The Mamluks (The Mamluks Saga: Episode 1) (12 page)

Chapter 53

Finally, we found Madison on the second floor. She was walking
through the halls holding a stack of folded clothing.

“
Madison
, over here,” I whispered, waving.

She spotted us and put her hand over her chest like she was
about to faint. “
Andrew
?
Robert
?”

It was an uplifting moment for all of us. But there was no
time for a warm reunion.

I kept waving her over. “Come on, hurry.”

Madison put the clothing down and jogged to us. “I don’t
understand. How did you—’’

“There’s no time to explain. We’re getting out of here. But
first, you have to take us to the room of the one they call,
Dalia
.”

Madison nodded and got low with the rest of us. “This way.”

We followed her as she sneaked to a stairway at the end of
the hall. We went to the top floor, and she led us into a room at the center of
the hallway. It was incredibly spacious, yet sparsely furnished.

“All right—let’s find the ozlon and get out of here,” Robert
said.

Not even knowing what we were talking about, Madison jumped
right in. “What does it look like?”

“It is a beige marble,” Elos said.

We spread out and searched the room. Robert looked under the
bed. Madison checked a tall dresser. Elos searched the floor. And I looked
behind the sofa by the window. Nothing came up. Then, Elos saw something.

“
There
.”

He was pointing at the center of the floor. We jogged to the
empty spot and looked around. The symbol of a rocky planet was etched into the
sandstone. Elos pressed a button on his sija, and the floor opened, revealing a
hole. We leaned forward and checked inside. The hole was filled with ozlon, and
it looked to be pretty deep.

“Let’s take what we can,” I said.

Since Elos and I were holding the sijas, Robert and Madison
grabbed as many marbles as they could. Elos pressed a button that closed the
hole. We hurried out of the room and went back to the stairway. But before we
could go down, the sounds of marching soldiers turned us around.

We went the other way. Madison led us to another stairway,
and when we got downstairs, a group of soldiers scanning the halls made us
pause at the last step and hide behind the edge of the wall.

I listened closely and heard soldiers approaching from
above. “
Shit
. We’re trapped.”

Elos looked back at me, holding his sija up. “Andrew.”

Robert shook his head. “No. Please don’t.”

“We have no choice,” Elos said.

I gave him a somber nod. Elos pressed the button to activate
the force field. And I pressed mine. Bright lights bloomed from both devices
and grew into enormous spheres, covering us in a tight cocoon. Elos went into
the hallway and blasted the soldiers with rapid-fire laser beams. We followed
him and stayed close.

The soldiers blocked the shots with rapid-fire of their own.
We ran to an exit at the end of the hall and fled the building. The soldiers
chased us and turned on their shields, shooting at us from behind. The lasers
bounced off the force field as we ran. Elos led us around the building. We
stopped and hid behind a corner.

“With the force fields on, the ozlon will drain faster.”

“So let’s put a new one in!” Madison barked.

“It won’t work. The ozlon has to stabilize first,” Robert said.

“
Quick.
We must find a ship,” Elos said.

We ran around the corner to the front of the building. There
were a few ships parked in the yard, and more flying in from all over. The
ships in the sky shot at us as we ran. We made it to a parked ship, and Elos
pressed a button that opened the ramp. He watched our backs as we rushed
inside.

“Hurry.”

Elos ran in from behind and went to the cockpit. He pressed
a button on his sija, and the ramp began to close. But before it could shut all
the way, a soldier running at the ship got off a few shots and hit our shield.
The force field flickered for a second. Then it went out completely just as the
ramp closed.

Elos sat down and quickly worked the control board, turning
on a force field that covered the ship. Then he grabbed the handle and pulled
back. We flew high and went fast, dipping through all the incoming ships. I
staggered to the cockpit and sat in the other chair.

“How long before they knock out the force field?”

“Not long. We must protect ourselves and accelerate.” Elos
looked back at Madison and Robert. “
Hurry
, to your seats.”

They put the ozlon down and sat on the seats that were built
into the wall.

“Push your backs into the wall, and remain still.”

Madison and Robert followed the directions. Automatically,
metal straps popped out of the wall and locked them in place.

Elos leaned back. “Andrew, push your back into the chair and
remain still.”

I leaned back and froze. Metal straps popped out of the
chairs and locked us in place. There were more and more ships coming at us,
firing lasers from all angles.

Elos pressed a button on the control board. “Try to relax.”

I heard the ship make a noise like it was about to detonate.
Suddenly, we took off at a staggering speed. I felt my body tense from the
pressure as we ripped through the sky. Even with the nauseating pain, I closed
my eyes and smiled. At last, we were free.

Chapter 54

Adomas had been rather quiet on our way back to the
building, only sending out a few orders over the radio on his sija. As we
landed, I saw dozens of ships parked outside our building. It was like driving
past a crime scene, knowing something terrible had taken place.

Adomas hurried out of the ship, and I stayed close behind.
We were greeted by a group of soldiers.

Still fuming, Adomas marched right past them. “Follow me.”
He led us to the tunnel on the other side of the building.

I looked away as I walked, blinking my eyes. “
Andrew
.”

Adomas went to the door at the end of the tunnel and opened
it with his sija. He quickly marched down a narrow stairway. I got out of the
way and let the soldiers pass. And when they cleared, I went in and followed
the group downstairs.

Everyone huddled up at the end of the steps. They were
silent and still, looking down at the floor. I hurried around the group and
froze when I saw two dead soldiers on the floor. I covered my mouth and looked
up at Adomas.

He walked forward and checked them. There were blades stuck
in their heads, attached to crudely broken pieces of furniture. Adomas kneeled
into a puddle of drying blood and pulled the blades out.

He tossed them away and put his hand on the female soldier’s
face. “Ilona.” He froze for a moment before gradually shifting to the male.
“Henrikas.”

Finally, he reached down and checked their arms—making me
realize their sijas were gone.

Adomas stood up with a glare in his eyes. “Begin the
investigation.”

The soldiers spread out and searched the room. I stood by
and looked on, still in shock. Adomas walked to a wooden table that had two
legs broken off. He stood there for a moment, staring at the splintered ends.

“My Champion,” a soldier called out, walking to him with
something in her hand.

She handed it to Adomas and stood by. I looked closely and
realized it was a broken collar. Adomas studied it for a second, shifting his
eyes.

“Take the bodies to my ship. And gather our community for
the ceremony.”

Chapter 55

Later on, when the sun was setting, there was a ceremony
held at the beach for Ilona and Henrikas. I was there with Dalia, the girls,
and the kids. We were standing close to the shoreline, in parallel lines of
soldiers, citizens, women, and children, stretched far beyond the sand.

I looked down the line and saw Adomas carrying Henrikas in
his arms, on his way to the shore. There was a soldier walking beside him,
carrying Ilona. They came to the front of the line and stooped at the edge of
the water. Then, together, they gently put Henrikas and Ilona in the water and
stepped back.

Dalia came forward and stood between Adomas and the soldier.
Thereafter, all the Mamluks turned and faced the ocean. I followed along, as
did the women and children.

Dalia put her hand out as we watched the bodies float away.
“Become one with the planet Earth,
Ilona
and
Henrikas
. Fly with
the sea. Let yours souls escape the flesh and return to the source.”

I cried and let the tears run down my face. I looked to my
left and saw Juozas crying, too. I put my arm around him and rubbed his side.

He looked at me and wiped his eyes. “Mother? What happens
when we die?”

Without thinking twice, I glanced at Dalia and said, “We
return to the source.”

Chapter 56

We flew north and landed on a snowy terrain. “Why here?” I
asked as Elos powered down the ship, releasing the metal straps.

“There will be no Mamluks here.” He turned his chair and faced
me. “They detest snow.”

I nodded and smiled, putting my hand on his shoulder. “
Elos,
without you—none of this would have been possible. I
truly
appreciate
and honor your friendship.”

Madison and Robert came over. Then Madison hugged Elos and
kissed his cheek.

“Thank you.”

Elos sat there with his arms out. Madison stepped back and
wiped her eyes.

“Yes—
thank you
, Elos,” Robert said.

“You forget. It was your courage that inspired me.”

“But it was your knowledge that got us out,” I said.

Robert looked down and saw one of the ozlon by his feet. He
reached down and picked it up. “So, what now?”

I stood up and watched the substance closely. There was
something moving on the inside.

“What is that?”

“It is the one who carries the ozlon.”

Madison narrowed her eyes. “I don’t understand.”

“The substance
collects
energy from the host until it
stabilizes.”

I smiled. “
Wow
—so that’s what those moving parts are
doing? Collecting energy?”

“Yes.”

“How long does it take to stabilize?” Robert asked.

“It depends on the host. If the energy from the body is
unbalanced, it may take time.”

I saw another marble on the floor and picked it up. “Then
let’s hope our energy
isn’t
unbalanced.”

Part Five – The Rise

Chapter 57

Juozas was grown now. But like all the half-breeds, his
physical mass was a little smaller than the natural Mamluks, and he was about
two feet shorter. He had become a soldier, too, along with Lauren-Lynn and
London. But sadly, out of all the new graduates of Ignas’s teachings, Juozas
was the only one without a stabilized ozlon.

It was the first time in Mamluk history that a Champion’s
spawn had failed to stabilize their ozlon before reaching maturity. And with
Adomas aging, the risk of losing the lineage of the Championship was too great.
We were forced to move Juozas along to secure his opportunity to take the
title.

By contrast, I
hadn’t changed much. It
seemed like the Mamluk diet was keeping me young. My face looked the same. I
had no gray hairs. And I felt stronger than ever.

Judging from the progression of things—and my overall
impression based on memories—I was guessing that I was in my late thirties or
early forties. Nevertheless, it was liberating, not knowing my actual age.

I was sitting on a wooden chair in the backyard, watching
Juozas and Adomas sparring. Unlike me, Adomas
was
starting to show his
age. His speed and awareness had decreased dramatically. Juozas was beating him
to the punch every time—jabbing him with ease.

“Keep up, Father,” he said arrogantly, his voice so deep.

Finally, Adomas grabbed his arm and pulled him to the
ground. He kept Juozas down easily, smiling. “Your speed is impressive, my
spawn. However, my strength remains far greater than yours.”

Adomas let him up and stepped back. Juozas kneeled and bowed
his head.

I stood up and walked to them, clapping. “And
still
the Champion, Adomas!”

Juozas exhaled as he rose. “In the real fight—the outcome
will be different.”

Adomas smiled. “We shall see.” Then he left.

I crossed my arms, looking up at Juozas. “Well, now that
you’ve broken a good sweat, what do you have planned for the rest of the day?”
I was always on his case, making sure I knew where he was and what he was
doing. It reminded me of my mother when I was a teenager.

“I’m going to a gathering at the shore tonight with Lauren-Lynn
and London. It’s a celebration for all the new graduates.” He firmly crossed
his arms, clearly showing off his muscles. “But until then, I suppose I’ll work
on some more techniques.”

“Don’t train
too
hard. You may not have any energy
left for the gathering.”

Juozas smiled. “Of course not, Mother.”

Suddenly, a familiar voice shouted,
“Hey, friends!”

I turned and saw Katie and Lauren-Lynn approaching from
around the building. Katie walked up to me, and we shared a big hug. “Hello, my
dear. How are you?” she said, gushing.

I kissed her cheek. “I’m doing well, Katie. How are you?”

She stepped back. “Fantastic as always.”

“Were you training, Juozas?” Lauren-Lynn said, sizing him
up.

“I was—and I’m not finished.”

Lauren-Lynn flashed a fierce smile. Lately, I could see
their affection for one another growing beyond a friendship.

Katie walked between them. “Now, now. Settle down, you two.”

“I just think it’s amusing that you train so
hard—considering your failure to stabilize the ozlon. Without it, you will not
be strong enough to defeat Adomas.”

Juozas gave her a teasing look. “Well, if not me—than who
else? You forget, my friend. I was
still
strong enough to defeat
everyone in training—including
you
.”

They shared a playful stare down.

I quickly stepped in. “Don’t worry. I’m sure both of you
will get a chance to prove yourselves. Because Adomas isn’t giving up his title
any time soon.”

“Oh, shut up. You’re always rubbing it in that you’re with
the Champion,” Katie blurted, pouting humorously.

I laughed. “Come on, Katie—let’s head inside. I’ll have
Audrey fetch us some refreshments.” I walked off with Katie. Then, before
turning the corner, I looked back. “And you two—don’t hurt each other.”