2

2. The Royal Duo

“’BEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEP!!’””

“Urg! This is my nightmare, every morning.” Lou’s alarm clock had gone off and Lou’s head was struggling to dip back into reality. It had buzzed for about a minute or so and it sounded as if it was getting louder. Lou hid himself under his pillow hoping the noise would pass by, but it kept on him like bees to honey.

He finally leapt out from underneath his pillow to beat his sworn enemy senseless; it read 6:01am has it made contact with Lou’s fist.

Lou kept a calm mind during most of the day, but only when he’d suffer the disturbed yelping of his clock early in the morning would he lash out at anyone and anything.

He waited until the clock had crash-landed onto his pigsty of a floor. It’s buzzing finally ceased. He now stood panting, holding the fist he launched at his clock and at the same time staring down at his beaten opponent. A ray of sunshine could be seen shining through Lou’s window and splitting the room in half. Lou stopped his frantic to squint back at his window, dropping his fist to yawn at the new day.

He pulled the sheets that had fallen to the ground because of Lou’s outburst, back onto his bed, making sure he hit every corner of the mattress and over the pillow. His bed was always made to be perfect, which is miles apart from how clean his floor was. Lou stumbled over yesterday’s outfit and tripped over to his door, catching himself and removing the shirt that was caught on his toes. He glanced once more at the dead clock and walked out.

"Gonna need a new alarm clock,” Lou sighed and threw his head back in an agonizing moan. “Dammit.” He slowly shuffled towards the bathroom across the hall. 6:03am.

Lou turned on the shower and closed the door behind him. His every morning showers were like a blessing, he felt renewed from simply touching the warm water. Lou rinsed his hair out and stepped from the shower, having a towel at the ready. He watched his reflection in the mirror as he toweled off and noticed his pitch-black eyes gawking back at him. He fixed his hair before throwing some of his favorite workout clothes on; brushing his hair towards the center of his scalp. 6:16am.

He got dressed and set out for his morning run, grabbing his water bottle on the way out. He wondered if Ash was still hung over from last nights party, but decided to strike the thought and leave Ash to rest this morning. Lou’s morning workout comprised of a half-hour run along with some up and down-hill jogs, he would then return to do a couple of body exercises and rest for the remaining time he had until heading out for class.

“It’s Saturday today,” he remembered. “I guess I’ll do an extra long jog this morning.”

Lou ran. 6:22am.

Whenever Lou ran he’d never think about running, he’d only think of where he’d end up and nothing in between. In most cases he would leave his eyes shut, but on a day such as today, with the rising sun and the deviant breeze, it made Lou feel completely blissful, and so he’d leave his eyes open for part of the way.

Sticking to the sidewalks was always his plan; he ran a good kilometer still feeling the large path ahead. Lou became anxious because today was the most brilliant of days; he intuitively shut his eyes and slowed his pace. Running along the sidewalks with your eyes closed was a danger and he knew it, so he’d open them a couple times as to not bump into anything, although he would soon realize that having your ears closed is also pretty dangerous. 6:31am.

“Hey.” A faint and distant voice barked at Lou, whose mind was no where near earth at the moment.

“Hey!” This time Lou knew someone was calling out to him as the sound became even louder and closer.

“Wake up, you idiot!” The voice hesitated the last few words, making sure Lou caught every one of them. Lou’s eyes ripped open and he broke from his daze, stopping right in front of a large man.

To his surprise, he saw two people in front of him, a man and a woman. Of course to Lou, he only considered them to be simple road-blocks in his excursion.

He stared them up and down before coughing out his words. “Are you guys talking to me?” Slightly pointing towards himself, he made sure not to sound too rude, even though they called him the idiot.

“Of course, you. You see any other idiots out here, huh?” The man gestured a kind of back-and-forth motion with his hands, pointing at the empty street they were now standing in. “How ‘bout you, Lily?” He now held his palm down at his lady partner.

This guy is totally obnoxious, I should just apologize for whatever it is I did and leave. Lou only stared at the large man with the smug look on his face, and he coughed out once more.

Lily responded with a smiling expression and added the only answer the man was looking for. “Nope, it does seem like you’re the only one that fits that description.” Her arms crossed as she stared up at Lou who was significantly taller than her. She wore a short and tight, white tank-top underneath a sleeveless, blue jean jacket complementing her ripped denim Capri pants. Her belly only somewhat hidden beneath her jacket and her Capri pants swayed well with her luscious curves.

Lou’s plain expression became much more unenthused. He slid his eyes down to Lily and brought them back towards the much larger man, who was only a bit taller than himself but looked almost 10 years older. Lou caught his breath while he waited for what they would say next.

“Ha-ha, we’re just joking with you, kid.” He wanted to burst into laughter but he held himself firm. “What? You think we’re killers or something?” The thought hadn’t crossed Lou’s mind until the exact moment he mentioned it. The man continued to laugh, holding his sides while his long and shady black hair waved across his shoulders. With each laugh the man’s torso caved, demonstrating just how much he was enjoying it. His full attire was scorched black, his top suit lighter than his bottom slacks and topped with a casual open jacket.

Lily insistently interrupted her partner’s delight by developing a small furrow in her forehead and calmly yelling up at the large man. “Settle down Samuel, you’ve had your fun.” Lily seemed a bit more in charge than the loathsome oaf, who kept his incessant laughter until just after he heard his partner’s screech.

Sam was now wiping the faint tears outlining around his eyeballs, almost apologizing considerately to Lou and Lily.

“I’m sorry little guy, looks like I’m having a little too much fun here.”

Is this guy high? Let me pass already, Jesus! Lou couldn’t help but curse the two road-blockers in front of him. He’d never do it out loud, though. What do they want?! 6:35am.

Sam took a short break to catch his breath and gave a minor smirk before throwing his serious face back on. “I’ve been kinda watching you and your basketball games. The way you and your buddy look when you’re out there is almost magical, wouldn’t you say?”

Lou was so relieved to hear the word ‘basketball’; he exhaled and relived his burrowed smile. It made sense to him now; the two were most likely college scouts and were here to confirm admission. “Thank you, I try very hard and practice almost everyday and…”

Lou’s life’s story was suddenly interrupted. “Yea, that’s all very nice and good, but the one thing that’s fishy is how astronomical you guys look out there. Not that it’s impossible, but it makes me very anxious, and it’s why I’m here.” Sam rudely interrupted him before Lou tried a fancy curtsy or anything of the sort.

Sam turned his head slightly and gave one eye’s attention to Lou. “The both of you are clearly gifted at such a young age.” Sam mused for a split second, thinking of something interesting, but the kid annoyingly continued, speaking before Sam could contribute his notion.

“…Oh, I know what you’re thinking.” Lou clapped his hands together grabbing more of their attention. Lou was incredibly excited to have this opportunity appear from out of nowhere. “Sir, I can speak directly for both Ash and myself when I say that we’re not on steroids or anything of the sor-”

“That’s not what we’re here for, idiot!” Lou was interrupted once again, but this time the large man was furious and was about to lash out if need be. Sam had to wake him up somehow, and by the looks of Lou’s stunned expression, he could say it worked. Lily simply eyed Sam back, her face read ‘don’t get worked up’.

Lily’s grimace could not stand in front of Sam’s hysteric intent anymore. “We’re here because only a handful of us know what’s really happening on that court. You and your friend couldn’t make it anymore obvious.” Sam pointed him out but his interrogation was not done yet.

Although knocked back, Lou felt like he was being falsely accused in this confrontation. Jeez, why don’t they just shine a light in my eye? “Um, I’m sorry, but I don’t think I understand what you’re saying.” He was tripping over his own tongue and his attempt to demand an explanation became a desperate apology of reasons he wasn’t sure of. Lou’s breath was back but he was sweating even more from this conversation than his run.

Sam buckled his lip and straightened his jacket. He gave a beaming stare straight into Lou’s skull. Sam was on the edge of exploding, he couldn’t even stand in one spot anymore.

Lou’s face tilted and he gave a confused lean toward Sam who, at this point, was pacing around in circles. There’s probably a ridiculous explanation for this as well. 6:38am.

“Sam,” The still and calm Lily shot Sam the most scowling of looks. The tampered man was being mentally directed by this attractive woman. It was as if Lily was the controller and Sam was the toy car. She raised her right hand high and brought it down with her voice, “Calm down.”

He exhaled and stopped his pacing. “Ha-ha, looks like I got worked up over nothing again. Ha-ha, sorry ‘bout that, kid.” He tossed his right palm on his forehead and closed his eyes. He took a breather and came back. He raised his right arm again and threw it over Lou’s shoulder, his large body grasping all of Lou underneath one arm. “Walk with me, kid.” They began walking in the same direction Lou had just come from. Lily followed a few feet behind.

Lou felt all of this man’s weight lagging on his shoulder, although Sam did most of the walking Lou was dragged along with him. He found it strange how polar this man could be at times and how easily influenced he is from a single woman. Lou knew for sure now that they were not scouts. Who are these people, what kind of situation is this?

“Listen, Crowley,” Lou wasn’t too surprised to hear his name from them, if they really do visit his games than they would have to know who he is. Regardless of this fact it still through him off a bit since he’s only heard them call him a kid or an idiot. Lou continued listening from his left ear, “You obviously have no idea what we’re talking about, and what’s more you don’t know what kind of situation you’re in either.” The thought of them being killers came rushing back into Lou’s head. Lou decided to keep quite until he could find a single opportunity to run. “If you wanna run than by all means,” Sam gave a wave to the front of them with the back of his left hand. “All I ask is that you hear us out.” The two of them stopped, as did Lily.

Sam released Lou from underneath his dead lift grip and turned to face him. Lou connected eyes with Sam and they both stood on mutual grounds. I guess I could hear them out, what could this guy possibly be packing anyway?

All of a sudden Lou felt a bulk and hollow ache from the mid-centre of his torso. His eyes didn’t know where to look but his reasoning told him to stare down at his stomach. His mouth gapped a groan as he bowed his head to see Sam’s heavy fist burrowed through his abdomen. Sam’s arm was gone and Lou couldn’t help but give in to his pain, his knees crouched and struck the sidewalk with a dull crash. He grabbed his stomach with such grip that he never wanted to let go.

“Here’s what I think you’re doing out that court, little man.” Sam stared down at the fallen Lou who he saw in hopeless distress. “Don’t get me wrong, Crowley. You’re a good kid and I’d hate to see someone like that fall, but…” Sam stopped to throw his palm over his face trying to cover the sadistic appearance he was now displaying. “What good is a drug if you don’t use it, right?” Laughing out this sentence as best he could he began hysterically cackling, throwing his head back as he did.

Lou could not recall the last few seconds. He tried his best to lift his head upwards at the laughing spire but his eyes were bouncing back and forth at his body to see if there was anything missing. 6:42am.

Sam bowed his body to lean in towards the side of Lou’s head. He was down on one knee and his mouth was hovering just a few centimeters from Lou’s left ear as he began to whisper. “Do you know what Magick is? Huh, Harry Potter.” Lou’s mind scrambled as he felt the heat from Sam’s words, he made a face to remind Sam that he was in excruciating pain. “Magick is the bare essence of this world. It is the science and the art that ultimately causes a transformation to occur using a man’s conformity along with his will.”

Lou’s effort at comprehending what Sam was saying was too much to handle while trying not to tumble over at the same time. He couldn’t tell if he was being serious or he was just giving him a few final words before he killed him. Sam’s body was brought back by his partner in crime, Lily. She put one hand over Sam’s shoulder and let him continue, his face was dead serious as Lou could finally inch his head upward towards them.

“Of course, you wouldn’t believe any of this until you’ve seen it with your own eyes.” Sam stuck his hand into the inside pocket of his jacket. Lou’s eyes screamed for mercy as he saw what was held in Sam’s right palm. “This dagger is a rarity in my collection, though I don’t use it for killing my prey.” The deafening black, 6 inch blade was as crisp as the blade from any normal katana, and it was pointed straight at Louis Crowley. “You see Crowley, my colleague and I take pride in our hunts for new prey, but not just any prey,” Sam’s index finger shifted back and forth. “We love taking care of the make-believe trash that call themselves Mystics.” The feeling in Lou’s legs slowly made a comeback.

“Samuel, I think you’re throwing too many new words at him, I think you better explain this new one.” Lou hoped that Lily would stop him like she’s done in her previous conditions, but instead she was egging him even further.

“Yes, you’re right Lily. Mystics are ordinary people, such as you and I, who embody the force of Magick itself. Now, who, do you ask, can embody this force?” Sam did not expect an answer from the floor-kissing Louis so he continued with his lecture. “Well, to put it bluntly, ‘everyone’.” The last word sent shivers down Lou’s spine. “But! Do you see anyone around the globe calling themselves Mystics; do you think most people even know what a Mystic is?” Again, another question Sam had to answer himself. “Most people around the world are so incredibly oblivious to this practice that they refuse to believe such a force exists. They live their lives normally and accomplish tasks that take them days while we Mystics could accomplish in less than a minute.” Sam bent down once more with the dagger clenched in his hand. “But! There are those people who make it their life’s work to discover the truth behind Magick, and those that have come so accustom to it that it’s almost like an extra limb to them. It is those people, the real people that give me the thrill. Any killer can find a woman alone in an alleyway and have their way with her, but I like the hunt as much as the kill.”

Lou’s legs could finally move again and the pain in his stomach was beginning to subside. Just as Lou inched his legs out of place Sam had chopped the side of his hand against Lou’s back forcing Lou’s body downward to face the ground, but Lou’s arms caught pavement before his face could and he was now on his hands and knees.

“I’m sorry Crowley. It looks like I spent too long preaching, so you decided you wanted to run your ass outta here? This isn’t English class you fool.” Sam stood back up beside Lily and continued his final words. “The best part about you is that you fall in between the two types of people I mentioned earlier. You don’t know what Magick is, but somehow you’re able to utilize its force of energy, incredible at such a young age.” Lou’s head made its way back up at the two assailants. “I’m going to show you one more thing before you die Crowley, this’ll make you believe every word I just said and wish you were still alive to see more.”

Lou’s eyes stayed shifty at Sam’s face and at the dagger. Sam suddenly let go of the dagger and was sent plummeting towards the ground, Lou was almost relieved, following the Dagger as it fell from the towered height when he noticed that the Dagger stopped just a few feet off the ground. It must’ve been Lou’s eyes because the Dagger had stopped in midair when it should’ve crash landed into the jaggy concrete sidewalk like he expected gravity to accomplish. FALL!!! Lou screamed so much in his mind for the Dagger to fall but it didn’t, in fact it was doing the opposite.

“Do you see now, Crowley?” Sam had raised the Dagger from its downward state up a few inches in front of his face and reversed it to point at Lou, his open palm beneath it. “This is the power you have inside of you. You’ve had it since you were a baby, you use it every day when you cheat the win out of every basketball game, and you can see it right now in front of you.” Lou saw nothing though, he only saw Sam with his raised palm beneath a levitating dagger that was pointing straight at him. What was so magical about that?

“Allow me to introduce your first and final meeting with any Mystic out in this magnificent world.” Sam pointed toward Lily and formally bowed to her. “This is Lily Knights, my most beloved woman, and my crime inducing syndicate.” Lily was swirling her long bangs that circled her face, and brushed them back behind her ears to match her short auburn hair. “And I, your reaper and the most treasured human being ever to stand before you. I am Samuel Kings!” With his final words he made a plunging motion with his right palm which was still levitating his black dagger. Lou bit hard and hoped the pain would only be for a second. The dagger was aimed towards the back of his neck. 6:45am.

“’DOHHHHHHH’!!” An incredibly large thundering roar came from a few yards away from them.

A forceful vibration of radiance caused tremors throughout the earth and suddenly there was such an intense heat wave that the three of them felt like they were cooking over a flaming volcano. The pressure at this point was so strong that it forced the two killers to kneel to one knee, while Lou collapsed face first into the sidewalk, knocking him unconscious.

Buildings and trees began falling around the three of them and the earth slowly began to crack.

“Wh-What the hell is this intense irradiant pressure?” Sam yelled as best he could to balance over the immense noise of tremors bridging the grounds beneath them. The surface of the roads in front of them began to split with a leading crack coming from further down the road. Sam turned to see if he scope out where the source of this pressure was coming from, his head took small swings as it faced a light so large and bright that it knocked Sam’s head back a few. “Such unbelievable light, whoever’s over there is a person I’ve never sensed before. No one around this world has that much power. It’s a Magick I’ve never witnessed before.”

“Samuel!” Lily brought Sam back to the situation at hand, and before they were crushed to death by the falling buildings or sunk to the depths of the earth from the earthquakes, they had to leave fast. “Let’s go, now!”

Sam stared back at the unconscious Louis Crowley who was for sure going to die from this subliminal disaster. “Good bye Louis Crowley. You would have known a better world had you been more aware.” He took one final bow to the boy and the two tried their best to restore their energy just enough to leave the scene unharmed. It took them about 5 minutes to avoid the destruction and then they realized that they finally were out of the concentrated pressure of the strange and powerful Light.

“Sam. What the hell was that, I’ve never felt anyone even remotely close to that source of radiance before.” They were still running while Lily requested an answer from her partner in crime.

“I’m not sure Lily. But I can tell you this much, it wasn’t just one person standing there and letting loose their immense structure of energy. There were two of them, and they weren’t simply going out for a morning jog like our friend Crowley over there.” Sam began to stare off in the direction they had just vacated. “They were engaging in the most fiercest duel ever known to man-kind.”

6:54am.