RISE OF LIGHT

Chapter 11

Part 1

The thundering sounds of the battle between Vertrex and the dark user rang in their ears as they covered under the protective wall that Sophia had made before the battle began. Now they looked over the wall to see Vertrex hurling the dark user towards the ground, felt the impact of the crash and then saw him start to gather energy at the top of him.

"You've got to be kidding!" Daniel shouted as the wind started to blow even stronger than before as whatever Vertrex was forming above him was taking shape.

The shape looked like a giant ball but it was shining like the sun itself and they had to shade their eyes to look clearly.

"I knew it" Daniel shouted just as Vertrex threw the giant ball at the sprawled form of the dark user on the ground beneath him. "It's Solar Wind Destroyer!"

"What's that?" Alex asked loudly but Sophia interrupted them.

"Brace for sudden blast of wind!" She yelled.

And she was right. The blast from the explosion was so strong that they felt that they were on the brink of flying off their feet but luckily Sophia's barrier wall was keeping them from getting blasted away but they could see the wall was crumbling slowly at the pressure it was facing at trying to hold off most of the blast.

Suddenly, just as quick as the wind came, it all became quiet. An eerie silence fell upon them as they straightened up and dusted dust off their clothes.

"Whoa!" Kayla said as she dusted off Daniel's back side which was full of dust as he had fallen to the ground due to the massive force of the wind. "What just happened?" she asked looking around at them all

They all shrugged seeing as they did not know what that attack was to start with but Daniel answered her.

"It's an attack called "Solar Wind Destroyer." He said, taking a sitting position on the broken ground "The attack is much like compressing a lot of wind and fire together and then unleashing it and from the explosion like now, you'd feel the wind as strong as this one or even stronger if the attack was more powerful."

Everyone looked at him astonishment and then nodded. They were taken aback at how powerful the power of such a strong attack and even more powerful when it explodes had proven itself as they witnessed the force of the attack Vertrex unleashed at his enemy.

Now Alex turned to face him and raised his right eyebrow in surprise

"Wind and Fire?" He said, as if he couldn't believe that those two elements fused to form such a devastating attack. "How is that possible?"

Daniel smiled at him, remembering how much effort it had taken Vertrex to master that attack and replied "Nothing's impossible in this world even though some of them are difficult to achieve."

Alex nodded but still looked doubtful "If he had such an attack, why didn't he use it instead of that … Manga whatever attack was?" He asked

Daniel beamed at him, realising how much the attack had made an impact inside of Alex's main.

"Its 'Magna Force' and for him to use it, we were too close of a range." Seeing Alex's expression, knew the coming questions and went to answer it before he opened his mouth. "Look at the explosion. Look at the after explosion. We'd have no chance of hell in surviving that kind of an attack!"

Alex looked doubtful for a few seconds but knew that Daniel was right. He nodded and then brought up the main worry now.

"So… what are we going to do now?"

They all glanced at him and then at each other but this time Sophia was the one to answer him.

"I say we either wait for Vertrex or I go find him." She said.

Alex, Daniel and Kayla looked at each other for a few seconds and nodded in agreement. Her tone made it clear that she doesn't want any kind of help in looking for him. She herself is feeling down due to not being able to stop the incoming attack that could've killed her and her friends.

She felt she owes him her life and so got over her barrier and sudden she yelled a start of surprise.

"Vertrex!" She said and launched herself at him.

They heard Vertrex's startled answer "What!" before his mouth got clamped by her hug and they collapsed with a thud. They looked up and saw them both sprawled on the ground, Sophia still hugging him, and bust out laughing.

"Sophia" Vertrex's muffled voice came from beneath her. "Can you get off please? You're kind of heavy!"

Sophia, tears kept flowing down her cheeks but she laughed at the slag.

"Oops, my bad." She said as she finally got off him. Vertrex looks exhausted but was smiling up at his friend.

"Shut up" Vertrex muttered as he too slowly got to his feet.

Daniel, who was still shaking with laughed, went over to his friend and threw a hand over his shoulder. "Good to see you back and alive!"

Vertrex snorted at that but he smiled and threw a playful punch to Daniel's ribs.

"I finally realise how much confidence you have in me." Vertrex said grinning at his friend.

Then they both roared with laughter and continued to walk, hand over the other person's shoulder.

Alex and Sophia looked at their laughing friend and smiled. Kayla was used to their daily concept of roaring with laughing at something the other said or did but on the other hand, Alex was a little confused. They were just through a horrific fight and yet they still are having the energy to laugh which he did not see in anyone before and finally accepted Daniel's claim that 'I'm his best friend' is true and he too smiled at them.

After a few seconds of trudging through rocks and dust enveloping the air, they finally reached their back packs and they all collapsed from exhaustion.

"How did the fight go?" Sophia asked Vertrex who had taken the opportunity to stretch both of his legs.

Everyone gathered around to listen intently. All their faces showed signs of excitement at the prospect of knowing how the fight went.

"Obviously I won" Vertrex said, smiling at their excited faces "but the guy was stronger than I anticipated."

They nodded but Alex pointed out the exhaustion that Vertrex was dealing with as he was breathing a little heavily. "Yes, we can tell." And he smiled at Vertrex.

Vertrex smiled back when suddenly he remembered something. He turned to face and asked him in an accusation tone.

"Why didn't you guys continue to push the ball when I got hold of him?"

Daniel hesitated. He still wasn't sure what he did back there, waiting for Vertrex's next move, was the right thing to do. Now even Vertrex is asking in such an accusing tone, he realised he must've done wrong.

Alex replied "I told him that too but he was worried that you might get caught in the explosion."

Daniel suddenly found his mouth "I was worried for his safety!"

Vertrex was nodding slowly at both of their statements. He knew Alex would've gone with it as he thought he sensed Vertrex to be able to protect himself which Vertrex knew he can but knowing Daniel, he knew it wasn't his fault. Daniel was just too caring for Vertrex's safety than the job at hand.

"Oh well." Vertrex sighed "What's done is done. Now to make the decision to move forward." And looking at their uncomprehended faces, he sighed again and smiled at them. "These guys sure make me laugh a lot" he thought and replied "What are we going to do from here I mean?"

"Oh" the others chorused as they realised what he was trying to tell them.

"Perhaps we go back to my house and then decide from there?" Alex suggested, looking hopefully at Vertrex.

Vertrex thought about it briefly. He sensed that Alex really wanted to see if his home was still in good shape or not. Seeing there is no problem in this and perhaps this will get their stiff muscles back into action. He smiled at Alex's face which was shining with hopefulness.

"Why not?" Vertrex said. "I don't see any problems in it and that could be a good thing for us too?" Vertrex

After a few seconds they agreed. So they all got up, taken their bags and began to walk quickly towards Alex's house when sudden Vertrex felt someone coming towards them from the front.

"Stop!" Vertrex shouted and they all stopped looking at him, a puzzled expression on their faces.

Then the people that he sensed came into view. Sophia, Daniel and Kayla gave a start of surprise seeing the man appear out of thin air before them.

The man looked purposeful and looked at them with an air or authority as he spoke.

"Hold it right there strangers!"


Chapter 11

Part 2

"Are you strangers coming from the place where the battle took place?"

No one seemed to agree on that but Vertrex sensed that his friends were too preoccupied at the sight of the man. He took the charge of their speaker.

"Yes. That's true!" Vertrex said.

"Who defeated that dark user?" the man continued to ask.

"It was us!" Vertrex replied.

The man looked at Vertrex and he stepped closer to him.

Vertrex hid his frown. This man has scars over his arms and legs and some parts of his clothes were torn too. He looked battle strong and had experience in fighting but the way the man looked at him was one he disliked about him.

The man's look was somewhat resemblance on those who look down on others or think that they are superior or stronger than them. Here he is, showing the same kind of look in his eyes and Vertrex was tempted to punch the guy but common-sense told him to remain calm and see what this man has in mind for him and his friends.

"I can' believe that you actually defeated a dark user." The man said disbelievingly which annoyed Vertrex even more.

"But" Vertrex began "the fact remains that I DID defeat him." Vertrex laid a heavy stress on the "did" word.

The man grunted but said pompously "You don't strike me the guy who can handle a dark user. I feel like you're a guy who is NOT capable of defeating one at all."

Now this, above all others, got Vertrex to smile. Daniel saw the action and knowing that it didn't mean any good, he stepped closer to his friend and laid a hand on his shoulder to calm him.

"He did defeat him and I and the man behind me were there to help him!" Daniel said angrily.

"Oh did you now." The man made a mock surprise expression but replaced it with disinterested look. "Spare me your lies! There must've been someone else who was able to defeat the dark user and then he left. Now you guys were there so you WOULD try to take all the credit for yourselves."

Vertrex couldn't help himself but smile even more. Vertrex thought that side of the story also made sense but the action of sliming even more seemed to confirm that man's statement.

"I see… so you're going to take the credit for someone else's hard work. You are despicable!" and he clapped his hands together and suddenly they were surrounded by a mass of people, all of whom looked angrily at them.

"What the-" Alex began as he tried to pull out his sword but Vertrex stopped him with his right hand.

Now turning to look back at the man, Vertrex really disliked him very much for his attitude, he spoke in as normally as he possible can.

"And who are you exactly?"

The man looked at him for a moment, turned to the person and he laughed laughed and he passed it on and soon everyone that surrounded them was laughing. Vertrex got the feeling he didn't like the way they are simply laughing at them.

"You have no idea that you're speaking to one of the light groups that operate around here?" he said slowly as if speaking to a very slow person "Seriously, where do they breed you people? Not knowing who we are and yet you're in the torn"

They looked at Alex and finally recognition went between them.

"Blade Master." The man said "Are you with this bunch of snails?"

Alex drew up to his fullest height and said "Greg, They are not snails, they are humans and yes, I am with these people and they are my FRIENDS!" Alex put a heavy stress on the word "FRIENDS".

"Oh" Greg said rather taken aback at this but recovered quickly "Maybe it was you who defeated that dark user?" he said

Alex smiled sadly. "If only that is" and when the man looked confused, Alex pointed towards Vertrex "He was the one who defeated him."

The people surrounding them grew curious and looked at Vertrex for the second time to reassure what the Blade Master said was true.

Greg looked back at Vertrex who was smiling at the fact that Alex was trying to defend him and his friends.

"But he doesn't strike me as a man capable of that kind of feat." He protested.

"I know that but he sure did give the guy a painful fight." Alex replied back calmly.

"Prove it!" everyone chorused in unison. Like their leader, they too were having difficulty believing that this man has is capable of defeating such a strong opponent when the man looks weak.

This time, Daniel was the one who spoke up.

"Wait. The blast master is telling the truth and yet you won't believe that Vertrex defeated him?" he said angrily.

They ignored him and now shouted again "Prove it!"

"Prove it you said" Vertrex said, the smile was gone and he looked seriously at them. Daniel sensed trouble and hurriedly tried to protest but Vertrex held his hand at his friend.

"It's ok Daniel. These guys want me to prove it so badly, why not prove it." Daniel struggled but he gave in.

"So" Vertrex said in a business like tone "How am I to prove you that you're wrong."

Greg stepped forward to face him.

"You will fight me and try to defeat me. Then we will change our view of you and your friends."

He looked towards Alex who nodded in agreement. Alex felt, rather than knew, that this fight won't last long. Knowing Vertrex's strength, he knew it'll be over in a few seconds.


Chapter 11

Part 3

After a few minutes, Vertrex and Greg faced each other over a 10 meter gap between them.

Everyone backed off to get a better view of the battle and not get caught in any attack that may seem to come towards them by mistake.

"Ready!" Alex shouted.

Greg took his battle stance and looking towards Vertrex, he saw that the boy didn't move but stood casually around leaving his guard wide open.

"Fight!" They heard Alex's roar.

Greg pulled his hands back together and pushed again to launch a beam attack at Vertrex and he shouted "Solar Beam!"

A jet of yellow beam went soaring towards Vertrex and the man knew the boy won't have a chance against this one.

Vertrex heard the shout of the attack "Solar Beam" and knew he has to go for it. Putting his hands in front of him, he shouted "Light Saviour"

A jet of white beam was blasted away and it went whizzing away towards the incoming beams.

The beams collided and a grate explosion took place where the beams had met. Once the playing field was clear of dust, Greg made up the ground by launching himself towards Vertrex, pulled his hands back and pushed out and yelled the attack "Nova Cannon"

A ball shaped blast went spinning towards Vertrex but Vertrex was ready for it and he drew his hands together in front of him and yelled "Supreme Cannon"

A similar ball shaped blast went spinning towards the oncoming attack and when they collided, another explosion took place.

Again and again, they did this and every time they did, an explosion met the collision of the two attacks.

Everyone was surprised that Vertrex was capable of matching their leader's power which they thought was impossible to reach.

"Who's going to win Blade Master" one of them asked Alex.

Alex looked at the fighting. Both Greg seems to want to stay at a distance from Vertrex but on the other hand, Vertrex was trying to get closer to Greg. He thought Vertrex will waste his energy like that when he remembered that Vertrex move instantly from one place to another at a speed of light so he wondered why Vertrex was waiting unless…

"They are going to end this with a final show down" Alex thought and smiled to himself.

"We'll find out now." He replied to the one who asked him for the result.

Vertrex sensed that Greg seemed to want to stay at a distance from him and he was happy with it but to defeat him, Vertrex needs to get closer.

Vertrex yelled "Light Flash" and instantly he disappeared.

A "whoa" rose from the place where everyone was watching. They couldn't believe Vertrex disappeared by his own attack. Greg was stunned when he saw his opponent disappear into thin air. He looked for him wildly for any signs of him but there were none. For a second he thought Vertrex maybe have given up the fight when suddenly a huge shadow fell over him and looking up, his eyes rose in shock.

High above him, Vertrex had gathered energy above him and now it is now formed into a giant round fiery ball. He held it there for a few seconds and then looking down, saw the fear in Greg's face, he yelled as he threw the ball at him.

"Solar Wind Destroyer"

Greg tried to dodge it but too late, it slammed into him. He screamed and screamed as the power of the attack enveloped him and caused him ceaseless pain. After a few minutes of this agonising pain, the ball's power vanished into the air and Greg fell to the ground, unconscious.

There was stunned silence from everyone as they watched their leader fall to the ground without a word. On the other hand, Kayla Sophia, Daniel and Alex were cheering Vertrex's victory.

Vertrex landed next to the unconscious figure of Greg. He stooped and picked up the man over his shoulder. "He may have been annoying", Vertrex thought, "but he is still a human like me."

And so he walked, half carried Greg over his shoulder, to where everyone is standing.

After a while, Greg opened his eyes and he sat up, rubbing his eyes and looking around them wearily. It seems they were in their hideout and he was lying on his bed with only the sound of people round him. He looked confusedly around.

"What happened?" were his first words and everyone roared with laughter.

Everyone crowded around him and Vertrex sat next to him, smiling happily. "After feeling the full power of my attack, you collapsed and fainted."

Greg looked around and saw the beaming faces of his comrades and felt miserable.

"I'm sorry that I lost guys." He mumbled but everyone clapped him on the back.

"Who cares when your opponent was a nice person." They all cheered Vertrex.

Vertrex smiled but said nothing and turning to face Greg he said "Sorry I used so much power when I attacked you with my 'Solar Wind Destroyer'."

"Oh!" Greg exclaimed, surprised by the name of the attack. "I heard about it but it was the first time I had faced such an attack." He smiled. "It's ok." He said seeing the expression on Vertrex's face. "You won fair and square." And then feeling as if he didn't say enough, he added rather ruefully "Sorry I spoke to you the way I did back there but I couldn't believe someone like you could use such strong attacks."

At that Vertrex smiled and he presented some food for Greg to eat and he took it eagerly.

"I'm starving." He said and everyone roared with laughter.

"After finishing eating, I have things we should discuss with you and your group." Vertrex said.

Greg nodded and continued to eat; seemed like he really was hungry. Vertrex smiled at him and wet back to where his friends were eating their dinner.

"How's the food." Vertrex said as he approached them.

Sophia looked up and smiled warmly at him. She felt more open to him now that he had understood the problem she was facing and had helped her overcome it.

"The food is amazing!" She said and he smiled.

"What can you expect from Vertrex's hand made food?" Daniel said but no one answered him and he didn't expect one.

"Well tomorrow we got a busy day at hand." Vertrex said and they looked up at him with puzzled expression except Daniel who kept eating.

"Why?" they chorused and he smiled happily at them.

"You'll see." And he grinned.

They tried to protest to know what it is but he repeated what he said earlier "You'll see."

[END OF CHAPTER 11]