The Battle of Fortis Joe Mallick Tom picked up the letter again, confused. Who had put it there? What did it mean? He had found it in his school locker this morning. It contained lines of jumbled letters and symbols. When the bell finally rang signalling th end of the day, Tom got on his bike and cycled home. He didn’t notice the man standing behind him. The man was around 6ft tall wearing a suit and tie, smiling; he disappeared into the shadows. Later that evening, Tom thought he heard a sound at his window. As he crept up to the widow he felt a shiver down his spine. There was someone standing there. Staring at him. Tom opened the window and saw another envelope. After looking around he picked it up and went back inside. The figure he had seen moments before had vanished. Similar to the other letter, this one had mysterious symbols but in the middle of the page was a note. “Hello Tom, we have been watching you for a long time and have been monitoring your every move. As soon as we saw you we knew you were the one. I think it would be best if you come with us. Meet ast the car park outside your school tomorrow”. The next day Tom knew what he had to do but was still unsure. Was this a good idea? Who even are these people? He checked his watch. It was time. ”Tom”. He felt someone touch his shoulder. “Follow me”. The man towered over Tom. He must have been at least 6 ft tall and was wearing a suite and tie. “Uh - uh hello?”, Tom stuttered. He wasn't sure what to say. “You have been chosen to battle Fortis”. The man got straight to the point. Tom said quietly, “I’m sorry, who?”. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. He didn't even know who Fortis was. “Fortis is a magical beast”, the man explained. “But magic isn't real, is it? That’s what I’ve always been told”. “Of course it’s real, Tom”. The man shouted. “Nothing is impossible. Now just hold my arm”. One minute they were both standing in the school cr park, the next they were in a cave. The man whispered, “This is the cave where Fortis …” “Hang on a minute. You can’t just take me here! How did you do that?” Tom exclaimed as the man disappeared into the darkness of the cave. A deafening roar penetrated the silence. He had no choice.
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