Sight: A Verse Thriller Read online

  We arrive at the door of the training hall

  Walking in anyone would feel minuscule and small

  This place is gargantuan

  Anything you can think of

  In this place you can

  The dirty looks bearing down

  As with every crowd there's always one clown

  Stepping up to us, his confidence boasts

  All in all he's a little too close

  “So, you're the Seer.” He stares me down

  His confidence not simply for show

  His mana subdued

  But overtly glows

  Then again it might just be my eyes though

  “Please step back.” My voice calm

  “Or what?” He breathes “You gonna give the Chairman

  a call?”

  I can see the wheels in his head turning

  He's thinking of just how to take me down

  Of how to burn me

  “Don't think we don't know,” He continues on “how you

  got in here.

  Casts a spell and incited fear.

  You were raised by that Fae criminal after all.”

  As he mentions Jack my emotions flare

  Without lifting a finger I knock him through the air

  “Oh, I'm sorry.” I smirk “I must've misheard you.

  I thought you said you wanted to fall.”

  “Why not settle this like men?” Leigh calls

  “A friendly duel. Non-lethal of course.

  What do you say Tom? Don't leave us bored.”

  Stumbling to his feet “You might regret that.”

  “Shut up and fight.” I say “You ignorant scum hat.”

  The entire hall clears a space

  I ready myself and look at his face

  Anyone else would be uneasy

  But he's surprisingly content

  “Ready to go blind?” He smirks

  If only I knew just what he meant

  Slowly we start with hand to hand

  In this, with my eyes,

  I should be the stronger man

  But keeping pace with me

  He blocks every strike as he stands

  That smirk on his face...

  Is he reading my eyes?

  Time to get some distance

  I let lose a blast of mana

  Forcing him back he says

  “You're almost as strong as Hana.”

  “Who?” I reply

  “Honestly,” I continue “I couldn't care less.

  Right now, you're the only one I wanna best.”

  “Besting me would be quite a feat.”

  He grins with a chuckle as from his hands

  Smoke begins to bleed

  Some type of spell

  He's trying to give himself a handicap

  Surprisingly it's working - Crap

  “If it wasn't for your eyes, I'd have you easily beat.

  What do you say we turn up the heat?”

  Taking in every inch of the area,

  I survey every person, every breath

  And every last bit of subdued hysteria

  The crowd's on edge

  But it's not because of me

  Who is this guy?

  What advantage does he have

  That I can't see?

  As the smoke gets thicker

  My eyes begin to burn

  As more and more I wanna beat this guy

  More than that, the need yearns

  “You rely too much on your eyes.” He calls loud

  “Just how would you fair if you lost that extraordinary

  sight?

  Could you honestly say you'd still be so cocky and

  proud?”

  The smoke becomes like fog, even my eyes can't pierce

  it

  Instantly, hugely dense mana begins to emit

  As from within the smoke, he charges forward

  In his hands he holds dual mana swords

  Just barely, I dodge out of his striking range

  He's taking this a bit far

  But I refuse to cave

  Blast after blast I visually throw my mana

  Trying to think of a way to deal some damage

  The smoke clears with every shot

  But then quicky blinds me

  He's really got me caught

  As I catch a glimpse of him

  It becomes ever clear

  My only chance is to catch his arms

  And lock him – That means absolutely no fear

  Not that I have any

  I'm looking to kill Death himself

  So any fear I have can go to hell

  Following the flow of the smoke as he moves

  He should attack from right... here

  The glowing blades coming fast for the strike

  With my eyes

  It can seem like I move faster than light

  Being able to predict an attack from him is child's play

  Twisting his arms they creak

  Almost ready to break

  “Yield.” I demand

  “No chance.” He responds

  Instantly the mana returns to his palms

  His actions contradicting his words

  As he grins “Here's a lesson you should learn.

  Any type of magic, even one as strong as yours,

  Is dictated by mana, and from mana is born

  Thrusting his arm against my lock

  He nails me in the chest

  For a moment I'm fine

  Then I feel the shock

  Instantly, my vision becomes fuzzy

  All the details and colors leaving my head buzzing

  It feels like I'm going blind

  As from beyond the smoke Leigh calls “That's time.

  Who's the winner?”

  With one swift move

  He pins me with a finisher

  “My name's Thomas Gold.”

  He whispers in my ear

  “I suggest you remember it.”

  The intent clear

  He means to show me who's the boss

  With no choice, this is my loss

  Trial 3: And then there were three

  My head throbbing

  My vision unclear

  Is this what it means to see like everyone else here?

  The smoke dissipating

  Not how I thought it would end

  I must look unsightly to my partner, my friend

  I let her down

  The duel now over

  But Thomas doesn't release me

  Submitting me to exposure

  “This is what happens,” He says tightening his grip

  “When you let heritage rule you.

  When you rely on a special gift.”

  “You've made your point.” Leigh growls

  “Release him, now.”

  “No.” His tone full of pride and glee

  “Not until he apologizes to me.”

  “Excuse me?” Leigh's temper thin as wire

  “You heard me,” He gives an arrogant smile

  “I said apologize.”

  Leigh's ready to explode in fire

  “And I said release him.” The air around us heating up

  It's clear that she's had enough

  “You know princess,” He tightens even further

  I groan at the pain

  “No one here likes your attitude,

  And no one respects your name.

  Even your own mother can't stand you,

  Ever compared to the brother who abandoned you.”

  Leigh's about to lose it

  Dude, shut up while you can

  “Your flame isn't even blue.

  What, are you gonna cry?

  Poor Leigh, boohoo.”

  Instantly, her familiar

  Explodes from within

  Not the cute little fox

  But a flaming beast to burn away sin

  Sparks and embers begin to flyr />
  As fire begins to bleed

  Roaring high

  “Just gonna hide behind your familiar?” He taunts

  As Leigh charges forward and lands a punch

  Socking Thomas right in his smug face

  Knocking him off me

  As I scramble up in place

  Suddenly, wind like a vacuum

  It extinguishes the flames

  “Masterson! Vashti!” Jewl barks our names

  As he walks forward

  “There are to be absolutely no co-worker brawls.

  Besides, it looks like he bested you both

  And is still standing tall.

  If you wish to continue

  We'll put an official duel on the books.

  But to do so without authorization,

  You'll both be on the hook.

  This assembly has been postponed.”

  He finishes addressing the crowd

  “To your quarters all of you, now!”

  As Leigh and I begin walking away

  “Not you two.” Jewl's tone calls

  “Thomas as well! You better listen to what I have to

  say!”

  As the guy who just handed me my butt

  Approaches with a grin on his face

  “Lose the smirk.” Jewl sighs

  “You're all being assigned to an S rank mission

  As a three man team.”

  Before we continue here's some knowledge,

  So listen

  O.D.'s missions are ranked hardest to easiest

  S-A-B-C-D

  Anything that's a potential global catastrophe

  Is S – You see?

  Let's resume

  “What?!” I bark “No way in hell!”

  “It's Death related.” Jewl responds

  “And you obviously need the help.”

  Groaning and grumbling, I mutter under my breath

  Expressing my displeasure, still fuzzy in my head

  What the hell did he do?

  I suddenly lose my balance

  Catching myself

  Jewl chuckles “Don't tell me you lost your talent.”

  I look at him stern

  “No sir.” I say rubbing my eyes

  “Just didn't eat breakfast.”

  If he finds out I can't see

  I'll be kicked from the mission

  “Continue sir, I'm here to listen.”

  “Right.” He begins, looking at me suspicious

  Leigh puts her hand on my shoulder

  I shrug it off trying to be ambitious

  I can sense her concern even without my eyes

  All I can do right now is fake it and lie

  “Well, here goes.” Jewl presses on

  “The recovery of stolen objects, that's the job,

  As well as the prevention of any further thefts.

  And I expect you all to do your best.”

  “Stolen objects sir?” Thomas groans

  “Isn't that a bit beneath my skill set?”

  Jewl's face gets serious

  “These aren't just any ordinary objects.

  Someone is targeting the Seven Sins of the mystic races.

  Guardian treasures, hidden in their home places.

  They contain extraordinary magical power.

  If the pattern persists, you have less than twenty-four

  hours

  Until the next one is stolen.”

  “What does this have to do with Death?” I ask

  “The man impersonating Jameson,” Jewl's face begins to

  twitch

  “Has been seen at the crime scenes.

  Good money says he's not there sight seeing.

  Do you catch my drift?”

  “You think they're planning something.” I state

  Jewl gives me a look

  “They have to be.”

  That alone is good enough for me

  “Nate,” Leigh chimes in “Your vision.”

  “Right.” I concur “They definitely are.”

  “As usual,” Jewl smiles “you're ahead by far.

  All three of you are to investigate it

  And prevent whatever's coming.

  Now, if you'll excuse me,” Jewl's face goes sour

  “I've got an upset tummy.”

  Swiftly, he starts walking away

  “Oh,” He presses “This pairing isn't a suggestion.

  So try to play nice.”

  Rushing away he mumbles

  “Note to self, lay off the cheese and rice.”

  “Let's report to Jerome.” Leigh says “He'll tell us where to start.

  But before that, what's going on with you?”

  “Nothing.” I snap

  “Well,” Thomas smirks “that's not entirely true.

  I weakened the flow of your mana.

  Quite the curve isn't it?”

  “Put it back.” Leigh growls

  “No.” He says straight

  “This scumhat needs to learn his eyes aren't everything.

  I should know.

  Being from the Mana Clan, handicaps sting.”

  “Fine, we'll just tell the Chairman.” Leigh begins

  heading to the door

  Grabbing her arm, “Don't you dare.” I growl

  “I'm not writhing on the floor.

  I'll be fine.

  Besides if you report it, they'll take me off the mission.

  I will see this through,

  With or without my vision.”

  “Bravo.” Thomas applauds

  “Leigh, you being alarmed, there's absolutely no cause.

  I didn't block his mana or get rid of it.

  He can still use magic

  And frankly I'd rather him not quit.

  His sight'll return in time,

  Just give it a few days.

  And when it does I wanna hear what he says.

  Now then, let's get this thing started.”

  Thomas heads to the terminal

  Leaving me half-hearted

  I can't tell if he's got it in for me or not

  It kinda feels like he's got a plan

  But what?

  Thinking of that vision

  It said I'd go blind – Is this what it meant?