White Hot Plasma, Part 70

Harx and I made our way south, back toward Birmingham. I could have flown there myself much faster, but I enjoyed being with Harx and the slowness of our travel. Everything had been happening so fast lately, it was almost impossible to catch my breath, but now things seemed to be slowing down, almost getting back to normal. At last I'd have time to mourn Adrienne's death, to figure things out with my friends, and perhaps try to fix Birmingham back to the way it was. Turns out, though, that I wouldn't be able to do any of these things. Just as I was flying over the coast of South Carolina a dark figure flew right under me. At first I thought it was just a shadow, but I saw it again, flying this time in the opposite direction, directly over my head--it was Stewart.


I pulled down and landed. I dismounted and let Harx hunt. He’d come back if I needed him. Stewart landed next to me in a shroud of shadow, which soon left him.

“Hello, Stewart,” I said. I still wasn’t sure where we stood with one another. I wanted things to be like they were—just the two of us, joking around and talking about girls. Now everything was so damn complicated.

“Hey, man, what’s up?” he said.

“Not much, brah,” I said. Things were starting to feel more normal. “What are you doing here?”

“Looking for you.”

“What for?” I asked.

“It’s a long story, but I need you to come back with me.”

“I don’t know, Stewart. I don’t know how I feel about all your… endeavors.”

“It’s still me, man. Here—I’ve got an idea. I’ve heard how much stronger you’ve become, and I’ve gotten a lot stronger, too. Let’s fight—as friends—and maybe you’ll see you can still trust me.”

“I’m not sure that makes sense, bud, but okay.” I drew my swords.

Stewart was again shrouded in darkness, which became thick black armor. I knew I was more powerful physically, but Ser gave Stewart powers that went far beyond brute strength. For one thing—he could regenerate. That was something I could not do. And besides, his regenerative powers were stronger than ever now, to the point where it was almost instantaneous. I didn’t have my spear, but I wasn’t sure I’d need it. Already I was clad in nine tenths of Hercules’ armor. Huge, black claws formed over Stewart’s hands, and he lunged. He was fast, but I was faster. I sidestepped his initial attack and turned, ready to dodge another. This went on for a while, but soon Stewart stopped.

“You’re not going to fight?” he asked.

“I’ll get there soon enough. I don’t want to hurt you.”

He only laughed. Then he seemed to flex. The armor grew, and even though he seemed bulkier he got faster—a lot faster. Dodging was no longer an option—our speeds were matched and sweat was starting to break over my eyes. I threw an attack from one of his claws and this time I went to it, blocking with a blade of my own. Then something happened that I hadn’t been expecting—Stewart grew four extra arms, all with claws of their own. This new, six armed Stewart attacked at full speed. I was able to block the bulk of the attacks with my swords, but more than a few hit home on my armor—but it held. His claws bounced harmlessly from the armor, but even so I felt their force transferred through, bruising my already hurt frame. The fight with Rakasha had hurt me, weakened me significantly, and Stewart was taking full advantage. I’d have to step up my game. I brought my left hand down hard, pinning everything on his right side. My right sword came down in a flash, severing all three arms from his body. They were starting to grow back, but I kicked out and he flew away, colliding with a cliff, which collapsed on him. When he started to crawl out I pointed my sword at his head.

“No!” he said.

“Oh, yes,” I said. And white hot plasma shot out of my sword and landed on his armored face. It burned through the armor and through his skin, which seemed to regenerate as fast as it burned. It was an odd sight.

“Not cool, man.”

“I know. I just had to do it.” He stood up, his arms back to the normal two, rather than six.


“This isn’t going anywhere,” he said.

“Yeah I’m getting pretty bored—I’m ready to go when you are.”

“Alright—we’re off.”

I called Harx, but then something occurred to me. “Wait, Stewart. Where are we going?”


-The Knight