CHAPTER 4. CUSTODY

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(After the explosion)

CYKO: what just happened?

MAZE: We could have been history without my barrier (She shuts down her barrier)

CYKO: But how is it possible, The house is shattered to pieces!

MAZE: I don't know how, but his energy signal is really strong, I think his power level is really great.

CYKO: Rho was powerful and skilled but this one is different, but it can't be, he's weak.

MAZE: I'm afraid he's very much strong and powerful than you think, so believe it or not Cyko, we need him.

(Rho stands up from the floor)

RHO: (groans) What happened?

(Maze goes to him)

MAZE: You happened.

RHO: You mean I caused this destruction?

MAZE: Yes you did.

(Kuvlad cuts in)

KUVLAD: Jerry can't do this.

CYKO: But apparently he did, I presume that I made a mistake by trying to kill you two, so please accept my apologies and allow us to help you.

KUVLAD: Why should we believe anything you say?

MAZE: You should, it's your only option and your ticket of getting out of here.

KUVLAD: A point made but still irrelevant, cause you might betray us and try to kill us.

CYKO: I know but we won't, I promise.

RHO: How do we know you're telling the truth?

MAZE: Technically...you don't.

KUVLAD: Well, i think we should roll with them cause, they pretty much know this place than we do.

RHO: (Sighs) If this goes sideways, just know it's your fault.

KUVLAD: (Scoffs) come on man.

MAZE: We've been around the planes, but you've not been into "INN"

KUVLAD: In what?

MAZE: "INN"

KUVLAD: oh, I get you now, but that sounds kind of odd, don't you think?

MAZE: It doesn't.

KUVLAD: This place seems pretty more like a town to me.

CYKO: So what are you trying to say?

KUVLAD: I'm saying you should just call it a town.

MAZE: That's absolutely preposterous.

RHO: He's just saying why don't you call it "INN TOWN"

KUVLAD: Wow even better.

CYKO: We should get going lads

MAZE: Yeah to "INN TOWN"

CYKO: (Chuckles) What a stupid name.

(They all leave)

AT THE BOOKSHOP

RITA: Are you saying I'm cursed with knowledge like you too?

BOOKKEEPER: (Chuckles) No I just said that,

RITA: Why!

BOOKKEEPER: For a dramatic effect, but you are smart and a very special kid, you'd be surprised of what you can do.

MAVIS: Please do you have any idea of helping my brother, cause the doctor said it doesn't seem ordinary.

BOOKKEEPER: (Carry's his cat) In about 2 minute now you'll leave.

MAVIS: Are you trying to push me away?

BOOKKEEPER: No I'm not, but you will.

MAVIS: (Sobs) I don't know why these things happen to me, I just want to be a responsible sister and a daughter.

(Rita holds her)

BOOKKEEPER: You already are.

(Phone rings, and mavis picks up)

MAVIS: Hello mom…..no I'm not crying…..ok I'll be there now. (She hangs up)

BOOKKEEPER: told you so.

RITA: Was that your mom?

MAVIS: Yeah, I think we should get going now.

BOOKKEEPER: No, she stays here.

MAVIS: (glares at him) I'll be back Rita.

RITA: Ok I'm kinda hungry too, can you grab a snack on your way back?

MAVIS: Ok I will.

BOOKKEEPER: What's the need, you won't even be here to taste it.

BOTH: What?

BOOKKEEPER: Nothing.

MAVIS: Im off

RITA: Bye.

(Mavis leaves)

RITA: Why didn't you want me to leave?

BOOKKEEPER: You have something to do.

RITA: What?

BOOKKEEPER: You see, there has been a misltake in his travel, Mr Jerry had to go with both body and soul, but with his original body missing in the other realm, he'll slowly loose himself, and he's body over here will start to die.

RITA: What!!? that's bad, that really bad.

BOOKKEEPER: But fortunately I got something of his.

RITA: Which is?

BOOKKEEPER: His blood.

RITA: How's that going to work?

BOOKKEEPER: I'll cast a simple fusion spell with it, but it needs to be delivered.

RITA: What do you mean, are you saying it needs to be taken in person?

BOOKKEEPER: Exactly, as an Onyx my blood is called an "INK" So my blood will serve as an energiser, a boost to help him keep he's body, with my power and he's together, he'll…..live.

RITA: So how much time does he have left?

BOOKKEEPER: Enough for you to get there.

RITA: Me?

BOOKKEEPER: Yes you, you have exactly 10 minutes until your friend gets back, so you need to decide.

RITA: How sure am I that I'll get back alive?

BOOKKEEPER: (Chuckles) I know what you're thinking, you're thinking maybe I'm evil and maybe eventually I'll kill you. Well, knowing who I am, you should also know that there's a saying that goes "An onyx is neither your friend nor your enemy but a creature of Oder" you see I could choose to kill you here or maybe anytime i choose, but that's not my field, and I need you.

RITA: To bring him back?

BOOKKEEPER: No, to help him stay.

RITA: What do you mean, you can't just leave them there.

BOOKKEEPER: And you can't bring them back, he'll be back when he's ready, he has a task at hand, (Sense's something) your friend is almost here we need to hurry.

(Brings out a blade and places it on the counter, he cuts himself and Rub's both his and jerry's blood on the blade and casts a spell on it)

RITA: Wow, so these powers are actually real.

BOOKKEEPER: Yes.

RITA: So what do I do with the dagger?

BOOKKEEPER: (turns to her)…You stab him.

RITA: What?

BOOKKEEPER: Yes in his chest, now your disguise.

RITA: what do you mean?

BOOKKEEPER: You can't go there looking like... this.

RITA: But "this" is me.

BOOKKEEPER: Exactly, now you need a new body. (Brings out little statue) I've always wanted to use this one.

RITA: But that's a little animal-looking statue.

BOOKKEEPER: There's no time for being picky, and besides you'll see different kinds of animals and creatures in "INN" so relax.

RITA: I don't think this is a good Idea.

BOOKKEEPER: (Casts a spell) YUENS KSOS AHEISN SKSIS AAK OSNK ISISHS "INN"!!!!

RITA: Wait!!!!!!

(Rita disappears and mavis comes in)

MAVIS: Rita!

AT INN

KUVLAD: Are we there yet?

MAZE: As a matter of fact, yes.

(Rho and kuvlad stares at the town in awe)

RHO: Wow! It's amazing!

KUVLAD: This'll be a good time for pictures Jerry.

RHO: (Chuckles) Yeah carl, but unfortunately we don't have stuffs for that.

CYKO: You should conceal your real Identity, especially your name.

KUVLAD: Yeah you're right.

RHO: (turns to Cyko) So what now?

MAZE: Now we get you a disguise.

RHO: What!

CYKO: You are wanted remember?

RHO: Yeah right.

CYKO: Maze, your cloak

MAZE: (Glares at Cyko) I can't do that, no one else wears it except….

CYKO: (cuts in) Us, now get it.

(Maze angrily gives him her cloak)

CYKO: Here you go.

(hands it to Rho, and he wears it)

RHO: Thanks, it's so warm and comfy.

KUVLAD: So now, where do we stay?

CYKO: Our apartment is around the block.

RHO: Are those beasts?

CYKO: Yes, we have gools, witches, warriors, alchemist and so many creatures.

MAZE: You two have a lot to learn.

(They all leave)

AT THE BOOKSHOP

MAVIS: Where is Rita?

BOOKKEEPER: Somewhere.

MAVIS: Where else could she possibly be if not here?

BOOKKEEPER: Anywhere.

MAVIS: That's not even a place.

BOOKKEEPER: But it's an answer.

MAVIS: (Sighs) I came to take her home.

BOOKKEEPER: I know, cause you told your mother you'll be coming back with a friend, but go back and stay with your mother, she needs you.

MAVIS: I'm not going anywhere without her, you weirdo!

BOOKKEEPER: Oh, but you will, just now.

MAVIS: I'm not, so give me back my friend….

(Her phone rings, and she picks up)

I'll be there mom.

BOOKKEEPER: Told you so.

MAVIS: I'll be back, and stop your cat from staring at me.

BOOKKEEPER: I know you will.

AT INN

(Rita gets transported to INN)

(Groans) Where am I, what this, my arm, my face, what am I?

(She runs off to a place and sits, then someone walks up to her)

Who are you mate?

Who am I?...I don't know.

Come, let me help you….

(She leaves with the stranger)

MEANWHILE

CYKO: This is my place, we have a lot of stuffs to do.

(A Bell rings in distance, and a large chant follows)

RHO: What's that?

MAZE: Battle of champions!

CYKO: It has begun.

KUVLAD: what?

MAZE: It's a game, a battle of power, survival of the fittest, the winner becomes the town's champion.

KUVLAD: That seems fun.

CYKO: It is, until your bones are broken, you both will participate when you're fully ready

RHO: I am ready, kuvlad can't you see, no more asthma, no more being scared of fights and especially no more Dax. So I'm totally ready for this.

CYKO: No you're not, and mean while your cloak might fall off.

MAZE: (cuts in) It can't, the cloak is made of Amber and it's magical remember?

CYKO: (Sighs) Yes I do (turns to Jerry) just say the word "Hexa" and it'll stick, it won't go off untill you say the word again.

RHO: Okay, now how do I participate.

CYKO: You are not fighting, cause you are not ready.

RHO: Didn't you see what I did back there, at the building?

CYKO: (sighs) Yes I did.

KUVLAD: You where amazing man.

MAZE: (Thinks to her self; so you want to learn the hard way right?) Cyko I think you should probably let him go.

CYKO: We have people far and wide participating, and he just came here, he knows nothing about this.

MAZE: (Chuckles) He can take care of himself cyko.

CYKO: And besides they are done with the sign up.

MAZE: You have your ways of persuading them.

CYKO: (Turns to Rho) If you die in the arena, you'll hate what I'll do to you.

KUVLAD: But isn't he already dead by then?

CYKO: (Scoffs) You all should come on.

(They all go to the place to sign Rho up, but the signee declines, then Cyko offers a handsome proposal to him, He allows Rho to participate)

CYKO: Good luck kid, and don't die.

KUVLAD: You got this man

MAZE: (Scoffs) Yeah, Don't die.

(Rho sits in line and waits for his opponent. As the battle is going on, a particular masked individual is winning flawlessly, his attacks are admirable. He seems dark, pretty relentless and eager to win. This brings fear to Rho, knowing he has no experience he begins to tremble, and then;)

REFEREE: The next contender is (whispers) what's your name?

RHO: (mumbles) Uh Rayce?

REFEREE: Race?

RHO: Yeah Rayce.

REFEREE: Ok, I GIVE YOU RACE!!!

(And the crowd cheers for the fresh blood)

(He is given a sword and a shield for battle, but yet his mind is not at rest thinking he's going to fight with the masked man, but when he noticed that his opponent wasn't the person he saw winning flawlessly, but a little dog-like creature, then he says..)

RHO: Hexa (the cloak glows and sticks) LETS GET ON WITH IT!!!

(The crowd cheers!!)

(It is a very large arena, so he charges towards the creature to hit it, but then it grows large and duplicates it's self in to five sects, and chases Rho)

KUVLAD: What's that?

CYKO: An Ornox, a medieval creature that can duplicate it self.

KUVLAD: So those are clones?

MAZE: Exactly.

REFEREE: Remember if you are out of the line, you are out of the game!

(Rho turns back, but sees the beasts gnashing it's teeth in anger, they all charge towards him trying to get a bite, but Rho jumps over them. He takes advantage of their confusion and stabs one of the clones and it disappears)

(The Crowd goes wild)

KUVLAD: That's it man!

CYKO: Oh no.

KUVLAD: Shouldn't that be oh yes?

CYKO: Have you ever heard of buy one and get one free?

KUVLAD: Yeah.

CYKO: Well in this case, if you kill one you'll get another one for free.

KUVLAD: Oh no!

(Rho smiles, but then See's extra two beasts and runs away.)

CYKO: He's disgracing himself by running.

KUVLAD: What should he be doing?

CYKO: They are all clones of the original beast, but the only way to spot the difference is the eye, the original beast always has a different eye color from the clones.

KUVLAD: Yeah it's true, they all have a red coloured eye except one.

CYKO: Yes and he should go for that one.

(Rho seems frustrated because he's out numberd, but then looks up at kuvlad, who's seemingly talking to him but can't be heard due to the crowd noises, so kuvlad gesticulates trying to pass the information.)

RHO: Oh, so he means I should kill the one with a different eye color, well I'll try that.

(He plots a way of getting to the real beast, he lures the clones towards him and jumps over them, immediately he got a chance to the real beast he stabs it, the other clones disappears)

REFEREE: It looks like the Ornox is dead so we have a winner, RACE!!

(The crowd shouts)

KUVLAD: That's my man!!!

CYKO: It's not over yet.

MAZE: (Chuckles) No it's not.

REFEREE: Now for the semifinals, Race will fight against, Husk!!!

(The crowd cheers)

(The bell rings)

(Rho waits exhaustedly for his next opponent, and then he emerges, the Husk of death, about 12 feet tall and having a very broad masculine body, with amours on him like that of a roman gladiator. Rho on seeing this, becomes dumfounded, buy yet relentless, because he wanted to know the limits of what he (Rho) can do)

RHO: You are really huge, but I'll have to win this…

(He runs off and jumps, slashing his sword on the husks head, but the sword smashes to pieces, he falls on the ground and let's out a loud Cry; "Noooo" he tries to runaway but gets grabbed by the Husk. As the Husk raises him up with a firm grip, his life flashes before his eyes, thinking he's done for. The Husk with his mighty arm hits Rho on the floor repeatedly untill Rho looses his strength, he drops him on the floor for the final phase which is death. As the Husk draws out his mighty sword which was concealed in the scabbard, Rho slowly opens one of his eyes which wasn't utterly damaged by the hit to see his life go, then he remembers his family, the love he wished he has now, but he knows he won't have it again, tears gently rolls down his eyes)

REFEREE: This is so sad to see, because we think this might be the last battle of our dear contender.

KUVLAD: (Sobs) What is that beast trying to do?

CYKO: Trying to finish what he started.

KUVLAD: Are you just gonna sit here?

CYKO: It's the rule.

MAZE: (Chuckles) finally.

(But as the Husk let's down his arm to stab Rho, the cloak firmly grips Rho's body and lifts him away from the Husk and sets him down on the other side of the arena, Jerry opens his eyes that still hurts him a little, and smiles because he knows he still has a second chance to see his family again, and another to kill the Husk)

KUVLAD: What happened?

CYKO: (Retracts his arm) I gave him a chance to live.

MAZE: Why did you do that!

CYKO: To help him, maze.

MAZE: But you shouldn't, it's the rule.

CYKO: But no one else knows except us.

(Rho slowly stands up, and stares at the Husk which is charging towards him)

KUVLAD: How can he possibly defeat him?

CYKO: One thing about evey battle is finding your opponent's weakness.

KUVLAD: But how?

CYKO: Look closely at the Husk, do you see a gemstone on his chest?

KUVLAD: yes I do.

CYKO: That is his weakness.

KUVLAD: I need to tell Rho.

CYKO: No, he'll figure it out himself.

(Maze Scoffs)

(Meanwhile Rho mildly evades the Husks oncoming attack, he stares hopelessly at the Husk knowing he's too strong to be defeated, but then, he notices the gem on his chest and says; "That could possibly be his weakness, I need to destroy it, but I have no sword, so I'll need to improvise". He rushes to the Husk and leaps towards him, then he feels a surge of power and punches the gem open, and the Husk falls lifeless on the arena)

REFEREE: we have a winner, RACE!!!

(The crowd cheers)

KUVLAD: That's my best friend!!!

MAZE: (Scoffs) That was a mere luck.

REFEREE: As we all know, the finals will commence immediately after the semifinals!

KUVLAD: What but that's not fair, he's barely gotten himself.

CYKO: He won't last long, he's already exhausted.

KUVLAD: What should we do?

CYKO: Nothing, we just sit back and watch.

BELL RINGS

RHO: Uh man, I can't do this I need rest.

(Now the last contender is a human, he seemes harmless, but to Rho's greatest surprise it's the masked man he fears the most, the man that defeated nearly all opponents effortlessly)

KUVLAD: What's up with that guy, he doesn't seem bothered.

CYKO: Im having a bad feeling about him too, somethings not right.

(The opponent walks up to Rho and asks him to quit now, but Rho declines to his heart warming proposal, he asks again but Rho declines the second time, then he smiles and moves back a little and stands like a Shaolin master, he sees that Rho doesn't have a sword, so he gives Rho his, and tells him to go for the kill. Rho charges towards him with rage and sets to slash him but receives multiple blows on his ribs and groin, which caused him to bleed from his nose and mouth, Rho falls like a dead man. The opponents grabs the sword and says "for chaos against order")

CYKO: What?

MAZE: is that a chaos aider?

KUVLAD: What's that?

(Cyko rushes to the referee and tells him to end the match, but he declines saying their must a winner, then Cyko volunteers to fight for Rho)

(Cyko gets into the arena)

CYKO: Who are you?

It's nice you asked Cyko Mendez (he removes his mask) it's I Vladimir

CYKO: Vladimir!! what are you doing here you wretch!

VLADIMIR: I came in search of a person who's energy signal shook the dyads.

CYKO: (stares at Rho who's still lying on the floor knowing he's the one) But that can't be.

VLADIMIR: Come on Cyko, don't tell me you didn't feel it too, or have you gone so soft to loose your senses?

CYKO: Look, you shouldn't be here that's all.

VLADIMIR: Oh but I am, and how's maze hope she'll be able to cope when you're gone (chuckles).

CYKO: Leave her out of this!!!!

(He starts fighting vladimir)

KUVLAD: We need to get Rho out of the arena.

MAZE: I don't care.

KUVLAD: Please, but you said you'll help us right.

MAZE: (Sighs) Stay here I'll be back.

(She runs into the arena to get Rho our but..)

VLADIMIR: Well, well, isn't that mazekinah, you are getting beautiful by the day, made some reservation for you and I after I kill Cyko, you'll enjoy the rest of your days (chuckles)

(Cyko grabs him and they both starts fighting again. Maze use the abstract controller to get Rho out of the field)

MAZE: Here's your friend, I'll be back

(She goes off to help Cyko)

REFEREE: Interferences are strictly prohibited, please stop the fight, or we cancel the match.

(Vladimir looks at Cyko and says "this is not over" he leaves, while maze and Cyko goes to Rho and kuvlad)

KUVLAD: Thanks for what you did for him.

CYKO: I did what I had to, and besides he's in our custody now.

REFEREE: And we have a winner CYKO!!!

TO BE CONTINUED