Chào các bạn! Vì nhiều lý do từ nay Truyen2U chính thức đổi tên là Truyen247.Pro. Mong các bạn tiếp tục ủng hộ truy cập tên miền mới này nhé! Mãi yêu... ♥

| Chapter Twenty-Three | Adam's Legacy

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Even heroes need to be saved sometimes..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dan ran his hand over the blueprint, flattening it out against the table as he inspected it. Jason stood on the other side of the table with Simone, Preston, Ant, and Quentin in the room as well. They're in the war room, looking over the Zacanian blueprints that Captain Noah and Nick had found off the blackmarket and/or stole from scientists or thieves. Dan bit his bottom lip, staring at it. He recognized a lot of the designs, in fact, they were very familiar because they were a lot like his own inventions he created back during the Sky Army days.

Dan nods a bit. "Looks easy enough to make, seems like they copied my own inventions and just added their own quirks to them to make it seem like it was theirs to begin with," Dan said before his eyes looked at Jason. "But getting the materials for this tech won't be easy. I'm gonna need a lot of materials," he said.

"What do you need?" he asked Dan.

Dan's eyes soften before he stood up straight, crossing his arms. "Why do you want this stuff?" Dan asked the general. Dan motioned to the blueprints on the table. "I recognize some of this tech, this tech is the same stuff that was used at the Saneria Kingdom battle, the battle where Adam was killed. You want to use the same technology that murdered the First Commander?" Dan asked looking at Jason.

Jason sighed. "Look, I don't like it either. But we don't have a choice, Dan. I've seen this tech be used in full before, swords and bows aren't enough anymore. After all, the Sky Army fell because we were so far behind in technology. If we want to have a leg up on the enemy, we need to update our weaponry and skills," Jason said.

Quentin nodded, agreeing with Jason. "Before the Sky Army fell and Adam died, we had plans to work on advancing the Sky Army's weapons and defenses but we just ran out of time before we could even start it. I know that you won't have as much freedom and materials as you had when you worked at the Sky Army forgery and your lab. But whatever you may need, we will try everything we can to get it," Quentin said.

Dan hesitated, Preston looked at the blueprints. He's seen them before, he's worked alongside Dan as his assistant for years. Preston can invent a few things but he isn't as experienced or creative as Dan can be. Dan thinks out of the box, he's flexible and is up for any challenge, which is why Dan was the Sky Army's weapon specialist and head inventor. Adam and the Generals have requested some crazy stuff during the Sky Army days and yet Dan always finds a way to get exactly what they want and at a fast rate as well. It always perplexed Preston as to how Dan can do that, but that's why he looks up to the inventor in the first place. Dan's willingness to fight against the impossible to make it possible is what makes him such a great inventor.

Preston looked at Dan, seeing he is thinking. So, Preston looks at the blueprints again, listing out materials in his head as to what they might need and he can slowly come to what Dan is thinking. The materials that Dan needs are going to be hard to find.

Dan looked at the blueprints again, staring at them. "Some of the materials I will need will be hard to come by and expensive too. If we are going to update the Sky Army's weapons, armor, gadgets, and defenses; I'm going to need a lot of materials," Dan said.

Jason nodded, understanding. "Good, so come up with a list of what you need and I'll get the Captains on it--"

"What?" Ant questioned looking at Jason. Jason's eyes looked over at Ant as he heard Ant speak again. "So I'm going to be the errand boy for the crazy inventor?" Ant asked Jason with narrow eyes, displeased.

Jason turned to Ant, seeing his unhappiness about helping to collect materials for Dan. "Yes, that is exactly what you are going to be, Ant. And if you have a problem with that then don't let the door hit you on the ass on your way out," Jason snapped at him making the others smile, amused while Ant just stared at the general. Jason's eyes looked at Quentin. "How's Ty doing?" he asked.

Quentin paused, he looked at Jason. "Ty's showing signs of waking. He's still comatose but he is starting to come out of the coma," Quentin said. A lot of them looked happy about that, but they also knew that Ty waking up could be really bad and there were no wizards that could contain him. They all left with Ian and Mitch to find the feral potions at the Sky Army Ruins. I mean, there is Elise here, but she isn't exactly strong enough to contain Ty on her own, and Jason doesn't like the idea of her trying to contain Ty with how fearful the Fyre brothers looked about Ty waking up.

Jason nodded a bit. "Well, Alister has that tincture to keep Ty asleep for three more days if he were to awaken. Ian and them left two days ago for the ruins. They should be back soon," he said.

"And what if they find none?" Ant asked him.

Jason paused, thinking, and shook his head. "You know, I don't want to think about what we'll have to do to Ty if there are no feral potions or they don't work..." Jason said. The others nodded, agreeing. They all knew what would have to be done if Ty couldn't gain control over himself and that's a road that none of them want to ever go down. The door opened, Zek coming in making Jason look at him. "Well?"

Zek smiled a bit and looked at Jason. "Everville," Zek told him making Jason cross his arms.

He nodded at Zek. "Thank you," he said making Quentin looked at Jason, confused, as were the others in the room.

"What about Everville?" Quentin asked.

Jason's eyes looked at Quentin. "Jerome is there. If we are really trying to revive the Sky Army, we're gonna need all six of us together in order to save both Adam and Seto," Jason said. Jason looked at Zek. "Michael?"

Zek shrugged his shoulders. "He insisted on staying with Jerome to keep an eye on him. Michael is nuts, that general has lost his mind," Zek said. Jason gritted his teeth, not liking that news one bit and neither did Dan, Ant, or Quentin.

Ant looked at Zek. "How bad is Lieutenant General Aceti? Has he turned hostile towards the people of Everville?" Ant asked Zek as he stepped towards the man. Zek nodded a bit. Ant looked at Jason. "Aceti is dangerous when he turns feral--"

"What do you mean?" Simone asked him.

Ant looked at the princess. "The last time General Aceti turned feral during the Sky Army days, he wounded Mitch and a few recruits before General Azdel was able to knock him out. Without Azdel here, knocking out General Aceti is going to be next to impossible--"

Jason shakes his head. "Not necessarily. Jerome is not impossible to beat when he turns feral. It is just ridiculously hard. We've always had a plan in place that Adam created that we would use if Jerome were to go feral and having Seto knock him out like he usually did was not an option. Seto usually stops Jerome's feral episodes short," Jason said.

Quentin nods. "Yeah, Adam's plan can be done by just one person, but it is faster if done by many," he said.

Jason cracked a small smile. "I've used Adam's plan many times over the last five years whenever I run into Jerome and he's feral, which was most of the time. But seeing how I'm on a hospitalization order until my ribs heal...you guys are gonna have to do something," Jason said before he looked at Ant. "So, Ant, how do you feel about being the one to go handle the situation at Everville in our stead?" he asked. Ant arched an eyebrow up at Jason, dumbfounded. They don't usually let Ant handle many things since his ranking doesn't allow it. He may be a Captain, but he isn't an Advanced Division Captain as Nick, Max, and Noah are.

Ant smiled and nodded. "I think I can handle it," Ant said.

Jason nodded. "Alright, and when Mitch gets back, we'll send him your way since once he hears that we found Jerome, he is going to go after him whether we tell him to or not," Jason admitted.

Ant stepped towards Jason. "What was the plan Adam made?" Ant asked.

Quentin looked at Ant. "Let Jerome exhaust himself. He tends to use up a lot of his energy when he goes feral. When he comes out of it, he is going to probably pass out or if you can knock him out," Quentin said making Ant confused.

"Wait, you said that it was really hard, that doesn't sound so hard--"

Jason arched an eyebrow up at Ant. "Have you seen how Jerome acts when he is feral? He's fast and unpredictable. He doesn't care who the nether you are, if you are in his way, he will kill you. Don't underestimate him, Ant. There's a reason why we never allow recruits to help us when Jerome goes feral. He always goes for the kill, he's nearly killed me three times in the last four years. Be on your guard twenty-four-seven, even if he looks tired. Jerome is only safe to go near after a feral episode is when he is unconscious. Get close to him when he is still going nuts and your inners will become your outers," Jason said. Ant stared at Jason, he looked at Quentin seeing the general nod, confirming what Jason said was true.

Ant paused. "Okay, well, thanks for the pep talk. I'll go now," Ant said.

"Don't die, Ant," Quentin said making Jason smile.

Ant looked at Quentin as he backed up towards the door. "Wow, truly uplifting advice from both of you. I can see how you both are generals. I won't die, have a little more faith in me, guys," Ant said before he left.

Dan smiled and looked at Jason. "Did anyone else notice how much Ant seem to have changed?" he asked. Everyone but Simone, Preston, and Zek nodded.

Jason uncrossed his arms. "It's a good thing. Honestly, Ant's always had the potential to be an Advanced Captain, maybe even a Colonel like Jordan, but it was his mouth and attitude that got him into trouble," Jason said.

Quentin nodded, agreeing with Jason. "Ant is a skilled warrior, he is almost on par with Jordan--"

Jason shrugged his shoulders. "I mean, Jordan's strength lies more with his leadership abilities and his smarts than his fighting skills. But I don't really think Ant is on the same level as Jordan, Jordan has the respect of the recruits while Ant...not so much," Jason said before looking at Dan. "Anyway, make a list of the materials that you need and I'll send it to Noah and Nick to see what they can pick up off the blackmarket," he said.

Simone looked at Jason. "T-The what? The blackmarket, but that's--"

Jason sighed. "Look, Ian has already dug us into the hole of robbing nobles, blackmarket deals, and sketchy allies--"

Quentin motioned to Jason. "This coming from the man who formed a terrorist group, I'm not shocked he is okay with stealing from nobles and using the blackmarket," Quentin spoke making the others smile or chuckle.

Jason looked at Quentin. "The Iron Crew isn't a terrorist group, Quentin," he said.

Quentin shakes his head. "The Iron Crew's actions over the past years dictate otherwise," he said to him. Jason stared at him. He knew that Quentin was right. In the eyes of the Sky Army, the Iron Crew does qualify as a terrorist group. But it isn't like they have done anything extreme, sure that have done sketchy stuff, but nothing too bad. If they had, Jason is sure that Ian would have turned everyone's attention onto the Iron Crew.

Jason sighed in defeat, wanting to change the subject. He looks back at Dan. "How fast can you work to get this done?" Jason asked.

Dan paused, thinking. He would have to make a lot of stuff in a very short period of time. Which might mean that Dan is gonna have a few sleepless nights, not that that is new to him. During the Sky Army days, he has had his fair share of sleepless nights to finish projects or fill supply demands on time.

Dan looked at Jason. "Well, depending on how fast you get me the materials and if anything needs special modifications, I can get the entire army upgraded in about a week," Dan said smiling.

Quentin's eyes narrowed at Dan. "You better be planning to eat and sleep during that week's timespan, Daniel," Quentin snapped at Dan. Dan's eyes looked at Quentin for a moment, seeing the general's obvious displeasure and narrow gaze that made chills go down Dan's spine. During the Sky Army days, Dan has had to be put into the hospital because he passed out from exhaustion or almost starved to death, and Dan would always get a lengthy lecture from either Dr. Alister or Quentin about it.

Dan looked at Jason before he spoke, "Week and a half."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Why do wizards always have to make such a big bloody mess?" Captain Max asked seeing the aftermath from the battle between the Fyre Brothers and Master Joyce Withers.

Mitch walked past Max. "Well, the base was already destroyed, so who cares how much more damage they inflict upon it," Mitch commented before he went over to Ian. He looked at Ian. "We found four feral potions, five healing potions, and two regeneration potions. Looks like Harvey was making a lot of stuff before the Sky Army fell," Mitch said. Ian smiled a bit, satisfied with that number. Ian looked over at Max, who he had sent along with recruits to the base infirmary to see if anything could be salvaged.

"Well, did you find anything?" Ian asked the captain.

Max nods. "Yeah, we found a few healing potions that weren't used yet and some herbs that we just threw into a bag for Alister to sort through. We found bandages, ointments, and magic level readers," Max said.

Ian then turned to the Fyre brothers, mostly Waglington. "So...where have you been?" he asked James.

James looked at Ian. "Timeless Isle, fell into a trap that was set up by the Council and struggled to get myself out of it for a few hours. Interrogated some people to figure out what was going on and man did they sang like birds. They told me just about everything that Master Klyen is planning," James said making Ian smile.

Ian crossed his arms, losing his smile. "I know that the magic community doesn't want to help us. So, are you willing to help us, Master Wag?" Ian asked.

James nodded at Ian. "Yes, of course I am. Harvey's my friend too. I'm not about to abandon him. But first...we need to find Susanne and Elio, Harvey's siblings. Last I heard, they were at Laenadur," James spoke.

Mitch looked at Ian. "That's right, Harvey broke them out and let them escape. We need to find them before Master Klyen gets his hands on them again," Mitch spoke. Ian uncrossed his arms, knowing Mitch is right. Ian has met Harvey's siblings before, they all have. Elio is about fifteen while Susanne is thirteen, at least Ian thinks they are that old, he doesn't quite remember their exact age. But they are cute kids who absolutely adore Harvey and you can tell that the two will be as skilled in magic as Harvey is someday. Especially Elio who, from what Ian can remember, had already learned a lot of spells from Harvey.

Ian nods and looks at James. "I agree, finding them is crucial so Klyen doesn't have something to use against Harvey. Elio and Susanne are really comfortable around Elise, so I think they'll only really trust her and Harvey. What about Harvey's staff?" Ian asked him.

Wag looked at the staff strapped to Mitch's back, he stared at it for a moment before looking at Ian. "I would say to give it to us, but that might be stupid to do with our tower in Laenadur. Keep it, hide it someplace safe. As long as we have the staff, Harvey is safe," Wag said.

Mitch's eyes soften. "What exactly is Klyen planning that puts Seto in danger?" Mitch asked making everyone look at Wag, waiting for an answer. James hesitated, he didn't know whether he should tell them or not. 'They are Harvey's friends too, so they do deserve to know the truth,' James thought to himself.

James looked at Ian, Jordan, and Mitch. "The Squid King was nothing more than just a pawn of Klyen's. His real targets have been Commander Sky and Harvey since the very beginning. Adam Skylen is the greatest leader and warrior in history, even Klyen knows that. But Skylen is not on Klyen's side. He plans corrupt Skylen's mind and heart by changing him into a vessel of Lord Herobrine," James said shocking everyone.

Phil shakes his head. "No, that's impossible, the only way Master Klyen would be able to awaken Lord Herobrine is to--"

James's eyes look at Phil. "Is to sacrifice a wizard of equal or greater power. Master Klyen knows that Harvey is powerful enough to awaken Lord Herobrine...he plans to sacrifice Harvey so the world's most powerful and dangerous enemy can corrupt and possess the world's greatest leader and warrior," James said before he looks at generals. "And if Klyen is successful, the world will probably be damned," he said. There was a long silence, letting everyone process what James had said. None of them thought that it would be this bad and none of them were expecting it either.

Ian looked at James. "Say that Klyen is successful...can Adam and Harvey be saved?" Ian asked.

James shakes his head. "No, Harvey would have been sacrificed, so he is already dead and Adam's soul and mind wouldn't survive the ritual. The ritual will break him and well...there is no saving someone who is broken in both mind and soul. The only real way to save Adam at that point would be to kill him," James said.

Ian nodded a bit. "Okay..." he mumbled.

Max looked at James. "Why don't we just break the staff and invert all of this before it even could happen?" he asked.

Phil shakes his head. "It wouldn't work, a wizard's staff can only be broken by the wizard who created it and there is no way that Klyen would allow Harvey to do that," he said.

Jordan shakes his head a bit. "If Klyen is successful, he would destroy Adam's legacy. He would make it so that Adam is marked as a traitor to the world. Adam would be forever branded as the enemy," Jordan said. There was another silence.

Mitch bit his bottom lip, thinking. "So, we can't let them have Seto's staff so they can't use it to sacrifice Seto and can't break Adam and they can't doom the world for all of eternity as well as not completely destroy Adam's heroic image forever," Mitch said. He paused before looking at Ian. "So Ian, what do we do now?" he asked Ian. Ian glanced at Mitch, crossing his arms as he thinked. He tried thinking up solutions but there was that one thing that kept Ian from talking. Ian wasn't technically the Commander anymore, Jason is since Jason rejoined them. But upon hearing what James had to say, he was mad. He knew Jordan was right, if Klyen is successful, he'll destroy Adam's legacy.

Ian's hands gripped his arms. "James," Ian said before he looked at Mitch. "Is rescuing Adam an option? Could we bring him back to us?" he asked. James paused, thinking. He didn't need to think at all, he knew the answer to that question. Phil and Kaylen as well knew that answer.

James looked at Ian and shook his head. "I can't guarantee that, Ian. If it turns out that Master Klyen revived Adam from the dead, the right thing to do is to return Adam back to the land of the dead so his spirit can finally find peace. All in all...Adam died at the Battle of Saneria and has been dead since. His body may be living but the soul of the man that was once there is no longer the same. I'm sorry, but the right thing to do is to make sure that his soul can finally be properly laid to rest and find peace in the afterlife," James said. Ian looked away from James, he was afraid to hear that answer as were the others.

Ian let out a shaky breath and nodded. "Okay, then we make sure that Adam passes on," Ian said.

"But how are we gonna do this without him to help and guide us?" a recruit asked Ian. Mitch glanced at the recruits before he looked at Ian, who gave him a small smile.

Ian returned the small smile. "I will admit that things are easier with Adam leading and telling us what to do. And Adam was right when he use to say that we can't survive three days without him...and that's pathetic. We're the Sky Army, we should be able to survive without Adam leading the charge every time. And I know that the recruits that have joined us are doubtful and the morale is low..." Ian said before he looked at the recruits. "But if I know the Sky Army as well as I think I do, I know that everyone loved and fought for Adam. Morale may be low, but once everyone knows that Master Klyen is threatening to destroy Adam's legacy, they won't hesitate to aid us," he said. Mitch nods, agreeing.

If there is one thing that the generals know for sure, that's that the recruits are very protective over Adam and everything he stood for. And this won't be the first time that Ian has brought up Adam to keep the Sky Army together after the fall of the base and Adam's death. Everyone is willing to do just about anything to protect what Adam left behind.

Jordan looked at the recruits. "Adam build and protected us, making all of us to the people we are today. Without him, we all wouldn't be here. We might have fail to protect him when he needed it the most but we all owe it to him to protect the legacy he left behind since Ian is right. Adam died a hero, we have to might sure that Allaron remembers Adam as a hero," Jordan said.

Mitch looks at Ian. "So, what's the plan, Ian?" he asked.

Ian looked at Mitch. "We head back to let the others know what is going on, then and there we will all come up with a plan of what to do," he said before he looked at the wizards. "We may not be able to save Adam...but we will save Seto. I hope that the Sky Army can count on the help of the Elite wizards," he said. Phil, James, and Kaylen all look at each other, smiling a bit before James looked at Ian.

James nodded at Ian before saying, "We'll do anything and everything you need us to do."

Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: Truyen247.Pro