It was obvious to Martin now that James' foremost weakness was his inability to know what happened to his mother. Continuing through James' memories only further confirmed this theory. When James was twelve, he tried to question his father on what happened to his mother.
"You have to tell me!" said James. "What happened to her? Why haven't we seen her in three years? You keep telling me she's not dead, but then where is she?"
"That's not something you or I can or should know. If you ask questions like that, you'll get in big trouble. You might be twelve, but that's never stopped the government before. Unauthorised Questioning is a crime, no matter what. I can say that I know why, but even so, I am not at liberty to tell you. What I can tell you is more about the criminal offence."
"Fine, dad. Then tell me."
"Unauthorised Questioning, sometimes simply referred to as Questioning, is a four-degree crime that requires re-education of the offender in order to be cleared for."
Lachlan walked into the kitchen and began to make himself some tea. He clarified that he wanted to be absolutely clear on this matter, and could not do so on a dry throat.
"Fourth-degree Questioning is a minor offence. Sometimes no action is required. However, people who commit this offence are often put on a watchlist, and from that point on, have their every move recorded."
What is this guy thinking, telling this stuff to a twelve year old? thought Martin. As if to echo his sentiment, the young James asked his father a similar question.
"I want you to work with the government. With me. Army, police, it doesn't matter. I can't be the only one in this family looking out for justice. Do you understand?"
Of course I said yes. What else are you supposed to do in that situation? thought the adult James. It was at that moment Martin realised that his opponent was once again in control of his own mind. He began to panic, but then he heard James' thoughts. I wouldn't worry too much, therapy will be over soon.
They both directed their attention back to the scene unfolding below them. The young James had agreed to his father's word and continued to listen to his talk about Questioning.
"Fourth-degree Questioning typically involves asking someone unrelated a question they can't answer, or are not allowed to.
"A more serious crime is Third-degree Questioning. A child asking their parent or a worker asking their boss questions they can't answer, or are not allowed to. The standard course of action is to re-educate. The success rate at this degree is ninety-nine percent.
"Second-degree Questioning is a considerable offence. This involves asking someone of greater significance than yourself a question they cannot or are not allowed to answer; say, a worker asking a CEO or a civilian asking a nobleman. These involve re-education also, but given the lower success rate of fifty percent, they are also kept in local jails for six months.
"First-degree Questioning is a special crime that requires specific circumstances. Questioning a King or President, or asking questions relating to classified matters. Re-education in this instance has a success rate of ten percent, and often times the people who commit this level of criminal questioning often go on to become infamous criminals.
"Promise me that you will avoid asking questions, now and in the future, so that you will not end up a criminal."
Ah, yes, the broken promise. See, Martin, while my mother's disappearance awakened my latent curiosity and desire to solve mysteries, what really haunts me is that my father and I haven't seen eye to eye since this night, thought the adult James' consciousness.
What? Why would you give away your insecurities like that? thought Martin's consciousness.
"Because, I've come to terms with my past. Months ago, my crew members and I all opened up to each other. During that time, the eight of us worked through our issues, and became healthier people. That was before I even confronted you, so if you are wondering what made me so confident, that was it."
The scene below them had faded, and now it was just the two of them. As James finished his last sentence, the two of them manifested in the empty space of the sub-dimension.
"You know, you were right in a way," said James. "I was too confident in my physical abilities. But, for you to suggest that I am too confident in my mental abilities, you underestimate the man who is going to solve this world's greatest mystery: Can one pirate rule the Terminus Sea?"
"But this isn't possible! I haven't even seen half of your life, and you've already regained control of your own mind? What are you even hoping to achieve?"
"Once the two of us have examined my life up until this point, the nature of this sub-dimension will force my mind into yours, allowing me to be the one finding out your secrets. But unlike you, I don't plan on exploiting your weaknesses. Whatever happens to you once I am in your mind will be because of your own shortcomings. If you can overcome them like I have, then we will be on equal footing in this sub-dimension, able to use the full power of our minds to continue our battle, without affecting the real Limbo. That is when I hope to defeat you, to make you realise that my brain is better than yours."
"I didn't realise you were so talkative, or egotistical."
"It must be this connection. Your talkative and egotistical mind is rubbing off on mine."
"Believe what you want, I'm just interested to see what happens next."
"Couldn't have said it better myself."
They faded back into ethereal forms, as James' past once again flashed by like a film reel. His training, his rebellion, his adventures as a pirate. Then, for a brief moment, they seemed to exit the sub-dimension. During this event, James touched Martin's forehead with his thumb, and rested his fingers on the side of his head. After this happened, both of them re-entered the sub-dimension. Martin began to feel like he was falling through space, and blacked out. His memories then appeared within the dimension. James was successful in transferring control. All that was left was to learn who Martin Magick was.
Martin's life flashed by like a film reel. In the first scene, he came out of his birth mother, who cried profusely at the sight of her child. The doctors were concerned.
"Do you not want your child?" asked one doctor.
"Want it? I can't even tell who I am half the time. The other girl must have had a boyfriend. Well, he hasn't been around lately. Maybe he got killed like the last one. In any case, I can't look after this child, you need to find them a different home."
After that, Martin spent the next eight years at an orphanage, under the given name Cyrus Hardy. While at this place, he was bullied by two other orphans.
"Hey, Cyrus, show us what you got in your backpack!" said one of his bullies.
Knowing what would happen to him if he did not comply, he opened his bag, to allow them to search it.
"Let's see here," said the other bully. "Sandwiches, books, a calculator... wait a minute!"
Smiles spread across the bullies' faces as the second one pulled out a box of playing cards.
"Well, looky here. Cyrus has a pack of playing cards. What did you say you were using them for?"
"They're for my performance at tomorrow's talent show."
"You doin' magic tricks or something? How lame. Well come on then. Tell us what you'll do."
"A magician never reveals his secrets."
"Just as well, you probably suck at it," said the first bully.
They then looked at each other before the second one spoke. "Hey, you know what these would be great for?"
"What?" asked the first bully.
"Poker night. Yeah, we'll invite all our friends. This loser can even come. He supplied the cards after all."
This was the first time that Cyrus' bullies had offered him any sort of olive branch, and he did not know how to feel. Having read several books on magical philosophy, he knew the only true way to find purpose in life is to make the most of every opportunity. He accepted their invitation with that in mind.
Later that night, the boys woke Cyrus up and lead him to their secret hideout, where they and several other orphans hung out and did things that were against the institution's rules. A few of the kids were smoking cigarettes and a kid in the corner was etching a crude portrait of a supervisor into the wall with a pocket knife. All of the kids smiled when the bullies showed up.
One of the younger kids came up to shake their hands. He mentioned the bullies by name, allowing Cyrus to learn who they were. The one who usually asked to see his bag was Frank, and the one who usually searched it was Vince. Since "Hardy" was the name given to all of the children of the orphanage, that part did not need to be said to be known.
"This is Cyrus, he's a bit of a dork, but he brought playing cards, so tonight we're gonna use them to play poker!" said Frank. "Y'all better have your chips!"
Cyrus played poker with the group, and to their surprise, he won the first game.
"How'd you do that?" asked Vince.
"I don't know. I read that some magicians have something called 'Luck Affinity' that gives them an advantage in life. Don't know if I believe it though. And even if it were real, I doubt that I'd have it."
"So what, you think you're a real magician?" asked one of the kids who was smoking.
"I know I am. And at the talent show tomorrow, I will show everyone what I am truly capable of."
They continued to play without bringing up Cyrus' words. Once they were bored, they gave him back his cards, and they all went back to the dorms to sleep.
The next day was the day of the talent show. Many young orphans gave their best singing, dancing, acting, and so forth whilst trying to impress the headmaster. Cyrus was a late entry and so was the last act to perform. He walked onto the stage, and immediately his entry set him apart from the others. While most of the other kids had been nervous, and some cocky, he was completely calm. There was no indication that he felt anything about his upcoming performance.
Even so, when he approached the microphone, a smirk came across his face. He spoke with clarity, as if he had done this before, or was destined to do this.
"Ladies and gentleman of the Wunteering Orphanage, the act you are about to see contains confronting imagery. You can be rest assured, it is all part of the act."
He outstretched his arms before rising two feet in the air.
"Without further ado, let the show begin!"
A pink puff of smoke enveloped the boy and cleared to reveal that he had vanished. More smoke appeared at the back of the hall, and once it had cleared, the audience could see that he was standing on the wall. He walked down the wall until he stood upright on the ground, and walked back to the stage.
"That was my warm-up, now it is time for the real act!"
He held out his right hand, and waved his left hand over it. His pack of playing cards appeared and he smiled.
"These cards have been enchanted so that I can call them back to me at any time. However, if someone else is holding a card when I recall it, they will die. I will require a volunteer that is willing to put their card on the floor, or willing to die. This is some real magic here, folks, so follow my instructions or there will be consequences."
Three volunteers came forward, they were Frank, Vince, and a young female orphan. The three of them picked their cards from the deck and took their seats, as Cyrus had seemingly teleported their chairs to the stage. He instructed them to know what their cards were, and to put them face down on the floor. He said that when he recalls the cards, those who lie about their card or try to hold on to it will die.
The girl went first, and followed all instructions given. She was returned to her spot in the audience safe and sound. Vince was next, and though he doubted the claims that he will die, he did not pick up the card. When asked about his card, he lied. As a result he disappeared in a puff of blue smoke. Reflexively, Frank picked up his card, thinking that it was all a hoax. He was asked if he wanted to put the card on the floor, and when he refused, also disappeared in a puff of blue smoke.
"It is a shame those two did not follow the rules I so clearly set out for them. They knew that the consequences were dire, and yet they stood in defiance of them."
He raised his hands, and two blue puffs of smoke came down from the ceiling. Two bodies fell down from the smoke and landed on the stage. Wherever the two boys had gone, it was clear now that they were dead.
"This is what happens when you defy a magician! No longer shall I be the loser, the punching bag, the one to steal from! I am your judgment! I am power!"
In an instant, everything went black. James watched, amazed. What just happened? he thought.
I blacked out, thought Martin. Just keep watching.
The scene below them changed. The young boy awoke in a fancy room, perhaps someone's study. There was a large window with a view overlooking an even larger city.
"I saw the whole thing you know," said a voice.
The young boy looked around and realised that an older man was standing right in front of him. He also realised that he was tied to a chair.
"Your power will serve our family well. My name is Herman Summers, though you will address me as Mr. Summers, or if you prefer, father," said the man.
"Am I getting adopted?" asked Cyrus.
"Yes. Your new name is Martinigold Summers. My boy, you have a natural propensity for the mystic arts. As such, I am going to teach you everything my family knows."
Martinigold smiled knowing that his new life had just begun.