Black Rose

By Wyman Green

Every choice has a cost--a fact that seventeen-year-old Dylan Grimm knew all too well, especially on the night of his high school graduation. He was framed for setting his school's gym on fire, almost killing a group of girls. He was forced to make an impossible choice and was sent to the other side of the universe, away from everything he knows. He thought his life was over until he met a girl he fell in love with--and only just days before he was sent back home. He was again forced to make an impossible choice--one with deadly consequences. He was forced to be on the run from gangs, assassins, and even judges, but he found a ship reuniting him with his brother and met four of the best friends a guy could ever have. As he was confronted with the choice he made and every choice that followed, he often wondered if he made the right choice.

Black Rose is an exciting science fiction fantasy tale where every choice can be good or bad but comes with a cost.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fulton Books, Inc.
• Release date: Dec 22, 2022
• ISBN: 9781639851720

Book preview

Part 1

Black Rose

Chapter 1

Dylan

Prologue

I have a question to ask. If you have a chance to change something that happened in your life, will you fix it or watch it happen again? Think about it.

I live in a universe that is divided into three different regions—the Core, Outer Rim, and Frontier Space. The Core is nine planets away from the Alliance—the government of the universe. It was formed after the Great Crisis, which was an event where the universe was turned upside down. It caused things to be set back. It had been one hundred years since that time. No one knew how or why it happened, but it did. I now live in a universe where magic and science both coexist peacefully.

This is a story of how I came to choose whether to watch or fix it. You can’t run from the past no matter how hard you try.

*   *   *   *   *

It has been a month since my life was turned upside down. It was kinda funny really. I always wanted my life to be exciting like in the movies with action left and right, but then life set in. I could still remember my old life before I was arrested. I had a simple life—you know, with Mom, Dad, and little brother. But all that seemed kinda irrelevant now. It all started at graduation; it was when everything changed.

I woke up to my graduation day, excited, ready to be finished, getting ready to say goodbye to high school—which was my home for four years—hugging old friends, and shaking teachers’ hands. I was to go off to college—that was the plan. My plan was to get a college degree and have a family. As I looked back, all that changed because I decided to make a choice.

You are probably wondering who I am. My name is Dylan Grimm, your average seventeen-year-old. On the day I decided to make a choice, my future plans were changed forever.

My best friend, Malcolm Rayden, is a nice guy. You would like him. On the night of my graduation, he texted me asking if he could meet me at our school for one last look before we move on. I said okay, and so I went. When we got there, we were surprised to find that our school’s gym was up in flames. Like most teens, we called the fire department and police. After we called, we heard something coming from inside. Five girls were trapped inside with fire all around them. Malcolm, like a natural-born hero, ran inside the gym up in flames. The fire was getting out of control. I needed to smother it or stop, so I used my powers, grabbed a shadow, and stretched it over the gym.

Did I forget to mention that I was a Darkon? That is a race of people who can manipulate shadows and stretch to cover anything or protect them from harm and has ability to stitch wounds. The last part came in handy a lot.

The fire was put out. Malcolm got all the girls out. They were safe but not without injury. Each girl was affected differently by the fire. His girlfriend, Lilith Casper, inhaled a dangerous amount of smoke while trying to push the door open, and that put her in a coma. Maggie Stuart—seeing all the fire and not being able to get out—was traumatized by the event. Agura Lee was okay; she was only a little light-headed, nothing else. She was one of the lucky ones. Daphne Frankenstein, who we called Frankie, got burned; she lost some of her hair. Grace Collins, one of my good friends, was only scared by the fire but suffered nothing else. All five girls said that a shadowy figure pushed them inside with a shadow; it was when they saw me use my powers. They were scared. I was blamed for all of it. Because I had prior offenses since I was underage, I was sentenced with one year of servitude.

I was arrested and sentenced to one year of servitude on the planet Hydra, or the Core. Hydra, set in the middle, is your average planet with blue skies, clear waters, and no pollution. With that, it has the second highest technology in the universe. It is led by a worst man possible—John Blood, or Lord Hydra, the ruler of the Alliance. He single-handedly was responsible for almost wiping out the Darkon race, but that is enough about the past.

Like I said in the beginning, I was sentenced to Hydra to serve out my punishment. They took me from my house without any goodbyes and shipped me to Hydra. The same day I got there, I took a bus to the servant apartments, where a lady told me that, as a servant, I had certain rules to follow. I could not talk to any other servants while I was there. I was there at Hydra to serve out my time like everyone else too. I could talk to people, but I had better not get attached, so things wouldn’t be difficult when my time to be sent back home arrives. People were not allowed inside the apartment. Every day, the gate to the servant apartments is closed at 8:00 p.m. and opened at 5:00 a.m. The rules went on and on. It was an adjustment. She finally added that if I were to break any of those rules, servitude would be extended and possibly leave the planet and go to somewhere worse.

So now I live on the ninth floor of a twenty-six-story building. I did all I could to deal with all of it.

The servant apartments were nice one-bedroom with a kitchen and living room. I was lucky I could see the lake from where I was, which was the only highlight of my situation. Now my life was constant cycle of waking up at 6:00 a.m. every day and getting a text message on my government phone saying what job I was employed that day. They would deliver a package to my door with a uniform for that day.

Servant work was a different job every day. In exchange, servants get free housing, a cell phone with GPS tracker in it, and a bar-code tattoo on the arm, which makes you feel like a prisoner. Its use was so they see what the servant is doing at all time during their sentence.

A month later, I woke up the same time each day. I opened my door, got the box that was outside, opened it, and put on the uniform of the job I was doing that day. The only good thing about this is because I work a different job each day, I see a new part of the city each day. The place where I was sentenced to serve my time was the capital of Hydra—Draco City.

During my lunch breaks, I’d go to the marketplace every day at the same time. I sat outside to bask in the fresh, clean air of Hydra. The marketplace was like any market; it had stores where you could buy foods and places where you could buy electronics. It kinda reminded me of home. I saw different people walk through the market mostly looking for groceries. Every day was the same. I’d wake up, put on uniform, and do the job given to me and reduce my sentence. This is what the next few months would be like for me.

* * * * *

One day, I saw a girl about my age walking around. She had long straight hair with brown eyes. She was wearing a blue T-shirt with jeans. She walked around then left. The following day, I saw her again. Then I saw her the day after that too at the same time and same place. The only reason I noticed was because she never bought anything. She would just look around. Every day at the same time, she was there in different clothes each day, but she just walked around like she was looking for something but never bought anything. I would sit outside and watch her. She was very beautiful. I tried to muster the courage to ask what her name was. That night, I went back to my apartment trying to figure out what I was going to say to her, then I remembered something that my dad had said, The first thing you should ever say to a girl is hi.

Chapter 2

Fiona

So the next day, because I wanted to know who she was, I finally got the courage to introduce myself. I waited for her to walk by the marketplace, but I didn’t her soon enough. I waited for so long that my lunch break was almost up. I was about to walk away when I saw her. I noticed that she was being followed by three guys with purple-dragon tattoo on their arms. I followed them into an alley. I saw one of the guys attacked her with one knife. She was able to fend him off with both hands, but the other two came out of nowhere. I stepped in to her rescue.

I used my powers to move a shadow around him and slammed him into a wall. One of the thugs got scared by my powers and ran off as that happened. One of them came from behind and hit me in the head, knocking me out. I woke moments later, wondering what happened. The first thing that I saw was the girl with hair so fair.

Are you okay? she asked.

I was lying on my back. I think so, I said.

She hit me in the arm.

Oh, I said.

Why did jump in like that? You could’ve gotten hurt.

It looked like you were outnumbered three to one, I said.

I can take care of myself, she said.

You know, you could just say thank you, I said.

She looked at me and said, Thank you.

What your name? I asked.

Fiona Briggs. What is yours she asked.

Dylan Grimm, I said.

The next thing I knew she was pushing me to ground, eyes widening. Don’t move. You might have a concussion, she said.

Fiona, right? I don’t that I have a concussion, I said.

I know that you shouldn’t be moving that much. It is not safe after your head injury. Let me take you to my dad’s dojo, she said.

Okay, how far is it? I asked.

Down the street, she said.

Fiona helped me up. We walked down the street to her dad’s dojo. The dojo was named the Emerald Dragon. It had a green dragon on the top of it. There was something written beneath it, just one word—redemption. We walked to the front, and Fiona’s dad came out running, scared like he knew something bad happened because he saw everything out his office window. The first words out his mouth were Is everyone okay? What happened?

Fiona replied, I was walking when three Purple Dragons tried to jump me. If it were not for Dylan here, I would have died or worse.

We walked inside and to his office. The next words he said were Put him in the chair. Let me take a look.

Fiona helped me in the chair next to the door. There was a short pause. He looked at me and then introduced himself.

My name is Robert Briggs. Nice to meet you, son. Looks like you have a bit of a head injury there, he said. The blow isn’t that bad. You’ll be fine. Thank you for saving my daughter. You should stay here for a while. Do you want me to call someone for you?

I said, No, I live here on my own.

You seem a little young to be living on your own. How old are you?

I said, Seventeen.

Mr. Briggs saw my arm and saw my bar code.

Are you a servant?

I was about to answer his question when he looked up at the clock and saw what time it was. It said 12:50 p.m.

The next moment, I got up from the chair and run out the door. But before he could stop me, Fiona ran after me and said, What, you’re hurt. You should not be moving like that.

I have to go back to work before lunch is over, I said.

I think that your job will understand if you’re hurt, she said.

No, they won’t trust me. I’m really sorry about this, but I have to go, I said and ran out the door so fast that I knocked a vase off its stand, but I caught it before it hit the ground with the help of a shadow putting it back on its stand.

When I left Fiona said, He is a Darkon.

And a servant, Mr. Briggs said.

* * * * *

I ran into the alley down the street and disappeared in the crowd. I ran as fast as I could so I could make it back to the factory before my lunch break was over. That day I worked in a factory making GPS tracker that you put in cell phones. I barely made it in time before lunch was over.

After my shift ended at 7:00 p.m., I walked back to the servant apartment. I had the strangest feeling that I was being followed, so I started to speed up thinking it was the thugs from earlier. I had turned a corner to see who or what was following me, but when I turned, nothing was there, so I continued walking to the servant apartments.

The next day, I woke up at the usual time and received a text on my phone telling where I was going to work that day. That day I was working at a flower shop. It was nice little shop. My uniform and employee ID were waiting outside my door like it did every morning. I got dressed and put my phone and keys in my pocket and walked out the door. I walked down the street to the address of the flower shop. It was called Omega Flower. The manger there was a nice lady. She said hi to me even though I’d be working only for a day. Her name was Jasmine West. She told me that I was to unpack all the cards that go with the flowers.

The job seemed okay to do. I finished that by about 9:00 a.m. One of Ms. Jasmine’s employees did show up for work. She asked me if I could fill in. I said okay. It was like overtime. It helped reduce my time. It was about noon when I was almost finished rearranging some flowers. I was about to the door to go off for lunch. I had my back to the door when I heard a bell at the door—meaning, someone had just walked in the shop.

How may I help you? I asked. When I turned around, it was Fiona. She walked in.

Fiona, I said.

I didn’t know that you work here.

I do today. I’m sorry about yesterday, I said.

It’s fine, she said. Do you have any black roses?

I’ll go and ask my boss, I said. I left and went to the back to Ms. Jasmine’s office. A while later, I came back and said, I asked her, but she said no. We ran out yesterday. sorry.

That sucks, but it’s okay, she said.

Don’t mind my asking. What do you want the black rose for? I asked. For your boyfriend?

No, they’re for my mom, she said.

That’s nice. Hey, it’s my lunch break. Do you want to get some lunch? I asked.

Dylan Grimm, are you asking me out? she asked.

Well, yes, I am, I said. So yes or no?

Yes, that would be nice, she said.

We walked outside and walked down the street. Is that your dad’s dojo, the Emerald Dragon? I asked.

She replied, Yeah, that’s his.

What kind of martial art is taught there?

She said, Phant—the art of connecting with your chi and how to funnel it though an object, plus tai fighting.

How long have you been taking it? I asked.

I been taking it since I was six. It helped after my mom passed, she said.

Sorry, I said.

It’s okay, thanks, she said.

Can I ask you question? I asked.

Sure, if I could ask you a question as well. A question for a question. Why do you have a bar code on your arm? she asked.

I looked at my arm and pulled my sleeve down. You saw that, huh? I said. That is a long and complicated story.

I have time, she said.

On the night of my graduation, my friend texted me and wanted to look at our school’s gym for one last look. We saw the gym in flames; he ran inside, saving the girls. Then police showed up and read my name, and I was arrested and sent here.

Fiona had a stunned look, and compassion showed on her face. The first words out of her were That’s why you told my dad that you are servant.

We turned a corner unto the marketplace.

Don’t you have to go back to work? Fiona asked.

No, I finished my shift. I’m free for the rest of the day. Why? I said.

What’s the plan for the rest of the day? she asked.

I was just about to get some grocery and then go home. Why?

Want to come to my dojo to check it out during the day? she asked.

Sure, why not. I’ve never been to a dojo before.

After we walked down to the front of the dojo, the doors were open. There were people were training in different age groups. Some were wearing red, blue, and yellow training uniforms. All of them were sparring on a white mat. One of the students wearing blue came up to me.

Who is he, Fiona? You know the rules, he asked.

What rules? I asked.

My dad made some rules that only parents can watch the student train. Anyone else have to leave or join, she said.

Am I allowed to join, or is that against the rules? I asked.

Are you serious? Do you really want to join? she said.

Mr. Briggs walked in wearing a training uniform like everyone else, but he was in all green with a dragon on the back. Everyone stood straight up and at attention.

Master Booster! everyone yelled.

He walked over to me and looked startled. So you want to join? Is that right? You do know it will not be easy. I will push you beyond your limits physically, mentally, and emotionally. Are you ready for all that?

There was a spark in my eyes, and I had a sense of determination on my face when I opened my mouth.

Yes, I know that I have much to learn. When can I start? I said.

The look on Master Booster was unreadable when he said, Okay, good. I am going to ask you a question. What does one seek when they come to the Emerald Dragon Dojo?

I was standing there trying figure out what the answer to the question was.

You don’t have to answer now, but one day, I will ask you that question again, he said.

* * * * *

There were three types of Emerald Dragon training uniform—Beginner Red, Intermediate Yellow, and Skillful Blue. Master Booster pointed to one of students and said, Jeremy, come here. I want you to test the new recruit’s skills.

Yes, Master, with pleasure, Jeremy said, nodding.

Master Booster said to me, Go into the changing room and put on the white training uniform.

When I went into the changing room, I found a white training uniform. It was an all-white long shelves with a belt made of silk. Everyone was barefoot, so I took off my shoes and put them next to my clothes. After I put on the training uniform, Jeremy and I walked to the mat to fight.

Master Booster said, Are you ready?

We both said yes.

When the fight started, Jeremy took the first punch. He kicked my leg, but I blocked again. A couple of minutes later, I started to feel like something was wrong. I was slowing down like I was tired.

I thought that Dylan knows about Jeremy’s ability, Fiona said. We have to stop the fight. Dylan has no idea what he has gotten himself into.

Master Booster said, No, wait. Let’s see what he can do under pressure.

I was able to block some of his punches and kicks until I took one in the face. I fell back on the mat.

Well, that was easy. Looks like we have a beginner red. This was a waste of my time, he said.

No, I said.

Dude, stay down, he said.

I got up and said, Give me a second, and I will surprise you.

Jeremy tried to punch me again, but he came into contact with my right arm. Our wrists touched. There was a small puff of smoke.

What just happened? he said.

Dylan’s arm is smoking, Fiona said.

Just then I used my left to flip him unto the mat. He got up and was about to strike, but Master Booster ran to the front and said, Jeremy, that’s enough! You know the rules, so better luck next time. Then he turned to me. That was very impressive. Not many people can handle Humanoid Parasites. You made it. You can start tomorrow, Master Booster said.

As Beginner Red? I asked.

No, as Skillful Blue, he said.

What about my servant duties? I asked.

I think that we can work something out, he said.

Fiona walked over to me. There was still smoke coming out of my wrist. She had a look of confusion on her face. She said, Are you okay? Why is your arm smoking? The next question was not a surprise. Is your arm real?

I said, Yes and no.

What do you mean? she asked.

That is a story for another day, I said.

Later on that day, the dojo was about to close for the night.

What time is it? I asked.

About seven thirty. Why? Fiona asked.

Oh no, I won’t make it home in time, I said.

Let me give you a lift home, she said.

No, it’s fine, I said.

You’re going to walk all that way? she asked.

Yeah, it’s fine, I said.

Dylan, I’m sure you know by now I’m not a serial killer. I think that you’re safe, she said.

I laughed. So I got in her car. It was blue. Let me guess. Your favorite color is blue, I said.

How did you know? she said.

Lucky guess, I said.

Fiona drove to the servant apartments. We got there in fifteen minutes, and she dropped me off.

Thanks for the lift, I said.

You’re welcome, she said.

I got out of the car.

Hey, Dylan, she said. I turned around.

Good job today. See you tomorrow, she said.

Yeah, you will, I said.

She drove off. I walked inside the apartment. I went into my room and felt my wrist, thinking, That was interesting. Who knows, maybe being a servant maybe not be all that bad.

Chapter 3

The Training

The next day was like all the others. I woke up at 6:00 a.m., received a text about my new job, and picked up the box at the door. The only difference was that I made friends, something that I thought would never happen. My life was returning back to normal or, at least, as close as possible to normal. That day was two months in my sentence, two down and ten left. From that day, I went to work from eight to three because Mr. Briggs called the National Servant Association and asked them if I could get off work to help clean up his dojo. They said yes. So on paper, it looked like I was cleaning up the Emerald Dragon Dojo; the only person who knew the truth was Master Booster.

So every day I was done with work at three, I went to the dojo and put my training uniform and practice with Fiona and the other Skillful Blues. Every day, we would start warming up by sparring with one another. Master Booster would let each of us fight with each other, and with eight of us, it made things very interesting. Then Master taught us how to use our chi, focus it, and use it as a weapon and help with our tai fighting. It was hard in the beginning, but I got the hang of it with some help from Fiona. It was about controlling the weapon with chi and not our natural skills.

There were only eight of us in the class. The funny thing was that Fiona was the only human in our class. Everyone including yours truly were Pures, which means that we were human species, but we had special powers. Like for example, Jeremy was a Humanoid Parasite, which means that he had ability to steal someone’s skills or powers temporarily. Jeff was a Frost Chiller. Their power was to freeze anything that they touch. Mary was our resident Beta, which was a race of humans genetically engineered to be faster, stronger, and more intelligent to becoming the perfect killing machines. Most of them had a tendency to get into problems, which could get her into trouble. Charlie was an Elemental; they