TerraFlame (The New Journey Book 1) Read online

  “Well, it was a cool moment we had” Linex was saying, when Joe's father called from the garage.

  “Joe get inside, I need you right now” his father's voice floated down to him.

  A big explosion rocked the house briefly and Stacy shouted, “Markson are you doing that again!!”

  “I’m sorry sweetie, just another portal, it causes a distortion in both alternative and reality dimensions, I'll fix it. Joe hurry up!!” Markson replied.

  “Anyway yeah… Linex thanks, well I’m heading inside my father is calling me” Joe noted and headed into the house.

  Linex was nervous and curious about what was happening but headed out of the house anyway.

  What was that explosion? He had pretended not to hear anything and left the area.

  Linex went around the city alone and found his friend Stephen with Lysie. Linex was rather jealous seeing the duo together but Stephen was just a little boy which it would not be a problem. But nevertheless, he went to them.

  “What's up Lysie and Stephen…?" Linex greeted them as he approached. Hope you weren't flirting with her, Linex thought angrily.

  “Hey Linex, so what are you doing here?” Lysie smiled shyly.

  “What's up Lin-X?” Stephen added.

  “Don’t call me that, it’s weird. Anyway, was just going around, what about you guys?” Linex asked.

  “Oh I was going to get some clothes for my family’s party” Lysie replied.

  “Seriously…? Have fun over there” Linex said still casting a furtive glance at Stephen.

  “Yeah… it’s going to be boring, so I invited Stephen and we came together to buy some fancy clothes, but I still can’t find the right place” she furthered.

  “Oh ok, well I’m going to the park and might stay there for a while” Linex replied.

  “Alright, I was watching around I heard the news that there was something strange going in the park, the police officers went there but nothing was found until the scientists arrived and made an investigation” Lysie informed him.

  “Pfff, it’s going to be fine, I won’t be there so late” Linex pointed out.

  “Lysie, found the perfect clothes for us!” Stephen cried holding up a bunch of clothes. He had wandered off leaving both of them.

  “Ok! Linex I have to go, so take care” Lysie said and hopped away towards Stephen.

  “Maybe I should join them for a while… wait for me!” Linex thought and hurried after them.

  Linex went over to Lysie and Stephen. They had fun going around every store to see the great products like shoes, videogames, basketball, and various works of art.

  It was already late in the evening, Linex left after going to almost every store. He started to walk to the park which was sort of far from the main city.

  He was headed to the park when things started to happen. The lights of the streets were all going crazy, the people in their cars stopped and started to fight because of the traffic, but Linex ignored them, it really didn’t matter that much to him. He got to the park at 5:00p.m. and he was at the top where he could see most of the Densville city’s beautiful paradise in the sunset. Linex had a peaceful moment there at the same time thinking of his newfound power and his father.

  “This aura, I want to see it again but how… anyway if I had the moment to be here with mom and dad this would be so calm” he reasoned.

  It was already dark, Linex was about to leave the park when the lights suddenly went off. Probably because of what was happening in the streets of Densville.

  Linex got a little scared and at that moment, thick smoke pervaded the atmosphere around the park. The lights came back on in a minute but Linex couldn’t see because of the smoke.

  “What is this? I need to get out of here quick!” He whispered sharply under his breath.

  Some people came out of the smoke.

  “Hey I need help! Can you find the way out?” he beckoned to one of them.

  But he ran towards Linex and attacked him, but Linex dodged the punch. More people came out of the smoke.

  “Dang it, more people, I’ll take you all at once!” Linex approached to attack the shadowy figure but he phased through the body, Linex was shocked about it and got quite scared.

  “What... What are you? Who are you?” he wondered.

  The unknown smoke people ran to attack Linex. Then a ball of fire came out of nowhere at very high-speed slashing through the shadowy smoke figures. They all died, with the smoke gone and their body faded as well. Linex then realized that it was the same person who was at the roof of the school, the mysterious old man. He realized because of the shape of the shadow but was unsure of it. The mysterious old man was getting close to Linex.

  “Don’t move! Or I will beat you” Linex shouted rather scared.

  “Don’t worry son, I won’t hurt you, I just came here to save you” the old man said calmly.

  Linex gaped at the old man, unsure of what to believe. But he had seen the strange fire and had also seen it consume the shadow people.

  “Why did you save me? I was fine, I could…” Linex started.

  “No, you were too afraid, and you can’t beat them by your own little human”

  “little… Of course I can!” Linex shouted angrily

  “No, they are just dead people because of something that happened long ago” the old man noted thoughtfully.

  Linex was confused, of course he didn't trust this old man.

  “What? You are crazy! How can they be dead and then walking?” he asked still confounded.

  The old man didn’t care about what Linex said, but then he talked about the aura that Linex had. “I saw the aura that you unleashed yesterday” the old man said.

  “So? Like if you know about it” Linex answered quite rudely.

  “Of course, I do”

  Linex gawked at the old man in surprise. “What do you know old man?”

  “A lot and I can answer all those questions you have" the old man replied.

  “You heard me all this time!” Linex accused pointing at the old man.

  “What! No, well I was following you throughout for a while, but I haven’t heard you’re… Oh well let’s forget about it… anyhow, my name is Sensei Aiden” the old man offered.

  “Ok, so how did you do all those flashy fires with that walking stick?” Linex asked curiously. He narrowed his eyes at the walking stick.

  “Oh this… well as you can see, I can use my power with this walking stick as a weapon too, the thing is I don’t use it that much either” Sensei Aiden replied.

  “Oh ok, I get it” Linex grunted.

  Linex had a good time talking with Aiden.

  “Well, I guess I have to go home”. Sensei Aiden said looking at the darkening sky.

  "Really…? Say, you told me you knew about the aura, right?” Linex asked again.

  “If you want to unleash that then you’ll have to train with me starting tomorrow, I can be your teacher but remember nobody must know this” Sensei Aiden replied.

  “Ok I will Sensei, I’ll keep this as a secret too” Linex agreed.

  “Of course, meet me here, I’ll show you the path to my house, goodnight my child” and with that, he then vanished with fire around him, Linex got so hyped about it and went running to his house because it was 10:30p.m.

  When he got home, he found his mom waiting at the door and Linex got scared because of the look of worry on her face.

  “Are you alright?” She asked soothingly. He could see that she was angry with him but also worried.

  “Mom I’m fine, I was in Joe’s house the whole time”. He lied to her.

  “Thank Goodness you are home. It’s getting late you should take a bath, eat and go to bed quickly” his mother heaved a sigh of relief.

  “A’right mom I will”

  “Well I’m heading to bed, love you” his mother called, she was headed back to her room.<
br />
  “Alright tomorrow is going to be awesome, I am so lucky” Linex whispered to himself, he had a large grin on his face.

  CHAPTER 3

  YOUR CHOICE

  From the very moment that Linex met Sensei Aiden, he was filled so much excitement to get home. He couldn't actually wait for dawn, so he could get to train with his new Master.

  Perhaps, he would even get to test his newfound powers.

  The next day, Linex woke up very early. He prepared his bag and was about to leave, he headed past Jennica’s room quietly, sneaking to pick up his cellphone. The door was open, and his mom hardly slept deeply; she would wake up if she heard anything unusual.

  “Come on Linex, very gently, there’s no rush” Linex whispered tiptoeing past his mother's room. After he had gotten through Jennica’s room, he came face-to-face with Nina, his puppy. But the dog was fast asleep.

  Either by ill-luck or fate, he stepped on one of her squeaky toys. Linex cringed back; his hair stood on edge and became very spiky. He glanced at his mom; she stirred in her sleep but didn't wake up.

  “I’m blessed she didn’t hear that” he muttered.

  He picked up the phone and left. When he got down to the kitchen he prepared a sandwich and a soda for breakfast. When he finished he was about to open the door and leave when his mom appeared at the foot of the stairs.

  “And where are you headed to young man?” her voice sounded clear, and tense.

  “M-m-mom? I’m sorry, I was just leaving to buy something at the mall” he stammered.

  “But why so early?” Jennica asked suspiciously.

  “It just there will be an event of cosplays" Linex replied, "Can't afford to miss that" he added with a sly smile on his face. He honestly hoped she believed him.

  "Okay. You can leave” his mother agreed. And Linex felt a sense of relief wash over him. But his mother continued. “I’ll let you go, but if I don’t see you around in the mall at 5:30p.m. You’ll be grounded for a week”

  "Mom are you seriously going to the mall!” Linex cried in astonishment.

  “Yes, and I’m warning you” Jennica noted.

  “A’ight mom I will be there don’t worry bye” he grumbled and headed out of the house. He knew she was watching him go.

  He bolted down the street, there was no doubt that his mom was very suspicious about it -- he would have to be very careful.

  After a while, Linex found Lysie writing on some cards just at the front porch of her house, he thought about stopping by, but he was in a hurry and certainly not for Lysie.

  “Hey Lysie, good morning…! What you’re doing?” he called.

  “Oh hey Linex…! Just giving party invitations for my friends” Lysie replied back.

  “That’s great! I hope you enjoy the party… again” Linex said.

  “Thank you, we haven’t got that much close, but I’ll invite you, here’s the card” Lysie extended a bright pink colored card to him.

  “Hey Lysie at what time is the party?” Linex asked.

  “By 8:00p.m.”

  “A’ight well I’ll be there then, well talk to you later, I’m going to practice”

  “Ok! Take care”

  He resumed running.

  Linex thought of going to the party but he forgot that he had to be in the mall at 5:30p.m, for his mom. He headed to the park, just where his new Master had asked him to wait.

  He sat down and waited for him to arrive. Several minutes passed and yet the old man didn't show up, Linex was starting to get really worried and weary when Sensei Aiden arrived.

  “Took you long enough” Linex said, he was a bit angry and irritated.

  “I’m sorry son, but it’s still early you know. Well, let’s head to my house” Sensei Aiden replied.

  “A’ight!” Linex yelped excitedly.

  The walk down to Sensei Aiden's house was rather as long as the wait. But Linex followed the old man patiently.

  “Well, here we are”. Sensei Aiden announced as they reached a big black gate which had dragons engraved on it. The house was just at the other side of the park and also led to a forest.

  “Are you serious?” Linex finally groaned. "This place works up a sweat"

  “Forgive me my child, I overslept today” the old man apologized.

  Linex relaxed a bit and they both entered the house. “So where is the training room?” he asked in curiosity.

  “Why do you live in a lonely place?” Linex added.

  “I don’t belong in the city if I go they will kill me”. Sensei Aiden simply replied.

  “And why do you think like that… I mean you’re a good guy right and you can use your power to save others” Linex said rather confused.

  “It’s what you expect but is not the reality of this weird world, one could do the hero work and save those who needs, but they will always turn to you no matter what” Sensei Aiden muttered. There was a hint of sadness in his voice as he leaned on his walking stick. “That was lesson number 1, never tell or show your identity, even if you're too powerful for them” the old man chipped in.

  Linex nodded his head in understanding.

  They started to train. Linex stood in combat stance and proceeded to punching at a large punching bag.

  “This kid got something special… he is no ordinary boy, for what I can tell I feel an endless power within him”. The old man thought to himself.

  Linex punched at the bag for almost an hour, exerting a lot of physical force, this made Sensei Aiden frown a bit. “Well not much for a beginner but… Are you ok?” the old man asked.

  “I’m fine don’t worry” Linex replied and continued training.

  Linex got to train with a sword against holographic fire warriors and he proceeded to attack them, but Linex couldn’t fight them because of their ability to dodge so quickly

  “Concentrate Linex, you know you can do it” Sensei Aiden said encouraging him.

  With a burst of energy and a cry of rage, Linex destroyed two holographic fire warriors, another attacked him, and he impaled that one with his sword.

  “So that’s your source of getting spirit strength through anger, good thing you’re a human if you were like us it would be a big problem” Sensei Aiden thought again.

  During the course of the training Linex didn’t know anything about sword combat but since it was a beginner’s challenge, his new Master was quite surprised that he could conquer all the holographic warriors.

  The second challenge involved dodging boomerangs and Sensei made this particular challenge quite hard to aid Linex's development as a fighter.

  “How am I supposed to dodge these boomerangs?” Linex asked in terror. A boomerang whizzed past him, nearly blinding him.

  "It’s a matter of time until you get the hang of it Linex”. The old man replied and launched a fire boomerang to Linex, and he got hit badly in the head.

  “I’m sorry again I carried away a little” the old man replied glancing down at Linex with concern.

  “Hey, take it easy old man we just started today!!” Linex retorted but started to laugh a little. Sensei was concerned about something with Linex but was not very sure what it was, but then they continued training.

  The third challenge was fighting with Sensei Aiden.

  “Now you will be fighting me Linex!” the Sensei announced.

  “Alright then let’s see what you have Sensei!!” Linex croaked with excitement.

  The battle started and Linex ran towards Sensei Aiden, but Aiden simply disappeared.

  Linex got carried away looking around the forest for Aiden then for a moment; Aiden reappeared at Linex's back while running. “You’re really slow Linex” the old man chided.

  Linex reacted and turned quickly and tried to punch Aiden, but Aiden blocked the punch and pushed away Linex. Linex flew back and hit a tree but got heated up and ran faster to get Aiden. Linex started to punch fast but wasn't gettin
g a single blow to Aiden who just kept dodging the attacks. Then Linex tried to kick him but then Aiden got down and punched Linex taking him in the air a moment.

  Sensei Aiden unleashed a ball of fire. “I figured out something you’re too arrogant, if you don’t take out those stuff you’ll never get to know your full potential, you choose Linex!!”

  Linex was surprised, no one had ever said that to him and then Aiden fired off a heat blast at him.

  He managed to dodge this.

  After a great combat between the master and the student,

  “It’s that true? I mean… I care to protect those… and I have to win” Linex said and unleashed the red light from his hands.

  Another big fire blast came and Linex crossed his arms as shields. And the blast connected with Linex's shield and caused an explosion, but Linex still got injured because of it. Sensei was really surprised about it and got down from the air and Linex too.

  “I can’t believe you did that as shield for a beginner I’m really glad of you Linex” the old man said really surprised.

  Linex felt hazy and was about passing out when Sensei Aiden caught him. “I guess I got carried away… although is something we all been through”

  “We're done for today Linex, but I hope you get those thoughts out of you”. He took Linex to a bed then he felt negative power energy and he knew it was the smoke people.

  “Oh no it’s those again… I must go and destroy them before someone notice about them” the old flew out of the house.

  It was already 5:10p.m. And Linex woke up. “Wow what happened?” he wondered.

  He got up and walked around Aiden’s house and he saw the swords, and some photos of his, but then when he was getting close to the other photos Aiden was entering and Linex hid behind a table.

  “I know your there Linex get out” Sensei Aiden said sternly.

  Linex got out of the table and feels rather disappointed. “I’m sorry for what happened in the fight”

  “It’s fine after all it was the first training and you hold three minutes fighting me you should be glad about it because I am too” Sensei Aiden replied.

  “Yeah I guess it was fun” Linex replied suddenly gazing at the wall clock.