The Mind's Eye Ch. 15

I knew something was up when the fifth presence started to sputter and not really answer. If this is how things are going to be? Then why in the hell would I even think of joining the five of you?

This time, the fifth one actually got mad as it reached out to me. I just smacked its hand away from me, making the shock on its face comical.

No one denies joining us! Came the shouting thoughts of the fifth. It again, tried to reach out to me this time

it trying to grab and wrap me. I had to go up quite a ways to smack it away again, this time trying to hurt it.

This time I saw that the face of the fifth was growing far redder than I had seen it. You will join us, or we will lay waste to your planet, its thoughts screamed at me.

I just smiled as I wrapped the fifth as it had tried to do me. I started to squeeze as it yelled and started to power up even more. I waved a finger in its face as I also increased.

I think that you and your underlings should just go away, while you still can.

This time the fifth managed to break free, though, I felt it took quite a bit for it to. This is not over human! Your power will join with ours!

Ah! I see now why you want us as badly as you do. I leaned forward near the fifth entity and whispered, good luck with that.

I then created a huge energy ball and hit the fifth entity with it. It knocked it completely out of the link with nothing of it left. I smiled, bowed, then left.

When I appeared back in my house, I could still feel the anger from it.

I then started to increase everyone's levels. I knew that this was going to seriously piss off the strong entity.

I still thought they needed more battle knowledge.

The only problem with that was that the advanced were far harder to teach than the basics. The only ones that were learning everything I was teaching, were Bell, Trina and Alice. Then again I kept seeing more and more glimpses of my dead wife, Shemie.

I could only shake my head as this was the hardest thing of all. I felt as if it had been my fault that she had died. Though she said I hadn't I still felt deep down it was my fault.

Both my daughters were the only ones who seemed to drag me out of the funk I felt I was falling into. I could see that Alice wanted to help, but for the moment it was harder than anything.

I had hoped that I'd see more of Shemie, however, I knew that her time here was limited. So, once again, I tried to think of a better way to teach all of them the more advanced techniques.

I had finished for the day actually getting one advanced installed in all of them. So I sat going back to the Xetron home planet, looking for many of the old regime that only wanted destruction.

I had been around the world once, thinking I had gotten them all. I then felt that I found a pocket of some far worse than the leader.

Though they were as evil if not worse, I was able to rid the world of them. The only thing was that I was actually feeling bad, I hadn't tried to change them.

I looked at everyone after I had finished, for some reason feeling as if I had missed something. The thing is, the more I thought about it, the more it seemed to evade me.

I had to stop after a while as I got a major headache. This was strange, since I hadn't had one in a long time.

After an hour, I stopped though I was still feeling something at the edge of my consciousness. I shook my head trying to clear it, seeing that it didn't.

This seemed to raise a red flag for me. I had learned that this was usually a bad thing. I sighed for the moment I had to let it go as the headache had increased.

I looked at everyone again, as I was still feeling that something was wrong. Just for the hell of it, I passed a hand across everyone when no one was looking at me.

For a moment, I felt another presence, one that didn't feel good at all. I was shocked for a minute, did it again, not finding anything. I narrowed my eyes. I had learned early on not to disregard these feelings no matter what.

I put it aside when I was in less pain and could concentrate better. If what I was feeling was right, we might be in trouble.

I also noticed that this exercise had again increased my abilities to another partial level. I needed more, though there wasn't that much to actually increase me. I also knew that as high as I was, I needed to let my body catch up.

I then turned to the shield I had around the earth. It was strong, yes against physical attacks. I looked harder, noticing that the mental shield was weak. Thing is, when I tried to increase it, the headache came back.

Without really thinking about it, I started to increase it. This, of course, increased the headache. It was growing worse as I felt the mental defense increased.

I stopped after it was twice as strong though the headache was still there. I knew that the strong entity I had felt before was behind this. I sighed, even twice as strong wasn't enough, though I hoped it helped.

I shook my head as I started again, the headache coming back with a vengeance. This time I actually felt the pain lessen as the shield increased. That's when I smiled when I heard the scream.

I thought that something was wrong, I stated as I kept increasing the shield. Hope you enjoy the pain, the same I am sure that you gave others.

I will destroy you human, you are nothing compared to my power, it said.

Huh, here I thought that you were desperate to add me and the earth. Too bad you screwed that up. I imagine that half the earth is immune to you. Though as I keep you distracted, more are added.

This time I pushed harder as I felt my mind slip to the next level. I also heard the entity scream, even more minds slipped from its control.

I took a breath, then pushed more as it screamed again, then was pushed away. I smiled as I felt it fade rapidly. I kept watch as I continued to increase the shield.

I felt the increase stop as I suddenly snapped back to my body. I tried to open my eyes, finding that they felt like they weighed a ton.

Dad? I heard Trina ask, are you OK?

Yeah, I think so, though, I am weak from fighting so much. This new enemy is stronger than I thought, even if I just went up another level and a half.

Don't try to do too much dad, Bell thought. The last time you were out for days, we aren't that strong. We need you.

I know hon, I thought, as I felt the concern from both of them. I also noticed that I didn't hear anything from Alice nor Shemie.

It was then that I felt the darkness take me as I finally surrendered to it. For once, I felt worried, I just hoped that what I had done helped.

Once again, I was in a gray area feeling that there were more powerful beings there. So, now that we can talk, I can make you see that this is the only way things can go.

I was immediately angry that it had invaded my dream scape. I don't think so, I believe it's time for you to go.

With that I pushed as hard as I could, feeling it almost scream as it was pushed out.

I then noticed that the other four were there. It isn't the strongest, as I have discovered, though if you continue to help it you are doomed.

All of them looked at me as I let a look of anger cross my face. I then locked my glance with Dutenner, a small smile on my face, then I blasted it away.

I saw the other three staring at me as Dutenner flew out of the mist area. I am not happy with the four of your races. Though his I am the least happy with. You do not want me as an enemy. With that, the last three started to choke slightly, then they found they couldn't move.

A smile crept to my lips as I felt all three struggle more. I then felt the strongest entity start to break through. It appeared that I felt it had less power. I then managed to blow all of them out of the mists, a shock on their faces.

I immediately pointed to where Dutenner had gone, the image of it just erecting itself.

Dutenner made it's form of a smile, as it bowed to me. I know that you dislike trickery, though it appears that you are a master of it.

I do not like it and avoid it if possible, I said, then moved toward Dutenner. I was suddenly standing beside it, the shock less as it was more used to it now.

I saw that things were in fact better, though I felt that many were still very weak. I reached out feeling the millions that were indeed still sick.

I thought for a moment as I looked at Dutenner, like me, he felt much of ther pain for his people. I sighed, as I wasn't sure I had the power, though I could try.

Dutenner looked at me strangely as I started to concentrate. It then started to back away from me when I also started to glow. I felt the multitude of its people that were deathly sick.

I had looked at Dutenner seeing how its people should be. I'm not sure how long I was in it, I know the mate soon appeared.

Dutenner's mate, was yelling as she broke into the room, then stopped short. The mate could only stare at me as I was glowing very brightly.

I then barely heard the mate describe what I was actually seeing. Thousands were suddenly getting out of their infirmaries completely healed.

I suddenly dropped my arms as I felt the drain starting to grow deeper. Damn, I hadn't thought that I had used that much energy, then I almost passed out as I slipped up another level.

I looked at Dutenner as I stumbled backwards. I have to go, I have to, I started, then fell through whatever I had passed through before. This time, I felt as if I was falling from a great height, then I stopped or rather crashed hard.

Oh, shit I thought as I tried to move. Damnit, I thought, as I tried to claw my way out of wherever this was. It was very hard as I felt completely drained.

Dad? I suddenly heard, Dad is that you? I thought we had lost you, I heard Trina say.

We've been extremely worried, came Bell's thoughts.

I was sensing another presence, though I couldn't find it, damnit it was so close to me. Shit it was as evil as I had felt from many. Immediately I felt what shields I had snap up.

I don't know where or who you are, but you are as trapped as can be, I thought.

You are mistaken; the evil thoughts came to me.

Oh, I thought back, then you would have left already when I discovered you. No, you are trapped, the shield is too strong for you.

Oh, human, you are so comical, the presence said.

No, I thought, though this might help, as I felt a flash of energy reach out. I heard the evil entity scream, then a female voice also. Oh, shit I thought there was going to be pain later I thought.

Again, I tried to get to the light I saw far above me. I then heard what appeared to be fighting. It also seemed to be more than just two presences.

I was barely able to get my eyes open as I saw all three, my daughters and Alice struggling. With something that I could barely see, I could almost swear it was a ghost.

I was barely able to push against it again as it started to scream again, then started to fade. I saw that it was trying to enter any of the three women. I got angry and used the last energy that I had.

The ghostly apparition turned toward me, "you haven't won human, as weak as you are I will break you and your guard!"

I was barely able to gasp out, "you are as weak if not more. Plus, I have others almost as strong. Goodbye you useless thing," Then it screamed again and was gone.

All three women came to me immediately crying and holding me, "Dad!" My daughters said as I tried to hold them, then passed out again.

Thankfully, I didn't have any dreams that I could recount. When I came fully awake, I was seriously disorientated.

I groaned as I tried to sit up, almost immediately, my three comrades of my old group came to me.

"I wouldn't try it right now, you've been out for quite a while," Andy said.

I started to nod my head, a big mistake, as I felt as if my head was going to explode. I saw all three of them shake their heads with slight smiles. Yeah, I thought, not funny.

That's when I noticed Trina, Bell and Alice asleep nearby. Again I tried to sit up, this time my old group helped.

"How long?" I tried to ask, though my voice was just a whisper.

"Almost three days," John said, shaking his head.

"Three days," I shouted, waking up all three of the women nearby.

"Dad?" I heard Trina and Bell say. "What's wrong," a look of concern on their faces.

"I've been out three days, I have to make sure we are OK," I said, upset.

"Dad," Trina said, gaining my attention. "We monitored everything, we sensed no new attacks."

I breathed out a sigh of relief, then I reached out myself just to make sure they hadn't missed anything. I was greatly relieved when I didn't feel anything though, I was suspicious.

I entered a dream scape area calling out to Dutenner. A moment later it appeared looking far better than I had seen it. I nodded, then walked toward and through and next to it.

As many times as you have done that, I am still not used to it, Dutenner thoughts said.

I nodded as I passed a hand over it. I again nodded as I could feel that it was twice as strong as before. Hell, it was almost as strong as the strongest of the four.

I held a hand up as I reached out, finding that there were still a great many that were sick. I smiled, as this time I wasn't weak. Within a few minutes, I felt all the sick, start to rise from where they were lying prone.

There that should help, I said with a huge smile. Dutenner looked at me questionably. I was about to explain when the same mate as before, rushed in, then, it's mouth dropped open.

It slightly bowed as I heard its low thoughts say, I should have guessed you were here. For all the sick, I wish to thank you for all that you have done.

The mate then excitedly whispered to Dutenner. What appeared to be a shocked look appeared on its face as it slightly bowed to me.

I smiled again as I slightly bowed to it, then stepped back through the vision of the dreamscape mist area.

I may have need of your help soon, if you truly wish to ally with my people, be ready, my thoughts said.

We will indeed be ready when you call for us, Dutenner's thoughts said.

I opened my eyes with more than twenty people staring at me. A small smile let them all know I was OK.

All of them came before me as I explained what had been going on. Everyone had searched the earth, finding that the planet was alien agent free. I felt relief, at least that was one problem out of the way.

I wasn't sure though what I was going to do about Xeinther and the other two. They had been bowed down to this fifth entity so long they forgot freedom. I wasn't sure if I freed them that they'd want it.

I sat for a few hours pondering over this new situation. I finally shook my head, as I was still without a solution.

My daughters and Alice had left me alone, knowing not to break my concentration.

"Dad?" Bell asked a moment later, "is there anything we can do to help?"

I sighed as I looked up to see her face full of concern. "Not at this time, hon. I am glad that I finally managed to clear you of that evil presence."

She looked at me as if I was speaking another language, 'til I reached for her, gently placing a hand on her head.

For a moment the look stayed there, then tears started to fall. "I am sorry I was so weak Dad."

"Shhh," I said. "This won't happen again. I have strengthened you and your sister. You weren't weak, there were just other ways it got in, as I said, "never again."

Bell threw her arms around me as she cried, "I love you Dad, thank you."

"I love you too, I just wish I could have been there for the both of you," I said.

"Oh, you were Dad," a voice said behind us. We both turned to see a hugely smiling. "Mom never told you to protect us, but we felt and later could see you. The things we saw you do still seem impossible."

"You saw me?" I said.

Both of them nodded as Trina continued. "Like I said, mom kept us from you to protect us. She still had us attune to you so we could see."

I was shaking my head in disbelief as what they said about the lengths their mother had gone to, to protect them.

Alice was sitting nearby, not having said a thing. I thought that Shemie would make a comment, though nothing.

I sighed, I had loved my wife greatly and had been crushed when I came home one day, and she was gone. Then to watch her die in my arms years later.

My stupid handler had tried to keep her from me, when she reappeared. That was the first time I had actually felt mad enough to kill.

I smiled as I remembered what I had done to him, especially, after what they had done to my nephew. It was an hour later that I felt a titanic crash against the shield.

I grimaced as I felt just who it was. The amount of anger and energy meant it could only be the fifth entity.

Human! I heard the thoughts shouted in my mind. Come to me, human we will end this today. No race has ever passed on the honor of joining us.

Honor my thoughts went to it. There is no honor in serving a power-hungry and mad lunatic.

I smiled as I felt the anger of the entity when it started to smash harder and harder against the shield.

I don't know who was more surprised when I was suddenly in front of it. I put all I had into a physical attack knocking it millions of miles away.

You will pay for that; it screamed at me. I then felt it rushing toward me, far faster than I thought it was.

This time I hit it with a double fist, the crunch I felt when I connected was more satisfying than I thought it would. I waited for quite a while for it to appear again, this time I saw that it was red with anger.

I then started to laugh as I realized that I was stronger than it. The look of anger on its face was nearly priceless. "You are nearly unworthy of fighting as weak as you are," I told it.

Again it's face turned red as anger seemed to take hold of it. It then smashed a fist-like appendage into my chest that shocked me, damn, I thought that actually hurt.

Alright, I thought, its on, again throwing a doubled fist into the face of it. This time I saw a grimace as it was hurtled even further away.

This time I had to wait for a lot longer before it came raging out of the darkness. It stopped before me as I held up a hand.

"Really," I said, "you need to stop this before you are destroyed, I can see that I am far stronger than you."

A growl issued from the entity's lips as it posted before me. "You will never be stronger than me." This time I actually saw the energy blast and blow it tried to hit me with.

I deflected the blast back toward it, then blocked the swift fist headed towards me.

I just as quickly threw a fist into its mid-section, hearing a grunt of pain. Even as it doubled over, I tried to hit it with a double fist, it caught me with a fist of its own.

Shit that hurt more than I thought it would, pissing me off even greater. OK, I thought it seemed that I needed to get serious before I got hurt.

I guess it wasn't expecting to come back immediately with as powerful punch that dropped it. "OK," I said, "time to stop playing, punching it again as it tried to rise.

This, of course, caused it to roar as it headbutted me to my knees. Though I had expected it, it still hurt more than I thought it would.