Awakened: The Story of Maxwell Cain

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Practical Application

During most of their lunch, Will and Max listened to Chloe go into extreme detail of her experience in class flying the helicopter.  After their stomachs were filled with grilled chicken and vegetables, they went separate ways to their lessons.

Chloe went to the west end of the lot next to the tracker’s compound to one of the doors along the wall where she took her genealogy lessons.  Chloe explained that there was one massive library there, with books detailing the lineage of people with abilities.  The trackers go out and find these people, so it only made sense that a tracker should keep the records of it.  After his last encounter with the tracker, Isaac, Max did not feel like he should mingle with more trackers, if he could help it.

Max was excited and nervous about his next lesson with Malachi.  He didn’t know what was involved in magical sparring, but he hoped it wasn’t as painful as his lessons with Byron.  He had enough bruises as it was, and magic can do much more than just bruise the skin.

Max said goodbye to Will, and waited at the pavilion for Malachi to arrive and take him to the special room for their lesson.  He watched as his friend, making his way to the amphitheater, moved out of sight when he went down the steps.

“You have some good friends.”  He heard Malachi next to him, appearing out of nowhere as always.

Hardly surprised anymore by Malachi’s sudden appearances, Max responded.  “I sure do.  Do you really think they believe I am not the man in my prophecy?”

Malachi smiled, and affectionately placed his hand on Max’s shoulder.  “Honestly, I don’t believe anyone here truly does.  All anyone has heard are stories, and they have needed a face to identify with that enemy.  You happened to show up, the known leader of the enemy, and they had someone to blame.  Nearly everyone here has lost someone dear to them, and most of those who have, don’t know the real reason why.  It just shows us, Max, that when we lose someone, we can’t assume that the most obvious person is to blame.”  Malachi held his gaze with Max as if trying to tell him something.

Malachi stood up, and Max did the same and asked, “So where to, sir?” Max said.

Malachi stopped, looking at Max in the eyes as if waiting for a response.  Once he saw there was nothing more to their conversation, he spoke.  “This way, Max.  Through the garden we go once more.”

They walked across the garden and Max found himself at a sight similar to Malachi’s study.  They passed a few doors, and Malachi pushed one of them open, explaining, “This is a public room, and therefore no permission is necessary for entrance.  However, not many people here have a use for it, as they possess no magical skills.”

Max walked inside the room and felt a wave wash over him and through his entire body.  It felt as if he walked through a small, warm waterfall that soaked him to the bone.

“What was that?” he asked Malachi.

Malachi turned and answered, “That was the dampening spell I have placed on this room.  No matter what spells we conjure, the physical damage to either of us will be kept to a minimum.”

Max felt a little bit better about the upcoming fight.  At least he wouldn’t get hurt, although his ego might.  They entered a large room about the size of his school’s gymnasium.  The room had white walls and was brightly lit from an unknown source.  The floor was made up of a short, soft grass, and the ground was cushioned.  “At least when I fall it won’t hurt so much,” Max thought to himself with a grimace.  Other than the grass, the room was completely bare.