The Medieval Delusion

Chapter 4

"Why did you not object to Aelita having a bit of you?"

"You've all been so sure that Franz Hopper was good and the Imprisoned One was evil. You took the words of that moron Xanite at face value. None of you ever thought that maybe the Imprisoned One was Franz Hopper after all. Capable of good and evil."

"I don't believe you!"

"Ah!"

"Pacing will do no good, princess," said Xanite as Aelita paced the tower. "You know as well as I do that only the most powerful magic was used."

"Have you considered the horrors, Xanite?" asked Aelita, continuing her circular pattern. "What if we never see Milo again? Or Odd?"

"We will. I always find a way out."

"This fortress is said to be impenetrable."

"So is your heart. Milo went there. So did Odd and I, though not as deep as him."

"Remind me not of my childhood," said Aelita with a grimace.

"Too late," said Xanite with a grin. "You're already thinking about it. Good. Some mundane misery will take your mind off this elevated misery."

"Has your humor always been so black?"

"It is my job to keep you entertained."

At the house of Brother Sam, everyone was asleep. Yumi and Ulrich lay next to each other on their backs, breathing heavily. Odd was sitting against a wall, snoring lightly. Milo lay curled in front of the fire. He made no sound at all. Brother Sam came in with a bugle. He blew as loud as he could.

"Ah!" said Milo as he stood up, double-sword flying out of its sheath. Yumi and Ulrich also leapt to their feet, weapons drawn. Odd kept on snoring. "What was that?" asked Milo as he rubbed his ears.

"My bugle," said Brother Sam. "I decided to give you a small head-start before the police come."

"You betrayed us!"

"On the contrary. You are atheists and Satanists. My only duty is to God."

"Xana is a Satanist!" screamed Odd. "Help against him!"

"The police are all loyal to God. I'm sure they can vanquish Xana after they vanquish you."

"Are you so deluded as to think the police can kill the most powerful sorcerer since the wizard Jeremiah?" asked Milo quietly.

"You were so deluded as to think you could," said Brother Sam. "And to be frank, Sir Milo, you did not have the power of God behind you."

"There is no God to power me," said Milo. "And I have here a better and braver team of fighters then you could find anywhere else. Each of us is worth ten police forces."

"Enough! You will not blaspheme here!" said Sam as he charged a spell. A small black ball of energy appeared in his hands. "The power of Christ repels you!" He threw the ball into Milo's stomach.

"Attack!" shouted Ulrich. They ran forward as Sam raised his arms.

"Creepers," he said in the tone reserved for powerful summoning spells. Several disgusting monsters appeared, firing off spells as they charged forward. Milo had gotten up and his sword was drawn. Sam continued to fire spells as his Creepers were picked off.

"All very well, William. I will go for now. But I will return later."

"Go to hell!"

"William… Computer…"

"All right. I'm putting back on your hand and leg."

"Thanks… I feel better. Milo is down to eighty life points!"

"How are the others?"

"Not much better."

"What's Yumi at?"

"Ninety. And Ulrich's the same. Oh god, Odd's down to seventy."

"Look! Is that a Lyoko ID card for Brother Sam?"

"Yes. And it's doing a standard VS program with Milo!"