The quark flickered, its spark bellowing outward a micron. The final exhalation of death? Or the rebirth of life’s own breath? Faith that death was not finality convinced me that the battle had not ended. Hope still prevailed. The extermination paused, ceased before the last infinitesimal spark of existence had escaped my being. In a micro-instant, I inhaled it all back in. Amber, gold, and orange topaz swirls revived as life returned full throttle. Filled me with a brisk breath as revitalizing as the ice-cold Alps.
Numbness eased, releasing a thunderous roar. From deep within, a calm resolve gushed outward—the antiparticles. Inherently, both were unleashed on aThorsis in the first round. Drawing on these anti-powers, I could throw triple the charge in round two. Cripple him long enough to drag his dimly lighted ass to the nearest Dark One.
Missiles opened fire from my nucleus. Panic overwhelmed me. What if I lost control of the all-consuming anti-ness? How would I stop myself? Just as quickly, the blackness was absorbed by an intense light that radiated outward. White light equivalent to a thousand suns flashed every color in the spectrum. Undetectable hues in the spectrum bent the light rays to create a bordering rainbow. Tiny black orbs the size of golf balls orbited around me. The antiparticles had condensed into miniature black holes. My mind raced to keep up with each one’s furious orbit.
With equal intensity, I focused on one long enough to mentally launch the blackness at aThorsis before he ballooned away, no longer consuming my light. The cerulean gem shot out of orbit to join the antiparticle. Its silver laser-sharp blade sliced holes of nothingness into the scarlet globule.
When the antiparticle flared from within aThorsis’s center, the red flip-flopped as if it had sneezed within itself. The red balloon sucked inward, shriveled up, and then blew outward again like a deflated sail that never caught wind. The same blowing in and out happened every time I fired another black hole at his center. After three, the magic number, aThorsis’s murky being shrank to the size of a basketball. Success! Bounce him to the nearest Dark One, slam dunk him, and let darkness handle the rest.
Thirty black holes remained, orbiting around me faster than the eye could detect. Weird. Add the three I tossed at aThorsis and the black holes equaled the exact number of resets he had imposed on me to save Earth from annihilation. To keep me from finding the Lighted Realm. Were those all the antiparticles left inside me? Could my epicenter summon more? And if so, would those called upon always add up to thirty-three? I hoped for an infinite amount but chose not to gloat or tempt the Fates. I left the rest alone. Best stay in their orbits.
As my light corralled aThorsis’s dimness, a new dilemma crossed my mind: was he still a Lighted One? Could he exist even at the size of a pea? An atom? Quark? Nothing changed in me. No celebration, flashing lights, blaring trumpets, or flittering confetti.
Early on, aAriel mentioned that I must destroy aThorsis to take his place. If tossed inside a Dark One, would that be destruction enough? Not a chance. Damn it. I had to finish the job. Snuff out his light altogether. But how? Why did this battle take so much thought? A show of fists might have been welcomed after all.
Something else aAriel had counseled me on sparked me into action. One color absorbed the other. My golden conglomerate must absorb what remained of his muddy red. Absorb its entirety without his evil tainting my so-called goodness. Should I shrink him down with another blast of antiparticles? Or expand my light? If the new and improved me couldn’t snuff out a basketball-sized blob of color, then I had no business being here.
A feeble voice broke my focus. aThorsis begged me to forgo the Dark One and finish him. “Extinguish my light. I am done.”
“Working on it.” No other choice presented itself. Tendril rays of light feathered around the red ball to goad it toward my center, the brightest intense light. The amber gold absorbed aThorsis in completeness. A rumble from my center mimicked a celestial burp. I waited for a reaction. Still no brouhaha.
Nothing…until the low thrumming from my nucleus pierced the silence and surged outward. My light shriveled as if being turned inside out. An explosive force ballooned the amber outward as aThorsis’s red had done earlier. Tiny blood-red sparks shot from the golden rays. Each one brightened and dimmed until not even a speck glowed. In essence, my light disintegrated the red bits and then puked out nothingness. I braced myself for the fireworks.
The light had always been within me. But now my central core illuminated even brighter, its heat equal to a supernova. A white star, my own personal sun shone. Vivid and more condensed than the rings of Saturn, a kaleidoscope of cerulean, citrine, and golden particles, along with anomalies as elusive as pixie dust revolved in and around the central star. Within the radiance that comprised the rest of me, orbited all thirteen stones and one Zuni wolf. Thirty black holes circled around me counterclockwise. No need for a mirror to see myself, because I had become all-encompassed with that which existed around me. Aware of what the new me embodied from the inside out.
An upsurge of blissful relief filled me. Bells jingled the chorus of wind chimes. Subtle yet musically orchestrated. Happy chimes to fit my mood. My song of rejoice?
aThorsis shined in this way on the ocean planet. His central star nearly burned my eyes out of their sockets. As he exited, angelic voices rang out before a sonic boom thundered in his wake. The redness, the one forbidden color in the realm, had consumed that light and soul. The being he used to exist as had expired eons ago. I just helped send him along his way.
Success! I am a Lighted One. The chimes jingled a symphony of instruments as my light illuminated equal to a supernova blast. Music from beyond also chimed.
aAriel approached, revealing herself in a different light. She too, consisted of a central star surrounded by rings of lavender, cyan, and mint green. Lilac rays radiated from her central core. A few stones and miniature stars equal in size of my black holes revolved around her center. A condensed galaxy similar to my own.
“Welcome Lighted One aBrianel, Timekeeper of the Universes.” She circled around me. “You are the only Lighted One who bears stars that emit no light. I sense their potency. Use them wisely, sparingly.”
aBrianel. I approved the new name and its musical ring.
41
Be the Light
W ouldn’t you know it. I torched one list only to end up with a new one staring me in the face, and on day one as Timekeeper. This list would tie up loose ends, sweep up after aThorsis. A short list with only three items: release White Ghost and Zoeree, lift the Fallen exile, wings included, and send invites to my first summoning. These promises must be kept above all. I could do this.
The stones orbiting around me jiggled as the new me radiated from intense white to a rainbow of colors in the yellow spectrum. Laughter. All because I could visualize the face Sabree would make if he could see me now. Hard for him, for anyone, to imagine what was going on inside me. Juggling past, current, and future times, hundreds of dimensions, and creatures spread across the universes and realms. Doing all of that while contemplating the new list. He’d pop a cork. A champagne cork to douse his over-taxed brain cells with booze.
The first task would be the easiest and most satisfying to fulfill. My mind paused on a glitch. What was I thinking? All three to-dos would be earth-shattering. Mega-rewarding not simply satisfying. Especially the summoning, the most fearsome and mysterious undertaking of the three. I’d start in order with number one. The easiest task first.
As the stones spun around me, the moonstone slowed and diverted its course to approach my central star. “You summoned me, Lighted One Timekeeper?”
No need for formalities, my voice thundered inside White Ghost’s mind, “It’s aBrianel or just Brian.” I spoke softer. “Sorry, still getting used to the new and improved me.”
White Ghost glimmered in response. “My tagalong is eager to leave. She—”
“Can you help me, Uncle Brian?” Zoe interrupted. “White Ghost has been an excellent host. He is full of interesting tales, but I miss Mom and
Dad. Azrian too.”
“And me?”
“Of course, silly!” She giggled. “I’ve always been nearby in your pocket. So, how could I miss you?”
The poor creature. Existing in some guy’s pocket with a bunch of mindless stones. “I will set you free, but first…” My juggling mind raced. There had to be a way to release my niece and protect her at the same time. Lighted Ones shed tears to create stones of specific purpose. A protective shield like the one that housed White Ghost should protect her. But how did a condensed galaxy composed of a central star, orbiting stones and black holes, and an array of golden hues shed a tear? The answer revealed itself the second my question was asked.
All I had to do was visualize a tear and one appeared in front of me as a stone. Didn’t even have to think of mushy or sad thoughts. The stone sprouted into an umbrella-like dome of light. Protection set up, I addressed White Ghost. “Leave the stone and bring Zoeree with you.”
“Where shall I go?”
“Why did aThorsis imprison you?”
“As one of the eldest Malakhim, I asked to start a new hierarchy—librarians who archive knowledge. aThorsis despised the idea and imprisoned me to stay my quest.” White Ghost’s star-like being rose out of the stone. In his hand, he held a small twinkling globe that he tossed into the dome floating before us. “Am I now free to do so on your blessing?”
“Aye, let there be knowledge.” I had to stop saying that. Somebody might slap me silly. “You’re free. Start with the Teachers. Tell them, aBrianel sent you.” The Teachers had no choice but to make room for WG on my order. “Thank you for keeping Zoe safe.”
White Ghost brightened into a quasar and dimmed to a flicker as it sped away. WG shot gratitude my way before his spark vanished.
My awareness encircled the dome. “Zoe? Can you hear me?”
“Yes. I’m frightened.”
“Hold tight. No scratch that. You won’t know that I’ve gone anywhere never mind into the past. Time stands still in my wake. As we speak, I’m reaching into a specific branch of the future for your body before it was shot down as a cardinal.” A tendril of light latched onto her essence and deposited it into the dome the instant her body materialized into the realm. “Here you go. Try this on.”
A spark ignited when mind and body joined. “I’m whole! Thank you, aBrianel. Can I go home?”
“This second. You and I are jettisoning back to Earth.” My magnetic central core urged the dome closer. “This is my first attempt at transforming from a Lighted One to Tim E. Traveler. The ride may get bumpy so buckle up in case of turbulence.” Feminine giggles illuminated my outer colors. Love and joy enveloped my entire being. The brief touch of heartfelt emotions made the endeavor meaningful. Surely worth the risk involved. We could do this. My colors fluctuated with amusement. We had already done so and succeeded. I had seen her future.
Dome and galaxy vanished.
3 3 3
Seeing through human eyes again threw me off kilter. One foot fumbled under the other as the shawl whipped into my face. The dome fell at Ariane and Sabree’s feet. So much for a noble attempt at my opening night as Tim E. Traveler. Flubbed it up big time.
Before anything else went south, I waved a hand at the dome until it vanished. A winged creature of glowing energy transformed into a young woman with blonde flowing hair and turquoise eyes. Just as we remembered dear Zoeree.
Stunned whispers filled the room at first. Sabree and Ariane rushed to her, both embracing their daughter as one. While in the group hug, tear-filled eyes glanced my way. Their smiles spoke volumes. “You won?” Ariane asked before her husband. “Why the Halloween costume?”
Sabree had to wipe away his tears. “Because Tim E. Traveler wore it.”
“Aye to both. aThorsis is gone forever and I’m stuck in this outfit every time I return to visit physical worlds.” Three minds charged me at once with questions not asked aloud. Without meaning to, I read each one at once. Easy compared to the Lighted Realm mind juggle. No reason to imagine how they felt. Eternal gratitude, love, and happiness that Zoe had returned, and I whooped aThorsis’s ass flooded my omniscient mind. I smiled in return. “You’re welcome.”
The two women checked each other out, leaving Sabree to his own. He took advantage of the pause and leapt into my arms. We hugged long enough to make each one of us feel uncomfortable. I didn’t mind, no Earthly limits to influence my thoughts. When I pulled away, a rushing wave of emotion hit me dead on. Azrian pushed Sabree aside and took his place in my arms.
“Pop! You did it. You won.” His face nuzzled my shoulder. “I knew you’d beat aThorsis’s ass. I just knew it.”
“For someone so confident, you seemed surprised.” I laughed and whispered in his ear, “Zoe’s behind you.”
As fast as he had flown into my arms, Azrian rushed into hers. He glanced back at me and mouthed that he loved me. “Thanks, Pop.” He lifted Zoe off her feet. “I missed you so much. We tried to save you, but Pop made us wait.”
Zoe hugged him back. “I didn’t know what to do at first. I tried to get help before Uncle Brian and you traveled back to the past. Thank goodness for White Ghost’s stone.” She kissed him on the cheek. “Where’s Bellamy?”
“You know about him?” When she nodded, my son gave her a bashful smile. “He’s with Jesse. They’re waiting for me to deliver the good news about Pop. And you. We’re all together again.” He glanced at Sabree. “Well, that is until Pop releases the exile.”
“Speaking of which…” I nudged Sabree’s shoulder in jest. “Unless you’d rather stay on Earth.” His answer slammed my mind like a torpedo.
“No!” He grabbed Ariane and Zoeree’s hand. “All three of us were ready to leave yesterday. Do your magic, Brian.” He paused as if he over-stepped my authority. “Please, if you don’t mind.”
His slight genuflect would have gone unnoticed if not for my Lighted senses on overload. Sabree bowed to me? I replayed the gesture again by rewinding time. He did. Without acknowledging that I noticed his groveling, my mind rushed theirs all at once. I shared a play by play scene of the battle and victory, visualized the glorious Lighted Realm though I doubted their minds comprehended its entirety. Probably a first time, since no other Lighted One could turn into a human/anti-being and share visual memories. I would be the first to do many things. If allowed.
While each one stood in stunned silence, wings of white blazing energy shot from Sabree’s back. He easily looked the part of angelic messenger. My first in command. His exclamation deafened my ears.
“My wings!” He twirled around to take them in. His eyes glistened with tears of gratitude. Love. “Thank you, aBrianel.”
Guess I’d have to get used to the new name. My gaze raked over my sister next. Black wings sprouted for her without the amulet. Azrian already had a set. By mere thought alone, the exile had been lifted right after I freed White Ghost and Zoe. Every one of the Fallen were free, their wings now offered as proof positive. The nosophors had been cured, no longer creatures of the night.
The clans’ rejoice and the nosophors human again, visuals of joy filled my mind. No longer did I have to guess at what happened. I could see all and at once. “Your clan didn’t waste any time. They’ve already beat feet. Opened a portal and left.”
“Is there anything you don’t know or can see as it happens?” Sabree asked. “How do you get used to it?”
“This is nothing.” I gave each one a hug, lingering longer with my son and then Sabree. “When I tell you I know all, then you had better believe it.” I stepped back, taking each one in to remember forever. Who knew how often Tim E. Traveler would make an Earthly appearance? Except for my son, everyone would be in the portal realms. I’d miss seeing them through human eyes.
“What’s next?” Ariane asked. Sabree held her, shaking his head in return.
“I have one more item to cross off on my initial Lighted One to-do list. Another bloody list, one I can put to sleep after I perform the first su
mmon.”
“Already?” all four asked together.
“Now?” Sabree’s Cheshire cat smile beamed.
“Aye. I summon you to come here. Now!” My fingers wiggled to lure them closer. When blank stares met my gaze, laughter broke loose. “Just kidding. I have to go back first and change into my Lighted self. Then I’ll summon you the right way.” My gaze lifted skyward. “That is when I figure out how to do it.” More laughter rang out.
Everyone started talking at once. Not used to being free, Sabree and Zoeree opened their portals first. “Last one home is a rotten egg,” Sabree hollered. He glanced at me and winked before wings and all shot through his personal portal.
I shed a few tears of joy and tossed three newly created stones to Ariane. “Keep one, the other is for Sabree, and the third is for my nephew after he’s born. Fight over the gemstone types. They’re your swords.” When she smiled and disappeared into her portal, I threw a diamond at Zoe and a black star sapphire at Azrian. “Use them well.” I sent a wave of love to each one as they flew into their portals. Azrian would be back, but I would not be here. Alone, the time to return home and summon my Malakhim had come.
42
The Summoning
B esides releasing Zoe and the Fallen, and restoring the nosophor to their human selves, the third item on the list beckoned me louder than a radioactive fallout alarm. The list, one of my own making, was never needed. Except for the summoning, I had already completed billions upon billions of tasks since the assignment as Timekeeper began. Tasks had come and gone as natural and easy as breathing. Depleted my energy further.
Words of caution almost slipped by me. aAriel had warned me that I would need to replenish my energy levels after the battle with aThorsis. She was right. Eons of Lighted know-how spoke in her behalf.
Odd, how I still considered the glorious lavender constellation as a she and my amber mess as a dude. Eons might change that, but for now, I clung to the wee part of humanity that would forever thrive in me. The other parts suffered from an emptiness deep within my core. Growled louder than my empty gut ever rumbled for blood or sugar.
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