Light & Dark: The Awakening of the Mageknight (10 page)

"Just in time," said Mrs. Turner from behind
her black desk.

Danny faked a smile, made his way to his
assigned seat and dropped his book bag down on top of his desk.

"You barely made it," whispered Matt, as he
pushed his glasses further up the bridge of his nose.

"Yeah," said Danny, digging through his bag,
pulling out his science book. Something shiny caught on the edge of
the book, causing it to fall to the floor in front of Matt's desk.
Danny's heart almost stopped as he watched the dagger bounce once
before coming to a stop beside his friend's left shoe.

"Wow," said Matt as he reached down and
retrieved the blade. "Where did you get this dagger?" holding it up
parallel to his eyes for a better look.

"Do you have a question, Mr. Mickler?" Mrs.
Turner asked before Danny could say anything.

Shocked, Matt's eyes went wide with surprise
as he held the dagger up before him. "Um, no?" said Matt with a
squint, as if he was unsure of the answer.

"Then why are you holding your pen up?"

Matt's right eyebrow lifted as he looked at
the dagger in his hand, "What pen?"

"…The pen in your hand, Mr. Mickler. Are you
feeling all right?"

The exchange caused a sudden swell of
giggling from the other students.

"It's not a pen," said Alonso, his voice
unable to carry past the rising laughter.

Reaching forward, Danny punched Alonso in the
back in an attempt to quiet him.

Not taking kindly to the gesture, Alonso
angled his fist behind him, pencil in hand, and connected with
Danny's lower left leg.

A sharp pain spread up Danny's shin, causing
him to glance at Sabrina.

"Do something," she mouthed.

She was right. He had to do something. "It's
my pen," said Danny, turning, and snatching the dagger from Matt's
hand. "He was just giving it back to me."

Confused, Matt simply nodded and adjusted his
glasses once again.

"Alright, settle down, class," said Mrs.
Turner, buying the excuse. "Today, we are going to learn about
mitochondria," regaining control, turning back toward the black
board.

As soon as he felt it was safe, Matt leaned
over and whispered, "What's going on?"

"I'll explain everything after class,"
whispered Danny, stuffing the dagger back into his pack.

"We're meeting at the library after school,"
said Alonso, matching the hushed tones of both boys.

"Shut up," said Danny, slapping Alonso on the
back of the head with the tips of his fingers.

The encouragement caused Alonso to reach
behind him once again in an attempt at retaliation. Danny moved his
leg just in time, causing Alonso to hit the steel bar of the desk
instead. Alonso winced from the pain of the impact. Turning, he
eyed Danny with a look of revenge.

"Is there a problem, Mr. Martinez?"

Danny smiled, Alonso had no choice but to
turn back to the front of the class and say, "No, Mrs. Turner."

After class, Danny, Alonso, Sabrina, and Matt
met up at the back of the science labs, where they were unlikely to
be overheard.

"What does she have to do with this?" Alonso
asked, pointing at Sabrina.

If looks could kill, Sabrina would have slain
Alonso on the spot.

"More than you know," said Danny, intervening
before Sabrina could retaliate. "But now isn't the time or the
place to discuss it."

Alonso crossed his arms, shrugged, and said,
"Whatever."

Turning toward Matt, Danny continued, "Meet
us in front of the library after school, and I'll explain
everything."

"Told you so," said Alonso with a smug smile
on his face.

Both Danny and Sabrina glared at Alonso this
time, if it had any effect, Alonso did not show it.

"Alright," said Matt, "but this better be
good."

"Yeah," agreed Alonso.

Danny smiled, "Oh, you two have no idea."

Before anything else was said, the warning
bell rang, forcing all four to fret about being tardy, rather than
about the events of the day. With little time to spare, all four
made a beeline for their individual lockers.

To Danny's relief, the rest of his classes
passed without any more surprises. Sitting in English class, he
watched the clock with a mesmerized focus and sighed with a sense
of liberation as the big hand clunked over the designated number.
The final bell rang through the school speakers, marking the end of
the last period. He had already gathered his belongings in his book
bag so he raced through the door almost before the bell stopped
ringing. He walked quickly to his locker, secured his belongings
and headed straight for the front entrance of the library. Waiting
just outside the double glass doors, Danny scanned the crowd of
students as they darted through the halls. A familiar face caught
his eye; he turned to see Chris Greene.

"Alright, I have about ten minutes before
practice starts," said Chris, stopping before Danny. "What's this
all about?"

"We have to wait for Matt Mickler, Alonso
Martinez and Sabrina Drake."

"Why?"

"I'll explain everything when they get
here."

"Well, at least let me see that dagger of
yours," Chris said, holding out his hand.

"Okay," said Danny, digging through the
contents of his bag, pulling out the dragon-hilted dagger. Danny
hesitated for a moment and handed it over.

Taking the blade, Chris turned it end over
end in his hands, admiring the intricate artisanship. "It's
beautiful." He pulled the brand free of the sheath with a subtle
ring of steel. Greeted with the sudden halo of soft white light,
Chris gasped in amazement. "Where'd you get this?"

"Wow, you didn't say that it glowed," Alonso
said before Danny could respond.

"Does it use batteries?" Matt asked, standing
beside Alonso.

Looking past Matt and Alonso, Danny spotted
Sabrina rounding the corner of the hall.

"Let me see it," said Alonso, reaching out in
an attempt to snatch the blade from Chris's hand.

"What's your problem, man, just wait," said
Chris, pulling the dagger closer to his chest, smacking Alonso's
hand away.

Danny suddenly realized that he'd created a
mess. "Here, give it back to me," he said, knowing that taking the
dagger out in the first place had been a mistake. He knew that if
Sabrina saw this, she would be upset. Her father might even take
back his gift.

"I wanna see it, too," said Matt in a whiny
voice while pushing his glasses further up the slope of his
nose.

"Just give it back, for now," argued Danny,
but he was too late. Sabrina had entered the circle.

"What is going on here?" she asked, glaring
at Danny.

"I, uh…" said Danny, trying to think of a
valid excuse.

He failed.

"This is not the time or place for this,"
scolded Sabrina. "Give it…"

"Epic looking dagger," said a voice from
beyond the group, interrupting Sabrina.

All five turned to regard the new arrival
with confusion and curiosity.

Confronted with their attention, Doug Garrett
smiled.

"You can see the dagger?" Danny asked.

Doug's face contorted with confusion, "Of
course I can. Why wouldn't I be able to see it?"

Taking advantage of the focused attention,
Danny seized the blade and scabbard from Chris's hands, sheathed it
and placed it back in his bag. "Come on, we need a place to
talk."

"Can I come, too?" Doug asked.

"Yes, Doug, you, too," said Danny, turning
and walking into the library without waiting to see if he was being
followed.

They found a circular table in the back, it
was secluded behind two shelves stacked with books.

Danny positioned the dagger in the middle of
the table. Once everyone was seated, he began. He told them what
happened the night following his fight with Steven Rooney. He
described the event, how Sabrina fought the Shadow, as best he
could. Then he explained his second encounter with the Shadow, his
discussion with Sabrina's father and his choice to become a Knight
of the Light. During the explanation, Sabrina filled in with things
that Danny had trouble remembering.

As soon as Danny and Sabrina were finished,
all four boys stared with wide-eyed amazement, switching their
gazes from Sabrina to Danny and then back to Sabrina.

Alonso, as was common to his nature, was the
first to speak. "You're a terrible liar," looking back at
Danny.

"That's a good one, coming from you," said
Danny, his voice hinted of anger.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You know exactly what it means."

"I have never…"

"That's enough, Alonso," interrupted
Chris.

Alonso crossed his arms, "Whatever."

Danny guessed that Alonso's sudden submission
was because Chris knew him better than anyone else sitting at the
table. Both were on the football team as well as the wrestling
team. Danny had always thought that Alonso looked up to Chris
because most of his lies tended to coincide with whatever endeavor
Chris was currently chasing.

"Are you telling the truth, Danny?" Chris
asked softly.

"Of course I am. Why would I lie about his?
All of you have seen the proof with your own eyes," he said,
pointing at the dagger in the center of the table. "Everyone else
saw a pen while you saw a dagger. How could I make such a thing
happen?"

"Okay, now what?" Chris asked.

Before Danny could answer, Matt raised his
hand in question.

"What?" Danny asked. "You don't have to raise
your hand," he added.

Matt put his hand down. "Can I look at it
now?"

"Yes."

Matt took up the blade and unsheathed it,
bathing the corner of the library in a soft white light. "Is it
really magical?"

"You tell me."

Motivated by Danny's comment, Matt placed the
sheath tip-first on the tabletop, pushed his glasses up, and held
the glowing brand before his eyes for a closer inspection. Flicking
the edge, causing the steel to sing from the vibration, he said,
"It's definitely made of metal." Touching the tip with his finger,
he added, "Sharp, too." Then, after attempting to twist the hilt,
he said, "Well, there's no place to put batteries." Matt sheathed
the dagger, placed it back in the middle of the table and said, "It
seems real to me."

"…So, what now?" Chris asked once again.

"You must all decide," said Danny, looking
from face to face, meeting the eyes of each friend in turn.
"Whether you believe me or not, all of you have the gift of sight.
So you can either choose to live a normal life or be tested to
become a Knight of the Light just as I have chosen."

"I believe you, Danny," said Chris with a
steady tone. "I choose to be tested."

"Me, too," said Matt.

"Count me in," said Doug.

All eyes locked on Alonso, awaiting an
answer.

"Give me a minute," the black-haired boy
said. Silence passed as Alonso looked at the dagger, Danny,
Sabrina, and then finally, Chris.

"Well?" Danny asked.

"Whatever… fine… yes."

"I shall let my father know," Sabrina said
with finality.

back to top

all soon turned into winter, blanketing the
ground with fluffy snow, which then melted away and gave way to
spring. Six months passed without any sign of the Shadows. Even
Steven Rooney kept his distance. Sabrina and Danny became fast
friends. Anticipating the upcoming examination of the Light, Danny
spent the majority of his time studying the only thing he knew,
Knights.

On the first day of spring break, marked by a
lazy morning without school, there was a soft knock at Danny's
front door.

"Danny, get the door!"

Danny dropped his spoon in his half-eaten
bowl of cereal and walked to the front door. Beyond the warped
glass, he saw the dark silhouette of a tall man. Opening the door,
the stranger greeted him with a brimming smile and golden eyes.

"Salutations, young Danny Firoth," said the
man, dipping his head downward in greeting. His facial features
were sharp, with high cheekbones and a pointed chin. He wore a
silver business suit with matching dress shoes, golden cufflinks
and a brass-colored tie. His long hair was a glossy black, it
drooped down the slope of his shoulders. In his right hand, he held
a black briefcase. However, what truly caught Danny's attention was
the gold-hilted longsword braced in his left hand, the base of the
pommel was shaped in the form of a half-moon.

"You're a Knight of the Light," said Danny in
absolute awe.

"Well, it seems you have passed the first
test, Mr. Firoth," the man said in a musical voice.

"Well, who is it?" Danny's mother asked,
rounding the corner, coming to a stop as she spotted the
visitor.