Date: Fri, 21 Aug 2015 20:00:28 -0400
From: Tyerone Johnson <silentbutcudly@hotmail.com>
Subject: Phoenix Diaries chapter 24

Chapter Twenty Four

Travis rolled out of bed at the crack of dawn and cleaned his room so that
it would be one less strike against him when his PO came to check on
him. He finished then ate breakfast and hit the shower. The water was
always too cold for him since the change, so he super-heated the air and
luxuriated in the makeshift sauna.

"Hey dingus, your boyfriend's here, "Bobby said and flinched back when his
hand touched the door and was scolded. When he got to the door there was
Josh along with Jenny, Tommy, and Kyle. He took one look and shut the door
in their faces. He passed Amber in the hall and told her Kyle was here to
see her. The sandy haired girl lit up like a super nova and rushed to the
door. Travis smirked to himself and locked his door, least they try to
intrude on him.

He scanned the news articles for a while then extended his psychic powers
and scanned the universe for trouble.  Nothing major caught his attention
beside the standard dictators and random acts of violence. He turned to
pandemonium. Lip told him the others hadn't taken Balder's death
likely. Lord Hades and lady Hel joined forces with Thor and Loki and were
posed to crush Rose if the Thoth didn't back up Abe.

"That's the least of my concerns. Lord Abaraxas has possession of my
property and I intend to get it back."

"You speaks of your soul?" Lip's big eyes bugged out of his head and he
blinked rapidly, his eyelashes like fans.

"You knew this and didn't tell me?"

"Calm down master. Lip couldn't tells ya. He was bound to Lord Abe until
leaving to Hanaka."

"So what do you know?"

"I knows your grand pa sold your souls to Abe but then he tries to break
the deal and was killed."

"So then to whom does my soul belong to?"

"Before we left I hears Lord Abe talkings about it with 'Meter. They says
you have two soulses and that they be at wars."

"Impossible! Two souls cannot exist in the same space."

Lip apologized but swore that was what he heard. Travis pinched the bridge
of his nose and sighed. It seemed like the more he learned the less he
knew. He closed the connection with Lip and filed the latest mystery away
for another time. No sooner had he put the mirror away his parole officer
showed up.

Charles Garrett was a former Navy SEAL who got into law enforcement after a
twenty year career. Though he was pushing fifty he could hold his own
against your common criminal. Today he was dressed in camouflage shorts,
combat boots and his leather jacket, complete with three hand guns, a
Kevlar vest and a six inch combat knife concealed in his right boot.

He was surprised to see so many people at the house. When he stopped by
Travis was usually the only one home.  He shrugged his shoulders and got on
with it. He still had to check in on four other parolees before noon and
another eight before quitting time. Their conversation was brief. Charles
asked if he was staying out of trouble. When Travis replied he was, Charles
asked why then had Eli informed him he was causing trouble.

"I wouldn't bow down to him at dinner last night. I've been late for his
idiotic curfew once since being released, kept my grades and put a hefty
dent in those community service hours."

"That's fine and dandy son, but good citizenship is part of your
parole. 'Fraid I'm gonna have-ta write you up."

At those words Travis irises flashed red for a second. He reached into his
shorts and pulled Marshall's ring from the pocket dimension. He rolled it
in his hands until it had the desired effect. Charles stared at the ring
with glassy eyes and licked his lips.

He stretched out his muscular arms and Travis placed the ring in the palm
of his hand. A green glow surrounded the ring and part of Charles's soul
was ripped from him and flew in to it. The ring floated back to Travis and
he put it on his middle finger and clinched his fist.

Charles dropped to the floor and let out a silent scream as he writhed in
agony. Now that he had the man's attention Travis told Charles from here on
out he would writing nothing but glowing reports to his bosses. Should he
think otherwise, he'd pay. Like all enthralled victims, Charles's
subconscious retained the message while he had no memory of the event.

To claim part of someone's soul is to have dominion over them. When the
soul is split it instinctively tries to repair the damage. But when this is
denied the pain inflicted on the person grows with each tug on the thread
connecting the soul fragments.

Charles left after checking over Travis's time sheets. He made a note to
tell Eli to ease up the boy. For the life of him he couldn't remember why
he thought Travis was no good.

"And where do you think you're going?"

Jenny said as she blocked Travis from leaving the house. He told her to
move or he would move her.

"Not on your life kiddo.  Tommy told me what you did and I'm not having it
you hear. Self-defense is one thing but that was murder."

"Jenny what you call murder is another day at the office for me."

Kyle come up next to him and pulled him aside.

"Look man we're worried about you. You can't go around killing people like
that, ya dig?"

Travis flicked the blond's hand away and stared at him with a bored
expression.

"You should be thankful I've restrained myself thus far. Now get out of my
way."

A fraction of his power sent Kyle's way was enough to shove him several
feet back. Josh got up from his seat on the couch and got in Travis's face.

"Quit it you asshole."

Travis looked through him as if Josh wasn't there.

"You must be laboring under the delusion you hold some sway over me. My
infatuation with you was ephemeral at best. So what impetus would I have
for acquiescing to this psychological circus put forth by such imbeciles?"

Josh kissed Travis.

"What the hell?"

"See I knew that would stop you from spewing all that pseudo-intellectual
babel."

"Continue to play with me and get burnt."

"Cut the melodrama. If you were gonna hurt me you would have done it
already."

Travis grabbed Josh's throat and squeezed.

"Don't presume to know me."

Josh coughed when Travis released him and glared. Jenny flipped her lid and
laid into to him. Kyle, Tommy, and the others did as well. For what felt
like forever he listened to them explain how he was acting irrational and
they were worried. But to Travis they were ones who needed help.

"Let me explain something to you. I neither need nor want your input on how
I'm conducting myself. The moment I get emancipated I'm gone."

Travis shoved his way to the door but Eli blocked his path.

"You're not going anywhere."

"Stop me."

He shoved his father aside and left.

***

Travis thrashed the bio-mechanical android again and again; the crowd
cheered as he tore the machine apart bit by bit. Even though it had given
up long ago he continued to hammer into the beast and with one last kick
the lights in its eyed died and it exploded.

"Here. Take your money and never come back," Jell-O man said, throwing the
two handfuls of kin his way.

"What's the matter? I gave them a show and they loved every second of it."

"I said out now, dammit!"

Travis glared at him for second then popped to Knox. The intergalactic
merchant was in a jovial mood, however his smile faded when he saw
Travis. They talked shop for a while and then he brought up Pylia.

"You still owe me 3 thousand kin."

"Sorry I've been meaning to send it but things have been chaotic. What with
the rash of attacks by those terrorists. It's been all I can do to keep
basic items in stock."

"Speaking of which, do you have any terraforming kits left?"

"I saved three for you like you asked. That'll be five hundred kin each
please."

"Done. You know a war is coming and I'd hate for you to be on the losing
side."

Knox swiveled his bobbling eyes towards Travis and flailed his tentacles.

"Leave me out of it. I've made it this far by keeping my glorblat out of
others' business. Whatever's to come I'll stay neutral."

Travis's face became a blank slate as he thought of what to say next.

"Then when the time comes don't expect me to show you or any other coward
mercy."

"My friend, don't be so hasty. I'm merely protecting my interests. I hold
no ill will against you or good will towards the Nekoshins."

"Be that as it may, I'll be taking my business elsewhere from now on."

Knox's tentacles wrapped around his arm and pulled him back.

Wait, I know you seek a devise to weaken the fur balls. I can put you in
touch with the right people, for a price."

Travis shook his head and popped away. Though the alien had been useful he
needed someone he could depend on without question. While he'd still do
business with Knox for small things, it was time to branch out. He
approached Judas, an Arthurian technician he dealt with in the past.

She was all too welcome to have the increased business and put him in touch
with a band of radical scientists who had been trying to take out the
Nekoshin Empire for years without success.  They hated being ruled by a
band of savages, but unlike the rest they decided to do something about it.

Travis came up with the idea for the pulse riffle after his experience with
Neutralizer. The first blast would slow them down; the second, strip them
of their energy abilities, and third would make weak as kittens. The head
tech said that was a fantastic idea but they'd need several years and test
subjects to fine tune the device.

"I'll lend a hand to speed things up, but our first priority is securing a
supply of fur ball. Leave that to me."

They agreed and got busy building a working prototype using Travis's
schematics. While they were occupied he used the chance to scan their
minds. While they didn't have the noblest of intentions, he felt they could
be trusted enough to get the device to beta testing. Travis could handle
the rest from there with help from Isis if need be.

It was half five Earth time but he had no intentions of returning yet. When
he checked in on Phoenix and the Pit, Manasa looked like she was about to
burst. Her stick legs had swelled to the size of watermelons and her
stomach stuck out a foot from her waist. The skin was riddled with stretch
marks and Travis could see the impression of the baby's limbs as it moved
about.

"She looks like death three days warmed over."

"Tell me about it. I tried hooking up with her a few weeks back and if she
wasn't so weighed down I'd be short my twig and berries."

"Remind me to stock up on brain bleach after you painted that lovely
picture in my head. While we're on the subject shouldn't she be due any
time now?"

Phoenix told him it was anyone's guess. Hebin gestation usually lasted
three months and the baby was born with full motor skills and armed with
fangs and venom. Children were expected to be self-sufficient within a few
weeks of being born, and as such new mothers were discouraged from showing
them too much affection lest they turn out soft and drag the whole Pit
down. Because reproduction was resource intensive during those crucial
weeks everyone pitched in to teach the child what it needed to know to
survive.

Unlike humans only the Hebin leaders had names. Everyone else was referred
to by the skill or trait they were known for. Manasa's second in command
was a female known as She-Who-Mends, and below her was
He-Whose-Breath-Reeks.

"So it's been just about six months now."

Phoenix counted on his hand and said, "Yeah."

"Which means if we factor in Torin gestation lasts six months and humans
nine. Then average those three together. She should be dropping the sucker
two weeks from now."

"Yeah boy, then I can get back up in that."

"You realize you've been swan diving into feces and urine, right?"

"Huh?"

"Google cloacae and enjoy."

"Whatever, man. Long as I bust a nut I don't care."

Travis rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"You're about to become a father and all you can think about is getting
off? You disgust me."

"Right back at you, bro.  And hey the kid aint mine. How do I know she
hasn't been getting side dick when I'm ghost?"

"Unlike you none of them are that hard up or dumb enough to go against me."

"What you gibber jabbering about now?"

"They don't pair up just to keep warm, you know."

"Ew."

"Grow up, pairings of three or more are common. And besides, they know if
any of them tries to sleep with her it's a death sentence."

"I did not know that.  Anyways it could still be yours."

"Fine after she gives birth I'll run some tests and exterminate the thing
if it poses a threat."

Once more the pair bickered until a fight ensued. Phoenix blasted a
fireball at him, but it fizzled out.  Travis raised his hand and Phoenix
fell to his knees.

"Slacking off again? A thousand Gs should be nothing to you, brother."

Travis decreased the gravity around him and they squared off. Phoenix
popped behind him. Travis dodged the elbow to his head, caught Phoenix by
his wrist and tossed him to the ground. He recovered, but Travis was there
and sent him into a sand dune with a knee to Phoenix's rib cage.

Phoenix kicked up a sandstorm and used the cover to ambush Travis. The
other boy was waiting and sidestepped Phoenix's energy wave. He parted the
sea of sand and sent one side crashing towards him. When Phoenix took to
the air to avoid being entombed in a sand-coffin, Travis sent shards of
diamonds at him. They went through his body easy and painted the dessert
red.

"Overkill much?"  Phoenix said after he healed.

"Nope, just showing you how much I've excelled thanks to my alters."

Travis explained the process for creating them and then showed Phoenix how
to do it as well. They practiced for the next hour until Travis lost
patience and Told Phoenix to practice it later.


"OK it's a neat technique but I don't see why it's so important for me to
learn it is all. Besides my powers are still nerfed from you kicking my ass
earlier. What's up with that anyways?"

 Travis explained what he dubbed the battery paradox. As energy beings
their bodies evolved to go into a power saving mode in times of crisis. So
the stronger they got the longer they would remain in this state and the
longer it took to fully recharge.

"That sucks, but the boost in power after every battle and training session
makes up for it. I guess. So spill. I know you didn't come all this way
just to show off."

Travis told him he'd screwed up with his family back on Earth.

"Meh, crash here for a while. Not like you don't run the place, plus the
fellas listen to you more than me. I can swap places with you and they'd
never know."

"Thanks but I don't run away from my problem."

"Whatever man, but don't blame me if you wind up back in the pen. Don't
drop the soap."

"Keep joking and I'll make you my bitch."

"Not funny dude."

"Whatever I'm tired. Keep practicing and tell the guys the next time they
come up against the fur balls to capture one alive."

"What the hell for?"

"To experiment on them of course."

"OK. And remember since you're the daddy, the kid's your responsibility."

"Nice try but you can't pawn it off on me whenever the kid becomes
inconvenient for you."

"We'll see when she gives birth."

Travis nodded and went back to Earth. When he got back home Eli was waiting
for him. He threatened to phone his parole officer if he didn't straighten
up and grounded him for a month.  When he got to his room Travis found an
envelope with the midnight Society's symbol on it. The letter told him he
was to be present at the next council meeting two nights hence and be
prepared to undertake a task to prove his loyalty to the group. After he
read the note it burst into flames and disintegrated.

Travis checked his private cell and saw two messages. The first was from
Michael requesting their next lesson be held tomorrow at dawn by the river
front. The next was from Josh. his voice was a mix of sadness and anger. He
told Travis if he ever meant anything to him then call him and
apologize. He rang the number and Josh picked up after the fifth ring.

"Look, I'm sorry OK."

"No you look! Don't ever put your hands on me like that again or I swear to
God I'll kick your ass."

"I apologize for hurting your feelings, but I won't apologize for my
actions. You issued a direct challenge to me and if I backed down they
would never fear me and I can't have that."

"Fuck you man."

"It is better to be feared than loved if you cannot be both. My parents
never saw me as anything but an ATM. And my siblings are no better."

"My parents hate me too, but you don't see me killing random bums or
strangling the guy that loves me, now do ya?"

"Don't talk to me about love. You threw me away like I was garbage and then
waltz back in like nothing happened. So excuse me for being a bit pissed."

"Why? I thought psychopaths like you couldn't feel love."

"Trust me when I say this Josh. If I didn't care about you or the Earth why
do you think you're still alive?"

"That's not helping anything."

"Then meet me tonight in the park at midnight."

"Why should I do that?"

"Because you know you want to see me again."

"You're an asshole."

"But I'm right."

"I'll be there but the moment you get agro I'm gone."

Travis snuck out of room at ten 'til and walked to the park instead of
teleporting there. Thirty minutes later Josh showed up flanked with Jason
and David. The super seniors glared him and kept Josh within arm's
length. They crossed their bulky arms and waited. Josh looked at his
sneakers and kicked a stone.

"Don't all you talk at once, now."

"See this is what I'm talking about. You can't leave it alone. You always
have to get the first and last word in."

"I can leave if you keep acting butt-hurt."

"Me? You're the one that went schizo when we broke up."

"Point of order, we were never a couple."

"Argh, you know what I mean. We hung out, went out and made out. And when I
put a stop to it you flipped your lid."

"Yes what you did. Never forget that. Instead of talking to me like a man
you ran away like a pussy."

"Well excuse me. We can't all be big manly men like the great Travis. Who,
mind you, is too chicken shit to admit he likes another dude."

Travis shoved Jason and David aside and pulled Josh towards him. The blonde
fought to get away but Travis persisted. His lips came crashing towards
Josh's and they met. Josh resisted at first but gave into his feelings and
kissed back. Travis touched the back of Josh's head and gently pulled him
closer. His left hand cupped the teen's butt and they ground into each
other.

"For crying out loud we're standing right here. Break it up guys," David
said, more grossed out then the time he caught his parents going at it in
the family pool. Jason looked on face red and fists clinched. Josh broke
the kiss and distanced himself from Travis.

"That was unexpected," he said through his panting.

"Never said I didn't like you. Wasn't sure what this was and didn't
understand my feelings for you."

"So?" Josh said, a radiant smile beamed across his cherubic face, and hope
sparkled in his baby blues.

"Still don't know. But I do know I care about and want to be around you."

"Close enough but you're on probation mister. Screw up again and I'm gone."

"Deal," Travis said and pulled him in for another kiss."

"Not so fast. You have to earn back that right."

Travis said he could live with that and they bumped fists. David looked
between the two and didn't get them at all. Jason had left without them
noticing, stranding David who decided to crash at Josh's place.

***

"About time you showed up."

Michael told Travis to calm down and they got to work. Travis took his
athame and cast it in wide arcs around them. When he was done the he waved
his hand and the wards become visible.

"Take note of not only the placement but which words are next to each
other. Chow, are you paying attention or staring all dopey eyed at Dylan
again?"

"Busted," Michael said. He and Conner shared a good laugh at the couple's
expense then got back to business.

"As I was saying, unlike your crude work, there are no gaps in my
alignment. Note the circular spacing, not an inch is underutilized."

Conner pantomimed Travis flapping his jaw and received a mild shock that
left his curly hair standing on end.

"This information could save your life someday so pay attention."

"I get that, but you don't have to be a dick about it. Chillax a little."

"For the record I have far more important things to do than babysit a bunch
of lazy know-nothings. Either concentrate and give me your undivided
attention or screw off."

Conner balled up his fists, but Michael held him back.

"OK you're the boss. So you were saying about wards?"

"Gaps in your alignment are holes in your defense and can be used to break
them apart. That's how I escaped your Devil's Snare."

Over the next hour he covered the finer points of ward construction. Layer
them so you have 360 degrees of protections. Never place power wards next
to privacy or stealth wards least they overload and the spell
shatters. Always place them next to strength, fire, and lightening wards,
and keep a ground ward nearby to mitigate overloads or energy surges.

Privacy and stealth wards should always be placed next to each other and
near mental wards. Healing wards resonated with soul wards and should be
kept near air and water wards.

To enchant an object one needs to place wards around it and carve an
anchoring ward into the object. This acts as a catalyst for the spell and
imbues a bonus characteristic to the object. Temporary enchants are
preferred for combat because they require less time to make and can be
adjusted on the fly. Permanent enchants take months to make and though
durable their power fades over time.

"OK guys, that's enough of magic theory. On to practical applications. Show
me your Auras."

Conner was up first. He concentrated but only a wisp of smoke came
out. Michael laughed at him and his face became etched with
determination. Tongue stuck out the side of his mouth he tried again. This
time a cloud of grey smoke surrounded him and a towering grizzle bear came
into focus.

"Weak sauce. Watch the master and learn."

Michael stepped up and took his place next to Conner. He furrowed his brows
and his Aura took shape. His was a lion that threw back his head and let
out a silent roar.

"Not bad, but you still need work. It should be effortless."

Travis released his Aura and the others began to visibly shake.

"With practice you'll be able to withstand the strongest Auras with ease."

Travis restrained his demonic energy and they all felt like a ton of
pressure had been lifted from their heads.

"Alright lover boy, show us what ya got."

Chow blushed a bit and looked at the ground. He scuffed his converse clad
foot on the cement a few times then ambled towards Travis.

"Don't laugh OK?" he said and released his Aura, a hummingbird.

"Hey it's not the size that counts. It's what you do with it."

"TMI bro," Travis said and they all busted out laughing. Chow scowled but
Dylan pulled him aside and they shared a chaste kiss that turned hot and
heavy quick.

"Dylan, get your Mexican ass up here."

"Hey I'm Ecuadorian."

"Same difference."

He flipped Travis off and when he released his Aura it was a robin. Chow
didn't feel so bad now and they shared a hug.

"Well birds of a feathers..." Travis trailed off into laughter joined by
Michael and Conner, until he froze.

Whenever you crossed the boundaries of a ward-line or yours are tripped it
feels like winter grips your soul. He scanned the area and sensed a
familiar presence.

Joan came bounding around the corner, her sword drawn and ready for
action. Travis flicked his index finger and she was frozen in place.

"Let me go you bastard.  Michael, how could you all betray us?"

"Calm down woman. We haven't betrayed anyone."

"Then way are you here with him."

Joan's voice dripped with venom as she trashed against the barrier holding
her in place.

"We can talk or I can leave you a vegetable. Your choice."

Michael told Travis to take it easy.

"Fine. Contrary to what you may think I'm not evil."

"Right. So killing all those homeless people didn't happen then?"

"Let me rephrase that, not entirely evil. Like anyone else I make
mistakes."

"Not buying it."

"If I'm the big bad, then why haven't I brought on Armageddon?"

"Because you waiting for the right time."

"I may be the vessel of the ultimate evil, but I still have a choice."

Joan looked at Travis and couldn't believe the words coming out of his
mouth. They were almost identical to the speech Gideon gave her when she
first came to stay with him.

"So what it is you choose then?"

"I choose to forge my own path. To protect those I deem worthy and punish
all those who would abuse their power and prey upon the weak. The path I
walk is seldom straight and never clear. But I will continue plowing
forward. Making the best decisions I can with the talents and knowledge
given to me."

"So why don't you use your powers only for good like us?"

"Good? Evil? These are meaningless terms coined to differentiate between
what you agree and disagree with. Have you stopped to wonder why deities
always seem to hate the same things their followers do?"

"That's not true. God is love."

"Where is God when the weak are trampled by the strong? Where is He when
the helpless cry out and are never answered? How can you tell me God exists
when you look at this world? Where is He because everything is most
certainly not alright?"

"He is in us. He knocks and we only need open our hearts to Him."

"Yes, because that's worked wonders the last few millennia, hasn't it?"

"Stop it! You don't know what you're talking about."

Michael shoved Travis aside and together they were able to break his hold
on Joan.

"We're done with your training."

"Fine, but you know how to get in contact with me if you change your
minds."

"Not likely, we should have listened to Gideon. Come on."

They walked away but not before Travis had the last say.

"The truth is he can't exist because then how do you explain a world with
suffering, with evil?"

"Easy, because people choose to do evil instead of good."

"Exactly Michael. Which is why I do what your God can't. I have the power
and means to change things and that what I'm doing. You may disagree with
my methods but the results are what matters."

"You're insane and we will stop you, demon."

"Wrong again. I will turn Earth into a utopia and bring balance to the
universe. Because that is what I choose."

Travis disappeared in a blaze of flames leaving the Wildlings to ponder his
words.

Author's note: Well will Travis succeed in his plans for Earth or will
Michael and the others stand in his way? Find out in the coming chapters.
Remember to send comments to silentbutcudly@hotmail.com and donate what you
can to keep nifty.org free.