I sat back in my chair and stared anxiously at the clock. Our teacher ended class early for us today, and for the first time in my life. I wish I was learning something in math.

All the students in my class were buzzing about homecoming and their dates. Which for me, only hammered in the fact that Zack and Alexis were going together. I tried my hardest to just ignore it, but I couldn’t. Not to mention I was starting to think about Annual again. I wasn't sure how I felt about her anymore. It was like a flood gate of emotions had been opened up, and I had no idea how to deal with any of it. I just, I hadn’t seen Annual in years. I blocked off my mind from thinking about her, and now everything was flooding back. I sighed and leaned back in my chair. Trying to fill my head with literally anything else.

BBRRRINNNGG

Thankfully the bell awakened to save me from my thoughts. I quickly got out of my chair. But as soon as I did,my teacher rushed over and slammed her hand on my desk.

“We need to talk to Mr. Beowulf.” She croaked.

My teacher Mrs. Bates was an older lady. She had short white curly hair. She was a bit on the short side, but that didn’t make her any less intimidating. Her eyes, they looked like they could suck the soul right out of you (no wonder she’s a math teacher.)

I gulped. “Y-yes, mam?”

But she didn't say a word. She just glared at me until everyone else was gone. Then she cleared her throat and began ripping me a new one.

Apparently, I had a low D that would drop to an F soon. And she was letting me know I needed to figure something out. Or else I'd be failing her class.

The sad part was, no one I knew could help me. Lux barely scraped by with a D in math, Zack paid people to do his homework. Alexis was an okay student, but she couldn't teach to save her life. And my social skills had much to be desired...I was always too nervous to ask someone in the class for help.

I walked outside staring at my report card. I was doing good in all my other classes, math was the only thing hurting me. Lux has already made it clear, I was going to college. And the likelihood of anyone paying for me to go was almost impossible. She got in at her university on a full-ride scholarship. I was not smart enough for all that. So I had no idea what I was gonna do. And a failing grade wasn’t helping...

I looked up for a moment, and I saw some familiar faces still hanging around. It was Zack, Alexis, and Valentina. Zack was talking to Alexis, he had a nervous smile on as he was talking. Alexis however, seemed as happy as could be. Then there was the bored Valentina. I felt so bad for her, being a third wheel and all. I folded up my report card and slid it into my pocket. Then I jogged over to them.

“Ah! Stryder! My best friend! What’s the haps? How's it going!” Zack called out as he quickly hopped over to me.

I was confused, but I pretended like it was normal.

“Hey guys, I just escaped the torture room known as algebra two.” I chuckled slightly as Alexis was now glaring at Zack.

I felt like I was intruding on something...

“What took you so long to get out?” Valentina spoke up.

I could see she was much more perked up now.

“Well, I might…Possibly be failing math..” I mumbled.

“Pfft that all? I got a guy named Miguel, does homework for a dollar.” Zack chimed in with a smirk.

He put his arm on my shoulder and leaned against me.

“What? No, I don’t have a dollar to give!” I snapped back. “Besides that’s not helping me learn, and it's dishonest.”

“Blah, blah, blah. I bet you just gave your money to the needy again.” I was quiet for a moment.

“T-that doesn't change what I said!” I huffed as Alexis chuckled.

“I could teach you Stryder.” Valentina chimed in.

“Really? I can’t pay you ya know?” I said softly as I looked over to her.

Then with the sincerest smile, I've ever seen before, she just shook her head.

“You don’t have to pay me, I'll do it for free.”

“I feel bad not paying you back somehow,” I replied.

“How about me and you talk sports? Then I’ll help.” She said cheerfully.

I did really need this help. Plus she was like the valedictorian in our school. It’s like getting help from a master. I was about to agree. But my words were lost to the wind when I heard police sirens going off. Which wasn’t unusual here. But not one, not two, but seven or eight cars were flying down the street.

“What’s going on?” Alexis asked as we all shrugged.

She jogged over to the school’s entrance, and we all followed behind her. As we made our way over to the entrance, we all jumped at the sound of a loud explosion. We looked down the street toward the sound, and I couldn’t believe my eyes. The cops had barricaded around something down the road. There was this huge flame coming from behind the car barricade.

“The hell is that!?” Zack yelled.

Suddenly we could hear gunshots going off and screaming.

“I don’t know. But let's get out of here!” I yelled.

I pulled Valentina closer to me, guarding her just in case a stray bullet came.

They all seemed to agree with me, and we ran down the opposite end of the road. I was behind the group when I heard another loud explosion. I looked back and saw a flaming police car, flying back from the barricade. I saw a heavier set man trying to run away from its path as it bounced on the ground like a kicked soda can. I immediately stopped and ran back at top speed to him. When I got close enough I leaped forward and tackled the man out the way. The car crashed down and we rolled out the way to safety.

I sat up immediately and checked to see if the guy was alright. But as soon as we stopped rolling he shoved me off of him. He got up fast and ran down the road screaming. I wasn’t mad though, I was just happy he was okay. But that peace didn’t last long as a monstrous roar ripped through the air. It sent shivers down my spine as I looked back toward the barricade. I could see the thing walking around in it. I didn’t see much, but it looked like a monster in there.

“Yo, Stryder! We gotta-” Zack had come back over to me now with a panicked expression on his face. But he stopped talking once we heard that thing yell again.

“Bring me the Knight!” The thing roared again.

I squinted my eyes down the street to the barricade. I was hoping to get a better look at the thing, but I wasn’t prepared for what I saw. Bodies upon bodies laying before his feet. Cops, and civilians. Then behind him, I could see a group of people huddled up. They looked like his hostages. Suddenly Zack yanked me back into reality.

“Focus! We need to suit up” Zack yelled.

I nodded and got up, then we both ran toward the woods. We agreed that if any event happens, we head there. Bean would rondevu with us there with our hoodies and masks.

Once we arrived, Bean was there waiting for us. While we changed, Bean transformed into his invisible form. After thinking about it the whole run here, I had an idea.

“Zack, I’m going in alone,” I said bluntly as I set my mask on my face.

“The hell are you talking about!” Zack yelled as he seemed to almost drop his mask at that.

“He asked for the Knight, not the Wizard. He has hostages and severely injured people all around him. I’m not nearly as mobile as you. So you can help all the injured, and possibly the hostages. I’ll be the distraction.” I replied.

“That’s crazy! What if he kills you!” Zack fired back.

“And what about those innocent people? Zack, nine times out of ten he’s here for us. We weren’t fast enough to save them all.” I said somberly as I balled my fist. “We put the people first, end of discussion,” I said flatly.

I felt Bean wrap his hand around me now and grab me. I looked back to Zack, and he looked back into my eyes. We stared at each other down for a bit before he looked away.

“Understood,” Zack grumbled as he climbed onto Bean’s back.

“Good, because I’m counting on you guys. I’m sorry, but I need to lean on your power a bit.” I said softly as Bean took off into the sky.

-

Soon we were above the scene which seemed to have gotten worse. More cop cars surrounded the perimeter, and more bodies laid on the floor around him. Bean dropped me down from the sky, I could see the crowd and the police looked up in awe as I became visible to them.

I crashed down in front of the creature, separating him from the cops. Then it all became quiet, the crowd, the police. The only sound I could hear was the sirens and the sound of the crackling fire. The ash from the flames floated in the air like snow around us. And the smell of burning metal and rubber filled the air. I looked over the bodies on the ground, and tried to hide my shock and rage. A few had holes through their chest like they had been speared. I bit my lip and faced the creature.

“I’m here, just like you asked. No Wizard.” I said flatly to him.

The thing seemed to be made of some kind of gemstone. It was tall and humanoid in figure. He was a bright shade of green and had these odd spheres connecting his ligaments together. He stepped toward me slowly, each step sounding like crackling ice.

“Ah, the rumors are true. You are real.” His voice was low and groggily.

It reminded me of the sound someone makes when they gargle water.

“Very real. Now I don’t know what you want. Talk or a fight, either way we can settle this away from this city.” I said firmly.

“You still play hero? That’s fine. Keep up the act, I guess that’s kind of cool. However, I’m here because you and your wizard friend have made a great impression on the gifted community.” He said smugly.

“Then why just call me out?” I asked.

“Well he seemed more like… support.” He said with a chuckle. “Besides, I don’t think I could kill you both at the same time. I want this territory.”

I growled and stepped forward.

I heard more police cars coming in. A few officers were on their walkies talking about bringing something in now. I wasn’t sure what that meant. But whatever it was. It would probably end up getting them hurt again. Bullets clearly didn’t leave a scratch on him.

“Right. Well if it’s a gladiator match you want. Then I accept, but only if you let these innocent people go.” I demanded.

“Ya know, I’m actually starting to buy that hero crap.” He chuckled.

I started to think, maybe I’ll just have to throw him outside of the perimeter. Or maybe I- I stopped for a moment as I noticed a big black van pulling up. There was this huge satellite dish on its back, I had no idea what it was. I activated my eyes and glanced back behind me. There were more vans like that coming in. Before I had time to think about it, I heard a cop yell.

“Now!”

Then this unholy sound started drilling into my ears! It felt like a knife was digging into my head, over and over again. I felt my knees buckle under me as I fell down to the ground. I covered my ears trying to avail the pain, but nothing worked! I looked up and noticed one of the vans was on fire.

I saw the stone man holding up his arm. His fingers came together, and it seemed like they were stuck like magnets. Then some more stones began to form around his hand as it grew and grew into a large jagged blade.

I saw cops shooting relentlessly at him, but the bullets just bounced off. They needed my help, I needed to move! I forced myself to stand, it felt like a boulder was on my back, and I had the urge to vomit. But I stood right up. The ringing hadn't stopped, but it was more bearable.

Then I felt all the adrenaline I had rush into me. I saw him aiming his blade at a child, a little boy. He was one of his hostages. They were all on the ground holding their ears too.

I charged forward as fast as my body would let me and dived in for the kid. His blade grew more and shot out fast down at the child. I barely made it in time as the blade slashed my arm open. I gritted my teeth and kept forward. I had the kid in my arms, I needed to get him out. The stone man roared like a monster and slashed furiously at me. My eyes were barely any help. Thanks to that ringing it was hard to focus.

That’s when I heard a loud pop! The police were shooting again, and this time at me too! I forgot I was just as much an enemy to them as rock head was. I barely dodged a few bullets, as one hit my shoulder. The hot burning sensation brought a wave of pain through my body, but I kept going. I was going to save this child. No matter what.

I saw some cops ahead, who didn’t seem to have a gun in their hand. I was getting close to them, when I felt another bullet hit my leg. I tossed the child to the cops standing by as I dropped to the ground face first. I slammed my palm to the ground and tried pushing myself up, but I just fell back down. I tried holding myself up, but then the sound suddenly became more intense. I couldn’t even hear myself scream over the high pitch ringing. It felt like my brain was getting cooked! My stomach was shaking violently like a tsunami. I felt something cold and wet running down from my ears, I knew that had to be blood. My gunshot wounds also stung, everything hurt. I needed to get up, I needed to fight. They needed me. But no matter what I did or tried, I was powerless.

Just when I felt like I was gonna pass out, the drill in my ears stopped, the intense ringing was replaced with a faint ringing sound. I looked up and saw an officer standing over me, they were fuzzy. Like static on a TV. They helped me up, but I had to lean on them heavily for support. Soon my vision came back and the storm in my stomach ceased. I pushed off the cop, who now I could see was female. She was a blonde with a ponytail, she had on a blue police officer's uniform. She had very bold brown eyes and freckles. She looked oddly familiar. But I was too messed up to think from where.

I heard muffled talking in my ears, I squinted as I could tell the officer was trying to talk to me. I couldn’t hear a word from her. But I could read her lips.

“I convinced my team to let you loose. We need help.” She asked with a look of regret in her eyes.

“Evacuate the area, and any civilians nearby,” I said. Hopefully in a normal tone. “I'll take him away from here.” She nodded as I stepped forward.

I got used to the pain in my leg. I needed to focus on what was important here. Getting this freak out of here. I knew Zack would listen to me and focus on the civilians. However, a part of me wished he was here with me. I took a deep breath and looked at the stone man. I watched as he slashed the police officer's chest open. His blood flying in the wind, and splattering the ground like rain. Then he just dropped to the ground. I felt this pit in my stomach form. Watching the pool of blood growing underneath him.

I tried summoning something, but I couldn’t focus well enough to get anything out! I was wasting precious time! He was gonna die! I gave up on summoning anything and charged in at the guy.

Every step forward was burning. My body ached and screamed at me. And my dizziness in my head didn’t stop. But I pressed forward and rammed my fist into his face. The pain from hitting his rock face was almost worse than the pain in my leg from all that running. He stumbled back a bit and I fell on the ground. I groaned and looked up. And I almost crapped myself. He was coming down on me with his blade! I spun out the way as his blade went into the ground. Rubble splattered onto my face as he pulled it out. I stood up as fast as I could. I staggered some but my mind was becoming clear again. I looked to my hand and saw the bloody marks on my knuckles from punching him. I was sure I broke something, but I leaned on the idea of the body modifications. I prayed they would keep me in one piece.

I went back in and grabbed his head and pulled him down hard, and rammed my knee into his face. It hurt like hell, but I didn’t stop.

“COME ON!” I yelled as I punched him again and again with all I had.

He stumbled back each time, I could tell my left hand was broken. And if my right hand wasn’t, it was definitely fractured. The pain surprisingly enough made my mind more focused. I could summon something now, but I already felt exhausted. Any good hit on me and I was down. My right hand was shaking from the pain. I groaned and tried to get it to stop. That’s when I heard his groggily laughter.

“Is this all the legend has? I guess the Wizard would have been better.” He grunted as he walked towards me.

I stepped forward once, but I was trembling. He was gonna kill me, I failed. I was gonna die. I gritted my teeth and tried ignoring the pain, and the fear.

“Say’s the guy who probably hits like a girl.” I coughed out.

He ran in at me and I used my eyes. But I fumbled and couldn’t get out of the way. He rammed his rock fist into my stomach. I felt the air get knocked out of me, as I fell to my knees. He didn’t hesitate as he went back in with another punch to my face. I fell back to the ground, and he kicked me back down the street. Plan b was working slowly now, but I needed to stay alive for it to work.

“That's all you got?” I coughed out with a smirk.

He roared and came back in at me. He knocked me back again and again, but I refused to fall.

“What's the matter big guy? Can’t knock me down?” I teased.

“I'll make you eat the pavement!” He roared.

“I like to see you try!” I yelled as I stood up straight.

Then he rushed in at me with a full on barrage. I learned this tactic from Zack. He got in a fight with a guy once who brought a knife. Zack kept making fun of him and telling him he couldn’t fight like a man. Or that he was just too scared to fight him for real. The guy fell for Zack’s bait, and ended up only being a fistfight. Probably one of the most clever tricks Zack has ever done.

I smiled some, I wasn’t alone after all. Even when he isn't physically here. He still has my back.

I felt like a rag doll as he pummeled into me, I kept my ground as he kept laying into me. Soon we were down the street, away from almost everyone. My plan had worked. He was far, far away. I watched as the hostages all ran free. Then Zack appeared, grabbing the injured from the ground and vanishing. Thank goodness, they're safe.

Then I fell to my knees and tried catching my breath. I felt so tired and heavy. I was at my limit here. My body was wailing at me. Everything burned and ached, even breathing was a chore. I summoned a spear and propped myself up with it.

“I see what you did. I don’t like being played.” He growled.

He made his hand back into a blade. This was it then, my final push. I took another breath as my body trembled a bit. It was a mix of emotions and pain. I picked up the spear and lurched back.

“Well guess what. I’m not done yet!” I yelled as I hurled the spear at him with all I had.

Not using my eyes or summoning helped my composure a lot. As long as I can take the pain, I had a good amount of fight left in me. But it’s not like I’ll survive anyways. I watched as he just laughed at my spear, it was more of a screw you throw then anything else. I needed to stall for Zack.

Then, I was at a loss for words. My spear made contact with the sphere that connected his arm to his shoulder. It shattered the ball into dust!

“AHHH!” He yelled in pain as he dropped to his knees. His free hand holding his now armless shoulder. “No! This can’t be!” He roared. “I was invincible this time!”

There it was, my shining ray of hope. I bit my lip hard and summoned a short sword. I ran at him activating my eyes, I forced myself more into this attack than any before. I couldn’t even feel my pain anymore. I gripped my sword like my life depended on it, and went in at his other arm.

He panicked but it was already too late. He tried swinging his blade arm at me and I dodged by ducking. I came up and slashed his elbow piece into smithereens. The dust from his sphere blocked my view of him for a moment. He stumbled back and I darted forward through the dust. I changed my sword into a rapier and jabbed forward at his neck. I felt it connect as the aa sphere exploded into dust. Then the rest of his body shook, then crumbled to the ground. I stopped and watched as the rock pieces slowly began to turn into blue dust. The dust shimmering as it floated up into the sky.

I panted heavily and chuckled a bit as I did. I won, I actually won! I smiled, then my head felt light. I staggered some trying to not fall down. Then the pain, it came back with a vengeance!

“Congratulations my child, you have beaten James Cannon.” My goddess announced as I dropped back to the ground.

It was like my body was on fire, everything burned and ached. I forced so much pressure on my leg, it was killing me the most. I bit down on my lip, trying to help take the focus off it. It was bleeding pretty bad too. I looked around at the destruction before me, I kept property damage to a minimum at least. But Zack and I will have to clean up these cars and scrap metal lying around. I couldn’t move for real either. I guess I pushed myself a bit too far today.

The cops may come and grab me soon, they’ll definitely unmask me. I need to move, I can't afford to stay down on the ground. I tried to sit up and fell halfway of going up. I was done. I pushed the boundaries of what my body could do. I laid back and stared at the sky. I smiled to myself and relaxed. I at least got to use my powers to help people. I stared at the clear skies above me and listened to the sound of sirens in the distance. This was it. I was done.