Savior by Jordan Wilson (ebook and pdf reader .txt) 📕

blue flame rested in Jackson’s hand like a basketball. Before Jason could avoid it, Jackson threw the scorching sphere directly at him. He put up his hands and conjured a shield of dark energy. The shield was holding, but it wouldn’t support the strength of the attack for long, Jason pushed at the attack until he had just enough distance to spin out of its path. The attack shot down and through the building, exploding when it hit the lowest floor. Jason held both of his hands out, pointed at Jackson, and released two dark cyclones. They slithered up at Jackson, but were quickly cut apart by his sword. This time, Jason saw where the sword came from. Jackson, much like Sollamance and Jason, manifested the sword out of energy, but it wasn’t the smoky dark power that Quixon’s used. It was a blue aura that shimmered out of thin air. It was almost stunning to see, other than the fact that now Jackson had a weapon, where Jason did not.
Jason tried to release the sword like he had done against Sollamance, but he couldn’t feel it. He didn’t remember how it had happened, it had just happened. He had spent the time before this fight learning how to release the darkness itself, but not the powers that came with it. The smoke-like attack was much like his own Aspen flame, but the sword was different. He didn’t have much time to try, however. He couldn’t let Jackson have the free moments. Jason shot up at Jackson, who hovered with his sword at the ready position. Jason began to spin, hoping to make it harder to predict his movements. Jackson stabbed out with the sword, as Jason moved. Jason managed to avoid most of the blade, but caught a piece of it on the left leg. He slammed his fist in Jackson’s chest, propelling him into another wall. Jackson broke through the wall and landed on his feet in another hallway. People all throughout the building were yelling out in terror and running left and right. Jason had completely ignored that fact that they were there. He didn’t care anymore. This was all about Jackson.
Jackson and Jason stood on the hallway floor, both waiting for the other to react. Jackson looked as though he wanted to say something, but Jason wasn’t about to give him a moment to try. Jason manifested a snakelike whip of the dark power. He swung it at Jackson, tearing the wall as it slid along it. Debris was everywhere in the hallway. There was broken glass on the floors and loose papers scattered everywhere. This fight definitely wouldn’t go unnoticed. Jackson jumped to avoid the whip aimed towards his legs. Jason tried to redirect the attack, but Jackson had already reacted. He sent a wave of heat energy out at Jason, throwing him backwards. The force of the flames knocked Jason out the hallway window and into the open air. Jason balanced himself and managed to avoid falling down too far. He ascended to the rooftop, where he knew Jackson would follow. This gave him more room to move freely and also limited the wreckage that would be thrown about.
When Jackson got to the roof, Jason could feel it inside of him. The Quix blade was ready. He held his arm out to the side, hand tightened as though it were around an invisible hilt. The smoke slithered out and spawned the dark blade in his hands. Now that he could see the blade in daylight, he could make out its features. The sharp sword had a long silver blade with Quixon symbols carved into it. the hilt was black with a red gem positioned in the center. The hilt almost made its ends look like two fangs. Jason only hoped that its imagery of evil was matched with immense strength. He twirled the blade in his hand to get a feel for it. He’d used a weapon a few times when he would train with his uncle, but usually they were long bamboo sticks. The techniques and stances were practically the same; it was just sharper and much heavier. Jason’s strength made the bamboo sticks feel like they weighed next to nothing, but the sword weighed enough to put slight strain on Jason’s arm. A human would still be able to lift the sword, but it would likely be with two hands. He held his sword with one hand and figured that would give him the most agility and flexibility in battle.
Jackson looked angry now. He had taken a few bruises and was bleeding from the right cheek, but wasn’t going down anytime soon. His clothes were torn slightly, but it didn’t seem to affect him much. Jackson gripped his sword tight and held it in a samurai-like stance. He was breathing heavy, which showed that Jason had at least caught him off guard enough to wind him. The two enemies stood there staring the other down. Jackson was the first to do anything, but instead of attacking, he spoke.
“This was what I was afraid of,” Jackson breathed.
“So you knew I’d be stronger than you?” Jason grinned.
“No, you idiot! I knew it was only a matter of time before you let that power get the best of you!”
“This power is going to help me save lives! There is nothing wrong with it!”
“Don’t you see?” Jackson cried, “No one can use that power for good. It is pure evil!”
“I’ve had enough of your words, you murderer,” Jason declared as he shot out at Jackson.
The swords clashed and the two were stuck in a battle of strength. Jason pushed with all of his might against Jackson, but he seemed to just be too strong. When it seemed that he was about to be throw off balance, Jason slid his sword up and spun away. Jason ran at Jackson, but he wasn’t trained enough with the blade. Jackson parried his attack and sliced right across Jason’s right shoulder. Jason yelled out in pain, but didn’t stop trying to attack. He released a funnel of darkness, distracting Jackson and giving him an opening. Jason slashed at his enemy, but again had his attack blocked. Jackson had definitely been trained to use the blade. Jackson pushed Jason’s blade away and set his elbow straight into Jason’s cheek. Jason stumbled backwards as Jackson got his distance.
“I will not stop,” Jason coughed, “You will die today,”
“No, Jason,” Jackson said firmly, “I won’t let this darkness get the best of you,”
“You’re talking to me about darkness? Ha! You are a cold-blooded murderer!”
“Jason, control yourself!” Jackson yelled, “I never murdered anyone!”
“Don’t you lie to me! I know what you did! You are the reason I’m all alone! You’re the reason the last of my family is dead!”
“Alfred is dead?” asked Jackson almost shocked.
Jason was confused. He knew Alfred, the much was clear, but he seriously didn’t seem to know that he’d died. It had to be a lie or some kind of a trick that Jackson was pulling. Jason gripped his sword tighter and lunged out at him. His anger was boiling. He couldn’t even admit to it after all of this. Jason went wild. He was swinging rapidly out at Jackson. He tried blocking, but Jason just countered and broke the block. He finally made contact with Jackson, cutting him across the chest. It wasn’t a deep cut, but it was still progress. He could still win this. He used the darkness to throw Jackson’s feet out from underneath him. He sliced another wound into Jackson’s leg, this time, piercing deep. Jackson cried out in pain, but retained his focus. He blocked Jason’s next strike and they were again at a standoff of strength.
“Jason, why the hell would I kill Alfred? He was like family to me!” Jackson declared.
What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Jason asked angry and confused.
“Dammit!” Jackson cried out, “You have no idea what we are, do you?”
“I know exactly what I am!” Jason declared angrily. He spun and slashed another wound into Jackson side. Jackson shot back to get some distance, but Jason followed right behind him. Jason went for another slice, but Jackson kicked the blade away and delivered a few punches to Jason’s face. With a flash of heat, Jason was thrown back against the rooftop floor. He was slow getting up. He had been waiting for Jackson to strike, but the attack never came. Jackson didn’t seem entirely eager to fight him. Jason got to his feet and gritted his teeth. Was he even taking this seriously?
“Jason, this doesn’t have to go down like this,” Jackson said sincerely, “We can solve this without fighting!”
“Don’t you dare try to talk me out of this…you brought this on yourself!” Jason cried. Jason dashed for Jackson, sword lowered, ready to make a fatal blow. Jason leapt from side to side, waiting for Jackson to make a move first, but instead he did nothing but wait. As Jason went in for the strike, Jackson him by the wrist and threw him across the roof. Jason flew a short distance, but quickly stabilized and landed on his feet. Jackson wasn’t even fighting back anymore. He was just toying with him now. Jason’s blood was raging. He could feel his insides shifting. The angrier he got, the more his head began to hurt. He could feel something…inside him. It was clawing at his soul. It was begging him to be set free. He was losing control. This had to end.
“Jason, stop!” Jackson cried, “I didn’t kill Alfred. I would never harm such an old friend. He and I knew each other before Forge was overrun! Before the war!”
“You came from Forge?” asked Jason, almost not wanting to believe him.
“Yes, we both did.” Jackson admitted.
“Alfred said we were the only ones…he said no one else could have survived!” Jason cried.
“He didn’t know about me…no one did. I had to fight through the Quixons just to get to the last ship. You and Alfred were taking off just as I got there.”
“So you’ve followed me all these years then? Just waiting until I was away from Alfred to attack?”
“I was reckless and feared for this world. I knew what you held inside and I couldn’t let that be unleashed on this world. They are harmless.”
“This power wouldn’t have come out if you hadn’t provoked me!”
“No, it came out because you’re lost! You don’t have anyone to hold your hand anymore and like a child, you simply reacted out of emotion!”
“Don’t you dare act like you know anything about me! I lost everything! My family is dead and n-.”
“My family is dead too!”
Jason calmed himself a bit. He was right. Jackson was Aspen, just like him. He’d come here alone too, probably very young. He left his family back in the war on Forge. They were more alike than he’d realized. Jason began to lower his sword. Maybe he didn’t have to fight him. Jason was starting to believe that maybe he really didn’t kill his uncle. Suddenly, Jason froze in place. He couldn’t move anything. He tried to move his arms and legs, but it was as though everything had been struck with paralyses. Without being able to control himself, something else began to operate his body. He took a step forward and raised his sword again.
Jason could hear a voice in his head. It was commanding him to attack. It was ordering him to strike. It was pushing him to kill. Unable to control himself, Jason leapt forward and released the darkness. Jackson fended it off with a few slashes off his sword, but now Jason was upon him. Whatever was in control fought like an animal. Ruthless slash