Myths and Gargoyles by Jamie Hawke (interesting books to read in english txt) 📕

“Seems I can’t strike the blade that made me,” he said, pulling me under so that I lost the ability to respond. He was clearly working my grappling skills now, his blade fading and mine falling from my grip, in spite of how hard I was working to ensure that didn’t happen.

My breath threatened to break free, the water pushing down all around me, and then a voice said, “Don’t let it win. You and the sword are connected now. Embrace it.”

It was his voice, but from inside my head.

I struggled, hating the fact that the lake’s surface shimmered above us, darkness all around. Everything in me said this was it, that if I didn’t beat him, I’d drown down here. But it wasn’t about beating him, it was about learning.

With that thought in mind, I focused on what the situation was. What could I learn? For one, this world was a spiritual one, but still very real. Arthur was a spirit, though, and not himself exactly. I wondered… Not struggling now, but focusing on the fact that it was me against a spirit, and suddenly I was free, his arms passing through me like a ghost. And then I was diving for my blade.

But Arthur whisked around me, taking on the form of the water itself and then Nivian was there in her mermaid form, going for the sword as well. I felt the need for air and started to panic as I saw her mischievous smile. In that crazed state my mind jumped to the worst conclusions, sure she was there to help steal back Excalibur for Arthur, and that this had all been a ruse for that one purpose.

My ladies had made it very clear to me that I needed that sword, that it was part of this battle, and so I remembered Arthur’s teaching, about how it was connected to me, and I reached for it, pulling with my mental energy.

In a flash it was flying through the water, blade first and nearly cutting Nivian’s tail. It shot up to me and I reached out, grabbing the hilt and letting it pull me to the surface. I emerged and stood there with the sword raised for a moment before I processed the clapping and cheering from my team, now fully clothed and standing at the lake’s shore.

Arthur and Nivian rose to the surface a moment later, all laughs.

“Boy, you’re a fast learner,” Arthur said as he stood next to me, a hand on my shoulder. Nivian started swimming back to shore, where she stepped out, tail turning into legs.

“I have to be,” I replied. “I was thrown in the deep end. Before with Pucky, and now… literally.”

“That you were.” Motioning back toward shore, he led the way, talking as we went. “I wanted to see what you’re capable of, Jack. And I have to admit that you’ve impressed me. But that doesn’t mean it’ll be easy by any means.”

“Sir—” I started, but he glanced over, about to correct me. “I know, no majesty, no sir? Right. Arthur… Thank you.”

“For?”

“You don’t know me, you’ve been around so long and likely met so many people on both sides of the spectrum of good and evil. But you’re here, with me, helping me to become a better fighter.”

“Not just fighter. Protector. I mean to see that you cultivate your inner core, that you become the greatest version of you that you can be. We’ll have you trained up on the blade with Red, magic with Pucky and myself, fighting the darkness with Sharon, and Elisa’s protection. In many ways, you have the perfect team.” He noticed my frown. “And yet, something’s bothering you.”

“All this, while Ra and the others are wreaking havoc on Earth.”

Arthur smiled, then laughed.

“I don’t see how it’s funny,” I replied, aghast.

“Jack, time doesn’t move the same in our world. Does it ever in these spiritual realms? There are pockets of space we can move through, and while it’s not time travel, it can slow or speed up how much time we want to have passed, based on where we enter.”

“Like portals in the Nether,” I said, nodding. “Yeah, I get it.”

He frowned. “I don’t think it’s the same, but yes, for now we’ll go with that.”

When we reached the shore, the others turned to Arthur anxiously.

“What’s the damage?” Pucky asked.

“He’s useless other than for a good lay, isn’t he?” Red said, but winked my way.

“You’ve found yourselves quite the Protector here,” Arthur replied. “The real test will come when he’s put up against the gods, but until then, Shades will have to do.”

“Shades?” I asked, glancing around, expecting them to come popping out of the shadows.

He nodded. “Not here though. In the mists. Let’s get you some more training in, then head over. We need your strength and stamina, but especially your speed, to level up quite a bit still. Well, best way to do that in here is to grind.”

48

Arthur and Nivian took off not too long after the lake exercise, saying they were going to scout out the mists, look for a good spot for someone at my level—thirteen, and with my current skills. I really wanted to ask him more questions, to spend more time getting to know this amazing figure from history and myths, but knew I’d get my chance later. He was a spirit now, after all, and didn’t exactly have anywhere to go aside from being with us, helping me. While they were gone, I’d gotten actual practice with knives and swords with Red, then spent some time with Elisa discussing her woven shirts and other defenses she knew.

We even had a moment to take a break for a snack, during which Pucky leaned against me and kissed my cheek.

“What was that for?” I asked.

“Because I’m about to kick your ass, and wanted you to know I lo—er, adore you, first.”

I arched an eyebrow. Then kissed her back, but this time