The Ragnix Circle

I stared at the large gate of the research center. I had one thing going for me, surprise. The sleek cars and limousines packed within the compound of the research center meant only one thing. The council was in attendance, which also meant that Ash was somewhere in the large complex.

I ducked into the alleyway as a guardian cruiser sped past. There were about twenty guardian cruisers in the compound and loads more guardians with them. I have to find a way in there. I peeped out through the alley way. Barely any trains passed this side and that reduced any distractions that might have helped me in my mission.

Magic.

I think this was the first time I had heard that voice speaking to me. It sounded very much like my own the only thing was, it resonated with a rare power in it. Focus Ty. I wondered why I had not thought about it but magic was going to be my way into the damn research center. What was the one thing that the guardians feared more than anything in the world? Easy, I answered myself, Le Fay. But he was already inside and they were not that stupid. But Le Fay is one of the true bloods. His family is a pure blooded family and so was mine.

It did not take me long to recall some of the sleek materials I had seen my father wear in the mornings as I set off for school. I kept my eyes open for a change and knew the magic could last for as long as I needed it to this time. I felt it around me, tingling with excitement as I manipulated it around me. For the practiced magic user, they would see the shimmer in my spell but to the rest, like the guardians. They would see Mr. Samuel Michaels, the last of Merlin’s line and leader of the Ragnix council.

I stepped out of the alleyway and walked towards the gate. I hoped it would work because of the silly self doubt I still had in me. As I passed the limos, cars and rovers, the guardians all stood at attention as I passed them. I smiled to myself, feeling smug. Is this how using magic really feels? I stepped through the revolving doors.

I was in the large reception hall where we had been a few days ago. The one thing I was not sure of was whether, they were going to use the same room they had used with Norbert or not. I had to find her, but chances were I might even be too late to help her. I knew how Ash’s mind worked so I hoped I would be able to feel it within the complex. I tried and got nothing of her mind. I feared the worst that they had already done it to her.

She has to be here. That was when I remembered Kasiman’s words a few weeks ago. She had told me about body doubles. It was a way to fool someone who was looking for you and many magic users used it when they were either hiding or trying to get away with something. ‘It requires a lot of concentration,’ she had said.

I took a deep breath and tried to do it, forgetting the last time I had done it. That had been a debacle and I had only managed to create a lousy double of my hand, much to Kasiman’s horror. This time I felt it happen to me. A stinging sensation gripped my entire body. It was as if they had thrown me into a hole full of bees. I almost collapsed on my feet as an enormous amount of energy was drained from me. I looked round at the perfect copies I had made, doubles of my dad. I counted seven. Not too shabby Tyler! I congratulated myself

It was a simple matter now and all I had to do was send them off all over the research center. It would reduce the time I would have wasted looking in some places and increased the chances I had of saving Ash. I waited for all the doubles to head off in different directions, before taking off towards the lab room where, we had watched Norbert become a useless vessel.

The guardians all seemed to be giving me anxious looks as I sprinted past and most of the alchemists hustled out of my way. It was a good thing that they could not see a seventeen year old boy running at them, but rather an older member of their government, the leader to be exact. I reached the room adjacent to the lab where we had seen Norbert virtually die. I walked up to the glass wall and stared into the empty and dark lab.

“Crap,” I snarled. I pounded on the glass and bundled into the darkness. A holographic mirror. That only meant we were that close to where Norbert was actually killed. My eyes were failing to adjust to the darkness of the room and only the dim light from the other section of the room made it barely visible for me to see.

“You need light,” I spoke to myself. I formed the small levitating fire close to me, and it went well to lighting the room. I almost jumped out of my skin as my eyes landed on Norbert’s lifeless body on the floor. It dint smell or anything like that and neither was it alive. He still had on the clothes he had been putting on, on Saturday. I nudged him with the tip of my shoe to be sure he was not going to come alive like one of those zombies I had seen in some old movie collection in my dad’s library.

Once I was sure there was zero life in Norbert’s body, I walked round the room looking for any secret keys. This was an alchemist center after all and the chemical magic users were known for their deviousness. After going round the room close to about ten times, I sat next to Norbert’s lifeless body. Just as I was about to go into a self made depression at my failure, something tugged at my mind. Something forced me to look at my connection with one of the doubles.

It was somewhere deep in the lower levels of the research center and all I knew was that it actually was looking at the council. The Ragnix council seemed to have converged round something, or someone. Maybe Ash was where this double of mine was. I had to get to it as soon as possible and then figure out a way to get Ash and myself out of here.

I was sprinting at a break neck speed, sending people flying to the sides and bottles to the floor with only one care and goal. I located an elevator leading to the lower levels of the center.

“Hold it,” I cried as the doors were sliding shut.

I slipped into the confined box and found myself with two other people. A female alchemist who had high cheek bones, striking red hair and a very thin nose, all of which made her look quite noble. Her half moon glasses hung at the very tip of her nose adding a slight hint of normal to her features. She held a tray of red liquids in her hands. She shifted them to the side and gave me a quizzical look.

The other occupant of the elevator was a guardian man. He had no neck what so ever, with a very flat nose and high forehead. His large beefy arms cradled his gun. He had small shifty blue eyes and he too, looked at me quizzically.

“Mr. Michaels,” the woman spattered. “We saw you upstairs heading upstairs.”

You must have seen one of the doubles. “Oh no,” I said. I dint know if I trusted my voice but I continued. “Your eyes must have been playing games with you miss.”

“Ah nah sir,” the guardian spoke slowly. The stench of alcohol steamed out of his mouth. “We saw what we saw. You took the elevator next to this one heading up.”

“I say you both dint see clearly.”

“I know what I saw.” The woman stared at me firmly.

I hated what I was going to have to do. I actually dint hate it but rather loathed it. “Do you question me,” I said trying to sound annoyed. “I could have your jobs and heads for this.”

That seemed to do the trick for me because their awkward and inquisitive questions. However, it dint stop them from giving me the odd look. I knew the link I was following and was not surprised to see them stay with me until the very last floor.

The lift suddenly stopped. I watched the doors slide open. I made to get out and nearly bumped into the guardian.

“Sorry sir,” he said stepping back. “I assume you are headed towards the demonstration.”

“Ah. Yes. Of course I am.”

I walked out and heard them following me as I headed towards the projection of my father. The thread from my double was invisible to them but I knew they were watching me carefully. If they continued to follow me, they would discover that I was not really going to the observation they were talking about.

“Don’t you feel sorry for the girl?” That question spiked my interest. Could they be talking about Ash? I slowed my steps to let them catch up with me. Maybe they could hint on something without me having anything to say.

“I’m just glad I was not born a pleb.”

“But really, you should feel for the girl,” the guardian said. “Who knows what the pure bloods will come up with next? We are still lower class miss, and we might be next in the line.”

“We still have time.”

“Why should you feel sorry for the girl?” I asked them nonchalantly once they were a few steps behind me.

“No reason sir.” The lie was as plain as day.

“Speak honestly alchemist.”

“Miss don’t do it,” the guardian spoke cautiously.

“Come now.” I had to press my advantage, feeling the alchemist’s emotions beginning to take over. “I won’t have you punished.”

I turned on the spot to look deep in her eyes. Fear and confusion was playing on her mind and I could read it as much as I could read any book. I knew the guardian was on her case and she would not say a word if he was still around. I had to think fast if I wanted her to speak honestly. I glanced at the guardian and knew why he was cautious, he fancied her.

“Don’t worry Tobias,” I grabbed the name from inside his head. “We’re all going in the same direction. You go on ahead and let me speak to the alchemist here.”

“Sir I have orders from chief Avian and Mr. Le Fay.”

“I supersede them both,” I resorted to using words I was sure my old man would have no trouble using.

The guardian walked ahead but he was hesitant to leave me alone with the alchemist. I waited until he was too far ahead to hear a word I spoke. The alchemist looked at me scared out of her wits. The color of emotion radiating from her meant she was seriously bothered by my interest in her. I saw that her left hand was readily hanging over the small jars and casks round her white overcoat.

“Relax,” I said quickly. “I am actually not Mr. Michaels.”

“Then who are you?” Her hand got closer to her magical instruments.

I looked round to make sure no one was coming and the guardian was still walking on ahead. “I’m Tyler. Tyler Bennett.”

“Bennett?”

“Yeah.”

“I don’t know that line,” she said.

“I’m the kid of Michaels and Aperdian.”

“What are you doing here?”

“I’m here to try and save the girl.” I hoped the smoldering flame of anger I had seen in her eyes a while back was actually there.

“Why?”

“Well…it’s…complicated.” I could not help stammering my answer.

“Talk and you better tell me how one with such a pleb like name can actually use magic to fool us.”

“If I tell you,” I said. “I put your life in danger. Besides I already did both of those small things.”

“If I don’t enter that room with these liquids,” she smiled. “I’m already in danger of being fired or killed. Mr. Le Fay hates delays.”

“Will you help me,” I begged. “Please.”

She looked at me as if she was weighing me. This was the first time in my whole life that I had to depend on another person for help.

“What do you need?” she asked suddenly.

“You’re going to help me?”

“Hurry up before I change my mind.”

“I need to find her.”

“If I help you,” she said shifting the tray from her right to left hand. “Promise me you’ll get me out of here.”

“I swear on my father’s name.”

“Ok,” she said. “Follow me.”

I followed her down the hallway hoping my magic was still holding up. After taking close to three confusing tunnels, we found ourselves approaching a silver door with a wooden handle. How ironic? I could hear voices behind the closed door. She checked her steps and turned to me. She pulled out one of her small casks from her belt. She handed it over to me making sure none of the liquids on the tray spilled.

“Drink this.”

“What will it do?”

“Make you unseen for a while.”

I took one swig from the cask and handed it back to her. I looked at my hand begin to fade into the light. It was as if I was becoming part of the air. I felt my energy beginning to wane and the connection between me and the doubles fade. I have to make them disappear. I could not help making sure that the double closest to Ash was the last one I reunited with my mind.

“I will open the door,” the alchemist said. “Step in before I do.” It was true the alchemists made magic in this form. “There’s one more thing.” What else could possibly be added to her mind blowing potion? “You can only move around,” she said. “You’re part of the air and can’t hold anything physical until the potion begins to wane. Your voice will sound like a simple breeze passing through.”

Just great, what the hell have I gotten myself into?

She pulled the handle downwards and the door swung inside. I made to step in quickly before she could step in. It was a hexagonal room, lit by blue fluorescent tubes and lined with tables and alchemist instruments near those tables. The council members sat in a large semi circle staring in one corner. Avian, the chief alchemist was bent over in the corner, his hands busy with something. The guardian who had been with us in the elevator stood at the side of the door and I noticed his relieved sigh as the female alchemist walked in.

“It has worked,” Avian said standing erect. “With a little combination of copper, iron and hints of my blood I have managed to get to the early workings of blood magic.” He turned his attention to the alchemist who had helped me. “Took you long enough, Gina. Bring that concoction here.” The female alchemist flitted past me. I saw her eyes sweep past my position. She handed the tray over to Avian. He placed it down on the table to his right. He lifted one of the beakers gently and placed it in his palm presenting it to the council. “This, esteemed council, is my way for other magic users that lack your capabilities to do what you can with blood magic. All they have to do is add a drop of their blood to it and recite the spell Mr. Le Fay suggested and it happens.”

“Good,” one of the council members gushed.

For the first time I saw all the Ragnix council members properly. They all sat there looking past Avian, probably at what was behind him. I moved to a better position, careful not to knock over anything. Plus, seeing as the council was made of the purest and strongest of magic users in the world, it was only a matter of time before they discovered there was someone else in the room.

Le Fay was easy to make out in his white tailored suit, sitting in the middle of the semicircle.

“Perhaps we should give Turner to the alchemists,” the lady to his right said. It was Nina’s mother, again. Her spiky pink hair seemed more threatening than usual. She had on a green body hugging sleeveless dress ending just above her knees. I could make out the tattoo of a tiger’s paw emerging onto her right arm.

“I wished to start with this pleb,” Avian said.

“No,” Nina’s mum snapped.

“Come now, Monica,” Le Fay turned and stared right through me before turning back to the chief alchemist. “Best way to test his theory to us.”

“No Damian,” Mrs. Ming snarled. “That pleb there has hurt my child long enough. I will take her power for my own.”

“Power, what power is this?” Avian asked confused. “I thought…”

“Nothing Avian just remember your job,” Le Fay said giving Mrs. Ming an alarmed stare.

I looked behind Avian the chief alchemist as soon as Nina’s mum said that. I let out a scream as soon as I saw her. I clapped my hand over my mouth realizing I was in a den of enemies right now. Lucky for me, I thought remembering the little fact that my voice could not come out. I looked at Ash.

There was barely any color in her skin. Her lip was swollen and bleeding and her blonde hair was stained red from some hidden head wound. The guardians must have beaten her. Her heart was beating faintly but at least she was alive.

“Before you two get into that argument,” an overly grown man said. “Was it just me or was there an unnatural breeze through this room.”

Gina’s eyes bulged slightly and I felt her pulse and heart beginning to race. She would give it away if I did nothing.

“Please Vladimir,” Mrs. Ming snapped.

“He’s right Monica.”

Le Fay seemed to be looking directly at me. I moved away, edging me towards Avian and luckily, Damian’s eyes stayed locked on my former position. The distance had somehow made Ash look more battered and injured than she actually was.

“Move,” Mrs. Ming stood up and sauntered towards Ash. “I’ll have her now.”

“Please don’t Monica,” Le Fay pleaded.

“Avian will have Turner and his pick of those at the school,” Monica said. She used magic and made a deep cut on her hand. A reflection off her wrist brought my eyes to the weird looking watch. She reached for Ash’s hand forcing a wince from Ash. “Open your eyes.” Ash’s eyes fluttered open. She looked at the council woman weakly but still defiant. “I want you to be awake when I do this to you.” Mrs. Ming reached for her hand and begun the blood magic spell.

I was helpless, knowing that there was literally nothing I could do to stop Monica Ming. The rest of the council just stared at her unconcerned at what she was doing. Le Fay smiled at the chief alchemist. “I guess you shall have to make do with the pleb principal.”

“But about this power Mr. Le…”

“Forget about it.” The ancient man who had almost caught me snarled.

Turner was in trouble, if this plan worked out. I watched as the white light brightened around Ash’s chest. Her eyes were wide open staring at the metal on Mrs. Ming’s hand. That is when I realized it. It was different compared to the other time when I had seen it being done to Norbert. It was as if the light was moving from Ash’s chest to the watch on Mrs. Ming’s hand. I had to stop it.

Concentrating all my will power on the particular trick I intended to do, I cast a heating spell on the metal watch on Monica Ming’s hand. She winced as I felt the vibrant energy entering the watch and that which was already in it begin to fight off the spell. Suddenly she pulled her hand away from Ash, leaving the spell halfway but Ash collapsed onto the ground, completely out. Her already pale skin was chalk white now. She was holding on, just barely. Her heart beat was growing fainter with each passing moment.

“There’s someone in here,” Mrs. Ming snarled.

“What do you mean?” Avian asked.

“There,” Mrs. Ming pointed to his side, directly at me. She waved her hand effortlessly and waited. I felt the effects of the potion that Gina the alchemist had given me begun to wear off. “The alchemist wind potion would have worked if you had not tried to burn my family’s watch off my hand.” She was looking directly at me.

“What is the meaning of this?” Avian asked.

I had to act fast, before the sleeping dogs woke up. My body was slowly becoming visible and I saw the realization in Le Fay and many of the other council members’ eyes as they saw me.

“It’s the boy from the school,” the one called Vladimir said.

“We can all see that Vlad,” Le Fay was on his feet. “How did you get into this secure center pleb?”

“Cut the crap,” Mrs. Ming snarled. “Grab him. He can’t be allowed to escape here and tell of our plans.”

“I doubt he heard all of them.” Le Fay steadily sauntered towards me.

“First of all, you arrogant pukes,” I said putting myself between the rest of the council and Ash. “I’m not actually a pleb. My mum would probably kill me for assuring you about this but what the hell. I’m of Merlin and Aperdian blood.”

“You lie,” Le Fay seemed a little fazed.

“Nope, I have both black and white dragons Le Fay.”

“I don’t care,” Mrs. Ming said. I smelled the burning cloth on me long before she had finished her magic. She wanted to burn me alive but I was too fast for her to finish her task. My hand shot out onto her chin knocking her over and breaking her concentration. Using my mind I erected a glass wall between the Ragnix council and the five people in the corner, Ash, Mrs. Ming, Avian, Gina the alchemist and I. The guardian tried firing his bullets into the glass wall but they had no effect.

As I turned back, Mrs. Ming was regaining her bearings and was heading towards Ash to finish her off. I would not reach her on time but luckily Gina hit her on the head with one of the trays, breaking a lot of flasks and flasks in the process.

“You ungrateful little alchemist,” Monica Ming roared.

I used that moment to send the pieces of broken glass and plastic into her neck. She clutched at her throat as the broken bits went in deeper. I clenched my fist to break them into smaller pieces as they continued darting into her. Blood spurted out of her mouth as she tried to speak. I felt Le Fay and the others magic hammer at the glass wall I had created. It was about to burst.

I broke the glass into a million pieces sending them flying at the council. Luckily I knew their next move so I turned the glass into water drenching them from head to toe. Freezing the water in the air, I threw Mrs. Ming’s almost lifeless body at them hoping it would break a few of them.

“Nooooooo,” Avian screamed reaching for me.

Again Gina came to my rescue. She poured the contents of one her casks onto the old alchemist. The smell of burning skin filled the space around us. Avian kicked out in rage but weakly. I finished Gina’s work for her, imagining an oak tree’s roots on top of Avian. It appeared crushing the chief alchemist under it. The tree root disappeared and Avian lay there motionless.

“Help me,” I said to Gina as I kicked Avian’s body out of the way and grabbed Ash. She was barely alive now. Her pulse was as faint as the whispering patters of a light drizzle in the forest. Together with the alchemist I stepped out of the room and we made our way back towards the elevator.

“Cast one of your spells Tyler.” Gina leaned against the wall of the elevator as it went towards the higher levels.

“Why?”

“We’re escaping boy and this,” she pointed at both me and Ash who I held, “looks weird.”

I saw what she meant and tried to cast a spell. I hoped it would work. Gina came and helped me carry Ash as the elevator neared the reception floor.

“Try a proper spell.”

I tried again imagining a curtain of thick air around our trio. Anyone that looked in our general direction would see right through us.

Our escape through the reception floor of the research center was risk free thanks to the ingenious freezing spell and thick air spell. Once we were out in the open, the alchemist poured another liquid on the ground we walked on. I was too worried about Ash to give a damn about whatever she was doing.

“We should separate from here Tyler,” the alchemist said depositing all Ash’s weight on me. “I owe you one now.”

“No you don’t,” I said quickly.

“Whatever,” she said. She turned away from the alleyway I had placed my bike. “You’ve killed a member of Ragnix’s council. They will hunt you down and better pray her children don’t find out it was because of a pleb.”

“Why?”

“It will be the end of the world as we know it Tyler.”

“I know but thanks.”

“Anytime and one day I shall repay the debt,” she said.

“Where will you go?”

“As far away from here as I possibly can,” Gina smiled. “There those that will help whoever is not for the council.” With those words she left me to try and get Ash to my dad’s house.