their presence."
The man held up a hand. "Don't be so hasty. I observed you out of admiration, not
intent to harm. And I revealed myself, did I not? I'm here to offer you a deal." The man's
smile widened beneath the shadowy hollows of his eyes. "You want to be strong, don't
you?"
"What of it?"
"I can make you stronger than you've ever dreamed possible."
He studied the newcomer, fingers tight on his sword-hilt. "What's in it for you?"
"First, tell me. Why do you desire power?"
"I'm losing my patience with you."
"It's a simple question," said the hooded man. "Answer, and I will tell you whatever
you wish to know."
Zander stared at him for a long moment, then replied, "Because in this world,
strength is the only thing that matters. Because without it, you're anyone's meat, a dog to
be kicked around and abused. Everything people do, everything they strive for, is
ultimately for power. Anyone who believes otherwise is fooling himself."
The hooded man nodded, as if the answer somehow satisfied him. "True."
Zander pointed his sword at the man. "Now, enough of these games. Tell me who you
are."
"I am a sorcerer. You may call me Ajed."
"Is that your true name?"
"It is as true or false as anything else you might call me. A name is only a name. The
one I was born with has no meaning to me anymore. To those who know me, I am Ajed."
"Prove to me you're really a sorcerer."
The man raised a hand and murmured something under his breath. A wind swept
through the clearing, stirring the grass and lashing the trees into a frenzy. Dark clouds
rolled over the moon and lightning danced in the sky. Zander tensed and raised his
sword. Ajed lowered his hand and the wind died down. The clouds rolled away, leaving
the sky clear and calm. Stars glimmered softly. "Convinced?" asked the man.
"Very well, you've proved your power."
"Then do we have a bargain?"
"You still haven't told me what's in it for you."
"I am a scientist, of sorts. My area of study is the creation of superhuman beings."
"You're talking about tampering with nature. That's dark magic, isn't it?"
The man waved his hand, as if to brush aside the question. "'Dark' and 'light' are
merely convenient labels. It is true, the authorities would not approve of what I'm doing.
But then, nothing worthwhile is ever done with the authorities' approval. If such stuffy
little men had their way, we'd all still be huddled in grass huts, hunting our prey with
stone daggers and spears." Eyes glinted within the darkness of the man's hood. "You're a
mercenary. Are you really so squeamish about breaking the rules?"
"What makes you think I'm a mercenary?"
"Oh, I know about you. Your ruthlessness is almost as famous as your skill with a
blade. You're just the sort of man I've been looking for: strong, cunning and not afraid to
take chances. You'd make an ideal superhuman."
"Let me get this straight," said Zander. "You're trying to figure out how to make
humans more powerful. You want me to be your subject."
"Correct. I won't lie to you, there is risk. With innovation, there is always some risk.
But if all goes according to plan, your gains will be tremendous. So, do we have an
agreement?"
Zander sheathed his sword. "I'll come with you," he said, "but before I agree to
anything, I want to know more. I want you to tell me exactly what you're planning to do
and what will happen to me if I agree. And if you double-cross me or deceive me in any
way, I will make it my personal mission to kill you. I don't care how powerful you are. I'll
find a way. Is that clear?"
"As crystal." He turned. "Come with me."
Zander followed him into the woods.
Flash.
Bound to a metal table, Zander screamed and thrashed as the black liquid seared
through his body, burning away his humanity. Ajed's mocking laughter echoed around
him. Scales crackled over his skin. His body arched off the table as another wave of pain
crashed through him. "Stop this!" he shouted, his voice raw and hoarse. "Let me go!"
"Too late for that," said Ajed. He approached, carrying something resembling a
metal helmet. "But don't worry. Soon all this pain and fear will be washed away."
Zander recognized the object, and dread gripped his heart. "No!" He thrashed
harder, roaring.
Ajed chuckled. "You're a real animal, aren't you?" His eyes narrowed. "That's good.
Why do you think I chose you? You already have the soul of a monster. All I have to do is
give you a matching exterior."
"No& no& "
"But first, a few adjustments to make your mind more pliable."
The helmet lowered over Zander's eyes. He screamed&
Flash.
Zander stood over Ajed's corpse. The sorcerer's wide glassy eyes stared up at
nothing. Zander was naked, breathing hard. Blood dripped from his claws. He looked at
them, clenched his hands into fists. Then he flung his head back and roared.
Flash.
Zander trudged, naked and dripping with sweat, through a desert of orange sand. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]