Axel Light Trilogy: Wands and Shield

Chapter 07-A

'We should have left some traces at him. Now we can't trace him at all,' said Finlay nervously.

'We can't leave a trace because he does not have a wand,' said Stanley curtly.

'So, it's my fault?' snapped Linden.

'No, Sir! I don't mean that, Commissioner Linden!' said Stanley quickly.

Linden gave a wave of apology at Stanley; he did not mean to snap either. He was getting tired and agitated.

How could Axel Light be missing for so many hours? Ridiculous! He did not even have a wand!

Or because he did not have a wand? Linden started to understand what Stanley was hinting at.

They had been searching for Axel like they would be searching for a missing Magical. Checking for traces, searching all Magical places. But Axel was different. He was a Non-Magical all his life. He would go to Non-Magical places. Maybe, Non-Magicals were helping him.

'Finlay, had City Police get back to you about the cameras around the city? I want full access!'

'They said that they will show us the clips when they find something suspicious. So far, they did not come back with anything,' said Finlay edgily.

'They may not be able to spot him... what if he changed his clothes? Added some outer layers or a hat?!' seethed Linden, thumping a fist on the desk.

There was an incessant knock on the door.

Linden picked his wand from the desk and unlocked the door. It was Emma Johnson.

'Commissioner Linden! A lady in a Non-Magical neighbourhood said that she had seen Axel!' she said quickly, 'Apparently her son had knocked Axel down with his bicycle and they both fell. Axel had brought her son home and she talked to him. She and her son had identified Axel with some photos that we had showed them.'

'Is he injured?' asked Linden as he quickly stood up from his chair.

'She said yes, some scratches on his arms,' said Johnson warily, 'He seemed alright, though she commented that he looked tired. But...' Johnson hesitated.

'But what?' said Linden coldly.

'She had said that he was very polite and had made sure that her son, Peter, was home safely,' said Johnson, 'He had made sure that everything was alright with Peter before he left. He did not seem to be on a run...'

'I want to speak to her,' said Linden, 'Bring me to her.'

Johnson nodded, 'Yes, Sir.'

But before Linden stepped out of the room, a voice crackled in his ears. An urgent voice.

'Linden! Axel Light appeared in our radar!' shouted the voice in his ears.

It was Commander Rowen, whom he had asked to lead the search in Xeliq. He was one of the most senior staff in MaxPol Headquarters and to him, shouting was a feat.

'Which radar?!' asked Linden quickly.

'First entrance! First entrance!' shouted Rowen repeatedly and with gusto, 'First entrance!'

'First...' gasped Linden.

His heart skipped a beat.

He turned to face Stanley, Johnson and Finlay – looking at him expectantly.

'Axel Light has just entered Xeliq,' said Linden grimly, 'for the first time in his life.'

*

Axel stared at the city of Xeliq right underneath him – surreal. He felt goosebumps on his skin. He must be a Magical, else he could never enter Xeliq.

The capital of Magical Cities.

This was the very first Magical City ever recorded. This was where the Ministry of Magical was. This was where MaxPol Headquarters was located too.

Axel's heart tightened.

He had made it all the way to Xeliq. Never would he had imagined when he ran away in the afternoon at Candleton Main Street, Stirling that he would be in another city in the evening.

He had just wanted to go home.

Axel was excited yet fearful. He felt the urge now more than ever to get a wand. But after he got a wand – well, if he did manage to get a wand – he had no idea what he would do or where he could go.

He had nowhere, no one and nothing to go to.

Axel gripped at Nelly's waist tightly as she made a sudden descend. His heart had nearly dropped to his stomach. A lump was up his throat. And then he felt his feet touching the ground. They had landed next to a large fountain.

'Welcome to Xeliq!' said Nelly excitedly.

Axel looked around in awe. Old, quaint and precarious looking shophouses surrounded the fountain. There were broomsticks everywhere. People appearing and disappearing in square boxes on the ground. People levitating their shopping and bags instead of holding them. Kids hovering at their knee level on tiny broomsticks. People gathering around the fountain, waiting for friends or just chatting while sitting on the cold marble seats.

This was a Magical city – Magical could do whatever they liked here, like holding their wands out in the open and zooming everywhere on broomsticks. In a Maxon City like Stirling, there were many rules that Magical would need to abide to.

Nelly went to park her broomstick in a broom stand by the fountain.

'This is Central Square which is the centre of the city. The Old Quarters are right here in the centre. The best wand shop is in the East, come on!' urged Nelly as she beckoned him to a small alley called 'East Lane'.

'Is it... still open?' asked Axel anxiously, staring around him still in absolute awe.

He still could not believe it. He was right in the centre and hustle and bustle of Xeliq.

'It closes at Ten! We better hurry!' said Nelly.

Axel ran after Nelly right at her heels, his chests stabbed in pain. Why were his lungs still so weak?

They ran past cafes, sweet shop, florists, bookstores, pet shop, clothes shops. Nelly stopped and stood in front of an old wooden door, under a sign that was swinging slightly:

Million Wands