Nibiru Returns

by Tod Eten

  ‘Well it seems safe enough here’ Demitri said when they all had gathered in the hall once more.

  ‘Yes’ agreed Faith

  ‘I say we stay here for the night and get some rest’ Demetri said ‘it has been a very tiring day yes my friends!’ which was met with general agreement.

  ‘There are no noises coming from the door’ Seth said rejoining the group.

  ‘That does not mean that they have gone’ Faith pointed out.

  ‘Demitri is right let us rest here’ Aya said with what seemed a sigh as she looked about the hall, ‘I think if we get the fires lit we may even get some hot water’

  ‘Wonderful’ Bridget clapped her hands thinking about the shower room.‘Well then let’s all choose a bedroom and make ourselves at home’ Bridget suggested with nods all round.

  A short while later and using the wood from the storeroom they soon had roaring fires going in both the hall and the kitchen. Although Demitri scolded them about the fire in the kitchen being too strong.

  ‘For what I need an inferno’ Demitri demanded ‘I want to cook on that not incinerate my food’ and he stomped off around the kitchen muttering under his breath.

  As Aya had predicted it was not long before they had hot water flowing out of the taps the heat from the fires somehow heating the water and the women as one went to the shower room giving the men strict instructions that the bathroom was out of bounds until they were finished. Caleb refused point blank to go with the women and Faith was only mollified when Aaron promised that he would take him later. Only Aya did not join the women sitting deep in thought beside the warmth of the fire in the hall. Aiden too was deep in his own thoughts as he wandered about this strange home for the place should have been so alien to him yet he could not help feeling that he had some kind of connection to this place.

  Demitri with Gagan’s help had managed to cook what he felt was a passable meal for all of them and was now in a much better mood. He was just setting out the large table for their evening meal as the women returned fresh from their showers. Both Li and Hoshi looked especially beautiful both wearing traditional red and blue Chinese silk dresses and instead of sitting next to their brother Long they instead took the seats next to Seth and Gagan respectively. Long if he noticed this did not say anything, besides he was too busy listening to Ela who was seated beside him. Demitri had used the food that Zafer had given him the night before to create a filling meal for all his friends and to complete the meal Demitri had opened enough bottles of Zafer’s excellent wine to keep them all happy. Soon they were all in animated conversation, only Aiden and Aya who sat opposite each at the far end of the table were silent, Aya still deep in thought a million miles away and Aiden by now starting to wonder what was wrong with her.

  When they had eaten their fill and cleared away the table both Caleb and Skyla’s parents said goodnight and took their children to bed as did Demitri and Oleska who said they needed their beauty sleep.

  The rest taking some of the remaining wine went and sat around the fire in the hall leaving just Aya and Aiden alone at the table.

  ‘So what is going on there!’ Aya said suddenly with a wry smile startling Aiden out of his reverie. Aiden looked over to where the others were sitting.

  ‘What do you mean?’ Aiden answered innocently.

  ‘You know very well what I mean’ Aya said staring at him.

  ‘You mean about Gagan and Hoshi, Seth and Li’ Aiden replied quietly. Aya raised an eyebrow in answer.

  ‘Well it seems Silenus had a bit more than just alcohol. He put them under some sort of love spell I think’ Aiden whispered back.

  ‘Silenus he such a lecherous old fool’ Aya shook her head.

  ‘You don’t think they are still under his spell do you?’ Aiden asked suddenly worried.

  Aya looked across at the two couples and studied them carefully for a while.

  ‘Silenus can create many illusions but he cannot create love that is something that is beyond all magic’ Aya paused and watched the three couples quietly talking. Each couple completely engrossed in their own private conversations. ‘No that is not Silenus’s doing’

  ‘Good’ Aiden said with some relief.

  ‘What about you?’ Aya asked

  ‘Me’ Aiden said feeling himself blush.

  ‘What dreams did Silenus show you I wonder’ Aya said almost accusingly.

  ‘Well er....‘ Aiden mumbled.

  ‘Don’t worry I am only joking. You did a good job today, you all did a good job’ Aya corrected herself.

  ‘I am going to get some more wine, would you like some?’ Aiden said changing the topic, Aya shook her head in reply seeming to go back into her own private world.

  When Aiden returned from the kitchen with a bottle of wine he saw with some disappointment that Aya had gone. Not wishing to disturb the others who seemed quite happy on their own Aiden sat down once more at the table and soon his thoughts again focused on Aya. Why was she acting so strange he wondered was it something he had done or said and what had Silenus meant about his true love! Was Aya his true love he wondered? Aiden knew that he was already in love with her, probably had been from the first moment he had seen her. But how could she ever be in love with him Aiden thought glumly. Aiden gulped down his wine and poured himself another glass stewing in his own thoughts. By the time Aiden had finished his third glass he realised that the affects of Aya’s pill must have worn off for he felt distinctly drunk and decided a shower would clear his head. Getting up from the table Aiden made his way back down the passageway towards the shower room stopping off at his temporary bedroom along the way to get a towel. He then entered the bathroom walking straight into the shower room his thoughts focused on Aya. Removing his top he suddenly stood still realising that someone else was already in there. Aiden could see through the crystal wall the distorted outline of a beautifully sculpted female body which could only be that of Aya! Aiden’s heart began to race with desire. Aiden stood there transfixed knowing that he should leave but unable to do so.

  ‘Who is there?’ Aya said suddenly aware that she was no longer alone.

  ‘Errmm.. Sorry it’s me’ Aiden owned up like a naughty school boy caught red handed.

  ‘Aiden?’

  ‘Yes it’s Aiden, sorry, I didn’t realise you were in here’ Aiden squirmed.

  ‘Aya turned off the shower and emerged out of the shower in full view of Aiden who blushing quickly averted his eyes the image of Aya’s naked body now forever etched on his mind.

  ‘Well pass me my towel’ Aya said with some amusement.

  Aiden seeing her towel quickly grabbed it and handed it behind him still not daring to look.

  ‘I had forgotten how shy you humans are’ Aya laughed. ‘For us we do not worry much about our bodies naked or clothed’ Aya explained, ‘there you can now look’

  Aiden looked once more at Aya who had now wrapped her towel around herself.

  ‘It is all yours’ Aya said indicating the shower and set off out of the room.

  ‘Aya’ Aiden said stopping her ‘is something wrong, you seem so, well strange tonight’

  ‘No I am fine just old memories that is all’

  ‘So I haven’t done something wrong, you’re not mad at me are you?’ Aiden carried on.

  ‘No Aiden what could you have possibly done wrong’ Aya said and again it seemed that she was somehow accusing him of something.

  ‘Was it something to do with Silenus, I mean I did, I guess, I mean Hoshi and Li did, but I didn’t’

  ‘Aiden’ Aya said interrupting him ‘I told you did a good job, now go take a shower I am sure you need it as much as I need my sleep’ and with that she turned her back on him and left leaving Aiden even more confused than before.

  The next morning Aiden woke after yet another restless night’s sleep with dreams of Nibiru mixed in with dreams of the Neteru home he was now in. Dreams of violence that quickly turned to dreams of happiness and laughter then back to violence. The
next morning by the time Aiden had washed and entered the hall everyone else was awake and milling about the place each with their own tasks to perform. Aiden looked for Aya and on seeing her tried to catch her eye but when she looked at him she gave him a simple nod and went back to whatever she was doing making Aiden both angry and confused all over again. Why was she ignoring him he wondered what exactly had he done wrong? Aiden decided he would prefer to spend some time on his own and headed back to his bedroom. But just as he was opening the door to his room something caught his eye, at the end of the passage way. Despite his bad mood his curiosity got the better of him and he went over to investigate. He looked closely at the wall he saw that there was a small golden disk inset into the wall which he gently pushed. The disc went back into the wall and he heard a small click. Then the wall swung smoothly open revealing yet another room. Aiden on entering the room found what he guessed must have been the armoury for there were all sorts of weapons and armour arrayed around the walls. There were swords, spears, shields and body armour, enough to arm a small army. Aiden picked up a sword that was on the wall nearest to him and held it in his hand. Whatever the sword was made out of it was like nothing Aiden had come across before. It looked like it was made from bronze but it felt like some kind of wood and it was both light and strong. The sword had strange alien inscriptions running down the length of its blade and its edge was still as sharp as a razor. Aiden carefully put the sword back and turned his attention to the armour. He picked up what he guessed was a breast plate which seemed to be made from the same material as the sword except that it was malleable and he could bend the material whichever way he wished but if he tried to bend it too quickly it became as solid as iron. Aiden walked around the room looking at the assorted weapons and armour all of which were made from the same light bronze coloured material. Only the back wall of the room remained bare which struck Aiden as odd and he instinctively pressed the palm of his hand against the wall. As soon as his hand touched the wall he felt a tingle of energy and growing warmth spread beneath his palm and then yet another door opened up in the wall revealing a small space behind which contained a breast plate and body armour, a silver sword and shield and a bow with quiver of full of arrows. The items seemed to almost pulse with some kind of hidden energy. The armour and weapons looked much the same as the other weapons in the main room except the material they were made of looked like liquid mercury yet it was solid to the touch.

  Some force compelled Aiden to try on the armour and within a matter of moments he found himself dressed from head to toe in the strange silver armour. The armour light as air, settled on his frame like a second skin seeming to mould itself to the contours of his body. Next Adien picked up a belt with a sheath for the sword and buckling this on he picked up the sword which was just as light as the other weapons. The sword seemed to fit into his hand like it was a natural extension of his arm. Aiden reluctantly sheathed the sword and finally picked up the bow and quiver. This was made from a white material that looked like it could have been bone but was far lighter in weight. Like the sword the bow seemed to Aiden to be almost alive. Suddenly Aiden felt an incredible surge of power that flowed through his body making him feel invincible. He could hear the cheering of the soldiers and feel the blood pumping through his body in anticipation of the battle ahead. Placing the quiver about his shoulders and holding the bow Aiden slowly turned and looked at the ranks of soldiers who were lined up behind him all dressed in the light bronze armour and each soldier holding a long spear and shield. Aiden raised his bow above his head and the soldiers roared as one and then went silent. Aiden smiled and turning once more to look again at his enemy whose army was arrayed in front of him. As he looked at the enemy before him he could feel their fear, their fear of him! Aiden smiled once more and started walking towards his grey armour clad opponents. While behind him his army began chanting their battle cry and banging their shields. A sound like the throb of a monster's great heart that echoed in the air around him. Aiden walked on now eager for battle and the spilling of blood, he could feel the fear of his enemy growing.

  The others in the hall were still too busy eating breakfast and talking amongst themselves to notice Aiden as he strode past them.

  ‘Wow look at the cool stuff Aiden has got on!’ Caleb suddenly exclaimed.

  Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked in amazement at where Caleb was pointing. But Aiden did not hear Caleb nor did he see his friends for in his mind all he saw was the enemy army who he was going to destroy.

  ‘Aiden no!’ Aya cried ‘Aiden listen to me.’

  Aiden could see the enemy ahead of him but a voice called to him from the ranks of his army interrupting his concentration. That was not right he thought to himself who would dare do such a thing to him and he focused his thoughts on his enemy once more.

  ‘Aiden please stop it is me Aya, remember who I am‘ Aya pleaded.

  Aiden heard the voice again and stopped for the voice sounded familiar it was the voice of someone he knew, someone important .’

  ‘Aiden turn around and look at me’ Aya ordered him.

  Though he was desperate to go and battle his enemies he could not resist this voice that called to him and he turned and looked back at his army searching for the owner of the voice and he saw a face amongst his soldiers who eyes seemed to swallow him whole.

  ‘Aiden come back to me’ the voice pleaded and a memory of a woman started crawling up through the depths of his mind. He was in a library when he had first seen her, she had been telling him something but he could not remember what, but she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. With her golden hair and beautiful face she looked like a godess, but it was her eyes, her deep green eyes, that looked straight into his soul as if she knew his inner most thoughts. Aya!

  ‘That’s better’ Aya said a look of relief sweeping across her face.

  ‘Aiden what the hell are you wearing’ Seth exclaimed breaking the silence and soon everyone had surrounded Aiden touching and feeling his armour and weapons and all asking him questions at the same time.

  ‘All of you quiet’ Aya ordered silencing everyone and taking Aiden’s hand she led him to the table making him sit down.

  ‘Look at me Aiden’ Aya commanded again ‘what do you see’

  ‘I see you’ Aiden said his senses now coming back to him, his desire for battle now but a distant memory.

  Aya looked deep into his eyes once more, ‘You silly boy’ Aya suddenly scolded him ‘you should have known better than to put that armour on’ and then to confuse him yet again as now seemed the norm as far as Aiden was concerned she gave him a hug.

  ‘But what is wrong with Aiden’ Demitri asked in concern.

  ‘Nothing now’ Aya said releasing Aiden from her hug, ‘But this silly boy has just put on Neteru armour and some Neteru Armour can have a mind of its own especially this Neteru Armour’. Aya tapped Aiden’s armour with her knuckle.

  ‘But then we must take it off at once! ‘ Demitri exclaimed.

  ‘No it is OK he is Aiden once more, the armour has just found new master’ Aya gently patted Aidens cheek. ‘Now Aiden you better take us to where you found these things I think’

  Aiden lead them all back to the armoury he had discovered and everyone gazed in amazement at the items in the room much as Aiden had first done.

  ‘Gagan’ Aya warned ‘please do not touch anything yet!’

  Gagan backed away from the shield he was about to pick up. Aya then slowly walked around the room studying all the items on the walls and finally after what seemed an age nodded her head.

  ‘Can we touch them then’ Gagan asked excitedly pointing at a sword.

  In a moment but first’ Aya said holding up her finger. She then picked up a sword that was nearby and gently drew its blade across the face of the wall where it gouged a clean groove like a knife going through butter. ‘You can touch but I would hate to see anyone lose an arm or a leg’ Aya said looking especially at Gagan. Fai
th on seeing what Aya had done with the sword immediately ushered both children quickly out of the room despite their protests.

  The rest of them carefully started looking at the various bits of equipment in the room.

  ‘You know I think we could use this’ Seth said after some time, ‘especially with those things out there’.

  ‘He is right’ Demitri agreed.

  ‘You old fool what you are going to do with a sword?’ Oleska demanded

  ‘It is better than my bare hands my flower’ Demitri retorted.

  ‘We will look like lunatics if we put this stuff on’ Faith said, ‘they will lock us up and throw away the key’

  ‘Who will lock us up?’ Gagan countered ‘ the world is going mad and there are monsters out there, we need all the protection we can get!’

  ‘Yes but Faith is right there are still people out there and if they see us with this on we will be in trouble’ Bridget defended Faith.

  ‘Then we keep them hidden yes’ Demitri said ‘we can wear our clothes over the armour and keep the weapons hidden.’

  ‘I suppose’ Faith said not at all certain.

  In the end all except Faith, Bridget, Hoshi, Aya and the children, despite Caleb’s protests selected armour and weapons which they put on.

  ‘So now we are warriors!’ Demitri said holding up his sword theatrically.

  ‘Not necessarily’ Aya corrected him and went over and examined the empty far wall as Aiden had done earlier. After a minute or so she place her hand against a spot on the wall and another door swung open revealing another passage way.