The Mysterious Army: The Eternal Menace, #2

By Robert Gill

Kizm creates his own nation, demanding the other countries respect his power. An invisible wall holds millions hostage inside his new territory, along with frightening security capable of setting the entire nation aflame.

Meanwhile, Kwon and Zembok must undergo intense training to get ready for Kizm’s soldiers, especially one particular knife-wielding henchman who is close to awakening the ultimate serpent of destruction. Their training involves a technique meant to put the body through so much stress that no ordinary person can endure it without mentally breaking.

When Kizm’s usurpation isn’t accepted by powerful nations, he adds fuel by attacking those nations. The attacks bring to light an army Kizm’s been saving for these moments. His army induces panic throughout the world, causing the other nations to align with each other to battle him. They’ll need all the help they can gather—even if that help is a deadly criminal with a past connected with the mysterious army.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Robert Gill
• Release date: Mar 20, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386595854

Book preview

Robert S. Gill

© 2016 by Robert S. Gill. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any written, electronic, recording, or photocopying without written permission of the publisher or author. The exception would be in the case of brief quotations embodied in the critical articles or reviews and pages where permission is specifically granted by the publisher or author.

Although every precaution has been taken to verify the accuracy of the information contained herein, the author and publisher assume no responsibility for any errors or omissions. No liability is assumed for damages that may result from the use of information contained within.

CONTENTS

TITLE

COPYRIGHT

CHAPTER 1: GOOPA’S METHOD

CHAPTER 2: AN OLD FRIEND RETURNS

CHAPTER 3: KIZM’S PROPOSAL

CHAPTER 4: THE MAN WHO LOST IT ALL

CHAPTER 5: KIZM’S METHOD

CHAPTER 6: YOUR MOVE

CHAPTER 7: BITTEN BY A SERPENT

CHAPTER 8: UGLY TRUTHS

CHAPTER 9: PARTY CRASHERS

CHAPTER 10: THE WAY THAT SEEMETH RIGHT

1

GOOPA’S METHOD

The atmosphere around the castle in Taruh squeezed with tension. Kizm’s soldiers knew this tension all too well, but Boran’s former guards were very new to the vibe. There was something threatening about these men, even though they were calm.

Kizm met the two men at the massive castle front door. They knelt before him, heads bowed. Tan, Kizm addressed the Chinese man. He had jet-black hair down to his butt that he usually kept in a long, thick braid and a red soaring eagle tattoo covering the left half of his face. Raymond, speaking to the Caucasian musclebound man. His thick, bare chest had a very noticeable scar going across it diagonally and his hair was cut so close he looked bald. What took you two so long to get here?

The soldiers were starting to slack off so I had to deal with it my way, Tan replied.

Tell me you didn’t torture my soldiers.

Not this time.

He’s lyin’, Raymond blurted. He nearly killed ‘em all. Thank goodness you have people that can heal them.

Kizm sighed. As calm as you are on the outside you never know when to simmer that fire on the inside. A soldier approached his shoulder and whispered in his ear. Kizm nodded and then glanced down the hallway. Follow me, kids. Tan and Raymond followed him as he eased down the hallway to the right of the grand hall entrance—which sat parallel and to the left of the front door. I summoned you two because Bohr hasn’t returned and we need to keep moving forward. We need leverage in order for the other countries to take us seriously.

Raymond griped, Why’d you even send that clown out there anyway? He’s been out of commission for so long he probably can’t even wipe his butt right. You shoulda just sent me.

I have my reasons for choosing Bohr. Besides, you shouldn’t underestimate a person you’ve never even met before.

I’m just sayin’, you should trust us more. We might not be where you want us to be but we are just sittin’ around lookin’ stupid nowadays. Let us get some real action.

I hate to say that I agree with Raymond on that account, Tan said. We’ve proven ourselves enough before, haven’t we?

This assignment should give you plenty to do. If you boys don’t want it, I can have your little sister come do it for you. Kizm smiled sarcastically.

Heck no, Raymond said with a frown. She already gets too much special treatment from you as it is. Plus she’ll probably screw up your plans altogether.

And she won’t leave us anything to do if she comes around.

Let’s just forget all that bracelet crap and kick things off right now.

That’s exactly why you’re not ready, Raymond. You’re too impatient. As Kizm walked his slight smile never faded, mainly because he hadn’t seen these two in nearly half a year.

I bet if we still had our fifth general we could do it, Raymond stated boldly.

Kizm chuckled. Only you still have faith in the lost and forgotten, Raymond. Our rogue destroyed that possibility.

They arrived at the conference room entrance where Nebin stood with a beige folder tucked under his arm. He held the folder out. Here you go, sir. He’s on hold right now.

Thank you, Nebin. He took the folder and handed it to Tan. Follow the instructions inside. Tan, after you’re done there’s something else I want you to do.

Why not me? Raymond groaned.

Because you’re too strong. Just get this done first.

Simultaneously they answered, Alright. Then as they walked away Raymond added, Whatever.

Kizm entered the conference room. He sat at the head of an overstretched table in an overstretched room. A flat screen television emerged from the center of the table. It turned toward him and then moved along its track until it stood only a few feet away from his face. A keypad in the table controlled that television plus the forty-three others still slumbering. He jabbed a couple of keys so the monitor would switch on.

Onscreen, a middle-aged man had sweat pouring from his brows. Is there a problem? Kizm asked.

I’m afraid there is. He kept looking at something on the table in front of him. Well, um, I don’t know what Boran told you exactly, but I don’t really specialize in things like this. I mean, it looks like a fun project but—

But what? You’re an engineer. I’m sure you can build it.

That’s not the problem. Something like this will take years and I don’t have nearly enough people to build it.

Don’t worry about the time or manpower. Hire as many people as you need, and if you need more money for materials let me know.

Thanks. I will.

As that conversation ended, the moans of a devastated boy continued. Kwon lied motionless on the grass of Mt. Embor’s field. His head wanted to explode after learning about his true origin.

Get up. C’mon, Kwon. Zembok’s words did nothing. Who cares if your mom was from outer space? It’s not like you’re gonna turn into a giant ape during a full moon. Kwon had been lying in the same face-planted position for nearly thirty-two minutes, moaning off and on. He only moved once, and that was to turn from his side to his belly. He pulled Kwon’s bushy hair to lift his face slightly off the ground. Kwon. Still no response. Kwon’s eyes were closed, but he could clearly see his lids flinch as Kwon tried his best to keep them shut. He let Kwon’s head drop. Stop bein’ lame. Get up!

Goopa had let it go on far enough. He quit relaxing by the foot of the mountain, picked up the basket of chopped watermelon, that had flies caught in its gravitational pull, and approached Kwon. Kwon, he said with his calm, aged voice. No response. Then he took a piece of watermelon and threw a fast pitch at Kwon’s head. It bounced off but left plenty of juice stuck in his hair. Goopa threw another, then another. Zembok decided to throw a few. Try to hit him in the face, Goopa instructed.

They both took a few steps back and started pelting Kwon in the side of his face and head with fruit. His motionless streak broke when he finally lifted his head and shouted, Will you stop throwing food at me? Can’t you see I’m trying to stay in a negative mood? I don’t need watermelon juice to add to my pain.

Staying negative won’t change the situation. You have to make a decision.

How can you force me to make a decision like this? How can I even trust you? Kwon gasped deeply as he sat up, pointing his finger at Goopa. How do I know you won’t sell me out to the government so they can do experiments on me and force me to be a one man army? At this point, nothing makes any sense anymore.

You’re not making any sense anymore, Zembok said with his what-are-you-talkin’-about look.

You still seem to be unsure about your choice, Goopa said.

Yeah, no crap. How would you feel if you just found this out?

Let me ask you something, Goopa started. When Jasmine told you what she told you she gave you a possible motive for your grandfather’s death and two suspects. You had gotten the answers you sought after, but you continued on your journey. Why? To find me? A person who has no more answers than she does. A person who hasn’t been away from the mountain long enough to know what’s even going on.

Kwon steadily relaxed and gave Goopa his full attention.

It was something inside you that brought you here. You don’t know what it is, but it’s been eating you from the inside, only ceasing when you comply with its calling. You were meant to be here. You were meant to meet us. And anything other than this path would be a curse to your existence. Right now there’s a girl out there who doesn’t know she has a brother, and there’s no telling how Kizm is raising her to be. She needs to know the truth. You two are destined for great things. If you give up now you’ll be giving up on her, also.

His speech burned into Kwon’s mind. You’re right. Kizm is probably raising her to be a giant p.o.s. that kills baby dolphins and steals Christmas presents from little kids. Or he could be teaching her to feed puppies to alligators or shoot at cars on the freeway. Oh, man, this is bad.

Kwon, tone down the crazy thoughts, Zembok suggested.

Kwon hopped to his feet. "I can’t, Zembok. My sister’s out there and I need to rescue her. I just wish I didn’t have to fight Kizm to do it.

You don’t have to fight Kizm, Goopa reminded him. I just need you to help me stop him. But you will have to be ready for whatever lies ahead, so, therefore, I will be teaching you my method of training. It’s a speedy method I’ll have to use since I don’t know when Kizm might make his next move.

Ah-ha! I knew you were gonna teach us somethin’, Zembok exclaimed with an enormous grin.

Don’t get too excited, Zembok. My way of training is no easy task. In fact, for the next four weeks your bones may break and your muscles will tear beyond bearable measures. I will use a spell to heal you, but what my spell can’t heal is the damage you may receive psychologically if you can’t handle this method. So, now I’ll ask you, are you two ready to train with me, even though you risk never mentally being the same again?

Both of them shrugged with agreement, saying together, Yeah. Sure. Whatever. Then Kwon added, We’re already pretty screwed up by now.

Goopa nodded. All right then. I want you both to stand up straight and don’t move. The boys followed his instructions. Since Zembok was closest he approached him first. Goopa’s palm illuminated red, then he tapped Zembok in the solar plexus. At first nothing happened. Then Zembok suddenly hunched over.

What the ... he grunted.

Goopa approached Kwon and did the same. He hunched over also. They both could lift themselves upright, but every time they did so their bodies would eventually hunch over against their will.

Now you both weigh five hundred pounds heavier.

What kind of mess is this? Zembok asked as he and Kwon grunted uncontrollably. Why would you add so much weight to us?

The extra weight will come in handy once the training is over. Consider this the training session of the main training session. As I said, you both weigh five hundred pounds plus your actual weight. That means each part of your body is equally five hundred pounds heavier, except your head, which only weighs twenty-five percent of that—I don’t want your necks to snap. The technique I used on you is called the Burden Spell.

Wait, you used this on us yesterday, didn’t you? Kwon blurted out.

Correct. Each week I will add five hundred more pounds.

That’s impossible, Zembok groaned. Our bodies can’t handle that much weight.

Is it? Raishu practiced with a sixty thousand pound burden spell on his body daily and Kizm caught up with him in 7 months using this method, but Kizm started with a twelve hundred pound spell and continuously begged for more weight.

My back hurts, Kwon grunted. My knees hurt. My feet hurt. I can barely stand up. Now I know how a fat old man feels.

I want you boys to run fifty laps around the mountain.

Bull crap! Zembok exclaimed. What makes you think we can run laps like this?

How do you expect to get used to the weight if you don’t?

Well I’m not runnin’ anywhere, Goopa, and you can’t make me.

Goopa calmly approached Zembok. You don’t have to run. There is another option. You can choose to stay here with me and let me, then he shouted with his raspy voice, add enough weight to crush you like the insignificant little bug you arrrrrrrre. Now give me fifty laps! And from now on, you will only refer to me as Master Goopa, do you understand meeeeee?

Why, am I supposed to be your slave now?

Get going you little maggot boy! Now! Now! Now!

Aw, man, he’s really changed, Kwon shrieked, waddling away with his back hunched over. He’s gone berserk, Zembok. Let’s get these laps done.

You don’t scare me, Zembok uttered. Then he noticed the red glow on Goopa’s palm come back again. He let out a quick shout and then waddled away, dragging his knuckles like an orangutan.

A little over an hour later, Goopa stopped the boys. They hadn’t done any more than fifteen laps but they were drenched in sweat. It’s time to call it quits for today. We’ll continue tomorrow. I’m going to go prepare dinner. Meet me at the top.

What? Zembok gave a puzzled grimace. It’s barely the afternoon.

By the time you reach the top of the mountain it will be dinnertime. I’ll meet you up there. Goopa flew up the mountain.

When night came Goopa’s word stayed true. It took the boys all day to reach the top with their extra weight added. After dinner the boys were too tired to even move as they lay in front of a cozy fire. But they were still curious enough to stay awake, so Zembok asked, What were our grandpas like when they were younger?

An enriching smile formed on Goopa’s green face as he sipped his tea. He sat the cup on the floor. You would be proud of them. The Guardian Sages weren’t just a group of heroes who went around saving everyone, we were a family. A family that seemed unbreakable. We all had our own unique abilities to add to the group. Otem had his blinding speed, Zion could technically pick apart any opponent he met.

What about you? Kwon asked.

I guess you can say I was the backbone. I knew just enough of everyone’s strengths and weaknesses to incorporate the right training activities to suit us. Za and myself were the only two who could do nearly every technique the others could, except Za was far more advanced.

Kwon asked, Speaking of Za, why did he leave? Is it true what Jasmine said about everybody being vulnerable, or something like that?

After Raishu and Gora’s deaths Za felt broken. He felt like his life had lost meaning. He didn’t want to fill their shoes or even try. So when he felt hopeless we did too.

And what about Bohr, Zembok asked, staring at the fire, his eyes matching its intensity. What was he like? He looked up at Goopa.

Goopa sighed. If there were any bigger disappointment than Kizm it had to be Bohr. When Otem brought him here, Raishu didn’t trust him. And he had a good reason for it too after Kizm turned on us. But there was something about Bohr that pushed us to let him stay. Although he’d been through a terrible episode in life and was filled with anger, he still had a sort of calm spirit.

Calm spirit? Kwon asked with disbelief. You mean the guy who’s been going around killing people had a calm spirit?

I know it’s hard to believe, but Bohr was actually pretty charming. He had a special quality about himself. He wasn’t like a normal human. He was very quick and his accuracy was better than any of ours. Most of all, he could adjust to any situation with ease. Even Zion had problems outwitting him. I’ll put it to you like this, while Kizm became Raishu’s biggest rival and eventually surpassed him in less than a year, Bohr learned how to outmatch everyone in the group. He was our ticket to beating Kizm so we taught him as much as we could. The only problem was, he seemed to forget the techniques that we taught him because he didn’t particularly like most of them. Goopa laughed with nostalgia. "Yeah, Bohr was a good student. But everyone has a weakness, and his haunted him every day. He carried around a sheet of paper to remind him of his family. The design on it eventually went from being a memento to becoming a symbol of death.

No matter how much we tried to save Bohr from the darkness, it always drew him in. I still don’t know when Kizm got to him, but by the time we saw Bohr again ... Goopa dropped his head. We never thought he would be able to single-handedly destroy both Gora and Raishu at the same time. But with Palpa’s magic anything is possible.

He sounds really tough, Kwon said.

He is. But like I said, he has a weakness. Goopa gave Zembok a stern look, like he was infiltrating his mind. I just wish Bohr didn’t let his appetite for revenge eat his soul.

I know, right? That sounds like something a loser would do, Kwon blurted.

I’m goin’ to sleep. Zembok turned over.

Goopa continued sipping his tea while the boys slept that night. He mostly thought about the old days when the Guardian Sages were together. Looking at the glistening fountain of his friends made him realize what he had to do. He had to take a chance with these two. He had to mold them into fighters better than their grandparents. But he also had to make sure they didn’t make the same mistakes Kizm and Bohr made.

Back in Taruh, in an empty restaurant after hours, its owner, Kamali Nasiri, stared at documents on the table. He rubbed his thick salt-‘n’-pepper beard with a number two pencil wedged between his index and middle fingers. A nearly empty glass of scotch sat beside the documents, and every time his eyes scanned a page he drank another sip. A knock came from the front door. We’re closed, he shouted. Another knock. He recognized who knocked on the other side of the glass, so he went and let them in.

Boran Jurok, Tonx, and a few other homeless people entered the building. They asked if he could spare some food, anything would do. Since he liked Boran so much he offered to have something made for them. But while they sat at a corner booth and he went to the back to give the order, he wondered why such a powerful man would be asking for spare food. He had the money to buy anything in the restaurant, and at a time like this, a big purchase would’ve been nice. He wouldn’t be taking advantage of his kindness would he?

He took the group a tray of water but couldn’t help but overhear their conversation.

... No, you’re not listening, Tonx. Kidnapping him would be a bad idea. He’s a very powerful man and we wouldn’t stand a chance of getting past the guards.

Whatever, man. You got some better ideas? Because it looks to me like you still ain’t in the castle and all of us are still homeless.

I’m afraid I don’t have anything on my mind right now.

Just great. You supposed to be a smart business man but you can’t even solve one problem.

So it’s true, Mr. Nasiri intervened with a look of concern. The rumors. You really were protesting with the homeless people, weren’t you?

Yes. Boran responded.

Tell me why. Why would you be protesting when you’re in charge of this town? He knew the answer according to the rumors, especially seeing Boran’s roughly-shaven, olive-toned face; his long, dirty finger nails and his inch-long, dark, oily hair; also the expensive clothes he wore carried a strong stench. But he had to know for sure.

Boran dropped his head with shame. I’m no longer in charge. A tyrant now occupies the castle. He’s in charge.

Mr. Nasiri lifted Boran’s head with his finger. I’ve been living here all of my life and I’ve seen how much this place has changed. It may not be perfect, but it works. The only reason it works is because you care for this town. Now I don’t care who is in that castle right now. If someone came and took my restaurant from me I would do whatever I had to do to get it back. You have to fight for it!

That’s what I’m sayin’, Tonx blurted out. We got your back.

You all don’t understand. Kizm is not someone I can just simply ‘fight’. He’s smarter than I am. How else do you explain my current position? If I ... we are going to stop him we have to find a weakness, which is impos ... si ... ble ... Something refreshed in his memory; it left him mesmerized. Maybe there is a way. What we have to do is make much, much more noise. We need to get more people, hell every person in town, to protest at the gates.

What for? That ain’t gon’ do nothin’. We protested already, Tonx complained.

Then we do more of it. We get as much attention on this town as possible.

Why? Tonx asked.

Because that’s what he hates. He’s a man of the shadows, a puppet master. If we can convince the people to turn against him, we might bring enough attention to make him uncomfortable. If he feels like anything might jeopardize his plans he might go to whatever his next plan is, which might cause him to leave altogether.

That plan sounds stupid, but whatever, Tonx said.

I need to use your phone to call the king. It’s time to apply more pressure.

The next day Goopa introduced the next stage of training. Today you boys will mix things up a bit. Instead of doing 50 laps—which you didn’t finish—you’ll only do twenty-five. Do five laps on your left leg, five on your right, then switch back to your left for five more, then back to your right for another five. Then do the last five on both legs.

Huh? Kwon asked. So you want us to hop all the way around the mountain on one leg?

That’s correct.

Kwon shouted, Are you insane? My legs already feel like they’re about to give out, and I’m in good shape.

Goopa rubbed his eyes and began to whimper as if he were crying. Boo hoo, your wittle wegs hurt. Do you wanna cry some more, little baby? Ha! he yelled. Well guess what, after you finish your laps, I want you to do one hundred one-armed push-ups on each arm and then one hundred squats on each leg.

But why are we doin’ exercises like these when we haven’t gotten used to the extra weight yet? Zembok asked.

Goopa grabbed hold of Zembok’s shirt. He climbed up to Zembok’s shoulder, wrapped his arm around Zembok’s head, and then shouted in his face, Because I said so you impotent ... little ... wooooooooooorrrrmmmm!

Zembok grimaced as he jerked his face away from Goopa. Please tell your breath to have some mercy. Goopa bit Zembok on his right cheek. The troll hollered in pain. I’ve got rabies now.

He’s a psychopath! Kwon hopped away on one foot hastily, falling down repeatedly.

Zembok began hopping with Goopa attached to his shirt yelling in his ear.

A couple of hours later, after the boys finished their exercises, they joined Goopa near a boulder. He had two gallon jugs of water waiting for them, which were heavenly since gallons of sweat soaked their clothes.

I know you may think I’m being cruel, but there is a lesson to be learned in your exercise.

Yeah, you wanna kill us ... or at least you wanna kill me, Zembok replied.

Goopa laughed. It’s the opposite actually. Those exercises are meant to save your lives one day. See, during combat anything can happen. You might be injured or stabbed, causing you to lose the use of one or several limbs. If you train yourself to be used to being handicapped, then you’ll increase your chances of survival. But if you are ever hurt that badly the best thing to do is make an escape. You don’t want your pride to get you killed. Do you understand?

Both of them nodded as they grabbed the jugs and guzzled the water.

The next session of the day is very important so pay close attention. Goopa placed his hand on the boulder. I want you two to try to move this.

That’s impossible, Kwon cried. That thing’s the size of a house.

Don’t exaggerate. Besides, if you believe it’s impossible then it will be. Zembok, you give it a try.

Zembok shook his head. I can’t move that.

You sure? It’s not that hard. Goopa pushed the boulder three feet with one hand. "See. Now if you believed in yourself enough to give it a try you’d see that