by Joshua King
The air deep inside the mountain was cold and damp. A chill trickled its way down the back of my neck and my spine, sending ripples to the tips of my fingers and the ends of my toes. Remembering something one of my college professors had told me, I tried to envision the fire we sat around in the giant village just that morning. Concentrating on the image, I tried to convince my brain to recall the sensation of the flame on my skin and the warmth on my face. It was supposed to be like someone stranded in the desert stopping themselves from panicking in the heat by singing Christmas carols to trigger a conditioned response of feeling cold. Focusing harder, I tried to make my brain convince me I didn't feel like I was walking through a quivering plate of molded gelatin. Absolutely nothing happened.
"Well, that's bullshit."
"What are we supposed to do now?" Jaxxim asked.
"I need to find Lilly. Someone light a torch."
My flashlight was tucked into the corner of my bag, but after all the fruitless visualizing, I had the need for an actual flame. Bex dug through his bag, and after a few seconds of the clicking of a flint, a torch glowed to life. He swept the flame back and forth to illuminate the space where we were standing. It looked like we had landed inside a cave, but the floor was smooth and polished, segmented into small octagons like the inside of a house. An irrational rush made me wonder if we had somehow made our way back to the Dark Fae fortress, and I didn't look forward to another confrontation with the King. Then I reminded myself we were far away from the forest and inside a mountain. Unless the fortress had a very serious bunker system underground, there was no way we'd landed back there. I reached for the torch and took it so I could lead the way with the illumination. I called out for Lilly, but got nothing in return. It was possible being the only one going down the death slide when she did allowed her to skid further across the floor when she landed, but it shouldn't have been so far that she couldn't hear my voice when I was calling for her.
Fortunately, my brain didn't get the opportunity to conjure up too many images of what could have happened to her. We had only gone a few yards down a corridor leading away from the chamber when I noticed a figure kneeling on the ground. It took another several steps to see her face and know it was Lilly. I dropped down beside her and she jumped as though she hadn't even heard us coming.
"Lilly. I was calling for you."
"I didn't hear you."
Her voice cracked as it formed the words.
"What's wrong?" I asked. "Are you all right?"
She lifted her face to mine and I could see an expression somewhere between confusion and terror in her dark eyes. Her gaze fell back to her lap and I followed it, noticing one arm rested on her thighs. She stared down at it for a second before using her other hand to lift it and guide it toward me. At first, I thought she might be babying a broken bone and her strange demeanor was just shock in response to the pain. Then my fingertips touched her skin. Rather than the soft warmth of her skin, I felt something cold and impossibly smooth. My hand pulled away sharply and she let out a small, shuddering sob. Forcing myself to rest my fingers back on her arm, I drew it closer.
"Hayden, what is it?" Brielle asked as they came up behind me.
"Something's wrong with her arm," I said. I held the torch up higher to shine on more of her. "It feels like stone."
The light of the flame touched her arm, revealing her hand and forearm were pale gray. As I watched, the cold stone flesh crept slightly further up toward her elbow.
"I'm turning to stone," Lilly choked out. "The mountain is changing me."
"Help her," I commanded, looking at Brielle. "Do something."
"I can try," Brielle said, "but I don't know if my healing will work for this. I've never seen anything like it. Without knowing what's really wrong or what's causing it, I might not be able to heal it."
"You have to try."
The Fae healer cupped one hand beneath Lilly's arm and rested the other palm over it. She drew in a breath and the golden glow of her healing surrounded Lilly. I touched her shoulder, creating the link that would allow me to heighten the healing powers and spread them through my own hand. I linked my fingers through Lilly's as well as I could, trying not to cringe at the feeling of hers stiff and unmoving between mine. She stared down at her arm, waiting for something to happen. I watched with her, hoping at any second the healing would take hold and the stone would soften away. Instead, the sickly color continued to make its way up her arm. Soon it overtook her elbow and she could no longer extend it.
"I'm sorry," Brielle said. "The healing isn't working."
"It's not your fault," I told her. "But we have to do something. We have to get her out of here and back to the giants. They know the mountain. Maybe they know what's happening."
"How are we going to get out of here?" Aurora asked. "Whatever we slid down was far too slippery for us to try to climb back up."
"I can carry her," Brielle offered. "She can hold onto me and I will fly her out."
"I can float someone else with me, then I’ll come back for the others."
It wasn't the most ideal plan, but the creeping of the stone seemed to be getting faster and if there was going to be any chance of saving Lilly, we needed to do something fast. We hurried back down the corridor and into the chamber. Plunging the torch into the darkness, I searched for the ramp we'd slid down, but the walls around the chamber were smooth. Three full rotations didn't show anything else.
"This can't be," I said.
"Maybe it's a different room," Ashe offered.
"No," I said, shaking my head. "We didn't turn or go off the corridor at all. We just went from here to there. This is it. The way out is just gone."
"Then we need to find another way," Bex said. "We'll go deeper into the mountain. You saw the wamapongs. They were coming from all over. There have to be other exits we can use."
We retraced our steps and went back down the corridor. It was wide enough for us to walk in two lines so we filled the space and could pay attention to both sides in case there was an offshoot tunnel or an ascent. As we moved further into the mountain, the surroundings began to change. Rather than just smooth walls the color of the rest of the stone, the tunnel began to shimmer with flecks of reflective minerals. A few minutes later those specks grew larger and soon we walked through a corridor surrounded by crystals and gems embedded in the walls. It was stunningly beautiful, and yet ominous.
"Does anyone know where we are?" I asked.
They all mumbled that they didn't. Ahead of us, the tunnel forked. As we approached, I heard the sound of water dripping.
"We should go toward the water," Bugs said, confirming my thoughts. "The water means we're closer to the surface."
I didn't know if that was actually the case, but since we had literally nothing else to go on, I was going to accept it. We turned down another tunnel and droplets of water dripped down on us from the ceiling. One splashed down into my torch. It should have had almost no effect, but it instantly extinguished the flame. For an instant, the thick darkness returned, then it seemed all the gems and crystals in the walls started emanating their own glow. The effect was breathtaking, but I felt on edge.
"We need to get out of here," I said, tucking the torch away so I could take Lilly's hand and hurry her down the corridor.
Ahead of us, a large puddle shimmered and reflected the multicolored light coming through the crystals and gems in the walls. When I was within a few steps of it, a large drop of water fell directly into the center of the puddle, creating a ripple of concentric circles that spread out across the surface. Rather than fading to the edges of the puddle and then going still again, the circles moved out toward the outside of the puddle, then moved back in toward the center. I rested my hand on Lilly's hip and pushed her behind me just as the water rose up out of the puddle and formed a shape in the air in front of me. Seconds later the form of a man completely formed of clear crystal took a step from the puddle toward me.
21
The crystal man straightened his shoulders and turned his head toward me. No features defined his face, making the image even more frightening. Tightening my hands into fists at my sides, I took a step forward to position myself between the creature and the men and women behind me.
“Where are we?” I demanded.
The creature tilted his head to one side.
“You should know,” he said in a gravely voice. “You chose to come here.”
“What do you mean? We didn’t choose to come here. The mountain opened up while we were walking along it and swallowed us.”
“But you chose to come to the mountain,” he said. One translucent crystal hand touched his chest. “I am Gora, the life and essence of the mountain itself. It was my portal you used to get here.”
Lilly gasped behind me and I turned to look over my shoulder at her.
“You said the portal belonged to Matthias, that he built the inn around it.”
“That’s what he told me,” she said, her voice sounding whispery and betrayed.
“Matthias lies,” Gora said. “That was not his portal. It was never his. From the moment of its creation, it was mine.”
“How?” I asked. “That portal is in a village far from here. How could it have anything to do with you?”
“That inn was once a part of this mountain range. People came and started chipping away at me and my brothers. They took pieces of us away and used them to craft their buildings. One stole a piece of my stone that contained the portal magic. When he placed it in the building, that portal went with it.”
“I didn’t know the portals could be moved,” I said.
“Some can’t,” Gora said. “They occupy a space that can’t be defined or touched. Others, though, are embedded in specific objects. If those are taken, the portal goes with them. The men who came and stripped pieces of us away stole the portal. The creatures that call my rocks their home protected me, but many of the miners had to lose their lives before they finally abandoned their efforts to dismantle the mountains and use us for their own purposes. But it wasn’t soon enough. The damage had already been done. The miners had stolen so much of us and taken the portal.”
“That’s why Matthias wouldn’t talk to you in front of Malakan,” I told Lilly. “He knew what he and the others had done, and that Malakan wouldn’t be a part of destroying something innocent.”
“The warlock has used the portal many times,” Gora said.
“He might have used the portal, but he didn’t know where it came from. I know him. He wouldn’t do that. That’s why he was banished and why he continues to fight this war. He would never willingly cause unwarranted damage and pain, even for the benefit of his own kind,” Aurora said.
“He knew what he had done,” Gora repeated. “But he is protected.”
I took a step closer to the crystal creature.
“If you knew they had taken the portal, why didn’t you just end the enchantment? You couldn’t get that piece of stone back, but at least the magic wouldn’t be there and people wouldn’t be able to use the portal to get here.”
“It’s not that simple,” he said. “The magic of the portals can’t be manipulated that easily. Once a portal has been created, it can never be fully destroyed. It can be sealed and concealed from view so others aren’t able to use it, but it will always be there. The magic will always exist and a strong enough power can be used to break the seal and take over the portal. When that happens, the effects can be brutal.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“The magic that creates portals is an ancient and sacred form of enchantment. It’s not something that can just be used by anyone. If that was the case, there would be portals everywhere and they never would have been hidden. They were created long ago when the Underworld was still new, crafted by those imbued with this rare and magnificent power. At first, they were revered. The portals were designed mindfully and carefully regulated. The use of them was meant for the good of all those throughout the world. Then the Dark Magic came. Some that had been given the gift of portal magic were corrupted. They began to change the portals, twisting them to their own needs and preventing anyone from using them without paying dear and costly prices. People would enter the portals thinking they were going one place and end up somewhere completely different. Some went in and never returned. Criminals paid the corrupted portal creators to get rid of people for them or to help them commit their crimes and escape after. That never happened to my portal. I fought for the protection of the portal created long ago by the essence of the Mother Mountain. When the portal keepers were stationed and the portals decommissioned, I kept mine safe.”
“The Mother Mountain? Unani?” I asked.
His head dipped in what I could only assume was a nod.
“Yes. The creator of the mountain realm and protector of all that live here.”
“If she created the portal, why do you consider it yours? Why does it matter so much to you that it’s protected?”
“The Mother Mountain went silent long ago. Her essence is gone along with all my brothers. I am the only one left. It is up to me to defend this world.”
“You are the mountain in the myth Valmont told us,” I said. “The legend about the beginning of the giants?”
“The myth?” he asked. “Is the story of your birth a legend?”
I nodded and gave a shrug.
“I mean, kind of, yes.”
“The origin of the giants is not a legend,” he said firmly. “They are my family, but they are not my kind. It has been generations since we interacted, though I am aware of their presence. I’ve stayed quiet all this time.”
“Why?”
“To protect them. To protect myself. I’m all that remains of the life of the mountains. The power of the portal was passed to me when my mother went silent. I could have used that power to seal the portal when it was stolen, but I didn’t.”
“Why not?”
“Had I done that, it would mean nothing. Those who stole the stone wouldn’t be able to travel to the mountain as easily as they want, but what would that do? It would be an inconvenience, nothing more. Leaving the portal open meant I could have my revenge.”
Lilly whimpered and I looked down to see the stone moving further up her arm. The smooth gray had also started to take over and she was struggling to stand up. She reached out to grab onto me and I wrapped an arm around her waist to pull her close and support her.
“What are you doing to her?” I demanded.
“Exactly what I said,” Gora responded. “I’m getting my revenge.”
“What did she do to you? Lilly didn’t build the inn. She didn’t take the piece of stone from you or put it in place there. This isn’t her fault.”
“Just because she didn’t steal it doesn’t mean she isn’t complicit. She knew the portal was there and she chose to use it. Anyone who is aware of the portals knows there is a price to pay for going through them. This is the price. The miners came and took pieces of me to turn into part of their world, so I will do the same. All those who go through the portal will pay the price for it. I will take them and turn them into a piece of me in retribution.”
“Then why not Malakan? You admitted yourself he knew how the portal came to be and he used it many times. He sent us to it.” My stomach sank. “Did you already do this to him?”
“No,” Gora said. “Malakan is protected. The warlock knows the portal was stolen, but I will not charge him for using it.”
“Why not?”
“He is a friend of the giants. He has guarded them and seen to their protection when they needed it.”
“Against Darian?” I asked.
“Him, but others as well. You’ve heard the story of how the giants began, you know the blood that runs through their veins.”
“Demon,” I said. “The demons attacked the giants?”
“That is not my story to tell. But the giants are my family. There is little I can do for them, but Ma
lakan did. He kept them safe and continues to, and I am grateful to him for that. He doesn’t use the portal for his own gain. I will let him pass. I can’t say the same for anyone else.”
“Why just her? Why has there been no price for any of us? We traveled through it with her.”
“You went through the portal with a purpose. I heard the giants talking about you and that Malakan sent you through. That doesn’t mean I will not charge a price for you to use the portal. I will think of a way for you to pay for the use of the portal, but for now, it’s only her I want.”
“Why? Why Lilly?”
“She used the portal even when she wasn’t supposed to and for no other reason than curiosity. There was nothing beyond her going through it than the fact that it was there. She took advantage of the magic and went against the confidence of someone who trusted her. That makes her no better than the miners. She took what wasn’t hers because she felt entitled to it and without giving any thought to why she was told not to use it, or what her going against those orders might mean.”
“Why has it taken you so long to impose the price?” Lilly asked. “I only went through once and that was years ago.”
“Your time means little to me. I could have called you up at any time, but I waited. I didn’t want to change you while you were away because that would mean I wouldn’t have the chance to watch what it did to you. But now you’re here and I have my chance.”
“So, if I had never come back, you never would have done this?”
“I can’t promise you that. If it had taken you much longer, I may have still changed you. But now I can change you into the piece of the mountain I want you to be.”
A choking gag nearly brought Lilly to her knees and I handed her back into Aurora and Ashe’s arms as they reached forward to support her before lunging toward Gora.
“You can’t do this to her,” I said. “What the miners did was wrong. I understand that. Even Lilly did something wrong, and I know she admits that. But you can’t put her through this. You can’t change her.”
