"The Gift": Edward's Storyline, Chapter 9, Part 1
Story by comidacomida on SoFurry
Welcome back to Edward's storyline of "The Gift". This is the first post of Chapter 9 for him, and it starts off with a bang!
Time passes for Edward and he is finally willing to focus more on his life without the War Spirit hanging over him like an ever-present threat, but, just when he thinks he may be in the clear he learns otherwise. With a rapidly developing threat arising, Edward must make an important decision and he will need reader assistance to figure out just what to do. Here is what readers selected:
5) -- nodded slowly and spoke up. "Dinner? Alright... but we're making a pact that you have to leave my friends and family alone."
The Gift
Edward's Storyline, Chapter 9.1
copyright comidacomida 2019
Life has always had a way of messing with my head, and I'm talking about more than just what happened with my mom. Usually, when I was most prepared for something it didn't happen but, let my guard down just a little, and suddenly there it was in my face. This was true for tests at school, chances at bat when I was in little league, and, yeah-- the Spirit of War.
After she came around the yard I knew it was only a matter of time until she showed up again and, for awhile I was pretty good about being on my guard. As the weeks passed by, though, she became less and less of an obvious threat and more like a distant memory. That all switched up unexpectedly one night after work, and it changed in a big way.
It was a pretty normal day to start, truth be told; the yard did some steady business but nothing spectacular; the afternoon dragged along as usual with a lot of inventory counts and paperwork; clean up and shut down was as boring as always. Right after close, though, that all changed when I walked out of the front doors and saw her waiting. She was the same mid-teens girl I remembered from earlier in the month, but she was dressed entirely different.
The girl, when she was in the alley, was dressed like a street punk, but the girl waiting for me by the telephone pole looked like she was right out of some east coast prep school. Her hair was pulled back in a pony tail and she had a dark, knee-length knit skirt that matched a sweater top with a white shirt beneath-- all-in-all it was way out of place for the summer, and her glamor make-up was just as out of place in the industrial side of town.
I guess I was lucky that the other guys decided to spend a little more time locking up because it gave me a minute alone with my Spirit, who were at my side in an instant. Medved spoke first. "No matter what happens, Synochik, do not fight her-- it will only give her strength. We will fight on your behalf, but do not interfere."
Tre agreed. "She'll only waste Spirit Energy fighting us, but if she gets you to act then she'll get stronger."
The Ancient One was already cracking the knuckles on his right talon, large, green form hulking where he stood with an eagerness to his gaze as he stared across the distance at her. "I look forward to her regret for standing against me."
Medved already stepped forward, raising his voice. "What do you want, Bellona? There is nothing for you here."
Rather than answering the Bear directly, she looked straight at me and smiled. "I am here for you, Edward Clark."
The fact that she knew my name was a surprise and, having come to better recognize the moods of my Spirits I realized that they were just as surprised. Rather than focus on that, I was about to demand what she wanted with me but Tre stepped between us. "He is OUR Seer, Morgana. You have no business with him."
She smirked, leaning against the street light and, for just a second she reminded me of a smug cheer leader about to verbally destroy high school underclassman. She didn't raise her voice but her tone was bathed in superiority. "Oh, little puppy, you have no leave to tell me what my business is."
I hadn't realized Medved was growling until it increased in volume and I felt it shake my bones. A blade appeared in one of his large paws and in the other a black powder pistol. "We are his Guardians, and we ALL tell you the same. You have no business with our Seer."
The Spirit of War simply rolled her eyes, nailing the preppy cheer-leader act perfectly. I realized as she spoke that she was even chewing gum. "We don't have to do this the hard way you know..."
Green spread his scaled lips wide, revealing rows of razor sharp teeth. "It is my hope that we will."
Despite my Spirits wanting to fight my battle for me, I decided that I could talk for myself but, even so I kept my question simple. "What do you want?"
She turned from raging bitch into all bubbly happiness the moment I addressed her and her bright red lips parted to reveal gleaming white teeth as she smiled. The girl's emerald Green eyes gleamed as she responded "To get to know you better, Edward. Shouldn't that be any stranger's goal when introductions are done?"
Medved held out a paw to stop any further comment on my part and he addressed her. "Find your Spirit Essence elsewhere, Bellona... leave our Seer and find a different source for Spirit Essence."
She sighed, rolling her eyes as she examined her perfectly manicured nails. "Maybe you should ask him what HE wants?"
I turned to the Bear before he could even take his eyes off of the girl. "I am SOOO ready to be done with this... brat."
Tre spoke on my behalf. "He's not interested."
Rolling her eyes again, she let out a huff. "So then apparently I'll have to resort to murder then to get what I want..."
Green let out a hissing snarl. "I eagerly await your attempt. You will get nowhere near my Seeker before my claws find you."
The girl covered her rose red lips with a hand and tittered before stating "Oh... I would never hurt a Seer... he is far too useful!"
My Wolf moved to stand beside Medved. "What's your point then?"
Stepping away from the street light the Spirit of War crossed her arms, shifting her weight onto one foot as she gave the iconic spoiled-rich-girl-not-getting-her-way stance. Rather than answer Tre's question she addressed me again. "I suppose you'd rather let people die, Edward Clark?"
"I--"
Medved quickly interrupted. "Edward has no control over what you do, Bellona. No one does, and you will not trick him into thinking otherwise."
Her eyebrows raised. "Trick? That is not my way, Russian Bear, and you know it. I am simply offering an opportunity for him to save the lives of... oh... well... I would say at least two... maybe three Humans."
I spoke before any of my companions could interrupt me. "How?"
She smiled warmly, as if I'd just complimented her, and she took a step forward; my Spirits quickly formed up a wall between us but she stopped without event before saying simply "A little of your time and attention... nothing extreme. Dinner... perhaps a nice lengthy talk. That would easily be worth the lives of a few Humans so there would be no need for them to die. Is that not a fair compromise?"
I was stunned. Was she really saying that she would have some people killed if I didn't go to dinner with her? What kind of fucking fatal attraction shit was she pulling? My brain continued to churn over and over in my head as I tried to figure out her angle. Tre, however, didn't want any of it. "You can't blackmail him to give you Spirit Energy, Morganna... remember what happened when you tried with Artgur?"
The Spirit of War tittered again. "Oh... I have learned so much since then, silly puppy... besides, I am certain dear Edward Clark would be incredibly motivated to accept my invitation, especially since I have already selected what poor old couple will suffer a deadly home invasion if he declines. 1121 West Clover St."
By the time she was through the numbers of the street address I already knew what she meant; it was my grandparents' address. How had she found them? How did she know so much? I didn't have the answers... at least not for the questions I had. Turning to the Spirit of War, I gave her my answer. Taking a deep breath, I--