By Joshua David Ling (Rated PG)
Read more of this story here.
47: The Fate of William Avery
On a dark and overcast night,
William returned to his dwelling.
The air seemed ominous,
dark, and compelling.
The hair stood up
on the back of his neck
And as he went inside,
his emotions were a wreck.
It had been six months exactly
since his life was destroyed.
His one-note emotion had become paranoid.
Every day became quite a chore.
In many ways, he was a prisoner of war.
His diet had consisted of crackers and ketchup,
Which he took from a nearby fast-food chain’s setup.
His boredom was fought by endless training.
And reading his Bible whenever that became draining.
And though he was lonely in his dark home,
He knew that he was never alone.
He prayed to God every day,
That all this misunderstanding would go away.
He prayed that Fenris and Fortune would be safe.
And soon they’d all be restored to their rightful place.
But one night his prayer was completely disrupted
By sudden hail and strange sounds that erupted.
48: A Rocky Start
A purple mist filled the room as William grabbed his sword Knox.
He stood by the doorway, fully prepared,
because he had no locks.
He had to protect his dwelling by any and all means.
Then his periphery was invaded by quite an amazing scene.
He turned and looked and saw a young woman,
But only for a short moment.
He thought he saw her with a cowboy hat.
Then the mist became potent.
He saw shapes begin to form
and swirl around in tandem.
And for William’s non-superstitious mind
This was quite hard to fathom.
A purple misty black shadow
Beckoned William cold and slow.
“William Avery- ” Came a voice he heard.
“Come to me and hear-“
Girl Voice: “Please, Bobby. That barely worked on me.”
Then William struck out in a slashing spree.
The action was quite hard to follow through the purple smoke.
He slashed at the cowgirl furiously as the shadow made a joke.
Purple Shadow: “Wow, you’re quite the easy crowd.
You react exactly how I want.”
Cowgirl: “Stop it Bobby! This isn’t a game!
Quit it with the taunts!”
The shadows ceased and standing there was a cowgirl and a magician.
Cowgirl: “We are friends, William Avery. That is our position.”
William: “Why should I trust you? You broke in here
And trashed a place of God.”
Bobby: “This place was already trashed.
So really, it wasn’t that hard.”
William: “Stand before me, sorcerer,
and say that to my face!”
Bobby: “Any day, any time, Lancelot.
But here is not the place.”
At that William struck out at the magician
With his longsword Knox.
The sword hit only air and smoke,
This mage was quite a fox!
Laughter permeated the Church
And then, it all began to shake.
And the sound of thunder striking the Church
Made William’s strong legs quake.
Cowgirl: “ENOUGH!”
The cowgirl shouted
Loudly breaking up the fight.
Cowgirl: “My name is Cyrus Jones, William.
And we’re here to set things right!”
49: The Mission
After the confusion had come to a close,
Cyrus cleared a table.
The three unlikely heroes sat,
Ready, willing, and able.
Cyrus dialed a special number
on her mobile phone.
And the computerized voice of Mr. H came
After a fake dial tone.
Mr. H: “Am I on speaker, Cyrus? Is William there with you?”
Bobby: “What am I, chump change, Mr. H? I don’t want to have to sue.”
Mr. H: “No, I’m glad if all three are there. William, do you hear me?”
William: “Who is this? What’s going on?”
Cyrus: “Just listen and you’ll see.”
Mr. H: “As you three well know, something is happening at Stone Mountain.
I have gathered you all together to become a knowledge fountain.
From you will flow the information that we all seek.
And we will save Quinton Fenris. I know he grows weak.”
Bobby: “What are we waiting for? Where do we begin?”
William: “And how did you know where Master Fenris has been?”
Mr. H: “I am the leader of COURAGE, a Coalition of sorts.
That is, we run our operation with many ports.
People of all different backgrounds and lives.
With many worldviews, but one thing abides.
We all believe no one man should rule.
And One World Government would be incredibly cruel.
Thus in order to squelch this fire
We formed The Coalition Of Underground Resistances
Against Global Empire.”
William: “So you’re going to help me save my Master?”
Mr. H: “That is the plan. Is that what you’re after?”
William: “If you are truthful, I see no other way.”
Cyrus: “Looks like we’ve got ourselves a mission today.”
Mr. H: “It is decided then. You will follow William’s lead.
Be sure to tell me anything you all will need.
Shieldmaiden’s information will show you where Fenris is.
I am texting you that, Cyrus. Go find this Master of his.”
50: Hidden Plans
In a small office room in Alethea Church
Dodd entertained some clients –
A man in a suit and short haircut
Who seemed completely self-reliant.
But the man who commanded the most attention
Sat relaxed with them.
He was a man in his forties with a bald head,
And glee was his face’s anthem.
Bald Man: “You’ve done well, Dodd.
I’ve been impressed.
You’ve gone much further-
Than I’ve asked.”
Self-reliant Man: “Still, Stone Mountain is not ready yet.
And your followers have made sure of that.”
Dodd: “I’ve proved to you that a few rogue knights
Are not a problem, Clipper.
I’ve adjusted my plans accordingly.”
Bald Man: “Yes you have. And Thank you for the dinner.”
The bald man got up and began to pace
And think through things to say.
Bald Man: “While there have been some setbacks,
few stand in our way.
Now if only Phillip would work harder in New York
This whole business would be behind us.
Do you have some more pork?”
Clipper passed the pork and replied,
Clipper: “I’m headed there myself.
I’ll earn your pride.
I’ll be there to personally oversee
That the girl is properly prepared for what you plan her to be.”
Bald Man: “Good, Clipper, good.”
Dodd: “Who is this girl?”
Clipper: “Something by our contract that can’t be unfurled.”
Bald Man: “Just understand, Dodd,
you’ll help your community.
And isn’t that exactly what you want to be?
A helper to those less fortunate than you?”
Master Dodd looked down and replied,
Dodd: “I do.”
Bald Man: “Well then, thank you for the meal, but I must go.”
Clipper: “I as well, Dodd. See you at the show.”
The two left and Dodd sat there all alone.
But a moment later, behind a curtain, a bright orange skirt was shown.
Dodd stood up and moved toward the curtain.
He pulled it back and discovered Fortune Anderson.
Dodd: “Fortune?” He said as she swallowed nervously.
Dodd: “Were you eavesdropping?” Fortune said,
Fortune: “Surely.”
Dodd: “Come with me please, Fortune, we need to talk.”
He grabbed Fortune’s arm, and she walked with Master Dodd.
51: Finish The Job
Kevlar suits of armor skulked,
In the shadows near I-75.
Armed with weapons of many sorts,
They aimed for a sudden surprise.
Tyson Holmes tailed Brock, his friend,
And then whispered in his ear.
Tyson: “I don’t like this one bit, Brock.”
Brock: “I don’t believe what I hear.
You’re questioning Malachi Dodd this far in?
William betrayed our Order, man.”
Tyson: “I know, I just want him brought back warm.
But I’m not sure if we can.”
Brock: “Just be careful,”
He said with shifting eyes.
“Master Dodd says
He’s been gathering allies.”
Tyson nodded
And maintained pace,
Though his heart was certainly
In another place.
52: The Knights Attack
Back at the old stone Church where
William sat with Bobby and Cyrus,
They were working on a plan together
to save Master Fenris.
Bobby: “I don’t know, man. If your bro’s
Are half as jumpy as you,
I think that we can scare them all
Halfway to Timbuktu.”
Cyrus: “And if that fails, we’re dealing with
A host of strong, trained Knights.”
William: “We may not have to wait for that.
Look out the window to your right.”
They looked out the window and saw twenty knights
Staring back at them.
William: “Listen quickly!” He said, rising,
“Though they are strong men,
They will not overtake us,
If we do this right!
Wizard, stand twenty feet from the door.
Your wand, have by your side.
Cyrus is it? Come with me.
I have a plan for you.
We’re going up to the roof.
Do exactly as I say to do.”
A few minutes later, the knights moved in.
They opened the door and were greeted within
By purple shadows and sounds of many a different shape,
And William walked downstairs and threw aside his cape.
As he did, the knights shivered,
And a lightning bolt added effect to their quiver.
Bobby’s illusion grew strong on Will,
Who now seemed so tall that the room was filled.
He spoke while Cyrus accented his tone
With currents of rain, and thunder that shook them to the bone.
William: “Leave this place now if you value your soul.
Leave and never come back.”
He then drew Cromwell into his hands
As lightning and thunder cracked.
53: The Great Divide
Fortune was lead by Master Dodd
To the backstage area of the Church.
They stood behind a curtain quietly
And slowly began to converse.
Dodd: “Fortune, I know how things seem,
But you have been most loyal.
Please don’t turn you back on me now.
Please don’t hide or coil.”
Fortune: “Master Dodd, you are holding
Master Fenris hostage.
You say you’re trying to help people,
But you’re hurting others in the process.”
Dodd: “I know what you say is true, Fortune.
I really truly do.
But that man you saw will help me help Atlanta.”
Fortune: “But what cost will this accrue?
Please tell me what his plans are!”
Dodd: “I do not fully know.
But something is on or around Stone Mountain.
And he has us protecting it’s shadow.”
Fortune: “Master Dodd, No matter what
help you can bring to our community,
You have hurt the sons of God.
You’ve hurt our family!
Master Fenris is our friend
No matter what our differences may be.
I am on the side of William.
On which side will you be?”
Just then in a flash, Fortune flipped a switch.
The curtains opened and the Knights were there.
They had heard everything that was said.
Every single stitch.
Fortune tapped a lapel mic
She had fastened to her dress,
And everyone in the sanctuary,
Stared on, utterly distressed.
The Knights seemed split,
And factions seemed to form.
Fortune thought: “This could get bad.”
But Brock Townsend burst in to warn.
Brock: “They’ve broken into the warehouse!
They’re taking Master Fenris!
If we hurry we might be able to stop them!”
Dodd: “Move out, knights! Advance!”
This was the tipping point of the scale.
As knights and dames made a choice.
Would they follow Fortune or Dodd?
And heed they which strong voice?
As some went to carry orders out,
The others stood in their way.
Soon a riot began to break out.
The knights would fight this day.
Not against the forces of evil,
But brother against brother.
On one side stood the Soldiers of Fortune.
And Malachi Dodd’s on the other.
54: The Call To Battle
It didn’t take long to rescue Fenris
Once they learned his location.
The Knights grew more terrified of William
With every one of Bobby’s vibrations.
They entered his room and woke him from his sleep.
His eyes were red and his complexion was bleak.
Fenris: “William- you’re here?
Who are these two?”
William: “No time to explain.
But they’ve proved friends, too true.
Now come Master, let’s get you on your feet.”
And without a word, William pulled Fenris up and he gave a screech.
William sat him back down in haste.
Cyrus: “His legs are broken. We’ll have to carry him.”
Bobby: “Man, these guys are a disgrace.”
William: “Do either of you have a phone?”
Both: “Yes.”
William: “Cyrus, an ambulance call.”
Just as she went to dial, it rang from a number she didn’t know at all.
Cyrus: “Hello, I’m sorry but I’m kind of busy.”
Fortune: “Don’t hang up, Cyclone!
This is Shieldmaiden! Seriously!
You need to get down to Alethea Church!
Everything has combusted!
The knights have all taken one side or another,
against those that they once trusted!”
Cyrus looked at her friends with wide eyes.
Cyrus: “There’s a fight at Alethea Church.”
Fenris: “Go, William.”
William: “I’m on my way.”
And Fenris held his gut in a lurch.
Cyrus: “Hold on William! I’m coming too!”
She ran after him in a flash.
Bobby: “So I got old man duty?
I better get paid in cash!”
55: The Battle of Alethea Church
As William and Cyrus arrived at the Church,
They didn’t believe what they saw.
Knights and Dames with their swords drawn
Fighting each other tooth and claw.
William: “God help us.” William prayed
As he wandered into the fray.
But now we shift to Malachi Dodd
Who fought to get away.
Brock stood back to back with his master.
Protecting him at every side.
They tried to escape as quick as they could.
But there was nowhere to hide.
Pretty soon, a blade from a knife
Went into Malachi’s heart.
And it began the end of moments
For one Master Malachi Dodd.
However, only Dodd saw the blow
That would take his life from him.
It was the self-reliant man known as Clipper
Whose blade made his eyes go dim.
Brock moved back and fell over the body
Of his dearest Master.
The blood in Brock’s veins ran cold and thin
As his heart began to race faster.
He screamed and dropped his sword,
Holding his Master’s head.
William heard the primal scream of his rival
And looked over to see Malachi’s dread.
Meanwhile, Fortune was trying
To get the Knights to cease.
She stood on stage screaming into a mic,
but it didn’t help in the least.
Cyrus saw this and ran onstage
To do her best to help.
And a lightning bolt made everyone silent
After terrified yelps.
Fortune: “Don’t you see what you all are doing?
You are Knights devout!”
But even as she spoke
everyone began to notice
the death that lay all about.
She quietly bowed her head,
As she surveyed the scene.
two Dames and three Knights
Lay there dead between
The feet of those who fought for right
But now had hurt each other.
And for a moment, everyone mourned
Their lost sisters and brothers.
Malachi had few breaths left,
And spoke to William and Brock.
Dodd: “No matter how we may help people,
We must first work to serve God.
William, Brock, I’m so sorry.
I have failed you both.
I have broken my bond with all who I serve
And have forsaken my oaths.
Please tell Fenris, that I’m sorry. Please-”
And with that the breath of Malachi Dodd
Breathed it’s last and ceased.
Brock stood in utter shock
And then shoved William hard.
Fortune jumped down in between them.
Fortune: “Brock, stop! Have some regard!”
Brock stood silent for a moment,
And then yelled angrily.
Brock: “All of those who follow Fortune, stay here!
Everyone else, follow me!”
The Knights split that day, nearly fifty-fifty.
Almost completely in half,
And for several weeks there was almost no sound in Alethea.
No, not even a laugh.
All the Knights had stood for,
Was broken almost in two.
And Cyrus and Bobby stayed with Fortune and William
Until they knew what they would do.
56: The Guardians Of Atlanta
After a solid month, of funerals and of grieving,
Forgiveness had set in, and the Knights were still believing,
All except those who went with Brock.
They remained on the run.
But it was the Knights’ prayer,
That they’d return and kiss The Son.
The Knights’ program under Alethea Church for a month had been suspended.
But it was relaunched upon Fenris’ insistence, and to probation it was amended.
Under Fenris’ watchful eye, the Knights could begin anew.
And William, Fortune, Bobby, and Cyrus, were all about to break-through.
By that I mean they were called together by that cunning one, Mr. H,
They were to meet his representatives, and receive their wage.
They gathered at the abandoned Church William had lived in for a while
And soon a man and a woman entered in, both with broad, bright, smiles.
Man: “And here’s the four we came to see!” He stated with a New York accent,
“My name is Nick Tracer. And this is Layla Bonavent.”
Layla: “We’re proud of all you’ve done to protect your city and your Church.
And so to thank you as kindly as we can, here for each of you is a purse.”
Layla, a Beautiful Moroccan true, gave them each their payment.
She then stepped back, and the slick-haired Nick continued his verbal raiment.
Nick: “Like Layla’s said, you’ve all done well. H would like to offer you a position.
First to Fortune. I believe, Layla’s got that.”
Layla: “I do indeed. Here is your mission.
Should you choose to accept it, Fortune, we need help back in England.
You may bring the six best Knights with you, who are not named William.
You would be paid handsomely and would be, provided for in every way.
But if you agree, they’ll be no option.”
Nick: “What’s she’s saying is, we’re offering for you to lead “The Soldiers of Fortune.”
Nick snickered at his own joke and Fortune looked embarrassed.
She pushed her hair behind her ear, sighed, and then confessed
Fortune: “That really is a stupid name.”
Nick: “Come on! I think it’s clever!”
Fortune: “No. It isn’t. It’s a terrible name. But oh- I guess-… Whatever.
William, what do you think? Should I go or stay?”
William: “You’re my sister, Fortune, but I think this is the way-
In which you are called to go. People need your aid.”
Fortune nodded and hugged William,
Fortune: “I will not be afraid.”
She turned and smiled brightly, and with Layla left the Church.
Nick: “Well it seems Mr. H can finally end his search.
Not only for the job in England, but what I’m in charge of as well.
He’s been wanting a special task force in Atlanta,
To give the bad guys hell.
So far we’ve got Bobby and Cyrus. And they’re great, Will.
But we think they need a leader. And we think you fit the bill.”
William was taken aback, but could not help but smile.
Cyrus: “I agree with them William. We’d be stronger while
You were the man in charge of us, and how we work united.”
Bobby: “And I agree with them, man. You haven’t been shortsighted.
Maybe a little tight in the pants. But that’s something I can live with.”
Cyrus: “And my family has already bought this Church building.
And I’ve named it something from myth.
The Castell is the name that I chose for this place.”
William: “Like ‘castle?’ in Welsh?”
Cyrus: “Is that a problem?”
William: “No. I think it’s great.”
Nick: “You’d be paid on a regular basis, and whatever you need’s on me.
So whaddya-say Will? This team’s captain, will you be?”
William: “So Guardians of Atlanta is what H wants?
I think I can do it. But let’s pray to God.
Ask his blessing on this new life’s age.”
Nick: “Go ahead, Captain. you’ve got the stage.”
They bowed their heads as William began.
William: “God thank you for your glorious plan.
Bless us as Guardians here in the South.
And bless this people to praise you not just with mouth-
But with heart also. Bring this city to it’s knees.
And make it yours, God. Do whatever you please.
Heal us, and make us soldiers again.
Thank you for working in us.
In Jesus name, Amen.”
57: Finish What We Started
Dark lay that hidden room
Deep in an unknown place.
Cold lay the air so still
Within that haunted space.
Thirteen figures barely visible
In light levels nearing pitch
Stood around a near-lifeless body
Which had no will to resist.
Chanting, their deep throats a-rattle
Buzzing ‘neath their crimson cloaks
Courting spirits thrice defiled
In that hall of death and smoke.
Finally the chanting ceased
And waited they with baited breath,
But still the body gave no shudder,
And remained in pseudo-death.
“What the devil is going on?!?”
Rang a voice from being the dark,
And industrial lights activated in that room
With a bright and blinding spark.
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