Seth
Seth awoke to the smell of his mother's fresh baked waffles, feeling groggy. He was lying in a bed that wasn't his, in a room that wasn't his. He tried to sit up and found that his whole body ached particularly his head and legs. When he recovered enough to take note of where he was, he was surprised to say the least. The bed he lay in was made of soft cotton and some straw. The pillow was a silk covering stuffed with cotton. The bed was normal sized with an oak wood frame. The room had a hard wood floor that was polished and gleaming. There was a single window across the room from the foot of his bed that let in light from the outside. "Surly the sun had already gone down," Seth thought, but he had no idea how long he slept. Then the events he had witnessed came back to him.
Maybe it was a dream, but if so where was he and who was with him? The room was small but easily big enough for just him. There were three doors that led off from the room. One was a closet he could see the outline of clothes in the gloom of the closet. The second he thought would be the bathroom. The other must have led out to where ever this room branched off of. There was a dresser at the foot of the bed.
Seth managed to swing his legs over the side of the bed and struggled to stand. "Since when he did he become so wobbly in the legs?" He took one step and then another until finally he was walking without much trouble. He walked around the room and then returned to the foot of the bed. He then walked over to the window and looked out. What he saw made him catch his breath.
Out the window was a new world. He was in some kind of great city. The buildings were not the skyscrapers he knew cities to have. They were one or two story buildings made of white gleaming rock. Down in the street below people walked to and from some kind of market. He saw men on horses; wearing white gleaming armor, passing by. "What is going on?" Seth asked himself. It was like he had gone back in time to the medieval ages. Was he dead or dreaming? No neither of those, he could smell the smell of fresh baked bread, just like his mother used to make. He had to go figure out what was going on.
Seth went back to the dresser and began to get dressed. As he pulled off his tattered pants a letter fell out of his jeans. He stopped and picked it up. It wasn't anything special just a white lined piece of paper, folded and a little rumpled but okay. For some reason Seth didn't remember what he was supposed to do with it. But he had the feeling it wasn't just some random folded note, it was something special. Should he read it? He didn't feel any problem with that so he slowly opened it, the paper crackling as he did. Inside was a note to someone named Rylee from a guy named Joseph.
The note said:
Dear, Rylee
I hope you can forgive me my love but my lord my God calls me to fulfill my destiny. I know only what the Lord has shared with me, but I know enough to know that this is far more important than my own happiness. I'm sorry for the pain this will cause you but it must be done. Please don't be mad with me I'm not trying to hurt you but I must save this agent. He is special to our cause and yes my death is only the first of many to come. And you must be ready to fight.
But do not despair this kid is the one who will look after you and lead you to happiness. I also know that I will always love you. Trust in the word of the Lord and he will guide you and the academies. Remember never despair for the Lord is with you always.
Your love,
Joseph
Seth took his eyes away from the note; he remembered why he had it and knew it belonged to someone here. The note had brought tears to his eyes as he had remembered what had happened to Joseph. In the short time that Seth knew Joseph he had done more for him than most others he had known his whole life. Man the guy was truly into God. What kind of devotion it must be to drop everything to follow a calling he knew would cost him his life; and to save a person he didn't even know from an unknown evil.
Seth finished getting dressed. The clothes fit him perfectly and he slipped on the new shoes. Then he went to leave. He opened the door and there waiting for him was the kid Strat.
"You're awake," he said not surprised.
"Yeah, I think so anyway," Seth replied. Strat snorted and scowled at Seth
"You're awake alright," he said "and don't go thinking this is a dream because I promise you it is not. By the time you're done you're going to wish it was." Seth just shrugged and looked more closely at Strat. He was definitely cleaned up. He had on a white t-shirt like Seth's. But he wore camouflage pants and combat boots instead of pants and sneakers.
"Now come you must meet one of our leaders." Seth looked at him curiously.
"First I would like to know, what's going on here. Where am I? And what is this place?" Seth would've asked more questions but he was forestalled by Strat raising his hand.
"I know you have many questions," he said "and your questions will be answered. But for right now I need you to follow me." Seth subsided even though he was still full of questions.
"Alright now follow me and I will answer some of your questions." With that Strat started off down a corridor his footsteps echoing when they came in contact with the cobble flooring.
As they walked Seth took the chance to look around where he was. The walls, floor and ceiling were all stone. It was a light gray stone that almost had a silvery look to it but it seemed firm enough. The corridor they were in had doors leading off to rooms on either side. Torches in brackets as well fluorescent light bulbs lit their way. As they passed one door way Seth stopped to look in.
There was a giant map on the far wall that looked nothing like any continent or country Seth had seen on a map. Red lights blinked on the map in several places. There was a group of men sitting around a table in front of the map. They had white chain mail armor under white surcoats that had an emblem emblazoned on it. The device was a white cross spreading light on a dark blue field, or was that black. They had short white capes attached to their shoulders that went down to their waists. White plumed helmets were laid upon the table.
"You coming?" Strat asked interrupting his thoughts. "We don't have all day." Seth took one last look at the room and followed Strat. For a few steps Strat said nothing. "So I bet you're wondering where in the world you are," He said. In fact, Seth had been thinking just that.
"Something like that," Seth admitted. Strat snorted again before continuing,
"Well as to that question. As you might have guessed you're nowhere on earth or normal earth. You are in Elementia a world that is separate from earth but is closely linked with the normal world. This world is filled with creatures and demons as well as other mythical creatures," Strat explained. He looked as if he had explained this too many times. "And I know you won't believe me right now but once you've been here about a week you will begin to understand that it is the truth."
Seth still looked at him unbelieving as they walked down the passage; Strat just seemed to ignore him until he finally spoke again. "You have been blessed with the power of the light by God our creator. And yes, it is the same God that Christians worship. In fact, we are Christians as well. But our job and by our job I mean those with the power that was given by God have a duty to protect the innocence and destroy not only demons but all evil."
Now Seth decided to ask questions. "So what is this place that you live in? It looked like a city out there." Strat nodded,
"That's because it is a city. It's where everyone who has the power live and train. It's called the Lightforce Academy. It's called that because the people who live here have the power of the light."
"Power of the light?" Seth asked curiously.
"Yes it means the power to control the light to create anything needed out of pure light energy. Such is the power of God. Though we can create anything we must do it within reason because it taxes our strength to use the power. The bigger the thing created the more energy and strength it takes from you. Though you'll learn this during your training." Strat paused "Which reminds me I need to give you a crash course before the war games begin in the city. Do you have any experience with swordplay?"
"Yes a little. My mom put me in swordplay classes when I was younger." Strat smiled. "Good that will do for the games." Seth looked at him curiously for a moment.
"What are the games?" he asked. At this again Strat smiled at him.
"Well it is something pretty much the whole Academy does. We are given electric swords and we fight until there is only one standing. The person who wins gets the title of best warrior. You can make alliances if you want but in the end only one can stand."
"So how do you know if you've lost and where does it take place?"
"You know you've lost when you wake up on a stretcher in the casualty's room. When a sword touches you, you will know it," he said the last as a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "You'll be fine." They continued walking the rest of the way in silence until they came to two huge double doors. The doors were covered in what looked like some white metal. The edges were lined in gold. Two guards in the same white armor he had seen earlier stood guard on either side of the door. They held what looked like a knight's kite shield on their left arms. There white surcoats went down to their knees. Under it the mail glittered in the light. The guards held spears about five feet long with golden tips on the end. They came to attention as Strat and Seth approached. Strat nodded back before asking, "Is Samson in?" The guard on the right was the one that answered.
"Yes my lord he's in," he said in a surprisingly young sounding voice.
"Thank you Herbert."
"You're welcome." The guard then turned and knocked on the door three times. A half a second later the door swung open and Seth had to remind himself to breathe. Inside was a massive room. The ceiling soared above. The walls were made of an elegant white washed stone. Giant pillars of blue stone rose from the ground to support the ceiling. From these pillars huge white banners hung stretching almost until they touched the ground, the same emblem they had seen on the guards was on the banners as well. Giant windows lined the walls. The glass was painted so it washed the entire room in color. The walls were also decorated with swords of white metal, roman spears, and Greek shields.
From the ceiling hung a huge clear crystal chandelier. Rays of white light from the windows hit the chandelier, making it glow and give light to the room as well. It lit it up so well in fact that Seth couldn't see a single shadow. Polished oak wood planks made up the floor, and a red carpet led from the door to the other side of the room. On the other side of the room the floor raised and on it two high back chairs sat, one of which was occupied the other was vacant. The chairs were made out of what looked like gold with red velvet cushions on the seat as well as the back part of the chair.
In the chair on the left sat a burly African American man in a white tunic and brown trousers. He wore tall boots and looked rather uncomfortable in the chair. That was probably due to the fact that he barely fit in the chair. He was massive and bulky. There wasn't any fat on his body, it was all muscles. He had broad shoulders and hands the size of baseball gloves. His face was rough and chiseled but he had kind gray eyes. His neck length black hair was in dread locks
He studied the two of them as they approached. His eyes seemed to linger on Seth for a moment but then he quickly looked away. When he spoke his voice was deep and burly.
"Well Master Strat I see that our new arrival is awake," he said his voice echoing in the hall.
"Indeed he is Master Samson," Strat replied shortly.
"And if I understand correctly he is the one Joseph went after."
"Correct."
"So does that mean that Joseph was unsuccessful since he is not here."
Strat looked down, "I don't know," he replied. Now Seth stepped forward and bowed, which seemed like the right thing to do at the time.
"May I say something?" he asked. When they nodded he continued.
"Joseph, if you're talking about the same one I met sacrificed himself to save me," He said solemnly. Both guys looked at him like the words Joseph and sacrifice didn't go together.
"How did it happen," Strat demanded. As quickly as he could Seth told them of what happened on his way to the high school. When he was done the two guys just sat in stunned silence.
"Well he wouldn't have had it any other way," Samson said finally.
Strat nodded his eyes brimming with tears. "This is ill news indeed. We can scarcely afford to lose any agents especially one as important as Joseph." Suddenly Strat sat down in the middle of the throne room and put his head in his hands. Sobbing over took Strat as Seth watched. Then Seth remembered the letter.
"Joseph gave me a letter for a girl named Rylee," He said taking it out and walking forward to give it to Samson. Seth waited for the nod of approval before approaching because he didn't know the customs of this place. After receiving the nod he approached and handed it to Samson who unfolded the letter. He was silent as he read until he finally looked up.
"Rylee isn't going to like this. Do you have any other messages?" he asked his face grim.
"I have no message to give you but to Rylee in person, when may I see her."
"After you get settled..." He paused as the giant double doors opened. Through them came one of the prettiest girls he had ever seen. She had a face that was just timeless framed by angular cheek bones and long brunette hair that was put up in a ponytail. She had soft brown eyes and was built like a long distance runner, muscled but agile. She wore faded blue jeans and a white blouse.
She walked with such confidence that Seth couldn't help but stare as she walked forward. As Seth watched her eyes darted between Samson and Strat noting how Strat was still sitting on the floor with his head in his hands. When he looked up, the girl stopped short. Strat's eyes were red from crying.
"I'm so sorry Rylee," he said his eyes brimming with tears again. "I-I tried but I couldn't get there in time." He put his head down in his hands again as if he was ashamed.
"No," she said beginning to sob as she understood what was being said "No, no, no! Not him please!"