Chapter 45

Kied's eyes were firmly fixed on that holographic screen with James and Judith standing on two separate platforms surrounded by those holographic aureoles bearing those flaring inscriptions, ideograms and symbols. Equivax stood at a corner with Hypernox resting on his shoulder while Trident was sitting on his knees, antlers ever glistening and eyes burning, they all watched as Kied crafted James' and Judith's armour.

Judith stared at those flaring symbols and geometric configurations, so this was what Henry had been drawing during physics class. She tried to make out their meanings, but deep down she knew it was a futile effort trying, she wasn't an alien, was she ? Staring at Kied, she marveled at how much he knew at such a young age, how could a sixteen year old boy ...

"Don't think we're age mates", Kied echoed, "I'm five times older than your father."

Judith felt like strangling herself, he had read her thoughts again, why did he always have to do that ? Couldn't he respect someone's privacy, especially a girl's. She no longer felt comfortable being close to him and she tried controlling herself from always thinking her deepest issues whenever he was nearby.

"Don't bother trying", Kied's voice came again.

Judith swallowed, what was he going to say next ?

"Because I already know your darkest secrets but, I won't tell anyone."

That dark grin took over his lips, lifting his head he, he stared at James then said.

"Not even James."

"What !" James hollered, "You have to tell me Henry."

Judith's eyes fell on James, it was that kind of look designed to scare it's victim, did James care - no !

"I respect the privacy of others", Kied replied, "and I don't have the right to reveal their secrets as well."

"But Henry, I'm her elder twin brother", James moaned.

"I'll only tell of she agrees and I'll know what she wants to reveal to you."

"No !", Judith gave a blunt reply, "don't !"

How was she able to hear her inner voice without her being able to hear his ? Judith wondered. She had to learn to meditate on certain words whenever around Henry else, he'd be able to see through her thick and thin.

"I can also make you think about the things you don't want to", Kied revealed, his fingers gliding across the holographic screen, "so you don't even need to think about it before I know what you're hiding."

Now she was infuriated, why was he so annoying ?

"Devil !", Judith yelled, "Didn't your mother teach you not to spy and eavesdrop on others ?"

"I didn't come sneaking behind your door like you did, did I ?" Kied reminded.

"Get used to it Judith", Trident said snorting, "Kied already knows everything about you and James so don't scold him, even he can't help it."

"Watch your mouth Trident", Kied warned.

"Hot head !", Trident snorted.

"Lift your arms sideways", Kied said to James and Judith.

"I won't !", Judith blasted, "Can't you be a bit courteous, I'm not your puppet."

"Judith, lift your arms sideways", Kied repeated calmly.

"Courtesy first !", Judith repeated stubbornly.

"I can be polite", Kied sighed then smiled, "in a very painful way."

"Judith's eyes widened curiously, what was Henry going to do to her this time ? She hoped it wasn't something painful, she wanted to run from the platform but was glued to it by that fiery sensation which ran up her spine, it sent her shaking as those burning waves spread across her entire being, Judith screamed - Henry was going to kill her ! But it all stopped as soon as it had started, still, the pain lingered on and Judith felt her joints shaking.

"Now will you please lift your arms sideways", Kied gave his mocking plea, "princess."

James laughed with his jaws wide open as he held his ribs.

"And because I was lenient just now doesn't mean that I can't do worse.", Kied warned.

"I warned you Judith", Equivax reminded her in a matter of fact manner.

Judith finally obeyed, lifting her arms sideways she saw those ideograms infest her being from every corner, their edges locked on as they formed those configurations which solidified into plates of steel covering her entire being and that black fluttering cape fell from her shoulders, staring at it, Judith saw the silver embroidery of a phoenix flaring, accompanying it's dark look.

"You can both step down now.", Kied said as the holographic screens faded away.

"Wow !" James exclaimed, "the armour's just like Kied's and the cape has the same emblem as his."

"Black is not my colour.", Judith grumbled.

"Welcome to the crew.", Trident said as he rose to his feet.

"I never said that Trident" Kied corrected as he walked away with Hypernox flying from Equivax's shoulder onto his. "You're still outsiders.", he said.

"But we're friends Henry", James called.

"Yes we are", Kied replied, "but not within this realm, it's too dangerous and I'm not sure both of you can survive it."

"You're calling us weak, is that what you mean Henry ? !", Judith yelled.

"Maybe, maybe not", Kied replied, "besides, you aren't supposed to be here in the first place, this is the realm of those belonging to a higher order of evolution and I don't think both of you are cut out for it."

"You're calling yourself superior ?", Judith exploded, "you protozoa."

"I still recall how you looked like an amoeba when you got zapped a few minutes ago Mrs. "I can't like a five foot, three boy as a friend.", you thought I didn't know about that ?", Kied accused.

"You ...", Judith gritted not knowing what to say. So Henry knew about that as well.

"So, you think you're an evolved shrimp !" Judith yelled.

"Yeah, yeah", Kied sighed, then gave that dark grin again, "but I'm still better than you who's a plankton, Judith."

"That's it !", Judith could feel her head bubble with rage, "I challenge you to a fight."

Trident fell on his knees laughing, his antlers moving back and forth as his head shook, Equivax stared on, his armoured face showing no sign of concern and James was startled with mouth wide open, not knowing what to make out of what was happening before him.

"Judith don't", James warned, "Kied's going to break your bones."

"Don't stop me James", She resisted, "if he's going to kill me, so be it. I'm sick and tired of being bullied by a sadistic moron who's so insecure on the inside and fakes a tough attitude."

"Ah", Kied breathed, "you think I derive pleasure from beating people up. I won't deny it, I sometimes do, like now." He laughed, Hypernox's screech echoing with his made the dome of the armoury vibrate.

They were taken aback by Kied's reaction, James and Trident steeped back apart from Judith who stood her ground, not moving an inch. She was nervous on the inside but kept a bold countenance not wanting to give away her fear.

"You are laughing at me because you think I'm a girl, you think I'm a weakling ?!", Judith ranted at an amused Henry. Was she talking to a madman.

"I never make the mistake of underestimating my opponent", Kied finally said, "So don't think that I'm laughing at you because you're a girl. I'm only amused because you think that that everybody is an opponent, forgetting the fact that your real enemy is no one else but you."