Back to the Dream Page
Chapter 7
Knowledge filled his senses as he awoke from a dreamless sleep. "Today is the day," Justin uttered to himself as he forced himself out of bed. Despite his lack of sleep, Justin was completely awake and alert. A wave of Energy coursed through his body and he was at ease.
Then a voice called to him. "I'm ready."
His frown deepened. "So am I," he answered. He circled his room slowly and meditatively as he started to focus. "I am Li, the Chosen one of the earth people. I come here now in your name oh Great One, Tanek. Aid me. Guide my hands, my arms in this battle. Walk with me and keep my path clear of enemies. Help me be successful, triumphant so that I may continue to spread your teachings of Balance."
With prayer done, he circled the room once more and felt himself becoming aware of the new surroundings. No longer was he in his hotel room pacing. Instead, he stood in a dry, brown field. For a fleeting moment, he felt a tug at his heart and hoped that his friends left behind would not have to face their impending doom. Then he struggled to focus back on the present. Slowly, he opened his eyes.
He stood, facing the enemy. A large group of Nica warriors stood poised, ready for action some distance away. Justin, now Li, turned around and saw that his own followers were backing him up, waiting for his signal. He scanned the faces quickly, finding many familiar faces, a few new people… And a number of missing ones. Again, a tugging at his heart was felt as he recalled the last battle. So many had to die…
He shook his head violently, and turned to one person in particular. "Joel!"
A tall, strong-looking man separated himself from the group. "Yes, sir?"
"Are we all here?" Li noticed the uncomfortable look in his friend's eyes. "What is it?"
"The rest of the Council, sir. They're not here yet."
Li suddenly found it hard to swallow as he nodded. Joel returned to the rest of the group as Li frantically searched for an answer as to why the others had abandoned him. He searched his feelings and tried to connect with the others. No luck.
A shrill voice carried over the distance between the two parties and interrupted Li's thoughts. "So is the great Li just going to stand there all day?"
Anger boiled in his blood as he shot a glare at the woman opposite him. "Oh Great One, don't fail me now," he muttered under his breath. "Guide my sword," he pleaded as he tightened his grip on the sword that had come to hang by his side. He took it out of its hilt and raised it high above his head. Li gave a loud war cry as he and his followers raced towards the enemy.
It was like a strange dream. Two massive waves of people crashed together and the air was filled with echoing war cries, the clanging of swords, and the terrorized screams of the injured and dying.
Li's body smoothly cut through enemy lines, helping his people break apart the oncoming force into more manageable groups. Already in the first few minutes of fighting, blood had splattered his warrior's armor, his own blood mixing with the blood of people he'd slain. The sweet, angelic face millions of people knew worldwide had disappeared, leaving behind a determined, unforgiving face to those who went against him.
And there she was. Out of the corner of Li's eye, he saw her emerge from the mass of bodies around him. He'd never seen her before, but he knew it was her. The feeling of evil emanating from her was too strong to be anyone else's. The rest of the world disappeared and all he saw was the figure come ever nearer.
"So we finally meet, Li," the woman sneered.
"Yes, Sylvia," Li said coolly. "What do you want? I thought you'd be satisfied with your latest victory. Why more blood?"
"You think I could ever get tired of death and blood? And besides, it's not their blood I'm after. I want yours."
Li noticed the glint in her eyes. "Well, that's a comforting idea," Li grinned to her.
"Thank you," Sylvia smiled back. "But I grow tired of these trivialities." She indicated to his sword.
Li glanced down at his sword as if he'd forgotten it to be there still in his hand, and grinned an easy grin at her. "Well, since you asked so nicely, I don't see why not. I just thought you may want to give up now instead of lose face." He grinned and shrugged, completely aware of how he had angered her.
"Wipe that grin off your face. I wouldn't be so sure of myself if I were you."
"I'm thankful you're not."
Sylvia charged at him, her own delicate sword raised high above her head. Li easily deflected her blow and the dance began.
Sweat poured down his face as the two continued to fight when he felt a change in atmosphere. It was as if some invisible breeze had cooled off the stifling summer air and everyone relaxed a bit in wonder. The Nica stood bewildered, not knowing what was happening. Li found himself grinning.
"What are you grinning at?" Sylvia demanded from where she stood, panting a couple of feet in front of him.
"You lost."
Sylvia's shrill voice rose once again. "You'd like to think so," she retorted, but already he could see doubt forming in her eyes. Then slowly, one by one, and then more at a time, Nica warriors were disappearing. All around the two, the Nica vanished into the air. "What's happening!?" she cried out.
"I told you already. You lost."
"But how can it be?"
Slowly, a scene played in front of the two and Li was relieved to find the other four Council members finally join him in surrounding her. The predictions had been undone. With the advance warning of Tanek, the others had gone to protect Li's four friends from their destruction, in turn killing off the hooded figures.
Now, only a few Nica warriors were left and they looked lost and uncertain. They turned to their leader for an answer. Sylvia, for once in her lifetime, was left speechless.
Hyam boldly walked up to Sylvia and took her sword from her, throwing it to Li. As the others continued to watch the scene and Li inspected his new possession, Sylvia cried out in desperation. Out of one boot, she drew out a dagger and with all her might, threw it at Li. He screamed in pain as blood oozed from his shoulder. Anger filled his eyes and he marched over to her, standing over her now cowering body. "You were too greedy Sylvia. Next time, be thankful for what you already have." He raised her sword over his head and quickly brought it down into her gut, pinning her to the dusty earth beneath her.
Once again, the atmosphere changed. The remaining Nica and now the rest of the Lhaam warriors were disappearing, going back to their normal lives to wait until their next summoning. Li turned to his four friends. "Thank you." They smiled and they too disappeared. As he felt himself start to transport back to the real world, he turned a slow circle allowing himself to look at the amount of destruction done this time. So many had died and there was an eerie silence. As his vision of the place began to fade, he looked down at Sylvia one last time, happy to see the cold features had left her. She had been welcomed by Death.