Renegade Rising (The Renegade Series) (46 page)

“You really are a bastard, ya know that? You want a fight for the ages, eh? Look no closer, buddy,” Gisbo threatened through clenched teeth. Ranto stood watching Rolce climb the stairs to the tree house and slam the door shut. He stood for a moment shaking his head, mouth agape before looking down at Gisbo.

“What is my father thinking? Recruiting one kid who can’t use his essence and another kid who runs at the sight of a little blood and the thought of a battle? You both are supposed to be RENEGADES! Do you even understand what that means? The best of the best! I, I can’t even ponder this, this weakness!” Ranto said, trailing off in disgust.

Gisbo ran forward and swung his big blade at the Renegara’s face. Ranto, with an agility Gisbo had never seen, raised his metal protected forearm and ignited his essence. There was a flash as fire collided with fire. Ranto was pushed back from the force of Gisbo’s blow, but only for a moment. He wheeled back around with his free fist and struck Gisbo’s stomach in a fierce upper cut. All breath seemed to leave Gisbo as he hunched over, mouth agape. He seemed to be watching in slow motion as Ranto brought his fist back, opened it, and forming a ball of swirling red energy, thrust it forward into Gisbo’s stomach once more.

Upon impact, a miniature explosion sent Gisbo flying backward, skipping across the ground like a flat stone across a pond. The pain was enormous. Upon landing, he hacked up a small puddle of blood. Gisbo had felt pain before, but nothing quite like this. It was his insides that were now hurting him. He couldn’t help but collapse to the ground as the pain caused everything to go black.

When he awoke next, the pain felt worse at first, then calmed to a more bearable level. Fao was standing over him with a worried glint in her dewy eyes and Gisbo realized he was back in his dorm. He gave his Boon a quick rub behind the ears to show he was all right, then reluctantly looked down at his stomach to see three puncture wounds across it. At least his insides didn’t hurt so much now, but he had a throbbing headache. With some effort, Gisbo managed to sit up in his bed.

“Damn it all,” Gisbo said, cursing himself for his defeat. It was then he noticed Rolce was seated at the kitchen table with his back turned to him. “So, what the hell was that about, Rolce?”

Silence.

Gisbo got down from his bed and walked over to sit across from Rolce, who turned his seat around, but still refused to make eye contact.

“Rolce, what was all that about?” Gisbo repeated. Rolce shook his head.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” Rolce said as he got up to leave. Gisbo slammed his fist on the table, startling Rolce.

“Well guess what? You’re gonna! Now sit,” Gisbo yelled. Rolce did as he was told, remaining silent, staring at the designs on the oak table.

“Well?” Gisbo asked again, folding his arms in impatience.

“I . . . I’ve never been in a real fight before,” Rolce said sheepishly.

“What do you mean? You saved my ass back at those tryouts in Oak County,” Gisbo argued.

“No, all I did was prevent the blow. A girl attacked me before that, Gisbo, best I could do was throw up my weapon and block. My, my knees were shaking. I couldn’t even fight back!” Rolce exclaimed.

“Well, today was a hell of a time to learn! He walloped you, Rolce, walloped me too, and all you did was sit there, cry and run away! Look at you! All this training, all this Elekai’and plus, you’re a big kid! What made you run away?” Gisbo asked.

“I don’t know why! All that talk about me being afraid of what I’d do if I were mad was all a lie, a front. The thought of a fight just terrifies me. Ranto was right when he said that when you fight, you pour out all that you are against someone else’s all. I just don’t know if I have what it takes. This whole time I have just felt, felt like I’m putting on a big show, you know? I'm just acting the part and any day now I could be revealed as nothing more then a weak, frightened child. It’s killing me inside!” Rolce said as he sunk his head into his hands.

“Rolce . . .” Gisbo muttered in concern.

“That’s why I’ve been doing so much training and studying, because I want to help Jackobi, don’t get me wrong, but mostly . . . for myself. I’ve just been jealous of you in a way, Gisbo. I’ll never understand someone like you. You can just jump right in, fearless as anything, and . . . and how are we even going to get the chance to save Jackobi when you really think about it? I mean, come on, we are two Renegas! The lowest of the lows. Do you think we are just going to march into Lokin and my dad’s hiding spot and rescue him? It’s suicide, Gisbo! They had no problem killing kids like you and me before! How are we going to even figure out where he is in the first place? We're chasing the moon,” Rolce said, sinking his head even lower.

Gisbo had never really thought out how they were going to save Jackobi. He figured Rolce would take care of the logistics and strategy like he had before, in Perry's challenge. Now, here was Rolce pouring out his heart to Gisbo.

“Is this what you didn’t want to tell me? Is this what was bothering you before?” Gisbo asked.

“It’s part of it, yeah . . .” Rolce said turning his gaze away.

“Part of it? There’s more?” Gisbo asked. Rolce didn’t answer. They sat there in silence for a minute as Gisbo pondered all that had just happened. He could hardly believe that Rolce, Renegade born, WARRIOR born, could be scared of anything resembling an actual battle. Yet he was the smartest kid Gisbo had ever come across, earning top grades, passing an exam thought to be impossible that granted them both their bands, displaying great control of Elekai’ . . . and on top of all that, he was a Sybil! How was this guy jealous of him, Gisbo, the boy who passed the second band by the skin of his teeth, the boy who couldn’t use Elekai’ correctly? The boy who couldn’t do something as simple as controlling his temper? The boy who Oak County thought wouldn’t ever amount to anything.

“You aren’t the only one who feels that way, Rolce,” said Falcon, as both boys noticed him standing in the doorway.

“How long have you been standing out there?” Gisbo asked.

“Oh, long enough to get the general idea of what just happened. What with Ranto returning today, Perry telling me neither of you showed up for class this morning, the small traces of blood, yeah, I put two and two together. So, here comes the part where the wise old Falcon shows up and offers both of his young friends the meaning of life in your failures. You ready?” Falcon said with a familiar goofy grin as he took a seat.

“Now listen and listen good. As I said, you aren’t the only one who feels inadequate, Rolce, and don’t hesitate or think for a moment that you don’t have what it takes,” Falcon said.

“Yeah, but I’m just not a fighter,” Rolce protested.

“But you want to be?” Falcon asked.

“Well, sure, I mean,” Rolce stammered.

“And you’re a man, aren’t ya?” Falcon asked.

“Well, well, yeah,” Rolce said.

“Then you got what it takes. Life has a way of hitting you hard, bringing back all your mistakes to the front of your mind as you forget your triumphs. If you let it, it will keep you down in a dark hole. You just got to search a little harder, reach down and pull up that strength. It
is
there, Rolce, even now, flickering in those eyes. The fight both begins and ends in here,” Falcon said, smiling, pointing to his forehead, then stamping a fist across his heart.

Rolce just forced a weak smile in reply.

“Growing up, especially at your age, is tough and confusing. You should count yourselves very lucky that you have the opportunity of growing up in a warrior culture that will give you room to build confidence, test your strength and experience first hand, above all else, that you most certainly have what it takes,” Falcon said, leaning back in his chair comfortably.

“Just think for a moment how many boys your age are brought up in towns like Oak County. How do those boys test their strength? Where is their great adventure? How do they know what their purpose is if they are never even tested?

“Unfortunately, so many people never realize their potential and it saddens my heart. Instead, they believe the lies that Karm feeds, the very ones Drakearon started, and are forced to live by them, for the best of lies branch from truth. Weapons
are
violent, adventure
is
dangerous and one’s status
is
judged by how big their dwelling is and how much money resides in their bank vault. Peace and comfort can twist the mind and even now a great evil is building its forces to strike once more.” Falcon paused, then leaned forward.

“If you remember nothing else, remember this. All that laziness brings is a comfortable death,” Falcon said as he leaned back up and continued.

“Karm, however, refuses to see it. He doesn’t realize peace is never free and must be protected. Life should be lived like the warriors live it: sword always at the hip, ready to save yourself and protect others. During times of peace, your sword is sheathed and it's only removed when peace is threatened. Karm and his followers have thrown their swords to the wayside. Don’t live such a lifestyle. Don’t let peace thrust you into a fluffy bubble, for unfortunately, although you might not believe in violence, you must remember there are always those who
do
and they are always ready to preach. When standing valiant in a place of opposition, you will realize that strife is unavoidable. Don’t waste your life dying in the name of peace without any effort. That’s what they want you to do. Give your life
fighting
for peace. As long as an oppressor rules over the people, true peace, true freedom, will never exist. This is a Renegade’s duty, my friends, to rise up and fight for those who won’t when peace and freedom is threatened. To do this, we must be strong, must believe in ourselves and most of all believe in each other,” Falcon said with a look full of care.

“You talk way too much,” Gisbo said.

“I can be quite the chatterbox. Take everything I say with a grain of salt, of course. You are free to make your own decisions. I just can’t help it when I see someone in need. I usually talk to Akalia. That tiger has the patience of a Sybil, let me tell you. I can stop if you want,” Falcon said.

“We never said it was a bad thing. Keep going,” Rolce said, smiling along with Gisbo.

“Hey suit yourselves. If you’ll let me, I want to reveal a little something to the both of you, something I can’t prove, but that I believe to be true. Will you listen?” Falcon asked and again both boys nodded.

“We already said it's fine, just giving you a hard time. I learn more this way than sitting in a stupid classroom,” Gisbo said.

“Hear, hear! Okay then, this is it. I believe there is a reason for everything and never a coincidence under the sun. I believe, for every warrior’s path, three things must be aligned and when they are, you will feel an unrivaled sense of accomplishment and happiness. Number one: every man must have a battle to fight. A cause worth dying for. It is what a man was designed to do. You both are Renegades, sworn to fight all forms of evil and to recognize it when you see it, not like the Strifes do. You each have a strong sense of justice about you and remember also why you are fighting. If you fight for the sake of fighting and nothing else, you become a violent, hollow man. It is here I speak of you, Gisbo,” Falcon said, pointing comically.

“Hey!” Gisbo argued.

“Control your anger and yourself, lest you become what I mentioned. Every fight must have a reason; remember the desires of your heart and precious things. It is for those that you fight and, of course, a bit of healthy competition,” Falcon said as he ruffled Gisbo’s hair playfully.

“Second, a man must have an adventure to live. It is this adventure that is the core of your life. Both of you are part of a grand adventure and will serve a great purpose I’m sure; you just don’t know it yet. It is here you both must search within yourselves and find the true desires of your heart. I’m not talking about becoming captain of the clash team or the greatest Elekai’ warrior either. You must look deeper, to your passions and what makes your soul burst into flames. For everyone it will be different, but always, this desire, whatever it may be, must help and inspire those around you. If it doesn’t, then it is worthless and you need to continue looking. It is not just a good idea to seek your passion, it is your life mission! Some will discover it quicker than others, but never give up. I know both of you are talented and will find the true desires of your heart, but be careful and always remember the battle that must be fought as well,” Falcon went on.

“Now that I’ve picked on Gisbo, it's your turn, Rolce. Like it or not, we all follow a path in life and you can trek on through your adventure with your head down and pass over every difficult obstacle. Don’t be this way, Rolce,” Falcon asked Rolce, who nodded.

“A man must be tested and be well prepared. Confidence walks hand in hand with experience, but with it comes failure. And sometimes the best way to get it right is by getting it wrong. It will come, Rolce, it will come. As long as you always pick yourself up when you fall, you will never truly fail. It’s a fact that life will hit you harder than anything else, so you must also make it a fact to always get back up and hit it back harder than before!” Falcon said, as he gave Rolce an encouraging smile and thumbs up.