by J G Smith
Reuben remained quiet. He didn’t know how many people he could tell, or trust. This made Skye feel a little embarrassed, but she wasn’t going to give up. “I don’t know if I heard correctly, but did you say you knew the girl inside the tent?” she asked.
Reuben nodded, “Yes. I met—” Then stopped himself, remembering the officials’ response.
Skye decided to open up about her experience with Aht—eirus, mostly that she knew nothing about her. She too kept the peculiar parts to herself.
Bradley, still at his and Robert’s tent, eyeballed the play-by-play with a sour expression.
“You worried about this new guy hitting up Robert’s girl?” asked Dylan with a bit of a chuckle, only making Bradley sourer than he already was. “You know she’s got a thing for you, right?”
Bradley huffed.
Dylan, realising his failed attempt at cheering Bradley up and that lunch—late lunch—was just about ready, suggested bringing food to Skye and the new guy. “That way we’ll be able to suss him out properly and stop him from trying anything.”
Bradley shook his head. “Please. That’s the least of my concerns. But I am hungry.”
“And maybe he knows Robert?” suggested Dylan.
Bradley picked up Robert’s phone, put it into his pocket and headed over to the grill with Dylan.
“We already blessed it,” said Skye’s parents as the two of them collected four plates of salad and gilligator meat. “Too many of the officials don’t approve of Falgron practice,” they added. “But we hope you enjoy.”
Bradley and Dylan smiled and thanked them before heading over to Skye and Reuben. It was an awkward introduction, with Reuben being the most uncomfortable. After a bit of convincing, though, he accepted a plate and sat down with them.
“Is it okay if I blessed it?” asked Skye.
Reuben frowned.
“Your parents said they did already,” answered Dylan. “Something about the officials.” He and Skye both looked around to see the officials’ mostly grumpy faces. “Oh,” she said. “In that case, never mind.”
An awkward silence came over them as they slowly ate. Reuben moved the meat around a bit, not quite certain what to make of it.
“It’s gilligator—” began Dylan, but he was quickly interrupted by Skye.
“That’s where I remember you from,” she blurted, referring to Reuben.
“What?” was just about everyone’s response.
“You’re the herald,” she said to Reuben. He was pleasantly surprised.
“The what?” asked Dylan, distastefully.
“The herald,” repeated Skye. “In my faith, Falgron, there are many titles and some of them have only been mentioned in prophecy, like the herald. He is supposed to proclaim the way forward at the end of days, speaking the words of the law masters.”
“Skye,” began Dylan, somewhat condescendingly. “No offence, but I’m surprised you still believe that nonsense.”
“Dylan!” shot Bradley. “Not cool.”
But Skye didn’t seem to take heed. Neither did Reuben. His gaze was still on her and his mind was moving back to when he first heard that title: the herald. “Then who’s the Arcane Messenger?” he asked.
Skye’s face turned grim. “She’s the one who kills Robert,” breathed Skye.
“What?!” boomed Bradley’s voice. “Now you have to speak,” he demanded. “Not once did you say it was this bad.”
Reuben turned to Bradley and noticed a number of emotions through his formulapathy. “You all care about him?” he said, askingly. “Don’t you?” He was surprised by how much an Artificial could be loved.
“Bradley especially,” said Skye.
Bradley glowered.
“I don’t know about that,” piped Dylan with his attention directed towards Skye. “I’m sure you care more than you’re letting on.”
“But not as much as Bradley,” stated Reuben, noticing something with his formulapathy.
“It doesn’t matter who cares about who,” came Bradley, fuming. “Skye just said someone was going to kill Robert.”
“I came here to find Robert,” said Reuben, “and Ahteirus.”
“Who?” asked Dylan.
“The girl,” said Skye. “That’s her name.”
“Now this is news,” replied Dylan.
Skye glared at him. He shrugged back into his corner.
“Why did you come to find Robert?” asked Bradley. “Do you also know about this messenger person killing him?”
“No,” replied Reuben, feeling a little lightheaded. “I need him to come help back in my world.”
“Your world?” snarked Dylan.
“Yeah,” answered Reuben, uncertain of Dylan’s tone. “Ahteirus comes from one of her own as well.”
Skye quickly placed her hand over Reuben’s mouth. “Don’t say any more,” she instructed.
“Why?” retorted Bradley. “So, you can keep me in the dark? If my person is going to die, I should know. If someone is going to kill him, everyone should know. So, no, Reuben will keep speaking and then you will speak as well.” His reserved nature had broken and his emotions were boiling over into a controlled anger.
Skye argued that it wasn’t necessary and that Robert would return before the worst. That didn’t sit well with Bradley, not one bit. He shouted her name for all to hear, demanding to know what she knew. It quickly turned into a fight, with Skye claiming that she had things under control – she didn’t – and with Bradley declaring that she had no right to keep those things secret.
In the middle of this, Desmond, Tiffany, the tour guides and Ahteirus exited the tent. “Keep a better eye on her from here on out,” said the tour guides to Desmond and Tiffany.
Reuben stood up and rushed over to hug her. “I’m glad you’re safe,” he said, while Bradley and Skye continued to fight. “But how did you get away?” he asked.
“I lost him in the forest,” she whispered. “He got distracted with all the wild animals attacking. But it isn’t over.”
“I know,” replied Reuben, keeping with her soft tone. “We need to find Robert.”
“No,” she said, firmly. “Not now. We have to deal with Lighkame first.”
He stepped away from their hug. “That shapeshifter? How?”
Bradley marched over to the tour guides. “Someone’s going to kill Robert,” he said to them. Skye ran after him, trying but failing to stop his outburst. “And she knows all about it,” he added, pointing at Skye.
Her parents were on the outskirts of this gathering, along with David. Their eyes were now on her. She was in the spotlight and did not know what to say.
Fortunately, the echo of a military official reached the group, stealing everyone’s attention. “We’ve found him!” The official ran over to the tour guides. “We found Robert. He’s in a tent a few campsites over.”
“We’ll speak to you later,” the tour guides said to Skye. Her hands moved, almost instantly, to cover her face. She then fell to her knees, not even trying to hold back the tears.
Bradley was stunned—wide-eyed. He could barely move. “He’s here?”
“No,” muttered Aht—Ahteirus. “He can’t be.” She fought the tears.
“His parents are still coming, right?” asked Reuben, looking towards Desmond and Tiffany.
“Last I checked,” said Desmond.
“I’ll follow up,” said Tiffany.
The two of them walked off and everyone else started making their way after the tour guides and official. They wanted to see for themselves. They wanted to know that Robert’s return was real—that it was really, really him.
“Those two are the ones from my dream,” said Aht—I could kick myself. She said to Reuben, pointing at Desmond and Tiffany as they and everyone else walked. “The scientist and the suited lady. They paid Mr and Mrs Peters to be Robert’s parents.”
I can only imagine Reuben’s face, or anyone’s face for that matter. Even the thought is sickening.
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At the tent where Robert was held, almost an hour later, Aht—Ahteirus was throwing a fit. “Bradley?” she questioned. “Just Bradley? You’ve had all this time to speak with Robert and now you’re only letting Bradley through?” Her blood must’ve been boiling. “What on earf makes Bradley so special?”
Just about everyone was thrown by her attack. Even Desmond and Tiffany were taken off guard, having returned from their fruitless attempt getting a hold of Robert’s parents. The worst, though, must’ve been Dylan’s misplaced focus on her word choice, earf, questioning what she meant.
“Earth,” said Reuben. “She meant to say earth. I think it’s—”
“Don’t change the topic,” instructed Ahteirus, not budging on wanting an answer. But the tour guides didn’t seem to care. They shrugged her outcry off and led Bradley into the tent, who kept his eyes on her with perplex.
Military officials stood around the tent to ensure nobody took any chances. They were particularly focused on Aht—eirus, nudging expectantly for Desmond and Tiffany to take control of their daughter.
“Is no one going to tell me what’s going on?” murmured Ahteirus, looking to Skye, Dylan and David.
Dylan made a gesture that everyone understood to mean, What is wrong with her?
“Bradley is Robert’s person,” said Skye, rather slowly – as if to teach a basic principle. Aht—Ahteirus and, to some extent, Reuben seemed to be the only ones out of touch with what was going on.
“I know that,” she said matter-of-factly. She didn’t. Her hands flailed about as she tried even harder to figure out what was going on – and to find out what, exactly, a person was. “Everyone keeps talking about it like it’s supposed to mean something, but I have no idea what you guys are on about.”
Skye seemed genuinely shocked. She stepped closer to her and started to explain, “Bradley is officially and legally Robert’s go-to and representative.” Dylan walked off as Skye continued, “If something goes wrong, Bradley steps in. In the absence of family, Bradley is it. Bradley is Robert’s person – someone Robert chose to have there with him no matter what.”
Aht—it’s getting to me—using her name.
She didn’t fully understand and Skye could see it in her expression. “They’re the best of friends,” she continued. “Brothers. As Robert's person, Bradley is not bound by visiting hour restrictions or anything else like it.” Skye was trying, struggling, but uncertain of whether or not Ahteirus was understanding. “Like right now,” she said, “the tour guides are only letting Bradley in because they have to. They don't have a choice.”
Skye waited a moment to let it sink in and then asked, with thought, “Don't you have anything like this where you're from?”
“Not that I remember,” she replied, visibly calmer. “But it sounds like something every world should have,” she added. She then directs the question to Reuben. To which he replied, “No. Alpha Irrilium Prime is more focused on troops and garrisons. We're in the middle of a war. We don't have time for sentimental policies.”
That part of the conversation attracted a number of unwanted glares. Skye was notably distressed by it and wanted to redirect their attention. But how? she thought.
Suddenly, Bradley reached out of the tent in a panic, exclaiming, “It isn’t Robert!”
The military officials pulled out their ballistic firearms, aiming for the tent. A red glow seeped through. Noticing, Reuben reached for the mini phase gun he had concealed on his person—himself, on himself. He felt his head rush and muttered to himself, “I need adrenalin.”
The top and sides of the tent burnt away with a gush of red light. Robert—no, the light-wielder disguised as Robert moved forward and grabbed Bradley by the neck to hold him hostage. Two ashen piles were visible alongside them.
“Let the boy go, Robert,” ordered one of the military officials. A few of the others could be heard muttering, “What is that?” and “I didn’t sign up for this.”
“Robert?” teased Lighkame, allowing his—Robert’s—whoever’s eyes and veins to glow red. “If Robert was here—if Robert just did what I wanted, this wouldn’t be necessary.”
“Why are we listening to this?” muttered one of the officials.
“I’ve got a clean shot,” declared another, letting off a loud bang as he pulled his trigger, aimed at the light-wielder from behind.
Lighkame, still in Robert’s form, turned his head toward the sound. He glowed even brighter, teleporting to face the bullet and grabbed it with his hand. The officials’ faces sank as he opened his hand to reveal a burnt circle – a little smoke escaped too.
His gaze then fixed on the official that shot at him, flashing forward to grab his shoulder. His hand then released a slow, but concentrated beam of light that burnt through the official’s right shoulder and out of his lower left side.
There wasn’t even a scream. The official’s now hollow body fell to the ground as Lighkame flashed back to grab Bradley – who tried to run away. “Try that again and more of you die,” said Lighkame. He had everyone around him frozen in fear.
Skye looked at Aht—her and mouthed, “You said he would return.”
But Aht—Ahteirus wasn’t listening. Her eyes, and focus, was on Lighkame. “We need to stop him,” she mouthed to Reuben.
“That’s not going to happen,” spoke the light-wielder. “But I’ll tell you what will happen. You’re going to tell me where Robert is and I’m going to go back home.”
“I don’t know where he is,” yelled Aht—you know.
Lighkame grabbed Bradley’s neck even tighter and his veins glowed even brighter. “Look for him!” he commanded. “With that vision thing you do.”
“I can’t,” she muttered, droning off. “I don’t know how.”
“Don’t make me angry!” yelled Lighkame.
Bradley could feel his hand and skin getting hotter and hotter. “Listen,” choked Bradley. “Whoever you are. Maybe we can talk about this. I want to find Robert as well—”
“Shut up!” Lighkame wasn’t in the mood to listen to anyone’s suggestions. He had one thing on his mind, and one thing only.
“He’s at the Temple of Prophecy,” declared Skye, from out of the blue.
“The what?” questioned Dylan, hiding behind his father.
“You know where he is?” hissed Bradley.
Skye shot both of them a dirty look. “The building in the forest,” she continued, irritably. “I just saw him.” Dylan shook his head in disbelief. But Skye wasn’t interested in his condescension. She looked the light-wielder in his eyes and with a warning voice commented, “He’s running from something.”
“I don’t care what he’s running from,” stated the light-wielder, seething.
“You should,” answered Skye. “Because whatever it is, it’s bigger than you.”
Lighkame huffed, “Go find him.”
“Now?” questioned Skye. “The sun’s about to set. The forest is dangerous at night.”
Those words struck a chord with Reuben, who seemed to be struggling for air. “Already?” he muttered.
“Send the—” started Lighkame, looking at Reuben. But he caught himself. “No, I want to keep an eye on him. Take this one.” He tossed Bradley in Skye’s direction, adding, “I don’t have much use for him. Take the Artificial’s gun and tell Robert if he doesn’t return I’ll kill everyone here.”
Skye and Bradley were mostly confused. They pointed at Reuben’s phase gun for confirmation from the light-wielder on that part, to which he answered condescendingly, “Yes. Light is stronger than bullets.”
Bradley took the gun, before he and Skye started walking, hesitantly. One of the officials handed a key over to Skye, I assume for the gate into the forest. Everyone was afraid.
“And remember,” said Lighkame, noticing Skye and her parents exchange quivering looks, “I will not exclude them.”
Skye’s face was crumpled. Bradley’s was red. But even as they walked away, the
re was no touch of comfort or word of assurance from either of them. Bradley was still angry, though scared. He still wanted to help, but his trust in Skye had been broken. And she didn’t know how to fix it.
At least they knew, this time, where they were going.
Reuben collapsed, unconscious, as the two of them escaped from the light-wielders view.
Tiffany stepped forward. “He needs oxygen!”
“Down!” ordered the light-wielder, flashing forward and pushing Tiffany to the ground. “The Artificial will be getting nothing.”
Aht—she rushed over to Reuben, turning him over from his stomach to his back. “Please be okay, please,” she pleaded, on her knees and at his side. The words barely escaped her mouth as her hands found place on his chest. “Reuben,” she shook. “Please, be okay.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
THE TEMPLE OF PROPHECY
I make my way through the shimmering white light, back into the mirror-boxed room. Everything feels the same as I left it yesterday—no, days ago. One of my fingers meets the tip of my nose. I still can't believe it, but I know it’s been that long; the memories are peering through – just barely.
I turn back to face the shimmering archway… the portal. If anything happens, Robert, I tell myself, it’s your fault. My heart is heavy and my shoulders are hanging low. You shouldn’t have left her. You shouldn’t have told her that she could instruct you.
The shimmering white light catches a glimpse—a few glimpses—of streaky black shadow. “No!” I cry, almost falling from my tiny thread of hope. But, as I take a few steps back, I notice they’re struggling. The shadows are moving back and forth within the light, seemingly unable to push their way through.
“Nazriya,” I hear myself drone. She’s doing it. “Hold them down, Nazriya. You’ve got this.” It’s an uncontrolled, excited outburst. But the voice inside my head doesn’t allow the blind optimism to last. She can’t hear you, you numbskull.
That’s when I notice, in my peripheral, two familiar figures in one reflection to my left. Nowhere else. As I near the reflected figures, I hear the hollow voices from Rex’s tomb return to mind, ‘They’re coming.’ It’s Bradley… and Skye. Just the two of them… in the dark, alongside the river in the Phantom forest.
