The Species of Power [Draft 1]

Chapter 13

"Margaret!"

"Mark!"

Margaret ran up to her brother and gave him the biggest hug ever; tears spilling from her eyes as she held him. Caton smiled at her as she came in, and Garret, who stood beside him, wouldn't stop raising his eyebrows at her. Ruth blushed as she realized that the entire rebellion could probably tell that there was something between her and Mark. Her only concern was Garret and how many times she would have to punch him to make him shut up.

Ruth walked towards Caton and Garret who stood near the back of the lounge, the rest of the rebels were in their usual spots. As she got closer she noticed a scar across Caton's cheek.

"Caton," said Ruth. "What happened?"

"Your mentor can be vicious," said Caton. "But it makes me look a lot more badass now, so I don't mind it, and Garret you can stop raising your eyebrows now. You look like an idiot."

"Shut up," said Garret; his eyebrows finally stopping. "So, what's up Ruthless?"

"Ruthless?" said Ruth.

"Garret nick names everyone," said Caton. "You gotta ignore it."

"That is a lie," said Garret. "I only nick name my friends. For example, Caton is pussycat, but he responds pussy."

"I do not respond to-"

Caton was interrupted by Marsh's sudden entrance; the room fell silent as he entered. He had a lot more scars then Caton on his face; he now walked with a limp, and held in his hand a long roll of ancient looking parchment. He pointed directly at Mark. 

"You, boy," he said. "You are the soul."

"Um," said Mark. "I... I have been told so."

"You need to come with me."

"Marsh," said Margaret. "Can I come too, just to make sure..."

"Yes, it's fine," said Marsh. "Follow me."

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Two hours had passed before Marsh showed up. Ruth didn't even bother to ask them where Mark and Margaret had gone to, knowing he had a lot of information to absorb and very little time to do it. Ruth had been anxious to hear something about what the rebellion had found, but the only interesting thing that happened while she waited was Sky showing up.

As Marsh entered all eyes were on him. Marsh took his time making his way around the room; each step was a huge effort, his eyes looked heavy and weak, he barely had a grip on the paper he carried before. He finally pulled up chair and sat at the table, and took a few deep breaths before speaking.

"Okay kids," he said. "This, is the big one." Marsh spread the paper out as flat as he could on the table; he grabbed a couple of random objects and placed them on the edges of the page. Everyone immediately gathered around the table, eager to see whatever it was the Marsh and the others had found.

"Is that the actual one?" said Caton.

"Yes, it is." said Marsh.

"The actual what?" said Ruth, there was nothing on the page, completely blank.

"The actual map of Zarr."

"But there's nothing on it." said Ruth.

"Not everybody can read this thing," said Marsh. "Only people of our kind." Marsh placed his hand on the map and ethereal energy formed on the page, glowing with bright energy. It was an ethereal world map, with a strange symbol marked on the southern edge of South America.

"This map," said Marsh. "Is the most important map in the world right now, made by Zarr himself."

"If he made that map all those years ago," said Garret. "Then how did he factor in tectonic plates?"

"He didn't dumbass," said Marsh. "He enchanted the map so it would always correspond with the actual form of the continents. It's ethereal energy, not ink." 

"Just curious." said Garret.

"Anyways," said Marsh. "This map has the locations of the three genuine shadow blades, the ones forged by Zarr himself, and the blade of the demon Mox. One of these blades has already been found, and is currently under Elder Nev's care; the first blade of forgetting. What we need to do is make sure that she doesn't get the others. This map shows the locations of one blade at a time, we are on blade number two, the blade of control. As you start looking the map will zero in on the blade until you reach it.

"Now guys, we can't fail. If she gets those blades, and if she gets a pure soul along with them, then she will be able to forge the most powerful weapon in the world, she will be able to control every living being on this planet. The Elders are already in an uproar, and we have no time to lose. Ruth, you and Caton will have to go and find the maps for sure; we'll choose who will follow you. I will stay here, trip up the Elders in any way I can. 

"Marsh," said Ruth. "What about Mark?"

"He will stay here with me."

"But-"

"End of discussion." Marsh said. "Ruth, I need you to concentrate, do you have all of your weapons with you?"

"Yeah," said Ruth.

"Good," said Marsh. "We need to start getting ready. Caton, Ruth, go and recharge your weapons. Please select people who deserve it, and hurry back. You will be leaving tonight."

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Caton and Ruth took hardly any time to recharge their weapons. A couple of creeps on the street and they were ready. Caton and Ruth said nothing to each other on their outing. It was finally sinking in. They would be leaving tonight. All of that time Ruth had spent waiting, knowing nothing, now came to this. A small part of Ruth almost missed the bliss of not knowing, not having the responsibility; everything else inside her had already started missing Mark. 

They ran back to the home of the rebellion as fast as they could, but to their horror they weren't quick enough. An army of the Children of Rage attacked the entire rebellion, already people laid dead on ground in front of them, some of the rebellion and some of the Children of Rage. Blood was smeared on the walls and the horrified screams of the younger rebels filled Caton's and Ruth's ears. Caton stayed and started fighting off the invaders as Ruth ran to find Mark. She sprinted through the halls with a wild heartbeat and determination. She bolted past the lounge and didn't stop until she made it to Marsh's study. When she made it she kicked the door down and ran inside. 

Ruth panted as she found Mark. His face was pure with horror and he kneeled by an unmoving body. Ruth approached Mark and saw the bloody body of Marsh, who was propped against the wall. Mark, Margaret and Samia surrounded Marsh, crying over his body that was barely alive. Blood gushed out from a deep cut in his stomach; Ruth couldn't feel anything as she stared at the fatal wound.

"You... you made it back kid." said Marsh. His voice was quiet and hoarse.

"Marsh," Ruth said, she couldn't contain her tears. "We can fix this, Samia, can't you?"

Samia shook her head, tears streamed down her face. 

"Marsh," said Ruth. "I don't want you to die."

"I'm afraid that you won't get what you want Ruth," said Marsh. "At least make it worth something... here, take the maps... protect Caton... go..." 

His body went limp and Marsh was gone.