Battle of Mythics Page 2

  "Can't keep up Daisuke? Where’s all that power you were talking about?"

  The heat was visible rising from Daisuke's body.

  "I know you're still holding back! Give it all!" Lance taunted again.

  How dare this mortal defy me!

  Kill him! the power of the Mythic commanded. Kill them all!

  The Mythic's body burst into an aura of red flame. He rushed Lance again, swinging wildly, Lance blocked every advance. Daisuke's eyes were red, hate fueled him. The Mythic realized sword attacks were not working on the Prince.

  He leaped high into the sky and hovered above Lance. The red aura of intense flame raged and spiraled around him. The wind whipped around his might as a turbulent hurricane. The Mythic dropped his sword, not needing it any longer. The black blade fell, sticking upright into the earth below him. He glared down at his enemy, the foolish Prince. So small down there all alone, begging to be crushed like the insect he was.

  "Think you can withstand this?" The Mythic flexed every muscle in his body, between his palms in front of his chest he created an intense ball of fire. As the orb grew he struggled to hold it. He grunted and flexed harder. Concentrating all his energy and focusing it into a growing ball. Lance held his ground, challenging his attack.

  "Dragon Fire!" The Mythic yelled.

  The Mythic pushed his arms forward, unleashing his end-all strike. The ball erupted into a spiraling beam of orange and red flame directly toward Lance. Once it hit, there would be nothing left but a crater and a memory of a Prince.

  No mortal could withstand this, not even Lance.

  "No!" Daisuke shouted.

  Lance gave a smirk.

  Daisuke threw his arms apart. The column of fire self-destructed in mid-air, never reaching its target. The explosion shook the ground. The Prince never moved an inch.

  Calculated every move... He knew I would not let myself go all out, I would lose my mind to the God of the Sun and become possessed by him. Lance knows my limits just as well as I do.

  Daisuke landed slowly on the grass. His head hung low.

  "You don't have it in you. The power of the dragon is wasted on such a coward."

  "I do not need the Mythic powers to beat you, Lance. Your attempts to play off my rage was well conceived. I have underestimated you."

  Daisuke pulled his sword out of the ground. "No more." He turned to Lance "Brace yourself, Prince."

  "This is it then." Lance readied himself. Cooled his breathing. Studying his opponent, he thought, I almost had him.

  They lunged at each other in the same instant, swords colliding in sparks. They both countered, mirroring the others moves. Each movement had to be perfect, precise. Their speed and skill equally matched. No mistake was made.

  "My whole life was meant for this! To destroy you!" Lance shouted between clashes. "I have studied samurai battle strategy, forms, and movements. Formulating the perfect offense. I cannot lose!" He slashed at Daisuke's face. The attack missed.

  "Your life should be for your people!" Daisuke returned the strike, Lance blocked and countered. Daisuke jumped back "You should be focused on the destruction of darkness, know who your allies are Lance! You are painfully misguided!"

  "Ashland needs no allies! With the powers of the Mythic, I will lead us to a new world!"

  With a shout, Lance attacked fiercely.

  Daisuke held his ground. "Your world will reign the destruction of man! You are not ready to lead!"

  "Then stop me! Use everything you have!"

  Both the men attacked with all their skill. The swords moved faster than ever, both men twirling around each other without a moment of weakness. The melody of their sword clashes echoed across the plains.

  Lance could feel himself getting tired. His muscles ached, the sword growing heavier.

  Finish him Daisuke... Use the flame and turn him to ash...

  Daisuke shook his head.

  He's slipping. Lance pressed harder.

  Lance is growing tired, his movement is slowed, he is human after all. Daisuke studied Lance's form closely.

  "Come on Daisuke! Use the fire! Show me what you can do!" Lance grinned.

  Do it! Echoed Daisuke’s mind.

  "No!"

  Lance ran forward for another strike while his enemy was distracted. Lance slashed down with all of his strength. Daisuke lifted his blade with two hands and connected with it as hard as he could to keep him from following through.

  The silver sword cracked and then shattered. Lance lifted his arm to protect his face from the fragmented shards of his blade, the power of the impact launching him back and onto the dirt. He hit the ground hard and the wind was knocked out of him. Lance opened his eyes to see Daisuke standing over him, his sword to his throat.

  The duel was over.

  Lance lay on the ground staring at him, waiting for him to make a move.

  "Your defense is gone" Daisuke claimed, glancing to the pieces of Lance’s sword that were scattered about the ground below them. "You fought brilliantly, but you lost Lance. It is over." Daisuke reignited the flame sword.

  "Well do it!" Lance grimaced.

  Chapter Two

  Divide and Conquer

  "No Stop!"

  Daisuke snapped his head to the voice coming from his left. It was Ohitekah. The boy came riding down the hill on his horse, Bolt. His clothes were covered in blood, but he showed no wounds.

  Daisuke looked back to the fallen Prince. His hair was disheveled, his face covered in sweat. His eyes were unforgiving. He lowered his sword deeper to his throat.

  "Red! Don't do it!" Ohitekah pulled up next to them and jumped off his horse.

  Lance grabbed Daisuke's blade and shoved it aside, he stood up.

  "You need to stay out of this” He shouted at Ohitekah “I've had enough of your interfering boy." Lance stood back, not facing them. He was unarmed, he gripped the hilt of what once was his sword. "Well, Daisuke? What's my fate then?" He turned back and stared at his enemy.

  Ohitekah fell silent, watching his two friends decide who would die. He clenched his fists and waited.

  Red lowered his weapon and looked down.

  "Leave. Go home, Lance. I have failed you."

  Lance took a step toward Red.

  "You're pathetic." Lance stared into Daisuke's eyes, waiting for a reaction. Red remained unfazed. Lance snapped. "It doesn't end here, Daisuke! I won't stop!"

  Red turned away, unable to look him in the eyes.

  "Just leave," He spoke quietly.

  Lance’s rage grew, his fists trembled. His brow pinched together and his face flushed red. Red could not look at Lance for more than a moment before returning his eyes to the ground.

  The Prince of Ashland walked to his horse without saying another word, he reared his steed and stormed off to the east.

  So that was it... Ohitekah thought. After everything we had been through. He just leaves.

  For a long while, Red stared at the ground, the wind moving past him. He quietly sheathed his katana and looked to Ohitekah.

  "Congratulations." he gave a half smile "You did it."

  Ohitekah gave a bow. "Thank you. I couldn't have done it without your help."

  Ohitekah's eyes opened widely, he realized something.

  "Nicholas!" He ran over the field and found Nicholas leaning against his horse.

  "Nicholas, how are you? You saved me!"

  The Thunderbird's lightning attack would have surely killed him if Nicholas had not jumped in the way and taken the hit. Nicholas was lucky to be breathing.

  The brawny man gave a chuckle and sat up a little more.

  "Yeah kid, I've had worse." He gave a grin. "I think I'll recover."

  Red walked over to them, he studied Nicholas.

  "That was very quick thinking."

  "Yeah, well, he woulda done the same for me."

  Ohitekah smiled and silently agreed.

  Nicholas staggered and managed to stand up, Ohitekah helped him. Somehow Ni
cholas was much lighter now, assisting him was easier than he would have thought. He looked happy, but he winced and rubbed his back when standing.

  "You sure you're alright?" Ohitekah asked again.

  "Yeah buddy, I'm all good. Just gotta ride it out." Nicholas looked to Red, he gave a nod. Red gave a slight bow. Ohitekah looked at them confused.

  Nicholas cleared his throat. "Well, lad. This is it."

  Ohitekah felt his body grow heavier. "What?"

  "We did it. We both did it. We finished our jobs. Our agreement is complete." He smiled.

  Ohitekah choked. "No, wait, you can still come with us. Can't you?"

  "I'm king now, lad. I have people who need me. A whole country to govern. To rebuild."

  Ohitekah looked at his feet. His voice quivered.

  "I... need you."

  Nicholas let out his burly laugh. He took a step forward and gave Ohitekah a hug, lifting him off the ground. Ohitekah felt his spine crack as he felt his body would surely be broken in half. Nicholas' thick arms smothering him, making it hard to breathe.

  He never wanted him to let go.

  "This isn't goodbye. It’s just… so long, for now." He lowered him back to the ground, Ohitekah stood in place. Not wanting to move or say a word. Not wanting his best friend to leave him. They found each other when they needed it the most. They always defended each other, stopping at nothing to get the others back. Through the long trips, they always rode side by side, sharing stories, telling jokes. Nicholas was always happy when things looked grim, the first to pick him up when he was down. Even if he couldn't get his name right.

  He had never known anyone else like Nicholas.

  "And you don't need me, kid! You're a strong Mythic now! Like Red!" He slapped him on the back, bringing back the familiar pain of Nicholas' form of affection. "And you never needed those powers to be strong. Out of all of us, you were always the strongest." Nicholas gave a smile.

  "I-I don't know what to say."

  Nicholas held out his hand, asking for a shake. Ohitekah put his hand in Nicholas' large palm. Nicholas grabbed it and squeezed it, he shook it up and down.

  "So long Oakanoak... You know where I'll be."

  Probably the mead hall...

  "So long Nicholas... Thank you… for everything." He cracked a smile.

  "It’s been my pleasure." Nicholas mounted his horse. He gave Red a nod. "You keep an eye on him, don't let nothin' happen."

  Red gave another bow. “Of course.”

  "Tell your tribe about me! I'll see you soon." Nicholas turned his horse around and headed west. Back to his kingdom.

  Red and Ohitekah stood alone in the plains for a while. Neither of them saying anything. Ohitekah looked at him. The only person he had left. The cool wind blowing his red and black robes. His dark hair covering his face.

  Red looked up. "Well... Let's get you home."

  Ohitekah had been wondering that for some time now.

  Where is home? It’s been about a month since I've been with my tribe. They could be anywhere by now.

  Red stared at Ohitekah, he gave a deep look.

  Ohitekah heard a voice in his head.

  "You will need to find them."

  He jumped back. It was Red's voice; his voice was in his thoughts.

  How is this possible? Ohitekah thought.

  "You are a Mythic now." Red's voice continued to echo through his mind. "Men and women on this earth pray to Gods and Mythics. Some will even pray to you. You will be able to hear the prayers and thoughts of people wishing to contact you."

  Ohitekah turned to Red.

  "Have you been reading our thoughts this whole time?" He shouted.

  Red cleared his throat. "Not exactly." He said out loud. "I can sometimes pick up thoughts from those close to me. It was never intentional. However, with training, you can focus in and read the thoughts of people. I am not speaking through my thoughts." Red stopped talking and stared at Ohitekah.

  "You are the one reading my mind..." Red smiled.

  "Kill him!" A loud harsh voice rang through Reds thoughts. He turned away.

  Ohitekah grew cold, he took a step back.

  Red just thought to kill me. Why would he think that?

  "That was not my mind..." Red said slowly, ashamed of himself. "That was the God of the Sun... Trying to control me... He is especially prevalent now considering my recent fight with Lance." Red turned and faced him. "The more you use your powers, the more control your god has over you. The God of the Sun wants me to be like his Dragon. A puppet. For two hundred years, he has been trying to get me to destroy my own people. That is why I hold back Ohitekah. So I will never hurt the ones I love."

  "What about me? Now that I'm a Mythic."

  "Yes, you are. But your God is the God of Storms. He is a good and just God. He picked you, he trusts you. Your God does not hate you. I figure you are free to use your powers as you wish. Without fear of manipulation."

  This made Ohitekah feel a little bit better, he became comfortable again around Red.

  I wonder what thoughts Red heard from me... Ohitekah shook his head. Damn, stop thinking he can hear you!

  "The reason I'm telling you this,” Red continued, “is because you will need to sort through the thoughts and prayers of your people, to find your tribe."

  Ohitekah stared at him, not sure if he understood what Red was implying.

  "Right now most of the tribes of the plains are praying to the Thunder Mythic. To you, Ohitekah. This includes your own tribe. If you listen closely and focus you can hear them. You will be able to sense where it comes from. Try it now. Think of your mother, remember her voice."

  Ohitekah paused. He listened to the breeze. That was about all he could hear. He grew frustrated.

  "It gets easier with time, relax your own mind, let it be open to others."

  Ohitekah took a deep breath.

  Relax my mind... Relax my mind...

  He took a seat on the grass. Crossing his legs comfortably he remained motionless taking in steady breaths. Red sat beside him, not making a sound.

  Ohitekah's mind was the only sound he could hear.

  Keep my mind quiet. How do I do that? The more I try not to think the more I- Oh God I'm so thirsty... What was that? That wasn't my voice... Please Thunderbird, give us water. Dear God of storms, tomorrow I am getting married, but I'm not ready. Curse that damn Hashkeh! Smite him in his sleep! What I wouldn't give for a tipi like that. My horse escaped last night, please lead him home safely. What? Who are these people? There’s so many! It’s been ten days without water, we won't survive much longer. My son still hasn't returned from his vision quest, it’s been a week, should we move on? Was that my mom? No, it’s been much longer than a week. Bless my daughter, she means so much to me. Bless my father, keep him strong and wise. Look over us for tomorrow's buffalo hunt. Ohitekah please be safe, I still believe in you...

  "Focus Ohitekah! Hear her out!" Red spoke through the cloud of voices ringing through his head. Hundreds of voices; men, women, children, elders. All trying to have their prayers heard. Ohitekah struggled to hear his mother, he thought he heard his name being said.

  Everyone is convinced you are gone. I can still feel you out there, somewhere. I know you are alive and doing what you need to do. I hope you will return when you are ready.

  "Mom!" Ohitekah jumped to his feet.

  "Where is she?" Red stood up.

  Ohitekah closed his eyes and focused, he pointed. "That way. South-East. I can feel her. I know it."

  "How far?"

  "I... Gah... I can't tell." Ohitekah struggled with his thoughts "It's faint..."

  Red studied Ohitekah. The boy had been through so much, he deserved a break. He snapped his fingers. His crimson horse came running over the hill.

  "Take Blaze. You will be there soon." Red smiled.

  "Really?" Ohitekah asked in wonder.

  "Yes," Red replied "Just this once. I will be just behind you on Bolt."

&n
bsp; Ohitekah ran forward and jumped on Blaze's saddle. The horse reared his front legs in the air. His horse Bolt reared as well and snorted, unhappy at the change in riders.

  "Thank you, Red! I'll see you soon!"

  "Good luck. Do not worry about us."

  Bolt gave a sturdy stomp with his hoof, approving of the situation.

  Red's horse landed on his hoofs and dug them deep into the dirt. Ohitekah whipped the reigns.

  Let's see how fast you can really go...

  Chapter Three

  A New Home

  "I hope he never forgets that I love him. And I'll never stop waiting." Johanna stood up from her prayer mat. She took a moment to collect herself before walking outside. She glanced down at the floor of her tipi. Every night she laid out Ohitekah's bed, just in case he came home in the middle of the dark.

  She knew what she was doing. She had seen mothers act this same way if their child never comes back from the Spirit Quest. She had seen it herself twice before. A parent refuses to accept the fact their child walked out and never returned. Some of the other parents tried to console, even help the hapless mother through her loss.

  Even Akando, Ohitekah’s mentor, and a family friend, had tried to help her come to terms with Ohitekah’s disappearance.

  Johanna, however, was never upset. She never doubted. She needed no help. Because Ohitekah was out there, he was just taking his time. Some called her a lost cause. They would ask, "How long is too long?"

  No one has ever spent this long on a quest and returned. No one.

  Johanna remembered when her husband went on his quest. He was gone four long days. She waited eagerly for his return. She was so young at the time; she knew when he came back they were sure to be married. She was positive he felt the same way and nothing was going to stop him from coming home to her.

  That spirit was in Ohitekah. He has it just like his father did. She did not worry about him so she wouldn't worry about Ohitekah either.

  Even if she was the only one to see it.

  She took a few steps outside the tipi. A few families turned their heads away from her. She was all alone now. They thought she was losing her senses, still expecting her son to come back, still preparing a sleeping mat for him every night. Seldom people talked to her now as if they were afraid her bad luck would rub off on them.