asses.
As usual , t he Combat cl ass w as t he f i r st cl ass of t he d ay. When Zeon ent er ed
Room 23 al on g w i t h hi s f r i ends, he f ound hi msel f i n t he same pl ace he h ad been,
174 | P a g e
dur i ng hi s f i r st day of t he Combat cl ass: a bar r en l and scor ched by a bl azi ng sun
and sur r ounded by a vast number of f l at -t opped mount ai ns. The w eat her w as
except i onal l y hot and he w as l i t er al l y sw eat i ng l i ke a pi g.
El i t e Edw ar d appear ed i n f r ont of t hem, car r yi ng a b unch of scr ol l s. When he
saw t he Rooki es, l ooki ng at hi m keenl y, he gr i nned.
Oh gr eat ! You guys ar e her e! So now w e can begi n, sai d E. Edw ar d. Today
I t hought w e d do somet hi ng di f f er ent . I j ust got per mi ssi on f r om M ast er
Dor man w ho agr eed t hat i t w as t i me you Rooki es pr epar ed f or The Tour nament
of Rooki es w hi ch w i l l b e st ar t i ng i n Febr uar y. For t hat I w i l l b e hol di ng w hat I cal l
Tr ue Combat . You guys w i l l be f aci ng one anot her i n an al l out knockout mat ch.
Knockout mat ch? What does t hat mean? asked a br ow n-hai r ed gi r l name
Anna Fent on.
It means you w i l l be f i ght i ng each ot her , usi ng al l your pow er s and
exper t i se t hat you have l ear ned so f ar . No hol di ng back, sai d E. Nor man.
Fi nal l y! Now I can pr act i ce some of my t echni ques on a l i vi ng speci men,
Cl ar k sai d, gr i nni ng.
That s t he spi r i t ! Now w ho w i l l go f i r st ? Cl ar k! You seem w i l l i ng t o t r y out
your moves, w hy don t you go f i r st ? E. Edw ar d asked Cl ar k.
Cl ar k cr acked hi s knuckl es menaci ngl y.
It w i l l be my pl easur e, He sai d.
And your opponent w i l l be Zeon! You ve been mi ssi ng some cl asses but
I m conf i dent t hat you l l do w el l , E. Edw ar d sai d w i t h an encour agi ng smi l e.
Zeon l ooked at Cl ar k w ho had mal evol ent expr essi on on hi s f ace.
Appar ent l y, he w ant ed t o humi l i at e Zeon i n f r ont of ever yone. Zeon w as not
i nt i mi dat ed. In f act , he w ant ed t o do t he exact same t hi ng.
I accept t he cha- Zeon began but w as i nt er r upt ed by Er i k.
El i t e Edw ar d, Zeon i s i n no condi t i on t o f i ght Cl ar k. He st i l l l ooks w eak and
obvi ousl y, he i s not i n hi s best f or m t o f i ght . He sai d bl eakl y.
175 | P a g e
Zeon w as sl i ght l y i r r i t at ed. Er i k w as maki ng hi m l ook l i ke a cow ar d. Sur e he
f el t a l i t t l e unst eady on hi s f eet , but t hat di dn t mean he coul d not handl e Cl ar k.
I can do t hi s Er i k! Ther e i s no w ay I m goi ng t o back dow n f r om a
chal l enge, Zeon sai d bol dl y.
I t hi nk Er i k i s r i ght Zeo n. You j ust got out of t he hospi t al and even t he nur se
sai d t hat you w er e t o r est . Cr yst al sai d r epr oachf ul l y.
But Zeon st ar t ed t o pr ot est but Er i k i nt er r upt ed hi m once agai n.
El i t e Edw ar d I l l f i ght Cl ar k. He sai d i n st eel y det er mi nat i on.
But Cl ar k chal l enged me! Zeon ar gued.
El i t e Edw ar d pl aced a consol i ng hand on Zeon s shoul der .
Zeon, t h e basi c r ul e i n Combat cl ass i s not t o push your sel f t oo har d. I hear d
w hat happened t o you w i t h t he dr agon. No one s cal l i ng you a cow ar d Zeon.
Ther e s no shame i n backi ng dow n f r om a chal l enge. He sai d pol i t el y. Okay
t hen! Er i k and Cl ar k move t o t he cent r e. Now r emember you guys, t he sky i s t he
l i mi t . You can do w hat ever i t t akes t o w i n, but w hen I say st op, you w i l l obey my
command i nst ant l y. I have i nvi t ed her e t he best Heal er of At l nt i da, w ho w i l l
heal bot h of you af t er t he mat ch i s over , so you can at t end your next cl ass i n one
pi ece. He w i l l be ar r i vi ng soon but w e can t w ai t f or hi m, so l et us begi n t he
mat ch!
Zeon scow l ed and w al ked over t o st and w i t h hi s f r i ends. He w as mad at Er i k
f or i nt er f er i ng, but soon he r eal i zed t hat maybe i t w as f or t he best .
Er i k and Cl ar k moved i n t he cent r e. Cl ar k w as smi r ki ng at Zeon and w as
mout hi ng t he w or d cow ar d. Zeon w ant ed t o w i pe t he smi l e of hi s f ace. Er i k on
t he ot her hand, l ooked qui t e cal m. El i t e Edw ar d bl ew a w hi st l e t o begi n t he
mat ch.
Bot h Cl ar k and Er i k j umped si mul t aneousl y, l andi ng on t he t op of a l ar ge
mount ai n. It w as appar ent t hat t hey had used t hei r aur a t o make such a l eap, as
w i t hout i t , j umpi ng on such a l ar ge mount ai n w oul d be physi cal l y i mpossi bl e. It
w as Cl ar k w ho made t he f i r st move. He r ai sed hi s i ndex f i nger i n t he ai r and
176 | P a g e
encour aged t he f or mat i on of a r ot at i ng bal l of f i r e. The f i r ebal l gr ew and gr ew ,
unt i l i t w as t he si ze of a boul der . Accor di ng t o Cr yst al , si nce Cl ar k w as a Wyver n
he had a good cont r ol on t he el ement of f i r e.
Cl ar k t hr ew t he f i r ebal l t ow ar ds Er i k w ho st ood hi s gr ound. Just w hen t he
f i r ebal l w as about t o hi t Er i k, he snapped hi s f i nger . Ever yone w at ched i n w onder
as t he gi ant f i r ebal l w as r educed t o a coupl e of har ml ess pet al s.
A f ew gi r l s besi de Zeon, gave exci t ed squeal s and he hear d one of t hem cal l
Er i k cut e.
How di d he do t hat ? Br yan asked i n ast oni shment .
M agi c. Er i k i s a Wi zar d a pr et t y pow er f ul w i zar d, Cr yst al sai d admi r i ngl y.
Er i k cl apped hi s hands t oget her and t he pet al s w er e sur r ounded by a br i l l i ant
bl ue f l ame. He poi nt ed hi s pal m t ow ar ds Cl ar k and t he pet al s sped t ow ar ds hi m.
Cl ar k cr eat ed a f l ame bar r i er t hat shi el ded hi m f r om t he bur ni ng pet al s.
Emi t Thor ! Er i k shout ed and a l ong sw or d appear ed i n hi s hand. Usi ng hi s
aur a, he r an t ow ar ds Cl ar k.
Emi t Dr agon-spi kes! Cl ar k shout ed and t w o l ong sw or ds appear ed i n hi s
hand.
Cl ar k r ai sed hi s sw or ds i n f r ont of hi s body i n or der t o def end hi msel f f r om
Er i k s at t ack. Suddenl y, Er i k vani shed. Ever yone l ooked ar ound i n bew i l der ment
but Er i k w as now her e t o be seen.
Cl ar k how ever , w as n ot f ool ed. He cr eat ed a po w er f ul f l ami ng vor t ex ar ound
hi msel f . Ther e w as a l oud cr y of pai n and Er i k r eappear ed j ust w hen he w as hi t
by t he vor t ex.
Er i k w as i nvi si bl e but he coul dn t get t hr ough Cl ar k s f i r e vor t ex as i t act ed
as a bar r i er . Cr yst al sai d.
The i mpact of t he vor t ex, t hr ew Er i k of f t he mount ai n. Cl ar k used t he f i r e
ar ound hi m t o cr eat e a w ar hammer . He used i t t o hi t Er i k on t he chest w hi l e he
w as st i l l i n mi d-ai r . Er i k hi t t he gr ound har d and gave a l oud gr unt of pai n.
Gi ve up! Ther e i s no w ay you can def eat me! Cl ar k mocked.
177 | P a g e
Er i k f or ced hi msel f back on hi s f eet . He cl osed hi s eyes and r eci t ed
somet hi ng i n a di f f er ent l anguage.
I Eik Aoe, ouov tqc toec o| Ec=cov tqc Mootc o| Aiqtviv.
I Er i k Law , summon t he pow er of Sever on t he M ast er of Li ght ni ng.
Er i k w as l i f t ed of f t he gr ound and hi s body w as sur r ounded by a bl ue
Avat ar . The avat ar l ooked l i ke t hat of a bi r d w i t h a human body. Er i k f l ew
t ow ar ds Cl ar k w ho l ooked at a l oss of w or ds.
Incr edi bl e! He can summon an avat ar at such a young age! E. Edw ar d
cr i ed.
That i s j ust ast oundi ng, Br yan comment ed.
Er i k r ai sed hi s hand i n t he ai r . Ever yone l ooked up t o see gr ay-bl ack cl ouds
cover t he sky. The sun s r ays w er e bl ocked by t he cl ouds and heavy w i nds
st ar t ed t o bl ow . Fl ashes of t hunder coul d be seen w i t hi n t he cl ouds.
NOW! Er i k cr i ed and cl enched hi s f i st . Li ke a bl i ndi ng f l ar e, a pow er f ul
l i ght ni ng bol t f el l t ow ar ds Cl ar k w ho l ooked st unned. Wi t h a deaf eni ng r oar , t he
l i ght ni ng bol t cut t he mount ai n on w hi ch Cl ar k w as st andi ng, i n hal f .
Cl ar k! Zeon hear d Rose cr y.
When Zeon s sense of si ght r et ur ned, he not i ced t hat t he gr ay cl ouds had
di sappear ed and t he sun s r ays w er e back. Dust and di r t f i l l ed t he ai r , w hi ch
w er e pr oduced f r om t he mount ai n t hat had been hal ved. Er i k w as on hi s knees
and w as pant i ng heavi l y. The bl ue avat ar had di sappear ed f r om ar ound hi m.
Cl ar k w as now her e t o be seen.
No w ay Cl ar k coul d have sur vi ved t hat at t ack, Br yan mut t er ed.
Just w hen ever yone t hought i t w as over , t her e w as a ear t hshaki ng expl osi on
and f r om w i t hi n t he r ubbl e of t he mount ai n, a l ong f i r e dr agon t or e t hr ough t he
ai r t ow ar ds Er i k. The dr agon sw al l ow ed Er i k up, bur ni ng aw ay hi s r emai ni ng
ener gy.
178 | P a g e
As Er i k f el l dow n on t he gr ound, above hi m st ood Cl ar k w ho w as w ear i ng a
t r i umph gr i n. Hal f of Cl ar k s shi r t had been bur nt aw ay and sever al deep
abr asi ons cover ed hi s body, but he shoo k of t he pai n w i t h a conf i dent smi l e.
It seems w e have a w i nner . Wel l done Cl ar k Levee! E. Edw ar d announced.

179 | P a g e
Chapt er 28
Ir is Williams desper at e
Plea
Wi nt er Vacat i ons st ar t ed at t he end of December . The w eat her t ur ned f r om
col d t o f r eezi ng col d, as At l nt i da exper i enced heavy snow f al l . Zeon spent hi s
hol i days, t r ai ni ng f or t he Tour nament of Rooki es t hat w oul d begi n i n Febr uar y.
Af t er seei ng Cl ar k def eat Er i k i n t he Combat cl ass, Zeon w as possessed by t he
bur ni ng desi r e t o t r ai n har der t h an ever . He and Cl ar k had become r i val s, and t he
t our nament w oul d pr ove w ho w as st r onger .
Zeon, Br yan and Er i k used t o go i nt o t he f or est , and t r ai n t her e. They used t o
bat t l e each ot her and t her eby, l ear n f r om each ot her s mi st ake. Cr yst al al so used
t o j oi n t hem, but most l y she spent mor e t i me w i t h her gi r l f r i ends. To Zeon s
gr eat di smay, bot h Br yan and Er i k w er e st r onger t han hi m. He had mi ssed so
many cl asses and t he pr oof of i t w as dur i ng hi s bat t l es.
One day, Zeon w as havi ng a ser i ous bat t l e w i t h Er i k. They w er e st andi ng
f ace-t o-f ace i n a smal l cl ear i ng o f t he f o r est . Zeon made t he f i r st move. He r ai sed
hi s hand and poi nt ed i t t ow ar ds Er i k.
Cel est i al Fl ash! He shout ed, usi ng maxi mum pow er i n hi s at t ack.
Er i k si mpl y cr eat ed a ener gy bar r i er t hat not on l y st opped hi s at t ack, but al so
r ef l ect ed i t b ack t ow ar ds hi m. Zeon j umped asi de, as hi s ow n at t ack mi ssed hi m.
Er i k made hi s move. He mut t er ed an i ncant at i on and cr eat ed a bal l of l i ght ni ng.
He t hr ew t he deadl y bal l t ow ar ds Zeon w ho st opped t he at t ack w i t h t el eki nesi s.
Er i k w as not i mpr essed. He snapped hi s f i nger and i nst ead t he bal l det onat ed
r i ght i n f r ont of Zeon s f ace. Zeon scr eamed i n pai n as hi s w hol e body w as
180 | P a g e
subj ect ed t o pai nf ul af t er shocks f r om Er i k s at t ack. The bat t l e w as over w hen;
Er i k pr essed hi s sw or d agai nst hi s chest .
And you w ant ed t o f i ght Cl ar k, Er i k sai d i n amusement . Yet , you can t
even def eat me.
Zeon gr i t t ed hi s t eet h i n f r ust r at i on.
Thi s i s so unf ai r ! Your par t -w i zar d and I m par t -not hi ng! Ever yone her e
know s w hat t hey ar e except me. On t op of t hat I ve mi ssed so many cl asses and
ever yone know s t hi ngs t hat I don t . Zeon gr umbl ed.
Don t w or r y Zeon. I know t hat one day you l l no l onger be par t -human and
par t -myst er y. I t hi nk you j ust have t o f i nd t hi s ot her par t of you. It s i n you
somew her e you j ust have t o f i nd i t . Er i k sai d, smi l i ng.
Thanks f or t r yi ng t o cheer me up, Er i k. The t r ut h i s, I m goi ng t o get my but t
ki cked i n t he t our nament . Zeon sai d w i t h a si gh.
That s not t he Zeon I know . What happened t o t he Zeon w ho st opped
Cl ar k s st r i ke w i t h hi s mi nd, dur i ng Pow er ed Up soccer ? What happened t o t he
Zeon w ho over pow er ed Cl ar k dur i ng our f i r st day of Weaponr y cl ass? And w hat
happened t o t he Zeon w ho got Ascal i ber f r om El ement al Aer i es hi msel f ? Zeon,
Ascal i ber w as gi ven t o you because your conf i dence, your det er mi nat i on and
your l ove f or l i f e has no mat ch. You have t o bel i eve i s your sel f Zeon onl y t hen
w i l l you be abl e t o unl ock t he ot her par t of you. Er i k sai d mi l dl y.
You t hi nk so?
I know so!
Zeon w as si l ent f or a w hi l e. Was ever yt hi ng Er i k sai d t r ue? He r emember ed
t hat t her e w er e moment s w hen an unbel i evabl e f or ce used t o consume hi s
hear t . Then he w oul d hear t hat beaut i f ul musi c i n hi s head and gol den r ays
w oul d r adi at e out of hi s body. Thi s h appened onl y i n t i mes of det er mi nat i on and
conf i dence. Was t hat t he key i n unl ocki ng hi s t r ue pot ent i al ?
Zeon pl ease I need you!
181 | P a g e
Zeon j umped t hr ee f eet i n t he ai r . Er i k, w ho had been l oungi ng on t he
snow y gr ass, l ooked at Zeon i n al ar m.
What s w r ong? Er i k asked as he st ar ed at Zeon s haunt ed f ace.
Ir i s, Zeon sai d an audi bl e w hi sper .
What ? Er i k asked conf used.
Zeon coul d not bel i eve t hi s w as happeni ng. Ir i s s voi ce w as once agai n i nsi de
hi s head. Thi s had not happened f or qui t e a l ong t i me. Why w as i t happeni ng
now ? Was t her e somet hi ng Ir i s Wi l l i am w ant ed t o say t o hi m? Wi t hout a f ur t her
del ay, he got up and hur r i ed back t o t he school . Er i k w ho w as b esi de hi m l ooked
ver y concer ned.
What happened, Zeon? Er i k asked.
I hear d Ir i s s voi ce i n my head I have t o go and see M adame Chang, Zeon
sai d i mpat i ent l y.
Wai t ! What ? You hear d Ir i s Wi l l i am i nsi de your head? Er i k asked, l ooki ng
t hor oughl y bew i l der ed.
Zeon i gnor ed hi m and sai d, Emi t st ai r case!
Zeon di dn t even w ai t f or t he st ai r case t o be f ul l y compl et ed and began
ascendi ng i t . When he r eached t he gat es, he qui ckl y ent er ed t he school .
M adame Chang w oul d be i n Room 50 of Fl oor 10 i n Lobby No. 1.
When Zeon r eached Room 50, he w as l i t er al l y r unni ng w i t h Er i k cl ose
behi nd. He ent er ed t he r oom and f ound M adame Change, medi t at i ng. He w as
about t o br eak her concent r at i on, but Er i k st opped hi m.
Zeon, no! We ar e not supposed t o i nt er r upt a per son w hi l e he or she i s i n
medi t at i on. Er i k sai d cal ml y.
But t hi s i s an emer gency! Zeon sai d angr i l y.
Er i k shr ugged. We j ust have t o be pat i ent ,
They had t o w ai t anot her hal f an hour bef or e M adame Chang br oke her
medi t at i on. When she f i nal l y acknow l edged t hei r pr esence, Zeon s pat i ence had
al r eady been w or n out .
182 | P a g e
M adame Chang! Pl ease, I need your hel p. Zeon sai d qui ckl y.
I hope you di dn t have anot her pani c at t ack, Zeon. M adame Chang sai d
w i t h a dr y smi l e.
Thi s i sn t about me! Zeon snapped. It s about Ir i s Wi l l i am. M adame
Chang I ve been hear i ng her voi ce i nsi de my head. She s t r yi ng t o communi cat e
w i t h me. Is t her e a w ay I coul d t al k t o her ?
M adame Change eyed hi m specul at i vel y. Fi nal l y, she nodded i n accept ance.
Ther e i s a w ay, she sai d. She got up and w al ked t ow ar ds her pot i on s
cl oset . When she came back, she w as hol di ng a bot t l e f ul l of a di r t y gr een phi al .
Dr i nk t hi s and your mi nd w i l l be abl e t o communi cat e w i t h t he gi r l .
Zeon t ook t he bot t l e f r om her and opened i t s cap. He t i pped t he cont ent s of
t he bot t l e i nt o hi s mout h and gr i maced. The pot i on t ast ed as bad as i t l ooked.
For a w hol e mi nut e he st ood st i l l , but not hi ng seemed t o happen.
M adame Chang, your pot i ons not w or ki ng. M adame Chang?
Zeon l ooked at M adame Chang w ho w as f r ozen i n pl ace. He t ur ned t o f ace
Er i k w ho w as i n t he same di l emma. Bef or e he coul d f i gur e out w hat w as
happeni ng, he hear d a voi ce f r om behi nd hi m.
Zeon,
Zeon t ur ned ar ound and f ound hi msel f , f aci ng a gi r l w i t h l ong bl ack hai r , a
l i ght compl exi on and dar k br ow n eyes. The gi r l w as on her knees, and cut s and
br ui ses cover ed her body. Her hai r w as di r t y and di shevel ed, w hi l e her cl ot hes
w er e t or n f r om many paces. He coul d t el l t hat t he gi r l w as i n pai n because her
body w as t r embl i ng l i ke an ear t hquake, and her br eat hi ng w as shal l ow . Despi t e
t he condi t i on she w as i n, Zeon t hought t hat he had never met such a pr et t y gi r l .
Ir i s Wi l l i am, Zeon sai d hoar sel y.
The gi r l smi l ed and nodded.
Zeon Cr est I ve been t r yi ng t o t al k t o you f or mont hs, she sai d w eakl y.
I m sor r y; I coul dn t f i nd a w ay t o communi cat e w i t h you unt i l now . Zeon
sai d gr i ml y.
183 | P a g e
Ir i s gave a gasp of pai n and Zeon t r i ed t o hel p her , but hi s hand j ust passed
t hr ough her body as i f she w as a ghost .
You can t hel p me Zeo n at l east not l i ke t hi s. Li st en t o me Zeon l i st en t o
me ver y car ef ul l y. Chaos h as f ound a w ay t o absor b my pow er s. He coul dn t do i t
bef or e t hanks t o you. Zeon, I don t know how l o ng I can hol d out . The pai n i s j ust
unbear abl e. You have t o hel p me bef or e i t s t oo l at e. Ir i s sai d w i t h t ear s i n her
eyes.
Tel l me w her e you ar e Ir i s. Then I w i l l be abl e t o hel p you. Zeon sai d
ear nest l y.
Ir i s shook her head. I don t know w her e I am Zeon. I w as unconsci ous w hen
I w as br ought i n t hi s pl ace. Zeon t he onl y w ay f or you t o f i nd me i s t hr ough The
Gol den Phoeni x.
B-But The Gol den Phoeni x i s gone, Ir i s. Zeon sai d w ar i l y.
The Gol den Phoeni x can never be dest r oyed Zeon, Ir i s sai d f i er cel y. It s
pow er can never di e but can be sp l i t i nt o t w o par t s. You have t o f i nd The Gol den
Phoeni x, Zeon. Then you w i l l be abl e t o f i nd me.
But Ir i s, The Gol den Phoeni x coul d be anyw her e! Zeon sai d desper at el y.
The Gol den Phoeni x i s her e i n At l nt i da. It i s i n t he pl ace w her e no one has
ever been abl e t o r each except your br ot her . Ir i s sai d, gaspi ng as she f el t
anot her st ab of pai n.
M -M y br ot her ? You know my br ot her ? Zeon st ammer ed.
Zeon, al l your quest i ons w i l l be answ er ed once you f i nd The Gol den
Phoeni x. Pl ease, hur r y bef or e t he cat acl ysm begi ns! Bel i eve i n your sel f Zeon
Cr est ! Hope i s not l ost unt i l you l i ve! Ir i s sai d as she di sappear ed i nt o t hi n ai r .
Ti me seemed t o st ar t agai n. Bot h M adame Chang and Er i k unf r oze.
That w as j ust w ei r d, Er i k comment ed.
Di d you t al k t o Ir i s Wi l l i am? M adame Chang asked.
Zeon nodded.
What di d she say? Er i k asked.
184 | P a g e
I need t o f i nd Cr yst al . She mi ght know t he answ er . Zeon sai d. He t ur ned
t ow ar ds M adame Chang. Thank you! Thi s i s t he second t i me you ve hel ped
me.
M adame Chang smi l ed. Thi nk not hi ng of i t ,
What answ er ? Er i k asked suspi ci ousl y.
I need t o know t he l ocat i on of t he most danger ous pl ace i n At l nt i da.

185 | P a g e
Chapt er 29
Par t -Human, Par t -Light
M ount Thor , Cr yst al sai d w i t h a shudder . It i s t he most danger ous pl ace i n
At l nt i da. The spi r i t s of hor r i f yi ng cr eat ur es i nhabi t t he pl ace and scar e of al l
t hose w ho t r y t o r each t he t op of t he mount ai n. Get t i ng t o t he t op of M ount
Thor i s sui ci dal . It s even har der t han t he mount ai n w e cl i mbed i n our P.E. cl ass.
Rumor has i t t hat on t op of t he mount ai n i s a Hol y Li ght . Whoever r eaches t he
t op, w i l l be gi ven t hi s Hol y Li ght and he w i l l become t he st r ongest per son al i ve.
But t hese ar e al l j ust r umor s, except t he danger ous par t .
It w as l at er t hat day, af t er Zeon s t al k w i t h Ir i s Wi l l i am; he had met Cr yst al
and Br yan i n Lo bby No. 1. He hadn t t ol d t hem about hi s t al k w i t h Ir i s Wi l l i am, at
l east not yet .
Why ar e you aski ng t hi s Zeon? Br yan asked suspi ci ousl y.
Zeon si ghed. I j ust t al ked t o Ir i s Wi l l i am. She st ar t ed of f w i t h t he f act t hat
Chaos had begun absor bi ng The Si l ver Phoeni x f r om w i t hi n her . She sai d t hat i t
w as because of me t hat Chaos w as not abl e t o do t hi s bef or e, but now he has
f ound anot her w ay.
Wai t ! Back up Zeon. What di d Ir i s mean by you pr event i ng Chaos f r om
absor bi ng The Si l ver Phoeni x? Br yan asked.
Zeon shr ugged. I have no i dea w hat she meant Br yan.
Cr yst al snapped her f i nger i n exci t ement .
That s w hy my f at her w as angr y w hen he l ear ned t hat you w er e al most
ki l l ed by a dr agon. If you had di ed Zeon, Chaos w oul d have no pr obl em
absor bi ng The Si l ver Phoeni x. She sai d exci t edl y.
186 | P a g e
Zeon nodded. You r e absol ut el y r i ght Cr yst al , but how ? How coul d I
pr event Chaos f r om absor bi ng The Si l ver Phoeni x? He l ooked at hi s f r i ends f or
answ er s but t hey shr ugged hel pl essl y.
What el se di d Ir i s say? Cr yst al asked.
She sai d t hat I had t o save her bef or e i t s t oo l at e. She sai d t hat t o f i nd her ,
I needed t o f i r st f i nd The Gol den Phoeni x. She sai d t hat The Gol den Phoeni x i s
her e i n At l nt i da, i n a pl ace w her e no man has ever r eached, except my my
br ot her . Zeon sai d, hi s voi ce cr acki ng a l i t t l e at t he ment i on of hi s unknow n
br ot her .
Your br ot her ? Cr yst al sai d i n amazement .
Zeon nodded.
Thi s i s cr azy. Honest l y, M ount Thor i s a t r eacher ous pl ace. I f i nd i t har d t o
bel i eve t hat your br ot her made i t at t he t op. Cr yst al sai d, shaki ng her head
w ar i l y.
But i f i t s t r ue t hat my br ot her di d r each t he t op of M ount Thor t hen t hat
means The Gol den Phoeni x i s up t her e t oo. Zeon sai d sol emnl y.
What I don t under st and i s t hat how your br ot her f i t s i nt o al l of t hi s. If he
di d make i t t o t he t op, w hy di dn t he br i ng The Gol den Phoeni x dow n w i t h hi m or
at l east he shoul d have i nf or med M ast er Dor man about i t ? Cr yst al asked,
t al ki ng mor e t o her sel f .
M aybe he never made i t dow n. M aybe he di ed on hi s w a- Br yan st opped
t al ki ng af t er r ecei vi ng a shar p gl ar e f r om Cr yst al . Er sor r y Zeon, he sai d
sheepi shl y.
It s okay. It w as j u st a t hought . Anyw ay, i t s get t i ng l at e t oday so t omor r ow
I l l go t o M ount Thor and
No! hi s f r i ends shout ed si mul t aneousl y.
What ? Zeon asked i ndi gnant l y.
187 | P a g e
Zeon, have you been l i st eni ng t o any w or d I j ust sai d, r egar di ng M ount
Thor . It i s a ver y danger ous pl ace and goi ng up t her e i s j ust t oo r i sky. Cr yst al
sai d gr avel y.
But I have t o go! The Gol den Phoeni x i s up t her e somew her e and I have t o
f i nd i t ! Zeon sai d angr i l y.
Then w e r e goi ng w i t h you. Br yan sai d f i r ml y.
What ? No! Onl y one of us shoul d go! And t hat shoul d be me! Zeon sai d.
Why do you have t o go? Br yan asked i ncr edul ousl y.
Because I have t o save Ir i s Wi l l i am! She asked me f or hel p and t hat s
exact l y w hat I m goi ng t o do! Zeon sai d det er mi nedl y.
A smal l smi l e cr ept on Cr yst al s f ace. Br yan t oo w as smi r ki ng at hi m.
What ar e you t w o smi l i ng about ? Zeon asked f ur i ousl y.
Zeon, i s i t by any chance you h ave a cr ush on Ir i s Wi l l i am. Cr yst al sai d w i t h
her eyes t w i nkl i ng.
Zeon bl ushed cr i mson.
What I no you he spl ut t er ed.
I t hi nk t hat s a yes, Br yan sai d, l aughi ng.
You t w o ar e i mpossi bl e! Zeon sai d, st i l l bl ushi ng. I m goi ng t o bed ear l y. I
have t o be r eady f or t omor r ow .
Wi t h t hat Zeon st or med aw ay f r om hi s l aughi ng f r i ends t ow ar ds hi s r oom.
Lat er t hat ni ght , Zeon l ay aw ake i n hi s bed, l ooki ng out si de t he w i ndow at
t he si l ver moon. It w as snow i ng out si de and t he pi nk t r ees of t he f or est w er e
cover ed w i t h snow , cr eat i ng a w hi t e bl anket . He t hought about hi s pl an f or goi ng
t o M ount Thor . Br yan and Cr yst al w er e adamant t hat t hey w er e goi ng w i t h hi m
despi t e hi s pr ot est s. He di d not know w hy, but he f el t l i ke goi ng al one. Peopl e
mi ght say he w as br ave, but honest l y he w as scar ed t o deat h. Who knew w hat
aw ai t ed hi m on t op of M ount Thor .
188 | P a g e
Just w hen Zeon w as about t o go t o sl eep, he saw a t al l b l ack f i gur e, st andi ng
on one of t he t r ees of t he f or est . When he l ooked cl osel y, t he f i gur e w as gone,
but he coul d st i l l det ect i t s pr esence.
Somet hi ng w as out t her e.
Somet hi ng evi l .
Zeon knew i t w as a bad i dea, but he st umbl ed out of hi s bed and opened t he
door t o l eave. He cr ept dow n t he st ai r case t ow ar ds t he gat es of t he school . He
w as w ear i ng hi s ni ght sui t and he w i shed t hat he coul d have changed on t he
w ay, but he w as af r ai d t hat w hat ever w as i n t he f or est mi ght l eave.
Emi t st ai r case, he w hi sper ed.
When Zeon r eached t he f or est by descendi ng t he st ai r case, he suddenl y
became ver y af r ai d. It w as ver y dar k i nsi de t he f or est w hi ch hi nder ed i s abi l i t y t o
see.
Cel est i al Gi vi ng, Zeon w hi sper ed, cover i ng hi s body w i t h a bl anket of l i ght
and becomi ng a human t or ch.
Emi t Ascal i ber , he w hi sper ed agai n and t he l egendar y sw or d mat er i al i zed
i n hi s hand.
Wi t h gr i m det er mi nat i on, Zeon w al ked caut i ousl y t hr ough t he f or est . Thi s
w as ki nd of l i ke a f l ash back f or hi m as t hi s w as exact l y h ow he met t he Cr eat ur e
of t he Ni ght : w al ki ng al one t hr ough t he f or est i n t he mi ddl e of t he ni ght . Soon,
Zeon r eached t he same cl ear i ng w her e he used t o t r ai n w i t h Br yan and Er i k.
Then he saw hi m.
The cr eat ur e st ood i n t he mi ddl e of t he cl ear i ng w i t h hi s ar ms cr ossed
ar ound hi s hi ghl y muscul ar body. He st ood si x f eet t al l and had an ugl y hai r l ess
head. Hi s eyes possessed no eyebal l s and so, w er e compl et el y w hi t e. At t ached t o
each of hi s w r i st w as a w i cked bl ade t hat w as st i l l st ai ned w i t h dr y bl ood. He
w or e an ar mor ed vest t hat l ooked ol d, but Zeon knew i t w oul d be di f f i cul t t o
penet r at e i t .
189 | P a g e
I knew you w oul d come, Cr est t he cr eat ur e sai d w i t h a smi l e. You r e so
l i ke your f at her . He w as as f ool i sh as you w er e.
Zeon s mout h w ent dr y as he absor bed t he cr eat ur e s w or ds.
Who ar e you? And how do you know about my f at her ? Zeon asked as he
t r i ed t o hi de hi s t r embl i ng hand. He coul d not l et t hi s monst er know t hat he w as
af r ai d.
M y name i s Gener al Tr ox and yes I know about Benj ami n Cr est . Gener al
Tr ox sai d gl eef ul l y.
Benj ami n Cr est w as t he name of Zeon s f at her !
Tel l me w hat you know or I l l r i p your hear t out ! Zeon gr ow l ed.
Gener al Tr ox eyed hi s sw or d w ar i l y.
If I t el l you w hat I know about your par ent s you j ust mi ght l ose your
mi nd, The cr eat ur e sai d humor ousl y.
TELL M E NOW! Zeon r oar ed.
If you i nsi st , Cr est . Your par ent s ar e dead! I set up your f at her and i t w as
because of me he di ed at t he hands of t he ones he once t r ust ed. Somehow , you
sur vi ved, but t oday I l l f i ni sh w hat I st ar t ed.
Gener al Tr ox sl ow l y advanced t ow ar ds Zeon. It w as t hen Zeon r eal i zed t hat
t he cr eat ur e di d not have t w o hands, but f our . Honest l y, he w as l east bot her ed
about i t . He di dn t even car e t hat Gener al Tr ox w as about t o ki l l hi m. Hi s mi nd
w as mor e f ocused on t he f act t hat hi s par ent s w er e dead. Thi s monst er had
ki l l ed t hem and now he w oul d never be abl e t o see t hem.
Bef or e Zeon coul d st op hi msel f , t ear s dr i pped out of hi s eyes. He had l ost
ever yt hi ng f i r st M r . Bar on and now hi s par ent s. Chaos had pi er ced hi s hear t
w i t h bl ade of sor r ow , l eavi ng behi nd ever l ast i ng mar ks t hat w oul d never be
heal ed. He w as t he f i r st per son t o suf f er at t he hands of dar kness and soon
ot her s w oul d suf f er t oo i f Chaos i s not st opped.
Fi nal l y, Zeon had d i scover ed hi s pur pose i n l i f e. He w as t o f i ght t he dar kness
and make sur e i t doesn t r ui n t he l i ves of i nnocent peopl e. He had become a
190 | P a g e
hunt er of dar kness as l ong as he br eat hed, he w oul d never al l ow dar kness t o
pr osper !
Zeon now knew w hat t he ot her par t of hi m w as. He w as Par t -Human and
Par t -Li ght ! The M usi c of Phoeni x escaped hi s hear t and f i l l ed t he sur r oundi ng ai r .
A gol den aur a r adi at ed out of hi s body, i l l umi nat i ng t he f or est ar ound hi m.
Gener al Tr ox st opped dead i n hi s t r acks as he st ar ed at Zeon. Zeon t ook hi s
hesi t at i on as t he moment t o at t ack. Rai si ng hi s Ascal i ber i n t he ai r , he at t acked
Gener al Tr ox.
You di e cr eat ur e of dar kness! Zeon shout ed as he sped t ow ar ds Gener al
Tr ox.
191 | P a g e
Chapt er 30
Secr et s Unr aveled
Br yan w as havi ng a br i l l i ant dr eam about t he Tour nament of Rooki es. He
pi ct ur ed hi msel f , br andi shi ng a gol den cup as t he cr ow d cheer ed. He had
def eat ed Cl ar k i n t he f i nal r ound and enj oyed, w at chi ng t he out r aged expr essi on
on hi s f ace. Zeon w as beami ng at hi m and kept mut t er i ng, I so w ant t o be l i ke
Br yan. Cr yst al r an over t ow ar ds Br yan and gave hi m a bi g hug. It w as al l t oo
per f ect , but sadl y hi s dr eam w as i nt er r upt ed by a f r ust r at i ngl y annoyi ng voi ce
Br yan w ake up! Cr yst al sai d ur gent l y.
Huh w hat ? What s w r ong? Br yan gr oaned as he f or ced hi msel f i nt o a
si t t i ng posi t i on.
We have a pr obl em. Zeon s mi ssi ng, Cr yst al sai d ner vousl y, bi t i ng her l i ps.
I al er t ed M ast er Dor man and some of t he ot her st udent s. We ar e l ooki ng f or
hi m so hur r y up and get up!

Br yan changed i nt o hi s pant and T-shi r t , and f ol l ow ed Cr yst al t o t he mai n
l obby. He f el t angr y and f r ust r at ed at Zeon f or , w or r yi ng t hem so much. When
t hey f ound hi m, he w as so-o-o goi ng t o ki l l hi m. Zeon had al most got t en hi msel f
ki l l ed by t he dr agon and now he j ust di sappear s i n t he mi ddl e of t he ni ght . That
l i t t l e r unt j ust can t st ay out of t r oubl e.
When t hey r eached t he l obby, t hey met up w i t h M ast er Do r man, El i t e Emi l y,
Commander Gar y, Jason, Er i k, Li l y and sur pr i si ngl y, bot h Cl ar k and Rose.
Di d you f i nd hi m? Cr yst al asked w or r i edl y.
Er i k shook hi s head w ar i l y. We can t f i nd hi m anyw her e i n t he school .
Br yan and Cr yst al exchanged a ner vous l ook.
192 | P a g e
You don t t hi nk Zeon deci ded t o go t o M ount Thor by hi msel f , do you?
Br yan asked Cr yst al .
M ount Thor ! E. M . Dor man sai d i n al ar m. Why do you t hi nk Zeon w oul d
go t o such a danger ous pl ace?!
Ever yone l ooked expect ant l y at t hem. Br yan l ooked at Cr yst al w ho
shr ugged.
Br yan si ghed and t ol d t hem al l about Zeon s t al k w i t h Ir i s Wi l l i am. When he
f i ni shed ever yone w as si l ent as t hey absor bed t hi s i nf or mat i on. It w as Er i k w ho
br oke t he si l ence.
So The Gol den Phoeni x i s on M ount Thor . But i sn t t hat a ver y danger ous
pl ace. He sai d.
Cr yst al nodded.
What I don t under st and i s how Chaos managed t o f i nd a w ay t o absor b
The Si l ver Phoeni x? It s j ust not possi bl e w i t h Zeon al i ve. E. M . Dor man sai d,
t al ki ng mor e t o hi msel f .
M ast er Dor man, how does Zeon f i t i nt o al l of t hi s? It s cl ear t o me t hat i t
w as because of Zeon t hat Chaos w as not abl e t o absor b The Si l ver Phoeni x, but
w hy? You know t he answ er . Tel l us! Cr yst al sai d ser i ousl y.
E. M . Dor man si ghed. No one know s how t hi s happened, but Zeon and Ir i s
w er e bonded t oget her by t he phenomenon w e cal l Soul -M at e. Soul -M at es ar e
ver y r ar e i n At l nt i da. Onl y t hose t w o peopl e w ho s dest i ni es ar e i nt er l i nked w i t h
each ot her can become Soul -M at es. Soul -M at e r esul t s i n t he f or mat i on of a
Li f el i ne. Fr om bot h Zeon and Ir i s onl y one can have a l i f el i ne, and t hat i s Ir i s.
Wai t , w hat i s a l i f el i ne? Br yan asked.
A l i f el i ne i s sai d t o be a speci al bond t hat exi st s bet w een t w o Soul -M at es. As
I sai d ear l i er onl y one member can have a l i f el i ne. Ir i s possesses t hi s l i f el i ne. Thi s
means t hat she can never d i e, as l ong as Zeon l i ves. Thi s l i f el i ne pr event ed Chaos
f r om absor bi ng The Si l ver Phoeni x. The shocki ng t hi ng i s t hat Ir i s i s t he f i r st
193 | P a g e
per son i n At l nt i da w ho possessed not one, but t w o l i f el i nes! E. M . Dor man sai d
w ar i l y.
How i s t hat possi bl e? Cr yst al asked.
Her e i s my t heor y. As you al l know , Par t -Humans have t w o soul s. One i s
human soul and t he ot her coul d be w i zar d, psycho, w er ew ol f et c. The Si l ver
Phoeni x i s si st er t o The Gol den Phoeni x, so i n a w ay t hey can al so f or m a l i f el i ne.
Si nce Chr i s Kage i nhabi t ed The Gol den Phoeni x, he w as bonded t o Ir i s Wi l l i am
w ho i nhabi t ed The Si l ver Phoeni x. As a r esul t , anot her l i f el i ne w as f or med i nsi de
Ir i s, but as you know Chr i s Kage w as ki l l ed and so, t hi s l i f el i ne sei zed t o exi st . So,
The Si l ver Phoeni x w i t hi n Ir i s Wi l l i am w as bonded t o The Gol den Phoeni x and her
Human-Par t w as bonded t o t he Human-Par t of Zeon. E. M . Dor man expl ai ned.
Oh man, my head hur t s. Can w e ski p t he l ect ur e and f i nd Zeon. Br yan sai d,
r ubbi ng hi s f or ehead.
I don t t hi nk i t w i l l b e ver y har d t o f i nd hi m. Look guys! Li l y cal l ed t hem al l
t ow ar ds t he w i ndow .
Toget her w i t h t he ot her s, Br yan hur r i ed t ow ar ds t he w i ndow . As he l ooked
dow n t ow ar ds t he f or est , he coul d see f l ashes of gol den l i ght , comi ng out f r om
w i t hi n i t . Then qui t e suddenl y t her e w as a pow er f ul expl osi on t hat shook t he
ent i r e school .
Ther e i s a f i ght goi ng on do w n t her e and I b et Zeon i s i n t he mi ddl e of i t . We
have t o hel p hi m! Br yan sai d f i er cel y.
They al l t ur ned ar ound and headed f or t he gat es.
Why ar e you comi ng? Br yan asked Cl ar k.
If you t hi nk I m goi ng t o l et your l i t t l e f r i end t ake al l t he gl or y, your
mi st aken, Cl ar k sneer ed.
Gl or y. That s al l you car e about , Br yan sai d har shl y.
It s not my f aul t Zeon get s i nt o t r oubl e so easi l y. Fi r st t he dr agon and now
someone el se. Cl ar k sai d, smi r ki ng.
Enough you t w o! Cr yst al shout ed. We r e i n t hi s t oget her .
194 | P a g e
Emi t st ai r case! Er i k sai d.
They al l r an dow n t he st eps, w at chi ng as t he bat t l e i n t he f or est i n cr eased i n
magni t ude. He had no i dea w ho w as f i ght i ng dow n t her e or w ho w as w i nni ng.
He j ust w ant ed hi s f r i end al i ve and i n one pi ece.
As t hey r eached t he f or est , Er i k used a spel l t o cr eat e a bal l of l i ght t hat
i l l umi nat ed t he w ay f or t hem. They t or e t hr ough t he f or est , r unni ng t o ai d t hei r
f r i end. Soon t hey r eached t he cl ear i ng w her e Br yan used t o spend hi s t i me
t r ai ni ng. In t he mi ddl e of t he cl ear i ng, a bat t l e r aged bet w een Zeon and a f our -
ar med monst er .
Gener al Tr ox, M ast er Dor man sai d i n a deadl y w hi sper .
The Gener al Tr ox guy honest l y l ooked l i ke a ver y f or mi dabl e f or ce w i t h hi s
muscul ar body, f our ar ms and a w i cked bl ade at t ached t o each w r i st . Then Br yan
l ooked at Zeon and r eal i zed, Gener al Tr ox w as so-o-o dead.
Zeon w as encased i n a br i l l i ant gol den l i ght . The pow er r adi at i ng f r om
w i t hi n hi m w as t r ul y ast oni shi ng. Ascal i ber w as i n hi s hand and w as gl ow i ng
br i ght l y. Zeon di d not have a si ngl e scr at ch on hi s body, nor di d he l ook
exhaust ed. Hi s f ace show ed not hi ng but gr i m det er mi nat i on. The most shocki ng
t hi ng w as t he musi c emi t t i ng f r om w i t hi n Zeon s body. He l oved l i st eni ng t o
songs, but t hi s musi c w as si mpl e mesmer i zi ng.
It s beaut i f ul , Cr yst al w hi sper ed.
Come on guys w e have t o hel p Zeon! Br yan shout ed.
Ever yone st epped f or w ar d i nt o t he bat t l ef i el d, but w as st opped by a shout
f r om Zeon.
NO! STAY BACK! HE IS M INE! He r oar ed.
Br yan hesi t at ed.
We can t j ust l eave hi m al one t o f i ght t hat t hi ng, Cr yst al sai d desper at el y.
No, t hi s i s Zeon s f i ght . Ever yone st and dow n. Let Zeon handl e t hi s. E. M .
Dor man sai d f i r ml y.
195 | P a g e
Wi t h a l oud bul l -l i ke cr y, Gener al Tr ox at t acked Zeon w i t h hi s bl ades. Zeon
easi l y bl ocked t he at t ack w i t h hi s sw or d. Gener al Tr ox di dn t st op t her e, he
at t acked Zeon agai n and agai n, gr ow i ng i ncr easi ngl y f r ust r at ed. Zeon w as
l i ght ni ng. He dodged t he monst er s at t ack w i t hout br eaki ng a sw eat . Br yan coul d
t el l t hat hi s f r i end w as t oyi ng w i t h Gener al Tr ox. He w as t i r i ng t he monst er and
usi ng hi s t emper agai nst hi m.
Soon Gener al Tr ox became so t i r ed t hat he had t o gi ve a sl i ght pause bef or e
hi s next at t ack. Zeon used t hi s moment t o del i ver f i ve successi ve bl ow s w i t h hi s
sw or d. The f i r st f our bl ow s w er e so st r ong t hat even t hough Gener al Tr ox w as
abl e t o bl ock t hem, hi s w r i st -bl ades w er e compl et el y dest r oyed by t he pow er of
Ascal i ber . Zeon del i ver ed t he f i nal bl ow by t he but t of hi s sw or d, hi t t i ng t he
monst er on t he f or ehead. The i mpact of hi s at t ack made Gener al Tr ox how l i n
pai n and st umbl e ont o hi s knees. Zeon pr essed hi s sw or d agai nst t he monst er s
t hr oat .
Despi t e hi s def eat , t he monst er chuckl ed. Wel l done, Cr est . Your st r onger
t han your f at her . Now f i ni sh me, so I can go i nt o a per manent sl eep.
Zeon st ar ed at Gener al Tr ox w i t h an unr eadabl e expr essi on.
Fi nal l y he sai d. De-Emi t Ascal i ber .
Gener al Tr ox l ooked f ur i ous, as he w at ched Zeon w al k aw ay f r om hi m.
What ar e you doi ng Cr est ?! he shout ed. Ki l l me l i ke I ki l l ed your par ent s!
Zeon st opped t o l ook back.
No, Tr o x. I m not l i ke you. Ki l l i ng you w i l l not br i ng me p eace. Ri ght now , I
have ot her t hi ngs t o w or r y about . He sai d cool l y.
Zeon t u r ned aw ay f r om an out r aged monst er . Wi t h an angr y r oar , Gener al
Tr ox l eaped at Zeon. Br yan r eact ed i nst ant l y.
Emi t Obl i t er at or ! he cr i ed and used hi s w eapon t o bl ast t he monst er of
hi s f eet .
Gener al Tr ox col l i ded w i t h a t r ee and di si nt egr at ed i nt o a pi l e of r ubbl e.
Zeon! Cr yst al shout ed and hugged Zeon.
196 | P a g e
The ot her s mar ched t ow ar ds Zeon. Some compl i ment ed hi m w hi l e ot her s
shout ed at hi m f or bei ng cr azy.
You do l ove get t i ng i nt o t r oubl e, don t you Zeon? Br yan sai d st er nl y.
Zeon gr i nned sheepi shl y. Sor r y f or , w or r yi ng you guys.
What happened Zeon? Who w as t hat guy? Er i k asked.
Fi r st t hi ngs f i r st guys. M ast er Dor man, I t hi nk t her e ar e t hi ngs you have t o
t el l me. Zeon sai d poi nt edl y.
E. M . Dor man si ghed. Okay Zeon, l et s t al k.

Zeon l i st ened pat i ent l y, as M ast er Dor man t ol d hi m t hat he and Ir i s w er e
Soul -M at es. He f i nal l y f ound out t hat t he r eason Chaos coul d not absor b The
Si l ver Phoeni x w as b ecause h e w as Ir i s s l i f el i ne. As l ong as he l i ved no one coul d
hur t her .
But Chaos f ound anot her w ay t o absor b The Si l ver Phoeni x, Zeon sai d
poi nt edl y.
I t hi nk i t s a t r ap. The Ir i s Wi l l i am w ho t al ked t o you w as not t he act ual one.
I bel i eve t hat someone i mper sonat ed her i n or der t o l ur e you i nt o a t r ap. E. M .
Dor man sai d f l at l y.
I t hi nk your r i ght about t he t r ap par t , but I t hi nk your w r ong about
someone i mper sonat i ng Ir i s Wi l l i am. I w as t he one w ho t al ked t o her and I know
I t al ked t o t he r eal Ir i s Wi l l i am. Chaos must have f or ced her t o t al k t o me, but I
t hi nk Ir i s i s a ver y smar t gi r l . Her e i s my t h eor y. I bel i eve t hat Ir i s t al ked t o me o n
Chaos s or der s, but somehow she used her r emai ni ng pow er s t o shi el d our
conver sat i on f r om Chaos hi msel f . Zeon sai d t hought f ul l y.
Why do you say t hat ? E. M . Dor man sai d mi l dl y.
Ir i s knew somet hi ng t hat she d i dn t w ant Chaos t o f i nd out . It w as h er l i t t l e
sur pr i se f or hi m. Zeon sai d w i t h a gr i n.
The l ocat i on of The Gol den Phoeni x, Cr yst al sai d exci t edl y.
Zeon nodded.
197 | P a g e
So you bel i eve i t s t r ue t hat The Gol den Phoeni x i s on t op of M ount Thor .
Er i k asked.
Yes, I m ni net y-ni ne per cent sur e. Zeon sai d cal ml y.
Wel l t hen. We shoul d l eave f or M ount Thor t omor r ow . E. M . Dor man sai d
t i r edl y.
Ther e i s one mor e t hi ng, Zeon sai d sl ow l y. I have t o go t o M ount Thor
al one.
Shout s and di sagr eement s, met t hi s st at ement .
Just because you beat t he f our -ar med guy does not mean you get t o have
t he pow er of The Gol den Phoeni x, Cl ar k sai d angr i l y.
Zeon si ghed. I w i sh t her e w as anot her w as but i t s got t o be me.
Why? Cl ar k sai d i ndi gnant l y.
Zeon smi l ed. Because I have one-hal f of The Gol den Phoeni x w i t hi n me.
Ever yone l ooked at hi m i n st unned si l ence.
That s a l i e! Cl ar k spat .
Af r ai d not Cl ar k, sai d Zeon, shaki ng hi s head. Thi s w as my br ot her s pl an
al l al ong. He w ant ed Chaos t o t hi nk t hat The Gol den Phoeni x w as gone af t er hi s
deat h, but i n r eal i t y h e spl i t t he phoeni x i n hal f and st or ed o ne-hal f at t he t op of
M ount Thor and t he ot her hal f w i t hi n me. He coul d have gi ven me t he f ul l pow er
of The Gol den Phoeni x, but he w as much smar t er t han t hat . He knew t hat i f he
gave me t he f ul l pow er of The Gol den Phoeni x, I w oul d have a l ar ge si gn over my
head, sayi ng I have t he Gol den Phoeni x w i t hi n me . That si gn w oul d have
at t r act ed Chaos t ow ar ds me l i ke a bee i s at t r act ed t ow ar ds honey. Al so he
w ant ed me t o pr ove mysel f . He w ant ed t o know t hat i f I w as w or t hy of obt ai ni ng
The Gol den Phoeni x. Hence, he on l y gave me hal f of The Gol den Phoeni x and hi d
t he ot her hal f on t op of M ount Thor f or me t o f i nd.
No w ay, Cr yst al w hi sper ed. He s your br ot her !
Who? Br yan asked.
Chr i s Kage i s my br ot her , Zeon sai d sol emnl y.
198 | P a g e
Chapt er 31
Mount Thor
Zeon st ar ed open-mout hed at t he sui t of ar mor f l oat i ng i n f r ont of hi s bed. It
w as made of pur e gol d and had a phoeni x car ved at t he cent r e t h at spr ead up t o
t he shoul der s. The ar mor w as w el l pol i shed and seemed t o emi t a bl i ndi ng gl ow
w hen t he sun s r ays f el l upon i t . He coul d get used t o w aki ng up w i t h a gi f t l i ke
t hat . To day w as t he day he w oul d be t est ed by t he most di f f i cul t o bst acl e and he
w oul d need al l t he hel p he coul d get .
As Zeon st agger ed out of hi s bed, he not i ced t hat hi s f r i ends w er e not i n t he
r oom. He shr ugged and w ent i nt o t he w ashr oom t o t ake a show er . Af t er t aki ng
show er , he began t o sui t up. Soon, he f ound hi msel f , l ooki ng i n t he mi r r or at t he
sui t of ar mor t hat cover ed hi s body. He knew t hat t he ar mor w as speci al as i t
seemed w ei ght l ess on hi s body. He l ooked l i ke a t r ue w ar r i or and as he l ooked
cl osel y, he r eal i zed t hat t he ar mor made hi m l ook ol der t han he r eal l y w as.
Af t er changi ng, Zeon deci ded t o f i r st vi si t M ast er Dor man t o i nf or m hi m
about hi s depar t ur e. When he r eached t he mai n l obby, he st opped dead i n hi s
t r acks, because st andi ng i n f r ont of hi m w er e over a hundr ed peopl e each
w ear i ng t hei r ow n sui t of ar mor . He w as abl e t o r ecogni ze some peopl e l i ke,
Br yan, Cr yst al , Er i k, Jason, Li l y, Cl ar k, Rose, Commander Amel i a, Commander
Dut ch, Commander Gar y, El i t e Emi l y, Commander St ephani e Levee, Commander
M i chael Levee, Commander Chaser Levee, El i t e Edw ar d t he Combat t eacher ,
El i t e Nor man t he P.E. t eacher , El i t e Andr ew Tar ki n w i t h hi s f el l ow Dr agon
War r i or s and l ast but not l east M ast er Dor man. Ther e w er e a l ot of ot her p eopl e
t hat Zeon di d not even know .
Er What s goi ng on? he asked hesi t ant l y.
199 | P a g e
We ar e pr epar i ng f or w ar , E. Emi l y sai d w i t h a smi l e.
What ? Zeon asked cl ear l y conf used.
C. Gar y r ol l ed hi s eyes. Di d you r eal l y expect t hat w e l l l et you go al one t o
f ace Chaos and hi s f ol l ow er s? Thi s i s t he f i nal bat t l e. We l l be t her e w i t h you t o
hel p you f ul f i l l your dest i ny by def eat i ng Chaos.
We l l be w ai t i ng f or you her e unt i l you get t he second hal f of The Gol den
Phoeni x and t hen, w e w i l l f ol l ow you i nt o bat t l e. Dut ch sai d w i t h a det er mi ned
nod.
Is i t t r ue Zeon? Ar e you Chr i s s br ot her ? Amel i a asked.
I w as t ol d t hat my br ot her w as t he onl y one w ho managed t o r each t he t op
of M ount Thor . It onl y makes sense t hat Chr i s i s my br ot her w ho r eached t he
t op. In doi ng so, he f ound a pl ace t o hi de The Gol den Phoeni x i f he di ed. It w as
hi s backup pl an, i f t hi ngs w ent w r ong. Zeon sai d w i t h a hi nt of pr i de i n hi s voi ce
as he ment i oned hi s br ot her .
But Zeon, Chr i s s name ends w i t h Kage not Cr est . C. Gar y sai d, f r ow ni ng.
Zeon si ghed. Look, t her e ar e a l ot of t hi ngs about my l i f e I st i l l don t know
yet . Par t of me i s hopi ng t hat al l t he answ er s of my l i f e w i l l be answ er ed once I
f i nd The Gol den Phoeni x.
M ast er Dor man sai d t hat t her e i s a t r ap w ai t i ng f or you i n Chaos s l ai r . C.
St ephani e sai d w i t h a sneer .
Chaos t hi nks he has w on. He t hi nks t hat he i s l ur i ng me i nt o a t r ap, but
sadl y hi s pl an i s about t o backf i r e on hi m. You see, he w on t know t hat I w i l l
possess The Gol den Phoeni x. Ir i s Wi l l i am pl ayed an excel l ent game. She
pr et ended t o l ur e me i nt o a t r ap on Chaos s or der s, but she t ol d me about The
Gol den Phoeni x. I t hi nk Chaos w as l i st eni ng t o our conver sat i on, but Ir i s qui t e
smar t l y, used t he pow er of The Si l ver Phoeni x t o hi de par t of our conver sat i on
f r om hi m. So I r epeat Chaos w i l l not know t hat I have The Gol den Phoeni x w i t hi n
me. Zeon expl ai ned.
200 | P a g e
Those ar e al l hunches, ar en t t hey Zeon? Cl ar k sai d w i t h a smi l e. You sai d
i t your sel f yest er day t hat t hi s i s al l a par t of your t heor y. You have absol ut el y no
i dea w het her Ir i s Wi l l i am w as t el l i ng t he t r ut h or not . You have no i dea t hat Ir i s
Wi l l i am used t he pow er of The Si l ver Phoeni x t o hi de par t of your conver sat i on
f r om Chaos. M ast er Dor man bel i eved t hat somebody must have been
i mper sonat i ng Ir i s Wi l l i am t o t el l you a bunch of l i es, but you r ef used t o bel i eve
i t . What i f you r e w r ong Zeon? What i f t hi s r eal l y i s a t r ap?
Look, i f you guys don t w ant t o t r ust me t hat s f i ne, but I know t hat I m
r i ght . I know t h at no one w as i mper sonat i ng Ir i s Wi l l i am w hen she t al ked t o me. I
know t hat Ir i s Wi l l i am had a pl an t o decei ve Chaos by t el l i ng me t he l ocat i on of
The Gol den Phoeni x. Th i s i s al l t r ue. How do I know t hi s? I am Ir i s Wi l l i am s Soul -
M at e. None of you have any i dea w hat i t f eel s l i ke t o be bonded t o a per son l i ke
t hi s. It s l i ke I m connect ed t o Ir i s s t hought s. When I t al ked t o Ir i s, i t w as l i ke I
knew w hat she w as f eel i ng. Her t hought s became mi ne and I under st ood her
pl an. Thi s w as her pl an! And i t doesn t r eal l y make any di f f er ence. Even i f t her e
w oul d have been a t r ap, I st i l l w oul d have gone t o Chaos s l ai r t o save Ir i s. You
have t o t r ust me on t hi s or el se w e l ose ever yt hi ng. Zeon sai d cal ml y.
Dead si l ence st r et ched acr oss t he l obby. Then Br yan and Cr yst al st epped
f or w ar d. Br yan w as w ear i ng a si l ver ar mor and a r ed bandana w as t i ed ar ound
hi s f or ehead. Cr yst al w or e a si l ver y-pi nk ar mor and she t oo had a r ed col or ed
bandana t i ed ar ound her f or ehead.
We t r ust you Zeon, t hey sai d t oget her .
Er i k st epped f or w ar d t oo. So do I!
Jason and Li l y smi l ed at hi m. We t r ust you t oo Zeon.
M or e and mor e peopl e decl ar ed t hei r t r ust i n Zeon. In t he end onl y t he
Levees w er e l ef t as t he st ubbor n gr oup. When t hey r eal i zed t hat al most
ever yone suppor t ed Zeon, t hey al l mumbl ed, We w i l l hel p.
201 | P a g e
Wel l , now t hat w e have set t l ed t hi s di sput e, Zeon you shoul d be l eavi ng.
When you have absor bed t he pow er of The Gol den Phoeni x come back her e so
t hat w e can f ol l ow you i nt o bat t l e. E. M . Dor man sai d.
Zeon nodded.
And I bel i eve you w i l l need some mor al suppor t so you shoul d t ake some
f r i ends al ong w i t h you. E. M . Dor man i nst r uct ed.
When Zeon pr epar ed t o l eave, Br yan, Cr yst al , Er i k, Jason, Li l y, Rose and
Cl ar k deci ded t o accompany hi m.
Now w hy ar e you comi ng? Br yan asked Cl ar k.
Cl ar k scow l ed. I m onl y comi ng because I w i sh t o see t he pow er of The
Gol den Phoeni x. It s not l i ke I car e i f Zeon succeeds ar e not .
Thanks guys. The t hought of havi ng some company w i t h me i s qui t e
r eassur i ng. Zeon sai d, smi l i ng f ondl y. Emi t Ri der !
The Ri der appear ed bef or e Zeon. He sat on t he cr eat ur e s back and easi l y
maneuver ed i t of f t he gr ound. The ot her s w er e cl ose behi nd hi m. Toget her w i t h
hi s f r i ends, he began hi s j our ney t ow ar ds M ount Thor .
M ount Thor w as l ocat ed j ust behi nd t he Ci t y of El ves. The enor mi t y of t he
mount ai n w as amazi ng. It s peak w as hi dden by t he cl ouds and hal f of i t s ar ea
w as cover ed w i t h snow . The mount ai n w as made of bl ack gr avel and seemed t o
t ow er over t hem l i ke a menaci ng monst er . Zeon hat ed hi msel f f or not i ci ng t hi s.
So t hat s M ount Thor , Br yan sai d w i t h a shudder . It makes El i t e Nor man s
mount ai n l ook l i ke a chi l d s pl ay. So w her e do w e l and?
M ast er Dor man sai d t hat t her e w i l l be a gat e, l eadi ng t o a pat hw ay up t he
mount ai n. Zeon sai d.
Why can t w e j ust use our Ri der s t o t ake us t o t he t op? Rose suggest ed.
Zeon shook hi s head. I w i sh i t w as t hat si mpl e, but M ast er Dor man t ol d me
t hat t he mount ai n has a magi c of i t s ow n. It w i l l ki l l us i f w e use t he easy w ay
up.
202 | P a g e
Zeon! Ther e i s t he gat e! Cr yst al shout ed, poi nt i ng at a l ar ge w ooden gat e.
Beyond t he gat e w as a nar r ow pat hw ay t hat l ed t he user t o M ount Thor .
Let s l and guys! Zeon shout ed.
They moved dow n and l anded r i ght bef or e t he gat e.
Thi s i s i t , Zeon sai d i n a w hi sper . He j umped of hi s Ri der and moved
t ow ar ds t he w ooden gat e. He not i ced a smal l par chment at t ached t o t he gat e
but he coul d not r ead w hat i s sai d, as i t w as i n a di f f er ent l anguage.

Bceoc tqc Xovvi|co...


Bew ar e t he Canni bal s Cl ar k r ead out l oud.
You can r ead t hi s? Zeon asked hi m.
He shr ugged. It s t he basi c l anguage of Anci ent At l nt i da. M y mot her i s an
exper t at i t . She t aught me a f ew w or ds.
Zeon nodded and l ooked back at t he w ar ni ng. He sl ow l y r ai sed hi s hand and
pr essed i t agai nst t he gat e. As soon as hi s hand made cont act w i t h i t , t her e w as a
chai n r eact i on, r esul t i ng i n a pai nf ul shock t hat t hr ew hi m of hi s f eet .
Zeon! Cr yst al cr i ed as Zeon hi t t he gr ound.
Zeon f or ced hi msel f on hi s f eet and st ar ed w ar i l y at t he gat e.
Ar e you okay, Zeon? Br yan asked.
I m good. Looks l i ke w e have a pr obl em, Zeon sai d w i t h a si gh.
203 | P a g e
M aybe w e have t o channel our aur a i nt o our hands and t hen open t he gat e.
You know t he w ay w e di d i n cl i mbi ng El i t e Nor man s mount ai n. Jason
suggest ed.
Zeon shook hi s head w ar i l y. I di d use my aur a. I suspect ed t her e mi ght be
some ki nd of t r ap on t he door , but l ooks l i ke i t w i l l t ake mor e t han our aur a t o
open t he gat e. Hang on, I l l t r y somet hi ng el se.
Zeon r ai sed hi s hand t ow ar ds t he gat e. Usi ng hi s know l edge, r egar di ng Spar k
cont r ol , he cr eat ed a pow er f ul l i ght ni ng bol t t hat col l i ded w i t h t he w al l s of t he
gat e, but i t di d not even budge.
M aybe w e shoul d do t hi s t oget her . Er i k suggest ed.
No! Thi s i s a t est . I have t o do t hi s mysel f . Zeon sai d. He cl osed hi s eyes
and f ocused on t he po w er of The Gol den Phoeni x. Wi t h a sud den bur st , he coul d
f eel t he pow er sur gi ng t hr ough hi s body. He r ai sed hi s hand agai n and shout ed.
Cel est i al Fl ash!
The beam of l i ght col l i ded w i t h t he gat es, f or ci ng i t t o sl ow l y open. Af t er
t hi r t y seconds of const ant pr essur e, t he gat e t o M ount Thor f i nal l y opened.
You di d i t ! Li l y squeal ed.
Thi s w as onl y t he begi nni ng. Zeon knew t hat he w oul d f ace mor e di f f i cul t
chal l enges al ong t he w ay. He l ooked back at hi s f r i ends and f or ced a smi l e.
Thi s i s i t guys. Wi sh me l uck, he sai d.
Ar e you sur e you don t w ant us t o hel p you? Br yan asked.
No, I have t o do t hi s al one. I have t o pr ove mysel f . Zeon sai d f i er cel y.
Zeon bi d t hem al l a f ar ew el l and w al ked t hr ough t he gat es. He l ooked
behi nd t o see t he gat es cl osi ng.
So, he w as al one af t er al l . He l ooked at M ount Thor t hat seemed t o mock
hi m w i t h i t s hi gh al t i t ude.
Thi s i s f or you Ir i s, he w hi sper ed and began hi s j our ney t ow ar ds The
Gol den Phoeni x.

204 | P a g e
Chapt er 32
The Cannibals
Zeon st ood at t he edge of a cl i f f , l ooki ng w ar i l y at t he sheer dr op bel ow .
Af t er passi ng t hr ough t he gat es of M ount Thor , he f ol l ow ed t he pat hw ay l eadi n g
t o t he mount ai n, onl y t o come acr oss a dead end. The pat hw ay ended w i t h a
deadl y dr op so t he onl y w ay up w as t he har d w ay. He f ocused hi s aur a i nt o t he
pal m of hi s hand and t he sol es of hi s f eet , and began hi s t r eacher ous cl i mb up
t he anci ent mount ai n.
As Zeon gr i pped t he edge of t he st eep si ded mount ai n, a shi ver r an t hr ough
hi s body. The gr avel t hat f or med t he mount ai n w as i cy col d. He needed t o f i nd a
w ay t o keep hi s body w ar m. He t hought over hi s opt i ons and f i nal l y, came up
w i t h a w ay t o keep hi s i nsi des up t o opt i mum t emper at ur e. The Gol den Phoeni x
w as made up of l i ght ; maybe he coul d conver t t he ener gy of l i ght i nt o t her mal
ener gy. He f ocused on t hi s t hought , f or mi ng a sor t of an el ect r i c heat er i nsi de
hi msel f t hat kept hi s body w ar m.
Zeon once agai n gr i pped t he edge of t he mount ai n and w as gl ad t hat t he
col dness w as unabl e t o penet r at e hi s heat ed body.
Soon, Zeon f ound hi msel f sl ow l y ascendi ng t he mount ai n. As he moved
hi gher and hi gher , t he t emper at ur e seemed t o dr op at an al ar mi ng r at e. Ther e
came a t i me, w hen t he sour ce of heat w i t hi n hi s body coul d not f i ght t he
pi er ci ng col dness. Hi s t eet h began t o cl at t er and w hi t e f og escaped w i t h ever y
exhal e.
To make mat t er s w or se, a bl i zzar d began t o br ew ar ound hi m. Zeon w at ched
hel pl essl y as t he si des of t he mount ai ns w er e cover ed w i t h t hi n sl i pper y i ce.
St umbl i ng and sl i ppi ng, he w as f or ced t o sl ow dow n. To h i s r el i ef , he came acr oss
205 | P a g e
a smal l cave on a l evel gr ound. He made hi s deci si on t o r est f or a w hi l e, at l east
unt i l t he bl i zzar d di mi ni shed. He managed t o f i nd some pi eces of w ood f r om
coni f er ous t r ees. Usi ng t he pow er of l i ght ni ng, he w as abl e t o make a f i r e t o keep
hi msel f w ar m.
As he r est ed hi s back agai nst t he w al l of t he cave, he not i ced somet hi ng t hat
made hi s bl ood f r eeze. Looki ng cl osel y at t he car vi ngs on t he w al l s of t he cave,
he easi l y r ecogni zed t he same st r ange w or ds w hi ch w er e i mpr i nt ed on t he gat es
of M ount Thor .

Bceoc tqc Xovvi|co...

Bew ar e t he Canni bal s; t he w or ds of Cl ar k came back t o hi m. What ever t hese
Canni bal s w er e, Zeon knew t hat t hey meant t r oubl e. He somehow managed t o
doze of f at some poi nt . When he w oke up, t he bl i zzar d had ended. It w as t i me
f or hi m t o cont i nue hi s j our ney.
As Zeon pr epar ed t o cl i mb up t he mount ai n, he st opped qui t e abr upt l y. He
had a vague f eel i ng, as i f he w as bei ng w at ched. He l ooked ar ound t he seemi ngl y
deser t ed pl ace, but coul d f i nd no si gns of t r oubl e. He shr ugged di smi ssi vel y, and
f ocused on t he obj ect i ve at hand.
Af t er over an hour of hi ki ng, Zeon managed t o cover a consi der abl e amount
of di st ance. Wi t hout a bl i zzar d t o bot her hi m, he f ound hi msel f mor e f ocused. He
206 | P a g e
had r eached hal f w ay up t he mount ai n and he coul d al most f eel hi msel f get t i ng
near er t o t he ot her hal f of The Gol den Ph oeni x. Ju st w hen ever yt hi ng seemed t o
be under cont r ol , an i nvi si bl e bl ast sw ept past hi m, col l i di ng w i t h t he si de of t he
mount ai n.
Zeon managed t o cr eat e a bar r i er ar ound hi msel f t hat pr ot ect ed hi m f r om
t he f al l i ng boul der s. How ever , i n doi ng so he l ost hi s gr i p and ended up f al l i ng
dow n. Lucki l y, hi s l andi ng w as cushi oned by t he sof t snow . He pul l ed hi msel f out
of t he snow and l ooked ar ound i n conf usi on.
St andi ng i n f r ont of Zeon, w er e seven cl oaked f i gur es. He coul d not r eal l y t el l
w het her t hese guys w er e human or not as t he cl oak di d w el l t o cover t hei r f ace
and body. What he coul d t el l w as t hat t hese guys had i nhabi t ed t hi s pl ace f or a
w hi l e, si nce t hey w er e not af f ect ed by t he chi l l y envi r onment . Thei r cl oaks w er e
dove-w hi t e i n col or t hat gave t hem t he advant age of camouf l agi ng. They car r i ed
no w eapons, but t hat di dn t mean t hey w er e har ml ess. Any per son w ho coul d
l i ve i n such ext r eme condi t i ons w as not t o be t aken l i ght l y.
Emi t Ascal i ber !
Zeon poi nt ed hi s sw or d at t he per son i n t he mi ddl e, w ho he guessed w as t he
l eader . The enemy di d not w aver and j ust st ood t her e mot i onl ess.
Who ar e you? Zeon demanded.
[ We ar e t he Canni bal s.]
A shi ver r an t hr ough Zeon s spi ne. These guys communi cat ed w i t h t hought -
speech. If he r emember ed cor r ect l y, El i t e Emi l y used t he same met hod t o
communi cat e w i t h hi m w hen he w as on Ear t h.
I need t o r each t he t op of t hi s mount ai n, Zeon sai d sl ow l y. If you guys
don t get out of t he w ay I l l be f or ced t o f i ght .
[ We have hear d t hese t hr eat s uncount abl e number of t i mes, yet no one has
ever been abl e t o domi nat e us i n r egar ds t o combat . We have exi st ed her e si nce
t he begi nni ng of At l nt i da. M ount Thor w as a symbol of pow er . Anyone w ho
r eached t he t op w oul d be bl essed by a pow er beyond hi s i magi nat i on.
207 | P a g e
We act as a t est . We check i f a per son i s w or t hy of achi evi ng t hi s bl essi ng. So
f ar , no one passed t hi s t est .]
Zeon had no i dea w hi ch one of t he Canni bal s had spo ken.
That s not t r ue, i s i t ? he asked w i t h a smi l e. Someone has def eat ed you
once and has managed t o r each t he t op of t he mount ai n.
[ He w as a w ar r i or unl i ke any ot her . He over pow er ed al l of us w i t h
r emar kabl e sw i f t ness. He w as i ndeed w or t hy of r eachi ng t he t op of M ount Thor .
That boy w as t he f i r st per son out of many w ho r eached t he t op.]
Gr eat ! Then I l l be t he second! Zeon sai d cal ml y.
[ Hahaha! Thi s boy has a r emar kabl e amount of br aver y.]
[ I act ual l y bel i eve he mi ght r each t he t op.]
[ Pr epost er ous! We w i l l cr ush hi m! ]
[ You know , now t hat I l ook at t hi s boy cl osel y he does r esembl e a l ot l i ke t he
ot her boy w ho r eached t he t op.]
[ I t hi nk your r i ght ! ]
[ Enough! The boy has accept ed t he chal l enge. We w i l l not go easy on hi m.
Let us see i f he i s w or t hy of r eachi ng t he t op. Pr epar e your sel f boy! ]
Zeon w as r eady, but bef or e t he Canni bal s coul d at t ack, he w as st r uck by a
pow er f ul w i nd t hat made hi m f al l f ace-dow n i nt o t he snow . When he f or ced
hi msel f up, a f er oci ous bl i zzar d had sw al l ow ed up hi s sur r oundi ngs. The
Canni bal s had di sappear ed i n t he endl ess snow . He knew t hat t he bl i zzar d w as
not nat ur al . One of t he Canni bal s had somehow cr eat ed i t . He l ooked ar ound,
but i t w as near l y i mpossi bl e t o see i n such condi t i ons.
Suddenl y, Zeon f el t a st ab of pai n on hi s shoul der as a shar p kni f e pi er ced hi s
ski n, dr aw i ng w ar m bl ood out of hi s body. He l ooked ar ound w i l dl y f or t he
sour ce of at t ack, but he coul d see not hi ng.
Ah! h e cr i ed, f al l i ng t o hi s knees as anot her pai nf ul b l ow hi t t he back of hi s
l eg. Thi s i s cr azy! he sai d i n an angui shed voi ce.
[ You w i l l be bur i ed i n t he snow boy! ]
208 | P a g e
Zeon had enough. He cl osed hi s eyes and al l ow ed hi s sense of hear i ng t o
ki ck i n. He f ocused hi s aur a i nt o hi s ear s, t her eby enhanci ng hi s abi l i t y t o det ect
sound w aves.
CRUNCH!
Zeon t ur ned ar ound j ust i n t i me t o bl ock t he bl ow of t he enemy. He w as
f ace-t o-f ace w i t h t he Canni bal and al t hough he coul d not see hi s f ace, Zeon knew
t hat he had sur pr i sed t he enemy.
[ Not bad boy, not bad i ndeed. Let s see i f you can get out of t hi s one.]
Zeon cr i ed out i n sur pr i se as t w o mor e Canni bal s at t acked hi m; one f r om t he
r i ght and t he ot her one f r om t he l ef t . He knew he w as i n bi g t r oubl e, i f he t r i ed
t o bl ock t he ot her t w o at t acker s t hat w oul d l eave hi m exposed t o t he f i r st
Canni bal . He needed hel p so he t apped i nt o t he unknow n pow er s of The Gol den
Phoeni x.
Zeon had no i dea how i t happened, but he suddenl y di sappear ed and
r eappear ed behi nd t he f i r st Canni bal .
[ Wher e di d he go?! ] Zeon hear d t he Canni bal i n hi s head.
I m her e buddy! Cel est i al Fl ash! Zeon shout ed r el easi ng t he r ai nbow
col or ed bl ast at t he f i r st Canni bal . Hi s at t ack hi t t he enemy squar el y on t he
chest , di si nt egr at i ng hi m i nt o a pi l e of r ubbl e.
The ot her t w o Canni bal s yel l ed i n sur pr i se, but Zeon w as w ay ahead of
t hem. He used t he pow er of t el eki nesi s t o f r eeze t hei r bodi es w i t h hi s mi nd.
Then he r el eased t w o bol t s of l i ght ni ng f r om w i t hi n hi s body, w hi ch hi t t he
Canni bal s, t ur ni ng t hem i nt o ash.
Inst ant l y, t he bl i zzar d di sappear ed. Zeon guessed t hat one of t he t hr ee dead
Canni bal s had been cont r ol l i ng t he bl i zzar d. The ot her f our Canni bal s w er e
now her e t o be seen. Appar ent l y, t hey had under est i mat ed hi m and w oul d be
mor e caut i ous f r om now on.
De-Emi t Ascal i ber , he sai d happi l y.
209 | P a g e
Zeon s happi ness w as shor t l i ved as he r eal i zed how w eak he f el t . He had
t w o open w ounds w hi ch had t he r i sk of bei ng i nf ect ed. He agai n cal l ed The
Gol den Phoeni x f or hel p. To hi s amazement , hi s w ounds w er e heal ed, but not
compl et el y. He w as d eepl y i mpr essed by t he l engt hs of t he pow er of The Gol den
Phoeni x. He possessed onl y hal f of i t , but st i l l he coul d do l ot s of cool t hi ngs.
How pow er f ul w oul d he be i f he managed t o get t he ot her hal f ? It w as j ust t oo
much t o t hi nk about .
Zeon f or ced hi msel f on hi s f eet and cl i mbed t he mount ai n w i t h r enew ed
det er mi nat i on. He kept hi msel f on hi gh al er t f or any si gns of t he Canni bal s. Af t er
an hour , t he Canni bal s made t hei r second at t empt t o ki l l hi m. He w as w al ki ng
al ong a f l at pl ai n, w hen suddenl y t he gr ound beneat h hi m gave aw ay.
Zeon f el l t hr ough an under gr ound t unnel , l andi ng i n an i cy cave. St andi ng i n
f r ont of hi m w er e t w o Canni bal s; one w as hol di ng a l ar ge axe and t he ot her one
w as hol di ng a kunai .
[ I must say boy, I had made a mi st ake of under est i mat i ng you. Never agai n,
w i l l I make t he same mi st ake! ] One of t he Canni bal s sai d har shl y.
The Canni bal w i t h t he axe t hr ew hi s w eapon t ow ar ds Zeon.
Emi t Ascal i ber ! Zeon shout ed as he r an t ow ar ds t he enemy. He f el l on hi s
knees, ski ddi ng acr oss t he sl i pper y f l oor and avoi di ng t he axe.
Zeon smashed Ascal i ber i nt o t he gr ound, usi ng i t as a sl i ng t o shoot hi msel f
upw ar ds. The Canni bal w i t h t he kunai j umped t o meet hi m. He sw ung hi s sw or d
t hat col l i ded w i t h t he enemy s kunai . To hi s sur pr i se, t he Canni bal t ur ned i nt o
snow and f el l t ow ar ds t he gr ound, l eavi ng behi nd hi s kunai . That s w hen he
not i ced t he expl odi ng t ag at t ached t o t he kunai .
The kunai expl oded, sendi ng Zeon cr ashi ng i nt o t he gr ound.
OUCH! I am so get t i ng t i r ed of t hi s, Zeon br eat hed.
Just t hen, t he Canni bal w i t h t he axe, descended f r om t he sky w i t h hi s axe,
poi nt t ow ar ds Zeon s neck. Zeon managed t o get out of t he w ay, but t he enemy
w as qui cker and moved sw i f t l y, ki cki ng hi m on t he chest .
210 | P a g e
Zeon col l i ded w i t h t he w al l of t he cave and f el l i nt o a cr aw l i ng posi t i on as he
pant ed heavi l y. These guys w er e no j oke. He had t o f i nd a w ay t o end t hi s bat t l e,
but how ? These guys coul d see t hr ough al l hi s moves. He had t o do somet hi ng
r eckl ess and t ot al l y unexpect ed.
He w as an exper t at such st uf f .
Zeon l ooked ar ound and f ound w hat he w as l ooki ng f or ; a smal l openi ng i n
t he w al l of t he cave. He f ocused hi s ent i r e aur a as w el l as t he pow er of The
Gol den Phoeni x i nt o hi s mi nd. He l ooked up at t he cei l i ng of t he cave and r ai sed
hi s hands t ow ar ds i t .
[ What i s he doi ng?] asked one of t he Canni bal s.
[ M aybe i t s a new si gn f or gi vi ng up.] t he ot her Canni bal suggest ed.
Zeon i gnor ed t he Canni bal s and f ocused al l of hi s pow er s on t he cei l i ng. He
knew t hat w hat he w as t r yi ng w as i mpossi bl y cr azy, but he r ef used t o gi ve up.
Cr acks st ar t ed t o appear on t he i ce of t he cei l i ng, spr eadi ng qui ckl y.
The Canni bal s r eal i zed w hat he w as t r yi ng t o do and t hey w er e shocked.
[ He w oul dn t ?]
[ I t hi nk he w oul d.]
Ahhhhhhhhhh! Zeon shout ed as he f or ced hi s hands dow n.
Accor di ngl y, t he w hol e cave shudder ed as t he cei l i ng gave aw ay, br i ngi ng
al ong w i t h i t t ones of snow . The t w o Canni bal s st ood r oot ed t o t he spot as t hey
absor bed w hat w as happeni ng. Zeon w ast ed no t i me and f ocused hi s r emai ni ng
aur a i n hi s f eet . He r an t ow ar ds t he smal l openi ng i n t he w al l . As he j umped
t hr ough t he openi ng, t he cave behi nd hi m w as engul f ed by t hi ck snow .
Zeon managed t o di g hi s w ay out t ow ar ds t he sur f ace. When he bur st out of
t he gr ound, i t w as snow i ng out si de. He sat on hi s knees, as he pant ed heavi l y. He
had j ust bar el y sur vi ved i n t he i cy cave and w as gl ad t o be out of t her e. He had
def eat ed f i ve Canni bal s, but t w o w er e l ef t .
211 | P a g e
Zeon f or ced hi msel f on hi s f eet and t hat s w hen he not i ced t he gol den
door s. The door s w er e f i f t een f oot t al l and had st r ange symbol s car ved on t hem.
He coul d f eel an uni magi nabl e pow er , r adi at i ng f r om t he i nsi de of t hem and he
knew t hat The Gol den Phoeni x w as i n t her e somew her e.
He had done i t ! Somehow he had r eached hi s dest i nat i on.
Zeon w as so f ocused on t he gol den door s t hat he f ai l ed t o not i ce t he f i gur e,
r i si ng f r om w i t hi n t he snow . Rai si ng hi s kunai , t he Canni bal st abbed hi m on t he
back.
Zeon cr i ed i n pai n as he f el l t o t he gr ound.
It w as over . He had made a f at al mi st ake and he had f ai l ed t he t est of t he
Canni bal s. He had been a f ool . He had l et hi s guar d dow n and t hat had cost hi m
ever yt hi ng.
Zeon w as l yi ng on t he gr ound w i t h hi s body i mmobi l i zed by t he w ound on
hi s back. He st ar ed at t he Canni bal w ho w as chuckl i ng i n hi s head.
You r e al i ve? Zeon gasped.
[ I can t ur n my body i nt o snow w henever I w ant t o. When you bur i ed us i n
t hat snow , I sur vi ved, but my f r i end w as not so l ucky.] The Canni bal sai d.
[ You di d i t .]
The ot her t w o Canni bal s appear ed out of now her e.
[ A r eal pi t y. I enj oyed w at chi ng t hi s boy f i ght . Amazi ng! A t en-year -ol d boy
had def eat ed f our of our comr ades. Now boy, w e r e goi ng t o gi ve you a chance
t o l eave. If you r ef use, t hen you di e.]
No, Zeon sai d as he t r i ed t o get up. I have got t en so f ar I can t gi ve up
now . It can t end t hi s w ay.
[ Don t be a f ool boy! You have pr oven your sel f as a gr eat w ar r i or , but I m
af r ai d you r e i n no condi t i on t o f i ght anymor e. I don t w ant t o ki l l such a br ave
per son.]
No! Zeon cr i ed. Ther e ar e t oo many peopl e count i ng on me. I can t l et
t hem dow n. I w i l l not gi ve up!
212 | P a g e
As Zeon sai d t hese w or ds, he became st r onger and st r onger . The Gol den
Phoeni x w i t h i n hi m w as r oar i ng i n appr oval and l endi ng hi m i t s pow er s. He coul d
f eel hi s body heal i ng and he coul d l i t er al l y f eel t he ear t h t r embl i ng under hi s
mi ght .
[ Impossi bl e.]
Emi t Ascal i ber ! Zeon shout ed.
The Canni bal w i t h t he kunai had onl y t i me t o t w i t ch bef or e Zeon pi er ced hi s
chest w i t h hi s sw or d, t ur ni ng hi m i nt o r ubbl e. The r emai ni ng t w o Canni bal s
moved aw ay f r om hi m, but Zeon di sappear ed and r eappear ed behi nd one of
t hem. He cr eat ed anot her sw or d out of l i ght ni ng and used i t t o ki l l t he enemy.
The l ast Canni bal w as t r yi ng t o make some di st ance bet w een hi msel f and
Zeon. Zeon how ever w as f ast er and ki l l ed t he Canni bal w i t h one f i er ce sw i ng.
He had done i t ! He had def eat ed t he Canni bal s.
As i f sensi ng hi s vi ct or y, t he gol den door s opened up and a bl i ndi ng l i ght
pi er ced Zeon s eyes. Wi t h gr i m det er mi nat i on, Zeon ent er ed t he l i ght .
213 | P a g e
Chapt er 33
The Flaw of an Avenger
Zeon st epped i nt o a smal l f r ozen cave t hat w as l i t up by f i r e l ant er ns. He
coul d not hel p but w onder how t he f i r e i n t hese l ant er ns w as kept al i ve i n such
col dness. M aybe i t had somet hi ng t o do w i t h t he f act t hat t he cave f el t pecul i ar l y
w ar mer t han t he out si de.
Zeon t hought t hat t her e w as not hi ng ext r aor di nar y about t he cave, but t hat
w as unt i l he not i ced t he t hr one-l i ke seat t hat st ood at t he end. He w al ked
caut i ousl y t ow ar ds t he chai r t hat seemed t o be emi t t i ng a si l ver y aur a. As he
appr oached t he chai r , an ear spl i t t i ng voi ce shook t he cave.
WHO DARES APPROACH THE THRONE OF ANDREW CREST?!
Zeon st umbl ed back i n shock and st ar ed w ar i l y at t he chai r .
Um I am Zeon Cr est , br ot her of Andr ew Cr est , He sai d hesi t ant l y.
Zeon expect ed anot her deaf eni ng r oar , but i nst ead a j ovi al voi ce spoke out
t o hi m.
Zeon! I knew i t ! I j ust knew you w oul d make i t her e. The ot her spi r i t s had
t hei r doubt s, but I w as conf i dent t hat my l i t t l e br ot her coul d do anyt hi ng!
Suddenl y, t her e w as a l oud POP and a boy w i t h spi ky bl ond hai r
mat er i al i zed f r om t hi n ai r . The boy sat cal ml y on t he chai r and hi s deep bl ue eyes
st ar ed hungr i l y at Zeon.
Un-be-l i evabl e! You l ook j ust l i ke mom! She w i l l be t ouched. I can t even
begi n t o t el l you how t hr i l l ed I am t o see you Zeon! Last t i me w e w er e t oget her ,
you w er e st i l l j ust a baby. Andr ew sai d w i t h exci t ement gl eami ng i n hi s eyes.
So you r e my br ot her . Is i t t r ue t hat you w er e al so know n as Chr i s Kage?
Zeon asked.
214 | P a g e
Ah yes! It w as one of dad s most br i l l i ant i deas. I guess I w oul d have di ed
ear l i er i f i t w asn t f or our dad. Andr ew sai d w i t h a chuckl e.
Zeon w hi l st , l ooked at a l oss of w or ds. Ther e w as so much he needed t o ask
hi s br ot her , but now st andi ng i n f r ont of hi m, he j ust coul d not seem t o f i nd t he
r i ght w or ds.
Zeon, ar e you okay? Andr ew sai d, l ooki ng concer ned.
Zeon t r i ed t o smi l e, but i t w as mor e l i ke a gr i mace of pai n. Now t hat he had
t he oppor t uni t y t o l ear n al l about hi s l i f e, he di dn t t hi nk he w as r eady. M aybe
t he answ er he w i l l f i nd mi ght not be t he one he w oul d be l ooki ng f or .
Andr ew smi l ed know i ngl y. I know i t s har d Zeon, but r emember you ar e a
Cr est . We t end t o get i nt o a l ot of t r oubl e. Don t you agr ee?
Zeon smi l ed. Hi s br ot her w as r i ght about t hat . Danger f ol l ow ed hi m ever y
st ep of t he w ay.
What happened? Zeon asked gr uf f l y. What separ at ed our f ami l y?
Andr ew si ghed. Bef or e I answ er your quest i on Zeon, I w ant you t o pr omi se
me somet hi ng. Pr omi se me Zeon t hat no mat t er w hat t he ci r cumst ances ar e,
never choose t he Pat h of an Avenger . It w i l l onl y br i ng you har m and sor r ow .
Zeon nodded, but di d not comment . Andr ew l ooked sat i sf i ed.
I guess I shoul d st ar t t hi s st or y f r om our f at her . Zeon, our f at her , Benj ami n
Cr est w as a Par t -Human w ho pr act i ced Necr omancy. Andr ew sai d gr i ml y.
What s t hat ? Zeon asked.
Necr omancy i nvol ves br i ngi ng t he dead back t o l i f e. Fat her w as a Par t -
Shaman and shamans ar e usual l y ver y good at i t . Anyw ay, f at her s chi l dhood w as
ver y r ough. He had t o endur e r ej ect i on and even per secut i on at t he hands of hi s
ow n par ent s! So he r an aw ay and became a sw or n enemy of not onl y hi s
par ent s, but al so t he i nhabi t ant s of At l nt i da. He br ought t he dead back t o l i f e
and used t hem t o scar e peopl e. The Gover nor s t r i ed ver y har d t o capt ur e hi m,
but f at her w as t oo smar t f or t hem. He knew al l t he secr et pl aces i n At l nt i da so
i t w as i mpossi bl e t o cat ch hi m.
215 | P a g e
Then our f at her met Emi l y Pet er son, our mot her w ho acci dent l y f ound hi s
hi di ng pl ace. M ot her w as a Par t -Human w ho had al so st udi ed at t he School of
At l nt i da. Fat her f el l i n l ove w i t h her . She w as t he one per son w ho w as abl e t o
r each i nt o hi s hear t and dr aw goodness out of i t . Our f at her changed and
st opped Necr omancy. Ever yt hi ng w as under cont r ol , but t he Gover nor s of
At l nt i da r ui ned ever yt hi ng. Andr ew sai d i n a deadl y w hi sper .
What happened? Zeon asked. He knew t hat t he r eput at i on of t he
Gover nor s w as not a good one, so w hat ever happened next w oul d not be good.
M ot her t ook f at her t o t he gover nor s so t hat he coul d apol ogi ze f o r hi s non-
cooper at i on. Our f at her apol ogi zed, but t he gover nor s r ef used t o f or gi ve hi m.
They bel i eved t hat i t w as al l an act . They bel i eved t hat f at her w as onl y t r yi ng t o
get i nt o t hei r good books so t hat he coul d spy on t hem. M ot her ar gued, but her
w or ds w er e met w i t h deaf ear s. They t r i ed t o t ake f at her by f or ce. M ot her w as a
ver y pow er f ul Il l umi nat i an d she pr ot ect ed hi m. The Gover nor s count ed her as a
t r ai t or .
Our par ent s w ent i nt o hi di ng. That w as w hen I w as bor n. I r emember t hat
most of my l i f e w as spent i n r unni ng w i t h my par ent s f r om t he gover nor s men.
When I w as t en year s ol d, you w er e bor n. Fat her possessed a pow er f ul spear
cal l ed Zeon so t hat s w her e w e got your name.
Shor t l y af t er your bi r t h, t he gover nor s men f ound our hi di ng pl ace. They
enci r cl ed us, bl ocki ng al l our exi t s. We w er e t r apped. In t hi s desper at e si t uat i on,
f at her cr eat ed a por t al t o Ear t h f or you, mot her and me. M ot her sent you
t hr ough t he por t al t ow ar ds Javel i n Akashi w i t h a l et t er , t el l i ng hi m t o t ake car e of
you. Fat her w ant ed me and M ot her t o go as w el l , but w e bot h w ant ed t o st ay
w i t h hi m. We w ant ed Andr ew sai d, but Zeon suddenl y i nt er r upt ed hi m.
Why coul dn t w e j ust al l go t hr ough t he por t al t o escape t he enemy? He
asked conf used.
Andr ew l aughed. Fat her w as t i r ed of r unni ng. He w ant ed t o f ace w hat w as
comi ng so t hat s w hy he r ef used t o r un aw ay. Anyw ay, w her e w as I? Oh yes, me
216 | P a g e
and mot her st ayed w i t h f at her . How ever , f at her w as adamant t hat I l i ved si nce
he knew t hat I possessed The Gol den Phoeni x. I ar gued, but f at her had no
pat i ence. He knocked me ou t w i t h hi s spear . Andr ew sai d w i t h t ear s i n hi s eyes.
When I w oke up, t hey w er e dead. I w oul d have been dead t o, but f at her used a
speci al magi c t o change my appear ance. The Gover nor s kept t he deat hs of our
par ent s a secr et . I w as f ur i ous and t hat s w hen I made t he bi ggest mi st ake of al l .
I became an Avenger .
I sw or e t hat I w oul d ki l l each and ever y one of t he Gover nor s f or w hat t hey
had done. I j oi ned t he School of At l nt i da by adopt i ng t he name, Chr i s Kage. I
became pow er f ul by ever y passi ng day. I possessed The Gol den Phoeni x w hi ch
w as my mai n sour ce of pow er and I kept dr eami ng about ki l l i ng t he Gover nor s
w i t h i t . I w as a f ool Zeon! The l ust f or r evenge had over pow er ed my abi l i t y t o
t hi nk. Chaos somehow f ound out about my f l aw and used i t agai nst me. He
i mper sonat ed one of t he gover nor s t her eby l ur i ng me i nt o a t r ap. When I came
t o ki l l t he gover nor , I i nst ead came f ace t o f ace w i t h Chaos and some of hi s
f ol l ow er s. I w as out number ed and al t hough I f ought my har dest , deat h w as
i nevi t abl e. Thi s i s t he f l aw of an Avenger , Zeon! Never make t he same mi st ake I
made!
Zeon l ooked aw ay. So t hi s w as t he t r ut h. It w as because of t he Gover nor s
t hat hi s mum and dad w er e dead. He w ant ed t o be angr y, but i nst ead he f el t
hol l ow . He coul dn t t hi nk of anyt hi ng t o say and t he si l ence bet w een t hem
st r et ched f or sever al mi nut es. Fi nal l y, he br oke t he si l ence.
One t hi ng I don t under st and. Gover nor Wal t on know s w ho I am. He know s
I m a Cr est . So w hy hasn t he or der ed my execut i on. Zeon asked.
He can t do t hat Zeon. When he ki l l ed our par ent s he kept i t a secr et . If he
had openl y ki l l ed t hem t hen of cour se many peopl e w oul d t ur n agai nst t he
gover nor s. M or e i mpor t ant l y, i f he had t r i ed t o ki l l our mot her openl y t hen
M ast er Dor man and t he st udent s of t he School of At l nt i da w oul d have t r i ed t o
217 | P a g e
pr ot ect her . Gover nor Wal t on can t ki l l you because you r e under t he pr ot ect i on
of M ast er Dor man. Andr ew expl ai ned.
But w hat i f he t r i ed t o ki l l me secr et l y? Zeon asked.
He w i l l not do t hat . You w i l l have The Gol den Phoeni x w i t hi n you and i f he
ki l l s you, he w i l l doom At l nt i da. You w i l l pl ay an i mpor t ant par t i n The Codex
and Gover nor Wal t on w i l l know t hi s. If he ki l l s you t hen At l nt i da w i l l suf f er i t s
consequence. Andr ew sai d gr i ml y. Zeon, I w ant you t o t ake t hi s.
Andr ew t hr ew a si l ver obj ect at Zeon. Zeon caught t he obj ect and st ar ed at
i t . It w as a si l ver amul et w i t h t he al phabet C car ved on i t .
Zeon opened t he amul et and st ar ed t ear y-eyed at t he phot o i nsi de i t . The
phot o show ed hi s mum and dad, st andi ng si de by si de. Bet w een t hem w as
Andr ew w hen he w as ar ound t en year s ol d. Zeon ho w ever , had onl y eyes f or t he
l i t t l e baby w ho w as sl eepi ng i n hi s mot her s ar ms.
T-That s me, Zeon sai d w i t h a sob.
Andr ew nodded. That pi ct ur e w as t aken a f ew days af t er you w er e bor n.
That i s t he Amul et of Cr est , Zeon. Al w ays keep i t w i t h you and r emember t hat
w e w i l l al w ays be t her e w i t h you.
Zeon si mpl y nodded. He j ust coul dn t t r ust hi s voi ce.
218 | P a g e
You w i l l be a gr eat her o Zeon! But a her o al w ays l i st ens t o hi s f r i ends, so
keep t hem i n your hear t . Go Zeon! Take The Gol den Phoeni x and def eat Chaos!
It i s and w i l l al w ays be your dest i ny! Andr ew sai d f i er cel y.
The musi c of The Gol den Phoeni x echoed i n t he cave. Zeon l ooked up t o see
t hat hi s br ot her w as gone and w as r epl aced by a gol den bi r d. He r eached out t o
t ouch t he bi r d and as soon as he made cont act , hi s w hol e body w as envel oped
by gol den r ays.
As The Gol den Phoeni x became w hol e agai n, t he boy named Zeon Cr est
became t he cent r e ar ound w hi ch al l hope w as concent r at ed. He became a t r ue
M ast er of Li ght
219 | P a g e
Chapt er 34
War Speech
Cr yst al Lovesey hat ed f eel i ng usel ess. Wat chi ng one of her f r i ends r un of f
i nt o danger , w hi l e she had t o si t back l i ke a good gi r l , w as i n f ur i at i ng. Four ho ur s
had passed si nce Zeon ent er ed t he gat es, l eadi ng t o M ount Thor . Pat i ence w as
usual l y her st r ong poi nt , but sur pr i si ngl y, i t had w or n out ver y qui ckl y. Now , l i ke
t he ot her s she w as t r yi ng t o f i nd w ays t o busy her sel f .
Cr yst al t ook out her pai nt br ush al ong w i t h some bl ack i nk and began
pai nt i ng a r ock. It seemed l i ke a chi l di sh t hi ng t o do, but because she w as
st udyi ng t he Secr et of Ar t s, i t hel ped her t o r evi se al l t hat she had l ear ned.
Br yan, Er i k, Jason and Cl ar k w er e havi ng a f r i endl y mat ch of Pow er ed Up Soccer .
It w as r eal l y sur pr i si ng t o see how w el l t hey al l w er e get t i ng al ong. Li l y and Rose
w er e pl ayi ng car ds, but Cr yst al coul d t el l t hat Li l y w as bei ng mor e annoyi ng t han
pl ayf ul .
Then Cr yst al hear d i t .
It w as t he same musi c she had hear d w hen Zeon had been f i ght i ng Gener al
Tr ox. Ever yone st opped w hat t hey w er e doi ng and l ooked ar ound f or t he sour ce
of t he musi c. Suddenl y, t he gat es of M ount Thor sl ow l y opened and Zeon
st epped out .
Cr yst al s hear t ski pped a beat . Zeon w as emi t t i ng w aves of gol den l i ght f r om
w i t hi n hi s body. An unr eal pow er seemed t o sur r ound hi m, maki ng hi m l ook l i ke
an unst oppabl e f or ce. On hi s f or ehead w as a si x-poi nt ed st ar t hat w as gl ow i ng
br i ght l y. Thi s w as not her 10-year -ol d f r i end. It w as l i ke Zeon had aged gr eat l y i n
t hese past f ew hour s.
It w as si mpl y ast oundi ng!
220 | P a g e
Zeon smi l ed at t hei r st unned expr essi ons. Even Cl ar k seemed t o have hi s
t ongue t i ed. It w as Br yan w ho f i nal l y came out of t he t r ance.
Whoa! Zeon i s t hat r eal l y you? Br yan sai d, l ooki ng aw est r uck.
We bet t er get goi ng guys. The ot her s w i l l be w ai t i ng f or us. Zeon sai d
cal ml y.
Zeon s r i ght . Let s go guys. Jason sai d as he st ar ed appr ovi ngl y at Zeon.
Do you know w her e Chaos i s, Zeon?
Zeon nodded r esol ut el y.
Gr eat ! Let s get goi ng! Li l y sai d br i ght l y.
Emi t Ri der ! Cr yst al sai d al ong w i t h t he ot her s.
To ever yone s sur pr i se, Zeon di d not emi t hi s Ri der .
What ar e you doi ng Zeon? Br yan asked.
Zeon smi l ed. Just t r yi ng t o f i gur e out somet hi ng?
Fi gur e out w hat ? Er i k asked cl ear l y conf used.
Zeon di d not answ er , but st ar ed st oi cal l y ahead. Bef or e anyone coul d f i gur e
out w hat h e w as doi ng, he r an t ow ar ds t he edge of t he cl i f f . Wi t h an exhi l ar at ed
cr y, Zeon j umped of f t he cl i f f .
Zeon! t hey al l cr i ed si mul t aneousl y.
They r an t ow ar ds t he edge of t he cl i f f t o see i f Zeon had ki l l ed hi msel f . As
t hey l ooked dow n, a speedi ng bl ur zoomed past t hem. They al l st ar ed w i de-eyed
at Zeon w ho w as cal ml y, f l oat i ng above t hem.
No w ay! You can f l y? Br yan sai d, l ooki ng dumbf ounded.
Ha-ha! Aw esome i sn t i t ? Zeon sai d w i t h a l augh. Now ar e you guys,
comi ng or not .
Okay I m of f i ci al l y j eal ous, Rose decl ar ed.
One by one t hey sat gr umpi l y on t hei r r espect i ve Ri der and f ol l ow ed Zeon
back t ow ar ds t he school .
221 | P a g e
Zeon t hought t hat t her e w as not hi ng mor e amazi ng t han f l yi ng. On a Ri der
one f eel s r est r i ct ed, but f l yi ng as i f t her e i s no gr avi t y, t hat s t he r eal deal . Zeon
sped t hr ough t he ai r , spi nni ng and r ot at i ng w i t h no sense of caut i on. He coul d
t el l t hat t he ot her s w er e f eel i ng j eal ous, but honest l y he di dn t car e. Whi l e at
M ount Thor he had t o under go t i mes of ext r eme har dshi p and so, he w as gl ad t o
f eel f r ee.
Few mi nut es l at er , t he School of At l nt i da came i nt o vi ew . Then he saw t hat
M ast er Dor man had assembl ed ever yone i n a l ar ge cl ear i ng of t he f or est . Zeon
sped t ow ar ds t hem. He count ed mor e t han a hundr ed heavi l y ar med w ar r i or s
w ho l ooked pr epar ed f or bat t l e. M ost of t hem w er e st udent s of t he School of
At l nt i da.
As Zeon f l ew f r om above ever yone s heads, t hey al l st ar ed at hi m w i t h a
mi xt ur e of aw e and l ongi ng. He l anded r i ght i n f r ont of M ast er Dor man w ho
beamed happi l y.
You di d i t ! Wel l done Zeon! I knew you coul d do i t ! E. M . Dor man sai d
cheer f ul l y.
El i t e Emi l y w as, st andi ng r i ght besi de M ast er Dor man and she t oo l ooked
deepl y i mpr essed.
It s l i ke you r e a w hol e new per son Zeon! E. Emi l y sai d appr ovi ngl y.
So w hat s t he pl an? Br yan asked, l andi ng besi de Zeon.
Zeon w i l l be l eadi ng ever yone i nt o bat t l e si nce he s t he onl y one w ho
know s w her e Chaos i s hi di ng. I w i l l be st ayi ng her e and w i l l gat her up
r ei nf or cement s. El i t e Emi l y w i l l be i n char ge of t he bat t l e st r at egi es. You w i l l al l
be t r avel l i ng on your r espect i ve dr agons. E. M . Dor man expl ai ned.
Wai t ! Wasn t Dr agon Ri di ng banned by Gover nor Wal t on? Br yan asked.
Yes i t w as, but t hat doesn t mean you can t summon your dr agons. E. M .
Dor man sai d.
Oh, r i ght . Br yan sai d.
Now , Zeon i t i s t i me f or you t o make a w ar speech. E. M . Dor man sai d.
222 | P a g e
A w -w hat ? Zeon asked, l ooki ng t hor oughl y bew i l der ed.
A w ar speech. It i s a common cust om t hat t he per son w ho i s l eadi ng t he
peopl e of At l nt i da i nt o bat t l e must f i r st gi ve a w ar speech. E. M . Dor man
expl ai ned.
B-But M ast er Dor man, w oul dn t i t l ook w ei r d f or a 10-year -ol d boy t o gi ve a
w ar speech. You shoul d be t he one t o gi ve i t . Zeon sai d pl eadi ngl y.
No, E. M . Dor man sai d f i r ml y. Thi s i s your bat t l e Zeon. You w i l l gi ve t he
w ar speech.
But w hat do I say? Zeon asked desper at el y.
Just say w hat ever comes t o your hear t . E. M . Dor man sai d, smi l i ng.
Zeon l ooked at Br yan w ho shr ugged hel pl essl y. He t hen l ooked at Cr yst al
w ho nodded encour agi ngl y.
Okay, Zeon sai d cr ossl y. He agai n f l ew i nt o t he sky so t hat ever yone coul d
see hi m. He f ocused hi s aur a i nt o hi s vocal cor ds t her eby i ncr easi ng t he
ampl i t ude of hi s voi ce. Hel l o ever yone. I t hi nk you al l know w hy w e ar e her e.
Today w e w i l l be endi ng t he dar kness t hat t hr eat ens t o dest r oy our w or l d. I
know w her e Chaos i s hi di ng and I al so know t hat he i s expect i ng us, but t hat
doesn t mean w e w i l l back dow n. It s f unny t hat a 10-year -ol d l i ke me i s gi vi ng a
w ar speech, but t oday I w i l l l et mysel f be know n t o you al l .
M y name i s Zeon Cr est , and I m t he son of Benj ami n and Emi l y Cr est . M y
br ot her i s Andr ew Cr est and he i s t he one w ho gave me t he pow er of The Gol den
Phoeni x. M y dest i ny i s t o end Chaos once and f or al l , but I can t do t hi s w i t hout
you al l . Each of you pl ays a par t i n t hi s pr ophecy, so I need you. The dar kness
f al l s t oday ever yone! The dar kness f al l s and t he l i ght r i ses! Thi s i s how i t w i l l be!
As Zeon sai d t hese w or ds, he al l ow ed The Gol den Phoeni x w i t hi n h i m t o si ng
t he M usi c of Phoeni x. He w at ched as t he musi c seemed t o el at e ever yone. A
mi ght y cheer er upt ed t hat seemed t o echo t hr oughout At l nt i da.
Now ever yone! Summon your dr agons and f ol l ow me! Zeon shout ed.
223 | P a g e
Zeon w at ched as t he f or est w as f i l l ed w i t h dr agons. Br yan and Cr yst al qui ckl y
sat on t hei r r espect i ve dr agons. That s w hen he r eal i zed t hat he di d not possess a
dr agon.
Hey Br yan! I don t have a dr agon, so can I si t w i t h you? Zeon asked hi s
f r i end.
Br yan smi l ed humor ousl y. You can f l y Zeon.
I can t f l y al l t he w ay t o Chaos s base! Zeon sai d angr i l y.
I m j ust j oki ng dude! Br yan sai d, l aughi ng.
Oh r i ght , Zeon sai d sheepi shl y.
Zeon, can I t al k t o you pr i vat el y f or a second? Er i k sai d as he appr oached
hi m.
Zeon nodded. He f ol l ow ed Er i k aw ay f r om ever yone el se.
So t hi s i s a goodbye Zeon, Er i k sai d qui et l y.
You don t w ant t o come w i t h us? We coul d use your hel p. Zeon sai d.
I w i sh I coul d hel p you Zeon, but w e bot h know w hat w i l l happen as soon as
Chaos i s def eat ed. Er i k sai d. He l ooked at Zeon w i t h, bur ni ng eyes. Zeon, I need
you t o pr omi se t o ki l l t he Daemon w i t hi n me! Even i f i t means
No, Zeon sai d f i r ml y. Her e i s t he pr omi se I w i l l make. I pr omi se t hat
w hat ever i t t akes I w i l l f i nd a w ay t o get t he Daemon out of you.
Zeon, don t make pr omi ses t hat you can t keep. Er i k sai d t i ght l y.
You w at ch me Er i k! I w i l l f i nd a w ay t o save you! Goodbye. Zeon qui ckl y
w al ked aw ay f r om Er i k bef or e he coul d say anyt hi ng el se.
Zeon j oi ned Br yan on hi s dr agon.
What w as t hat al l about ? Br yan asked, f r ow ni ng.
Not hi ng, Zeon sai d qui ckl y. Ar en t w e l eavi ng?
Yeah, w e ar e j ust w ai t i ng f or M ast er Dor man t o open t he por t al t o Ear t h.
Oh l ook, t her e i t i s! Br yan added.
Sur e enough a l ar ge por t al appear ed i n t he sky.
224 | P a g e
Come on Agnon! Br yan shout ed, as he or der ed hi s dr agon t o go t hr ough
t he por t al .
Wi t h one mi ght y f l ap of hi s w i ngs, Agnon t ook t he sky, headi ng t ow ar ds t he
por t al . One by one t hey ent er ed t he por t al t hat l ed t hem st r ai ght t o Ear t h.
Thi s w as i t .
The t i me had come t o f i ght Chao s and hi s f o r ces. Af t er t hi s day s endi ng on l y
one of t he t w o w i l l sur vi ve: Li ght or Dar kness.
225 | P a g e
Chapt er 35
Necr opolises
A shi mmer i ng por t al opened up i n t he ni ght s sky of Ear t h. The War r i or s of
At l nt i da emer ged f r om w i t hi n t hi s por t al , r i di ng on t he back of t hei r dr agons.
The moon w as out and cast a si l ver y gl ow o n t hese det er mi ned l ooki ng w ar r i or s.
Zeon dr opped f r om t he back of hi s dr agon and i nst ead f l ew ahead, l eadi ng t hem
al l t o t he bat t l ef i el d.
Ever yone keep your dr agons above t he cl ouds! We have t o r emai n hi dden
f r om human eyes! E. Emi l y or der ed.
Ever yone obeyed, except Zeon w ho i nst ead descended. He moved bel ow
t he cl ouds so he coul d see t he w or l d bel ow hi m. As soon as he emer ged f r om
w i t hi n t he cl ouds, t he w or l d bel ow t ur ned i nt o a sceni c w onder . Bi l l i ons of l i ght
made t he l and spar kl e. The l i ght s w er e l i ke f i r ef l i es; some w er e st at i onar y w hi l e
ot her s w er e movi ng.
Ci t y l i ght s! Br yan shout ed as he maneuver ed hi s dr agon besi de Zeon. At
ni ght w hen t he ci t y l i ght s come on t he vi ew f r om t he sky i s br i l l i ant .
Yeah, I ve l i ved on Ear t h f or t en year s, but I ve never seen anyt hi ng t hi s
beaut i f ul . Zeon comment ed.
Zeon, w e have t o move above t he cl ouds. El i t e Emi l y i s r i ght . If t he humans
see us t hey w oul d be ver y angr y. Br yan sai d cal ml y.
But I t hought w e w er e al l ow ed t o come t o Ear t h, dur i ng emer genci es?
Zeon asked, f r ow ni ng.
We have per mi ssi on t o ent er Ear t h by t he Gover nor s of At l nt i da, but not
by t he pr esi dent s of Ear t h. They don t know w e ar e her e on Ear t h, but i f t hey
f i nd out i t coul d mean t r oubl e. Br yan sai d cal ml y.
226 | P a g e
Zeon si ghed. Okay l et s go back up t hen.
Zeon l ed t hem al l on a one hour j our ney. By t he hel p of The Gol den Phoeni x,
he coul d f eel t he pr esence of The Si l ver Phoeni x t hat al l ow ed hi m t o l ocat e t he
pl ace w her e Chaos w as keepi ng Ir i s Wi l l i am. The t hi ng t hat bot her ed hi m t he
most w as t he f act t hat t he cl oser he got t o Ir i s, t he mor e he coul d f eel her .
He di dn t l i ke w hat he f el t .
It w as cl ear t hat Ir i s had been t or t ur ed by Chaos and he coul d f eel t he pai n
t hat sur ged t hr ough her body.
Anger i gni t ed i nsi de hi s hear t .
Chaos w i l l pay f or t hi s!
Fi nal l y, t hey r eached a pl ace t hat w as occupi ed by a l ake. The l ake w as
sur r ounded by desol at e hi l l s and hi dden by a t hi ck l ayer of mi st . Zeon mot i oned
ever yone t o l and. Sl ow l y t hey moved dow n, l andi ng behi nd one of t he hi l l s.
Af t er l andi ng, El i t e Emi l y came t o Zeon.
Wel l , w her e ar e w e supposed t o go now ? she asked.
The r i ver l ocat ed j ust beyond t hi s hi l l , Zeon r epl i ed.
Emi l y f r ow ned. Why coul dn t w e j ust l and near t he l ake? Why di d you make
us l and her e?
Zeon sai d not hi ng, but poi nt ed at t he sky. A smal l bi r d f l ew t ow ar ds t he l ake.
As soon as i t passed t he boundar y of hi l l s, an i nvi si bl e bar r i er shocked t he poor
cr eat ur e, ki l l i ng i t i n seconds.
Ther e i s some ki nd of bar r i er , pr event i ng aer i al t r anspor t . We w al k f r om
her e. Zeon sai d.
Toget her w i t h t he ot her s, Zeon cl i mbed t he hi l l . Wi t hi n a f ew mi nut es, t hey
had al l r each t he t op. Br yan w as about t o pr oceed f ur t her dow n t he hi l l t ow ar ds
t he l ake, but Zeon st opped hi m qui t e sw i f t l y.
What s w r ong? E. Emi l y w hi sper ed.
Ther e ar e guar ds near t he r i ver , Zeon mut t er ed.
227 | P a g e
Guar ds? I don t see anyt hi ng. Br yan sai d.
Ther e ar e one, t w o, t hr ee, f our , f i ve ar mor ed Gi ant s ahead. Zeon sai d.
How do you know ? Br yan asked, l ooki ng per pl exed.
I can det ect aur a, Zeon sai d si mpl y.
Okay, t hen w hat do w e do? Br yan asked.
Zeon i gnor ed hi m. It w as t i me t o t est t he pow er of The Gol den Phoeni x.
When he had obt ai ned t he phoeni x, he had l ear ned a t echni que cal l ed The Fl i ck
t hat al l ow ed hi m t o i nst ant l y appear w her ever he w ant ed. He had used t hi s
same t echni que agai nst one of t he Canni bal s, but at t hat t i me he hadn t l ear ned
t o mast er i t . But now , he knew w hat t o do.
Emi t Ascal i ber , he w hi sper ed.
Zeon f ocused on t he ar ea above t he f i r st Gi ant . Wi t h a br i ght f l ash, he
di sappear ed and r eappear ed above t he Gi ant w ho f ai l ed t o not i ce hi s pr esence.
Wi t h one mi ght y sw i ng, he bur i ed hi s sw or d i n t he cr eat ur e s neck, di si nt egr at i ng
hi m i nt o a pi l e of ash. The ot her f our Gi ant s l ooked back i n al ar m, but Zeon had
al r eady di sappear ed, usi ng t he f l i ck t echni que. He now st ood behi nd t he second
Gi ant .
Spar k Bl i t z! Zeon shout ed, r el easi ng a pow er f ul t hunder bal l t hat ki l l ed t he
Gi ant i n an i nst ant .
The t hi r d Gi ant l et out a bul l l i ke r oar and sw ung hi s w ar hammer at Zeon.
Zeon f ocused hi s aur a i nt o Ascal i ber t hen used i t def end hi msel f . The w ar
hammer shat t er ed under t he pow er of hi s bl ade and t he Gi ant st umbl ed back,
l ooki ng shocked. He ki l l ed t he Gi ant w i t h a bl ow st r ai ght t o hi s hear t .
The r emai ni ng Gi ant s di dn t l ook t o keen i n f i ght i ng hi m. Zeon used hi s
t el eki nesi s t o f r eeze t hem. Usi ng hi s mi nd, he l i f t ed t he massi ve cr eat ur es
sever al ki l omet er s i nt o t he ai r . Then, he j ust si mpl y al l ow ed t hem t o f al l . The
Gi ant s t ur ned t o r ubbl e on cont act w i t h t he gr ound.
De-Emi t Ascal i ber , Zeon sai d.
228 | P a g e
Usi ng t he f l i ck t echni que, he appear ed bef or e Br yan w ho f el l back i n shock.
Zeon l aughed.
Rel ax i t s j ust me, he sai d.
Wher e di d you di sappear of t o? Br yan sai d w i t h a scow l .
Just t hought I shoul d handl e t he guar ds. They ar e dead so w e w on t be
bot her ed much, Zeon sai d cal ml y.
Wai t ! What ? You ve ki l l ed t he Gi ant s! Br yan sai d, l ooki ng dumbf ounded.
Of cour se, so ar e you guys comi ng? Zeon sai d, movi ng ahead.
But ...But , you ki l l ed t he Gi ant s i n l ess t han one mi nut e! How di d you do
t hat ? Br yan asked.
We l l di scuss i t l at er . Ri ght now , j ust f ol l ow me. Zeon sai d f i r ml y.
Zeon w al ked t ow ar ds t he l ake t hat l ooked unnat ur al l y st i l l . He kept on
movi ng u nt i l he w as w al ki ng on w at er as i f i t w as sol i d gr ound. Wh en he r eached
t he mi ddl e of t he l ake, he st opped abr upt l y. Rai si ng hi s r i ght hand i n t he ai r , he
f ocused on t he pow er of The Gol den Phoeni x. Wi t h a qui ck movement , he
br ought hi s pal m on t he r i ver sur f ace. Accor di ngl y, a hol e appear ed i n t he l ake.
Zeon l ooked i nsi de t he hol e and coul d see a por t al bel ow . He l ooked back at
t he ot her s w ho w er e hesi t at i ng near t he bank of t he l ake.
Focus your aur a i n t he base of your f eet . Ther e i s a por t al her e. Fol l ow me!
Zeon sai d, j umpi ng i nt o t he w hol e, i nt o t he por t al .
Zeon came f ace-t o-f ace w i t h an ugl y cr eat ur e. Inst i nct i vel y, he cr eat ed a
cel est i al bar r i er t hat pushed t he cr eat ur e aw ay f r om hi m. Now , he coul d see t he
cr eat ur e pr oper l y.
The cr eat ur e came up t o hi s w ai st . He had pal e gr ay ski n and bl ood r ed eyes.
Hi s nai l s and t eet h w er e l i ke kni ves. In hi s hand w as a dagger t hat w as a l ot
danger ous t han i t l ooked. He w aved t he kni f e t hr eat eni ngl y at Zeon w ho st ood
hi s gr ound.
Int r uder ! t he cr eat ur e hi ssed. I am t he Scour ge! I w i l l pr ot ect my mast er .
229 | P a g e
Zeon w at ched as t he Scour ge pr oduced a scr eechi ng sound. Out of t he
dar kness mor e of t he Scour ge s f r i ends appear ed, sur r oundi ng Zeon.
Emi t Ascal i ber , Zeon mut t er ed.
Oh no you don t ! You r e not ni cki ng al l t he gl or y t hi s t i me! Br yan sai d as
he came over t o st and besi de Zeon.
Wher e ar e t he ot her s? Zeon asked.
Oh, I expect t hey l l be w i t h us shor t l y. Let s cl ear t he w ay f or t hem. Br yan
sai d, smi l i ng.
The Scour ge at t acked, but Br yan w as one st ep ahead of t hem al l . He
st amped hi s f eet on t he gr ound, causi ng t he l and t o sur r ound hi msel f and Zeon.
The Scour ge coul d not get t hr ough t he bar r i er of ear t h. Zeon used The Gol den
Phoeni x t o emi t a dozen l i ght beams out of hi s body w hi ch br oke t hr ough Br yan s
bar r i er , ki l l i ng al l t he Scour ge.
Ni ce one, Br yan sai d.
You t oo, Zeon r epl i ed.
Soon t hey w er e j oi ned by t he ot her s. It w as t hen; Zeon t ook mor e not i ce of
hi s sur r oundi ngs. They w er e st andi ng on an open gr ound sur r ounded by t r ees
w i t h no l eaves. The sky above w as compl et el y bl ack and t he onl y sour ce of l i ght
w as t he bl ood-r ed moon t hat seemed t o pr oduce a si ni st er gl ow . A gi ant Dome
w as l ocat ed sever al ki l omet er s ahead of t hem. It w as made up of dul l bl ack
met al t hat l ooked unbr eakabl e. On bot h si des of t he Do me w er e t w o t ow er s.
Chaos i s i n t hat Dome, Zeon sai d t o El i t e Emi l y.
I t hi nk I f i gur ed t hat one out mysel f , she sai d w i t h a smi l e. It seems t he
enemy i s unaw ar e of our pr esence w hi ch gi ves us t he el ement of sur pr i se.
So w hat s t he pl an? Br yan asked.
Zeon needs t o r each t hat Dome unnot i ced. The r est of us w i l l be t he
di st r act i on. We w i l l at t ack t he Dome head on and I t hi nk t hat w i l l gi ve Zeon
enough t i me t o get i nsi de w i t hout bei ng seen. If i t l ooks l i ke w e ar e i n t r oubl e, I
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w i l l send a message t o M ast er Dor man t o send i n t he r ei nf or cement . E. Emi l y
expl ai ned.
How w i l l M ast er Dor man f i nd t hi s pl ace? Cr yst al asked.
I w i l l send hi m a t hought -message, E. Emi l y r epl i ed.
Sounds l i ke a pl an, Zeon sai d appr ovi ngl y.
Wai t ! Some of us have t o go w i t h Zeon. Chaos i s expect i ng hi m so he mi ght
have pr epar ed a w el come par t y f or hi m. Br yan sai d. I t hi nk t he ol d t eam
shoul d go w i t h hi m; M e, Cr yst al , Jason, Li l y, Cl ar k and Rose.
Br yan s r i ght , Cr yst al sai d det er mi nedl y.
So be i t . We w i l l be at t acki ng t he enemy i n f i ve mi nut es. You must get i nt o
t he cast l e at once. E. Emi l y sai d.
Ri ght , Zeon sai d.
Zeon I t hi nk you shoul d w ear t hi s, Cr yst al sai d, handi ng hi m her bandana.
What f or ? Zeon asked.
To hi de t hat si x poi nt ed st ar on your f or ehead. Chaos does not know you
have The Gol den Phoeni x so I t hi nk i t w i l l l ook good t o sur pr i se hi m. Cr yst al
r epl i ed.
Zeon accept ed t he bandana and t i ed i t ar ound hi s f or ehead.
It s t i me, f ol l ow me guys. We have t o be out of si t e w hen t he bat t l e st ar t s
so t hat w e can sneak i n l at er . Zeon sai d. He t ur ned back t o El i t e Emi l y. Good
l uck! I hope t hi s i s not t he end.
El i t e Emi l y smi l ed br avel y.
Thi s w i l l not be t he end, she sai d f i er cel y.
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Chapt er 36
Old Foes
Zeon w at ched as El i t e Emi l y l ed t he War r i or s of At l nt i da i nt o a f ul l -scal e
at t ack on t he Dome. He, al ong w i t h hi s f r i ends r emai ned behi nd, w at chi ng
f ear f ul l y as t he gat es of t he Dome sl ow l y opened. Out came t he enemy and
behi nd hi m, Cr yst al gasped.
The enemy ar my compr i sed of cr eat ur es f ar beyond ones i magi nat i on. M ost
of t hem w er e Par t -Humans and Scour ges, but ot her ni ght mar i sh cr eat ur es w er e
pr esent as w el l . Ther e w as one cr eat ur e t hat had a scor pi on-l i ke t ai l at t ached t o
hi s back w hi ch moved so f ast t hat each bl ow i t d el i ver ed seemed al mo st i nvi si bl e
t o t he naked eye. Ther e w er e al so a coupl e of Gi ant s w hi ch w er e even enor mous
t han t he ones Zeon had f ought bef or e. Anot her cr eat ur e, w i t h bl ades i nst ead of
hands and a l ow er body of a hor se, sw ept t hr ough t he bat t l ef i el d w i t h a
mur der ous gl i nt i n hi s eyes.
The bat t l e began and i t w as a sl aught er . Al t hough, t he good guys w er e
w i nni ng, t he bat t l e w as ext r emel y bl oody. Shout s, scr eams, r oar s and shr i eks
f i l l ed t he sky, cr eat i ng a ver y host i l e envi r onment .
Zeon and hi s f r i ends managed t o sl i p unnot i ced i nt o t he Dome, but i t t ook
al l t hei r w i l l pow er not t o hel p t he War r i or s of At l nt i da.
The i nsi de of t he Dome w as l i ke a maze. If i t w asn t f or t he f act t hat Zeon
possessed The Gol den Phoeni x w hi ch gui ded hi m t o Ir i s Wi l l i am, t hey w er e sur e
t o have got t en l ost . Suddenl y, anot her cr eat ur e w i t h a scor pi on t ai l at t acked
t hem f r om ahead.
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Cl ar k saved t hem by pr oduci ng a bl azi ng f l ames f r om t he gr ound beneat h
t he cr eat ur e. The cr eat ur e scr eamed as he r oast ed hi m al i ve. Once t he enemy
w as dead, he smi l ed gr i ml y.
Thi s beast i s cal l ed Vel vet . One cut f r om hi s t ai l can ki l l you i n j ust a
mi nut e, he sai d.
Thanks Cl ar k, Br yan sai d w eakl y.
Zeon expect ed Cl ar k t o make some sni de r emar k and w as ver y sur pr i sed
w hen he di dn t . It seems t hat dur i ng danger ous t i mes, even enemi es can
become f r i ends.
They cont i nued t hei r mi ssi on as i f t her e had been no di st r act i on. Soon t hey
r eached a l ar ge door w i t h a Reaper car ved ont o i t .
Thi s i s i t , Zeon br eat hed and pushed t he door open.
Zeon f ound hi msel f i n a di ml y-l i t chamber . Hi s eyes f ound t he per son he had
been hopi ng t o f i nd. Fl oat i ng r i ght above hi m w as Ir i s Wi l l i am w ho w as
posi t i oned i n a cr uci f i x manner . Her body w as l i ned w i t h deep abr asi ons an d her
l ong bl ack hai r w as gr eat l y di shevel ed. Her ski n w as dr eadf ul l y p al e and he coul d
t el l t hat she w as unconsci ous.
Ir i s! Zeon shout ed, f l yi ng t ow ar ds her .
Al l of a sudden, a man appear ed i n f r ont of hi m. Zeon had j ust a f ew seconds
t o pr ot ect hi msel f w i t h a shi el d bef or e t he man bl ast ed hi m w i t h a dar k bal l .
Lucki l y he succeeded, but w as t hr ow n back aw ay f r om Ir i s.
Wel l i sn t t hi s a sur pr i se? If i t i sn t t he l i t t l e boy w ho acci dent l y sur vi ved.
The man sai d w i t h a l augh.
Wi t h a shock Zeon r ecogni zed t he man.
You shoul d be dead! he sai d, t aki ng an i nvol unt ar y st ep back.
That s w hat you t hought ki d, but you w er e w r ong. One of my t echni ques i s
t o make mysel f t ur n i nt o ash, but i n r eal i t y I use a cer t ai n t r anspor t t echni que
t hat br i ngs me back her e. It s a ver y usef ul t echni que as i t f ool s t he enemy.
Woul dn t you agr ee? Razor asked.
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Zeon w as l i t er al l y, t r embl i ng w i t h f ur y. He hadn t f or got t en Razor s cr i mes. It
w as he w ho ki l l ed Javel i n Akashi and he w oul d pay f or i t . How ever , bef or e he
coul d at t ack, mor e ol d f oes appear ed besi de Razor .
They w er e al l her e now . Al l t he f our peopl e w ho w er e r esponsi bl e f or M r .
Bar on s deat h; t he gi r l named Deanna, t he hai r l ess man Adl er and t he l ong-
hai r ed man Ker f s.
I t hi nk i t s t i me t o f i ni sh w hat w e st ar t ed. Deanna sai d w i t h a cr uel smi l e.
Zeon r eact ed w i t h pur e anger . Usi ng t he pow er of The Gol den Phoeni x, he
r ai sed hi s hand t ow ar ds t he enemy.
Thi s one s f or Javel i n Akashi ! Zeon shout ed. Gol den Il l umi nat i on!
A gol den beam of l i ght er upt ed out of Zeon s hand and r aged t ow ar ds Razor .
Hi s at t ack t ook t he f or m of an ar r ow ahead j ust w hen i t hi t i t s mar k. Razor w as
bl ow n of hi s f eet and sl ammed i nt o t he w al l behi nd hi m.
The boy has gr ow n r emar kabl y st r ong, Ad l er comment ed. He f or ced w at er
t o er upt out of t he gr ound t hat t ook t he f or m of a ser pent .
Zeon w at ched as t he w at er y ser pent sped t ow ar ds hi m. Cr yst al st epped
f or w ar d and st opped t he ser pent w i t h onl y her hands. Then she sw ung t he
ser pent back t ow ar ds Adl er w ho si de-st epped t he at t ack.
St r ong l i t t l e r unt s, ar en t t hey? Adl er sai d gr uf f l y.
Ther e w as an expl osi on and Razor appear ed besi de Adl er . Despi t e t he f act
t hat he w as cover ed w i t h cut s and br ui ses, he l ooked l i vi d.
You w i l l pay f or t hi s boy, He sai d i n a deadl y w hi sper .
Razor began t o t r ansf or m i nt o hi s w er ew ol f f or m. M eanw hi l e, Deanna
r el eased a shockw ave t hr ough t he gr ound w hi ch par al yzed, Zeon and t he ot her s.
I can t move! Rose cr i ed.
Zeon coul d not move ei t her .
Ker f s r el eased a deadl y r ed beam of dar k ener gy t ow ar ds Zeon and hi s
f r i ends. It w as Jason w ho r escued t hem and used t el eki nesi s t o cr eat e a bar r i er
ar ound t hem. Br yan, despi t e bei ng par al yzed somehow managed t o st omp hi s
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f eet on t he gr ound, cr eat i ng a f i ssur e t hat cancel l ed out t he ef f ect s of t he
shockw ave.
Suddenl y, Razor appear ed bef or e Zeon i n hi s f ul l w er ew ol f f or m. Razor
sw ung hi s f i st at hi m, but he easi l y gr abbed hi s hand. Inst ead Razor opened hi s
mout h, r el easi ng a vol cani c f i r e t hat bl ast ed hi m of t he gr ound.
Cl ar k punched Razor w i t h a f l ami ng f i st , pushi ng hi m back. Deanna at t acked
Cl ar k w i t h her sw or d, but w as st opped by Cr yst al and her spear . Jason and Li l y
w er e f i ght i ng Ker f s w ho st ood no chance agai nst t he t w o psychos. Br yan had
summoned hi s Obl i t er at or and w as t aki ng ai m of Adl er w ho dodged w i l dl y.
Zeon st ood up and qui ckl y j oi ned t he ot her s. He used t he f l i ck t echni que t o
i nst ant l y ki ck Adl er on t he f ace. He f l ew i nt o t he sky and ai med hi s hands at t he
enemy w ho w as st r uggl i ng t o get up. Fr om t he pal m of hi s hands, a bar r age of
l i ght ni ng bol t s shot out t ow ar ds Adl er .
Adl er pr oduced a bar r i er t o pr ot ect hi msel f , but he coul d not make i t l ast f or
a mi nut e of endl ess at t ack. When hi s bar r i er di mi ni shed, Zeon s l i ght ni ng bol t s
f el l on hi m l i ke a hai l st or m. Fi nal l y, Adl er f el l f ace f i r st on t he gr ound and set t l ed
f or unconsci ousness.
Cr yst al had t aken out her pai nt br ush and used i t t o cr eat e a mar k on her
f or ehead.
The symbol gl ow ed and soon Cr yst al w as sur r ounded by a br i l l i ant bl ue
gl ow . Usi ng al l her pow er s she pul l ed out sever al gal l ons of w at er f r om t he
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gr ound bel ow . She t ur ned t he w at er i nt o a l ong w hi p and used i t t o at t ack
Deanna w ho l ooked st unned. Wi t h one sw i ng of t he w at er y w hi p, Deanna w as
pushed har d agai nst t he w al l .
Cr yst al r ai sed t he w hi p and br ought i t dow n on Deanna w ho coul d not
sur vi ve t he w at er y t omb. When t he w at er cl ear ed, Deanna w as l yi ng on t he
gr ound gaspi ng f or br eat h. She di d not have enough ener gy t o bot her t hem
agai n.
Br yan had Ker f s cover ed t o t he w ai st by t he ear t h. No mat t er how har d t he
enemy st r uggl e he coul d not br eak f r ee. Br yan bl ast ed Ker f s w i t h t he Obl i t er at or ,
but w as car ef ul not t o ki l l hi m.
Now onl y Razor w as l ef t st andi ng. He w as b y f ar st r onger t han hi s comr ades,
but Zeon w asn t i nt i mi dat ed.
He i s mi ne, Zeon sai d as he st epped f or w ar d. He ki l l ed Javel i n Akashi and
he w i l l pay f or i t .
Razor r oar ed and r an t ow ar ds Zeon w ho w as encased i n a gol den l i ght .
Razor hi msel f w as r adi at i ng a demoni c r ed gl ow . Zeon and Razor punched each
ot her . As t hei r f i st s col l i ded, t he w hol e chamber shook vi ol ent l y. Razor cl aw ed
Zeon on t he chest , dr aw i ng t he f i r st bl ood.
In r et al i at i on, Zeon sl ammed a smal l cel est i al ener gy bal l i nt o Razor s
st omach w hi ch l i f t ed hi m of t he gr ound and i nt o t he ai r . Zeon snapped hi s
f i nger s and t he cel est i al bal l expl oded. Razor f el l t o t he gr ound, but he st i l l
managed t o get up.
Zeon used t el eki nesi s t o l i f t a mass of br oken met al and hur t l ed i t at Razor
w ho managed t o dodge t he at t ack. He t hen used t he f l i ck t echni que t o appear
behi nd Razor . He summoned Ascal i ber and used i t t o cut Razor s back. Razor
w hi pped hi s hand backw ar d i n an at t empt t o push hi m back. He dodged t he bl ow
and sl i ced Razor s chest .
Razor how l ed i n pai n and f el l on hi s knees.
Cel est i al Fl ash! Zeon cr i ed.
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Razor f el l backw ar ds as he r ecei ved t he f ul l f or ce of Zeon s at t ack. Zeon
appear ed above Razor , poi nt i ng hi s sw or d at t he enemy s neck.
Go on! Do i t ! Razor gr ow l ed.
Zeon w as about t o avenge Javel i n Akashi , but hi s br ot her s voi ce w as i n hi s
ear s.
Thi s i s t he f l aw of an Avenger , Zeon! Never make t he same mi st ake I
made!
Zeon si ghed and st epped aw ay f r om Razor .
What ar e you doi ng?! End t hi s bat t l e! Razor gr ow l ed.
Sor r y, I m not l i ke you. Zeon sai d as he w al ked aw ay f r om Razor .
Zeon j oi ned hi s f r i ends w ho l ooked t i r ed, but det er mi ned. They had done
w el l . Each one of t hem had pr oven t o be a f or mi dabl e chal l enge f or t he enemy.
You guys di d gr eat ! Zeon sai d w i t h a smi l e.
Bl i mey, i s t hat a compl i ment Zeon? Br yan sai d, gr i nni ng.
You w er e amazi ng! Rose sai d t o Cr yst al w ho l ooked sur pr i sed, but pl eased.
It s not over yet guys, Zeon sai d as he st ar ed at Ir i s Wi l l i am. He agai n f l ew
t ow ar ds her . When he r eached her , he used t he pow er of The Gol den Phoeni x t o
br eak t he i nvi si bl e bonds w hi ch w er e keepi ng her i n t he ai r . He cr adl ed her i n hi s
ar ms and br ought her dow n.
Zeon gent l y l ow er ed Ir i s on t he gr ound w hi l e t he ot her s enci r cl ed t hem.
Ir i s s eyes f l ut t er ed open and she smi l ed w eakl y.
I knew you d come, she cr oaked. You have t hat same har dcor e
det er mi nat i on t hat I had.
Qui et , don t speak. You need t o r est . Zeon w hi sper ed.
Wel l , i sn t t hi s cut e? The t w o Soul -M at es ar e r euni t ed, but t he boy f ai l s t o
acknow l edge t he t r ap aw ai t i ng hi m, sai d a hi gh-pi t ched and col d voi ce.
Out of t hi n ai r , Chaos appear ed i n f r ont of t hem.
He w or e an ar mor ed hel met w i t h a cr ow n-l i ke t op. Hi s w hol e body w as
conf i ned i n a bl ack heavy sui t of ar mor t hat w as made of t he ver y same met al
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used t o bui l d t he Dome. Hi s shoul der s w er e pl at ed w i t h t w o omi nous skul l s
w hi ch added t o hi s hor r endous appear ance. A l ong gr ay cape f el l f r om hi s
shoul der s ont o t he gr ound bel ow . The dar kness w i t hi n t he monst r ous bei ng w as
f ar beyond anyone s concept i on.
Wel come Zeon Cr est , t o t he begi nni ng of t he end! Chaos sai d col dl y.
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Chapt er 37
Lor d Chaos
Zeon had never f el t such dar kness bef or e. The bei ng of Chaos seemed t o be
submer ged i n a voi d of pur e chaos. Hi s soul seemed t o be subj ect ed t o t he
dar kest change anyone coul d ever endur e. Hi s pr esence w as f r i ght eni ng and t he
dar kness w i t hi n hi m w as al l consumi ng. He w as t he t r ue br i nger of
pandemoni um.
Zeon and t he ot her s summoned t hei r r espect i ve w eapons, t hough t hey al l
had a hi nt of hesi t ancy w i t hi n t hei r ever y movement , f or her e w as a bei ng t hat
mi ght be di f f i cul t t o over come.
You w i sh t o f i ght me, Chaos sai d w i t h a sneer . Br aver y has no meani ng
her e. Sur r ender and I mi ght show some l eni ency w hen I consume your soul s.
Wi t h my deat h you w i l l be abl e t o br i ng t he cat acl ysm as pr ophesi zed i n
The Codex, i sn t t hat r i ght Chaos? Zeon sai d col dl y. In r eal i t y he w as buyi ng
t hem al l some t i me so t hat t hey coul d somehow f i nd Chaos s w eakness.
Of cour se. You have no i dea how l ong I have w ai t ed f or t hi s moment . M y
f r ust r at i on, w hen I r eal i zed t hat I coul d not absor b The Si l ver Phoeni x unt i l you
w er e ki l l ed, w as at t he br eaki ng poi nt . I had ki l l ed Chr i s Kage t he possessor of
The Gol den Phoeni x and I had managed t o capt ur e The Si l ver Phoeni x.
Ever yt hi ng w as goi ng accor di ng t o t he pr ophecy, but you came i n t he w ay.
Imagi ne, how I w oul d have f el t w hen I r eal i zed t hat af t er al l t he r i sks I had t o
t ake, my pl ans f ai l ed j ust because of you. In my anger I ki l l ed many of my cl ose
ser vant s, but I r emai ned f ocused. Usi ng Ir i s Wi l l i am, I l ur ed you i nt o a t r ap and i t
w or ked per f ect l y, f or her e you ar e and now I w i l l f i ni sh w hat I st ar t ed. Chaos
sai d menaci ngl y.
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Zeon l aughed, act ual l y l aughed! He w as scar ed, but he had at l east managed
t o r ui n Chaos pl ans.
Sor r y t o di sappoi nt you Chaos, but your pl an f ai l ed! He sai d.
Don t pl ay games w i t h me boy! Chaos shout ed and t he ver y gr ound
t r embl ed under hi s f ur y.
Ir i s Wi l l i am t r i cked you Chaos. Di d you know t hat ? When you f or ced her t o
communi cat e w i t h me i n or der t o br i ng me i nt o your cl ut ches, she devi sed a t r ap
f or you. Zeon sai d cal ml y.
You l i e! Do you t ake me f or a f ool boy?! I knew Ir i s w oul d t r y t o t hw ar t my
pl an, but I w as w i t h her w hen she t al ked t o you. Chaos sai d.
You und er est i mat e t he pow er of The Si l ver Phoen i x. Ir i s used her r emai ni ng
pow er t o hi de our l ast bi t of i nf or mat i on f r om you. In t hat one mi nut e, Ir i s gave
me a usef ul pi ece of i nf or mat i on t her eby pr epar i ng a t r ap f or you. Can you guess
w hat i t i s, Chaos? Zeon asked mocki ngl y.
Chaos di d not r epl y, but w ai t ed.
Zeon r emoved hi s bandana and t he si x-poi nt ed st ar came i nt o vi ew .
Chaos st ood t her e, obvi ousl y st unned.
Impossi bl e, he w hi sper ed. I ki l l ed Chr i s Kage Th e Gol den Phoeni x shoul d
be f i ni shed!
Zeon smi l ed. Yes, you ki l l ed Chr i s Kage, but you di dn t dest r oy The Gol den
Phoeni x. You see Chaos; The Gol den Phoeni x cannot be dest r oyed, but can be
passed ont o anot her per son w hen t he or i gi nal ow ner di es. Chr i s Kage gave t he
pow er of The Gol den Phoeni x t o me.
Ther e ar e a f ew t hi ngs t hat I don t under st and. When I saw you t hr ough Ir i s
Wi l l i am s eyes you di d not have t he si x-poi nt ed st ar on your f or ehead. Chaos
gr ow l ed.
That s w her e t he i nt el l i gence of Chr i s Kage comes i n. When he w as about
t o di e, he spl i t The Gol den Phoeni x i n hal f , pl aci ng one hal f i n me and hi di ng t he
ot her one. In t hi s w ay, no one w as abl e t o di scover t hat I w as t he possessor of
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The Gol den Phoeni x because I had onl y one hal f of i t w i t hi n me. Ir i s Wi l l i am t ol d
me t he l ocat i on of t he second hal f and so, I w as ab l e t o acqui r e t he f ul l pow er of
The Gol den Phoeni x w i t hout you not i ci ng. Zeon expl ai ned.
Chaos w as t r embl i ng w i t h anger . A l i vi d out l i ne seemed t o sur r ound hi s body
and t he w hol e Dome shudder ed w hen he expel l ed hi s f ur y. Zeon and t he ot her s
w er e t hr ow n backw ar ds, due t o t he pow er of Chaos.
YOU FOOLS! I AM LORD CHAOS AND I WILL DESTROY EVERYONE WHO
STANDS IN M Y WAY! Chaos r oar ed.
A gr eat bl ast of dar kness expl oded out of Chaos and dest r oyed t he r oof of
t he Doom as i f i t w as made f r om w ood.
Zeon l ooked at t he ot her s and knew t hat t hey w er e al l t hi nki ng t he same
t hi ng.
They w er e so-o-o dead!
Zeon knew t hat Chaos w as st r onger t han hi m. Even i f h e used t he f ul l pow er
of The Gol den Phoeni x, he w oul d st and no chance agai nst hi m. Accor di ng t o t he
pr ophecy, Chaos coul d onl y be def eat ed by t he combi ned ef f or t of The Gol den
and Si l ver Phoeni x, but Ir i s w as w eak and unconsci ous.
Okay guys, her e s t he pl an. Cr yst al , I need Ir i s by my si de. You have t o heal
her w hi l e t he r est of us di st r act Chaos. Zeon sai d, l ooki ng expect ant l y at Cr yst al
w ho gave a f i r m nod.
When Cr yst al had l ef t t o check on Ir i s, Zeon l ooked at t he ot her s.
It s our j ob t o cover Cr yst al . When you f i ght , t r y t o keep some di st ance
f r om Chaos. Use l ong-di st ance at t acks. Zeon sai d.
NOW YOU DIE! Chaos shout ed.
Zeon l ooked ar ound i n al ar m t o see Chaos, speedi ng t ow ar ds t hem. Wi t h a
shock, he r eal i zed t hat Chaos w as goi ng f or Cr yst al .
Thi s w as bad.
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Zeon f ocused on t he f ul l pow er of The Gol den Phoeni x and met Chaos head-
on. Chaos r ammed hi s shoul der s ont o hi s chest , but he managed not t o t oppl e
over . He t r i ed t o st op Chaos, but he w as j ust t oo pow er f ul .
Chaos sl ammed Zeon i nt o t he w al l of t he Dome w i t h such f or ce t hat he
hear d one of hi s r i bs cr ack under t he pr essur e. Chaos r ai sed hi s f i st and t r i ed t o
punch Zeon on t he f ace, but he f l i cked aw ay f r om hi m.
Cl ar k cr eat ed l ar ge spi nni ng f i r ebal l at t he t i p of hi s i ndex f i nger and t hr ew i t
at Chaos w ho si mpl y sw at t ed i t asi de. Br yan f i r ed hi s Obl i t er at or agai n and agai n,
but coul d not penet r at e Chaos s bar r i er . Jason and Li l y used t el eki nesi s t o t hr ow
huge chunks of met al at Chaos, but t hey si mpl y shat t er ed upon cont act w i t h
Chaos s ar mor .
Chaos sl apped hi s pal ms t oget her and t he gr ound beneat h Zeon s f r i ends
si mpl y expl oded. When t he smoke cl ear ed, onl y Br yan and Cl ar k w er e l ef t
st andi ng.
Zeon suddenl y appear ed bef or e Chaos and r ai sed hi s hands t ow ar ds
Chaos s eyes.
Bl i ndi ng Li ght , he shout ed and br i l l i ant w hi t e l i ght escaped t he p al m of hi s
hands, bl i ndi ng Chaos.
Zeon f l i cked aw ay f r om Chaos w ho w as t r yi ng t o cl ear hi s eyes.
Now gi ve hi m ever yt hi ng you got ! Zeon shout ed.
Cl ar k sur r ounded hi msel f i n a f i er y abyss. Wi t h a shout of mi ght , al l t he f i r e
t hat consumed hi s body bl azed out and t ook t he f or m of a dr agon. The f i er y
dr agon t ackl ed Chaos. As soon as i t s body t ouched Chaos, i t expl oded, and
sw al l ow ed Chaos i nt o ash and f l ame.
Zeon ai med hi s r i ght hand at Chaos and used t he same at t ack t hat he had
used agai nst Razor .
Gol den Il l umi nat i on! he shout ed.
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The gol den ar r ow hi t Chaos f ul l on t he f ace, and knocked hi m agai nst t he
w al l of t he Dome w i t h such f or ce t hat some of t he met al br oke of f and f el l ont o
hi m.
Br yan used t he pow er of t er r a, t o f or ce t he gr ound out and shape i t i nt o a
w ar -hammer . Then he bur i ed Chaos i nt o t he mass of ear t h.
Zeon, Br yan and Cl ar k st ood si de-by-si de, w at chi ng t he bur i al si t e of Chaos.
If t hey t hought i t w as over , t hey w er e w r ong. A r ed ener gy spi ke t or e t hr ough
t he ear t h and met al , pi eci ng Br yan s shoul der .
Br yan cr i ed i n pai n as bl ood f l ow ed out of hi s w ounded shoul der . Suddenl y,
Chaos w as st andi ng i n f r ont of t hem. He smi l ed at Zeon and bl ast ed hi s f r i ends
of f t he gr ound. Bot h Br yan and Cl ar k f el l on t he gr ound, unconsci ous.
Do you honest l y bel i eve t hat you st and a chance agai nst me boy, Chaos
sai d har shl y.
Zeon w as al one. He had no f r i ends t o hel p hi m. Chaos w as j ust t oo st r ong!
FLASH!
Zeon saw t he dead f ace of M r . Bar on/ Javel i n Akashi .
FLASH!
Zeon saw t he f aces of hi s dead par ent s and br ot her .
FLASH!
Zeon saw t he f aces of al l t he peopl e Chaos had ki l l ed.
Thi s monst er had ki l l ed so many and i f Zeon di d not st op hi m mor e peopl e
w oul d di e. Hi s f r i ends w oul d di e and no mat t er w hat , he coul d not l et t hat
happen. Chaos had t o be st opped and he had t o st op at not hi ng t o dest r oy t hi s
monst er . For t he sake of t he ones he l oved, he coul d not l et Chaos l i ve!
Yes I do, bel i eve I can def eat you! Zeon sai d f i er cel y.
Zeon s body suddenl y bur st w i t h t he pow er of The Gol den Phoeni x. Chaos
st epped back as t he avat ar of The Gol den Phoeni x sur r ounded hi s body. The
Gol den Phoeni x scr eamed and Chaos w as pushed back by t he gol den l i ght .
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Zeon r ai sed hi s hand and r el eased a gol den beam of l i ght t hat w r apped
ar ound Chaos l i ke a snake. The gol den l i ght bur ned Chaos s body w hi ch coul d
not bear t he i nt ensi t y of t he l i ght w i t hi n hi s at t ack.
Zeon r ai sed hi s ot her hand and a gol den sw or d made of ener gy f or med at
t he base of hi s pal m. He sw ung t he sw or d at Chaos and i t s pow er al l ow ed i t t o
pi er ce t hr ough Chaos s ar mor .
Chaos w as t hr ow n backw ar ds by Zeon s at t ack, but he st i l l managed t o
r emai n f i r m.
You ar e st r onger t han Chr i s Kage, but i t w i l l t ake mor e t han t hat t o def eat
me! Chaos shout ed.
Chaos r el eased a r ed l i ght ni ng bol t f r om t he t i p of hi s f i nger s t hat hi t Zeon
on t he chest .
Ah! Zeon scr eamed as he f el l t o hi s knees.
Chaos appear ed above Zeon.
Emi t Di sar r ay, he w hi sper ed and a br oad sw or d appear ed i n hi s hand.
You di e Zeon Cr est !
Zeon w at ched i n sl ow mot i on as Chaos s deadl y bl ade moved t hr ough t he
ai r , t ow ar ds hi s neck.
It w as over he had f ai l ed.
Suddenl y, anot her sw or d appear ed i n f r ont of Zeon, bl ocki ng Chaos s bl ade.
Ther e w as a l oud BANG and Chaos w as pushed back by a si l ver y bl ast .
Besi de Zeon st ood Ir i s Wi l l i am; w i t h a det er mi ned gl i nt i n her eyes. Cr yst al
w as st andi ng behi nd her , l ooki ng pal e and w ar y.
What do you say Zeon? Shoul d w e f i ni sh Chaos t oget her ? Ir i s sai d w i t h a
smi l e.
Your okay? Zeon asked.
Yeah, t hanks t o Cr yst al . Now get up! We need t o end t hi s, Ir i s sai d as she
of f er ed Zeon her hand.
Zeon pul l ed hi msel f backup w i t h t he hel p of Ir i s.
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YOU BOTH WILL DIE! Chaos r oar ed.
Zeon and Ir i s hel d t hei r gr ound. Zeon w as sur r ounded by t he avat ar of The
Gol den Phoeni x w hi l e Ir i s w as sur r ounded by t he avat ar of The Si l ver Phoeni x.

245 | P a g e
Chapt er 38
Gold and Silver
Ir i s Wi l l i am coul d not bel i eve t hat she w as st i l l al i ve. Af t er al l t he t or ment
she had been t hr ough, somehow her hear t beat pr evai l ed. The boy named Zeon
Cr est had been i ncr edi bl e and she w as pr oud t o be hi s Soul -M at e. He had
l i t er al l y moved Heaven and Ear t h t o save her , and she appr eci at ed t he ef f or t .
Wat chi ng hi m now , w i t h hi s copper y-r ed hai r w i nded by t he bat t l e and hi s eyes,
show i ng st eel y det er mi nat i on, she f el t a f l ush of admi r at i on f or hi m.
Cr yst al Lovesey had done w el l t oo. It w as obvi ous t hat she w oul d become a
gr eat Heal er one day. Ir i s f el t as i f she had j ust w oken up f r om a good ni ght s
sl eep. The Si l ver Phoeni x w i t hi n her w as r oar i ng i n ant i ci pat i on as Chaos
pr epar ed t o at t ack t hem. In her hands w er e t w o t w i n sw or ds, w hi ch had once
bel onged t o her mot her w ho w as al so a Par t -Human. They w er e ver y st r ong
w eapons and seemed al most w ei ght l ess i n her hands.
Her e he comes, Zeon w ar ned.
Chaos w as w al ki ng t ow ar ds t hem. Ir i s w as not l ooki ng f or w ar d t o a bat t l e.
She had ver y l i t t l e exper i ence i n combat . Unl i ke Zeon, she h ad been capt ur ed by
Chaos bef or e r eachi ng t he School of At l nt i da. Lucki l y, The Si l ver Phoeni x w i t hi n
her had some i dea how t o f i ght . Inst i nct i vel y, she r ai sed her hand and shaped i t
i nt o a gun. She t ook ai m and r el eased a pow er f ul si l ver bl ast f r om t he t i p of her
f i nger . To her di smay, Chaos dodged t he at t ack ver y easi l y.
Zeon, I m not r eal l y good at f i ght i ng. She st ammer ed.
Just st ay cal m. Use t he pow er of The Si l ver Phoeni x and t r ust me, you l l
know w hat t o do. Zeon sai d w i t h a smi l e.
246 | P a g e
As i f sensi ng her ner vousness, Chaos t ar get ed her . He mat er i al i zed i n f r ont
of her and t r i ed t o ki l l her w i t h one sw i ng of hi s sw or d. It w as Zeon w ho saved
her . Usi ng hi s sw or d, he easi l y bl ocked Chaos s at t ack.
St ay f ocused, Ir i s! Zeon sai d angr i l y. He pul l ed hi s sw or d back and
del i ver ed t hr ee bl i ndi ng bl ow s t o Chaos w ho managed t o bl ock hi s at t acks w i t h
equal agi l i t y.
You ar e w eak, boy! Chaos spat .
If I w as w eak, t hen t hi s bat t l e w oul d have been over a l ong t i me ago! Zeon
sai d r esol ut el y. He pul l ed back hi s hand and r el eased i t l i ke a sl i ng, hi t t i ng Chaos
on t he head w i t h such f or ce t hat hi s ar mor ed hel met w as f or ced of f hi s f ace.
Chaos had a pal e human f ace. Hi s bl ack hai r w as di r t y and hi s eyes seemed
t o emi t a si ni st er gl ow .
You r e a human? Zeon asked, l ooki ng dumbf ounded.
I mer el y r esembl e a human boy, but i n no w ay am I human! Chaos sai d
f ur i ousl y.
Chaos punched Zeon on t he f ace, har d. Zeon f l ew t hr ough t he ai r and f el l on
t he gr ound sever al f eet aw ay.
Zeon! Ir i s shout ed.
What w as she doi ng?
Zeon had or der ed Cr yst al t o heal her so t hat she coul d hel p hi m, but i nst ead
she w as j ust w at chi ng hi m get t i ng beat en up.
She had t o hel p Zeon!
St eel i ng her r esol ve, Ir i s r el eased a bar r age of si l ver y beams at Chaos. The
beams hi t Chaos, but t hey w er e not st r ong enough t o keep hi m dow n f or l ong.
Chaos r el eased a w ave of dar k f i r e at her . She j umped t o dodge t he at t ack, but
Chaos s at t ack bur ned her l egs i nst ead. Wi t h a scr eam of agony, she f el l back on
t he gr ound.
Chaos r ai sed hi s hand and r el eased a l ong ener gy spi ke at Ir i s. Ir i s t r i ed t o
move aw ay, but w as par al yzed by her bur nt l egs. The ener gy spi ke w as now cl ose
247 | P a g e
t o i t s t ar get . She t hought t hat she w as done f or , but Zeon suddenl y appear ed
besi de her . He gr abbed her hand and t oget her t hey t el epor t ed aw ay f r om t he
ener gy spi ke.
Chaos f ol l ow ed t hei r t el epor t at i on and j ust w hen t hey r eappear ed, he
r el eased anot her w ave of f i r e at t hem.
Zeon! Ir i s w ar ned.
Zeon t ur ned ar ound abr upt l y and shi el ded t hem w i t h a bar r i er . He t hen f el l
t o hi s knees, l ooki ng exhaust ed. Ir i s coul d not bl ame hi m. He w as doi ng al l t he
w or k.
Chaos w as pr epar i ng t o at t ack t hem agai n. Suddenl y, t he gr ound beneat h
hi m expl oded and an enor mous w at er y ser pent coi l ed ar ound Chaos. Ir i s l ooked
ar ound t o see Cr yst al , st andi ng w i t h her hands r ai sed and a sea-bl ue out l i ne
sur r oundi ng her bo dy. She st eer ed t he w at er y ser pent and used i t t o cr ash Chao s
agai nst t he w al l of t he Doom.
Ir i s cr eat ed a smal l r ai nbow bal l i n bet w een her hands. She t hr ew t he bal l at
Chaos w ho w as j ust r ecover i ng f r om Cr yst al s at t ack. The r ai nbow bal l despi t e
bei ng mi nut e w as qui t e expl osi ve. As soon as i t hi t Chaos, a bl i ndi ng expl osi on
shook t he Doom.
Ir i s t hought t hat t her e w as no w ay Chaos coul d sur vi ve an at t ack l i ke t hat .
Appar ent l y, she di d not know Chaos w el l because he had easi l y sur vi ved her
at t ack. Even w or se, he w as now angr i er t han bef or e.
I am t i r ed of pl ayi ng games! Thi s bat t l e ends her e! Wi t h t hi s next at t ack I
w i l l dest r oy ever yt hi ng her e! Even i t cost s t he l i ves of my ser vant s, I w i l l ki l l you!
Chaos shout ed.
Ir i s w at ched w i de-eyed, as a si ni st er ener gy sur r ounded Chaos.
The w hol e chamber seemed t o be shaki ng under t he f r i ght eni ng pow er of
Chaos w ho l i f t ed of f t he gr ound. Hi s pow er w as t oo much and f i ssur es appear ed
i n t he gr ound. The Doom st ar t ed t o f al l apar t and she w as af r ai d t hat one of t he
col ossal bl ack met al s mi ght f al l on t hem.
248 | P a g e
We r e gonna di e! Ir i s cr i ed.
No w e r e not !
Besi de Ir i s, Zeon f or ced hi msel f o n hi s f eet . A gol den out l i ne had sur r ounded
hi s body and he si mpl y r adi at ed conf i dence.
It w as st ar t l i ng.
Zeon w as as ol d as her , but r i ght now he appear ed much ol der and much
mat ur e.
I can t def eat hi m al one, Ir i s. I need your hel p. Toget her w e mi ght j ust have
enough pow er t o def eat Chaos. Zeon sai d f i r ml y.
Zeon l o ok at hi m! Can t you f eel t he pow er r adi at i ng f r om w i t hi n Chaos! Do
you r eal l y t hi nk w e can st and a chance agai nst i t ?! Ir i s sai d w i t h a not e of
hyst er i a i n her voi ce.
Zeon l ooked at her w i t h a t r oubl ed expr essi on.
Who ar e you? he asked.
What ? Ir i s asked conf used.
Who ar e you?! Zeon sai d ver y angr i l y. What happened t o t he Ir i s w ho set
a br i l l i ant t r ap f or Chaos?! If i t w asn t f or t hat Ir i s I w oul d have never been abl e
t o sur vi ve! I need t he ol d Ir i s r i ght now ! Ever yt hi ng ever yone i s dependi ng on
us t o end Chaos! It s now or never !
Ir i s al l ow ed Zeon t o suf f use some of hi s cour age i nt o her . He w as r i ght , so
many w oul d di e i f t hey f ai l ed. It al l came d ow n t o t hi s. Chaos coul d not w i n she
j ust coul d not al l ow t hat .
We ar e Sou l -M at es Ir i s. We ar e st r onger w hen w e ar e t oget her . Zeon sai d,
as he of f er ed Ir i s hi s hand. She t ook i t and he hel ped her up. Toget her t hey f aced
Chaos w ho w as r eady t o obl i t er at e ever yt hi ng.
Not i f t hey coul d hel p i t !
They bot h al l ow ed t he pow er of The Gol d and Si l ver Phoeni x t o encase t hei r
bodi es. Bot h hol di ng hands, Zeon r ai sed hi s r i ght hand and al i gned i t sel f al ong
Ir i s s l ef t hand. Thei r pal ms w er e poi nt ed at Chaos.
249 | P a g e
Gol d and Si l ver ! They shout ed t oget her .
A si l ver y-gol d b eam of l i ght bur st out of t hei r hands and sped t ow ar ds Chaos
w ho cr eat ed a bar r i er i n or der t o shi el d hi msel f . The beam of l i ght col l i ded w i t h
t he bar r i er and t he w hol e pl ace shook due t o t he col l i si on. The bar r i er w as doi ng
w el l t o pr ot ect t o Chaos.
We need mor e pow er , Ir i s! Remember w ho w e r e f i ght i ng f or ! Al l t he
peopl e w e l ove have pl aced t hei r conf i dence upon our shoul der s! We can t l et
t hem dow n! Zeon shout ed.
Ir i s cl osed her eyes and pi ct ur ed t he f aces of al l t he peopl e she l oved. She
di dn t have any f r i ends i n At l nt i da besi des Zeon and Cr yst al , but she had l ot s of
f ami l y and f r i ends on Ear t h. Usi ng t hei r l ove as a f uel , she st r engt hened her
at t ack. Zeon di d t he same t hi ng.
Chaos w as now bei ng pushed back and t he bar r i er t hat pr ot ect ed hi m w as
br eaki ng.
NOOOOO! THIS CAN T BE HAPPENING! He shout ed.
NOW! Zeon shout ed.
YES! Ir i s cr i ed.
Chaos s bar r i er shat t er ed w i t h a l oud BANG and t he beam of l i ght hi t hi m
squar el y on t he chest .
Ir i s w at ched as Chaos si mpl y vapor i zed under t he i nt ensi t y and pow er of
t hei r at t ack. Af t er t he demi se of Chaos, si l ence seemed t o st r et ch acr oss t he
Doom. She and Zeon, bot h f el l on t he gr ound, l aughi ng.
We di d i t ! Zeon excl ai med.
I can t bel i eve i t s f i nal l y over ! Ir i s comment ed.
Suddenl y, t her e w as a t r emor and Ir i s w at ched i n hor r or as t he cei l i ng of t he
chamber began t o f al l apar t . One gi ant chunk of met al f el l t ow ar ds t hem. She
di dn t t hi nk t h at she had enough st r engt h t o move. Once agai n Zeon amazed her
by show i ng t he dept hs of hi s pow er s. Usi ng t he pow er of t el eki nesi s, he
250 | P a g e
managed t o st op t he boul der i n mi d-ai r . He f or ced t he chunk of met al aw ay f r om
t hem.
We have t o get out ! Zeon sai d ur gent l y.
I can t move, Zeon. Ir i s mumbl ed.
Zeon l ooked annoyed. Gr eat ! M or e w or k f or me.
Zeon gr abbed her hand and t hr ew i t over hi s shoul der . As he hel ped her , up
Cr yst al hur r i ed t ow ar ds t hem al ong w i t h anot her boy and gi r l .
Jason, Li l y! You guys ar e okay! Zeon sai d w i t h r el i ef .
Yeah, w e had j ust r egai ned consci ous w hen w e not i ced t hi s pl ace f al l i ng
apar t . Jason sai d w i t h a si gh.
You di d i t , Zeon! You def eat ed Chaos! Li l y sai d exci t edl y.
Let s j ust save t he cel ebr at i ons f or l at er . Ri ght now w e have t o f ocus on
get t i ng out ! Zeon sai d. Fi nd Br yan, Cl ar k and Rose!
Few mi nut es l at er , t hey w er e al l r unni ng t hr ough t he Dome w i t h l ar ge
pi eces of met al , f al l i ng al l ar ound t hem. Zeon w as dr aggi ng Ir i s w ho w as now
unconsci ous, Cr yst al w as hel pi ng a l i mpi ng Br yan, Li l y w as gui di ng Rose and
Jason w as t r yi ng t o hel p Cl ar k w ho l ooked dead on hi s f eet , but r ef used t o be
ai ded.
Bat t er ed and br ui sed, Zeon and hi s f r i ends managed t o escape t he
col l apsi ng Dome al i ve.
Zeon l ow er ed Ir i s gent l y on t he gr ound and l ay dow n besi de her . He l ooked
up and f ound hi msel f st ar i ng at t he ni ght sky of pl anet Ear t h. The st ar s w er e
spar kl i ng br i ght l y as i f r ej oi ci ng t he f al l of Chaos. He cl osed hi s eyes and dr i f t ed
of f i nt o a peacef ul sl eep.

251 | P a g e
Chapt er 39
The Myst er y Wor d
Her e I am agai n, Zeon sai d, as he enj oyed t he vi ew ar ound hi m. He w as
st andi ng on ever gr een gr ass and t he smel l of f l ow er s w as i nt oxi cat i ng. The sky
w as l i ke an ocean t hat w as i l l umi nat ed by t he sun. He had been her e bef or e, but
he j ust coul dn t get t i r ed of t hi s pl ace. Ther e w as Fl ash, hi s f ai t hf ul f r i end, f l yi ng
t ow ar ds hi m w i t h a shout of w el comi ng. He l aughed as t he bi r d pushed hi m on
t he gr ound and ni pped hi s hai r af f ect i onat el y.
Fl ash! You j ust l ove my hai r , don t you? Zeon sai d w i t h a l augh.
Zeon! It s good t o see you!
Zeon l ooked up t o see t he Ol d M an, t ow er i ng over hi m w i t h hi s f ace spl i t
i nt o a w i de smi l e.
Somehow I expect ed w e w oul d meet agai n. Zeon sai d, beami ng.
So di d I, so di d I! t he Ol d M an sai d w i t h hi s eyes, t w i nkl i ng.
Ar e you her e t o gi ve me an Ol d M an s w i sdom because I don t mi nd havi ng
some? Zeon sai d, l ooki ng expect ant l y at t he Ol d M an.
The Ol d M an l aughed. The best ki nd of w i sdom i s t hat w hi ch you ear n
your sel f . I dar esay your br aver y i s compat i bl e w i t h your sense of w i sdom f or you
have br eached t he boundar i es of cour ageousness, and have pl aced t he needs of
ot her s above your s. That i s t he mar k of a t r ue w ar r i or .
So, I m guessi ng you w er e w at chi ng me w hen I f ought Chaos. Zeon sai d
w i t h a f r ow n.
Of cour se I have! I w as w or r i ed t hat you mi ght have anot her one of t hose
pani c at t acks, but i t seems I had n ot hi ng t o w or r y about . Your sense of j udgment
and per cept i on i s qui t e r emar kabl e i f I say so mysel f . You r emi nd me a l ot of
252 | P a g e
mysel f w hen I w as young. The need t o save t he ones I l ove had al w ays been my
t op pr i or i t y. I guess w hen you have a r eason t o f i ght f or , you ar e gi f t ed w i t h
unw aver i ng det er mi nat i on and t hat Zeon I bel i eve i s t he key t o success. The Ol d
M an sai d w i sel y.
Er i k has t he Daemon w i t hi n hi m, Zeon sai d qui t e suddenl y. Now t hat
Chaos i s dead, al l hi s pow er s w i l l be t r ansf er r ed i nt o t he Daemon w hi ch w i l l gi ve
hi m enough pow er t o f ul l y possess Er i k.
The Ol d M an nodded gr avel y. Yes, i t seems your new enemy i s your f r i end.
Er i k i s my f r i end. I don t t hi nk I have t he hear t t o ki l l hi m. Zeon sai d,
shaki ng hi s head.
The Ol d M an st r oked hi s bear d t hought f ul l y. You don t have t o ki l l Er i k.
Remember Zeon, t her e ar e ot her w ays t o save a f r i end. Just bear i n mi nd t hat
t he bond bet w een f r i ends can never be br oken, no mat t er w hat t he
ci r cumst ances ar e. Ther e i s a w ay t o save Er i k, but t he onl y w ay i s f or you t o
r eal i ze how much you car e about hi m. Is he w or t h ever yt hi ng? If he i s, t hen t he
onl y w ay t o save hi m i s sacr i f i ce.
I hat e i t w hen you t al k i n r i ddl es. Zeon sai d w i t h a snor t .
Ri ddl es can be sol ved easi l y. You j ust need t o have pat i ence and an open
mi nd. As I sai d bef or e, t he answ er s w i l l come t o you. The Ol d M an sai d.
Ther e ar e a f ew quest i ons w hose answ er s I ve f ai l ed t o f i nd. How di d Ir i s
Wi l l i am know w her e t he ot her hal f of The Gol den Phoeni x w as? Zeon asked.
The Ol d M an di d not r epl y, but mer el y smi l ed.
You! You t ol d her w her e i t w as! Zeon sai d i n amazement .
The Ol d M an chuckl ed. You r e not t he onl y one w ho r ecei ves some of my
w i sdom. I deci ded t o pl ant t he bug i n Ir i s Wi l l i am s head t hat show ed her t he
l ocat i on of The Gol den Phoeni x.
Zeon j ust st ar ed at hi m. You ar e unbel i evabl e!
On t he cont r ar y, I mer el y pl ay a hel pi ng hand i n t he pr osper i t y of l i ght .
The Ol d M an sai d ser enel y.
253 | P a g e
Do you t hi nk Chaos knew t hat t he Daemon f ai l ed t o possess Er i k? Zeon
asked.
I shal l t ake a hazar dous guess and say no. The Ol d M an sai d t hought f u l l y.
Oh I know you! You di dn t guess. You have a r eason f or my answ er . Zeon
accused.
Gui l t y as char ged, The Ol d M an sai d, smi l i ng. How do you t hi nk Gener al
Tr ox ent er ed At l nt i da?
Zeon shr ugged. He must have f ound t he ent r ance t o At l nt i da.
M y dear boy, I t hi nk El i t e M ast er Dor man i s mor e i nt el l i gent t han t hat . He
has pl aced a bar r i er on t he ent r ance of At l nt i da t o pr event any unw el comed
guest f r om gai ni ng ent r y. The onl y w ay f or anyone t o ent er At l nt i da f r om t he
out si de i s by seeki ng hel p f r om a per son i nsi de At l nt i da. That s w her e Er i k
comes i n. The Ol d M an sai d.
What does t hi s have t o do w i t h Er i k? Zeon asked.
You asked me w het her Chaos knew t hat t he Daemon had f ai l ed t o possess
Er i k and I answ er ed i n t he negat i ve. The r eason f or t hat i s, w hen Chaos sent
Gener al Tr ox t o ki l l you he needed someone t o have opened t he ent r ance of
At l nt i da f r om t he i nsi de. So, he cont act ed t he Daemon i nsi de Er i k and or der ed
hi m t o open t he ent r ance of At l nt i da. The Ol d M an expl ai ned.
But t hat can t be r i ght . The Daemon coul d not possess Er i k so how coul d he
open t he ent r ance of At l nt i da? Zeon asked, f r owni ng.
The Daemon managed t o possess Er i k w hen he w as l east expect i ng an
at t ack on h i s mi nd, w hi ch i s t o say, d ur i ng t he t i me he w as sl eepi ng. The Daemon
possessed Er i k f or a br i ef moment and opened t he ent r ance of At l nt i da t o al l ow
Gener al Tr ox i nsi de. The Ol d M an sai d pat i ent l y.
Zeon f el t di sappoi nt ed t hat Er i k had f ai l ed t o st op t he Daemon f r om t aki ng
cont r ol of hi m and openi ng t he ent r ance of At l nt i da f or Gener al Tr ox. If Zeon
had di ed i t w oul d have been Er i k s f aul t .
254 | P a g e
Don t bl ame Er i k f or your encount er w i t h Gener al Tr ox, The Ol d man sai d
st er nl y. It i s not ver y easy t o cont r ol t he dar kness w i t hi n you, especi al l y a
dar kness t hat keeps t r yi ng t o t ake over you. Er i k f el t gr eat r emor se w hen he
r eal i zed w hat he had done. Fr i ends ar e i mpor t ant Zeon. Do not l et t hese smal l
t hi ngs br eak t he bond of f r i endshi p.
Yeah, I have t he most amazi ng f r i ends. Zeon sai d honest l y. Sur pr i si ngl y,
even Cl ar k seemed okay once I got t o know hi m. I never w oul d have bel i eved,
bef r i endi ng a Levee!
Ah yes, Levees ar e i ndeed di f f i cul t t o bef r i end. I r emember w hen I had a
r i val named Levee. It t ook me year s t o acknow l edge hi m as a f r i end. The Ol d
M an sai d w i t h a si gh.
One l ast quest i on. NoxEt er na w hat does t hi s w or d me? Zeon asked. He
had come acr oss t hi s w or d t hr ee t i mes. The f i r st t i me w as w hen he met t he
Daemon w i t hi n Er i k. The second t i me w as, dur i ng hi s f i r st Weaponr y cl ass. The
t hi r d t i me w as w hen he met Queen Li l i a at t he Ci t y of El ves.
NoxEt er na such a beaut i f ul w or d w i t h such a beaut i f ul def i ni t i on. I spent
hal f of my l i f e, t r yi ng t o f i gur e out i t s meani ng. The Ol d M an sai d, smi l i ng.
So w hat does i t mean? Zeon asked w i t h a hi nt of exci t ement .
NoxEt er na i s a uni ver sal w or d w hose meani ng can onl y be best ow ed upon
a chosen per son. Sear ch ever y book, ever y di ct i onar y i n bot h Ear t h and
At l nt i da, but you w i l l never f i nd t hi s w or d. The Ol d M an expl ai ned.
Zeon f r ow ned. Then how di d you f i nd out i t s meani ng?
I di dn t , The Ol d M an sai d si mpl y. I came ver y cl ose, but sadl y I w as not
t he chosen one. I f ai l ed t o di scover t he meani ng of NoxEt er na and I r egar d t hi s
as my bi ggest f ai l ur e.
Who i s t he chosen one? Zeon asked.
The chosen one i s a ver y speci al per son. He i s di st i ngui shed f r om ot her
peopl e by t he goodness i n hi s hear t . He i s a per son w ho even i n t he t i mes of
har dshi p and sor r ow r ef uses t o gi ve up. Even i f t he w or l d i s agai nst hi m, he
255 | P a g e
r emai ns t r ue t o hi msel f and l ear ns t o accept t he t hi ngs he cannot change. The
chosen one i s a one of a ki nd per son. I have a ver y f i r m bel i ef t hat you mi ght be
t hi s chosen one w ho w i l l l ear n t he meani ng of NoxEt er na. The Ol d M an sai d.
Yeah r i ght ! How can I di scover somet hi ng, w hi ch you f ai l ed t o? Zeon sai d
w i t h a l augh.
Remember w hat I sai d t o you w hen w e f i r st met ? You can do anyt hi ng i f
you put your hear t and soul i nt o i t . You must bel i eve t hat NoxEt er na w as a w or d
w hose meani ng w as meant f or you t o di scover . The Ol d M an sai d f i r ml y.
Ri ght , Zeon sai d, noddi ng.
Now , I t hi nk i t s t i me f or me t o l eave. Unt i l next t i me Zeon! The Ol d M an
sai d w i t h a w ave. Then he di sappear ed i nt o t hi n ai r .
Af t er a w hi l e, Zeon sai d. NoxEt er na t he uni ver sal w or d

256 | P a g e
Chapt er 40
The Second Pr ophecy
Zeon w as w oken up by t he sound of t he bi r ds w hi ch w er e si ngi ng t hei r
har moni ous song. The sun w as out and cast a r adi ant gl ow on t he i r i descent
t r ees of t he f or est of At l nt i da. Smal l Ener gy Or bs zoomed exci t edl y t hr ough t he
ai r , w el comi ng t he begi nni ng of anot her beaut i f ul day.
When Zeon acknow l edged hi s sur r oundi ngs, he easi l y r ecogni zed t he
ser eni t y of t he Hospi t al of At l nt i da. He w as l yi ng i n a comf or t abl e bed l ocat ed
on one si de of a r ect angul ar r oom. On t he bed besi de hi m, l ay Ir i s w ho w as
sl eepi ng soundl essl y. He not i ced t hat she l ooked i n a much heal t hi er condi t i on
t han w hen she w as i n Chaos s l ai r .
The door of t he r oom cr eaked open and El i t e M ast er Dor man made hi s w ay
t ow ar ds Zeon.
Zeon! It s good t o see t hat you r e f i nal l y aw ake. How ar e you f eel i ng? He
asked, as he obser ved Zeon s body f or any si gn of i nj ur y.
I f eel gr eat ! Wher e i s ever ybody? How i s ever ybody? Zeon asked, unabl e
t o hi de t he concer n i n hi s voi ce.
Ever yone i s f i ne! M ost unf or t unat el y, w e l ost t en l oyal Par t -Humans, dur i ng
our encount er w i t h Chaos s f or ces. E. M . Dor man sai d sadl y. We w oul d have
l ost mor e of our w ar r i or s, but t hanks t o you and your f r i ends, mor e deat hs w er e
avoi ded.
So, w her e i s ever ybody? Zeon asked anxi ousl y.
Oh, t hey ar e back at t he School of At l nt i da pl anni ng somet hi ng exci t i ng
I m sur e. E. M . Dor man sai d w i t h a chuckl e.
Zeon r ai sed hi s eyebr ow suspi ci ousl y. Pl anni ng w hat exact l y?
257 | P a g e
M ast er Dor man r ai sed hi s hands i n a hel pl ess gest ur e. Sor r y Zeon, I have
been f or ced i nt o secr ecy by your f r i ends. You have some ver y f i ne f r i ends, Zeon.
They car e about you mor e t han anyt hi ng el se.
Zeon smi l ed. Yeah, t hey ar e pr et t y speci al .
Anyw ay, I t hi nk i t s t i me w e moved ont o mor e i mpor t ant mat t er s. Zeon, you
ar e t he possessor of The Gol den Phoeni x and due t o your uni queness, I bel i eve
you w i l l pl ay a l eadi ng r ol e i n The Codex.
The f i r st pr ophecy has come t o an end, but t hi s mar ks t he begi nni ng of t he
second pr ophecy. I have deci ded t hat you shal l be t he f i r st t o hear t he second
pr ophecy. E. M . Dor man sai d f i r ml y.
Honest l y, Zeon d i dn t r eal l y w ant t o hear t he second pr ophecy. It w oul d onl y
put mor e bur dens on hi s shoul der s. Yet , he coul d not r ef use M ast er Dor man. He
had an i mpor t ant r ol e t o pl ay i n bot h At l nt i da and Ear t h, so he had t o f ace
ever yt hi ng w i t h det er mi nat i on.
Keepi ng al l t hi s i n mi nd, Zeon gave M ast er Dor man a sl i ght nod.
M ast er Dor man cl apped hi s hands and w i t h a PUFF t he chest , cont ai ni ng
The Codex appear ed. He opened t he chest and out came t he j umbl ed up l et t er s.
The l et t er s r ear r anged t hemsel ves i nt o sent ences.
Tr ansl at e, E. M . Dor man sai d and t he Engl i sh ver si on of t he sent ences
appear ed bel ow t he or i gi nal .
The second pr ophecy sai d:
Xqooo |oo |ut qio kiv ioco
Chaos falls, but his kin r ises
Iv tqc uot |o toec tqc Aocov oooo c=covc
In t he lust for power , t he Daemon dooms ever yone
Tqc toto to Ato_otoc ei otcv ov_c oc
The por t al t o Apocalypse will open once mor e
258 | P a g e

Tqc Accvoo Oo=cv ei |c couc_tco ov_c oc
The Legendar y Wyver n will be r esur r ect ed once mor e
Ov tqc Ioo _ov otot tqio ook |o_c |ov ocotoiv c=ctqiv
Only t he Gold can st op t his dar k beast fr om destr oying ever yt hing
Hc ei vcco tqc qct o| o Ac=cc
He will need t he help of a Levee
But |c=oc o| tqc Aocov
But bewar e of t he Daemon
Hio cco |o toec o okc qi Tqc Xovuuco o| Aokvcoo
His gr eed for power may make him t he Conquer or of Dar kness
Gr eat ! Just gr eat ! Thi s pr ophecy i s even l onger t han t he f i r st one! Zeon
compl ai ned.
It s l onger and dar ker t han t he f i r st one, E. M . Dor man sai d gr i ml y.
And i t says her e t hat I w i l l need t he hel p of a Levee! Just gr eat , Zeon sai d
bi t t er l y. Al t hough, he had devel oped a speci al pat i ence agai nst Cl ar k s
super i or i t y compl ex, t he t hought of bei ng dependant on hi m w as j ust t oo much.
Wel l , her e i s t he second pr ophecy Zeon. I t hi nk you w i l l agr ee i f I say t hat
you ar e f eel i ng ver y conf used. Wel l i f i t i s any consol at i on, I am conf used as
w el l . E. M . Dor man sai d w i t h a si gh.
Do you know w ho t hi s Legendar y Wyver n i s? Zeon asked.
I ve onl y hear d st or i es about hi m Zeon and most peopl e bel i eve t hat t hese
ar e onl y myt hs. The Legendar y Wyver n w as a t er r i bl e cr eat ur e t hat once
i nhabi t ed At l nt i da. It l i ved i n t he deepest and dar kest ar ea of At l nt i da, w hi ch i s
cal l ed The Voi d. The Wyver n coul d not escape The Voi d as i t w as bound t o t hat
ar ea, but t he f i r st Levee acci dent l y r el eased t he chaot i c beast . The Wyver n
259 | P a g e
spr ead havoc t hr oughout At l nt i da, ki l l i ng uncount abl e number of Par t -Humans.
No one coul d ki l l t he Wyver n. The st r ongest Par t -Humans t r i ed t o sl ay t he
cr eat ur e, but f ai l ed qui t e badl y.
The Levee, w ho had set t he beast f r ee, f el t gr eat r emor se and t r i ed t o undo
hi s mi st ake. He set out t o ki l l t he Legendar y Wyver n and af t er a bat t l e t hat l ast ed
f or t hr ee days, t he Levee managed t o bani sh t he cr eat ur e t hr ough a por t al t hat
l ead t o absol ut e dar kness cal l ed t he Apocal ypse. Now , i t i s bel i eved t hat onl y a
Levee can open t hi s por t al and br i ng back t he Wyver n, and onl y a Levee can sl ay
t he beast af t er w ar ds. But , no one r eal l y bel i eves t hi s. As I sai d bef or e, most
peopl e t hi nk t hi s i s a myt h, even t he Levees. E. M . Dor man sai d w ar i l y.
Why does t he Daemon w ant t o f r ee t he Wyver n? Zeon asked, f r ow ni ng.
M ost pr obabl y he w ant s t o have t he Wyver n i n hi s cont r ol , but I f i nd t hat
har d t o bel i eve because t hi s cr eat ur e i s bel i eved t o be t he st r ongest l i vi ng t hi ng
i n t hi s uni ver se. So, i t i s i mpossi bl e f or t he Daemon t o domi nat e t he Legendar y
Wyver n. E. M . Dor man sai d, shaki ng hi s head.
What i f t he Daemon t r i ed t o bar gai n w i t h t he cr eat ur e? Zeon pr essed.
The Legendar y Wyver n car es onl y about dest r uct i on not pow er . E. M .
Dor man sai d t hought f ul l y. Anyw ay, enough of t hi s chi t -chat , w e w i l l have p l ent y
of t i me t o ponder over t he w or ds of t he pr ophecy. Ri ght now , you shoul d r est .
Tomor r ow I m pl anni ng t o t ake you back t o t he school .
I can come now , Zeon sai d as he f or ced hi msel f out of t he bed.
No! I mean Ir i s Wi l l i am st i l l needs t o heal and i t w i l l be a good i dea i f you
gave her some company. E. M . Dor man sai d i n a r at her pani cky t one.
What i s i t you r e not t el l i ng me? Zeon asked suspi ci ousl y.
Not hi ng! E. M . Dor man decl ar ed and l ef t t he r oom i n a hur r y.
Zeon si ghed and l ay back i n hi s bed. Ir i s di d not w ake up f or anot her hour so
he deci ded t o sl eep. Tomor r ow he w oul d go back t o t he School of At l nt i da and
begi n hi s t r ai ni ng
260 | P a g e
The next day, El i t e Emi l y came t o t he hospi t al , and af t er ensur i ng t hat bot h
Zeon and Ir i s w er e i n per f ect condi t i on, she t ook t hem back t o t he School of
At l nt i da. Ir i s had r egai ned consci ousness and w as now enj oyi ng t he vi ew of
At l nt i da. Si nce t hi s w as her f i r st day her e, she kept goi ng on about how amazi ng
At l nt i da w as.
When t hey r eached t he school , a sur pr i se par t y aw ai t ed Zeon and Ir i s. As
soon as t hey set f oot i n t he mai n l obby, a chor us of Gol d and Si l ver f i l l ed t he
hal l . A par t y cr acker w as expl oded i n t hei r f aces and a cr ow d of st udent s l i f t ed
t hem of f t he gr ound. Zeon f el t ver y comf or t abl e by al l t he at t ent i on and he coul d
t el l t hat Ir i s f el t t he same w ay.
A maj or par t y began i n t he school . Loud musi c shook t he ver y gr ound and
t he mai n hal l w as f i l l ed w i t h over exci t ed peopl e. Zeon j oi ned hi s f r i ends w ho
gave hi m a w ar m smi l e.
Zeon! Enj oyi ng t he par t y? Br yan sai d, gr i nni ng.
It s f ant ast i c! I m guessi ng you t w o ar e r esponsi bl e f or t hi s. Zeon sai d.
Wel l w e gave t he i dea, but t he set -up w as a t eam ef f or t . Cr yst al sai d
br i ght l y.
I can t bel i eve I m f i nal l y i n t he School of At l nt i da! Ir i s sai d as she w al ked
t ow ar ds t hem. Thi s pl ace i s j ust amazi ng!
Zeon w r i nged hi s hands ner vousl y and t r i ed t o t ake hi s eyes of f Ir i s, t hough
he f ound t hi s ver y di f f i cul t t o do.
Ir i s l ooked st unni ng. She w as w ear i ng a beaut i f ul si l ver col or ed dr ess t hat
cl ashed per f ect l y w i t h her l uxur i ous l ong bl ack hai r . Her smi l e i ncr eased her
beaut y by t i mes t en and Zeon suddenl y f el t uncomf or t abl e i n hi s bl ack sui t .
Zeon w ant ed t o ask Ir i s t o dance w i t h hi m, but t he w or ds seemed t o be st uck
i n hi s t hr oat .
Is t her e somet hi ng you w ant t o ask me, Zeon? Ir i s asked sw eet l y, but Zeon
coul d t el l she w as chal l engi ng hi m.
Had she r ead hi s mi nd?
261 | P a g e
Er I Um Zeon st ammer ed, causi ng Ir i s t o gi ggl e.
Just ask her t o dance, dude! Br yan sai d, r ol l i ng hi s eyes.
W-Woul d you l i ke t o dance, Ir i s? Zeon sai d meekl y.
Dance sounds good, Ir i s sai d, beami ng.
Ir i s gr abbed Zeon by t he hand and dr agged hi m t o t he dance f l oor . Zeon had
no i dea how t o dance, but i t seems Ir i s w as an exper t . He di dn t r eal l y have t o do
anyt hi ng because she seemed t o be cont r ol l i ng hi s ever y movement . The t w o of
t hem sw ayed ar ound w i t h t he r hyt hm of t he musi c.
Zeon s mi nd dr i f t ed of f and he f ound hi msel f t hi nki ng about Er i k. Er i k w as
somew her e out t her e and t he Daemon w i t hi n hi m w as pl anni ng hi s evi l scheme.
Zeon di d not know how he w oul d r eact w hen he f aced hi s f r i end. The t hought
about f i ght i ng Er i k and bei ng f or ced t o ki l l hi m w as t oo much t o bear . The Ol d
M an f r om hi s dr eams had sai d t hat he w oul d have t o make a sacr i f i ce i n or der t o
save Er i k. He hadn t know n w hat t he Ol d M an had meant , but now he knew t he
answ er .
To save Er i k, Zeon had t o pay t he ul t i mat e pr i ce. None of hi s ot her f r i ends
w oul d accept hi s pl an, so he had t o keep i t a secr et especi al l y f r om Ir i s.
Honest l y, he di dn t t hi nk t hat he w oul d have t he cour age t o pay t hi s pr i ce, but
f or t he sake of Er i k he had t o do i t .
M aybe, i f somehow he sur vi ved, he w oul d be one st ep cl oser t o f i ndi ng t he
myst er y w or d
NoxEt er na.
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