Renegade Reborn (18 page)

“Well?” Gisbo asked.

“I . . . I . . . it’s terrible,” Vadid said, forcing a grimace.

“Fine, then I’ll just take this and . . .” Gisbo started, reaching for the plate, when Vadid leapt atop it with two big hands like a dog would protecting its prized bone.

“NO! Don’t you dare!” Vadid said as he picked up the steak with his bare hands and gobbled it down, until it was gone, and he was out of breath.

“Good?” Gisbo asked. Vadid leaned back in his chair, and stared at the ceiling with awe reflecting in his eyes.

“Gizzy, you’ve got the gift.” Vadid said. Gisbo beamed, hearing his name being said by his Grandfather, even if it was a shortened version.

“So, that’s a yes?” Gisbo asked.

“The memories that taste is bringing back . . .” Vadid started, when suddenly, the awe left his eyes and his face went stone cold. “ . . . Brings us right to the point. Drakearon . . . “ Vadid said the name with disgust, letting the word hang out there a moment before continuing. “I had Jackobi bring you to that hell of an island for a reason.”

“How? Why? Answer in any order you please,” Gisbo said.

“Gladly. That’s why you’re here afterall. Answers. As you know, Jack has a connection to the Phoenix’s energies due to his mother, who had the blood of a Mystical, or, angel if you will, flowing through her veins. That’s why he’s so close to you, feels when things go wrong, but only if you allow it.

As to why, the Phoenix blade goes where there is evil, and you faced that evil, Gizzy, faced it head on. With my courage, your mother’s fearlessness, and your father’s tenacity flowing through you, hell, evil knew it couldn’t face you head on, or, hide from your sight, so instead, it did the only thing it could, it hid inside you, trying to corrupt you from the inside out, and you lost your light, but even without it, even in the darkness, you gave it no quarter, fighting it the only way you could, fighting it the same way your other Grandaddy did, with drink.

It’s only natural, Gizzy, but remember, there are two types of people in this world. Those who face what’s inside them, and those who keep running . . . that’s all wanderlust is, Gisbo. It’s glorified running. It’s people taking physical journeys to avoid the journey inside. To journey inward, is to face and feel some of the most excruciating pains life has to offer, for it is there you will see the naked you, the real you, not the one you let the world see, and for some, it’s much easier to just live a lie, to keep moving, rather than sit your ass down, and face your pain.

But before anything gets said, you have to know, right now, above everything, that what happened in Heaven’s Shelter, was not your fault,” Vadid said.

“But it was,” Gisbo said.

“Bullshit. Your heart has a glory, Gizzy, and your glory is needed now. I’ve seen your heart, and it is good. I’ve watched you grow from a young boy, to the man you are, and I, I am so proud you. I know everything about you, and I’ve been waiting here, for you, in this place between time and space.” Vadid said.

“Why?” Gisbo asked.

“You said it yourself. Something’s broken inside you, but who did the breaking? It was him, it was Drakearon, and he’s just getting started with you. He arrived that day in Heaven’s Shelter for one thing, and one thing only. In a war, Gisbo, the one thing that’s even more important than strategy, is to take away the heart of your opponent. Do you know the best way to do that?” Vadid asked.

Gisbo shook his head.

“You destroy their heroes. Don’t misunderstand me. You can destroy a hero without killing them. To kill a hero is to make them a martyr. It gives people heart, rather than taking it, but, if you destroy the hero, take the best of them, break them, take away their light, then the people are left to wander in darkness . . .

You see, it’s a very rare thing for someone to know who they are, and what they want. Such people are not guarded. Such people hold nothing back. Such people say what they mean and mean what they say. Do you know why? It’s because they know of no other way. It’s because they live from a heart fully alive!” Vadid said, pausing for a smile. “But, you know what's the most amazing part about these sorts of people? They’re usually never geniuses. They’re usually never prodigies.

They’re just people who understand failure like a native tongue. They’re people who know pain like a lover. They’re people who get knocked down only to come back stronger. They’re people who let others deal with the weight of their strength, handle it, so that in time they may grow stronger themselves. They’re people where even if the heavenly host were to come down, and ask, ‘How is it you stand there, and endure the searing light of the heavens?’ Such people would look the divine right in the eyes, and answer without pause, ‘Because, I’ve stood through Hell.’”

Now, why? Why would someone like Drakearon single out someone like you?” Vadid asked.

“Because he’s an asshole?” Gisbo said.

“True, very true, but the main reason, is because you are one of these rare people I speak of, Gisbo. He singled you out because, deep down, he’s afraid of you, and he damn well should be. You have the blood of a hundred McCarley’s before you flooding through those veins. He has every right to be afraid. Don’t you get it, Gizzy? You were the best of them, but not because you were gifted, or chosen, or special. No, you were the best of them because you were none of those things. You’re a living, breathing, shitting example of how far grit and tenacity can take someone, and how having faith in who you are, means more than who you were. That’s why! One only attacks someone, sets up such an awful series of events for one reason, Gisbo.” Vadid said, leaning in closer. “Out of fear,”

“Hm,” Gisbo muttered.

“At one point in time, the universe demanded a Man-Phoenix such as myself. Not now. I am not the Man-Phoenix this world needs, not anymore, because, as much as it chaps my ass to admit this, I can’t beat Drakearon, and he, he can’t beat me . . .” Vadid said.

“You’re talking about how the energies, the Phoenix and the Dragon’s and how they’re equal in strength and repel each other. I threw all I had at him, and, it was all rebounded back to me.” Gisbo said. Vadid’s eye lifted at this.

“That what you think happened?” Vadid asked.

“What do you mean?” Gisbo asked.

“There is much more to it than that. That’s not the reason we can’t defeat one another.” Vadid said.

“But, I have the same power as you. What makes you think I can hurt him?” Gisbo said.

Vadid only thrust out a finger and pressed it against Gisbo’s forehead.

“Are you going to give me the whole, mind over matter speech? Because, I already heard it from Vice and . . .” Gisbo started.

“No, Gizzy. The reason why you are different, the reason why you are the Man-Phoenix this world needs right now is because of what lies behind that bandanna. The mark of Drakearon.

You, Gisbo, have a piece of his darkness inside you now. The Dragon didn’t create the Drakeness, Drakearon did, through the Dragon’s power, and just like Oak County made you strong, that mark will keep you strong as well. As you know, you will be hunted by evil and temptation constantly. You can’t help it now. Anytime you resist, you will shine, and grow a little bit stronger. Drakearon hasn’t ruined you. Just the opposite! He’s given you a fighting chance!

All of it, everything you’ve been through, every event that has happened to you is the rite and passage for every Man-Phoenix. Do you know where the Phoenix’ power comes from? Do you know why it’s such an influential icon? It’s because, over and over again, for eternity, the Phoenix dies, only to rise again from the ashes, stronger than before.

You have seen things, Gizzy, things that others cannot comprehend. You have lost things others cannot understand, and you have felt pain, pain that others cannot endure, and despite it all, you’ve risen above it, out of your own ashes, to fly higher than before! That’s why The Renegades cloak themselves in the colors of the Phoenix. They believe pain is the pathway to strength and when one is a disciple of pain, they know it not as an enemy, but as a friend.

The most misinterpreted aspect of the Man-Phoenix is that they are chosen, or gifted. No. Such power is not bestowed, nor is it given. It is earned, earned through the harshest of realties. Your powers come from constant death and rebirth, over and over again, but of an inner nature. A Man-Phoenix, at its core, is an everyday man, an average Joe, who fought against his own limitations, to become something more.

Another misinterpretation is that a Man-Phoenix is invincible. Hardly. If anything, they are more at risk when using their powers, and . . . well, I best not say too much. You’ll learn that for yourself, maybe, if you survive the training before the training, but we’ll talk about that later.” Vadid said.

“I, I appreciate the kind words, but, why? Why when I attacked him, did everything rebound back at me?” Gisbo asked.

“Isn’t it obvious? You ran out of essence. And if you remember your first encounter with Ranto . . .” Vadid hinted. Slowly, clarity began to rise in Gisbo’s eyes.

“Then, this whole time . . . I never thought . . . I can . . .” Gisbo started, suddenly spitting out his steak and rising to his feet, feeling his body tingle and shake all over. “ . . . I CAN FIGHT HIM!?”

“Yes, but settle down. Even at your current strength, you don’t stand a chance in hell. Not even if you had four years of constant training would you be ready to face the maelstrom that is Drakearon.” Vadid said.

“Not even in, four years?” Gisbo asked, suddenly slumping in his chair, feeling his bravado leave him, but then, he snarled, and leapt back up.

“No! My whole life I’ve been hearing what I can or can’t do! I’m going to go take the fight to that bastard right now!” Gisbo said.

“Well, now. At the very least, you’re startin’ to sound like a McCarley again . . . but before you dig yourself into an early grave, sit your ass down and lemme finish,” Vadid said.

“But, you said . . .” Gisbo started.

“I said sit your ass down, sunshine,” Vadid ordered. Gisbo stared at him with a narrowed gaze, then, did as he was told.

“Now. As I said, I like how you’re thinkin’ like a McCarley again, but, you have to realize, the way we think, it’s a double –edged sword. It’s easy for us to jump off the cliff without knowing what’s below, but sometimes, especially with Drakearon, you gotta take a deep breath, take a peek down, and know what you’re dealing with. If you jumped now, as you are, with no preparations, well, I’ll sum it up in one word . . .” Vadid said, as he slammed his palm down upon the table. “SPLAT! Just like that, you’re dead, Drakearon wins, and the whole world goes to shit. Do we want that? Hell no!

Not even in four years would you be ready, and we don’t even have four years. In a month’s time, various plots and plans will come to fruition, and if you aren’t there to intervene, well, it’s goodbye Thera, hello new world order!

You know that the Renegades stay out of politics. One of the major reasons is that most Renegades can see both sides to any argument. When you hold to your own beliefs, humbleness, and respect, while debating another’s unique worldview, you both get a better understanding of the universe because of it. However, those days are quickly becoming non-existent. Sweeping generalizations and sides are being drawn. Good? Evil? They have become politicized. When good becomes relative, so does evil, and suddenly, justice becomes just an opinion, not a virtue.

Right now, because of Drakearon’s return, and his immense pull and influence over the downtrodden and confused, sadly, Gisbo, the world is going to be split in two. This world, it’s chaotic, broken, and people are losing heart at a rapid rate, and people who lose heart, well, Drakearon’s way is going to seem like salvation. His army will grow out of control, and soon, it will come down between you, and him, and when that happens, the people of Thera will have a decision to make. Join with you, and join with freedom, independence, and accept the pain and joy that comes with it as the human condition? Or, join with Drakearon, and join with security, slavery, and accept the bondage and numbness that comes with it as the next stage of human evolution.” Vadid said.

“But, what the hell? Why tell me all this? Why not sound a little worried or something if Drakearon’s going to control everything and kick my ass! You’re the one who sounds numb!” Gisbo said.

“I can’t be worried, because I’m not. I said four years,” Vadid said, planting a hand upon Gisbo’s shoulder. “That’s why, I’m going to give you five,”

“Please, please, I can’t take this anymore. You obviously know something, just freakin’ tell me what the hell you mean!” Gisbo ordered.

“Look at me. I don’t mean to toot my own horn, but these devilish good looks of mine? Have you wondered why they haven’t waned in the past twenty years? Time works differently here. It still flows, but, very slowly in relative to Thera’s time. As the Man-Phoenix, we have access to the powers of Space and Time. While you’re here, I will show you how to use your powers. Your body is finally ready for it.

You see, the Man-Phoenix and Man-Dragon’s powers flow on a pendulum, the Man-Phoenix’s powers falling more so over the line of controlling space, where the Man-Dragon’s falls over time, but, similar abilities can overlap and we can control time in a limited space such as this. Time is relative after all and here, in this place, I can control its flow. Here, Gizzy, I can give you the five years you need while time flows nearly to a crawl back on Thera, and when I’m done with you?