I knew it wouldn’t be long before they called the fight to an end. Forget that he’d bite through my Achilles tendons soon; if it carried on much longer I’d die from blood loss. Then what? I can’t go back after everything I’ve been through…I may never see Gabriella again. The notion filled me with utter despair. I couldn’t even think of it as an option. Think Alex!
The smallest detail gave me a glimmer of hope. As Bargheist sprinted around me for the umpteenth time, lining up another attack, it skidded slightly on a section of exposed wood.
A series of memories flashed into my head. Of Monty — a neighbour's hyperactive puppy. Of our polished Oakwood floorboards. Of his wide eyed fear as he skidded across the wood like a first time ice skater.
And fell down.
I darted up, ignoring the nauseating pain from my legs and sprinted away from Bargheist as best I could. I spun the sword and dragged it behind me. The blade made easy work of the matting, unzipping it as I sprinted. From behind, I could sense the beast taking up the chase. I charged directly towards Rachel’s position. She moved out of my way, gun still trained on my pursuer. I waited until I could feel his hot breath on me, then veered left, grabbed an edge of the Tatami and yanked. It opened up like a weak seam.
As soon as Bargheist’s padded feet hit the smooth wooden surface, they slipped from underneath his body and the Skinshifter crashed to the floor, legs splayed out in a starfish position. The hellhound yelped as it helplessly cascaded into a rack of Bo staffs. There was a loud thump followed by a clatter as the wooden poles collapsed around him.
I swung the sword back into position and ran along once more — carrying on where I’d left off. There was a sharp ripping sound as the matting came up. As Bargheist slowly started to revive himself, I carried on running around the dojo like a baseball player who’d hit a home run. With my free hand, I yanked the matting as hard as I could. As I hoped, a huge chunk rushed towards me.
Please work! I prayed.
I dropped the samurai sword and ran towards the centre of the room, dragging the matting behind me like a room sized cape. I waited until I reached the hanging beam…and jumped. I flew through the air, stretching one hand out in front of me. It connected with the beam. I used it to propel myself forward, whilst I used the other to throw the matting through the gap. I hit the ground hard and rolled a few times. My wounded heels screamed with pain. I noticed the sword lying next to me. I snatched it up and dragged myself to my aching feet.
I looked up.
The matting was completely suspended, draped over the beam as if it were a giant towel rail. The ends dangled a few feet above my head.
The room shook. I snapped my head around to see Bargheist smash to the floor once again. Adrenaline surged through my body as I watched the creature. As I’d hoped, the Skinshifter was having a very difficult time with the new flooring. Every time he tried to sprint at me, his paws would slip on the polished wood and send him crashing to the ground. Wounded, and exhausted, I walked over to the thrashing beast. He tried to get up, but failing, instead tried to gnash at my leg. I skipped out of the way of the attack. Stabbing the blade into the floor, I jumped up onto his back. His fleece was rough and scratched against my skin. I seized its horse-sized head, gripping handfuls of tangled fur between my fingers. Using all of my strength, I smashed his skull into the floor.
Crack!
The sound reverberated around the dojo like a thunderclap. I gritted my teeth together. Smashed his head down again.
Crack!
The tremors ran up my damaged arm and caused fresh blood to seep from the wounds.
Crack, Crack, Crack!!
Again and again I drove his head downwards. The beast howled from the constant jarring impacts. His head started to loll from side to side. I released my grip and it flopped to the floor. I leaned over and unstuck the sword. I spun it around and poised it above Bargheist’s head.
I looked at Gabriella, who had an intense expression on her face.
She nodded.
I drove the blade hard into the Skinshifter’s skull. It split the bone, sank through flesh and bust through the lower jaw, pinning Bargheist to the wood. He let out a piercing strangled howl and sank to the ground — defeated. I rolled off of his giant back, landing on my knees. I let out a long sigh and sank into as sitting position, resting my head between my knees. I was soaked with sweat and it felt as if my lungs were three sizes too small. Standing up was no longer an option.
A slow, steady clap filled the dojo. I blurrily looked up at Faru, who was standing in the centre of the carved up floor, wearing a satisfied smile. His blank eyes seemed to be twinkling in the light.
“Fantastic, Alexander. That battle demonstrated not only your strength and resilience, but also your resourcefulness. All characteristics a Guardian should poses. Congratulations my boy, you have passed the test.”
I wanted to feel happy, but I was too drained. I was too drained to feel anything. Gabriella looked at me and then to her leader. He seemed to understand something unspoken, because he nodded. Gabriella sprinted to the booster by my trainers and then over to me. I dropped my head as a wave of tiredness flowed through my body.
I felt a pair of warm hands encircle me. The wave of sickness was replaced by a sense of peace and comfort. My arm and legs stopped throbbing. “It’s okay Alex, you did it. I’ll have you feeling better in a second.”
Her raven hair spilled onto my face and neck as she held me. I felt her gently roll up the jumper sleeve to find a spot to inject the booster. I let myself sink into her arms, breathing in her gorgeous scent. “I already feel better,” I whispered. Her body stiffened. “Oh my god!” I snapped to attention, thinking Bargheist had freed himself. “What?” I asked in confusion, when I saw the Skinshifter’s hulking mass still pinned to the floor. “Everyone, you need to see this!” I was panicking now. The rest of the team ran over. “What is the matter?” asked Faru, who was last to reach us. “Look at his wounds,” she said. I looked down and drew in a sharp breath. They were fading.
The puncture wounds shrank in front of my eyes until they became nothing but pink dots. Then they disappeared completely. I glanced at my legs. The skin around the ankles slowly stitched itself back together, leaving thin pink trails of scar tissue. The raised flesh turned white and then dissolved. Underneath, the skin looked brand new — without a single trace of damage.
I looked up at the test of the team. They were staring in amazement at the patches of fresh skin on my arm and legs. Faru stroked his long beard between his thumb and forefinger.
“Maybe he responds well to the booster?” suggested Delagio.
Gabriella held up the injector. The inside was still full of the dark green liquid. “I haven’t used it yet.”
There were murmurs from the rest of the team. They looked at each other on confusion. Faru made a clicking noise with his tongue. “What’s happening?” I asked. Gabriella ran a finger over the healed surface of my forearm. “I think we just found your ability.”
20
Later that evening, the Warren was a hive of activity. Agents and workers had been running around most of the afternoon transforming the Mansion with decorations. Vivid green plants that looked like living tinsel had been wound up every single staircase. Ornate golden lamps burning with the same purple flames I’d seen in the Temple lay on newly placed tables. Large sheets of glimmering silver material hung over doorways that didn’t need to be used. A red carpet had been rolled out through the front doors. Outside, every tree that lined the long driveway had delicate fairy lights entwined in their branches. Everywhere you looked, changes had been made to make the Warren shinier and more impressive. A warm glow had bloomed in my stomach as I’d taken it all in.
This is all for me.
At the request of Faru, the team and I had spent several hours after my defeat of Bargheist in a medical
