Assignment One Part Nine

The rest of Dax's night was a dreamless sleep. Whatever that last nightmare was, it seemed to have calmed his mind. As the light of the sun peered through his window he awoke as the beams touched his eyes.

He opened his eyes and wiped away the fogginess. As he did the orb, he had made into a bracelet, caught his eye. In the center of it was no longer a raging storm. Instead, it looked like a tiny orange star was burning brightly. The overall color of the orb changed from blue to red.

"That's weird." He said as he stared at it. "Did it have something to do with my nightmare?"

"Dax honey are you awake?" Helen called from the kitchen. "Your little friend will be here shortly; you shouldn't keep her waiting."

"Your mother is right son." Frank said. "You need to stay on this girl's good side."

"I'm up!" Dax called down. He undid the leather binding on his wrist and instead tied it around his neck like a necklace. It would be easier to hide under his shirt this way. He put on his uniform and made his way downstairs. His mother had a spot at the table prepared for him. She had prepared a nice breakfast consisting of eggs, bacon, and buttered toast.

He sat down and got right to eating. The food was delicious as always. He stopped devouring his meal for a moment to pull his necklace out from under his shirt. "Dad, has the orb you gave me ever changed?"

"No, always looked like that." Frank said. "I found it to be relaxing. I could watch the storm for hours on end."

"It changed." Dax said plainly.

His father put down his paper and looked at his son. His eyes immediately transfixed themselves upon the orb dangling around his neck. "How?!" Frank asked. "It has always been a storm!"

"I don't know!" Dax said. "I have only had it one night!"

"Boys." Helen said. "I know things are confusing right now but let's not yell at the table."

"Sorry, dear." Frank said.

"Sorry, mom." Dax said in unison with his father.

"Maybe it has something to do with your dream last night." Helen said. "You said it was about the death of the Magi King."

"It was." Dax said. "I felt him die, as if it was myself."

"The Magi King is just an old legend." Frank said.

"Do you know anything about him?" Dax asked.

"I am sorry son; it was a bit before my time." Frank said. "All I know is it comes from a time they say magic was real. Our society however has progressed to the point where we have made the ancient legends a reality. With nanites we are able to cast spells and improve our bodies in ways our ancestors never thought possible."

"Magic is real to those who seek it." Dax said. "You said those words were passed down for generations in our family along with the orb. What if those legends weren't just made up, what if magic did exist and our family is magical."

"I said something similar to my father once." Frank said. "He just laughed at me. I however will say this, it might be the truth. Sadly, the answer is lost to time. The old book alludes to magic but does not contain a single magical spell.

I read it over and over as I grew up. I thought the same as you. Yet with all my searching and studying I could never find any concrete proof. That shadow monster and cave is the first proof that has ever been found that the book is true."

Sounds of someone knocking on the door echoed throughout the house.

"Must be your little friend." Helen said.

"Listen son, tell no one about your theories on magic." Frank said. "You would be branded insane and dealt with harshly. Our government has built a system based on nanites. They would not appreciate some other power that could usurp their standing. Trust me, remember I am a high-level minister."

"I know dad." Dax said. "Thanks for the warning." Dax stood up from the table and made his way to the door. As he walked, he told his parents goodbye and that he loved them.

He opened the door to find Fey.

"Good morning." Dax said.

"You ready to go?" Fey asked.

"Do me a favor first and call me." Dax said.

"Oh, because of my doppelganger yesterday?" Fey said. "Smart." She pulled out her phone and dialed Dax's phone. His phone started ringing and he picked it up to look at the screen. It was in fact Fey calling him. "Better?" She asked.

"Yes." Dax replied. "Thanks for that."

"No problem." Fey said. "Nice necklace by the way."

Dax quickly put the orb back under his shirt. "Thanks." He said nervously.

"Is it some kind of self-sustaining fusion core in a dynamic multiphase portable forcefield?" Fey asked. "I have heard of such devices being used to boost one's nanites. Are you trying to bring yours back to life or something? Or are you going to get another injection?!"

"Something like that." Dax said, in an attempt to change the subject, "You have a good eye to identify it so quickly."

"Well, my family does make them." Fey said. "Mom has hammered our product line into my brain. All part of me being her perfect little heir."

"So, slime hunting." Dax said. "Where can we find them?"

"No worried about that Daxy." Fey said. "I got a car to take us to a place I know."

Dax looked towards the street and saw a white sedan.

"It is one of those AI powered cars, so all we need to do is give it the destination and we are off!" Fey said. "I didn't want an adult driver, who might have had strong feelings about us entering into a monster den alone and unsupervised."

"I could see why someone might have worried about that." Dax said. "So how did you ask for the car?"

"Daxy, why would you think I asked?" Fey said laughing as she started walking towards the car.

Dax sighed. "Definitely a bad influence." He said softly to himself as he followed her.