The Spirit Killer

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

After what seemed to be an eternity, both men had disposed of each other’s weapon. It was hand to hand combat now and Kadeem had just delivered what he regarded as a death blow only for James to rise up from it. He was breathing heavily now. No human had taken him to such lengths in a battle before. He wondered if this guy was even human or if he was the same person he had floored twice before. James stood erect his eyes hard as ice. The last blow had an effect but not enough to stop him.
“Impressive! I’m tempted to think you aren’t human.” He commented.
James had taken a step forward when they heard the explosion. From where they stood it wasn’t that loud but it was still heard. They both turned in the direction of the sound and later faced one another.
“I ‘m afraid this battle has to end now. I will be needed soon” Kadeem said.
“You don’t have your sword or any other weapon.” The reply came.
“With or without a weapon, I will destroy you. I am Kadeem, General of the evil ones. I have never lost in combat.” He boasted and charged at James. He threw punches and uppercuts that James dodged and deflected ever so easily. This angered him and his speed of attack increased but the result was the same; then the unthinkable happened; James caught his death blow with one hand. The surprise was written all over Kadeem’s face but James was expressionless.
“My turn.” He said calmly and delivered a straight punch to kadeem’s stomach he recoiled in pain. As he raised his head, his face connected with James’ fist. He staggered backwards but the attacks kept on coming- punches and kicks. Finally, he hit the floor hard. He lay there struggling to get up. “How is this possible?” Kadeem asked holding on a tree and trying to stand erect. He felt weak all over not to mention the pain. It was as though the punches and kicks punctured every nerve and broke the bones in his body. James looked at him and replied;
“Had you held your weapon; you might have had a chance to …wound me but weaponless …you are no match for me.”s
“What the hell are you?” he asked again leaning back on the tree clutching his ribs.
“There is a tribe among the Houties called the clerics. From birth they have been trained to fight. You could say that they were born fighters. No one could defeat them but unfortunately they died out long ago when they aided a Spiriko in sealing your master. But the stories forgot to mention the handful that survived.” He took two steps forward. “I am a direct descendant of that tribe.”
Kadeem’s eyes widened. He had read about them and thought it was just a myth. He tried to stand but staggered a little.
“You can’t beat me.” James said gently.         
“It would be an honour to die by your hands” he replied cupping his hands together to form a death ball. It formed but before he could release it, it was too late. The death ball and James’ right hand were now imbedded in his chest. He looked at the hand in his chest, then at James. Then …he smiled and shimmered away. James stood for a while then recovered his weapon and headed in the direction of the explosion.

    *                                         *                                               *    
         From a distance Kyle watched as the events were unfolding. He had been ordered not to interfere but seeing Orion dragged away and his master lying flat on his face. To worsen the situation, the young miss was out of his view, though he knew that she was hiding somewhere but it would be nice to know where she was. The situation looked bad but there was nothing he could do even if he wanted to. They had set up a barrier that separated them. All he could do now was hope and pray that James, who had crossed before the barrier went up, would try to turn things around. At least there was a little hope. The spiriko was far from where he was and that was a good thing he thought. His problems seemed to multiply exponentially as he saw the young miss emerge from her hiding place with a determined look on her face heading towards the tombstone. He placed his hands on the barrier as though he would pass through it. He hoped that James would get to her first.
        The three remaining spirits began to chant again; Orion lay in front of them. All the letters of the tombstone were now glowing; all that was left was the sacrifice and Albium. As they chanted, Sandra came running with a sword in her hand. James from his hiding place just adjacent to the spirits and tombstone stared in surprise, he had been waiting for the right time to make his move and snatch Albium and possibly Orion; but this wasn’t the opportunity he was waiting for. As Sandra came charging, Albium had floated from the ground where it was placed, toward the tombstone. One the spirits turned, an energy ball in his hands meant for Sandra. The other brought out his knife, raised it, in preparation to sacrifice Orion while Mr. Deacon was on his knees chanting the final line. He smiled and thought in his mind, even the Spiriko can’t stop the awakening.
James was confused he closed his eyes and shook his head, praying silently for direction and then he heard … faintly… but he heard it. He dashed out of his hiding place, he knew he wouldn’t be able to reach Albium but he could save Orion. As the knife came down, he grabbed Orion and was now on other side of the tombstone. Blood trickled from side of his head where the knife had grazed him. It was then he realized Sandra was still in danger. He turned sharply. Sandra had stopped moving. The sight of an energy ball moving towards her petrified her. James knew he was fast but he also knew he wouldn’t make it on time but he moved anyway. While in motion he could hear Mr. Deacon laughing; he also noticed that Albium had stopped floating… as a matter of fact; it wasn’t even near the tombstone. He could see its glowing light just momentarily passing behind Mr. Deacon and heading towards Sandra. “What speed!” he thought. Albium would get to Sandra before he could. The inevitable impact and Sandra was now sent flying towards James, who managed to catch her. Both were thrown backwards by the force. They lay on the floor before James got up and examined Sandra. She seemed to be unharmed. He noticed a green light around that faded out. Albium had protected her from the energy ball. He thought. Sandra opened her eyes and looked at him.
“You’re alright now. Albium somehow protected you.
Sandra was bereft of words but she knew it wasn’t Albium that saved her. She turned in the direction of the blast. Sure enough Albium was there but it was in Mark’s palm; he was lying flat on his back now. James was surprised. How could he manage to take Albium still save Sandra? No one can move that fast. He thought.
Sandra was up and was running towards him. She knelt beside him, tears in her eyes. He opened his eyes and smiled lightly. He raised his right hand and touched her cheeks. She took hold of the hand and pressed it against her cheeks tightly.
“Sorry… I was… a little slow.” He said.
“No, you did good.” She replied tearfully.
“I… couldn’t let you die.” He continued and looked past her. “Take care of her otherwise you’ll have me to answer to if anything happens to her.”
Sandra turned to see James standing next to her.
James nodded gently.
“No, you can’t die. I won’t let you die. Don’t leave me, we only just met.” She said still clutching to his hand. He smiled and closed his eyes slowly.
James couldn’t sense the spirit pressure that was emanating from him anymore.
“He’s gone Sandra.” He said.
She just knelt there, still holding his hand against her cheek with tears streaming down her face. Both had forgotten that they were still in danger, especially Sandra. She didn’t care anymore. James was now sense a different spirit pressure. He turned to the tombstone which was now glowing all over. It looked like a doorway now. To confirm his fears; a figure in the shape of a man but very tall, stepped out of the light. His skin was brown and muscular. He had razor sharp teeth and a large nose. His eyes glowed like fire. Mr. Deacon and the other two bowed before him. He acknowledged them with a simple nod and looked around him. He noticed James and Sandra, and of course Mark’s lifeless body. He let out thunderous laugh that shook the area.
“Free at last.” He said in his thick harsh voice. “Bring them to me.” He said pointing to James and Sandra. Mr. Deacon gestured to the two who immediately came towards James.”I think we have to leave now.” he said touching Sandra but not taking his eyes off the approaching spirits. Sandra didn’t budge, she just knelt there crying and looking at Mark. James had decided to fight them but when they were almost upon him they stopped. James looked in awe as they shimmered away. In their place stood Orion and Don. They walked towards the smiling and relieved James.
“Wow! You two look awful.” He said
“Look who’s talking.” Don said clutching his side. Orion’s head was bleeding but they were all determined to fight though they knew they had no strength left.
“Can someone please explain to me how that demon managed to resurrect?” James asked. Orion stood on his left while Don was to his right; they were facing the so called demon.
“That...” Don said pointing to the demon. “... is Zatrax and as to how he managed to resurrect… is not entirely clear to me.”
“He or it shouldn’t be here. I saw Mark snatch Albium before it even touched that tombstone.” James explained.
“In reality Albium wasn’t needed to open the tombstone.” Orion said.
At that moment Zatrax beat his chest and shouted in preparation to attack them; Mr. Deacon was standing by his side.
Don and James returned their attention back to Orion but still keeping an eye on Zatrax.
“So it’s not a key then?” James inquired.
“No, it’s written that it must be present for the awakening.” Orion replied.
“Then why do the spirit need it?” you asked.
“I’m sure they don’t know either. They’re just following….orders.” Orion said and took a battle stance.
Zatrax was holding an energy ball that he directed towards them. Orion hurriedly put up a shield which he knew would not hold that much but he also knew that they couldn’t run because Sandra was behind them. The energy ball hit hard but the shield held. Zatrax began throwing more; he knew he would penetrate sooner or later. Orion was sweating now; he turned to his companions and said;
“Attacking would be nice right now.”
They nodded and moved to attack from both sides. Meanwhile, Sandra had dragged Marks motionless body further back, away from the main battle. She began talking to him even though she knew he was dead. Tears were still steaming down her cheeks but her voice was composed.
“You assured me that everything would be fine; is your death part what you meant? How does death protect and save me?” She paused as though waiting for an answer and then continued. “Just so you know, I don’t agree with your method and you can’t die unless I say so. Wherever you are; hear me now …” She moved close to his ears and whispered. “…come back here…am waiting.”
    Simultaneously, father and son had executed a precision attack which might have been successful on an ordinary spirit but they did succeed in diverting his attention away from Orion, who was grateful for the assist by the way, only to be at the receiving end of electric shock from Zatrax. They were caught in mid air, though their swords blocked part of the shock, they felt the rest. They fell motionless to the ground, they appeared to be unconscious, and then Don stirred a little. Zatrax turned his attention to him as he was slowly trying to get on his feet. He was preparing to hurl an energy ball at him only to be caught unawares by an energy blast from Orion. He staggered backwards. Two more energy blast put him on his back. Don and James were on their feet now and were at Orion’s side again. He was weak and they both had to support him between them.
“That …won’t …keep him down … for long.” Orion said breathing heavily.
“We must find a way to seal him and fast.” Don said.
“I’m open to ideas provided it doesn’t involve our death before implementing it.” James opined.
Zatrax was up now. He looked about him and spotted the trio. He growled as he brought his palms together but they didn’t touch,; the space between his palms started to form something black and round.; it began to increase in size.
“A death ball.” Orion said as James was about to open his mouth and ask.
It was large enough to cover Zatrax himself then it came flying towards them. On a good day they could easily outrun or dodge it but now they were low on spirit pressure and weak. The only solution was…
“Combined shielding!” Orion cried out.
They quickly put their hands on Orion’s shoulders and he in turn stretched out his arms putting up the shield as the death ball crashed into it.
The explosion was massive. The trio was thrown in different directions, unconscious. As the smoke and dust cleared, Zatrax saw his prey’s lying motionless. He let out a thunderous laugh. Then stopped, momentarily as peered through the smoke; some distance away from the motionless bodies, he could see a figure kneeling and bending over another that was lying. He turned to Mr. Deacon.
“Finish her and rule by my side.” He said.
Deacon bowed and brought out his sword and in a flash was arms length away from Sandra. His sword raised now and was coming down when the unfathomable happened. A faded light green hand came out of Sandra’s back and gripped his throat tightly. His sword fell from his hand as he clawed at the hand. Gradually, he was lifted inches from the ground. Sandra turned to look at him; got up slowly. She was facing him directly. There were still tears in her eyes but her pupils were green. The sword rose from the floor into Sandra’s hand. Deacon was struggling frantically to get loose but it was too late because Sandra had planted the sword in his chest.
“Impossible!” He exclaimed and shimmered away.
Zatrax, who had been observing the turn of events laughed.  Sandra’s eyes returned to normal and her extra hand disappeared. She was well aware of what she did but how she did it was unsure. Her grandfather, who was lying on his back a few meters away, saw everything but was still too weak to move.
“You think you can imprison me again?! I will take your soul.” Zatrax yelled as he threw an energy ball towards her.
She bent her head as though trying to shield herself and cried out;
“Save me!”
It was certainly a night of unexpected happenings because what happened next was purely and truly unbelievable, even for Zatrax. His energy ball was halted by hand and was shattered by that same hand. Zatrax eyes widened but it didn’t end there his eyes widened even more when he saw who had shattered his energy ball.
“Mark!” Orion exclaimed gaspingly.
Mark raised his bowed head to look at Zatrax. His entire eyes were now dark green and growing darker. He turned to Sandra and then back to Zatrax.
“You want her?” his voice echoed. “Then come and get her.”
Zatrax bellowed in anger and charged towards them. Mark stood his ground. When the towering Zatrax was close enough he threw a punch. Mark raised his hand ever so gently and halted the punch. The dust carried force which pushed by Mark’s sides; Sandra, who was behind him was unscathed. Zatrax did not hide his surprise. Mark grabbed his hand and threw him across the room. As he landed, Mark was already there. It was punch after punch. Zatrax was being thrown about like a rag doll. Several times he thought he had Mark but he was just too fast. Sandra had moved close to her grandfather to render some assistance. Both retracted to a safe place and distance; she also assisted James and his father. They were all badly hurt but fully conscious now.
“It seems that Zatrax has met his match.” James said as he nursed his injuries. “rk will succeed in killing him and rid him of this world forever.”
Don and Orion were silent but Sandra spoke.
“For some reason I don’t think that is a good thing.” She was gazing at the ongoing battle.
“Trust me, that’s the best thing that could ever happen.” James interjected.
“She’s right.” Orion said now; he also was watching the battle as he spoke. “To defeat a great evil; you need a greater evil; and according to the ancient books; the only evil strong enough is that which resides in a Spiriko that has been turned.” He explained.
“I’ve never heard of that!” Don exclaimed.
“Only the supreme council of stargazers knows of this… and them.” He said pointing upwards. “Over time we have been charged with the responsibility of killing any spiriko that has turned. So f      we have only killed two; others sacrificed themselves.”
“Why?” Sandra asked. She was on her feet now, still watching the battle. She had her back to them else they would have noticed her tear-filled eyes.
“There power is said to be uncontrollable.”Orion replied.
“He’s different you know.” She said gently.
“I must admit he is unlike any other spiriko that I have ever had the opportunity of meeting. They have spirit pressures; he… doesn’t. For a moment he seemed to display some but now… I can’t feel sense it…it’s almost as though it doesn’t exist. Which means that his powers could be… limitless.” Orion said. At that moment Mark was thrown in their direction but he didn’t fall but landed on his feet. He turned to them; his eyes were totally black now and said.
“This ends here and now.” Then he turned to Zatrax. Another unbelievable thing happened; Mark began to increase in size until he was as big as Zatrax. Zatrax, who had been charging towards him halted in his tracks. Not only was he big, as Zatrax would soon find out, his speed was amazing. A second ago Zatrax was looking at him the next thing he knew he was laying on his back; a victim of a close line courtesy… Mark. He got up slowly but an upper cut sent him to the roof. He hit it hard and was down again. He got up again, staggering. Mark was in front of him. He threw a weak punch towards him and it was caught and held. He tried the second; it was the same result. He couldn’t free himself. Mark smiled and started speaking slowly and in a strange but gentle voice which seemed to echo everywhere.
“Cin tini…”As he started the same hand  but a much darker green, came out of both his arms and grabbed Zatrax’s head. “… antara marila, sansa yafu.” At that point Zatrax’s spirit was yanked out of him. Mark released his hands and he staggered backwards. He was perplexed and outraged. His spirit was dangling helplessly in front of him. Apparently he still had some fight in him because he had started forming a death ball but unfortunately he didn’t have time to use because Mark united the dangling spirit with the death ball. Zatrax screamed as though in pain. Slowly he began to solidify but his spirit that had hit the death ball was gradually shimmering away. Eventually, the solid part shattered into dust. Mark stood for a while and then began to laugh; as he did a dark aura began to form around him.
“This is what we feared.” Orion said. “The darkness in a spiriko; more powerful than that of Zartrax.”
“Great! Zatrax is finally dead and gone, now we have to deal with something more powerful than a Zatrax that we couldn’t even scratch.” James said exhaustedly.
“What do we do?” Don asked.
“We have to kill him before he gets to full power.” Orion replied. Just then a blast of spirit pressure pushed them back down as they were getting up, except for Sandra who seemed unaffected. She just stood there, looking at Mark. Then she started walking towards him slowly.
“No!” Orion exclaimed as he tried desperately to grab her but to no avail but he was surprised when Sandra stopped and turned to him and said;
“Don’t worry gramps, I’ll be fine. Trust me.”
Orion looked into her now green eyes and said nothing. He thought she was being but now; he knew that she was in control. She turned and continued slowly towards Mark. As she got closer, her own aura encompassed her like a flame from a candle. She walked into the dark aura without incident. Mark had stopped laughing now. His face was hard as he stood there but he wasn’t really standing but was elevated from the ground few meters. When she was close enough, she stretched out her hand, though she knew it wouldn’t reach but she also knew that she had an extension. Sure enough, green hand extended out of her hand and held Mark’s hand gently. Mark turned sharply and saw her. He tilted his head as though trying to recognize her and then he straightened it.
“Come back to me!” She said gently from tear filled eyes.
He continued to stare at her then; he smiled lightly. He raised his head, facing up and let out a loud shout. The dark aura was sucked into him and came out of his mouth forcefully. It created a whole in the roof, which was also part of the factories foundation, and went further through the factory roof and through the clouds into the sky. Mark returned to his normal size and the aura around him was now green. Beside him; Sandra was still holding his hand; the real hand, and unknown to her they were both elevated from the ground but now they were descending. As they touched the floor, the entire green aura disappeared and he was himself again.
“Hello!” He said looking at her. She let go of him and instead embraced him. She rested her head on his chest and said; “Hello to you too.”
The others had found their feet and were attempting shuffle towards them. They were assisted by the spirits who had been outside the barrier that had been shattered when Zatrax met his demise but they couldn’t lend any assistance to their superiors due to the overwhelming spirit pressure from the spiriko. They had been plastered to the ground. They were almost wishing the barrier wasn’t shattered. Orion, of course, explained to them that with or without the shield, the outcome would have been the same.
Quickly they began to gather themselves because that little display would attract a whole lot of attention. In matter of minutes everyone had left the factory. A while later the police and other law enforcement agencies arrived at the scene. This was only natural because no one was going to ignore a dark light coming out of a building and disappeared into the night sky. Unfortunately, there was no one to ask about the strange occurrence. No guards, no workers, not a single soul was present. The superstitious ones among them concluded that it was a spiritual activity but of course you can’t expect them to release such information to the press; they just summed it up as an industrial accident.