Education: part 2

Nomad sat up quickly, his eyes wide and staring blindly, his breath coming in ragged gasps. On the edge of his consciousness he felt fingers running gently thorough his hair.
"Awwww, how precious. Come now my sweet prince, time to wake," a soft voice echoed thorough the Reavers dazed mind. Then a sudden shock of pain ripped through him and Nomad came back to full awareness, as the fingers in his hair tightened and pulled harshly. "UP DAMN IT! NOW!!" the voice screeched. Nomad's jaw clenched, the veins on his neck bulging out as he fought to hold back a scream, the fingers causing more pain then should be possible. Scrambling up, Nomad gathered what strength he had remaining and jerked back, trying to free himself of the iron grip. At the same moment the hand released its hold, causing Nomad to fall back in to a moaning heap.
*I bet Sci-Fi would sure get a laugh out of this* the warrior thought sardonically as he rolled his body over, each muscle complaining loudly at the unreasonable treatment it was receiving. He looked up and saw, for the first time, his tormentor. It was a woman, young from her looks, but Nomad doubted that. Her eyes told him a different story. They were pure white and seemed to glow with a inner power. Her hair was jet black and straight, falling just below her shoulders, with short even bangs. Her dress style was outrageous at best and some, Nomad included, would have gone as far as to call it sleazy. Under other circumstances he might have been prompted to make a comment. This was not one of those times. The girl stood a few feet away, giving Nomad a cruel, humorless smile. One hand rested on her bare midriff, while the other held a massive, elegant, single edged sword...Nomad's sword. As Nomad watched, the girl causally dug the tempered point of his treasured weapon into the course gray soil, and all pain faded away as his mind focused on one fact.
"That is my honor you are abusing. If you value your life, lay my blade on the ground," the Reaver growled softly, his anger and outrage barely contained. The girl looked down and her smiled broadened, filled with a treacherous joy.
"What? This old thing. Why sure I'll drop it!," she said with mock sincerity. She made as if to lay the sword down but then jerked her arm back and flung the sword far behind her, in to a dark murky bog. What color that was left in Nomads face drained way as he watched the ripples of water move softly of the bogs surface, ripples there were all that remand of his sword. He turned back toward the girl, his lip pulled back in a feral snarl.
"Now you die B---H!" the Reaver cursed, his body dropping into a fighting stance. The girl looked on under heavy eyelids, a patronizing smile on her face.
"Well come then Brother. Lets see what you've got for me" she chuckled, beckoning Nomad with a finger...

...Rage fought to consume Nomad, but he held it in check, using it, channeling it into greater strength. He hated the female before him, like he had hated no other being before. He could not understand why she insisted on calling him brother. She was certainly no Reaver, he truly had no idea what to make of her. The Chaos Mark burned with a fire that coursed up his arm fueling his anger. He would rend this creature limb from limb. He charged forward, a murderous cry escaping from his lips. He closed the distance between himself and the girl in seconds and his hands reached for her slender neck. Then with a sparkle of light, she was gone, and Nomad, over extended, feel heavily on the ground.
"Is that all you have for me brother?" the girl's voice taunted from behind him. The anger which consumed him caused Nomad to forget about all hurts and he jump back up with cat like grace, his body in a classic defensive position. The girl shook her head and laughed. "My turn," She giggled. Crackling white energy enveloped her hands. She extended one and a bolt flickered out crashing into Nomad's chest, flinging him back more then 10 feet, where he landed, gasping for breath, the air knocked from his lungs by the force of the blow. "Did that look familiar bro?" the girl inquired as she walked causally over to were Nomad lay. "Ohhh...I don't know, like what you shot at that guy in the bar?" Nomad's eyes narrowed, how did she know of the energy burst that he had accidentally hit Ben with. It was then he finally noticed the marks on the girls hands. On both front and back were Chaos symbols, branded deep into her pale skin.
"Who...What...are you?" the Reaver asked with a shaky voice, his eyes wide with wonder and not a little fear.
"Why I’m daddies little girl silly," The girl said in a childish mocking voice. "Don't you remember Pops? Does the name Aryock ring any bells? No? Well let me ring them for you." Giving Nomad a savage grin the girl grabbed him by the shoulders and lifted him up. Nomad screamed again as he felt the Marks on either of the girls hands burning into his flesh. Then he was falling again, as the girl flung him away. Again he landed in a pile. *My this is fun* a part of his mind thought, as the Reaver fought to stay conscious. Focusing himself, Nomad managed to rise shakily to his feet."Oh! Ready for more already are you?" the girl quipped from a few yards away. "Try this one on," another energy bolt shot towards Nomad. He tried to dodge, but the bolt clipped his shoulder, knocking him back down. The Chaos Mark on his own hand was burning hotter then ever now, as if trying to call attention to itself. The fire finally pierced the the fog of pain and confusion which surrounding Nomads mind. He stood up for a third time. The girl smile broadened and she raised both hands and fired once again. Trusting his instincts, Nomad did not move. Instead he raised his own hands, turning the Mark outwards. A brilliant shield sprung forth, just as the bolt was about to strike. Nomad lowered his hands. Around the left on there was a field of crackling white energy. Nomad looked across the clearing to the girl who looked back with a look of anger and a bit fear on her face. The Reaver dropped once more in to a fighting stance.
"Now, about my sword..." Nomad smiled grimly.
"Screw your sword" the girl spat. She wasn't used to not getting her way, and right now she wanted Nomad dead. Raising her arms again she fired once more. Nomad waved his hand before him as the bolt struck, brushing it aside. The Reaver grinned broadly, feeling the power flowing through him, all stemming from the Chaos Mark. Twice more the girl fired at him, both times the blows where knocked away, like annoying insects, all the while Nomad walked forward, closing the distance. The girl's face was contorted with anger.
"Die you stupid F--k...Why won't you Die?" She screamed at Nomad as he moved up to stand face to face with her. His lips pulled back again, Nomads own fury barely contained. He raised his left hand and hit the girl with a careless back hand, sending her sprawling. She looked up at him with wide tearful eyes. "Its not FAIR!" She sobbed. Nomad raised in eyebrow in surprise. It appeared the girl was having a temper tantrum. She kicked at him ineffectually as her balled fists pounded the ground. "Its not supposed to be like this! Daddy said so!" She whined with red rimmed eyes. Nomad felt no pity as he reached down and pulled the girl roughly to her feet. Her face was pouting and sullen.
"I want my sword back. I want it back now." He hissed in a low menacing voice. The corners of the girls' lips curved up slightly
"No," She said simply. Without blinking Nomad flung the girl into the bog. She landed head first, shrieking all the way. Nomad walked over to the edge and kneeled down as the girl's head bobbed up, spitting water from her mouth and gasping for air. Her dark hair was matted and covered with weeds and filth. "You! You! You Bastared!!" The girl sputtered, her eyes wide with a mix of anger and shock. Nomad pointed his finger downward.
"Sword."
"F--k you" the girl seethed and started swimming for the shore. Nomad sighed and fired a bolt into the water near the girl, who screamed out in surprise and fright.
"Sword," Nomad repeated, raising his hand for emphasis. The girl studied Nomad for a moment the sighed deeply
"Fine," she said sullenly. The girl closed her eyes and held still. Instead of sinking she began to rise up out of the water. Arms extended the girl eyes opened, glowing brightly. Two feet above the surface of the bog the girl hung as wisps of vapor began to appear, steaming off her body, and from the water below her. Ripples appeared as the hilt of Nomads sword broke through the water, a grin splitting the Reavers grim visage as he reached out eagerly for his weapon.
"Not yet Reaver" The girl spoke, all traces of the pouting child gone. She floated calmly forward and alighted on the ground next to Nomad, looking appraisingly at him. The Reaver gazed suspiciously at the girl. There was something very different about her now, as if she were a different person. "You did fairly well Reaver, and you certainly live up to your title. I can see why the mortals of your native realm fear your kind!" The girl smiled broadly. "Yes I can see why Father choose someone like you, thought I have no idea why he choose to load those pitiful emotions on you," she sighed and continued to look Nomad over....

…Nomad was starting to become frustrated and angered with the whole situation, and it showed.
"Who ARE you!" He demand, the veins on his neck starting to stand out, as his fists clenched tightly..
"Does that really matter?" The girl replied, "All you need to know right now is that I am here to help you." Nomad rubbed his bruised and swollen jaw.
"Some help," He mumbled crossly. "Now I asked for my Sword, return it to me." The girl shook her head and sighed.
"Come Reaver, have some patience! You shall know all, in proper time. However, I can answer a few questions now." The girl turned way and started to walk slowly along the shore. Nomad looked from the girl to his sword, then back to the girl. He hesitated for a moment; then casting a longing gaze at his prized possession, Nomad began to follow the strange female.The girl did not speak for many minutes yet Nomad refused to repeat his questions, and walked stoically along side his 'teacher' starring ahead at nothing.
"You may call me…ohh Vala…its a good enough name, for it seems you need one." The girl said finally, looking at Nomad out of the corner of her eye, smiling slightly. "What else do you wish to know? Perhaps, who and what you really are? What your doing here? Well I'll answer the latter of the two. If I told you who you were, I doubt there would be much left of you mind to make you of any use to us." Vala smiled brightly and giggled. Nomad's lips narrowed to a thin line. "Geez, I thought you had developed a sense of humor while on earth? Well no matter." Vala tapped her chin as if considering something, then leaned over and started whispering into Nomads ear. A variety of emotions appeared on the Reaver’s face as he listened to what the girl had to tell him. After many minutes she pulled back, smiling evilly, "Pretty kinky huh?" She laughed as Nomad started stunned at what he had been told.
"Just what makes you think I'd have any part in this?!" Nomad demanded angrily.
"Because Nomad, dearest brother, you have no choice! I have fought you with, how do they say on earth? One hand behind my back and blind folded! And I am the lest of Lord Aryock's minions. You live buy our grace. However, we are not totally with out kindness. We will give you power, more then you could ever hope for. And the key to your past that we are withholding from you. And if you do well, We may even bring you in to the fold. Making you a full Chaos Disciple. How would you like that?"
Nomad stared unblinkingly at the girl. What she had told him had shaken him, not so much for what had been asked of him, but for the reasons why. He knew he was talking to a snake, that the words being spoken where only lies and half truths. Yet there was still some truth in them. Nomad looked out over the water to where his sword hung suspended. After many minutes the Reaver turned back to Vala.
"I don't trust you woman. You know that much. But I will play the game as it has been laid out before me." "Excellent Reaver, you have made the right choice. If you hadn't, I would have killed you on the spot." The girl laughed. "Now there are a few things which me must do before you return. Give me your right hand." Nomad hesitated for a moment then reached out his hand. Vala took it in both of hers, pressing the palms of her hands to Nomads. "To carry out you mission you will need more power. Receive now the Mark of Chaos." The girl's eyes glowed brightly once more. Nomad felt Vala's hands holding his tight then there was a tingling sensation, then a warmth, then burning. Nomad gasped in pain as the fire burned into his skin. He tried to scream but his body refused to respond. His knees buckled and he felt himself start to fall. Still Vala held Nomad's hand tightly, chanting strange words softly as she pressed her hands tighter together. Nomad finally sank to his knees, his head bowed. Then he lost consciousness...

...When he regained his senses Nomad was still lying on the shore of the bog. He shook the cobwebs out of his head and looked about.
"Hey! its about time sleepy head!" A voice called from behind the Reaver. He leaped up and spun around and spotted Vala. It all returned to him at that moment. He shook his head again and walked over to the girl.
"What happened?" He asked groggily, absently rubbing his right hand. Vala took his hand in her own, causing Nomad to flinch slightly. She smiled and turned the Reaver's hand over and opened his fist. Nomad eyebrow raised slightly with surprise. A new Chaos Brand was burned into the flesh of his hand.
"Your power is now doubled brother. You will find yourself more then a match for most of your foes. Plus you will have this." With a flourish Vala reached into the air and pulled forth a sword. Nomad's mouth gaped open. It was his own sword, but it was now changed. Small spidery runes ran down the length of the blade, ending in a large red and silver Chaos symbol on the hilt of the weapon. The blade itself seemed to slip in and out of existence, parts of it seeming to be shrouded in darkness. Nomad reached out and wrapped his fingers around the grip. There was a spark between the new symbol on his hand and the sword as it immediately hummed to life. Nomad grinned broadly as he flashed his sword in broad arcs. Yes, this was certainly his weapon; the way it handled and its deadly balance; they were all the same. He looked over at Vala.
"What's happened? How can there be any power to this? The Reaver Sword is powered by the armor we wear! This shouldn't be possible."
"Your Sword has been imbued with a bit of Chaos itself. The power you feel flows from you, from you connection to Chaos. Lift you hand from the weapon and with will become as inert as it was before. Now Nomad, my dear baby brother, you are ready to return." Vala waved her arm and a rift ripped open "Your 'Dungeon' lies back there. I have tried to open it near the same time I took you, it may or may not have worked" the girl shrugged carelessly. Nomad walked over slowly, his body still aching from his ordeal, but held upright and proud as his eyes continued to drift down admiring to his sword.
"Now what?" He turned and asked as Vala began to walk away.
"That's up to you Reaver. We have told you our desires, and it is now up to you to carry them out. Now go!" With that the girl raised her hand and sent forth a blinding bolt of energy. Nomad tired to raise his own defenses but was to late. The blow caught him directly in the chest, knocking him backwards into the rift. Nomad crashed onto the Dungeon floor, his body twisting in agony. His chest was blackened, thick wisps of smoke rising up. Nomad gasped loudly, fighting to recover the air that was crushed from him. He tried to call out, to scream in agony but he could not gather the strength to do it. His only hope was that someone was monitoring the Dungeon…

Sci-Fi walked down the stairs slowly, the book in her hand enthralling her completely. Fortunately, it was times like this that her subconscious took over her body and guided it carefully through whatever obstacle she might encounter while her mind was otherwise engaged. At the moment, it had her right hand wrapped tightly around the hand rail, and her feet taking cautious steps, making certain that there was a step below each one before it dropped. Unfortunately, her eyes were still in the book, and her subconscious had no idea how many steps there were, so the last step caught her by surprise, shocking her out of her book as her body was jolted from taking a stair step where there was no stair. She looked around quickly, and laughed, then raised the book momentarily back to her eyes, before she realized that she had no idea why she had come downstairs. She bit her lip as she tried to remember. Screams from the Dungeon interrupted her though. She ran into the control room and looked down to see Nomad on the floor of the room, in pain. "Oh no...." Quickly she reached to shut down the room, then raced down to the opening door. "Nomad?" She hoped someone was in the med unit to help her.

Nomad looked up, his black eyes staring blankly, burning in the light. His lungs finally opened and he greedily drew in air. Once again able to breathe he lay still, taking stock of the situation. His eyes clenched shut, watering slightly. Despite the pain in his chest He put his arms out and began searching the floor for his protective sunglasses. He heard hurried steps out side the Dungeon and the hiss of the hydraulic doors opening. Nomad coughed, and bit of dark black fluid leaked from the corner of his mouth. Then he heard Sci-Fi’s voice. "Hello Sci," the Reaver smiled slightly as he heard the girl kneel down next to him. "Nomad! What happened? Are you all right?" Sci-Fi asked in a concerned voice. Nomad felt her fingers lightly probing the charred skin on his chest and moaned slightly. "Geez, what did this to you? Where have you been?" Nomad sighed softly and grabbed Sci’s hand. "Just get me to the med lab please." He said softly. He reached up with both hands and with Sci-Fi’s aid, managed to stand up, abet shakily. He felt his glasses being pressed into his hands and nodded in thanks as he put them back on, issuing a sigh of relief. Nomad wrapped one arm around Sci’s shoulder and pulled a large gauze pad from one of the pouches on his web belt and pressed it against the wound. Nodding that he was ready, the two slowly left the Dungeon, following the winding passages and stair ways to the Med Lab...

Sci moved quickly, though she hadn't used the lab much before, and set up the Med bed. "Here, this should fix you up....if I know how to use it properly..." she grumbled as she fussed her way around the room. "What I wouldn't give to have Stout or Fever down here to run this blasted thing....." Finally she stopped and prepared to turn on the healing machine. Suddenly she smacked herself upside the head, and raced over to his side. "Wait, there's a better way....I don't know how to use this accursed machine anyway. Just...don't take this the wrong way...." She laid her hands on his chest and concentrated. She had used this ability once before, she only hoped it worked as well on him. Beneath her hands, she could feel the burnt flesh changing, moving, healing. After a few moments, it stopped, and she looked down at him, beads of sweat dripping off her forehead. "How about that one?" she smiled slightly, tiredly.

Nomad looked down in amazement, tracing a finger over the fresh pink skin on his chest. Although it was still tender, the wound was gone. His smile turned to a look of concern as he noticed Sci-Fi's exhausted state. He quickly swung his legs off the table and put out a supporting hand. "I think you need this more them me," Nomad said as he helped Sci-Fi lie back on the table. The Reaver gave the girl an appraising look. "You are full of surprises Sci, I had no idea you had healing powers." Nomad lightly patted the girls hand. "I am in your debt." Sci-Fi blushed slightly and waved off Nomad's comment. "Hey I’m not a Defender for nothing," she said smiling "But what happened to you? Where have you been?" Nomad glanced down at the fresh Mark on his hand, his face becoming dark and brooding. He looked at the girl's face and thought for an instant about telling her all. "No." He said out loud, "I may tell you some time Sci, but not today." Nomad sighed slightly and let the sly smirk return to his face. "Well how bout a cream soda to celebrate? On me." He said with a wink, helping Sci-Fi back to her feet. Sci gave Nomad a slightly annoyed half smile and shook her head, "Ok Ok. Fine. Don't tell me. Just remind me that next time I don't help you until AFTER I know the facts." Nomad grinned broadly and chuckled. "Its a deal," He said bowing low, "Now lets get to the bar, I REALLY need a beer"

The End