The Lost Blade

4. Gifted

I walked into the very large arena. All the walls were make from black stone bricks and the floor was made from marble. The place was frightening yet beautiful. The room was lit up with candles all around the room. The sides of the room were lined with passages. Probably leading to other tunnels. Even though this was all underground, It smelled fresh like an apple tree farm. People of all ages walked across this room from one tunnel to the other. I saw a little boy walking all alone with his head high as if he was a premature child. Maybe he was one of those people who didn't age. Maybe I was looking at a 50 year old man who looked like a little child.

Jade studied my face. "I love seeing newcomers first reactions to our base for the first time... it's beautiful isn't it."

"Yea." I said. "It's... it's so-"

"JADE!" a voice loudly cut in. Most of the people walking by stopped and bowed to the person dressed in a white suit. It was the same man I saw with Jade before.

"Jade. I told you not to bring him down here until we were sure" Said the man with a British accent

"But Sir James, I am sure. He opened the gate" Jade reasoned.

"But you tested him without my permission. You must understand that until Sir Henry is back. I AM IN CHARGE HERE!" He said.

"Is there a problem here?" I asked Sir James. He looked at me like I was a little kid he had to deal with.

At last, he spoke. "Very well then, follow me Mr....? "

"Shard" I told him. "Cole Shard".

And I followed him into one of the tunnels. Later I realized that Jade wasn't behind me. That didn't reassure me. I guess I was on my own with this one.

He led me through several rooms. Each at least the size of a movie theater. If not. Bigger. I saw a room filled with tables and benches and counters. I assumed it was the cafeteria. A couple people waved at me. I guess the people here were friendly enough.

The next room was HUGE. It was obviously the training arena. I saw a couple people practice Archery. I saw others do sword fighting. The sword fighting looked pretty sick. Then I saw a bunch of training dummies being reduced to shreds in 1000 different ways with 100 different weapons. Then I saw that there were targets hung all over the room. So the trainees could practice combat from a range. I was liking this whole base alot.

"Now Cole... listen well. As you may have heard, Henry Buckle had disappeared because his weapon backfired. The only way to cure Henry is if we find his key. He chose you to complete that task. Honestly... I don't know why" Said James.

In my head I said: nice story Sherlock, when's the chapter where you shut up? We walked through many other tunnels and rooms. Until we reached a little room filled with books and bottles all around the wall. Sir James asked me to spread my hands out. I did. Then he touched them and my hands glowed gold for a second. Then it glowed red.

"Cole, point to that target over there" he said. I did. A load of fire burst out of my hand and hit the target.

"Congratulations Cole. Your element Is fire" he said. I was speachless. I just saw fire come out of my hands. What is happening.

"now Cole, keep these leather gloves on your hands at all times" Sir James said. "I assume that Jade has told you about the weapons. For example. Jade is the only Hestord who has a whip. Nobody else can  have a whip. Whatever weapon chooses you is the one and only weapon that will be given to one Hestord."

"I'm sorry, did you say the weapon chooses me?" I asked.

"Come have a look for yourself" Sir James said as he pushed open a door leading to a dark tunnel.

"Give it five seconds for it to come to you" he said.

"For what to come to me?" I asked. It didn't matter to me how stupid I looked in front of him. Suddenly I saw a glimpse of something coming from the tunnel. It was shining. Then with amazing speed. That thing came rocketing into my hand. I held it up. James's eyes widened. I was holding a sword of silver with a leather grip.

"My boy. You are gifted. This weapon hasn't chosen someone in eons. It belonged to Thomas Buckle. Henry's brother. I hope this serves you well. And I have to admit I am a little jealous" Said James as he smiled at me and winked.