Echoes of the Algorithm

The Living Battery

The deep ancient voice echoed across the cold mountain peak. It did not sound like a sick little girl. It sounded like a thousand voices speaking at the exact same time. The strange words vibrated in the chest of Maeson.

"The cycle begins again," the young girl said.

Maeson stayed frozen on the rocky ground. He held Ava tight against his side. The thick purple fog swirling around the clearing suddenly stopped moving. It froze in the cold night air. Then, the dark magic rushed toward the medical stretcher. It did not attack the young girl. It flowed directly into her glowing skin. She was absorbing the toxic energy just like a sponge absorbing water. Her small body acted like a perfect container for the wild power.

The tall mercenary groaned in deep pain. He pushed himself off the dirty ground. He leaned against the metal transport van. His face was covered in dark red blood. He looked at the glowing child in pure terror. He reached into his dark jacket and pulled out a small silver gun. He knew he had failed his main mission tonight.

"Shoot her right now," the tall man yelled at his guards.

The two remaining guards raised their heavy weapons. They pointed the cold barrels at the floating child. Maeson felt his heart stop beating. He jumped up from the cold dirt ground. He ran fast toward his sister to shield her small body. But he was just too late. The guards pulled their heavy triggers. Loud gunshots echoed fast in the dark night. The flashes of fire lit up the thick forest.

The fast bullets did not hit the child. A bright purple shield of solid light flashed in the thin air. The metal bullets bounced off the magic shield and fell harmlessly to the ground. The young girl slowly turned her head. She looked at the armed men with her bright glowing eyes. She simply raised her small right hand. A powerful wave of pure force blasted across the open clearing. The massive guards flew backward high into the dark trees. They crashed into the thick wood branches. They did not get up again.

The tall mercenary dropped his silver gun. He turned around and ran fast into the dark forest. He abandoned the rich contract and his loyal men. He just wanted to survive the ancient power today.

Maeson stopped running. He stood a few feet away from the medical stretcher. The purple glow around his sister was fading fast. The dark fog was gone from the mountain air. The night sky above them looked clear and full of bright stars. The young girl slowly lowered her small hand. The bright light in her brown eyes blinked out. She fell backward onto the soft white sheets. The magic was gone from the open space.

"No," Maeson shouted loud. He rushed over to the side of the medical bed. He grabbed her cold hands. He looked at her pale face.

Ava ran over and stood next to him. She looked at the heart monitor attached to the bed. The small screen was totally dead. The loud breathing machine was very silent. The clearing was quiet.

"She absorbed all the dark magic," Ava whispered softly. "Is she still breathing right now?"

Maeson leaned his right ear close to her small mouth. He heard a very soft and steady breath. He felt a strong pulse in her thin wrist. He let out a loud cry of massive relief. He hugged her small body tight against his chest.

"She is alive," Maeson said. Warm tears fell down his dirty face. "Her breathing is stronger than it has ever been. The strange energy healed her weak lungs."

The young girl slowly opened her eyes. They were normal brown eyes again. She looked up at the night sky and smiled. She looked at her brother.

"I feel better," she whispered in her own sweet voice. "I am not tired anymore."

Maeson kissed her warm forehead. "You are safe now. I promise you."

A loud cracking sound broke the quiet moment. Maeson quickly spun around. He looked at the massive stone door carved into the mountain side. The blood red symbols on the rock were glowing brighter than the sun. Deep cracks formed in the solid gray stone. The giant rock began to split apart.

"Your reverse code," Ava said. She stepped back in deep fear. "It pulled the dark magic into the sick child. But it also unlocked the deep pressure seal on the ancient vault."

The heavy stone doors slowly groaned wide open. A huge cloud of freezing white mist poured out from the dark cave. The mountain air grew very cold. Maeson stood up and grabbed his heavy black bag. He pulled Ava behind him to keep her safe. Footsteps echoed from inside the mountain. Someone walked out of the ancient vault. A tall figure stepped into the moonlight. The person wore a dark suit covered in dust. Ava gasped loudly. She stared at the man walking out of the tomb. The man looked exactly like her father. He smiled a very cold smile. His eyes glowed with bright purple light. "Hello, daughter," the rich man said smoothly. Before Maeson could react, five black helicopters swooped down from the clouds. Red laser dots appeared on all their chests right then.