Zein: The Homecoming by Graham J. Wood Page A

taking Tyson to the top of the Bloody Tower. Before Kabel could say another word, Tyson released him and set off across the battlements towards the steps down to Tower Green, a patch of grassbeside the imposing White Tower, which stretched high into the sky. Kabel looked across and could see the Ilsid making their way to the main entrance below Tower Hill. It wouldn’t be long before they were flooding into the fortress. He chased after the energised Tyson.
    Outside following the fight on the big screen, Gemma felt her heart racing as the action unfolded, the excitement initially causing her body to shake with anticipation but quickly turning to dread when she realised Tyson was out of control, acting as if he had drunk four Red Bull cans in quick succession. She heard footsteps behind her and was pleased to see Amelia half running, half walking and following behind her were Hechkle and Bronstorm.
    ‘How are they doing?’ said Amelia, gasping for breath. When she had stormed off it wasn’t long before she had sought her friends out and after explaining what had happened they all agreed they needed to see if Tyson and Kabel needed help.
    ‘What the heck are they doing?’ said the disbelieving Hechkle as he saw the Ilsid burst into the Tower of London fortress. Tyson and Kabel stood back to back on Tower Green fighting wave after wave of attacks. ‘Can we not stop the programme?’ asked Gemma.
    ‘No, once started, the algorithms kick in and the only one who can override proceedings is the senior officer who set the scenario in motion,’ Hechkle said, looking thoughtful.
    ‘I am scared,’ said Amelia, staring at the screen worriedly. ‘I don’t think Kabel will back down and I think Tyson will not be able to hold back any longer, look!’ The companions all focused on Tyson. His face had lost the carefree wide-eyed look and the tension and fury were building within his face. Kabel was unable to see what was happening as his back was turned butTyson was now using one of his hands to spurt power directly into the midst of his attackers, reducing their numbers drastically. His force-field was building in strength and he seemed to be growing in height.
    ‘If he allows his magics to explode he could kill Kabel,’ said Amelia, noting the temper and lack of control in her partner, which she had spent hours managing.
    Gemma began to panic and her heart rate was going off the scale. ‘We have to do something,’ she said pleading to her friends.
    ‘I have an idea,’ said Hechkle. He grabbed four bracelets and handed them to the worried friends. They didn’t hesitate, trusting the big Fathom warrior immediately, all snapping the bracelets on. ‘Grab a weapon,’ he ordered, pulling his seckle from his tunic. Bronstorm, following the instruction, did the same. The girls grabbed a photon shotgun each. Hechkle punched in some details then turned to the waiting companions.
    ‘Place your bracelet into the hologram and hold on as we enter the game.’ They all nodded. ‘Amelia you need to get to Tyson and calm him down and we will form a perimeter around you.’ Amelia confirmed she would. With dry mouths they each thrust their arms with the bracelets on into the hologram and to their shock they were pulled into the programme by a powerful force. Amelia felt a sickness to her stomach as her centre of gravity shifted and she felt herself catapulted to another dimension.
    Kabel had felt the increase in Tyson’s power. It was so strong he could not fight back-to-back with his brother as Tyson’s force-field pushed him away. He heard a loud pop and his face betrayed the surprise he felt when he saw Amelia, Gemma, Bronstorm and Hechkle in front of him.
    ‘Help Tyson,’ screamed Gemma to Kabel, laying down a concentrated blast of gunfire. Kabel turned and had toraise his hand to partially cover his eyes as the brightness emitting from Tyson was blinding.
    Tyson hardly noticed the arrival of his friends. Inside him the magic