Renegade Rupture
Authors: J. C. Fiske
Tags: #Young Adult, #harry potter, #Fantasy, #percy jackson, #epic fantasy, #anime, #super heroes
Renegade Rupture
A Novel
By J.C. Fiske
Copyright 2012 by J. C. Fiske
Smashwords Edition
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Cover Art: Eugenio Perez Jr.
Cover Design: J.C. Fiske
Editor: Cassie Robertson
Contents
Chapter Three: Everything Burns
Chapter Four: The End of an Era
Chapter Eight: Dinner and a Fight
Chapter Nine: The Source of Ranto’s Fury
Chapter Eleven: The Problem with Fao
Chapter Twelve: The Vile Lords
Chapter Thirteen: The Lost Day
Chapter Fourteen: Murder in the Night
Chapter Fifteen: The Naforian Event
Chapter Sixteen: Creatures of the Night
Chapter Seventeen: Love Never Dies
Chapter Nineteen: The Flarian Event
Chapter Twenty: Long Time Coming
Chapter Twenty One: Kimjow’s Murder Revealed
Chapter Twenty Two: Gisbo the Gunslinger
Chapter Twenty Three: The Soarian Event
Chapter Twenty Four: Grayn Foxblade
Chapter Twenty Five: The Fox of Blades
Chapter Twenty Six: The Name in the Desert
Chapter Twenty Seven: Vice Dastard
Chapter Twenty Eight: A Widower’s Lament
Chapter Twenty Nine: Let it go, Jack
Chapter Thirty: A Lesson in Morality
Chapter Thirty One: A Mother’s Murderer, Revealed
Chapter Thirty Two: Vice’s Story
Chapter Thirty Three: Father and Son
Chapter Thirty Four: The Final Event, Battle Royal
Chapter Thirty Five: Duel in Darkness
Chapter Thirty Six: Code Risinyu
Chapter Thirty Seven: Falcon’s Last Stand
Prologue:
Midnight Meeting
“Chieftain Lamik, welcome again to my humble castle,” Warlord Karm said. “Please, have a seat.”
Lamik did. The chair creaked under his weight.
“Humble . . . right. The Warlord’s chambers are built farther and farther upward every time I visit. Is that . . . is that Diamond Mass plating along the walls?” Lamik asked.
“Strictly for the way it glitters. Upon sunrise or moonrise, it looks quite beautiful,” Karm said as he picked up his prized Shih Tzu, Prince, and began to stroke him.
“Tch,” Lamik muttered, holding back several choice words. Karm cleared his throat.
“Let’s get right to the point. We are both busy men. Busy men with a vendetta. The date draws near. What does my brother say?” Karm asked with narrowed eyes.
“I’ve been informed that the barrier shall drop in a few days. Your dear brother Narroway has no choice. The Elekai’ Exhibition will happen. If he refuses, the blood pact that all Chieftains sign shall kill him. His heart will rupture in his chest, and he will die where he stands. There’s no way around it. The question is, how will you handle it?” Lamik asked, leaning backward, folding his arms.
“In the way that we agreed,” Karm said.
“As you know, the tournament’s main purpose is to elect a new Chieftain. The winner of the tournament can take the King’s Band for himself or pass it onto one they deem worthy. After many private meetings with your brother, we’ve come to an agreement. It is done,” Lamik said.
“King’s Band . . . a title much more formal, respectful than Chieftain,” Karm said.
“That is why Narroway refuses to take the title with the band. I may not like him, but I respect his quiet strength and humbleness. It’s his ethics I cannot tolerate,” Lamik said.
“The meeting then. It went according to our exact terms?” Karm asked.
“To the letter,” Lamik said.
“Elaborate,” Karm said.
“As you know, the Strifes are still Renegades, equal to partake in the tournament for leadership. Naturally, the Renegades don’t want to fight against one another with us there, and vice versa. Civil wars were caused before, but there was nothing civil about them. So, the tournament, if it could be called that now, has been drastically altered. Instead of both sides fighting each other and themselves, this tournament will be an organized event, Team Renegade versus Team Strife,” Lamik said.
“Wonderful. Simply wonderful!” Karm said.
“Narroway, being current leader, decides the style of the tournament and what events will be included. But that is for me to handle, not you. Now, we come to your place in all of this,” Lamik said.
“Now that I know the location of Heaven’s Shelter, what would stop me from sending in my army to decimate you all before the tournament’s end?” Karm asked. Lamik laughed.
“Common sense would stop you. You would be a fool to try. Your men are but women in steel blouses compared to Renegades. Even if your army was at full numbers, which it isn’t, they would still be lambs to the slaughter. The Renegades may be a pain in my backside and an everlasting obsession to you, but one thing they are not is easily put down. I sent what few Strifes I could for your battle at Sandlake and, as I predicted, you failed miserably. You should remember that. If this is going to work, we all need to play our hands very carefully, and I, not you, will be in control. Understood?” Lamik asked.
“I don’t like your tone,” Karm said.
“Then do something about it,” Lamik said.
Karm sat silent, gritting his teeth.
“As I thought. I didn’t think it was possible, but you’ve become even more pathetic. Your people no longer respect you. Your two party political system has torn Oak County, the crown jewel of Vadid’s reign, apart rather than united. It is but a shadow of its former self. As you favor one side, you alienate the other. But all that can change, should you listen to me,” Lamik said.
Karm sat silent.
“Win or lose, the Renegades will be unpredictable. I’m not sure what will happen. Narroway may leave Heaven’s Shelter with the Renegades intact, or he will resist and a war may break out. The same goes for us. Much thought and preparation must be done. We want the King’s Band around Narroway’s skull, for ourselves. It is a symbol, a representation of a better time, and with it, we can have the control we need. We need to win the tournament by any means necessary. That is our first goal. We cannot risk a war. Should war come between the Strifes and the Renegades again, it could be the end of us both. I am not foolish enough to rule it out completely though. That is where your army comes in. While weak, it may be just enough to tip the stalemate in our favor. But that is a last resort. I will keep you posted, and you won’t even take a piss without me knowing. Understood?” Lamik asked.
“We both know that my father wanted to disband the title of Warlord for that of a righteous King and usher in a new era of peace. And we both know he disappeared before that could happen. The King’s Band, once returned, will be given to me, this land’s rightful ruler, and you and your men will usher in an era of . . .” Karm started.
“You? A King? The title was given to Vadid alone as the head Warlord. And you think you are worthy?” Lamik asked.
“IT IS MY BIRTHRIGHT!” Karm screamed.
“Power is earned, not given, and those with the power dictate history and can change it,” Lamik said. “With that, I take my leave. I honored my agreement to help you try to bring Narroway down, and you let your sick little project Narsissa leave your control. You did not come through with your side of the deal, and thus, now, you owe me. You are in my pocket, and that is where you will remain until I require you,” Lamik said as he got up and went for the door.
“You never could have beaten him, you know. Not in this lifetime, or the next,” Karm said. Lamik paused a moment, then spun around in a rage, flipping the table up and straight into Karm, toppling the boney Warlord. Lamik pounced and pressed the table edge into Karm’s throat, his face trembling with rage, color rising up the sides of his neck and his ears.
“Your brother-in-law will . . . ” Lamik started, then paused. Karm smiled.
“You won’t even utter his name, will you? Coward,” Karm said.
“Under my first decree as King, unlike you, I will execute Falcon Vadid with my own hands. Anything else to say, Warlord?” Lamik challenged.
Karm said nothing.
Lamik got off Karm in a huff and slammed the door hard, vibrating the Diamond Mass throughout Karm’s chambers.
“Ill-bred ruffian . . .” Karm said as he tried to get out from under the table. He shoved with all his might upward to no avail and instead slithered out from under the table like a snake. He raised himself up to his full height, breathing heavily, and raised a shaking hand.
Wincing and cursing, Karm quickly strode over to his nightstand drawer, and there laid a bottle of wine and an odd black contraption. He reached for the wine bottle first, hesitated, then reached for the black contraption. He held it up, placed it into one nostril while covering the other, and pushed the trigger on the device, releasing a quick burst of black powder straight into his nose. Upon impact, Karm’s eyes went wide and bloodshot and tears of peace and satisfaction poured down both of his cheeks and a giggle left his lips.