The Jade Arms Chronicles Book I: The Wolf Pack

Yeah, it was 20.

The final bell rings to signal the end of school. Dakota meets me in the hallway and we both walk toward the gym in silence, we both know what's about to happen. We turn the last corner and walk into the gym to see all of Genesis in a small meeting. Josh, Matt, Nathan, and Justin are up on the bleachers, probably to see how we fight. That isn't what catches my attention however, what causes me to do a double take is who I see sitting with them. Tucker Wills and Connor Rolland. Tucker gives me a calm smile and a thumbs up, Connor gives a half salute to us and turns to talk to Matt.

We make it to the center of the gym to meet the opponents, who don't say a word. The small crowd around us quiets down as we head to our sides of the gym. In unison, Dakota and I activate our weapons, he swings his scythe out to his right, I draw both swords, holding my left up in a rapier stance, my right blade behind me, held back handed. Immediately, I am bombarded with strikes from knives and chains, all of which are blocked by Dakota, who has begun to spin his scythe to make a barrier. After the onslaught stops, he charges at his four opponents and slashes in a wide left arc, knocking back three of them. Slater pole vaults over him with his spear and takes a stab from behind, only to be blocked by the massive green and black blade of Dakota's scythe. I turn my focus back to my four opponents, Jarred sends strike after strike my way, only to be blocked by my right blade. Huh... Having two blades really is a helpful thing. I hear the motor in Andrew's sword rev up, followed by a flurry of sparks as the two of us collide, Kevin sends a chain in my direction, but instead of it hitting its desired target, I wrap it around my hilt and send him flying across the gym, and into a wall. Screams can be heard as I look over to see Dakota getting triple teamed, the new guy from Genesis already knocked out on the ground. I look to see that Kevin isn't getting up any time soon. Andrew's chainsaw blade hits me in the back, sending me flying forward. I slam my left blade into the ground, spinning around it by the handle and landing both feet into Jarred's face, sending him rolling across the floor, sliding to a halt before getting up to run at me again. I look over to see Dakota dishing out damage like dinner, smashing the butt of his scythe into Slater, sending him flying, catching Jennifer by the crook of the blade, tossing her into the air, and finally clashing weapons with Michael. Two knives fly past my vision and explode against an unwanted target; Andrew. This explosion sends him soaring through the air and smacking into the wall next to Kevin, except for he actually gets up to continue his onslaught. Jarred and Andrew move in on me at the same time, Haley switching to attack Dakota. I block both heavy blades with my own before rolling away from the clash of weaponry that ends in the two teammates attacking one another. Andrew shouts a familiar command I never thought I would hear in this fight: Signal Wedge. The remaining six members of Genesis make two "V" formations, one facing me, one facing Dakota. I stand back to back with him and block the rotation of attacks. Andrew, Jarred, Haley, Andrew, Haley, Jarred, Jarred, Haley, Haley, Andrew. Each ring of metal behind me confirms that Dakota is holding up just as well. In the clash of metal, a voice rings out: Dakota.

"JACK UP!"

I shove Jarred back with the flat of my blade and jump into the air just in time to be caught by the swing of his scythe, launching me into the air. I push as much energy into my blades as I can, and swing them down overhead, slamming them into the floor, causing a wave of energy and a crater to form, sending all six of our opponents backwards, without even affecting Dakota in the slightest. Dakota and I stand back to back once more to see that Haley and Jennifer were downed. I feel a massive draft of wind blow past me and see Slater have his spear knocked from his hands by Dakota, who then slams his blade into the floor and spins around it like a pole, kicking Slater in the face, sending him rolling into the wall, knocking him out. Andrew and Jarred launch themselves at me once more, only to be blocked by my blades in an "X" form in front of me.

By this time, the new guy, Slater, Kevin, Jennifer, and Haley have all been knocked out. Dakota and I stand back to back as another wave of attacks are sent our way. The hilt of my right sword is bashed into Jarred's head, sending him to the ground, unconscious. I push Andrew back further and further until we are at least 30 feet away from Dakota, who spins on his heel and creates a vortex of wind around him, catching Michael in the gut with the back side of his blade, sending him flying into the bleachers, knocked out cold. Jarred runs past me and blocks Dakota's swing with the flat of his blade. Dakota spins his scythe behind him and brings it down in an overhead motion. Jarred tries to jump back, but doesn't move quite fast enough, his blade being cut in two, Dakota swings his scythe one more time, slamming into Jarred's side, sending him into the wall, unconscious. Dakota runs over to help, but can see the look I give. This fight is mine.

Andrew sends stab after stab my way, chain revved up and spinning like hell. I block every strike with the flat of my own blades, sending shock after shock of recoil up my arms, but I don't let it affect me in the slightest. I spin on my heel and slam my hilt into his chest, sending him stumbling backwards. He lunged at me with a mad slash upward, only for me to flip back out of the way. I stop on a handstand and begin spinning by my arms, sending kick after kick at Andrew, almost as if I was break dancing. One final kick lands and hits him in the jaw, knocking him backwards to the ground. He doesn't get back up.

Dakota and I walk toward the doors with the rest of our soon to be gang behind us. I see a familiar smile out of the corner of my eye. I turn to see my dad smiling at me, arms crossed as usual, in pride. I smile back and turn around just in time to smack into a metal pole. I then turn back to see my dad face palm and shake his head, laughing before vanishing into thin air.

I can't help but wonder if even though he is gone, is he still watching out for me?

Dakota seems to notice my confusion.

"What's up?"

"Oh, nothing, just thought I saw someone I know."

"Oh? Who?"

"Dad."

"Well, if he is watching, at least he knows he doesn't have to worry about you not being able to take good care of yourself. Maybe he is even helping and you just haven't noticed yet."

"If he is, I just hope he sees that I have people here to watch out for me when I can't do it myself."

"Hey, if he is, then all the better, and what you said is right, I don't know if you've seen it or not, but this-" He says gesturing to the six people in front of us. "Is our new family, and we've got to make things work. We have four clues left to find at the house, and a lot of searching to do, but we can get it done."

"I hope you're right Dakota."

"I know it, we can do this, no problem."

We climb into the truck and Dakota makes a spinning motion with his hand out the window, signaling everyone to follow us. He thinks I didn't notice it, but I could see that without a doubt that he was extremely happy. A bigass smile like that can't go unnoticed. As long as he feels better, as long as I can protect him, all of them, from any harm, and all of my secrets, then maybe he is right, maybe we can be okay.